Seasonal Report - Winter 2022-23

By Bobby Brown

Lycoming County Winter 2022-23 Summary

It was a comparatively warm winter, and Rose Valley Lake had at least some open water for most of the season. In total, 108 species were reported in Lycoming County during the winter.

Ruddy Duck - 12/28/22, Williamsport Dam © Bobby Brown
Ruddy Duck - 12/28/23, Williamsport Dam © Bobby Brown
American Black Duck - 12/21/22, Indian Park © Bobby Brown
American Black Duck - 12/21/22, Indian Park © Bobby Brown
Northern Mockingbird - 2/5/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown
Northern Mockingbird - 2/5/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown
Dark-eyed Junco - 12/21/22, Indian Park © Bobby Brown
Dark-eyed Junco - 12/21/22, Indian Park © Bobby Brown
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Notable Observations

Observer abbreviations include: Bobby Brown (BB — county compiler), Bob Brown (BoB), David Brown (DB), Deb Brown (DeB), Rebecca Brown (RB), Jean Dalton (JD), Eric Hartshaw (EH), Evan Houston (EvH), Andy Keister (AK), Allison Matlock (AM), David Rothrock (DR)
m. obs. = many observers

Waterfowl

Cackling Goose (with Canada Goose) - 12/11/22, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown
Cackling Goose (with Canada Goose) - 12/11/22, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

Six Cackling Geese were on Rose Valley Lake during fallout conditions on 12/11 (BB).

Mute Swan - 1/7/23, Pennsdale © Bobby Brown
Mute Swan - 1/7/23, Pennsdale © Bobby Brown

Two Mute Swans were in Pennsdale during early January (BB, et al.).

A Blue-winged Teal was in a small stream in Hughesville on 1/1 (BB, DB, RB, BoB), which is the first January record of that species in Lycoming County.

Four White-winged Scoters were on Rose Valley Lake on 12/11 (BB). A Long-tailed Duck was at Rose Valley Lake 1/5-8 (BB, et al.).

Loons

A Common Loon was at Rose Valley Lake on 12/3 (AM, BB) and 12/4 (BB).

Cormorants

A Double-crested Cormorant was at the Williamsport Dam on 12/8 (EvH), and two were at Rose Valley Lake on 12/11 (BB).

Short-eared Owl - 1/15/23, Mill Hill Rd. © Bobby Brown
Short-eared Owl - 1/15/23, Mill Hill Rd. © Bobby Brown

Owls

Short-eared Owls returned to Mill Hill Rd. in January and February (m.obs.) and one was seen in Eldred Twp. on 1/16 and 1/18 (DR, JD)

Shrikes

Northern Shrike - 1/1/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown
Northern Shrike - 1/1/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

The Northern Shrike that was first found at the end of November at Rose Valley Lake was frequently seen throughout the winter (BB, et al.), and remained present through at least 2/17 (RB).

Sparrows

Two Savannah Sparrows were at the Robert Porter Allen Natural Area on 12/18 (BB).

Blackbirds

An Eastern Meadowlark was found near Elimsport during the Williamsport CBC on 12/17 (BB, DB, BoB). A Rusty Blackbird was at Rose Valley Lake on 12/4 (BB).

Warblers

The Common Yellowthroat that was first reported at Rose Valley Lake in November remained at the lake for the entirety of the winter season (BB, et al.), and provided the first February record of that species in Lycoming County.

Additional Photos

Eastern Bluebird - 2/25/23, Mill St. © Bobby Brown

Eastern Bluebird - 2/25/23, Mill St. © Bobby Brown

Purple Finches - 2/18/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

Purple Finches - 2/18/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

Winter Wren - 1/8/23, Canfield Island © Bobby Brown

Winter Wren - 1/8/23, Canfield Island © Bobby Brown

Common Yellowthroat - 2/26/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

Common Yellowthroat - 2/26/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

American Wigeon - 1/1/23, Hughesville © Bobby Brown

American Wigeon - 1/1/23, Hughesville © Bobby Brown

Bald Eagle - 1/6/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

Bald Eagle - 1/6/23, Rose Valley Lake © Bobby Brown

Northern Harrier - 1/15/23, Mill Hill Rd. © Bobby Brown

Northern Harrier - 1/15/23, Mill Hill Rd. © Bobby Brown

European Starling - 1/28/23, Mill St. © Bobby Brown

European Starling - 1/28/23, Mill St. © Bobby Brown

The Winter 2022-23 report was compiled and written by Bobby Brown. Our seasonal reports cover March-May (Spring), June and July (Summer), August-November (Fall) and December-February (Winter) to better line up with migration, breeding and wintering timings.

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