Seasonal Report - Winter 2019-20

Lycoming County Winter 2019-20 Summary

It was a generally tame winter season, with little snow or cold. Apart from a few notable rarities, it was a relatively boring season. In total, 106 species were reported in Lycoming County during the winter.

Observations

Observer abbreviations include: Bobby Brown (BB — county compiler), Dan Brauning (DanB), Bob Brown (BoB), David Brown (DB), Deb Brown (DeB), Jean Dalton (JD), Maddi Dunlap (MD), Wes Egli (WE), Dave Ferry (DF), Norwood Frederick (NF), Eric Hartshaw (EH), Evan Houston (EvH), Andy Keister (AK), Gary Metzger (GM), Steve Pinkerton (SP)
m. obs. = many observers

Waterfowl

Snow Geese were unusually abundant in February, with tens of thousands being regularly seen in the Muncy/Pennsdale area, along with large flyover flocks in the Montoursville area, usually near dusk. Trumpeter Swan V31 was at a small private pond in Gamble Twp. from 12/21 until relocating to Rose Valley Lake near the end of February (SP, m.obs.). An immature male Harlequin Duck, which was presumably the same bird that was previously seen on Lycoming Creek in November, was refound at the Williamsport Dam 12/7 (BB, DeB, BoB), and continued through 2/2 (AK).

Cranes

A Sandhill Crane was in Jersey Shore from 12/8 through early February (m.obs.). Three also flew over Montoursville on 2/11 (DB, DeB).

Shorebirds

A Wilson's Snipe was found along Rte. 44 on 1/20 (EH) and 4 were found in Hughesville on 2/9 (BB, DeB, BoB).

Gulls & Terns

An early Bonaparte's Gull was at the Williamsport Dam on 2/27 (BB), providing the first February eBird record for Lycoming County.

Woodpeckers

An immature Red-headed Woodpecker was in Ralston 12/16-20 (NF).

Mimids

A Gray Catbird was seen at Lime Bluff Recreation Center on 1/20-21 (WE) and 1/26 (BB, DeB, BoB).

Thrushes

Wintering Hermit Thrushes were relatively abundant at the Williamsport Water Authority, including a count of 8 on 12/26 (BB, DB, DeB, BoB).

Pipits

Up to 2 American Pipits were seen at the Williamsport Dam on 1/6 (DB, BB) and 1/10 (DB).

Finches

Purple Finches and Pine Siskins were both scarce during the winter. The only siskin report was a group of 4 that stopped by a feeder in Ralston on 1/29 (NF).

Longspurs and Snow Buntings

A decent flock of Snow Buntings was in Cogan House Twp. during February.

Sparrows

At least 9 Chipping Sparrows were at the Williamsport Dam on 1/2 (EvH, AK, BB, DeB, BoB). A small flock of White-crowned Sparrows wintered at Lime Bluff Recreation Center (m.obs.), and a single bird was seen at Rose Valley Lake on 12/28 (BB, DeB) and 2/16 (BB, DeB). The only report of Eastern Towhee was at Rose Valley Lake on 12/28 (BB, DeB).

Warblers

Yellow-rumped Warblers wintered at their normal locations at Mill St. and Canfield Island.

Additional Photos

The Winter 2019-20 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.