Birding in Pennsylvania

Maybe the heading of this article is misleading, as the weather played a role in the lack of birds we saw while in Pennsylvania over the Memorial Day weekend. The weather was hot, with a high of 92 F. and humidity in the 70 percent range on both Saturday and Sunday. Mornings started out foggy, and by afternoon, heavy thunderstorms pounded the area.

We stayed in Mifflintown, PA. with my brother and his family. Situated along the Juniata River in central Pennsylvania, the area is normally a birding hot spot. But with the weather conditions, birds were keeping to the deep woods to stay cool. The photo below of a Tree Swallow shows how hot the weather was. This little fella was not scolding me for being near, but actually panting to keep cool, such a dog does.

Trying to stay cool ourselves and dodging thunderstorms, we stayed indoors most of the time. Maybe when we visit again in the fall, the weather will be more inviting. The first few pictures below are from our trip to the Keystone State.

Locally, this weekend featured some heavy thunderstorms, haze and fog. But the birds did not seem to mind. At least it was not sweltering!

Sharon and I recorded and photographed two life birds this weekend in the Biddeford Pool area. A male Black-Bellied Plover and a male and female Ruddy Turnstone. And yet another life bird at the Kennebunk Plains: a male Prairie Warbler. Other birds seen this weekend:

• Black-Bellied Plover*
• Ruddy Turnstone* 
• Prairie Warbler*
• Double-Crested Cormorant
• Least Terns
• Willets
• Lesser Yellowlegs
• Greater Yellowlegs
• Common Eider
• Eastern Kingbirds
• Yellow  Warbler
• Common Yellowthroat
• Red-Winged Blackbirds
• Turkey Vultures
• Blue Herons
• Great Egrets
• Snowy Egrets
• Canada Geese
• Mallards
• Black Ducks
• Song Sparrows
• Tree Sparrows
• American Goldfinch
• House Finch
• European Starlings
• House Sparrows
• American Robins
• Cedar Waxwings

A note about the Blue Herons. After several weeks of not seeing Blue Herons in the area, a flight of 5 flew over Etherington Pond in Biddeford Pool Saturday morning. Another 2 were seen on Granite Point. A large group of Eastern Kingbirds also arrived on Granite point this weekend. They seemed to be everywhere.

Enjoy the photos of birds and other creatures we photographed during the last two weeks. Simply click a thumbnail for a full-sized view. Comments and criticisms are appreciated.

Hoping for blue skies. Happy birding!

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