End of year Regional Rarity Roundup

The big sightings in PA recently have been the Harlequin Ducks that are currently being seen in Huntingdon and Northampton Counties. I believe it is the second report of a Harlequin Duck in Huntingdon while it is the first record for Northampton.

Erie continues to have reports Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull at the south pier

The Mud Level Rd Prairie Falcon is still being reported, although sometimes hard to find.

Harlequin Duck

Harlequin Duck- Huntingdon

The Anna’s Hummingbird in Berks County is still frequenting feeders in the same neighborhood, keeping hopes alive that it will still be around in January for year listers.

Northern Shrikes are being found across the state. Birds were reported from Erie and Carbon Counties on Dec. 19th, Clearfield County on Dec. 20th and possibly two at Bald Eagle State Park in Centre County on Dec. 26th-28th.

Also in Berks County, the Yellow-throated Warbler is being reported daily.

Winter finches have been reported sporadically across the state. Common Redpolls have been reported in Erie County on Dec. 19th,  Carbon County on Dec. 23rd, and Lawrence County on Dec. 28th. Evening Grosbeaks have been reported at feeders in Warren County. I haven’t heard of any crossbill reports recently.

In the surrounding states, the big rarity was a Northern Wheatear in Delaware that has not been reported since the big snow storm. In Connecticut, a Barnacle Goose continues as well as the Calliope Hummingbird. In New Jersey, there are a few good birds including Black Guillemot, Pacific Loon and the same Harlequin Duck that is being seen in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. A Golden-crowned Sparrow continues hanging out in Maryland.