Seasonal Report - Spring 2017

Lycoming County Spring 2017 Summary

The weather during the spring was fairly strange this year. March started off cold, in contrast to a warm February. The only major snowstorm of the year was 3/14, with 15+ inches of snow in most of the area. April was fairly seasonable, but May for the most part was cool and rainy. The heart of migration in early to mid-May saw mostly unfavorable conditions, leading to very low numbers of many migrant songbirds.

For the PA Migration Count and eBird Global Big Day on 5/13, it was rainy for a good portion of the day, but the Lycoming County teams did fairly well despite the tough conditions. In total, Lycoming County observers recorded 145 species during the day, and the highest personal count for the day was 122 species (BB). Lycoming County finished third in the state for total species, and second in number of checklists submitted.

Season Highlights

The first rare bird of the season, a Yellow-headed Blackbird on 3/15, was also the best bird of 2017 so far, and represents a first Lycoming County record. Unusual gulls were scarce, but a Great Black-backed Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull provided two good sightings. Sandhill Cranes were reported three times, including one bird that was present for more than a week, allowing for many observers to see it. Lycoming County's third and fourth record of Trumpeter Swan came during the end of March and beginning of April. Uncommon songbirds were hard to come by, but Orange-crowned Warbler and Yellow-breasted Chat were both recorded. A flock of Brant during the migration count provided what was possibly Lycoming County's first spring record of that species. Dunlins, Short-billed Dowitchers, Black-bellied Plovers, and Whimbrels were all detected by nocturnal flight call during May, along with additional Brant flocks. In total, 212 species were reported in Lycoming County during the spring.

Observations

Observer abbreviations include: Bobby Brown (BB), David Brown (DB), Deb Brown (DeB), Bob Brown (BoB) (BB, DB, DeB, BoB collectively as Browns), Dan Brauning (DanB), Elisha Cramer (EC), Jean Dalton (JD), Maddi Dunlap (MD), Jim Dunn (JDu), Wes Egli (WE), Dave Ferry (DF), Jonathan Fisher (JF), Norwood Frederick (NF), C. Harbach (CH), Eric Hartshaw (EH), Evan Houston (EvH), Mark Hull (MH), Andy Keister (AK), Mark Lengel (ML), Ted Nichols II (TN), Steve Pinkerton (SP), David Rothrock (DR), Lauren Shaffer (LS), Annette Sheets (AS).

m.obs. = many observers
NFC Station = Microphone/recorder set up to record nocturnal flight calls, but not monitored in real time (currently, the only permanently installed one in Lycoming County is in Montoursville)
ph. = Observations of 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

Snow Goose sightings were pretty scarce during the spring season, because their migration mostly took place in February. The only sightings at Rose Valley Lake were 90 on 3/7 and 49 on 3/19 (SP, NF). The other report was 5 birds in a field near Montgomery on 3/31 (BB, DeB, BoB). One of the best sightings of the spring was a flyover flock of 22 Brant migrating over the Lycoming Creek Bikeway during the migration count on 5/13 (DB, et al., ph.). Several flocks were also recorded flying over Montoursville during the early morning hours of 5/22 (DB NFC Station).

With only two prior county records, Trumpeter Swans were recorded twice during the spring. The first was individual M78 (named Harvey) at Rose Valley Lake on 3/25 (NF, Browns, SP, ph.). The bird was seen near Germantown, MD during the evening prior (and reportedly in that area for quite a while) — a straight-line travel distance of roughly 150 miles. Harvey is a male hatched in May 2013 to parents 150 and 198 in Ontario. He returned to his "birthplace" in early June, presumably to seek a mate.

The second sighting consisted of birds with neck tags Z603 and Z675 photographed on a private pond near Pier 87 by a family member of the property owner. The birds were reportedly present 4/1-7. These swans are a pair that have been traveling together, and are possibly escaped birds.

Tundra Swans were seen up through early April. The biggest numbers migrated through prior to the beginning of March, although there were still sightings in excess of 100 at a few locations in March.

Gadwall sightings were mainly contained to Rose Valley Lake, but the species turned up at a few other locations as well, including upwards of 20 at SGL 252 on 4/2 (BB, DB, DeB). Likewise, American Wigeon reports were mostly from Rose Valley. American Black Duck was reported as late as 5/29, with a single bird in a puddle near Montgomery associating with a Mallard (BB, DeB, BoB). Blue-winged Teal were incredibly scarce, with the only reports coming from SGL 252 on 4/2 (BB, DB) and 4/9 (BB, DB, DeB) and from South Williamsport Park on 4/22 (DB, et al.). Northern Shovelers were seen a little more often than past years, with a few sightings at Indian Park at the beginning of April, a single bird at Susquehanna State Park on 4/6 (Browns), and numerous sightings at Rose Valley Lake during March and April. Northern Pintail migration was primarily during February, so there were only scattered sightings during March. Green-winged Teal were regularly seen during March and April, with a count of 53 at Mill St. on 3/11 (BB) representing an all-time eBird high count for Lycoming County.

Canvasback sightings were very limited, with up to 5 birds being seen at Rose Valley Lake on 3/7 (DB, et al.) during a big push of migrating ducks, and another 5 at the Williamsport Dam on 3/10 (Browns, EvH). Redheads were limited to the same two locations, but were seen with more regularity throughout March and early April. Ring-necked Ducks were seen through mid-May, and were present in large numbers at Rose Valley Lake at times, including 300+ on 3/27 (EvH). In addition to the typical scattered sightings throughout March and early April, an incredible fallout of 525 Greater Scaup, along with other species, occurred at the Williamsport Dam during poor weather on 3/10 (Browns, EvH), representing the all-time eBird high count for Lycoming County. Lesser Scaup were mostly seen in small groups along the river and at Rose Valley Lake during March through early May.

Surf Scoters, which have been very hard to find in recent years, were seen on three occasions during the spring. The first was a male at Rose Valley Lake on 4/28 (Browns, et al.), followed by a pair seen at the same location on 5/5 (Browns, et al.). The other sighting was a pair at the Williamsport Dam on 4/29 (DB, MD). White-winged Scoter reports were a single bird at Susquehanna State Park on 3/31 (DB, EvH, et al.), 3 at Rose Valley Lake on 4/21 (DB, et al.), and 8 at Rose Valley Lake on 5/5 (Browns, et al.).

There were quite a few Long-tailed Duck reports throughout March and April, probably more than normal. Bufflehead remained present at Rose Valley Lake as late as 5/29 (Browns). Common Goldeneye sightings were regular throughout March and early April, with the last report on 4/6 at Rose Valley Lake (BB, DB, DeB).

Large numbers of Hooded Mergansers were present at Rose Valley Lake in late March and early April, with several counts over 100 birds (m.obs.). Red-breasted Mergansers were present through most of the season, with a bird present as late as 5/26 at the Williamsport Dam (DB, MD). Ruddy Ducks were also present for the majority of the season, with the last sighting being 3 birds at Rose Valley Lake on 5/17 (BB, DeB).

Other Waterbirds

After being missed in 2016, Red-throated Loons were found three times during the spring. The first sighting was at Susquehanna State Park 3/31-4/1 (DB, EvH, et al.). The other two reports were at Rose Valley Lake, one on 4/21 (SP, EH) and another on 4/30 (JDu). The first Common Loon was seen on 3/9 at Rose Valley Lake (SP). The species was relatively common throughout most of the season, particularly at the lake, which had the seasonal high count of 71 on 4/20 (NF).

A small number of Pied-billed Grebes stuck around at Rose Valley Lake into May. Likewise, Horned Grebes were reported several times during May at Rose Valley Lake and the Williamsport Dam, which is a bit late for this common migrant species. The only Red-necked Grebe of the season was 4/5 at Rose Valley Lake (LS, et al., ph.).

An American Bittern was seen at Rose Valley Lake on 3/27 (EvH, et al.), and there were sightings in the same area through 4/5 (DB, DeB, EH). An annual site for the species, SGL 252 had two sightings: 4/4 (AK) and 5/1 (EvH). There were ten sightings of Great Egrets, which are normally pretty uncommon in the spring. The first sighting was 3/26 at Mill St. (BB, DeB), and one was seen as late as 5/30 at Mill St. (BB). An early Green Heron arrived at Rose Valley Lake on 4/13 (DB, SP).

Raptors and Owls

Golden Eagles were spotted on numerous occasions, with the season's high count of 6 migrating over Montoursville on both 3/21 (DB, DeB, BoB) and 3/25 (BB, DB, DeB). Bald Eagles nested in many of the same locations as past years, but the Sylvan Dell Rd. nest lost one of the adults to a major line of thunderstorms on 5/1 that knocked down many trees throughout the county.

Ospreys were seen in abundance at Rose Valley Lake during April, in addition to numerous birds being spotted along the river. A high count of 35 Ospreys were observed migrating over Montoursville during the course of an hour and a half on 5/1 (DB, DeB). A fairly late Northern Harrier was reported in Cogan House on 5/13 (DF), bringing up questions of possible nesting. Red-shouldered Hawks were seen in decent numbers during migration, and some were seen in mid-to-late May at some of the suspected nesting areas. Broad-winged Hawks were found in expected numbers, with a seasonal high count of 54 at Rose Valley Lake on 4/21 (EvH). A few Rough-legged Hawks were seen in the Montoursville area during March, including the Williamsport Regional Airport on 3/13 (EH), a residence in Montoursville on 3/20 (DB, DeB, BoB), and Mill St. on 3/21 (BB).

American Kestrels were reported through the end of May in suitable nesting habitat. Merlins were seen fairly regularly throughout March and April, with some promising signs of potential nesting, but no sites were located. Peregrine Falcons were seen mainly in the normal locations, along with some migrants. The nest sites at the Market St. Bridge in Williamsport and the Muncy Boat Launch appeared to be unsuccessful again this year, but a new site was found near the Montgomery Boat Launch that did produce young.

Barn Owls continue to be present in previously known areas. Other owl reports were fairly typical.

Cranes and Rails

A Virginia Rail was reported in English Center on 5/13 (DF), and 2 were heard at a small wetland in Antes Fort on 5/29 (Browns). American Coots were not terribly abundant, but they were regularly seen in small numbers at Rose Valley Lake from mid-March to mid-April (m.obs.). Additional reports came from SGL 252 in early April, including a count of 22 on 4/4 (AK). The species was also seen at South Williamsport Park on 4/1 (Browns) and 4/9 (BB).

Sandhill Cranes, which are normally pretty rare in Lycoming County, were found at three locations during the spring. The first was a single bird briefly seen on 3/24 near Jersey Shore Airport (ML, ph.). A flyover flock consisting of 3 cranes was observed at Mill St. on 4/10 (BB, ph.). The third sighting was a very cooperative bird at South Williamsport Park 4/15-24 (m.obs., ph.).

Shorebirds

A flock of Black-bellied Plovers was detected over Montoursville on 5/28 (DB NFC Station). At least one Semipalmated Plover was heard calling over Montoursville during nocturnal flight call monitoring the evening of 5/25 (BB).

Dunlins were detected by nocturnal flight call over Montoursville on 5/28 (DB NFC Station). Least Sandpipers were observed several times at Mill St. during May, one was seen at Rose Valley Lake on 5/11 (SP), and a flock was detected over Montoursville by flight call in the early morning hours of 5/19 (DB NFC Station). Six Semipalmated Sandpipers were seen at Mill St. on 5/29 (Browns, SP), and another 4 of them on 5/30 (BB) that was possibly a subset of the first group. Five were seen in a different part of Mill St. on 5/31 (BB, DeB, BoB). Short-billed Dowitchers were detected flying over Montoursville on 5/11, 5/17, and 5/21 (DB NFC Station).

The first Wilson's Snipe report came from a reliable spot near Rose Valley Lake on 3/10 (Browns). The species was seen in the county through early May. A count of at least 28 in Nisbet on 3/31 represents the all-time Lycoming County high count on eBird (Browns, EvH, TN). American Woodcock reports were scarce after the snowstorm on 3/14, but there were some scattered reports through mid-May.

Solitary Sandpipers were relatively plentiful during the beginning of May, with several locations recording double-digit counts. The species was seen as late as 5/29, with a single bird in a puddle near Montgomery (BB, DeB, BoB). Greater Yellowlegs were seen in a handful of locations, with numbers close to normal, but maybe slightly low. Lesser Yellowlegs were more numerous than the past few years, with at least eight different sightings, compared to a single spring sighting each of the last two years. A flock of presumed Whimbrels was detected over Montoursville on 5/21 (DB NFC Station), which is a species that has never been recorded on the ground in Lycoming County.

Gulls and Terns

Five gull species were reported during the spring. As is typical, Ring-billed Gulls were seen for the entire season, including as many as 1,500 at the Williamsport Dam on 3/9 (Browns, EH). There were scattered Herring Gull sightings throughout the spring that tapered off by May. The third and final expected gull species, Bonaparte's Gull, was first seen at Mill St. on 3/26 (BB, DeB), and they were consistently seen through the second week of May. The high count for that species was 310 at Rose Valley Lake on 4/14 (EvH). A Great Black-backed Gull was seen at Rose Valley Lake on 3/15 (DanB, ph.). A Lesser Black-backed Gull was found at the Williamsport Dam on 3/26 (BB, DeB, BoB, MD, ph.). The only prior records of that species are from the same location 3/30-4/2/2015, during the county's rare gull invasion.

Caspian Terns were seen with some regularity at Rose Valley Lake from mid-April through early May (m.obs.). The only sighting away from the lake was a group of 4 flying over Mill St. on 4/29 (BB, DB, SP). Common Terns dropped in at Rose Valley Lake on 5/5 (Browns, et al.) and 5/29 (Browns, SP). Additionally, one was seen at the Williamsport Dam on 5/29 along with 2 more distant Sterna sp. that were probably also Common Terns (DB, MD). Up to 2 Forster's Terns were seen at Rose Valley Lake on 4/28 (Browns, et al.). Six unidentified Sterna sp. were seen at the Williamsport Dam on 5/13 (DB, et al.) and one was seen at Mill St. the same day (BoB).

Cuckoos

Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Black-billed Cuckoo were recorded in most of their normal locations. Both species were heard nearly nightly, and sometimes in decent numbers, during the second half of May at nocturnal flight call stations in Montoursville.

Hummingbirds

There were some reports of a few slightly early Ruby-throated Hummingbirds around 4/20, but the first major push of them seemed to start right on schedule in the last few days of April.

Woodpeckers

The only unusual woodpecker report of the spring was an adult Red-headed Woodpecker photographed in a backyard in Moreland Twp. on 4/30 (AS).

Flycatchers

Acadian Flycatchers were mostly found where expected, but one bird was present at Mill St. 5/18 through the end of the reporting period, in very odd habitat for the species (BB, et al.). Migrant Alder Flycatchers were seen for about a week in late May, seemingly in higher numbers than previous years. The high count for Least Flycatcher during the spring was 8 at Canfield Island on 5/15 (BB). The first Eastern Phoebe sighting was outside of Williamsport on 3/24 (DF), with an influx throughout the county on 3/25, which is later than arrival dates in recent years.

Vireos

Yellow-throated Vireos were fairly scarce, with only a few reports in early-to-mid May. Blue-headed Vireos were consistently reported after the second week of April. Warbling Vireos were reported in small numbers from the end of April and all of May. Red-eyed Vireos arrived right at the end of April, with several sightings 4/29-30.

Swallows

Tree Swallows were first seen on 3/10 at Rose Valley Lake and the Williamsport Dam (Browns), but the first good push of the species was on 3/25. The arrival date for Northern Rough-winged Swallow was 3/25, first seen at Mill St. (BB, DeB, BoB). Bank Swallows were reported many times during the spring, mostly along the river and at Rose Valley Lake, including at least 10 at Canfield Island during the PAMC on 5/13 (BB, DeB, BoB). Barn Swallows arrived the first week of April. Cliff Swallows were first seen on 4/10 at the Williamsport Dam (DB), and were consistently seen the rest of the spring. Purple Martins, which have been hard to find in recent years, were reported several times. Breeding colonies in the southern part of the county became known to the birding community in mid-April, and birds were confirmed to still be present in mid-May. Additionally, 3 were reported at Mill St. on 4/21 (EH) and one was seen flying over Rose Valley Lake on 4/28 (Browns, SP).

Nuthatches

Red-breasted Nuthatches continued to be seen in elevated numbers all spring after the winter irruption of the species.

Thrushes

The detection of Gray-cheeked Thrushes dramatically increased from past years, with the addition of nocturnal flight call monitoring at two sites in Montoursville. The species was detected 5/17 and 5/19-30 (DB NFC Station). Additionally, a singing bird at Skyline Drive on 5/19 provided a daytime record for the normally elusive species. Swainson's Thrush was frequently detected by nocturnal flight call during much of May, with hundreds of calls some nights. Daytime sightings were more frequent than in past years, especially at Mill St.

Warblers

Many of the breeding warbler species arrived early, with the second half of April seeing a lot of movement. The weather pattern during much of May led to very few nights of favorable winds, and many of the less common warblers seemed to mostly bypass Lycoming County, or at least the heavily-birded parts of the county.

Worm-eating Warblers were reported a handful of times, including at Mill St. during the migration count on 5/13 (BB). As is typical, Mill St. had an abundance of Louisiana Waterthrush sightings, and the species was widely reported throughout in the county in the expected habitat. The number of Northern Waterthrush sightings seemed above-average, and the species was reported at most of the major birding hotspots. Blue-winged Warblers were fairly difficult to find during the spring, but there were reports from a private residence outside of Williamsport on 5/4, 5/9, and 5/10 (DF) and from SGL 252 on 5/7 (BB, DB) and 5/28 (BB, DB, DeB, AK). Additional reports came from Trout Run Park on 5/1 (EH) and 5/6 (CH). Tennessee Warbler numbers were a bit low compared to prior years. Among the best finds of the spring was an Orange-crowned Warbler at a private residence outside of Williamsport on 4/29 (DF). Cape May Warblers were relatively scarce, but were found at least a few times in many of the normal hotspots. Magnolia Warbler numbers were somewhat low, but there were scattered reports throughout the county. Bay-breasted Warblers were scarce, with most sightings coming from Canfield Island and Mill St. in mid-May. A count of 3, seen together at Canfield Island on 5/15 (BB), represents the county all-time eBird high count for the species. Pine Warblers were seen more frequently than most years. Yellow-throated Warbler reports were limited to Trout Run Park, a reliable site in the past, with the first one on 4/30 (Browns). Prairie Warblers were pretty scarce, even in places that have been very reliable in the past. Black-throated Green Warbler numbers seemed quite low overall, although there were still sightings scattered throughout the county. Canada Warbler reports were somewhat limited, with some reported on South White Deer Ridge during the migration count on 5/13 (JF) and one at a private residence outside of Williamsport on 5/22 (DF). Additionally, the species was detected by nocturnal flight call flying over Montoursville during the early morning hours of 5/17 and 5/27 (DB NFC Station), with another detected a little before midnight on 5/27 (BB). The only Wilson's Warbler report was at a private residence outside of Williamsport on 5/4 (DF). A Yellow-breasted Chat was found at SGL 252 on 5/28 (BB, DB, DeB, AK).

30 warbler species recorded this spring:

• Ovenbird
• Worm-eating Warbler
• Louisiana Waterthrush
• Northern Waterthrush
• Blue-winged Warbler
• Black-and-white Warbler
• Tennessee Warbler
• Orange-crowned Warbler
• Nashville 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
• Yellow-throated Warbler
• Prairie Warbler
• Black-throated Green Warbler
• Canada Warbler
• Wilson's Warbler
• Yellow-breasted Chat

Golden-winged Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, and Mourning Warbler were not found during the spring.

Sparrows

Grasshopper Sparrows were fairly hard to find during the spring, and seemed to be pretty late getting back to Mill St., which has been a reliable spot in the past. Fox Sparrow reports were fairly numerous, including an influx at feeders during the snowstorm on 3/14. Vesper Sparrows were only found near the Lycoming Creek Bikeway, with sightings 4/4-5 (DB, et al.). Savannah Sparrow numbers seemed strong during the spring, and the species was frequently observed at Mill St. during April and May. There were two records of Lincoln's Sparrow, which is a very uncommon migrant in the spring. The first was at Mill St. on 5/12 (Browns, ph.) and the second was during the migration count on 5/13 at Trout Run Park (DB, et al).

Blackbirds

Cogan House Twp. continues to be a reliable location for Bobolinks, but the species was seen in many other locations as well, such as Mill Hill Rd. Eastern Meadowlarks were seen in good number throughout the spring, with Mill St. continuing to be a reliable location.

The best bird of the spring was, ironically, found after the major snowstorm. The first county record of Yellow-headed Blackbird was 3/15 at a backyard feeder in Montgomery (MH, ph.). Several chasers were able to relocate the bird nearby later in the day in a very large mixed flock (AK, Browns). More than a foot of snow the previous day had pushed many birds to backyard feeders all over the area, which is probably the only reason this bird was found.

Rusty Blackbirds were reported March through early May, with the seasonal high count of approximately 25 in a field near Montgomery on 3/31 (BB, DeB, BoB).

Orchard Oriole reports were not terribly widespread, but the species was reported consistently throughout May, especially at Canfield Island, where a nest was found. Interestingly, the species was not reported at Rose Valley Lake, despite nesting there in 2016. Baltimore Orioles arrived at the end of April, with widespread reports through the end of May.

Finches

Purple Finch migration peaked in mid-April, with reports at feeders all throughout the county. Pine Siskins were localized throughout the majority of the spring, with some continuing as late as 5/21 near Montoursville (EH).

Other Sightings of Note

Common Nighthawks were reported from various locations in the second half of May, but the total number was fairly limited. The highest count was 9 at Mill St. on 5/18 (BB, DeB). Reports of Eastern Whip-poor-will were limited as well, mostly due to effort, but the species was found at the reliable locations.

Chimney Swifts arrived back on 4/20, first seen at the Williamsport Dam (DB, MD, JD).

An early Brown Thrasher was seen in Anthony Twp. on 3/14 (ML).

American Pipits were not terribly abundant, but there were scattered sightings, including several times at Mill St.

Conclusion

While it wasn't the best spring migration the county has ever seen, especially for warblers, the season did have some decent records, including a first county record of Yellow-headed Blackbird. The introduction of two nocturnal flight call stations during the late spring should provide a new dynamic for bird detection in the county moving forward.

The Spring 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.