Recent Sightings - and a listing of some previous sightings

This page lists recent sightings of birds and wildlife as noted by our members. It is arranged by date, with the most recent sightings listed first. If you seen something interesting, send a note to webmaster@sevenmountainsaudubon.org and we will post it here!

From Dick Nickelsen – January 24

Allen: I checked our the pines across Lake Chillisquaque for an hour but found no owls. But I saw the strange-looking Rough-legged Hawk near the spring feeding the stream where the 4 Green-winged Teal were still present. Best observation was a confrontation between a Merlin and a male N. Harrier on the field west of Flemings pond. The Merlin was sitting on a fence post and then flew to a place on the ground were he was hopping or walking around and pecking at something. The Harrier arrived and dived at him, then followed him to another fence post still on the chase. The Merlin didn't seem concerned because he was so much quicker. But then as this continued the Merlin climbed steeply and dived 3 or 4 times in a few seconds at the hapless Harrier who began to realize he had bitten off too much. They disappeared from view with the Merlin still diving at the Harrier

I also found the albino Red-tailed Hawk that I saw several years ago at the same place. The bird is completely white on back and wings but can be identified because it has a red tail. I didn't see the breast but the head also seemed white. The location is on Rt. 254 east of Milton, before you get to the left turn on Strick Rd. that takes you to Limestoneville. No owls but it was a good day!

Also January 24

Joanne Schweinsberg spotted a pair of swans in the Susquehanna river along River Road north of Lewisburg. This is the area where sometimes dozens, sometimes hundreds, of Tundra Swans stop over on their way north in February or March. Is this the beginning of an early flight or just a couple of strays?