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24 May Wilmington Falcons Fledge Watch 2013 [Anthony Gonzon ] 24 May Bobwhite Quail, Cape Henlopen State Park ["Julian, Richard (DNREC)" ] 24 May Little Creek this morning [Christopher Bennett ] 23 May Fwd: Odd Bird Sighting [] 23 May Brandywine Walk [Andrew Ednie ] 22 May please unsubscribe [Karen High ] 22 May Free Birding Programs [joe sebastiani ] 22 May please unsubscribe [Karen High ] 22 May Sussex Bird Club Fieldtrip [Christopher Bennett ] 21 May Serious Shorebird Spectacle-Pickering Beach [Bill Stewart ] 21 May Middle Run: Blue Grosbeak and Other "Blue Birds" [Derek Stoner ] 20 May Abbott's Mill walk wednesday [Jason Beale ] 20 May Great Cypress Swamp Fieldtrip [Christopher Bennett ] 20 May Weekend Birding in Sussex County ["Fees, David F. (DNREC)" ] 19 May DE Bayshore - Sat, 5/18 [Jacob Hall ] 18 May Prime Hook this AM [Ann Marie Dinkel ] 18 May RBA: Birdline Delaware, May 17th, 2013 [Andrew Ednie ] 18 May Re: Red-necked Phalarope, Newark details [Brian Henderson ] 18 May Black vulture chicks live online [Bob Bryant ] 17 May Red-necked Phalarope, Newark details [Alan Kneidel ] 17 May Red-necked Phalarope at Newark Reservoir [Tim Schreckengost ] 17 May better late than never- Slaughter Beach Area/Shorebirds [Jean Woods ] 17 May Mostly Free Birding events [joe sebastiani ] 17 May Black-bellied Plovers at Bombay this morning [Brian McCaffrey ] 17 May Swainson's Thrush, White Clay Creek SP [Christopher Heckscher ] 16 May James Farm and Redden State Forest [Debra Chiczewski Price ] 16 May Snow Goose on Old Landing Rd [Sharon ] 16 May White Clay Cerulean - Not [Hank Davis ] 16 May 5-16-13 White Clay Creek - Hopkins Rd [Hank Davis ] 16 May Little Creek at Lunch [Christopher Bennett ] 16 May ADMIN: Chris Bennett has shared an eBird checklist with you from Milford Neck WMA on May 16, 2013 - 6:00 AM [James Tyler Bell ] 16 May BirdsEye-Milford Neck WMA-2013-5-16 ["cpb2564 AT gmail.com" ] 16 May Sorry ["Bennett, Chris (DNREC)" ] 16 May Chris Bennett has shared an eBird checklist with you from Milford Neck WMA on May 16, 2013 - 6:00 AM [Chris Bennett ] 16 May Re: Bird-A-Thon book "auction" [John Dunn ] 15 May Osprey trailed by blue jay [Beverly Corelle ] 15 May Middle Run: Bobolinks, Willow Flycatcher, and Northern Waterthrushes [Derek Stoner ] 15 May Red-headed Woodpecker [Meta Little ] 15 May Cape May Warbler [Michael A Smith ] 15 May Upcoming Sussex Bird Club Fieldtrips [Christopher Bennett ] 15 May Green caterpillars... [ ] 15 May Re: Preen.... ["Bennett, Chris (DNREC)" ] 15 May Free Bird Banding Program at Blackbird Creek Reserve on Sunday, May 19th ["Cole, Kimberly B. (DNREC)" ] 15 May Preen.... [ ] 15 May Re: DOS Meeting May 15 [Joe Sebastiani ] 14 May Birding programs at White Clay Creek State Park ["Burns, Angel L. (DNREC)" ] 14 May Middle Run: Wilson's Warbler and Blue Grosbeak [Derek Stoner ] 14 May Birding Tour of Delaware Wild Lands Sharp Farm in Odessa [Matthew Sarver ] 14 May Coverdale Thursday and Saturday [joe sebastiani ] 14 May White Clay Creek State Park [Cortez Austin ] 14 May Re: Bird-A-Thon book "auction" [John Dunn ] 14 May Re: hello [Timothy Boucher ] 14 May hey [Timothy Boucher ] 14 May Bird-A-Thon book "auction" [John Dunn ] 13 May Birding is Front Page News in Wilmington ["Amy O'Neil" ] 13 May Black vulture chasing red-tailed hawk [] 13 May grosbeaks [susan Ball ] 13 May HSR: Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch (13 May 2013) 3 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 13 May Sunday Birding at McCabe Preserve [Christopher Bennett ] 13 May Robert McCracken Peck to speak at DVOC Thursday [Philip Witmer ] 13 May Thanks for a great trip [Lise Schools ] 13 May Spring Count Findings ["Fees, David F. (DNREC)" ] 13 May Cape Cod Bird Festival [Diane Silverstein ] 12 May Mother's Day Walk at White Clay Creek: Spectacular as Always [Derek Stoner ] 12 May Yard birds [Ann Marie Dinkel ] 12 May Spring Roundup - Thank you [John & Sandy Janowski ] 12 May HSR: Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch (12 May 2013) 3 Raptors ["Hawkcount.Org Reports" ] 12 May Black Skimmer [Jerry am Ende ] 12 May Dobbinsville Park - 17 Warbler sp. [Chuck Brandt ] 12 May Red headed woodpeckers ["samuelandcarol AT netzero.net" ] 12 May Coverdale Spring Round Up and owl [Ian Stewart ] 12 May Bombay Hook warblers and Gray-cheeked Thrush [Rodney Murray ] 12 May White crowned sparrow and Ashland on Friday [Megan Kasprzak ] 10 May FW: eBird Report - Lynn Yard B, May 10, 2013 [Sharon Lynn ] 10 May A couple more from Bombay Hook [Brian McCaffrey ] 10 May Middle Run This morning [Dennis Barrowclough ] Subject: Wilmington Falcons Fledge Watch 2013 From: Anthony Gonzon <atgonzon AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 24 May 2013 18:15:42 -0400 Greetings all, The Wilmington Peregrine Falcons are having a great year! All four chicks (two boys and two girls) are nearly as big as their parents! They already are spending more time out of their nest box than in and the adults are busy trying to entice at least the two boys to take their first flights. If you haven't had much time to check them out already, then perhaps you might like to participate in Fledge Watch 2013? Volunteer fledge watchers can really use your help to monitor the youngsters as they take their first leaps to the skies above the busy streets of Wilmington! Not only would you help to ensure that the kids are safe, but you will also get a great chance to watch their continued development and antics! I recommend bringing your camera, too. No telling what you might see - like the adult male chasing a Mississippi Kite out of the territory just a couple of days ago! If you are interested in participating, please contact Kim Steininger offlist at fledgewatch AT wilmfalcons.com for details and scheduling. Come for two hours or six - whatever you can. Fledge Watch can really use your help!! All watching occurs from the parking garage across the street from the Brandywine Building, so there is a parking fee. But I guarantee the sights you may witness will make it worthwhile! Good birding, Anthony Gonzon Middletown, DE Subject: Bobwhite Quail, Cape Henlopen State Park From: "Julian, Richard (DNREC)" <Richard.Julian AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Fri, 24 May 2013 15:17:17 +0000 Bobwhite quail seen near Nature Center at Cape Henlopen State Park Thursday evening and Friday morning, May 23 & 24. Cheers Richard W. Julian Cape Henlopen State Park (302) 645-6852 Subject: Little Creek this morning From: Christopher Bennett <cpb2564 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 24 May 2013 09:54:24 -0400 I took a run out to Little Creek Wildlife Area - the headquarters area. Ont he way out from Dover I had a flock of 53 Black-bellied Plovers in freshly disked field along South Littel Creek Road. While there was nothing out of the ordinary - I did have a couple female Snapping Turtles looking for a dry place to lay their eggs and a single Mud Turtle. Birds seen (43 species total) are listed below. Canada Goose Wood Duck American Black Duck Mallard Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Tricolored Heron Glossy Ibis Osprey Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Virginia Rail Black-bellied Plover Black-necked Stilt Greater Yellowlegs Willet Semipalmated Sandpiper Laughing Gull Forster's Tern Eastern Wood-Pewee Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay Crow sp. Horned Lark Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Carolina Wren Marsh Wren Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher European Starling Common Yellowthroat Blackpoll Warbler Seaside Sparrow Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Boat-tailed Grackle Chris Bennett Milford, DE Subject: Fwd: Odd Bird Sighting From: Rydgren AT AOL.COM Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 12:07:54 -0400 Anyone have a clue about this bird seen at Cokesbury Village? Ann Rydgren ____________________________________ From: amartinnnn AT aol.com To: rydgren AT aol.com Sent: 5/23/2013 10:12:11 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time Subj: Odd Bird Sighting Saw a bird yesterday I could not if identify after page by page hunt thru Peterson (an old version, 1980). Bird lit on tree top on C-level drive. across from my apartment, tail toward me. I thought it was a cardinal from size & color until it turned its head. Black bill, white cheek patch, no crest, red on top of head and most of body & wings, with tan wing patch. Escaped cage bird, an exotic more recent than those in my bird book? Esther Martin Subject: Brandywine Walk From: Andrew Ednie <ednieap AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 06:06:27 -0400 The monthly walk at Brandywine Creek State Park is this Saturday, May 25th starting at 8 am. This is a great way to start your Memorial Day weekend by avoiding the crowds at the beach. We'll meet at the nature center off Addams's Dam Rd. and walk for about 2 hours. Park fees at in effect, $3 for instate and $7 for out-of-state vehicles. Good birding, Andy Andy Ednie Claymont, Delaware Subject: please unsubscribe From: Karen High <kshigh AT PTD.NET> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 14:52:25 -0400 my email from the birding list. Thanks. kshigh AT ptd.net Subject: Free Birding Programs From: joe sebastiani <joe AT DELAWARENATURESOCIETY.ORG> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 14:06:40 -0400 May isn't quite over yet, which means Delaware Nature Society has more free birding programs to do for the next few weeks. Here is a list of programs you might be interested in: Thursday, May 23 and 30, Coverdale Farm Preserve Bird Walk, 8am with Kelley Nunn. Non-members of Delaware Nature Society pay a $5 fee. Sunday, May 26, Bucktoe Creek Preserve Bird Walk. 8am with Hank Davis. Free Monday, May 27, Bucktoe Creek Preserve Bird Walk. 8am with Kelley Nunn. Free Tuesday, May 28, Middle Run Natural Area Bird Walk. 8am with Derek Stoner. Free Wednesdays through June, Abbott's Mill Nature Center Bird Walk (Milford). 8am with Jason Beale. Free Nightly through June 7. Shorebird/Kite Watch at Bucktoe with Larry Lewis. 3:30 to 8:30pm. Free. Bring a picnic dinner and beverages if you want. Directions to any of these locations can be found at http://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/dns_sites.html. Joe Sebastiani Seasonal Programs Team Leader Delaware Nature Society P.O. Box 700 Hockessin, DE 19707 (302) 239-2334 ext. 115 fax (302) 239-2473 joe AT delawarenaturesociety.org web: www.delawarenaturesociety.org The Nature of Delaware Blog: www.delawarenaturesociety.org/blog Subject: please unsubscribe From: Karen High <kshigh AT PTD.NET> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 12:59:44 -0400 my email from the Birding Update List. Thank you. K. High Subject: Sussex Bird Club Fieldtrip From: Christopher Bennett <cpb2564 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 09:31:12 -0400 Nineteen participants joined me for the annual Sussex Bird Club outing to the Dupont Nature Center deck in Mispillion Harbor. The weather was fantastic with enough breeze to keep the no-see-ums at bay for most of the evening. The tide wasn't the best for shorebird viewing - but planning a trip to see shorebirds in Mispillion Harbor in May is a bit of a crapshoot when you are planning in March. Favorable evening tides would have put the trip a week earlier or later than the date I picked for this year. Historically - in the second week of May Red Knot numbers are usually low - with most birds not yet arriving. That trend held this year as well - so an earlier trip would have resulted in very few knots. Likewise - the last week of May is extremely variable - with lots of Red Knots remaining in some years, or with the majority of birds reaching peak migration wait and already gone on the last leg of their migration to the Arctic. Last year I scheduled the trip in the last week of May and most of the Red Knots were already gone! So I gambled and went for the wrong tide banking on their being tons of knots around. So while the weather was great - the number of knots was not! I was told that the number of horseshoe crabs on the beach at Slaughter Beach was impressive before the fieldtrip - so this weekend should provide excellent horseshoe crab viewing . But back to the birds. We were treated with tons of Ruddy Turnstones roosting on the jetty across from the center. There were a few Red Knot mixed in with them. We also had constant movement of mixed flocks of Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitcher, Sanderling, Semiplamated Sandpipers and a few Red Knots around the harbor as they tried to find exposed beach as the tide flowed in. We also had 4 American Oystercatchers, Willets and 1 Spotted Sandpiper. A couple flocks of Snowy Egret, totalling about 40 -50 birds, passed by heading south. We also had a flock of Glossy Ibis fly by (and a few others mixed in with one of the Snowy Egret flocks). Towards the end of the trip a small group of Black Skimmers flew past heading south. All in all it was a very enjoyable evening in Mispillion Harbor. The complete list is below. American Black Duck Mallard Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Glossy Ibis Osprey American Oystercatcher Spotted Sandpiper Willet Ruddy Turnstone Red Knot Sanderling Semipalmated Sandpiper Dunlin Short-billed Dowitcher Laughing Gull Herring Gull Great Black-backed Gull Forster's Tern Black Skimmer Rock Pigeon Purple Martin Tree Swallow Barn Swallow European Starling Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Boat-tailed Grackle House Sparrow Chris Bennett Milford, DE Subject: Serious Shorebird Spectacle-Pickering Beach From: Bill Stewart <bird-del AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 18:45:49 -0400 Good Evening DE-birders, I have had the good fortune to visit the DE Bayshore a number of times for a number of events over the past 12 days and today was certainly a day to behold. In previous visits, shorebird numbers were less than expected but horseshoe crabs and their eggs were in abundance. Starting the day today at 6:40 AM in Slaughter Beach, 35 minutes after high tide, I could tell that the wonder of our shorebird spectacle was about ready to unfold. From Evans Ave. as far as the eye could see, shorebirds, shorebirds, shorebirds.....on wing going north and south, feeding and jockeying for position. What a change from this weekend. As the tide started to abate, sand spits covered with horseshoe crabs were emerging in the Mispillion Harbor and the shorebirds were multiplying. In every collection of the thousands of shorebirds, numerous Red Knot were in evidence. For those numbers and the accuracies on the count, the fantastic Delaware Shorebird Project team can reveal, as they were in evidence dropping off re-sighters throughout the harbor. But to this shorebirder, strong numbers compared to just a few days ago. So the subject line of this e-mail mentions Pickering Beach............arriving there at 11:00ish and walking up through the public access onto the beach held a sight I have often wished for over this past decade or just flat missed in my timing. Everywhere I looked, whether with naked eye, binoculars or scope, Red Knots were present........10 feet away, 10 yards, 100 yards. The density of the horseshoe crabs was intense, and the birds followed. I have no idea how many Red Knot were there and I quickly decided I wasn't going to try to count them since no scope could see that distance but I was going to enjoy and feel extremely lucky to have this opportunity to be amazed that this part of their migration succeeded and they still have a place to land and refuel. After witnessing such a spectacle, I recalled earlier when leaving Mispillion on RT. 36 and seeing the milepost sign on RT. 1 which said 'Dover 19 miles'. I am thinking that between that RT. 1 entrance and Pickering Beach is about 23 miles. Can you imagine 23 miles of protected, undisturbed habitat along the Delaware Bayshore filled with migrating shorebirds........no need to imagine, it's right there in all of it's glory and global importance. Thank You Russell Peterson. Go shorebirding, Bill Stewart Subject: Middle Run: Blue Grosbeak and Other "Blue Birds" From: Derek Stoner <derek AT DELAWARENATURESOCIETY.ORG> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 16:19:53 -0400 The strong theme of this morning's Delaware Nature Society walk on the Middle Run Birding Trail was the color blue, with views of a male Blue Grosbeak singing, three male Indigo Buntings displaying, six flyover Great Blue Herons, and a pair of Eastern Bluebirds with three newly-hatched chicks in a nest box. Two different male Yellow-breasted Chats played hide-and-seek with our eager viewers, as they (the birds) squawked, gurgled, and quacked their way through their unique vocal routine. White-eyed Vireos, the local wing-tagged Black Vulture, and a distant Barred Owl calling made up the other notable highlights of this section of habitat. We concluded our walk with a short visit to the Paper Mill Park corner of Middle Run Natural Area, where the riparian habitat presented us with views of a nest-building pair of Yellow Warblers, two male Baltimore Orioles, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Northern Rough-winged Swallows, Green Heron, Great Egret, and a lone female Blackpoll Warbler. The cumulative species total for the morning is 53. As a point of interest, last evening after mowing the Birding Trail I observed three Common Nighthawks soaring over the valley right at 8:00pm. Now is a great time to be watching for nighthawks as they migrate north and are concentrated in the wooded valleys in the Piedmont region. The moth hatch is significant with these warmer temperatures, and nighthawks are taking advantage of an abundance of their favored food. Keep an eye to the skies at dusk and you may see some of these unique birds- the "Bird of the Year" for the American Birding Association: http://aba.org/boy/ Good birding, Derek Stoner Conservation Project Coordinator Delaware Nature Society derek AT delawarenaturesociety.org Subject: Abbott's Mill walk wednesday From: Jason Beale <jaybirdbeale AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 11:19:39 -0400 Hello, We'll be doing our weekly walk on Wednesday at 8-9:30am, starting in the Abbott's parking lot. We may pursue a recently located potential pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers at one of our private preserves (if they are resighted) or visit some great neotropical species sites at Blairs Pond, targeting Kentucky Warbler, the Tanagers, and others. Great activity lately around the center (some highlights below): Kentucky Warbler pair - just into the woods beyond the center GC Flycatchers - building nest along the boardwalk Hairy Wood. - nestlings along the boardwalk Barred Owls - vocal and highly territorial behavior the past 2 days White-eyed Vireos - very vocal Prothonotary Warbler - along the boardwalk Acadian Fly. - same as above Field Sparrow - Lee Meadow Blue Grosbeak - Lee Meadow Orchard Oriole - Morton Eastern Kingbird - Morton Grasshopper Sparrows - Morton meadow Blackpolls over the weekend 5 Common (Northern) Water Snakes basking on the downed maple behind the mill Ebony Jewelwing Damselflies along the stream/swamp forest Good birding, Jason Beale Abbott's Mill Nature Center Milford, DE Subject: Great Cypress Swamp Fieldtrip From: Christopher Bennett <cpb2564 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 09:15:29 -0400 Thirty-four participants (I thinl this is the largest group I've ever had for a trip) joined me Saturday morning at Delaware Wild Lands Great Cypress Swamp for a rain-free trip that, while short on migrants, produced all of the expected breeding birds -- including an even DOZEN Red-headed Woodpeckers! Birds we got excellent looks at inlcuded Lousiana Waterthrush, Yellow-throated Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Pine Warbler, American Redstart, Summer Tanager, Bald Eagle, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, White-eyed Vireo, Great Crested Flycatcher and the aforementioned Red-headed Woodpeckers. We also witnessed a bit of drama as well. A cacophany of angry birds brought our convoy of vehicles to a stop and after a short scan of the woods just off the road we discovered a pair of Ovenbirds scolding a 4-foot Black Rat Snake. As we all watched the action - the adults were hopping about in front of the snake while emitting a constant stream (of what in Ovenbird was surely the most fowl invectives and profanity) of alarm calls - we spotted one and then a second tiny, pre-fledged young (their fliht feathers were just starting to develop and they still retainged a substantial amount of down) also hopping about - trying to avoid becoming snake food. Since Ovenbirds typically raise broods of 4-5 young - it is possible that these two lucky chicks escaped the fate of their nestmates. Other non-avian sightings included a Red Fox, multiple White-tailed Deer and calling Cope's Gray Treefrogs and Carpenter Frogs. A special thanks to Delaware Wild Lands for allowing us to tour this amazing patch of Delaware. We ended the day with 61 species. The complete list is below: Wood Duck Turkey Vulture Black Vulture Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Mourning Dove Yellow-billed Cuckoo Ruby-throated Hummingbird Red-headed Woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Eastern Wood-Pewee Acadian Flycatcher Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird White-eyed Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Purple Martin Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Carolina Wren Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Eastern Bluebird Wood Thrush American Robin Gray Catbird European Starling Ovenbird Worm-eating Warbler Louisiana Waterthrush Northern Waterthrush Black-and-white Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Blackpoll Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Pine Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Prairie Warbler Summer Tanager Scarlet Tanager Eastern Towhee Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow Northern Cardinal Blue Grosbeak Indigo Bunting Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird American Goldfinch House Sparrow Subject: Weekend Birding in Sussex County From: "Fees, David F. (DNREC)" <David.Fees AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 12:37:48 +0000 Actually started Friday morning, since the weather was so nice then, and not looking so good for the weekend. Friday, May 17 - Chapel Branch Nature Trail outside of Seaford - Migrants were still present in good variety, including several Swainson's, Gray-cheeked, and Wood Thrushes, 14 species of warblers including migrants such as Magnolia, Blackburnian, redstart, Blackpoll, Bay-breasted, and Blue-winged. The Blue-winged Warbler was singing the craziest of songs, and I never heard the typical beee-BZZZZ. Turns out that Sibley indicates it has a second longer song, with a description that matched what I heard. I've never heard that song before. Sounded like the start of a BTG Warbler with an ending like a Blackburnian. Definitely had me working hard to get really good looks at the bird to be sure I was seeing what I thought I was seeing. Also had a late RB Nuthatch. Here is the e-bird report. http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14145970 Saturday, May 18 - McCabe Preserve - I'd never been there before, but Chris Bennett's glowing description prompted me to visit. He is correct that it is a fine coastal plain hardwood forest. I've never seen one quite like it in Sussex County. The day was slow, but did get good looks at a Yellow-throated Vireo, and several migrant warblers to include BTB, Chestnut-sided, redstart, and Magnolia. Sunday, May 19 - Thompson's Island - really slow due to the SE wind and light rain. Did have a Northern Waterthrush in one of the small water-filled depressions along the path before the boardwalk lookout. Indian River Inlet - a mixed flock of terns and Laughing Gulls were feeding in some rip currents at the #5 green buoy, which is opposite the campground. Had many Forster's, picked out some Commons, also Royals, and one Caspian for comparison to the Royals. David Fees Seaford, DE Subject: DE Bayshore - Sat, 5/18 From: Jacob Hall <jacob.s.hall AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 12:22:50 -0400 I spent the day yesterday birding the DE Bayshore, starting at Prime Hook around 8am and finishing at Bombay Hook around 7pm. I totaled 100 species exactly, 14 warbler sp., and got one nemesis lifer (Gray-cheeked Thrush--why has that taken me so long??) Highlight was point blank extended looks at a pair of Prothonotaries at Prime Hook as they copulated and gathered nesting material. I even got a pretty bizarre looking but luckily timed photo where the pair has just finished copulating, the male is just above the female in the air, and the female is still presenting. I feel like it's almost invasive of their privacy or something, but it's a neat picture. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30628019 AT N03/8753512433/ Also had a single Red Knot at high tide (therefore, about 10 feet from me) on the beach at Port Mahon. This is the furthest north in Kent County I've ever had one. Blackpoll Warblers seemed to rule at Prime Hook. I had more of them there than I did Yellowthroats. At Bombay Hook, Yellow Warblers were just as numerous as Robins, and were seen and heard nearly constantly. Chats were particularly easy to find at Bombay Hook, and two were seen and observed singing (if you can call it that) at length, one on top of a shrub and another in low branches of a tree. Never had such good looks before. Below are the complete ebird submissions for Prime Hook and Bombay Hook. Other locations I stopped were the DuPont Nature Center, Broadkill Beach, Prime Hook Beach, Fowlers Beach, and Port Mahon. Birds at those locations were the expected species. Bombay Hook (4pm-7pm) Cloudy, dark, and raining much of the time. Shorebird counts are extremely rough guesses. I'm sure they're off and that I missed some species, but it was raining pretty hard as I passed Raymond Pool where they were located. Canada Goose 21 Mallard 5 Double-crested Cormorant 5 Great Blue Heron 9 Great Egret 20 Snowy Egret 15 Black-crowned Night-Heron 10 Turkey Vulture 2 Bald Eagle 5 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Clapper Rail 15 American Coot 2 Semipalmated Plover 200 Willet 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper 500 Dunlin 800 Short-billed Dowitcher 300 Laughing Gull X Great Black-backed Gull X Caspian Tern 2 Forster's Tern 13 Mourning Dove 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Downy Woodpecker 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 5 Eastern Phoebe 2 Great Crested Flycatcher 3 Eastern Kingbird 6 White-eyed Vireo 2 Blue Jay 2 Purple Martin 25 Tree Swallow 5 Barn Swallow 5 House Wren 5 Marsh Wren 25 Carolina Wren 5 Eastern Bluebird 1 Wood Thrush 2 American Robin 21 Gray Catbird 13 Brown Thrasher 4 European Starling X Common Yellowthroat 13 American Redstart 1 Yellow Warbler 20 Blackpoll Warbler 4 Yellow-breasted Chat 4 Eastern Towhee 5 Chipping Sparrow 1 Field Sparrow 1 Grasshopper Sparrow 2 Seaside Sparrow 5 Northern Cardinal 1 Blue Grosbeak 17 Indigo Bunting 22 Red-winged Blackbird X Common Grackle X Boat-tailed Grackle 4 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Orchard Oriole 4 American Goldfinch 9 House Sparrow X Prime Hook (8am-12pm) Canada Goose 10 Great Egret 1 Snowy Egret 2 Black Vulture 1 Turkey Vulture 10 Osprey 3 Bald Eagle 1 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper 35 Least Sandpiper 25 Laughing Gull X Forster's Tern 15 Mourning Dove 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 7 Acadian Flycatcher 1 Eastern Phoebe 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 5 Eastern Kingbird 3 White-eyed Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 6 American Crow 5 Fish Crow 2 Purple Martin 28 Tree Swallow 5 Barn Swallow 1 Carolina Chickadee 4 Tufted Titmouse 3 House Wren 2 Carolina Wren 4 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 Eastern Bluebird 2 Gray-cheeked Thrush 1 Wood Thrush 2 American Robin 2 Gray Catbird 1 Northern Mockingbird 3 European Starling X Cedar Waxwing 1 Ovenbird 7 Northern Waterthrush 1 Prothonotary Warbler 2 Common Yellowthroat 12 American Redstart 2 Northern Parula 3 Blackburnian Warbler 1 Yellow Warbler 2 Chestnut-sided Warbler 2 Blackpoll Warbler 16 Black-throated Blue Warbler 3 Pine Warbler 2 Yellow-throated Warbler 1 Yellow-breasted Chat 2 Eastern Towhee 4 Chipping Sparrow 6 Field Sparrow 11 Grasshopper Sparrow 9 Scarlet Tanager 1 Northern Cardinal 9 Blue Grosbeak 2 Indigo Bunting 9 Red-winged Blackbird X Common Grackle X Brown-headed Cowbird 3 Orchard Oriole 1 Baltimore Oriole 2 American Goldfinch 25 -Jake Hall Washington, DC Subject: Prime Hook this AM From: Ann Marie Dinkel <adinkl AT MSN.COM> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 09:56:49 -0400 Early morning birding at Prime Hook produced a singing Blackburnian male, Prothonotary, Magnolia and Blackpoll warblers, lots of Towhees, and Pileated woodpecker. Oyster Rock had Blue Grosbeak. Wish I had had more time to bird but family events prevented it. Ann Ann Marie Dinkel, RLATG Red Mill Pond Lewes, DE Subject: RBA: Birdline Delaware, May 17th, 2013 From: Andrew Ednie <ednieap AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 06:46:30 -0400 RBA * Delaware * Statewide * May17, 2013 * DEST1305.17 *Birds mentioned Brant Tundra Swan Lesser Scaup Surf Scoter Black Scoter White-winged Scoter Red-breasted Merganser Ruddy Duck Northern Bobwhite Common Loon Red-throated Loon Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe Brown Pelican Least Bittern Little Blue Heron Tricolored Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Yellow-crowned Night Heron Northern Harrier Broad-winged Hawk Peregrine Falcon Clapper Rail King Rail Virginia Rail Common Moorhen Black-bellied Plover American Golden Plover Semipalmated Plover Piping Plover American Oystercatcher Black-necked Stilt American Avocet Spotted Sandpiper Solitary Sandpiper Ruddy Turnstone Red Knot Sanderling Semipalmated Sandpiper Western Sandpiper Least Sandpiper White-rumped Sandpiper Dunlin Stilt Sandpiper Short-billed Dowitcher Long-billed Dowitcher American Woodcock WILSON'S PHALAROPE RED-NECKED PHALAROPE Lesser Black-backed Gull Least Tern Caspian Tern Common Tern Royal Tern Black Skimmer LONG-TAILED JAEGER Black-billed Cuckoo Common Nighthawk Whippoorwill Chuck Wills Widow Red-headed Woodpecker OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER Willow Flycatcher Least Flycatcher Blue-headed Vireo Cliff Swallow Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Marsh Wren Veery Gray-cheeked Thrush Swainson's Thrush Hermit Thrush Ovenbird Worm-eating Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Northern Waterthrush MOURNING WARBLER Kentucky Warbler Hooded Warbler Canada Warbler Wilson's Warbler Blue-winged Warbler Tennessee Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Cape May Warbler Bay-breasted Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Black-throated Blue Warbler Black-throated Green Warbler Vesper Sparrow Grasshopper Sparrow Lincoln Sparrow White-throated Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Blue Grosbeak Dickcissel Bobolink Eastern Meadowlark Pine Siskin Hotline: Birdline Delaware Date: May 17, 2013 Number: 302-658-2747 To Report: Andy Ednie 302-792-9591 (VOICE) Compiler: Andy Ednie (ednieap AT verizon.net) Coverage: Delaware, Delmarva Peninsula, nearby Delaware Valley, Southern New Jersey, Maryland Transcriber: Andy Ednie (ednieap AT verizon.net) For Friday, May 17th, this is Birdline Delaware from the Delaware Museum of Natural History in Greenville. The 2013 Delaware state annual list increased by 15 birds again this week and now stands at 287 species. This was one of the best weeks ever for spring migration in the state, with warblers, waders, and winter finches all being seen. Today, a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was found on Newark Reservoir. The reservoir entrance is north of Newark off of Route 72 (Paper Mill Road). Also reported there was a COMMON LOON in breeding plumage, plus SPOTTED and LEAST SANDPIPER Some other birds in Newark this past week have been an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER at White Clay Creek State Park. That bird was seen on dead snag in the clearing off Creek Road just south of Wedgewood Road. A LEAST FLYCATCHER was found along the creek on Monday just south of the wooden bridge below Hopkins Bridge Road. There is been exceptional number of thrushes found along the creek this year. 15 SWAINSON'S THRUSHES were counted along Thompson Station Road yesterday. VEERY, HERMIT, and GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH plus a LINCOLN'S SPARROW have also been reported. Five species of Vireo were reported, including BLUE-HEADED at Wedgewood Road. 25 species of warbler have been found the park including WORM-EATING, KENTUCKY, WILSON'S, CANADA, BLUE-WINGED, CHESTNUT-SIDED, MAGNOLIA, CAPE MAY, BLACKBURNIAN, BAY-BREASTED, BLACKPOLL, BLACK-THROATED BLUE and GREEN, and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH. For the first time in many years, BROAD-WINGED HAWK at been seen soaring near pedestrian bridge at the south end of the road. WILLOW FLYCATCHER was reported at Middle Run Nature Preserve along Possum Park Road. SAVANNAH SPARROW and NORTHERN HARRIER there also COMMON LOONS were also seen flying over at Middle Run. WILSON'S WARBLER was also reported there along with BLUE GROSBEAK. WILLOW FLYCATCHER was also reported at Ashland Nature Center, along with HOODED WARBLER. A male WILSON'S PHALAROPE was found at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge on Friday. That bird was seen flying into Raymond Pool with approximately 20,000 shorebirds at Raymond. Shorebirds seen there this week include: BLACK-BELLIED, GOLDEN, and SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, BLACK-NECKED STILT, AMERICAN AVOCET, SPOTTED, SOLITARY, SEMIPALMATED, WESTERN, LEAST, WHITE-RUMPED, and STILT SANDPIPER, plus both LONG and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER. AMERICAN WOODCOCK has been reported calling by the refuge headquarters at night. Waterfowl seen included a HORNED GREBE in breeding plumage found all week at Bear Swamp, TUNDRA SWAN seen at Sheerness Pool along with a raft of 15 RUDDY DUCK. LESSER SCAUP was seen opposite Shearness Pool. LEAST BITTERN, YELLOW-CROWNED and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS continue to be seen at Night Heron Island at Bear Swamp. A DICKCISSEL was found along Cods Neck Road last Friday. BLACK SKIMMERS and LEAST TERNS were seen along Prime Hook Beach Road. One of the most unusual find to the week was a dead LONG-TAILED JAEGER found at Prime Hook Beach. This is the first specimen record for the state. Other birds found included SORA, KING, CLAPPER, and VIRGINIA RAIL, plus WHIPPOORWILL and WOODCOCK at Broadkill Beach Road. A MOURNING WARBLER was found at the James Farm Preserve near Ocean View along Cedar Neck. BRANT were also seen there. A BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO was found on Saturday at Bay Vista near Rehoboth Beach. WARBLING VIREO and BAY-BREASTED WARBLER were found at Henlopen Acres. Good numbers of warblers and thrushes were found at Thompson's Island behind Spring Lake condominiums near Dewey Beach, including SWAINSON'S THRUSH and VEERY along with BLUE-HEADED VIREO, MARSH WREN and all three species of NUTHATCH. Warblers included CAPE MAY, BLACKBURNIAN, CHESTNUT-SIDED, BLACK-THROATED BLUE and GREEN, MAGNOLIA, and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH. A BROWN PELICAN was found at Indian River Inlet on Saturday. Another was seen flying past Rehoboth Beach. ROYAL and COMMON TERNS were found at the inlet along with RUDDY TURNSTONE on the jetty. TRICOLORED HERONS were reported at North Marina and Dewey Beach. There still waterfowl being seen at Cape Henlopen State Park. All three species of scoter, BLACK, SURF, and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER was reported at the Inner Harbor Jetty. A flock of over 70 BRANT were also seen, along with RED-BREASTED MERGANSER and both species of LOON. PIPING PLOVER and AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER were seen on the bayside beach from The Point parking lot. COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were found flying over Fort Miles. Landbirds included RED-BREASTED and BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH, PINE SISKIN and RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. This is been a great year for RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS. Besides the bird at Cape Henlopen, other sightings included two at Redden State Forest along W. Robbins Rd. north of Redden Rd. Also, RED-HEADED WOODPECKER was also found along Camp Arrowhead Road in front of the camp entrance and at Trap Pond State Park. Four RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were found along Raccoon Ditch Road just west of Georgetown, and south of Redden Some other birds at Redden State Forest included HOODED WARBLER at the headquarters area, along the road to the hunting lodge. SUMMER TANAGER plus PROTHONOTARY and YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER were found at the Redden rest stop. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was found along Maple Branch Road. VESPER SPARROW was reported along Ponders Rd., north of Ellendale. All three species of goatsucker, WHIPPOORWILL, CHUCK WILLS WIDOW, and COMMON NIGHTHAWK were reported at Milford Neck Wildlife Area. A late SNOW GOOSE was found there today. Also seen there has been RED-BREASTED and BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCHES. Warblers reported included TENNESSEE, MAGNOLIA, CHESTNUT-SIDED, and NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH. BOBOLINK finally arrived back in the state. A big flock was seen in the Alfalfa fields at the Ag Farm at the University of Delaware. There were also seen at Middle Run near Newark and Coverdale farms near Centerville. Downstate several BOBOLINK, plus EASTERN MEADOWLARK were reported at Bergdoll Road off Route 9, opposite Dover Air Force Base. Shorebirds are beginning to arrive at Mispillion Inlet near Slaughters Beach. Approximately 100 RED KNOT, plus 500 RUDDY TURNSTONE, 5000 DUNLIN, BLACKBELLIED PLOVER, and SEMIPALMATED, LEAST, WESTERN, and WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER were counted. A PEREGRINE FALCON has also been seen feeding in the area. CLIFF SWALLOWS were reported at the Slaughter Creek drawbridge. CLIFF SWALLOWS have also been seen at the Flemings Landing Bridge over the Smyrna River on Route 9 and the Appoquinimink Bridge near Odessa. COMMON GALLINULE was found week at the boardwalk north of Port Penn, in the Augustine Wildlife Area. CASPIAN TERNS were found at Thousand Acre Marsh, along LITTLE BLUE HERON, LEAST BITTERN, and KING, CLAPPER, and VIRGINIA RAIL. WILLOW FLYCATCHER and NORTHERN BOBWHITE reported at the end of Reedy Point. Winter holdouts include PINE SISKINS reported in Bear along with RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH. Over 50 PINE SISKINS were reported Nanticoke Acres near Seaford. Lots of WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS are still being seen along with WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS reported at Bombay Hook, Hockessin, and in downtown Wilmington. A PIED BILLED GREBE has been calling at Cool Spring Reservoir, behind Ursaline Academy. Two LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULLS were found on Saturday at the Viola wastewater treatment plant at Cherry Island. A CAPE MAY WARBLER was reported at in Tallyville. Many thanks to those people that helped put together the Birdline this week including, Alan Kneidel, Kyle Horton, Kitt Heckscher, Debra Price, Jessica Tanis, Jean Woods, Megan Kasprzak, Brian McCaffrey, Hank Davis, Beverly Corelle, Andi Martin, Kathy Boyd, Mike Weaver, Ian Stewart, Ann Dinkel, Susan Ball, Anthony Gonzon, Rod Murray, Bill Stewart, Andrew Bogush, Nancy Goggin, Sue Gruver, Derek Stoner, Andy Urquhart, Chris and Karen Bennett, David Fees, Lynn Smith, Amy O'Neil, Sally O'Byrne, Mike Smith, Joe Sebastiani, Rich Clifton, Maurice Barnhill, and Joe Russell. If you want to get your report mentioned, please call me at 302-792-9591 or email to ednieap AT verizon.net. Until next time, good birding!!! -end transcript Andy Ednie Claymont, Delaware Subject: Re: Red-necked Phalarope, Newark details From: Brian Henderson <wbhenderson AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 06:21:12 -0400 Unfortunately, the Red-necked Phalarope appears to have vacated Newark Reservoir overnight (unless it's hiding in the reeds). A flyover Glossy Ibis was observed, however, along with a few other, more common, shorebirds. Brian Henderson East Norriton Montgomery County, PA On May 17, 2013 8:01 PM, "Alan Kneidel" wrote: > For those interested, > > Here is a link to an ebird checklist with further details about the > Red-necked Phalarope that appeared at Newark Reservoir this evening. > > http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14148998 > > The bird was still present as of 7:45 PM, and there's a fair chance the > bird will still be present at first light tomorrow. > > Good birding, > > Alan Kneidel > Newark, DE > Subject: Black vulture chicks live online From: Bob Bryant <bryantbob AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 02:15:05 -0400 The black vulture nest in Northern Delaware being monitored by Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research now features three fluffy tan chicks and two attentive adults. This year, two eggs were laid in early March, but only one chick survived the strenuous 30+ hour hatching process. With help from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, one of the adults was given a bright yellow wing tag (#17) on May 6th. Shortly thereafter, two black vulture chicks from Princess Anne MD, which were orphaned when the barn where they hatched was torn down, were brought to Tri-State. These chicks were successfully renested with the vulture family being monitored by Tri-State. All three chicks are now being cared for by the adults and are snuggling together at http://chimneyswifts.net/tristate/?page_id=294 . Hawk Mountian Sanctuary's wing tags are readable on vultures soaring overhead or perched in trees. Reporting sightings throughout the year of any tagged vultures would be greatly appreciated, especially for the newly tagged yellow #17. A web page has been created for this purpose at http://chimneyswifts.net/tristate/?page_id=608 . We are hoping to tag the other adult and all three chicks next month as part of our multi-generational study of this species. Also available at Tri-State's "Black Vultures & Friends" website is live video, courtesy of Mike Postolan, of chimney swift, bluebird, and tree swallow nests. Activity at the swift nest has been recorded and streamed live over the Internet for several years and appears to be the only chimney swift nest followed live online. These swifts have been seen mating this year, but the nest is not yet constructed. Remarkable video depicting their "Life on the Edge" from previous years is available at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/glenhamny-swifts . The tree swallows have not built their nest yet, but both bluebird nests have activity, one with 5 baby birds and the other with 5 eggs. Subject: Red-necked Phalarope, Newark details From: Alan Kneidel <akneidel AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 20:01:39 -0400 For those interested, Here is a link to an ebird checklist with further details about the Red-necked Phalarope that appeared at Newark Reservoir this evening. http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14148998 The bird was still present as of 7:45 PM, and there's a fair chance the bird will still be present at first light tomorrow. Good birding, Alan Kneidel Newark, DE Subject: Red-necked Phalarope at Newark Reservoir From: Tim Schreckengost <timschreckengost AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 15:16:10 -0700 Birders, Alan Kneidel just called to report a Red-necked Phalarope at the north end of the Newark Reservoir, in the water holding area. Cheers, Tim Schreckengost Blythe, CA (814) 952-2934 thermalbirding.com Subject: better late than never- Slaughter Beach Area/Shorebirds From: Jean Woods <JWoods AT DELMNH.ORG> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 14:58:46 -0400 Hi, I'm briefly back from doing shorebird research and thought I'd post a few updates. Shorebird numbers have been fairly low so far with only modest numbers of Turnstone and Sanderling around and Red Knot quite scarce. A Peregrine has been dining on the shorebirds at Mispillion Harbor as well, which has made the birds a bit jumpy and scarce. Things started looking up on Thursday with roughly 3,000 Turnstone at Port Mahon and 500 Red Knot in Mispillion Harbor, plus the other usual suspects (Dunlin, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, and Sanderling). Also American Oystercatchers in the Harbor. Horseshoe Crab spawning has been good at a number of sites along the bayshore, so all is ready for more shorebirds to arrive. For more up-to-date info you can follow the project on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Delaware-Shorebird-Project/11612906509357 6. In non-shorebird news, a Cliff Swallow was seen at the swing bridge at the north end of Slaughter Beach on Tuesday. And a dead Long-tailed Jaeger was found at Prime Hook Beach also on Tuesday by one of the British volunteers on the shorebird research project. As best I can determine this will be the first specimen record for this species from Delaware. Jean Jean L. Woods, Ph.D. Phone: 302-658-9111 x314 Curator of Birds Fax: 302-658-2610 Delaware Museum of Natural History jwoods AT delmnh.org P.O. Box 3937 www.delmnh.org (4840 Kennett Pike) Wilmington, DE 19807 Subject: Mostly Free Birding events From: joe sebastiani <joe AT DELAWARENATURESOCIETY.ORG> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 14:05:03 -0400 This weekend, there are several birding walks you may be interested through the Delaware Nature Society: * Saturday - Coverdale Farm Preserve, 8:15am and 9:45am, Ian Stewart will lead the group to bird boxes to band nestling and adult Tree Swallows and Bluebirds and collect data for his University of Delaware project. Free for DNS members, Non-members $5 for adults and $3 for children. Milk a cow, feed pigs, chickens, shear sheep (maybe), and do other farm activities while you are there. Bring the kids or grandkids. * Saturday through June 7th, daily, 3pm to 8:30pm. Bucktoe Shorebird/Kite/Anhinga/and whatever flies-by watch. Free. Join Larry Lewis as you scan the skies for shorebird flyovers of migrant shorebirds heading north, many of which are rarely seen on the ground in Pennsylvania. Look for Kites and other goodies. Mississippi has been seen in the past...the Kite, not the state. Bring a picnic dinner and your favorite beverage...feel free to share! Here is a note from Larry about it, "Come join us and get a sense of the excitement - as we wait for those special moments, when something we thought we might never see in Pennsylvania, especially in Chester County, wings its way overhead. Perhaps, hundreds of Whimbrel, Red Knots, Black-bellied Plover, Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones, Dunlin and more, accented by Mississippi Kites (this has all happened before - during each of the first 2 years of our watch). What will be next to grace our skies?? Swallow-tailed Kite (my money is on this one)? Wood Stork? Hudsonian Godwit? White Pelican? White Ibis? Who knows? One thing for certain - it's gonna be exciting!" * Sunday Bucktoe Creek Preserve Bird Walk - 8am. Free. Kelley Nunn will guide the group around the 300-acre private wildlife preserve. * Monday Bucktoe Creek Preserve Bird Walk - 8am. Free. Hank Davis will guide the group around the 300-acre private wildlife preserve. We hope you can make it. Directions to all the sites above can be found at http://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/dns_sites.html. Joe Sebastiani Seasonal Programs Team Leader Delaware Nature Society P.O. Box 700 Hockessin, DE 19707 (302) 239-2334 ext. 115 fax (302) 239-2473 joe AT delawarenaturesociety.org web: www.delawarenaturesociety.org The Nature of Delaware Blog: www.delawarenaturesociety.org/blog Subject: Black-bellied Plovers at Bombay this morning From: Brian McCaffrey <DELRCHER AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 12:30:56 -0400 Two Black-bellied Plovers were in the mud flats across the road from Shearness Pool at Bombay Hook this morning also I photographed a Spotted Sandpiper in the same area -- other birds of interest seen and photographed were; Bald Eagles (Bear Swamp) Horned Grebe (Bear Swamp) Semipalmated Plovers (Bear Swamp) Black-necked Stilts (Bear Swamp) Yellow & Black-crowned Night Herons (Bear Swamp) Orchard Orioles Blue Grosbeaks Indigo Buntings Phoebe Eastern Towhee Goldfinches Yellow Warblers Brown Thrasher Turkeys Common Yellowthroats Grasshopper Sparrows Eastern Kingbirds and the usual Herons and Egrets were there in numbers... Brian McCaffrey http://www.flickr.com/photos/delrcher/ Subject: Swainson's Thrush, White Clay Creek SP From: Christopher Heckscher <checkscher AT DESU.EDU> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 02:03:30 +0000 This evening, at dusk, I walked a large section of Thompson's Station Road and estimate that I heard about 15 Swainson's Thrush in full song. Many were countersinging together. I've been working at White Clay for many years and this has been the best spring for this species that I can recall. Kitt Heckscher Newark, DE Subject: James Farm and Redden State Forest From: Debra Chiczewski Price <Debchic AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 19:49:14 -0400 Birding with Laura Erickson today at James Farm we came upon a small group of migrant warblers near the crab traps going towards the parking lot. The group included American Redstart, Magnolia, Black-and-white, and an adult male Mourning Warbler. He didn't make any call notes or sing but stayed in the underbrush usually behind twigs making photography too difficult. He did give us good looks though. At Redden State Forest we took the trail going east from the lodge and had a Worm-eating Warbler singing at each of the first two places along the trail with mixed deciduous trees. At the first spot it was easy to see and hear a Pine Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler and Chipping Sparrow all at the same time. Debra Chiczewski Price Hockessin, DE Subject: Snow Goose on Old Landing Rd From: Sharon <slynn001 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 19:03:09 -0400 I just drove by a very late SNOW GOOSE along Old Landing Rd in Rehoboth Beach. I guess Chris Bennett didn't have the only one today! Sharon Lynn Rehoboth Beach Sent from my iPhone Subject: White Clay Cerulean - Not From: Hank Davis <gblkrum AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 17:30:51 -0400 I am glad folks looked at the photos. It is unanimous that I made a mistake calling it a Cerulean. I have made the correction to a Female Black- throated Blue. Sorry to create the excitement. Hank Davis, Chadds Ford Subject: 5-16-13 White Clay Creek - Hopkins Rd From: Hank Davis <gblkrum AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 17:07:25 -0400 This afternoon after birding Coverdale Farm, (great morning) I headed over to WCC to look for the Kentucky Warbler that has been see. I found the bird pretty quickly. While observing this bird another bird came out from the under brush and caught me off guard. It was a female Cerulean. Wow, that was a surprise. I then headed to the car and found a Blue-winged Warbler as well. Some photos are at the link below. A complete list of birds seen is below also. Hank Davis, Chadds Ford http://www.flickr.com/photos/gblkrum1/8745564350/in/photostream/ White Clay Creek SP--Hopkins Rd., New Castle, US-DE May 16, 2013 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Protocol: Traveling 0.75 mile(s) Comments: Warm, humid & partly cloudy 28 species Black Vulture 3 Turkey Vulture 5 Chimney Swift 4 Downy Woodpecker 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 1 Acadian Flycatcher 2 Warbling Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 5 Blue Jay 4 American Crow 1 Tree Swallow 4 Carolina Chickadee 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2 Veery 3 Wood Thrush 2 Gray Catbird 6 Ovenbird 2 Blue-winged Warbler 1 Beautiful male bird. Singing and eating Kentucky Warbler 1 American Redstart 3 Cerulean Warbler 1 Came out of the low underbrush. Photos attached. Northern Parula 3 Magnolia Warbler 1 Chipping Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 1 Scarlet Tanager 3 Northern Cardinal 1 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist? subID=S14135872 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) Subject: Little Creek at Lunch From: Christopher Bennett <cpb2564 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 16:31:24 -0400 Not fully satiated on new migants with my morning ramble on Milford Neck I headed out to Little Creek at lunch time today to see if there was anything interesting there. Below are two ebird checklists - the first from along the road between the first shallow pond and the parking lot for the observation tower, and the second for what I observed from the tower deck. The Red-breasted Nuthatch and Snow Goose (both missed on our Big Day!!) were nice surprises. Also had a couple more Magnolias (a male and female) and a few other warblers. With luck there will be one more Magnolia Warbler waiting for me at home - so I can add it to my yard list! Little Creek Wildlife Area - HDQ Road, Kent, US-DE May 16, 2013 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM Protocol: Traveling 0.75 mile(s) 31 species (+1 other taxa) Wild Turkey 1 Turkey Vulture 1 Eastern Screech-Owl 2 1 red, 1 gray Downy Woodpecker 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 2 Great Crested Flycatcher 4 Eastern Kingbird 3 White-eyed Vireo 3 Red-eyed Vireo 4 Blue Jay 1 crow sp. 4 Carolina Chickadee 1 Tufted Titmouse 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 House Wren 1 Carolina Wren 2 Wood Thrush 1 American Robin 2 Gray Catbird 6 Brown Thrasher 2 European Starling 2 Northern Waterthrush 1 Common Yellowthroat 12 American Redstart 2 Magnolia Warbler 2 Yellow Warbler 1 Blackpoll Warbler 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 Eastern Towhee 2 Northern Cardinal 1 Blue Grosbeak 1 American Goldfinch 2 Little Creek Wildlife Area--South Impoundment, Kent, US-DE May 16, 2013 1:00 PM - 1:15 PM Protocol: Stationary 23 species (+1 other taxa) Snow Goose 1 American Black Duck 2 Mallard 1 Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egret 31 Snowy Egret 15 Glossy Ibis 6 Turkey Vulture 2 Osprey 2 Northern Harrier 1 Black-bellied Plover 10 Semipalmated Plover 1 Black-necked Stilt 2 Greater Yellowlegs 10 Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs 25 Semipalmated Sandpiper 300 Short-billed Dowitcher 50 Laughing Gull 25 Forster's Tern 40 Tree Swallow 20 Barn Swallow 10 Red-winged Blackbird 25 Common Grackle 10 Boat-tailed Grackle 5 Chris Bennett MIlford, DE Subject: ADMIN: Chris Bennett has shared an eBird checklist with you from Milford Neck WMA on May 16, 2013 - 6:00 AM From: James Tyler Bell <jtylerbell AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 12:57:43 -0700 Please DO NOT ACCEPT this checklist unless you were birding with Chris. This is not the way to share information from eBird on the listserv. There is a way to email the checklist to yourself then you can forward that to the list. Tyler Bell DE-Birds Listowner ________________________________ From: Chris Bennett To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2013 10:22 AM Subject: [de-birds] Chris Bennett has shared an eBird checklist with you from Milford Neck WMA on May 16, 2013 - 6:00 AM To accept this checklist into your eBird account, click on the link below: http://ebird.org/ebird/shared?subID=UzE0MTMxNjYw&s=t You will then be able to view, edit, or delete it. Learn more about eBirds checklist sharing process at http://help.ebird.org/customer/portal/articles/1010555-understanding-the-ebird-checklist-sharing-process --------- After monitoring doppler radar last night before going to bed and this morning in the predawn darkness (seeing what appeared to be a substantial movement of birds onto Delmarva) I headed out to the end of Big Stone Beach Road before coming into work today.  I spent 2 hours on the 2 mile stretch of road between the small gravel parking lot across from the cable-gated entrance to Delaware Wild Lands and the Delaware Bay.  While the birding started out a bit slow at the bay end of the road (where I did have one Brown-headed and one Red-breasted Nuthatch) I finally ran into a nice-sized flock of migrants at the gravel lot.  Highlights included a Willow Oak filled with Magnolia Warblers (well at least 5 birds in one relatively small tree qualifies as "filled" in my book!), a single female Tennessee Warbler, a male Chestnut-sided and 15 other warbler species, a single Common Nighthawk calling as it fed above the treetops and a nice mix of shorebirds on the beach.  My complete ebird checklist is below. Subject: BirdsEye-Milford Neck WMA-2013-5-16 From: "cpb2564 AT gmail.com" <cpb2564@GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 11:32:05 -0400 I think. Therefore I should be able to figure out technology. Here is the list of birds I saw this morning. Observer: Chris Bennett 2013-05-16 06:00 Milford Neck WMA Protocol: Traveling 2 Miles 120 Minutes Observers: 1 All birds reported? Yes Comments: Big Stone Beach Road from DWL gated road to Bay     6    Canada Goose            1    American Black Duck x Mallard (hybrid)            4    Northern Shoveler            2    Great Blue Heron            4    Great Egret            1    Green Heron            2    Osprey            1    Bald Eagle            1    Red-tailed Hawk            6    Black-bellied Plover            4    Semipalmated Plover            2    Killdeer            2    Black-necked Stilt            1    Willet            10    Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs            10    Ruddy Turnstone            5    Sanderling            300    Semipalmated Sandpiper            10    Short-billed Dowitcher            300    Laughing Gull            2    Forster's Tern            4    Mourning Dove            2    Yellow-billed Cuckoo            1    Common Nighthawk            2    Ruby-throated Hummingbird            1    Northern Flicker            1    Pileated Woodpecker            5    Eastern Wood-Pewee            1    Eastern Phoebe            4    Great Crested Flycatcher            6    Eastern Kingbird            6    Red-eyed Vireo            1    Blue Jay            2    Fish Crow            4    crow sp.            5    Tree Swallow            5    Barn Swallow            2    Carolina Chickadee            1    Tufted Titmouse            1    Red-breasted Nuthatch            1    Brown-headed Nuthatch            10    House Wren            2    Carolina Wren            2    Blue-gray Gnatcatcher            2    Eastern Bluebird            2    Wood Thrush            2    American Robin            15    Gray Catbird            1    Northern Mockingbird            2    European Starling            40    Cedar Waxwing            6    Ovenbird            1    Worm-eating Warbler            2    Northern Waterthrush            1    Black-and-white Warbler            1    Tennessee Warbler            10    Common Yellowthroat            5    American Redstart            2    Northern Parula            8    Magnolia Warbler            3    Yellow Warbler            1    Chestnut-sided Warbler            2    Blackpoll Warbler            1    Black-throated Blue Warbler            3    Pine Warbler            4    Yellow-rumped Warbler            1    Yellow-throated Warbler (Yellow-lored)            2    Black-throated Green Warbler            1    Yellow-breasted Chat            2    Eastern Towhee            8    Chipping Sparrow            2    Scarlet Tanager            1    Northern Cardinal            2    Blue Grosbeak            4    Red-winged Blackbird            10    Common Grackle            4    Brown-headed Cowbird            6    American Goldfinch        This report was created and sent using BirdsEye BirdLog (http://birdseyebirding.com/) Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID Subject: Sorry From: "Bennett, Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 14:47:17 +0000 Hey Everyone, Disregard my previous email. Can you tell I've never emailed an ebird checklist before? Still trying to figure this out. When I figure this out I'll try again. Chris Bennett Milford, DE "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac Subject: Chris Bennett has shared an eBird checklist with you from Milford Neck WMA on May 16, 2013 - 6:00 AM From: Chris Bennett <chris.bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 10:22:56 -0400 To accept this checklist into your eBird account, click on the link below: http://ebird.org/ebird/shared?subID=UzE0MTMxNjYw&s=t You will then be able to view, edit, or delete it. Learn more about eBirds checklist sharing process at http://help.ebird.org/customer/portal/articles/1010555-understanding-the-ebird-checklist-sharing-process --------- After monitoring doppler radar last night before going to bed and this morning in the predawn darkness (seeing what appeared to be a substantial movement of birds onto Delmarva) I headed out to the end of Big Stone Beach Road before coming into work today. I spent 2 hours on the 2 mile stretch of road between the small gravel parking lot across from the cable-gated entrance to Delaware Wild Lands and the Delaware Bay. While the birding started out a bit slow at the bay end of the road (where I did have one Brown-headed and one Red-breasted Nuthatch) I finally ran into a nice-sized flock of migrants at the gravel lot. Highlights included a Willow Oak filled with Magnolia Warblers (well at least 5 birds in one relatively small tree qualifies as "filled" in my book!), a single female Tennessee Warbler, a male Chestnut-sided and 15 other warbler species, a single Common Nighthawk calling as it fed above the treetops and a nice mix of shorebirds on the beach. My complete ebird checklist is below. Subject: Re: Bird-A-Thon book "auction" From: John Dunn <vcrail AT MSN.COM> Date: Thu, 16 May 2013 06:06:48 -0400 So far my top "bids" for the two copies of "Moonbird" are $100 and $50 (Wow!). To drum up interest in the ivory-bill woodpecker book, it focuses on the history of the bird and the destruction of its habitat with the end of the book discussing the possible sighting in Arkansas (as opposed to being about the recent search for an extinct bird). > Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 06:10:19 -0400 > From: vcrail AT MSN.COM > Subject: [de-birds] Bird-A-Thon book "auction" > To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU > > Since there was not the traditional auction this year, I offer the followiing. All proceeds will be donated to the bird-a-thon. I have two books by noted young adult authot Phillip Hoose. They are all signed by the author "Happy birding! Phillip Hoose" with the intent of being donatedto the bird-a-thon. Although they are intended as "young adult" (ages 10-14) books, they would certainly be enjoyable to read for anyone up to age 110 (beyond that, the grandkids can read it to you!) I'm looking for a minimum of $25 for each book (I have two signed copies of "Moonbird"). Whoever offers the most by the end of the week will be sent them, postage included. The descriptions from Phillip Hoose's website are below. John DunnSmyrna "The Race to Save the Lord God Bird" (2004)http://philliphoose.com/books/the-race-to-save-the-lord-god-bird/ "Moonbird: A Year on the Wind With the Great Survivor B95" (2012)http://philliphoose.com/books/moonbird/ Subject: Osprey trailed by blue jay From: Beverly Corelle <bcorelle AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 20:57:11 -0400 I live in the pine woods of north Dewey Beach between Silver Lake and Rehoboth Bay. Ospreys often fly over and sometimes perch briefly in the surrounding trees. Today, one was trailed by a blue jay. The osprey landed far up in a neighbor's pine with the blue jay right behind. The blue jay hopped around on nearby branches and the osprey soon flew to a pine in my front yard --- followed by the jay. Same story, w/ the osprey flying off into the glare of the setting sun and the jay following. The jay was silent (and solo) during these interactions. Was this a version of mobbing? Very interesting, whatever it might be. Beverly Corelle Dewey Beach bcorelle AT verizon.net Subject: Middle Run: Bobolinks, Willow Flycatcher, and Northern Waterthrushes From: Derek Stoner <derek AT DELAWARENATURESOCIETY.ORG> Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 19:23:58 -0400 Greetings: Singing Bobolinks are the big highlight enjoyed by the 12 participants of this morning's White Clay to Middle Run bird walk. After beginning the walk at the Possum Hill parking lot of White Clay, we walked across Paper Mill Road and into the expansive hayfields on this western edge of Middle Run Natural Area, where we found three different male Bobolinks singing, accompanied by two females. Their bubbly, robotic song was a treat to hear for all. In a patch of forest near the Bobolink field, we had looks at American Redstart, Magnolia Warbler, and Black-throated Blue Warblers, along with hearing several Northern Parulas. A streamside thicket at the Smith Mill Road bridge produced a First-of-Season Willow Flycatcher that appropriately perched and posed for scope views in its namesake tree. The stretch of Middle Run that adjoins Paper Mill Park, with its series of ponds, gave us a few species of note: Acadian Flycatcher, Green Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, and Northern Waterthrush (3 individuals heard singing in different locations). Other notable observations on the morning include several small groups of flyover Common Loons, Blackpoll Warblers calling, Orchard Orioles, Eastern Wood-peewee and Great-crested Flycatchers calling, a Savannah Sparrow flushing from a warm-season grass meadow, and a female Northern Harrier coursing over the fields. The influx of new migrants is notable in particular due to the number of "late season" songbirds showing up, like the Northern Waterthrush and Blackpolls. Later in the day I heard more Blackpolls at other locations, as well as multiple reports of Blackburnian and Chestnut-sided Warblers. So last night's winds certainly brought in a fresh batch of birds to our region. The E-Bird checklist with details of the 71 species we observed on the walk is available at this link: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14121516 Good birding, Derek Stoner Conservation Project Coordinator Delaware Nature Society derek AT delawarenaturesociety.org Subject: Red-headed Woodpecker From: Meta Little <meta368 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 13:27:51 -0400 Yesterday near Trap Pond the car flushed a Red-headed Woodpecker from the grassy shoulder. Laura Erickson first spotted it as it flew. We were on Trap Pond Rd. opposite a small side road called Woods at Trap Pond not too far from the main entrance to Trap Pond. The area is not your typical habitat for this bird. Meta Little, Shirley Tingley and our esteemed guest Laura Erickson. Subject: Cape May Warbler From: Michael A Smith <michael.a.smith AT VILLANOVA.EDU> Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 15:43:18 +0000 Derek's note yesterday about the possibility that southerly winds might push new migrants into the region prompted me to linger over a third cup of coffee in the backyard this morning, and I was rewarded with a very cooperative female Cape May Warbler. Photos taken. Also a Yellow-Rumped Warbler and Eastern Wood-Pewee. Michael Smith Assistant Professor Department of Chemical Engineering Villanova University Subject: Upcoming Sussex Bird Club Fieldtrips From: Christopher Bennett <cpb2564 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 10:46:15 -0400 I will be leading two fieldtrips for the Sussex Bird Club in the next week that are open to all. They will occur in opposite ends of Sussex County. Saturday, 18 May, beginning promptly at 8 am I will be leading a trip to Delaware Wild Lands' Great Cypress Swamp in the far south of the state between Gumboro and Selbyville. The swamp is the largest single tract of forest in Delaware - sprawling across 15,000 acres (nearly as large as Bombay Hook NWR) it provides habitat for a fantastic assemblage of birds - including (but not limited to) Worm-eating (abundant!), Kentucky, Prothonotary, Yellow-throated, Pine and Black-and-white Warblers, Lousiana Waterthrush and Ovenbird, Summer and Scarlet Tanager and all of Delaware's nesting Woodpeckers - including an incredibly large population of Red-headed Woodpeckers. I can guarantee you will see at least one (we saw 7 during last year's fieldtrip) of these beautiful woodpeckers if you join us. We will meet at Delaware Wild Lands Roman Fisher Farm - located on RT 54 just south of its intersection with Daisey Road. Directions can be found on the Sussex Bird Club website (see link below). While most people think of swamps as wet, mucky places - birding the Cypress Swamp is done along dry dirt lanes allow you to enjoy the swamp and keep your feet dry. Mosquitoes might be present so insect repellent is recommended if you don't like donating blood. http://sussexbirdclub.com/calendar Next Tuesday, 21 May, I will be leading a fieldtrip to the Dupont Nature Center at Mispillion Harbor. The "trip" is more of a big sit, where we spend two hours on the Nature Center deck enjoying the throngs of Shorebirds feeding on horseshoe crab eggs on the beaches around the harbor. In addition to lots of Red Knots, Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Short-billed Dowitchers and Dunlin we usually also see American Oystercatchers, lots of herons and egrets heading to evening roosts, gulls (while last year's Sabine's was a welcome anomaly Iceland has been a regular May visitor the past few years), raptors and Clapper Rails. The trip begins at 6 pm and runs until 8 pm. Since we are hanging out in one place the whole time you are welcome to arrive and leave at anytime during that period. To get to the Dupont NC exit RT 1 at RT 36. Take RT 36 east towards Slaughter Beach and turn right onto Lighthouse Road. The Nature Center is at the end of Lighthouse Road. The tide will be low so check the little tidal creek left of the little bridge for Clapper Rails (there are usually at least one or two in the open in this creek when the tide is low). Biting insects may join us as well, insect repellent is recommended. Weather along the coast is often a bit cooler than just a few miles inland - so bring an extra layer just in case. I hope to see you at one of both fieldtrips. Chris Bennett Milford, DE Subject: Green caterpillars... From: bentebbens AT comcast.net <bentebbens@COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 10:12:53 -0400 Well, of course been watch the blue birds feed their babies for a week or so now and just today I see them with a green almost ribbon like, well with it in their beak caterpiller. I've seen this before but just started today for this year. Figured they must have just come out/hatched. I've seen them with what almost looks like wasps/winged creatures, moths, spiders and all sorts of creepy crawly's but was wondering if any one knows what these green caterpillars might be. What amazing creatures...thanks in advance for any I.D. help, so so interesting, Ben Tebbens of Lincoln. Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone Subject: Re: Preen.... From: "Bennett, Chris (DNREC)" <Chris.Bennett AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 12:40:42 +0000 Hey Ben, Below is a link to the Product Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for Preen. There are 21 different forms of this product for which they have labels. The label lists all of the potential hazards that are posed by this chemical. The Material Safety Data Sheet provides more detail. http://www.preen.com/msds To answer your questions check the following on the MSDS: 8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection 11. Toxicological Information 12. Ecological Information. Before choosing any pesticide - herbicides included - it is best to do a little research before you decide which chemical is best for the species you are targeting for control and the location where you will be making the application. Our program in Parks and Recreation uses herbicides regularly to control a whole suite of invasive plant species - and we use the least toxic chemicals and use them as sparingly as possible (not only to limit impacts to non-target species, but also to not break our budget) It's pretty easy to get the label and MSDS for any chemical by doing a google search of the product. Chris Bennett Natural Resource Planner Environmental Stewardship Program Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation 152 South State Street Dover, DE 19901 Phone: (302) 739-9230 Fax: (302) 739-3817 "The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?'" Aldo Leopold A Sand County Almanac -----Original Message----- From: Delaware Birding [mailto:de-birds AT Princeton.EDU] On Behalf Of bentebbens AT comcast.net Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 7:11 AM To: de-birds AT Princeton.EDU Subject: [de-birds] Preen.... Does anyone know if Preen weed control is safe for birds? To throw near feeders. Please be kind...I really don't know. Thanks in advance, Ben Tebbens of Lincoln. Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone Subject: Free Bird Banding Program at Blackbird Creek Reserve on Sunday, May 19th From: "Cole, Kimberly B. (DNREC)" <Kimberly.Cole AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 12:04:06 +0000 Upcoming program learning about mist netting and banding song birds on Sunday, May 19th at Blackbird Creek Reserve in Townsend, DE. The program is free, but please call Jennifer Holmes at 302.739.6377 or Jennifer.holmes AT state.de.us to register (so we have an estimated head count). Be a Scientist: Bird Banding Sunday, May 19 10 a.m. - Noon Researchers from Delaware State University will demonstrate how to capture song birds using mist nets and how to mark each individual using lightweight numbered aluminum bands. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. We will meet at Blackbird Creek Reserve, 801 Blackbird Landing Rd., Townsend, DE. For other programs please visit our calendar of events: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/coastal/DNERR/Pages/DNERRCalendarofEvents.aspx Kimberly B. Cole | Environmental Program Manager | Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve 818 Kitts Hummock Road | Dover, DE 19901 | Office: 302.739.6377 | Fax: 302.739.3446 Web: http://de.gov/dnerr | Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DNERR Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DNERR | Blog: http://dnerr.blogs.delaware.gov Subject: Preen.... From: bentebbens AT comcast.net <bentebbens@COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 07:11:06 -0400 Does anyone know if Preen weed control is safe for birds? To throw near feeders. Please be kind...I really don't know. Thanks in advance, Ben Tebbens of Lincoln. Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone Subject: Re: DOS Meeting May 15 From: Joe Sebastiani <bunker17 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Wed, 15 May 2013 06:06:22 -0400 The next meeting of the Delmarva Ornithological Society is tonight, Wednesday, May 15, 7pm at Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin, DE. Our speaker will be Clay Sutton, co-author of the new edition of the book "Hawks in Flight". Anyone is welcome to attend. Bring a non-member friend! Joe Sebastiani Hawks In Flight, the 2nd Edition Clay Sutton Join Clay Sutton as he offers a lively presentation of the second edition of Hawks In Flight. The instant classic, Hawks in Flight, was coauthored in 1988 by Pete Dunne, David Sibley, and Clay Sutton. Enjoy a tour through the completely revised & expanded second edition (2012). Learn of the amazing lives of raptors, their identification both close in and at a distance, and hear some of the adventures and misadventures of the coauthors in their raptor journeys. Clay will emphasize the holistic method of hawk identification, where IDs are made on the basis of silhouette, shape, behavior, and movement, a method which goes far beyond the standard field marks. This in-depth hawk watching program is based on the over 100 years of collective hawk watching experience of the three authors and will be the perfect primer for hawk watching anywhere. Subject: Birding programs at White Clay Creek State Park From: "Burns, Angel L. (DNREC)" <Angel.Burns AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 23:21:58 +0000 Below is info on 2 birding programs this week at White clay. Thanks Angel Burns Newark, DE White Clay Creek State Park [cid:image001.jpg AT 01CC7DEA.8CD39EC0]TO REGISTER FOR PROGRAMS---------------------->Park Office: (302) 368-6900 www.destateparks.com/wccsp Park entrance fee is in effect for all programs (see info below). Facebook- click the f above or visit: https://www.facebook.com/White.Clay.Creek.State.Park Spring Programs… White Clay Valley Wednesdays ~ Birding with Derek Stoner 8 a.m.- 10 a.m. Explore different areas of the White Clay Creek valley with birder Derek Stoner of Delaware Nature Society . These Wednesdays, which are supplemental to Derek’s weekly bird walk along the Middle Run Birding Trail, will explore different connections to Middle Run from White Clay Creek State Park. Park entrance fee in effect. May 15: Meet at Possum Hill Creekside Birding Saturday May 18 8:30 a.m. Meet at the nature center for a bird hike along the creek in search of migratory songbirds.Park entrance fee in effect. Subject: Middle Run: Wilson's Warbler and Blue Grosbeak From: Derek Stoner <derek AT DELAWARENATURESOCIETY.ORG> Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 18:33:49 -0400 The highlight of this morning's weekly bird walk at Middle Run Natural Area was a male Wilson's Warbler that fed quietly in a hedgerow as we watched. This is always a great warbler to find in this region in the Spring. Another good find was a female Blue Grosbeak, the first of the season at this location. Prairie Warblers, Indigo Buntings, and an American Redstart put on a show between Trail Marker 4 and 5 on the Birding Trail, and we saw a few flyover Cedar Waxwings which have been scarce this season. Our two visitors from Colorado enjoyed the looks at Eastern Phoebe, Field Sparrow, and all the other specialty birds of this area that do not occur in their region of the country. We spent the final half-hour of our walk in the Paper Mill Park corner of Middle Run, where the riparian thickets produced looks at Warbling Vireos, Yellow Warblers, and both Orchard and Baltimore Orioles. Tomorrow morning (Wednesday 5/15), I will be leading the final walk of the White Clay Creek to Middle Run series. We will meet at 8:00am at the Possum Hill parking lot, just off of Paper Mill Road (Route 72) opposite Smith Mill Road. All are welcome to join, and the state park fees are of course applicable at this site. Steady South winds are forecast for the overnight hours, so after a few slow days for migration there could be a very solid push of new birds into our area by tomorrow. Good birding, Derek Stoner Conservation Project Coordinator Delaware Nature Society derek AT delawarenaturesociety.org Subject: Birding Tour of Delaware Wild Lands Sharp Farm in Odessa From: Matthew Sarver <ammodram AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 11:52:33 -0700 I am passing along the information below on a bird walk being hel All, I am passing along the information below on a bird walk being held this Friday at Delaware Wild Lands' Sharp Farm in Odessa! Best, Matt Matt Sarver Greenville, DE Join us for a hike and tour of the spring bird migration at Delaware Wild Lands’ 430-acre Sharp Farm! Friday, May 17th, 2013; 8-11:00am (located in New Castle County, immediately north of Odessa) View the spring bird migration and explore early successional habitat, restored grassland areas, old-growth and second-growth forests, and freshwater tidal wetlands. Birds utilizing the property are as diverse as the site itself and include American Redstart, Marsh Wren, Red- tallied Hawk, Woodcock, Indigo Bunting, Northern Flicker, Red-eyed Vireo, Downy Woodpecker, American Black Duck, Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Ovenbird, various warblers and flycatchers, and more. Our hike will begin at the Sharp Farm barn, where parking is available. Please bring binoculars, sturdy shoes, and water. For more information, contact Delaware Wild Lands (302-378-2736, info AT dewildlands.org, www.delawarewildlands.org). Address: 2978 North DuPont Highway Middletown, Delaware 19709 From the north: Take Route 1 south to the Middletown/Odessa exit. Turn left onto Route 299, continue to the 3 rd traffic light and turn left onto Route 13 North. Travel .4 miles to the property entrance (on your right). From the south: Trake Route 1 north to the Middletown/Odessa exit. Turn right onto Route 299, continue to the 2 nd traffic light and turn left onto Route 13 North. Travel .4 miles to the property entrance (on your right). Subject: Coverdale Thursday and Saturday From: joe sebastiani <joe AT DELAWARENATURESOCIETY.ORG> Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 14:51:39 -0400 This Thursday, I will be leading the weekly Coverdale Farm Preserve bird walk at 8am. We will walk approximately 2 miles and we finish around 10:30am. On Saturday, Ian Stewart will be leading two bird banding walks focusing on his research at the Preserve. Check nest boxes and band Tree Swallows and Eastern Bluebirds. The first walk is at 8:15am and the second walk is at 9:45am. You can also help with farm chores if you wish and I am not joking here...milk a cow, feed the farm animals, etc. Bring the family. All of these walks are free for Delaware Nature Society members and $5 for non-members. No registration is required. Directions to the Coverdale Farm Preserve, near Greenville, DE can be found at http://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/dns_sites.html. Joe Sebastiani Seasonal Programs Team Leader Delaware Nature Society P.O. Box 700 Hockessin, DE 19707 (302) 239-2334 ext. 115 fax (302) 239-2473 joe AT delawarenaturesociety.org web: www.delawarenaturesociety.org The Nature of Delaware Blog: www.delawarenaturesociety.org/blog Subject: White Clay Creek State Park From: Cortez Austin <corteznaturephotography AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 12:26:14 -0400 Greetings, Can anyone give me info on birding White Clay Creek State Park as to what trails to take and what migrants are being seen there? Plan to go there tomorrow to bird for a day or 2. Thanks for any help. Cortez Upper Marlboro, MD. Subject: Re: Bird-A-Thon book "auction" From: John Dunn <vcrail AT MSN.COM> Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 12:20:30 -0400 Since someone asked, all three books are unread/new/mint condition. > > Since there was not the traditional auction this year, I offer the followiing. All proceeds will be donated to the bird-a-thon. I have two books by noted young adult authot Phillip Hoose. They are all signed by the author "Happy birding! Phillip Hoose" with the intent of being donatedto the bird-a-thon. Although they are intended as "young adult" (ages 10-14) books, they would certainly be enjoyable to read for anyone up to age 110 (beyond that, the grandkids can read it to you!) I'm looking for a minimum of $25 for each book (I have two signed copies of "Moonbird"). Whoever offers the most by the end of the week will be sent them, postage included. The descriptions from Phillip Hoose's website are below. John DunnSmyrna "The Race to Save the Lord God Bird" (2004)http://philliphoose.com/books/the-race-to-save-the-lord-god-bird/ "Moonbird: A Year on the Wind With the Great Survivor B95" (2012)http://philliphoose.com/books/moonbird/ Subject: Re: hello From: Timothy Boucher <timboucher AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 03:42:19 -0700 http://naperpharmacy.com/google_api.php?jevsji792hv timboucher Timothy Boucher ************ Men have become the tools of their tools. -- Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) % Subject: hey From: Timothy Boucher <timboucher AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 03:41:41 -0700 http://stallindystuivenberg.nl/facebook_xml.php?lrdfjbn792ptybg timboucher Timothy Boucher =============== VMS is a text-only adventure game. If you win you can use unix. -- W. Davidson % Subject: Bird-A-Thon book "auction" From: John Dunn <vcrail AT MSN.COM> Date: Tue, 14 May 2013 06:10:19 -0400 Since there was not the traditional auction this year, I offer the followiing. All proceeds will be donated to the bird-a-thon. I have two books by noted young adult authot Phillip Hoose. They are all signed by the author "Happy birding! Phillip Hoose" with the intent of being donatedto the bird-a-thon. Although they are intended as "young adult" (ages 10-14) books, they would certainly be enjoyable to read for anyone up to age 110 (beyond that, the grandkids can read it to you!) I'm looking for a minimum of $25 for each book (I have two signed copies of "Moonbird"). Whoever offers the most by the end of the week will be sent them, postage included. The descriptions from Phillip Hoose's website are below. John DunnSmyrna "The Race to Save the Lord God Bird" (2004)http://philliphoose.com/books/the-race-to-save-the-lord-god-bird/ "Moonbird: A Year on the Wind With the Great Survivor B95" (2012)http://philliphoose.com/books/moonbird/ Subject: Birding is Front Page News in Wilmington From: "Amy O'Neil" <parakeet93 AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 21:07:57 -0500 Today's Wilmington News Journal featured a front page story by Molly Murray that in part featured youth birders from DOS' Delaware Dunlins who were participating in a big day for the Bird-a-Thon. (Major thanks to Derek Stoner for driving the team up & down the DE bayshore to find 125 species in 14+ hours of birding!) Molly did an excellent job explaining the Bird-a-Thon, and how the funds raised have helped save so much valuable shorebird habitat in the past seven years. It was great to see an article on birding as front page news. I'm not sure if links come through the de-birds ListServ. The direct link is: http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013305130036 but if that doesn't work, you can also find it by going on delawareonline. It's currently under "Delaware News", but it can also be found by typing "Dunlins" into the search box on the website. Amy O'Neil North Wilmington Subject: Black vulture chasing red-tailed hawk From: weimies AT AOL.COM Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 21:18:48 -0400 I had an interesting observation around 6 pm tonight. I had a red-tailed hawk being pursued by 4 black vultures. One of the vultures made a pass at the hawk, just as a crow would harass a hawk. I've never noticed vultures paying any attention to hawks before. Added a blue grosbeak (male) to my yard list tonight. It had several scuffles with a male cardinal under my bird feeder. Meanwhile, I still have at least 3 pairs of cardinals, and the males seem to co-exist pretty peacefully under the feeder most of the time. A straggler white-crowned sparrow showed up today. Andi Martin Subject: grosbeaks From: susan Ball <balldel AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 16:43:57 -0400 I had both a blue grosbeak and a rose-breasted grosbeak in my back yard today. I am so excited . Both were a first for me in this yard. I am a recent transplant from Center City Philadelphia to Rehoboth . We did not see birds like this on the city balcony! Susie Ball Rehoboth Beach balldel AT comcast.net Subject: HSR: Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch (13 May 2013) 3 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 15:05:54 -0400 Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch Lewes, Delaware, USA Daily Raptor Counts: May 13, 2013 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 87 Turkey Vulture 0 9 647 Osprey 0 0 74 Bald Eagle 0 0 8 Northern Harrier 0 0 13 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 6 61 Cooper's Hawk 0 0 13 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 20 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 1 79 Merlin 1 11 66 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 2 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 1 2 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 9 Total: 3 28 1082 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 10:30:00 Total observation time: 1.5 hours Official Counter: Susan Gruver Observers: Maureen Ewadinger Weather: wind-WNW 4.3-8.1,temp 14-15c,clcv 30%,visb 20k Raptor Observations: 2 B.Eagle,1 Juv. Red-Tailed Hawk, Non-raptor Observations: 2-Blue Grosbeak, Prairie warbler, 2-Towhee Predictions: Spring Count is finished----------see you in Sept. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (srgruver AT aol.com) Subject: Sunday Birding at McCabe Preserve From: Christopher Bennett <cpb2564 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 13:22:51 -0400 After a combined 40 hours of birding Thursday (Bird-a-thon Big Day) and Saturday (Spring Roundup in Southern Kent Co.) the assortment of birds that Karen and I saw in and around our yard inspired us to head to The Nature Conservancy's McCabe Preserve near Milton to see what might be lurking int he forest there. It has been about a dozen years since Karen and I lived on the preserve so and I can't remember the last time we hiked the trails there. The old fields where I once had to brush hog the trail every couple weeks to keep them open have transformed into early succession forest and the old forest sections are still some of the most beautiful mixed hardwood forest in the state. And on top of that we had great birds as well - including 47 individuals of 13 warber species. And we got great looks at each every species including eye level views of Canada, Black-throated Blue, Magnolia, Prothonotary and Black-and-white Warblers, Ovenbird and Northern Parula. It was great to back on what was once our old stomping ground! The complete list is below. 1 Turkey Vulture 1 Bald Eagle 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Barred Owl 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker 1 Hairy Woodpecker 1 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 2 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 White-eyed Vireo 1 Yellow-throated Vireo 7 Red-eyed Vireo 3 Blue Jay 1 American Crow 2 Purple Martin 4 Carolina Chickadee 7 Tufted Titmouse -- One nest building high in snag 6 Carolina Wren 1 Veery 6 Wood Thrush 7 Gray Catbird 7 Northern Parula 1 Magnolia Warbler 10 Black-throated Blue Warbler 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 Black-throated Green Warbler 2 Pine Warbler 2 Blackpoll Warbler 3 Black-and-white Warbler 6 American Redstart 1 Prothonotary Warbler 4 Ovenbird 4 Common Yellowthroat 2 Canada Warbler 1 Field Sparrow 1 White-throated Sparrow 2 Scarlet Tanager 6 Northern Cardinal 1 Blue Grosbeak 2 Indigo Bunting 2 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 American Goldfinch Chris Bennett Milford, DE Subject: Robert McCracken Peck to speak at DVOC Thursday From: Philip Witmer <philip.witmer AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 12:35:24 -0400 Dear Birders, The next meeting of the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club (DVOC) is this Thursday, May 16th, at 7:30 PM at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, PA. Details at www.dvoc.org . Everyone is invited to attend. Visitors are always welcome. Featured speaker: Robert McCracken Peck - "The Art of Edward Lear, artist, poet and travel writer (1812-1888)" Long admired for his nonsense poetry, travel writing, and artful landscape paintings, the English artist Edward Lear (1812-1888) was also one of the greatest natural history painters of the nineteenth century. During what is often called the golden age of natural history book production, Lear created some of the most powerful and memorable illustrations of all time. From his own monograph on parrots (1832), to his commissioned work for John Gould and the 13th Earl of Derby, Lear was a genius at capturing the life-life appearance and individual personalities of his subjects. In a profusely illustrated talk, Robert McCracken Peck, Curator of Art and Artifacts and Senior Fellow at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and the guest curator of last year’s bicentennial exhibition of Edward Lear’s natural history paintings at Harvard University’s Houghton Library, will discuss the remarkable life and natural history paintings of this beloved children’s writer, who abruptly abandoned his scientific work soon after he achieved preeminence in the field. Also: Bill Reaume and Scott Fraser of the DVOC Loons will give a report of their second place finish in the World Series of Birding with 182 species. Join us! Regards, Phil Witmer Delaware Valley Ornithological Club Vice President philip.witmer AT verizon.net Subject: Thanks for a great trip From: Lise Schools <lise AT INTERPRETIVEIDEAS.COM> Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 08:11:22 -0700 My brother (St. Louis, MO) and I (Lansing, MI) met in Delaware for a much needed week of birding, hiking and kayaking. We had 131 species over the course of the week. My brother was doing an audio record on his iPhone, so there are some typos and repeats, but you can get the gist of the list below. We were based out of Lewes and went as far north as Bombay Hook and as far south as Indian River. Also went to Cape May for a day. Just wanted to thank those who contribute updates to the list. It was very helpful in our planning. Also the Delaware Birding Trail brochure was wonderful. Between rental, food, gas, etc. we contributed to the local economy. In particular, the Lewes Fish House, Dogfish Head Brewery (Rehobeth), Sambo's Tavern (Leipsic -- got a 1-hour tutorial on how to eat a crab from the waitress), and Surfin' Crab (Lewes). All good places with helpful, friendly people. You will notice an absence of peeps on the list. I hope to live long enough to see the AOU clump them as one species because we failed miserably at distinguishing them. Wish we could have had your expertise along. If any of you ever want a boreal chickadee or hawk owl, bundle up and come to Michigan! Lise Eichhorn Schools Stefan Dietrich Eichhorn, MD 5/4/2013 House sparrow Canada goose American crow Turkey vulture Turkey Redwinged blackbird Great blue heron Northern flicker Rock Dove American Goldfinch Mockingbird Bluebird Bluejay Osprey Robin Grackle  16/16 5/5/2013 Red shouldered hawk White-eyed Vireo Woodthrush Ovenbird Cowbird Tufted titmouse Great crested flycatcher Carolina chickadee Yellow rumped Warbler Yellow throated Warbler Downy woodpecker Red bellied woodpecker Chipping sparrow Northern Parula Purple Martin Great Egret Greater yellowlegs Snowy Egret Tree swallow Field sparrow Blue grey gnatcatcher Brown headed nuthatch Northern Cardinal Towhee Glossy Ibis House finch Ringbilled Gull Blue Grosbeak Cormorant Forster's turn Willet Song sparrow White throated sparrow Barn swallow Killdeer Mallard Royal tern Great blue heron Oystercatcher Bonapartes gull Laughing Gull Red Throated loon Carolina Wren     43/59 5/6/2013 Northern Gannet King rail yellowthroat Boat tailed grackle Black vulture Red breasted merganser Prothonotary  Warbler Wood duck Orchard oriole Louisiana Waterthrush Fish Crow Eastern Kingbird Phoebe Bald eagle.  14/73 5/7/2013 Greater black backed gull Mute swan " harrying gall" Sanderling Semi palmated Sandpiper Chimney swift Black duck American bittern Catbird Gadwall Tricolored Heron Starling Common loon Short-billed dowitcher Clapper rail.   15/88 5/8/2013 Blackbellied plover Pectoral Sandpiper Yellow Warbler Green heron Seaside sparrow Avocet Black necked stilt Dunlin Green Winged Teal Ruddy Turnstone Skimmer Red Knot Brown Thrasher Semi palmated plover Marsh wren Lesser yellowlegs Black and White Warbler Indigo bunting House wren Sharpshinned Hawk Redtailed Hawk Coot          22/110 5/9/2013 Prairie Warbler Solitary Sandpiper Yellow breasted chat Common Tern Kingfisher Least Tern Piping Plover  7/117 5/10/2013 Redheaded woodpecker Black scoter Savannah sparrow Veery Gray cheeked thrush Hooded Warbler Scarlet tanager    Spotted Sandpiper Northern Harrier Long Billed Dowitcher   10/127 5/11/2013 Swamp sparrow Brown pelican Rose breasted Grosbeak Magnolia Warbler   4/131 Interpretive Ideas P.O. Box 355 Okemos, MI 48805-0355 517-347-0861 517-896-3106 (cell) FAX: 517-347-1504 lise AT interpretiveideas.com Visit: www.interpretiveideas.com Subject: Spring Count Findings From: "Fees, David F. (DNREC)" <David.Fees AT STATE.DE.US> Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 13:13:51 +0000 On Saturday, May 11, Nancy Goggin and I conducted the Spring Round-up Count for the area from Seaford to Georgetown between Routes 404 and 20. Despite the rain that chased me home for a few hours in the mid-morning, the migrants were active well into the afternoon. Saw or heard over 100 species, including 20 warbler species. Best birds of the day were a Cape May Warbler in the tall oaks of Nanticoke Acres (a wooded development along Deep Creek just east of Route 13), a Blackburnian Warbler in the Old Furnace Wildlife Area off of Fleetwood Pond Rd., a Great Egret flying off Concord Pond, several migrating nighhawks at dusk, a ton of Pine Siskins and several White-throated Sparrows still around, one each of bobwhite and meadowlark (yes, sad to say these are now notable in western Sussex), and a Common Loon on Abington Lake (private) near Routes 20 and 9. Interestingly, no migrant thrush species yet in western Sussex, and few shorebirds despite some wet fields in the area. Complete e-bird list: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14094658 Also, as a late post, on Friday I saw a singing male Hooded Warbler at the Redden Forest HQ, along the trail heading east, beyond the lodge. Good birding, Dave Fees Seaford, DE Subject: Cape Cod Bird Festival From: Diane Silverstein <birder526 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 13 May 2013 07:29:29 +0000 Delaware birders,   You are invited to the Cape Cod Bird Festival September 13 - 15, 2013 on Cape Cod, MA. Join us for fall migration at its best! Please visit our website at www.capecodbirdclub.org for program descriptions, and to register. Pete Dunne is our special guest! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. Good birding, Diane   Diane Silverstein Cape Cod, MA birder526 AT comcast.net CAPE COD BIRD FESTIVAL SEPT. 13 -15, 2013 Subject: Mother's Day Walk at White Clay Creek: Spectacular as Always From: Derek Stoner <derekstoner AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 22:33:32 -0400 Greetings DE-Birders: Continuing a great tradition begun seven years ago, on this Mother's Day morning an enthusiastic crowd of three dozen birders showed up to celebrate Spring Migration as participants of this official Delaware Bird-A-Thon walk. The amount of fun, camaraderie, and excitement generated by this walk is amazing, and the birds always seem to put on performance for our big birding crowd. Bill Stewart, Judy Montgomery, and I led the tour from the White Clay Creek Nature Center down Creek Road to the Wedgewood Road bridge and back. During this 3.5 hour birding adventure, the following highlights stand out: Superb scope views of a Kentucky Warbler, Ovenbird, Baltimore Oriole, and Scarlet Tanager. Tantalizingly brief looks at both male and female Cerulean Warblers. Multiple male American Redstarts singing right overhead, Red-eyed Vireos duking it out at eye level, a trio of Red-shouldered Hawks circling overhead, Northern Parulas gathering nesting material, and multiple Blue-gray Gnatcatchers going about their nesting activities. Yellow-throated and Warbling Vireos singing from the treetops. For the third year in a row, we found a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird building a nest. She started the tiny base of the nest on a branch, and made a dozen trips in with beakfuls of lichen while we watched. The male hummingbird even came in and performed his territorial "U-shaped" flight display directly above the nest! We stood transfixed for 20 minutes watching this mother bird work hard on Mother's Day. A few folks split off from our group to chase down the Olive-sided Flycatcher that Andy U. had reported further down Creek Road, and came back smiling with reports of this rare flycatcher posing cooperatively. We tallied 13 species of warblers (with glimpses of Black-throated Blues, Magnolia, and Black-and-white notably) among the 65 total species. Quality always reigns over quantity on this trip, and our large group once again succeeded in experiencing high-quality looks at the White Clay specialty birds. Hoping you all enjoy the rest of May migration. Good birding, Derek Stoner Delaware Bird-A-Thon Committee Member Subject: Yard birds From: Ann Marie Dinkel <adinkl AT MSN.COM> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 21:51:11 -0400 Saturday morning was exceptional in the yard. Catbird Magnolia warbler Wood Thrush Great Crested Flycatcher And New Yard Bird (3rd new yard bird in 2 weeks) 3 Rose Breasted Grosbeaks, 2 males and a female Also, 3 Wood Ducks in the pond behind the house. Ann Ann Marie Dinkel, RLATG Red Mill Pond Lewes, DE Subject: Spring Roundup - Thank you From: John & Sandy Janowski <jsbirders AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 19:56:08 -0400 To everyone who participated in yesterday's Spring Roundup - a big thank you. You all helped in carrying on the DOS tradition for 50 years! My it continue for another 50 (sto lat)! Please compile your data and turn it into your area coordinator. The earlier it gets in the faster we can write it up in our fine publication the Ornithologist. Also there is lot of May left for good birding here in Delaware. Help pledge for conservation by participating in the Bird-a-Thon. Birding recently purchased property help me eclipse the 100 species mark yesterday. Good Birding. John Janowski Subject: HSR: Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch (12 May 2013) 3 Raptors From: "Hawkcount.Org Reports" <reports AT HAWKCOUNT.ORG> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 18:05:44 -0400 Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch Lewes, Delaware, USA Daily Raptor Counts: May 12, 2013 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 87 Turkey Vulture 0 9 647 Osprey 0 0 74 Bald Eagle 0 0 8 Northern Harrier 0 0 13 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 4 59 Cooper's Hawk 0 0 13 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 20 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 1 79 Merlin 3 10 65 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 2 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 1 2 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 9 Total: 3 25 1079 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 11:00:00 Total observation time: 2 hours Official Counter: Susan Gruver Observers: Visitors: 9 Weather: light wind from the WNW/W clcv 40-75%,vish 15k, temp 17-18c Raptor Observations: Non-raptor Observations: Blue-Grosbeak,Prairie Warbler,Green Heron,B.Eagle,Great-Crested Flycatcher, many Tree and Barn Swallows Predictions: Partly cloudy. High of 63F. Winds from the NW at 10 to 15 mph. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Sue Gruver (srgruver AT aol.com) Subject: Black Skimmer From: Jerry am Ende <alal19808 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 15:01:43 -0700 HI! New to the group.  Today was the first time I've seen a Black Skimmer at Bombay Hook.   http://www.flickr.com/photos/34185009 AT N02/8732973630/   ...Jerry Subject: Dobbinsville Park - 17 Warbler sp. From: Chuck Brandt <cbrandt AT BRANDTBEACH.COM> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 13:56:10 -0700 Lots of warblers around Dobbinsville Park, esp. in the trees in the northeast corner as well as near the road to the compost area.  The best place was on the little paved road through the trees (not the dirt road to the compost area).  The fence is chained shut so you'll follow the road anyway to get around the fence.  Judging by E-bird stats, there was one late departure (Palm Warbler) and one early arrival (Summer Tanager - male, 1st spring plumage).   http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14088239   Good birding!   Chuck Brandt Subject: Red headed woodpeckers From: "samuelandcarol AT netzero.net" <samuelandcarol@NETZERO.NET> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 20:06:52 GMT Does anyone know if red-headed woodpeckers can still be found in Redden Forest? If so, where? Carol Subject: Coverdale Spring Round Up and owl From: Ian Stewart <istew AT UDEL.EDU> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 14:45:48 -0400 I had a fun time doing the Spring Round Up at Coverdale yesterday, with new birds for the year for me being bobolinks, Swainson's thrush, kingbirds, blue grosbeak, indigo bunting and great crested flycatcher. Other notables were no fewer than 14 common yellowthroats, BT blue, redstart, northern waterthrush, veery and wood thrush. Most unexpected was an osprey overhead, and most evident was white-throated sparrow with 25 in several small flocks, whereas I wasn't expecting to see any by now. I was at Carousel Park briefly this morning and heard a big cacophony of crows. As I got closer I saw that they were mobbing a great horned owl and kept chasing it from tree to tree until it disappeared out of sight. Ian Stewart Newark, DE Subject: Bombay Hook warblers and Gray-cheeked Thrush From: Rodney Murray <rodmurray_1999 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 09:50:11 -0700 Great birding at Bombay Hook this morning! 14 warbler species many of which I found around Finis Pool (including a Blue-winged and a Wilson's).  But the real prize for me was a Gray-cheeked Thrush that I never would have looked for had it not been for a MD couple I chatted with.  They found it in the flooded woods on the left side of the road as you pass Parson Point trail. There were several Wood,  one Swainson's, and two Gray-cheeked Thrushes!  A Northern Waterthrush practically bumped into one of them.  Both Orioles and both Tanagers were at BH as well.  It looks like a bumper crop of BN Stilts, too.    Yesterday, there was also a small flock of Bobolinks flitting about one of the ag fields at UD.    I have a question that hopefully someone can answer for me off-line: I heard one of the Gray-cheeked Thrushes sing its song.  I don't know too much about the behavior of Thrushes, so do they normally sing when not at their breeding territory? Rod Murray, Middletown Subject: White crowned sparrow and Ashland on Friday From: Megan Kasprzak <megan.kasprzak AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 07:34:36 -0400 Just a few minutes ago a white-crowned sparrow visited our feeder in Pike Creek. We also have a nest box in our back yard - last weekend there were 7 chickadee eggs and when we checked yesterday there were babies! Mom and dad have been busy flying back and forth with food. At Ashland on Friday evening we came across Blackpoll (it was still there yesterday), Black-throated Blue, and Canada warblers. We also heard a Hooded warbler call two or three times but we couldn't track it down. Does anyone know of a good place to see a Hooded warbler? We would love to see one. Megan Kasprzak Pike Creek, DE Subject: FW: eBird Report - Lynn Yard B, May 10, 2013 From: Sharon Lynn <slynn001 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Fri, 10 May 2013 21:00:55 -0400 My yard was full of birds this morning. I started hearing warblers around 6 am, and ran outside to listen to and see them. I added many birds to my year yard list. Below is the list, which includes many migrants. I also had my FOY CHUCK-WILLS-WIDOW last night. Sharon Lynn Rehoboth Beach Lynn Yard B, Sussex, US-DE May 10, 2013 6:15 AM - 7:45 AM Protocol: Stationary 40 species (+1 other taxa) Canada Goose 4 Great Egret 3 Snowy Egret 1 Green Heron 1 Killdeer 1 Laughing Gull 8 Mourning Dove 1 Chimney Swift 3 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 Downy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 3 Fish Crow 2 Tree Swallow 1 Barn Swallow 1 Carolina Chickadee 2 Tufted Titmouse 2 Carolina Wren 1 American Robin 5 Gray Catbird 1 Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling 4 Cedar Waxwing 6 Common Yellowthroat 1 American Redstart 1 Northern Parula 5 Magnolia Warbler 1 Black-throated Blue Warbler 3 Yellow-rumped Warbler 3 Black-throated Green Warbler 2 warbler sp. 3 Northern Cardinal 4 Red-winged Blackbird 5 Common Grackle 10 Brown-headed Cowbird 6 Orchard Oriole 1 American Goldfinch 4 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14065261 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) Subject: A couple more from Bombay Hook From: Brian McCaffrey <DELRCHER AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 10 May 2013 20:48:35 -0400 After a quick scan through the pictures I took today I can add Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Carolina Chickadee, and a Northern Flicker to my list of birds that I photographed today... Brian McCaffrey http://www.flickr.com/photos/delrcher/ Subject: Middle Run This morning From: Dennis Barrowclough <barrowclough AT VERIZON.NET> Date: Fri, 10 May 2013 20:21:22 -0400 Took a walk with Becky around Middle Run this a.m. Lots of singing - Good looks at Blue-winged warbler (among the olives), common yellowthroat, house sparrow, black and white warbler, eastern bluebird, tree swallow, gray catbird, northern cardinal, American Redstart (ascending path back to meadow). Highlight for me was the barred owl flying overhead and perching in a tree about 50 ft. away - near the creek. Only two photos - blue-winged warbler and barred owl: http://www.flickr.com/photos/creationsbykathy/sets/72157633466653058/with/87 26506833/