Birding Through the Seasons - November

Most of fall waterfowl movement occurs this month as cold weather sets in. Diving ducks (mergansers, scaup, bufflehead, ring-necks, and others) are occupying larger, deeper bodies of water. Several local sites with particular waterfowl activity include Presque Isle State Park, Erie County; Pymatuning Reservoir, Crawford County; Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, Lebanon and Lancaster counties; and John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, Philadelphia County.

Raptor migration is beginning to wane, but a few species -- Golden Eagle, Northern Goshawk, and Turkey Vulture -- are at their peak. Some of the soaring buteos – Red-tailed and Red-shouldered hawks – also are still abundant.