Seasonal Report - Spring 2025

Lycoming County Spring 2025 Summary

In total, 228 species were reported in Lycoming County during the spring.

Notable Observations

Observer abbreviations include: Bobby Brown (BB — county compiler), Bob Brown (BoB), Deb Brown (DeB), Rebecca Brown (RB), Jean Dalton (JD), Dave Ferry (DF), Tom Forwood Jr. (TF), Eric Hartshaw (EH), Andy Keister (AK), David Rothrock (DR), Annette Sheets (AS), Steve Pinkerton (SP).
m. obs. = many observers

Waterfowl

Nine Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks were seen flying out of the wetland at the Robert Porter Allen Natural Area on 5/4 (BB), providing the first Lycoming County record of that species.

A Greater White-fronted Goose was in the farm field adjacent to Canfield Island on 5/23 (BB, et al.). A Brant was at the Williamsport Dam on 5/14 (BB, DeB, BoB, et al.). A Cackling Goose was at a pond near Montgomery on 3/1 (BB, DeB, BoB), up to 3 were at the pond at Indian Park 3/5-10 (BB, RB, et al.), and one flew over Rose Valley Lake on 3/9 (BB).

A Surf Scoter was at Rose Valley Lake on 4/11 (BB, et al.). There were a number of White-winged Scoter reports from Rose Valley Lake, including one on 4/11 (BB, et al.), 5 on 4/12 (BB, et al.), 3 on 4/26 (BB, et al.), one on 5/2 (BB, DeB), 7 on 5/9 (BB), and 8 on 5/14 (BB, DeB, BoB). Two Black Scoters were at Rose Valley Lake 5/5-6 (BB, et al.).

Shorebirds

There were a number of Black-bellied Plover reports, including solo birds at Rose Valley Lake 5/13 (BB, DeB) and 5/22 (BB), one near Canfield Island on 5/31 (BB), and many reports from Nisbet and Antes Fort (m.obs.), with the highest count of the spring coming from 9 in Antes Fort on 5/31 (BB, et al.). Semipalmated Plovers were frequently reported in Antes Fort and near Canfield Island during the second half of May, including a high count of 29 near Canfield Island on 5/25 (BB). There were also sightings at Rose Valley Lake, with 4 on 5/21 (BB, DeB) and one on 5/22 (BB).

A flock of Whimbrels was detected by nocturnal flight call flying over Montoursville on 5/22 (BB). Likewise, a low group of nocturnal-migrant Short-billed Dowitchers was heard in Montoursville on 5/20 (BB, RB). A low shorebird group including at least 70 Red-necked Phalaropes was seen migrating over Rose Valley Lake during inclement weather on 5/21 (BB, DeB). A (Western) Willet was at the Williamsport Dam on 4/26 (BB, DeB, et al.), providing the third Lycoming County record of that species. A Ruddy Turnstone was in Antes Fort on 5/24 (SP, et al.), and 2 were in the same location on 5/26 (DR, et al.).

A low group of nocturnal-migrant Red Knots was heard in Montoursville on 5/26 (BB). Dunlins were frequently reported from Antes Fort and the field adjacent to Canfield Island during the second half of May (m.obs.). Additionally, one was in Nisbet on 5/23 (AK), and 44 migrated over Rose Valley Lake on 5/21 (BB, DeB). Two White-rumped Sandpipers were in Antes Fort on 5/31 (BB, et al.), providing the second known Lycoming County record of that species. Up to 10 Pectoral Sandpipers were in Antes Fort 3/22-25 (BB, DeB, BoB, et al.).

Gulls & Terns

A Little Gull was at Rose Valley Lake on 4/5 (BB, DeB, et al.). A Franklin's Gull was in Nisbet on 5/23 (BB, DeB, BoB), providing the second Lycoming County record of that species.

There was only one Caspian Tern report during the spring, a solo bird that briefly dropped in at Rose Valley Lake on 5/2 (BB, DeB). A Black Tern was at Rose Valley Lake on 5/22 (BB). The only Forster's Tern report of the spring was also at Rose Valley Lake on 5/22 (BB). Common Terns were at Rose Valley Lake a number of times, including one on 4/5 (BB, DeB, et al.), 2 on 4/26 (BB, DeB, et al.), one on 4/30 (BB, DeB), one on 5/6 (BB, DeB), and 2 on 5/22 (BB). Additionally, one was in the field near Canfield Island on 5/9 (BB).

Loons

Red-throated Loons were seen at Rose Valley Lake a few times, including one on 3/16 (BB, DeB, BoB, et al.) and up to 26 during a rain fallout event on 4/10 (SP, EH, et al.), with 17 of them continuing on 4/11 (BB, et al.), and one still remaining 4/12 (BB, et al.). There was also one present at the lake on 5/5 (BB, DeB, BoB).

Herons & Ibis

There were 3 reports of Glossy Ibis, a species that had never previously been reported in Lycoming County. The first was one in Antes Fort on 5/13 (EH, et al.). The second was at Mill St. 5/13-14 (BB, DeB, et al.). Finally, a group of 7 was present in Antes Fort on 5/20 (SP, et al.).

Up to 2 American Bitterns were seen at the Robert Porter Allen Natural Area 4/7-23 (BB, et al.). A nocturnal-migrant Least Bittern was heard in Montoursville 5/23 (BB). Similarly, a migrating Black-crowned Night Heron was heard flying over Montoursville on 5/16 (BB).

Woodpeckers

A Red-headed Woodpecker was reported in Antes Fort on 5/2 (SP). One was also confirmed to have returned to Wallis Rd. near Moreland on 5/2 (AS). At least one was present in Nisbet 5/13-14 (DR, JD, et al.). Finally, one was reported near Slate Run on 5/29 (TF).

Flycatchers

An Olive-sided Flycatcher was at Mill St. 5/25 (BB, et al.).

Vireos

A singing White-eyed Vireo was present at the Williamsport Water Authority Trails 4/24-5/10 (DF, et al.).

Shrikes

A Northern Shrike was at Rose Valley Lake 3/15-16 (BB, DeB, et al.)

Wrens

A Marsh Wren was at Rose Valley Lake on 3/31 (BB), and another one was at a different section of the lake 5/6-7 (BB, et al.).

Blackbirds

A male Yellow-headed Blackbird was present in Jackson Twp. 4/2-4 (m.obs.), providing the second Lycoming County record of that species.

Cardinals, Grosbeaks, and Allies

A Dickcissel was detected by nocturnal flight call flying over Montoursville on 5/30 (BB).

The Spring 2025 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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