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Lehigh Gap Nature
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bake Oven Knob Area Winter Bird Survey
24 January 2008
A majestic Bald Eagle flew up-river through Lehigh Gap inspiring the participants as the 2008 Winter Bird Survey began. Those birders went on to record 50 species, the most ever in the Lehigh Gap Nature Centers long-term research project. Two teams, including 9 LGNC member/volunteers participated in the citizen science survey. Each surveyed a rectangular geographic area surrounding Bake Oven Knob, between Routes 309 and 248 from 7:30 to 12:00. The temperature was in the low to mid 30s and it became cloudy, then overcast as the morning progressed.
Combining the results of the two teams, counting only the higher number for each species from the team reports yielded a total of 2854 birds, and 50 species sighted, which exceeded the previous record of 45 species set in 2006.
Over 900 Snow Geese were recorded, making them the most numerous bird in the survey. European Starlings were the second most numerous species with 512 counted. Rock Pigeon (340), Mallard (179), and Dark-eyed Junco (170) rounded out the top five list. While the number of species sighted was high, the numbers of individuals of most species were down slightly from the counts of the past few years.
Eight waterfowl species were listed this year, reflecting the fact that mild temperatures in January have allowed open water to persist. Two of those species, Common Goldeneye (seen on the Lehigh River) and Bufflehead (Parryville Dam) were first ever sightings for the count, which began in 1997. Other waterfowl species included Snow and Canada Goose, Mallard, Black Duck, and Hooded and Common Merganser.
Horned larks were seen again in the farm field of Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County. This is the fifth year in a row in which larks have been spotted.
Four raptor species were seen this year, with the Bald Eagle, 11 Red-tailed Hawks, three Sharp-shinned Hawks, and three American Kestrels, sighted. There is a great deal of concern in the conservation community about the status of American Kestrels, so these sightings were welcome.
The biggest find for the year was a flock of 10 Common Redpolls on the birches at Lehigh Gap Nature Center, a first ever for the survey. These arctic birds only wander south to
Pennsylvania in years when the arctic crops of birch and alder seeds fail, and a flock of over 100 has been seen at LGNC in the past few weeks. Other firsts were a lone Hermit Thrush found along Ulrich Road in Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County. The first ever Purple Finches were recorded this year as well, with 2 spotted in the Nis Hollow area of East Penn Township, Carbon County.
A long-term survey such as the Bake Oven Knob Winter Bird Survey helps the Lehigh Gap Nature Center monitor environmental trends. Birds serve as ecological indicators and data from our survey may help detect environmental changes over the long term. The teams also see more development each year, and this survey can help monitor its impact. Besides the importance of such a survey, its also a lot of fun, and a great way to get out and enjoy a winter day. Both experienced and novice birders participated in the survey, with less experienced birders teaming with veterans to make the event educational as we well as fun and important scientifically.
Survey participants were Bob Hoopes, Jamie Eastland, Ron Kline, Ed Vermillion, Corey Husic, Angie & Evan Shoemaker, D.J. Schmall, and Dan Kunkle. Following are the 2008 Survey results with the maximum team count for each species:
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Snow Goose 910 Canada Goose 53 Mallard 179 American Black Duck 6 Common Goldeneye 6 Bufflehead -- 8 Hooded Merganser -- 27 Common Merganser 3 Bald Eagle -- 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 Red-tailed Hawk 11 American Kestrel 3 Wild Turkey 3 Ring-billed Gull 1 Rock Pigeon -- 340 Mourning Dove 126 Belted Kingfisher -- 2 |
Northern Flicker -- 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 5 Downy Woodpecker 8 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 5 Pileated Woodpecker -- 1 Blue Jay -- 29 American Crow 87 Common Raven -- 2 Horned Lark -- 115 Black-capped Chickadee -- 33 Tufted Titmouse 23 White-breasted Nuthatch -- 13 Carolina Wren 4 Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet -- 1 Northern Mockingbird -- 5 |
Eastern Bluebird 24 Hermit Thrush -- 1 American Robin -- 1 European Starling 512 Northern Cardinal -- 22 American Tree Sparrow -- 10 Song Sparrow -- 3 White-throated Sparrow -- 6 Dark-eyed Junco 170 Red-winged Blackbird 3 Common Grackle 1 House Finch 45 Purple Finch 2 Common Redpoll -- 10 American Goldfinch -- 7 House Sparrow 42 |
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For More Information Contact:
Lehigh Gap Nature Center
PO Box 198, Slatington, PA 18080
Tel: 610-760-8889
FAX: 610-760-8889
Internet: info@lgnc.org
