Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The Carolinas Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Saturday, November 7 at 08:44 AM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Song Sparrow

7 Nov Eastwood, James Is., Charleston, SC birds 7 Nov. [Dennis Forsythe ] 6 Nov York/Rock Hill CBC Date Change ["Bill Hilton Jr." ] 6 Nov recent yardbirds, Conway SC 11-06-09 [Gary Phillips ] 6 Nov Re: First Junco [Tommy McDonell ] 6 Nov Greensboro Hummer [Henry Link ] 6 Nov Wings Over Water Friday [Derb Carter ] 6 Nov Western Kingbird on Roanoke Island [jeff lewis ] 6 Nov Wildlife Rehab/Jordan Lake [Mark Kosiewski ] 6 Nov Re: Dates for Prairies [Nate Dias ] 6 Nov Dates for Prairies ["Amy" ] 6 Nov blue headeds still around [Kevin Caldwell ] 6 Nov SPOTS AVAILABLE for Bird Walk TOMORROW (& Historical Site Tour for Non-Birders) [Jodi Frichner ] 6 Nov First Junco ["Reece Mitchell" ] 6 Nov RE: Wings Over Water report ["Legrand, Harry" ] 6 Nov Juincos in Monroe [BLAYNE OLSEN ] 6 Nov Wings Over Water report [Derb Carter ] 6 Nov RE: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow ["Amy" ] 6 Nov Juncos in Spartanburg [Lance Bastian ] 5 Nov Re: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow ["Mike Tove" ] 05 Nov coots and juncos ["Barbara Brooks" ] 5 Nov RE: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow ["Legrand, Harry" ] 5 Nov Rusty Blackbirds [Patti Newell ] 05 Nov Jordan Lake, NC [Philip Warren ] 5 Nov Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow [Doug Pratt ] 5 Nov RE: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow ["Amy" ] 5 Nov me three! Red-breasted Nuthatches [Donna Slyce ] 5 Nov Woodcock this morning, NC piedmont [VIRGINIA TRAVIS ] 4 Nov RE: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow ["Legrand, Harry" ] 4 Nov Re: Juncos [Judi Durr ] 4 Nov Re: Juncos ["Phil Dickinson" ] 4 Nov Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow ["Amy" ] 4 Nov Ft Fisher yesterday ["Amy" ] 4 Nov Re: Juncos [Carol Williamson ] 4 Nov Falls Dam birds ["Ali Iyoob" ] 4 Nov Juncos [BLAYNE OLSEN ] 4 Nov Hooper Bald, Cherohala Skyway, western NC Short-eared Owl [Avian Pursuits Nature Tours ] 4 Nov me, too! red-breasted nuthatch today. [VIRGINIA TRAVIS ] 4 Nov Ross's Goose in Surfside, SC follow-up ["Bogey" ] 4 Nov banded piping plovers [Derb Carter ] 4 Nov Piedmont RBNU [Mark Kosiewski ] 4 Nov Re: Possible Piping Plover Origins ["Bogey" ] 4 Nov Possible Piping Plover Origins ["Amy" ] 4 Nov Rusties at LCNP [Paul Serridge ] 4 Nov Fwd: Lost Hiker [Greg Dodge ] 4 Nov Jackson Park checklist ["Leah C. Williams" ] 3 Nov Falls Dam ducks, Spotted SPiper, YB Chat, etc. [Matthew Daw ] 3 Nov Falls Dam birds ["Ali Iyoob" ] 3 Nov Ross's Goose ["Phil Turner" ] 3 Nov white pelicans at Swansboro, NC ["John Fussell" ] 3 Nov RFI - Five Southbound Sandhill Cranes [Fred ] 3 Nov New Hope Audubon November Meeting [Robert Howes ] 3 Nov Zirconia / Tuxedo area birding (mtn area birders...) [Kevin Caldwell ] 3 Nov RE: Falls Lake LeContes brings reservoir checklist to 300 ["Legrand, Harry" ] 2 Nov Falls Lake LeContes brings reservoir checklist to 300 ["birdranger" ] 2 Nov snowy owls [Randy Climpson ] 2 Nov record hummer ["Sherri Carpenter" ] 2 Nov Its a Bobolink after all!! [Carl Miller ] 2 Nov Re: Snowy Owl... I think not? [Scott Jackson-Ricketts ] 2 Nov Re: Snowy Owl... I think not? ["Mike Tove" ] 2 Nov Make Lake Conestee your private bird sanctuary--go on Mondays! [John Lindfors ] 2 Nov Snowy Owl... I think not? [Rob G. ] 2 Nov RE: ID help? ["Amy" ] 2 Nov ID help? ["Amy" ] 2 Nov FWD: Hooper Bald, NC Short-eared Owl [] 2 Nov My bad - Re: Bobhopper? [Nate Dias ] 2 Nov Great Horned Owls on roof [] 2 Nov Sapsucker ["Amy" ] 2 Nov Wild Turkeys everywhere! ["Amy" ] 2 Nov More Lower Lake Hickory Waterfowl [Dwayne Martin ] 2 Nov Falls Lake birds ["birdranger" ] 2 Nov Lower Lake Hickory Waterfowl [Dwayne Martin ] 2 Nov Re: Bobhopper? [Chris Hill ] 2 Nov Painted Bunting, Rose-breasted Grosbeak on OBX [jeff lewis ] 2 Nov Bobhopper? [Carl Miller ] 1 Nov Re: Any written material on the 2009 Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel? ["J. BRIAN PATTESON" ] 1 Nov Black-chinned Hummingbird - James Island, SC ["John Weinstein" ] Subject: Eastwood, James Is., Charleston, SC birds 7 Nov. From: Dennis Forsythe <dennis.forsythe AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 09:44:26 -0500 Hi All, A lot of activity in the neighborhood the past 2 days with: Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, both kinglets, the arrival of our wintering Hermit Thrushes, and a flock of White-throated Sparrows-some singing "O Canada, O Canada" as they told me in Ontario. Winter is here. Cheers, Dennis -- Dennis M. Forsythe PhD Charleston, SC 29412 843.795.3996-home 843.953.7264-fax 843.708.1605-cell dennis.forsythe AT gmail.com Subject: York/Rock Hill CBC Date Change From: "Bill Hilton Jr." <hilton AT hiltonpond.org> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 21:36:52 -0500 Due to unavoidable conflicts, the York/Rock Hill Christmas Bird Count originally scheduled for Saturday, 19 December 2009, will be held on Wednesday, 23 December. Details at http://www.hiltonpond.org/ChristmasCountMain.html Thanks, BILL ======== BILL HILTON JR., Executive Director Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History 1432 DeVinney Road, York, South Carolina 29745 USA (803) 684-5852 The mission of Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History is "to conserve plants, animals, habitats, and other natural components of the Piedmont Region of the eastern United States through observation, scientific study, and education for students of all ages. "Never trust a person too lazy to get up for sunrise or too busy to watch the sunset." BHjr. ============ Subject: recent yardbirds, Conway SC 11-06-09 From: Gary Phillips <carolinensis AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:28:04 -0800 (PST) hi y'all, the winter Balt. Orioke flock is becoming more conspicuous of late, as many as 6 birds in view at one feeder. early this a.m., a juv perched in an azalea a few feet from the front door, apparently just taking in the goings on. White-throated Sparrow numbers increasing, and the first Chippies were observed today, still no Juncos yet. a solitary Am. goldfinch stopped by for awhile. a Hermit Thrush has been skulking about the shrubbery and visited a jelly feeder a few times. wonder how long it'll stay as all the pokeberries and beautyberries are gone, the hollies and cherries haven't ripened yet Mr. Ruby-throated seen hawking bugs and visiting a cpl Salvias for 30 mins early this a.m. while cking for moths a cpl nights ago, found where *someone* had stashed a cpl peanuts above the back door... cpl sapsuckers and flickers about, all the usual suspects accounted for. Gary Phillips Conway, SC "A dog might as well speculate on the mind of Newton." - Darwin Subject: Re: First Junco From: Tommy McDonell <tbmcdonell AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 20:52:35 -0500 We saw several!! And some at a feeder and some walking okay bird jumping near our pool. The only good part of today. T Tommy McDonell, Ph.D. Pinehurst, NC www.tommypaints.blogspot.com http://painterskeys.com/pal/tommy_mcdonell/ Sent from my iPhone On Nov 6, 2009, at 1:04 PM, "Reece Mitchell" wrote: > The first Junco of the season visited our feeders this morning. > Judy > Mitchell > Reece and Judy Mitchell > Flat Rock, NC Subject: Greensboro Hummer From: Henry Link <linkh AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:08:21 -0500 As of today, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird is still using our backyard feeders. This little guy needs to get moving. Henry Link Greensboro, NC Subject: Wings Over Water Friday From: Derb Carter <derbc AT selcnc.org> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:04:44 -0500 Very windy most of the day. Best birds a Western Kingbird on Roanoke Island and an adult male Common Eider flying with scoters over the ocean. Derb Carter Chapel Hill NC Subject: Western Kingbird on Roanoke Island From: jeff lewis <jlewis_obx AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:25:52 -0800 (PST) Found a Western Kingbird this morning while leading a WOW group. It was feeding on dogwood berries along with several bluebirds. Location is the back left corner of the Fort Raleigh/ Lost Colony parking lot, near the box office. Look for 3 dogwoods growing in a row in the second "median" from the back. When not actively feeding the kingbird was usually perched in one of the nearby bare (deciduous) trees nearby or up high on dead pine branches. Jeff Lewis Subject: Wildlife Rehab/Jordan Lake From: Mark Kosiewski <markkosiewski AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 17:23:04 -0500 Triangle Wildlife Rehab Clinic, a new rescue center for birds, reptiles and other critters, is having a fund raiser at Cafe Driade in Chapel Hill, NC at 2pm this Saturday.  The details are at their website:  http://www.trianglewildlife.org/  They can use all the support they can get.  A quick trip around Jordan on Friday afternoon yielded some nice water birds.  I found some American Wigeon off of Vista Point, along with some Horned Grebes, about 8 Common Loons, and lots of the usuals.  Farrington Point had five Ruddy Ducks mixed in with some Mallards, grebes, gulls, and about 400 cormorants. Mark KosiewskiPittsboro, NC "A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone." Henry David Thoreau _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: Unclutter your desktop. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9690331&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009 Subject: Re: Dates for Prairies From: Nate Dias <offshorebirder AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 13:41:14 -0800 (PST) We get them over-wintering here with regularity in coastal SC - the Charleston or McClellanville CBC have both recorded them multiple times. Ace Basin too I am pretty sure. I would be surprised if Litchfield-Pawleys CBC hasn't had Prairies fairly regularly in recent years. I don't have time to look it up on Audubon's website... Your eBird editor could have set the filters to flag Prairies this time of year to give the editor(s) a chance to ask for details or make sure nobody was reporting the species erroneously. For what it's worth, the eBird filters aren't necessarily saying it's unlikely - more like uncommon - and perhaps in need of a tad more screening than setting the filter at >1 bird. Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC ________________________________ From: Amy To: Carolinabirds AT duke.edu Sent: Fri, November 6, 2009 3:08:24 PM Subject: Dates for Prairies Hey all, Quick question. What’s the approximate latest date one would expect to see Prairie Warblers in the coastal region of NC? I saw a Prairie on 11/3 in Ft Fisher and was surprised that it was flagged when I entered it on eBird. However, looking at eBird data from 2000-present, none have been recorded in November. Of course, not everyone uses eBird, so I was wondering what y’all had to say about it. Curiously, Amy Williamson Wilmington, NC Subject: Dates for Prairies From: "Amy" <amyw AT fsow.org> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:08:24 -0500 Hey all, Quick question. What's the approximate latest date one would expect to see Prairie Warblers in the coastal region of NC? I saw a Prairie on 11/3 in Ft Fisher and was surprised that it was flagged when I entered it on eBird. However, looking at eBird data from 2000-present, none have been recorded in November. Of course, not everyone uses eBird, so I was wondering what y'all had to say about it. Curiously, Amy Williamson Wilmington, NC Subject: blue headeds still around From: Kevin Caldwell <mtssea AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 12:09:18 -0800 (PST) To my surprise I am still picking up blue-headed vireos in acidic cove forest in the Edneyville NC area (Henderson Co) as of Weds, and then again this a.m on our land in Marshall. Also a few winter wrens and brown creepers, as well as the standard winter / resident birds. One pied-billed grebe was observed mid-afternoon on a small (3-4 acre lake) on the same property. Tons of turkeys, of course. Kevin Caldwell Marshall NC / Madison Co Subject: SPOTS AVAILABLE for Bird Walk TOMORROW (& Historical Site Tour for Non-Birders) From: Jodi Frichner <jtfrich AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:54:45 -0800 (PST) We still have a few spots left for birders (and lots of spots left for non-birding friends & family) for A FREE walk TOMORROW, Nov. 7 around Whippoorwill Academy & Village, a village of restored log cabins and a site on the NC Birding Trail. Birding guide Rob Rogers will lead the birders on a 3 hour walk of this historic site and 250 acre farm with a wooded trail leading down to the Yadkin River. While the birders are glued to their binoculars, site owner Edith Carter will give tours of the historic log cabins to non-birding friends & family (and if requested, to birders as well at the end of the walk.)  The village features Whippoorwill Academy (a one-room schoolhouse), Daniel Boone’s replica cabin, Tom Dooley Museum, Smokehouse Art Gallery, the charming Chapel of Peace, Blacksmith Shop, Country Store, Yadkin River Jail, Daniel Boone Tavern, a small log Wash House, Wishing Well, gift shop, and a picnic shelter. The birding walk will start at 9 a.m. and will last approximately 3 hours.  Walks are open to birders of all levels from beginner to expert. Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority director Jodi Frichner will also be on hand for the walks to answer questions about the area and provide recommendations. All walks & site tours are free to the public, however, space is limited and reservations are required. Please e-mail info AT wilkescountytourism.com by 10 pm tonight to reserve your space. Confirmed participants will receive meeting location, directions, etc. via e-mail. We hope to see you there! Sincerely, Jodi Frichner Director of Tourism Development Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority 203 W. Main Street Wilkesboro, NC 28697 www.wilkescountytourism.com Follow us on Twitter: AT WilkesNCtourism Find us on Facebook: Wilkes NC Tourism Subject: First Junco From: "Reece Mitchell" <reecejudy AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 13:04:40 -0500 The first Junco of the season visited our feeders this morning. Judy Mitchell Reece and Judy Mitchell Flat Rock, NC Subject: RE: Wings Over Water report From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 12:57:14 -0500 Any OTHER report today from WOW, specifically Cape Point? WRAL-TV didn't come down there to do a Roseate Spoonbill story. Harry LeGrand -----Original Message----- From: Derb Carter [mailto:derbc AT selcnc.org] Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 9:29 AM To: 'carolinabirds AT duke.edu' Subject: Wings Over Water report The weather has been nice but brisk winds this morning. Best birds so far are Roseate Spoonbills that showed well for many observers at one of the ponds near Cape point and a Painted Bunting at Alligator River Refuge. Still a mystery where these Painted Buntings north of breeding ranges originate. Derb Carter Chapel Hill NC Subject: Juincos in Monroe From: BLAYNE OLSEN <bolsen187 AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 07:46:56 -0800 (PST) At last, about 2 weeks late, I had one junco in the yard this morning. It has been interesting to read the Junco replies earlier. Their progression down from the mountains was evident. Happy birding. Anne Monroe, NC Anne & Blayne Olsen bolsen187 AT verizon.net Subject: Wings Over Water report From: Derb Carter <derbc AT selcnc.org> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 09:28:36 -0500 The weather has been nice but brisk winds this morning. Best birds so far are Roseate Spoonbills that showed well for many observers at one of the ponds near Cape point and a Painted Bunting at Alligator River Refuge. Still a mystery where these Painted Buntings north of breeding ranges originate. Derb Carter Chapel Hill NC Subject: RE: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow From: "Amy" <amyw AT fsow.org> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 08:23:41 -0500 I really appreciate everyone's comments about this, as I've learned a great deal about what the particulars of distinguishing these two species! As far as habitat goes, it was taken while I walked the perimeter of a field planted thickly with a particular wildflower surrounded by scrubby grasses. I don't know exactly what kind of wildflower, but it bears seeds which have drawn a variety of birds over the late summer/fall. Around the field is the fence and along the fence are trees. The birds forage for long periods in the field, but also fly back and forth between the field flowers and the tree cover on the edges (particularly when disturbed by people) and in the process they often land on the fence. Amy Williamson Wilmington, NC _____ From: Mike Tove [mailto:mtove AT deltaforce.net] Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 9:04 PM To: Carolinabirds AT duke.edu Subject: Re: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow I have to cast my vote for Clay-colored. Take a careful look at the corner of the nape visible in the pic. There is contrast and a hint of gray which suggests a gray nape collar. Also, I feel the malar and supercillium stripes are far too pale to be Chippy and the clear chest/breast - in October just doesn't ring right for Chippy (e.g., not juvenile plumage and too early for a juvenile bird to have fully transitioned into winter plumage). In short, I don't see anything which contradicts Clay-colored. As for habitat - sitting on a fence - yea that's unusual but if in migration who's to say what habitat a wayward bird might put down in. Mike Tove Cary, NC No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.424 / Virus Database: 270.14.51/2482 - Release Date: 11/05/09 07:37:00 Subject: Juncos in Spartanburg From: Lance Bastian <bastialc AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 08:18:36 -0500 Birders, Yesterday there was a small flock of juncos on the campus of Converse College in Spartanburg, SC. A little early for the area, I think? Lance Bastian Subject: Re: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow From: "Mike Tove" <mtove AT deltaforce.net> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 21:03:39 -0500 I have to cast my vote for Clay-colored. Take a careful look at the corner of the nape visible in the pic. There is contrast and a hint of gray which suggests a gray nape collar. Also, I feel the malar and supercillium stripes are far too pale to be Chippy and the clear chest/breast - in October just doesn't ring right for Chippy (e.g., not juvenile plumage and too early for a juvenile bird to have fully transitioned into winter plumage). In short, I don't see anything which contradicts Clay-colored. As for habitat - sitting on a fence - yea that's unusual but if in migration who's to say what habitat a wayward bird might put down in. Mike Tove Cary, NC Subject: coots and juncos From: "Barbara Brooks" <brooksba1 AT verizon.net> Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:00:18 -0500 rode to the pond today and had a better variety of ducks: coots have returned!!, have 4 of them, American Widgeon, ring neck ducks round out the group. didn't see any ruddies. also had 2 killdeer and 50-60 canada geese most of which took off upon seeing me. pie billed grebes are still here. Had another spectacular look at the red headed wp. I had juncos and white throated sp at the pond several weeks ago, none at my house nor white throated sp at the house. am waiting for "my" red breasted nuthatch. pond in NE Orange co. barb brooks brooksba1 AT verizon.net Subject: RE: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 16:59:02 -0500 I'll go along with Doug, because I can't be sure enough to refute his ID as Clay-colored from the photo. Yes, the lores look pale -- at least, I don't see a dark mark there. Other things about it, though, I find equivocal -- for an immature sparrow. I've looked at photo guides, several immature Chippy photos on Google, etc. I still think the tail is a tad short to make me feel comfortable about a Clay-colored, nor does the bird look really sandy to me. But, the bird in the photo isn't as close as I would like to see the lores and a few other marks. At least, the time of year (fall) and general location (coast) are good for Clay-colored. Harry LeGrand NC Natural Heritage Program DENR Division of Natural Resources Planning and Conservation 1601 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 (919) 715-8697 (work) e-mail: harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov ----------------------------------------------------- Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and therefore may be disclosed to third parties. ________________________________________ From: Doug Pratt [doug.pratt AT ncdenr.gov] Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 12:52 PM To: carolinabirds listserve Subject: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow Hi birders: I have to disagree strongly with Harry's questioning of Amy's Clay-colored Sparrow ID. The bird in her photo has all the plumage markings of a Clay-colored, and nothing about it suggests Chipping. Note particularly that the crown and back are completely devoid of any rufous color and are pale sandy brown, the lores are pale (dark in all plumages of Chipping), and there is neither a tawny tinge in the chest nor remnants of juvenile streaks. As for habitat, all of the Clay-colored Sparrows I have seen in the Carolinas have been hanging out with Chippys, so that is a completely irrelevant piece of information. Doug Please note my new email address. The old ncmail one will go extinct soon. H. Douglas Pratt, Ph. D., Research Curator of Birds North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences 11 West Jones Street Raleigh, NC 27601-1029 Phone: (919)733-7450 ext. 728 E-mail: doug.pratt AT ncdenr.gov E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. Subject: Rusty Blackbirds From: Patti Newell <pattijean.newell AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 15:42:57 -0500 To Carolinabirders, it seems the Rusty Blackbirds are making their way back down to the Carolinas early this year. A few Rusties have already been reported in Conestee near Greenville, SC!! Rusty Blackbirds have recently been recognized as the fastest declining songbird in North America which has begun a hurried effort to determine what is causing their decline and how to stop and reverse the decline. Last year I began my PhD work in South Carolina capturing and color-banding male and female rusty blackbirds. Most of the birds were captured at the Conestee study area (thanks to Paul Serridge who alerted us to the flock there). We color-banded Rusties so we can determine which blackbirds make it back to the wintering grounds and if they come back to the same sites, to estimate survival and movement of the birds between years and also within years. Because we've already captured the birds, we know how old they are, and how big they are and also what body condition they were in so we can make inferences about the movements and survivorship of different classes of the blackbirds. Last year we color-banded almost 150 Rusty Blackbirds in South Carolina. The information we get from this study could really help us determine why Rusty Blackbirds are declining and to make recommendations for their recovery. Birders can participate in this study by posting on carolinabirds whenever you see Rusty Blackbirds or emailing me directly so I can visit the sites and capture more birds from various flocks in the Carolinas. Also, if you are out birding and happen to see a flock of Rusties, look at their legs to see if you can see any color bands. The blackbirds will have an aluminum USGS band coupled with a colorband on one leg, and two color bands on the opposite leg. Sometimes it is difficult to tell the bands if you have never seen color bands and last year, some of the birders at Conestee photographed the colorbanded Rusties and I was able to document the color band combinations from the photos. Even if you can't get the full color-band combination, the information is still useful, especially if you see color-banded birds in other areas in the south. If you do see a color-banded Rusty Blackbird and would like to help, please write down *location*: (with as much detail as possible i.e. road intersection, landmarks, etc) *sex*: M, F, U *date*: *time*: *color-band combination: left leg top *over* left leg bottom/ right leg top *over* right leg bottom* The hardest part is keeping the legs straight but you should make sure to report the BIRD's left or right leg which will be opposite your left and right if the bird is facing towards you. I know it sounds elementary but it is really easy, even for experienced band reporters to mix up the legs. Generally, writing the combination down, then checking it a few times to make sure you are keeping the bird's legs straight is the best way to correctly record a combination. Please see photos of a color-banded Rusty Blackbird taken by Don Faulkner last year at Conestee (Rusty Blackbird 1). This is a female with Red over White/Red over aluminum. You can tell the aluminum band from white since there is a number on it. Rusty Blackbird 2 was taken by Dennis Trapp and is O?/RX. Part of the left leg is hidden in the mud which happens often. Rusty Blackbird 1http://imgur.com/PaEYz.jpg Rusty Blackbird 2 http://imgur.com/ED5jB.jpg other information but not necessary you could get if you want are: estimated # of birds in the flock: proportion of males to females: other bird species in the flock and the proportion: Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, thanks in advance for any help you can give me, Patti Newell Subject: Jordan Lake, NC From: Philip Warren <phwarren AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:39:19 -0500 C'Birders, The variety of waterfowl is beginning to pick up at Jordan Lake. The area west of the beach at Parker's Creek had several species of ducks including an A. Black Duck which is not common here. I also had FOS Purple Finch (2 females/imm.) at my feeder just west of the lake. American Black Duck 1 Mallard 22 Green-winged Teal 4 Hooded Merganser 21 Ruddy Duck 12 Pied-billed Grebe 3 Horned Grebe 10 Bald Eagle 2 Phil Warren Pittsboro, NC Subject: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow From: Doug Pratt <doug.pratt AT ncdenr.gov> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:52:00 -0500 Hi birders: I have to disagree strongly with Harry's questioning of Amy's Clay- colored Sparrow ID. The bird in her photo has all the plumage markings of a Clay-colored, and nothing about it suggests Chipping. Note particularly that the crown and back are completely devoid of any rufous color and are pale sandy brown, the lores are pale (dark in all plumages of Chipping), and there is neither a tawny tinge in the chest nor remnants of juvenile streaks. As for habitat, all of the Clay-colored Sparrows I have seen in the Carolinas have been hanging out with Chippys, so that is a completely irrelevant piece of information. Doug Please note my new email address. The old ncmail one will go extinct soon. H. Douglas Pratt, Ph. D., Research Curator of Birds North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences 11 West Jones Street Raleigh, NC 27601-1029 Phone: (919)733-7450 ext. 728 E-mail: doug.pratt AT ncdenr.gov E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. Subject: RE: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow From: "Amy" <amyw AT fsow.org> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:12:44 -0500 Harry et al, 1. Well, the first IDer (I get the impression that this one isn't as much of an expert as the second, below) said, "Looks like a Chipping Sparrow." 2. Then the second (definitely an expert and one of the "regular" IDers on the site) said, "This looks fine for a Clay-colored Sparrow. Although a better shot would be great, the lores do look pale, the overall color is spot-on, being very buffy, and the way the auriculars are outlined in warm brown is another pro-Clay-colored feature." (I'd accidentally sent a different shot--not as good as the one I sent to carolinabirds, so I then sent the same one to the flickr group.) 3. With the better photo the next IDer said: "Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) I think. Location? Out of interest here is a link to its winter distribution in the US: www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/cbcra/h5610ra.html" So there you have it. Based on my experience using the site, IDer #2 is usually right, but I guess it's unlikely that one person would be right every single time. Of course, I'd love for it to be a Clay-colored, but not if it isn't! :) I'd certainly welcome other opinions! Amy Williamson Wilmington, NC -----Original Message----- From: Legrand, Harry [mailto:harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov] Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 11:12 PM To: Amy; carolinabirds AT duke.edu Subject: RE: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow I'm not so sure about the sparrow in her photo. Looks like an immature Chipping to me, OR at least, it isn't close enough where I can separate Clay-colored from Chipping. A couple things in Chipping's favor: tail looks fairly short to me; Chipping has a short to medium tail, whereas Clay-colored and Field have longish tails. The habitat is right for Chipping; on a fence, with an Eastern Phoebe, along a wooded edge (apparently). I don't know anything about the Flickr ID help group. Amy, what did they say? Harry LeGrand NC Natural Heritage Program DENR Division of Natural Resources Planning and Conservation 1601 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 (919) 715-8697 (work) e-mail: harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov ----------------------------------------------------- Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and therefore may be disclosed to third parties. ________________________________________ From: Amy [amyw AT fsow.org] Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 8:14 PM To: carolinabirds AT duke.edu Subject: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow Here's the pix of the Clay-colored Sparrow. http://tinyurl.com/Clay-colored-11-3-09 Amy Williamson Wilmington, NC No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.424 / Virus Database: 270.14.51/2482 - Release Date: 11/05/09 07:37:00 Subject: me three! Red-breasted Nuthatches From: Donna Slyce <pine.siskin AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:23:08 -0500 I'll join the growing (?) chorus of those who've had visits from Red-breasted Nuthatches this week even though I am not in north Carolina. We had two Red-breasted Nuthatches show up to investigate our buggy pecan trees on Tuesday morning. Our pecan trees were quite popular with the nuthatches during the last great irruption of RB Nuthatches in our area in the winter of 2007-2008. At one point during that irruption we watched six nuthatches working their way through the various pecan trees in the yard. It became almost easy to find at least one nuthatch at any given time in the pecan trees during that winter. Donna Slyce in the community of Longtown near Ridgeway, SC _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ Subject: Woodcock this morning, NC piedmont From: VIRGINIA TRAVIS <ginger_travis AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 06:55:45 -0800 (PST) How much luck can I stand? This morning on a woods walk with Roy and Sadie, my black Labs, Roy scared up a Woodcock. He didn't notice it, but I got a beautiful view. The Woodcock flew about 75 feet in a quarter circle around me, and I saw it alight. It took a couple of steps and then, presto! Before my very eyes, it melted away into the beech and maple leaves. I kept my eye on the spot and intended to see how close I had to get before I could distinguish the bird from the leaves. But just then, old and slow Sadie came ambling down the path right by the Woodcock and scared it up all over again. It flew back to its original spot. This time I just let it be and I took another direction with the dogs. I would say that I see Woodcocks out here only once every 5 years on average. It's always a thrill. This bird was well into the woods but in an area that was cut over about 10 years ago; we were in an opening growing up in sweetgum, maple, and hickory saplings -- still fairly early in succession. And on a moist slope. Ginger Travis Orange Co., NC Subject: RE: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 23:12:13 -0500 I'm not so sure about the sparrow in her photo. Looks like an immature Chipping to me, OR at least, it isn't close enough where I can separate Clay-colored from Chipping. A couple things in Chipping's favor: tail looks fairly short to me; Chipping has a short to medium tail, whereas Clay-colored and Field have longish tails. The habitat is right for Chipping; on a fence, with an Eastern Phoebe, along a wooded edge (apparently). I don't know anything about the Flickr ID help group. Amy, what did they say? Harry LeGrand NC Natural Heritage Program DENR Division of Natural Resources Planning and Conservation 1601 MSC Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 (919) 715-8697 (work) e-mail: harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov ----------------------------------------------------- Notice: E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and therefore may be disclosed to third parties. ________________________________________ From: Amy [amyw AT fsow.org] Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 8:14 PM To: carolinabirds AT duke.edu Subject: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow Here’s the pix of the Clay-colored Sparrow. http://tinyurl.com/Clay-colored-11-3-09 Amy Williamson Wilmington, NC Subject: Re: Juncos From: Judi Durr <judibird904 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:06:40 -0800 (PST) Had 1 Junco and 2 White-Throated sparrows on Halloween - my first of the year AT ,   Judi Durr Kernersville, NC --- On Wed, 11/4/09, BLAYNE OLSEN wrote: From: BLAYNE OLSEN Subject: Juncos To: "carolinabirds AT duke.edu" , MAS-L AT LISTSERV.UNCC.EDU Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 7:54 PM Has anyone seen Juncos in the Piedmont?  Usually I see the first Juncos here in Monroe, NC  by the third week in October.  It is now Nov. 4th and still no Juncos.  I have other winter birds:  Phoebe, White-throated Sparrow, and Song Sparrow. Anne Olsen  Anne & Blayne Olsen bolsen187 AT verizon.net Subject: Re: Juncos From: "Phil Dickinson" <pdickins AT triad.rr.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:26:22 -0500 I have seen 3 juncos in Winston-Salem in the last week or so. Phil Dickinson Winston-Salem ----- Original Message ----- From: BLAYNE OLSEN To: carolinabirds AT duke.edu ; MAS-L AT LISTSERV.UNCC.EDU Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 7:54 PM Subject: Juncos Has anyone seen Juncos in the Piedmont? Usually I see the first Juncos here in Monroe, NC by the third week in October. It is now Nov. 4th and still no Juncos. I have other winter birds: Phoebe, White-throated Sparrow, and Song Sparrow. Anne Olsen Anne & Blayne Olsen bolsen187 AT verizon.net Subject: Pix of Clay-colored Sparrow From: "Amy" <amyw AT fsow.org> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:14:41 -0500 Here's the pix of the Clay-colored Sparrow. http://tinyurl.com/Clay-colored-11-3-09 Amy Williamson Wilmington, NC Subject: Ft Fisher yesterday From: "Amy" <amyw AT fsow.org> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 20:06:00 -0500 After not seeing "my" Yellow-throated Warbler for a couple of days, I put out some new suet this morning and after its suet repast this afternoon I was treated to the sight of it bathing in the shallow water dish I keep out on the upper deck. They are strikingly beautiful little birds. Went to Ft Fisher yesterday morning (basin, ferry parking lot and aquarium). Concentrated on trying to get sparrow pictures to learn more about IDing them. I can now say I've seen a Clay-colored Sparrow (got the ID confirmed in the flickr ID help group) and also saw a couple of White-crowned Sparrows! Below is my Ft Fisher list. Amy Williamson Wilmington, NC Pied-billed Grebe 2 Wood Duck 5 Double Crested Cormorant 4 Laughing Gull 16 Herring Gull 1 Clapper Rail 2 Great Egret 8 Snowy Egret 2 Brown Pelican 4 Cooper's Hawk 2 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Merlin 1 Turkey Vulture 9 Black Vulture 2 Catbird 4 Northern Mockingbird 9 American Robin 7 Brown Thrasher 1 Loggerhead Shrike 1 Northern Cardinal 8 American Crow 5 Red-winged Blackbird 40 Belted Kingfisher 1 Tufted Titmouse 1 Carolina Wren 1 Eastern Phoebe 5 Northern Flicker 3 White-crowned Sparrow 2 White-throated Sparrow 30 Song Sparrow 5 Swamp Sparrow 1 Clay-colored Sparrow 1 Common Yellowthroat 2 Prairie Warbler 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 45 Mourning Dove 15 Subject: Re: Juncos From: Carol Williamson <cncbrdr AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 17:15:21 -0800 (PST) I had both juncos and yellow-rumped warblers this morning--first of the season in my yard. Carol Williamson Durham, NC ________________________________ From: BLAYNE OLSEN To: "carolinabirds AT duke.edu" ; MAS-L AT LISTSERV.UNCC.EDU Sent: Wed, November 4, 2009 7:54:36 PM Subject: Juncos Has anyone seen Juncos in the Piedmont? Usually I see the first Juncos here in Monroe, NC by the third week in October. It is now Nov. 4th and still no Juncos. I have other winter birds: Phoebe, White-throated Sparrow, and Song Sparrow. Anne Olsen Anne & Blayne Olsen bolsen187 AT verizon.net Subject: Falls Dam birds From: "Ali Iyoob" <Aliiyoob AT nc.rr.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 19:57:12 -0500 Today I went to Falls Dam, and saw Matt's coot and Spotted SP. He saw my Ruddy Duck, though, so I suppose it's a fair trade :-) . Ali Iyoob North Raleigh, NC www.flickr.com/photos/longspur http://birdingjournal.blogspot.com Subject: Juncos From: BLAYNE OLSEN <bolsen187 AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 16:54:36 -0800 (PST) Has anyone seen Juncos in the Piedmont? Usually I see the first Juncos here in Monroe, NC by the third week in October. It is now Nov. 4th and still no Juncos. I have other winter birds: Phoebe, White-throated Sparrow, and Song Sparrow. Anne Olsen Anne & Blayne Olsen bolsen187 AT verizon.net Subject: Hooper Bald, Cherohala Skyway, western NC Short-eared Owl From: Avian Pursuits Nature Tours <naturetours AT avianpursuits.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 16:06:12 -0800 (PST) Forwarded from the Tennessee Bird listserve Subject: Hooper Bald, NC Short-eared Owl From: "tom howe" Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 21:50:34 -0500 Nov 01-2009 Graham Co., NC While up on the Cherohala Skyway out of Tellico Plains this evening looking at the fall colors, we went into North Carolina a few miles to Hooper Bald. It's about 15 minutes past the state line with a good parking area and rest rooms. After a short hike we reached the bald at about 5pm. We got the sunset we had hoped for but were very excited to see a SHORT-EARED OWL hunting over the field affording magnificent close looks. I observed for the first time one diving into the grass after something. It amazed me the speed at which it stooped into the ground with its wings folded up like a kingfisher into water. The grass was deep and I can only imagine it must have opened its wings like a parachute just before impact-an awesome sight indeed. Good Birding, Tom Howe Alcoa, TN *******************************************David Trently Avian Pursuits Nature Tours ...come see the real world! Knoxville, TN http://avianpursuits.com/ Subject: me, too! red-breasted nuthatch today. From: VIRGINIA TRAVIS <ginger_travis AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 10:45:46 -0800 (PST) I'm about 30 miles north of Mark K. (he's in Pittsboro, NC, I'm SW of Hillsborough, NC) and a red-breasted nuthatch (or possibly 2, though I saw only 1 at a time) made several trips to my seed feeder today around 1:15 p.m. How 'bout them apples?!!!!!! Ginger Travis Orange Co., NC Subject: Ross's Goose in Surfside, SC follow-up From: "Bogey" <bogey AT sc.rr.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:42:38 -0500 Thanks to Phil Turner's sighting yesterday, I found the Ross's Goose still with the Canadas. This time it had moved from the Taco Bell over to Denny's, probably for their Grand Slam. It was seen at 9 a.m. this morning. None of the Geese seemed to be too disturbed as I got some close photos. To track it, look behind the Goodwill and Taco Bell parking lots in the undeveloped fields. Just south of Rt 544 (Wal-Mart), and U.S. 17. http://www.flickr.com/photos/9751083 AT N06/4075704516/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/9751083 AT N06/4074950291/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/9751083 AT N06/4074949811/ Jerry Kerschner Pawleys Island, SC Subject: banded piping plovers From: Derb Carter <derbc AT selcnc.org> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 11:36:22 -0500 My understanding (to be corrected) is that any banded piping plovers now observed are from either the Great Lakes or Great Plains populations. Banding of birds of the Atlantic Coast population ceased several years ago. Birds of the Great Lakes population are particularly noteworthy as that population is perilously low. The Great Lakes population has increased from only 12 pairs in 1990 to 63 pairs in 2007 (likely a few more since then but that is the most current information I have). The Great Lakes population is also listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The other populations are listed as threatened. There is no legal difference in the protection afforded threatened or endangered populations. I had three Great Lakes plovers at Rich Inlet in southeastern North Carolina a few weeks ago. Derb Carter Chapel Hill, NC Subject: Piedmont RBNU From: Mark Kosiewski <markkosiewski AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 10:02:26 -0500 I just had my FOY red-breasted nuthatch here at my feeder in the NC piedmont, after having none all of last winter.  I'm hoping this is proof of another irruption year, like 2007-8.  Question:  Last year, I had plenty of pine siskins, and the year before I had red-breasted nuthatches, but failed to have both in either winter.  I suppose their food sources are different, but are there other factors that contribute to winter distribution??  Will it be possible to get both species here this winter? Mark KosiewskiPittsboro, NC "A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone." Henry David Thoreau _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: Unclutter your desktop. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9690331&ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen:112009 Subject: Re: Possible Piping Plover Origins From: "Bogey" <bogey AT sc.rr.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 08:25:21 -0500 The same Piping Plover was present off the causeway viewing stand Tuesday 11/03/09 along with the Semi's and Dunlin. I'll try to get a photo posted on Carolina Birds Jerry Kerschner Pawleys Island, SC Morning, birders! I just received an interesting response to my report and photo of a banded Piping Plover at Huntington Beach State Park on October 23, 2009. The preliminary result is: "Dear Amy, Thank you for your report and picture. I believe with the orange band on the upper right leg and metal band on the opposite leg that the plover is part of the Great Lakes population. If so, you saw a rarity among a rare species; of the 8,000 plus piping plovers, a little more than 100 nest on the Great Lakes. I will forward your report to the University of Minnesota researchers who do the banding of the Great Lakes population and hopefully they will be able to provide you with additional information as to when and where the plover was banded. Greg Pavelka Wildlife Biologist U.S. Army Corps of Engineers" Now I'm curious to hear from the University of Minnesota! Here's a link just to the plover photo if you didn't see it amongst the zillions of spoonbill photos that I posted previously J: http://www.flickr.com/photos/awilliamsonpix/4047215883/ Cheers, Amy Williamson Wilmington, NC -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.698 / Virus Database: 270.14.49/2480 - Release Date: 11/04/09 02:37:00 Subject: Possible Piping Plover Origins From: "Amy" <amyw AT fsow.org> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 07:48:21 -0500 Morning, birders! I just received an interesting response to my report and photo of a banded Piping Plover at Huntington Beach State Park on October 23, 2009. The preliminary result is: "Dear Amy, Thank you for your report and picture. I believe with the orange band on the upper right leg and metal band on the opposite leg that the plover is part of the Great Lakes population. If so, you saw a rarity among a rare species; of the 8,000 plus piping plovers, a little more than 100 nest on the Great Lakes. I will forward your report to the University of Minnesota researchers who do the banding of the Great Lakes population and hopefully they will be able to provide you with additional information as to when and where the plover was banded. Greg Pavelka Wildlife Biologist U.S. Army Corps of Engineers" Now I'm curious to hear from the University of Minnesota! Here's a link just to the plover photo if you didn't see it amongst the zillions of spoonbill photos that I posted previously :-): http://www.flickr.com/photos/awilliamsonpix/4047215883/ Cheers, Amy Williamson Wilmington, NC Subject: Rusties at LCNP From: Paul Serridge <paulserridge AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 04:16:44 -0800 (PST) Rusty Blackbirds were reported at Lake Conestee Nature Park (Greenville, SC) earlier this year than in the past 3 years: 3 on Oct 21 and 40 on Nov 2. (None were seen on Nov 3.) Past records show that significant numbers of Rusties should be in the park and adjacent area later this month and then on through March of next year. If anyone "needs" a Rusty Blackbird and would like some help in finding them, please let me know. Paul Serridge Greenville, SC Subject: Fwd: Lost Hiker From: Greg Dodge <grdodge AT embarqmail.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 06:13:56 -0500 Below message originally posted to Duke Natural History Society, thought it would get more exposure here. Greg Dodge Hillsborough, NC -------------------------------------------------------- Begin forwarded message: From: Carol Date: November 3, 2009 2:29:59 PM EST To: natural-history AT duke.edu Subject: Lost Hiker We lost a hiker who belongs to Triangle Hiking and Outdoor club over the weekend. He was last heard from Sat out in TN. A missing person report has been filed. Please be on the lookout for the following: - A Green Nissan Pickup truck with NC plates (Appalachian Trail specialty plate with license "TENT") - John is 5'7" 135 pounds and is 46 years old. He has no known acute medical problems If you come across the vehicle, please notify the authorities ASAP. Right now, the first priority is to locate his vehicle, so that we know where to search. Please forward this message to anyone you know in the eastern TN, western NC, northern GA, northwestern SC regions. Thank you for your assistance If someone wants to broadcast onto Twitter or Facebook, please use this message : "Missing Hiker, 2 days overdue, looking for GREEN Nissan pickup truck with NC license plate Appalachian State Specialty plate "TENT", call authorities if you spot the vehicle ASAP" Thanks for any help... Carol Ray Subject: Jackson Park checklist From: "Leah C. Williams" <leahcw78 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:24:37 -0500 Does anyone know how I can get a copy of the Jackson Park bird checklist online or as a digital file (i.e. Word, Excel, or PDF)? Thank you! Leah Leah Williams Hendersonville, NC Subject: Falls Dam ducks, Spotted SPiper, YB Chat, etc. From: Matthew Daw <birdboymatt AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 19:23:43 -0800 (PST) Hi All,   I had a good day birding Falls Dam, starting with a plethora of winter birds with a Blue-headed Vireo mixed in on the spillway side. I quickly skipped ahead to the Lake, where I was rewarded with the best waterfowl variety I have ever seen on this part of Falls Lake(I didn't know that Ali Iyoob birded here today as well). The lake was still as glass, not a ripple, although the wind picked up after I left. straight out from the dam, there was a couple of cormorants, Bonie and Ring-billed Gulls as well as a Common Loon(I think the same one that has been here since June). A flyover Harrier was another bird new to Falls Dam for me.     I caught sight of a Bald Eagle flying extremely far out in a corner of the lake, and was surprised to find that it was attacking a group of coots with other ducks mixed in. The eagle soon left, but I was able to locate the ducks (no scope with me), and was surprised when they started moving across the lake towards me. In about 30 minutes, they had swum all the way across until they were only 50 feet from me! the group included 4 coots, a male Ruddy Duck and a Pied-billed Grebe. While I was watching them, a very late Spotted Sandpiper flew right by me! The birds got slow after this, but I did have large numbers of the common sparrow, as well as Yellow-breasted Chat and a House Wren. Also 2 sharp-shinned Hawks and a Bald Eagle that soared about 25 feet above me, giving excellent views. Non-bird sightings picked up after I left the lake (1130 am) and they were quite good, including a handful of butterflies, Fawn and Shadow Darners, a Green Anole (fairly rare on Falls Lake) and a beautiful Eastern Kingsnake. Also sorry for the subject title, as I only had 2 species of ducks (Mallard was the other).   Matthew Daw Raleigh, NC Subject: Falls Dam birds From: "Ali Iyoob" <Aliiyoob AT nc.rr.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 19:48:00 -0500 At falls dam today, I had a Ruddy Duck and Hooded Merganser. Because Falls Dam is probably the worst spot on Falls Lake for ducks, they were quite unexpected-also BIGBY birds. On a non-avian note, the deer are starting to rut, drawing the big bucks from their summer hiding places deep in the woods out in the open. I saw two 6-pointers and a massive 9 pointer eating and drinking near the river! Ali Iyoob North Raleigh, NC www.flickr.com/photos/longspur http://birdingjournal.blogspot.com Subject: Ross's Goose From: "Phil Turner" <sturner57 AT sc.rr.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 18:17:18 -0500 Hi All, Today around noon I had a Ross's between the Firestone lube place and the Taco Bell just south of the Lowe's store on 17 by-pass. There is a pretty big flock of Canada's in the area that seems to hang around the south end of the lowes store or out along 17. Another spot they hang around is called Queen's Harbor just south of the Taco Bell. There is a frontage road behind the Taco place that will get you out of the main traffic. The Goose was seen by Ritch Lilly around 4:30 this evening. If anybody needs more info. call 843-650-4978 Horry County,S C Sharon and Phil Turner Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 Subject: white pelicans at Swansboro, NC From: "John Fussell" <jfuss AT clis.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 17:36:26 -0500 I got a report of 2 white pelicans over the White Oak River at Swansboro this afternoon. John Fussell Morehead City, NC jfuss AT clis.com Subject: RFI - Five Southbound Sandhill Cranes From: Fred <fred AT cetussoft.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 11:44:01 -0500 Hello. This may be an unusual request, but here goes... I am hoping that someone might see (and maybe even photograph) a particular group of five sandhill cranes that might be heading southbound "down" the coast, from Wareham Massachusetts to Florida (or thereabouts). Here's the story: There is a group of five sandhill cranes that has recently left Wareham Massachusetts (just across Buzzards Bay from Cape Cod) and may possibly be on their way to Florida (my guess). It appears that a single group of up to a half dozen sandhill cranes has been spending part of each year for the last several years on the cranberry bogs and ponds of Wareham MA, and they have been actively watched by some MA birders (especially since sandhill cranes are very uncommon birds "up here" in Massachusetts). On October 29th, the last day the cranes were seen in Wareham, a group of five cranes were spotted flying from MA into RI. Then there was a report the same day from a hawk watch in Greenwich CT that noted a tight formation of five cranes heading further "down" the coat. Then, on October 30th, there were reports of a group of five cranes seen both lifting off the ground at Merrill Creek NJ and then in the air at a hawk watch at Scott's Mountain NJ. So, it would seem that they've been on their way southward. Of course, the big question is, ARE THEY THE SAME FIVE CRANES? While certainly not completely definitive, a comparison of a photo taken of the birds in flight at the Scott's Mountain NJ hawk watch ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrd_photos/4063137832/sizes/l/ ) and my photos from Wareham MA of "our" cranes flying at sunset on Oct 26th ( http://fredw.smugmug.com/Animals/WarehamCraneberryCranes-102609/10104828_2y3Tr/1/693923477_HJvqD/Large http://fredw.smugmug.com/Animals/WarehamCraneberryCranes-102609/10104828_2y3Tr/1/693925004_AH4v3/Large ), shows one of the five cranes in each case having what might seem to be the same "notch" in its left wing. So, for those on the flyway to Florida, where the cranes ~might~ possibly be heading for the winter season -- if you do happen to see (or have just seen) a group of five sandhill cranes going over, and spot(ted) or photograph(ed) one of them having such a "notch" in its left wing, please let do me know - there would be a number of MA birders that would be delighted to hear of such news. Yes, I know that it sounds like a "wild crane chase", but who knows... Thanks for listening. Fred (Frederick Wasti) Mostly in Marshfield in Massachusetts ("craneberry country") Subject: New Hope Audubon November Meeting From: Robert Howes <rchowes007 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 09:48:22 -0500 Just a reminder that New Hope Audubon's next monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2009 at the NC Botanical Gardens at Hwy. 15/501 and Old Mason Farm Rd. at 7:00pm. We will be meeting in one of the Botanical Garden's new classrooms and there is plenty of parking. Our speaker will be Dr. Ron Sutherland who will talk about "The effects of urbanization on amphibians, reptiles, ground nesting birds, and mesopredator mammals in the Sandhills" Everyone, even non-members, are invited. See you there! Bo Howes Chapel Hill Subject: Zirconia / Tuxedo area birding (mtn area birders...) From: Kevin Caldwell <mtssea AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 06:28:53 -0800 (PST) I am currently putting together a 'baseline documentation report' for CMLC on the Camp Greystone property in Zirconia / Tuxedo NC and have the owners permission to ask if any birders from the Henderson Co area have ever birded the Green River bottomlands portion of the Camp during the breeding season. I'm looking for some reliable breeding lists (numbers not required). The easement will go under CMLC and while I've done several days of surveys there (veg & wildlife) I have no way of bringing in the breeders until next spring. I've checked ebird, avibase, etc...there is no data specific to this site or region, just broad scale County info. This area has very high quality low elevation So.App Bog (about 20 acres+/-) surrounding another 10+ of open water and right along the Green River w/ about 1/2 to 3/4 mile of frontage, backed up by Lake Summit...its very, very nice in terms of bottomland / wetland breeding habitat. I will check on access for anyone interested but it is a private camp - the owner is very interested in the natural components of the tract, but swarms of us descending on the tract is not an option. I can assure any of the Henderson Co birders that this is sweet site and it probably rivals Jackson Park. Also, the quality and extent of wetlandsas well has open water, herb / shrub, zones on this easily surpasses J-park...and its much quieter, and largley lacking in the exotics invasion J-park has... but there is only small areas of bottomland forest. Having some good winter sitings, periodically, would be great but I'd like to organize a series of spring trips there in 2010 for those interested. Please email me personally vs. posting please. I normally don't post my professional info on this site, but its below since its related to this project. Thanks! Kevin Caldwell Conservation Biologist Mountains-to-Sea Ecological, Inc. 828-551-8225 / MtsSea AT yahoo.com 87 Ivy Bluffs Rd / Marshall, NC 28753 www.MTSecological.com Subject: RE: Falls Lake LeContes brings reservoir checklist to 300 From: "Legrand, Harry" <harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 08:09:33 -0500 All: As I said a day or two ago, I found a LeConte's Sparrow on US Army Corps of Engineers land at Fall Lake, technically at Beaverdam Reservoir, in a weedy field just northeast of the causeway across the upper end of the lake, back in the late 1970's to mid-1980's, after the lake had been filled. I showed the bird to Derb and Ann Carter, and I think Allen Bryan, a week or two later. I can't find the record in the online Chat Briefs (which go back to the mid-1980's), so I'll have to check the Avendex database at home this evening, or my stack of Chats. Harry LeGrand -----Original Message----- From: birdranger [mailto:cbockhahn4 AT earthlink.net] Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 10:01 PM To: carolinabirds Subject: Falls Lake LeContes brings reservoir checklist to 300 I've been keeping the Falls Lake checklist for 11 years and it's been getting tougher and tougher to add birds, I hoped for a Sandhill Crane in recent weeks, but alas the LeContes Sparrow seen on 10/31 was the long awaited #300 for Falls Lake. For comparison Jordan is like 311 I think and Kerr only 265. It was number 233 for me at Falls, or 78% of total birds. It was also state bird number 317, though I don't chase in state unless it's an ABA area lifer. Brian Bockhahn Falls Lake State Park Ranger Falls & Kerr Lake CBC Compiler cbockhahn4 AT earthlink.net Subject: Falls Lake LeContes brings reservoir checklist to 300 From: "birdranger" <cbockhahn4 AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 22:01:22 -0500 I've been keeping the Falls Lake checklist for 11 years and it's been getting tougher and tougher to add birds, I hoped for a Sandhill Crane in recent weeks, but alas the LeContes Sparrow seen on 10/31 was the long awaited #300 for Falls Lake. For comparison Jordan is like 311 I think and Kerr only 265. It was number 233 for me at Falls, or 78% of total birds. It was also state bird number 317, though I don't chase in state unless it's an ABA area lifer. Brian Bockhahn Falls Lake State Park Ranger Falls & Kerr Lake CBC Compiler cbockhahn4 AT earthlink.net Subject: snowy owls From: Randy Climpson <rclimpson AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 17:59:59 -0800 (PST) According to several range maps in the standard bird guides (as many of you may have read or know), snowy owls have been reported previously in at least three different areas of the state, in the rare occurance category. Two other maps indicate range not this far, but one (NatGeo) concedes some straying into the south as far as northern Florida, mainly in the winter when lemming populations are very low. NatGeo also says: "These irruptives, usually heavily barred younger birds, often perch conspicuously on the ground or on low stumps, fence posts, and buildings." Therefore, although the state of the lemmings is not known to this commenter, and it could be early, it would seem reasonable not to dismiss the report out of hand. A picture or confirmation from others would be more trustful, clearly. Reminder: Not all intelligent people become expert birders. Some non-expert birders do have intelligence and can see, read a book, perform analysis, and come to a correct conclusion. That said, the person's conclusion still could be all wet. (All crystallized water wet?) --Randy Climpson Ocean Isle Beach, NC Subject: record hummer From: "Sherri Carpenter" <sherric AT charter.net> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 20:55:33 -0500 Hi, folks, we still have a RTH at the feeders - a record for us! We think this is a migrant that has chosen to stay a while, since we did have a couple of weeks in October with no sightings. Then this one showed up, and we've seen her every day since. We still have a lot of salvia and vinca in bloom, perhaps she is happy with a choice of nectars. We're pleasantly surprised! Sherri Carpenter Roxboro, NC Subject: Its a Bobolink after all!! From: Carl Miller <twobicycles AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 18:03:08 -0500 I'm writing to express my sincerest thanks to the group for the uniformly kind, authoritative, and genuinely helpful messages I've received to help me correctly identify my Bobolink pictures yesterday. What I'd give to get this kind of support from my Linux Users Group!!! Warmest regards, Carl Miller Charleston, SC Cell: 330-8233 Subject: Re: Snowy Owl... I think not? From: Scott Jackson-Ricketts <scottjr AT ls.net> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 18:02:35 -0500 Wow, And to think I used to live on Ruffin, and later on Green. Sorry I moved away, in 1966. Still alive, SJR On Mon, Nov 2, 2009 at 5:53 PM, Mike Tove wrote: > A 3 foot tall Snowy Owl in mid-October? Must have been a mutant from > Chernoble. > > Mike Tove > Cary, NC > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rob G." > To: > Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 4:39 PM > Subject: Snowy Owl... I think not? > > >> >> >> Those who've been on C-birds long enough know we occasionally get these >> false reports of Snowy Owls in the Triangle (and they do occasionally show >> up on the coast), so I doubt there's anything at all to this email that a >> NON-birding friend sent me today, but I'm passing it along in the unlikely >> event that anyone finds any plausibility to it (...probably a juvenile >> Barred): >> >> "Two weeks ago, mid-morning driving down Green Street, just past Ruffin at >> the greenway crossing, my friend Joe spotted a large bird fly over and in >> front of my car. When I looked the bird was standing on the sidewalk at the >> crossing. It was around 3 feet or so tall and white with some flecks of >> grey(I think). My first thought is that this is a Snowy Owl, but that it >> didn't make any sense and what is an owl doing hanging out in the daytime. >> I found a new book at the library on owls and indeed this was a Snowy Owl. >> It feeds during the day...." >> >> This was in Durham, NC., BTW. >> >> -- Rob Gluck.... Chapel Hill, NC..... >> >> >> >> >> >> _________________________________________________________________ >> Windows 7: It works the way you want. >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen2:112009 >> !DSPAM:4aef5199187471975974818! >> >> > > > Subject: Re: Snowy Owl... I think not? From: "Mike Tove" <mtove AT deltaforce.net> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 17:53:31 -0500 A 3 foot tall Snowy Owl in mid-October? Must have been a mutant from Chernoble. Mike Tove Cary, NC ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rob G." To: Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 4:39 PM Subject: Snowy Owl... I think not? > > > Those who've been on C-birds long enough know we occasionally get these > false reports of Snowy Owls in the Triangle (and they do occasionally show > up on the coast), so I doubt there's anything at all to this email that a > NON-birding friend sent me today, but I'm passing it along in the unlikely > event that anyone finds any plausibility to it (...probably a juvenile > Barred): > > "Two weeks ago, mid-morning driving down Green Street, just past Ruffin at > the greenway crossing, my friend Joe spotted a large bird fly over and in > front of my car. When I looked the bird was standing on the sidewalk at > the crossing. It was around 3 feet or so tall and white with some flecks > of grey(I think). My first thought is that this is a Snowy Owl, but that > it didn't make any sense and what is an owl doing hanging out in the > daytime. > I found a new book at the library on owls and indeed this was a Snowy Owl. > It feeds during the day...." > > This was in Durham, NC., BTW. > > -- Rob Gluck.... Chapel Hill, NC..... > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Windows 7: It works the way you want. > http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen2:112009 > !DSPAM:4aef5199187471975974818! > > Subject: Make Lake Conestee your private bird sanctuary--go on Mondays! From: John Lindfors <lindfors127 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 17:25:32 -0500 Carolinabirders, Vin Stanton of Asheville and I slid down the escartment on route 25, skirted the west side of Greenville, went north on Interstate 85 and found Augusta Road to Forkshoals to Henderson Rd. to discover the beautiful Lake Conestee Nature Park. It warm, sunny, and absolutely devoid of a breathing human being. I'm not talking other birders, i'm talking dog walkers, bicyclists, exercise runners etc. But that was perhaps an advantage, because we might not have gotten all the birds on our list had we been walking shoulder-to-shoulder with the great unwashed of Greenville County. It makes me jealous to see this wonderful 130 acres of lake largely silted in and aided by beavers to create a magnificent wetland being so intelligently planned and cared for. Not just a few board to get around a wet spot in the road. But a steel structure spanning high above the reedy river and boardwalks that were built with treated wood that made me long that such a vision could be caught by the Park Department of a certain park in Hendersonville, NC. Vin really likes to photograph dragon flies, and he was pleased to see that frost and cold weather has not killed off these birds. We were pleased to see three even the red Autumn Meadow Hawk. Here is Vin and my list (minus 2 species that Vin saw which I can't remember.) Location: Lake Conestee Nature Park, Greenville, SC Observation date: 11/2/09 from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM Notes: Vin Stanton and I had a wonderful visit. Vin helped me get more than just my backyard birds here at the park. We were very pleased to see so many Rusty Blackbirds. We saw 3 Dragon Flies (and DF-like insects). The one I remember was an "Autumn Meadow Hawk." Number of species: 34 Canada Goose 10 Mallard 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Coot 4 Rock Pigeon 1 Belted Kingfisher 1 Red-headed Woodpecker 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1 Eastern Phoebe 1 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 2 Carolina Chickadee 3 Tufted Titmouse 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Carolina Wren 3 Golden-crowned Kinglet 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4 Hermit Thrush 2 Brown Thrasher 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 9 Eastern Towhee 2 Song Sparrow 1 White-throated Sparrow 6 Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 4 Northern Cardinal 4 Red-winged Blackbird 2 Rusty Blackbird 40 Common Grackle 1 House Finch 5 American Goldfinch 1 -- John Lindfors Hendersonville, NC Subject: Snowy Owl... I think not? From: Rob G. <thrush AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 21:39:14 +0000 Those who've been on C-birds long enough know we occasionally get these false reports of Snowy Owls in the Triangle (and they do occasionally show up on the coast), so I doubt there's anything at all to this email that a NON-birding friend sent me today, but I'm passing it along in the unlikely event that anyone finds any plausibility to it (...probably a juvenile Barred): "Two weeks ago, mid-morning driving down Green Street, just past Ruffin at the greenway crossing, my friend Joe spotted a large bird fly over and in front of my car.  When I looked the bird was standing on the sidewalk at the crossing.  It was around 3 feet or so tall and white with some flecks of grey(I think).  My first thought is that this is a Snowy Owl, but that it didn't make any sense and what is an owl doing hanging out in the daytime. I found a new book at the library on owls and indeed this was a Snowy Owl. It feeds during the day...." This was in Durham, NC., BTW. -- Rob Gluck.... Chapel Hill, NC..... _________________________________________________________________ Windows 7: It works the way you want. http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/windows-7/default.aspx?ocid=PID24727::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WWL_WIN_evergreen2:112009 Subject: RE: ID help? From: "Amy" <amyw AT fsow.org> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 13:34:34 -0500 Thanks to those who confirmed the Black-throated Blue. Hooray, a new yard bird for my list! Amy Williamson Wilmington, NC _____ From: Amy [mailto:amyw AT fsow.org] Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 12:51 PM To: carolinabirds AT duke.edu Subject: ID help? Just outside for a while. Things got quiet after I checked and refilled feeders, but patience was rewarded. When the local crew of Chickadees/Titmice/Woodpeckers came back around to my yard/feeders, I found among them a Northern Parula and what I think is a Black-throated Blue Warbler (if so, first ever seen in my yard!) ID confirmation would be greatly appreciated-the photos aren't great, but I think they'll do for ID purposes. http://tinyurl.com/warblers-11-2-09 Amy Williamson Wilmington, NC This morning's yard birds: Great Blue Heron 1 Osprey 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Brown-headed Nuthatch 1 Carolina Chickadee 4 Tufted Titmouse 3 Downy Woodpecker 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Pileated Woodpecker 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2 Northern Flicker 1 House Finch 4 Blue Jay 4 Northern Cardinal 2 Northern Mockingbird 1 Mourning Dove 4 Carolina Wren 1 Song Sparrow 1 Eastern Bluebird 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 Northern Parula 1 Black-throated Blue?? No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.423 / Virus Database: 270.14.45/2476 - Release Date: 11/02/09 07:51:00 Subject: ID help? From: "Amy" <amyw AT fsow.org> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 12:50:50 -0500 Just outside for a while. Things got quiet after I checked and refilled feeders, but patience was rewarded. When the local crew of Chickadees/Titmice/Woodpeckers came back around to my yard/feeders, I found among them a Northern Parula and what I think is a Black-throated Blue Warbler (if so, first ever seen in my yard!) ID confirmation would be greatly appreciated-the photos aren't great, but I think they'll do for ID purposes. http://tinyurl.com/warblers-11-2-09 Amy Williamson Wilmington, NC This morning's yard birds: Great Blue Heron 1 Osprey 1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 Brown-headed Nuthatch 1 Carolina Chickadee 4 Tufted Titmouse 3 Downy Woodpecker 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Pileated Woodpecker 2 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2 Northern Flicker 1 House Finch 4 Blue Jay 4 Northern Cardinal 2 Northern Mockingbird 1 Mourning Dove 4 Carolina Wren 1 Song Sparrow 1 Eastern Bluebird 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 2 Northern Parula 1 Black-throated Blue?? Subject: FWD: Hooper Bald, NC Short-eared Owl From: kde AT utk.edu Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 12:43:05 -0500 (EST) Thought I would forward this note on a nice NC bird from a friend on the TN bird list. Dean Edwards Knoxville, TN / Wilmington, NC ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 21:50:34 -0500 From: tom howe To: tn-bird AT freelists.org Subject: [TN-Bird] Hooper Bald, NC Short-eared Owl Nov 01-2009 Graham Co., NC While up on the Cherohala Skyway out of Tellico Plains this evening looking at the fall colors, we went into North Carolina a few miles to Hooper Bald. It's about 15 minutes past the state line with a good parking area and rest rooms. After a short hike we reached the bald at about 5pm. We got the sunset we had hoped for but were very excited to see a SHORT-EARED OWL hunting over the field affording magnificent close looks. I observed for the first time one diving into the grass after something. It amazed me the speed at which it stooped into the ground with its wings folded up like a kingfisher into water. The grass was deep and I can only imagine it must have opened its wings like a parachute just before impact-an awesome sight indeed. Good Birding, Tom Howe Alcoa, TN Subject: My bad - Re: Bobhopper? From: Nate Dias <offshorebirder AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 07:26:21 -0800 (PST) Apologies for steering you wrong Carl - your excellent photos show that it's a Bobolink. By way of explanation: The bird was first spotted a long way off - Bill Dobbins mentioned "I think I have a Grasshopper Sparrow over there in the stalks". I turned and looked, saw the buffy small bird with a crown stripe, and said "nice one" - and I guess 'group-think' took over at that point. The bird was by itself, not far from a group of Sparrows and Palm Warblers, but with no other birds visible for size reference. Carl worked his way closer to the bird, around a ditch, etc. and eventually got fairly close with his camera - while the rest of us stayed way back by the beach causeway and looked through Blackbirds, Cowbirds, raptors, etc. This episode is a good lesson on the pitfalls of not checking things better and moving on too quickly without engaging your critical thinking. Distance or not - the rest of us should have been given pause by the long+big bill, the bold dark eye line, and maybe even the streaks on the side of the breast. Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC ________________________________ From: Carl Miller To: Carolina Birds List Serve Sent: Mon, November 2, 2009 7:10:16 AM Subject: Bobhopper? I've received several comments about the photos that I posted yesterday. It seems an open question whether the bird I labeled as a Grasshopper Sparrow is actually a Bobolink. I offer a couple of additional photos (LINK: http://tinyurl.com/yjq2m5p) to help clarify this question. I checked both my Sibley and Kauffman and can't find a white stripe across the crown on the Bobolink in either reference. I'm much more interested in correctly identifying this bird than in preserving my pride (or life bird list). Carl Miller Charleston, SC Cell: 330-8233 Subject: Great Horned Owls on roof From: <bobmax1 AT charter.net> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 7:08:54 -0800 Last week we had an immature Bald Eagle on our chimney, and last night for about a half hour, around 9:30 PM, we had two Great Horned Owl, one calling from each end of the house roof. I love it !!! Bob Maxwell, South Litchfield Beach, SC bobmax1 AT charter.net PS The Roseate Spoonbills continue at HBSP. Bogey told us at church yesterday that he had seen 5 there Sat. afternoon, and we saw three Sunday PM. We still have one RTHB coming to the feeder. Bob Maxwell bobmax1 AT charter.net Subject: Sapsucker From: "Amy" <amyw AT fsow.org> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 09:51:16 -0500 Just saw my first of season Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the yard! Amy Williamson Wilmington, NC Subject: Wild Turkeys everywhere! From: "Amy" <amyw AT fsow.org> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 09:31:23 -0500 Hi Birders, Spent a long weekend in Caldwell and adjacent NC counties. Between guests who didn't care about bird watching and a fairly constant case of fog and drizzle, I didn't get to do any official birding. Still, some birds showed up as soon as I put seed out: plenty of Dark-eyed Juncos, Chickadees, N. Cardinals and several White-breasted Nuthatches. There was at least one Eastern Phoebe hanging around, as well as several Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and I heard several of the resident Pileated Woodpeckers calling. Plenty of American Crows and Mourning Doves, as well. Had a couple of Chipmunks too-very cute at first, watching them fill their cheeks to gigantic proportions, but as they cleaned the feeder out completely and kept the birds at bay, it lost its appeal. My squirrel-proof feeder is decidedly not chipmunk proof. I think the chipmunks managed to provision themselves for the winter in just a couple of days! We drove guests around the forest roads to accomplish the requisite leaf peeping (it was still very colorful, and with the wisps of fog the wet forests looked quite magical). As we did so, I saw more Wild Turkeys than I've ever seen in one day-groups numbering anywhere from 3-4 to 8-12 around every other bend in the roads (and those winding roads have countless bends). We saw one pure white Wild Turkey with a flock of 8 others. When we came upon them they flew, and it was interesting to see how well the normally-colored ones blended into the woods while we continued to track the white one moving up a forest slope across a ravine. An interesting lesson in why camouflage is so important, as I don't expect that one to be around for too long. Up on the Blue Ridge Parkway I saw lots of Juncos, a flock of American Robins and a couple of Ravens, (and lots of Wild Turkeys) but not much else. Here at home in Wilmington I've noticed at least two Ruby-throated Hummers this morning, and I'm about to go out and see what else I can see. Oh, and before we left for the mountains last Thursday, I noticed a Hermit Thrush in the (Wilmington) yard for the first time this season. Amy Williamson Wilmington, NC Subject: More Lower Lake Hickory Waterfowl From: Dwayne Martin <redxbill AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 09:37:01 -0500 I just checked the Dusty Ridge Access area on the Alexander County side of Lake Hickory. I had 4 Horned Grebes and a flock of 9 Hooded Mergansers. Also while I was there, I had several Purple Finches fly overhead. I forgot to mention in my last post that yesterday Monroe and I also had 5 Bonaparte's Gulls. Those where a little early for our area. Dwayne ************* Dwayne Martin Hickory, NC redxbill AT gmail.com http://www.naturalsciences.org/nchummers/ Catawba County Park Ranger Riverbend Park - Conover, NC jdmartin AT catawbacountync.gov http://www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/parks/ http://www.ncbirdingtrail.org/TrailGuide/Guide_CatawbaValley.pdf Subject: Falls Lake birds From: "birdranger" <cbockhahn4 AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 08:48:15 -0500 Falls Lake north of Raleigh, NC Did a quick scan of the lake from Sandling Beach this morning, everything was closer to Rollingiew which IS open for winter. 80 Ring-billed Gull 2 Laughing Gull 3 Bonaparte's Gull 7 Forster's Tern 8 Common Loon 4 PBGrebe 30 American Coot 11 Blue-winged Teal 80 Scaup in two distant flocks On land turkey flocks are numerous and there are still palm warblers moving through, including one that landed on my vehicle hood. Brian Bockhahn Falls Lake State Park Ranger Falls & Kerr Lake CBC Compiler cbockhahn4 AT earthlink.net Subject: Lower Lake Hickory Waterfowl From: Dwayne Martin <redxbill AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 08:45:29 -0500 Monroe Pannell and I checked out lower Lake Hickory, just behind Oxford Dam, yesterday evening. We had 13 Common Loons (one still in breeding plumage and one was calling), 20+ Ruddy Ducks, 10 Buffleheads, 12 American Coots, and several Pied-billed Grebes. I stopped by Oxford Access area this morning and had 8 Lesser Scaup, one Hooded Merganser and one unidentified duck that was sleeping so I couldn't really tell what it was. I will go back later today and see if anything else had shown up. Dwayne ************* Dwayne Martin Hickory, NC redxbill AT gmail.com http://www.naturalsciences.org/nchummers/ Catawba County Park Ranger Riverbend Park - Conover, NC jdmartin AT catawbacountync.gov http://www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/parks/ http://www.ncbirdingtrail.org/TrailGuide/Guide_CatawbaValley.pdf Subject: Re: Bobhopper? From: Chris Hill <chill AT coastal.edu> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 08:11:42 -0500 Carl, Note that in a couple of the head-on shots you can see the acutely pointed tail feathers. And your photos show a big pinkish bill (when the light catches it from the bird's left). When you were watching the bird, did it seem smaller or larger than a song sparrow? (Grasshopper sparrow would be a little smaller, Bobolink a little larger). I will let you draw your own conclusions - I'm just pointing out some features (other than the crown stripe and the two things Kent pointed out) that you may not have focussed on yet. The tail feathers are distinctive, though! Sometimes a good photo will show details you might have missed in real time (and those are excellent photos). Chris On Nov 2, 2009, at 7:10 AM, Carl Miller wrote: > I've received several comments about the photos that I posted > yesterday. It seems an open question whether the bird I labeled as > a Grasshopper Sparrow is actually a Bobolink. I offer a couple of > additional photos (LINK: http://tinyurl.com/yjq2m5p) to help > clarify this question. I checked both my Sibley and Kauffman and > can't find a white stripe across the crown on the Bobolink in either > reference. I'm much more interested in correctly identifying this > bird than in preserving my pride (or life bird list). > > Carl Miller > Charleston, SC > Cell: 330-8233 ************************************************************************ Christopher E. Hill Biology Department Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC 29528-1954 chill AT coastal.edu http://ww2.coastal.edu/chill/chill.htm Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society. - Mark Twain Subject: Painted Bunting, Rose-breasted Grosbeak on OBX From: jeff lewis <jlewis_obx AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 04:47:52 -0800 (PST) Yesterday Joan had a green Painted Bunting in her yard foraging on weed seeds. This morning a Rose-breasted Grosbeak was at one of my feeders. Jeff Lewis Manteo, NC Subject: Bobhopper? From: Carl Miller <twobicycles AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 07:10:16 -0500 I've received several comments about the photos that I posted yesterday. It seems an open question whether the bird I labeled as a Grasshopper Sparrow is actually a Bobolink. I offer a couple of additional photos (LINK: * http://tinyurl.com/yjq2m5p) *to help clarify this question. I checked both my Sibley and Kauffman and can't find a white stripe across the crown on the Bobolink in either reference. I'm much more interested in correctly identifying this bird than in preserving my pride (or life bird list). * *Carl Miller Charleston, SC Cell: 330-8233 Subject: Re: Any written material on the 2009 Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel? From: "J. BRIAN PATTESON" <patteson1 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 21:25:30 -0500 Harry, Sorry I have not gotten back to you about the Swinhoe's we saw this June. I thought you were asking about the bird we saw a year earlier, as I did not send any notes to the committee about that one, but maybe Steve did, or as you say, there were enough photos for it to be an easier call. So the 2008 bird is a done deal; sorry, but I don't keep up w/ all of those proceedings. I did not write any notes on this spring's bird at the time. It was something like the 15th trip in as many days, and it did not even occur to me at the time. Anyhow, I just saw it briefly, as I was in the wheelhouse trying to keep the boat closer to it and give directions. Maybe Steve or or someone else who was out on deck can provide you w/ a better description than I could. Anyhow, it should be the fourth record. Ned Brinkley saw one of Oregon Inlet in '93 during the Pirate's Cove billfish tournament. Did you review that one? There was no photo, but a good description as I recall. I meant to get back to you about that sooner, but I 've had a lot going on lately. Brian ----- Original Message ----- From: "Legrand, Harry" To: Sent: Sunday, November 01, 2009 10:56 AM Subject: Any written material on the 2009 Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel? C-birders (and especially Seabirders!): I am gathering written and photographic material for the next round of voting by the N.C. Bird Records Committee. As some of you may know, a Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel was reported from offshore in 2009, on June 6. There is a single photo (taken by Steve Howell) of the bird, on Brian Patteson's website: http://www.patteson.com/ Click on the PHOTOS link on the left, then on Steve Howell's Spring 2009 Photos link, and scroll down until you get to the storm-petrels, and the single photo of Swinhoe's. (It may take you a while, as you will want to oooh and aaah at a lot of those photos of other species!) I had asked Brian a few weeks ago about written material for this bird, and he directed me to the written material in North American Birds on the 2008 record. There is also a write-up of the 1998 bird, also in this journal. Unfortunately, I simply am unable to find any details or description for the June 6, 2009 bird. If you were on that trip, do you have a description of the bird that you can provide the Committee? We want to review all first, second, and third state reports, and this is the third. We did accept the first two. The Committee often can review a report from photos only, if they are of an easy species to identify (e.g., a Roseate Spoonbill), or there are multiple photos/angles (e.g., a Bell's Vireo). However, in looking at that single photo on Brian's website, I personally need more to go on. Any written material -- flight style, size, etc., would be helpful. Harry LeGrand Chair, NC Bird Records Committee Harry LeGrand, Vertebrate Zoologist North Carolina Natural Heritage Program 1601 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1601 Office: (919) 715-8697 harry.legrand AT ncdenr.gov www.ncnhp.org E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. Note my new e-mail address (above) Subject: Black-chinned Hummingbird - James Island, SC From: "John Weinstein" <weinsteinj AT citadel.edu> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 20:46:26 -0500 For the past two days, I’ve had an immature male Black-chinned Hummingbird regularly visiting the feeders in my yard. I also have at least three Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that are still hanging around. John Weinstein Charleston, SC