Birding News and Features
Bald Eagle Population Soars Past 170 Nests
In 2009, the Bald Eagle nesting population continued to grow, passing more milestones. There were 174 territorial nesting pairs observed in Pennsylvania last year where we had documentation of a nest, 18 more than in 2008. Nests were recorded in 48 counties. Eagles are on a big win streak with the nesting population now exceeding 100 pairs in four consecutive years. The nests produced a total of at least 244 young, passing the 200 mark for the first time. The population is expanding so quickly that it becoming a challenge to monitor. Bald Eagles have begun nesting in 2010, many already on eggs. We need more help to keep an eagle eye on this success story and ensure continued progress.
Bald Eagles have enjoyed tremendous support from the public in recent decades.Not only are they the national symbol but also represent good stream quality, the concept of wildness, and the idea that we can recover our diminished natural resources. Eagles often nest in Important Bird Areas and can be viewed from considerable distances. These facts make them an ideal target species for bird expeditions. Places where we can find eagles are generally great for other birds, too. If you go out to view eagles, please share your results with others by contributing your trip data to eBird. The Game Commission appreciates hearing of any new eagle nests and results of any eagle nest.
Rusty Blackbird Blitz Again!
Last year, birders throughout the country scoured the countryside for wintering Rusty Blackbirds to help us understand their distribution and find important local concentrations (hotspots). We learned a lot, but there is much more to learn. We want to blitz for several years to both locate more hotspots and determine how stable these hot spots are from year to year. In Pennsylvania, we are at the northern edge of the winter range of the species so we can better define where that distribution lies. Already, the information gained is being used to implement research and conservation efforts!
With your help, the “Return of the Rusty Blackbird Blitz” will be bigger and better than the original. It is an important project because of the steep decline of this wetland songbird. There are many good places in Pennsylvania where Rusty Blackbirds might visit in the winter. They not only like bigger wetlands (think Tinicum marsh, Quakertown wetlands, Pymatuning swamp, Geneva marsh), but also lake edges, wet woods, and smaller wetlands. The survey takes place January 30 thru February 15th, 2010.
New Year's Resolution: eBird!
eBird is for all birders, so anyone can make a contribution. Why not start the New Year right and begin documenting your field observations in eBird?
Occasionally we hear about birders who tried eBird once, but then did not return because they felt they were not qualified to contribute, or that eBird caters only to “expert” birders. This is not the case at all! At eBird we believe that all bird observations have value. You need not be a globetrotting expert—some of the most valuable checklists are repeated observations from people who have never looked for birds outside their own backyard! You need not know every bird that flashes through your binoculars either, the eBird data quality process guards against many potential identification errors. Furthermore, the exchange of information between experts and beginners during this process is a valuable learning tool. We want eBird to be used by birders of all skill levels: our only request is that you try to use eBird to its fullest capacity, report the birds you see and hear to the best of your ability, and err on the conservative side if you are unsure about your identification.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Celebrates 75 Years
Pennsylvania is at the crossroads of raptor migration and at the cutting “edge” of raptor conservation. Why do we say that? The river of raptors pours by several of the state’s ridges and summits each autumn in a spectacular display. This migration along the Kittatinny Ridge or Blue Mountain and threats to those hawks inspired the founding of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary by Rosalie Edge in 1934. With great energy and conviction, Mrs. Edge and her supporters purchased what became known as Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, the world's first refuge for birds of prey. The mission of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is to conserve birds of prey worldwide by providing leadership in raptor conservation science and education, and by maintaining Hawk Mountain Sanctuary as a model observation, research and education facility. In all of these aspirations, it has been very successful. Several of the state’s species of special concern and priority species of wildlife action plan are raptors.
PA eBird Presentation Ready to Roll!
Ready for a presentation about eBird? Ready to give an eBird talk? Brian Byrnes of Audubon Pennsylvania has developed a power point slide presentation about Pennsylvania eBird. The new PA eBird presentation is a basic “why and how” tutorial presentation. It will allow more people to become ambassadors for eBird and for keeping good bird records. Its main goal is to introduce eBird to people and show them how it works. It gives an overview of the basic objectives of eBird as well as our state’s goals. The presentation is designed so almost any competent birder can give this presentation. Every record counts, so help us spread the word about eBird.
New Eastern Pennsylvania Birding and Wildlife Guide Available
The Eastern Pennsylvania Birding and Wildlife Guide is a newly published, easily-used, handy-sized, and informative book that presents birding information for 13 eastern counties ranging from the Pocono Northeast to the Philadelphia area in the south. Eastern Pennsylvania may contain some metropolitan areas, but it also is home to many birds and good places to enjoy them. Indeed, the Delaware and Schuylkill river valleys can be considered the cradle of American ornithology and a hotbed for recreational birding. This region has been the home to many of the most notable names in ornithology including Alexander Wilson, John James Audubon, and Spencer Fullerton Baird. The region gave all these ornithologists as well as many others the inspiration to make discoveries about birds and nature close to the nation’s birthplace. As Scott Weidensaul states in the beginning of this new birding guide: “Eastern Pennsylvania is a birding paradise.” The birding locations include many places listed as PA Important Bird Areas or locations that support locally important bird populations, but also places with good birding that are close and easily accessible to thousands of birders in the Northeast. The variety offer opportunities for birding in all seasons and many habitats. Birders can assist bird conservation by visiting these sites and reporting their observations to eBird and other citizen bird projects.
Bald Eagles Soar to New Records in 2008; New Nesting Season Begins
The final tallies are in for Pennsylvania’s 2008 Bald Eagle nesting season. The national symbol smashed previous records by occupying 156 nesting territories and producing at least 171 fledglings. Both are new records. The previous records were made in 2007 when Pennsylvania had 132 active nesting pairs that produced at least 151 eaglets. Because new nests are often difficult to find or observe, we know that these totals are underestimates; the outcomes of only 125 of the nests are known and some anecdotal reports of nesting pairs were unconfirmed. Eagles are coming into more contact with humans as they find “green zones” near towns with good nesting habitat. Despite some bad weather events and conflicts with human activity, eagle nest success was approximately 73 percent last year. The 2009 eagle nesting season is well underway and many eagles are brooding on eggs. Care should be taken near nests.
Use eBird to Track Migration Hotspots
Over the decades, a lot of the quantitative bird studies have concentrated on either breeding birds or winter birds. These targets seem to stay still long enough that we can take good aim at them. At least nesting birds stay in an area for a few weeks. You can have a few shots at finding and counting them. The same can be said for many of our winter bird populations. For over a century, we have been counting birds over the holiday season for the Audubon Christmas Counts and comparing results over the years. But, those migrating birds just keep moving on. It’s hard to really get a handle on trends, priorities, and strategies for this constantly moving target, especially if you try to do it alone.
On one day you can find hundreds of Snow Geese and the next day: gone! The woods can be alive with warblers and thrushes one May morning and the next day the woods are quiet. The reservoirs, the rivers, the woods, the wetlands all provide critical fuel for the energy-starved migrants and a safe-haven for resting.
What are the most significant stopovers sites in Pennsylvania for passage migrants?
Rusty Blackbirds – How Does Pennsylvania Fit In?
This enigmatic and now charismatic boreal icterid is finally getting some attention in the state. First, Rusty Blackbird experts held a meeting in Pennsylvania last fall. Second, there was a “blitz” of its winter populations. That’s a good start. Now, let’s find out how our state really fits into the natural history or conservation of Rusty Blackbird.
Pennsylvania’s great potential role in conservation of the declining Rusty Blackbird is as a migration stopover. This state is right on the main migration highway from the Dixie states where it winters to the boreal wetlands where it nests. Thousands of them go through Pennsylvania and a few of the Great Lakes states, especially in wetlands and wet woods. Our green waterways and wetlands may be critical stops on its migration route. This includes several places designated as Important Bird Areas. It may not seem at first obvious, but the fate of this obscure songbird is linked by habitat to waterfowl such as Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers as well as wetland birds like Prothonotary Warbler, American Woodcock, and American Bittern. The slender thread of wetland and riparian forest habitat holds them together.
Pennsylvania’s Birding and Wildlife Trail
Our state is very convenient as a birding destination in Northeastern United States since it is close to so many metropolitan areas. Many of the state’s great birding spots are a fairly short drive away from the country’s metropolitan centers. So, with a road map and a pair of binoculars, you can explore great spots for birding not far from your home. Visit the Susquehanna River Bird and Wildlife Trail Guide where you can find out more about our birding hot spots. . Each of these locations can be reported on by using Pennsylvania eBird, sharing what you have learned with others.
More birding and wildlife trails are planned in the future.
Check out the website for the Susquehanna Birding Trail: http://www.pabirdingtrails.org/]
Pennsylvania is a Keystone State for Bird Migration
Birding is a growing avocation in the Keystone state. The admiration for the beauty and appeal of birds is celebrated each year by birders and educators with local birding festivals, public bird walks, and other events. Many of these are connected to International Migratory Bird Day, which is generally the second Saturday in May, but can be held on any day that seems appropriate. Events are for the young and old. Just take along a pair of binoculars and a mind ready for new experiences with wildlife. Indeed, the annual migration of birds across the continents is one of the greatest nature shows on earth. The theme this year is “Tundra to Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats and People”.
This year’s theme is especially appropriate because Pennsylvania provides a lot of habitat for migrant birds stopping over on their way north to their nesting grounds in Canada and New England. Join in the fun and learn more about migratory bird day at the website of that event:
And, log your bird sightings into eBird.
Peregrine Falcons Return to Pennsylvania’s Wild and Urban Cliffs
The Peregrine Falcon is one of the most widespread and charismatic birds of prey in the world. This bird of prey is found on all continents except Antarctica. Its populations crashed in the era of DDT and when there seemed to be an open season on raptors and bird eggs. Peregrines now have made a dramatic return to the state’s cliffs, whether wild or urban. The original Peregrine Falcon nesting population occupied natural cliff sites in the Appalachians, including Pennsylvania. Many nested on cliffs along major rivers, especially in the eastern third of the state. By 1960, they had disappeared as a nesting species in the Commonwealth. In 2007, there were 24 active Peregrine nesting sites in the state. They varied from urban to wild areas. Some are associated with power generating facilities, large buildings, and tall bridges.
Discover Pennsylvania’s Important Bird Areas
Audubon Pennsylvania’s Important Bird Areas (IBA) program highlights sites of “special significance to breeding or non-breeding birds, which on some basis, can be distinguished from surrounding areas.” Pennsylvania is proud to be the first state in the United States to initiate an IBA program. The goals of the IBA program are to identify a network of sites throughout the state that are essential for sustaining wild bird populations, and to protect or manage these sites for long-term conservation purposes. IBAs have been selected for a variety of reasons that are categorized as critical to the conservation of the state’s bird communities and populations.
Your eBird Records Help Our Wildlife Action Plan and Bird Conservation!
Anyone who contributes data to Pennsylvania eBird helps us better monitor and manage Pennsylvania’s bird species of greatest conservation need. These species are those that have been targeted by the PA Wildlife Action Plan as highest priority for monitoring and conservation action. They were chosen for various reasons including that they are listed as threatened or endangered species, Partners in Flight Watch List species, habitat quality indicators, or stewardship maintenance species. Our strategy is to be proactive in our approach to these species and their habitats as outlined in the Wildlife Action Plan.
El Grupo Cerúleo to Receive Conservation Award
Congratulations to all members of El Grupo Cerúleo, an international group of scientists dedicated to the study and conservation of Cerulean Warblers. The Chief of the U. S. Forest Service at the Office of International Programs has awarded the group the Wings across the Americas International Partnership Award for 2008. The award is given in recognition of the group's efforts to develop the assessment of the nonbreeding range of the Cerulean Warbler in South America. Priority Migrant eBird contributed significantly to this effort. Read on to learn more about this collaboration and Priority Migrant eBird.
eBird Data Import Tool Released!
We are happy to announce that we have officially released the eBird Data Import Tool. Many users have been asking how we can bulk load their existing sightings that are kept on their home computers in various file types. This tool is designed to bring in data from Excel files or other similarly structured datasets. We have created two file formats that we feel conform well to the types of data people typically store. If you have data stored in Excel or a similar format, and you would like to upload those records to eBird then please read on.
Reporting Rare Birds in Pennsylvania
If you have observed a rare bird in the state you have had a special kind of experience. This experience gives you a rare opportunity to make a special contribution to the understanding of bird species status and occurrence in the state. To ensure that this observation becomes a part of the permanent records of Pennsylvania’s ornithological history, fill out a report to the Pennsylvania Ornithological Records Committee (PORC). This committee maintains the Official Bird List for the state. Such reports include written descriptions of what you saw and heard as well as photographs, drawings, tape or digital sound recordings, video, or any other means to document the observation. Also, report bird observations to the County Compilers for Pennsylvania Birds, the bird journal of the PSO.
Learn more about the Records Committee and the Official State Bird List at: www.pabirds.org/PORC/PORC.htm]
Which Species to Report and How to Report Them: The Data Quality Issue
When you enter your records into Pennsylvania eBird, entries are flagged automatically if they are unusual for the time of year, the numbers, or the location. You can check the PORC official state bird list to see if reports require a rare bird report. For instructions on how to prepare such reports, check out the PORC web pages on the PSO website found at a related story at the PA eBird home page. Thanks for participating!
Did you know that every record submitted to eBird goes through the eBird data verification process? Using a combination of automated data filters and a network of local experts, eBird tackles the issue of data quality in Citizen-Science. In order for us to maintain the integrity of the database, and for it to be used fully by the science and conservation community, we as observers must fully understand and strive to reach the highest level of data quality. Therefore, we've developed procedures to facilitate communication between eBird observers and scientists, including some new and improved review tools for our editors. Through our combined effort to maintain high data quality, eBird will take its place among the most valuable large-scale data sets on bird distribution and abundance in the world. Read more about our data verification process....
