Birdingonthe.NetRecent Postings from
> Home > Mail |
American Avocets,©David Sibley |
|
16 May Re: surprise visitor, a robin [Glenn Ousset ] 15 May Re: surprise visitor, a robin [Tom Hickcox ] 15 May U.S. Nightjar Survey still needs volunteers [Mike Wilson ] 15 May Re: surprise visitor, a robin [Beth Wiggins ] 15 May Re: surprise visitor, a robin [Glenn Ousset ] 15 May Re: Birding Honey Island Swamp on Saturday, May 17 [Glenn Ousset ] 15 May Green Heron Distinguishing Characteristics ["Marsha J. Seyffert" ] 14 May Neotropical Songbird Tour Birds, Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana May 10, 2008 [Huner Jay V ] 14 May Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks nesting in Ponchatoula ["L. M. Lalonde" ] 14 May wood ducks [Danny Dobbs ] 14 May Re: Eastern Screech Owl, was Breeding Green Herons? ["James W. Beck" ] 14 May Re: Eastern Screech Owl, was Breeding Green Herons? [David Muth ] 14 May Re: Eastern Screech Owl, was Breeding Green Herons? [Bruce Baird ] 14 May Re: Eastern Screech Owl, was Breeding Green Herons? ["Purrington, Robert D" ] 14 May Birding Honey Island Swamp on Saturday, May 17 [Joelle Finley ] 14 May Eastern Screech Owl, was Breeding Green Herons? [Bruce Baird ] 14 May Swallowtail kite near DeQuincy [] 14 May Re: non migrating robins [Richard Greig ] 14 May Re: Breeding Green Herons? [jwnix ] 14 May Re: Breeding Green Herons? ["James V. Remsen" ] 14 May Re: surprise visitor, a robin [Peter H Yaukey ] 14 May Re: Breeding Green Herons? [wpbergen ] 14 May Re: Birding Honey Island Swamp on Saturday, May 17 [Craig Lucker ] 13 May Willow Flycatchers, Cassin's Sparrow, plus other notables - nw. LA - 12 May 2008 [Devin Eby-Bosler ] 13 May Birding Honey Island Swamp on Saturday, May 17 [] 13 May Cameron Sunday [David Muth ] 13 May Cassin's Sparrow, etc. [Buford Myers ] 13 May Re: surprise visitor, a robin [mara domingue ] 13 May Re: breeding robins [Buford Myers ] 13 May No Subject [Richard Gibbons ] 13 May Re: Breeding Green Herons? [janine and paul robin ] 13 May NEXRAD observed bird migration, 5-13-08 [John Arvin ] 13 May Re: Breeding Green Herons? [Linda Beall ] 13 May Fwd: eBird Report - Lake Villa Bird Sanctuary, Metairie , 5/12/08 [Bruce Baird ] 13 May Re: surprise visitor, a robin ["James V. Remsen" ] 13 May Re: surprise visitor, a robin [Linda Beall ] 13 May Re: Breeding Green Herons? ["James V. Remsen" ] 13 May Re: non migrating robins [Don Richardson ] 13 May LSU Big Day and Eco-tourism in Cameron (and elsewhere) [Huner Jay V ] 13 May Re: Breeding Green Herons? [Linda Beall ] 13 May Re: Breeding Green Herons? [jwnix ] 13 May Breeding Green Herons? [Linda Beall ] 13 May Cave Swallow - Vermilion Parish Spring 07 - and Continued Breeding Presence of Tree Swallows in Rapides Parish [Huner Jay V ] 13 May Broussard Beach scoters - 11 May 2008 [Devin Eby-Bosler ] 13 May Terns in Audubon Pk ["Purrington, Robert D" ] 13 May Re: non migrating robins ["David A. Cagnolatti" ] 13 May breeding robins [David Muth ] 13 May Cave Swallow ["Purrington, Robert D" ] 13 May non migrating robins [G Landry ] 13 May Re: surprise visitor, a robin [Mike Musumeche ] 13 May Orchard Oriole nest [janine robin ] 13 May Re: surprise visitor, a robin [janine robin ] Subject: Re: surprise visitor, a robin From: Glenn Ousset <gousset AT BELLSOUTH.NET> Date: Fri, 16 May 2008 03:30:54 +0000 Tom, Labird: Your observations illustrate my question about breeding thrashers south of the lake: Since there are some present, why are there so many fewer than apparently suitable habitat could support? Glenn Ousset -------------- Original message from Tom HickcoxSubject: Re: surprise visitor, a robin From: Tom Hickcox <cometkazie1 AT COX.NET> Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 20:39:37 -0500 At 09:31 5/15/2008 , Glenn Ousset wrote: >My eperience in the New Orleans area over the years with breeding season >Brown Thrasher and Northern Flicker: >Breeding season Brown Thrashers uncommon and occuring in parks, gardens, >and brushy natural habitat. >Occasionally I have seen them in residential areas in what seemed to be >marginal thrasher habitat. I saw a pair of thrashers with young here by my residence in SE Baton Rouge over the weekend and thought nothing of it. This is the fifth season I've seen them. I see thrashers year round and always considered them to be breeders here. They and the mockingbirds sing enough here to hone one's ability to tell them apart by song. Before the latest revision to LSU's Bernie Moore Track Stadium several years ago, there was a row of lugustrums at the bottom of the bleachers that ran the entire length of the stadium. There used to be a pair of thrashers that would fly into a spot near the finish line and another pair that would fly into the bushes at the other end. I assumed the pairs were nesting. I noticed them while I was there officiating track meets. Tom Hickcox, Baton RougeSubject: U.S. Nightjar Survey still needs volunteers From: Mike Wilson <mdwils AT WM.EDU> Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 15:02:40 -0400 We are still looking/hoping for volunteers to adopt Nightjar Survey routes in many areas across the country. The first survey window ends May 28th but a second window takes place June 10-June26. There is still plenty of time to think about adopting a vacant route and assist the program. The Nightjar Survey Network relies on volunteer participation by conservation-minded citizens, biologists, and other like-minded groups to adopt and conduct survey routes. Nightjar Surveys are easy to perform and will not take more than two hours to complete. Volunteers conduct roadside counts at night, during specific time windows when the moon is > 50 % illuminated, by driving and stopping at 10 points along a predetermined 9-mile route. At each point, the observer counts all Nightjars seen or heard by species during a 6-minute period. No artificial broadcasts of the species' calls are used. Please visit the United States Nightjar Survey Website for more details including location of routes, instructions, and results; www.ccb-wm.org/nightjars.htm Volunteer participation is important to provide information on nightjars in your state and the broader region. Please consider adopting a route. Mike Wilson Center for Conservation Biology College of William and Mary Williamsburg, VA e-mail: mdwils AT wm.edu http://www.ccb-wm.org/nightjars.htmSubject: Re: surprise visitor, a robin From: Beth Wiggins <wiggieb AT COX.NET> Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 13:53:01 -0500 On 11 May 2005, I photographed (poor quality) a Brown Thrasher, with fledgling, in my back yard in Metairie. In both 2006 and 2007, I photographed them in my back yard in April and again in June, but no shots in May and no young ones documented. I have been seeing mostly one but on one occasion, two in my yard for the past few weeks; and as recently as a few days ago, but no sign of any young ones. Beth Wiggins Metairie ----- Original Message ----- From: "Glenn Ousset"Subject: Re: surprise visitor, a robin From: Glenn Ousset <gousset AT BELLSOUTH.NET> Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 14:31:59 +0000 Peter, Labird: My eperience in the New Orleans area over the years with breeding season Brown Thrasher and Northern Flicker: Breeding season Brown Thrashers uncommon and occuring in parks, gardens, and brushy natural habitat. Occasionally I have seen them in residential areas in what seemed to be marginal thrasher habitat. I have regularly, but not every trip, found breeding season Northern Flickers in tree lines at the edges of marshland. I may have seen them a few times in breeding season in parks or residential areas. Glenn Ousset -------------- Original message from Peter H YaukeySubject: Re: Birding Honey Island Swamp on Saturday, May 17 From: Glenn Ousset <gousset AT BELLSOUTH.NET> Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 14:05:04 +0000 Craig, The meeting place at 7:30am is the entrance to Pearl River WMA. Glenn -------------- Original message from Craig LuckerSubject: Green Heron Distinguishing Characteristics From: "Marsha J. Seyffert" <mseyffert AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 06:07:12 -0500 Hi, From The Birds of North America on line: Green Heron - Distinguishing Characteristics Small, stocky heron (41–46 cm long), neck and legs short relative to elongated structures of many other herons. Adult plumages similar, but females tend to be smaller, duller, and lighter. Sexual dimorphism appears geographically variable according to older studies (Oberholser 1912). Adults with glossy greenish-black cap and back, wings black with greenish or bluish cast, underparts gray. Wing feathers edged in buff. Neck of adult is rufous—the character that distinguishes North American populations from those of Butorides striatus . Legs orange, bill dark. Shaggy greenish-black crest erectile. Young birds striped brownish on neck and below; back brownish with buff spots; shape and size distinguish them from young of any other species. Color pattern of both adults and young cryptic, clearly adaptive for undisturbed, solitary life in dense vegetation (Hancock and Kushlan 1984). Authors: Davis, Jr., W. E., and J. A. Kushlan Follow the link below to see the "greenish-black crest erectile". I had never see the crest before I took this photo! http://www.pbase.com/marshawhiteseyffert/image/95828936 Best, Marsha White Seyffert http://www.pbase.com/MarshaWhiteSeyffertSubject: Neotropical Songbird Tour Birds, Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana May 10, 2008 From: Huner Jay V <jvh0660 AT LOUISIANA.EDU> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 21:32:43 -0500 Subject: Neotropical Songbird Tour Birds, Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana May 10, 2008 Location: Sherburne Wildlife Area = Bayou Des Ourses - US Army Corps of Engineers; Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge - US Fish & Wildlife Service, and Sherburne Wildlife Management Area - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Iberville and Point Coupee Parishes, Louisiana. Neotropical Songbird Tour Observation date: 5/10/08 Notes: Neotropical Songbird Tour. LA 975 from I-10 to US 190. Number of species: 69 Reporters: Jay Huner, Richard Gibbons, Steve Cardiff, and Donna Dittmann Wood Duck Anhinga Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Little Blue Heron Tricolored Heron Cattle Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Yellow-crowned Night-Heron White Ibis Roseate Spoonbill Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Swallow-tailed Kite Mississippi Kite Red-shouldered Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Yellow-billed Cuckoo Eastern Screech-Owl Barred Owl Common Nighthawk Chimney Swift Ruby-throated Hummingbird Red-headed Woodpecker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Pileated Woodpecker Acadian Flycatcher Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird White-eyed Vireo Yellow-throated Vireo Red-eyed Vireo Blue Jay American Crow Fish Crow Purple Martin Northern Rough-winged Swallow Cliff Swallow Barn Swallow Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Carolina Wren Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Wood Thrush Northern Mockingbird European Starling Cedar Waxwing Tennessee Warbler Northern Parula American Redstart Prothonotary Warbler Swainson's Warbler Kentucky Warbler Common Yellowthroat Hooded Warbler Yellow-breasted Chat Summer Tanager Eastern Towhee Northern Cardinal Indigo Bunting Painted Bunting Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird --Subject: Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks nesting in Ponchatoula From: "L. M. Lalonde" <lmlalondejr AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 21:38:06 -0400 There is a pair of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks nesting on my property on the west side of Ponchatoula. I knew they would be showing up in this area at any time. _________________________________________________________________ Make Windows Vista more reliable and secure with Windows Vista Service Pack 1. http://www.windowsvista.com/SP1?WT.mc_id=hotmailvistasp1bannerSubject: wood ducks From: Danny Dobbs <DNTDOBBS AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 21:20:40 EDT Yesterday at Lake Martin I saw something new for me and wondered if it is really that unusual. I had a female wood duck with 8 very young ducklings. There was also a second adult female following the group maybe 6-8 feet behind wherever they went. I have seen a lot of mama wood ducks with broods following along but never a second female in the picture? Also at the lake, a pretty late yellow rump warbler today, a female blackburnian yesterday, and a female canvasback and female hooded merganser that seem to hang out with or near each other. They have been around all spring. Injured I assume. Danny Dobbs **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)Subject: Re: Eastern Screech Owl, was Breeding Green Herons? From: "James W. Beck" <agkistrodon AT WORLDNET.ATT.NET> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 19:13:18 -0500 David/Bruce/Labird, I remember a red morph screech that chose a similar roost site in my great aunt's yard back in the early 80's....maybe in a black cherry though....they nicknamed him "fudge ripple". He'd allow very close approach, and my father was able to take some nice pictures (w/o flash) of him/her. This was of course, before I was into photography.... -j At 06:56 PM 5/14/2008, you wrote: >Bruce/Labird: > >I last saw the owl on its day roost May 13. It perches about 5 feet >up in the elderberry thicket where you describe, but not necessarily >on the same plant.This behaviour is a first for me-- I've never seen >an Eastern Screech Owl that roosted in such a conspicuous spot so >close to the ground--very peculiar. > >Please give it space, and if you want it to stay there, please avoid >flash and disturbance. > >David Muth >New Orleans > >----- Original Message ----- From: "Bruce Baird"Subject: Re: Eastern Screech Owl, was Breeding Green Herons? From: David Muth <dpmuth AT COX.NET> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 18:56:17 -0500 Bruce/Labird: I last saw the owl on its day roost May 13. It perches about 5 feet up in the elderberry thicket where you describe, but not necessarily on the same plant.This behaviour is a first for me-- I've never seen an Eastern Screech Owl that roosted in such a conspicuous spot so close to the ground--very peculiar. Please give it space, and if you want it to stay there, please avoid flash and disturbance. David Muth New Orleans ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bruce Baird"Subject: Re: Eastern Screech Owl, was Breeding Green Herons? From: Bruce Baird <Bbairdsr AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 17:39:51 EDT Dan/LaBird These are the owl locating instructions I sent to Joelle on 5/7, the last day I saw the owl. I don't know if she ever located it. The owl was first shown to me on 4/28 by an experienced birder, whose name I did not get, but who was also identifying all the warblers and other birds we were seeing in the oak grove at the time. He also showed it to several other birders as well as a couple who took some pictures of it. Later I showed it to Bill Bergen who took a good picture of it. Craig Mineo was also there. "The screech owl is asleep in a small sapling about 5 feet off the ground near the southeast edge of the live oak grove. The live oak grove is evidently where you go when you want to view migrant warblers. The owl was still there today, 5/7. Follow the path along the west side of the bayou until you get to the live oak grove toward the north end of the park. Turn right on another path as soon as you get to the live oak grove and follow that but keep going straight along an overgrown path when the regular path takes a right turn. You will come to a tree that is about at the southeast corner of the grove. You can get a direct view of the screech owl from the right side of that tree. It's hard to see it if you pass the tree up, but he is about 10 feet to the left of this footpath and about 20 feet ahead. If you keep on going on this overgrown footpath you will come to the service road and you have gone to far." Bruce Baird In a message dated 5/14/2008 3:28:44 P.M. Central Daylight Time, danny AT TULANE.EDU writes: I hardly ever fail to call up a screech owl in Couterie Forest (City Pk, NO) with my imitation owl call. That has always been the case, though there seem to be fewer, post-K. I don't think I have ever seen one, however. Dan Purrington -----Original Message----- From: Bulletin Board for Dissemination of Information on Louisiana Birds [mailto:LABIRD-L AT LISTSERV.LSU.EDU] On Behalf Of Bruce Baird Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 12:07 PM To: LABIRD-L AT LISTSERV.LSU.EDU Subject: [LABIRD-L] Eastern Screech Owl, was Breeding Green Herons? Bill/LaBird The last time I saw the Eastern Screech Owl was on 5/7. It was at the exact same place in Couturie Forest where we saw him on 4/28. I've checked three times since then, including today, and he is not at that spot. Bruce In a message dated 5/14/2008 9:01:25 A.M. Central Daylight Time, wpbergen AT BELLSOUTH.NET writes: Bruce, Are you still seeing the Eastern Screech Owl at Couterier Woods Bill **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)Subject: Re: Eastern Screech Owl, was Breeding Green Herons? From: "Purrington, Robert D" <danny AT TULANE.EDU> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 15:28:04 -0500 I hardly ever fail to call up a screech owl in Couterie Forest (City Pk, NO) with my imitation owl call. That has always been the case, though there seem to be fewer, post-K. I don't think I have ever seen one, however. Dan Purrington -----Original Message----- From: Bulletin Board for Dissemination of Information on Louisiana Birds [mailto:LABIRD-L AT LISTSERV.LSU.EDU] On Behalf Of Bruce Baird Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 12:07 PM To: LABIRD-L AT LISTSERV.LSU.EDU Subject: [LABIRD-L] Eastern Screech Owl, was Breeding Green Herons? Bill/LaBird The last time I saw the Eastern Screech Owl was on 5/7. It was at the exact same place in Couturie Forest where we saw him on 4/28. I've checked three times since then, including today, and he is not at that spot. Bruce In a message dated 5/14/2008 9:01:25 A.M. Central Daylight Time, wpbergen AT BELLSOUTH.NET writes: Bruce, Are you still seeing the Eastern Screech Owl at Couterier Woods Bill **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)Subject: Birding Honey Island Swamp on Saturday, May 17 From: Joelle Finley <joelle_finley AT BELLSOUTH.NET> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 14:12:32 -0500 Hi Craig and LABIRD, We will meet by Exit 11 for the CBC/OAS birding trip this Saturday. Sorry for the confusion. Joelle Finley New Orleans ----- Original Message ----- From: "Craig Lucker"Subject: Eastern Screech Owl, was Breeding Green Herons? From: Bruce Baird <Bbairdsr AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 13:07:07 EDT Bill/LaBird The last time I saw the Eastern Screech Owl was on 5/7. It was at the exact same place in Couturie Forest where we saw him on 4/28. I've checked three times since then, including today, and he is not at that spot. Bruce In a message dated 5/14/2008 9:01:25 A.M. Central Daylight Time, wpbergen AT BELLSOUTH.NET writes: Bruce, Are you still seeing the Eastern Screech Owl at Couterier Woods Bill **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)Subject: Swallowtail kite near DeQuincy From: Michaelcav AT AOL.COM Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 12:27:21 EDT Friends, as we were traveling back from Houston to Baton Rouge yesterday, we were treated to a tree-top swallow-tail kite about 2 miles WEST of the DeQuincy city limits sign on Highway 12. It was neat to come home to read Van Remsen's reference to the on-line nesting atlas and see there are STK sites near there. I had thought they were mainly in the Atchafalaya (where we also THOUGHT we saw one fleetingly as we came into Krotz Springs -- we have seen them there on other occasions) Cordially, Michael Cavanaugh James V. Remsen wrote: (_http://www.manybirds.com/atlas/atlas.htm_ (http://www.manybirds.com/atlas/atlas.htm) ) **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)Subject: Re: non migrating robins From: Richard Greig <RGreig AT COASTALENV.COM> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 10:07:30 -0500 Don, One of the female robins in my neighborhood is definitely there year round (based on two tertials being white) and I am willing to bet that the majority of the nesting individuals in my area are year round residents since I had a nest fledge two young on February 29th (http://picasaweb.google.com/rngatlsu/RobinNestInFebruary) . Richard Greig Baton Rouge, LA >>> On 5/13/2008 at 3:15 PM, in message <59520.66489.qm AT web82302.mail.mud.yahoo.com>, Don RichardsonSubject: Re: Breeding Green Herons? From: jwnix <jwnix AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 10:00:03 -0500 each of the resources I searched ONLY list the male as having the orange legs...no mention whatsoever of the female having the fancy color change..... it would seem logical to me to think that IF they changed, it would be noted....??!!! Whereas if they stay the same color, there would be no need to mention her legs!! Josephine avery island On May 14, 2008, at 9:51 AM, James V. Remsen wrote: On May 13, 2008, at 3:50 PM, Linda Beall wrote: > Thanks, Van. Didn't know the atlas was online...very nice! Perhaps > I made an incorrect assumption that two Green Herons feeding > together were "a pair". I always think of them as loners. Linda/LABIRD -- a pair is a logical assumption but not sufficient to infer breeding pair. > > Another question...do only males have orange legs during high- > breeding? I looked in several books but didn't find a specific > answer. > I can't find any indication that males and females differ. Again, probably a breeding pair, but doesn't quite make atlas criteria as "probable" without additional data. ********************************* Dr. J. V. Remsen, Jr. LSU Museum of Natural Science Foster Hall 119, LSU Baton Rouge, LA 70803 najamesSubject: Re: Breeding Green Herons? From: "James V. Remsen" <najames AT LSU.EDU> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 09:51:14 -0500 On May 13, 2008, at 3:50 PM, Linda Beall wrote: > Thanks, Van. Didn't know the atlas was online...very nice! Perhaps I > made an incorrect assumption that two Green Herons feeding together > were "a pair". I always think of them as loners. Linda/LABIRD -- a pair is a logical assumption but not sufficient to infer breeding pair. > > Another question...do only males have orange legs during > high-breeding? I looked in several books but didn't find a specific > answer. > I can't find any indication that males and females differ. Again, probably a breeding pair, but doesn't quite make atlas criteria as "probable" without additional data. ********************************* Dr. J. V. Remsen, Jr. LSU Museum of Natural Science Foster Hall 119, LSU Baton Rouge, LA 70803 najamesSubject: Re: surprise visitor, a robin From: Peter H Yaukey <PYaukey AT UNO.EDU> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 09:08:51 -0500 LABird: I have long been curious about the role of urban areas as agents of southward extension of birds' geographical ranges. Robins are clearly extended southward by urban areas in Louisiana, and I also wonder about thrashers and flickers. When I lived in Georgia, it was clear tto me that Song Sparrow and House Wren were also found farther south as nesters in urban areas than in other environments. PY ________________________________ From: Bulletin Board for Dissemination of Information on Louisiana Birds on behalf of James V. Remsen Sent: Tue 5/13/2008 3:38 PM To: LABIRD-L AT LISTSERV.LSU.EDU Subject: Re: [LABIRD-L] surprise visitor, a robin On May 13, 2008, at 11:06 AM, Toddy and Chris Guidry wrote: > I'm curious to know how far south in the state Robins are seen during > breeding bird surveys?? Can anyone attest? > > I also saw a robin this past weekend near Bunkie. > > Toddy/Mara/LABIRD: as David Muth notes, you can see the breeding distribution of American Robin or other Louisiana species in the Wiedenfeld-Swan Breeding Bird Atlas, for which you can see maps online at: http://www.manybirds.com/atlas/atlas.htm Confirmed breeding records farther south are worth 3x5s, and of course any nest from anywhere always welcomed in the Louisiana Nest Record Program: http://appl003.lsu.edu/natsci/NestingBirds.nsf/MainPage?OpenForm ********************************* Dr. J. V. Remsen, Jr. LSU Museum of Natural Science Foster Hall 119, LSU Baton Rouge, LA 70803 najamesSubject: Re: Breeding Green Herons? From: wpbergen <wpbergen AT BELLSOUTH.NET> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 09:00:36 -0500 Bruce, Are you still seeing the Eastern Screech Owl at Couterier Woods Bill ----- Original Message ----- From: "Linda Beall"Subject: Re: Birding Honey Island Swamp on Saturday, May 17 From: Craig Lucker <southernautoglass AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 05:54:41 -0700 Please specify the location to meet. The entrance to PR WMA is at the Honey Island exit, not the Pearl River Turnaround. ----- Original Message ---- From: "Jacoulson AT AOL.COM"Subject: Willow Flycatchers, Cassin's Sparrow, plus other notables - nw. LA - 12 May 2008 From: Devin Eby-Bosler <debybo1 AT LSU.EDU> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 23:08:49 -0500 LABIRD, On Monday (12 May), Justin Bosler and I met up with Terry Davis and Jonathan Carpenter at the Cassin's Sparrow location on W. Viking Dr. in Bossier City (Bossier Parish). We didn't arrive until ~8 AM. Terry had been there since 7 AM and did not hear/see the Cassin's Sparrow by the time we arrived. After listening, waiting, and looking at every sparrow for the next 10+ minutes without any luck, we decided to use playback as a last resort to determine if the sparrow was actually still there or not. As it turns out, the CASSIN'S SPARROW was indeed still present. Within several seconds of playing its song once, the male sparrow was up singing on the metal fence by the white oil/gas tank. For all of those going to see the sparrow, please limit the use of playback, so as not too confuse the bird anymore or drive it off. Since the initial discovery on 10 May, the sparrow's behavior and habits have changed quite dramatically over the past couple of days. Instead of exp! ending energy skylarking and delivering its flight song, it appears to be spending much more time foraging out of view in the adjacent wheat/barley field. Maybe this out-of-range male eventually realized that there are no mates to attract or rival males competing for territory in the area. Now, the sparrow sings very infrequently from the fence or low shrubbery at the edge of the road. On Monday, it was also observed foraging on the ground for a short time. Not surprisingly, this migratory sparrow of the southwest and south-central short grass prairies has a history of vagrancy. In late spring, apparently a few lost males overshoot their breeding grounds and show up much further north and east of thier normal range. There are a few records for the Midwest and Northeast. Remarkably, there is a single record for Nova Scotia and another for Maine. Although only about 350 miles east of its east-most breeding range in c. Texas, this individual constitutes a first state r! ecord for Louisiana (if accepted by the LBRC). Another exceptional fi nd for Terry in 2008! Additional video images of this bird can be viewed at the following link: http://snipurl.com/28r6c [picasaweb_google_com] Also at the site were a pair of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, numerous Dickcissels, and 2 lingering ad. White-crowned Sparrows. From here, we continued on to Cane's Landing on the banks of the Red River in Bossier City to try for another review list species; Willow Flycatcher. Within minutes of arriving, one vocal male WILLOW FLYCATCHER was heard announcing its presence from within the early successional willow thicket below the dump site. This low-lying, swampy tract of willows and cottonwoods provides optimal breeding habitat for Willow Flycatchers. In an attempt to visually locate the singing male, a second male was delivering its 'fitz bew' song in response nearby. Finally, one of the males flew up to an exposed perch and allowed for stellar, unobstructed views and video. While searching for the singing males, another Willow, possibly a female was encountered along with a Least Flycatcher. Several video images of the male Willow Flycatcher can be found at the following link: http://snipurl.com/28r6f [picasaweb_google_com] Other birds of interest at Cane's Landing were an ad. Broad-winged Hawk, a Spotted Sandpiper, a soft-singing Swainson's Thrush, at least 3 breeding pairs of Warbling Vireos, 125+ lingering Cedar Waxwings, multiple Yellow Warblers, a singing male Black-and-white Warbler, 2 Northern Waterthrushes, a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and several breeding pairs of Indigo Buntings and Baltimore Orioles. A late morning/early afternoon run up to the pecan grove and sod farm on Sentell Rd. in Dixie (Caddo Parish) yielded a few more noteworthy sightings. The pecan grove was alive with migrants and the usual summer residents. Unusual for the date and location was an ad. Bald Eagle sailing N over the pecan grove, however a pair is presumed to nest along the Red River in the area. Sharing the sky with the eagle were at least 4 ad. Mississippi Kites drifting high overhead. Eastern Wood-Pewees and Great Crested Flycatchers were vocal, a few Tennessee Warblers sang from the canopy, an ad. male American Redstart foraged low in the outer branches of a pecan, a male Summer Tanager joined the chorus, and a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak appeared briefly. A late push of Eastern Kingbirds (45+) was underway along Sentell Rd. as they lined the fences to fly-catch and refuel. The bountiful Eastern Kingbirds were accompanied by 2 Western Kingbirds. At least 2 pairs of breeding Horned! Larks were present at the sod farm, which is fewer than in past years according to Terry. Lark Sparrows were in good numbers with a minimum of 12 between the pecan grove and the sod farm, including several displaying males. Upwards of 7-8 Savannah Sparrows linger at the sod farm and the best bird, a GRASSHOPPER SPARROW was singing from a ridge of taller grasses toward the center of the property. This individual may be attempting to breed at the sod farm this year, which is always notable anywhere in n. LA, as they are rare and local breeders in the state. All in all, a memorable half-day of birding in NW LA! Good Birding, Devin Bosler LSU-Baton RougeSubject: Birding Honey Island Swamp on Saturday, May 17 From: Jacoulson AT AOL.COM Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 21:43:32 EDT The Orleans Audubon Society and Crescent Bird Club are co-hosting the following birding trip. We hope you can join us! Sat., May 17 Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge and Honey Island Time: 7:30 a.m. Meet at the entrance of Honey Island Wildlife Management Area by Exit 11 off of I-59 just before the Mississippi border (also known as Pearl River Turnaround). You will need a Wild Louisiana Stamp or a valid LA hunting or fishing license if you are between the ages of 16-59. Good chance for Swainson’s Warbler and Swallow-tailed Kite is possible. Leader: Glenn Ousset 504-495-4284 (cell) **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)Subject: Cameron Sunday From: David Muth <dpmuth AT COX.NET> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 20:22:53 -0500 Labird: As noted by Dan Purrington, he and I birded Cameron Sunday after a squal line with scattered but imbedded thunderstorms passed over at dawn. Heavy rain passed over the town, but there was little evidence of onshore rain to the west. By 0800 winds were steady from the north. After doing Rutherford Bch. early (not much--others have probably noted numerous territorialDickcissels and Least Ternson scrapes on the post Rita beach ridge), we headed west to Peveto. Only a scatter of migrants, highlighted by 2 Olive-sided Flycatchers (already found by others before our arrival), a very late Blue-headed Vireo (Dan saw and heard--I only heard it sing), and a late Ruby-crowned Kinglet. E. Wood-pewee was the only migrant in double digits. We went to Hackberry Ridge where a round up was taking place, but were graciously welcomed by the ranchers. No House Crow, and little else. By 2:30 there was no sign of a fallout,so we headed out. A stop at the old Trahan Place to look for Bobolinks turned up two callling American Crows and singing Dickcissels. There are three lists: Rutherford, Peveto,and the rest of Cameron. David Muth New Orleans Location: Rutherford Beach Observation date: 5/11/08 Notes: pavement to pavement, Rutherford to Broussard; did not stop in marsh. After frontal passge 1 hour earlier, intermittent squall line, wind shift; gulf flat Number of species: 42 Brown Pelican 35 Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egret 17 Snowy Egret 40 Little Blue Heron 1 Tricolored Heron 1 White Ibis 1 Roseate Spoonbill 1 Clapper Rail 1 Black-bellied Plover 29 Snowy Plover 7 Wilson's Plover 9 Killdeer 1 Black-necked Stilt 11 American Avocet 20 Willet 48 Whimbrel 3 Ruddy Turnstone 68 Sanderling 265 Semipalmated Sandpiper 3 Dunlin 4 Buff-breasted Sandpiper 8 fly by over surf west to east Laughing Gull 130 100 behind shrimper, few on beach Ring-billed Gull 6 Herring Gull (American) 30 3 adults Least Tern 135 on scrapes on high beach in several locations Caspian Tern 65 Common Tern 44 Forster's Tern 6 Royal Tern 20 Gull-billed Tern 1 Black Skimmer 80 Common Nighthawk 1 Eastern Kingbird 6 Barn Swallow 35 Common Yellowthroat 7 Savannah Sparrow 1 Dickcissel 25 singing and territorial along back beach Red-winged Blackbird 95 Eastern Meadowlark 16 Boat-tailed Grackle 100 Orchard Oriole 5 Location: Peveto Woods - Baton Rouge Audubon Society Observation date: 5/11/08 Notes: after frontal passage with squall line 0600 h and wind shift to north. Number of species: 44 American White Pelican 8 Brown Pelican 2 Snowy Egret 4 Cattle Egret 10 Roseate Spoonbill 2 Black Vulture 1 Turkey Vulture 1 Black-bellied Plover 1 Sanderling 6 Laughing Gull 100 behind shrimp boat Forster's Tern 1 behind shrimp boat Royal Tern 10 behind shrimp boat Mourning Dove 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 5 Chimney Swift 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 8 Downy Woodpecker 3 carrying food Olive-sided Flycatcher 2 video Eastern Wood-Pewee 15 Eastern Kingbird 6 Blue-headed Vireo 1 RDP--very late; May 5 latest in Lowery Red-eyed Vireo 5 Purple Martin 6 Barn Swallow 12 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 very late; ties Lowery Gray-cheeked Thrush 1 Catharus sp. 2 Gray Catbird 3 Northern Mockingbird 6 Tennessee Warbler 6 Chestnut-sided Warbler 2 Magnolia Warbler 1 Black-throated Green Warbler 4 Blackburnian Warbler 3 Bay-breasted Warbler 1 American Redstart 1 Common Yellowthroat 1 Canada Warbler 1 Northern Cardinal 1 Indigo Bunting 3 Painted Bunting 3 singing Red-winged Blackbird 10 Boat-tailed Grackle 10 Orchard Oriole 6 Location: Cameron County, LA, US Observation date: 5/11/08 Notes: w/ RDP Cameron (see checklists for Peveto and Rutherford); calling Am. Crows behind old Trahan house on Blue Buck ridge, just east of Head of Hollow Cemetery. Highway, Ferry, Holly Bch., Hackberry ridge. Number of species: 71 Mottled Duck 9 Blue-winged Teal 6 Lesser Scaup 3 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Brown Pelican 6 Neotropic Cormorant 8 Great Blue Heron 2 Great Egret 3 Snowy Egret 4 Little Blue Heron 2 Tricolored Heron 9 Green Heron 6 Black-crowned Night-Heron 5 White Ibis 5 White-faced Ibis 3 Roseate Spoonbill 8 Black Vulture 15 Turkey Vulture 15 Clapper Rail 2 King Rail 2 Common Moorhen 8 American Coot 4 Black-bellied Plover 4 Snowy Plover 2 Wilson's Plover 2 Semipalmated Plover 1 Hackberry Ridge Killdeer 6 Black-necked Stilt 8 Spotted Sandpiper 2 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Willet 15 Ruddy Turnstone 20 Sanderling 45 Least Sandpiper 5 White-rumped Sandpiper 6 fly-by highway Laughing Gull 30 Ring-billed Gull 1 Herring Gull 7 Least Tern 20 Caspian Tern 125 Black Tern 2 Common Tern 5 Forster's Tern 2 Royal Tern 65 Sandwich Tern 5 Rock Pigeon 2 Eurasian Collared-Dove 5 Mourning Dove 15 Common Nighthawk 3 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 1 motel, 1 Holly Beach Eastern Wood-Pewee 5 Eastern Kingbird 10 Loggerhead Shrike 8 Red-eyed Vireo 1 Blue Jay 1 American Crow 2 Blue Buck Ridge, calling Fish Crow 1 Purple Martin 5 Barn Swallow 40 Marsh Wren 4 Swainson's Thrush 1 Northern Mockingbird 10 European Starling 25 Common Yellowthroat 1 Painted Bunting 2 Dickcissel 7 Red-winged Blackbird 120 Boat-tailed Grackle 50 Brown-headed Cowbird 3 Orchard Oriole 4 House Sparrow 1 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)Subject: Cassin's Sparrow, etc. From: Buford Myers <bmyers990 AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 20:13:58 -0500 Labird, Today Curt Sorrells and I went to Bossier City. We met Terry Davis and proceeded to the location near the end of Viking Road just before noon. We were rewarded with a short look at the Cassin's Sparrow on the fence surrounding the gas tank, and then a longer look. Curt got video, and Terry made audio recordings. While on the fence, the bird sang both truncated versions of its song (lacking the terminal couple of notes) and full versions. When not on the fence, it spent most of its time invisible in the Johnson Weed and other vegetation to the left of the farm road, between that road and the wheat field. Others have already commented on Terry's extraordinary auditory acuity in hearing and recognizing the bird's song while Terry was driving and with the bird well downwind. I'll just add that there were numerous dickcissels singing there. Their songs don't resemble the Cassin's, but they certainly contributed plenty of background noise, making his feat even more remarkable. We left there and went to Cane's Landing. The territorial Willow Flycatchers which Terry had previously located there were not very vocal or cooperative, but eventually we obtained a couple of responses to ipod, including one pretty good look. In addition, Terry spotted the nest of a Warbling Vireo, in a cottonwood tree (the tree?) where he and the Boslers had seen a bird carrying nesting material the day before. MacSubject: Re: surprise visitor, a robin From: mara domingue <curiouskitty AT BELLSOUTH.NET> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 19:50:58 -0500 Linda/Labird, In a message dated Tuesday, May 13, 2008 3:37 PM "Linda Beall"Subject: Re: breeding robins From: Buford Myers <bmyers990 AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 19:14:22 -0500 There are resident, nesting Am. Robins around my home in Eunice. Mac ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Muth"Subject: No Subject From: Richard Gibbons <rgibbo3 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 15:04:15 -0700 Jay and LABIRD,
I applaud the support of birding trails in Louisiana by the Department
of Culture, Tourism, and Recreation. I wonder if the department would
be interested in sponsoring an event to promote these trails. As it is,
there has been very little promotion of the trails beyond word of mouth
and a few brochures.
Would it be worth drafting a letter and soliciting signatory
organizations to support some type of birding event to promote the
birding trails?
Would Louisiana birders participate in some kind of birding event such
as a Big Sit, Big Quad, or Big Day to promote Louisiana birding?
Richard Gibbons
Baton Rouge, LA
Subject: Re: Breeding Green Herons?From: janine and paul robin <j-probin1982 AT PEOPLEPC.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 17:43:51 -0400 Hi Linda,
I had a breeding pair of Green Herons on the pond's edge in May of 2001,2002
and 2003. After 2003 I had new neighbors who were way to noisy for the Green
Herons to nest. I see them every spring,but they haven't nested here since
2003. All 3 years, I saw the fledglings as they walked on the tree branches
that hung over the pond. It was really cool.
Janine in Folsom, LA
-----Original Message-----
>From: Linda Beall
Subject: NEXRAD observed bird migration, 5-13-08From: John Arvin <jarvin AT GCBO.ORG> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 16:24:23 -0500 Against all odds it would appear that events and conditions will come together to produce yet another fallout of sorts this weekend (virtually every weekend this season - amazing). Birds were arriving at the Houston and Lake Charles stations and encountering increasing instability over land. West of the area of disturbed weather small flights seemed to be passing just off the coast at Brownsville and Corpus and continuing, with a hook (or is that a slice?) toward the NE north of Corpus. The instability is forecast to proceed to strong to severe thunderstorms later this afternoon into tomorrow morning with another round on Thursday. As always this system will be gradually shifting to the east. At the moment New Orleans and Mobile are not showing bird activity. That may change over the next couple of days as weather presently over Texas shifts eastward. Actual frontal passage is expected Thursday night or Friday so the weekend may turn out to be pleasant and birdy - a winning combination. John C. Arvin Research Coordinator Gulf Coast Bird Observatory 103 W. Hwy 332 Lake Jackson, TX 77566 (979) 480-0999 Fax: (979) 480-0777 jarvin AT gcbo.org www.gcbo.org eBird.org/gcboSubject: Re: Breeding Green Herons? From: Linda Beall <lbeall AT MINILOGIC.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 15:50:41 -0500 Thanks, Van. Didn't know the atlas was online...very nice! Perhaps I made an incorrect assumption that two Green Herons feeding together were "a pair". I always think of them as loners. Another question...do only males have orange legs during high-breeding? I looked in several books but didn't find a specific answer. Linda James V. Remsen wrote: > Linda/LABIRD: likely but not necessarily, especially since one can't > tell if they were a pair for certain. St. Tammany had a number of > "possible" breeding records in the Wiedenfeld-Swan atlas > (http://www.manybirds.com/atlas/atlas.htm) but no records that would > elevate its status to "probable". We haven't keep track of changes to > the old atlas in a systematic way. >Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Lake Villa Bird Sanctuary, Metairie , 5/12/08 From: Bruce Baird <Bbairdsr AT AOL.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 16:45:14 EDT ____________________________________ From: do-not-reply AT ebird.org To: Bbairdsr AT aol.com Sent: 5/13/2008 3:40:08 P.M. Central Daylight Time Subj: eBird Report - Lake Villa Bird Sanctuary, Metairie , 5/12/08 Location: Lake Villa Bird Sanctuary, Metairie Observation date: 5/12/08 Number of species: 16 Mallard (Domestic type) 9 Great Blue Heron 1 Great Egret 1 Snowy Egret 1 Little Blue Heron 1 Killdeer 3 Laughing Gull 4 Least Tern 2 Black Skimmer 19 Rock Pigeon 18 Mourning Dove 16 American Crow 2 Purple Martin 4 European Starling 1 Red-winged Blackbird 4 House Sparrow 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)Subject: Re: surprise visitor, a robin From: "James V. Remsen" <najames AT LSU.EDU> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 15:38:41 -0500 On May 13, 2008, at 11:06 AM, Toddy and Chris Guidry wrote: > I'm curious to know how far south in the state Robins are seen during > breeding bird surveys?? Can anyone attest? > > I also saw a robin this past weekend near Bunkie. > > Toddy/Mara/LABIRD: as David Muth notes, you can see the breeding distribution of American Robin or other Louisiana species in the Wiedenfeld-Swan Breeding Bird Atlas, for which you can see maps online at: http://www.manybirds.com/atlas/atlas.htm Confirmed breeding records farther south are worth 3x5s, and of course any nest from anywhere always welcomed in the Louisiana Nest Record Program: http://appl003.lsu.edu/natsci/NestingBirds.nsf/MainPage?OpenForm ********************************* Dr. J. V. Remsen, Jr. LSU Museum of Natural Science Foster Hall 119, LSU Baton Rouge, LA 70803 najamesSubject: Re: surprise visitor, a robin From: Linda Beall <lbeall AT MINILOGIC.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 15:37:49 -0500 Janine, I think Olga and Walter Clifton's son had Am. Robins nesting around his Covington house (near Tyler) for a couple of years. Some years ago (maybe 8?) Robins gathered mud from a puddle in my own yard. I don't know where they were nesting, but it had to be within a few blocks of my house, also in Covington but probably over a mile from the Clifton's son. So my birds were a different breeding pair. Linda janine robin wrote: > I saw a robin while birding last week in Folsom. I have never seen a > robin in this area except in the winter. I was very surprised to see it. > Janine in Folsom >Subject: Re: Breeding Green Herons? From: "James V. Remsen" <najames AT LSU.EDU> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 15:33:20 -0500 Linda/LABIRD: likely but not necessarily, especially since one can't tell if they were a pair for certain. St. Tammany had a number of "possible" breeding records in the Wiedenfeld-Swan atlas (http://www.manybirds.com/atlas/atlas.htm) but no records that would elevate its status to "probable". We haven't keep track of changes to the old atlas in a systematic way. On May 13, 2008, at 2:53 PM, Linda Beall wrote: > Hi LABird, > > I received an email from friends in Folsom who saw two adult Green > Herons feeding together in the stream behind their home. They said > both bird's legs were bright orange. > > I looked in the Louisiana Breeding Bird Atlas and found no confirmed > breeding datapoints mapped for St. Tammany Parish. Would this > sighting indicate a "breeding pair"? > ********************************* Dr. J. V. Remsen, Jr. LSU Museum of Natural Science Foster Hall 119, LSU Baton Rouge, LA 70803 najamesSubject: Re: non migrating robins From: Don Richardson <donrich514 AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 13:15:18 -0700 I can usually find some American Robins in my area near Houston but I suspect they all migrate. There are some five different subspecies of American Robin and I'd say that those that winter here are different birds than the ones that breed here in summer. I'm not sure there is such a thing as a non migrating Robin - at lease except for an occasional individual. Maybe I'm wrong and if so - set me straight. My guess is that my wintering Robins are _Turdis migratorius migratorius_ while those I see here as breeders are T. m. achrusterus. Note that I'm not claiming to have lots of expertise with this - - - I just doubt they are the same Robins. Don Richardson Pearland Texas ----- Original Message ---- From: G LandrySubject: LSU Big Day and Eco-tourism in Cameron (and elsewhere) From: Huner Jay V <jvh0660 AT LOUISIANA.EDU> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 15:12:05 -0500 Prior to my retirement from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2005, I was active in the ecotourism potential for our state but reference to the ULL "area of influence" which is southwestern Louisiana. Three birding events developed from the work I was doing including the Neotropical Songbird Tour in Sherburne, the Wading Bird/Shorebird Event at South Farm in Sherburne, and the Eagle Festival in Morgan City. We were working to develop birding materials and seasonal checklists for the Palmetto Island State Park which sort of went on hold with Hurricane Rita but I understand that the park should be up and running in about 18 months. My very last project involved examining the potential of the Leach Family holdings in Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes for private birding/eco-tourism to augment an existing hunting/fishing operation at Sweet Lake. Hurricane Rita sort of messed everything up there but if you want a high end place to stay and decent birding, the Leache's lodge is a great place to go. One of the things I did in my work was to look at birding tours. Many go to High Island. Only ONE schedules the Cameron are specifically - Bird Treks. Now, the High Island-oriented folks DO poach in Louisiana. On a recent trip to southern Florida and the Keys, one of the participants from Philadelphia said that he had been on a tour last year at this time that centered on High Island but that their BIG DAY was 121 birds in Cameron Parish when they "slipped" across the border incognito! Okay, I just got a flyer from one "higher end" birding company that is actually targeting the Cameron area for next spring during migration. So there will now, be two tours in Cameron and maybe more are to come?! I suspect that publicity surrounding the ABA meeting in Lafayette last spring has had a lot to do with recognizing Louisiana as a birding destination. While the numbers were "down," those who came apparently had a good feeling for their visits and there was a lot of publicity both before the meeting and following it in the various birding magazines. So, many thanks are owed the organizers of the meeting. I think that Richard Gibbons'suggestion about Big Day competitions for Louisiana during migration can only help to generate more ecotourism in the state. Many people need credit for generating the ground work for these developments including the state's Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. Regards, Jay HunerSubject: Re: Breeding Green Herons? From: Linda Beall <lbeall AT MINILOGIC.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 15:10:04 -0500 Thanks for responding, Josephine. I should have qualified my question with....according to atlasing standards, would this indicate "breeding" for St. Tammany? Is there anyone still keeping track of these types of sightings? I believe the nest record program wants only data on nests. Linda jwnix wrote: > I also looked up in field guide(NGS) which states the male (usually > dull yellow legs) gets bright orange legs with his high season > breeding plumageSubject: Re: Breeding Green Herons? From: jwnix <jwnix AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 14:59:16 -0500 I also looked up in field guide(NGS) which states the male (usually dull yellow legs) gets bright orange legs with his high season breeding plumage On May 13, 2008, at 2:53 PM, Linda Beall wrote: Hi LABird, I received an email from friends in Folsom who saw two adult Green Herons feeding together in the stream behind their home. They said both bird's legs were bright orange. I looked in the Louisiana Breeding Bird Atlas and found no confirmed breeding datapoints mapped for St. Tammany Parish. Would this sighting indicate a "breeding pair"? Thanks! LindaSubject: Breeding Green Herons? From: Linda Beall <lbeall AT MINILOGIC.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 14:53:45 -0500 Hi LABird, I received an email from friends in Folsom who saw two adult Green Herons feeding together in the stream behind their home. They said both bird's legs were bright orange. I looked in the Louisiana Breeding Bird Atlas and found no confirmed breeding datapoints mapped for St. Tammany Parish. Would this sighting indicate a "breeding pair"? Thanks! LindaSubject: Cave Swallow - Vermilion Parish Spring 07 - and Continued Breeding Presence of Tree Swallows in Rapides Parish From: Huner Jay V <jvh0660 AT LOUISIANA.EDU> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 14:46:49 -0500 Cave Swallows - About this time of year, Mike Musumeche had at least one Cave Swallow off LA 82 about 10 miles west of Abbeville. Then about a week later, I had one in the same area. We assumed that they were "passing through." But, who knows based on the "colony" at the bridge into Texas in Cameron Parish and finding them here and there including several I found a few weeks ago in amongst hundreds of Clff Swallows at Lock and Dam #3 on the Red River near Colfax in central Louisiana. Tree Swallows - Also, took a ride in Cotile Lake yesterday afternoon and found a Tree Swallow in a cavity in a cypress snag at the bridge in the causeway on Hoyt Road. I found a pair of Tree Swallows in that snag cavity in May-June 05 and 06 and noted a fledged bird in 06. I did not find birds using the cavity in 07 but had several Tree Swallows on the lake during the period suggesting strongly that they were either nesting or attempting to nest in other cavities. On Tue, 13 May 2008 12:01:48 -0500, Purrington, Robert D wrote > I hope I am not duplicating a posting by David, but the Cave Swallow > we had in the rice fields, and which might represent a breeding site, > was where Liberty Farm Rd. crosses the Marrone Canal, 29 56 14/92 > 18 08. About 5 mi SSE of Kaplan. > > Dan Purrington --Subject: Broussard Beach scoters - 11 May 2008 From: Devin Eby-Bosler <debybo1 AT LSU.EDU> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 14:46:03 -0500 LABIRD, On Sunday (11 May), an afternoon of birding along the coast in Cameron Parish was very disappointing. Despite the strong N winds continuing well into the afternoon and gusting to 20+ mph, there was hardly a trace of residual or newly-arriving neotropical migrants at any of the woodlots from Oak Grove to Willow Island. Although spring migration is not over yet, it certainly appeared that way on Sunday afternoon. Perhaps trans-Gulf migrants were being deflected elsewhere along the coast or arrival was delayed considerably under such unfavorable conditions. With headwinds of this intensity, migrants may have arrived after dark on Sunday evening. Apparently the coastal bend of Texas was receiving a grounding of migrants on Sunday and coastal Alabama had very similar reports as well, but the late migrant scenario on the Louisiana coast was grim at best. Aside from numerous Ruddy Turnstones and Sanderlings in fancy breeding plumage, Rutherford Beach was rather birdless. On a positive note, a/the scoter flock continues off Broussard Beach, ca. 2 mi. SE of Cameron. This is presumably the same flock that lingered in the surf west of the Calcasieu Ship Channel between 26 April and 4 May, though no White-winged Scoter(s) present in the raft on Sunday. Instead, an adult male BLACK SCOTER joined the raft of 5 (3 imm. male, 2 female) SURF SCOTERS and 6 LESSER SCAUPS. It will be interesting to note how long the scoters and scaups linger at this location. Resting on the beach were a few lingering Am. Herring Gulls (only a single ad.) and 6 (5 ad., 1 first-summer) Common Terns mixed-in with the usual summering larids. A pair of Wilson's Plovers were defending a potential nest site above the wrack line. Birding was equally slow over at E. Jetty Beach. The Cameron oxidation ponds yielded over a dozen ad. Black Terns and a li! ngering Spotted Sandpiper. A lingering ad. Ring-billed Gull and several Wilson's Phalaropes were present in parking lot pools along Davis Rd. Willow Island was unbeleivably quiet between 5:30 and 6 PM. The only migrants noted were an Eastern Wood-Pewee, a "Traill's" Flycatcher, 3 Tennessee, 2 Yellow, a male Magnolia, a female Blackburnian Warbler and a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. No vireos, thrushes, etc. Oak Grove Sanctuary in Oak Grove was even more depressing than Willow Island. Here, a single Yellow-billed Cuckoo, 2 Great Crested Flycatchers, and 2 late female Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were the only apparent migrants. No vireos or thrushes here either, and the only warbler was a male Common Yellowthroat singing in the marsh across the road. On the way north toward I-10, a lingering juv. Red-tailed Hawk was perched atop a utility pole nr. the jct. of LA-14 x LA-397, SE of Lake Charles (Calcasieu Parish). Good Birding, Devin Bosler LSU-Baton RougeSubject: Terns in Audubon Pk From: "Purrington, Robert D" <danny AT TULANE.EDU> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 14:40:35 -0500 While walking (alas, not running) in Audubon Park at noon, I saw a group of terns feeding on a pond near the golf clubhouse. There was at least one Gull-billed, one or more Least Terns, and about 8 Forster's Terns. The first two might be nesting on a rooftop nearby, perhaps one of the wharf structures, and who knows where the Forster's might be nesting, if indeed they are. There are often a coupld of GBTEs at this site in the breeding season. Dan PurringtonSubject: Re: non migrating robins From: "David A. Cagnolatti" <dcagnolatti AT COX.NET> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 14:19:48 -0400 There is a substantial population of non-migrating robins on the grounds of the state Capitol in Baton Rouge. Dave Cagnolatti ---- G LandrySubject: breeding robins From: David Muth <dpmuth AT COX.NET> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 13:10:33 -0400 Labird: The La. breeding bird atlas showed confirmed breeding at New Orleans and Lake Charles, so basically the 1-10 corridor, but absent or sporadic from the easter Florida Parishes and much of south central Louisiana. They also show probable breeding near Houma and on Grand Isle. The GI bird(s) were definitely anamalous--that was the only year I ever knew of summering robins down there. As is clear, breeding pairs can show up anywhere in residential areas of Louisiana, but breeding in "natural" areas is more likely in the north half of the state. They've been in a few New Orleans neighborhoods for decades, but my impression is they are down since the hurricane. I've assumed that their presence in some neighborhoods but absence from other seeminly identical neighborhoods habitat wise is a function of New Orleans being on the extreme periphery of the range, and slow recruitment. The New Orleans birds flock up early in the fall and move into places like City Park. Who knows if they m! igrate from there, or are swallowed up when northerners arrive in November. -- David Muth New OrleansSubject: Cave Swallow From: "Purrington, Robert D" <danny AT TULANE.EDU> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 12:01:48 -0500 I hope I am not duplicating a posting by David, but the Cave Swallow we had in the rice fields, and which might represent a breeding site, was where Liberty Farm Rd. crosses the Marrone Canal, 29 56 14/92 18 08. About 5 mi SSE of Kaplan. Dan PurringtonSubject: non migrating robins From: G Landry <garriel AT LOUISIANA.EDU> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 11:51:35 -0500 There has long been resident populations of non migrating Robins here and there in LA, there is one on the UL Campus and surrounding neighborhoods, in Lafayette, Ive seen Robins in that region for 40 years, all summer long, not many but some are always present. Also observed a single pair in my home town of Franklin several years back during Summer months. Its always interesting to speculate on why some individuals of a migrating species choose not to do so. Wonder what they tell their cousins when they come down for winter visits? GarrieSubject: Re: surprise visitor, a robin From: Mike Musumeche <mjmusumeche AT COX.NET> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 11:32:12 -0500 Toddy/LaBirders,
A number of years ago in the main city park in New Iberia, I studied a pair
of Am. Robins as they started building a nest, deposited eggs, incubate and
bring off two young. They also constructed a "dummy" nest about 50 meters
from the viable one.
Mike
_________________________________________________
^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^
Michael Musumeche
New Iberia, Louisiana
mjmusumeche AT cox.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Toddy and Chris Guidry"
Subject: Orchard Oriole nestFrom: janine robin <j-probin1982 AT PEOPLEPC.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 11:14:29 -0500 A pair of Orchard Orioles are nesting in my backyard. They chose a large pear
tree to build the nest. It is well hidden in a hanging brach that is loaded
with young pears. Quite pretty.
Janine in Folsom, LA
Subject: Re: surprise visitor, a robinFrom: janine robin <j-probin1982 AT PEOPLEPC.COM> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 11:03:55 -0500 I saw a robin while birding last week in Folsom. I have never seen a robin
in this area except in the winter. I was very surprised to see it.
Janine in Folsom
----- Original Message -----
From: "mara domingue"
|