Recently my home state, Pennsylvania, hosted two great birds, Roseate Spoonbill and White-winged Tern. A Roseate Spoonbill appeared on the Conejohela Flats on the Susquehanna River in Lancaster Co. July 15, 2017. It was seen sporadically that day by many birders. I couldn’t make it this day but tried the next day when it wasn’t seen despite a nearly all-day vigil by groups of birders. This bird or another Roseate Spoonbill was found to the west in Cumberland Co. This spoonbill was very cooperative and was easily seen and photographed at close distances. I made an unsuccessful try for it on July 30th but a successful try on August 6th.

On August 10, 2017 a beautiful White-winged Tern was discovered at Nessmuk Lake in Tioga Co., PA. This was a first state record and it was being seen perched at distances as close as 30ft . The location was about four hours north of my home and photographs of the bird showed it in early molt and still looking sharp. I made the long drive two days later and together with about 15-20 of my birding brethren enjoyed knockout looks at the bird perched and making a couple of leisurely flights around the lake.