Birding at Hills Creek State Park: Saturday, April 20, 2013

Went out birding at Hills Creek State Park for the third consecutive Saturday. With the front that moved through last evening, it was assumed it would be a rotten day, especially since the winds were still pretty strong and there didn't appear to be much on the lake. Because of the cool temperatures and strong breeze we stayed pretty much inland, skirting the north end of the lake only in passing.

Last week we had scores of waterfowl on the lake and never really left the shoreline. This week there were many fewer swimmers and even seeing those was difficult because of the chop. The woods and fields, however, produced numerous species and individuals including quite a few warblers--a sure(?) sign that spring may be gaining a footing. The trees are just beginning to bud out so the birds couldn't hide behind leaves.

 At the end of the walk we had tallied at least 33 species and could have had more if we had worked at it by extending our walk to include the beach area. Waterfowl may have been low in number, but the number of species wasn't as greatly reduced as we expected. And the number of swallows zipping through the air over the lake was amazing! What they may have been eating is a mystery as we saw no bugs hatching from the cold water.

 Any way, here's the report I filed with eBird for today's outing which included 12 birders:

 Hills Creek SP, Tioga, US-PA
Apr 20, 2013 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling 1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Very breezy morning about 40 degrees. Partially cloudy with a bit of snow flurry. Cold front moved through the evening before.

33 species

Canada Goose X
Wood Duck X
Mallard X
Bufflehead X
Common Merganser X
Common Loon X
Horned Grebe X
Double-crested Cormorant X
Osprey X
Northern Harrier X
Bald Eagle X
Barred Owl X
Belted Kingfisher X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker X
Eastern Phoebe X
American Crow X
Northern Rough-winged Swallow X
Tree Swallow X
Barn Swallow X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Red-breasted Nuthatch X
Golden-crowned Kinglet X
Eastern Bluebird X
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
European Starling X
Palm Warbler X
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Chipping Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
Purple Finch X

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13814903