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Our Secret's
Out...
Need a Cozy Nest Away from Home? Check out Bradford County's |
Bradford
County's bird population follows the rhythm of the seasons. Some summer visitors
like the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds winter far to the south. Identified Pennsylvania
bird species total over 430. In Bradford County almost 300 are considered
regular inhabitants and 180 transients.
The
varied habitats of Bradford County, the second largest county in Pennsylvania,
are host or home to a large number of these species. In more urban areas many
of America's endangered species will be at risk of extinction within the next
two decades. Bradford County's strong agricultural economy creates a high
interest and understanding of conserving fields, hedgerows, forested river
flats, mountainsides, wetlands, steams lakes, ponds and the Susquehanna River.
These specialized habitats in Bradford County will continue to attract and
shelter waterfowl, raptors, song and game birds.
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Bradford
County's Birds of Winter
If
early winter temperatures are mild and local ponds, streams and the Susquehanna
River remain open some waterfowl linger. But once lakes, ponds, streams and
the Susquehanna River freeze most waterfowl head south seeking open water.
Other species migrate only as the dropping temperatures and dwindling food
supply of the bitterest winter months drive them out.
During
December many ducks, gulls and herons and other birds are still migrating
through the county. Common Mergansers and various diving ducks can still be
spotted on the Susquehanna along with occasional gull species.
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The
Great Horned Owl begins its nesting cycle here in December, the Barred
Owl shortly afterward.
Listen for the Barred Owl's characteristic 'who cooks for you' calls on crisp moonlit nights into January. |
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Generally
only the hardiest local species stay during the coldest months. Some of the
most common are feeder birds such as Juncos (locally called 'Snowbirds'),
Titmice, Chickadees, Nuthatches, House Finches, some Woodpeckers, Sparrows,
and Cardinals. American Goldfinches and Mourning Doves are also attracted
to feeders. Crows and Ravens are common in fields and woods. Bald Eagles are
more and more often sighted along the river corridor and wetlands. Some birds
don't visit every winter but often enough to mention: Pine Siskins, Redpolls,
Evening Grosbeaks, Crossbills, combinations of Horned Larks and Snow Buntings,
and sometimes even a Lapland Longspur.
Rough-legged
and some Red-tailed Hawks winter here. Look for them along highways, hovering
over snow-covered fields or sheltering along stream banks. Bluebirds have
been sighted during the annual Christmas Bird Count almost every year and
many remain all winter.
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| Longer days in March prompt nesting among some permanent residents but Great Horned owlets and Bald Eagle eaglets are already hatching. |
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Even
before ice is fully thawed on farm ponds flocks of male Red-winged Blackbirds
arrive to stake out their nesting territories.
As
the Susquehanna and nearby lakes thaw, water birds such as the Common Merganser,
Common Goldeneye, and Canvasback move northward. By mid-March waterfowl migration
peaks along the river.
The
American Woodcock, locally called the Timberdoodle, returns to fill dusk with
its characteristic 'peent-peent' call. Migratory raptors such as Northern
Harriers and Red-tailed Hawks begin moving through the county in greater numbers.
Eastern Phoebes can appear even before the snow melts.
As
April begins spring hawk migration is in full swing. Cardinals, Titmice, Song
Sparrows, Robins and other song birds are nesting, as are Wood Ducks, Mallards,
and Canada Geese. Many species vocalize when migrating helping with identification
by song or call.
As
April warms into May, spring migration peaks. Birds that travel the longest
distances reach Bradford County in large numbers and great diversity. Some
come from as far as South America to court, nest and breed in the county's
brief northern summer. Others are only seen on stopovers as they make their
way further north.
| Although an occasional Rufous Hummingbird can be spotted in the county, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most common hummer east of the Mississippi River. These tiny birds fly alone, not in flocks, 500 miles non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico from winter ranges in Central and South America. They typically arrive in Bradford County in early May. Many of these birds return to the same places each year, scolding by chir-uping angrily if their favorite feeder isn't available yet. |
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Migrant
shorebirds such as Common and Forster's Terns hug the river corridor and wetlands.
Thrushes and Spring Warblers return filling field and woods with song.
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Summertime
Late
spring through July is the most active nesting season in Bradford County.
Some species of permanent residents that first nested in March or April are
starting second clutches. Others such as Semipalmated Sandpipers, Sanderlings,
Olive-sided and Yellow-bellied flycatchers, Gray-cheeked Thrushes, and Blackpoll
Warblers are still migrating in early June. Some lonely Common Loons and Great
Black-backed Gulls straggle into the county and remain through the summer.
In
a reversal of the great influx of species seen from early spring on, some
species actually begin their trek southward in late June or early July after
their young are fledged and fending for themselves. Birds that raise multiple
broods often nest again in late June or early July. Other birds, such as the
American Goldfinch are now nesting and raising their first seasonal brood.
American Goldfinch, Northern Cardinals and Mourning Doves can nest as late
as August.
Fall
Migration
Fall
migration actually begins with the departure of the earliest migrants in early
to mid summer. In August Tree, Barn, Cliff, Rough-winged, and Bank Swallows
form large flocks before moving south. Look for them gathered on phone lines
along rural roads or flocks swooping over water.
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Adult
Warblers, Flycatchers, and Thrushes begin moving south as cold fronts
sweep through region in late August and September. Younger birds will
linger into September or October. Hummingbirds trickle southward as
frost kills off flowering plants.
Most species don't sing on their way south and their feathers are no longer the vibrant breeding colors so it can be harder to distinguish species like warblers. |
Raptor
migration begins in early August with some Bald Eagles and Osprey hugging
ridges and rivers as they edge southward. Broad-winged Buteos such as Red-tailed
and Red-shouldered hawks, and Turkey Vultures usually gather into large flocks
following a cold front in late September. They continue moving southward through
October or early November. Sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks, Kestrels, Merlins
and Peregrine Falcons usually migrate in early October. Goshawks and Golden
Eagles are sometimes seen migrating in November.
As
the raptors begin moving southward, Herons and Egrets move northward to forage
rivers and ponds which are at their lowest point in late summer and early
fall. As autumn progresses some Sparrows and other seed-eaters move south,
while others remain in the county throughout the winter.
Waterfowl
begin moving onto county lakes and ponds from more northern breeding areas.
Teal, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers, and Black Ducks arrive in October. Diving
ducks, Mergansers, Scaup, Bufflehead, Ring-necked, and others appear as colder
weather sets in later in autumn. Large flocks of Grackles, Starlings, Red-winged
Blackbirds, and Brown-headed Cowbirds gather in early to mid fall near Bradford
County farms before heading south.
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Birding
opportunities abound in Mount
Pisgah State Park near Troy.
To get there look for signs on Route 6 near West Burlington. Travel
north for two miles on Wallace Road (SR 3019) to State Park Road (SR
4015). Go east on State Park Road to the park entrance. The park is
open sunrise to sunset. |
Birds
at Round Top Park near Athens include Turkey, Grouse, Pileated
Woodpecker and other woodland species. Miles of trails meander through
638 acres of forest and field habitat. |
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Hornbrook
County Park, Towanda |
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Two
scenic overlooks 500 feet above the North
Branch of the Susquehanna River along Route 6 near Wyalusing
offer vantage points to watch raptors and other birds eye to eye.
Wyalusing Rocks is owned by Eastern
Delaware Nations, a Native American group. PennDot maintains signs and
provides a parking lot at the overlook.
Marie Antoinette Overlook
is another three miles west on Route 6, approximately 5 miles from Wyalusing.
Make a left turn into a parking area in front of a restaurant. There
are no obvious signs marking this parking area. |
Along
the Susquehanna and at other waterside
locations in the county there are public Pennsylvania Game Commission
and Municipal Boat Launches which serve as excellent spots to view waterfowl
such as migratory Ducks, Grebes, Common Loons, Snow Geese, and Tundra
Swans. Bald Eagles, Hawks, Herons and many other species frequent these
areas.
Wetland species observation is easy at
Walter Beers Family Nature Center in Wysox. This restored wetland has
boardwalks, footpaths, observation blinds, and demarked wildlife and
wetland flora sites.
Most songbirds have three toes in front and one behind, but most
woodpeckers, owls and cuckoos and the Osprey, are zygodactylic, two
in front, two in back. |
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Sunfish Pond County Park & State Gamelands 12 |
North American Migration Count
- To participate contact Bradford County Compiler, Trudy Gerlach.
The count is held on the 2nd Saturday of May each year, May 14, 2005.
Southeast Bradford County Christmas
Bird Count Susquehanna River Birding Trails PA
Game Commission Info on Birding PA Breeding Bird Atlas A state-wide long-term project. Observers in PA Northern Tier Counties needed! Cornell
University Ornithology Lab eBird
A project developed by Cornell Lab of Ornithology
and the National Audubon Society, provides a simple way to keep track
of birds you see anywhere in North America. Bradford County
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| Eagle Watch | Bald Eagles Sighted - Susquehanna River Behind County Courthouse in Towanda, 2003 -2007 | Bald Eagles Sighted - River Front Park, Sayre & Near Tioga point Museum, 2005 |
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If
you see Bald or Golden Eagles in Bradford County, or spot an unusual
species, please email us with date, location and as much information
as you can supply about the birds: what you observed them doing, how
many, male/female/juvenile. Bald Eagles - Sighted - James St. Bridge, North Towanda, 2004, 2005, 2007 |
 Bald Eagles Sighted - Wetlands on property of Belcast Gables Bed & Breakfast, Coryland Road (off Rt. 14 N), 4 miles south of Mosherville, 570-537-2264. |
Bald Eagles - Sighted
frequently, summer 2004 - 2006, near the Susquehanna River on the Howard
Family Farm, 2.2
miles off Rt. 6 in Homet's Ferry, near Wyalusing. This
is the location of 'How-A-mazing
Corn Maze.' A pair of juvenile birds were spotted at
the end of January 2005. Adults spotted numerous times 2006. 2007. Web Link Contact: 570-746-1883 cornmaze@howamazing.us |
| Bald Eagles - Sighted - Hornbrook County Park, Towanda, 2005, 2006, 2007 | Bald Eagles Sighted - Wyalusing Rocks & Marie Antoinette Overlook on Rt. 6 numerous times 2006/2007 | Bald Eagle - Sighted - Wetlands just outside of East Smithfield Summer, 2005 |
| Pair of bald eagles spotted on the east end of Wyalusing in early March 2006. They were below the top of the mountain and circling each other closely. | Not Eagles but unusual: Approximately 30 loons gathered on Stephen Foster Lake in Mt. Pisgah State Park, late December 2006. | Bald Eagle sighted over Susquehanna River from Rt. 6 bridge in Towanda. February 12, 2007 |
| There was a Bald Eagle (white head but not tail feathers) sighted across from Marie Antoinette above Old State Rd. in April of 2007. I am assuming that it was a juvenile one. Sue. C. naturegirl@epix.net | Bald Eagle spotted hovering over Rt. 6 near Clavarack Electric, May 2007. | Numerous Sightings from Towanda Susquehanna
River Walk, and from Wyalusing Rocks on Rt. 6: August through October, 2007. |
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