Got some new species this morning to add to our total bird list for the fall.  We had dark-eyed juncos (a new temperate migrant), pileated woodpecker, red-tailed hawk and we got a great look at an Eastern screech owl (below).  It was a red morph owl that was getting mobbed by song birds.  We went to investigate and saw it about 12 feet up in a tree that was still holding on to its leaves.  Great spot for the morning.  This brings our total to about 80 different species of birds.  Not bad for a simple 1/2 mile transect.

Had a nice morning with a chorus of white-throated sparrows, northern mockingbirds and carolina wrens.  Had several new species we surveyed today during the twilight of the fall migration.  These species included the ruby-crowned kinglet, purple finch, palm warbler, song sparrow, and eastern towhee.  Our total list is up to 65 bird species.

The Millersville University Mammalogy class is involved in a Service Learning Project with Lancaster Conservancy.  The Lancaster Conservancy just recently purchased new property in southern Lancaster County.  The Mammalogy class will be surveying this new property to get an idea of the mammal diversity within the area.  Recently, the Mammalogy Class checked rodent traps to get an idea of the small mammal diversity in the area.  Traps yielded multipe white-footed mice and a short-tailed shrew.  Other mammal trapping efforts will continue.

Photo by Biology student Matt Zack.

Had great weather this morning.  Last nights cold front blew in a nice diversity of birds.  We are now starting to see our temperate migrants as well as some late neotropical birds.  Below are some pictures of migrants we have been seeing.  Also, below the pictures is our bird list for today.

BIRD LIST: Black-throated blue warbler (above), Golden-crowned kinglet (above), Black-throated green warbler, Blue-headed vireo, Carolina/Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, House finch, American Goldfinch, American Robin, Blue Jay, American Crow, Northern Cardinal, Gray catbird, Hairy woodpecker, Downy woodpecker, Red-bellied woodpecker, Northern flicker, Eastern phoebe, Mourning dove, Carolina wren, Great blue heron, Belted kingfisher, House sparrow, White-throated sparrow, , European Starling, Common Grackle,  Red-winged blackbird, White-breasted nuthatch, Brown creeper,  Yellow-rumped warbler, Canada goose and Eastern bluebird.  

Fall Bird Walk #4 2012

Went out to check for migrating birds this morning.  Had 4 students show up this week.  A lot of downy woodpeckers out this morning (see below).  Also below, is our complete bird list.  

Saw large groups of American Robins.  Family of Northern Flickers.  Gray Catbird, Belted Kingfisher, Carolina Wren, Many Carolina/Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatch, Blue Jays, Many Tufted Titmice, Red-eyed Vireo*, Black-throated Green Warbler*, Yellow Warbler*, American Crow, Northern Cardinal, House finch, Indigo Bunting*.  

* Potential Migrants Heading South