Lehigh Valley bird sightings for week of August 28

Bank Swallow

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended August 28. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society. The Bird House provided additional sightings from reports derived from the online service ebird.org.

Monocacy Park, Northampton County
Blue-headed Vireo, 1 on August 26.

Green Pond, Northampton County
Great Egret, 5 on August 28.
Downy Woodpecker, 6 on August 28.
Tree Swallow, approximately 120 on August 28.
Bank Swallow, 2 on August 28.
Northern Waterthrush, 3 on August 28.
Red-winged Blackbird, approximately 500 comprising several flocks, on August 28.

Lake Minsi, Northampton County
Least Sandpiper, 1 on August 26.

Plainfield Township Trail, Northampton County
(at Knitters Hill Road)
Gray Catbird, 20 on August 22.

White-eyed Vireo

State Game Lands 168, Northampton County
Swainson's Thrush, 1 on August 28.

New Tripoli, Lehigh County
Bald Eagle, 1 on August 28.

Whitehall Township, Lehigh County
(Brynwood Drive and adjacent woods)
Blue-headed Vireo, 1 on August 26.

Pool Wildlife Sanctuary, Lehigh County
Gray Catbird, 20 on August 25.

Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh County
Bald Eagle, 1 on August 22; 6 on August 26; and 5 on August 27.

Trexler Nature Preserve, Lehigh County
Cliff Swallow, 2 on August 23.
American Kestrel, 1 on August 22 and 7 on August 23.
American Robin, 174 on August 23.
Northern Harrier, 1 on August 22.
European Starling, 183 on August 22.

Little Gap Nature Center, Carbon County
Warbling Vireo, 2 on August 23.

Yellow-throated Vireo

Peace Valley Nature Center, Bucks County
White-eyed Vireo, 2 on August 27 and 1 on August 28.
Yellow-throated Vireo, 1 on August 26 and 2 on August 27.
Double-crested Cormorant, 25 on August 27.
Ring-billed Gull, 14 on August 26 and 8 on August 27.
Bald Eagle, 2 on August 26 and 1 on August 27.

Nockamixon State Park, Bucks County
White-eyed Vireo, 1 on August 24.

State Game Lanes 157, Bucks County
(on Haycock Mountain)
Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 on August 27.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at the Church Road area)
Short-billed Dowitcher, 1 on August 26 and August 27.
Semipalmated Sandpiper, 1 on August 22.
Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 on August 22.

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

Warbler sightings in the Lehigh Valley

Blackburnian Warbler

The final week of August turned out to be a great time to see warblers, the small chickadee-sized songsters. Sightings of a variety of species were reported throughout the Lehigh Valley and vicinity. Some of the birds are getting ready to head south for the winter.

North America is home to 51 different species of warblers. Most are colorful birds. Yellow is common but you will also see blue, green, gray, chestnut, black, orange or red.

A good clue to identifying warblers is their behavior. Most warblers are quick and agile as they forage, flitting from one spot to another within the forest canopy. We often get only a few seconds to identify the species.

Generally only males sing, usually from medium high to high branches. Most songs are high pitched; some are a series of whistled notes on the same pitch and others are high-pitched trills. Still other calls (you really can't call them "songs") are raspy buzzes.


Here are Lehigh Valley warbler sightings for the week ended August 28. The list was compiled by The Bird House using reports filed with the online service ebird.org.

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Monocacy Nature Center, Northampton County
Black-and-white Warbler, 2 on August 28.
Magnolia Warbler, 1 on August 26 and 3 on August 28.
Blackburnian Warbler, 1 on August 23 and 1 on August 28.
Worm-eating Warbler, 1 on August 28.
Nashville Warbler, 2 on August 28.
Chestnut-sided Warbler, 1 on August 23; 2 on August 26; and 4 on August 28.
Canada Warbler, 1 on August 26 and 2 on August 28.
Blue-winged Warbler, 1 on August 23.
Black-throated Blue Warbler, 1 on August 23.

Green Pond, Northampton County
Yellow Warbler, 1 on August 28.

Jacobsburg State Park, Northampton County
Black-and-white Warbler, 1 on August 26.

Black-throated Green Warbler

State Game Lands 168, Northampton County
Magnolia Warbler, 1 on August 28.
Black-throated Green Warbler, 1 on August 28.

Jordan Parkway, Lehigh County
Connecticut Warbler 1 (immature) on August 28.
Magnolia Warbler, 3 on August 28.
Chestnut-sided Warbler, 1 on August 28.

Haafsville, Lehigh County
Pine Warbler, 1 on August 28.
Yellow Warbler, 1 on August 25 and 1 on August 26.

Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh County
Blackburnian Warbler, 1 on August 23.
Chestnut-sided Warbler, 2 on August 23.
Black-throated Green Warbler, 2 on August 23.
Black-and-white Warbler, 1 on August 22.
Canada Warbler, 1 on August 22.

Leaser Lake, Lehigh County
Black-and-white Warbler, 1 on August 23.

Hooded Warbler (male)

Trexler Nature Preserve, Lehigh County
Black-and-white Warbler, 1 on August 22 and 2 on August 23.

Little Gap, Carbon County
Prairie Warbler, 1 on August 26.

Peace Valley Nature Center, Bucks County
Black-and-white Warbler, 1 on August 23; 9 on August 26; 2 on August 27; and 2 on August 28.
Cape May Warbler, 1 on August 26.
Magnolia Warbler, 1 on August 26; 4 on August 27; and 2 on August 28.

Blackburnian  Warbler, 1 on August 28.
Chestnut-sided Warbler, 2 on August 26; 2 on August 27; and 3 on August 28.
Black-throated Blue Warbler, 2 on August 23; 1 on August 26; and 2 on August 28.
Black-throated Green Warbler, 1 on August 26 through August 28.
Canada Warbler, 1 on August 23; 1 on August 26; and 2 on August 28.

Hooded Warbler, 1 on August 27.
Blue-winged Warbler, 1 on August 26.

Nockamixon State Park, Bucks County
Black-and-white Warbler, 1 on August 24.
Magnolia Warbler, 1 on August 24.
Yellow Warbler, 1 on August 24.
Prairie Warbler, 2 on August 24.
Canada Warbler 1 on August 24.

Killdeer

A shorebird that you can see without going to the beach, Killdeer are plovers commonly found locally on lawns, golf courses, athletic fields or parking lots. 

The tawny colored birds—brownish tan on top and white below—have the characteristic round heads, large eyes and short bills of all plovers. Killdeer are slender and lanky with long pointed tails and long wings. The brown face is marked with black and white patches, and the orange rump is conspicuous in flight.

Typically you can see these birds running across the ground in spurts, quickly stopping to check their progress or to see if they startled any insect prey. Near the shore, they inhabit open areas such as sandbars, mud flats and grazed fields.

Killdeer feed primarily on invertebrates such as earthworms, snails, crayfish, grasshoppers, beetles and the larvae of aquatic insects. They also follow farmers' plows for unearthed worms or insect larvae.

The nest of the Killdeer is a shallow depression scratched into the bare ground. Killdeer will add rocks, bits of shell, sticks and trash to the nest for camouflage.

Broken-wing display

Killdeer distract predators from the nest by running away, calling loudly and bobbing up and down. They are one of the best practitioners of the "broken-wing display," an attempt to lure predators away by feigning injury. After the predator is distracted, the Killdeer flies off. The broken-wing display obviously does not prevent cows or horses from stepping on the nest. In cases like these, the Killdeer fluffs itself up, displaying its tail over its head and charging the beast in an attempt to get it to change its path.

The typical brood of four to six eggs is incubated for 22 to 28 days. Chicks can walk as soon as their feathers dry.

Killdeer get their name from the shrill, wailing kill-deer call. Eighteenth-century naturalists used to call them "Chattering Plovers" or "Noisy Plovers."

25% off all bird baths starting Monday!

This is a perfect time to buy a bird bath for your backyard habitat.

The Bird House is having a sale on all baths from Monday, August 31, through Saturday, September 5. Great savings at 25% off!

There are hanging baths, ground baths and beautiful ceramic baths made from Ohio clay. All sorts of designs ... all sorts of colors ... at a wide range of prices.

 

Any bath will complement your garden setting. And at the best savings of the year!

In-store stock only. Does not apply to special orders or previous purchases. No rain checks.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week of August 22

Black-crowned Night Heron

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended August 22. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Monocacy Nature Center, Northampton County
Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 on August 16.
Golden-winged Warbler, 1 on August 19.

Hellertown, Northampton County
Black-crowned Night Heron, 1 fly-by on August 14.

Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh County
Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 on August 17.

Fogelsville, Lehigh County
(along Nestlé Way)
Black Tern, 2 on August 21.

Lake Nockamixon, Bucks County
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, 2 on August 16.

Black Tern

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at the Church Road area)
American Bittern, 2 on August 20.
White-rumped Sandpiper, 3 on August 20; 2 on August 21.
Semipalmated Sandpiper, approximately 25 from August 17 to at least August 21.
Pectoral Sandpiper, 1 on August 16; 2 on August 20 and August 21.
Black Tern, 1 on August 19.
Forster's Tern, 1 on August 19.

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

25% off on special hummingbird feeders

The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that have been visiting your backyard may be getting hungry as summertime flowers are beginning to shed their blooms. Here's a good chance to extend the season. 

The Bird House is offering 25% off on hummingbird feeders that can be inserted into hanging baskets or planter containers.

The feeder has a metal stem that you insert into the soil of the hanging basket or container garden. All you have to do is attach the bee guard and add nectar. The feeder is easy to clean.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for week of August 14

Canada Warbler

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended August 14. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society. The Bird House augmented the report with sightings filed through ebird.org.

Martins Creek Environmental Preserve, Northampton County
Osprey, 1 on August 14.
Spotted Sandpiper, 1 on August 14.
Also seen: White-eyed Vireo and Warbling Vireo.

Monocacy Nature Center, Northampton County
Great Horned Owl, 1 continuing through at least August 14.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 4 on August 13.
Canada Warbler, 1 on August 13.
Blackburnian Warbler, 1 on August 9.

Wayne Grube Memorial Park, Northampton County
Solitary Sandpiper, 1 on August 12.

Bethlehem Township, Northampton County
(at Freemansburg Avenue near Wagner Drive)
Horned Lark, 12 on August 10.
Least Sandpiper, 17 on August 9.

Seiple's Farm pond, Northampton County
American Kestrel, 1 juvenile, on August 11.

Marsh Wren

Roseto, Northampton County
Eastern Screech-Owl, resident pair on August 11.

Allentown, Lehigh County
(Lehigh Parkway East)
Louisiana Waterthrush, 1 on August 12.
Black-and-White Warbler, 1 on August 12.

North Whitehall Township, Lehigh County
(at Greenleaf Street)
Savannah Sparrow, 1 on August 8.

Leaser Lake, Lehigh County
Forster's Tern, 2 on August 10.
Marsh Wren, 1 on August 11 and 1 on August 14.
Spotted Sandpiper, 1 on August 14.
Semipalmated Sandpiper, 1 on August 11.
Purple Martin, 3 on August 8.
Black-and-White Warbler, 1 on August 8.
Grasshopper Sparrow, 1 on August 8.

Semipalmated Sandpiper

Nestlé Way retention pond, Lehigh County
Spotted Sandpiper, 1 on August 9.
Least Sandpiper, 32 on August 9.

Zionsville woodland, Lehigh County
Eastern Screech-Owl, 1 on August 8.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at the Church Road area)
Little Blue Heron, 1 on August 9.
Black-bellied Plover, 1 on August 10.
Semipalmated Plover, 8 on August 10; 9 on August 11.
Stilt Sandpiper, 3 on August 10; 17 on August 11.
Semipalmated Sandpiper, 15 on August 9; 20 on August 12; and 15 on August 12.
Bonaparte's Gull, 1 on August 9.

Blue-winged Warbler

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Wild Turkey, 8 (6 of them juveniles) on August 13.
Northern Waterthrush, 1 on August 13.
Blackburnian Warbler, 1 on August 13.
Chestnut-sided Warbler, 2 on August 13.
Blue-winged Warbler, 3 on August 12.
Bald Eagle, 1 on August 12 and 1 on August 13.
Also seen: White-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Osprey, Spotted Sandpiper and Solitary Sandpiper.

Lake Nockamixon State Park, Bucks County
Caspian Tern, 3 on August 12.

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

Phoebe and Wood-Pewee

Eastern Phoebe

Be on the watch for two insect-eating birds. They won't be seen in our area for very much longer because the summer is almost over.

One of the most familiar eastern fly-catchers is the Eastern Phoebe. You may hear its raspy "phoebe" during the spring and summer around yards and farms. These hardy brown and white birds sit upright and wag their tails from prominent low perches.

The olive-brown Eastern Wood-Pewee is a small inconspicuous fly-catcher that perches on dead branches in the mid-canopy. Its unmistakable call—pee-a-wee-!—is a characteristic sound heard in summer.

The Eastern Phoebe is a plump bird with a medium length tail. The head seems large for a bird of this size. Like most fly-catchers, it has a short, thin bill for catching insects. These birds favor woodlands, yards, parks and woodland edges. Eastern Phoebes winter farther north than other insect-eaters and are one of the earliest returning migrants in spring. According to Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity, they are seen from April through September.

Eastern Wood-Pewee

The use of buildings and bridges for nest sites has allowed the Eastern Phoebe to tolerate habitat changes. They may reuse nests from year to year.

Male phoebes do not share incubation or feeding of the young, and females often chase them away.

The sides of the breast of the Eastern Wood-Pewee are dark with an off-white throat and belly, giving it a vested appearance. It has short legs, upright posture, long wings with white bars, and a peaked crown.

Eastern Wood-Pewees are found in clearings and forest edges. They prefer deciduous forests but also live in mixed hardwood-conifer forests of the north.

"Pewees" are in our area only from May through August. They migrate to South America to winter.

Eastern Wood-Pewees appear to be monogamous; the male will bring food to the female during incubation.

Both species capture small flying insects. They sally out from a branch to catch their prey, often returning to the same or nearby perch. They may also glean insects from foliage or the ground. Their diet consists of flies, bugs, moths, butterflies, bees, wasps, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, spiders, ticks and millipedes. They may also eat small fruit or seeds.

We've seen the Eastern Phoebe at the Monocacy Nature Center and Trexler Nature Preserve, and the Eastern Wood-Pewee at Nisky Hill Cemetery.

Within the past week, birdwatchers have reported both species at Allentown's Lehigh Parkway East, Leaser Lake and the Freemansburg Towpath. Eastern Phoebes have been seen at Wayne Grube Memorial Park and in Haafsville. Eastern Wood-Pewees have been reported at Martins Creek Environmental Preserve, Monocacy Nature Center, State Game Lands 205 (Lehigh County) and Walking Purchase Park.

Black Vulture has a taste for cat food

File photo of Black Vulture

Vultures are scavengers, soaring high above the landscape while they look for carcasses of dead animals on the ground. A birdwatcher in Haafsville, Lehigh County, got a close view of the bird, which apparently had become wise to his habits.

Dave Neimeyer was placing cat food on the open porch of his house on August 7. "As soon as I went back inside, the Black Vulture landed and started eating," he said. "When I went back outside, it moved a few feet away and shuffled a few feet further when I approached."

After deciding that discretion was the better part of valor, the vulture finally flew to the roof of a shed 30 feet away and perched there for awhile.

Cat food? How is that for about opportunistic behavior!

Black Vultures usually feed exclusively on carrion, including road kill. They've been known to eat the bodies of feral hogs, poultry, cattle, donkeys, raccoons, coyotes, opossums, skunks and armadillos. They may kill and eat the young of some birds or mammals. The vultures also investigate humans' trash, be that in dumpsters or landfills.

Black Vultures depend on keen eyesight to find their meals. They have a relatively poor sense of smell compared to their relative, the Turkey Vulture. Sometimes they'll watch the behavior of Turkey Vultures for the signal that carrion is available.

Both species are common in the Lehigh Valley, especially during the warmer months, according to Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for week ended August 7

Black-and-white Warbler

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended August 7. The list was compiled by The Bird House based on reports from ebird.org.

Easton, Northampton County
(at “Forks of the Delaware”)
Solitary Sandpiper, 1 on Aug. 4

Monocacy Nature Center, Northampton County
Mute Swan, 2 each on Aug. 3 and Aug. 6.
Great Horned Owl, 1 on Aug. 3 and 1 on Aug. 6.
Canada Warbler, 1 on Aug. 3.

Bethlehem, Northampton County

Peregrine Falcon, 1 on Aug. 5

Housenick Memorial Park, Northampton County
Solitary Sandpiper, 1 on Aug. 2.
Indigo Bunting, 2 on Aug. 2.
Also seen: Green Heron and American Redstart.

Freemansburg towpath, Northampton County
Turkey Vulture, 12 on Aug. 7.
Spotted Sandpiper, 1 on Aug. 7.
Warbling Vireo, 2 on Aug. 7.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 10 on Aug. 7.
Also seen: Northern Parula and Yellow Warbler.

Northampton, Northampton County
Turkey Vulture, 1 on Aug. 7.
Indigo Bunting, 1 on Aug. 7.

Solitary Sandpiper

Plainfield, Northampton County
(on the Appalachian Trail)
Ovenbird, 1 on Aug. 2

Bath, Northampton County
(at Silvercrest Pond)
Bald Eagle, 1 on Aug. 1.
Turkey Vulture, 2 on Aug. 1.
Cooper’s Hawk, 1 on Aug. 1.

Haafsville, Lehigh County
Black Vulture, 1 on Aug. 7 (eating cat food on an open porch).

Schantz Road, Lehigh County
(Construction site at Boulder Drive)
Red-winged Blackbird, 50 on Aug. 7.

State Game Lands 205, Lehigh County
Red-tailed Hawk, 2 on Aug. 7.
American Kestrel, 1 on Aug. 7.
Indigo Bunting, 5 on Aug. 7.

Germansville, Lehigh County
(at Reservoir Road)
Eastern Wood-Pewee, 8 on Aug. 7.
Hooded Warbler, 2 on Aug. 7.
Chestnut-sided Warbler, 1 on Aug. 7.
Also seen: Cooper's Hawk and Brown Thrasher.

Grasshopper Sparrow

Trexler Nature Preserve, Lehigh County
Green Heron, 1 on Aug. 5.
Solitary Sandpiper, 1 on Aug. 5.
Warbling Vireo, 4 on Aug. 5.
Brown Thrasher, 1 on Aug. 5.
Black-and-white Warbler, 1 on Aug. 5.
Chestnut-sided Warbler, 1 on Aug. 5.
Orchard Oriole, 7 on Aug. 5.

Lynnport, Lehigh County
Wild Turkey, 4 on Aug. 4.

Leaser Lake, Lehigh County
Green Heron, 12 on Aug. 1 and 7 on Aug. 2.
Turkey Vulture, 1 on Aug. 1 and 6 on Aug. 2.
Pied-billed Grebe, 1 on Aug. 1 and 2.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 64 on Aug. 2.
Barn Swallow, 21 on Aug. 2.
Worm-eating Warbler, 1 on Aug. 2.
Black-and-white Warbler, 3 on Aug. 2.
Bobolink, 4 on Aug. 2.
Orchard Oriole, 4 on Aug. 2.
Baltimore Oriole, 1 on Aug. 1 and 10 on Aug. 2.
Osprey, 1 on Aug. 1.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Cliff Swallow, 6 on Aug. 5.
Turkey Vulture, 1 on Aug. 3, Aug. 4 and Aug. 5.
Black Vulture, 1 on Aug. 5.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 1 on Aug. 2.
Worm-eating Warbler, 1 on Aug. 4.
Prothonotary Warbler, 1 on Aug. 2.
Yellow Warbler, 3 on Aug. 2.
Baltimore Oriole, 1 on Aug. 4.
Bald Eagle, 1 on Aug. 3.

Bobolink

Nockamixon State Park, Bucks County
White-eyed Vireo, 1 on Aug. 4.
Baltimore Oriole, 3 on Aug. 4.
Turkey Vulture, 5 on Aug. 3 and 2 on Aug. 4.
Common Loon, 1 on Aug. 3.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Black-and-white Warbler, 1 on Aug. 7.
Yellow Warbler, 1 on Aug. 1.
Vesper Sparrow, 2 on Aug. 7.
Grasshopper Sparrow, 1 on Aug. 7.
Bobolink, 18 on Aug. 1, 14 on Aug. 4, and 75 on Aug. 7.
Red-winged Blackbird, 15 on Aug. 1.
Baltimore Oriole, 5 on Aug. 1 and 3 on Aug. 4.
Also seen: Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Green Heron and Brown Trasher.

Bugged by bugs?

Birds love to eat Japanese beetles

In August, we see more insects in the yard. Some are beneficial to the garden; some aren't. Most backyard birds eat insects, which are high in protein in easy to feed nestlings. But who eats what?

Cardinal: beetles, crickets, katydids, leaf hoppers, cicadas, flies, centipedes, spiders, butterflies, moths.

Chickadee: insects and spiders.

Tufted Titmouse: caterpillars, beetles, ants, wasps, stinkbugs, tree hoppers, spiders and snails.

Mockingbird: beetles, earthworms, moths, butterflies, ants, bees, wasps and grasshoppers.

Catbird: Japanese beetles, midges, grasshoppers, caterpillars and moths.

Common Grackle: beetles, spiders, grasshoppers and caterpillars.

Starling: grasshoppers, beetles, flies, caterpillars, millipedes, spiders, and the adult and grub of Japanese beetles.

Downy Woodpecker: beetle larvae that live in tree bark or wood, ants, caterpillars, bark beetles and apple borers.

Carolina Wren: caterpillars, moths, stinkbugs, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers and cockroaches.

House Wren: beetles, caterpillars, earwigs, daddy longlegs and flies.

Northern Flicker: ants, beetles (gathered from the ground or "cow patties"), flies, butterflies, moths and snails.

White-breasted Nuthatch: weevil larvae; wood-boring beetle larvae, click beetles, tree hoppers, scale insects, ants, gall fly larvae, tent caterpillars, gypsy moths, stinkbugs and spiders.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird: mosquitoes, gnats, fruit flies and spiders. (Ruby-throats catch insects in mid-air or they pluck them from spider webs.)

So you see, songbirds are another natural benefit when you entice birds into your backyard.

Wildlife neighbors

Conflicts with wildlife can occur at many different levels and in many different contexts. Wild animals can establish themselves in yards, gardens and even homes. We should assess how serious is the problem. Safety issues for humans or pets? Any damage to property? Passing through or moving on?

We've had our share of visitors: a squirrel in the living room, a chipmunk sauntering through the kitchen, skunks under the sun room, raccoons and opossums on the patio, and even a curious fox in the backyard.

It is common to want to take action as soon as a problem is identified, but a careful assessment on that problem needs to be completed before taking action.

There is the consideration of the "visitor." Does it appear injured or sick? There are local people who can transport the injured animal or bird to wildlife rescue centers. Contact The Bird House for details.

In solving a problem, we must comply with all federal, state and local laws.

For instance, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 makes it unlawful to pursue, hunt, take, capture or kill native birds as well as to destroy a nest or egg. Only introduced species such as House Sparrows or European Starlings are not protected by this law.

Individual state laws provide for the protection of virtually every resident state animal species and address issues on animal control, hunting and trapping as well as cruelty to animals. Local and municipal laws may further restrict the methods of animal control.

The best way to ensure that you are complying with all applicable laws and regulations is to consult your local humane society, university extension service, district game warden or state wildlife agency.

American Kestrel

North America's littlest falcon, the American Kestrel demonstrates a fierce predator's intensity packed in a small body. It is a commonly seen resident of the area, seen mainly in open country, according to Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity.

This kestrel is one of the most colorful raptors. The male's slate-blue head and wings contrast with the rusty-red back and tail; the female has the same reddish coloration on her wings, back and tail.

Seen from above, the kestrel presents a pale belly with a black band at the end of the tail. Both sexes have vertical slashes on either side of the face. They are about the size of a Mourning Dove but they have a larger head.

American Kestrels mainly eat insects, small rodents and small birds. Their diet includes grasshoppers, beetles, spiders and dragonflies; voles, mice, shrews and bats; and small songbirds such as sparrows.

They can be seen perched on poles or wires. Or they may stay aloft, facing into the wind, flapping their wings and adjusting their tail to hover. In flight, the wings are often bent and the wingtips swept back.

Kestrels snatch their prey from the ground but may catch quarry on the wing. Being one of the smallest birds of prey can be tough. They can end up as the prey of larger hawks, Barn Owls, rat snakes or even fire ants.

Kestrels nest in old woodpecker holes, natural tree hollows or nooks in buildings or nesting boxes. To give them a nesting site, nail a nesting box onto a tree 10 to 30 feet above the ground. The appropriate time for the task is early February. The male searches for a spot then shows it to the female, who makes the final choice. During breeding season, males climb then dive uttering short kheee! calls at the top of each ascent.

Birds see ultraviolet light which enables kestrels to see the trail or urine that a vole leaves as it runs along the ground. Like neon dinner signs, this can lead the kestrel to its meal.

Kestrels hide surplus kills in grass clumps, tree roots, bushes, fence posts, tree limbs and cavities, to save food for lean times or to hide it from thieves.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week of July 31

Great Egret

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended July 31. The list was compiled by The Bird House from sightings reported to ebird.org.

Green Pond, Northampton County
Great Egret, 1 on July 30 and 2 on July 26.
Green Heron, 1 on July 30 and 4 on July 26.
Yellow Warbler, 1 on July 26.
Indigo Bunting, 1 on July 26.

Monocacy Nature Center, Northampton County
Great Horned Owl, 1 on July 30.
Also seen: Scarlet Tanager.

Bethlehem Township, Northampton County
(at Housenick Memorial Park)
Red-tailed Hawk, 1 on July 29.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 1 on July 26.
Indigo Bunting, 2 on July 26.

Eastern Whip-poor-will

Roseto, Northampton County
Broad-winged Hawk, 1 on July 28.

Trexler Nature Preserve, Lehigh County
Bald Eagle, 1 on July 31.
Yellow Warbler, 1 on July 31.
Scarlet Tanager, 2 on July 31.

Allentown, Lehigh County
(at Jordan Creek Parkway)
Northern Waterthrush, 1 on July 29.
Eastern Phoebe, 5 (includes family of 4) on July 29.
Also seen: Cooper's Hawk, Scarlet Tanager.

State Game Lands 217, Lehigh County
(at Reservoir Road access)
Eastern Whip-poor-will, 2 on July 24.

Leaser Lake, Lehigh County
Worm-eating Warbler, 2 on July 24.

Lynnport, Lehigh County
(off Springhouse Road east of Leaser Lake)
Bobolink, 25 on July 24 (all in fall plumage, except for several buffy juveniles).

American Avocet

Nockamixon State Park, Bucks County
Common Loon, 1 on July 31.
Ring-billed Gull, 4 on July 31, 3 on July 30.
Great Egret, 1 on July 30.
Willet, 1 on July 30.
Prairie Warbler, 1 on July 30.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
American Avocet, 1 on July 27.
Bald Eagle, 1 on July 28.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow, 4 on July 28.
Louisiana Waterthrush, 1 on July 25.
Yellow Warbler, 1 on July 25.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Cliff Swallow, 8 on July 28.
Ring-billed Gull, 3 on July 27.
Bobolink, 9 on July 27.
Black-and-white Warbler, 1 on July 27.
Prairie Warbler, 1 on July 26.
Yellow Warbler, 1 on July 26.

August's to-do list

Goldfinches will hang upside down to reach seed

As the final month of summer begins, here are some reminders that will make your backyard birding experience more memorable.

Fill feeders the same time of day if you can. Birds will get to know your routine. Even odd sounds can become the birds' dinner bell. Our back door sticks and makes a loud noise when opened. It takes but a few moments for the robins and catbirds to arrive to feed on the new offering of raisins.

A good summer seed mix has a high percentage of black oil sunflower seeds, with a lesser percentage of while millet and the rest safflower, striped sunflower and shelled peanuts. That will give nearly every seed-eating songbird something to enjoy. Don't forget Nyjer seed. It's the favorite for goldfinches.

Clean hulls beneath feeders and replace with mulch.

Move suet feeders to the shade if possible to slow melting. Another option is to use "No-Melt" varieties. Most of the suet cakes we offer at The Bird House are of the summertime "No-Melt" variety. We switch back to regular suet once the cooler months arrive.

Give nectar feeders a weekly cleaning, especially around feeding ports. Refill anti-ant moats.

Blueberries still are in season and affordable. Freeze them (and other small fruits) for wintertime feeding. The birds will appreciate the treats when berries become scarcer.

Robins and a Flicker enjoy a drink

Bird baths are a good idea in August, an unpredictable month for rain. If you already have a bath, you can attract more birds if the bath is kept clean. Be sure to scrub the it free of algae. Use "Bird Bath Protector" to slow the growth of algae and other organic growths. Use a "Water Wiggler" to keep water moving. Birds will notice moving water and mosquito eggs won't hatch.

Purple coneflowers are past their prime. Soon they will shed their petals and the plants will turn to seed. Let the plants stand through the autumn and into winter. The seeds are a favorite of goldfinches. You'll enjoy seeing goldfinches perching to reach the seed.

Visit your local garden center. Many perennials are past their prime and are marked down for quick sale. They may look a little ragged now but they'll bounce back next spring. Don't be afraid of placing perennials and shrubs close together. The tight growth mimics nature. Birds will welcome shrubs in winter. They use them as shelter from winter winds and as roosting sites.