|
|
Birdline Delaware Number: 302-658-2747 [Transcript] For Friday, August 27th, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The 2010 Unofficial Delaware State Year List increased to 315 species this week. A RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was seen at Shearness Pool in Bombay Hook NWR this week after strong easterly winds. This week both LITTLE and BLACK-HEADED GULLS were seen on Saturday. Both birds were in basic adult plumage. The LITTLE GULL has not been seen, but the BLACK-HEADED GULL continues to be seen daily. Several AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS were among the BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS at the refuge. A SORA was seen at Bear Swamp. There are huge numbers of AMERICAN AVOCETS at Raymond Pool, described as an flowing river of birds. MARBLED and HUDSONIAN GODWITS continue to be seen with the AVOCETS. Also reported have been the first DUNLIN of the season, WESTERN, PECTORAL, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, and over 30 STILT SANDPIPERS. 2 UPLAND SANDPIPERS were seen in the plowed field opposite Whitehall Neck Road off Rt. 9 north of Leipsic. Along with the LITTLE and BLACK-HEADED GULLS, 2 BONAPARTE'S GULLS were seen at the Logan Lane Tract at Kitts Hummock. BLACK SKIMMERS and LEAST TERNS continue to be seen at Fowler's Beach. Migrant warblers at Thompson's Island at the Spring Lake condominiums included CANADA, MAGNOLIA, BLACK AND WHITE, and AMERICAN REDSTART. Also reported were several BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES. BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS were reported at Bay Vista near Rehoboth Beach. The previous reported MARSH WREN continues to be seen. Brown-headed Nuthatches, along with BALTIMORE ORIOLE and AMERICAN REDSTART were also seen there. BLACK and CASPIAN TERNS were seen at Thousand Acre Marsh. Large numbers of BLUE and GREEN-WINGED TEAL have returned to Thousand Acre along with SHOVELER and NORTHERN PINTAIL. A GREEN HERON was seen at Greer's Pond. A number of shorebirds have made use of the beaver dam at Abbott's Mill Nature Center near Milford. 8 SOLITARY SANDPIPERS and 4 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS were among the LEAST and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS and both YELLOWLEGS. BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER was seen at Walnut Ridge in Centreville. Flint's Woods had YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO and NORTHERN PARULA. BLUE-WINGED WARBLERS were seen at Brandywine Creek State Park. 4 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were seen at the park on Sunday; while a big flight of 73 NIGHTHAWKS were seen last evening. A MOURNING WARBLER was reported at Middle Run off Possum Park Road near Newark this week. Also reported there were WILSON'S WARBLER and LEAST FLYCATCHER. Some warblers at White Clay Creek State Park today by the pump station included a single PINE WARBLER plus CHESTNUT-SIDED, MAGNOLIA and REDSTART. GREEN HERON was also seen by the dam. The first flight of BROAD-WINGS was reported at Ashland Nature Center. 6 were seen flying down the valley. Also reported were RED-SHOULDERED, COOPER'S and SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS. MUTE SWAN continues to be seen at Hoopes' reservoir. 8 BAND-RUMPED STORM PETREL and a LEACH'S STORM PETREL were reported on the pelagic trip to Delaware waters this weekend. A total of 885 WILSON'S STORM PETRELS were counted along with NORTHERN GANNET, AUDUBON'S, GREAT, and CORY'S SHEARWATER. — Weekly Radio Feature — And now for this week's special feature from WILM News Radio. In autumn, birds move south to their winter quarters. Molted adults and immature birds in incomplete plumage produces a group of birds called confusing fall warblers. These are birds that have lost their characteristic field marks in their changing plumage. One of the first to arrive back is the CHESTNUT SIDED WARBLER. In spring it has a brown streak on the flanks and yellow cap. In fall, the bird is just a dull green and white, with wing bars and eye ring. At first glance, it might look like the similar RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. Theodore Roosevelt, our only birder president, reported a CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER at a February meeting of his cabinet. A rare species in winter in Washington, maybe the near-sighted Roosevelt actually saw a RUBY-CROWN on the White House lawns. The BLACKPOLL and BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS nest in spruce bogs in Canada. In spring, the BAY-BREASTED WARBLER is brightly colored compared to the Blackpoll, which looks like a CHICKADEE, In fall, the young are indistinguishable, a sign of their common ancestry. Both are gray and white with streaks and wing bars. The only way to tell them about is by their leg color, BAY-BREASTED with black and BLACKPOLLS have yellow legs. Many a beginning birder has quit due to headaches caused by these plumage problems. Special thanks to Michael Moore, Michael Bowen, Anthony Gonzon, Andy Urquhart, Jason Beadle, Matt Sarver, Alex Zorach, Lynn Smith, Derek Stoner, Paul Guris, Bert Filmyer, Lin Just, Maurice Barnhill, and Kim Steininger for their updates. Please call your reports to 302-792-9591 or email to ednieap@verizon.net. Until next week, good birding. [End Transcript] Birdline Delaware is posted weekly on the Delaware Audubon web site as a public service. It is not created or sponsored by the Delaware Audubon Society.
Home | Search | Contact Delaware Audubon | Privacy Policy |
