Friday, November 29, 2013
Birdie Wreaths are here!
They're back! Birdie Wreaths have arrived at The Bird House.These popular wreaths not only are great Christmas decorations, but they also contain seeds and peanuts that help birds make it through the chilly holiday weather.
A wreath consists of black oil sunflower and peanuts, plus safflower (with food dye to add color). It's all held together with natural gelatin. About 25 percent of the wreath is fat, which helps birds maintain their energy levels.
Cardinals, finches, titmice, sparrows, nuthatches and woodpeckers will love it!
The wreath is 9 inches in diameter and weighs 2.25 pounds. That's plenty of food for the holidays!
Products sold at The Bird House may be available for a limited time, so hurry in!
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Wild Turkey
Thanksgiving means turkey, but the farm-fed bird you'll see on your dinner plate is nothing like the Wild Turkey. The Wild Turkey is more resilient than the domesticated kind. Though you're not likely to find a Wild Turkey in your backyard, you may see them if you live in rural areas.
The bird has a storied past. The Wild Turkey was a very important food to Native Americans, but it was eliminated from much of its range by the early 1900s. Introduction programs have successfully re-established it in much of its original range, and even extended it into areas where it never occurred before.
A native of North America, the turkey is one of only two domesticated birds originating in the New World. (The Muscovy Duck is the other.) Wild Turkeys are found in hardwood forests that have open areas. They also are found in swamps, grasslands, ponderosa pine forests as well as the chaparral.
Wild Turkeys are large, dark colored ground-dwelling birds with long, powerful legs; large fan-shaped tails; and bare heads and necks. The male has breast feathers tipped in black. Its head and neck are a blue-gray with pink wattles. During springtime display, the male's forehead is white, his face is light blue and his neck is scarlet. The female's breast feathers are tipped with brown, gray or white; her head has small feathers and, if present, the beard is small.
The male will "gobble" to attract a female. He then struts around her with his tail feathers fanned and held up vertically, then he lowers his head back and inflates his crop. He will make occasional deep sounds followed by a "humm," all of which is accompanied by rapid vibration of his tail feathers.
Only the female is involved in raising the chicks. A small depression in dead leaves or vegetation on the ground is the "nest." Four to 17 eggs are laid and incubated for about 28 days. Poults are downy covered when hatched and are able to follow the mother. In a few days they are eating on their own. Turkeys feed on acorns, nuts, seeds, insects, fern fronds and salamanders.
Wild Turkeys are strong fliers and can fly straight up and then away. During the night, they roost in trees. Their eyesight is three times better than a human's. Their hearing is excellent; they are able to hear another turkey a mile away.
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| Wild Turkey |
The bird has a storied past. The Wild Turkey was a very important food to Native Americans, but it was eliminated from much of its range by the early 1900s. Introduction programs have successfully re-established it in much of its original range, and even extended it into areas where it never occurred before.
A native of North America, the turkey is one of only two domesticated birds originating in the New World. (The Muscovy Duck is the other.) Wild Turkeys are found in hardwood forests that have open areas. They also are found in swamps, grasslands, ponderosa pine forests as well as the chaparral.
Wild Turkeys are large, dark colored ground-dwelling birds with long, powerful legs; large fan-shaped tails; and bare heads and necks. The male has breast feathers tipped in black. Its head and neck are a blue-gray with pink wattles. During springtime display, the male's forehead is white, his face is light blue and his neck is scarlet. The female's breast feathers are tipped with brown, gray or white; her head has small feathers and, if present, the beard is small.
The male will "gobble" to attract a female. He then struts around her with his tail feathers fanned and held up vertically, then he lowers his head back and inflates his crop. He will make occasional deep sounds followed by a "humm," all of which is accompanied by rapid vibration of his tail feathers.
Only the female is involved in raising the chicks. A small depression in dead leaves or vegetation on the ground is the "nest." Four to 17 eggs are laid and incubated for about 28 days. Poults are downy covered when hatched and are able to follow the mother. In a few days they are eating on their own. Turkeys feed on acorns, nuts, seeds, insects, fern fronds and salamanders.
Wild Turkeys are strong fliers and can fly straight up and then away. During the night, they roost in trees. Their eyesight is three times better than a human's. Their hearing is excellent; they are able to hear another turkey a mile away.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Lehigh Valley bird sightings for November 22
Here are bird sightings reported in the greater Lehigh Valley for the week ended November 22. The list was compiled by Dave DeReamus, of the Eastern PA Birdline, which is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.
Whitehall Parkway, Lehigh County
Say's Phoebe, 1 on November 18
The Say's Phoebe's normal range is in the Western states, although occasionally one strays into the East during the migration season. An adult Say's Phoebe is about 7.5 inches long and is generally an insect-eater, although it has been known to eat berries. The one in Whitehall was photographed, but no further details are available.
Williams Township, Northampton County
Brant, 43 on November 21
Swainson's Hawk, 1 on November 21 (a juvenile dark morph bird; a fly-by)
Gray Catbird, 1 on November 21
Also seen: Swamp Sparrow and Purple Finch
Little Gap, Northampton County
Bald Eagle, 21 on November 19
Also seen: Common Raven
Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh County
Bald Eagle, 10 on November 19
Northern Goshawk, 1 on November 21
Also seen: Common Raven
Allentown, Lehigh County
Rufous Hummingbird, 1 seen through November 18 in a backyard on North 21st Street
Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(At Church Road)
Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 through November 17
Cackling Goose, 1 through November 17
Northern Shoveler, 48 on November 17
Also seen: Wood Duck
Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 through November 22
Surf Scooter, 3 on November 16
Red-breasted Merganser, 1 on November 16
Red-headed Woodpecker, 2 seen during the past week at the Angler's Pier area
Also seen: Cackling Goose, Brant, Wood Duck, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, American Pipit, and Swamp and Savannah sparrows
Merrill Creek Reservoir, New Jersey
At the Scotts Mountain Hawkwatch
Bald Eagle, 3 on November 18 and 4 on November 19
Northern Goshawk, 1 on November 17
Red-shouldered Hawk, 5 on November 20
Directions to many of the sites in this week's report can be found in "Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity," a guidebook published by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society and available for sale at The Bird House.
Say's Phoebe, 1 on November 18
The Say's Phoebe's normal range is in the Western states, although occasionally one strays into the East during the migration season. An adult Say's Phoebe is about 7.5 inches long and is generally an insect-eater, although it has been known to eat berries. The one in Whitehall was photographed, but no further details are available.
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| Say's Phoebe (file photo) |
Brant, 43 on November 21
Swainson's Hawk, 1 on November 21 (a juvenile dark morph bird; a fly-by)
Gray Catbird, 1 on November 21
Also seen: Swamp Sparrow and Purple Finch
Little Gap, Northampton County
Bald Eagle, 21 on November 19
Also seen: Common Raven
Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh County
Bald Eagle, 10 on November 19
Northern Goshawk, 1 on November 21
Also seen: Common Raven
Allentown, Lehigh County
Rufous Hummingbird, 1 seen through November 18 in a backyard on North 21st Street
Green Lane Reservoir, Montgomery County
(At Church Road)
Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 through November 17
Cackling Goose, 1 through November 17
Northern Shoveler, 48 on November 17
Also seen: Wood Duck
Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 through November 22
Surf Scooter, 3 on November 16
Red-breasted Merganser, 1 on November 16
Red-headed Woodpecker, 2 seen during the past week at the Angler's Pier area
Also seen: Cackling Goose, Brant, Wood Duck, Ruddy Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Winter Wren, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, American Pipit, and Swamp and Savannah sparrows
Merrill Creek Reservoir, New Jersey
At the Scotts Mountain Hawkwatch
Bald Eagle, 3 on November 18 and 4 on November 19
Northern Goshawk, 1 on November 17
Red-shouldered Hawk, 5 on November 20
Directions to many of the sites in this week's report can be found in "Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity," a guidebook published by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society and available for sale at The Bird House.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Lehigh Valley bird sightings for November 16
Dave DeReamus , of the Eastern PA Birdline, compiled these bird sightings for the greater Lehigh Valley area for the period that ended November 16. The Birdline is sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society.
Lake Minsi, Northampton County
Black Scoters, 2 on November 12
Jacobsburg State Park, Northampton County
Ring-necked Pheasant, 8 on November 10 (stock birds).
Also seen: Lesser Black-backed Gull and Eastern Phoebe
Nazareth, Northampton County
Saffron Finch, 1 on November 9 (escaped bird in a private backyard)
Nazareth Quarry, Northampton County
Cackling Goose, several on November 9
Redheads, 2 on November 11
Red-throated Loon, 1 on November 13
Eared Grebe, 1 to at least November 11
Bonaparte's Gull, 20 on November 10
Also seen: Lesser Black-baked Gull
Housenick Park, Bethlehem Township, Northampton County
Rusty Blackbirds, 2 on November 9
Also seen: Bald Eagle
Seiple's Pond, East Allen Township, Northampton County
Cackling Goose, 1 on November 8
Lehigh Valley International Airport, Lehigh County
Northern Harrier, 1 on November 10
Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Long-tailed Duck, 3 on November 12
Bufflehead, 69 on November 12
Snow Bunting, 11 on November 12 (at the beach area)
Also seen: Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk and Merlin
Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh County
Anhinga, 1 on November 12 (fly-by)
Bald Eagle, 7 on November 8
Northern Goshawk, 1 on November 9 and November 12
Red-tailed Hawk, 202 on November 12
Golden Eagle, 6 on November 8 and 13 on November 12
Also seen: Common Raven
Fogelsville Quarry, Lehigh County
Tundra Swan, 5 on November 16
Allentown, Lehigh County
Rufous Hummingbird, 1 banded on November 10 (at a private feeder)
Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Greater White-fronted Goose, 1 on November 9
Cackling Goose, 2 to at least November 10
Brant, 1 to at least November 16
Black Scoters, 5 on November 5
Surf Scoters, 3 on November 16
Dunlin, 3 on November 9
Red-headed Woodpecker, 2 to at least November 10
Rusty Blackbird, 1 on November 9
Snow Bunting, 3 on November 9
Also seen: Blue-winged Teal, Common Goldeneye, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Greater Yellowlegs, Bonaparte's Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eastern Phoebe, Tree Swallow, Eastern Towhee and Savannah Sparrow
Merrrill Creek Reservoir, New Jersey
At Scott's Mountain Hawkwatch:
Bald Eagle, 5 on November 11 and 6 on November 13
Red-tailed Hawk, 107 on November 8
Northern Goshawk, 1 on November 11
Black-headed Gull, 1 on November 9
Also seen: Bonaparte's Gull and Common Raven
Directions to many of the sites in this week's report can be found in "Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity," a guidebook published by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society and available for sale at The Bird House. An updated version of the book is scheduled to be released during the holiday season or shortly thereafter.
The Lehigh Valley Audubon Society is conducting a field trip to see waterfowl at the New Jersey shore on Saturday, November 30. Meet at 7 a.m. at the Tilghman Square parking lot, near the Red Robin Restaurant, just west of Route 309 in Allentown. Alternatively, you may call trip leader Mark Boyd to arrange to meet at the Park & Ride lot at the William Penn Highway exit of Route 33 in Bethlehem Township.
Members of the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society receive a 10 percent discount on all items sold at The Bird House. To become a society member, visit the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society and download a membership form.
 |
| Cackling Goose |
Lake Minsi, Northampton County
Black Scoters, 2 on November 12
Jacobsburg State Park, Northampton County
Ring-necked Pheasant, 8 on November 10 (stock birds).
Also seen: Lesser Black-backed Gull and Eastern Phoebe
Nazareth, Northampton County
Saffron Finch, 1 on November 9 (escaped bird in a private backyard)
Nazareth Quarry, Northampton County
Cackling Goose, several on November 9
Redheads, 2 on November 11
Red-throated Loon, 1 on November 13
Eared Grebe, 1 to at least November 11
Bonaparte's Gull, 20 on November 10
Also seen: Lesser Black-baked Gull
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| Northern Goshawk |
Housenick Park, Bethlehem Township, Northampton County
Rusty Blackbirds, 2 on November 9
Also seen: Bald Eagle
Seiple's Pond, East Allen Township, Northampton County
Cackling Goose, 1 on November 8
Lehigh Valley International Airport, Lehigh County
Northern Harrier, 1 on November 10
Beltzville State Park, Carbon County
Long-tailed Duck, 3 on November 12
Bufflehead, 69 on November 12
Snow Bunting, 11 on November 12 (at the beach area)
Also seen: Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk and Merlin
Bake Oven Knob, Lehigh County
Anhinga, 1 on November 12 (fly-by)
Bald Eagle, 7 on November 8
Northern Goshawk, 1 on November 9 and November 12
Red-tailed Hawk, 202 on November 12
Golden Eagle, 6 on November 8 and 13 on November 12
Also seen: Common Raven
 |
| Snow Bunting |
Tundra Swan, 5 on November 16
Allentown, Lehigh County
Rufous Hummingbird, 1 banded on November 10 (at a private feeder)
Peace Valley Park, Bucks County
Cackling Goose, 2 to at least November 10
Brant, 1 to at least November 16
Black Scoters, 5 on November 5
Surf Scoters, 3 on November 16
Dunlin, 3 on November 9
Red-headed Woodpecker, 2 to at least November 10
Rusty Blackbird, 1 on November 9
Snow Bunting, 3 on November 9
Also seen: Blue-winged Teal, Common Goldeneye, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Greater Yellowlegs, Bonaparte's Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eastern Phoebe, Tree Swallow, Eastern Towhee and Savannah Sparrow
Merrrill Creek Reservoir, New Jersey
At Scott's Mountain Hawkwatch:
Bald Eagle, 5 on November 11 and 6 on November 13
Red-tailed Hawk, 107 on November 8
Northern Goshawk, 1 on November 11
Black-headed Gull, 1 on November 9
 |
| Bonaparte's Gull |
Directions to many of the sites in this week's report can be found in "Birds of the Lehigh Valley and Vicinity," a guidebook published by the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society and available for sale at The Bird House. An updated version of the book is scheduled to be released during the holiday season or shortly thereafter.
The Lehigh Valley Audubon Society is conducting a field trip to see waterfowl at the New Jersey shore on Saturday, November 30. Meet at 7 a.m. at the Tilghman Square parking lot, near the Red Robin Restaurant, just west of Route 309 in Allentown. Alternatively, you may call trip leader Mark Boyd to arrange to meet at the Park & Ride lot at the William Penn Highway exit of Route 33 in Bethlehem Township.
Members of the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society receive a 10 percent discount on all items sold at The Bird House. To become a society member, visit the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society and download a membership form.
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