Bob Abrams and I found an adult Lesser Black-blacked Gull at the Loudoun County Landfill during the central Loudoun county CBC on Dec 28th. It was with approximately 750 Ring-billed Gulls and 32 Herring Gulls. Also of note were 400+ Fish Crows.
WV only has three accepted records of Lesser Black-backed Gull and this one is less than 20 miles from Jefferson county.
Tom Masters has found a Eurasian Collared-Dove visiting his yard during the last week. If accepted, this would represent the first documented record for WV. Congratulations to Tom! This species has been expanding it’s range in the lower 48 since first making an apperance in the 1970’s. There is a small population about 20-25 miles north of Martinsburg; 1) Just north of Hagerstown, MD and 2) Just east of Greencastle,PA.
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I was visited by a Common Redpoll at the feeders this morning. They usually spend their winters farther north but this year appears to be an irruption year with food shortagesgoing on. Jefferson county has had a big influx of Red-breasted Nuthatches, Purple Finches and Pine Siskins already. There has also been one local report of Evening Grosbeak.
The PVAS raptor class held its forth and final field trip of the season by visiting Waggoner’s Gap hawk watch site just north of Carlise, PA. The conditions were perfect for movement with overcast conditions, snow showers, brisk NW winds 10-20 mph and temps in the low 40’s. The class was not disappointed. After an hour and half drive from Spring Mills, WV to the rocky out cropping overlooking the Cumberland Valley we were never without a bird in the sky for more than 45 seconds the rest of the day. Waggoner’s Gap is one of the premier hawk watching locations in the east having started in 1952. Today, they set a new single day record for Golden Eagles with 50 (We saw 36 during our time there). Upon first arrival the first birds seen were 4 Golden Eagles flying in concert. What a start! About 5 minutes after that our first Northern Goshawk came flying by. We stayed from 10am until 3:30pm and it will be a day to remember for all. Also of note were Pine Siskins, Common Loons (71) and a few gulls.
Raptor totals seen while we were there:
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I went out on 10-29 and 10-30 visiting Lake Shannondale, Shenandoah River, Stauffer’s Marsh, Archer’s Rock and the 901 pond at Spring Mills. I attempted to go to Sleepy Creek Lake but the roads didn’t look too promising. It was snowing up there at 1,600 feet with a temp of 35 degrees. I came down off the mountain.
NOTE: I also found out that Bob Dean and Stan Roach located a Brant at the 901 pond at approx 3pm on Weds.
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Had Pine Siskins at my feeders all today today with the max count being 24. Also had a rare Field Sparrow (for my yard). Looks like it might be a siskin irruption winter. Typically I may see one or two during the first week of November as they are passing through and that’s it for the fall and winter. Apparently, not this season.
2012-2013 Winter Finch Forecast
At my feeder today:
Today, 11 participants visited the Snickers Gap,VA hawk watch site. Eight species of raptors were observed at various heights and distances. A late Broad-winged Hawk was a surprise. Also, a few Bald Eagles were seen, one of which flew right across the gap providing excellent views. Cooper’s Hawks and Red-shouldered Hawks were well represented.
Snickers Gap welcomes one an all to visit and experience one of the specticles of fall migration. The site is in operation from Sept 1st through early December. Both volunteers with experience and those willing to learn are welcome.
If you are interested, contact Joan Boudreau or Bob Abrams at 703-734-1238 or icepeep@aol.com Continue reading
Seven species of sparrows were seen in 1 1/2 hrs yesterday in the fields in back of the pond at the Huntfield sub-division just south of Charles Town. Highlight was a Lincoln’s Sparrow. This boreal breeder (Also breeds in the Rocky and Cascades/Sierra Nevada Mtns) is making its way towards the south central U.S. and Mexico to winter.
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