Seasonal Report - Spring 2023

By Bobby Brown

Lycoming County Spring 2023 Summary

In total, 201 species were reported in Lycoming County during the spring.

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Notable Observations

Observer abbreviations include: Bobby Brown (BB — county compiler), Dan Brauning (DanB), Bob Brown (BoB), Deb Brown (DeB), Rebecca Brown (RB), Jean Dalton (JD), Norwood Frederick (NF), Eric Hartshaw (EH), Melissa Holland (MH), Andy Keister (AK), David Rothrock (DR)
m. obs. = many observers

Waterfowl

Trumpeter Swan - 3/20/23, Beaver Lake © Bobby Brown

A Ross's Goose was mixed into a flock of Snow Geese in Loyalsock on 3/11 (BB, DeB, BoB), providing the second Lycoming County record of that species. Three Trumpeter Swans were on Beaver Lake on 3/20 (BB, DeB, BoB) and 3/21 (RB, MH).

A Surf Scoter was at Rose Valley Lake on 4/22 (BB, DeB, BoB, NF) and 4/23 (BB, RB). Two White-winged Scoters were at Rose Valley Lake on 4/1 (BB, DeB, BoB, RB) and one was at the same location on 4/14 (BB, RB).

A male hybrid Hooded x Common Merganser was seen at the Williamsport Dam on 4/24 (EH, et al.), and was last reported there on 5/7 (JD). A female-type of that hybrid was seen at the same location in early 2022, so given how rare this pairing is, it's possible that it was an immature in 2022, and returned as an adult.

Cranes and Rails

At least two Soras were at the Robert Porter Allen Natural Area 5/3-8 (BB, DeB, BoB, et al.). A Common Gallinule was at Rose Valley Lake 4/29-5/4 (BB, et al.). One was also at SGL 252 on 5/7 (BB, RB, AK). A Sandhill Crane was at the Robert Porter Allen Natural Area on 4/20 (m.obs.), and a pair were at the same location on 4/29 (m.obs.).

Sora - 5/3/23, RPANA © Bobby Brown

Common Gallinule - 5/4/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

Sandhill Cranes - 4/29/23, RPANA © Bobby Brown

Virginia Rail - 4/28/23, RPANA © Bobby Brown

Gulls and Terns

A Black Tern dropped in at Rose Valley Lake on 5/16 (BB, DeB, BoB, RB).

Black Tern - 5/16/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

Caspian Tern - 4/30/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

Bonaparte's Gull - 3/25/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

Ring-billed Gull - 3/5/23, Williamsport Dam © Bobby Brown

Herons

It was by far the best season in many years for American Bitterns, with sightings at the Robert Porter Allen Natural Area on 4/17 (BB, DeB, BoB, RB), 4/30 (BB, DeB, BoB), 5/3 (BB, DeB, BoB), and 5/7 (BB), and an additional one at Rose Valley Lake on 4/29 (m.obs.).

Woodpeckers

Red-headed Woodpecker - 4/24/23, Fairfield Twp. © Bobby Brown

There were a higher number of Red-headed Woodpecker reports than normal, including Fairfield Twp. 4/24-26 (EH, et al.), near Larryville 4/24-5/3 (DR), Eldred Twp. on 5/3 (JD), and 3 individuals at SGL 252 on 5/7 (BB, RB, AK).

Flycatchers

An Olive-sided Flycatcher was at Rose Valley Lake on 5/12 (BB, DeB, BoB). A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was at SGL 252 on 5/21 (BB, RB, AK).

Olive-sided Flycatcher - 5/12/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher - 5/21/23, SGL 252 © Bobby Brown

Willow Flycatcher - 5/26/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

Alder Flycatcher - 5/26/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

Wrens

Marsh Wren - 4/27/23, RPANA © Bobby Brown

A Marsh Wren was at the Robert Porter Allen Natural Area on 4/27 (BB, RB), which provided only the third spring record of that species in Lycoming County.

Finches

Two Evening Grosbeaks were at a feeder in Ralston on 5/4 (NF).

Sparrows

A Clay-colored Sparrow was at the Robert Porter Allen Natural Area on 5/13 (BB, DeB, BoB), which provided the eighth record of that species in Lycoming County. Two Vesper Sparrows were at the Robert Porter Allen Natural Area on 4/30 (BB, RB). At least 5 Lincoln's Sparrows were at the Robert Porter Allen Natural Area on 5/8 (BB, DeB, BoB), which is a very notable count for this uncommon spring species. One was also seen near Larryville on 5/18 (DR, JD).

Clay-colored Sparrow - 5/13/23, RPANA © Bobby Brown

Lincoln's Sparrow - 5/8/23, RPANA © Bobby Brown

Chipping Sparrow - 4/29/23, RPANA © Bobby Brown

Vesper Sparrow - 4/30/23, RPANA © Bobby Brown

Chats

Yellow-breasted Chat - 5/21/23, SGL 252 © Bobby Brown

A Yellow-breasted Chat was at SGL 252 on 5/14 (BB, RB), and two were present at the same location a week later on 5/21 (BB, RB, AK).

Warblers

A female Lawrence's Warbler (hybrid) was at Rose Valley Lake on 5/8 (MH, BB, RB), and a male was on the other side of the lake on 5/11 (BB, DeB, BoB). A Mourning Warbler was at Upper Bodines Rd. on 5/17 (BB, RB), and one was at Mill St. on 5/20 (BB, DeB, BoB).

29 species of warbler were reported during the 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

Wilson's Warbler - 5/12/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

Yellow-rumped Warbler - 5/19/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

American Redstart - 5/27/23, Mill St. © Bobby Brown

Blackpoll Warbler - 5/19/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

Videos

The Spring 2023 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.

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