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Songbirds:
By October, fall passerine migration is beginning to wind down. Many of the migratory breeding birds in York have begun their journey southward, with the remainder disappearing before the end of the month. The first two weeks of October can still be a good time to catch the last waves of neotropical migrants passing through, such as warblers and vireos. Be especially on the lookout for Lincoln’s Sparrow as very few of them migrate through York in the spring, but many more migrate southward through York in the fall, with most of them passing through in October. Rocky Ridge is one of the best spots for migrating passerines in October. Be sure to check the Ball Field and Alice’s Spot for warblers and vireos. The power line cut provides one of your best chances in the county for Lincoln’s Sparrows, although they have been found in brushy areas throughout the county such as Spring Valley County Park (animal activity area), Lake Redman Boardwalk, and Hopewell. |
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Winter Arrivals:
As the neotropical migrants disappear by the end of October, a number of passerines from up “north” begin to arrive in York to spend the winter. Look for the arrival of Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Hermit Thrush, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, White-Throated and White-Crowned Sparrow, and Junco. Most of these birds are commonly seen at feeders located near woodland and brushy areas throughout the county and will continue to be seen throughout the winter. (See a detailed description of Public Bird Feeders in the November description)
Shorebirds & Waterfowl:
Shorebirds continue to be seen in the county in October, so continue checking the exposed mudflats at Lake Redman Boardwalk, Black Rock flats, Long Arm Reservoir (both the southern end and northern end), Sheppard-Myers Reservoir. (See the September write-up in this guide for more details about viewing these mudflats). Other areas such as Codorus State Park, Gut Road (by York Haven), Gifford Pinchot State Park, and Lake Williams could also produce shorebirds, depending on the water level. While you will hopefully find both species of Yellowlegs along with Least, Pectoral, and Semipalmated Sandpiper; look carefully for any rarities such as Dowitchers, American Golden or Black-bellied Plovers, White-rumped Sandpiper, Dunlin, or any other shorebird. This is often when and where you could pick up some real rarities!
While visiting the mudflats for shorebirds, be sure to check the open water for migrating waterfowl. Many species of ducks and gulls start to show up during late October with Ruddy Duck movement typically peaking around the last week.
Raptors:
Raptor migration continues over York throughout October. Visit the Hawk Watch at Rocky Ridge park where there are usually hawk-watch volunteers present at the platform until the beginning of November. The most productive times seem to be from 11 am to 3 pm on days with northeasterly winds.
Hawk Watch Data: https://www.hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=430
As the neotropical migrants disappear by the end of October, a number of passerines from up “north” begin to arrive in York to spend the winter. Look for the arrival of Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Hermit Thrush, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin, White-Throated and White-Crowned Sparrow, and Junco. Most of these birds are commonly seen at feeders located near woodland and brushy areas throughout the county and will continue to be seen throughout the winter. (See a detailed description of Public Bird Feeders in the November description)
Shorebirds & Waterfowl:
Shorebirds continue to be seen in the county in October, so continue checking the exposed mudflats at Lake Redman Boardwalk, Black Rock flats, Long Arm Reservoir (both the southern end and northern end), Sheppard-Myers Reservoir. (See the September write-up in this guide for more details about viewing these mudflats). Other areas such as Codorus State Park, Gut Road (by York Haven), Gifford Pinchot State Park, and Lake Williams could also produce shorebirds, depending on the water level. While you will hopefully find both species of Yellowlegs along with Least, Pectoral, and Semipalmated Sandpiper; look carefully for any rarities such as Dowitchers, American Golden or Black-bellied Plovers, White-rumped Sandpiper, Dunlin, or any other shorebird. This is often when and where you could pick up some real rarities!
While visiting the mudflats for shorebirds, be sure to check the open water for migrating waterfowl. Many species of ducks and gulls start to show up during late October with Ruddy Duck movement typically peaking around the last week.
Raptors:
Raptor migration continues over York throughout October. Visit the Hawk Watch at Rocky Ridge park where there are usually hawk-watch volunteers present at the platform until the beginning of November. The most productive times seem to be from 11 am to 3 pm on days with northeasterly winds.
Hawk Watch Data: https://www.hawkcount.org/siteinfo.php?rsite=430
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Note: All pictures in this birding guide are actual pictures of birds taken while they were in York County, PA by David Arrow.