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18 Nov Dickcissel at Lucky Hammock ["Roberto Torres" ] 7 Nov Interesting video of an...Ivory-billed Woodpecker? [John Puschock ] 5 Nov Sabine's Gull off Virginia Key, Miami-Dade, 11/5 ["Roberto Torres" ] 04 Nov WDW - Walt Disney World ["birding_jamie" ] 03 Nov Birding near WDW Dec. 3rd, ideas needed please ["birding_jamie" ] 03 Nov for Hummer lovers [John Epler ] 2 Nov Mass Sandhill Canes Incoming ? [Fred ] 02 Nov FL Scrub Jay ["jerryroseland" ] 2 Nov Yellow-rumps, RC Kinglets and other yard birds [] 31 Oct Jaeger Trifecta off Miami - 10/30 ["Roberto Torres" ] 29 Oct RFI: Central FL specialties and Everglades Flamingos [Gary Meyer ] 26 Oct birding New Providence and Paradise Islands, October 21-25 [Stephen Johnson ] 25 Oct November 15th pelagic ["Murray Gardler" ] 20 Oct Audubon of the Everglades Florida Keys tour, October 18, 2009 [Larry Manfredi ] 16 Oct Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Matheson Hammock, day eight ["roberto.torres52" ] 15 Oct Just Joined ["roberto.torres52" ] 13 Oct Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Miami/Dade County [Larry Manfredi ] 10 Oct National refuge Week Celebration ["Thomas J. Dunkerton" ] 10 Oct Big Sit tomorrow [David Simpson ] 07 Oct Audubon Society of the Everglades Grand Bahama tour October 3-4, 2009 [Larry Manfredi ] 05 Oct Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival Dry Tortugas Tour [Larry Manfredi ] 30 Sep Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival [Larry Manfredi ] 24 Sep Bird Conservation Alliance Meeting Nov. 12 at U.S. Capitol Visitors Center [Steve Holmer ] 23 Sep Re: How do I post my irst message? [Larry Manfredi ] 22 Sep Western Spindalis [Larry Manfredi ] 17 Sep Western Spindalis Long Pine Key Everglades National Park [Larry Manfredi ] 17 Sep Florida Keys Pelagic trip has one space left [Larry Manfredi ] 14 Sep Save the boreal forests for warblers! Tell President Obama ["Renne Leatto" ] 12 Sep probable BROWN BOOBY at St. Andrews SP [] 12 Sep Pelagic trip Friday September 25th. [Larry Manfredi ] 10 Sep MINWR trip 9/9/09 [] 10 Sep Goals, not Cockatiels [David Simpson ] 09 Sep Six Western Spindalis in Everglades National Park Long Pine Key [Larry Manfredi ] 1 Sep White Brown Pelican-Lakeland [Tom Palmer ] 14 Aug change of E-MAIL ADDRESS [] 29 Jul Participants needed for bird feeding study ["national_bird_feeding_society" ] 27 Jul remove my subscription [] 26 Jul re changing e-mail address [] 20 Jul Swallow-tailed kites Hendry and Collier Counties [Ralph Pike ] 14 Jul Are there any Anis left?! ["sethfactor" ] 12 Jul Great Birding day [Vincent McGrath ] 06 Jul birding at Nassau [Stephen Johnson ] 1 Jul Article on how Hurricane Charley affected Florida Scrub-Jays in Charlotte County [] 1 Jul From marconews.com: State declines to file charges against 7 accused in bird shooting case [] 1 Jul FW:] Boca Grande nesting areas ["Charlie Ewell" ] 01 Jul Re: From naplesnews.com: Seven face charges for killing protected birds [Wes Biggs ] 1 Jul From naplesnews.com: Seven face charges for killing protected birds [] 28 Jun Local Lee coast birds [Vincent McGrath ] 26 Jun Re: August 9th pelagic trip from Marathon [Larry Manfredi ] 26 Jun August 9th pelagic trip from Marathon [Larry Manfredi ] 21 Jun Karick Lake in Blackwater River State Forest ["gatormomlynne" ] 12 Jun RFI: Horned larks ["gatormomlynne" ] 07 Jun Zenaida Dove No [Larry Manfredi ] 06 Jun Zenaida Dove negative reports [Larry Manfredi ] 05 Jun Zenaida Dove NO [Larry Manfredi ] 04 Jun Zenaida Dove directions and so advice! [Larry Manfredi ] 4 Jun Zenaida Dove Key Largo [] 01 Jun Horned Larks continue Concord Road Bascom, FL 30 May 09 [David Simpson ] 31 May Greater Sand-Plover ["gafcity47" ] 28 May Re: Toelagic trip from May 16th. [Larry Manfredi ] 28 May Toelagic trip from May 16th. [Larry Manfredi ] 23 May Breeding season kestrel sightings needed south of Orlando [smljay ] 22 May White-winged Doves in Orange County [Wes Biggs ] 21 May Owls - seeking info [Denise Manderscheid ] 21 May Greater Sand-Plover still present [] 21 May [Fwd: Greater Sand Plover-20May09-Wednesday] [Wes Biggs ] 20 May Fwd: [BRDBRAIN] Sand-Plover SSP and possible origin [] 19 May [Fwd: [FLBIRDS] Huguenot Park conditions] [Margie Wilkinson ] 18 May [Fwd: [FLBIRDS] Article on Greater Sand-Plover] [Wes Biggs ] 18 May Re: Sand plover crowd estimates? ["dotrobbins AT juno.com" ] 18 May Sand plover crowd estimates? [Tom Palmer ] 18 May Wildlife Corridor correct URL [Wes Biggs ] 18 May Major threat to critical wildlife corridor !!! [Wes Biggs ] 17 May Greater Sand-Plover ["Murray Gardler" ] 17 May Greater Sand-Plover ["Murray Gardler" ] 17 May Greater Sand-Plover ["Murray Gardler" ] Subject: Dickcissel at Lucky Hammock From: "Roberto Torres" <rtorres AT tnc.org> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:41:28 -0500 A juvenile female Dickcissel this morning SW of Lucky Hammock. Also hundreds of sparrows, mostly Savannah and Grasshopper, and a single Clay-colored. The White-tailed Kite was in the area, and there were 2 Least Flycatchers across from Lucky Hammock. Not much else that was noteworthy, and we went as far as Pa-hay-okee. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet and N. Waterthrush at the culvert before the research center were nice finds. Roberto Miami-Dade Subject: Interesting video of an...Ivory-billed Woodpecker? From: John Puschock <g_g_allin AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 23:46:01 +0000 Hi all, "Fishcrow" is still looking for Ivory-billed Woodpeckers on the Pearl River. He just posted this video: http://www.fishcrow.com/flight5nov09.mp4 Can Red-headed Woodpecker be eliminated? Everything else? John Puschock Seattle, WA g_g_allin AT hotmail.com http://www.zbirdtours.com & http://www.birdtreks.com _________________________________________________________________ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MFESRP&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sabine's Gull off Virginia Key, Miami-Dade, 11/5 From: "Roberto Torres" <rtorres AT tnc.org> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 20:14:46 -0500 After seeing the wind pick up to 20-25 kts and gusting this afternoon, I decided to do a sea watch after work. I went to Virginia Key and walked along the shore to the easternmost area facing the range markers offshore. The first bird was a large duck flying south just before I was set up, then shortly afterward a Pomarine Jaeger also flew south. Later a flock of about 15 distant ducks went unidentified. Northern Gannets were constantly flying south along the reef, and a few Laughing Gulls flew just off the beach heading north slowly against the strong NE winds. I noticed a single gull, considerably smaller than a laughing, flying north by itself in the direction of Fisher Island that caught my attention in the binocs. Unlike the laughings, this one was flying very gracefully, almost enjoying the strong winds. I quickly put the scope on it and got excellent looks. The wings had the distinct black bar from the bend to the wingtips on the leading edge, and with the gray back showing the distinctive pattern of a Sabine's. The bird is a nonbreeding adult. If anyone knows a gull hangout in the southern Miami Beach area near Government Cut, this would be the place to check. With strong winds the next 5 days, coupled with the time of year, this is the time to check the coast. I plan on being out there again Monday before work. I went there this afternoon hoping to see a Scoter, and found a Sabine's Gull instead. I hate when that happens! Subject: WDW - Walt Disney World From: "birding_jamie" <birding_jamie AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:48:33 -0000 Sorry for any confusion this has caused. I meant to say that WDW stands for Walt Disney World Jamie Mullin Denver, CO --- In FlaBirding AT yahoogroups.com, "birding_jamie" wrote: > > Hi, Jamie here > > I am a current resident of Denver, CO and plan on doing a 3-day birding adventure the first week of December after a trip to the WDW resort. I don't mind having to drive to get to some of the "hot spots" but I will only have 3 days so i was just wondering what a good "bang for the drive" would be out there in Florida. I have a Falcon Guide book to Birding Florida to get me started but would definitely like some first hand knowledge. > > I started birding 3 years ago on the coast in California so i am not new to some of the coastal birds. I do not however have many of the eastern lifers. I am also very interested in photo opportunities as I do not add a bird to my life list unless I have a photo of it! > > Any help is greatly appreciated. Among some of my species I would like to add tot he list: Caracara, Stork, Spoonbills, cranes, raptors, owls, warblers, finches. Thanks in advance for your reply. > > Jamie Mullin > My Birding website and Photography: http://www.aves101.com > Subject: Birding near WDW Dec. 3rd, ideas needed please From: "birding_jamie" <birding_jamie AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:14:41 -0000 Hi, Jamie here I am a current resident of Denver, CO and plan on doing a 3-day birding adventure the first week of December after a trip to the WDW resort. I don't mind having to drive to get to some of the "hot spots" but I will only have 3 days so i was just wondering what a good "bang for the drive" would be out there in Florida. I have a Falcon Guide book to Birding Florida to get me started but would definitely like some first hand knowledge. I started birding 3 years ago on the coast in California so i am not new to some of the coastal birds. I do not however have many of the eastern lifers. I am also very interested in photo opportunities as I do not add a bird to my life list unless I have a photo of it! Any help is greatly appreciated. Among some of my species I would like to add tot he list: Caracara, Stork, Spoonbills, cranes, raptors, owls, warblers, finches. Thanks in advance for your reply. Jamie Mullin My Birding website and Photography: http://www.aves101.com Subject: for Hummer lovers From: John Epler <johnepler3 AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:36:38 -0500 NOT the gas hog Hummer! http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8338000/8338728.stm -- John H. Epler, Ph.D. Aquatic Entomologist Tiger Hammock Road, just south of Wakulla Springs in north Florida Interested in chironomid midges, water beetles or water bugs? Please check out my site at: http://home.comcast.net/~johnepler3/index.html Subject: Mass Sandhill Canes Incoming ? From: Fred <fred AT cetussoft.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 23:44:19 -0500 Hello. There is a group of five sandhill cranes that has recently left Wareham Massachusetts (just across Buzzards Bay from Cape Cod) and may possibly be on their way to Florida. It appears that a single group of up to a half dozen sandhill cranes has been spending part of each year for the last several years on the cranberry bogs and ponds of Wareham MA, and they have been actively watched by some MA birders (especially since sandhill cranes are very uncommon birds "up here" in Massachusetts). On October 29th, the last day the cranes were seen in Wareham, a group of five cranes were spotted flying from Mass into RI, heading toward the Portsmouth RI area. Then there was a report the same day from a hawk watch in Greenwich CT that noted a tight formation of five cranes heading toward the NYC area. On October 30th there were reports of a group of five cranes seen both lifting off the ground at Merrill Creek NJ and then in the air at a hawk watch at Scott's Mountain NJ. So, it would seem that they're on their way southward. Of course, the big question is, are they the same five cranes? While certainly not completely definitive, a comparison of a photo taken of the birds in flight at the Scott's Mountain hawk watch ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrd_photos/4063137832/sizes/l/ ) and my photos from Wareham MA of "our" cranes flying at sunset on Oct 26th ( http://fredw.smugmug.com/Animals/WarehamCraneberryCranes-102609/10104828_2y3Tr/1/693923477_HJvqD/Large http://fredw.smugmug.com/Animals/WarehamCraneberryCranes-102609/10104828_2y3Tr/1/693925004_AH4v3/Large ), shows one of the five cranes in each case having what might seem to be the same left wing "notch". So, for those of you in Florida, where the cranes ~might~ possibly be heading for the winter season (and where I will also luckily be later on during January - ) -- if you do happen to see a group of five sandhill cranes going over, and can spot (or maybe even get a photo of) one of them having such a "notch" in its left wing, please let me know - there would be a number of MA birders that would be delighted to hear of such news. Yes, I know that it sounds like a "wild crane chase", but who knows... Thanks for listening. Fred (Frederick Wasti) Mostly in Marshfield in Massachusetts ("craneberry country") Subject: FL Scrub Jay From: "jerryroseland" <JerryGolub AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:06:16 -0000 A friend will be visiting FL from Nov 13-20 and would like to see FL Scrub Jay. I haven't seen any at Melbourne Beach in years where they used to be regular. She will be in Orlando the 1st 3 days and can do some birding in the afternoons, be west of Ft Lauderdale) for 2 days, then drive N on rt 27 to Lakeland for 2 days. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, jerry golub Subject: Yellow-rumps, RC Kinglets and other yard birds From: SMLJAY AT aol.com Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 13:44:33 EST Over the weekend I had a small flock of 4-6 yellow rumps flying around between my yard and my neighbor's yard. Thurs - Sat last week I noted some activity in my neighbor's Hackberry tree and combined I had gnatcatchers, Prairie warbler, B&W warblers (2), N. Parula (2), Palm warblers (2+), yellow-rumps, E. Phoebe, and in my own yard in the vines on the back fence a Worm-eating Warbler! that was exciting to say the least! the birds were eating the insects flying about in the tree, not the berries. Saturday I also had my FOS Ruby-crowned Kinglets (2) and one was still out back this morning too. Sarah Linney Cocoa, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Jaeger Trifecta off Miami - 10/30 From: "Roberto Torres" <rtorres AT tnc.org> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:32:25 -0400 Trey, Paul B., and I headed out early this morning hoping to catch the migration of Jaegers as they head to waters down south. We began trying to catch bait before dawn hoping to add a few fish for dinner in the process. Shortly after clearing Government Cut and passing the first range markers, we saw the first group of Northern Gannets as they two headed south. A few drifts over the reef line produced only 1 mackerel and two Pomarine Jaegers, so we headed offshore in hopes of finding more birds. A run out to 1,100 ft. and back produced nothing, so we went back to the 100 ft. area where we had started. We soon started seeing more Jaegers, and had one flock of 13 Pomarines pass right next to the boat. This flock had individuals of various ages and one dark morph as well. Nice. While drifting in 80 feet we spotted a flock of gulls inside of us acting startled, then we saw two Jaegers mixed in with them. The jaegers made a couple of swoops then they hit the deck and headed south real fast. We intercepted them and ran alongside them for about 2 miles, and had great looks at the two: a Parasitic and a Long-tailed. Sweet! That was an awesome experience. We were treated to a bonus in being able to see the differences between the two side-by-side. We saw various groups of Gannets throughout the day, and also a few Brown Booby, mostly juveniles, but one real nice adult. Our final sighting was a group of 9 more Pomarines to finish off an awesome outing. Fishing was slow, with only 2 Mackerel and 2 Mahi to show for it. Our tally: Long-tailed Jaeger Parasitic Jaeger Pomarine Jaeger (34) Jaeger sp (2, with one a possible Parasitic) Brown Booby (7) Northern Gannet (40-50) Roberto Subject: RFI: Central FL specialties and Everglades Flamingos From: Gary Meyer <weissalberich AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:52:12 -0700 (PDT) Hi Florida birders: I will be spending an extended weekend in Miami in early December and would like some tips on locations for the following central Florida birds: Red-cockaded Woodpecker Bachman's Sparrow Brown-headed Nuthatch Florida Scrub Jay I could also use a location around Miami for: Seaside Sparrow Spot-breasted Oriole White-winged Parakeet I have Pranty from maybe 10 years ago already, so I don't know how much has changed since then in terms of hot spots.  I don't mind distance driving - maybe as far as Orlando. Also, I would like to make yet another attempt to see the flamingos at Snake Bight.  Is December a decent time of the year to try?  Ideally, I would like to boat around to Snake Bight.  Does anyone have any idea of someone I could charter to paddle me around there?  I am not inherently seaworthy but can follow directions. Thanks for any suggestions- Gary Meyer San Francisco, CA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: birding New Providence and Paradise Islands, October 21-25 From: Stephen Johnson <stevejohnson2 AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:40:30 -0400 I had a great 4-day stay at Nassau / Paradise Island last week. Thanks to Carolyn Wardle for excellent guide services which turned up far more birds than I could have found by myself. She knew about a unique location for one species; provided expert help distinguishing one species from another; saved us a lot of time trying to distinguish species by pointing out that one of them is not usually found on the island; knew the local roads and drove us around; adapted our tour plan to avoid a lengthy rain shower at one location; located local birds by their calls, which none of us tourists knew; and broadened our experience by describing some of the natural history of the birds and recent environmental changes at these islands. Best birds were, well, all the Caribbean birds I'd never seen in the U.S. (including lots of South Florida birding over the years). Bananaquit, Bahama Woodstar, Gray Kingbird, Loggerhead Kingbird, Black- Faced Grassquit, Thick-Billed Vireo (heard very well many times, not seen), Neotropic Cormorant, etc. etc. We saw a good number of N. American warblers, but I had to chuckle at our extended views of one of them - a Northern Waterthrush, which was a life bird for me. It cracks me up, after birding Florida and Virginia for many years, to find my first Northern Waterthrush in the Bahamas. I have no special recommendations for birding there, other than bring your binoculars (which you probably already figured out) and definitely employ a local guide. I will also excerpt the last few lines of the Rough Guide's entry for the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, which are relevant if you plan to bird near there: "... there is little here to suggest that you are in the Bahamas. If you just want to relax by the pool with a cool drink and are in the mood for glitz, decadence and lots of company, you'll love it. If not, you might go mad." Birders beware. The "Twin Ponds" just east of Atlantis is probably the only exception (to the above) left on Paradise Island. I also found some promising-looking habitat just west of Atlantis, but apparently the birds did not agree with my appraisal. - Steve Johnson Fairfax, Virginia, USA Subject: November 15th pelagic From: "Murray Gardler" <mangrovefirst AT tampabay.rr.com> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:56:07 -0400 I may have missed this posting on Flabirding so I am posting for Michael ! Pelagic Birding Trip with the Marine Science Center November 15, 2009 The Friends of the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet is sponsoring a pelagic birding trip on Sunday, November 15, 2009. The trip will head out from the New Smyrna side of the Inlet to "The Steeples" -- an area of sea mounts and upwellings on the western edge of the Gulf Stream. This trip holds the probability of encountering numerous pelagic species. Jaeger migration should be active. This trip is during the beginning of winter migration, when there are good chances at fall migrants such as Manx Shearwater, and the possibility of winter rarities such as Fulmar. Potential Species include (* = good probability): Common Loon* Cory's Shearwater * Greater Shearwater * Sooty Shearwater Audubon's Shearwater * Manx Shearwater * Wilson's Storm Petrel * Leach's Storm-Petrel * Band-rumped Storm-Petrel Northern Fulmar Northern Gannet * Red-billed Tropicbird (Seen on Nov. 2007 trip) White-tailed Tropicbird Red Phalarope * Red-necked Phalarope * Pomarine Jaeger * Parasitic Jaeger * Long-tailed Jaeger (Seen on Nov. 2007 trip) Arctic Tern Sooty Tern Bridled Tern * Brown Noddy Sabine's Gull Black-legged Kittiwake Black Scoter * White-winged Scoter Surf Scoter * We will have excellent leaders for the trip including Bob Wallace, Andy Bankert, David Simpson, Roberto Torres, Dave Goodwin, Mitchell Harris, Wes Biggs, Murray Gardler, Michael Brothers, and John Hintermister. The trip will be aboard "The Pastime Princess" a 100-foot, all-aluminum boat with excellent observation areas on the upper deck and bow and even a nice stern seating area. The cabin can also accommodate 30-40 in air-conditioned comfort. To learn more about the boat go http://www.pastimeprincess.com . The trip will depart at 6:00 a.m. from the Manatee Cruise/Sea Harvest Restaurant Marina on Riverside Drive near Canal Street in downtown New Smyrna Beach (phone 386-427- 5393) and return at 6:00 pm. You must be on the boat 15 minutes prior to departure; the boat will not wait for anyone who is late. Participants can bring their own food and beverages, but food service will also be available for breakfast and lunch at moderate prices. Be sure to bring warm layered clothing, rain gear, seasickness medicine, sunscreen and personal items. COST: $120/person. Please send checks, made payable to "The Friends of the Marine Science Center" to: Friends of the Marine Science Center 100 Lighthouse Drive Ponce Inlet. FL 32127 To sign up please contact: Michael Brothers Marine Science Center 100 Lighthouse Drive Ponce Inlet, FL 32127 386-304-5543 Murray Gardler Brooksville, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Audubon of the Everglades Florida Keys tour, October 18, 2009 From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:39:32 -0400 I had the pleasure of leading 14-members of the Audubon Society of the Everglades on a tour of the keys. I thought that with all of the hot steamy weather that we had in the last few days, that it would not be that great of a trip. We were all pleasantly surprised that a strong cold front made it down, we had excellent weather with tons of birds. I decided that we should go to Key West because of the front, I knew that there would be a lot of birds there. We were only going to do the middle keys and then bird northward along the way. I am glad that the group decided to go with my plan of heading to Key West. Fort Zachary Taylor was the place to be and we were there! We arrived at about 9:00 a.m., we had birds everywhere, it was a fallout! We had only a half a day to bird but were not disappointed in the large numbers of all kinds of birds. We had 13-species of warbler and numerous other migrants with lots of raptors. A trip report can be see here: http://www.southfloridabirding.com/html/Audubon_Society_of_the_Everglades.htm It was a wonderful half day of birding that I wish was a full day, oh well, it was good while it lasted. Carl Goodrich was able to stay out until dark and can up with 19-species of warbler! Larry Manfredi Homestead, FL. E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net http://www.southfloridabirding.com Subject: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Matheson Hammock, day eight From: "roberto.torres52" <rtorres AT tnc.org> Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:06:40 -0000 The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher was seen again throughout the day in the same area. I saw it this afternoon around 5:30 in the oaks right over the wooden stake with the water valve on it. This is directly south of the bathroom just before the covered picnic shelter. Roberto Miami-Dade Subject: Just Joined From: "roberto.torres52" <rtorres AT tnc.org> Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:47:58 -0000 I think I got it right. There, you happy now Mr. M.? Subject: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Miami/Dade County From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:14:12 -0400 On Monday October 12th. I was able to see the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher found by Roberto Torres. Roberto found the bird on Thursday October 9th. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to find the bird about 10-minutes after arriving. I was able to call other birders over to see the bird, it gave us very close and beautiful looks. After many photos and great looks, the bird even called for us which was really nice. For a series of photos and directions please go here: http://www.southfloridabirding.com/html/recent_rarities..htm We were able to watch it catch and eat a large moth, it sure had trouble swallowing the moth. Larry Manfredi Homestead, FL E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net http://www.southfloridabirding.com Subject: National refuge Week Celebration From: "Thomas J. Dunkerton" <woundedmallard AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:09:57 -0400 * NEWS RELEASE* * **U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service* * Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge* *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Nancy Corona* *DATE: 10/10/09 OFFICE PHONE: 321-861-5601* *Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week * *At Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge* *Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week on Saturday, October 17 at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge from 10 am 3 pm. This annual event celebrates the Refuge System's pivotal role in offering visitors outdoor recreational opportunities as well as showcasing the conservation and recovery of wildlife species on Refuges across the country. All activities and programs are FREE.* *General Nature Tour—9 am* * Creating a Back Yard Wildlife Garden—11 am* *Safari Todd’s Live Wildlife Meet & Greet—10 am to 3 pm* * Snakes Alive Exhibit—10 am to 2 pm* * Brevard Zoo Live Animal Exhibit - 11 am to 1 pm* * Live Hawk & Eagle Exhibit— 10:30 to 2:30 pm* * Native Plant Society Plant Sale -10 am to 2 pm* * * *Kids Craft Program - Make a bird feeder - 10:30 am to 2 pm* * Kids Animal Olympics Game— 11 am to 2 pm* *Manatee Watch at Observation Deck- 1 pm to 3 pm* *Free Refuge Week Poster, Activity booklets, Wildlife Stickers,* *& Face painting.* * Live Music from 12 pm to 3 pm.* * * *Please call 321-861-5601 for information. The Refuge Visitor Center is located on SR 402, 5 miles east of U.S. 1 in Titusville. * [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ FlaBirding - Florida and Bahama Birding website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/ Unsubscribe, mail to: FlaBirding-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Nomail, mail to: FlaBirding-nomail AT yahoogroups.com Resume from Nomail, mail to: FlaBirding-normal AT yahoogroups.comYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:FlaBirding-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:FlaBirding-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: FlaBirding-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Big Sit tomorrow From: David Simpson <simpsondavid AT mac.com> Date: Sat, 10 Oct 2009 09:21:03 -0400 Hi all, The Big Sit happens tomorrow. I'll be sitting on the dirt pile on the north side of Sebastian Inlet starting about 0600. I only plan to do a couple hours. For more information check the website. http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/funbirds/bigsit/bigsit.aspx David Simpson Fellsmere, FL Subject: Audubon Society of the Everglades Grand Bahama tour October 3-4, 2009 From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:26:10 -0400 I was able to lead the above trip last weekend, we had some great birds including some rarities. For a full report please go here: http://www.southfloridabirding.com/html/Birds_of_Grand_Bahama_October_3-4_2009.htm We had a Townsend's Warbler and a Tropical/Couch's Kingbird. The kingbird could be a first record for the Bahamas, the Townsend's Warbler may be a second record? Larry Manfredi Homestead, FL E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net http://www.southfloridabirding.com Subject: Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival Dry Tortugas Tour From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:44:17 -0400 On September 27th. I lead a trip out to the Dry Tortugas for the Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival. We had a great trip with some good birds seen. To read a trip report with photos please go here: http://www.southfloridabirding.com/html/Florida%20Keys%20Birding%20and%20Wildlife%20Festival%209-27-2009.htm Larry Manfredi Homestead, FL E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net Subject: Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:33:01 -0400 On Friday September 25th. I lead a pelagic trip to the Marathon Hump for the Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival. The seas were not too bad, we had some pretty good birds seen. For a trip report with pictures, please go here: http://www.southfloridabirding.com/html/Florida%20Keys%20Birding%20and%20Wildlife%20Festival%20Pelagic%20trip%209-25,%202009.htm Larry Manfredi Homestead, Fl E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net Subject: Bird Conservation Alliance Meeting Nov. 12 at U.S. Capitol Visitors Center From: Steve Holmer <sholmer AT abcbirds.org> Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:45:09 -0700 To: All Bird Lovers and Bird Conservation Activists From: Steve Holmer, Director, Bird Conservation Alliance Date: September 24, 2009 Bird Conservation Alliance Meeting November 12th, 2009 9:30 am to 5:00 pm At the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center The Bird Conservation Alliance Meeting will be November 12 and located at the new Capitol Visitors Center, in the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. The Bird Conservation Alliance is a network of 195 organizations working together to conserve wild birds. The theme of this meeting is "Reversing the Decline of Neotropical Migratory Bird Species and Protecting Their Habitats." To register visit: http://www.abcbirds.org/membership/BCA_1109_reg.html The meeting will feature several keynotes; Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson have been invited to speak as have congressional champions Sen. Ben Cardin, and Representatives Ron Kind and Frank Kratovil. Panels include "Strategies to Address the Decline of Neotropical Migrant Species", "Reducing Threats to Migratory Birds", "Legislative and Administration Opportunities to Conserve Migratory Birds", and "Joint Ventures and other Partnerships Benefiting Migratory Birds." Each panel will be followed by questions and discussion. For more information, please contact Steve Holmer, sholmer AT abcbirds.org, 202/234-7181 and to register visit: http://www.abcbirds.org/membership/BCA_1109_reg.html Steve Holmer Director of the Bird Conservation Alliance & Senior Policy Advisor American Bird Conservancy 202/234-7181 ext. 216 sholmer AT abcbirds.org www.birdconservationalliance.org www.abcbirds.org The Bird Conservation Alliance (BCA) is a network of organizations working together to conserve wild birds. BCA is facilitated by American Bird Conservancy which conserves native wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. [cid:image001.jpg AT 01CA3D1D.3B77BFD0] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: How do I post my irst message? From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:32:59 -0400 Hi Dotty, All you have to do is send you message to the e-mail below. It will go out to all 450 subscribers. Flabirding AT yahoogroups.com Let me know if you have any other questions. Larry flbird40 AT att.net wrote: > Hi Larry, > I would like to post an introductary message but can't see where to do it. Thanks, > Dotty Hull > > > > Subject: Western Spindalis From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:59:49 -0400 I saw the adult male Western Spindalis this morning at 9:30. It was on the south side of the hammock by gate 3 north of the residences building. If you walked east through gate 3 the bird was on the left inside the hammock perched and calling from the top of a very skinny pine. It was giving its long "seeeeeep" call which can be hard to hear. Larry Manfredi Homestead, FL. E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net http://www.southfloridabirding.com Subject: Western Spindalis Long Pine Key Everglades National Park From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:47:22 -0400 Jim from Georgia and I saw the adult Western Spindalis at about 7:30 this morning as well as an immature male. The birds were seen together on the west side of the road next to the Long Pine Key nature trail just north of the residence building. Four birders from Tennessee arrived later, I hope they had luck finding the birds. At the Annex south of Lucky Hammock, we had good views of a calling Alder Flycatcher as well seeing two others. In Key Largo we saw and heard an Alder Flycatcher in Gulfstream Estates. The birds was seen at the end of Gulfstream Road just beyond a cable across a dirt road. Gulfstream Estates is located along 905 road in North Key Largo. We also had a light morph Short-tailed Hawk, White-crowned Pigeon as well as a few common warbler species. Larry Manfredi Homestead, FL E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net Subject: Florida Keys Pelagic trip has one space left From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:48:24 -0400 For those interested, there is one space left for the Florida Keys Pelagic trip on Friday September 25th.. Call Bruce to sign up: 305-852-4486 This should be a fun trip with some cool birds. There are also spaces left on the all day Dry Tortugas Tour on Sunday September 27th, please call Bruce to sign up for that as well. Larry Manfredi Homestead, FL. E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net Subject: Save the boreal forests for warblers! Tell President Obama From: "Renne Leatto" <rennel AT cfl.rr.com> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:36:21 -0400 http://www.nrdc.org/action/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: probable BROWN BOOBY at St. Andrews SP From: swamphen AT heirborn.net Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:17:50 -0400 Observed what I believe to be a juvenile BROWN BOOBY just off the end of the jetty at St. Andrews Bay State Park in Panama City this afternoon. The sulid in question was brown all over, noticably smaller than the gannets I've seen in the past, and repeatedly diving at very low angles into the water - not once "high-diving" like a gannet. I feel very comfortable calling this one... Gray Kingbirds were on the wires just outside the park, as well. Earlier at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park I had two banded SNOWY PLOVERS - one had what looked like an unusually tall white band on the left lower leg; the second bird having a sequnce of: Yellow on left leg, Silver above knee/Green below on its right leg. Also a Loggerhead Shrike was on the power lines in front of the Eglin AFB tracking station along CR-30E. -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USA Subject: Pelagic trip Friday September 25th. From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:02:02 -0400 For those interested there will be a pelagic trip offered from Marathon in the Florida Keys, with the 11th Annual Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival. We had a good trip last year with multiple sightings of Black-capped Petrel which is always a tough bird to see in Florida. For a trip report from last year go here: http://www.southfloridabirding.com/html/floridakeysfestivalpelagictrip.htm This will be a small group tour with a limit of I think 12-participants. On September 27th there will be an all day trip to the Dry Tortugas, this is a great time of year for migrants and who knows what. Fall birding can be really good with unexpected rarities if we are lucky. A trip report can be seen here from last year: http://www.southfloridabirding.com/html/Floridakeysbirdingfestivaldrytortugas.htm For more information and to book one of these fabulaous trips go the the Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival website here: http://www.keysbirdingfest.org/ Larry Manfredi Homestead, FL E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net http://www.southfloridabirding.com Subject: MINWR trip 9/9/09 From: SMLJAY AT aol.com Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:49:41 EDT Hi All, Phyllis Mansfield and myself had a successful birding excursion yesterday to the MINWR and a brief look out at the beach at Eddy Creek crossover. turned up about 78 species (80 if you want to throw in the pigeon and house sparrow we got on the way back to my car). Out of the 78, 17 species were shorebirds, 8 were warblers, and 6 were tern species. Just before the fee booth to Canaveral Nat'l Seashore, we pulled off at the gated road to right and pulled up a Screech Owl as well as some common birds (Towhee, etc.). Past the booth we had probably 3 separate families of scrub-jays and spooked up a few common ground doves and 2 flickers feeding on the side of the road. We had some great shorebirds in a couple of the pulloffs going out to the beach (north side of road) but generally before BioLab turnoff: Stilt Sandpipers, 2 short-billed dowitchers, all 3 small peeps, both yellowlegs, and Killdeer. Beach was expectantly pretty quiet with Black-bellied plovers (some in breeding plumage), willets, sanderlings, and ruddy turnstones as well as the usual pelicans and laughing gulls. Barn Swallows were flying around in small but consistent numbers thoughout the day. Next we drove BioLab Rd. Ran into Danny Bales..well, he nearly ran into us...and we stopped to look at the White-rumped Sandpipers (mud flats west side of road, short distance north). Also there was a lone Black-necked Stilt, other peeps, a semi-palmated plover, and yellowlegs. A Roseate Spoonbill flew over for a splash of color in the sky. Lots of both species of Ibis on the move as well as great and snowy egrets. A bit further up, we stopped again and found 3 or so Yellow warblers. (Here we left Danny taking pictures.) Maybe a couple miles up, there's the post remnants of an old dock and here were 4 black terns and a Forsters, couple of cormorants of course. continuing to drive, there were egrets all along the shoreline for at least 1/2 mile! At one of the spots the grass is short, there was a gathering of more black terns--I counted 24 on the ground and probably another 1/2 dozen in the air as we left there. Other than a flock of Blue-winged teal flying over and another in a pond on the west side of the road with 4-6 Mottled ducks, we didn't see anything new. Next Phyllis and I walked the Oak Hammock Trail, which was pleasantly 98% free of mosquitoes!! we managed to pull 7 species of warblers out of there: N. Parula, black and White, Worm-eating, Ovenbird, Am. redstart (male), Common Yellowthroat, and Yellow-throated Warbler. also White-eyed and Red-eyed vireos and a few Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, along with Downy and Red-bellied woodpeckers. After a brief respite and lunch at the Visitor's Center, we did a quick drive-thru of Black Point. It is pretty quiet out there but we scored some great birds anyway. the first big impoundment has a few herons and egrets and yellowlegs though not much else. We passed a flock of Blue-winged Teal in the impoundment opposite the deep pond. On the straightaway was the best. At stop #6 was a small flock of Black-bellied Plovers, one peep which I was following to try to ID when I discoverd a Gull-billed Tern "hiding" behind the plovers. Off to their left by itself was a large wader...a WHIMBREL...almost missed you! Oh, and off to the right was our one Reddish Egret for the day. At stop#7, was the tern jackpot: Black Skimmers, couple more black terns, mxd flock of Forster's, Royal and Caspian Terns. and then there were 4-5 medium sized shorebirds behind the terns that Phyllis got on and called Pectoral Sandpipers! Awesome. All the way at the last impoundment with water we finally got a Pied-billed Grebe. A great day all-in-all. good birding to all, Sarah Linney Cocoa, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Goals, not Cockatiels From: David Simpson <simpsondavid AT mac.com> Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:09:57 -0400 > Hi all, > > For those interested in following my latest quest, as outlined in a > previous post. I will be posting the progress to my blog. The > entries will automatically go to my Facebook page. I have a couple > of files showing the current state of things. These files should > be posted to the blog and/or Facebook page soon. I have also > posted them to the listserves that can handle attachments. > I have a few trips in store in the next couple weeks. I will be in > Putnam County Saturday participating in a bird survey on Caravelle > Ranch WMA. I will be in Glades County for the NAMC on Sep 19th, > then spend the weekend birding in SW Florida covering many of those > counties Sunday and Monday on the way home. The last week of > September, I plan to be at Big Cypress Preserve for a few days of > volunteering. Afterwards, en route to the FOS meeting in > Gainesville, I plan to visit Scott Bordereaux and do some birding > in Hillsborough and Pasco in the morning before heading to > G'ville. I may hit Union before and Duval after the meeting. I'll > keep things up to date on the blog. > LINKS > > My blog. Search for the County List tags. There aren't any at > this time, but I will have some soon. > http://birdingwdavid.livejournal.com/ > > My website. Has a link to my blog. > http://homepage.mac.com/simpsondavid/ > > My Facebook Page. You need to sign up and become my friend to > fully access the page. > http://www.facebook.com/BirdingwDavidSimpson > > David Simpson > Fellsmere, FL > simpsondavid AT mac.com Subject: Six Western Spindalis in Everglades National Park Long Pine Key From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:51:43 -0400 A pair of Western Spindalis have now succesfully fledged three young in Everglades National Park. The last young fledged on September 1, 2009. This is the first U.S. record of Western Spindalis nesting as far as we know. This is a really exciting find, the park did not want the nest location made public until the birds fledged. For a few photos and some information click here: http://www.southfloridabirding.com/html/Western%20Spindalis%20nesting.htm Larry Manfredi Homestead, FL E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net Subject: White Brown Pelican-Lakeland From: Tom Palmer <tomp47 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 1 Sep 2009 09:22:23 -0700 (PDT) Dear All, This morning I observed a mostly white Brown Pelican with a group of 8 normal plumage Brown Pelicans on a pier by the Larsen Power Plant in Lakeland. The plant is located lat the southeast corner of Lake Parker. This is off Memorial Boulevard (U.S. 92) on East Lake Parker Drive.    Tom Palmer Winter Haven Follow my environmental musings at www.lakebluescrub.blogspot.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: change of E-MAIL ADDRESS From: Marionpelicanpte AT wmconnect.com Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:58:57 EDT Just in case I have not alreay done this, my new e-mail name is swampfox5645 AT yahoo.com I'll look forward to hearing from you. Thanks, Marion [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Participants needed for bird feeding study From: "national_bird_feeding_society" <amshonkwiler AT millikin.edu> Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:10:53 -0000 Hello, The National Bird-Feeding Society is currently assisting in a scientific study of bird seed preferences. Participants will receive free bird feeders, bird seed, poles, and squirrel baffles. In return, participants will be responsible for recording the number of birds visiting each feeder for approximately six weeks. During the six weeks, you will complete twenty-four surveys with each survey taking approximately one hour to complete. You will also be responsible for filling and rotating feeders based on a pre-assigned schedule. Participants must be able to identify all species of birds visiting their feeders, and data collection must be completed by October 31. Interested in participating? Limited slots are available. Visit the National Bird-Feeding Society's website at www.nbfs.org or call us at 1-866-945-3247 before August 12. Thank you! Sincerely, Stacey Shonkwiler Subject: remove my subscription From: Marionpelicanpte AT wmconnect.com Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:47:41 EDT Please unsubscribe me - thank you Marion Conley Sebastian FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: re changing e-mail address From: Marionpelicanpte AT wmconnect.com Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 08:27:25 EDT How do I go about this? Marion Conley Sebastian, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Swallow-tailed kites Hendry and Collier Counties From: Ralph Pike <sharpshinnedhawk2002 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:45:27 -0700 (PDT) Had to travel from Stuart to Naples today so decided to see if I could find the White-tailed Kite Vince McGrath saw last week on Browns Farm Road south of LaBelle.  No luck. West of Clewiston I turned south off of highway 80 onto county road 833 and then onto county road 846 through Immokalee to Naples.  On that path I saw eight Swallow-tailed Kites (the most I have ever seen in one outing) and two Crested Caracara. Good Birding  Ralph Pike Stuart, FL sharpshinnedhawk2002 AT yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Are there any Anis left?! From: "sethfactor" <fakeyseth AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:25:47 -0000 Hi, I've been down to FL various times over the past several years, and have never been able to catch up with any Anis. Are they still around?! If so, can anyone tell me where I might look? I'm heading your way again tomorrow and would like to test my luck once again... Thanks a lot. Seth Subject: Great Birding day From: Vincent McGrath <McAvian AT aol.com> Date: Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:50:04 -0400 Hi all I see I wasn't the only intrepid birder weathering the July heat this weekend. A fellow British birder and I tallied 70 species today starting at Harns Marsh in Lee Co. Attendant Snail Kites and Limpkins inspired us. A Blk-cr Night Heron, many Multi-hued Little Blue heron, roosting black and turkey vultures. We east with Sta-1 as our eastern most destination. In LaBelle we took some side streets to the south and found a Red-headed Woodpecker along with red-bellied, downy, pileated,brown thrasher, white-eyed vireo, 5 species of doves( several white-winged, Eurasian collared, mourning, ground and rock pigeon), red-shouldered hawk, and several common passerine species. Stopped along SR-80 for looks at caracara and Sandhill crane.I heard bobwhite while passing Wellington pkwy a couple of miles east of LaBelle and we enjoyed dueling Bobwhites from fences posts with a meadowlark chorus. At South Bay we jogged south to SR-827A where we began seeing common nighthawks. We found a wet field just south of Belle Glade with a score of blk-necked Stilts, glossy ibis and 2 black-bellied whistling duck, some laughing gulls and a lesser yellowlegs. At STA-1 just a few green and great blue heron but plenty of tri-colored and little blues, a lone spoonbill and another blk-bellied whistling duck. It took a while but did see a barn owl as it flushed from a huge Java Plum tree. Heading back we drove Browns Farm Rd. There are no wet fields at all but plenty of stagin purple martins and a scattering of barn swallows. Then as we approached a thick cluster of Aussie pines we spotted a White-tailed Kite roosting in the nearest tree to the road. Oh, and a lot more nighthawks. We returned to ft myers via SR-78 Spotted a Swallow-tailed Kite soaring along the rim canal just befored Clewiston. While still in Glades Co we spotted a wet pasture with waders and purple gallinule, in Lee Co now we stopped at the wet pasture on 78 that yields so much and were not disappointed 2 caracara, several sandhill crane and more. Stopped along Plantation Rd for eastern bluebird and found three. A red-tailed hawk was spotted circling with a Rex-shouldered hawk Mcavian AT aol.com Vince McGrath Fort Myers, Fl Subject: birding at Nassau From: Stephen Johnson <stevejohnson2 AT verizon.net> Date: Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:28:56 -0400 Hello, I am planning to visit Paradise Island (adjacent to Nassau on New Providence Island) for a few days this October. I have a bunch of questions if anyone is willing to help -- 1) Where are some good birding spots near Nassau? (I realize this is one of the most developed areas of the Bahamas, but I don't have a choice about where I can stay.) 2) I found some bird checklists on the Internet. I'm still looking for a list with seasonal likelihood. That is, Summer Rare, Winter Abundant, etc. for each species. 3) Can you recommend a local bird guide (person) for Nassau? 4) Do you know of any tours, ferrys, or other transportation to nearby, more wild islands? Recommendations for a pelagic boat trip? 5) As an American tourist, what general advice can you give me for birding in the Bahamas? Safety and security in and around Nassau, etc.? 6) I did read on-line about two national parks on New Providence Island, "The Retreat" (11 acres) and "Harold and Wilson Pool" (250 acres). Any advice about either of them? Good, bad, best in the early morning, bring mud boots, etc.? Thank you, and good birding! - Steve Johnson Fairfax, VA Subject: Article on how Hurricane Charley affected Florida Scrub-Jays in Charlotte County From: BrianAhern AT aol.com Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 23:43:52 EDT Hi All, I thought many of you all living in Sarasota & Charlotte Counties would find this article by the FWC of interest. The last time I went out to this area to see the Scrub-Jay population was during the winter of 2005 and you could find them pretty easily around the vacant lots in many of the subdivisions that are north of Babcock-Webb WMA. The link is below: _http://research.myfwc.com/education/view_article.asp?id=32586_ (http://research.myfwc.com/education/view_article.asp?id=32586) Best, Brian Ahern Tampa Bay, FL. BrianAhern AT aol.com Photos: _www.pbase.com/brianahern_ (http://www.pbase.com/brianahern) **************Make your summer sizzle with fast and easy recipes for the grill. (http://food.aol.com/grilling?ncid=emlcntusfood00000005) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: From marconews.com: State declines to file charges against 7 accused in bird shooting case From: birdsatfnt AT bellsouth.net Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 23:13:49 -0400 (EDT) Wes Biggs sent you this: State declines to file charges against 7 accused in bird shooting case http://marconews.com/news/2009/may/04/charges-dropped-against-seven-accused-killing-wadi/ -------- Wes Biggs attached this additional message: More things to ponder! Wes Biggs -------- marconews.com Subject: FW:] Boca Grande nesting areas From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 22:25:57 -0400 Here is the article Wes referenced in his previous email... All, Here is a link to the story mentioned below. It was a recent event: http://www.news-press.com/article/20090604/GREEN/906040366/1075 This type of situation is not unique to Boca Grande. Ft Myers Beach has had this issue for a few years now. We even had a LETE killed and a couple nests destroyed earlier this season by an apparent joyrider on the beach! Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org Burrowing Owl Festival info at: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ FL Ornithological Society info http://fosbirds.org -----Original Message----- From: Birdbrains - Florida Birds/Natural History [mailto:BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU] On Behalf Of David Hartgrove Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 7:04 PM To: BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Subject: [BRDBRAIN] Boca Grande nesting areas Hi, A member here in Daytona Beach sent me a link to the following story posted on a site called "Birders United." It reads as follows: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials roped off 3,000 square yards of beach in Boca Grande, Florida, to protect the nests of snowy plovers and least terns. But residents tore down the ropes and the signs claiming that the state had no right to restrict access to a private beach. Under Florida law, the state owns the beach below the mean water line. But the birds build their nests further onshore. Wildlife officials stated that most private beach owners cooperate with state officials when they are informed of the reasons for roping off nesting areas. Further legislation may be needed in Florida so that endangered birds can be protected wherever they decide to build their nests. Is there any validity to this story? Is it current, or is this something recycled from several years ago? David Hartgrove, President & Conservation Chair, Halifax River Audubon ____________________________________________________________________________ Subject: Re: From naplesnews.com: Seven face charges for killing protected birds From: Wes Biggs <birdsatfnt AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:51:33 -0400 Hi All, It looks the the bird killers shot 3 DCCOs, 1 TRHE, LBHE, 1 SNEG, 10 WHIB, 1 GLIB & a couple of smaller birds that may be swallows or shorebirds. http://myfwc.com/NEWSROOM/09/south/News_09_S_ProtectdBirdsKilled.htm Check out the photos. Shooting protected species at Rookery Bay, & they don't even get charged with the most minimal offense!! I'm royally Pissed!! Wes Biggs Orlando birdsatfnt AT bellsouth.net wrote: > > > > > Wes Biggs sent you the following link: > > Seven face charges for killing protected birds > http://naplesnews.com/photos/galleries/2009/feb/19/seven-face-charges-killing-protected-birds/ > > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > Wes Biggs also attached this additional message: > > Hi All, > > The report that Charlie posted to BrdBrain was the second SW Florida > crime this year. As a NAVY vet. I'm sick at heart & sick to my > stomach. What great officer material these rats will make. > > Wes Biggs > Florida > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > naplesnews.com > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: From naplesnews.com: Seven face charges for killing protected birds From: birdsatfnt AT bellsouth.net Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 21:29:09 -0400 (EDT) Wes Biggs sent you the following link: Seven face charges for killing protected birds http://naplesnews.com/photos/galleries/2009/feb/19/seven-face-charges-killing-protected-birds/ ---------------------------------------------------------- Wes Biggs also attached this additional message: Hi All, The report that Charlie posted to BrdBrain was the second SW Florida crime this year. As a NAVY vet. I'm sick at heart & sick to my stomach. What great officer material these rats will make. Wes Biggs Florida ---------------------------------------------------------- naplesnews.com Subject: Local Lee coast birds From: Vincent McGrath <McAvian AT aol.com> Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:13:37 -0400 Sometimes as the doldrums set in there are some surprises. Yesterday a male house finch was singing from the powerlines the next street over. Why doesn't it come over to my feeders? They are visible to the bird. A young N. Gannet flew by within ten feet of shore today on Captiva Not much but a minor bird fix is better than none. Mcavian AT aol.com Vince McGrath Ft Myers, Fl Subject: Re: August 9th pelagic trip from Marathon From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:41:27 -0400 My pelagic trip will be August 8th not 9th like I mention in the last post. Marathon is a good area to do a pelagic trip from, you can get Antillean Nighthawk at the Marathon Airport. It is also possible to see Mangrove Cuckoo as well. Larry Manfredi Homestead, FL E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net http://www.southfloridabirding.com Larry Manfredi wrote: > > > I will be running a pelagic trip from Marathon to the Marathon Hump on > August 9th. The Marathon Hump creates upwelling which attract bait > fish as well as larger fish. This then attracts lots of pelagic birds, > this is a great trip to add lifers or state birds to your list. This > will be an 8-hour trip perhaps a little more. For more information go > to my website here: > http://www.southfloridabirding.com/html/pelagic_tour.htm > > > Please contact me to make reservations. > > Thanks, > > Larry Manfredi > Homestead, Fl > E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net > http://www.southfloridabirding.com > > Subject: August 9th pelagic trip from Marathon From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:00:57 -0400 I will be running a pelagic trip from Marathon to the Marathon Hump on August 9th. The Marathon Hump creates upwelling which attract bait fish as well as larger fish. This then attracts lots of pelagic birds, this is a great trip to add lifers or state birds to your list. This will be an 8-hour trip perhaps a little more. For more information go to my website here: http://www.southfloridabirding.com/html/pelagic_tour.htm Please contact me to make reservations. Thanks, Larry Manfredi Homestead, Fl E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net http://www.southfloridabirding.com Subject: Karick Lake in Blackwater River State Forest From: "gatormomlynne" <gatormomlynne AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 01:03:11 -0000 The hiking trail around Karick Lake provided some great summer birding last week. It's a 3.5 mile hike in mostly shaded forest. Despite the heat, the birds were plentiful and very active. The highlights: bald eagle yellow-throated vireo yellow-breasted chat blue grosbeak Bachman's sparrow orchard oriole (10, males were singing!) Also saw: red-shouldered hawk northern bobwhite yellow-billed cuckoo common nighthawk chimney swift red-headed woodpecker northern flicker pileated woodpecker eastern kingbird great crested flycatcher eastern wood-peewee purple martin carolina chickadee brown-headed nuthatch eastern bluebird summer tanager eastern towhee as well as the other usual suspects. Missed the horned larks on Concord Rd. however. Lynne Erickson Orange Co. Subject: RFI: Horned larks From: "gatormomlynne" <gatormomlynne AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:42:30 -0000 Does anyone know if the horned larks are still around in Bascom? Will be passing through near there this weekend and can detour to see them if they're still around. Thanks for any info you may have. Lynne Erickson Subject: Zenaida Dove No From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:24:55 -0400 John Kellam and Paul Bithorn were at the spot for most of today until 4:00 p.m., the bird was not seen. Larry Manfredi Homestead, FL E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net http://www.southfloridabirding.com Subject: Zenaida Dove negative reports From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:22:08 -0400 Birders looked this morning and afternoon without any luck, perhaps it is gone. Larry Manfredi Homestead, Fl. E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net Subject: Zenaida Dove NO From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:29:45 -0400 I looked with my wife and son as well as a few other birders this morning and late this afternoon for the Zenaida Dove. We did not see the bird, there was a severe thunderstorm last night with heavy rain. Perhaps that made the bird move somewhere else??? Maybe tomorrow will bring better luck. Larry Manfredi Homestead, FL. E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net Subject: Zenaida Dove directions and so advice! From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:21:52 -0400 My website has directions and a photo of the Zenaida Dove from Key Largo here: http://www.southfloridabirding.com/html/recent_rarities..htm Here are directions as well as advice for this area: *Directions from Florida City/Homestead:* From the south end of the Florida Turnpike, take US1 south to upper Key Largo. After you go over the high bridge you enter Key Largo. Look for a Circle K store and Shell Gas Station on the left side of US1. Just past the Circle K turn left on C-905 road, head north 2-miles. After you pass a neighborhood on your right called I believe Gulfstream Shores, look for Valois st. on your right Turn right on Valois and then right on La Croix ct. *PARK HERE,* there should be room on both sides of La Croix. After you park, walk to Marseilles st., turn left. From this point look down Marseilles east to around the 5-6 telephone pole. Look on both sides of the street for the dove feeding along the road. There is no need to go any farther down Marseilles st. The person who lives on the end of this street is not supposed to be very friendly. There are no other houses on Marseilles st. A *SCOPE* would be very helpful to view this bird and not *SCARE* it away!!! I would recommend not bothering the neighbors on Valois street or any other street. Bird looking down *MARSEILLES ST. *this is your best bet to see the bird. Stay near the beginning of Marseilles so that you don't flush this *SKITTISH BIRD!! *You can not leave the road anywhere in this area, it is either private property or state property. So do not trespass! Thanks, Larry Manfredi Homestead, FL. E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net Subject: Zenaida Dove Key Largo From: birderlm AT bellsouth.net Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 19:53:06 +0000 I just found a Zenaida Dove with Jim Kopitzke and my son Philip. The bird was seen on Marseilles road. This road is north of US1 by about 3 miles. I will post pictures and better directions later. Larry Manfredi Homestead, Fl E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T Subject: Horned Larks continue Concord Road Bascom, FL 30 May 09 From: David Simpson <simpsondavid AT mac.com> Date: Mon, 01 Jun 2009 05:53:01 -0400 Hi all, There has been some speculation about the Horned larks found by Andy Bankert in northern Jackson County a couple years ago. The last Christmas Bird Count produced 14 birds, some of which were singing. Why, if there are so many birds wintering in that particular area, are there none seen in surrounding areas? Wouldn't it make sense that birds would be showing up in other areas or on the coast if they are migrating to the area each winter? Maybe they are resident in the area. Well, it seems that maybe they are. I had two singing males in a stubble field along Concord Road Saturday afternoon. I heard them as soon as I opened the truck door and for the full 20 minutes that I was there. At one point, I saw two Horned larks fly up together and part ways. I saw two more fly over in another field closer to SR 2. This was the heat of the day and I did not have time to really canvas the area, but it seems they are still there. It would be interesting to see just how many are present and if breeding evidence could be verified. I'll forward a link for the location momentarily. David Simpson Fellsmere, FL Subject: Greater Sand-Plover From: "gafcity47" <gafcity47 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 31 May 2009 14:37:44 -0000 Haven't posted here lately, but on my way back from Ohio, I stopped by, and photographed the Greater Sand-Plover in Jacksonville, Fla. I have some OK shots on my site at www.flickr.com/photos/mudhen ... I also have about completed my trip folder there. What a way to end my trip with the rarest bird in North America! Danny Bales Titusville, Fla. Subject: Re: Toelagic trip from May 16th. From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 18:12:36 -0400 The date was May 23rd. not May 16th. Larry Manfredi Homestead, FL. E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net Larry Manfredi wrote: > > > I went birding/fishing with Roberto (Toe), Trey, Miranda (Toe's > daughter) and my son Philip. We had a nice birding/fishing trip with > some great birds seen. The highlight was a nice adult Red-billed > Tropicbird!! > > A trip report with photos can be seen here: > http://www.southfloridabirding.com/html/toelagic_may_16_2009.htm > > > Larry Manfredi > > Subject: Toelagic trip from May 16th. From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 12:32:03 -0400 I went birding/fishing with Roberto (Toe), Trey, Miranda (Toe's daughter) and my son Philip. We had a nice birding/fishing trip with some great birds seen. The highlight was a nice adult Red-billed Tropicbird!! A trip report with photos can be seen here: http://www.southfloridabirding.com/html/toelagic_may_16_2009.htm Larry Manfredi Subject: Breeding season kestrel sightings needed south of Orlando From: smljay <SMLJAY AT aol.com> Date: Sat, 23 May 2009 07:05:09 -0400 FYI from Audubon of Florida: 1. Breeding season kestrel sightings needed south of Orlando ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 09:43:03 -0400 From: "WRAITHMELL, Julie" Subject: Breeding season kestrel sightings needed south of Orlando The FWC needs your help in mapping the current distribution of Southeastern American Kestrels in peninsular Florida. Wanted: Sightings of kestrels in the Florida peninsula SOUTH OF 28.5 degrees latitude (Brooksville-Orlando-Titusville). Only sightings from April - June are needed. Please send locality information (nearest town, highway, or other landmark) or GPS coordinates to:  Karl E. Miller,  Fish and Wildlife Research Institute  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission  1105 SW Williston Road, Gainesville, FL 32601  karl.miller AT myfwc.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: White-winged Doves in Orange County From: Wes Biggs <birdsatfnt AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 22 May 2009 20:48:08 -0400 Hi All, I'm going to be looking for White-winged Doves in the Orlando area tomorrow. I've seen them in Winter Park & a few years ago a pair nesting in the Home Depot parking lot at John Young & Sand Lake. Has anyone out there seen them elsewhere in Orange County? Thanks, Wes Subject: Owls - seeking info From: Denise Manderscheid <denisemanderscheid AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 20:58:40 -0400 I had a wonderful sighting this morning in my own backyard here in Jacksonville. A pair of owls flew down to a tree at the edge of the Preserve within sight of my Lanai where I was having breakfast. I always thought they were only nocturnal so was very surprised to see them mid morning. I quickly grabbed the camera and managed to get 5 shots of them - only one is really any good. I thought they were great horned owls but on further reflection I wonder if they are burrowing owls. I am hoping that someone here can tell me from the pic attached. Just before they flew away I heard the familiar hoo hoo hoooooo of a horned owl which I regularly hear in the woods at night. So I assumed that's what they were. Then this evening just as we finished dinner outside, the pair (same ones I guess) flew down into another tree again at the edge of our back yard and just sat there. They were issueing a different sound than what I am used to - more like a sssss-yup! I stood still and watched them for about 15 mins - one of them was eyeing me up too so I saw his facial features really well and to me it looked more like the burrowing owl. Then to my delight he flew down to the grass not more than 3 feet away from me and sat for moment looking at me. Then he flew up into the Preserve and a different tree. His mate following him more directly a few minutes later. Thanks Denise Manderscheid mobile: (904) 210 9335 website: www.terra-novus.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Greater Sand-Plover still present From: birderlm AT bellsouth.net Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 16:12:23 +0000 Alex Harper has relocated the Greater Sand-Plover as well as a Baird's Sandpiper. Larry Manfredi Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T Subject: [Fwd: Greater Sand Plover-20May09-Wednesday] From: Wes Biggs <birdsatfnt AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 09:37:51 -0400 Hi All, So far only negative results from yesterday. Wes Biggs Orlando [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fwd: [BRDBRAIN] Sand-Plover SSP and possible origin From: efalconh AT netscape.net Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 10:00:23 -0400 -----Original Message----- From: Cameron Cox To: BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Sent: Wed, 20 May 2009 5:55 am Subject: [BRDBRAIN] Sand-Plover SSP and possible origin All, Given the fairly large size and large pointed bill of the FL Sand-Plover it seems likely that it is of the nominate race leschenaultii, breeding China/Mongolia and wintering Taiwan to Australia.  Subspecific ID is complicated by the fact that the bird is in first alternate plumage, less than a year old. Some of the plumage traits that would give us additional characteristics to look from to nail down the subspecies are unreliable at this age.  As to how it arrived in FL, there is no way to know. My original theory was it made a slight navigational “oops” in its first fall migration and ended up somewhere in western North America, probably Alaska, moved down the Pacific coast, wintering somewhere in Central or South America before migrating north for spring.  At some point during migration it swapped coasts, probably in Central America where the continent is quite narrow.  However it might make just as much sense that it’s navigational oops involved it cutting all the way across northern Canada and then migrating south along the Atlantic and wintering somewhere south, anywhere from south FL to somewhere along the Atlantic coast of South America. It is also possible that flew so far north it ended up south, but on the wrong continent.  Meaning it flew over the North Pole.  While this may sound fantastic, there is some evidence, based on patterns of occurrence, that this happens and it may not be all that challenging for some species of waterbirds that fly strongly.  There is no way to be sure how it arrived, I’m just happy it did.  It was an absolutely incredible bird.  It will be interesting to see if it is seen again in North America.  I’m betting that this bird is so lost at this point that it may never find its way back to where it belongs and may end up wandering up and down the Atlantic coast of the Americas wondering where its pals are.  Also, I think there is a slight possibility that the bird may spend the summer at Huguenot. I’m not sure if this species breeds in their first summer, but many species of shorebirds do not. Many make a partial spring migration and just stop at a location with plentiful food resources and spend their summer eating and performing their first complete molt. It is possible that the Sand-Plover has found its spot for the summer. Cameron Cox             Temporarily in Tampa, FL Cameron_cox AT hotmail.com Cameron Cox Nikon Birding Market Specialist Nikon Sport Optics Cameron_cox AT hotmail.com 206.802.8178 http://www.nikonsportoptics.com Hotmail® has ever-growing storage! Don’t worry about storage limits. Check it out.To subscribe,20unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: [Fwd: [FLBIRDS] Huguenot Park conditions] From: Margie Wilkinson <wwilkin3 AT tampabay.rr.com> Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 09:43:45 -0500 -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [FLBIRDS] Huguenot Park conditions Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 08:51:43 -0400 From: Patrick Leary Reply-To: Patrick Leary To: FLORIDABIRDS-L AT LISTS.UFL.EDU Members: Please spread the word that NE Florida and Huguenot Park are currently experiencing extreme weather conditions with high winds, rain and storm surges along the coast. Huguenot Park MAY BE CLOSED upon arrival or conditions in the park may be highly adverse to access tidal habitats (shorelines flooded). When last reported, the Greater Sand-plover may have sought refuge in INACCESSIBLE habitats in the park. We received one extremely troubling report suggesting that sometime yesterday afternoon a visitor intruded into protected habitats pursuing the plover. Under NO circumstances is such behavior condoned or permitted. Any such behavior seriously threatens all the good will and positive feedback resulting from the responsible behavior of those visiting previously. For members associated with the ARBA, please post this message there ASAP. The extreme weather conditions are predicted to ease Thursday when local birders will verify the plover's continued presence. Until then, all potential visitors would be well advised to delay or forego plans to travel here for views of the plover. Thank you, Patrick Leary, Fernandina Beach ____________________________________________________________________________ ---------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.325 / Virus Database: 270.12.33/2120 - Release Date: 05/18/09 06:28:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: [Fwd: [FLBIRDS] Article on Greater Sand-Plover] From: Wes Biggs <birdsatfnt AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 13:40:13 -0400 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Sand plover crowd estimates? From: "dotrobbins AT juno.com" <dotrobbins@juno.com> Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 13:19:47 GMT Yes, someone who knows the algorithms could easily crunch the numbers to demonstrate how many dollars were brought into the local economy by this bird--food, lodging, etc. (Eight of us had a delicious meal at the Sand Dollar after seeing the bird on Thursday!) There's a direct relationship between those incoming dollars and the recent barrier that restricts vehicles from the tidal zone, where these birds are fattening up in relative security. Protecting critical staging areas pays off. Congratulations and thanks to all who pushed to have those restrictions installed. I know Patrick and Doris Leary are a couple of them. Dotty Robbins High Springs ____________________________________________________________ Free Learning Centers Information. Click here. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTKNdRpJQRdWZ50bFiObDfamVFIKzQ0a9sjFXmEHyTIyECn2oxVYdy/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sand plover crowd estimates? From: Tom Palmer <tomp47 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 02:29:56 -0700 (PDT) Dear all, I was wondering if anyone kept track of the crowd that came to see the Greater Sand Plover, such as how far people came from outside Florida and any overall estimates.   Tom Palmer Winter Haven Follow my environmental musings at www.lakebluescrub.blogspot.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Wildlife Corridor correct URL From: Wes Biggs <birdsatfnt AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 00:28:20 -0400 As you all can see I screwed up the web address for the lake Mary Jane Alliance. The correct URL is http://lakemaryjanealliance.com Subject: Major threat to critical wildlife corridor !!! From: Wes Biggs <birdsatfnt AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 00:18:21 -0400 Hi All, A few hours ago I returned from a second look at the Greater Sandplover in Jacksonville. This time I went up with Andrea Willingham from Odessa, Erik Haney from St. Petersburg & Dave Goodwin from Brandon who were not able to get up there earlier. The Sandplover was in great form doing what Sandplovers seem to have been at least in part created to do, entertain birders! NOW FOR THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS POST: A great wildlife corridor exists from south Florida, north to the St. Johns River & beyond. A critical segment of the corridor is located between the Moss Park & Split Oak area in southern Orange County & the Hal Scott Preserve in the northern part of the county. Many of you will remember the Hal Scott Preserve as the location of Florida's second record of Hammond's Flycatcher a couple of years ago. Hal Scott is also home to Red-cockaded Woodpeckers & other listed species. Moss Park is one of Audubon's Important Bird Areas & is on the Great Florida Birding Trail. Many listed waterbird species nest there. A vast array of non avian wildlife also utilizes the corridor including a Florida Panther which I have seen myself! Much of the habitat linking these two areas is in conservation easement & other protection, but the area directly south of the Hal Scott preserve is now under the gun for massive development. The Innovation Way Corridor is a proposed connector consisting of roadways, businesses & thousands of dwelling units between the Orlando International Airport area & the nearby huge "medical city" area now under construction in the southern part of the county and the University of Central Florida & nearby high tech areas in the northern part of the county. This proposed Innovation Way Corridor runs immediately to the west of the wildlife corridor. The eastern boundary of the wildlife corridor is the Econlockhatchee River. Environmental protections that the citizens of Orange County were promised are now being threatened because of a lack of money. The two entities that own this critical piece of wildlife corridor, now known as Camino Reale and Innovation Way East want to develop as much of this property as possible. Innovation Way East used to be called Magnolia Ranch. Considering that one of the owners is worth an estimated $30,000,000,000, (yes I said 30 BILLION) they could & should donate a portion of this land to connect to the Hal Scott Preserve to the north & preserve the wildlife corridor. To learn more about the situation please check out our web site at http//lakemaryjanealliance.com If you live in Orange County, this is your backyard, please help!! If you live elsewhere & care about the unique wildlife of Florida, please help. We are not asking for money! All you need to do is add a line or two to an existing email & send it. It will take you literally a few minutes. Every email that the County Commission receives in opposition to the existing plan will make a difference. If you are willing to help, please let me know NOW as time is short. The Board of County Commissioners will make their decision on Tuesday May 19th., so this needs to be done today, Monday May 18th. If you are willing to help I'll forward to you an email from Suzanne Arnold our communications chairperson giving a little more background & instructions, & then a second email from her that you can hit "reply all" then add a line or two, (see Suzanne's suggestions) or how ever much you wish, add your name & address & hit send. If you live outside this area you could mention the importance of Florida's environment & wildlife to ecotourism which brings billions of dollars into the state. This is one of those moments when you can make a huge contribution to the environmental integrity of Florida & it will take you almost no time at all. What happens in this particular case will have a profound effect on how successful the owners of this land will be in the future to develop God only knows how much of the several hundred thousand acres of land that they own adjacent to this property. This is a huge deal, please help! If you have any questions please contact me by email or phone. Wes Biggs Environment/wildlife Chairperson Lake Mary Jane Alliance 407-384-9766 Subject: Greater Sand-Plover From: "Murray Gardler" <mangrovefirst AT tampabay.rr.com> Date: Sun, 17 May 2009 17:47:15 -0400 Matt Orsie of WV just called me to say that the subject bird was still there a little after 5PM; as there was a lightning/thunderstorm they had to leave the park. Murray Gardler Brooksville, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Greater Sand-Plover From: "Murray Gardler" <mangrovefirst AT tampabay.rr.com> Date: Sun, 17 May 2009 10:02:40 -0400 From the GA listserve today about 9 AM, 5/17/09 Subject: Greater Sandplover, 5/17, seen in Jacksonville From: Darlene Moore Date: Sun, 17 May 2009 08:52:20 -0400 GABOers From Jacksonville!!! Got and Photographed the Greater Sandplover! Yes! Darlene Moore Decatur,GA Murray Gardler Brooksville, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Greater Sand-Plover From: "Murray Gardler" <mangrovefirst AT tampabay.rr.com> Date: Sun, 17 May 2009 08:24:54 -0400 I have a friend driving down from WV this AM; about 4 hours away now. Any word this Sunday AM on a sighting? Call me if seen at 352 597 2195 so I can keep him posted! Murray Gardler Brooksville, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]