8 July 2024
Eight of us gathered yesterday morning, 7 July, to search for birds at Duck Hole. Alas, I forgot to take a gaggle photograph.
It was scorching.
We caught to the shade and noticed two fly-by ospreys and a bunch of juvenile songbirds. We additionally noticed a Greatest Insect — the powdered dancer (Argia moesta) damselfly pictured above — and a Greatest Mammal sighting of two juvenile muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) swimming in 9 Mile Run creek.
We discovered in regards to the immature plumage of northern rough-winged swallows (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) when a number of perched on a wire and one turned its again. By means of binoculars you’ll be able to establish immature birds by their reddish-brown wing bars. Click on right here to see.

We additionally noticed two juvenile northern mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) — a primary for me.

In 90 minutes we tallied 23 species. It was scorching and getting hotter so we went house.
Duck Hole, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, US
Jul 7, 2024 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
23 species
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 30 — Kids w adults. Adults flightless.
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 6
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 1
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) 15
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) 1
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 1
Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) 1
Nice Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 1
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 2
Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) 1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1
Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) 3
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) 6
Northern Tough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 14 — Not less than 3 immatures
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) 3
Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) 4 — Two juvenile birds
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 12
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 6
Music Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 3
Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) 1
Crimson-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 5
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) 4
View this guidelines on-line at https://ebird.org/guidelines/S185899887
Because of Charity Kheshgi for the images.