Seasonal Report - Fall 2017

Lycoming County Fall 2017 Summary

The weather during the fall wasn't too notable. A lack of rainfall early in the fall meant very low water levels in the river and creeks. This may have contributed to the lower-than-normal shorebird reports, as there was more exposed habitat for them to spread out. Like normal, some storm systems caused minor fallout throughout the season.

Season Highlights

The fall provided some pretty good birds, although perhaps less exciting overall than 2016. One first county record was picked up with a Long-tailed Jaeger. Two species that seemed to have a very good season statewide, Greater White-fronted Goose and Snowy Owl, were both recorded as well. All three of the likely scoter species were found, which is unusual for a single season. Add in Red-necked Grebe, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Dunlin, Black Tern, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Marsh Wren, and Connecticut Warbler, and you end up with a pretty solid season overall. In total, 191 species were reported in Lycoming County during the fall, which is a few species more than past years.

Observations

Observers include: Bobby Brown (BB), David Brown (DB), Deb Brown (DeB), Bob Brown (BoB) (BB, DB, DeB, BoB collectively as Browns), Brent and Su Bacon (B&SB) Dan Brauning (DanB), Jean Dalton (JD), Maddi Dunlap (MD), Wes Egli (WE), Dave Ferry (DF), Norwood Frederick (NF), C. Harbach (CH), Eric Hartshaw (EH), Andy Keister (AK), Judy Lynn (JL), Steve Pinkerton (SP), Dale and Karen Plumley (D&KP), David Rothrock (DR), Dennis Toepperwein (DT), Joe Yoder (JY), Eric Zawatski (EZ)

m.obs. = many observers
ph. = Observations of very uncommon or unexpected species that were documented with photos include a ph. designation along with the observers. Most of those photos can be found on eBird.

Waterfowl

A flyover Greater White-Fronted Goose was observed from Indian Park on 11/22 (BB, DeB, BoB). This primarily western species has now been seen in Lycoming County three years in a row. A few Snow Geese were seen from the Rt. 15 Overlook migrating with flocks of Canada Geese on 11/4 (BB, et al.). Other sightings of the species included a flock of 34 migrating over Montoursville on 11/13 (DeB) and one bird at Susquehanna State Park on 11/19 (BB, DeB).

An early Tundra Swan was first seen near Muncy Boat Launch on 9/2 (WE, BB, DeB, BoB), and continued through at least 9/16 (WE). The only other sightings for the season were on 11/9, when a flock of 38 flew over Montoursville (DeB) and a group of 8 was seen on the water at the Williamsport Dam (BB).

A Blue-winged Teal was found at the Williamsport Dam on 10/9 (BB, et al.), along with 4 at Rose Valley Lake on 10/21 (SP) and 2 at Mill St. on 10/30 (BB, DeB, BoB). The only Northern Shoveler report was from Canfield Island on 9/24 (BB, DeB, BoB). Gadwall were reported a number of times from Rose Valley Lake from mid-October through early November. Other sightings included 10/8 and 10/9 at the Williamsport Dam (BB, DeB, BoB) and 11/12 at Indian Park (BB, DeB, BoB). American Wigeons were seen at the Williamsport Dam several times between late September and mid-October, along with 3 birds at Greevy Boat Launch on 10/7 (BB, DeB, BoB) and 2 birds at Canfield Island on 10/8 (BB, DeB, BoB). American Black Ducks were seen quite a few times, particularly at Indian Park, which is the location they are most frequently reported in the county. A high count of 29 was seen at a pond near Montgomery on 11/19, along with a hybrid Mallard x American Black Duck. A male Northern Pintail dropped in at dusk with a flock of Mallards at the Williamsport Dam on 10/9, providing the only sighting of that species during the fall (BB, DeB, BoB). Green-winged Teal were reported at Rose Valley Lake on 10/30 (SP), 11/5 (BB, DeB, SP), and 11/6 (EH).

A male Canvasback was present at the Williamsport Dam 11/1-6 (MD, BB, et al.). Away from Rose Valley Lake, which had numerous sightings in October and November, the only Ring-necked Duck report was at the Williamsport Dam 11/3-4 (BB, et al.). Greater Scaup and Lesser Scaup were both reported in small numbers at Rose Valley Lake from mid-October through November.

Two Surf Scoters were found at Rose Valley Lake on 10/30 (SP, et al.), and a White-winged Scoter was also briefly seen there that day (SP). A Black Scoter was at Rose Valley Lake 11/18-20 (SP, et al.). Long-tailed Duck reports were also limited to Rose Valley Lake, with reports from late October through mid-November.

Up to 2 Common Goldeneye were seen at Rose Valley Lake during the second half of November (m.obs.), along with a sighting at the Williamsport Dam on 11/4 (BB, DeB, BoB). Red-breasted Mergansers were reported at Rose Valley Lake on 11/19 (NF) and 11/24 (SP).

Other Waterbirds

Common Loons weren't terribly abundant this fall, but there were a few reports at Rose Valley Lake in October and November along with flyover sightings at the Rt. 15 Overlook in November. The only sighting from the river was near the Maynard St. Bridge on 10/14 (MD, BB, DeB, BoB)

A Red-necked Grebe was present at Rose Valley Lake 11/4-9 (SP, et al.).

Double-crested Cormorants were present for the entire season, with some large numbers recorded, including more than 500 birds migrating over the Rt. 15 Overlook on 11/4 (BB, DeB, BoB).

Great Egrets were a little less abundant than the past few falls, but the species was still regularly seen along the river during August and September, especially near Canfield Island. There was a sighting from Greevy Boat Launch on 10/14 (BB), which provided only the third eBird record of the species in Lycoming County during October, with the previous two coming in 2014. One of the best birds of the fall was a juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron at the Williamsport Dam on 10/29 (BB, DeB, BoB, et al.), which provided the second known county record of that species, with the prior record from March 2008. The bird was seen again at dusk on 11/2 (BB, MD, JD).

Raptors and Owls

Black Vulture reports seemed similar to last fall, with fairly regular sightings throughout the entire season.

Less coverage at the Rt. 15 Overlook during fall migration meant lower Golden Eagle totals than past years, but there were still quite a few seen. Counts at the Rt. 15 Overlook were 2 on 10/26 (BB, DeB, BoB), 4 on 11/8 (BB), 12 on 11/10 (BB, DeB, BoB) and 2 on 11/19 (BB, DeB). An additional 3 were seen at Mill St. on 11/19 (BB, DeB, BoB), along with one on 11/27 (BB). The remaining sighting was a migrant over Montoursville on 11/10 (BB).

Reports of Red-shouldered Hawks were maybe slightly elevated, but mostly seen in the typical spots. The big day for Broad-winged Hawks was 448 seen at the Rt. 15 Overlook on 9/17 (Browns). Migrant Red-tailed Hawks seemed a bit low overall, but at least 6 Northern/abieticola birds were seen. A migrating Rough-legged Hawk was seen at the Rt. 15 Overlook on 11/10 (BB, DeB, BoB). The species was also reported at Mill Hill Rd. on 11/20 (EZ) and 11/24 (Browns, et al.).

American Kestrel sightings were relatively common and widely scattered, including a high count of 13 seen migrating past the Rt. 15 Overlook on 9/16 (BB, DB, JY, et al.). Merlins continue to be seen fairly frequently, with Rose Valley Lake, Williamsport, and especially Montoursville being the areas with the most sightings. Peregrine Falcons were seen in the two typical spots, the Williamsport Dam and Muncy Boat Launch, in addition to other scattered sightings throughout the fall.

Eastern Screech-Owl were reported from a few areas, but one was found roosting on a bridge off of Heshbon Rd. that was seen daily at the end of November, continuing through the end of the reporting period (SP, et al.). One of the best finds of the fall was a Snowy Owl near the Lycoming Mall on 11/15 (B&SB, et al., ph.). One was reported a few miles away on Facebook earlier that morning, which may have been the same bird, and there were other reports of two owls in the same area that week, but that was never confirmed. Short-eared Owls were seen at Mill Hill Rd. for the entirety of November, including at least 6 seen on 11/24 (Browns, et al.).

Cranes and Rails

American Coot sightings were fairly limited during the fall. One was found at Rose Valley Lake on 9/23 (BB, DeB, BoB, SP), another at SGL 252 on 10/22 (BB, AK), and finally, one at Indian Park 10/22-25 (BB, DeB, et al.).

Shorebirds

Two Dunlin were seen at Rose Valley Lake on 10/30 (SP, et al.), and around 60 dropped in at Mill St. during a rainy 11/1 (BB, DeB, BoB), 10 of which stayed through the following day (AK, BB, DeB, BoB). It was a very quiet fall for Least Sandpipers, with only a single sighting of one bird at Canfield Island on 9/24 (BB, DeB, BoB).

American Woodcocks were only found at Mill St., with sightings on 9/25 (BB, DeB, BoB), 9/26 (BB, DeB), and 10/3 (DanB). Three Wilson's Snipes at Mill St. on 11/2 provided the only sighting of that species during the fall (AK, BB, DeB, BoB).

Solitary Sandpipers were observed regularly through mid-September, with Indian Park being particularly reliable. A Greater Yellowlegs flew over Greevy Boat Launch on 8/27 (BB, DeB, BoB), and the species was also observed at Mill St. on 9/19 (BB) as well as 10/19-20 (BB, DeB, BoB). Eight birds at Mill St. during the shorebird fallout on 11/1 provided the first November eBird record and all-time high count of the species in Lycoming County (BB, DeB, BoB). Three continued to be seen the following day at the same location (AK, BB, DeB, BoB). Lesser Yellowlegs were seen at Indian Park on 8/31 (BB), 9/1 (BB, DeB, BoB), and 9/3 (BB, DeB).

Jaegers, Gulls and Terns

The bird of the fall was a flyover Long-tailed Jaeger at the Williamsport Dam during the evening of 8/26 (DB, MD, ph.), providing a first Lycoming County record of that species. The weather was calm and sunny, which is not typically what one would associate with a jaeger in this area. The bird kept flying north, and was not seen by other observers. The sighting extended the streak of county records to five straight seasons for Lycoming County, joining Cave Swallow/Black-chinned Hummingbird, King Eider, Yellow-headed Blackbird, and American Avocet during the previous four, respectively.

Bonaparte's Gulls were seen in small groups on numerous occasions at Rose Valley Lake and along the river. Herring Gull reports were limited to 2 birds at the Williamsport Dam on 10/22 (BB, DeB, MD), 2 at the Rt. 15 Overlook on 11/8 (BB, AK, EH), and one at the Lycoming County Landfill on 11/19 (BB, DeB, BoB).

Two Caspian Terns dropped in at the Williamsport Dam on 9/6 (BB). Three Black Terns were found near Canfield Island on 8/18 (BB, DeB, BoB), and another one was observed at Rose Valley Lake the same evening (SP). That species has now been recorded three years in a row in Lycoming County, after more than 25 years without a known sighting. That is probably more related to increased birding effort than a reflection on the abundance of Black Terns migrating through the county.

Hummingbirds

A slightly late Ruby-throated Hummingbird was observed at a private residence north of Williamsport on 10/8 (SP), and it continued to be seen until 10/10. No western vagrant hummingbirds were found this fall.

Flycatchers

An Olive-sided Flycatcher was found at SGL 252 on 8/27 (BB, AK, DB), and the same outing produced a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher as well. The Acadian Flycatcher that spent the summer at Mill St. was reported for the last time on 8/9 (D&KP). Least Flycatchers were fairly scarce, with observations from Rose Valley Lake on 8/13 (BB, SP) and 9/9 (BB, SP), along with a sighting at SGL 252 on 9/24 (BB, AK). Great Crested Flycatchers were reported from the Williamsport Dam on 8/3 (DB, MD), 8/6 (DR), 8/12 (Browns, MD) and 9/16 (DB, MD), with no reports of that species elsewhere. Eastern Kingbirds were observed numerous times throughout the fall, but the last sighting for the year on 9/9 at Rose Valley Lake was notable because a juvenile bird was still being fed by an adult (BB, SP).

Vireos

The only report of Yellow-throated Vireo came from Rose Valley Lake on 9/2 (DanB). Blue-headed Vireos were seen fairly regularly from mid-September through most of October, and a new late date was set for the species at the Rt. 15 Overlook on 10/26 (BB, DeB, BoB, AK). A Philadelphia Vireo was found at SGL 252 on 9/10 (BB), followed up by sightings of 2 at the Rt. 15 Overlook on 9/18 (JL) and one the following day at the same location (BB, DeB, BoB, JL), along with a report outside of Montoursville on 9/29 (EH). Warbling Vireos were reported a handful of times at Rose Valley Lake during August and September, and 3 were seen at SGL 252 on 9/10 (BB)

Swallows

Bank Swallows were only seen a handful of times during the season. The sightings included Mill St. on 8/6 (BB, DeB, BoB) and 9/2 (BB), Alvira Rd. on 8/27 (BB), Rose Valley Lake on 9/2 (DanB), and Greevy Boat Launch on 9/3 (BB, DeB). Other swallow reports were fairly typical compared to previous years.

Nuthatches

There were a few scattered Red-breasted Nuthatch reports throughout the season, but nowhere near as many as the fall of 2016. The high count was 7+ at the Williamsport Water Authority on 11/24 (Browns).

Wrens

There were scattered reports of Winter Wrens throughout the whole season, with sightings becoming more regularly in November. A Marsh Wren was found in brush along the Loyalsock Creek at Mill St. on 10/7 (BB, DeB, BoB).

Thrushes

Swainson's Thrushes were seen at Rose Valley Lake on 8/19 (BB) and 10/14 (SP).

Warblers

A Worm-eating Warbler was observed at the Williamsport Dam on 8/27 (JY, MD, JD, DR). The only Northern Waterthrush report came from SGL 252 on 9/25 (AK). Lycoming County's first October eBird record of Black-and-white Warbler came from the Rt. 15 Overlook on 10/1 (BB). Nashville Warblers were relatively hard to come by, with only six reports throughout the fall. The biggest warbler highlight of the fall was a Connecticut Warbler at Mill St. on 10/2 (BB, et al.), which was the first Lycoming County report of that species since 2012. Hooded Warblers were a bit scarce, with a single report from Little Pine State Park on 8/11 (CH). Cape May Warblers, on the other hand, were a bit more common than normal, with quite a few reports, many of which involved several birds. Northern Parula reports were limited to mid-September through early October, with several reports in that time frame. Magnolia Warblers were seen through mid-October, with the last report on 10/15 at Rose Valley Lake (SP). Bay-breasted Warblers weren't terribly abundant, but were seen a handful of times in September, including a high count of 4 at SGL 252 on 9/10 (BB). Yellow Warblers were mostly gone by September, although a slightly late bird was seen at Canfield Island on 9/16 (BB). Blackpoll Warblers were not as numerous as last fall, but the species was regularly found from mid-September through early October. A late male Black-throated Blue Warbler was photographed near a feeder on Mahaffey Hollow Rd in poor weather on 10/29 (DT). A Pine Warbler was seen at Mill St. on 10/13 and 10/14 (BB, DeB). The species was also seen in more expected areas earlier in the fall. Canada Warblers were seen at Canfield Island on 9/17 (BB, DeB) and at Rose Valley Lake on 9/18 (BB). Wilson's Warblers were reported a handful of times in September along the river and at Rose Valley Lake.

All warbler species reported:

• Ovenbird
• Worm-eating Warbler
• Northern Waterthrush
• Black-and-white Warbler
• Tennessee Warbler
• Nashville Warbler
• Connecticut Warbler
• Common Yellowthroat
• Hooded Warbler
• American Redstart
• Cape May Warbler
• Northern Parula
• Magnolia Warbler
• Bay-breasted Warbler
• Blackburnian Warbler
• Yellow Warbler
• Chestnut-sided Warbler
• Blackpoll Warbler
• Black-throated Blue Warbler
• Palm Warbler
• Pine Warbler
• Yellow-rumped Warbler
• Black-throated Green Warbler
• Canada Warblers
• Wilson's Warbler

Sparrows

A Fox Sparrow was seen at Rose Valley Lake on 11/5 (BB, DeB, SP, NF), along with reports on 11/12 and 11/22 (SP). Other reports included Mill St. on 11/10 (BB, DeB), at least 10 at SGL 252 on 11/12 (BB, DeB, BoB), and a few at the Williamsport Water Authority 11/24-25 (Browns). White-crowned Sparrows were almost completely absent, with the only sighting being a somewhat early immature bird at SGL 252 on 9/24 (BB, AK). Savannah Sparrow reports were limited to Mill St. between 8/31 and 10/1. Lincoln's Sparrow were reported quite a few times, with SGL 252 being a particularly good spot. At least 15 were seen at that location on 10/1 (BB, AK). Other locations with sightings included Mill St., Canfield Island, Rose Valley Lake, and Little Pine State Park. A few Eastern Towhees were still hanging around at the Williamsport Water Authority 11/24-25 (Browns).

Blackbirds

The only Bobolink sighting of the fall was at SGL 252 on 8/27 (BB, DB, AK). Eastern Meadowlarks remained at Mill St. as late as 11/2 (AK). The only Orchard Oriole sighting was at SGL 252 on 8/6 (BB, DB, AK). Three Rusty Blackbirds were reported at SGL 252 on 10/22 (BB, AK), along with 5 on 11/12 (BB, DeB, BoB). The only other fall report was 4 birds at Canfield Island on 11/11 (BB, et al.).

Finches

The only Purple Finch sighting was 6 birds at the Rt. 15 Overlook on 10/26 (BB, DeB, BoB). Two Pine Siskins were seen at Rose Valley Lake on 11/12 (SP), and decent numbers were seen at the Williamsport Water Authority in late November, with 80+ seen on 11/25 (Browns, MD).

Other Sightings of Note

A late Brown Thrasher was seen at Rose Valley Lake on 11/9 (AK).

A small group of American Pipits was at Mill St. on 11/2 (AK, BB).

The only Snow Bunting report came from Rose Valley Lake on 11/18 (SP, BB, DeB, BoB). A flyover Horned Lark was seen at Mill Hill Rd. on 11/24 (Browns, et al.).

Conclusion

Overall, the fall was hard to complain about. Most of the top Lycoming County birders picked up at least a couple of new county species. Mill St. also picked up 3 new species, jumping back past Rose Valley Lake for most species in the county on eBird. A slightly elevated species total compared to previous years was a bit surprising considering one of our most active birders (DB) was out of the area for the majority of the fall. We now turn to winter with hopes of finding rare finches and more Snowy Owls, and who knows what else!

The Fall 2017 report was compiled and written by Bobby Brown. Our seasonal reports cover March-May (Spring), June and July (Summer), August-November (Fall) and December-February (Winter) to better line up with migration, breeding and wintering timings. All photos used with permission.