Seasonal Report - Spring 2018

Lycoming County Spring 2018 Summary

The most notable effect of weather during the spring was an abundance of north wind that really put a damper on raptor migration. Species that are often seen in decent numbers, such as Golden Eagles and Red-shouldered Hawks, were well below normal. A few weather systems provided for fallout of waterfowl and other waterbirds, but there weren't too many surprise finds that were seemingly caused by weather conditions.

Season Highlights

The spring saw some good records for Lycoming County, both from waterfowl/waterbirds and songbirds. A couple of good gull records, along with the ones from the winter, push 2018 to the best gull year for Lycoming County since 2015. For the first season since spring of 2015, four tern species were recorded. The big highlights of the spring came from two county-record sparrows, one long-staying and the other not so much. 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 (JD), Wes Egli (WE), Dave Ferry (DF), Norwood Frederick (NF), Eric Hartshaw (EH), Yvonne Hartshaw (YH), Evan Houston (EvH), Andy Keister (AK), Gary Metzger (GM), Steve Pinkerton (SP), Christy Rhoads (CR), Melissa Smith (MS), Larry Waltz (LW)
m. obs. = many observers

Waterfowl

Snow Geese were seen a few times during the spring, but most notably, a single bird was present at Indian Park from 3/21 through the end of the season (BB, DeB, BoB, m. obs.). Greater White-fronted Geese were found several times. The first was a single bird in a flock of Canada Geese at Rose Valley Lake 3/18-19 (NF, BB, SP, et al.). A flyover bird was seen at Mill St. on 4/1 (BB, DeB), with a second sighting that day at the wetland adjacent to South Williamsport Park (EH, YH), which was presumably the same individual. Two birds were present at a small pond in Hughesville 4/3-4 (GM). A Cackling Goose was reported from the wetland adjacent to South Williamsport Park on 4/1 (EH, YH). Trumpeter Swan R45 reportedly arrived at a small pond near Glen Mawr on 5/31, but it was not widely reported until the following day, at which time it was photographed. Additional details will follow in the summer report. That sighting represents the fifth confirmed record of the species in Lycoming County.

Blue-winged Teal reports were much more frequent than in past years, including at least 30 at South Williamsport Park on 4/16 (BB, DeB, BoB), which provided an eBird high count for Lycoming County. Up to 3 late Gadwall were at Rose Valley Lake on 5/4-5 (m. obs.), and 3 were present on 5/19 (Browns). An American Black Duck was at South Williamsport Park on 5/13 (BB, DeB), providing an uncommon May record of that species. There were a few late sightings of Northern Pintails, with the last sighting being a pair at South Williamsport Park on 4/21 (BB, et al.). Over 100 Green-winged Teal were at SGL 252 on 4/8 (BB, AK), providing an all-time high-count for Lycoming County.

Canvasback reports were a little above average, with consistent sightings at Rose Valley Lake from the end of March through mid-April. A female Redhead was present at Rose Valley Lake from 5/5 through the end of the season (m. obs.). A male Ring-necked Duck was present at Indian Park from 5/28 through the end of the season (BB, DeB, BoB, et al.). A male Lesser Scaup remained at Rose Valley Lake through the end of the season.

There were a few Surf Scoter reports from the spring: one was seen at the Williamsport Dam 4/12-13 and 5/4 (BB, DeB, BoB), a pair were at Rose Valley Lake on 4/19 (m. obs.), and two dropped onto the river at Canfield Island on 5/4 (BB, DeB). Four White-winged Scoters were at Rose Valley Lake on 4/19 (m. obs.), and a single drake dropped in at the same location on 5/6 (BB, DeB, BoB). One was also reported from the Williamsport Dam on 4/28 (MD, JD). The only Black Scoter report was from Susquehanna SP on 5/12 (MD, JD). Flocks of Long-tailed Ducks were reported at Rose Valley Lake during late March through mid-April, with 3 on the lake as late as 5/6 (BB, DeB, BoB). The species was also reported several times on the river.

Bufflehead were present in the county through mid-May, with the last sighting at Rose Valley Lake on 5/19 (Browns). Red-breasted Mergansers were regularly seen from mid-March through mid-May. Ruddy Duck sightings were mostly contained to Rose Valley Lake, where the species was abundant at times during April. More than 100 were present on 4/7 (BB, DeB, BoB) and 4/19 (BB, DeB).

Other Waterbirds

Red-throated Loons were seen with surprising regularity at Rose Valley Lake, with most of the reports coming during late March through mid-April, including more than 50 during a rainstorm on 4/6 (EH). The latest report from that location was 5/12 (BB, et al.). The only other location the species was reported during the spring was Canfield Island, with a sighting on 5/1 (BB, DeB, BoB).

Pied-billed Grebes were seen regularly during migration, but of note were at least two vocalizing birds present at SGL 252 during April and May, suggesting possible breeding (BB, AK, et al.). A Horned Grebe was present at Rose Valley Lake as late as 5/12 (BB, et al.). A single Red-necked Grebe was present at Rose Valley Lake on 3/30 (NF, et al.), along with a late bird on 5/5 (NF, et al.).

American Bitterns were reported at four locations during the spring. The first was at a small roadside wetland along Rt. 44 on 4/1 (MS, et al.). Next, one was present at Rose Valley Lake 4/8-9 (CR, et al.). There were several reports of the species in the Sylvan Dell Wetlands 4/7-12 (JD). The last report was of a bird photographed at a private pond in Fairfield Twp. by the homeowner on 5/13. Great Egrets were reported several times between late March and early May. An adult Black-crowned Night-Heron was found at Indian Park on 4/15 (BB, DeB, et al.), providing the third known Lycoming County record of that species.

Raptors and Owls

Golden Eagle reports were well below normal. The only sightings were at South Williamsport Park on 3/3 (Browns) and a late immature migrating over Mill St. on 4/28 (BB, DeB, BoB).

Red-shouldered Hawks reports were somewhat below normal, but there were still several sightings in many of the normal locations, including SGL 252. A strong push of migrating Broad-winged Hawks moved through on 4/14 (m. obs.).

No probable Merlin nest sites were found, but there were regular sightings of the species. The Peregrine Falcons at the bridge near Montgomery Boat Launch successfully nested again this year, with a recently-fledged bird seen on 5/28 (WE). The falcons at the Market St. Bridge in Williamsport were present, but did not successfully nest.

Short-eared Owls were still present at Mill Hill Rd. on 3/17 (DF).

Cranes and Rails

Virginia Rails were present at Powys Wetland during mid-April, with at least 3 birds present at times. The only sighting away from that location was a silent bird that was briefly seen at SGL 252 on 4/29 (BB, DeB, AK). A Common Gallinule was briefly seen at SGL 252 on 4/29 (BB, DeB).

Shorebirds

A Semipalmated Plover was at Mill St. on 5/12 (BB, DeB, BoB, et al.) and at least 3 were present at the same location on 5/17 (Browns, et al.). A Dunlin was found at Rose Valley Lake on 5/12 (SP, et al.), and 3 were present at Mill St. on 5/17 (BB, DB, DeB, et al.). Least Sandpipers were regularly seen in puddles during mid-May, including at least 26 birds at Mill St. on 5/12 (BB, DeB, BoB). Wilson's Snipe sightings were fairly normal, but a count of at least 49 birds at Mill St. on 3/30 (BB, DeB) provided an eBird high count for Lycoming County. An extremely early Lesser Yellowlegs was at Mill St. on 3/4 (BB, DeB, BoB). Otherwise, sightings of both yellowlegs species were fairly normal.

Gulls and Terns

An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was at the Williamsport Dam on 3/11 (BB, DB, DeB), providing the sixth Lycoming County record of that species, all from that location (four of the records were different individuals over four consecutive nights in 2015). An immature Great Black-backed Gull was seen at dusk at the Williamsport Dam on 3/13 (BB, SP, DB, DeB).

Caspian Terns were seen at Rose Valley Lake on a number of occasions during the second half of April. Additionally, the species was observed at Mill St. on 4/15 (BB, DeB, BoB) and Indian Park later that same day (BB, DeB, BoB, et al.). A Black Tern in breeding plumage was briefly seen at Rose Valley Lake on 5/4 (BB, DeB, BoB), providing the first spring record of that species since 2015. Four Common Terns were at Rose Valley Lake on 4/19 (AK, BB, DeB, NF), and one was present at the same location on 5/4 (BB, DeB, BoB). Five Forster's Terns were at Rose Valley Lake on 5/6 (SP). An unidentifiable Sterna sp. was also seen at Rose Valley Lake on 4/16 (BB, DeB, BoB).

Woodpeckers

A Red-headed Woodpecker was photographed in Nisbet on 5/9 (EC), with a second sighting about a mile away on 5/12 (BB, DeB, BoB, et al.). The species was also present at the Williamsport Water Authority on 5/22 and 5/24 (DF, et al.).

Flycatchers

A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was at SGL 298 on 5/18 (AK, Browns). The Acadian Flycatcher that summered at Mill St. in 2017 returned to the same spot in May. The species was also observed at many other locations with more typical habitat. Alder Flycatchers were found fairly regularly during the second half of May.

Vireos

A White-eyed Vireo was present at a private residence near Williamsport 5/7-11 (DF, et al.). Yellow-throated Vireos were extremely scarce during spring migration, but one was heard singing in breeding habitat along Bodines Rd. on 5/26 (Browns).

Corvids

A Common Raven nest in Montoursville successfully fledged at least 2 young during May (BB, et al.)

Thrushes

Gray-cheeked Thrushes were detected by nocturnal flight call over Montoursville on 5/21 (Browns). Swainson's Thrushes were observed somewhat regularly during most of May.

Warblers

Worm-eating Warblers were reported from Mill St. on 5/6 (BB, DeB) and 5/23 (EH) and from Skyline Dr. on 5/14 (BB, DeB, BoB). Blue-winged Warblers were observed near Williamsport on 5/3 and 5/5 (DF) and at Mill St. on 5/4 (BB, DeB, BoB). Mourning Warblers were heard singing at Mill St. on 5/11 (BB, DeB) and at Canfield Island on 5/12 (BB, DeB, BoB), and one was reported on Rock Run Rd. on 5/25 (NF). Bay-breasted Warblers were more abundant than normal, with regular sightings in early and mid-May. Yellow-throated Warblers returned again to their annual breeding location at Trout Run Park. Prairie Warblers were scarce for the second spring in a row, but there were sightings at five locations during the spring. Canada Warblers were seen quite a few times during migration, probably more than normal. At least 3 Wilson's Warblers were at Rose Valley Lake on 5/16 (BB, DeB, BoB, EvH), along with reports of individuals at Mill St. on 5/13 (BB, DeB) and South Williamsport Park on 5/19 (EH).

29 warbler species recorded this spring:

• Ovenbird
• Worm-eating Warbler
• Louisiana Waterthrush
• Northern Waterthrush
• Blue-winged Warbler
• 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
• Yellow-throated Warbler
• Prairie Warbler
• Black-throated Green Warbler
• Canada Warbler
• Wilson's Warbler

Sparrows

Grasshopper Sparrows were mostly reported at Mill St., with the first sighting on 5/3 (BB). One was also heard singing in Cogan House Twp. on 5/26 (Browns). A LeConte's Sparrow was found at Rose Valley Lake on 4/21 (NF, et al.), providing the first Lycoming County record of that rare and hard-to-detect species. A Harris's Sparrow was present at a feeder near Williamsport from at least 4/9 through 5/8 (LW, et al.), which was also a first Lycoming County record. A Vesper Sparrow was near the Lycoming Creek Bikeway Wetlands on 4/14 (BB, DeB, BoB), and at least 4 were present at Mill St. on 4/18 (EH, BB, DeB, BoB), with 3 at the same location on 4/21 (BB). A Lincoln's Sparrow was at Mill St. on 5/2 (BB), and one was seen visiting a feeder outside of Williamsport on 5/12 (DF).

Finches

There were some scattered Purple Finch reports, but the numbers seemed to be low compared to most years. A few Pine Siskins were present at the Williamsport Water Authority as late as 5/24 (BB), and one continued to visit a feeder in Ralston as late as 5/26 (NF).

Conclusion

The spring was solid for the most part, with quite a few good sightings. First records of LeConte's Sparrow and Harris's Sparrow extended the streak of county records to seven straight seasons for Lycoming County. The pressure is on for the summer to produce a county record to keep that streak going (summer 2016 was the last season without one)!

Additional Photos

The Spring 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. All photos used with permission.