🕊️ Birding Report: South Middleton Township Park with The Bird Guy Tours

📅 Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025

🕘 Time: 9:05 AM – 10:42 AM

📍 Location: South Middleton Township Park, Cumberland County, PA

🧭 Protocol: Traveling – 0.83 miles

👥 Participants: 7 birders

🦉 Guide: Andrew Dapkins, owner and guide of The Bird Guy Tours

🔗eBird Checklist: View Checklist on eBird

🌤️ Walk Summary

On a clear May morning, seven enthusiastic birders joined Andrew Dapkins of The Bird Guy Tours for a guided walk at South Middleton Township Park. The park’s blend of open fields, young woods, and water features offered excellent habitat diversity, reflected in the rich variety of birds observed.

Spring migration was in full swing, and the group encountered 36 species during their 1.5-hour trek through the park.

🐦 Bird Species Observed (36)

• Canada Goose – 2

• Mourning Dove – 1

• Chimney Swift – 5

• Black Vulture – 1

• Turkey Vulture – 3

• Bald Eagle – 1

• Red-headed Woodpecker – 1 (always a highlight!)

• Eastern Phoebe – 2

• Great Crested Flycatcher – 1

• Eastern Kingbird – 2

• Warbling Vireo – 5

• Blue Jay – 1

• American Crow – 2

• Tufted Titmouse – 2

• Tree Swallow – 12

• Northern Rough-winged Swallow – 3

• Barn Swallow – 2

• Northern House Wren – 2

• European Starling – 2

• Gray Catbird – 3

• Brown Thrasher – 2

• Eastern Bluebird – 4

• American Robin – 9

• Cedar Waxwing – 1

• House Finch – 3

• American Goldfinch – 4

• Chipping Sparrow – 2

• Song Sparrow – 5

• Baltimore Oriole – 1

• Red-winged Blackbird – 7

• Brown-headed Cowbird – 3

• Common Grackle – 5

• Common Yellowthroat – 3

• Yellow Warbler – 2

• Yellow-rumped Warbler – 1

• Northern Cardinal – 2

🗣️ Highlights

• Red-headed Woodpecker sightings are always memorable, especially in such accessible local habitats.

• Swallows were particularly active over open areas, offering great comparison views of multiple species in flight.

• A Bald Eagle soaring overhead delighted the group with a patriotic flair first thing in the morning.

For those interested in future walks with The Bird Guy Tours, check the official website or follow your local parks department updates.