PA 2010 Junior Duck Stamp Winners
During the recent National Wildlife Refuge week, the PA Junior Duck Stamps were on exhibit at John Heinz NWR. Once again there was a wonderful showing of waterfowl artwork from some very talented youth. Below is a selection of artwork the that most impressioned me.“Pintail in the Mist” by 13 year old Wesley Geib12 year…
Saw-whet Owl Banding Field Trip for Kids
On Saturday evening, I joined Debbie Beer who led a joint PA Young Birder’s Club and Delaware Dunlin’s field trip to experience Saw-whet Owl banding at the Hidden Valley Banding Station along the Kittitany Ridge of the Appalachian Mountains. Unexpectedly, the evening’s entertainment was not just provided by owls, but also came in the form…
Kinglet Crowns
Kinglets are diminutive hyperactive passerines that we often encounter in the fall, flitting and hovering about on the outer branches of trees and shrubs. Both Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets get their name from the markings on their head. Both males and females of each species have the same appearance. In Golden-crowns the narrow yellow crown…
Banding at Rushton Farm
I stopped by this morning to see the Willistown Conservation Trust’s banding site at Rushton Farm in Newtown Square. The DVOC had pledged money towards the start up of this project, that is being run by club member Doris McGovern and assisted by Lisa Kiziuk and Alice Sevareid. There was a steady stream of birds…
Selasphorus in Swarthmore
Once October rolls around in the Delaware Valley, any hummingbird sighting is unlikely to be our summer breeder, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Way off course, of course, migrants have been showing up in our area with greater frequency in the last decade or so. Whether this is due to global warming, more observant observers, or birders…
Two New Yard Birds
The northwest winds these last couple of days have pushed many birds south. It is a good time to keep an eye out for anything different as well as northern species that irrupt. Red-breasted Nuthatches have arrived and it looks as though it may also be a good winter for Purple Finches in our area as…
The ABA needs you!
The American Birding Association (ABA) has arguably formed the backbone of the birding community for many years. In recent times, it has suffered from declining membership and lack of direction. Today, the ABA is experiencing a new beginning! Newly-appointed president Jeff Gordon (left) has jumped in with both feet to inject the organization with energy,…
PERU… here I come again!
Andean Cock-of-the-Rock © Kevin Loughlin I am off at 4:00am to lead another trip through southern Peru! This incredible birding location offers nearly 2000 species… we hope to see around 600 or so! From the high Andes to the Amazon Basin we will visit many eco-zones, each with its own personality and bird species. Internet connections…
The Big Sittas Big Sit
The observation platform at John Heinz NWR was hopping on Sunday, the day of The Big Sit. The John Heinz NWR BIG SITTAS were one of approximately 240 teams throughout the country officially registered for the one-day event. The Big Sit occurs annually on the second Sunday in October, coinciding with the beginning of National Wildlife…
Walk for Wildlife and the BIG SIT
This Sunday Oct 10th, a WALK for WILDLIFE is being held at the John Heinz NWR at Tinicum, Philadelphia. From 9am to 1pm we will be raising funds to support our fellow refuges affected by the oil spill along the Gulf. T-shirts, light refreshments, and door prizes are all part of the fun. The following items…
VERACRUZ 2010: The River of Raptors ©
After birding the last two days in the rain, our patience was hugely rewarded with an amazing day of migration. The rains had backed up the raptor flight and today, Sept 28th, 450,000 raptors were counted at the two Pronatura hawk watch sites. I estimate we saw perhaps two-thirds of them, if not most of…