Harpers Ferry PVAS birdwalk – Shenandoah Wetlands/Virginius Island

Posted on December 12, 2012 by debhale

A dozen of us walked along the Shenandoah River area of Harpers Ferry this morning in the beautiful cold. The walk started out promisingly – 2 adult BALD EAGLES flying playfully above where we gathered in the 340 parking lot. There was a lot of songbird activity in the trees along the wetlands – our biggest surprise was perhaps 3 (definitely 2, maybe 3 – all seen in different areas) EASTERN PHOEBES; Bill Hale spotted a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER along the railroad tracks as he straggled way behind the rest of us. Bill & Jim Farley saw a WINTER WREN on the old canal. 3 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS flew up high heading downriver. We were rewarded by 3 BROWN CREEPERS finally towards the end of the walk.
Continue reading →

Finally, A Keel-billed Toucan

Posted on December 5, 2012 by ssagalkin

Sorry – not in West Virginia. Am on vacation in Cancun, Mex. Went out yesterday with my favorite Mayan bird guide, Luis Ku, to Coba (an archeological site) and Punta Laguna, a nature preserve nearby. On the way, Luis stopped the car when he spotted it. We climbed out of the car trying to find the toucan. Next, a large group of Collared Aracaris appeared, making my day. I had seen aracaris before but this was my first Keel-billed, which Luis knew. After seeing it fly through the air, I still find it hard to believe there is a reason for the adaptation and that he can actually fly with so much weight up front. I’ll have to Google it. Other highlights of the day were a Blue-crowned Motmot, a Ruddy Crake, and an Oscellated Turkey. I go out with Luis again next Monday to Muyil and Xel-ha, two other archeological site.

FYI – archeological sites are often prime birding locations in the Yucatan Peninsula as long as one goes early and before the crowds arrive.

Regards

Sandy Sagalkin

PVAS Bird Walk at Stauffer’s Marsh Nature Preserve

Posted on November 17, 2012 by ssagalkin

PVAS sponsored a bird walk at Stauffer’s Marsh Nature Preserve this morning. There were large numbers of Whte-throated Sparrows in evidence in the trees along the road and along the drive at the northern end of the preserve. Blue Jays were also abundant. We had several Black-capped Chickadees and an American Tree Sparrow. The highlight was an Eastern Screech Owl and Red-shouldered Hawk vocalizing at the same time.

We had 26 species as follows:
Continue reading →

Common Redpoll – Summit Point

Posted on November 14, 2012 by morsie

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.

South Schoolhouse Ridge battlefield – PVAS walk

Posted on November 14, 2012 by debhale

10 birdwatchers joined me for a nice walk on this cold fresh morning through fields covered in hoary frost. By the time we finished a couple hours later, the sun was emerging and temperatures rising enough to thaw the grass green. We saw some nice variety – 33 species in all – and everyone got to see just how beautiful this place is and how they might like to return again. Its fields and woods and creek offer differing habitats. We had the place to ourselves the whole time. Scroll to the bottom of this post to find out more about South Schoolhouse Ridge battlefield in Harper’s Ferry.
Continue reading →

PVAS Sponsors Trip to Snicker’s Gap Hawk Watch Site

Posted on November 10, 2012 by ssagalkin

PVAS sponsored a trip to the Snicker’s Gap Hawk Watch. The weather was beautiful with light but favorable winds. Several of the participants were hoping for a Golden Eagle and one appeared in late morning, together with a mature Bald Eagle. In addition, we saw about a dozen Red-tailed Hawks, a couple Red-shouldered Hawks (one of which appeared to be flying with only half of its feathers, the other feathers having molted) and a Sharp-shinned Hawk. Several of us were spoiled by the record-breaking Golden Eagle day at Waggoner’s Gap last Saturday. Nevertheless, it is always a treat to see Golden Eagles.

Ducks – Wood, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Ruddy at Stauffer’s Marsh

Posted on November 4, 2012 by birdmom

This morning, I led a field trip for the West Virginia Science Teachers Conference at Stauffer’s Marsh in Berkeley County.

Stauffer’s Marsh Location

Here is our bird list:
Continue reading →

Fantastic Golden Eagle show at Waggoner’s Gap

Posted on November 3, 2012 by morsie

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:
Continue reading →

Great Blue Heron Cam at Sapsucker Woods Pond by Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology

Posted on November 2, 2012 by ssagalkin

Great Blue Heron Cam

Eastern Screech-Owl returned to nest box

Posted on November 1, 2012 by birdmom

On Oct 25, 2012, a red morph Eastern screech owl was seen inside my nest box with its head popped outside. If this is a returning owl, it is probably a female. The first owl ever to occupy the nest box was seen Feb 11, 2011, and was a red morph. She and her mate (a gray morph) fledged 3 owlets May 14, 2012.

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30