Help Required (1 Viewer)

[Big Den]

I am looking for a bit of help and hope that someone can help me out.
I am coming over to PA near West Chester for the last two weeks of August and was looking for some advice as to where the best sites are. Some wetlands or marsh for wildfowl and herons ect would be great. Any spots for raptors/owls and any sites where is great for warblers and other small land birds.

Any help at all would be really helpful and appreciated.

Dennis

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

I know there are hawkwatches at Rose Tree Park in Media, Delaware County, and at Militia Hill at Ft. Washington, Montgomery County, but I believe they don't start counting until September. The hawkwatches on the Kittatinny Ridge like Bake Oven Knob and Hawk Mountain start earlier. Bake Oven, where I count, starts August 15th.

Brigantine, aka Forsythe NWR, outside Atlantic City is probably the best nearby location for saltmarsh species.

You might also want to check out DVOC's webpage. Lots of info on there.

 

[cassowary]

Big Den,
Jeff has picked out some top spots. There aren't any top spots right near westchester though (I know the area well). Nearby though, Valley forge can be decent though and Audubons house is worth a visit.

Getting familiar with ebird will really help you

also the RBAs are sometimes worth a look:
http://birdingonthe.net/hotmail.html

This is your best link for finding what is about in Pennsylvania:

http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=...r=2013&eYear=2014&continue.x=41&continue.y=18

This is your best link for finding what is about in New Jersey:

http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?repo...tLocations=states&continue.x=74&continue.y=18

Tinicum near PHL is the best marsh near westchester and can be productive:

http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=...r=2013&eYear=2014&continue.x=49&continue.y=14


Johnsons turf farm in NJ is worth a visit:
http://ebird.org/ebird/hotspot/L1640087

Cape may should be OK even in august:
http://www.njaudubon.org/sectionsightings/overview.aspx

The less famous Sandy hook in N NJ is often better than Cape May in spring but not so good in summer or Autumn

Delaware water gap can be good but not really in august.

There are a number of other places - there are a few bird finding books that cover the area as well - they are not to hand otherwise I would give you the titles.

I assume you will have a car!!

 

[Big Den]

Mike/Jeff

Thank you very much for your detailed replies, some very useful tips and sites and I will certainly be checking some of them out. I will have a car when I'm over so should make things easier. I would love to see as many warblers as possible, inc Northern Parula and American Redstart ect, wiling to travel a few hours if you know anywhere. Anywhere reliable for Ruby-throated Hummingbird would be great.

Appreciate all your help

Dennis

 

[cassowary]

Dennis,
I'm guessing that you have barely birded in the US from the species you mentioned, as they are all common species.
If you 'play' with e-bird, you will be able to locate the places to see the species you mentioned and many more besides.

Locally you will probably find a # of new species.

Also you can visit Cape May as a day trip from Westchester (leave very early though) - just remember at the weekends the routes to/from the jersey shore are often jammed. Brigantine, Bombay hook and Tinicum (John Heinz) would be the other main places I would consider.

 

[Big Den]

Thanks very much Mike

I haven't been over to the states birding before, always been family holidays and not been over for ten years so thoroughly looking forward to this as most birds will be a tick for me. Thanks again for all help.

Dennis

 

[MPeoples]

North of the Pocono's across the boarder into New York State around the Lackawaxen River.

 

[Big Den]

Just back from a superb two weeks in the States and looking for a bit of help with some ID's. I believe one is a female American Redstart and the other an imm female Blackburnian. Any help would be greatly appreciated :t:

Thanks very much Mike

I haven't been over to the states birding before, always been family holidays and not been over for ten years so thoroughly looking forward to this as most birds will be a tick for me. Thanks again for all help.

Dennis