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3 Jul Catbird ["Anne B." ] 3 Jul West Pasco Cormorant [Ken Tracey ] 3 Jul Bahamas birding (possibly off-topic) [Stephen Johnson ] 3 Jul Fwd: [FLBIRDS] EBird checklist totals for Florida. [David Simpson ] 03 Jul EBird checklist totals for Florida. [David Simpson ] 3 Jul Re: catbird [David Simpson ] 3 Jul catbird ["Alan (Mac)Murray" ] 3 Jul Shiny Cowbird [Trey Mccuen ] 2 Jul FL target species [Trey Mccuen ] 2 Jul St. Augustine - red-tailed hawk [Diane Reed ] 2 Jul Re: Possible Neotropic Cormorant, West Pasco [Scott Patterson ] 2 Jul Re: Possible Neotropic Cormorant, West Pasco, [David Bowman ] 2 Jul Ft. Desoto, 07-02-2009 [Scott Patterson ] 2 Jul Red Knots and Banded Least Terns in Mid Pinellas [Irene Hernandez ] 2 Jul Possible Neotropic Cormorant, West Pasco, Another Photo [Ken Tracey ] 2 Jul Possible Neotropic Cormorant, West Pasco [Ken Tracey ] 2 Jul Re: Lesser Black-backed Gull and Shorebirds at Ponce de Leon Inlet. Volusia County [Michael Brothers ] 2 Jul STA 5 [Trey Mccuen ] 1 Jul Article on how Hurricane Charley affected Florida Scrub-Jays in Charlotte County [Brian Ahern ] 1 Jul Recent Big Bend Birds [Robert Lengacher ] 1 Jul Shiny Cowbird, Gulf Harbors, West Pasco [Ken Tracey ] 1 Jul Boca Grande [Tom Allen ] 1 Jul Re: Boca Grande nesting areas [Charlie Ewell ] 1 Jul Leach's Storm-Petrels in Pinellas [Ron Smith ] 30 Jun Boca Grande nesting areas [David Hartgrove ] 30 Jun Honeymoon [william stefancic ] 29 Jun South Daytona Parakeets & Merritt Island [william stefancic ] 29 Jun Swallow-tailed Kite, Tampa [Jeffrey Rubinstein ] 29 Jun Newly-Fledged Tufted Titmouse in Abercrombie Park [Jeff Hooks ] 28 Jun Banded Least Terns [donatdonlo ] 28 Jun Swallow-tailed Kite [Elaine Middleton Rimbach ] 28 Jun Mystery duck at Viera [william stefancic ] 28 Jun Fw: Viera Wetlands baby boom [william stefancic ] 28 Jun Pink Sandwich Tern [David Rankin ] 28 Jun Re: ID Help [Michael Libbe ] 28 Jun N. Gannet in Bradenton [Jeffery Fisher ] 28 Jun ID Help [Michael Libbe ] 28 Jun Mississippi Kite, Carlton Village Park, Lake County [Larry Connor ] 28 Jun Mississippi Kite location [Renne Leatto ] 28 Jun Magnificent Frigatebird off Bayshore [Matt Paulson ] 27 Jun Re: Mississippi Kite [Renne Leatto ] 27 Jun Battle at Viera 6/27/09 ["Thomas J. Dunkerton" ] 27 Jun Mississippi Kite [william stefancic ] 27 Jun BIRDS 684.AVI ["Alan (Mac)Murray" ] 27 Jun Satelite-tagged B. Vulture Playalinda (Brevard) [Mitchell Harris ] 26 Jun whitevulture&coopers [jw callis ] 26 Jun Birds and Bombs [David Rankin ] 26 Jun Swallow-tailed Kite and House Finches [Judy or Ray Smart ] 26 Jun Caracara Pinellas County [barb walker ] 26 Jun Fw: Rejected posting to BRDBRAIN@LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU [David Gagne ] 26 Jun hiding from the heat [Jeff Bouton ] 26 Jun hiding from the heat [Jeff Bouton ] 26 Jun bird ID [william stefancic ] 25 Jun color-banded juvenile Least Tern sightings [Marianne Korosy ] 24 Jun Curlew Still At Fort DeSoto CP (6-24-09) [Ron Smith ] 24 Jun Mississippi Kite Nest Lake County [Gallus Quigley ] 24 Jun White-eyed Parakeets Probable Nesting. South Daytona. Volusia County [Michael Brothers ] 23 Jun FYI - Penna. birding [Larry Albright ] 23 Jun Re: Viera Wetands ["Thomas J. Dunkerton" ] 23 Jun pelican on river [jw callis ] 23 Jun Warblers 6/23/09 [Danny Bales ] 23 Jun Viera Wetands [william stefancic ] 22 Jun No. Gannet in Englewood [Susan Daughtrey ] 22 Jun Re: Return of the Limpkin! [Liz Childress ] 22 Jun bluebird question [william stefancic ] 22 Jun Viera Wetlands 6/21/09 [Mark Kiser ] 21 Jun Re: Return of the Limpkin! [jw callis ] 21 Jun White-eyed Parakeets. South Daytona. Volusia County [Michael Brothers ] 21 Jun L.B. Curlew still @ Ft DeSoto North Beach [Phillip Simmons ] 21 Jun STA5 20 miles south of Clewiston: Hendry County [Margaret England STA5 Birding ] 20 Jun Bunche + Ding [Abbie Banks ] 20 Jun Viera [william stefancic ] 19 Jun Limpkins in Pasco [Maria Valentine ] 19 Jun Re: coastal American Crows [jw callis ] 19 Jun Re: Cowbirds, Brown-headed & Shiny, Prairie Warbler, Green Key [jw callis ] 19 Jun Re: coastal American Crows [jw callis ] Subject: Catbird From: "Anne B." <cyclist2 AT STRATO.NET> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 15:44:56 -0400 The last grey catbird I saw and photographed was in my back yard (Avon Park) on March 21, 2003. It stayed several weeks. Anne Bellenger Avon Park Lakes FL To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: West Pasco Cormorant From: Ken Tracey <kftracey AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 12:16:38 -0700 Hello, After much discussion and additional photos by Murray Gardler, all the experts agree on the discussed cormorant species as being Double-crested and not Neotropic. One final characteristic clincher was 12 tail feathers and not 14 that Neotropic have. I was by there this morning and the bird has recovered enough to fly away. Ken Tracey New Port Richey To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Bahamas birding (possibly off-topic) From: Stephen Johnson <stevejohnson2 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 14:15:43 -0400 Hello there, I am a new subscriber here. BRDBRAIN was listed on the Internet as covering Florida and the Bahamas. If this is considered off-topic here, please let me know. I'm planning to visit New Providence Island (Nassau) and Paradise Island this coming October. I realize these are the most developed areas in the Bahamas but I don't have a choice there. I have a bunch of questions about birding there, if anyone is willing to take a shot --- 1) What are some good birding locations close to Nassau? 2) I have read on the Internet about 2 "National Parks" on New Providence Island: "The Retreat" (11 acres), and "Harold and Wilson Pond" (250 acres). How safe or unsafe is it for an American tourist to visit these parks alone during the morning hours? 3) I have found some on-line checklists for birds in the Bahamas. Where can I find a seasonal list showing what times of year each species is rare, abundant, etc.? 4) Can you recommend any services providing either birdwatching tours, or at least travel to, the islands closest to Nassau? 5) Any good books, web sites, organizations, etc.? 6) Do you have any other general advice for an American birder visiting the Bahamas? Thank you!! Steve Johnson Fairfax, Virginia, USA To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Fwd: [FLBIRDS] EBird checklist totals for Florida. From: David Simpson <simpsondavid AT MAC.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 13:16:50 -0400 Hi all, The original post was rejected because it was too large. The culprit was a spreadsheet that by itself was too large to meet the space requirements. If you would like to see the spreadsheet you might find it by checking the archives of FloridaBirds-L (http:// lists.ufl.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=FLORIDABIRDS-L). Also, you can contact me and I will send it to you. The spreadsheet was distilled from information from one of the listed links. David Simpson Fellsmere, FL Begin forwarded message: > From: David SimpsonSubject: EBird checklist totals for Florida. From: David Simpson <simpsondavid AT mac.com> Date: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:05:46 -0400 Hi all, EBird had and interesting article recently. The article highlighted some of the gaps in data from around the country. It specifically highlighted counties where zero checklists have been submitted. None of those counties were in Florida. I downloaded the spreadsheet and distilled the information down to Florida's counties. I find it interesting to use the View and Explore Data tab from Ebird to see who is submitting checklists for the various counties in Florida. Some counties don't have prominent resident birders, but do have some relative unknowns that submit their yard or trip lists. Tradition has it that the fall migration begins with the shorebirds arriving on the 4th of July (even though migration never stops here in sunny Florida.) I hope that by sending out this information on New Birding Year's Eve, it might stimulate some folks to get out there and collect new data, submit them to Ebird and dig there old stuff for submission. EBird has some nifty tools for uploading bulk data. If anyone has old data in some sort of electronic format (or other format) and needs help uploading, please contact me and I will be glad to provide assistance. David Simpson Fellsmere, FL 321-720-5516 http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/ebirds-most-wanted-counties http://ebird.org/ebird/eBirdReports?cmd=Start http://ebird.org/content/ebird/about/using-the-ebird-data-import-tool http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/new-ms-excel-tool-to-simplify- data-upload [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Re: catbird From: David Simpson <simpsondavid AT MAC.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 12:28:43 -0400 Alan and all, Gray catbirds have a rather sporadic breeding range in Florida. The Breeding Bird Atlas recorded confirmed breeding as far south and Sarasota County and Probable breeding as far south as Dade County. I had one in extreme south Brevard County on St. Sebastian River Preserve on June 15th one year. It was in the yard one day; just passing through, I guess. I also had a very premature migrant when I was working at Orlando Wetlands Park in 1993. It showed up on August 14th and stayed until it's pals arrived in late September. David Simpson Fellsmere, FL http://myfwc.com/bba/species.htm  On Jul 3, 2009, at 11:26 AM, Alan (Mac)Murray wrote: > While birding sugden regional park here in Naples this morning Iwas > surprised to see a Gray Catbird. Could he already be migrating? May > 25 was the last one i saw at big cypress boardwalk. > Alan Murray > Naples fl > > Make your summer sizzle with fast and easy recipes for the grill. > To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv > list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/ > archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET > BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any > problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu > ______________________________________________________________________ > ______ To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: catbird From: "Alan (Mac)Murray" <AMurrayM AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 11:26:01 EDT While birding sugden regional park here in Naples this morning Iwas surprised to see a Gray Catbird. Could he already be migrating? May 25 was the last one i saw at big cypress boardwalk. Alan Murray Naples fl **************Make your summer sizzle with fast and easy recipes for the grill. (http://food.aol.com/grilling?ncid=emlcntusfood00000005) To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Shiny Cowbird From: Trey Mccuen <trey.mccuen AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 01:33:05 -0400 Can someone please tell me where on Green Key the Shiny Cowbird is? Trey Mccuen Macon, GA To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: FL target species From: Trey Mccuen <trey.mccuen AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 20:13:40 -0400 Does anyone know where the closest place to Clearwater is to find these species? Fulvous whistling duck Snail kite Crested caracara Grasshopper sparrow Black whiskered vireo Trey Mccuen Macon, GA To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: St. Augustine - red-tailed hawk From: Diane Reed <DReedster AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 18:41:05 EDT Hello all I thought this was a pretty interesting photo. Look like the hawk has a clapper rail. I've never seen that before. thanks Diane Reed St Augustine, FL **************Make your summer sizzle with fast and easy recipes for the grill. (http://food.aol.com/grilling?ncid=emlcntusfood00000005) To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Possible Neotropic Cormorant, West Pasco From: Scott Patterson <scooter2 AT KNOLOGY.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:45:03 -0400 Does anyone stop to think that if a bird (including this cormie) is not doing well - instead of waiting for it to die so that it can be collected - how about getting it to a rehab facility or calling someone to come rescue it? If you can get that close to a cormie - he's not well - most cormorants will bolt if you get too close - unless you're a fisherman offering him fish... I would suggest that if the bird is still there tomorrow and not looking well - call (727) 391-6211 for help. Thanks! Scott Scott Patterson St. Petersburg, FL scooter2 AT knology.net http://community.webshots.com/user/scottfla72?vhost=community On Thu 02/07/09 11:23 AM , Ken Tracey kftracey AT VERIZON.NET sent: > Hello, I found this storm stressed small cormorant sitting along > a retention pond next to the parking lot at Chelsa Title office > strip, (10:30am), just south of the red light on US 19 for Gulf Blvd, > New Port Richey, West Pasco. The bird did not flush when I got 20 > feet from it, and appears to be so stressed it has it's eyes closed. > It appears to be a juvenile Neotropic Cormorant. Besides small size, > small short bill, which are hard to tell from a photo, it definitely > has the dark lores and brown breast. It may not survive, so it is > possible that it could be collected. Opinions needed. Ken Tracey > New Port Richey > To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv > list, please visit us on the web at: > http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no > mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to > LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv > administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu > ___________________________________________________________________________ > _ To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Possible Neotropic Cormorant, West Pasco, From: David Bowman <dsbowman AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:30:47 -0400 > I don't know the consensus on this bird, but I went looking for it anyway. I found the retention pond near the Chelsea Title strip mall. This business is a couple of hundred feet NorthWest of the intersection of US 19 and Gulf. After searching and waiting the pond for an half hour, I was ready to pack it up. (It's a small, overgrown pond.) On the way out, I noticed a brown blob on the white gravel parking lot behind a nearby used car dealer. There it was. When I approached, it waddled off into the thicket surrounding the pond. It showed up about 10 minutes later swimming and diving in the south part of the pond. A nearby Anhinga chased it a couple times. A salesman at the car dealership said he had seen the bird resting on the gravel yesterday also. I took pictures, but they are much further away than Ken's shots. Dave Bowman Lutz, Pasco Co., FL dsbowman AT earthlink.net To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Ft. Desoto, 07-02-2009 From: Scott Patterson <scooter2 AT KNOLOGY.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:49:15 -0400 Made my way out to Ft. Desoto this morning. Had a pretty nice time for the most part. Was hoping to see some true "seabirds" but no such luck... Managed to locate the long-billed curlew through the binoculars but couldn't get any closer because of the beach erosion and the waves; didn't want to trample vegetation for a photo... Spotted 124 red knots - got some bands to report. Least terns were out as well. Didn't see any bands though... Found a pelican with an interesting band; I've seen these before. Does anybody know who (what facility/state) uses these types of bands (see photo)? Would like to report these birds when I find 'em. Also found 12 pelicans (at last count) at the gulf pier wrapped up in fishing line. Tried to do some rescuing but all could fly - though some very weakly. Managed to get one sick one that wasn't wrapped up and couldn't fly... Hopefully he'll be doing better in a couple of days now that he's getting some care. Later... Scott Patterson St. Petersburg, FL scooter2 AT knology.net To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Red Knots and Banded Least Terns in Mid Pinellas From: Irene Hernandez <bskimmer AT TAMPABAY.RR.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:04:30 -0400 Until today, August 10 was the earliest date I´d ever recorded Red Knot in Pinellas County. I´m not a dedicated lister, though, and don´t often go out to Ft. DeSoto, Honeymoon Island or other good shorebird sites. For the past few days I´ve been monitoring rooftop Least Tern flocks in Mid Pinellas County. While doing that chore I was surprised and pleased to see a group of 6 Red Knot feeding on the beach. None of them were banded. This week I´ve managed to take photos of Least Tern fledglings that are banded with either yellow over green bands or yellow over orange bands. I´ve already reported them to Marianne Korosy. If you´d like to see my shots, click on the following link: http://www.pbase.com/skimmer/banded_least_terns_2009 Irene Irene Hernandez Redington Shores, FL To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Possible Neotropic Cormorant, West Pasco, Another Photo From: Ken Tracey <kftracey AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:35:51 -0700 Hello, Another photo that shows the "pointed border" at the base of the bill of Neotropic Cormorant, per Sibley. Ken Tracey New Port Richey To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Possible Neotropic Cormorant, West Pasco From: Ken Tracey <kftracey AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:23:35 -0700 Hello, I found this storm stressed small cormorant sitting along a retention pond next to the parking lot at Chelsa Title office strip, (10:30am), just south of the red light on US 19 for Gulf Blvd, New Port Richey, West Pasco. The bird did not flush when I got 20 feet from it, and appears to be so stressed it has it's eyes closed. It appears to be a juvenile Neotropic Cormorant. Besides small size, small short bill, which are hard to tell from a photo, it definitely has the dark lores and brown breast. It may not survive, so it is possible that it could be collected. Opinions needed. Ken Tracey New Port Richey To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Lesser Black-backed Gull and Shorebirds at Ponce de Leon Inlet. Volusia County From: Michael Brothers <mbrothers AT CO.VOLUSIA.FL.US> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:42:38 -0400 Sorry for the late post. I did not see that the file was too large and was rejected. On Monday, June 29, I took my boat out to Disappearing Island, a sandy island in Ponce de Leon Inlet, Volusia County. Since early June there have been a larger than normal number of Reddish Egrets in the area, up to 10 (8 dark morphs and 2 white morphs). Today was no exception. In addition, there were still small numbers of shorebirds here including: Marbled Godwit 1 Red Knot 1 Short-billed Dowitcher 1 Least Sandpiper 1 Eastern Willets 25 Ruddy Turnstones 10 Sanderlings 30 Semipalmated Plover 25 Black-bellied Plover 35 Three Wilson's Plover pairs have 5 young at Smyrna Dunes Park. The nest in Lighthouse Point Park was lost in the storms. There was a fair assortment of gulls present, including one Lesser Black-backed Gull, which is rare here in the summer. I thought that you might enjoy seeing this plumage which I don't often get to see. Attached is a photo that shows how similar to a Great Black-backed Gull these birds can look in the first summer plumage. You can see how the classic dark area around the eye that makes a 1st winter LBBG stand out in the crowd of Herring Gulls is gone. Note, however, the rounder head, smaller bill, less pronounced gonydeal angle, and slimmer proportions. Also note the minor white tip to the bil. In flight, this plumage is in heavy molt -- you can see the inner primaries (and a few other feathers) that are being replaced. In life this bird was also slightly smaller than the Herring Gull nearby. Great Black-backed Gull (1st summer) 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull (1st summer) 1 Herring Gull (1st summer) 3 — all of these birds had plumage that was completely trashed. It is surprising that they could even fly. Ring-billed Gull (2nd summer) 1 Laughing Gull (many 1st summer, some 2nd summer, also many adult) 150 Least Terns 150 (Mostly adults, a few begging juveniles, a few 1st summer plumaged birds.) Royal Terns 60 Caspian Tern 2 Sandwich Tern ( 1 1st summer, some in basic plumage and some breeding plumage.) 8 Three weeks ago (June 8) there were still 3 Forster's Terns and 4 Common Terns on the island. They all seem have left the area now. Michael Michael Brothers Marine Science Center Ponce Inlet To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: STA 5 From: Trey Mccuen <trey.mccuen AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 02:34:02 -0400 Is any around Clearwater going on the STA 5 walk in July? I am coming to Clearwater next weekend and want my nemesis bird which is the Fulvous whistling duck. Trey Mccuen Macon, GA To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Article on how Hurricane Charley affected Florida Scrub-Jays in Charlotte County From: Brian Ahern <BrianAhern AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 23:43:52 EDT Hi All, I thought many of you all living in Sarasota & Charlotte Counties would find this article by the FWC of interest. The last time I went out to this area to see the Scrub-Jay population was during the winter of 2005 and you could find them pretty easily around the vacant lots in many of the subdivisions that are north of Babcock-Webb WMA. The link is below: _http://research.myfwc.com/education/view_article.asp?id=32586_ (http://research.myfwc.com/education/view_article.asp?id=32586) Best, Brian Ahern Tampa Bay, FL. BrianAhern AT aol.com Photos: _www.pbase.com/brianahern_ (http://www.pbase.com/brianahern) **************Make your summer sizzle with fast and easy recipes for the grill. (http://food.aol.com/grilling?ncid=emlcntusfood00000005) To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Recent Big Bend Birds From: Robert Lengacher <rlengach AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 22:03:10 -0400 I have been working at the FSU Coastal Marine Lab at Turkey Point for the last week and a half for some professional development. It has been awesome becoming much more familiar with the richness of the coastal ecosystems that we enjoy here in the Big Bend. Best birds at the lab so far were 3 Magnificent Frigatebird on June 22. Best shorebird was a Marbled Godwit yesterday. Purple Martins are staging and some small groups appear to have migrated south with many others to follow. Nothing else has been earth shattering in the bird world at the lab, but I have 4.5 more weeks to go. Last Saturday morning (June 27) I helped a fellow participant and birder from Washington D.C get started on an incredible day of birding. I only had time to bird close to town, so we headed out to the Longleaf Pine/Wiregrass loop off of FR 309. The target birds were Bachman's Sparrows and Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Bachman's were singing everywhere, but we were able to get absolutely crippling views and close encounters on FR 350 in some recently burned sections of the forest. Many of the sparrows were staying near ground level, probably near nests. All of my other views of this species have been at a distance, so I was shocked when a number landed withing 15 feet and others allowed even closer approaches. They were everywhere. We also found a nice, vocal group of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers around the fourth main group of marked trees on FR 350. I would highly recommend making a trip soon if you are interested in either species. My friend went on to Mashes Sands, St. Marks, and Lake Henrietta and ended the day with 11 lifers. He said the highlight was adding number 11 as a Limpkin called at Lake Henrietta as the day was ending. Directions to the Longleaf Loop from Tallahassee: - South on 319 (Crawfordville Hwy) - West on 267 (Bloxham Cutoff) about 4 miles - South (left) on FR 309 - East (left) on FR 350 (RCW nesting trees have wide, white bands painted on them) - Right at the end of FR 350 just a little way - Right on FR 352 (which will take you back to FR 309) Keep looking up! Rob Lengacher Tallahassee, FL To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Shiny Cowbird, Gulf Harbors, West Pasco From: Ken Tracey <kftracey AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 15:28:54 -0700 Hello, Stopped by the flooded Gulf Harbors Golf Course this afternoon and found a feeding flock of E. Starlings, Brown-headed Cowbirds, and one Shiny Cowbird. I have been seeing the Shiny at Green Key regularly and this may be an additional bird. Ken Tracey New Port Richey To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Boca Grande From: Tom Allen <tgallen1 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 15:50:32 -0500 Subject: Re: Boca Grande nesting areas From: Charlie Ewell <anhinga42 AT EMBARQMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 11:05:43 -0400 Here is a link to the story mentioned below. It was a recent event: http://www.news-press.com/article/20090604/GREEN/906040366/1075 This type of situation is not unique to Boca Grande. Ft Myers Beach has had this issue for a few years now. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org Burrowing Owl Festival (Feb 21 2009) info at: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ FL Ornithological Society info http://fosbirds.org -----Original Message----- From: Birdbrains - Florida Birds/Natural History [mailto:BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU] On Behalf Of David Hartgrove Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 7:04 PM To: BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Subject: [BRDBRAIN] Boca Grande nesting areas Hi, A member here in Daytona Beach sent me a link to the following story posted on a site called "Birders United." It reads as follows: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials roped off 3,000 square yards of beach in Boca Grande, Florida, to protect the nests of snowy plovers and least terns. But residents tore down the ropes and the signs claiming that the state had no right to restrict access to a private beach. Under Florida law, the state owns the beach below the mean water line. But the birds build their nests further onshore. Wildlife officials stated that most private beach owners cooperate with state officials when they are informed of the reasons for roping off nesting areas. Further legislation may be needed in Florida so that endangered birds can be protected wherever they decide to build their nests. Is there any validity to this story? Is it current, or is this something recycled from several years ago? David Hartgrove, President & Conservation Chair, Halifax River Audubon To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________ To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Leach's Storm-Petrels in Pinellas From: Ron Smith <rsmith52 AT TAMPABAY.RR.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 13:03:41 +0000 Good morning, I received several good photo's of two different Leach's Storm-Petrels seen 6 1/2 miles off of Clearwater Beach yesterday, June 30th. These photo's represent the 2nd confirmed record of the species for Pinellas and 3rd-ever sighting. The photo's also represent the first "summer" record. Long time Pinellas birders have always felt there's plenty to see offshore along Florida's Gulf Coast, it's just getting out there that's the problem. Many thanks to Captain Stan Czaplicki for making the effort to document the birds. Perhaps we'll see more form him in the future. A couple of his pictures can be seen at www.PinellasBirds.com -- Ron Smith rsmith52 AT tampabay.rr.com St. Pete, FL www.PinellasBirds.com To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Boca Grande nesting areas From: David Hartgrove <birdman9 AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:04:06 -0400 Hi, A member here in Daytona Beach sent me a link to the following story posted on a site called "Birders United." It reads as follows: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials roped off 3,000 square yards of beach in Boca Grande, Florida, to protect the nests of snowy plovers and least terns. But residents tore down the ropes and the signs claiming that the state had no right to restrict access to a private beach. Under Florida law, the state owns the beach below the mean water line. But the birds build their nests further onshore. Wildlife officials stated that most private beach owners cooperate with state officials when they are informed of the reasons for roping off nesting areas. Further legislation may be needed in Florida so that endangered birds can be protected wherever they decide to build their nests. Is there any validity to this story? Is it current, or is this something recycled from several years ago? David Hartgrove, President & Conservation Chair, Halifax River Audubon To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Honeymoon From: william stefancic <jws2735 AT EMBARQMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:52:23 -0400 Hi BirdBrains, We decided to give Honeymoon a try, even though the weather was threatening. We arrived at about 9 AM and were there only for 1.5 hours before the wind and rain chased us home. The winds were at least 20MPH with gusts much greater, and there was squally rain until the rain just started in earnest. Needless to say, photographing was a task...just trying to hold the camera steady enough for a pic must have burned up at least 100 calories! However, there were some neat birds. We stayed on the beach sand spit behind the cafe. Anywhere else, the water was too deep and waves too high for birds. There are lots of least terns in that area, with some "little ones". The list follows: Am.Oystercatcher Reddish Egret Snowy Egret Royal Tern Least Tern Sandwich Tern Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Willet Ruddy Turnstone Fish Crow Boat-tailed Grackle Black Skimmer No. Mockingbird Gray kingbird Laughing Gull Brown Pelican Brown-headed Cowbird Common Ground Dove Mourning Dove Cormorant Good Birding! Joyce Stefancic Clermont, Fl To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: South Daytona Parakeets & Merritt Island From: william stefancic <jws2735 AT EMBARQMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:53:55 -0400 Hi BirdBrains, We started out this morning to find the White-eyed Parakeets that Michael Brothers reported (great directions, Michael-thanks). We did find them, although I think the nestlings are now fledglings. We drove around the neighborhood with our windows down, listening for squawking. We were not able to find many, but we did track down one in a live oak tree and got a pic. If you go looking for them, watch where they fly and follow. We also found 3 pileated woodpeckers working over a tree at the street side. We then drove to Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, but didn't see much on Biolab or Peacock's Pocket. The water is high so the wildlife is pretty hard to find. We found the usual waders, a couple reddish egrets, several stilts on Biolab, and scattered Roseate Spoonbills. Pretty disappointing, but we were there in late morning/early afternoon, so the timing might have been a factor. Next time we'll get there in the wee hours. Good Birding! Joyce Stefancic Clermont, Fl To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Swallow-tailed Kite, Tampa From: Jeffrey Rubinstein <jrubins101 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:09:49 -0400 Above the wetlands Scanning grass for black racers The Swallow-tailed Kite soars This is in Tampa in the Forest Hills neighborhood. Jeffrey Rubinstein Tampa To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Newly-Fledged Tufted Titmouse in Abercrombie Park From: Jeff Hooks <jeffhooks AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:51:52 -0400 hot June afternoon a newly-fledged Titmouse showsnot much of a tuft Jeff Hooks St. Petersburg, FL jeffhooks AT hotmail.com To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Banded Least Terns From: donatdonlo <donatdonlo AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:37:09 -0400 As dedicated volunteers of the St. Pete Audubon Beach Nesting Bird Project and active volunteers for the Matter Bros. Warehouse rooftop nesting sight, Lorraine and I decided to visit some area beaches and inland spots to try to determine where over half of our colony had moved to. Our first stop was to scan the aqueduct that supplies cooling water to the Pinellas Waste to Energy Plant. The aqueduct is in a pond on 118th Ave. N between 34th and 43rd Streets on the south side. Intially I saw over 200 Least Terns on the wall but by the time I did a U-turn and parked in the median many had left because 2 Osprey had landed on the middle portion of the aqueduct. There were still at least 60 Least Terns there and many juveniles though I could discern no bands at 150 yards through binoculars standing precariously atop the guardrail. The distance to the aqueduct from inside the facility is about 60 yards so hopefully we'll be able to verify bands later this week. Next we stopped at Sunset Beach, at the south tip of Treasure Island where Dave and Kim Kandz among others were bird stewarding and had already identified a banded Least Tern among the 3 fledgelings presentthat had been banded at the Ulmerton Industrial Mart Site. There is a significant colony of Black Skimmer and Least Terns nesting here. Next we stopped at Northshore Beach which for the second straight time was devoid of Least Terns. At the ever crowded Gandy Beach we hit paydirt with the first banded Least Tern from the Matter Brothers site in eastern Pinellas County. It was among 8 juveniles we saw there, most of whom are already catching fish on their own. Please report any banded Least Terns you encounter on area beaches or inland, even in neighboring Pasco, Hillsborough and Manatee Couties. The Band combinations you could see are as follows. Left leg lower silver band Right leg lower, yellow over green, yellow over red or yellow over orange. Please forward sightings with date, time, band details, number of Juvies and adults present and location to: mkorosy AT gmail.com, forysea AT eckerd.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Swallow-tailed Kite From: Elaine Middleton Rimbach <floridabirder AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:22:02 -0400 At around 12:30 pm today, 6/28, I was thrilled to see a Swallow-tailed Kite fly over my house, about a mile east of Tamiami and a mile north of E. Venice Ave. This is a first for me, although I had a glimpse of one last year, but not enough to identify it. A friend pointed it out to me. But this one is mine!! Drat the luck, I hadn't brought my camera and bins out with me, which I try to do regularly. When am I going to learn? It was just skimming the treetops, and I had a fabulous close-up view w/o bins! It was beautiful! Just beautiful. Elaine Rimbach Venice, Sarasota County floridabirder AT hotmail.com To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Mystery duck at Viera From: william stefancic <jws2735 AT EMBARQMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:25:08 -0400 Hi again BirdBrains, I am attaching a photo of a duck that was at Viera Wetlands...it looks like a juvenile, but I haven't a clue as to the species. I was thinking maybe a young scaup? Jeez...just when I thought I was getting good at IDing ducks!! Joyce Stefancic Clermont To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Fw: Viera Wetlands baby boom From: william stefancic <jws2735 AT EMBARQMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:23:09 -0400 Hi BirdBrains, We went again to Viera Wetlands today and had a great day of bird-watching. There must have been a population explosion of least bittern, and a baby boom of green heron. Green heron were everywhere, and we saw more least bittern than we have ever seen. Also, there were Moorhen with chicks (AWwwwww). The 2 Caracaras were in the lone pine tree before the exit/kiosk area. Good Birding! Joyce Stefancic Clermont To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pink Sandwich Tern From: David Rankin <davidtrankin AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:52:52 -0700 While enjoying the beach near Sarasota this weekend, I observed a Sandwich tern
with a definite pink tint to it's plumage. I remember reading on the listserv
about other terns showing this pink tint just after they molted into breeding
plumage, but I've never seen it until now. Are Sandwich Terns molting this time
of year? What I read seemed to indicate that this is still a bit early for them
to be molting into their non-breeding plumage. Has anyone else seen this pink
plumage in terns recently?
David Rankin
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Subject: Re: ID HelpFrom: Michael Libbe <mlibbe AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:23:20 -0400 Thanks to all who replied to let me know I have a female or juvy Wood Duck. I know the Blue-winged Teal is migratory, but I couldn't find a match in my Peterson's that was better that the BWTE. Thanks to those that sent photos of both as that helps. I think I'll take Valeri's advice and supplement my Peterson's with a Sibley 's for the juvy drawings. Thanks again. Michael Libbe Casselberry, FL On Sun, Jun 28, 2009 at 6:13 PM, Michael LibbeSubject: N. Gannet in Bradenton From: Jeffery Fisher <jrzman1 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:36:43 +0000 While soaking up the sun on Coquina beach around 2 pm today my wife and I spotted a Juv. Northern Gannet floating about 40 yards off the beach! It was just paddling around acting strange. I swam out to see if it had any fishing line or anything attached to it. I was able to get within 3 feet of the bird so something was definitly off. For over an hour it was drifting towards groups of people swimming- I watched a guy actually grab it's tail.(that was what made me decide to swim with it until someone from the Save Our Seabirds facility in Sarasota answered our voicemail that we left.) Well, they were closed for the day, but we did get a few local numbers from FWC. Unfortunatly, they were all tied up. Now I've been with this bird for like an hour or so (no sunscreen...stupid!) until he finally swam right to me! I had a can in a coolie and he went after it. I even hid it behind my back and it just swam around me grabbing for the shiny can. I physically had to push him off of me. Obviously, baby was hungry and must be getting handouts somewhere because after that event he flew off. I did see a juv. Gannet in Big Pass (sarasota) a week ago on my way to go grouper fishing. maybe same bird? Jeff Fisher Bradenton _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. http://windowslive.com/explore?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_BR_life_in_synch_062009 To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: ID Help From: Michael Libbe <mlibbe AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:13:56 -0400 Hi Birdbrains! I came across what I believe to be a female Blue-winged Teal at Orlando Wetlands Park yesterday. I'm basing this on the eye-ring, eye-line and white spot at the base of the bill. But I'm not 100% certain. I took the photo at a significant distance and I'm just not certain that I really "see" what is important. Thanks in advance! Michael Libbe Casselberry, FL -- http://www.flickr.com/photos/27901749 AT N04/ To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Mississippi Kite, Carlton Village Park, Lake County From: Larry Connor <llconnor AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:04:37 -0400 My wife and I observed one of the Mississippi kites at 11:15 this morning soaring over the area immediately east of the park. The kite stooped several times, but we did not observe any captures. We did not see the other kite while we were there. We are pretty sure that we could see the nest near the top of an oak tree about 50-75 yards south of the house across the street from the park, but there was no visible activity to confirm this. Gallus can tell us whether that is about the correct location. Thanks for posting Gallus, a life bird for us. Larry and Diana Connor Eustis, FL To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________ To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Mississippi Kite location From: Renne Leatto <renne AT IKARUMBAH.COM> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:28:48 -0400 I've gotten quite a few requests for this information so I thought I should post it. Here's the address which you can map online. It's a bit out of the way, but pretty easy to get to. Carlton Village Park 40201 Orange Circle Lady Lake, FL 32159-5846 The birds are pretty reliable. We were there less than five minutes when they started showing up. We went in the heat of mid afternoon and all they did was soar around. I think if you were there earlier or later, you might be lucky enough to see them hunting and bringing food to the nest. Remember to stay in the little park. The rest of the area is all private property. Have fun! Renee Leato Windermere, Orange County To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Magnificent Frigatebird off Bayshore From: Matt Paulson <psycho28 AT TAMPABAY.RR.COM> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:36:30 -0400 I jog Bayshore Blvd in South Tampa about 3 times a week and this was the first time I have seen a Magnificent Frigatebird here. On a side note I see porpoises and stingrays almost every time I go. Matt Paulson To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Mississippi Kite From: Renne Leatto <renne AT IKARUMBAH.COM> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:28:57 -0400 We went and saw them this afternoon. It was a lifer for us, too! Joyce, did you find the nest? Gallus told us it was at "8 o'clock" as you stand in the parking lot, facing the lake (with the lake as 12 o'clock), 30-40 feet high in a laurel oak on private property -- good directions but we couldn't find it. We did see both of the adults at one time, always flying over the park open area and trees, never going to the nest, or even landing in a tree, while we were there. The only time they did anything except soar slowly around was when they chased a hawk (Cooper's? pic attached) out of the immediate area. We were constantly amazed that -- with all the isolated places in Lake County -- the birds would have chosen that location for a nest. There are many homes around, and OH so much noise! Loud, angry-sounding rap music (turned up full blast around the area where Gallus said the nest is) , kids already setting off firecrackers, and many saws and power tools nearby. But this must have been going on during their nest building phase and they could have moved house if it really bugged them .... Renee Leato Windermere, Orange County To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Battle at Viera 6/27/09 From: "Thomas J. Dunkerton" <woundedmallard AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:43:27 -0400 Hey Everybirdy, Got a second chance to go to Viera this week. Toured the perimeter at least 3 times and, of course the third time is almost ALWAYS a charm at Viera. Had been seeing various Purple Gallinule families all morning but always in the pickerelweed, but several fledglings were spotted. On the third trip, two pairs were having a little territiorial dispute which lasted about 5 minutes or so. Was a lot of fun to watch! Turns out those long toes are pretty useful for things other than walking on floating vegetation! See you out there! Tom Dunkerton titusville, FL To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Mississippi Kite From: william stefancic <jws2735 AT EMBARQMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:49:40 -0400
Mississippi Kite...
Suddenly he takes to flight,
His wings stretched skyward.
(Jeff...I couldn't resist...)
Hi BirdBrains,
We went in search of the Mississippi Kite that Gallus had reported. Really a
spectacular bird...it looks much bigger than the 14" bird that is shown in
Sibley. We didn't want to get too close since they are nesting, so we just
stayed back and watched the one that was perched in the tree by the road. It is
a life-bird for us.
Good Birding!
Joyce Stefancic
Clermont, Fl
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Subject: BIRDS 684.AVIFrom: "Alan (Mac)Murray" <AMurrayM AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:35:25 EDT I discovered a Ruby throated building a nest on the big cypress bend boardwalk i'm not sure if this has ever been documented this far south I know they have at Corkscrew swamp. Any information would be appreciated.I have video and pictures. Alan murray Naples fl **************Make your summer sizzle with fast and easy recipes for the grill. (http://food.aol.com/grilling?ncid=emlcntusfood00000005) To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Satelite-tagged B. Vulture Playalinda (Brevard) From: Mitchell Harris <knmharris AT BELLSOUTH.NET> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:47:38 -0400 Driving back from Playalinda Beach today about noon I came across 30 or so Black Vultures feeding on a large pig. They were just East of the ranger booth. Two of the vultures had wing tags (MJH) and (MLH). MJH was also fitted with a satelite or radio transponder including a black whip antena on it's back. If anyone knows who's heading up this study please relay the information or contact me and I'll relay the info. Thanks! Good Birding, Mitchell Harris Titusville To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: whitevulture&coopers From: jw callis <soturin AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:40:43 -0400 well this is week 3 or 4 I forget, without going back..... both black vultures and coopers are doing well, one of coopers is in an outside pen now, he is suspect to pox but appears ok so far....... got some info on the vulture with the bad leg down towards naples or so........ the local ( tallahassee area not south florida) rescue got several calls on a black vulture that couldn't fly.... after 3 months of trying to catch him, as fast on two feet as any man, one bad wing, could jump seven or more feet, it was decided that this vulture could survive...... and let nature take its course..... jwcallislll tallahassee,fl To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Birds and Bombs From: David Rankin <davidtrankin AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:48:53 -0700 Twice this week while doing morning point counts around Delta Trail, at least 1
White-tailed Kite was sighted hunting over the prairie on either side of
Kissimmee Rd. Today, Greg and I observed one of the kites perched on a
fencepost on the side of Kissimmee Rd eating what appeared to be a Rice Rat!
Also of note were 2 Black-necked Stilts that flew over head around dawn and
landed amongst the heavy machinery being used to redo the dike for Arbuckle
Marsh.
In the past few weeks I've started to see kettles of Swallow-tailed Kites in
the mornings and evenings, between 5-15 individuals gathering up, often
containing several juveniles. These gatherins were mostly observed around
Kissimmee and Arbuckle Marsh, as well as over Lake Arbuckle.
Despite the heat, there is still some good birding out there, if you know where
to look.
David Rankin
Avon Park, FL
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Subject: Swallow-tailed Kite and House FinchesFrom: Judy or Ray Smart <judenray2 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:27:22 -0400 Hi all,
This afternoon I had a Swallow-tailed Kite flying overhead in my
Colonial Hills neighborhood in New Port Richey. Also, the past few
mornings, while taking my early morning speed-walk (I'm retired, finally!) I
saw 3 House Finches on the phone lines, one of them singing , first ones
I've seen in the area, probably nesting.
Good birding,
Ray Smart
New Port Richey, FL
Judenray2 AT yahoo.com
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Subject: Caracara Pinellas CountyFrom: barb walker <barbibird AT TAMPABAY.RR.COM> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:45:30 -0400 A Caracara was reported in Northern Pinellas County in the Tarpon Springs area. The person who reported it to me is reliable and double checked the identification with her Sibley Guide. It was seen at 8:45am near the coast in Tarpon Springs not far from Fred Howard Park. The Caracara flew north. Barb Walker Palm Harbor, FL To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Fw: Rejected posting to BRDBRAIN@LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU From: David Gagne <oporornis77 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:28:27 -0700 --- On Fri, 6/26/09, USF-IT LISTSERV Server (15.5)Subject: hiding from the heat From: Jeff Bouton <jbouton2 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:57:29 -0700 Hey all, Whilst hiding from the heat (and not birding) over the past few days, I dipped back and added a couple blog posts about some of my spring adventures on my new blog site to include this year's adventures with nesting Screech Owls in the back yard and another on Great Egret nesting in FL as well. Anyone interested could gladly check out the story and images here: http://leicabirding.blogspot.com/ I finally attracted a good looking Red morph female screech this year. Unfortunately was not around to watch the kids fledge though.... was in Alaska when this happened so it's not all bad! ;p I realize this isn't true birding, but as a break from the heat, some virtual birding might be just the thing! Best, Jeff Bouton Port Charlotte, FL jbouton2 AT earthlink.net Bestf, Jeff To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: hiding from the heat From: Jeff Bouton <jbouton2 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:57:29 -0700 (PDT) Hey all,
Whilst hiding from the heat (and not birding) over the past few days, I dipped
back and added a couple blog posts about some of my spring adventures on my new
blog site to include this year's adventures with nesting Screech Owls in the
back yard and another on Great Egret nesting in FL as well. Anyone interested
could gladly check out the story and images here:
http://leicabirding.blogspot.com/
I finally attracted a good looking Red morph female screech this year.
Unfortunately was not around to watch the kids fledge though.... was in Alaska
when this happened so it's not all bad! ;p
I realize this isn't true birding, but as a break from the heat, some virtual
birding might be just the thing!
Best,
Jeff Bouton
Port Charlotte, FL
jbouton2 AT earthlink.net
Bestf,
Jeff
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: bird IDFrom: william stefancic <jws2735 AT EMBARQMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:20:57 -0400 Hi BirdBrains, My husband took this pic yesterday of this sparrow sitting in one of our backyard trees (take through a window). I'm pretty sure that it's a female house sparrow, but need verification. You probably think this is not a big deal, but we've happily never seen a house sparrow in our yard. If it's a house sparrow, is it a parasitic bird (just worried about my blue birds)? Joyce Stefancic Clermont To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: color-banded juvenile Least Tern sightings From: Marianne Korosy <mkorosy AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:35:37 -0400 For those of you interested in this sort of thing, I've attached a jpeg map of central Pinellas County showing the locations of 4 rooftop nesting colonies of Least Tern (LETE), still active. We have been banding LETE chicks when they fall off the roofs this spring. Yesterday and today (24 and 25 June), John Hood and Irene Hernandez spotted color-banded juvenile LETE at two locations: south Clearwater Beach and Redington Shores, respectively. Straight-line distances to each of these locations from their hatching location/rooftop is 5.9 and 6.2 miles, respectively (site marked U2 & U3 rooftop colonies). From an ecological perspective I find it interesting that the nesting colony has split up, i.e. the colony isn't a distinct or meaningful social group beyond the duration of nesting to fledging. Nesting is, rather, an opportunistic occurrence. This is based on observations of exactly one rooftop colony, at present. We need much more data/observations. It also will be interesting to see where these birds nest 2 years from now and if they return to their hatching site to breed. We have NOT found any of the birds banded at the Matter Bros or Kee Action Sports rooftop colonies. I scoured Gandy causeway beach and the canoe launch area at Weedon Island yesterday. No LETE at Weedon Island. 4 juveniles and 9 adults were on Gandy Causeway, all unbanded. Please carefully look at the legs of juvenile Least Terns you see in the next 6-8 weeks. These youngsters are somewhere in the region, it's just a matter of getting bins and scopes and keen observers in the right locations. I've attached a wonderful photo taken by Dave Kandz of an adult Least Tern in the foreground, and a banded juvenile in the background. Marianne Korosy Palm Harbor, FL -- ---If you want a different conclusion, start with a different premise. ----Dr. Ida Rolf To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Curlew Still At Fort DeSoto CP (6-24-09) From: Ron Smith <rsmith52 AT TAMPABAY.RR.COM> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:54:14 -0400 Good afternoon, The Long-billed Curlew remains at Fort DeSoto's North Beach, although it was up at the northern most lagoon, by itself, this morning. There were 19 Marbled Godwits taking advantage of the peace and quiet within the roped-off area at the southern end of North Beach. Ron Smith St. Pete, FL www.PinellasBirds.com To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Mississippi Kite Nest Lake County From: Gallus Quigley <gallusq AT CFL.RR.COM> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:12:48 -0400 Today I was back at Carlton Village Park for Florida Scrub Jay Surveys myself and Wendy Poag spotted the Mississippi Kite again carrying food into a tree. I quickly found the nest with one white ball of fuzz. The adult took off again and perched on a nearby tree then dove down caught a Lubber Grasshopper returned the branch tore off the legs and head and flew to the nest and fed the chick. I have never seen a report of this species breeding in Lake County. For those who keep records I have GPS location and some very bad photos, I am going back with my camera to take better shots, can contact me for that information. The nest is in a Laurel Oak about 30-40' up on PRIVATE PROPERTY. The adults can easily be observed over the area along with several Swallow-Tailed Kites. No Florida Scrub Jays though... Question or Comments just email me, Gallus Quigley Park Ranger Lake County Parks and Trails gallusq AT cfl.rr.com or gquigley AT lakecountyfl.gov To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: White-eyed Parakeets Probable Nesting. South Daytona. Volusia County From: Michael Brothers <mbrothers AT CO.VOLUSIA.FL.US> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:00:25 -0400 On Monday, 6/22, I again found a single White-eyed Parakeet in South Daytona. I wanted to get a photo of the underwing to show the red and yellow patches to confirm the ID. I did get a photo which is attached. Yesterday, 6/23, I went back to the same area and again found a single parakeet. I began to think that this bird may be nesting in the area. I watched the bird for quite a while and then it moved to a thick branch on a live oak. It peered into a knot on the limb, and then began to look more closely and then climbed into the hole. It emerged a while later, squeezing itself out of "a great tightness." A moment later a second head appeared out of the same hole. The bird that emerged first flew off and the second bird kept its head out of the hole for a few moments and then disappeared again into the cavity. It appears as if the birds are nesting in this cavity. Attached are some photos. Michael Michael Brothers Marine Science Center Ponce Inlet To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: FYI - Penna. birding From: Larry Albright <camachuelo34 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:43:49 -0400 All, I just returned from a 3-week trip to the home state of Pennsylvania and wanted to share some info about the recently-completed West Penn Trail. About 40 miles east of Pittsburgh from Saltsburg to Blairsville, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has converted the old West Penn Railroad line into a hiking/biking/birding trail of about 15 miles in length. It passes through fantastic birding habitats and is well worth a visit if you are ever in the area or are passing through. The following photo is of an 1825 train trestle which is part of the trail. The river was a filty, rusty-brown color from steel mill pollution when I was a child, but has now reverted back to its natural state. Birds seen along the trail included: Blue-winged Warbler, American Redstart, Willow Flycatcher, Field Sparrow, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Wood Thrush, American Bald Eagle, Spotted Sandpiper, Kentucky Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Gray Catbird, Northern Oriole, Orchard Oriole, and Cedar Waxwing. If you'd like more info on the trail, please email directly to me. Good birding, Larry Albright Winter Haven, FL (Blairsville, PA) To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Viera Wetands From: "Thomas J. Dunkerton" <woundedmallard AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:11:33 -0400 Hey Everybirdy, Just an added note to Joyce's post, although a tad late. I was able to finally take a spin through viera last evening (June 22nd) for only the second time this year! At the intersect of cell 1 and 4 I spotted a raptor standing in the grass just off the road from 60 yards or so, knew it wasn't a red-shouldered so I got out to approach to be sure I could get a shot- a Northern Harrier! In June? An adult. Not sure of it's predicament to be here, but it's tail was rather tattered. Was able to squeeze off a shot in between the wax myrtles as it settled on a fence post off the corner before it took off again. Had a quiet encounter with a buck fawn at the click ponds that was pretty cool as well! See you out there! Tom Dunkerton Titusville, FL To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: pelican on river From: jw callis <soturin AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:58:27 -0400 Here are some pics resized, of a brown pelican on the wasscisa river near tallahassee, this past sunday.....and also a green heron, guess they are starting to show their faces again...... several immatures (yellow crown night heron and a little blue) lots of yellow crown and snowy's little blues and tri colors, several great blues, didn't get far down river, but thats typical for the area....... enjoy jwcallislll tallahassee,fl To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Warblers 6/23/09 From: Danny Bales <sueredfish AT MSN.COM> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:36:34 -0400 Hi, I see things are a little slow out there. Probably due to this heat we're having. Anyhow I thought I'd share some warbler shots. Can't wait until fall! Danny Bales Titusville, Fla. To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Viera Wetands From: william stefancic <jws2735 AT EMBARQMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:08:50 -0400 Hi BirdBains, We decided to give Viera Wetlands a go today, and it turned out to be a great day. We were pleasantly surprised that we weren't carried away by mosquitoes...there were very few. We saw some species that we usually don't see elsewhere. The Caracara was on the pine around that outside corner where he is frequently found. There were several Black-crowned Night Herons on the "island" across from the berm going toward the exit/kiosk. We saw 3 adults and 2 juveniles. The boat-tails were entertaining, very busy hunting on the lily pads. And of course, there were Black-bellied Whistling Ducks in several areas. We ran into a couple folks looking for the Purple Gallinules, but we didn't see them. A couple least terns were flying over the ponds, and a limpkin was busy cracking apple snails...whack, whack! The usual waders were there, as well...GB and tricolor heron; snowy, cattle and great egrets. Good Birding! Joyce Stefancic Clermont, Fl To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: No. Gannet in Englewood From: Susan Daughtrey <susansd AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:47:51 -0400 Hi Fellow Birders! This afternoon, my husband and I went over to Palm Island, and found a very unexpected late No. Gannet, floating where Stump Pass and the ICW meet. Also seen were one unbanded Red Knot, one banded (silver band on the right ankle- couldn't read the numbers) Sandwich Tern, a Common Tern, one Short-billed Dowitcher, and five Roseate Spoonbills. There were plenty of the other usual waders and shorebirds, Laughing Gulls and terns. On the ride back in, I did a double-take when I noticed two small birds pecking around for a snack on the rip-rap rocks on the ICW side of our subdivision. They sure didn't look like any shorebirds I'd ever seen there. So, upon picking up the bins, I discovered that they were juvenile European Starlings! I wasn't aware of their penchant for sea critters.. I'll end with a sidebar here.. Salutations and tidings, for those of you who know him, from Woody Bracey. I'm just back from a week in Abaco, and Woody took my son and I out birding for 8 hours one day, helping me to locate seven new Bahamas life birds. I ran into Woody two years ago in Bahama Palm Shores, where we realized after a few minutes, that I had taught his three children piano lessons 25+ years ago, when we both lived in W. Palm Bch...the proverbial smallest of small worlds, especially if you've ever been to Bahama Palm Shores! Susan Daughtrey Englewood, Charlotte County To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Return of the Limpkin! From: Liz Childress <echildress AT KNOLOGY.NET> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:23:08 -0400 I found two limpkins two weeks ago in a retention pond just north of Drew St. on south side of US-19.by Kane's Furniture & the threshers field. When we examined them a little closer than from the deck of that Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, they seemed pretty agitated, a signal for us to move away.and that perhaps they were protecting something. Hmmm. That's about the LAST place I'd expect limpkins! Cliff Childress _____ From: Birdbrains - Florida Birds/Natural History [mailto:BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU] On Behalf Of Renne Leatto Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 3:32 PM To: BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Subject: [BRDBRAIN] Return of the Limpkin! In late April, we noticed many, MANY apple snail eggs attached to the water plants surrounding our little backyard lake in west Orange County. We hoped that would mean that the limpkin we hosted for a couple of months last summer would return. We can't tell if it's the same one, but we do have limpkin again -- PLURAL! TWO LIMPKINS! And one of them "emerged" from a hidden, nest-like place in the thick water plants. Could that possibly mean that we have limpkins nesting around our tiny, 7-acre, suburban lake? It's surrounded by homes, and kids, and dogs, but the aquascaping has grown so thick -- forming a barrier almost 10 feet wide in some places -- that all of the many bird species who live or visit the lake seem to feel quite protected from the human activities. Renee Leato Windermere, Orange County To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________ Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.374 / Virus Database: 270.12.79/2186 - Release Date: 06/18/09 17:59:00 To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: bluebird question From: william stefancic <jws2735 AT EMBARQMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:37:56 -0400 Hi BirdBrains, We currently have a nest box full of baby bluebirds (brood #2), and I wonder about their survival in this kind of heat. Is there anything that we need to do during these times of extreme heat to help them? Thanks, Joyce Stefancic Clermont, Fl To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Viera Wetlands 6/21/09 From: Mark Kiser <mark.kiser AT MYFWC.COM> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:09:57 -0400 We braved the intense heat this afternoon at Viera Wetlands, and found 3 caracaras near the entrance, with one being driven off after a loud squabble. One dined on a small turtle for quite some time and gave great looks. There were 2 sandhill crane pairs, one with a good-sized colt. A northern harrier was being mobbed relentlessly by a large number of grackles. Saw 4 least bittern, one of which was out in the open for a long period of time. Black-bellied whistling-duck, limpkin, least tern, plus all the regular wading birds were present. Also hit a number of other Birding Trail locations from 6/18 to 6/21 in Indian River County and Brevard Counties---Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area, Indian River Wetlands Treatment Facility, Blue Cypress Conservation Area, Wabasso Scrub Conservation Area, Pelican Island NWR, Captain Forster Hammock Preserve, and Barrier Island Sanctuary. The heat was brutal each day, but we managed to find some birds of interest---3 magnificent frigatebirds off in the distance at Oslo Riverfront CA, limpkins, purple gallinules and least bitterns at Indian River Wetlands Treatment Facility, great horned owl at Blue Cypress CA, 3 scrub-jays and common ground-doves at Wabasso Scrub CA, yellow-crowned night-heron at Pelican Island NWR, and immature northern gannet at Captain Forster Hammock Preserve. Happy trails, Mark and Selena Kiser Tallahassee batboxblues AT netscape.net To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Return of the Limpkin! From: jw callis <soturin AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:58:45 -0400 Subject: White-eyed Parakeets. South Daytona. Volusia County From: Michael Brothers <mbrothers AT CO.VOLUSIA.FL.US> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:48:49 -0400 Yesterday evening, 6/20, I finally found the flock of parakeets I have been hunting for about 2 years in the Port Orange area. I see the birds periodically flying overhead, but I had never been able to find the birds sitting. I got a tip of the presence of the birds farther north than I had been looking. I drove around some residential streets until I heard them squawking. I found about 10 birds busily working through the trees. They appear to be White-eyed Parakeets. They are largely green, with a large area of bare whitish skin around the eye. There is a scattering of red marks around the head. There is a red mark at the bend of the wing and the birds showed a flash of red in the wing linings. Attached are some photos. This band is supposed to have been here for at least 15 years, perhaps longer. I have seen as many as 20 birds in a flock. Michael Michael Brothers Marine Science Center Ponce Inlet To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: L.B. Curlew still @ Ft DeSoto North Beach From: Phillip Simmons <phws42 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:37:26 -0400 Subject: STA5 20 miles south of Clewiston: Hendry County From: Margaret England STA5 Birding <sta5birding AT EMBARQMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:08:58 -0400 Here's yesterday's STA5 list. Kim Willis will lead the next STA5 escorted tour offered by Hendry-Glades Audubon on July 11th from 8:30 a.m. - noon. Contact Kim at: kim_willis AT comcast.net (underscore between kim and willis) For information concerning upcoming STA5 tours visit: http://www.orgsites.com/fl/hgaudubon/ Regards, Margaret England LaBelle, Hendry County Location: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 and Blumberg Road, Hendry County (20 miles south of Clewiston) Observation date: 6/20/09 Notes: 90+ degrees Some Juveniles observed: Least bittern, little blue heron, tricolored heron, bald eagle, black-necked stilt, ....... Abundance of dragonflies Number of species: 49 Participants: 9 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Fulvous Whistling-Duck 6 Mottled Duck Blue-winged Teal Ring-necked Duck Pied-billed Grebe American White Pelican 200 Double-crested Cormorant Anhinga Least Bittern 5 Great Blue Heron Great Blue Heron (White form) 3 Great Egret Snowy Egret Little Blue Heron Tricolored Heron Cattle Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Yellow-crowned Night-Heron White Ibis Glossy Ibis Roseate Spoonbill 50 Wood Stork 200 Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Osprey Swallow-tailed Kite 50 Bald Eagle 1 Red-shouldered Hawk Purple Swamphen 6 Purple Gallinule 4 Common Moorhen American Coot Limpkin 10 Killdeer 2 Black-necked Stilt Caspian Tern 11 Mourning Dove Common Ground-Dove Common Nighthawk 10 Loggerhead Shrike Northern Mockingbird Common Yellowthroat Eastern Towhee Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Eastern Meadowlark Boat-tailed Grackle To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Bunche + Ding From: Abbie Banks <Amberina AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:50:30 EDT Greetings, I have company coming in and would like to know what if anything have people been seeing at Bunche Beach and Ding Darling. I am planning on taking them to Sanibel this Sunday, tomorrow. Thanks for any info, Abbie Banks Rotonda West, FL **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222585064x1201462784/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd= JunestepsfooterNO62) To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Viera From: william stefancic <jws2735 AT EMBARQMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:32:33 -0400 Hi BirdBrains, Have not have any posts from either coast in quite a while. Is anyone seeing anything at Viera Wetlands or Merritt Island? Since we're taking my 89 year old Mom, we are looking for waders and other big birds that we can see on a drive-through. Thanks, Joyce Stefancic Clermont, Fl To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Limpkins in Pasco From: Maria Valentine <mvalentine9 AT TAMPABAY.RR.COM> Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:56:26 -0400 Hi all, Happy to hear others are seeing Limpkin again. 3 are now regulars at Moon Lake, west Pasco Co. Here are two of them from about 45 minutes ago. The third was out further in the lake. Maria Valentine New Port Richey mvalentine9 AT tampabay.rr.com To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: coastal American Crows From: jw callis <soturin AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:51:08 -0400 coralation is a sub species....... to pondering the image of man......... we see and want to re create....... so goes the jelly fish......... its us and a bird feeder........... or us and being.......... or us and man....... to realize. that west nile is not there with out a death..........just like equestrian is that mosquito bite I just felt... and my friend from south florida that can't find a wildlife rescue..... hey its you I had to google it.......... jwcallislll tallahassee,fl To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: Cowbirds, Brown-headed & Shiny, Prairie Warbler, Green Key From: jw callis <soturin AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:45:26 -0400 Dottie the worstthing to do is stepaway...... the best thing to do is to argue .. smiles not to your spouse or friends we are behind you......... jwcallislll tallahassee,fl To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________Subject: Re: coastal American Crows From: jw callis <soturin AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:41:26 -0400 so again natural selection is given to man............... hey I love the blue bird too............ but man gave the weed its place............. somewhere there is a balance.......... and there is not cognosense its consciousness......... and not seeing its being............. good to be, but not to asunder, hey lets bird brain.......... jwcallislll tallahassee,fl To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________ |