Lehigh Valley bird sightings for January 31

Bullock's Oriole

For the second winter in a row, a Bullock's Oriole has been seen in at a residence in Gilbertsville in Montgomery County.

The Bullock's Oriole is native from the Pacific Coast to the Dakotas and Nebraska, but it hybridizes extensively with our own Baltimore Oriole where their ranges sometimes overlap in the Great Plains. Either way, it's unusual to see any oriole here at this time of year.

Orioles eat insects, fruit and flower nectar, none of which are available when temperatures are freezing and the ground covered with snow. They will, however, come to feeders offering orange halves and sugar solutions, and that's how this Bullock's Oriole was found. It has been seen through January 25.

Last year a Bullock's Oriole was seen repeatedly at the exact same feeder along Oberholtzer Road in Gilbertsville.

Baltimore Oriole

A male Bullock's Oriole has an orange face and a black eyeline. The male Baltimore Oriole has an orange body and black hood and back. Both species have white wing patches, but the ones on the Bullock's Oriole are much more pronounced.

In the West, the Bullock's Oriole is seen along forest edges and in farmlands, leafy suburbs and streamside woods, especially in cottonwood trees. 

At one time Bullock's and Baltimore orioles were thought to be a single species called the northern oriole. Later investigation proved that they were distinct species.

The Bullock's Oriole is one of several noteworthy sightings in the Lehigh Valley region for the week ended January 31. The list of sightings was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Saylorsburg, Monroe County
Pine Siskin, more than 90 at a private feeder on January 30.

Martins Creek PPL Power Plant, Northampton County
Eastern Phoebe, 1 on January 27 at the boat launch.

Lower Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County
Eastern Meadowlark, 1 on January 27 along Mount Pleasant Road.

Nazareth Quarry, Northampton County
Red-necked Grebe, 1 on January 25.
Long-tailed Duck, 1 on January 25.

Easton, Northampton County
Barrow's Goldeneye, 1 on January 27 and January 28 (a female viewed from the Autogrille Deli just north of Easton).

Williams Township, Northampton County
Harris's Sparrow, 1 through at least January 30.

Bethlehem, Northampton County
Sandhill Crame, 1 on January 23 on Monocacy Creek near Routes 22 and 512.
Peregrine Falcon, 1 on January 24 and January 25.

Brodheadsville, Monroe County
Common Redpoll, 20 on January 24.
Also seen: Pine Siskins.

Fogelsville Quarry, Lehigh County
Ross's Goose, 1 on January 23.
Redheads, 2 on January 23 and January 25; 3 through at least January 30.

Allentown, Lehigh County
Redhead, 1 through at least January 30 at Dorney Park pond.
Redhead, 1 through at least January 25 at Trexler Pond.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 on January 24 and January 25.
Cackling Goose, 3 on January 24.

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