Seasonal Report - Fall 2018

Lycoming County Fall 2018 Summary

The rain from the summer continued into the early fall, and water levels on the river and creeks were quite high for the most part. The rain contributed to favorable shorebird habitat in farm field puddles, and Lycoming County had what was probably its best shorebird season ever, with Nisbet in particular being a shorebird magnet in mid-September. Unfortunately, mosquito numbers were intolerable at many of the best hotspots, leading to little birding at those locations. Rose Valley Lake was one of the spots that did not have an abundance of mosquitoes, leading to a very good fall for that hotspot, since weekend birding was primarily focused there. There was a significant early snowstorm in mid-November, but no notable bird reports came from that.

Season Highlights

Three shorebird species provided first county records during the fall, and there were good records provided by other family groups as well, such as finches. In total, 193 species were reported in Lycoming County during the fall, which is 2 more than Fall 2017.

Observations

Observer abbreviations include: Bobby Brown (BB — county compiler), Jonathan Baker (JB), Dan Brauning (DanB), Bob Brown (BoB), David Brown (DB), Deb Brown (DeB), Ken Cooper (KC), Elisha Cramer (EC), Jean Dalton (JD), Maddi Dunlap (MD), Wes Egli (WE), Norwood Frederick (NF), Rich Hanlon (RH), Eric Hartshaw (EH), Jared Hollick (JH), Evan Houston (EvH), Andy Keister (AK), Steve Pinkerton (SP)
m. obs. = many observers

Waterfowl

The Snow Goose at Indian Park that first arrived in March continued throughout the entire fall season. Additionally, a flock of 75 was reported migrating over Lime Bluff Park on 9/29 (WE). A lone Brant was photographed at the Williamsport Regional Airport on 9/27 (JB). A Cackling Goose was at the pond at Indian Park on 10/18 (BB, DeB, BoB), and flew off close to dusk with a flock of Canada Geese. A flock of 20 Tundra Swans migrated over Rose Valley Lake on 11/10 (BB, DeB), providing the only sighting of that species during the fall.

The only American Wigeon sighting of the fall was at Rose Valley Lake on 9/20 (RH, KC). A hybrid Mallard x American Black Duck was seen a few times at Indian Park during November. A Northern Pintail was at Indian Park on 11/24 and 11/25 (BB, DeB, BoB). A few Green-winged Teal were present in Nisbet on 9/18 (AK, BB, DeB, BoB, SP).

Canvasbacks were a bit more abundant than most years, with several reports from Rose Valley Lake in October and November, along with a flyover of 4 in Montoursville on 10/12 (BB, DeB) and one bird on the pond at Indian Park on 11/21 (BB, DeB, BoB). A Redhead was at Indian Park on 11/25 (BB, DeB, BoB). Three White-winged Scoters were at the Williamsport Dam on 11/2-4 (JD, BB, et al.), and 2 were at Rose Valley Lake on 11/18 (BB). A Black Scoter was at the Williamsport Dam on 10/27 (BB, DeB, BoB, MD), and the species was seen several times at Rose Valley Lake during November (m. obs.). A Long-tailed Duck was seen from the Rte. 15 Overlook on 11/3 (BB, DeB, BoB), and another was seen at Rose Valley Lake on 11/4 (BB, DeB). Common Goldeneyes were seen at Rose Valley Lake on 10/21 (SP) and 11/23 (BB, DeB, BoB), and one was observed at the Williamsport Dam on 11/23 (JD).

Shorebirds

This fall season was possibly the best ever for shorebirds in Lycoming County, particularly in Nisbet during mid-September, where a recently harvested tomato field with some puddles provided ideal habitat for many species.

Two Black-bellied Plovers were found in a puddle in Nisbet on 9/18 (AK, et al.). Up to 10 Semipalmated Plovers were present in Nisbet in mid-September. One was also at the Williamsport Dam on 9/9 (BB, et al.).

A Baird's Sandpiper was found in Nisbet on 9/15 (BB, DeB, BoB, SP, et al.), and continued at the location through 9/18. That sighting provided the first Lycoming County record of the species. Least Sandpipers were seen more frequently than most years. Two White-rumped Sandpipers were observed flying over Nisbet on 9/18 (BB, DeB, BoB, SP), providing another first Lycoming County record. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found in Nisbet on 9/15 (SP, BB, DeB, BoB, et al.), which was another first Lycoming County record. The species was seen at the same location in subsequent days, with at least 3 individuals present on 9/18 (BB, DeB, BoB, SP) and 9/19 (BB, DeB, BoB). Typically a rarity in Lycoming County, Pectoral Sandpipers became relatively common in Nisbet for about a week in mid-September, including at least 15 individuals present on 9/18 (BB, DeB, BoB, SP). Additionally, a flock of 42 flew over a residence along Lycoming Creek on 9/16 (SP). A Semipalmated Sandpiper was at the Williamsport Dam on 9/9 (MD, BB, DeB, BoB). The species was also mixed in with the other shorebirds in Nisbet during mid-September, with the highest count being 6 on 9/17 (AK).

Five Red-necked Phalaropes were actively foraging at the Williamsport Dam on 9/18 (MD, JD, BB, DeB, et al.), providing the third Lycoming County record of that species.

A late Spotted Sandpiper was at Mill St. on 10/27 (BB). Greater Yellowlegs and Lesser Yellowlegs were both seen several times during September and October.

Gulls & Terns

There were a few sightings of Bonaparte's Gulls at Rose Valley Lake during October and November. Ten Herring Gulls flew past the Rte. 15 Overlook on 11/22 (BB, DeB).

Nine Caspian Terns were at Rose Valley Lake on 9/9 (BB, SP), and one dropped onto a puddle in Nisbet on 9/18 (BB, DeB, BoB, SP). A Black Tern was seen flying over the river at Nisbet on 9/15 (BB, et al.). A Common Tern flew by the Williamsport Dam on 8/13 (BB), providing the first known fall record of that species for Lycoming County.

Herons

An American Bittern was briefly seen at Rose Valley Lake on 10/13 (BB, DeB, BoB, DanB). High water levels on the river limited favorable habitat for Great Egrets, and numbers were much lower than recent falls, with only a few scattered reports in August and September.

Raptors

Golden Eagle sightings at the Rte. 15 Overlook included one on 10/19 (AK), 2 on 10/21 (BB, DeB), one on 11/3 (BB, DeB, BoB), and 2 on 11/22 (BB, DeB). The species was also seen over Indian Park on 11/11 (BB, DeB) and Montoursville on 11/17 (BB, DeB, BoB). The best day for Broad-winged Hawk migration was 9/16, with over 1,000 migrants flying over Montoursville in 2 hours (BB, DeB), and high numbers were recorded elsewhere in the county that day. A Rough-legged Hawk was seen at Rose Valley Lake on 10/28 (BB, et al.), the species was seen in Jackson Twp. on 11/17 (BB, DeB, BoB) and 11/20 (EH), and one migrated by the Rte. 15 Overlook on 11/22 (BB, DeB).

Flycatchers

An Olive-sided Flycatcher was seen at the Rte. 15 Overlook on 8/19 (BB, DB), and two were reported at Little Pine SP on 9/3 (EH).

Shrikes

A Northern Shrike was found in Jackson Twp. on 11/17 (BB, DeB, BoB), which was the first report of one in Lycoming County since February 2016.

Vireos

A Philadelphia Vireo was seen at the Williamsport Dam on 9/16 (BB, DeB), along with sightings at Rose Valley Lake on 9/19 (BB, DeB) and 10/13 (BB, DeB, BoB, DanB).

Swallows

A late Barn Swallow was at Rose Valley Lake on 10/27 (BB, DeB, BoB) and 10/28 (NF).

Wrens

A Marsh Wren was at Rose Valley Lake on 9/19 (BB, DeB), and at least 2 were present at the other side of the lake on 10/21 (SP).

Pipits

Some fairly large flocks of American Pipits were found during the fall, including at least 175 at Mill Hill Rd. on 10/20 (BB, DeB, BoB, SP) and at least 150 in Nisbet on 10/27 (BB, DeB, BoB).

Finches

Evening Grosbeaks were confirmed at five locations during late October and November, with most of the sightings consisting of small flocks. It was a relatively strong fall migration for Purple Finches, with numerous sightings. Two Common Redpolls were reported visiting a feeder outside of Montoursville on 11/17 (EH). A Pine Siskin was seen and photographed at a feeder in Duboistown on 8/17 (EC), and the species was also observed in decent numbers later in the fall when they are more expected.

Snow Buntings

Five Snow Buntings were seen along Rose Valley Rd. on 11/21 (AK), and a few were seen in Cogan House during the second half of November.

Sparrows

A Grasshopper Sparrow was still present at Mill St. on 8/20 (BB). A Clay-colored Sparrow was found at Rose Valley Lake on 11/23 (BB, DeB, BoB), providing the fifth known Lycoming County record, and the first record outside of May/June. White-crowned Sparrows were more plentiful than the prior fall season, with scattered sightings in late September, October, and November. The highest count of Lincoln's Sparrow during the fall was 11 on 10/7 at SGL 252 (BB, AK), with smaller counts scattered around the county during the expected timeframe.

Blackbirds

Along with being seen in some of the expected places early in the fall, an Eastern Meadowlark was at Rose Valley Lake on 11/18 (BB, SP). Rusty Blackbirds were pretty scarce during the fall, with 5 at Rose Valley Lake on 11/11 (BB) and one at South Williamsport Park on 11/13 (BB, DeB).

Warblers

The only report of Worm-eating Warbler during the fall was in Waterville on 8/2 (JH). There was a late Northern Waterthrush at the Williamsport Dam on 9/30 (BB, DeB, BoB, MD). A Mourning Warbler was found at SGL 252 on 9/23 (BB, DeB, SP, AK). Cape May Warblers were seen in good numbers during the fall, including a high count of at least 14 at Rose Valley Lake on 9/17 (BB, DeB). Magnolia Warblers were abundant at times, including at least 12 at Rose Valley Lake on 9/17 (BB, DeB). There was a very late Yellow Warbler at the Williamsport Dam on 9/29 (BB, et al.). The only report of Prairie Warbler during the fall was in Ralston on 9/11 (NF). A very late Black-throated Green Warbler was seen at Rose Valley Lake on 11/11, which is the first November record of that species in Lycoming County. Wilson's Warblers were at Rose Valley Lake on 9/9 and 9/27 (BB, DeB).

25 warbler species recorded during the fall:

• Ovenbird
• Worm-eating Warbler
• Northern Waterthrush
• Black-and-white Warbler
• Tennessee Warbler
• Nashville Warbler
• Mourning 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
• Prairie Warbler
• Black-throated Green Warbler
• Wilson's Warbler

Conclusion

A solid variety of birds, along with an incredible season for shorebirds, made for a good fall migration this year.

Additional Photos

The Fall 2018 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.