TheDISTELFINKSPRING 2021

Contents
President’s Message – Tony Grimm ............................................................................................................ 1
BOC meetings via ZOOM .............................................................................................................................. 2
Programs and Meetings - ............................................................................................................................. 2•

Trinidad & Tobago Birding with Peter and Jane Wolfe ....................................................................... 2•

Top End, Outback & Western Australia, a Travelogue" with Sheila Martin ........................................ 2

Our Annual Banquet is rescheduled ............................................................................................................ 3
To November 12, 2021 ................................................................................................................................ 3
A little bit of history about our Distelfink Logo........................................................................................... 3
Peter & Jane Wolfe’s Big Year, 2020............................................................................................................ 42020 City of Reading Bird Count Yields 117 Species ................................................................................... 7
Book Review: A WORLD ON THE WING,.................................................................................................... 11
Berks County Birds, June – July, 2020........................................................................................................ 13
Berks County Bird Report, August – November 2020 ............................................................................... 16
B.O.C. Officers May 2020- May 2021 ......................................................................................................... 20
BOC -Covid 19 Field Trip Protocols ............................................................................................................ 20
Spring 2021 Field Trips ............................................................................................................................... 21

President’s Message – Tony Grimm
My time as president has flown by. I’ve missed the meetings at Nolde and the personal one-on-one,getting to know our members. It’s been an honor to serve. We all have had to make changes in our new
lives due to the coronavirus. We hope you have been feeding and watching the birds in your backyard or
the nearest park. We are fortunate to live in Berks, where it’s possible to walk the various birdwatchingsites. while still maintaining a proper distance and enjoying nature. Many thanks to all of you who haveconnected with us through our zoom meetings. Special thanks to Mike Slater, our zoom master.
Recent happenings and changes:•

BOC History: People have asked me, “who is Baird?” The answer is this: Spencer Fullerton Baird
was born in Reading, in 1823. He went on to become the second Smithsonian secretary and wasrecognized as one of the worlds most distinguished naturalists. Because of this, we havebecome the BOC to honor him and his love for nature.

Page 2The BOC Annual Banquet meeting has been postponed to the fall; working with our speaker, Scott
Weidensaul, it will be November 12.
100th Anniversary: We hope many of you tuned into WEEU on December 29th for the Mike Faust show.
Rudy Keller Keller, Bill Uhrich, and I had fun talking about the BOC. We are working with the Reading
Eagle, B C T V, and WFMZ tv to share our history. We will notify you by email about exact times anddates.
Car Window Stickers: Thanks to Linda Ingram, you now have a sticker for your car to promote the club.
Brochure: We are putting together a brochure for best birding spots in Berks. Bill Uhrich, Rudy Keller
and I are working on this project. We hope to have this ready this summer or early fall.
Thanks again for your support and membership. Spring is almost here, so get out there and look for thespring warblers and other migrants!

Tony Grimm, President

BOC meetings via ZOOMEach meeting requires an invitation to themeeting with by having the ID number andpasscode.
To get an invitation for each Spring 2021
meeting, send an Email requesting a link to us
at membership@bairdornithollogical.club
You can share the meeting invitation by withother members email (for security reasons,please DO NOT share it by posting on social
media like Facebook or Instagram). Please try
to limit guests you share it with as we arelimited to 100 participants per meeting.

A male Yellow-bellied Sapsucker shows his yellow belly while hefeeds at a suet-feeder - Photo by Mike Slater

Using zoom is easy all you need is a computer, a tablet or a smart phone. For information about it see
this helpful link provided by the people at zoom where they show you how to join a meeting.
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-meeting
We hope to see you all then. - Mike Slater, BOC Web Master and ZOOM Meeting Host

Programs and Meetings - Mark Your Calendar!
• Trinidad & Tobago Birding with Peter and Jane Wolfe April 9, 2021, 7:30
pm Take a vacation trip to tropical islands featuring colorful birds and flowers. We stayed at the
Asa Wright Nature Centre in Trinidad and then the Cuffie River Nature Retreat in Tobago. No
passport or shots are required come along with them! Via Zoom.
•

Top End, Outback & Western Australia, a Travelogue" with Sheila
Martin May 14, 2021, 7:30 pm - Join in the fun for an irreverent, entertaining and eyepopping odyssey on the road, in the sky and on the water, to sights which even few Australians
ever see! Travel lore, earth science and the "red" of it all - across cities, towns and the real2Page 3

Outback - will astound you! Sheila Martin has been traveling ever since her family-roadvacationing childhood, now journeying worldwide to less-predictable destinations, with an eye
toward adventure, nature and wildlife. Her Top Twenty Birds of this amazing continent will befeatured. Via Zoom.

Our Annual Banquet is rescheduled
To November 12, 2021
at the Berkshire Country Club with Scott Weidensaul as our Guest Speaker

Our New BOC Distelfink Logo
Decals – Linda Ingram
All members recently received adistelfink decal to proudly display yourmembership in this venerable club,now 100 years old! If you have everwondered about our logo – here is theartist’s explanation.

A little bit of history about ourDistelfink Logo
by William Fox Munroe
A DISTELFINK "...is a stylized GOLDFINCH, probably based upon the European
variety as it frequently appears in Pa. Dutch folk art. It represents happiness andgood fortune and the Pa. German people. It is a common theme in hex signs andfraktur."
Before my involvement with the B.O.C. in the late 1970's, the newsletter associatedwith the club was called The Distelfink. At some point it was decided to incorporate
the 'motif' itself into themasthead designformat. Being a graphic
designer, it wasappropriate for me toaccommodate thatassignment and create
fresh reproduction
artwork so allcommunications andprint materials ingeneral could have thatstandard motif in
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uniform usage. I proudly established the iconic bird symbol with embellishment
within a circular shape as well as free-form display such as was on our most recent
printed newsletter masthead series in soft blue ink on ivory stock. While the motif
itself is not totally of original tradition, I did personalize it a bit to function forreproduction effectively in one color or multiple colors as employed on the new
B.O.C. window decal recently made available to members.
And now you know the rest of the story.

Peter & Jane Wolfe’s Big Year, 2020
By Jane Wolfe with photos by Peter Wolfe
8 AM January 1, 2020 Mike S, Russ H, Liz C, Linda I,
and Art Z, met us at Breneman’s Quarry for ourannual first of the year birding tour. It was cloudy,
breezy with a high of 39° F. After almost being
fooled by decoys at State Hill we found some real
birds including Golden-crowned Kinglets.
Our driving tour ended early at Sheetz on Rt 61
around noon, due to a threat of freezing rain.
In January, at Blue Marsh Dry Brooks beach, we saw,
Glaucous, Iceland, Great Black-backed, and Lesser
Black-backed Gulls, also 2 Tundra Swans. A dozen Wild Turkeys were feeding next to Adam’s Hotel
Road. At Peter’s Creek, Winter Wren was seen in his usual creekside abode and Swamp Sparrows
hiding in the tall grasses responded to our phishing. Union Meadows yielded a Cooper’s, and 3 Redshouldered Hawks. 6 Wilson’s Snipe were in a creek near Rodale Farm. Jan 24 was our first birding“trip” to Lancaster County for the Lark Sparrow stakeout at Boyer’s Run Creek. This bird was being wellfed. But Jan 30 held the most unexpected bird. At Gotwals, Peter spotted a Pink-footed Goose buried
in a crowd of Canada Geese, standing on ice with his pink feet showing. Quickly he came home to get
his camera, took a picture, and contacted Linda
I who came to see it. Later Jane and her friend
Kathy came hoping to see the goose. Rudy K
was there and set up his telescope giving Janeand Kathy good looks.
February was a month of ducks including
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers,
Green-winged Teal, and Common Goldeneye.
At Gotwals there were 2 Greater Whitefronted Geese. Our first owl was a Great
Horned Owl. Feb 26, our second birding “trip”
was with Mike S to Lancaster County for a male
Painted Bunting. We found him happily flying
from his hideout in a thick rhododendron to the nearby feeder.

4Page 5

March 1, just after sunset, we heard and saw 3
American Woodcock. We think it is best tofind this bird before the clocks are set ahead
for Daylight Savings Time. Northern Pintail,Northern Shoveler, Hooded Merganser,
Redhead, Blue-winged Teal, Wood Duck,
Long-tailed Duck, American Coot, Horned
Grebe, and Common Loon were added to ourwaterfowl list. At Exeter Scenic Trail wewatched a Pileated Woodpecker work on herhole very close to the trail. An early close
Osprey and an unusual American [for the date-Ed.] Tree Sparrow were seen at Lake
Ontelaunee. A Fox Sparrow showed up in our yard March 14, 15, and 17.
Covid-19 has become an issue, churches and state parks close, therefore MNHS and Baird meetings will
not be held. With everything closed, we realized that birding was an enjoyable activity that we could do
outdoors, usually in remote places. Could this be our chance to do a “Big Year”? Our goal would be tofind more birds than we have found before in one year for Berks County and also for Pennsylvania.
During April, at home we watched “Stumpy" our Turkey Vulture, who is missing a left foot, eat a squirrel
who had tried unsuccessfully to cross Pricetown Road. Two territorial American Crows chased a vocal
Common Raven from our yard. On different days, a Brown Thrasher was in our forsythia, a Field
Sparrow on our feeder, while a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher gleaned insects.
April 21, the first Ruby-throated Hummingbird drank heavily from our feeder before dusk. April 18,
responding to a call from Matt W, we saw 2 Surf and 1 White-winged Scoter at Blue Marsh in windy,
freezing cold conditions. The Bald Eagle near Rutters on Rt 61 was on his nest. We found the Virginia
Rail on a cold rainy morning at Kernsville Recreation Area feeding in the marshy wet reeds. April 30, at
School Road Pond we were amazed to discover a Red-necked Phalarope, while on our way to see
warblers in Kutztown. By May, Gray Catbirds havearrived in our yard to stay the summer and eat ourmulberries and raspberries. Skyline Drive has Yellowthroated Vireo, Swainson’s Thrush, Veerys, andmany warblers. We often bird with Bill U and Russ H
there. Louisiana Waterthrush, Acadian Flycatcher,
Bay-breasted Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler andthe nesting Bank Swallows were found at Hay Creek.
The Prothonotary Warbler was found by Russ H on
the Exeter Scenic Trail May 12. It became quite an
attraction for over a week. Sue S helped us find a
Canada Warbler at North Park, Kutztown. It truly
helps to have good birding friends! We heard andsaw Northern Waterthrush in the shallow rocky
creeks at North Park and Bower’s Park. After muchsearching in spruce trees at Lake Ontelaunee, we finally saw a Blackpoll Warbler with a Magnolia
Warbler. A Yellow-bellied Flycatcher sang, and then was chased by a Willow Flycatcher at Hopewell Big
Woods trail. We were pleasantly surprised to see a Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Rodale where we also
watched a Grasshopper Sparrow singing with its barely audible voice. Our first brood of Eastern
Bluebirds has fledged. Peter immediately cleaned the box. The next day they started to build anothernest!
5Page 6In June, we are still under Covid distancing
orders. Birding has become our work and ourfun. A Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern
Wood-pewee, Eastern Kingbird, and Orchard
Oriole were seen singing at Daniel Boone. At
Rodale a Dickcissel was singing from a high wire
and Bobolinks calling from the field. The noisy
House Wren took possession of the bird houses
in our backyard. Black-crowned Night-Herons
and Cliff Swallows have arrived at Lake
Ontelaunee 73 bridge. Perhaps the best bird of
the month was the Wood Thrush singing in our
backyard almost every night.
July 1, Northkill Gap just after 9PM, Eastern
Whip-poor-will were calling. July 17, as thestars appear after sunset, we aimed ourtelescope at the comet NEOWISE (the Near
Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Solar Explorer
satellite was the official named discoverer) thenat Jupiter with 4 Galilean moons and Saturn with its rings.
August began with a lot of rain. By Aug 7 our rain gauge total was almost 10 inches! The farm ponds andfields, especially Mertz Road, were flooded. We found Killdeer, Semipalmated Plover, Pectoral, Least,
Semipalmated, Stilt, Baird’s, and surprisingly a Buff-breasted Sandpiper. At Rodale, a Blue Grosbeak
sat and sang from a wire. Russ H showed us an Olive-sided Flycatcher at Angora Fruit Farm sallying out
from the top of a tree. Great sighting! The evening of Aug 30 was clear and cool. We picked up a small
pizza and headed to Angora to eat it at a picnic table. At 7:45PM our target bird, a Common Nighthawk
flew directly over our heads. Five minutes later an Eastern Screech-Owl called. But the month was notover. On the 31st we found a Black-billed Cuckoo and 4 Red-headed Woodpeckers.
September came and brought an
Ovenbird and Chestnut-sided
Warbler to Wolfe Mt. The warblers
heading south can be difficult to ID
in their fall outfits! October already!
We were visited by a Nashville
Warbler eating our goldenrod, alongwith Brown Creeper, Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker, Eastern Towhee, Redeyed and Blue-headed Vireos,
Black-throated Blue and Blackthroated Green Warblers. We
traveled to Mike Slater’s for Purple
American Golden Plovers were also in fields in Lancaster County at the same Finch, Pine Siskin, Red-breasted
time. Photo by Mike Slater
Nuthatch and a Tennessee Warbler!
Dozens of American Pipits were feasting on a farm field near Kutztown (Thank you Rudy K). A few days
later many American Golden-Plovers were found in the same area.
November began with a Ring-necked Pheasant crossing the road at Blue Marsh. A flock of Cedar
Waxwings and a few American Robins stayed about 2 hours to consume honeysuckle berries from ourlarge bush. Buffleheads at Kaercher Creek looked like decoys until they began to swim away. We were
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surprised to find 1 Bonaparte’s Gull on School Road Pond until we discovered 36 more on Lake
Ontelaunee an hour later. One Red-throated Loon at Blue Marsh, was a find by Jane that made us
happy. Our backyard hosted a Fox Sparrow for a few days.
December arrives; can we break our state and county records? Dec 8, we drove to Caledonia State Parkand saw both the Townsend’s Solitare and Evening Grosbeaks. Thanks go to Jo and Larry S who found a
Northern Wheatear in Shoemakersville, and Rick W who called us when it was re-found on Dec 12. We
had wonderful views of this Berks County rarity. 8” of snow brought Horned Larks and our last year
bird, the Lapland Longspur along the farm field road edges.
We succeeded; we have broken both of our records. Berks County total was 218. Pennsylvania total
was 222 species. Our 94 year-old Aunt Joyce remarks that to live through these days of isolation “Youmust have a good relationship with yourself” and we would add “and with the birds”!

2020 City of Reading Bird Count Yields 117 Species
By Bill Uhrich
I was looking for a sign.
Back in January 2020, I had thought about doing a city of Reading Big Year Bird Count but
didn’t know whether I wanted to commit myself to such an extensive undertaking. I had aprecedent. In 2004 I undertook the project with fellow birder Ken Lebo as my coach and found
131 species. I didn’t think I could top that one, especially knowing the time commitment it took
to accomplish - three or four hours a day during the peak seasons. Plus I wouldn't have myformer coach as Ken and his family moved to Ohio last year.
On a chilly February
Sunday afternoon, I
went for a walk at
Angelica Creek Parkand decided that if I
found a good bird, I
would do the count. As
if on cue as I looked
up the Angelica Creek,a Winter Wrenpopped up and flitted
among the underbrush.
Darn, I thought. That’s
a good bird. So it
began.
Even though thecoronavirus lockdown has
negatively impacted all of our lives, it has given me the time to pursue the Reading count,
abiding by all the social distancing requirements. Reading is blessed with a variety of habitatsthat support bird life - from the Schuylkill River through Penn Square up to the top of Mount
Penn at the Pagoda. The Schuylkill River Trail through the city is a productive walk from
Heritage Park to Stonecliff. The trail between the Penn Street and Buttonwood Street bridges
A Winter Wren at Angelica Park one year later - Photo by Russ Hoffman

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was a particularly surprising spot early in the spring as it yielded at least seven pairs of Wood
Ducks, two Buffleheads, several Common Mergansers, a dozen Double-crested Cormorants
and a Pied-billed Grebe along with Mallards and Black Ducks.
Penn Square is the home turf of the downtown Reading Peregrine Falcons, and we can look fora falcon perched atop the cross of Christ Episcopal Church at Fifth and Court streets.
Duryea Drive to the Pagoda offers a variety of bird life from migrating warblers to nesting forest
dwellers like Wood Thrush, Veery and the abundant Rufous-sided Towhee. The Bridal Pathbelow the Pagoda has been a favorite haunt for Hermit Thrushes in the early spring and is home
to a number of woodpecker species including Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied woodpeckers
along with Northern Flickers. We can also see or hear one of the most spectacular birds of thewoodlands - the Pileated Woodpecker.
Skyline Drive from the Pagoda to Drenkel Field was a warbler hot spot in the spring and fall andalso produced Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Great-crested Flycatcher against a chorus ofGray Catbirds.
At any place in the city we can look up and find turkey and black vultures riding the thermals or
Red-tailed Hawks soaring. The 18th Ward, home to Angelica Creek Park, is also a city birding
hotspot with an abundance of Tree Swallows, American Goldfinches, Red-Winged
Blackbirds and Indigo Buntings. A walk up the Rose Valley Creek from Pendora Park throughMineral Spring Park to Egelman Park is always good for bird life.
Occasionally, we may witness a bird drama unfold.
On April 23, I watched on the Schuylkill River near Fritz’s Island as an immature Bald Eagle perhaps a second-year bird- swooped down on a small raft of Canada geese with talonsextended. The geese and a pair of mallards tightened up and flapped their wings to keep theeagle at bay. The eagle made at least two passes over the raft before flying up to a sycamore,undoubtedly frustrated by its failure in the hunt. About fifteen minutes later while walking along
the trail, I saw both the immature and an adult Bald Eagle fly off together up the river.
It wasn’t a bird that fascinated me on March 9, but a nest. Along the river, I found an old
Common Raven’s nest in the girders underneath the railroad bridge north of the Buttonwood
Street Bridge. The presence of Ravens in the city is a remarkable occurrence, but nesting Ravens
is even more so. A pair nested five years ago under a similar bridge in the city, but this one wasmore recent although abandoned. I saw and heard a Raven fly over the river trail and have seen
and heard Ravens on Mount Penn and in east Reading.
Watching birds in Reading doesn’t take an all-out commitment. It can be as easy as looking up.
Or looking out a window. Right now, city residents can attract birds to their backyards by simply
putting water out for them. We have a birdbath in our east Reading yard that has attracted
Catbirds and House Finches. It’s always fascinating to walk out the front door and listen for theneighborhood birds first thing in the morning. And we can all enjoy the aerial acrobatics of theChimney Swifts that make Reading their summer homes.
Below are some highlights of the year:
Old Faithful: Peregrine Falcon. The pair returned to downtown Reading and nested for the 14th
straight season. Four eggs yielded three young, and at least two survived fledging.
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Page 9One and Done: A number of birds I saw only once, including that first bird of my count, theWinter Wren.
Hardest Easy Bird: Northern Mockingbird. I scoured the city of Reading for months looking
for a Mockingbird and finally found one singing on a pole near George Field on June 19.
With a Little Help from My Friends Part 1: Least Flycatcher. Peter and Jane Wolfe are thegood-luck charms. I ran into them on Duryea Drive as they were out pursuing their county list,
and Jane picked out the che-bek! call of this flycatcher from a chorus of other birdsong along a
power line cut.
With a Little Help from My Friends Part 2: Rose-breasted Grosbeak. I didn’t have abackyard feeder running in the spring, where so many of these birds were sighted throughout thecounty, so finding this migratory bird out in the woods was a bit of a challenge until Mike Slaterand Linda Ingram found one for me near Drenkel Field on May 11.
Easiest Hard Bird: Black-billed Cuckoo. Usually a very secretive bird, more often heard thanseen, a Black-billed Cuckoo flew to a close branch above the Bridal Path Trial below the Pagoda
and sat for several minutes, giving me my best view of this species.
Look Up! I knew that toget Snow Geese on mycount that I would haveto look up at the righttime to see them flying
overhead. I looked up on
Feb. 23 for my only
sighting of this species.
I’ll Be Darned: Wild
Turkey. I didn’t expect
to hear the gobble andthen see one off a trail
near Drenkel Field
although Wild Turkeys
have been spotted on
Mount Penn periodicallyover the years.
Fowl Surprises:
Bufflehead and Wood
Duck. Waterfowl will
always be an iffy
Not Bill's Black-billed Cuckoo but one at Buxton Conservancy in Brecknock Twp., Berks
proposition in Reading
County by Mike Slater
since the Schuylkill isthe only place to find these species. I was surprised to find a pair of Bufflehead ducks on theriver and at least seven pairs, a rather large number, of Wood Ducks during the spring on thestretch between the Penn Street and Buttonwood Street bridges.
You Can Leave Now: Scarlet Tanager. Usually this bird is more often heard than seen, andwhen it is seen it’s high in the treetops hiding in the leafy canopy. But on one day in spring
while looking for a Mockingbird in Nanny Goat Hill, I saw a Scarlet Tanager perched on a
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tombstone for an extraordinarily long time. After taking in a close view that filled my binoculars
with this spectacular bird, I finally had to walk away and leave it.
Only at Our Feeder: Red-breasted Nuthatch.
I thought for sure that I would find one in the
many conifers atop Mount Penn or in the parks,
but the only place I had one was at our feeder all
fall and winter.
Better Late Than Never: American Kestrel. I
finally found a Kestrel Dec. 30 at the end ofSouth Ninth Street, giving me all three falcons
for the city: Peregrine, Merlin and American
Kestrel.
Last, But Not Least: American Tree Sparrow.
I found a Tree Sparrow on the last day of the year
at Angelica Creek Park. It’s noteworthy that the
Red-breasted Nuthatch at Mike Slater'sTree Sparrow is one of only three birds that have been
Feeder in Brecknock Twp. - Mike Slater
found on all of the Reading Christmas Bird Counts since
the first in 1911 along with the Common Crow and the Dark-eyed Junco. The numbers of thisbird wintering in Berks have diminished in the last few decades with fewer than a handfulrecorded on recent counts.
Better Luck Next Year: Any number of birds that I missed this year but should have found like
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Herring Gull, Great Horned Owl and all the migrating warblers I
was incapable of identifying.
Bill’s 2020 List:
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested CormorantGreat Blue HeronGreen-backed Heron
Snow Goose
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
American Black Duck
MallardRing-necked Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
OspreyBald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel

MerlinPeregrine Falcon
Wild Turkey
Killdeer
Solitary Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning DoveBlack-billed Cuckoo
Eastern Screech Owl
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throatedHummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Wood Pewee
Least Flycatcher
10

Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged
Swallow
Barn Swallow
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Common Raven
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Red-breasted Nuthatch
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Carolina Wren
House Wren
Winter Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
VeeryPage 11
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
European StarlingWhite-eyed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Black-throated Blue
Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler

Black-throated Green
Warbler
Palm Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
American RedstartWorm-eating Warbler
Ovenbird
Louisiana Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
Canada Warbler
Scarlet Tanager
Northern Cardinal
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Rufous-sided Towhee
American Tree Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Rusty Blackbird
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
Baltimore Oriole
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Book Review: A WORLD ON THE WING, The GLOBAL ODYSSEY of
MIGRATORY BIRDS by Scott Weidensaul - By Linda Ingram.
Scott Weidensaul, until recently a resident of
Schuylkill County, is a friend or acquaintance tomany of us in BOC. My anecdote about Scott iscoincidentally crossing paths ages ago on dusty
tropical airstrips in the middle of nowhere, notonce but twice! In Scott Weidensaul’s latest
book we travel along with him and the migrating
birds he follows to the world’s far-flung places.
Weidensaul begins with a stake-out for ‘spoonies’(spoon-billed sandpiper) on a heavily
industrialized Chinese coast, a stopover site along
the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Gatheredwith him are an international collection ofresearchers and funders guided by local experts.
What was once extensive tidal flats and marsh is
now severely restricted by conversion to
productive real estate.
Thus, begins the reader’s journey exploring theworld of migration as it is now understood, known
from the uncountable hours of research, casual
contributions of a long line of amateur
ornithologists, naturalists, academics, andscientists, and truly ground-breaking advances intechnology. Weidensaul, whose own work and research contributions places him among them,
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introduces you personally to this wide cast of characters, part of each and every chapter. This is abook that builds from what we thought we knew, what is known now, and finally what we needto know – and do. The wealth of data now available by tracking birds with micro tags has reordered our knowledge of migratory routes by providing vital information on life and death
importance of stopover sites. Measured physiological changes give new insight to how theseamazing journeys are possible. The Bar-tailed Godwit’s digestive organs atrophy while pectoral
muscles, heart and lungs increase
capacity. Epic journeys and magnificent
feats of flight are described through boththe eyes of a scientist and a bird loverholding our attention even as the technicaltakes an occasional deep dive.
But Scott has always been a storyteller
and rest assured there is a liberalsprinkling of anecdotes to engage andcharm the reader. Weidensaul deftly
provides a down-home story just in time
to lighten a few pages of technical detail.
Amusing anecdotes of personalities orfield adventures enliven the pages of loss
and urgency.
It appears a lifetime of natural history
exploration and contemplation, world
travels, wide-ranging research, andconnections with everyone from leading
scientists to backyard birders is behind
this latest work.
Defying the plight of nature in the world
today, this book brings hope.

B4C -PA Breeding Bird Blitz for Conservation - By Lucy Cairns

The Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology (PSO) is sponsoring a birding contest/fundraiser inJune to support the work of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Manada Conservancy (headquarteredin Dauphin County), and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Specifically, funds raised will help
protect the habitat needed by the Wood Thrush and the Northern Harrier. 8.5% of the global
population of Wood Thrush are found in Pennsylvania forests, but that population has been cut
in half over the past 50 years. Numbers of the Northern Harrier are declining so rapidly inPennsylvania that it is state-listed as a threatened species. Development and intensive farming
have eliminated many wetlands and old fields in the state, leaving reclaimed strip mines as thebest remaining habitat in PA for Northern Harriers – and for Short-eared Owls and Upland
Sandpipers as well. Contest winners will be determined by the number of species identified.
You can support the B4C by making a direct donation on the website: breedingbirdblitz.org, orby participating in the birding contest and soliciting donations for your team (individuals may
12

Page 13also donate and submit a checklist or eBird data). Counting will take place on June 18 – 21,with the choice of counting on just one day or multiple days, but each species list submitted
must be for a single calendar day. Participants can choose to count within a specific county orwithin one of the six state regions (which can be found on a map on the breedingbirdblitz
website) on each day they participate. A team must consist of at least 2 members, but teamcomposition may vary on different days. Team types will include Youth 7 – 12, Youth 13 – 18,
and Low Carbon. Low Carbon teams may use motorized transit to reach and return from theirstart and end location, but all species counting must occur while using non-motorizedtransportation modalities. Reporting by submitting eBird Summary Reports is strongly
encouraged, but a downloadable checklist is available for those who prefer it.
To be eligible to compete in any of the competitions, a minimum of $50 in donations in thename of your team must be submitted through the Donations tab at breedingbirdblitz.org
website by 5pm on Tuesday, June 22. Competition categories include Fundraising, Low Carbon,
Numeric, Species Specific, and Youth Focus. Winners will be recognized on the B4C website,
the PSO Facebook Page, and in the PSO newsletter PSO Pileated. Most importantly, everyone
who participates in any way can take satisfaction in helping more Wood Thrush and Northern
Harriers find a good home in Pennsylvania.

Berks County Birds, June – July, 2020
By Rudy Keller
Abbreviations: Blue Marsh L. (BML), French Creek State Park (FCSP), Hamburg Reservoir (HRes),
Kernsville Dam & Recreation Area, Hamburg (KDRC), Kittatinny Ridge (KR), Rodale Experimental Farm,
Maxatawny Twp. (Rodale), State
Game Lands (SGL).
Except perhaps during
breeding bird atlas years, theheadline bird of the breeding
season is more likely to be a
migrant, dispersing bird or straythan a local nester. That proved
to be the case this year when aglittering adult male Rufous
Hummingbird, the earliest Rufous
yet recorded in Pennsylvania,
according to Scott Weidensaul,
took over a feeder at Knauers
7/29 (MS). The show was brief, as
the bird left at 5:30 p.m. 7/31
immediately after it was banded
by Sandy Lockerman, kind of likea rock star blowing town after agig.
Rufous Hummingbird photoby Mike Slater13

Page 14

A few Snow Geese, probably wounded birds unable to return tothe arctic, were seen at two ponds in Jun. A Blue-winged Tealdrake at KDRC 6/4 (KG) was a late migrant. A Redhead drake at
Shartlesville 6/2 – 7/9 (KG, et al.) lingered for unknown reasons.
This Aythya is very rare after May. Common Mergansers, now
well established breeders, trailing broods of ducklings (four ineach case) were reported in Jun and early Jul along the Schuylkill
R. in northern Berks (KG), at BML (SC), and at FCSP (MR), thelatter a new breeding location.
Single Ring-necked Pheasants, probably birds that survived thewinter after release for hunting last fall, were seen or heard at
three locations. Hens with chicks have not been reported for
The Rufous Hummingbird being held by
many years. A Ruffed Grouse was at SGL 110, Northkill Gap on
Sandy Lockerman during the banding process the KR 6/1 (KG), where the species holds on due to favorable- photo by Mike Slater
habitat management. Wild Turkey hens with broods werereported at four locations across the county. A non-breeding
Pied-billed Grebe was at Kaercher Creek Park, Hamburg 7/20 (EB) and 7/30 (SM). This species was acommon breeder at Glen Morgan L. IBA, now closed to the public, in the 1990’s.
Most reports of Eurasian Collared-Doves at the Shartlesville colony were of one or 2 birds
perched on utility wires along Main St. (mob.), but 5 doves seen in a side street backyard 7/9 (EZ) may
have included fledged young. If this was the case, it is unknown where they disperse because the colony
has not grown. Our default breeding season cuckoo is Yellow-billed Cuckoo, but a few Black-billed
Cuckoos may be found, especially where hairy caterpillars are abundant. Numerous fall webworms on
black walnuts probably accounted for reports of Black-billed Cuckoos at BML during Jul (JS). The only
reported Common Nighthawks were 2 northbound migrants over District Twp. 6/10 (RK). Up to 4 Whippoor-wills were heard at SGL 110, Northkill Gap on the KR, their only current breeding location, in Jun
and Jul (mob.).
Virginia Rails returned for the second summer to the small wetland at KDRC, where one or 2
were heard in Jun to mid-Jul (KG, RK). There was no breeding confirmation. Single Sandhill Cranes were
flyovers at a home in Bern Twp. 6/7 (EB) and at a farm in Albany Twp. 6/11 (BB). Since their population
has increased, these cranes might be seen in any season, whether flying overhead or on stopover. The
only reported southbound shorebirds were 2 Least Sandpipers at Gotwals pond, Oley 7/24 (RK), anotherat Petsmart warehouse near Bethel 7/30 (TK), a Pectoral Sandpiper at Petsmart 7/31 (TK), and a Solitary
Sandpiper at Gotwals 7/27 (RK). Migrant shorebird diversity increased dramatically in Aug. American
Woodcocks breed, but effectively vanish from detection after spring courtship. Singletons were seen orheard as flyovers at two KR sites 6/16, 29 (KG). The only reported terns were 2 Common Terns at BML
7/13 (JS). Non-breeding Double-crested Cormorants, here annually in summer, were at FCSP, LO and E.J.
Bremenan Quarry, where the seasonal high count of 9 was made 6/2 (NW). Post-breeding Great Egrets
were first reported 7/7, then appeared at several places for the rest of the period. Adult Black-crowned
Night-Herons were regularly reported, as usual, at the LO dam spillway and at BML, where the seasonalhigh count of 8 was made from a kayak 7/21 (EB). The only evidence that this heron may still breed inBerks comes from sightings of fledged juveniles in summer. This year one was seen at BML 7/21 and8/14 (EB), and 2 at BML 8/7 (PJW).
Following years of absence, Mississippi Kites reappeared in Berks, with four sightings madealong the KR from May to Jul. An adult was seen flying southeast along the ridge 5/17 (DB). A welldescribed immature was seen just over the treetops at SGL 106, Pine Swamp Rd. 6/14 (MW). An unaged
bird was seen flying over KDRC 7/3 (KG), and an adult, probably a female, made a leisurely, effortlessflight over Shartlesville 7/12 (RK). All cited observers are experienced hawk counters. Non-breeding
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Ospreys were reported from various fishy places all period, as during every summer. A Northern Harrierat SGL 280, BML (DM) provided a rare summer record. That there is a breeding population of Redshouldered Hawks along the Schuylkill R. in southern Berks and in the large remnant Piedmont forest(the “Big Woods”) around FCSP has been confirmed by nesting reports over many years. Summer
reports of birds around BML in recent years indicate a breeding population there as well, but it has yet
to be confirmed. Hawk Mt. Sanctuary’s Broad-winged Hawk Project monitored six nests in Berks thisyear. Four of those nests produced a total of 9 young. Two nests were thought to have failed due topredation by Common Ravens (LG). A pair in District Twp. not monitored by the project also fledged
young (RK).
Even though not all of their known breeding locations were visited by birders this summer, Redheaded Woodpeckers were reported at seven locations. Currently the largest known colony is locatedalong Allendale Rd. near Shoemakersville, where 4 adults and one fledgling were seen 6/29 (SM). These
woodpeckers often nest late, with breeding not confirmed by the presence of fledglings till Jul or Aug, as
this year. Fledged young were not seen till Aug at the colonies on Kauffman Rd., Oley Twp. and BastianRd. near Bowers (RK). Acadian Flycatchers were again found in their two strongholds in different
habitats at opposite ends of the county, with few between. Nine singing males were heard in the cool
hemlock/rhododendron ravine at HRes on the KR 6/8 (KG), and 6 were tallied in the deciduous Piedmont
forest at Hay Creek in southern Berks 6/12 (JT). One Blue-headed Vireo was reported singing in thehemlocks at HRes 6/8 – 7/6 (mob.); this is presently the species’ sole breeding location here.
The prairie subspecies of Horned Lark was “frequently heard under conditions that suggest
nesting” by Earl Poole in the farmland of the Great Valley in the 1930’s and persists there to this day,having adapted to the intensive industrial agriculture of the 21st century. Recently fledged young in
sparrow-like juvenile plumage were seen near Fleetwood in mid-Aug (RK). The May polar vortex wasapparently not a swallow killer. Purple Martin colonies on Mennonite farms in the Great Valley between
Fleetwood and Topton appeared to thrive, with 70 birds at one colony alone in early Jun (RK). At thecounty’s only known Bank Swallow colony at the Haines & Kibblehouse quarry near Birdsboro, 25 birds
were visiting nest holes in hills of quarried sand 6/25 (PJW). There are four known Cliff Swallow colonies
on bridges in Berks. The two largest colonies at LO had a total of about 60 birds in Jun (RK). There were
16 adults and fledglings at the Church Rd. bridge, BML 7/21 (EB), and 11 birds at Berne Bridge 6/25 (KG).
Without Dickcissels to attract birders to farmland, grassland sparrows would be less wellreported than they have been in recent years. All three species were noted at Dickcissel sites, with
Grasshopper Sparrow the most common (up to 7 at Monument Rd., Hamburg, and 6 at Rodale) and
Vesper Sparrow the least common (one at Monument Rd. and a few scattered elsewhere). There wereseveral breeding confirmations of Grasshopper and Savannah Sparrows at these sites. Four latemigrating White-throated Sparrows were seen at three sites 6/10, 12 (KG, JSp, TW), part of a larger
regional movement of stragglers that showed up on eBird. Two Swamp Sparrows seen at Green Hills
Preserve 7/3 (AZ) may indicate that this site is a new nesting location for this highly localized anduncommon breeder. Weird and wonderful Yellow-breasted Chats were found in June at SGL 110,
Northkill Gap (KG), Daniel Boone Homestead (SF), and along the new Big Woods Trail, FCSP (mob.). In
most years, just one go-to location is known and gets all the birder visits. Fields at the largest known
Bobolink colony along Grist Mill Rd., Douglass Twp. were cut in early May, a month earlier than usual,eliminating any possibility of nesting. Bobolinks persisted in smaller groups elsewhere, such as 7 birds at
Rodale and up to 13 at Monument Rd. in Jun and Jul (mob.). Eastern Meadowlarks were found in lower
numbers at most of the same places as Bobolinks. Timing of haying means everything to the nesting
success of these icterids.
Blue-winged Warblers and Prairie Warblers, both of which breed in early successional edge andbrush habitat, have been quick to colonize farmland converted to warm season grassland and edge at
Green Hills Preserve and, more recently, the Big Woods Trail, FCSP, where a few pairs of each were15

Page 16

found this season. Both species also thrive at SGL 106, Pine Swamp Rd., where shrubland is razed every
few years to maintain early successional habitat. A territorial Kentucky Warbler was reported at only
one location, Sixpenny Creek, FCSP (RK, TU) this year. Hooded Warbler was common at opposite ends ofthe county, one population on the KR and the other at FCSP, especially in an area that burned a few
years ago, resulting in regrowth of dense understory. Spring’s last reported Blackpoll Warbler was inDistrict Twp. 6/1 (RK). Black-throated Blue Warbler and Black-throated Green Warbler, both common
further north, reach the southeastern limits of their Pennsylvania breeding ranges on the KR on thenorthern edge of Berks, where they are uncommon but stable. As many as 5 of the former sang in therhododendron understory at HRes as 2 or 3 of the latter sang in the hemlocks overhead in Jun and Jul(mob.). Blue Grosbeaks were reported at eight places, mostly in farmland, a fairly typical number oflocations for this species, which does not always return to places it occupied in the previous year.
Dickcissels returned for the fifth consecutive summer to Rodale, where grass pastures grazed inrotation ensure continuous cover for grassland birds. Most reports were of 2 males singing 6/15 – 7/19
from the same utility wires and fence posts they used in previous years (mob.). Four reports noted thepresence of females, but breeding was not confirmed. Two other sites attracted Dickcissels thissummer. At Monument Rd., Hamburg (where Dickcissels had been found in a previous year), one to 3
singing males were reported 6/27 – 7/15, but there were no reports of females. Habitat there is a
patchwork of corn, soybeans and small grains alternating with strips of alfalfa and grass and clover hay.
The last of the hay had been cut by early Jul, leaving no standing habitat for grassland birds. It is possiblethat one or 2 of the Monument Rd. birds moved to a nearby site close to Windsor Castle, where one or 2
males sang 7/7 – 8/9 and a female was sometimes seen vocalizing in response to one of the males while
perched near him (RK). Breeding was not confirmed. Habitat there is similar to that at Monument Rd.,with the addition of permanent stream bottom pasture. Dickcissels had not previously been reported
there.
OBSERVERS: Rudy Keller, rckeller@dejazzd.com, David Barber, Ed Barrell, Adam Bartles, Rich Bonnett,
Bracken Brown, Tom Buehl, Susan Charles, Steve Fordyce, Laurie Goodrich, Kerry Grim, Elaine Hendricks,
Linda Ingram, Travis Kaye, Ted Keen, Sandra Moroney, Dan Mummert, Derek Price, Mike Rome, Aaron
Shirk, Joan Silagy, Mike Slater, Jo Spilde, Bill Uhrich, Todd Underwood, Nelson Weber, Matt Wlasniewski,Peter & Jane Wolfe, Eric Zawatski, Art Zdancewic.

Berks County Bird Report, August – November 2020
By Matt Wlasniewski
Locations: Bartrum Trail (BAT), Berne Township, (BT), Blue Mountain Academy (BMA), Blue Marsh Lake
(BML), Blue Marsh Lake State Hill Boat Launch (BMLSH), Blue Marsh Lake Sheidy Boat Launch (BMLSBL),
EJ Breneman’s Quarry (BQ), French Creek State Park (FCSP), Gotwal’s Pond (GP), Green Hills Preserve(GHP), Hamburg Commerce Park (HCP), Hamburg Reservoir (HR), Hawk Mountain North Lookout Data
(HMNL), Hawk Mountain South Lookout (HMSL), Hay Creek (HC), Kernsville Dam Recreation Area
(KDRA), Kutztown University (KU), Lake Ontelaunee (LO), Lake Ontelaunee Bailey’s Creek (LOBC), Lake
Ontelaunee Blue Falls (LOBF),Lake Ontelaunee Water Street (LOWA), Lake Ontelaunee West Shore Drive(LOWS), Lowland Road Retention Pond (LRRP), Monacacy Hill Recreation Area (MHRC), Mount Penn
(MP), Old Topton Road (OTP), Peter’s Creek (PC), Pine Swamp Road (PSR), School Road Pond (SRP),
Shartlesville Farm Pond (SFP), State Game Lands 52 (SGL52), State Game Lands 106 (SGL106), State
Game Lands 110 North Kill Gap (SGL110), Trout Run Reservoir (TRR).

As the Covid-19 restrictions eased in Pennsylvania, birders who had spent the past few months
cooped up were eager to get back in the field. Fall migration proved to be more interesting than usual16Page 17for shorebirds. Birders were in anticipation of a winter finch forecast which gave hope for birds missedin the past few years.
The first report of Snow Geese came from HMNL 10/3 (MW). On 11/12 at GP, RK found four
Snow Geese mixed in a flock of 4500 Canada Geese. A lone Brant showed up at SRP 10/14 (JSp). A single

Cackling Goose at GP 11/13 was joined by a second Cackling Goose on 11/25(RK). Nine Tundra Swan
stopped over at LO 10/29 (RK). Puddle duck activity consisted of the normal species; however, the moredesirable Blue-winged Teals were seen by RK with six at LO 9/9 and by MSl with nine at SRP 9/26.
Storm bird activity was low this season as no major rain events passed through Berks. Greater
Scaup were reported at LO on three occasions: three 10/26 (RK), two 10/29 (RK) and 20 11/12 (JW, PW).
One Lesser Scaup rested at LOWS 11/4 (RK). A female Black Scoter was seen on a morning LO excursion
by BS and PS 10/31. One Long-tailed Duck at BQ 11/13 (JSp) was the only report for the species thisseason. A raft of forty-five Bufflehead were reported at LO 10/31 (MW)—a familiar stop for those ducks.
The rare Red-breasted Merganser made three appearances in November: two at LO 11/12 (JW,
PW), three at BML 11/18 (JSp) and one at LO 11/18 (RK). Single Red-throated Loons were found at BML
on two occasions: 11/13 (JW, PW) and 11/18 (JSp). A lone Common Loon remained at LO 11/12 to 11/29(JSp, JW, PW, RK). At LO, RK found a single Red-necked Grebe twice—10/29 and 11/22.
The fall dispersal movement of herons and egrets in Berks resulted in single Great Egrets on 8/6
BML (JS) and 8/20 BMA (MW). Reading Regional Airport is not often birded but a Glossy Ibis was seen
there 8/9 (JSp).
Migration winds were seldom ideal at Hawk Mountain this season which resulted in lower than
average totals for most species. Two exceptions were Bald Eagle and Turkey Vulture which might set
new season highs. A full report will be included in the 4th quarter issue of Pennsylvania Birds. The
highest one day total for Bald Eagles was 32 9/18 (LG). An adult Golden Eagle made a rare appearance
off ridge over Hamburg on 10/16 (MW). On 9/7, a single Sandhill Crane flew over Henningsville (PS).
Shorebird migration has recently been low due to the lack suitable mud flats and rain puddles inthe surrounding countryside. A
Snow Geese migrating south. Photo by Mike Slater
notable exception this17Page 18

migration was an alfalfa field on Mertz Road near Lyons that was harvested just as shorebirds began toarrive. A large rain pool usually unseen when the usual crop of corn hasn’t been harvested appeared
making it easy to view shorebirds from the roadside. The School Road pond in Fleetwood, althoughsmaller, provided suitable habitat. The water level at the retention pond at Hamburg Commerce Park
remained high but is still the main spot to find shorebirds.
Shorebirds found at Mertz Road: one American Golden Plover 8/29 (MW) and eleven 10/17(JV); three Semipalmated Plover 8/15 (EH) and one MW 9/10; 60 Killdeer was a high number on 10/19(MW); three Lesser Yellowlegs 8/30 (MW); one Semi-palmated Sandpiper 8/29 (MW) and three 9/10
(MW); one Western Sandpiper 9/10 (MW); seven Least Sandpiper 8/19 (RH); one White-rumped
Sandpiper 9/2 (RK) and 9/10 (MW); one Baird’s Sandpiper 8/19 (RH, RW, JW, PW) and 9/26 (MW); ten
Pectoral Sandpiper 9/10 (MW), six 9/18 (MW), three 10/19 (MW); one Stilt Sandpiper 8/11 (JW, PW)
and 10/11 (RK); one Wilson’s Snipe 8/19 (JW, PW);one Buff-breasted Sandpiper 8/27 (RW) and 9/1(MW, RK, m. obs.).
The Buff-breasted Sandpiper is a sought-for but seldom reported wading bird during fallmigration. The first record as noted in A Century of Bird Life in Berks County Pennsylvania, 1997, William
D Uhrich was 9/6/1958 LOWS (RC, MS). On 9/8/1966 DK reported two individuals that he observed fromclose range at LOWS. Due to drought, the mudflats at LOWS were exposed more than usual and a single
bird was observed 8/26-27/1995 (JH, KG). On 8/26/2020, JW and PW found a Buff-Breasted Sandpiper
at the Mertz Road rain pool. It was seen the following day but not after until it was assumed to reappear
at Mertz Road on 9/1. Upon close inspection, the obvious plumage differences showed the bird to be a
new record (RK).These two latest reports were the fifth and sixth documented sightings in Berks.
Shorebirds found at the School Road Pond: one Lesser Yellowlegs 8/31 (MW); one
Semipalmated Sandpiper 8/29 (MW); one Pectoral Sandpiper 8/31 (MW); two Dunlin 10/26 (JW, PW);
one Short-billed Dowitcher 8/22 (RK); one Wilson’s Snipe 9/25 to 10/9 (RK).
A nice flock of 36 Bonaparte’s Gulls were observed at LO 11/12 (JW, PW) while only one wasseen at GP 11/12 (RK). An early Lesser Black-backed Gull was found at BML 11/20 (JS). Single Caspian
Terns fed at LO 8/6 BS, MW) and 8/16 DP while another fed at BML 8/7 (JS). The colony of EurasianCollared-Doves has increased over their breeding season with 15 being found in Shartlesville 9/27
(MW). On 11/25, MW was surprised to find 18 Eurasian Collared-Doves seven miles east of Shartlesvillealong Berne Road near Hamburg. One wonders if their range is finally expanding. The doves were notfound after three days.
A Northern Saw-whet Owl apparently halted its southern migration near the home of RK inBoyertown 9/25. It responded to calls but wasn’t seen. A number of American Robins seemed to havearrived at the same time. A Common Nighthawk was first reported 8/29 in Dryville 8/29 (SF) and 17
were active 8/31 near Henningsville (PS). Two Common Nighthawks were first heard then seen hunting
over the Schuylkill River and a pasture near Berne 9/12 (MW).
Rufous Hummingbirds are becoming annual visitors to Berks. A male Rufous Hummingbird was
banded 11/11 (SL) in Exeter Township. In 2020, a female Rufous Hummingbird visited same location
10/3 to 12/25. A Boyertown resident hosted a Rufous Hummingbird 10/17 to 11/27 (RW). SL banded a
different hatch-year female Rufous Hummingbird in Boyertown 12/20 but missed the previous bird .The
two nesting pairs of Red-headed Woodpeckers had offspring this year as immatures were seen at both
locations—Allendale Road 8/20 (MW) and Bastian Road 8/27 (RK).
The wintering Merlin pair arrived at BML on schedule with appearing 10/16 and the second
10/19 (JS). Single Olive-sided Flycatchers were seen at HMNL 8/27 (LM) and 9/5 (MW). A migrating
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was a nice find at Angora Fruit Farm 9/6 (LI, MSl). On 8/22, MW spotted a
Least Flycatcher at HMNL.
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A possible Western Kingbird was photographed on Berk Road 9/13 (BS, PS) but its identity could
not be confirmed. The bird could have been a Western Kingbird but Tropical or Couch’s Kingbird could
not be ruled out. The bird flew off after the birders exited their car.
A single Philadelphia Vireo was seen at HMNL 9/5 MW and a single Philadelphia Vireo was seen
9/13 to 9/20 on Mt. Penn (RH). Common Ravens are frequent at BML and JS spotted four there 8/4.
They are also often seen at KDRA (MW). Red-breasted Nuthatches were more prevalent this quarterwith birds being seen throughout Berks in the proper habitat. Marsh Wren habitat has improved at
KDRA since the wetlands have been expanded. A Marsh Wren was present at KDRA 9/20 to 9/23 (KG,
MW). American Pipits found Mertz Road habitat their liking and were there in good number. On 10/19
MW found 50 in the mud flats
while JW and PW saw 200 10/23.
The number of migrating
warblers was not significant but
some unusual warblers wereseen. On 9/12, KW was surprisedby a Golden-winged Warbler at
HMNL. An expected migrating
Orange-crowned Warbler was inMorgantown 10/13 (HH) and
LRRP 11/1 (KG). Several Nashville
Warblers were seen, including abrightly plumaged one thatpopped out of some goldenrod at
KDRA 9/26 (MW).

Nashville Warbler photo by Peter Wolfe at Wolfe Mountain
There were two sightings of Connecticut Warblers—MHRC 9/15 (LI) and TRR 9/28 (DM). There were
three sightings of Mourning Warblers—Leesport 8/24 (DK), GHP 9/10 (AZ), Union Meadows 9/25 (JT).
33 Cape May Warblers went past HMNL 9/5 (HM). A Yellow-breasted Chat was a surprise window-kill at
an office building in Reading 10/19 (TU).
Three Fox Sparrows were active at SGL106 11/8 (MW). Four Lincoln’s Sparrows found the scrub
vegetation to their liking at KDRA 9/21 (KG). A single Lincoln’s Sparrow was still present 10/3 (MW).
The winter finch irruption was limited in numbers and locations but it was still great to haveafter years of absence. The greatest number of Purple Finch was 40 that fed at a feeder in Bernville
10/30 (JS). On 11/12, the number had dwindled to 12. Five Red Crossbills flew by HMNL 10/25 MW. KG
had a single Red Crossbill flyover KDRA 11/14. Thirteen White-winged Crossbills in two groups flew over
HMNL 11/14 (MW). On 11/22, MW saw 3 Common Redpolls at HMNL and on the same day, TU saw six
Common Redpolls in Kutztown. On 10/18, MW and RK heard a single Pine Siskin fly by HMNL. Greaternumbers were reported the following month.
Evening Grosbeaks, the most desired winter finches turned out to mostly avoid Berks County,
but a few were reported. They flew by HMNL in unpredictable numbers and at unpredictable times. Five
stopped at a Fleetwood feeder 11/1 and 2 (TS). Seven stayed one day at a feeder in Oley 11/5 (JD) andtwo flew over SGL110 11/8 (KG). Counties surrounding Berks seemed to have greater sightings of thewinter jewels.
Observers: Matt Wlasniewski, 191 Scenic Drive, Hamburg, PA 19526, 610-463-8845,
martind28@comcast.net Ed Barrell, Joe Beatrice, Dan Brennan, Robert Cook, Chris Della Penna, Joey
Della Penna, John Driscoll, Jane Evangelista, Steven Fordyce, Laurie Goodrich & HMS Volunteers/Staff,
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Page 20

Mary-Therese Grob, Kerry Grim, Holly Hartshorne, Elaine Hendricks, Jason Horn, Russell Hoffman, Dean
Kendall, Rudy Keller, Kristen Kennedy, Daryl Klopp, Dave Kozlovsky, Edward Komito, Katrina Knight,
Sandy Lockerman, Nathan Lewis, Andy Matsko, Holly Merker, Luke Miller, Dennis Miranda, Sandra
Moroney, Derek Price, Troy Sabocheck, Peter Saenger, Joan Silagy, Mike Slater (MSl), Bart Smith, Phil
Smith, Matt Spence, Jo Spilde (JSp), Stollery & Flood, Jaime Thomas, Todd Underwood, Bill Uhrich, Jeff
Vinosky, Ron Wagner, Ken Walsh, Linford Weber, Jane Wolfe, Peter Wolfe, Art Zdancewic.

B.O.C. Officers May 2020- May 2021••

President - Tony Grimm 1148 Old Mill Lane, Wyomissing, PA 19610 610-780-0340 - afgrimm@aol.com
Vice-President – Lucy Cairns 20 Wyomissing Ct, Wyomissing, PA 19610, 610-223-4501- ljanetcairns@gmail.com•

Treasurer – Charles Coleman, 129 Grecian Terrace, Sinking Spring, PA 19608 610-7632548 - coleman1801@comcast.net

Secretary – Sheila Martin 554 Mullen Hollow Road, Birdsboro PA 19508 610-858-6005- sheilamartin554@gmail.com•

Past President - Art Zdancewic 331 Sell Road, Mohnton, PA 19540, 610-8583315 - art.zdancewic@gmail.com

Members of the Board of Directors•

Linda Ingram*

29 Unionville Road, Douglassville, PA 19518 - 610-3269531 - lindamingram29@gmail.com••

Rudy Keller* 71 Lutz Road, Boyertown, PA 19510, 610-845-7310 rckeller@fastmail.com•
Joanne Kintner 441 Township Line Rd., Bechtelsville, PA 19505 - 610-369-1585- jrkestrel@msn.com
Mike Slater* 4411 New Holland Road, Mohnton, PA 19540 home: 610-775-3757 – cell: 610-698-4031
paplanting@gmail.com* Newsletter Committee

BOC -Covid 19 Field Trip Protocols
We are following PA guidelines for our field trips for the rest of this schedule;“When outdoors, a mask must be worn if you are not able to remain physicallydistant (at least 6 feet away) from someone not in your household the entire time you
are outdoors.”

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Spring 2021 Field Trips
APRIL 10 (Saturday) - Tulpehocken Creek - 8 AM, Look for early spring migrants. Meet at theBerks County Heritage Center side of the Red Bridge. Coordinator: Katrina Knight, 610-372-3671
APRIL 24 (Saturday) - Birds, Butterflies & Botany, Neversink Mountain, 10 AM, (Inconjunction with the Mengel NHS). Some butterflies fly only in early spring and this is one of the
few Berks County locations to see them. Meet at S 10th & South Sts., Reading. (Park on SouthSt.) Coordinators: Karl Gardner, 610-987-3281 and Ryan Woolwine, 610-777-2333.
April 25 (Sunday) - Union Meadows Park- 8 AM, An easy walk on wide flat trail throughwooded and open field habitats. Meet at Union Meadows East parking lot, the Union Township
Trailhead for the Schuylkill River Trail, Rte.724/East Main St. in Monocacy, 2 miles east ofBirdsboro. Coordinator: Linda Ingram, 610-326-9531
MAY 2 (Sunday) - Pine Swamp - 7 AM – Spring Migrants , This is a great location for migrants
as well as uncommon local birds like Ruffed Grouse, and Kentucky Warblers. Meet in theparking lot on the west side of Pine Swamp Rd about 1/2 mile south of Hawk Mountain Rd.
Coordinator: Rudy Keller 610-845-7310
MAY 8 (Saturday) Hay Creek, 7 AM – Spring Migrants. Easy walking in the Hay Creek
Watershed and Reservoir for spring migrants. Access from Hay Creek Rd., park at south gate.
Coordinator: Sheila Martin, 610-858-6005
JUNE 5 (Saturday) Grassland Breeding Birds at Hopewell Big Woods Trail, French Creek
State Park - 8 AM. A wide trail meanders through open fields bordered by woodland. Previous
seasons were excellent for field and edge species. Access the parking lot (adjacent Union
Township maintenance buildings) from Center Rd., at the eastern end of Birdsboro.
Coordinators: Rudy Keller, 610-845-7310 and Sheila Martin, 610-858-6005
JUNE 12 (Saturday) - Green Hills Preserve - Butterflies, 10 AM (In conjunction with Mengel
NHS). Extensive open fields and some wooded habitat. From Rte. 10, go west on Rte. 568(Kurtz Mill Rd.) Turn right onto Gunhart Rd. Parking lot is on the right. Coordinators: Karl Gardner
610-987-3281 and Ryan Woolwine 610-777-2333.
JUNE 19 (Saturday) - Moth Night - Nolde Forest EEC - 8:00 PM (In conjunction with Mengel
NHS) The leaders will bait trees and hang sheets to bring in the night insects. Bring a flashlight.
Meet at the Nolde Forest Mansion parking lot. Coordinators: Ryan Woolwine 610-777-2333, Jim
Eckert 610-373-1064, and Karl Gardner 610-987-3281.
JULY 24 (Saturday) Blue Marsh Butterflies-10 AM (In conjunction with Mengel NHS) Meet atthe Blue Marsh Visitor's Center off Palisades Drive. Coordinators: Karl Gardner 610-987-3281
and Ryan Woolwine 610-777-2333
AUGUST 7 (Saturday) Dragonflies & Damselflies - 10 AM. Bartram Trail/Kernsville
Recreation Area. (In conjunction with Mengel NHS)/ Directions: Rte. 61 north, right on Jetson
Dr. (across from Cabelas), right on Industrial Dr., left on Kernsville Dam Rd. The parking area ison the right. Coordinators: Karl Gardner, Mike Slater 610-775-3757, and Rudy Keller 610 8457310.
AUGUST 21 (Saturday) - Butterflies - Angelica Park- 10 AM. (In conjunction with Mengel
NHS) Meet in the parking lot off Rte. 10 (the entrance is at the big sign for Alvernia University).
Coordinators: Karl Gardner 610-987-3281 and Ryan Woolwine 610-777-2333
FLASH BIRD WALKS - Additional field trips may be scheduled at short notice any time that it
appears that conditions are right for an interesting outing. Sign up to get email or check thewebsite for announcements.
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