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Below is the shot that can really clinch the id. The tail pattern on Ash-throated Flycatchers has a dark outer edge at the bottom of the outer tail feathers.

Below are some shots I had taken of the similar Great Crested Flycatcher.

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In comparison to nearby Eastern Meadowlarks, I was able to note several differences which I think made it relatively easy to pick out. The Eastern Meadowlarks had a much darker, almost black, eyeline and facial pattern while the Western Meadowlark’s facial pattern seemed pale and indistinct. I could also pick out the difference in malar area, with the Western Meadowlark having yellow and the Eastern having white.

A third feature that helped me pick out the Western Meadowlark was the amount of black streaking on its side. The Western Meadowlark was much less heavily streaked with a spotted effect compared to the Eastern Meadowlarks.

Unfortunately these pictures don’t show off these distinguishing characteristics except for the yellow malar so you will all just have to go check it out for yourself. You can also check out this comparison page for more illustrations of the differences.

The Yellow-headed Blackbird hung out at the seed pile with Red-winged Blackbirds and Brown-headed Cowbird. It was in and out while I was at the site, but wasn’t sure where else it was hanging out.

–update–

I saw the HASP at 4pm briefly thanks to Chuck Chalfant. Scroll down for a map of where the bird was last hanging out.

Click on the photo for a larger view.

Harris's Sparrow by Tom Raub

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Octorara Lake has been a great spot to see Northern Pintails this year. The last time I checked the area off of Mt Eden Rd, there were probably close to one thousand pintails feeding there. I was looking for a previously reported Eurasian Wigeon but struck out on that.  Eurasian Wigeons have made quite a showing in PA this year, with sightings in at least Lancaster, Berks, Delaware counties.

Here is a list of the other birds I saw at Octorara Lake-

• Canada Goose – Branta canadensis     300
• Wood Duck – Aix sponsa     1
• American Wigeon – Anas americana     4
• American Black Duck – Anas rubripes     12
• Mallard – Anas platyrhynchos     30
• Northern Pintail – Anas acuta     900
• Ring-necked Duck – Aythya collaris     56
• Hooded Merganser – Lophodytes cucullatus     4
• Common Merganser – Mergus merganser     120
• Great Blue Heron – Ardea herodias     1
• Black Vulture – Coragyps atratus     4
• Turkey Vulture – Cathartes aura     8
• Bald Eagle – Haliaeetus leucocephalus     2
• Red-tailed Hawk – Buteo jamaicensis     1
• American Kestrel – Falco sparverius     1
• Ring-billed Gull – Larus delawarensis     60
• Herring Gull – Larus argentatus     3
• Mourning Dove – Zenaida macroura     2
• Belted Kingfisher – Megaceryle alcyon     1
• Red-bellied Woodpecker – Melanerpes carolinus     1
• Downy Woodpecker – Picoides pubescens     1
• Northern Flicker – Colaptes auratus     2
• Blue Jay – Cyanocitta cristata     4
• American Crow – Corvus brachyrhynchos     20
• Carolina Chickadee – Poecile carolinensis     3
• Tufted Titmouse – Baeolophus bicolor     2
• White-breasted Nuthatch – Sitta carolinensis     1
• Carolina Wren – Thryothorus ludovicianus     3
• Winter Wren – Troglodytes troglodytes     2
• Golden-crowned Kinglet – Regulus satrapa     2
• Eastern Bluebird – Sialia sialis     2
• American Robin – Turdus migratorius     19
• Northern Mockingbird – Mimus polyglottos     1
• European Starling – Sturnus vulgaris     20
• Field Sparrow – Spizella pusilla     1
• Song Sparrow – Melospiza melodia     8
• White-throated Sparrow – Zonotrichia albicollis     12
• Dark-eyed Junco – Junco hyemalis     80
• Northern Cardinal – Cardinalis cardinalis     4
• Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus     120
• Common Grackle – Quiscalus quiscula     800
• House Finch – Carpodacus mexicanus     3
• Pine Siskin – Carduelis pinus     16
• American Goldfinch – Carduelis tristis     X

When I got there, the Western Grebe was swimming a couple hundred feet down the creek from the access, so I got pretty good looks but it wasn’t close enough for great pictures. It was hanging out with a Red-necked Grebe which provided an interesting comparison.

The grebes are hanging out in the Conoduguinet Creek and you can see the exact location in the map below.  The owner of the house there is allowing birders to park in her driveway as long as they leave room for her to get in and out. Don’t park along the road.

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