9 Winter Birding Rites of Passage in Lycoming County
Hawk watching for Golden Eagles
Pick the coldest November day with strong arctic winds and head up to North White Deer Ridge or the Route 15 Overlook. Golden Eagles are almost a guarantee but a Northern Goshawk would be the cherry on top.
Short-eared Owls at Mill Hill Road
Watch the Northern Harriers until dusk when the Short-eared Owls take over the patrol. Listen for other owls hooting in the distance.
Cogan House and Fry Bros Turkey Ranch
When it is too cold to be outside, drive around the farmland of Cogan House looking for mixed flocks of Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, and, if you're lucky, a Lapland Longspur or two. Take a detour to Jackson Township for Rough-legged Hawks, then stop for a turkey dinner at Fry Bros.
Rose Valley Lake
Take your scope and hold onto your hat. Anything could show up. If you didn't get a shrike in Cogan House now is your chance to get it on your list.
Western Hummingbird Stakeout
Whether sitting in your car, waiting on a porch, or invited inside, there is a thrill to watching a rare winter hummingbird suddenly appear at a feeder. The stakeout doesn't even have to be for a hummingbird. I once sat in a stranger's kitchen for two days waiting for a Common Redpoll.
Christmas Bird Counts
Spend the day in a car full of birders. Every bird counts and each new species is exciting. When someone calls to ask how your group is doing, tell them all the common species and then casually mention the state review list bird. I call dibs on the landfill!
January 1st Big Day
Start your home eBird checklist before dawn to get the state's first House Sparrow for the year. If you bird enough today you can stay home the next two months and not miss any species.
Williamsport Water Authority Birding
There is no better place in the county to find your first-of-year Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, or Eastern Towhee. It doesn't matter that they'll be nesting in your yard in 6 months. You might even stumble across some rare finches.
Gulling at the Williamsport dam
Watch from the river walk during a frozen dusk as thousands of gulls swirl and descend. Your task is to pick out the rarities and document them before it is too dark. Can you do it?
Golden Eagle, Route 15 Overlook
Horned Lark, Cogan House
American Coot, Rose Valley Lake
Glaucous Gull, Williamsport Dam
