TIOGA COUNTY RARE BIRD REPORTS

These reports are taken from eBird. For more information, you can click on the checklist. Birds are not necessarily considered rare because they are rare species, but because the are rarely seen here at this time of year. Also, photos are not of the bird reported, but are for illustrative puposes only.

Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) (1 bird)

• Reported Oct 12, 2026 09:45 by August Swimley
• Home, Tioga, Pennsylvania
• Checklist: S401703435
• Comments: "With mixed flock of chickadee and titmouse, yellow on throat with partial eye ring and white wing bars, got direct view multiple times."

Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) (1 bird)

• Reported Oct 04, 2026 09:52 by Ken Cooper
• Tauscher Pond, Tioga, Pennsylvania
• Checklist: S399201888
• Comments: "Male with pied-bill grebe."

Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) (1 bird)

• Reported Oct 22, 2026 12:58 by Lisa Doud
• Tauscher Pond, Tioga, Pennsylvania
• Checklist: S404695773
• Comments: "Hen type. Grayish body. Dark brown/red colored head. Forehead sloping to beak giving it that odd canvasback profile. Well out preening." Photo is male.

Kelsey Academy Schedule

The Kelsey Academy of Tioga (KAT) is a community-based lifelong learning program in Tioga County, Pennsylvania. It offers free, public talks and presentations "for and by the people of Tioga County," tapping into the local knowledge, skills, and experiences of community members. Sessions cover a wide variety of subjects, including local history, heritage, writing, gardening, filmmaking, health, nature, science, and ecology. You can find their schedule and list of programs here.

TAS Meeting 14 October 2026

Our next meeting will be on 14 October 2026 at 6:00 PM at the Patterson Trailhead building across from the Wellsboro House in Wellsboro. This will be a planning meeting to work out programs for future meetings. If you have an idea, pleaase bring it. Everyone is welcome.

Bird Walk Saturday September 26 at the new Patterson Trailhead Visitor Center

TAS will be leading a bird walk at the new Patterson Trailhead visitor center on Saturday September 26 at 8:00 AM. This will be one of the many activities taking place that weekend in celebration of the Pine Creek Rail Trail being named as the best rail trail in Pennsylvania in 2026. This will be an easy walk, and should last no more than on hour. Everyone is welcome to participate. The new part of the rail trail promises to be a very good birding location with a variety of habitats. The new visitor center is located in Wellsboro across the street from the Wellsboro House Retaurant.

Cape May Warbler

SPRING BIRD WALKS TO COMMENCE APRIL 4

Our annual spring bird walks will continue again this year on Saturday, April 4, at 8:00 AM, but with some major changes. The walks will continue to take place each Saturday in April and May, but they will not all take place at Hills Creek State Park. Walks will be held at various "birdy" points along the Pine Creek Rail Trail including Darling Run and the Cavanaugh Access, and at Ives Run. Good binoculars are available for loan if you don't have any. Please note that the weather can be very cold and blustery in April, especially near the lakes, so be prepared. Also grassy areas are often very wet with dew, and trails often have some muddy sections, so you may want to wear waterproof footwear. This is a tentative list, so please check back for the latest info. All walks start at 8:00 AM.

April 4 – Hill Creek State Park (Office)

April 11 – Hills Creek State Park (Office)

April 18 – Ives Run Railroad Grade Trail. Please meet at Stephenhause Pavilian just off the road to the facility's headquarters and visitor center.

April 25 – Darling Run meeting in the upper, paved parking lot.

May 2 - Hills Creek State Park (Office)

May 9 – Cavanaugh Access to Pine Creek Rail Trail on Marsh Creek Road

May 16 – Hills Creek State Park (Office)

May 23 – Ives Run Railroad Grade Trail parking off Hill Creek Road

American widgeons are often seen on the lakes in April.

March 11 TAS Meeting and Presentation

Our next meeting will be on March 11 and will feature a program on birding in Belize by Sean Minnick. The presentation will immediately follow the 6:00 business meeting, so 6:30ish. Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center, 134 Main Street (next to the library), Wellsboro.

February 11 2026 Meeting

Please join Sean Minnick, TAS treasure, and learn about Cuban culture and the endemic and near endemic birds Cuba has to offer. The program will immediately follow our 6:00pm business meeting. Both meetings and program are always open to the public. Location is Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center on Main Street in Wellsboro next to the Green Free Library.