Seasonal Report - Winter 2021-22

Lycoming County Winter 2021-22 Summary

The early winter was relatively warm, which kept Rose Valley Lake unfrozen into January, and led to some addition activity there. The mild temperatures may also have contributed to some uncommon winter species remaining in higher-than-normal numbers. In total, 110 species were reported in Lycoming County during the winter.

Notable Observations

Observer abbreviations include: Bobby Brown (BB — county compiler), Maria Ananea (MA), Dan Brauning (DanB), Dan Brennan (DBre), Bob Brown (BoB), David Brown (DB), Deb Brown (DeB), Rebecca Brown (RB), Bruce Buckle (BBu), Jean Dalton (JD), Maddi Dunlap (MD), Dave Ferry (DF), Eric Hartshaw (EH), Melissa Holland (MH), Evan Houston (EvH), Brett Matlock (BM), Gary Metzger (GM), Matthew Schenck (MS), Susan Schenck (SS)
m. obs. = many observers

Waterfowl

Two Snow Geese were seen at the Rte. 15 Overlook on 12/26 (BB, DB), and two were also seen at Rose Valley Lake on 12/31 (BB, DeB, BoB).

A flock of 7 Northern Shovelers were at the Williamsport Dam on 12/24 (BB, DB, JD, MD), and one was at a pond in Hughesville on 2/19 (BB, DeB, Bob). Three Green-winged Teals were on the river by Canfield Island on 12/15 (BB), and six were at the Robert Porter Allen Natural Area on 1/1 (BB, DeB).

Four White-winged Scoters were at the Williamsport Dam on 12/24 (BB, DB, JD, MD), and two were at Rose Valley Lake on 1/3 (BB, RB). A Long-tailed Duck was at the Williamsport Dam on 12/8 (BB) and another 1/18-20 (BB, m.obs.), and 4 were at Rose Valley Lake 12/4 (BB) as well as one on 1/3 (BB, RB).

Likely the most interesting find of the winter season, a hybrid Common Merganser x Hooded Merganser was at the Williamsport Dam 1/30-2/1 (BB, et al.), which is a very rarely documented hybrid. Learn more about the discovery and identification of this hybrid.

Shorebirds

A Killdeer was at Rose Valley Lake on 1/6 (BB, DeB), and the species returned earlier than normal, with 3 at Lime Bluff Recreation Center on 2/12 (BB, DeB, BoB, MH), one at Mill Hill Rd. on 2/15 (BM) and 2/16 (BB, DB, DeB, BoB), and 4 in Nisbet on 2/26 (BB, DeB, BoB).

Gulls and Terns

During the Williamsport Christmas Bird Count on 12/18, 7 Bonaparte's Gulls were found at the Lycoming County Landfill (BB, DeB, BoB). An Iceland Gull dropped in at the Williamsport Dam with a large group of gulls on 2/28 and continued at the location the following night (BB, et al.), providing Lycoming County's 4th record of that species.

Raptors

Golden Eagle reports came from Wildwood Cemetery on 12/4 (DF), the Rte. 15 Overlook on 12/26 (BB, DB), east of Beaver Lake on 2/1 (EvH), and an early migrant over Montoursville on 2/27 (BB, DB, RB, DeB, BoB). After several winters of low numbers, Northern Harriers were relatively abundant during this winter, including at least 15 at Mill Hill Rd. on 2/16 (BB, DB, et al.). Likewise, it was a strong winter for Rough-legged Hawks.

Three Short-eared Owls were seen in Jackson Twp. on 1/15 (DF). The species also returned to Mill Hill Rd. in February after an absence of many years at the formerly-reliable location. They were first seen 2/15 (BM), and were reported many times after that.

Shrikes

The continuing Northern Shrike at Rose Valley Lake was seen all throughout December. One was also briefly seen in Jackson Twp. on 1/15 (DF). Another one was at Lime Bluff Recreation Center for about a week during mid-February, with the initial report coming 2/8 (GM).

Kinglets

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet was at the Lycoming County Conservation Trail on 12/23 (GM) and 1/6 (BB, DB), and one was at Muncy Heritage Park on 2/9 (DanB).

Thrushes

It was a good winter for Hermit Thrush numbers, and there were reports from places that don't typically have the species in winter.

Pipits

Three American Pipits were at the Robert Porter Allen Natural Area on 12/9 (BB), 3 were at the Williamsport Dam on 1/18 (BB), and one was at Mill St. on 2/13 (BB).

Finches

Five Evening Grosbeaks were reported from Tomb Flats Campground on 12/4 (DBre). A Common Redpoll was photographed at Rose Valley Lake on 1/4 (MA). Red Crossbills were reported from near Rte. 44 in extreme northwestern Lycoming County on 1/28 and 1/31 (MS, SS). Pine Siskins were extremely scarce, with only a single report from Tomb Flats Campground on 12/4 (DBre).

Snow Buntings

No large flocks of Snow Buntings were found. A single one was mixed into a flock of Horned Larks near Pennsdale on 1/29 (BB, DeB, BoB).

Sparrows

A Chipping Sparrow was reported at the Williamsport Dam on 2/13 (JD). A Fox Sparrow was at SGL 252 on 12/18 (BB) and 4 were reported at the Williamsport Water Authority on 12/29 (JD, BBu). Three Savannah Sparrows were in Antes Fort on 1/29 (BB, DeB, BoB). Eastern Towhee reports were a bit higher than a typical winter.

Blackbirds

Up to 4 Eastern Meadowlarks were reported at Mill Hill Rd. beginning on 1/18 and continuing into February (EH, m.obs.). A reasonably large flock of Brown-headed Cowbirds was in Jackson Twp. during January, with up to 150 reported (BB, DeB, BoB, et al.).

Additional Videos and Photos

The Winter 2021-22 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.