2007 - Bird sightings in Westmoreland County, southwestern Pennsylvania
Screaminghawk's
Birding in Westmoreland County, southwestern Pennsylvania
~~~ Year 2007 ~~~
Some bird sightings
m=male, f=female, pr=pair (1 male + 1 female), a=adult, im=immature, f/i=female or immature, b=breeding (summer) plumage, n=non-breeding (winter or basic) plumage, h=heard, s=seen, oh=overhead. An underlined entry means the sighting is somehow special, unusual, noteworthy; locally or regionally uncommon/rare, out-of-season, out-of-range, extralimital, etc.
Use the Edit & Find command from your browser's menu bar to search for a specific species name in this page. Most recent sightings are at the top of the list. Dates are formatted as month/day (mm/dd).
Sandhill Crane 1 at Ethel Springs Lake in Derry. The Crane was first reported by a birder on the 12/19. American Kestrel 1m on a wire at the intersection of Rt982 & Hickory St near the lake, 12/30.
Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow 1, Tree Sparrow 3+, Field Sparrow 1, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow 4+, House Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk 10~, Bald Eagle 1im low overhead along State Park Road between Keystone State Park and Rt22 in Derry Township, Mockingbird, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Towhee 1f, Ring-necked Pheasant 2m, Mallard, Canada Goose, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Yellow-shafted Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, Cardinal during a Christmas Bird Count route in and around Keystone State Park, 12/15.
Bufflehead 9, Hooded Merganser 5, Pied-bill Grebe 2, Mallard, Pileated Woodpecker 2 (pr), White-throated Sparrow Keystone State Park. Hooded Merganser 15, Bufflehead 12, Ruddy Duck 3, Green-winged Teal 1f, Ringneck Duck, Pied-billed Grebe 1 St Vincent Lake, Latrobe, 11/19.
Canada Goose 500~, Mute Swan 4, Belted Kingfisher Conemaugh River Lake , 11/19.
White-crowned Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Mockingbird, Mourning Dove, Red-winged Blackbird, Red-tailed Hawk, Mallard, Pollin Farm Wetland (North Fork Little Sewickley Creek). Bufflehead 9, Ringneck Duck 1f, Pied-billed Grebe 2, Song Sparrow, Tree Sparrrow 2, Swamp Sparrow 1, Flicker h, Kestrel, Mammoth County Park, 11/15.
Fox Sparrow 3+, Mute Swan 4 Con lake, Belted Kingfisher 1, Red-tailed Hawk 1, Cooper's Hawk 1a. The Fox Sparrows were near the base of the old RR abuttment facing the river at the Westinghouse Access of West Penn Trail, 11/13.
Osprey 1im, Field Sparrow 2 ks 11/12.
Bald Eagle, Mute Swan 4, Belted Kingfisher 1 con lake 11/11.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 at Keystone State Park 11/8.
Osprey at Keystone State Park from 11/1 thru 11/8.
Great Blue Heron 2, Copper's Hawk 1a, Eastern Bluebird 8, Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 at Keystone State Park, 11/5.
Ring-necked Pheasant 1m, Accipiter 1im Keystone State Park, 11/4.
Osprey 2, Bald Eagle 1, Red-tailed Hawk 6+, Turkey Vulture, Accipiter 1 at Keystone State Park, 11/1. Between 2 PM and 3 PM (mostly during the half hour 2:15 to 2:45), there was a movement of raptors through the park. First Turkey Vultures and Red-tailed Hawks, 2 and 3 at a time. Then two Osprey flew in. Both Osprey caught fish from the lake and were flying carrying the fish in their talons. A Bald Eagle arrived. The Eagle chased both Osprey. I lost track of all the activity while trying to also get some photos. Then Osprey, without fish, were chasing the Eagle. I don't know if other Osprey flew in or if the Osprey already present had dropped the fish because of the Eagle. The Eagle perched for a while in a tree at shoreline, below the campground shower facilities. Crows harassed the perched Eagle. The Eagle took to flight, circled high, drifting off and vanishing to the southeast. By 2:50 PM the Osprey and Eagle were gone.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker,
Yellow-shafted Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Fox Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Mockingbird, Tufted Titmouse, Robin, Black-capped Chickadee at Keystone State Park, in a burst of bird activity just before sunset along McCune Run Trail near the trailhead, 10/31.
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 in dogwood tree in yard in Latrobe suburb, 10/28.
Bald Eagle 1im at Conemaugh River Lake and Spruce Run. The eagle's tail was white, its head mottled white & brown. The eagle made a couple glides from perches to check out movement in the water. Mute Swan 4 at Conemaugh River Lake between Altman's Run and bridge #3, 10/22.
Winter Wren 1, Great Blue Heron 1, Belted Kingfisher 1, Red-tailedHawk 1im Conemaugh River & Boatyard Run, Tunnelton. Turkey Vulture 30+ at Loyalhanna Lake, 10/21.
Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Mockingbird, Kestrel, Crow at Legion Keener Park - Loyalhanna Creek, downtown Latrobe, 10/19.
Killdeer 40~, Solitary Sandpiper 1, Great Blue Heron 1, Mockingbird 1, Eastern Bluebird 1+, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Yellow-shafted Flicker, Mallard, White-breasted Nuthatch h, Carolina Wren h Keystone State Park, 10/17.
Rusty Blackbird 1 at Keystone State Park, 10/16.
Great Blue Heron 1, Snipe 1, Killdeer, Swamp Sparrow 1, Eastern Bluebird h, Keystone State Park, 10/15.
Cuckoo 1 fly-by directly overhead, Loyalhanna Lake, 10/10.
Blue-winged Teal 1f, Pectoral Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs 1, Wilson's Snipe 2, Swamp Sparrow 1h Keystone State Park, 10/8.
Osprey 1 flying up river over the Youghiogheny River, West Newton, 10/6.
Ovenbird 1, Black-throated Blue Warbler 1m, Charles F. Lewis Natural Area, 10/4.
Turkey Vulture 5, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Blue-winged Teal 1f, Solitary Sandpiper 1, Least Sandpiper 1, Pectoral Sandpiper 1+, Killdeer, Great Blue Heron 1, Belted Kingfisher 1, Keystone State Park, 10/2.
Blue-winged Teal 1f, Least Sandpiper 1, Lesser Yellowlegs 1, Killdeer, Pectoral Sandpiper 5, Solitary Sandpiper 1, Peregrine Falcon 1, Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Raven 2, Keystone State Park, 10/1. The Peregrine flew in fast and low from the east, just feet or yards above the ground, passing low over the causeway, swooshing pass at close range as I stood at the base of the causeway, continued low over the lake, maneuvering towards shorebirds testing the shorebirds, in long sweeping curves checking both shorelines of the lake, putting the shorebirds to flight. The Peregrine, maybe a female by it's apparent large size, was hunting. I didn't see it make a catch, but then it all happened so quickly the Peregrine might have made a catch farther down the lake and I wouldn't have known.
Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs 1, Pectoral Sandpiper 5, Solitary Sandpiper 1-2, Spotted Sandpiper 1, Osprey 1, Cormorant 1, Great Blue Heron 1, Belted Kingfisher 1, Blue-winged Teal 1f, Rusty Blackbird 1-2,
Red-shouldered Hawk w/full crop, Eastern Bluebird. Earlier in the day other birders reported seeing Lesser Yellowlegs, Pipit, Least Sandpiper. Keystone State Park, 9/30.
Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs 1, Solitary Sandpiper 1, Pectoral Sandpiper 5, Osprey 1, Pied-bill Grebe 1, Queen Snake 1, the water level in the lake is low. The base of the causeway bridge is exposed. The gage at the bridge reads 5 feet below normal pool, and the lake is a couple feet lower than that. Keystone State Park, 9/28. Later, at Loyalhanna Lake; Barred Owl, booming yells heard, Screech Owl, wailing heard, Beaver, tail slaps heard (spooked by kayak in darkness), 9/28.
Great Horned Owl h, Screech Owl h, Great Blue Heron h while kayaking in the light of the harvest moon at Loyalhanna Lake, 9/25.
Raven 2, Greater Yellowlegs 1, Solitary Sandpiper 3, Killdeer, Green-backed Heron, Great Blue Heron, Blue-winged Teal 1f, Osprey 1, Keystone State Park, 9/24.
Greater Yellowlegs 1, Solitary Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover 1, Wilson's Snipe 1, Rusty Blackbird 1, Green-backed Heron, Great Blue Heron, Blue-winged Teal 1f, Sharp-shinned Hawk 1, Blue Jays harrassing the Sharpie, Keystone State Park. Great Blue Heron, Osprey 1, Semipalmated Plover, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Rock Pigeon, Spotted Sandpiper, Belted Kingfisher, Mute Swan 2, Canada Goose along the Conemaugh River from Bairdstown bridge to Conemaugh Dam via canoe. One Bobcat crossing Bairdstown Rd at Bairdstown bridge at 11~ AM, 9/22.
Red Phalarope, Great Blue Heron 2, Belted Kingfisher, Green-backed Heron 2, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs 1, Solitary Sandpiper 2, Rusty Blackbird 1 at Keystone State Park, 9/21. The phalarope I watched for 1.5 hours, from 3 to 4:30 pm. The phalarope was still present at dusk when seen by three other birders. In flight, for which there are no photos, the upper side coloration was overall a light gray, with white wing stripe and white outer tail feathers. The phalarope behaved in an energetic, hyperactive, nervous, restless manner; taking to flight often, flying in erratic circular patterns, staying within a certain area of the lake.
View photographs of the phalarope at photo1, photo2, photo3, photo4, photo5.
At Keystone State Park the lake water is being lowered for work to be done on the causeway bridge. Lake bottom mud flats are being exposed. Could become an attraction for shorebirds. Currently the water has dropped at least 1.75 feet below normal pool. It will need to be dropped several more feet to expose the base of the causeway at the bridge, where a stone wall that supported the road has collapsed into the lake. Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs 1, Great Blue Heron 2, Green-backed Heron 2, Belted Kingfisher 1. Mussels are being exposed as the water drops.
Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Spotted Sandpiper 1 young, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Wood Pewee, Common Yellowthroat, Mute Swan 2, Wood Thrush, Gray Catbird at Altmans Run, Conemaugh River Lake. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, American Goldfinch, Eastern Bluebird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Mockingbird, Turkey Vulture, House Finch, Song Sparrow, Eastern Towhee at a residence in Indiana County near Conemaugh River Lake, 7/22.
Cormorant, Osprey, Wood Duck, Great Blue Heron, Keystone State Park, 7/21-22.
Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Keystone State Park, 7/13.
Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-throated Green Warbler, Hairy Woodpecker, Yellow-shafted Flicker, Eastern Kingbird, Keystone State Park, 7/10.
Eastern Bluebird singing from perch on wire in 6th ward Latrobe. Black Vulture 1 over Keystone State Park, 7/8.
Broad-winged Hawk, Keystone State Park, 7/7.
Raven 2, Crow 6, Latrobe 6th ward, 7/6.
Red-breasted Nuthatch. Spotted Wintergreen blooming. Pinesap starting to emerge, Canada Lily blooming in the campground area, Keystone State Park, 7/4.
Yellow-throated Vireo, Black and White Warbler, American Redstart, Hooded Warbler, Parula Warbler, Cerulean Warbler (Or Parula with Variant Song), Yellow-throated Warbler, Indigo Bunting, Acadian Flycatcher, Wood Thrush, Carolina Wren, Louisiana Waterhtrush 2, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Pileated Woodpecker, Belted Kingfisher (one gave another a fish), Spotted Sandpiper 1 along the Conemaugh River, New Florence, 6/27
Broad-winged Hawk, Warbling Vireo, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Kingbird, Great Blue Heron, Green-backed Heron, Wood Duck female w/6 young, Keystone State Park, 6/26.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 in yard in 6th ward Latrobe, 6/19.
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 6/?.
Spotted Sandpiper 2 adults with at least one mobile young, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Eastern Kingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Green-backed Heron, Yellow Warbler, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Blue Jay, Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Jacob's Creek Environmental Education Area on the Bridgeport Dam flood plain, 6/23.
Common Loon 4 at Quemahoning Reservoir in Somerset County, 6/17. One Loon was in full adult breeding plumage. The other three were in Immature/Nonbreeding types of plumage.
Magnolia Warbler 3, Chestnut-sided Warbler 3+, Least Flycatcher 2, Veery, Hermit Thrush, Scarlet Tanager on Laurel Summit (Linn Run) 6/16.
Cooper's Hawk 1 prowling the suburban nieghborhood flying low over yards in 6th ward, Latrobe, 6/5.
Green-backed Heron 1, Great Blue Heron, several, including six nests in one Sycamore tree near New Florence, Wood Duck 3, Mallard, Common Merganser 3 (2f 1m, notable sightings on the Conemaugh River in the nesting season), Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Rock Dove, Mourning Dove,
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Chimney Swift, Belted Kingfisher 1, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-shafted Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Wood Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird, Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Blue Jay, American Crow, Tree Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Barn Swallow, Tufted Titmouse, Chickadee, Carolina Wren, House Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Eastern Bluebird, Wood Thrush, Veery (Conemaugh Gap), American Robin, Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, Northern Parula Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler,
Yellow Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterhtrush, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Scarlet Tanager, Eastern Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Cardinal,
Indigo Bunting, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Northern Oriole, House Finch, American Goldfinch, House Sparrow seen &/or heard during the 8th Annual Stonycreek & Kiski-Conemaugh Rivers Sojourn, Johnstown to Avonmore. Lance-leaved White Violet on certain sand & rock shoreline, 5/31-6/2.
Swamp Sparrow 1 singing, Wood Duck 1f, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Yellow Warbler, Carolina Wren, Blue-winged Warbler, Warbling Vireo, Song Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Prairie Warbler h, Brown Thrasher 2, Yellow-breasted Chat h, Eastern Bluebird 1m at 3rd bridge wetlands & hillside 5/25.
Spotted Sandpiper 1, Red-tailed Hawk 3+, Turkey Vulture, Acadian Woodpecker, Eastern Wood Pewee, Eastern Phoebe, Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Barn Swallow, Rough-winged swallow, Tree swallow, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Louisiana Waterhtrush, Parula Warbler,
Kentucky Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Yellow-shafted Flicker, Tufted Titmouse, Scarlet Tanager, Cedar Waxwing, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Cuckoo (sp?), Loyalhanna Lake, via kayak, 5/23. The Louisiana Waterthrush was in a small stream cove near the private boat launch at Loyalhanna Woodlands. The Parula was singing mid-height in trees overhanging the lake. I managed to get some looks but not great. The Kentucky Warbler was on the peninsula across from Bush Recreation Area. I got good looks at close range of the Kentucky singing from low branches of understory shrubs/trees. Bush Recreation Area is the best place I know of for hearing and easily seeing Warbling Vireo. their nests can usually be spotted if some time is put in. Warbling Vireo will sing from the nest.
A Whip-poor-will was again heard on Chestnut Ridge above Derry, 5/23.
Whip-poor-will 1h atop Chestnut Ridge above Derry, Rod and Gun Rd, 5/21.
Great Blue Heron, Green-backed Heron, Virginia Rail, Black-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Phoebe, Yellow Warbler, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Rough-winged Swallow, Canada Goose on nest, Blue-winged Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Common Yellowthroat, Brown Thrasher,
Field Sparrow, Eastern Bluebird, Red-tailed Hawk, American Goldfinch, Northern Oriole, Orchard Oriole,
Wood Duck, Swamp Sparrow at 3rd bridge (over Loyalhanna Creek) outside Latrobe, wetlands & hillside.
Bald Eagle 1im, Acadian Flycatcher, Eastern Wood Pewee, Least Flycatcher, Great-crested Flycatcher, American Redstart, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Yellow-throated Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Cormorant 2, Spotted Sandpiper, Canada Goose, Rough-winged Swallow, Tree Swallow, Wood Thrush, Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Conemaugh River Lake, 5/19.
Savannah Sparrow, Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark along Lightcap Rd (off Latrobe-Crabtree Rd near Latrobe), 5/18.
Warbling Vireo, Bobolink, Savannah Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, Red-winged Blackbird, Killdeer, Cuckoo species?, Eastern Kingbird, Wood Duck 12+, Willow Flycatcher, Barn Swallow, Rough-winged Swallow, Tree Swallow along Lightcap Rd, at 3rd bridge wetlands, 5/18.
Eastern Wood Pewee 5/13.
Grasshopper Sparrow 2 h/s in field in countryside near Latrobe, singing two versions of song, 5/13.
Yellow Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Wood Thrush, Orchard Oriole, Northern Oriole, Common Yellowthroat, Gray Catbird, American Redstart, Black-billed Cuckoo, Blue-winged Warbler, Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, Indigo Bunting, Canada Warbler h, Eastern Bluebird, Great Blue Heron, Cedar Waxwing 5 oh, Yellow-throated Vireo, Acadian Flycatcher, Willow Flycatcher, Tree Swallow, Rough-winged Swallow, Red-tailed Hawk at Youngwood Swamp, Sewickley Creek Wetlands, Willow Crossing Access of Five Star Trail, 5/12.
Common Night Hawk, Chimney Swift downtown Latrobe. Raven, Great Blue Heron, Red-tailed Hawk, Rt30 and St Vincent Drive Entrance. Savannah Sparrow h in field along Donohoe Rd near the old Northern Area School, 5/11.
Worm-eating Warblers 1h/s, Cerulean Warbler h, Hooded Warbler h, American Redstart, Black and White Warbler, Winter Wren singing, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Wood Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler h, Indigo Bunting, Turkey Vulture entering the gorge to roost for the night. Flower species blooming; Early Saxifrage, Violets (blue, yellow, white), Smooth Rock Cress, Rue Anemone, Early Blue (Wood) Violet, Foamflower, Miterwort, Pale Violet, Spring Cress, Yellow Mandarin, Bellwort. Three Red-backed Salamander under one rock. Loyalhanna Gorge, 5/5.
Virginia Rail 4 at Saint Vincent wetlands #3, 5/4.
Virginia Rail 2 at Saint Vincent wetlands #3. Eastern Kingbird 2, Orchard Oriole 1m singing, Wood Duck 1pr, Solitary Sandpiper 2, Spotted Sandpiper 8 (communal preening & bathing at beach shoreline after sunset), Green-backed Heron 1, Red-breasted Merganser 1f resting on beach shoreline, with fishing line attached, trailing fishing line in flight. The tiny Whitlow Grass that grows on the beach is finishing blooming. White-crowned Sparrow in our yard, 5/3.
Osprey 2, Great Blue Heron 1, Solitary Sandpiper 2, Green-backed Heron 1, Keystone State Park. White-crowned Sparrow 2 singing in our yard, 5/2.
Common Tern 3 (one each perched atop a swim area bouy), Spotted Sandpiper 4, Osprey 2, Yellow Warbler h, Swamp Sparrow h, Mute Swan 2, Wood Thrush h, Great Blue Heron 1, Canada Goose 2a 4 young at Keystone State Park.
Ovenbird, House Wren, Double-crested Cormorant, Yellow-throated Warbler, Gray Catbird, White-crowned Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Hooded Warbler, Yellow Warbler, American Redstart, Blue-winged Warbler, Carolina Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Great Blue Heron at Conemaugh River Lake - West Penn Trail, Westinghouse Access to Bridge #3, 5/1.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, White-eyed Vireo 2, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2, Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse at Ann Rudd Saxman Nature Park. Six Seal Salamander. Mockingbird 2 at the retention pond on Nature Park Rd, 4/30.
Osprey, Broad-winged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Black & White Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Carolina Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet during a WCBC outing in Loyalhanna Gorge 4/29.
Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Rough-winged Swallow, Warbling Vireo h, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4, Eastern Phoebe flying to/from nest at Bush Recreation Area Loyalhanna Lake. Osprey 2 (1 took a gizzard shad close to the beach shoreline, 1 perched atop a dead tree back in the old beaver pond area), Broad-winged Hawk 5 (2 interacting, vocal, perching), Swamp Sparrow singing in cattail marsh, Belted Kingfisher 1f, White-eyed Vireo 1h. Toads 100s breeding, chorusing; Green Darner 2 flying attached at Keystone State Park. Chimney Swifts in downtown Latrobe, 4/24.
Broad-winged Hawk 4 over our yard in Latrobe. Field Sparrow singing, Osprey 2, Wood Duck 1pr at Loyalhanna Lake. Red-tailed Hawk in nest, Forster's Tern 2 (fishing the beach shoreline, vocal), Greater Yellowlegs 1 at beach shoreline, vocal once. Osprey 2, Red-breasted Merganser 2f, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Rough-winged Swallow, Eastern Bluebird h at Keystone State Park. Evening Grosbeak 10-12 at Loyalhanna Woodlands, reported to me by someone that lives at Loyalhanna Woodlands, 4/23.
Yellow-throated Warbler h in Loyalhanna Gorge. Rue Anemone blooming, 4/22.
Barred Owl 2 calling, Broad-winged Hawk 1 at Chestnut Ridge above Millwood, intersection of Millwood Rd (jeep trail) & Bear Cave Fire Tower Rd., Trailing Arbutus in peak bloom, Bear tracks, 4/21.
Eastern Towhee 1 in yard in Latrobe, 4/17.
Hermit Thrush 1, Louisianna Waterthrush 1h at Cedar Creek County Park, 4/14.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2 over Loyalhanna Creek in downtown Latrobe, 4/13.
Osprey 1, Belted Kingfisher 1 at St. Vincent Lake, 4/7.
Kestrel 1 along Monastery Rd, near the RR high bridge, 4/6.
Bufflehead 2m 1f, Red-breasted Merganser 2f, Osprey 1 (fishing), Yellow-shafted Flicker, Carolina Wren at Keystone State Park. Wilson/Common Snipe 2 at 3rd bridge wetlands north of Latrobe, 4/3.
Raven 1, Turkey Vulture 8, Linn Run Hollow, 4/2.
Louisianna Waterthrush 2 along Big Sewickley Creek in Sewickley Twp, 3/31.
Chipping Sparrow 1 in yard in Latrobe, 3/30.
Cormorant 5, Winter Wren 1, Yellow-shafted Flicker 2, Towhee 1, Raven 1 at Conemaugh River Lake. Mute swan 3, Coot, Red-breasted merganser 1m, Red-throated Loon 1, Horned Grebe 1, Mallard, Canada Goose at Derry Lake, 3/26.
Raven 2 near Greensburg, 3/18.
Wilson's (Common) Snipe1, American Pipit 1, Killdeer 2, Pied-billed Grebe 1, Eastern Phoebe 1, Robins, Canada Goose 3, Mallards at Loyalhanna Lake Bush Recreation Area. The pipit flushed from the shoreline near the boat launch. The snipe was out in the open, in full view, on the snow and in grassy muddy seepage spots in the recreation area; at times crouched low trying to hide, probing for food, or standing tall with head held high. The lake water is high and muddy, the ice is gone, the congregation of gulls and mergansers are gone. Ringneck Duck 20+, Greater Scaup 3+ at Mannitto Lake. Hooded Merganser 11 at Keystone State Park. Hooded merganser 1f, Wood Duck 1f, Canada Goose 2 at 3rd bridge wetlands, 3/18.
Eastern Phoebe 1 at Keystone State Park. A few tentative peeps from Spring Peeper, 3/15.
Ringneck Duck 3m 2f at 3rd bridge wetlands beside the Loyalhanna Creek, down current of Latrobe. A few tentative peeps from Spring Peeper. Hooded Merganser 18, Gadwall 3m 2f, Ringneck Duck 1f, Ring-billed Gull 1, Eastern Bluebird 2+, Red-tailed Hawk 1, Carolina Wren h at Keystone State Park. The main body of the lake is 90% froze over, 3/13.
Fox Sparrow 1 in woods in/near Latrobe, two Ring-billed Gull over Unity St in 6th ward, 3/12.
Ring-billed Gull 3 over Hempfield Plaza on Rt30, west Greensburg, 3/11.
Ring-billed Gull 400~, Common Merganser 60~, Hooded Merganser 2pr+, Greater Scaup 1m, Great Blue Heron 1, Red-tailed Hawk 1 at Loyalhanna Lake Bush Recreation Area. The gulls were feeding on dead Gizzard Shad on the lake ice. The heron in flight picked up a fish from the water, slowing down and almost alighting on the water to do so. 3/9.
Red-breasted Merganser 8m, Canvasback 11 (9m 2f), Scaup 7 (6m 1f), Common Merganser 50-55, Ring-billed Gull 32+, Bald Eagle 2a, Red-tailed Hawk 2, Crow 4, Pileated Woodpecker 1, Yellow-shafted Flicker, Great Blue Heron 1, Killdeer 1 at Loyalhanna Lake Bush Recreation Area. Cold weather has ice reforming, 3/7.
Bald Eagle 2im, Common Mergansers 30+, Red-breasted Merganser 1, Hooded Merganser 5, Ring-billed Gulls, Great Blue Heron 1, Canada Geese, Mallards, Killdeer 1, Yellow-shafted Flicker 2 at Loyalhanna Lake and Bush Recreation Area. Eastern Bluebird 1 male along Bush Rd. The two immature Bald Eagles were perched in shoreline trees at the point of land opposite the boat launch at Bush Rec. After several minutes the eagles took to flight, kiting in tandem the updraft over the steep hillside. The eagles did some talon grappling, tried to develop a locked spiral drop but couldn't get it together. The eagles continued to fly around, parted ways, perching at different areas of the lake. There was less ice present than the day before, and fewer gulls. Hooded Merganser 8 (4m/4f), Bufflehead 1f, Common Goldeneye 1f, Mallards, Killdeer 1 at Keystone State Park. The marsh area is open water, the rest of the lake thickly iced over, 3/4.
Common Merganser 50+, Ring-billed Gull 100s, Herring Gull 1, Great Blue Heron 3, Bald Eagle 2i, Red-tailed Hawk 2 at Loyalhanna Lake Bush Recreation Area, 3/3. The two Eagle & Red-tailed Hawk were at times riding the strong updraft above the steep hillside north of the boat launch at Bush Recreation Area. The eagles, with slow ponderous wing beats, were talon grappling, locked talons and spiraled downward 3 revolutions. The Red-tailed hawk harassed an eagle. Nearby Mannitto Lake is ice bound. Loyalhanna Lake has high water, open water at Bush Recreation Area and upstream, ice floe and fast ice down current of Bush Rec. The gulls concentrate on the ice. There is some die-off of Gizzard Shad. Along Bush Road a Red-tailed Hawk on the ground at a kill in a field. Later, the moon in eclipse was visible when the sky cleared.
Robins singing in morning, 3/2.
Robin 6~ overhead, Latrobe, 2/27.
Song Sparrow, Cardinal, Tufted Titmouse vocal in the sunny early morning despite single digit temperaure & snow on the ground. Mallards, Black Duck 1, Canada Goose at Saint Vincent Wetlands #3, 2/24.
Great Blue Heron 1, Winter Wren 1, Yellow-shafted Flicker 1 along Creekside Trail in Latrobe. Red-tailed Hawk 1 along the creek in town near the high rise buildings. Tree Sparrows 2 at feeder in 6th ward, 2/16.
Belted Kingfisher, Winter Wren, Pileated Woodpecker, Herring Gull 2, Song Sparrow along Creekside Trail, Latrobe. The Winter Wren's winter habitat during bitter cold & deep snow are the nooks & crannies, sheltered from the snow and wind, of the undercut creek bank. Ring-billed Gull 7, Canada Goose 100~, Amercian Coot 3, Mute Swan 6, Mallard, Pekan Duck at Derry Lake. Kestrel 1f Long Rd (off Latrobe-Crabtree Rd), 2/13. Note: numerous adult Winter Stonefly insects crawling on the ice & snow along the much frozen creek.
Brown Creeper 2, Yellow-shafted Flicker 1, Carolina Wren, Red-tailed Hawk in woods near Latrobe, 2/12.
For five consecutive days, Feb. 4 thru Feb. 8, the daily high temperature did not go above 17 degrees F., the lows were single digit or below zero. A winter cold spell lasted from Jan. 16 to Feb. 19. Twelve inches of snow accumulated on the ground, including a layer of 3/8" ice that occurred Feb. 14.
Red-tailed Hawk, Song Sparrow 6~, Dark-eyed Juncoe, Field Sparrow 2, Tree Sparrow 2, White-throated Sparrow, Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Yellow-shafted Flicker 3, Pileated Woodpecker, Black-capped Cjickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Great Horned Owl h at Keystone State Park. Horned Lark 50~ in fields along Lone Maple Rd, New Alexandria - Crabtree, 2/8.
Cooper's Hawk im. male in Dogwood Tree at feeders in suburban yard, Latrobe. Downy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Eastern Bluebird 6 Keystone State Park, 2/3.
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red-breasted Nuthatch 2h, Ruffed Grouse tracks in snow, Pileated Woodpecker, Keystone State Park 2/1.
Tree Sparrow 1 at feeder in Latrobe, 1/29.
Northern Harrier 1m, Water Pipit 5, Red-tailed Hawk 4, Kestrel 2 m&f, Accipiter 1, Mourning Dove along farmland roads, Crabtree. Red-tailed Hawk 3, Kestrel 2 along the Latrobe-Crabtree Rd, 1/27.
Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Black-capped Chickadee, Cardinal, Downy Woodpecker, House Sparrow, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Song Sparrow, White-breasted Nuthatch 2 at yard feeders, 6th ward, Latrobe, 1/21.
Cardinals 21 at feeders in yard, 1/18.
Raven 2, Crow 4 in the 6th ward of Latrobe. The Raven were in a suburban yard, picking up (kitchen?) scraps from a garden. Crows harrassed one of the Raven as the Raven flew to the yard from woods on the other side of Unity Street, 1/9.
Red-tailed Hawk 4 (2 pair), Latrobe. Tree Sparrrow 2 on Chestnut Ridge north of Loyalhanna Gorge, 1/4.