On Saturday I joined Environmental Educator Rick Wiltraut and an amazing group of participants on Jacobsburg's Winter Bird Count. What is a winter bird count? Many conservation organizations hold events to identify and get a rough count of species in a designated area. This is like a bioblitz, which I have posted about before, but is particular to birds. Holding these events around the same time each year allows these organizations to compile data overtime, this data could potentially show trends in species populations. This count focuses on an area with a five mile radius surrounding the education center.
For most of us, this was our ride. A couple participants followed in their own vehicles and I know they had to leave early, but they missed out on some of the experience. There is something magical about being packed into a van full of birders and is something you really should experience once in your life. Rick had the day jam packed full of birding locations within the defined zone and after checking some sites around the office we headed out.
Some of the first birds of the day. On the left a White-Brested Nuthatch, a common bird that likes to frequent feeders. On the right a White-Throated Sparrow, these were encountered at several locations.
The Downy Woodpecker on the left came in for a closer look at the group at one of the stops within Jacobsburg. Black-Capped Chickadees, like the one on the right are not only common, but they often come and get a close look at those walking through there territory.
This Red Fox was crossed the road in front of us on our first stop outside of the park. At this location the other participants really shocked me. I had started picking up a couple roadside trash items and when I turned around I watched as others did the same. I thought it was awesome and it put a big smile on my face. No one was asked to help pick up trash, they were specifically there to see birds and yet they helped out anyway! I had only planned to take out a pack full and instead together throughout the day we took out a lot more than that.
This scene was at another stop and could potentially be an illegal fill of wetlands. As far as protection goes there are very specific requirements that make a protected wetland as defined by the federal government. This fill will be reported to the appropriate agencies, it will be checked and if there is an infraction it will be taken care of. If you ever come across a potential fill of wetlands report it, you could potentially save critical habitat in your area. For Pennsylvania contacting the Fish and Boat Commission would be your best bet, a WCO can recognize an infraction and can implement the steps needed to get the problem resolved.
After a few stops, without that many birds, we stopped at a local landfill where we were guaranteed to pick up some new species and add numbers to the count. Normally Gulls blanket the active sites at the fill. This was not the case on this visit and it was mostly starlings, vultures and crows that were picking through the trash.
It wasn't long until someone spotted the potential reason that the gulls were not at the fill and flying a distance away. Two Bald Eagles, which will feed on gulls, were on patrol overhead. The Eagle on the top is an adult and the one on the bottom is a juvenile.
This Great Black-Bakced Gull was the only gull daring enough to land. It may have thought that it blended in with the rock pile it was on. The Eagles showed no interest in it.
Can you tell this is a landfill? With the exception of a couple vent pipes this portion of capped landfill looks just like a grassland. We were hoping to add a Savannah Sparrow to our list here. They have been recorded at this site, but we didn't have any luck.
After the landfill we stopped at a couple farms. It seemed only the common birds stick around for photos for me. On the left is a Mockingbird and the right a Tree Sparrow. To me Tree Sparrows look just like Chipping Sparrows, one of the participants kindly took the time to show me the differences between the two. It is unbelievable how birders are able to identify some of these flying critters.
From the stops, excluding the landfill, this is what the group helped me collect. It was a full garbage bag and a full backpack. I was truly impressed with everyone that went along on this birding adventure and thank you to all of the participants.
By the end of the day it was getting cold, about half of the participants left, but there was still more birding to get done. I was glad I stuck around and I think those who stayed were too. The site we got to see through this chainlink barbed wire topped fence was spectacular.
Thousands of Snow Geese filled nearly half of the quarry we were looking at and even lined a portion of the quarry wall. It was hard to get photos from behind the fence, so I could't get the whole scene in in a single shot.
At one point something must have startled them and many took flight. This was such and impressive sight. You may ask, how do you count all of those birds? The answer is you really don't, but give an estimate instead. With the geese there were also some ducks including Ring Necks. A Bald Eagle was spotted at this location too, perched on the edge of the quarry.
If you enjoyed this post I encourage you to visit your nearest State Park or Education Center, check out their programs, you would be amazed what the educators and volunteers can help you see even locally. Thank you once again to Rick and the participants of Jacobsburg's Winter Bird Count! I am happy whenever people are able to respectfully connect with nature and those that helped take out the trash, well, you are the best!
