2009 Luzerne Co. Shorebird #13 and the Southeast Storm Push

This Black-bellied Plover was on the beach at Harvey’s Lake (by the Boat Launch), making it lucky number 13 for 2009 Luzerne County shorebirds.

There’s been storms and winds from the southeast for a few days now, this coupled with it being the peak of shorebird migration in the Delaware Bay, make for good shorebird possibilities. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have a Red Knot in the next week.

In fact, after work today I got to do an abbreviated look at Plymouth Flats and it felt more like Brigantine. There were 23 Semipalmated Sandpipers and 19 Semipalmated Plovers at the north end of the pool. I tried to find a White-rumped, but it wasn’t in the stars. The group of Semi Sands lifted a few times and I can say there was definitely no White-rumps. But most interesting was the lack of Least Sandpipers. I could only find 2.

semipalmated plover

semipalmated sandpiper

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Countdown to 300

After re-entering birding in June 2007 and subsequently throwing away my life list, I am finally approaching 300 species on my new life list. So I’m going to countdown the last ten.

#290 Arctic Tern
Lake Wallenpaupack, PA Oct. 24, 2009
After a crazy storm pushed down lots of seabirds. Not accepted by PORC but I didn’t get a photo. But I’m positive of ID.

#291 Common Eider
Sandy Hook, NJ Nov. 8, 2009

#292 Lapland Longspur
Sandy Hook, NJ Nov. 8, 2009

#293 King Eider
Sandy Hook, NJ Nov. 8, 2009

#294 Ivory Gull
Cape May, NJ Dec. 6, 2009
Seen on my first true “chase” of a single bird.

#295 Cackling Goose
Harvey’s Lake, PA Dec. 9, 2009
Weird to see this on my list after a mega like Ivory Gull, but I wasn’t very aware of this species since it wasn’t it’s own species when I originally birded. Then I haven’t crossed paths with it since studying up on the ID until now.

#296 Brown-headed Nuthatch
Lewes, DE Apr. 2, 2010

#297 Little Gull
Lake Wallenpaupack, PA Apr. 10, 2010
This was on my most wanted list for a while. Now on to Black-headed Gull.

#298 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
PPL Riverlands, PA June 14, 2010
In county lifer. Nice.

#299 Black-headed Gull
Bombay Hook, DE August, 21 2010
One of my most wanted birds. Check.

#300 Clay-colored Sparrow
Forty Fort, PA September, 16 2010
The fight is over! And it ends in what is my most birded locales!!