This Month Bucks Birding - September
Canada Warbler @ Lower Nike Park
As the cold mornings roll in, Robins are reluctant to sing but the wrens fill the gap. We might start to see a fresh batch of warblers and vireos delivered on the woodland canopies and understories. Every park is filled with binocular clad birders running around trying to catch a glimpse of their favorite fall warbler; the birding fever has picked up again.
Continuing from the last week of August, there is still an onslaught of migrants moving in batches and this will continue until November. A regular season should bring most of the warblers in throughout the month of September, but the number of Blackburnians and Canadas should be going down. One notable warbler to look for in fall migration is the Connecticut warbler, which follows different migration routes between Spring and Fall. In Fall they follow the Atlantic flyway. So, look for them in forest-meadow edge habitats, as they tend to stay low. Along with warblers, we should start see the vireos, thrushes, and the flycatchers as well. Yellow-bellied, Least, and Olive-sided should be September specialties, and Philadelphia and yellow-throated vireo should be a treat to see in fall. Blue-headed can be expected later in the month.
Common Nighthawk migration will be continuing throughout Bucks County during September evenings (an unofficial Nighthawk watch happens bet Aug 15- Sept 15 at Militia Hill Hawk Watch supported by Liberty Bird Alliance). If you have Hummingbird feeders, please continue to refill them every few days for helping the travelers.
Shorebird migration is still on, although the late summer rains have kept the water level high. Except for Penn Warner area, sightings have been fewer so far. Possibilities for American Golden Plover (Sod farms and dry lake shores) are higher in the last two weeks of September. There is still plenty of time to look for other peeps - Spotted, Solitary, Yellowlegs, Least, and Semi-palmated sandpipers. Also, the possibility of Baird and White-rump are present given the presence of mudflats. Hopefully we get to see some of them in September.
Obviously, September gives us an opportunity to view the spectacle of Broad-winged migration. Historically, the 2nd to 3rd week of September have brought us large numbers of hawks migrating over the Piedmont with north or west winds, but they can also use thermals during this time. Bucks Birders arranged the 2nd annual Broad-winged migration watch party at Peace Valley park at the 24-hour parking lot. Details below. While looking for hawks, take the time to appreciate the hardy little butterflies that travel the same journey as the birds - these include Monarchs, Common Buck-eyed, Painted Lady, and Red Admirals. Most Hawk Watch counts include butterfly counts as well. If you are looking for a Hawk Watch site near by, Militia Hill Hawk Watch Platform at the Fort Washington State Park (449 Militia Hill Rd, Fort Washington, PA 19034) would be your best bet. Hawk Mountain and Bake Oven Knob are also not too far.
October is officially the sparrow month, but late September is good for checking Sparrows.
And, as always, look for a post-weather rarity. That’s a wrap for September - birding-wise.
Events roundup
All Nature Centers run Saturday bird walks. Please check their websites.
Warrington Warbler Walks (Select Fridays) at Lower Nike. Please check our calendar to register.
Sept 12th - Day trip to Sandy Hook - Register via our calendar.
Sept 20th - Big Sit for Broad-winged Hawk at the 24hr Parking Lot, Peace Valley Park.
Sept 24th - Fall Migration walk at Nockamixon State Park 8-10 am. No Registration required.
eBird update: The September eBirder of the month challenge is to submit 10 or more eligible checklists, each containing at least one sound recording. Check the website for the rules. Also, eBird unleashed a new feature to upload sound recordings from your favorite sound recorder app (including Merlin Sound ID). Check this out.
Conservation Corner: The Bird Collision Monitoring project has started for the 4th season. We are still looking for volunteers to cover for 3 days of the week. If you are good with Phone apps, have keen eyes and strong heart to look for dead/injured birds, please contact us(bucksbirders@gmail.com). It is a citizen science project with an immediate positive impact to help raise awareness of window collisions.
