10,000 Birds

MARCH 24, 2011

Bill Stewart, the Conservation Chair of the Delmarva Ornithological Society , certainly paid far more attention to this outstanding example of a leucistic Pileated Woodpecker when he came across it this past January in Chester County, Pennsylvania, then he would have if it was simply a “normal&# example of Dryocopus pileatus.

Woodpeckers 270

Woodpeckers Pennsylvania Rights Species 270

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 28, 2011

So you can imagine my pleasure, then, when I spotted one skulking in some thick brush last week when I was exploring the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the first time last week. I got my digiscoping rig set up and waited. And waited. And waited.

Pennsylvania 224

Pennsylvania Philadelphia Wildlife Birds 224

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 5, 2013

Hornaday, once director of the New York Zoological Garden, wrote that a naturalist in a county of northern Pennsylvania claimed to have fed a flock of 300 pigeons during the autumn of about 1903. Another nature lover of central Pennsylvania, John H. He claims to have watched the bird for about twenty minutes. Tice (July 2001).

Pennsylvania 238

Pennsylvania Indiana California Condor 2013 238

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 29, 2011

The fine folks at the Fish and Wildlife Service are happy to tell the tale: The history of Tinicum Marsh, the largest remaining freshwater tidal wetland Pennsylvania goes back to the first settlements in the region in 1634. But how did such a refuge come to be? Swedes, Dutch and English diked and drained parts of the marsh for grazing.

Wildlife 255

Wildlife Philadelphia Bald Eagle Pennsylvania 255

10,000 Birds

MARCH 24, 2014

The infamous Labor Day Pigeon Shoot was held in Hegins, Pennsylvania from 1921 until it was closed down in 1998. Eventually the operators of the shoot were sued, the case climbed through the courts, and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled unanimously against it, calling it “cruel and moronic.”

Killing 272

Killing Animal Abuse Slaughtered Slaughter 272

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 2, 2013

Here in New York State Snowy Owls have been reported in more than ten counties, with most of those counties having birds being seen in multiple locations.

Owls 278

Owls Rhode Island North Carolina New Hampshire 278

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 22, 2014

But the turkey vultures would certainly leave the places we saw them – Montana, North Dakota, Illinois and Indiana, Pennsylvania and Ohio and eventually New York – and head south.

North Dakota 181

North Dakota Turkey Pennsylvania New York 181

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 19, 2011

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives, in all of its infinite wisdom, has shot down a bill to ban “pigeon shoots” which consist of live pigeons being released from cages directly in front of men with shotguns. Sickos and poor shots, rejoice!

Pennsylvania 186

Pennsylvania Legislation 186

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 29, 2014

I’ll be taking a break from my labors to explore remote parts of Pennsylvania for anything resembling a migratory bird. While we used to honor the American Labor movement during this time, we’ve turned our collective focus from work to play and plenty of it. Hope you’re on board!

2014 204

2014 Pennsylvania United States Collecting 204

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 9, 2013

Tiny transmitters that wouldn’t hurt or irritate my releases, so I know what happens to them,” wrote Michele in Pennsylvania and Elle in Oklahoma. “As wrote Maryjane in Pennsylvania. “Me “A filtration system that works on waterfowl pools without clogging,” wrote Linda in Connecticut. Charitable Things.

Wildlife 255

Wildlife Wildlife Rehabilitation Oklahoma Michigan 255

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 3, 2020

Learn to read the signs, and you’ll be able to tell the time of year just by which species cross your path… I had the chance to observe some interesting avian activity along the lakeshore this weekend, but the Eastern Bluebirds down in rural Pennsylvania were most distinctively colorful, which counts for a lot with me.

2020 202

2020 Pennsylvania Jamaica Birds 202

10,000 Birds

MARCH 10, 2015

But apparently Fred was not alone because over the last three years quite a few people from Michigan, Ontario, Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska have chimed in to say that they too, grew up stamping robins and some mentioned passing it on to their children and grandchildren.

Iowa 257

Iowa Nebraska Indiana Michigan 257

10,000 Birds

APRIL 11, 2013

They’re better predictors than that more famous overgrown rat in Pennsylvania, bob-bob-bobbing along with the first warm winds to begin caroling from our maples and stalking our lawns. It’s not really spring until the American Robins return, they say. We birders know better, of course. Love robins?

Pennsylvania 190

Pennsylvania Rats Birds 190

10,000 Birds

JUNE 3, 2014

Whether you’re a young’un (like the Pennsylvania Young Birders photographed by James , above) or an old’un, you’ve probably got a story to share. It was also present when the super-rare-for-the-U.S. Amazon Kingfisher and Eurasian Sparrowhawk were sighted, and when Neil Hayward set a new Big Year record. So what are you waiting for?

Pennsylvania 204

Pennsylvania 2014 Branding Birds 204

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

The image above is James Currie’s, from Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania.). With the easily navigable map, birders in most parts of the country should be able to find a close-to-home hawkwatch.

Illinois 224

Illinois Pennsylvania United States North America 224

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 14, 2014

I’d check my bank statements anyway,” cracked Michele Wellard, of Pennsylvania’s Schuylkill Center Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic , during one of our frequent Rehabber FaceBook Free-For-Alls. “One day he tried to take my checkbook, and the next day it was a pen,” she said. Luckily he didn’t get the checkbook, but he did get the pen.”.

Wildlife Rehabilitation 252

Wildlife Rehabilitation Wildlife Barn Owls Oklahoma 252

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 16, 2012

I saw some sweet fall warblers this weekend down in Pennsylvania farm country, but was most impressed with the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds hanging on despite a mild frost. Believe it or not, the usual birds on the brain are not what calls this frenzy of activity to mind.

Pennsylvania 182

Pennsylvania 2012 New York Farming 182

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 12, 2014

Corey will be doing the same at an undisclosed location in Pennsylvania. I’ll be running around Rochester juggling an assortment of activities while keeping my eyes to the skies for migrants. How about you? Where will you be this weekend and will you be birding? Share your plans in the comments below.

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Pennsylvania 2014 Birds 178

10,000 Birds

MAY 16, 2021

The Philadelphia Metro Wildlife Center in Norristown covers four Pennsylvania counties (including Philadelphia) and takes in over 3000 animals a year. Here’s a can-you-top this tale of cutting down trees in the springtime.

Wildlife 264

Wildlife Philadelphia Wildlife Rehabilitation Raccoons 264

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 20, 2013

This unlucky/lucky young Red-tailed Hawk was found and taken to Red Creek Wildlife Care in Pennsylvania. A recent thread on my Raptorcare listserv produced one wildlife rehabilitator’s nightmarish photo of a leghold trap firmly clutching the leg of a Great Horned Owl.

Wildlife Rehabilitation 256

Wildlife Rehabilitation Rhode Island New Jersey Wildlife 256

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2011

Flooding related to Tropical Storm Lee severely damaged the two farms used for raising Ring-necked Pheasants in Pennsylvania earlier this year, limiting the number of birds that will be released for slaughter by hunters (and slaughter is exactly what shooting farm-raised birds is). Never fear, hunters !

Slaughtered 165

Slaughtered Slaughter Hunters Pennsylvania 165

10,000 Birds

JULY 19, 2011

For 13 years now, friends and family have been gathering in an undisclosed corner of Potter County, Pennsylvania during the third weekend of July to create a glorious giant chicken of wood, straw, and gunpowder only to burn it. See why we keep the location undisclosed?

Chickens 179

Chickens 2011 Pennsylvania Birds 179

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 16, 2013

Even though it doesn’t show on the NatureServe range map above, Golden-crowned Sparrow vagrants have been recorded eastward to Ontario and Nova Scotia, Michigan, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey; also south to Alabama, Texas, Louisiana and Florida 1.

Sparrows 171

Sparrows Alabama North America New Jersey 171

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

I’ll be heading down to rural Pennsylvania to try to spot some southbound migrants. But don’t look too far ahead if you live in the Northern Hemisphere… the dead of winter looms in the distance. Look up instead; you may just see lots of raptors. Corey will likely be doing the same in the NYC area. How about you?

Pennsylvania 154

Pennsylvania 2016 Birds 154

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 11, 2015

I enjoyed a nice selection of sparrows and raptors in Pennsylvania farm country, with a pair of bold and noisy Red-shouldered Hawks taking the prize. A beautiful weekend for watching birds demands beautiful people watching birds. Were you out there?

Pennsylvania 155

Pennsylvania 2015 Farming Sparrows 155

10,000 Birds

JUNE 23, 2011

I’m taking the kids down to their grandfather’s home for some rural Pennsylvania fun… would an Acadian Flycatcher in full song be too much to ask for? Where are you flocking to this weekend and will you be birding? Share your plans in the comments below!

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Pennsylvania United States 2011 Birds 162

10,000 Birds

JULY 19, 2012

Speaking of July, every year around this time an assemblage of my family and friends gather in a remote part of Pennsylvania for food, fun, and flaming chickens. Is this too heady for a lazy July? Yes, I will be birding at the Chicken Inferno this weekend.

Chickens 171

Chickens Pennsylvania 2012 2011 171

10,000 Birds

JUNE 28, 2015

I took a family trip down to rural Pennsylvania, where I can always count on seeing an abundance of Eastern Kingbirds … and I did. The past week has been invigorating for Americans who support freedom, dignity, and equality. Hopefully you celebrated by enjoying some fine birds!

Pennsylvania 162

Pennsylvania 2015 Sparrows Birds 162

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 14, 2021

There are several states with 100-199 species: North Carolina (172, unchanged), Washington (171, up from 144), Michigan (159, unchanged), Virginia (147, up from 122), North Dakota (141, unchanged), Idaho (129, up from 57); New Mexico (112, unchanged); Massachusetts (110, up from 81); Colorado (106, unchanged), and Pennsylvania (109, up from 102).

West Virginia 253

West Virginia United States Puerto Rico Minnesota 253

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 9, 2015

I’m headed down to rural Pennsylvania this weekend, hoping to chance upon a grouse or other bird of the hinterlands. Of the town closed as the town awoke. I fear that, were a paean to the tenth month be written today, the focus would not be on birds but rather pumpkin spice lattes!

Pennsylvania 155

Pennsylvania Horses 2015 Farming 155

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 2, 2016

I enjoyed autumnal splendor down in rural Pennsylvania at that perfect moment when lush green foliage begins to mix with brilliant red, orange, and gold. The month eases you in, docile as a lamb, but promises to bite you on the back end. Hope you took advantage of one of the more gentle weekends this month has to offer.

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Lamb Pennsylvania 2016 Jamaica 154

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 20, 2014

All three of those authors have far more experience than I do and the upcoming releases for next spring, California and Pennsylvania, are written by authors just as illustrious!

New York 241

New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Colorado 241

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 22, 2012

I’m in northern Pennsylvania farm country looking for rural birds. Corey is more of an urban avian warrior, but may pop up anywhere in New York state. How about you? Where will you be this weekend and will you be birding?

Pennsylvania 155

Pennsylvania 2012 Turkey New York 155

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

From 29 September through 1 October, the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philly, will host the third annual American Birding Expo. Optics companies, tour companies, birding festivals, publishers, and wide array of other exhibitors will be present.

Philadelphia 128

Philadelphia Pennsylvania Raised Birds 128

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 19, 2014

Mike enjoyed a bevy of rural Pennsylvania feeder birds this weekend. I could have chosen any of the four Snowy Owls I saw this weekend as myBest Bird of the Weekend but I decided that I preferred a Purple Sandpiper at Breezy Point, Queens, (pictured above) mostly because it was feeding on a jetty while waves crashed over it. How about you?

Pennsylvania 154

Pennsylvania Seattle 2014 Game 154

10,000 Birds

APRIL 28, 2014

The fastest route was across New Jersey and a big chunk of Pennsylvania on Interstate 80 and then north forever on Interstate 81. I picked Donna up at 4 AM on Sunday, Steve at 4:20 AM, and we were heading across the Whitestone Bridge out of Queens by 4:30 AM.

New York 250

New York New York City South Dakota Bald Eagle 250

10,000 Birds

JULY 24, 2021

At 8, everything was far away, distant, and foreign, even Pennsylvania. We were going to make the long drive to far away Pennsylvania and stay in the cabin for a few precious, amazing days. They were waiting in the wild places but how could I get there? Fred talked to us now and then about the wild and wooded state.

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Costa Rica Chickens Pennsylvania Litter 264