Should I continue to feed?

Male Goldfinches are most vivid in summer

Some people feed birds only during the winter. That's logical. In winter snow often covers the ground, preventing birds from reaching natural sources of food. Cold weather means birds need a ready source of seed and suet to maintain their metabolism through bitterly cold winter nights.

But many other people find feeding birds all year long to be an especially enjoying hobby. 

Warm weather is the time when you're most likely to be outdoors enjoying your patio or porch. Days are longer, giving you more leisure time outdoors. 

Use that opportunity. Continue feeding. You'll be able to observe the comings and goings of birds as they visit your feeders in search of food for their chicks. And think of it this way: By giving parents a ready source of food, they'll be raising chicks that are healthier and stronger.

Another reason to keep feeding is that we still are seeing different species of migrating birds passing through our region. If you offer seed, suet, mealworms or fruit, these migrants may use your backyard as a quick stopover.

Field trip to visit Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge

The Lehigh Valley Audubon Society is organizing a field trip to the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey on Saturday, June 4.

Located just 26 miles from Times Square in Manhattan, the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is an important nesting and feeding location for more than 244 species of birds, some of which are threatened or endangered.

Mark Boyd will lead the trip. Meet at the Tilghman Square parking lot, close to the Red Robin restaurant in Allentown, at 7 am. or the Park & Ridge lot at the William Penn Highway exit of Route 33 in Bethlehem Township.

For details, visit the Audubon Society's website and click on the "Events Calendar" link.

Wear waterproof footgear and carry an insect repellant, as mosquitoes, ticks and deer flies may be abundant. Protective clothing from ticks also is advisable, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends.

The Fish and Wildlife Service has a brochure on the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge through this link.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for May 28

Kentucky Warbler

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended May 28. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Plainfield Township, Northampton County
Red-headed Woodpecker, 1 on May 25 in a private backyard.

Jacobsburg State Park, Northampton County
Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 on May 25.

Wild Creek Reservoir, Carbon County
Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 to at least May 23.

Leaser Lake, Lehigh County
Yellow-breasted Chat, 1 on May 22.
Kentucky Warbler, 2 on May 22.

New Tripoli, Lehigh County
(at Ontelaunee Park)
Kentucky Warbler, 1 on May 22.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at the Church Road area)
Alder Flycatcher, 1 to at least May 25.

Green Lane Park, Montgomery County
(at the Knight Lake area)
Common Raven, 1 on May 20.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Common Gallinule, 1 from May 13 to at least May 21 (near the Chapman Road bridge).
Prothonotary Warbler, 1 to at least May 24.

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

New hours for The Bird House

The Bird House will take a bit of a summertime break this year. From June through August, we'll be closed on Wednesdays.

Regular hours will continue on the rest of the days as usual:

Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mourning Doves

The Mourning Dove is a frequent visitor to backyards—and for good reason. It is the most abundant and widespread dove, and it is found in a wide variety of habitats.

You can find them at some point in the year in all continental states and in Canada and Mexico. You'll see them perched on telephone wires, on bare ground or in fields. The only place you may not see them is in deep forests.

The Mourning Dove is about 12 inches long with a trim body and a small head. The long tail tapers to a point, which is unique among North American doves. The tail feathers are black, bordered with white tips. Most obvious is the beige-colored body with black spots on the upper wings and a pinkish wash below. The legs and feet are reddish.

The bird flies fast on strong wingbeats, sometimes making swift ascents or descents with quick turns or dodges, its pointed tail stretching behind it. Wings produce a fluttering whistle as the bird takes flight.

Seeds make up 99 percent of the Mourning Dove's diet, including grains and even peanuts, as well as wild grasses, weeds, herbs and occasionally berries. They sometimes eat small snails. Mourning Doves eat roughly 12 to 20 percent of their body weight per day! A 180-pound man would have to eat 342 hard boiled eggs each day to match that food intake.

Mourning Doves tend to feed on the ground but we have seen them on platform feeders or trying to get on small tube or hopper feeders too. They will swallow seeds and store them in an enlargement of the esophagus, called a crop. Once they have filled it (the record is 17,500 bluegrass seeds in a single crop!), they fly to a safe perch to digest the meal.

Unique among birds, Mourning Doves drink without lifting their heads. Instead they use their beak as a straw.

Their nests are almost pathetic. They are a flimsy assembly of twigs, pine needles and grass stems about 8 inches across. There is little insulation for the young. So flimsy are the nests that they often fall apart during a strong wind or rainstorm. But Mourning Doves also have five or six broods per year, incubating one batch of eggs while feeding fledglings. Generally two eggs are laid at a time. Chicks are fed "crop milk" regurgitated from the adults.

Mourning Doves sometimes will use a hanging basket for their nesting site (which does the plant in the basket little good). The doves are persistent; sometimes it is easier to take a hanging basket, plant some inexpensive spider plants or ivy and just give it over to the birds.

The Mourning Dove is the most abundant game bird in North America. Every year hunters harvest more than 20 million birds, yet the Mourning Dove remains on the "least concern" list of the National Audubon Society's conservation list. The bird's population is estimated at 350 million.

To attract Mourning Doves to your backyard, supply them with safflower or white millet seed or sunflower chips. Scatter the seed on the ground or place it on a platform feeder. Dense trees or shrubs provide nesting sites. Keep cats indoors. The birds spend most of their time on the ground and are vulnerable to prowling cats.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for week of May 21

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended May 21. 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 Institute Road)
Philadelphia Vireo, 1 on May 14.

Martins Creek Power Plant, Northampton County
(at the boat launch area)
White-winged Scoter, 1 from May 7 to at least May 14.

Jacobsburg State Park, Northampton County
Mourning Warbler, 1 on May 17 and May 20.
Also seen: Lincoln's Sparrow.

Monocacy Nature Center, Northampton County
Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 on May 17.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Red-throated Loon, 1 from May 13 to at least May 18.
Marsh Wren, 1 on May 17.

Wild Creek Reservoir, Carbon County
Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 to at least May 19.

Leaser Lake, Lehigh County
Summer Tanager, 1 on May 17 (female, seen at the north cove).

Summer Tanager (female)

Lehigh Furnace Gap, Lehigh County
Red-breasted Nuthatch, 1 on May 16.

New Tripoli, Lehigh County
Olive-sided Flycatcher, 1 on May 19.

Lehigh Parkway, Lehigh County
Gray-cheeked Thrush, 1 on May 18.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at the Church Road area)
Alder Flycatcher, 2 on May 17.
Marsh Wren, 1 on May 17.

(at the Knight Road area)
Yellow-breasted Chat, 1 on May 13.

Green Lane Park, Montgomery County
(at the Deep Creek Lake area)
Red-headed Woodpecker, 1 to at least May 19.

Lake Towhee, Bucks County
Trumpeter Swan, 1 to at least May 19.

Lake Nockamixon, Bucks County
Common Tern, 1 on May 19.
Forster's Tern, 1 on May 19.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Common Gallinule, 1 from May 13 to at least May 19 (near the Chapman Road bridge).
Prothonotary Warbler, 1 to at least May 19.

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

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for May 14

Common Gallinule

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended May 14. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.

Martins Creek Power Plant, Northampton County
(at the boat launch area)
White-winged Scoter, 1 from May 7 to at least May 13.
Common Gallinule, 1 on May 7.

Jacobsburg State Park, Northampton County
Orange-crowned Warbler, 1 on May 9.
Blue Grosbeak, 1 on May 9.

Graver Arboretum, Northampton County
Red-headed Woodpecker, 1 on May 8.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Long-tailed Duck, 2 on May 8.
Red-breasted Merganser, 1 on May 8; 5 on May 13.
Red-throated Loon, 1 on May 10 and May 13.

Leaser Lake, Lehigh County
Rusty Blackbird, 4 on May 7.

Red-necked Grebe

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at the Church Road area)
Bonaparte's Gull, 1 on May 7.
Marsh Wren, 1 on May 7 and May 8.

(at the Walt Road area)
Red-necked Grebe, 1 on May 8.

Lake Towhee, Bucks County
Trumpeter Swan, 1 to at least May 8.

Lake Nockamixon, Bucks County
Red-breasted Merganser, 2 on May 10.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Prothonotary Warbler, 1 to at least May 9.

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

Audubon Society plans two trips to Monroe County

The Lehigh Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring two field trips next week that are an easy drive from the Lehigh Valley.

Look for warblers and other nesting species at the new Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The field trip is scheduled for Saturday, May 21. Terry Master will lead the trip.

The second trip is to Laurel Run Road in Delaware State Forest in Monroe County. Maybe you'll get a look at the Golden-winged Warbler and other warbler species during their mating season. The trip is expected to last approximately six hours. Scott Burnet will lead the excursion. 

The assembly points for both trips are located at the Kmart parking lot at 803 Male Road in Wind Gap, Northampton County. The site is east of the Route 512 exit of Route 33. At the exit ramp, turn right onto South Broadway, then take the next left toward the Wind Gap Plaza shopping center. Enter the shopping center on Male Road.

In both cases, the trips begin at 6:30 a.m.

For details and to RSVP, click the "Events Calendar" on the society's website.

Grosbeaks

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (male)

Keep your eyes out for Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. They arrive en masse in May after traveling from their wintering grounds in Central American and the Caribbean. They commonly stop at backyard feeders to dine on sunflower seeds.

The birds then fan out to forest edges or woodlands to breed. 

For instance, two of these birds were reported at the Martins Creek Environmental Preserve in Northampton County on Friday morning. Also on Friday, another one was seen at the Trexler Nature Preserve in Lehigh County. Earlier in the week, four appeared at Beltzville State Park in Carbon County.

You may find it harder to see Rose-breasted Grosbeaks from June through August. They'll congregate again in large numbers in September before flying south for the winter.

The boldly patterned Rose-breasted Grosbeak is easily identified. The contrast between the pure black back and hood, white front and red bib of the male is striking.

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks eat seed, insects, fruit and buds. Their nest is so thinly constructed that the eggs can often be seen from below through the nest. The male participates in the incubation of the eggs. Both sexes sing softly to each other as they exchange places. 

Rose-breasted Grosbeak (female)

Grosbeaks are any of conical-billed birds belonging to the families Cardinalidae and Fringillidae. Their name is derived from the French gros bec, or "thick beak," denoting their ability to crack seeds with ease.

Red-breasted Grosbeaks are from Cardinalidae, a family that includes the Northern Cardinal. The Black-headed Grosbeak is also part of the family. The two species range east and west of the Rockies, respectively. The Blue Grosbeak is also in this family but is mainly found in shrubby habitats in the southern United States.

In the Great Plains, where territories of Rose-breasted and Black-headed grosbeaks overlap, hybridizing may occur. Hybrids can look like either of the parent species or of various combinations of pink, black or orange.

The Blue Grosbeak, also from the Cardinalidae family, is an occasional visitor to southeastern Pennsylvania during breeding season. They are rarely stray north to the Lehigh Valley. 

The males are vibrantly blue with enormous silver bills and chestnut wing bars. The females are primarily cinnamon-brown. Despite their bright color, males are unobtrusive, perching high in shrubs and small trees.

Evening Grosbeak

In the Fringillidae family, the Evening Grosbeak is the best-known in North America. Noisy flocks of these chunky big-billed yellow, black, brown and white finches descend on feeders in winter for sunflower seeds.

The Evening Grosbeak breeds in coniferous forests in northern United States into Canada. In winter, we may see them at feeders looking for sunflower seeds. Their thick beaks are ideal for cracking sunflower shells and can even crack cherry pits. They may also feast on small fruits and maple seeds, plus insects and small invertebrates.

Evening Grosbeaks are seen locally in some years but not in others, according to the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society's book Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity.

The Pine Grosbeak of northern North America forages in small flocks and sometimes flies great distances in winter for natural food. Adult males are bright reddish brown; females are mostly brown. A large finch, it may be seen in the winter in southern Canada and the northern United States including Pennsylvania. Its diet consists mostly of buds, seeds and fruits of spruce, pine, juniper, maple, mountain ash, and apple and crabapple trees. 

A breeding adult Pine Grosbeak develops pouches in the floor of its mouth to carry food to the young.

So "grosbeak" links characteristics—thick, strong beaks—of birds who may or may not be cousins.

Blue Grosbeak (male)

Pine Grosbeak (male)

Field trips set for next weekend in Lehigh County

The Lehigh Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring three field trips next weekend at sites in Lehigh County.

Leaser Lake
Saturday, May 14
This favorite local birding spot offers a wealth of nesting species that are difficult to locate elsewhere in the Lehigh Valley. Meet at 6:30 a.m. at the Tilghman Square parking lot, close to the Red Robin restaurant, at 4668 Broadway in Allentown. The field trip will take about six hours, and some uphill walking is involved. Fritz Brock is the trip leader.

State Game Lands 217
Sunday, May 15
The trail at the base of the Kittatinny Ridge below Lehigh Furnace Gap can be an excellent location for songbirds in May. Meet at 6 a.m. at the Tilghman Square parking lot, close to the Red Robin restaurant, at 4668 Broadway in Allentown. Parking at the game lands is limited so be prepared to carpool. Expect to walk approximately three miles. Waterproof footwear is recommended because the grass trail can be wet in the morning. You'll return to the Tilghman Square parking lot between 11 a.m. and noon. Adam Smith is the trip leader.

State Game Lands 205
Sunday, May 15
Search for a variety of migrants and breeding birds at the game lands in Lowhill Township. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Tilghman Square parking lot, close to the Red Robin restaurant, at 4668 Broadway in Allentown. Parking at the game lands is limited so be prepared to carpool. Jon Levin is the trip leader.

For information, visit the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society's website and click on "Events Calendar" for details for information on the field trips and to sign up.

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for May 6

Glossy Ibis

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended May 6. 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)
Golden-winged Warbler, 1 on April 28.
Also seen: Hooded Warbler.

(along Institute Road)
Orange-crowned Warbler, 1 on April 29.

Lake Minsi, Northampton County
Glossy Ibis, 1 on May 4.
Common Tern, 2 on May 3; 1 on May 4.
Caspian Tern, 7 on May 3; 12 on May 4.

Echo Lake, Northampton County
Bonaparte's Gull, 1 on May 4.

Martins Creek Quarry, Northampton County
Caspian Tern, 4 on May 4.

Gray-cheeked Thrush

Martins Creek, Northampton County
(at a private feeder)
Blue Grosbeak, 1 from April 28 to at least May 1.

Palmer Township, Northampton County
(Main Street at Van Buren Road)
Glossy Ibis, 1 on May 4.
Black-bellied Plover, 4 on May 4.

Bethlehem Township, Northampton County
(at the St. Luke's Anderson Medical Campus retention pond)
Willet, 1 on May 3.

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Red-breasted Merganser, 2 on April 28 and April 29; 1 on May 1 through at least May 4.
Red-throated Loon, 1 on April 29, April 30 and May 3.
Snowy Egret, 1 from April 29 to at least May 1.
Merlin, 1 on May 4.
Black Tern, 1 on May 4.
Common Tern, 1 on May 3.
Pine Siskin, 1 on April 29.

Leaser Lake, Lehigh County
Forster's Tern, 3 on April 29; 2 on April 30.
Caspian Tern, 1 on May 4.
Rusty Blackbird, 1 on April 30.

State Game Lands 217, Lehigh County
Gray-cheeked Thrush, 2 on May 1.

Sora

Alburtis, Lehigh County
(at a retention pond along Scenic View Drive)
Sora, 1 on May 5.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at the Church Road area)
Marsh Wren, 1 on May 3.

(at the Deep Creek Lake area)
Yellow-throated Warbler, 1 on May 1.

Upper Black Eddy, Bucks County
(at Giving Pond)
Prothonotary Warbler, 1 on May 3.

Lake Nockamixon, Bucks County
American Bittern, 1 on May 2.

Lake Towhee, Bucks County
Trumpeter Swan, 1 to at least May 1.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Double-crested Cormorant, 97 on April 28.
Prothonotary Warbler, 1 from April 25 to at least May 4.

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

Mother's Day is May 8

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in the Lehigh Valley

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Finally! 

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been seen in the Lehigh Valley.

Last week, if you remember, Ruby-throats were seen to the north, the south, the east and the west of us. None right of them here, however. In fact the first wave of birds had been seen as far north as Cape Cod!

For the record, the first Ruby-throated Hummingbird arrived in the Lehigh Valley on Wednesday, nearly two weeks later than normal. (Usually Ruby-throats arrive in the Lehigh Valley around April 15.) Here are this week's reports:

• Two in Bethlehem on Wednesday and Thursday.
• One in New Tripoli in Lehigh County on Thursday.
• Two in Weaversville in Northampton County on Thursday.

More will be arriving in the next few weeks. Be sure your nectar feeder is clean and full!

Hummingbirds soon will be mating and nesting. The Bird House has an array of hummingbird feeders, quality easy-to-mix nectar, special nesting material, poles for hummingbird feeders and a number of other products that will help you bring these special acrobats to your backyard.

Map is from Hummingbirds.net. As you can see, the first wave of hummingbirds have reached the Canadian Maritimes!

Lehigh Valley bird sightings for April 30

Baltimore Oriole

Migration season continues apace. The wide variety of birds that spend their winters in the south are now entering the Lehigh Valley to mate, breed and raise families.

Gray Catbirds and swallows are commonly seen. The raspy sounds of Eastern Phoebes can be heard around yards and farms. Scan fenceposts or wires for Eastern Kingbirds as they search for insects. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are frequent sights in forested creek valleys.

Louisiana Waterthrush, which arrived a couple of weeks ago, has begun singing vigorously in bogs and along waterways. Its cousin, the Northern Waterthrush, is now arriving in the Lehigh Valley.

Warblers of every species can be heard everywhere. Vireos have joined them in song.

Some of the biggest treats for bird-watchers have returned: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Baltimore Orioles. Orchard Orioles have arrived too.

Despite all of these warm-weather newcomers, you may be reminded of our recent chilly temperatures: Two Snow Geese were seen Tuesday at Leaser Lake in Lehigh County.

The season is beginning to be busy! And so have bird-watchers. Many were in the field this week scanning for newly arriving species.

Here is a list of Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended April 30. The Bird House compiled the list from sightings reported by the online service E-Bird.

White-eyed Vireo

Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County
(at Marshfield Drive)
Osprey, 2 on April 29.
White-eyed Vireo, 2 on April 29.
Also seen: Yellow-throated, Blue-headed and Warbling vireos.

Mount Bethel Fens, Northampton County
(along Institute Drive)
Winter Wren, 1 on April 29 (seems late for a migrant).
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 15 on April 29.
Hermit Thrush, 3 on April 29.
Eastern Meadowlark, 4 on April 29.
Louisiana Waterthrush: 2 on April 29.
Also seen were these vireos: Blue-headed, Warbling and Yellow-throated.
Warblers: Blue-winged, Black-and-white, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Orange-crowned, Prairie, Yellow and Yellow-rumped.

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
(along National Park Road)
Red-shouldered Hawk, 1 on April 29 and April 28.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, 1 on April 28.
Eastern Screech-Owl, 1 on April 26.

Hermit Thrush

Ovenbird, 9 on April 30; 5 on April 28.
American Redstart, 1 on April 30; 5 on April 29.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 20 on April 29.
Hermit Thrush, 2 on April 28.
Louisiana Waterthrush, 4 on April 28.
Swamp Sparrow, 2 on April 28.
Dark-eyed Junco, 6 on April 26.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 2 on April 28 (a pair).
Also seen were the following warbler species: Black-and-white, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Blue-winged, Brewster's, Cerulean, Chestnut-sided, Golden-winged, Hooded, Nashville, Palm, Prairie, Worm-eating and Yellow-rumped.
Also seen were Yellow-throated, Blue-headed and Warbling vireos.

Kirkridge, Northampton County
Cerulean Warbler, 1 on April 28.
Also seen: Black-and-white and Black-throated Green warblers; Yellow-throated and Blue-headed vireos.

East Bangor wetlands, Northampton County
Blue-winged Teal, 2 on April 26 (a pair)
American Bittern, 1 on April 25 (migrating in flight).
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 on April 26.
Spotted Sandpiper, 6 on April 26.
Solitary Sandpiper, 6 on April 26; 11 on April 25.
Red-winged Blackbird, 100 on April 25.
Also seen: Wilson's Snipe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Swamp Sparrow.

Roseto, Northampton County
(near Route 191)
Blue-headed Vireo, 1 on April 30.
Northern Parula, 1 on April 30.
Also seen: Yellow and Yellow-rumped warblers; and Chipping and White-throated sparrows.

Stockertown Trail, Northampton County
Great Crested Flycatcher, 1 on April 30.
White-throated Sparrow, 2 on April 30.

Northern Harrier

Lake Minsi, Northampton County
Osprey, 2 on April 30; 2 on April 26.
Bald Eagle, 1 on April 26.
Northern Harrier, 1 on April 30.
Common Loon, 1 on April 27 and April 26.
Mute Swan, 5 on April 30 (one of them on the nest); 4 on April 27.
Ring-billed Gull, 1 on April 26.
Warbling Vireo, 2 on April 30; 2 on April 27; 1 on April 26.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 2 on April 27.
Also seen: Brown Thrasher, Yellow Warbler and Louisiana Waterthrush.

Grand Central Landfill, Northampton County
Herring Gull, 1 on April 30.
Louisiana Waterthrush, 1 on April 30.

Graver's Hill, Northampton County
Cooper's Hawk, 2 on April 26.
American Kestrel, 2 on April 26.
Spotted Sandpiper, 1 on April 26.
Horned Lark, 1 on April 30.
Eastern Meadowlark, 1 on April 30.
Vesper Sparrow, 2 on April 26.
Savannah Sparrow, 3 on April 26.
Also seen: Yellow and Yellow-rumped warblers; Ovenbird.

Eastern Screech-Owl

Martins Creek Environmental Preserve, Northampton County
Osprey, 1 on April 30 (seen picking up sticks and taking the to a cell tower); 2 on April 28; 2 on April 26.
Bald Eagle, 2 adults on April 26.
American Kestrel, 1 on April 30; 2 on April 26.
Peregrine Falcon, 1 on April 30; 1 on April 26.
Spotted Sandpiper, 11 on April 30; 3 on April 28; 3 on April 26.
Double-crested Cormorant, 1 on April 30.
Eastern Screech-Owl, 1 on April 28.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 11 on April 30.
Baltimore Oriole, 7 on April 30.
Warbler species: Black-throated Blue, Black-throated, Green, Blue-winged, Black-and-white, Magnolia, Palm, Yellow and Yellow-rumped.
Vireo species: Warbling, Yellow-throated, Red-eyed and Blue-headed.
Also seen: Brown Thrasher, American Redstart, White-throated Sparrow.

Riverton Road pond, Northampton County
American Wigeon, 1 on April 26.
Also seen: Yellow Warbler, Field Sparrow.

Easton, Northampton County
(near Northampton Street)
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 on April 28.
Cooper's Hawk, 1 on April 28.
Broad-winged Hawk, 1 on April 28.
Red-tailed Hawk, 1 on April 28.

Nazareth, Northampton County
(at Christian Springs Road pond)
Snow Goose, 5 on April 26.
(at Nazareth Quarry)
Orchard Oriole, 1 on April 26.
Yellow Warbler, 1 on April 26.

Green-winged Teal

Bath, Northampton County
(at the pond and plowed field on Silvercrest Road)
Green-winged Teal, 2 (a pair).

Near Bethlehem Boat Club, Northampton County
(on the Canal Towpath)
Osprey, 1 on April 24.
Ring-billed Gull, 25 on April 24.
Warbling Vireo, 2 on April 26.
Orchard Oriole, 1 on April 24.
Also seen: Black-and-white, Blue-winged, Palm, Yellow and Yellow-throated warblers.

Green Pond, Northampton County
Green Heron, 2 on April 26.
Solitary Sandpiper, 5 on April 26.
Least Sandpiper, 2 on April 26.
Eastern Kingbird, 1 on April 26.
Warbling Vireo, 1 on April 26.
Northern Waterthrush, 1 on April 26.
Also seen: Yellow and Yellow-rumped warblers; Baltimore Oriole.

Ovenbird

Monocacy Nature Center, Northampton County
Ovenbird, 3 on April 30.
Baltimore Oriole, 4 on April 30.
Scarlet Tanager, 1 on April 30.
Vireos: Yellow-throated, Blue-headed, Warbling and Red-eyed.
Warblers: Black-throated Blue, Chestnut-sided, Yellow and Yellow-rumped.

Weaversville, Northampton County
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 2 on April 28.
Carolina Wren, 2 on April 28 (nesting in a garage).
Indigo Bunting, 1 on April 28.

Northampton Borough, Northampton County
(at Canal Street Park)
Spotted Sandpiper, 2 on April 27.
Veery, 1 on April 27.
Also seen: Blue-headed and Warbling vireos; Black-and-white, Palm and Yellow-rumped warblers.

Boblink

New Tripoli, Lehigh County
(at Scully Court)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 1 on April 27; 1 on April 24.
Green Heron, 1 on April 30; 1 on April 24.
Wilson's Snipe, 2 on April 24.
Eastern Screech-Owl, 1 on April 24.
Baltimore Oriole, 1 on April 30.
Orchard Oriole, 1 on April 29; 1 on April 27.
Red-eyed Vireo, 2 on April 30.
Indigo Bunting: 1 on April 30; 1 on April 29.
Bobolink: 1 on April 30.
Also seen: American Redstart, Vesper Sparrow.
Warblers: Black-throated Blue Warbler, Blue-winged, Canada, Worm-eating, Yellow and Yellow-rumped.

(at the Blue Mountain parking lot)
Ovenbird, 2 on April 29.
Northern Waterthrush, 1 on April 27.
Indigo Bunting, 1 on April 29.
Eastern Meadowlark, 1 on April 29.
Baltimore Oriole, 2 on April 29.
Warblers: Black-and-white, Cerulean, Chestnut-sided, Nashville, Pine, Worm-eating and Yellow-rumped.

(at Bausch Road)
Red-tailed Hawk, 1 on April 28.
Northern Waterthrush, 1 on April 28.
Chestnut-sided Warbler, 1 on April 28.
Scarlet Tanager, 1 on April 28.

Scarlet Tanager

Trexler Nature Preserve, Lehigh County
Great Blue Heron, 3 on April 30.
Green Heron, 1 on April 30.
Solitary Sandpiper, 2 on April 30.
Baltimore Oriole, 2 on April 30.
Orchard Oriole, 2 on April 30.
Also seen: American Kestrel, Warbling Vireo, Ovenbird, Northern Parula, 
Warblers: Black-and-white, Prairie and Yellow-rumped.

Ironton, Lehigh County
(at Iron Lakes)
Great Blue Heron, 13 (about 23 large nests).
Also seen: Warbling Vireo.

(along Mauch Chunk Road)
American Bittern (flyover).

Coplay, Lehigh County
(at the dirt bike trails)
Double-crested Cormorant, 4 on April 27.
Yellow-rumped Warbler: 30 on April 27.
Other warblers: Black-and-white, Yellow, Palm.
Also seen: Osprey, Ovenbird.

Jordan Creek Parkway, Lehigh County
Solitary Sandpiper, 2 on April 28.
Louisiana Waterthrush, 1 on April 28.
Northern Waterthrush, 1 on April 28.
Swamp Sparrow, 1 on April 28.
Warblers: Black-and-white, Black-throated Blue, Palm, Yellow-rumped.

Commerce Corporate Center, Lehigh County
Blue-headed Vireo, 1 on April 28.
Warblers: Magnolia, Palm, Yellow-rumped.

Spotted Sandpiper

Dorney Park Pond, Lehigh County
Great Blue Heron, 1 on April 27.
Spotted Sandpiper, 1 on April 27.

Pool Wildlife Sanctuary, Lehigh County
Blue-headed Vireo, 1 on April 30.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1 on April 30.
Ovenbird, 1 on April 30.
Northern Waterthrush, 1 on April 30.
Lincoln's Sparrow, 1 on April 30.
Warblers: Black-and-white; Yellow-rumped.

Emmaus, Lehigh County
(at Bee Pond)
Hermit Thrush, 2 on April 27.

Leaser Lake, Lehigh County
Snow Goose, 2 on April 28.
Mute Swan, 1 from April 27 through at least April 29.
Green Heron, 1 on April 30; 1 on April 28; 5 on April 27.
American Bittern, 1 on April 25.
Cooper's Hawk, 1 on April 30 (in mid-kill).
Spotted Sandpiper, 1 from April 27 through at least April 30.
Caspian Tern, 1 on April 30.

Northern Waterthrush

Forster's Tern, 1 on April 29.
American Coot, 1 on April 28.
Purple Martin, 3 on April 27.
Northern Bobwhite, 1 on April 30.
Veery: 2 on April 30.
Louisiana Waterthrush, 1 on April 28; 1 on April 27.
Northern Waterthrush, 1 on April 27.
Swamp Sparrow, 1 on April 28; 1 on April 27.
Grasshopper Sparrow, 1 on April 28.
Savannah Sparrow, 1 on April 27.
Baltimore Oriole, 1 on April 29; 3 on April 27; 1 on April 25.
Orchard Oriole, 1 on April 27.
Yellow-rumped Warbler: approximately 30 on April 29; 157 on April 27.
Other warblers: Black-and-white, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Cerulean, Chestnut-sided, Palm, Worm-eating, Yellow.
Also seen: Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Blue-headed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Ovenbird.

State Game Lands 205, Lehigh County
(Emergency Road Trail)
Osprey, 1 on April 29.
Yellow-rumped Warbler, 21 on April 29.
Other warblers: Black-throated Green, Nashville.

Haafsville, Lehigh County
Green-winged Teal, 1 on April 25.

Horned Grebe

Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Red-breasted Merganser, 2 from April 26 through at least April 30.
Red-necked Loon, 1 on April 29.
Horned Grebe, 1 on April 29.
Snowy Egret, 1 on April 29.
Spotted Sandpiper, 4 on April 30; 2 on April 26.
Ring-billed Gull, 6 on April 26.
Merlin, 2 on April 27.
Northern Harrier, 1 on April 27.
Pine Siskin, 1 on April 29.
Yellow-rumped Warbler, 15 on April 29.
Prairie Warbler, 6 on April 29.
Other warblers seen: Black-and-white, Black-throated Green, Palm, Pine, Prairie, Yellow,
Also seen: Red-breasted Merganser, Bonaparte's Gull and Forster's Tern, Ovenbird, American Redstart, Blue-headed Vireo, Louisiana Waterthrush, Northern Parula, Savannah Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark.

Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Carbon County
Hermit Thrush, 1 on April 29.
Baltimore Oriole, 1 on April 29.
Warblers seen: Black-and-white, Black-throated Green, Prairie, Yellow, Yellow-rumped.
Also seen: Ovenbird, Blue-headed Vireo.

Penn Forest Reservoir, Carbon County
(Hell Hollow Road)
Bald Eagle, 1 on April 29; 3 on April 28.
Double-crested Cormorant, 1 on April 28.
Black-and-white Warbler, 9 on April 29.
Yellow-rumped Warbler, 14 on April 27.
Other warblers seen: Blackburnian, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Chestnut-sided, Hooded, Nashville and Pine.
Also seen: Swamp Sparrow.