Tips for October bird-watching

White-crowned Sparrow arrive in October

Another transitional season is underway. Chipping Sparrows, Gray Catbirds, Scarlet Tanagers and most warblers have left. Dark-eyed Juncos, and White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows are arriving, and we may see Pine Siskins soon.

Cardinals, chickadees, Tufted Titmice, House Sparrows, nuthatches, House Finches and Goldfinches, Carolina Wrens, Mourning Doves, and Blue Jays stay for the winter.

Water is crucial during this period for all birds and especially migrating birds. As always, keep water shallow, no more than 2 inches deep, to encourage small birds. Remember, a clean bird is a warm bird. Consider a heated bath or a heater for the bath so water won't freeze overnight.

You probably have seen Goldfinches or House Finches hanging onto cornflowers, black-eyed susans, cosmos and sunflowers. You may also see juncos, towhees and sparrows scratching at leaves looking for insects and fallen seeds. 

Song Sparrows stay the entire year

This is the time of year to increase millet in your seed mixture for juncos and sparrows. A good mixture for the fall is 50 percent black oil sunflower, 40 to 45 percent white millet and 5 percent to 10 percent white millet, safflower, striped sunflower or shelled peanuts. 

Cold weather increases the need for more calories to stay warm. It is a good idea to refill feeders in the late afternoon or evening as well as early morning to give the birds a boost of energy before or after the cold night.

Add suet to your feeding regimen for woodpeckers, nuthatches, chickadees and Carolina Wrens.

Are your feeders clean? We've had weather and we've had hot weather in September. Both can create mold and bacteria in the feeders. A good cleaning with mild dish soap, followed by a lot of rinsing and air-drying in the sun will benefit the birds.

Bird houses can be cleaned out and a 1-inch later of wood shavings placed in the house. On cold nights birds may huddle together for warmth.

Don't forget the fall seed sale!

It's been a tradition at The Bird House to offer customers a reduced prices for seed and suet. This year is no exception. 

This year's sale will begin on Tuesday, September 29, and continue to Saturday, October 3. 

All seed and suet will be 20 percent off. 

It's a great time to buy a few extra bags of seed to store at home for autumn migration and the cold days of winter!

Migration is at its peak

Arctic Tern: pole to pole traveler

For bird enthusiasts, October's bird event is spying on birds as they migrate. In North America, most species migrate to some extent, with more than 350 species traveling to the tropics each fall. October is the perfect time to spot winged travelers.

At least 4,000 species of North American birds are regular migrants. Some travel long distances; others move shorter distances, such as the span of several states or simply from higher elevations in the mountains to lower elevations. 

Birds can reach great heights as they migrate. Bar-headed Geese regularly reach altitudes of up to 5½ miles above sea level while flying over the Himalayas in India.

The Arctic Tern has the longest migration of any bird. Terns can fly more than 49,700 miles in a year, making a round trip between breeding grounds in the Arctic and Antarctic. During a life span of 30 years, the flights can add up to the equivalent of three trips to the moon and back.

Great Snipe: Speed king

The Northern Wheater travels up to 9,000 miles each way between the Arctic and Africa, giving it one of the largest ranges of any songbird. This bird is a tiny bird weighing less than an ounce.

The bird with the fastest migration is the Great Snipe. It flies 4,200 miles at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. No other bird travels at such speeds for long distances. The Great Snipe usually utilizes tailwinds to help them go faster, but their speed does not seem to be the result of that.

The Bar-tailed Godwit can fly for nearly 7,000 miles without stopping, making their migration the longest recorded non-stop flight. They do not stop for food or rest.

Migration can be very dangerous. Harsh weather may play a role but on many occasions human activities are the cause of untimely deaths. In the United States alone, nearly one billion birds die each year from window collisions.

To prepare for the long flight, birds bulk up on food during the preceding weeks to build up fat reserves. These reserves are later used for energy on their long journeys. The Blackpoll Warbler doubles its weight before flight.

Even birds that don't fly migrate. In Australia, Emus often travel for miles on food to find food. Also, many populations of penguins migrate by swimming.

October arrivals and departures

Scarlet Tanager have left the Lehigh Valley

As October nears, daylight has become noticeably shorter and the sun has become weaker in the sky. As the winter nights grow colder, insect prey becomes scarcer. Birds instinctively know it's time to move on. 

By early October, watch out for these changes in your backyard:

Vireos and veeries probably have departed. And Eastern Phoebes, Eastern Kingbirds and Eastern Wood-pewees. Consider yourself lucky if you are still seeing Baltimore Orioles, Gray Catbirds or Scarlet Tanagers.

In early October, Indigo Buntings and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks will be southbound. Eastern Towhees will depart in the middle of the month.

By mid-month it's safe to bring your hummingbird feeders indoors. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds usually are gone by then. Be sure to clean the feeders throughly before storing them; that way, they'll be ready for next April.

Blue-gray Gnatcatchers soon will be absent; there aren't enough gnats and other flying insects to be found in sufficient quantities in October.

Chipping Sparrows will be gone by end of October

Chipping Sparrows have begun migrating. By month's end, they will be gone.

Most warbler species have departed for warmer regions where their diets are richer in insects, spiders and other invertebrates. One exception is the Yellow-rumped Warbler. It spends its breeding season in northern Canada and is now arriving for the winter. In the depth of winter, watch for Yellow-rumped Warblers at your bird feeder, foraging for seed.

Other bird species soon will arrive from Canada. You may see Pine Siskins in the first part of October. By mid-month the first Dark-eyed Juncos may be here. White-crowned and White-throated sparrows will be arriving as well. 

Chickadees are year-round residents

Species that will remain through the winter include Northern Cardinals, House Finches, Purple Finches, American Goldfinches, Mourning Doves, Black-capped Chickadees, Blue Jays, American Crows, Common Grackles, Song Sparrows, House Sparrows and European Starlings. 

Most woodpecker species will remain: Downy, Hairy, Pileated, Red-bellied and Red-headed. Flickers will stay, too. They survive the winter eating nuts that they cached in tree crevices.

Many owl species remain in the area all year. If you are lucky, you may begin seeing Arctic-breeding Snowy Owls in December.

Mallard (male)

As for raptors, Red-tailed Hawks stay through the winter, preying on small rodents in the wild and avian visitors to your bird feeder. Broad-winged Hawks will be gone in early October. So, too, will Ospreys. Red-shouldered Hawks and Northern Harriers are passing overhead as the new month begins. American Kestrels will remain in October but in greatly reduced numbers.

Canada Geese have become year-round inhabitants, although some still take their instinctive cue and travel southward. Cackling Geese and Gadwalls will reach the Lehigh Valley region in October.

In ponds and lakes, Mallards remain all year. You may notice fewer Wood Ducks. Most herons will soon head south in October but Great Blue Herons stay through the end of the month.

In the woods, Wild Turkeys and Ruffed Grouse remain all year long. But most Wood Thrushes will have migrated by now.

Philadelphia Vireos top list of Lehigh Valley bird sightings

Philadelphia Vireo

A profusion of sightings of migrating Philadelphia Vireos were reported during the week that ended on September 18. The unusual thing about these sightings is that the bird is seen infrequently in the Lehigh Valley even during migration, according to Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity.

Despite their name, the species is rarely are seen in Philadelphia except during migration. John Cassin, the American ornithologist, gave the bird its name upon observing one in Philadelphia in September 1842.

The Philadelphia Vireo is one of the most northerly breeding species of vireo. It spends its summers in northern New England and southern Canada from the maritime provinces west as far as Saskatchewan. It winters in the Yucatan Peninsula and Central America.

The species breeds in the treetops of second-growth aspens, birches, alders and ashes in woodlands and parklands. The birds forage for insects in trees, sometimes hovering or flying as they pick off their prey. They've even been known to hang upside down to catch insects at the tips of twigs. Their favorite meals are caterpillars, moths, beetles, wasps, bees and ants. They also eat the berries of bayberry and dogwood when the fruit becomes abundant in late summer and early fall.

Philadelphia Vireo

The Philadelphia Vireo is fairly small, less than 5 inches long and about 8.5 inches from wingtip to wingtip. Their appearance is similar to that of other species. For instance, the Philadelphia Vireo and the Warbling Vireo both lack wing bars, but the former has a strong yellowish cast across its breast and a more distinct white eyebrow. The Philadelphia Vireo's bill is stouter than that of a Tennessee Warbler. The vireo's back is grayish green; the warbler's is a brighter green.

Within the past week, Philadelphia Vireos have been seen in Northampton, Lehigh, Carbon and Bucks counties, according to reports compiled by Dave DeReamus of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society. 

Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County
(along National Park Drive)
Philadelphia Vireo, 1 on September 15; 4 on September 18.
Gray-cheeked Thrush, 1 on September 18.
(along Institute Road)
Philadelphia Vireo, 1 on September 13.

Martins Creek Environmental Preserve, Northampton County
(Tekening area)
Philadelphia Vireo, 1 on September 17.

Albert Road Ponds, Northampton County
Caspian Tern, 1 on September 12.

Jacobsburg State Park, Northampton County
Philadelphia Vireo, 1 on September 11; 2 on September 12; and 1 on September 16.

Williams Township, Northampton County
Blue Grosbeak, 1 on September 14.
Also seen: Cerulean Warbler.

Little Gap, Carbon County
Bald Eagle, 5 on September 17.
Broad-winged Hawk, 832 on September 17.

Little Gap village, Carbon County
Connecticut Warbler, 1 on September 17.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, 1 on September 13.
Philadelphia Vireo, 1 on September 15.
Connecticut Warbler, 1 on September 12.

Leaser Lake, Lehigh County
Connecticut Warbler, 1 on September 13.

Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh County
Bald Eagle, 6 on September 11; 23 on September 13; and 7 on September 14 and September 18.
Northern Goshawk, 1 on September 12.
Broad-winged Hawk, 678 on September 16; 1,237 on September 17; and 1,026 on September 18.
Merlin, 4 on September 13 and 5 on September 14.
Peregrine Falcon, 1 on September 13 and September 16.
Philadelphia Vireo, 1 on September 13 and September 17; and 2 on September 16.
Other species reported in addition to Dave DeReamus's report:
Warbler species: Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Black-and-white, Chestnut-sided, Blackpoll and Blackburnian.
Other species: Northern Parula, Common Raven, Red-eyed and Warbling Vireos, Common Nighthawk and Eastern Wood-pewee.

Trexler Park, Lehigh County
Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 on September 11.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County.
(at the Church Road area)
Northern Pintail, 1 from August 27 to at least September 12.
Snowy Egret, 1 from September 12 to at least September 17.
Little Blue Heron, 1 on September 13.
Stilt Sandpiper, 1 on September 11 and 3 on September 12.
Sanderling, 1 on September 12.
Red-necked Phalarope, 1 on September 13.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Glossy Ibis, 1 on September 12 (a fly-by).
Lesser Black-backed Gull, 13 during the past week.
Philadelphia Vireo, 1 on September 15.

Merrill Creek Reservoir in New Jersey
(at Scotts Mountain Hawkwatch)
Bald Eagle, 12 on September 14.
Broad-winged Hawk, 449 on September 13; 647 on September 16; 1,025 on September 17; and 406 on September 18.
Merlin, 3 on September 16.
Peregrine Falcon, 1 on September 16.
Red-headed Woodpecker, 1 on September 11 and September 17.

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

Migration nearing peak at Bake Oven Knob

Broad-winged Hawk

More than 5,000 raptors have flown past Bake Oven Knob in Lehigh County since the start of the season's migration.

Broad-winged Hawks are by far the most numerous species, with 3,707 sighted thus far. These small hawks are not often noticed during the breeding season. They usually nest near forest openings and bodies of water, far from areas of human disturbance. But toward autumn, hundreds of thousands of Broad-winged Hawks fly south to their wintering grounds in Central and South America, traveling about 70 miles per day.

Turkey vultures are the next most often seen species, with 354 sightings of far this season. Sharp-shinned Hawks follow, with 270 seen.

Other species seen thus far include Osprey, 189 sightings; Red-tailed Hawks, 91; Bald Eagles, 89; Black Vultures, 82; Kestrels, 51; Cooper's Hawk, 27; Merlins, 22; Northern Harriers, 11; Peregrine Falcons, 7; Red-shouldered Hawks, 5; and Northern Goshawk, 1.

No reported sightings of Golden Eagles or Rough-legged Hawks have been made thus far.

Teams of dedicated birders have been scanning the skies over Bake Oven Knob for eight hours or more per day as part of the annual effort to document raptor migration. This effort plays an important role in assessing the overall health of raptor populations.

If you'd like to see migrating raptors at Bake Oven Knob, now is the time to do it. Broad-winged Hawks soon will be passing us by on their way south, followed by Ospreys. Sharp-shinned Hawks and Bald Eagles will be around for a little longer.

How to I get to Bake Oven Knob?

Bake Oven Knob is a popular site for viewing migrating birds because the birds soar above Kittatinny Ridge. 

The site is located about 2 miles north of Germansville. From Interstate 78/Route 22, take the Fogelsville exit north, then drive 8.2 miles to the “T” intersection with Route 309. Turn right onto Route 309. About 0.2 miles later, you’ll see Bake Oven Road. Keep going for about 4.5 miles, where Bake Oven Knob becomes a gravel road. You'll see the parking lot toward the crest of the ridge. 

Specific directions are available in Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity, a must-have guidebook for birders. (Copies are available at The Bird House.) The 180-page book is published by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

At the knob, South Lookout provides an unobstructed view of the Lehigh Valley, according to Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity. Walk uphill about 0.4 miles from the trailhead. North Lookout, where you’re likely to see the most raptors right now, extends off the South Lookout trail. It begins when you see an outcropping of boulders. Hiking boots are advised. The trails are rocky. There are no restrooms.

Buy native plants Saturday in Bethlehem

Native plants provide beauty for us and food and shelter for birds and other wildlife. And this is the best time of year to plant perennials! 

Some 60 varieties of 1,000 native plants will be available at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 424 Center Street in Bethlehem. The sale starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Prices range from $3 to $8. The event is hosted by the Lehigh Valley Bird Town Coalition.

Note: The Center City exit on Route 378 may be closed for road work. If it's closed, exit on Eighth Avenue. At the traffic signal at the end of the exit, turn right onto Eighth Avenue. Turn left on West Broad Street and continue into Center City. Turn right onto North New Street, then left onto East Wall Street. The Unitarian Universalist Church will be straight ahead on Center Street. On-street parking is available.

Birding trip to Trexler Preserve on Saturday, September 19

The Lehigh Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring a birding trip to Trexler Nature Preserve. The trip is open to all birders but is especially geared toward beginners. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lehigh Valley Zoo, which is situated in the nature preserve on Game Preserve Road in Schnecksville. Chris Hugosson will lead the trip. To sign up for the trip, click here.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for week of September 11

Male Northern Pintail (left) and female

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended September 11. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Saylorsburg, Monroe County
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, 1 on September 9 through at least September 11.

Bear Swamp, Northampton County
Philadelphia Vireo, 1 on September 9.

Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh County
Merlin, 3 on September 9.
Also seen: Common Raven.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at the Church Road area)
Northern Pintail, 1 from August 27 through at least September 7.
Snowy Egret, 1 on September 10.
Baird's Sandpiper, 1 on September 4.
White-rumped Sandpiper, 2 on September 4; 1 from September 5 through September 7.
Short-billed Dowitcher, 2 on September 3; 1 from September 4 through September 6; 3 on September 7; and 3 on September 8.
Stilt Sandpiper, 2 on September 3; 3 on September 4; 2 on September 5 and September 6; 3 on September 7; and 6 on September 10.

Merrill Creek Reservoir, New Jersey
(at the Scotts Mountain Hawkwatch)
Bald Eagle, 7 on September 7.

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

Migration Fest scheduled for Saturday, September 19

Saturday, September 19, is Migration Fest at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center near Slatington. Events take place from 9 a.m. through the evening. Children, families, beginning birders and experienced birders are welcome.

An introduction to "Hawk ID" runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the nature center's Osprey House. It's a great way to learn about soaring hawks based on shape, color and flight technique.

Next comes a field trip to Bake Oven Knob, a pinnacle along the mountain ridge that forms the Carbon-Lehigh county line. Bake Oven Knob is a prime location for viewing Broad-winged Hawks, Bald Eagles and Ospreys, which have begun their annual migration south for the winter. 

Are you a beginner? From 9 to 10 a.m., stroll the Osprey House grounds for an Intro to Birding. No binoculars? Don't worry. You can borrow some for you or your children during the walk.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., children and families are invited to see amphibians, reptiles, butterflies and llamas at the nature center. Learn about these extraordinary creatures. Exhibits and activities, many designed for youngsters, are planned. Identify and tag Monarch butterflies from 10 to 11 a.m.

Osprey House

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., optics specialists and wildlife photographers will provide tips on how to make the most out of your birding experience. If you're in the market for quality binoculars, monoculars, scopes or camera lenses, this might be a great opportunity to find out which product might be best for your needs.

Finally, at 7 p.m., Doug Tallamy will present a talk on "Gardening for Migration," which will focus on the importance of the use of native plants in gardens. Tallamy is professor and chair of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. He also wrote "Bringing Home Nature," which explains the unbreakable link between native plants species and native wildlife, including birds. When native plant species are replaced by alien exotics, the insects disappear. Food sources for birds and other animals becomes dwindle.

Migration Fest sponsors include the Delaware & Lehigh Heritage Corridor Trail Alliance and Thrivent Financial. Portions of the event are co-sponsored by the Lehigh Gap Nature Center and the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Details on specific events and times are listed on the Lehigh Valley Bird Town Coalition website.

The Lehigh Gap Nature Center is located at 8844 Paint Mill Road, along the Lehigh River at Slatington.

From Route 248, cross the Route 873 (to Slatington) bridge over the Lehigh River. After crossing the bridge, veer left at the convenience store and head toward Slatington. Watch for a sharp left onto Paint Mill Road. Backtrack if you've entered the built-up part  of Slatington.

Dry weather means bird baths

A male cardinal enjoys a drink

The Lehigh Valley has had 16 days without any appreciable rainfall. We have to go back to Thursday, August 20, to recall a truly soaking rain. One-quarter of an inch of rain fell in some locations on Friday, September 4, but that was barely enough to dampen the dust.

This coming week doesn't bode well. It will be sunny on most days. Thunderstorms have been forecast for Wednesday through Friday but they are expected to be of the isolated or scattered kind. You may miss the rain entirely.

Which turns to the issue of bird baths. It's never too late to have a bird bath.

Like all living creatures, birds need water. While some moisture can be extracted from food, most birds drink water every day. As you know, birds also bathe, cleaning their feathers of dust and parasites.

If you have a bird bath in your garden, make sure it is filled with fresh water every day. And be sure to keep the bath clean. Baths that are dirty or slimy are of no benefit to birds. Birds are looking for clear water.

The dome-shaped Water Wiggler creates motion on the water

A good way to make the bath even more attractive to birds is to provide some motion on the water's surface. A low-cost solution is a Water Wiggler, which has small paddles that gently create motion. The device is operated by a D-cell battery. A battery usually lasts most of the summer before needing replacement. The Water Wiggler is silent so as not to disturb the birds.

If you don't already have a bird bath, consider buying one now for this dry period. Some baths can be used all year long; others are meant for warm-weather use only. Look at it this way: If you buy a warm-weather bath right now, you'll have a head start for next spring when there is so much to do in the garden. And for now, as this season's flowers begin to fade, having an attractive bird bath will give you something new and exciting for your garden.

Birding trip to Cape May on Saturday

Scanning the horizon at Cape May

The Lehigh Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring an all-day birding trip to Cape May, New Jersey, on Saturday, September 12.

Meet promptly at 5 a.m. at the Tilghman Square parking lot near the Red Robin restaurant, which is located on Broadway in west Allentown. The ride to Cape May will take about 2½ hours.

Be sure to bring lunch and drinks for the day. Binoculars are a necessity. And don't forget insect repellant and sun protection! Dress appropriately for the weather. 

Cape May is one of the premier birding locations in the United States. It's been dubbed the "Raptor Capital of North America" because of its frequent sightings of hawks, falcons, merlins, kestrels, ospreys, harriers, eagles and vultures. You're also apt to see a variety of shorebirds, including a few rarities. And don't forget songbirds! They'll be represented in large numbers, especially migrants who are beginning their flights to wintering grounds to the south.

Scott Burnet, the Audubon Society's habitat chair, will lead the trip. Info: 484-955-8580.

To sign up, visit the Audubon Society's website at http://www.meetup.com/Lehigh-Valley-Audubon-Society/events/225145098/.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for week of September 4

Mourning Warbler

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended September 4. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County
(along National Park Drive)
Mourning Warbler, 1 on August 31.

Washington Township, Northampton County
Philadelphia Vireo, 1 on September 1.

Jacobsburg State Park, Northampton County
Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 on September 1.
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, 1 on September 3.
Philadelphia Vireo, 1 on September 1.

East Allen Township, Northampton County
Mourning Warbler, 1 on August 28.

Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh County
Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 on August 30.

Jordan Creek Parkway, Lehigh County
Connecticut Warbler, 1 on August 28.

White-rumped Sandpiper

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at the Church Road area)
Northern Pintail, 1 from August 27 to at least September 1.
Hooded Merganser, 1 on August 29.
Baird's Sandpiper, 1 on August 29.
White-rumped Sandpiper, 3 from August 29 to at least September 1.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 1 on August 30.
Short-billed Dowitcher, 2 from August 28 to at least September 1.
Stilt Sandpiper, 1 on September 2.

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

Program on raptor migration on Friday

With raptor migration underway, the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring an informative program on Friday evening, September 11, to help you dust up on your identifying skills. 

Often raptors are seen from some distance away, so identification can be tricky. Scott Burnet, the local chapter's habitat chair, will offer some pointers. The event is part of the Audubon Society's monthly meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. Non-members are welcome to attend. Admission is free.

The event will take place at the Wildlands Conservancy Center Building, 3701 Orchard Place near Emmaus.

Directions: From South Cedar Crest Boulevard (Roue 29) watch for Riverbend Road. Continue on Riverbend Road, then turn right onto Orchard Place and follow the road to the Wildlands Conservancy Center Building. Parking is available on site.