Lehigh Valley bird sightings for week of October 16

Western Kingbird

Bald Eagles and Sharp-shinned Hawks continue their migration over the mountain ridges from New Jersey and Pennsylvania during the week ended October 16. But several uncommon migrants have been seen as well, according to the weekly list compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA BIrdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

For instance, a Western Kingbird was seen in Palmerton. These birds normally breed on the Great Plains west to California. There is no mistaking them from Eastern Kingbirds, which are common in the Lehigh Valley area during the summer. The eye-catching Western Kingbirds have ashy gray and lemon-yellow plumage; Eastern Kingbirds have blackish and white colors.

Right now Western Kingbirds are migrating in flocks south to their wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. They do stray eastward during migration but almost never are seen in our area.

Western Kingbirds are known for their "take charge" behavior. They've even been known to chase off hawks and kestrels that come too close to their home base. They favor open areas with plenty of trees and utility poles where they dart out to feed on flying insects.

Another species, Nelson's Sparrow, was spotted at Beltzville State Park. These secretive birds breed along freshwater marshes of eastern Canada and the Great Plains. They rarely visits our area, even during their migration to coastal marshes along the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts. 

Nelson's Sparrow

The diet of the Nelson's Sparrow consists mainly of insects, spiders, marine worms, small crabs, snails and other invertebrates. The bird also will eat seeds of marsh plants, especially in the fall and winter.

The Nelson's Sparrow has played a bit part in popular culture. Its name has been borrowed for an episode of the CBS crime drama, Criminal Minds. In the episode, detectives pursue a serial killer who has surfaced after three years of inactivity. A victim was a member of a bird-watching club.

Monocacy Nature Center, Northampton County
Wilson's Warbler, 1 on October 14.

Little Gap, Carbon County
Bald Eagle, 3 on October 11.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 157 on October 11.
Peregrine Falcon, 5 on October 11.

Palmerton, Carbon County
(along Boyer Farm Road and Hemlock Road)
Western Kingbird, 1 from October 11 through at least October 15.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Orange-crowned Warbler, 1 on October 11.
Nelson's Sparrow, 1 on October 11 (at the spillway area)

Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh County
Bald Eagle, 7 on October 12 and 4 on October 14.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 145 on October 14 and 182 and October 15.
Golden Eagle, 1 on October 10 and October 15.
Merlin, 8 on October 14.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Surf Scoter, 1 on October 10.

Lake Towhee, Bucks County
Trumpeter Swan, 1 on October 14 and October 15.

Merrill Creek Reservoir in New Jersey
Surf Scoter, 3 on October 11.
Lesser Black-backed Gull, 128 on October 10.
Rusty Blackbird, 1 on October 10.

Scotts Mountain Hawkwatch, at Merrill Creek
Bald Eagle, 4 on October 14 and October 15.
Northern Goshawk, 1 on October 15.
Peregrine Falcon, 2 on October 14.

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