As part of the Atlantic Flyway, the corridor hosts large numbers of waterfowl and waterbirds in the wooded riverside habitats. According to wildlife biologists, the highest concentration of eagle wintering areas in New York is found in this watershed.
Butterflies
There are many species of butterflies right here in the Delaware River valley, but the Monarch is one of the most popular and well-recognized. Each summer the monarchs arrive from Mexico after wintering there during our coldest months.
An abbreviated butterfly checklist for the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway region. Valerie Freer and Renee Davis, May 2005. Please report new species seen to: Sullivan County Audubon, PO Box 30, Loch Sheldrake, NY 12759 (May 2003 Sullivan County Audubon Society.)
Revitalizing the Monarch Butterfliy
Fostering the Flyway by the Byway
Monarch butterflies are in trouble. In the last 20 years, their population has dwindled from more than a billion to just 150 million, a nearly 82% decline that has been observed with alarm along the Delaware River which serves as a flyway for the annual migration of Northeastern Monarchs from their summer breeding grounds to their wintering roosts in central Mexico.
The-Monarch-Butterfly-brochure-web (PDF)
How to Identify Birds
An abbreviated bird checklist for the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway region. Compiled by Valerie Freer and Phyllis Jones. Based on BIRDS OF SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY—A Checklist and Summary of Records, fourth edition (May 2003), published jointly by Sullivan County Community College and Sullivan County Audubon Society
Silhouette
Pay attention to the following:
- body shape
- proportions of the head, legs, wings
- tail shape
- length of the bill
Field Markings
Pay particular attention to the field marks of the head and the field marks of the wing.
Field Marks of the Head
When identifying an unknown bird, the following field marks of the head are particularly important:
- Eyebrow stripe (or superciliary line, above the eye)
- Eyeline (line through the eye)
- Crown stripe (stripe in the midline of the head)
- Eyering (ring of color around eye)
- Throat patch
- Color of the lore (area between base of beak and eye)
- Whisker mark (also called mustache or malar stripe)
- Color of upper and lower beak
- Presence or absence of crest
- Beak shape and size are also important identifying characteristics.
Field Marks of the Wings
Note the presence or absence of the following:
- Wingbars
- Wing patches
Posture
Vertical or Horizontal Posture
- A Flycatcher or American Robin perch with their breast held forward in an eractedor vertical position. While Vireos, Shrikes and Warblers perch in a horizontal position with their tails pointed out at an angle.
Size
After you have determined the shape and posture of the bird. Use the surrounding elements to detemine the size of the bird. A sparrow may carry itself the same way as a crow and have a similar shape but it is much smaller in size. These kind of deduction help in determining the type of bird you are watching. Poor light and thick brush can alter ones ability to immediately recognize the bird. Don’t be discourage.
Flight Pattern
Most birds fly in straight line with consistent rhythm from their flapping wings. Do pay attention to the character of their flight patterns.
Flapping verses Glidding
Eagles and Hawks are a superb example of gliders. Their pattern is typically to make several wing flaps followed by graceful glides as they watch for their prey below. There are many designated Eagle Observation areas along the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway.
Up and Down Flight Pattern
Finches exhibit a roller-coaster-like flight pattern, high peaks with dramatic falls. As opposed to woodpeckers that exhibit a flight pattern with moderate rises and falls.
Habitat
The diverse landscape of the Upper Delaware River valley provides habitat for a variety of birds that breed here or migrate through: more than 260 species have been identified in the recreation area. River and stream corridors are hosts to species ranging from Louisiana waterthrush to bald eagles.
Bottomland forest along the river support cirulean warblers. Hemlock dominated ravines offer breeding habitat for blackburnian and black-throated green warblers, acadian flycatchers, and hermit thrush.
Agricultural fields provide open space that is frequented by wild turkey while the surrounding trees offer hunting perches for raptors scanning fields for small prey. Grasslands provide breeding habitat for bobolink and grasshopper sparrow while wetlands are inhabited by waterfowl, shorebirds, and herons.
Deciduous forests, perhaps the largest landscape component, provide habitat for birds ranging from the scarlet tanager to the ruffed grouse. During the fall and spring months many birds migrate along the river valley. More than 30 species of warblers have been recorded during spring migration. In the fall the Kittatinny Ridge provides an important migratory corridor for raptors.
The Delaware River valley offers important wintering habitat for a large population of bald eagles attracted to the open water for foraging. Golden eagles are less frequently sighted but are recorded nearly every winter. Bald eagles are frequently seen along the river during the summer months and in 2002 the first recorded successful nest in the recreation area fledged two young.
Some references from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.