Lehigh Valley bird sightings for week of January 20

Ross's Goose, which looks like a miniature Snow Goose

Here are the Lehigh Valley bird sightings for the week ended January 20. 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)
Spotted Sandpiper, 1 to at least January 14.

Easton area, Northampton County
(along the Delaware River north of Easton)
Barrow's Goldeneye, 1 female seen sporadically to at least January 16.
Also seen: Common Goldeneye.

Lynn Township, Lehigh County
(along Kunkle's Mill Road)
Red-headed Woodpecker, 1 on January 14.

Allentown, Lehigh County
(at the Dorney Park pond)
Greater White-fronted Goose, 2 on January 18.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at the Walt Road area)
Ross's Goose, 1 on January 16, January 18 and January 19.
Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 on January 16, and approximately 16 on January 18 and January 19.
Cackling Goose, 1 on January 16, 2 on January 18 and 3 on January 19.

Deep Creek/Knight Lake area, Montgomery County
Common Goldeneye.

Lake Nockamixon, Bucks County
White-winged Scoter, 1 on January 19.

Red-breasted Nuthatches continue to be reported from several sites.

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 January 14

A female Barrow's Goldeneye (rarely seen locally)

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

Easton area, Northampton County
Barrow's Goldeneye, 1 sporadically to at least January 13 (a female; along the Delaware River north of Easton).
Also seen: Common Goldeneye.

Jacobsburg State Park, Northampton County
Eastern Towhee, 1 on January 8.

Fogelsville Quarry, Lehigh County
Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 on January 7.
Ross's Goose, 1 on January 8.

A female Common Goldeneye (often seen)

Henningsville, Berks County
Brown Thrasher, 1 on January 9.

Lake Nockamixon, Bucks County
Long-tailed Duck, 2 on January 6.
Bonaparte's Gull, 3 on January 6.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at the Walt Road area)
Long-tailed Duck, 1 on January 13.
Also seen: Common Goldeneye.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 to at least January 12.
Long-tailed Duck, 2 on January 6.
Common Merganser, approximately 2,000 during the week.

Red-breasted Nuthatches continue to be reported from several sites during the week.

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 January 6

Another huge flock of Snow Geese touched down at Nazareth Quarry last week. The bird watcher estimated that 50,000 geese were seen at the quarry, one of the largest gatherings ever seen in the Lehigh Valley.

Long-tailed Duck

The biggest reported sighting of Snow Geese in a single location at the Nazareth Quarry occurred on December 18, when an estimated 100,000 created a spectacle never seen before in the valley.

This week's sighting was reported to Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society. His report this week covers the two weeks that ended January 6.

Also noteworthy in his report is the appearance of Long-tailed Ducks at the Green Lane Reservoir in Montgomery County and Lake Nockamixon in Bucks County. An Eastern Phoebe and a Pine Warbler—species usually seen here only in the warmer seasons—also were reported.

Martins Creek Environmental Preserve, Northampton County
Spotted Sandpiper, 1 from December 11 to at least January 2.

Easton area, Northampton County
Barrow's Goldeneye, 1 from December 26 to at least January 4. (The bird was a female seen along the Delaware River north of Easton.)
Eastern Phoebe, 1 on December 31 (at the roadside stop north of Easton).
Also seen: Common Goldeneye.

Eastern Phoebe

Nazareth Quarry, Northampton County
Snow Goose, approximately 50,000 on December 31.
Ross's Goose, 1 on December 31.
Cackling Goose, 1 on December 31.
Canvasback, 1 on December 31.
Redhead, 5 on December 31.
Also seen: Gadwall, American Wigeon, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe and Peregrine Falcon.

Glendon, Northampton County
(at the Chain Dam)
Iceland Gull, 1 on January 2 (an adult fly-by).

Williams Township, Northampton County
Pine Warbler, 1 from December 27 to at least January 1.

Coplay, Lehigh County
(at the Scheetz Quarry)
Greater White-fronted Goose, 2 on January 1.
Ross's Goose, 1 on January 1.

Fogelsville Quarry, Lehigh County
Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 on December 30.

Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(at the Walt Road area)
Long-tailed Duck, 2 on January 4.
Double-crested Cormorant, 2 on January 2.
Also seen: Common Goldeneye.

Lake Nockamixon, Bucks County
Long-tailed Duck, 5 on January 5.

Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Greater White-fronted Goose, 2 on December 27; 1 to at least January 4.
Cackling Goose, up to 3 to at least January 4.
Canvasback, 1 on December 26.
Red-breasted Merganser, 2 on December 27.
Iceland Gull, 2 on December 30.
Lesser Black-backed Gull, approximately 200 on December 28.

Red-breasted Nuthatches continue to be reported from several sites.

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

Learn how to identify winter waterfowl

Winter is an ideal time of year to visit lakes or reservoirs to look for waterfowl. It may be chilly outside but with the shores free of leaves, you may have clear view of ducks, geese and other species that treat the Lehigh Valley as their winter residence. 

The Lehigh Valley Audubon Society offers two programs this weekend to learn how to identify winter waterfowl. The events are meant for beginner bird-watchers and veterans alike.

On Friday at 7 p.m., the Audubon Society's habitat chair, Scott Burnet, will discuss why winter is a great time to scan the waters. He'll also tell how you can identify species correctly and more easily. The program takes place at the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary's Education Center building at 3701 Orchid Place in Emmaus. 

(The Pool Wildlife Sanctuary is located off Cedar Crest Boulevard between Hamilton Boulevard and Emmaus. Turn east onto Riverbend Road, then cross a bridge and head up a small hill. Orchard Place is on the right; the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary is less than a half mile farther, on the right.) 

Then on Saturday at 8 a.m., you'll have an opportunity to test your new skills by checking Lake Muhlenberg in Allentown to search for the species you've learned about the evening before. Meet at the east parking lot at Cedar Beach Pool. Bring a snack if you wish and a scope if you have one.

In case of inclement weather, please check the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society's website or the group's Facebook page for notification of any cancellation.