USA trip that originated with the ELO farewell tour

It was quite the trip - first I bought tickets for two ELO concerts in Philadelphia and Washington where friends and relatives accompanied us. Then we put together a trip from Asbury Park NJ to Philly to Annandale/Washington to the Skyline Drive, Monticello, Chambersburg PA where I grew up, Amish country and Manhattan/The Village. A great trip - and with birds everywhere from the Jersey Shore to Central Park! A total of 26 species is included, 26 of them have been observed.
Start of the USA trip in New Jersey - 18 September 2024 - 19 September 2024 - At Michele's in Annadale, VA - 24 September 2024 - 26 September 2024 - 27 September 2024 - Skyline Drive (Shenandoah National Park) - 28 September 2024 - 29 September 2024 - 30 September 2024 - 24 hours in Chambersburg - Cemetery and Ragged Edge Inn - 02 October 2024 - 03 October 2024 - Birding in Central Park, NYC - 06 October 2024 - 07 October 2024

Start of the USA trip in New Jersey:

2024-09-17 00.00.00 - 2024-09-19 23.59.59 in New Jersey
As we flew to Newark, our trip started in Asbury Park. There and near Surf City and Barnagat Lighthouse, we saw many waterbirds.

18 September 2024:

New Jersey

American crow / Amerikanerkrähe (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

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♫ 2024-09-18 12:36:00 American crow - New Jersey. New Jersey (song?)

Northern mockingbird / Gartenspottdrossel (Mimus polyglottos)

Alternate classification: Turdus polyglottos
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♫ 2024-09-18 12:41:00 Northern mockingbird - New Jersey. New Jersey (song)

House sparrow / Haussperling (Passer domesticus)

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♫ 2024-09-18 13:38:00 Haussperling, Corvus ossifragus. New Jersey (song?)

Singers: House sparrow, Fish crow
♫ 2024-09-18 13:38:00 House sparrow, Fish crow - New Jersey. New Jersey (song?)

Black turnstone / Schwarzkopf-Steinwälzer (Arenaria melanocephala)

Alternate classification: Strepsilas melanocephalus
Also known as: Turnstone

Sandy Turnstone, Long Beach Island, NJ. 2024-09-18 18:20:09 New Jersey Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 9.625
ISO 800
Exposure 1/800 Profile Wikipedia eBird Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto

Semipalmated sandpiper / Sandstrandläufer (Calidris pusilla)

Alternate classification: Tringa pusilla

CHECK IF Semipalmated Sandpiper, Long Beach Island, NJ. 2024-09-18 18:30:28 New Jersey Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 10
ISO 800
Exposure 1/1000 Profile Wikipedia eBird Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto

Herring gull / Silbermöwe (Larus argentatus)

Also known as: Silbermoewe, European herring gull

Herring gull, near Barnegat Lighthouse, Long Beach Island, NJ. 2024-09-18 19:48:40 New Jersey Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 250
Exposure 1/400 Profile Wikipedia eBird A-Z Animals Vogelwarte BirdLife ZH ornitho.ch Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto BirdID NABU

19 September 2024:

New Jersey

Boat-tailed grackle (Quiscalus major)


Boat-tailed grackle, Asbury Park, NJ. 2024-09-19 09:01:36 New Jersey Galaxy S24 Ultra Shutter speed 1/208
ISO 32
Exposure 0.005 Profile Wikipedia eBird Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto
♫ 2024-09-19 08:58:00 Boat-tailed grackle - New Jersey. New Jersey (song?)

♫ 2024-09-19 09:00:00 Boat-tailed grackle - New Jersey. New Jersey (song)

Carolina wren / Carolinazaunkönig (Thryothorus ludovicianus)

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♫ 2024-09-19 12:15:00 Carolina wren - New Jersey. New Jersey (song?)

At Michele's in Annadale, VA:

2024-09-24 00.00.00 - 2024-09-28 11.59.59 in Annandale, Virginia
Cousin Michele's bird feeder is always a wonderful place to see North American birds, including some favorites like cardinals, wrens, snorthern flicker and other woodpeckers.

24 September 2024:

Annandale, Virginia

American crow / Amerikanerkrähe (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

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Singers: American crow, Carolina wren, Blue jay, Northern cardinal, Red-bellied woodpecker
♫ 2024-09-24 11:21:00 American crow, Carolina wren, Blue jay, Northern cardinal, Red-bellied woodpecker - Annandale, Virginia. Annandale, Virginia (song?)

Northern cardinal / Rotkardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

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Singers: Northern cardinal, Red-bellied woodpecker
♫ 2024-09-24 11:56:00 Northern cardinal, Red-bellied woodpecker - Annandale, Virginia. Annandale, Virginia (song?)

American crow / Amerikanerkrähe (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

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Singers: American crow, Carolina wren, Blue jay, Northern cardinal
♫ 2024-09-24 12:01:00 American crow, Carolina wren, Blue jay, Northern cardinal - Annandale, Virginia. Annandale, Virginia (song)

Northern flicker / Goldspecht (Colaptes auratus)

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Singers: Northern flicker, Downy woodpecker
♫ 2024-09-24 12:02:00 Northern flicker, Downy woodpecker - Annandale, Virginia. Annandale, Virginia (song?)

♫ 2024-09-24 12:03:00 Northern flicker - Annandale, Virginia. Annandale, Virginia (song?)

House finch / Hausgimpel (Haemorhous mexicanus)

Alternate classification: Fringilla mexicana
Also known as: California linnet

House finch? else Female northern cardinal - is it my turn up there? 2024-09-24 14:59:24 Annandale, Virginia Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 6.375
ISO 6400
Exposure 1/80 Profile Wikipedia eBird A-Z Animals Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto

Yellow-bellied sapsucker / Gelbbauch-Saftlecker (Sphyrapicus varius)


Yellow-bellied sapsucker at Michele's. 2024-09-24 15:31:24 Annandale, Virginia Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 6.375
ISO 6400
Exposure 1/80 Profile Wikipedia eBird Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto


At the feeder - yellow bellied sapsucker, house finch - below - with the tail in the air looks like a wren. 2024-09-24 16:06:12 Annandale, Virginia Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 7.375
ISO 6400
Exposure 1/160

House finch / Hausgimpel (Haemorhous mexicanus)

Alternate classification: Fringilla mexicana
Also known as: California linnet

House finch group? 2024-09-24 16:06:24 Annandale, Virginia Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 7
ISO 6400
Exposure 1/125 Profile Wikipedia eBird A-Z Animals Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto

Swainson's thrush (Catharus ustulatus)


Swainson's thrush. 2024-09-24 16:06:24 Annandale, Virginia Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 7.375
ISO 6400
Exposure 1/160 Profile Wikipedia eBird Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto NABU

Yellow-bellied sapsucker / Gelbbauch-Saftlecker (Sphyrapicus varius)


Yellow bellied sapsucker at Michele's. 2024-09-24 18:05:09 Annandale, Virginia Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 69/8
ISO 640
Exposure 1/400 Profile Wikipedia eBird Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto

26 September 2024:

Annandale, Virginia

Red-bellied woodpecker / Carolinaspecht (Melanerpes carolinus)


A red-bellied woodpecker comes before a female northern cardinal in the pecking order. 2024-09-26 16:02:26 Annandale, Virginia Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 7.625
ISO 6400
Exposure 1/200 Profile Wikipedia eBird A-Z Animals Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto


Red-bellied woodpecker. 2024-09-26 16:02:26 Annandale, Virginia Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 7
ISO 6400
Exposure 1/125

American robin / Wanderdrossel (Turdus migratorius)

Also known as: Robin

American robin at King David Boulevard? 2024-09-26 17:45:15 New Jersey Galaxy S24 Ultra Shutter speed 1/50
ISO 64
Exposure 0.02 Profile Wikipedia eBird A-Z Animals Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto

Background - the big cat in Michele's back yard sees something.



2024-09-26 18:01:01 Annandale, Virginia Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 6400
Exposure 1/400

Background - we thought we saw a fox, but it was this big cat.



2024-09-26 18:01:26 Annandale, Virginia Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 6400
Exposure 1/400

Downy woodpecker / Dunenspecht (Dryobates pubescens)

Alternate classification: Picoides pubescens

Downy woodpecker at Micheles. 2024-09-26 19:23:26 Annandale, Virginia Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 69/8
ISO 6400
Exposure 1/400 Profile Wikipedia eBird A-Z Animals Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto

27 September 2024:

Annandale, Virginia

Northern cardinal / Rotkardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)


Northern cardinal at Michele's feeder. 2024-09-27 19:20:27 Annandale, Virginia Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 53/8
ISO 6400
Exposure 1/100 Profile Wikipedia eBird A-Z Animals Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto

Skyline Drive (Shenandoah National Park):

2024-09-28 12.00.00 - 2024-09-30 23.59.59 in Shenandoah National Park
The weather didn't cooperate to hike or see/hear a lot of birds, but we did notice a number that were less common in other areas.

28 September 2024:

Shenandoah National Park

House finch / Hausgimpel (Haemorhous mexicanus)

Alternate classification: Fringilla mexicana
Also known as: California linnet

House finch at Michele's feeder. 2024-09-28 14:54:28 Shenandoah National Park Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 6400
Exposure 1/400 Profile Wikipedia eBird A-Z Animals Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto


House finch at Michele's. 2024-09-28 14:55:51 Shenandoah National Park Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 3200
Exposure 1/400

Northern cardinal / Rotkardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)


In the staring eyes of a northern cardinal. 2024-09-28 16:52:53 Shenandoah National Park Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 5000
Exposure 1/400 Profile Wikipedia eBird A-Z Animals Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto

Background - Insects - Spotted lanternfly on the Skyline Drive - never heard of them before.



2024-09-28 18:50:28 Shenandoah National Park Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8
ISO 6400
Exposure 1/250

Background - view westward from the Skyline Drive.



2024-09-28 20:06:11 Shenandoah National Park Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.375
ISO 100
Exposure 1/320

29 September 2024:

Shenandoah National Park

Background - hints of fall colors.



2024-09-29 16:59:58 Shenandoah National Park Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8
ISO 2000
Exposure 1/250

TBI - couldn't get a focused picture of this little guy.



TBI - couldn't get a focused picture of this little guy. 2024-09-29 17:00:11 Shenandoah National Park Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 9.625
ISO 6400
Exposure 1/800

30 September 2024:

Shenandoah National Park

Common kingfisher / Eisvogel (Alcedo atthis)

Alternate classification: Gracula atthis
Also known as: Eisvögel
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♫ 2024-09-30 07:56:42 Birdweather-Common Kingfisher, questionable call, about 10 notes, the first 4 falling from 9k to 6k. Source: BIRDWEATHER 20240930_075642-Birdweather-Common_Kingfisher, questionable call, about 10 notes, the first 4 falling from 9k to 6k.mp3 Shenandoah National Park (call)

Background - Berries in the Shenandoah National Park.



2024-09-30 19:25:35 Shenandoah National Park Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 10
ISO 5000
Exposure 1/1000

24 hours in Chambersburg - Cemetery and Ragged Edge Inn:

2024-10-02 00.00.00 - 2024-10-03 23.59.59 in Chambersburg, PA
Back in my home town of Chambersburg we stayed a Ragged Edge Inn, in the countryside but just off of Route 30 - where you're at a brook and by the woods, and have lots of songbirds visiting.

02 October 2024:

Chambersburg, PA

American crow / Amerikanerkrähe (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

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Singers: American crow, Red-tailed hawk, Chipping sparrow
♫ 2024-10-02 15:40:00 American crow, Red-tailed hawk, Chipping sparrow - Chambersburg, PA. Chambersburg, PA (song?)

Mourning dove / Carolinataube (Zenaida macroura)


Mourning doves at Norland Cemetery. 2024-10-02 21:43:16 Chambersburg, PA Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 250
Exposure 1/400 Profile Wikipedia eBird A-Z Animals Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto

Red-tailed hawk / Rotschwanzbussard (Buteo jamaicensis)

Alternate classification: Falco jamaicensis

Red-tailed hawk guarding over Norland cemetery where my Kelly grandparents and Uncle Clair are buried. 2024-10-02 21:43:47 Chambersburg, PA Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 320
Exposure 1/400 Profile Wikipedia eBird Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto

Common starling / Star (Sturnus vulgaris)

Also known as: European_Starling, European starling, European starling

Common starlings in flight at Norland Cemetery. 2024-10-02 21:50:02 Chambersburg, PA Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 200
Exposure 1/400 Profile Wikipedia eBird Vogelwarte BirdLife ZH ornitho.ch bird-song.ch Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto BirdID NABU

Starlings -. 2024-10-02 21:50:05 Chambersburg, PA Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 200
Exposure 1/400


2. 2024-10-02 21:50:19 Chambersburg, PA Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 200
Exposure 1/400

03 October 2024:

Chambersburg, PA

Blue jay / Blauhäher (Cyanocitta cristata)

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Singers: Blue jay, Brown-headed cowbird
♫ 2024-10-03 11:26:00 Blue jay, Brown-headed cowbird - Chambersburg, PA. Chambersburg, PA (song?)

American crow / Amerikanerkrähe (Corvus brachyrhynchos)


Flock, if I zoom in they look like American crows, in the trees at Ragged Edge Inn. 2024-10-03 17:16:03 Chambersburg, PA Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 59/8
ISO 100
Exposure 1/160 Profile Wikipedia eBird Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto


They look like American crows to me. 2024-10-03 17:16:03 Chambersburg, PA Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 69/8
ISO 250
Exposure 1/400

Ruby-crowned kinglet (alternate) (Regulus calendula)

Also known as: Ruby-crowned kinglet

Ruby-crowned kinglet. 2024-10-03 17:19:03 Chambersburg, PA Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 69/8
ISO 640
Exposure 1/400 Profile Wikipedia eBird Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto

TBI - zoom in on birds in flight at Ragged Edge Inn.



TBI - zoom in on birds in flight at Ragged Edge Inn. 2024-10-03 17:26:03 Chambersburg, PA Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 75/8
ISO 200
Exposure 1/640

Birding in Central Park, NYC:

2024-10-06 00.00.00 - 2024-10-07 23.59.59 in New York City, NY
For a birder, a trip to Manhattan has to include a trip to Central Park. I booked a tour by Birding Bob and got to tour the places where you'd see migratory and other birds. We also were at the Ramble, made famous by the story of the hateful white woman who called the police on black bird Christopher C when he asked her to put her dog on a leash, as clearly required in that area. Bob's log for that Sunday is here. Bob listed many birds that were migrating through Central Park that I most likely did not see (and we mostly heard his recordings that he was using to attract birds for our group to see.Here some of the birds he said were there; he listed birds that had been found anywhere aroundManhattan, but I tried to reduce it to Central Park sightings when he gave enough information: Lark Sparrow,clay-colored sparrow,yellow-bellied sapsucker (I photographed them), golden-crowned kinglet, blackpoll warbler, Northern parula, palm (warbler?), myrtle-form yellow-rumped warblers,American warblers,golden-winged warblers,orange-crowned warbler,Blackburnian warblers,yellow warblers,American redstart (dramatic reductions in numbers now indicate some of the exodus of what had been ultra common migrants in late summer to early fall here),orange-crowned warblers, American coot,great cormorant (a new arrival),pied-billed grebe,green-winged teals,wood duck.

There are also a few song/call recordings I made on my way to/from the Metropolitan Museum of Art the next day, October 7.

06 October 2024:

New Jersey

Background - bird feeders in Central Park.



2024-10-06 09:56:37 New Jersey Galaxy S24 Ultra Shutter speed 1/180
ISO 64
Exposure 1/180

Background - our group with Birding Bob in Central Park.



2024-10-06 10:00:59 New Jersey Galaxy S24 Ultra Shutter speed 1/180
ISO 12
Exposure 1/180

Background - I was in Rambler area in Central Park, just like Christopher C.



2024-10-06 10:06:43 New Jersey Galaxy S24 Ultra Shutter speed 1/180
ISO 40
Exposure 1/180

Dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis)

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Singers: Dark-eyed junco, White-throated sparrow, Northern cardinal, American redstart
♫ 2024-10-06 10:07:00 Dark-eyed junco, White-throated sparrow, Northern cardinal, American redstart - New York City, NY. New York City, NY (song)

Swainson's thrush (Catharus ustulatus)


Swainson's thrush in Central Park. 2024-10-06 15:42:42 New York City, NY Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 1000
Exposure 1/400 Profile Wikipedia eBird Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto NABU

Yellow-bellied sapsucker / Gelbbauch-Saftlecker (Sphyrapicus varius)


Yellow-bellied sapsucker in Central Park. 2024-10-06 15:44:06 New York City, NY Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8
ISO 320
Exposure 1/250 Profile Wikipedia eBird Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto


Yellow-bellied sapsucker. 2024-10-06 15:44:50 New York City, NY Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 320
Exposure 1/400


Yellow-bellied sapsucker. 2024-10-06 15:44:52 New York City, NY Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 320
Exposure 1/400

Eastern phoebe / Weißbauch-Phoebetyrann (Sayornis phoebe)

Also known as: Dusky flycatcher

Eastern Phoebe. 2024-10-06 15:45:06 New York City, NY Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 320
Exposure 1/400 Profile Wikipedia eBird A-Z Animals Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto

Yellow-bellied sapsucker / Gelbbauch-Saftlecker (Sphyrapicus varius)


Yellow-bellied sapsucker. 2024-10-06 15:47:06 New York City, NY Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 400
Exposure 1/400 Profile Wikipedia eBird Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto

Background - cones or nuts in Central Park.



2024-10-06 16:36:06 New York City, NY Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 200
Exposure 1/400

House sparrow / Haussperling (Passer domesticus)


I thought it had a huge finch-like beak but otherwise looked like a house sparrow - does say sparrow. 2024-10-06 17:42:06 New York City, NY Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 9.625
ISO 1600
Exposure 1/800 Profile Wikipedia eBird Vogelwarte BirdLife ZH ornitho.ch bird-song.ch Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto BirdID NABU

Canada goose / Kanadagans (Branta canadensis)

Alternate classification: Anser canadensis
Also known as: Canada geese

Canada geese in Central Park, NYC. 2024-10-06 18:48:06 New Jersey Canon EOS R7 24-240mm Shutter speed 8.625
ISO 800
Exposure 1/400 Profile Wikipedia eBird Audubon AllAboutBirds Xeno-Canto BirdID NABU

07 October 2024:

New York City, NY

White-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)

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♫ 2024-10-07 15:35:00 White-throated sparrow - New York City, NY. New York City, NY (song?)

American robin / Wanderdrossel (Turdus migratorius)

Also known as: Robin
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♫ 2024-10-07 15:41:00 American robin - New York City, NY. New York City, NY (song?)