April
Waders & Waterfowl
In the beginning of April, the final push of waterfowl migrates through York, heading north. In addition to those species that were seen on and off during the winter, look for Blue-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebes, Caspian Terns passing through in April. While any body of water should be checked at this time for waterfowl, Lake Redman Boardwalk and Pinchot SP are best for the three species mentioned.
During the first week of April, Black-crowned Night Herons and Great Egrets arrive at their traditional rookery in the middle of the city to build their nests in the trees surrounding Kiwanis Lake. By mid-April, some shorebirds and waders such as Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Green Herons, Virginia Rails, and Sora arrive. The Lake Redman Boardwalk is a great spot to find most of these birds, as well as the wetland area at Nixon Park.
Songbirds
April marks the beginning of spring songbird migration, with Eastern Phoebes, Chipping Sparrows, House Wrens, Chimney Swifts, and swallows beginning to arrive in early April. In the warbler category, Yellow-rumped warbler numbers continue to build while Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Louisiana Waterthrush, Pine Warblers, and the ‘Yellow’ subspecies of Palm Warblers (with entirely yellow underparts) arrive and become abundant, paving the way for the wave of warblers to come later on. Warblers and other songbirds can be found in a variety of habitats. Look for “Edge Zones” where forest meets field meets water. Most of our State and County Parks are excellent habitat for songbirds. Waterthrush are typically found in small, forested streams such as those present at Spring Valley SP, Nixon Park, Pinchot SP, Lock 12, and along Muddy Creek. Two of the best spots for Pine Warblers are the Lake Williams Boat Launch area and Pinchot SP.
In late April, the floodgate of migrants begins to open up with Hummingbirds, Vireos, Common Yellowthroat, Parula, Yellow, and Black-and White Warblers leading the charge. This is a great time to see birds because the trees are typically still largely barren of leaves, so getting binoculars on songbirds is at its easiest now. Rocky Ridge, Spring Valley, Nixon Park, Pinchot SP, Lock 12, Mary Ann Furnace Trail at Codorus State Park, and Lake Redman are all great spots to find most of these species.
Wintering Birds Depart:
Most of the birds that migrated "south" to York to spend the winter will be leaving to head back north by the end of April. Enjoy your last looks of species such as Hermit Thrushes, Winter Wrens, Pine Siskins, Purple Finches, White-throated Sparrows, and Juncos. For some of these species, you may notice a building of numbers of during April as they gather to make their way northward.
In the beginning of April, the final push of waterfowl migrates through York, heading north. In addition to those species that were seen on and off during the winter, look for Blue-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebes, Caspian Terns passing through in April. While any body of water should be checked at this time for waterfowl, Lake Redman Boardwalk and Pinchot SP are best for the three species mentioned.
During the first week of April, Black-crowned Night Herons and Great Egrets arrive at their traditional rookery in the middle of the city to build their nests in the trees surrounding Kiwanis Lake. By mid-April, some shorebirds and waders such as Solitary and Spotted Sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Green Herons, Virginia Rails, and Sora arrive. The Lake Redman Boardwalk is a great spot to find most of these birds, as well as the wetland area at Nixon Park.
Songbirds
April marks the beginning of spring songbird migration, with Eastern Phoebes, Chipping Sparrows, House Wrens, Chimney Swifts, and swallows beginning to arrive in early April. In the warbler category, Yellow-rumped warbler numbers continue to build while Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Louisiana Waterthrush, Pine Warblers, and the ‘Yellow’ subspecies of Palm Warblers (with entirely yellow underparts) arrive and become abundant, paving the way for the wave of warblers to come later on. Warblers and other songbirds can be found in a variety of habitats. Look for “Edge Zones” where forest meets field meets water. Most of our State and County Parks are excellent habitat for songbirds. Waterthrush are typically found in small, forested streams such as those present at Spring Valley SP, Nixon Park, Pinchot SP, Lock 12, and along Muddy Creek. Two of the best spots for Pine Warblers are the Lake Williams Boat Launch area and Pinchot SP.
In late April, the floodgate of migrants begins to open up with Hummingbirds, Vireos, Common Yellowthroat, Parula, Yellow, and Black-and White Warblers leading the charge. This is a great time to see birds because the trees are typically still largely barren of leaves, so getting binoculars on songbirds is at its easiest now. Rocky Ridge, Spring Valley, Nixon Park, Pinchot SP, Lock 12, Mary Ann Furnace Trail at Codorus State Park, and Lake Redman are all great spots to find most of these species.
Wintering Birds Depart:
Most of the birds that migrated "south" to York to spend the winter will be leaving to head back north by the end of April. Enjoy your last looks of species such as Hermit Thrushes, Winter Wrens, Pine Siskins, Purple Finches, White-throated Sparrows, and Juncos. For some of these species, you may notice a building of numbers of during April as they gather to make their way northward.
May
Songbirds
May is the magical month of birding in Pennsylvania. Songbird migration is at its peak and all birders dream of finding that “fallout”; when bevies of songbirds, having been coerced out of the sky during their nightly flight by inclement weather, can be found in a feeding frenzy the next morning. If you are so lucky, you could witness an amazing number of birds and a large variety of species ‘dripping’ out of the trees as they refuel on insects and recharge on this unscheduled stopover during their journey. Of chief interest among these travellers are the warblers. Known for their bright colors, mixed species flocks, active feeding style, and interesting songs; warbler migration is the highlight of the year for many birders. Over 30 species of warblers are possible to see in York during May. The first three weeks of May are when most of the migrants move through. By the end of the last week of May, almost all of the migrant species of songbirds will have passed through York on their way to their breeding grounds.
Some of the more common migrants to look for in May that can only be found in York during migration time are: Northern Waterthrushes, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Chestnut-sided, Nashville, Blackburnian, Cape May, Magnolia, Tennessee, Bay-Breasted, and Canada Warblers. You may also find some Palm Warblers in May; but at this time, they will most likely be the ‘Western’ subspecies (with a mix of white and yellow underparts) as opposed to the ‘Yellow’ subspecies that is seen in April. Other types of migrants passing through at this time include Blue-headed Vireos, Swainson’s Thrushes, and Least Flycatchers. Bringing up the rear for the migrants is the Blackpoll Warbler. More often heard than seen, listen for their high-pitched “squeaky brake” call coming from the treetops during the last 2 weeks in May, mournfully announcing the end of migration.
Even if you don’t experience a fallout, some migrating songbirds can be found in about any area of suitable habitat in the county on any given day in May. Most warblers, vireos, and thrushes are not seen at feeders, so many casual bird observers are not even aware of what they are missing. One must go out and get into the woods with binoculars and look and listen. Rocky Ridge, Spring Valley, Nixon Park, Pinchot SP, Lock 12, Mary Ann Furnace Trail at Codorus State Park , and Lake Williams/Redman are some of the best spots for finding migrating songbirds.
Shorebirds
Shorebirds are also passing through Pennsylvania in May, but the water levels are usually too high at most of the bodies of water in York to have the exposed mudflats necessary for shorebirds; so they don't usually stop in York in significant numbers at this time. Occasionally, a lake will have its water levels drawn down far enough in May for mudflats to be exposed. If this is the case, be sure to check that spot regularly for shorebirds. Typically, Lake Redman Boardwalk is the best spot to see the shorebirds during this month, especially those with longer legs.
May is the magical month of birding in Pennsylvania. Songbird migration is at its peak and all birders dream of finding that “fallout”; when bevies of songbirds, having been coerced out of the sky during their nightly flight by inclement weather, can be found in a feeding frenzy the next morning. If you are so lucky, you could witness an amazing number of birds and a large variety of species ‘dripping’ out of the trees as they refuel on insects and recharge on this unscheduled stopover during their journey. Of chief interest among these travellers are the warblers. Known for their bright colors, mixed species flocks, active feeding style, and interesting songs; warbler migration is the highlight of the year for many birders. Over 30 species of warblers are possible to see in York during May. The first three weeks of May are when most of the migrants move through. By the end of the last week of May, almost all of the migrant species of songbirds will have passed through York on their way to their breeding grounds.
Some of the more common migrants to look for in May that can only be found in York during migration time are: Northern Waterthrushes, Black-throated Green, Black-throated Blue, Chestnut-sided, Nashville, Blackburnian, Cape May, Magnolia, Tennessee, Bay-Breasted, and Canada Warblers. You may also find some Palm Warblers in May; but at this time, they will most likely be the ‘Western’ subspecies (with a mix of white and yellow underparts) as opposed to the ‘Yellow’ subspecies that is seen in April. Other types of migrants passing through at this time include Blue-headed Vireos, Swainson’s Thrushes, and Least Flycatchers. Bringing up the rear for the migrants is the Blackpoll Warbler. More often heard than seen, listen for their high-pitched “squeaky brake” call coming from the treetops during the last 2 weeks in May, mournfully announcing the end of migration.
Even if you don’t experience a fallout, some migrating songbirds can be found in about any area of suitable habitat in the county on any given day in May. Most warblers, vireos, and thrushes are not seen at feeders, so many casual bird observers are not even aware of what they are missing. One must go out and get into the woods with binoculars and look and listen. Rocky Ridge, Spring Valley, Nixon Park, Pinchot SP, Lock 12, Mary Ann Furnace Trail at Codorus State Park , and Lake Williams/Redman are some of the best spots for finding migrating songbirds.
Shorebirds
Shorebirds are also passing through Pennsylvania in May, but the water levels are usually too high at most of the bodies of water in York to have the exposed mudflats necessary for shorebirds; so they don't usually stop in York in significant numbers at this time. Occasionally, a lake will have its water levels drawn down far enough in May for mudflats to be exposed. If this is the case, be sure to check that spot regularly for shorebirds. Typically, Lake Redman Boardwalk is the best spot to see the shorebirds during this month, especially those with longer legs.
|
Links for More Information
|
Note: All pictures in this birding guide are actual pictures of birds taken while they were in York County, PA by David Arrow.