Valentines Day Walk Report

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Winter Birding on Haldeman Island — Trip Report

Our mid‑February walk at State Game Lands 290—Haldeman Island delivered exactly what makes winter birding in the Susquehanna Valley so rewarding: crisp air, great company, and a surprising amount of bird activity tucked into the quiet edges of the river.

Seven participants joined me for this 1.49‑mile loop, and right from the start we were greeted by Canada Geese moving in the water near the footbridge. As we made our way along the trail, the group quickly settled into that perfect rhythm of shared discovery — spotting movement, comparing field marks, and celebrating each new find.

Raptors & River Birds Steal the Show

One of the highlights of the morning was an immature Bald Eagle cruising low over the island, giving everyone an excellent look at its massive wingspan. Winter is prime time for eagle activity along the Susquehanna, and this bird did not disappoint.

The river edges also produced a nice mix of waterfowl, including:

• American Black Ducks

• Hooded Mergansers

• Common Mergansers

Seeing both merganser species side‑by‑side gave us a great opportunity to compare their silhouettes and foraging behavior.

A Woodpecker‑Rich Morning

Haldeman Island’s mature forest patches were lively with woodpeckers. We recorded five species, a fantastic teaching moment for understanding size, call differences, and flight style:

• Red‑bellied Woodpecker

• Downy Woodpecker

• Hairy Woodpecker

• Northern Flicker

• Pileated Woodpecker

The Pileated in particular drew excitement — always a crowd‑pleaser with its prehistoric wingbeats and bright red crest.

Small Birds, Big Energy

Despite the season, the understory and thickets held plenty of songbird activity. Highlights included:

• Carolina Chickadees and a single Black‑capped Chickadee (a fun, if not impossible, ID comparison)

• Golden‑crowned Kinglet flitting nonstop through the pines

• Carolina Wrens singing boldly despite the cold

• Eastern Bluebirds adding a splash of color to the gray morning

Sparrows and finches rounded out the list, including Dark‑eyed Juncos, White‑throated Sparrows, and Northern Cardinals.

A Surprise Flush

A rare glimpse of an established, nonnative Ring‑necked Pheasant startled the group when it flushed from the brush just a few feet away — a brief but memorable moment.

Trip Totals

• 22 species

• 59 individual birds

• 1 hour, 39 minutes of birding

• 1.49 miles walked

• 7 participants

A full species list is available on our eBird checklist: Checklist S300450371 at ebird.org.

A Great Start to the Season

This walk was a wonderful reminder that winter birding is far from quiet — it’s simply a different kind of magic. Thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to such a positive, curious, and welcoming atmosphere.

Our next outings are already in the works, and I can’t wait to get back out there with you.

Until next time, keep looking for those feathered wonders.

Andrew Dapkins  

Guide and Owner, Bird Guy Tours