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The Michigan Birding List

Updated on Tuesday, December 11 at 09:29 PM ET
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Yes, it is a help for sure but it's still the very first time in our 10 
years here that we've had redpolls, either common or hoary, at our feeders. 
I'm really thrilled to welcome them to my northern yard list.

Sally Scheer
Rogers City

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bruce M. Bowman" 
To: "Sally K Scheer" 
Cc: 
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 9:39 PM
Subject: Re: [birders] Re: Redpoll feeder question


>A Rogers City location is a helpful factor in your formula.
>
> Bruce
>
>
> From:           "Sally K Scheer" 
> To:             birders AT umich.edu
> Subject:        [birders] Re: Redpoll feeder question
> Date sent:      Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:30:
> Send reply to:  "Sally K Scheer" 
>
>> I feed only black oil sunflower seeds (some in a hanging feeder and some
>> on the ground and some on the deck floor and some in trays on the deck
>> railing and some just on the railing) and three blocks of suet laid on 
>> the
>> deck railing. The redpolls are going to the trays of oilers mostly but
>> also the railing and a few on the deck floor. Nothing expensive or fancy
>> here.
>>
>> Sally Scheer
>> Rogers City
>>
>>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>>   From: Parula100 AT aol.com
>>   To: birders AT umich.edu
>>   Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 7:38 PM
>>   Subject: [birders] Redpoll feeder question
>>
>>
>>   I'm starting to get a complex--everyone except me seems to have 
>> Redpolls
>>   at their feeders. I have multiple thistle sock feeders and upside-down
>>   thistle tube feeders that are loaded with Goldfinches, but no Redpolls.
>>   Could those of you who have Redpolls tell me what kinds of feeders
>>   attract them in your yards? I'm wondering if maybe they don't like the
>>   upside-down feeders.
>>
>>   Thanks!
>>
>>   Darlene Friedman
>>   Novi
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
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>>
>
>
> 


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Starlings, sparrows yes are the commonest "victims"!  Squirrels, Cats, & 
even Raccoons are known to fall down chimneys sometimes just because they 
are nosy! At my mothers old house some years back a Racoon fell down the 
chimney into the fireplace, no fire but the damper had been left open and 
the fireplace doors were open! Picture a Racoon running around the living 
room!
   Sometime ago on a website, I think northbirding,com-- Someone reported 
(with pics) a Common Merganser female which did the chimney thing!  For 
these reasons and cleaning purposes, a properly made masonary chimney will 
have at the very bottom in the basement or the utility room if the case be, 
a metal "cleanout" door.Actually most birds (or bats!) that fall in end up 
there at the bottom of the chimney.
    It is "CO" carbon monoxide that causes the birds to pass out or 
sometimes even expire!
A chimney cap IS a highly recommended item. Keeps rain & leaves out too! 
However small birds, bats will thru curiosity often find their way under the 
flange and into the chimney. Swallows & Swifts are common for this! I have a 
fuel oil furnace out in the garage that I don't use often. (It has a proper 
chimney cap on it) One May day while working in the garage I heard a 
thrashing noise in the furnace. My first thought a mouse or squirrel. 
Shortly I heard the distinct calls of an Eastern Bluebird in there! I had 
seen a Bluebird pair hanging around the yard for several days and once saw 
the male perched up on said garage chimney cap! In panic I removed the flue 
pipe. No bluebird! I had to almost completely disassemble the furnace as he 
had got caught way back in the heat exchanger chambers! Finally I removed 
said very black & sooty Bluebird! I was concerned for his eyes as they were 
caked with soot which must have stung terribly. So there I was carefully 
"bathing" a Bluebird hopefully to save his life or eyesight! He must have 
been nosing around looking for a clever nest cavity to consider. With the 
soot in his eyes he could see nothing! Anyhow I got him clean despite his 
angry inappreciation of what I was doing, and shortly released him out back 
when I could see he could again blink his eyes naturally!
   With a natural gas or propane system it is a very very rare occasion one 
needs the chimney ever cleaned! One of the benefits of gas!  Fuel oil 
system, if tuned and adjusted properly only now & then. Wood or coal, 
another story, those chimneys should be checked and/or cleaned yearly, 
sometimes oftener!
  I myself do not think this is far fetched, thought others might. I have 
seen many cases of this situation being an ex (retired) heating and furnace 
technician!

Russ Emmons, St. Clair county

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sally K Scheer" 
To: 
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 10:59 AM
Subject: [birders] Re: birds and chimneys


> Prevention is the best thing for this as well as for window strikes. Have 
> a chimney cap installed next time you have your chimney cleaned. You DO 
> have your chimney cleaned, right?
>
> Sally Scheer
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Sherri Smith" 
> To: 
> Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 10:41 AM
> Subject: [birders] birds and chimneys
>
>
>> Birds fall down chimneys because they perch on them and inhale too  many 
>> fumes, CO2, probably, and faint.  they fall in, and come to in  the 
>> bottom, below the rising hot fumes.  They look foe light and find  it 
>> where there is an opening in the flue, I think to let house air  in. 
>> They go out the hole and are in your basement.  Starlings and  sparrows 
>> are the usual suspects, but sometimes it's screech owls and  wood ducks.
>> It could happen to any bird that perches there.  All will fly to  light 
>> if you can open a window or door and block all the other  light. 
>> Otherwise, you have to catch them.
>> Sherri Smith
>>
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>> resubscribe use SUBSCRIBE BIRDERS Your Name.
>>
>
>
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Darlene, Ours are eating from a regular Droll Yankee Tube sunflower dispenser 
and thistle from a cheap Perky Pet plastic tube type with holes and perches. 
They are eating also on the ground! Up north at our cottage Thanksgiving they 
were eating on a tray platform and on the ground! 


Russ Emmons, Casco Twp. St. Clair county
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Parula100 AT aol.com 
  To: birders AT umich.edu 
  Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 7:38 PM
  Subject: [birders] Redpoll feeder question


 I'm starting to get a complex--everyone except me seems to have Redpolls at 
their feeders. I have multiple thistle sock feeders and upside-down thistle 
tube feeders that are loaded with Goldfinches, but no Redpolls. Could those of 
you who have Redpolls tell me what kinds of feeders attract them in your yards? 
I'm wondering if maybe they don't like the upside-down feeders. 


  Thanks!

  Darlene Friedman 
  Novi





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I feed only black oil sunflower seeds (some in a hanging feeder and some on the 
ground and some on the deck floor and some in trays on the deck railing and 
some just on the railing) and three blocks of suet laid on the deck railing. 
The redpolls are going to the trays of oilers mostly but also the railing and a 
few on the deck floor. Nothing expensive or fancy here. 


Sally Scheer
Rogers City

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Parula100 AT aol.com 
  To: birders AT umich.edu 
  Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 7:38 PM
  Subject: [birders] Redpoll feeder question


 I'm starting to get a complex--everyone except me seems to have Redpolls at 
their feeders. I have multiple thistle sock feeders and upside-down thistle 
tube feeders that are loaded with Goldfinches, but no Redpolls. Could those of 
you who have Redpolls tell me what kinds of feeders attract them in your yards? 
I'm wondering if maybe they don't like the upside-down feeders. 


  Thanks!

  Darlene Friedman 
  Novi





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Took a tour up to the "thumb".  Enroute, had about 50 Long Tailed Ducks at
Port Huron (Edison Park) along with usual diving company.  Had a Northern
Shrike out in the boonies ( on the way to the Minden Bog).  Got to
Grindstone City and had several White crowned, White Throated and Am. Tree
Sparrows at one feeder (with usual suspects).  Pouring rain gave way to a
beautiful snow that blanketed the pines at Port Crescent.  Had another
Northern Shrike there.  Visibility was the worst I have ever had for
birding, driving, etc.  Finally hiked the Arboretum on Loosemore road.  Had
a very distant glimpse at Bohemians on private property adjacent.  In all,
with the weather, I was suprised to have seen anything at all!  Again, cool
to be alive, and outdoors at that!

Love, Jeff


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I recently put up a peanut feeder in cage and was immediately rewarded with 
many Titmice, Rose-breasted nuthatches, Chickadees and a Red-bellied 
woodpecker. Even the Downies, cardinals and bluejays like it. Unfortunately, 
the squirrels can fit between the cage openings and sit inside, chowing down on 
the peanuts. This keeps the birds away, unfortunately. I don't have many 
options for raising the feeder at this time of year and am beginning to 
consider a paintball gun.....If I get a cage with smaller openings, the bigger 
birds won't be able to get in either. Anyone have a good way of dealing with 
this problems? Thanks. 

       
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I'm starting to get a complex--everyone except me seems to have  Redpolls at 
their feeders. I have multiple thistle sock feeders and upside-down  thistle 
tube feeders that are loaded with Goldfinches, but no Redpolls. Could those of 

you who have Redpolls tell me what kinds of feeders attract them in  your 
yards? I'm wondering if maybe they don't like the upside-down  feeders.
 
Thanks!
 
Darlene Friedman 
Novi



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A new yard bird for me-a sweet little lone redpoll dining with the
goldfinches. I grew up seeing them NW in Oceana Co., but this is the first
time I've seen one in Washtenaw Co. too. Keeping an eye on my crabapple for
any pine grosbeaks that may show up. Sharon of Dexter area



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Here in Bloomfield Hills we are having a banner day at my house bird
feeding stations, with a flock of redpolls and another of pine siskins. 
Adding to the diversity were 2 fox sparrows, 2 American Tree Sparrows,
white-crowned and white-throated sparrows, together with the usual
suspects.  Our red-breasted nuthatches seem to have moved on, however.  I
haven't seen them in days.  Previously they were showing up every day
repeatedly.

Leslie Landau



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 Even though I have decals on the outside of my windows, I have lost two tree 
sparrows in the last two days on the same window. I have come to the conclusion 
that the sparrow is headed for the Christmas tree that sets right inside. I put 
more decals up and have shut the blinds. I will keep you posted. Connie 


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Prevention is the best thing for this as well as for window strikes. Have a 
chimney cap installed next time you have your chimney cleaned. You DO have 
your chimney cleaned, right?

Sally Scheer

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sherri Smith" 
To: 
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 10:41 AM
Subject: [birders] birds and chimneys


> Birds fall down chimneys because they perch on them and inhale too  many 
> fumes, CO2, probably, and faint.  they fall in, and come to in  the 
> bottom, below the rising hot fumes.  They look foe light and find  it 
> where there is an opening in the flue, I think to let house air  in.  They 
> go out the hole and are in your basement.  Starlings and  sparrows are the 
> usual suspects, but sometimes it's screech owls and  wood ducks.
> It could happen to any bird that perches there.  All will fly to  light if 
> you can open a window or door and block all the other  light.  Otherwise, 
> you have to catch them.
> Sherri Smith
>
> ---
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> http://www.umich.edu/~bbowman/birds/se_mich/photos.html
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> line. To
> resubscribe use SUBSCRIBE BIRDERS Your Name.
> 


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Birds fall down chimneys because they perch on them and inhale too  
many fumes, CO2, probably, and faint.  they fall in, and come to in  
the bottom, below the rising hot fumes.  They look foe light and find  
it where there is an opening in the flue, I think to let house air  
in.  They go out the hole and are in your basement.  Starlings and  
sparrows are the usual suspects, but sometimes it's screech owls and  
wood ducks.
It could happen to any bird that perches there.  All will fly to  
light if you can open a window or door and block all the other  
light.  Otherwise, you have to catch them.
Sherri Smith

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My daughter who lives on Main St. near the Stadium and who walks to work on 
campus reports: "At 7:00am the crows were on Ashley and First streets between 
Madison and Jefferson." 


Ellen
Ellen Elliott Weatherbee


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List Members.....

Someone brought up Holiday gifts recently. I have never met Denise Conroy. She 
lives in the UP and has done hats and shirts for us. Great embroidery. All of 
our stuff has frogs and birds on it. I meant to send an e-mail last week about 
her. Good stuff! 


Mike Nolan

Original Message ----- 
From: OMD Embroidery 
To: omdsales AT gmail.com 
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 8:35 AM
Subject: Last Chance for Standard Shipping!


Merry Christmas Everyone!

Just a reminder that the FREE UPS Ground shipping for Christmas delivery will 
expire tomorrow, Wed. the 12th. 

(24 pieces or more). After tomorrow, all orders must be shipped 
express/overnight in order to be guaranteed for Christmas. 


Be sure to check out our BONUS specials - available until Dec. 31st!
http://omdembroidery.com/specials.htm

-- 
Regards, Denise Conroy
Sales & Design

OMD Embroidery & Imprinting
5643 E. M-134
Cedarville, MI 49719

omdsales AT gmail.com
http://omdembroidery.com 


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Greetings all,
I'm mobbed with Redpolls. What a hard thing to handle. It's hard to count, 
because they keep milling, but I've got at least 20 at my feeder, mixed 
liberally with Goldfinches. The house finches seem to be largely displaced. I'm 
seeing very few of them. At this rate, I'll have to increase my budget for 
Nyger seed. 


Harry Wallin
Sunfield Township,
Northwest corner of Eaton County, MI

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Hi, all:

I received the following message from my daughter who lives near the Stadium on 
Main Street: 


"On Wednesday and Thursday of last week, the crows were on the old west side, 
First and Second Street, near William. I don't think they like the Stadium 
construction because we aren't seeing them near us right now.�" 


Ellen
Ellen Elliott Weatherbee 


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First, thank you JULIE CRAVES for the info.  (A notion many share, I'm
sure). Concluding, regarding yardbirds, had four White Throated Sparrows and
one Purple finch male today.

Have fun,
Love Jeff


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Matt; You can take the specimen to the Bird Collection at UM's 
Ruthven Museum of Natural History.
They will preserve and log your bird into their vast (4th largest in 
North America) research collection.
The folks there are real nice and if Janet Hinshaw is about she may 
proffer a tour of the collection.
Cheers  Dave Sing  Chelsea MI

At 09:43 PM 12/9/2007, matt yawney wrote:





>I had a strange discovery this afternoon....  a WB Nuthatch in my 
>children's play area in the basement- dead.  I have no idea how it 
>got there.  We have no pets and the bird appeared untouched.  It 
>looks like it was alive while down there though because it had 
>feathers from one of my kids costumes wrapped around its toes.  The 
>only explanation that I can think of is that I came home about 1-2 
>weeks ago and my wife had accidentally left the door slightly 
>open.  However, I am quite sure it was already dark when she left- 
>so I wouldn't have expected the bird to be active.  I have no other 
>ideas though.  Anyway- other than the eyes being sunken-in, it 
>appears to be in excellent condition in case any museum/nature 
>center has any desire to preserve it, please let me know.
>
>
>
>Matt Yawney
>
>
>
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live.
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I spoke by phone with a staff member at the headquarters at Pt. Mouillee
today, and she informed me that the entire refuge is now open to birders
with the exception of Jan 5th and 6th, 2008. She also informed me that
various hunting seasons will continue to open and close through March
31st, and hunters may be present, so she recommended birders "dress in
bright colors and make it clear you're a person".

Timothy Dey
Lincoln Park

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Arrived here late Saturday and put the feeders up Sunday.  No birds at all 
for Sunday though I could hear some bird sounds further away.

This morning, Monday, the feeders were absolutely teeming with birds. The 
usual chickadees and goldfinches in abundance, a couple of red breasted 
nuthatches (male and female) and lo and behold, a bunch of redpolls. I 
snapped a bunch of pictures and will search them for signs of whether they 
are common or hoary as this is a first for me anywhere. If the lists hadn't 
been alive with sightings of these birds, prompting me to take a good look 
at the Sibley entries and the pictures others posted, I would have skipped 
right over them and gone on to finish the payroll. Well, probably not 
skipped over them as the little red cap they wear sort of glows in the 
sunlight.

Anyway, the birds have once again found my feeders here north of Rogers 
City.

Sally Scheer
Rogers City


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Hello birders,
 After a nice trip to Niagara I had a male Baltimore Oriole add its bright 
orange presence to my feeder this morning at 11:20 am 

  It stopped to grab some suet.
  I hope it will grab a bite again to fill up for its overdue destination.
  I will put own more food and some orange halves just in case.
   
  Happy Birding 
  Ed Lewandowski 
  Auburn Hills

       
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We have gas forced air heating, and a few years ago I found a Chimney Swift 
clinging to our basement wall behind some shelving (I first thought it was a 
bat). The only thing I could think to do was turn out the lights, open the 
basement windows, and hope it would figure out the rest (which it did).

So while the odd of a bird finding its way through that system & into the 
basement are not good, it does indeed happen!

- Erika Stimac


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "matt yawney" 
To: 
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 9:43 PM
Subject: [birders] Nuthatch in my Basement (Dead)


>
>
>
>
>
> I had a strange discovery this afternoon....  a WB Nuthatch in my 
> children's play area in the basement- dead.  I have no idea how it got 
> there.  We have no pets and the bird appeared untouched.  It looks like it 
> was alive while down there though because it had feathers from one of my 
> kids costumes wrapped around its toes.  The only explanation that I can 
> think of is that I came home about 1-2 weeks ago and my wife had 
> accidentally left the door slightly open.  However, I am quite sure it was 
> already dark when she left- so I wouldn't have expected the bird to be 
> active.  I have no other ideas though.  Anyway- other than the eyes being 
> sunken-in, it appears to be in excellent condition in case any 
> museum/nature center has any desire to preserve it, please let me know.
>
>
>
> Matt Yawney
>
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live.
> http://www.windowslive.com/connect.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_Wave2_newways_112007
> ---
> * birders FAQ - http://www.umich.edu/~bbowman/birds/birders_FAQ.html
> * photo sharing site - 
> http://www.umich.edu/~bbowman/birds/se_mich/photos.html
>
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> lyris AT listserver.itd.umich.edu with UNSUBSCRIBE BIRDERS as the Subject 
> line. To
> resubscribe use SUBSCRIBE BIRDERS Your Name.
>
> 


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For a number of years Detroit Audubon has had a three day field trip  
to Niagara Falls, Ontario lead by Alan Wormington who is simply the  
best person you could have to lead such a trip.  There are standard  
good birds, especially gulls and waterfowl, that draw birders to the  
Niagara region in early winter and we normally see most of them.  But  
what has surprised me in recent years is the regularity at which we  
have had great birds that would not be on a standard want list for  
the Niagara area.  Last year the goodies were highlighted by  
Razorbill, Slaty-backed Gull and Pomarine Jaeger.  The year before  
that it was Gyrfalcon and Gannet.  The year before that it was  
Eurasian Wigeon, Black-necked Stilt, California Gull, Rufous  
Hummingbird, Bohemian Waxwing, and Golden-crowned Sparrow.  The year  
before that--well, you get the picture.

This year the trip was December 7th to 9th.  The birding forecast was  
not all that great looking at Ontbirds.   Nonetheless it was an  
excellent trip again.  Here are the highlights.  The full write-up  
will be on the Detroit Audubon web page when I finish it in the next  
two days,

	King Eider--first year male at Stoney Creek on Lake Ontario near  
Hamilton.

	Ross's Goose--one in with Canadas at a park in Chippawa south of  
Niagara Falls.

	Purple Sandpiper--several above the falls at Niagara

	Black-headed Gull--one hugging the New York side across from Fort  
Erie.  Great spotting Alan.

	Thayer's Gull--a few seen at Adam Beck and above the falls.

	Iceland Gull--at least 10, adults and immatures.

	Hawk Owl--Are you kidding me?  Yes, a Hawk Owl up the Niagara  
Escarpment in the Hamilton      		area.  It had been found on the  
previous day, December 8th.

Cheers,

Karl Overman
Farmington Hills, Mi.


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A chimney cap is a good idea and inexpensive.

We had a wood duck fly down our fireplace flue many many years ago. No fire 
in the fireplace, luckily, and the glass doors were closed so there he sat 
in the log cradle waiting for deliverance. What a thrill it was to hold that 
beautiful duck in my arms before letting him go outside.

Sally Scheer
Clinton
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Russell Emmons" 
To: 
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 11:52 PM
Subject: [birders] Re: Nuthatch in my Basement (Dead)


> Matt: Do you have a gas forced air furnace in the basement? If so it may 
> have somehow fallen  or flew down into the chimney, into the flue pipe and 
> out into the basement via the open draft diverter!  This does happen now & 
> then. It may have been roosting up on the chimney opening, got overcome 
> with monoxide, passed out and fell down the chimney into the flue, revived 
> enough to find its way out of the draft diverter. Sounds far fetched but 
> very possible!
>  Note I didn't ask if you had fuel oil heat because if the above was the 
> case the bird would have been VERY black with soot. If you have another 
> type of heat altogether then I don't know what else could be!
>
> Russ  Emmons
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "matt yawney" 
> To: 
> Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 9:43 PM
> Subject: [birders] Nuthatch in my Basement (Dead)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I had a strange discovery this afternoon....  a WB Nuthatch in my 
> children's play area in the basement- dead.  I have no idea how it got 
> there.  We have no pets and the bird appeared untouched.  It looks like it 
> was alive while down there though because it had feathers from one of my 
> kids costumes wrapped around its toes.  The only explanation that I can 
> think of is that I came home about 1-2 weeks ago and my wife had 
> accidentally left the door slightly open.  However, I am quite sure it was 
> already dark when she left- so I wouldn't have expected the bird to be 
> active.  I have no other ideas though.  Anyway- other than the eyes being 
> sunken-in, it appears to be in excellent condition in case any 
> museum/nature center has any desire to preserve it, please let me know.
>
>
>
> Matt Yawney
>
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live.
> http://www.windowslive.com/connect.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_Wave2_newways_112007
> ---
> * birders FAQ - http://www.umich.edu/~bbowman/birds/birders_FAQ.html
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> http://www.umich.edu/~bbowman/birds/se_mich/photos.html
>
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> resubscribe use SUBSCRIBE BIRDERS Your Name.
>
>
> ---
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> resubscribe use SUBSCRIBE BIRDERS Your Name.
>
>
> -- 
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 
> /1179 - Release Date: 12/9/2007 11:06 AM
>
> 


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Matt: Do you have a gas forced air furnace in the basement? If so it may 
have somehow fallen  or flew down into the chimney, into the flue pipe and 
out into the basement via the open draft diverter!  This does happen now & 
then. It may have been roosting up on the chimney opening, got overcome with 
monoxide, passed out and fell down the chimney into the flue, revived enough 
to find its way out of the draft diverter. Sounds far fetched but very 
possible!
  Note I didn't ask if you had fuel oil heat because if the above was the 
case the bird would have been VERY black with soot. If you have another type 
of heat altogether then I don't know what else could be!

Russ  Emmons

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "matt yawney" 
To: 
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 9:43 PM
Subject: [birders] Nuthatch in my Basement (Dead)







I had a strange discovery this afternoon....  a WB Nuthatch in my children's 
play area in the basement- dead.  I have no idea how it got there.  We have 
no pets and the bird appeared untouched.  It looks like it was alive while 
down there though because it had feathers from one of my kids costumes 
wrapped around its toes.  The only explanation that I can think of is that I 
came home about 1-2 weeks ago and my wife had accidentally left the door 
slightly open.  However, I am quite sure it was already dark when she left- 
so I wouldn't have expected the bird to be active.  I have no other ideas 
though.  Anyway- other than the eyes being sunken-in, it appears to be in 
excellent condition in case any museum/nature center has any desire to 
preserve it, please let me know.



Matt Yawney




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I spent a couple weeks in Kenya this fall, and came back with some
photos of birds that are not usually seen in Washtenaw County.  These
include Marabou Stork, Long-Creasted Eagle, Superb Starling, Namaqua
Dove, Vulturine Guineafowl, White-Headed Buffalo Weaver, Gabar Goshawk,
Striped Kingfisher, Lilac-Breasted Roller, African White-backed
Vultures, Water Thick-Knee, Secretary Bird, and a few others I haven�t
finished with yet.  I�ve posted photos at:

http://www.pbase.com/millerr/kenya2007

so that if these are seen in Washtenaw County this Christmas it will be
easier to make the identification.  There are also a few mammals in the
mix, easy to avoid if you only want to look at birds.




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I had a strange discovery this afternoon.... a WB Nuthatch in my children's 
play area in the basement- dead. I have no idea how it got there. We have no 
pets and the bird appeared untouched. It looks like it was alive while down 
there though because it had feathers from one of my kids costumes wrapped 
around its toes. The only explanation that I can think of is that I came home 
about 1-2 weeks ago and my wife had accidentally left the door slightly open. 
However, I am quite sure it was already dark when she left- so I wouldn't have 
expected the bird to be active. I have no other ideas though. Anyway- other 
than the eyes being sunken-in, it appears to be in excellent condition in case 
any museum/nature center has any desire to preserve it, please let me know. 




Matt Yawney




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Hello birders,
  Returned from a Niagara trip with my bird buddies Bob Hart and Craig Gough
   
  Trip Highlights
  3 Redpoll at Metrobeach feeders, no siskins
   
 hundreds of Oldsquaw at Point Edward, 2 Surf Scoters, 1 Pintail hugging the 
shoreline, 2 Peregrines in air battle together for one bird. 

   
  Thousands of Bonaparte's Gulls at Erieau
   
  3 Purple Sandpipers up from the rocks near the barge- Niagara Falls
   
  Gulls species
  Ring Billed Gull
  Herring Gull
  Lesser Black Backed Gull
  Greater Black Backed Gull
 Iceland Gull- Sir Adam Beck Power Station (a Glaucous was seen but not found 
by us) 

  Boneparte's
   
 Thayer's Gulls not found or reported the days we were there by other birders, 
found previous week. 

   
  2 Red Throated Loons at Niagara on the Lake
   
  other note worthy...
  Rough Legged Hawk-near Kettle Point
  Flocks of Snow Buntings-near Sarnia
 No luck on Black Headed Gull at Fort Erie, was seen Sat. morning with 
Bonaparte's, but not present when we arrived. 

  Low gull numbers at Fort Erie sat and sun.
   
  Pinery is mostly closed to traffic to the beach
  Kettle Point is frozen
   
  Great trip, great fun, good way to end the year.
   
  Happy birding and happy holidays
  Ed Lewandowski
  Auburn Hills

       
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            Well I know about the eye disease but did not see anywhere where
it can create the �humped-back� that I see.

 

   _____  

From: Russell Emmons [mailto:birdeland AT pasty.net] 
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 1:05 PM
To: birders AT umich.edu
Subject: [birders] Fw: Re: Humped-Back House Finches?

 

Fred:

I will try again-- too much in a hurry!    HYPERLINK
"http://www.birds.cornell.edu/hofi/"http://www.birds.cornell.edu/hofi/    

 

----- Original Message ----- 

From: HYPERLINK "mailto:birdeland AT pasty.net"Russell Emmons 

To: HYPERLINK "mailto:birders AT umich.edu"birders AT umich.edu 

Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 12:58 PM

Subject: Re: [birders] Re: Humped-Back House Finches?

 

OOPS! sorry Fred and all That should be   HYPERLINK
"http://www.birds.cornell.edu/hofi/"http://www.birds.cornell.edu/hofi/

 

 

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Russell Emmons" 

To: 

Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 12:39 PM

Subject: [birders] Re: Humped-Back House Finches?

 

> Fred: All you say is probably correct! House Finches like a few other 
> species are especially prone to Conjunctivitus and Salmonella and probably

> what you are witnessing. Check this out:
> HYPERLINK "http://www.cornell.edu/hofi/"http://www.cornell.edu/hofi/
> 
> Russ Emmons, St. Clair county
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "fkaluza" 
> To: 
> Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 11:29 AM
> Subject: [birders] Humped-Back House Finches?
> 
> 
>> Has anyone else noticed what I refer to in the subject line?  I
>> sometimes see "sluggish" House Finches.  They don't flush as easily when
>> threatened and I take that as a sign of foolish confidence or old age or
>> illness.  For lack of the proper term (if there is one), the "rump" or 
>> area
>> of the back just forward of where the tail begins seems to have a "hump".
>> Is this just maybe how the feathers lay when the bird is trying to retain
>> warmth? Fred in Warren
>>
>>
>>
>> "Improve your standard of living and restore the environment, support
>> population reduction"
>>
>>
>> No virus found in this outgoing message.
>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>> Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: /1179 - Release Date: 
>> 12/9/2007
>> 11:06 AM
>>
>>
>>
>> ---
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UNSUBSCRIBE BIRDERS as the Subject 
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>> 
> 
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No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: /1179 - Release Date: 12/9/2007
11:06 AM



No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: /1179 - Release Date: 12/9/2007
11:06 AM
 


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Fred,

I find that if a nest is in the box in the spring, that they will most of the 
time take the old nest out before they make a new nest. If they do keep the old 
nest and make one on top of it, the nest will be too high and some of the 
bigger birds can pull the eggs and babies out of the nest. I keep all of my 
boxes up all year and do not put anything in the box when it is cold. You would 
think that they would like to have something in the box when it is cold. When I 
have put something in the box they will take it out. On cold wet and windy 
nights I have 10 to 12 Bluebirds in the box at a time. If I get up when the sun 
is coming up, I some times see them come out of the box. 


Maynard Sumner
Flint MI

www.michiganbluebirds.org



 

-- "fkaluza"  wrote:
	Since I'm seeing different birds this season I'd like to try to have
housing available for the Bluebirds, Chickadees, Nuthatches and maybe
Titmice in the Spring.  Normally I get Tree Swallows and House Wrens galore
and that's it. My question is...What about old nests?  Certainly, when the
only holes available were what the Woodpeckers left behind, secondary cavity
nesters had to use what they found.  If a Titmouse or Nuthatch or Chickadee
or other secondary cavity nester comes across a cavity from a previous
season, are they capable of removing the old contents to make a new nest or
must they find one which is already "clean"?

	I know a lot of folks will remove old nests before Spring as a means
of reducing over-wintering parasites but...parasites are a natural and maybe
beneficial part of their habitat and I'm thinking that old nests would add a
lot of insulative value to birds who use these nest-boxes as Winter
shelters.

	So, what have you long-time cavity providers done in your areas to
ensure maximum occupancy?  Thoughts?   Theories?  Thanks...Fred in Warren


"Improve your standard of living and restore the environment, support
population reduction"


No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: /1179 - Release Date: 12/9/2007
11:06 AM
 


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http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2121/fc/Ioyw6i3nAInYcfABAi9UjLmA07zUvnRBV5DVFkWvoaUmp2gSxJyToo/ 




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Hello,
We have had a very active day around here. Our Cooper's hawk made more than one 
appearance and even stopped for a visit and perched on the wires while I was 
preparing to fill the feeders. The Red-bellied female enjoyed the suet cake as 
did the RBN, WBN, Downy and the chickadees. I even had a junco enjoying the 
suet. He simply perched on top of the cage!! I have never seen a junco eating 
suet. 

The highlight was 2 Redpolls. A new yard species for me and a lifer! I posted 
some pics at Grovesteet. Here is the link. You may have to copy and paste. 


 http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/picview.jsp?album=86517

Kristina Harris
Redford


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Hi All:



Has anybody see where the crows are staging these days. I plan on trying to 
tally their numbers on Saturday starting about 4 pm. But, I guess I have to 
know where they are. Any info would be appreciated. 




Thanks,

Michael





_______________________________________________
Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com
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Two bald eagles were seen at the day sail ramp at Metro Beach as well as
hundreds of Tundra Swans in the lake and thousands of ducks flying over
the lake. Julie Champion


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Hello everyone,

I have just updated my blog with commentary and photos from day 2 of our trip 
to Panama last month. I had hoped to upload one video as well but Google is not 
allowing that to happen, and for some reason the photos cannot be viewed larger 
by clicking on them any more. But, in any case, the content is there for you to 
look at: 


http://mihummingbirdguy.blogspot.com/

Allen Chartier
amazilia1 AT comcast.net
1442 West River Park Drive
Inkster, MI  48141
Website: http://www.amazilia.net
Michigan HummerNet: http://www.amazilia.net/MIHummerNet
===============================================
Every day, the hummingbird eats its own weight in food.
You may wonder how it weighs the food. It doesn't.
It just eats another hummingbird.
---Steven Wright

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Fred:
I will try again-- too much in a hurry! http://www.birds.cornell.edu/hofi/ 


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Russell Emmons 
To: birders AT umich.edu 
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 12:58 PM
Subject: Re: [birders] Re: Humped-Back House Finches?


OOPS! sorry Fred and all That should be   http://www.birds.cornell.edu/hofi/


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Russell Emmons" 
To: 
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 12:39 PM
Subject: [birders] Re: Humped-Back House Finches?


> Fred: All you say is probably correct! House Finches like a few other 
> species are especially prone to Conjunctivitus and Salmonella and probably 
> what you are witnessing. Check this out:
> http://www.cornell.edu/hofi/
> 
> Russ Emmons, St. Clair county
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "fkaluza" 
> To: 
> Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 11:29 AM
> Subject: [birders] Humped-Back House Finches?
> 
> 
>> Has anyone else noticed what I refer to in the subject line?  I
>> sometimes see "sluggish" House Finches.  They don't flush as easily when
>> threatened and I take that as a sign of foolish confidence or old age or
>> illness.  For lack of the proper term (if there is one), the "rump" or 
>> area
>> of the back just forward of where the tail begins seems to have a "hump".
>> Is this just maybe how the feathers lay when the bird is trying to retain
>> warmth? Fred in Warren
>>
>>
>>
>> "Improve your standard of living and restore the environment, support
>> population reduction"
>>
>>
>> No virus found in this outgoing message.
>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>> Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: /1179 - Release Date: 
>> 12/9/2007
>> 11:06 AM
>>
>>
>>
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>> http://www.umich.edu/~bbowman/birds/se_mich/photos.html
>>
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>> 
> 
> 
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OOPS! sorry Fred and all That should be   http://www.cornell.edu/hofi/


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Russell Emmons" 
To: 
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 12:39 PM
Subject: [birders] Re: Humped-Back House Finches?


> Fred: All you say is probably correct! House Finches like a few other 
> species are especially prone to Conjunctivitus and Salmonella and probably 
> what you are witnessing. Check this out:
> http://www.cornell.edu/hofo/
> 
> Russ Emmons, St. Clair county
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "fkaluza" 
> To: 
> Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 11:29 AM
> Subject: [birders] Humped-Back House Finches?
> 
> 
>> Has anyone else noticed what I refer to in the subject line?  I
>> sometimes see "sluggish" House Finches.  They don't flush as easily when
>> threatened and I take that as a sign of foolish confidence or old age or
>> illness.  For lack of the proper term (if there is one), the "rump" or 
>> area
>> of the back just forward of where the tail begins seems to have a "hump".
>> Is this just maybe how the feathers lay when the bird is trying to retain
>> warmth? Fred in Warren
>>
>>
>>
>> "Improve your standard of living and restore the environment, support
>> population reduction"
>>
>>
>> No virus found in this outgoing message.
>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>> Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: /1179 - Release Date: 
>> 12/9/2007
>> 11:06 AM
>>
>>
>>
>> ---
>> * birders FAQ - http://www.umich.edu/~bbowman/birds/birders_FAQ.html
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>> http://www.umich.edu/~bbowman/birds/se_mich/photos.html
>>
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>> lyris AT listserver.itd.umich.edu with UNSUBSCRIBE BIRDERS as the Subject 
>> line. To
>> resubscribe use SUBSCRIBE BIRDERS Your Name.
>> 
> 
> 
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Fred: All you say is probably correct! House Finches like a few other 
species are especially prone to Conjunctivitus and Salmonella and probably 
what you are witnessing. Check this out:
http://www.cornell.edu/hofo/

Russ Emmons, St. Clair county

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "fkaluza" 
To: 
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 11:29 AM
Subject: [birders] Humped-Back House Finches?


> Has anyone else noticed what I refer to in the subject line?  I
> sometimes see "sluggish" House Finches.  They don't flush as easily when
> threatened and I take that as a sign of foolish confidence or old age or
> illness.  For lack of the proper term (if there is one), the "rump" or 
> area
> of the back just forward of where the tail begins seems to have a "hump".
> Is this just maybe how the feathers lay when the bird is trying to retain
> warmth? Fred in Warren
>
>
>
> "Improve your standard of living and restore the environment, support
> population reduction"
>
>
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: /1179 - Release Date: 
> 12/9/2007
> 11:06 AM
>
>
>
> ---
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> http://www.umich.edu/~bbowman/birds/se_mich/photos.html
>
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> lyris AT listserver.itd.umich.edu with UNSUBSCRIBE BIRDERS as the Subject 
> line. To
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> 


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            Where�s the fun in that?  I would think the Boneheads who
perpetrated this would have more of a challenge strapping some SCUBA tanks
on the pigs and trying to get them to develop a taste for Gobies, Zebra
Muscles and Eurasian Milfoil.

 

 

 

   _____  

From: Keith Saylor [mailto:kfsaylor AT gmail.com] 
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 6:39 AM
To: birders AT umich.edu
Subject: [birders] News Item: Pigs Released on Great Lakes Island Perhaps to
Kill Cormorants

 

News Release and article below.

This is a bothersome development . This tactic is like using a nuclear bomb
to kill a flea ... destroy everything to kill one thing. A number of island
nesting species are threatened with nest failure from this tactic of
releasing pigs on islands. Here is a list of species that I know from
personal experience use Great Lakes islands as nesting sites and that are
threated. 

American White Pelican
Double-crested Cormorant
Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Blue-winged Teal
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Mallard
Hooded Marganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser 
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Virginia Rail
Sora
Sandhill Crane
Piping Plover
Spotted Sandpiper
Killdeer
American Woodcock 
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Bank Swallow
Winter Wren
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Caspian Tern
Common Tern
Black Tern
Forster's Tern
Common Nighthawk 
Whip-Poor-Will
Horned Lark
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Brown Thrasher
Nashville Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler 
Canada Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Many Sparrow Species
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Brewer's Blackbird
Probably Rusty Blackbird too but I've no direct experience
Common Grackle
Others I neglected to list. 

And any other species that decides to build their nest too low in a shrub or
tree.

--------------------------------------------------

DNR Seeks Information on Snake Island Pigs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 14,
2007 

CONTACT: Craig Albright  or Ann Wilson 

DNR Seeks Information on Snake Island Pigs

The Department of Natural Resources is seeking information on the illegal
release of three domestic pigs on Snake Island, located in northern Lake
Michigan.  The 5.14-acre Snake Island is an important site for
colony-nesting waterbirds, including one of the largest colonies of
ring-billed gulls in the Great Lakes.

"We suspect the pigs were released on the island by an individual who was
trying to destroy double-crested cormorant nests and eggs," said Sgt.
Darryl Shann, DNR law enforcement supervisor in Escanaba.  "What people need
to understand is an action like this is not only harmful to our native birds
but also illegal." 

The Great Lakes region has seen a dramatic increase in cormorant populations
during the past 10 years and anglers have concerns over potential impacts on
the sport fishery.  In response to these concerns, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture Wildlife Services has initiated cormorant control at several
sites by using egg-oiling and regulated shooting of adults.  In egg-oiling,
Wildlife Services personnel coat cormorant eggs with vegetable oil limiting
the hatching of eggs.  The oil kills developing embryos, but adult
cormorants continue to incubate the nonviable eggs instead of renesting. 

"The release of domestic pigs at cormorant nesting colonies may actually be
counterproductive to cormorant control efforts," said Karen Cleveland, DNR
bird biologist.  "Pigs will destroy eggs and young birds, but this may
prompt cormorants to renest on the same island or just move to another
island and renest." 

The release of pigs on offshore islands can have additional negative impacts
including disruption of other colony-nesting birds and destruction of ground
plants.  Two domestic pigs were removed from Snake Island earlier this
summer by Wildlife Services personnel, but a third pig recently has been
sighted. 

If you have any information about the release of pigs on Snake Island, or
elsewhere in the state, please call the Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline at
 or contact your local DNR office.

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and
enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future
generations. 


-------------------------------------

Thursday, November 15, 2007 
Pigs eat away at cormorant troubles 
Francis X. Donnelly / The Detroit News

Someone wanted the double-crested cormorants on Snake Island dead. 

The weapon of choice: pigs.

The culprit released three little pigs that ate nearly all of the 2,408 bird
eggs on the island in north Lake Michigan, state officials said.

Call it Murder Most Fowl.

"Pigs are real good at eating anything," said Craig Albright, a wildlife
biologist with the state Department of Natural Resources.

The state wonders whether a fisherman was behind the releasing of the swine.


Anglers hate cormorants because they believe the birds feast on the fish
they're trying to catch -- yellow perch and smallmouth bass.  The
3-foot-long black birds are often seen diving in the lake for food.

Whoever placed the pigs on the island lovingly built a shelter for them, a
little lean-to to protect them from the wind and rain.

On other islands in the Great Lakes, people have used raccoons to kill the
birds, Albright said. 

The first two pigs were discovered in May when federal biologists went to
the island to count the nests and discovered nearly all of them empty.

The porkers, which weighed between 30 and 50 pounds, looked like they had
been raised on a farm. 

"They looked like little pigs," Albright said.

The swine were removed, but a duck hunter spotted another one last month.

But biologists can't find it.  The 5-acre island is covered by dense brush. 

State officials aren't laughing over any of this.

They want to catch the person responsible for the illegal act, asking anyone
who knows about it to call their poaching hotline,.

The pigs damaged not only cormorants but several other types of birds, the
DNR said. 

The island, three miles offshore in Big Bay de Noc, is an important nesting
site for ring-billed gulls and herring gulls.

Also, the person trying to get rid of the cormorants may have accomplished
just the opposite, said Karen Cleveland, a bird biologist with the DNR. 

Destruction of the eggs may cause the birds to simply nest again.

It's best to leave the killing to the people who do it most effectively --
the federal government -- state officials said.

The U.S . Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services limits the cormorant
population, which has surged in the past decade, by regularly shooting
adults and coating eggs with vegetable oil that kills embryos.

The birds may have the last laugh against their landlocked, four-legged
predators. 

In an unrelated announcement Wednesday, Michigan unveiled a campaign to rid
the state of feral pigs.

The weapon of choice: deer hunters.

As long as hunters are in the woods looking for venison, why not bag some
pork as well, asked the DNR and Michigan Department of Agriculture. 

The wild pigs damage crops, infect domestic swine with nasty diseases and
sometimes are dangerous to humans.

The state agencies helpfully suggest the best way to waylay the porkers: Aim
for the shoulder or slightly ahead of it. 

Shoot a feral pig.  It's not just for the birds.

-- 
Keith F. Saylor
4042 US 23 South
Alpena MI 49707
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No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: /1179 - Release Date: 12/9/2007
11:06 AM


No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: /1179 - Release Date: 12/9/2007
11:06 AM
 


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	Since I'm seeing different birds this season I'd like to try to have
housing available for the Bluebirds, Chickadees, Nuthatches and maybe
Titmice in the Spring.  Normally I get Tree Swallows and House Wrens galore
and that's it. My question is...What about old nests?  Certainly, when the
only holes available were what the Woodpeckers left behind, secondary cavity
nesters had to use what they found.  If a Titmouse or Nuthatch or Chickadee
or other secondary cavity nester comes across a cavity from a previous
season, are they capable of removing the old contents to make a new nest or
must they find one which is already "clean"?

	I know a lot of folks will remove old nests before Spring as a means
of reducing over-wintering parasites but...parasites are a natural and maybe
beneficial part of their habitat and I'm thinking that old nests would add a
lot of insulative value to birds who use these nest-boxes as Winter
shelters.

	So, what have you long-time cavity providers done in your areas to
ensure maximum occupancy?  Thoughts?   Theories?  Thanks...Fred in Warren


"Improve your standard of living and restore the environment, support
population reduction"


No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
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11:06 AM
 


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	Has anyone else noticed what I refer to in the subject line?  I
sometimes see "sluggish" House Finches.  They don't flush as easily when
threatened and I take that as a sign of foolish confidence or old age or
illness.  For lack of the proper term (if there is one), the "rump" or area
of the back just forward of where the tail begins seems to have a "hump".
Is this just maybe how the feathers lay when the bird is trying to retain
warmth? Fred in Warren 



"Improve your standard of living and restore the environment, support
population reduction"


No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: /1179 - Release Date: 12/9/2007
11:06 AM
 


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	I just had a Redpoll hanging-out with the Goldfinches.  Poor gal "no
pink on the breast" was having a very hard time duplicating the acrobatic
feats of the others.  It attempted to hang inverted on the perches then it
opted to flutter near the openings and peck-out a few Thistle seeds.  Ice
pellets have just begun falling here so I've lost the opportunity for a good
photo.  Not much light today either!  Fred in Warren




"Improve your standard of living and restore the environment, support
population reduction"

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: /1179 - Release Date: 12/9/2007
11:06 AM
 


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I forgot to mention that the Merlin overwintering in northeast Ann Arbor was 
seen again Friday morning 12/7 over the Huron River in Gallup Park. As has been 
the case for several weeks now, Pine Siskins were abundant in the European 
Black Alder trees. Probably there were at least 100 Siskins in the area on 
Friday. 

 
You know it is not such a bad thing having a few non-native Black Alder trees 
growing in a natural area. Finches of many species love the seeds of the Alder 
and an uncommon butterfly of our area the Harvester is best searched for where 
Black Alder is found. 

 
Roger Kuhlman
Ann Arbor, Michigan
12/9/2007
 
ps. Not too surprising that the Scarlet Tanager found at Lake Erie Metropark in 
the past few day is probably surviving and living off Black Alder. 


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Short-eared Owls are listed as ENDANGERED in Michigan. The locations of 
their wintering grounds are important for MNFI and wildlife managers to 
know when time comes around to decide about development or land 
preservation. Please see the MNFI site to record your observations of 
these birds. Northern Harriers are also listed as species of SPECIAL 
CONCERN and as such should be reported as well. See the information 
below from an earlier post by Karen Cleveland if you need more urging. 
Remember, if you don't report it, who will? If  you need help, email me 
and I can offer assistance. Thanks very much!!
Dea Armstrong
Website for reporting:
http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/contact/surveyforms.cfm
Use the Special Animal Form


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You may think it's hard and time consuming to do, but all you need to
do
is CC the local Wildlife Biologist on the email you send to a listserv
reporting
your finds. You can find a list of all of the DNR's Wildlife Biologists
online at
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/wildlife_151802_7.htm and you can
find the list of endangered and threatened species at

http://www.state.mi.us/orr/emi/admincode.asp?AdminCode=Single&Admin_Num=&Dpt=NR&RngHigh= 


It takes a little bit more work to submit a sighting to MNFI, but the
database
of observations that they maintain is used by state agencies to review

applications for permits that may cause environmental impacts. If you
report
a Henslow's sparrow, trumpeter swan, or prairie warbler on an area
before
development happens, it's much more likely that active steps can be
taken to
ensure that these critters don't get adversely impacted. You can find
MNFI's
form for submitting animal observations online at
http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/contact/Special_Animal_Form.pdf

Not submitting your observations because "everyone knows they're
there"?
That's probably what everyone else thought, and the observation never
got submitted. This is a fairly simple, easy, and cheap way for you to
play
a role in conserving some of our rarest and most sensitive species.

Karen

****************************************************
Deaver D. Armstrong
City Ornithologist
Natural Area Preservation Division City of Ann Arbor Department Park 
Operations
1831 Traver Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

****************************************************

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News Release and article below.

This is a bothersome development . This tactic is like using a nuclear bomb
to kill a flea ... destroy everything to kill one thing. A number of island
nesting species are threatened with nest failure from this tactic of
releasing pigs on islands. Here is a list of species that I know from
personal experience use Great Lakes islands as nesting sites and that are
threated.

American White Pelican
Double-crested Cormorant
Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Blue-winged Teal
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Mallard
Hooded Marganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Virginia Rail
Sora
Sandhill Crane
Piping Plover
Spotted Sandpiper
Killdeer
American Woodcock
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Bank Swallow
Winter Wren
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Caspian Tern
Common Tern
Black Tern
Forster's Tern
Common Nighthawk
Whip-Poor-Will
Horned Lark
Veery
Hermit Thrush
Brown Thrasher
Nashville Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Mourning Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Canada Warbler
Eastern Towhee
Many Sparrow Species
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Brewer's Blackbird
Probably Rusty Blackbird too but I've no direct experience
Common Grackle
Others I neglected to list.

And any other species that decides to build their nest too low in a shrub or
tree.

--------------------------------------------------

DNR Seeks Information on Snake Island Pigs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 14,
2007

CONTACT: Craig Albright  or Ann Wilson 

DNR Seeks Information on Snake Island Pigs

The Department of Natural Resources is seeking information on the illegal
release of three domestic pigs on Snake Island, located in northern Lake
Michigan.  The 5.14-acre Snake Island is an important site for
colony-nesting waterbirds, including one of the largest colonies of
ring-billed gulls in the Great Lakes.

"We suspect the pigs were released on the island by an individual who was
trying to destroy double-crested cormorant nests and eggs," said Sgt.
Darryl Shann, DNR law enforcement supervisor in Escanaba.  "What people need
to understand is an action like this is not only harmful to our native birds
but also illegal."

The Great Lakes region has seen a dramatic increase in cormorant populations
during the past 10 years and anglers have concerns over potential impacts on
the sport fishery.  In response to these concerns, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture Wildlife Services has initiated cormorant control at several
sites by using egg-oiling and regulated shooting of adults.  In egg-oiling,
Wildlife Services personnel coat cormorant eggs with vegetable oil limiting
the hatching of eggs.  The oil kills developing embryos, but adult
cormorants continue to incubate the nonviable eggs instead of renesting.

"The release of domestic pigs at cormorant nesting colonies may actually be
counterproductive to cormorant control efforts," said Karen Cleveland, DNR
bird biologist.  "Pigs will destroy eggs and young birds, but this may
prompt cormorants to renest on the same island or just move to another
island and renest."

The release of pigs on offshore islands can have additional negative impacts
including disruption of other colony-nesting birds and destruction of ground
plants.  Two domestic pigs were removed from Snake Island earlier this
summer by Wildlife Services personnel, but a third pig recently has been
sighted.

If you have any information about the release of pigs on Snake Island, or
elsewhere in the state, please call the Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline at
 or contact your local DNR office.

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and
enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future
generations.


-------------------------------------

Thursday, November 15, 2007
Pigs eat away at cormorant troubles
Francis X. Donnelly / The Detroit News

Someone wanted the double-crested cormorants on Snake Island dead.

The weapon of choice: pigs.

The culprit released three little pigs that ate nearly all of the 2,408 bird
eggs on the island in north Lake Michigan, state officials said.

Call it Murder Most Fowl.

"Pigs are real good at eating anything," said Craig Albright, a wildlife
biologist with the state Department of Natural Resources.

The state wonders whether a fisherman was behind the releasing of the swine.

Anglers hate cormorants because they believe the birds feast on the fish
they're trying to catch -- yellow perch and smallmouth bass.  The
3-foot-long black birds are often seen diving in the lake for food.

Whoever placed the pigs on the island lovingly built a shelter for them, a
little lean-to to protect them from the wind and rain.

On other islands in the Great Lakes, people have used raccoons to kill the
birds, Albright said.

The first two pigs were discovered in May when federal biologists went to
the island to count the nests and discovered nearly all of them empty.

The porkers, which weighed between 30 and 50 pounds, looked like they had
been raised on a farm.

"They looked like little pigs," Albright said.

The swine were removed, but a duck hunter spotted another one last month.

But biologists can't find it.  The 5-acre island is covered by dense brush.

State officials aren't laughing over any of this.

They want to catch the person responsible for the illegal act, asking anyone
who knows about it to call their poaching hotline,.

The pigs damaged not only cormorants but several other types of birds, the
DNR said.

The island, three miles offshore in Big Bay de Noc, is an important nesting
site for ring-billed gulls and herring gulls.

Also, the person trying to get rid of the cormorants may have accomplished
just the opposite, said Karen Cleveland, a bird biologist with the DNR.

Destruction of the eggs may cause the birds to simply nest again.

It's best to leave the killing to the people who do it most effectively --
the federal government -- state officials said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services limits the cormorant
population, which has surged in the past decade, by regularly shooting
adults and coating eggs with vegetable oil that kills embryos.

The birds may have the last laugh against their landlocked, four-legged
predators.

In an unrelated announcement Wednesday, Michigan unveiled a campaign to rid
the state of feral pigs.

The weapon of choice: deer hunters.

As long as hunters are in the woods looking for venison, why not bag some
pork as well, asked the DNR and Michigan Department of Agriculture.

The wild pigs damage crops, infect domestic swine with nasty diseases and
sometimes are dangerous to humans.

The state agencies helpfully suggest the best way to waylay the porkers: Aim
for the shoulder or slightly ahead of it.

Shoot a feral pig.  It's not just for the birds.

-- 
Keith F. Saylor
4042 US 23 South
Alpena MI 49707



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Eli,  birders,:  Since we just live up the road from the Palms school, I 
thought compelled and a bit obligated to go check since we've been planning 
to do this anyhow.
   The day was mostly sunny and halfway decent so we walked back through the 
nature trail and into the woods all the way to the east where it comes to 
agricultural fields.
      We found the Pine tree that Scott Jennex had the Long-Eared last year 
and also the same Pine tree that Neil Gilbert had the Saw-Whet last year. No 
Owls, no whitewash on them or to be found anywhere!  I carefully checked the 
HUGE old Pin Oaks way in the back for Long-Eared as they typically often 
perch on these besides pines. Thought if anything we might flush up a Great 
Horned back in there.  Found old nests of all types and sizes! A few Blue 
Jays, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches and Tree Sparrows were all we saw or heard. 
Hopefully the regular Anchor Bay CBC crew that does that area will have 
better luck next Saturday!
       Unfortunately a pipeline company has clear cut a 50 feet plus wide 
swath back through these woods west to east from the gas well on  Palms Rd. 
across from the little feed store. I don't recall this the last time we went 
back there this past winter--(? ?)

Russ Emmons, Casco Twp. St. Clair county

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "eli thomas" 
To: 
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2007 3:19 PM
Subject: [birders] Palms Elementary


> Birders,
>
> I was wondering if anyone has made it out to Palms
> Elementary.  I remember there were owls there last
> year.  Has anyone checked yet.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Eli Thomas
>
>
> 
> 
____________________________________________________________________________________ 

> Looking for last minute shopping deals?
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I drove down to LEMP this morning to walk the trails.  I found (4)
roosting LONG-EARED OWLS near the Nature Center and got digiscoped
images/video from the trail.  Pics and video can be seen at my blog:
 
http://jerryjourdan.blogspot.com
 
Other birds of note include:
 
Northern Mockingbird
Winter Wren
Pine Siskins
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Swamp Sparrows
 
Cheers,
 
Jerry


Click for free information on obtaining a second mortgage.
 



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I am still seeing the Merlin on Textile Road about 1/2 mile west of  
Ann Arbor Saline Road.  I almost always see it in the morning, and  
about half the time in the early afternoon, never after 3:00.  Fog,  
rain, etc seem to make it lie low.  This is in the Ann Arbor/Saline  
area.
Sherri Smith

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Wintering tanagers are unusual (especially Scarlet Tanagers, it seems), 
but not unheard of. According to the newest issue of North American 
Birds, last winter there were wintering Summer Tanagers in Ontario and 
Michigan, Western Tanagers in Ontario and Michigan, and 7 orioles of 4 
species in Ontario and Indiana.

They survive mostly on fruit in northern regions in winter, although 
they will show up at suet feeders. In fact, this same issue of North 
American Birds had a lengthy discussion on the role of non-native and 
invasive fruiting trees in urban areas and their role in sustaining 
lingering migrant birds.

Red-headed Woodpeckers are fairly easy to find at Lower Huron Metropark 
in the summer. This is by far the most reliable place to find them in 
Wayne County. Most Red-headed Woodpeckers move farther south in the 
winter. I can't recall any recent winter records in this area.

-- 
Julie A. Craves					
Rouge River Bird Observatory
University of Michigan-Dearborn

http://www.rrbo.org

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Has anyone reported Red Headed Woodpecker at either Willow or Oakwoods
Metropark (recently or historically) Just curious... Conversations with my
father spark memories of this gorgeous bird..Over 25 years ago, we would see
them often,  very close to the road (in the  planted ornamental saplings now
mature trees) at Oakwoods. It was indeed the beginning of my fascination
with the natural world.  I was eight years old when he bought me my first
Petersons...

Sharing is caring.
Love, Jeff


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This bird is a true phenomenon.  How unheard of!  Does anyone know what has
been sustaining her? The Alders?!  I would't think there would be an
abundance of insects around in 30degree weather... Please someone
professional comment on this fascinating overwintering girl.  When I
initially reported her, she was said to have been around for months before.
She was, like Mike noted, very active and showed no signs of illness...
Perhaps we have witnessed a new species " Winter Tanager"!!! :)

Thanks for the input
Jeffrey Fisher RN


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Saturday afternoon I found a Gray Catbird along Fleming Creek north of Parker 
Mill County Park in Ann Arbor. The bird was about 1/4 to 1/2 north of the 
Parker Mill parking on Geddes Road. You can get to this area by following a 
trail north on the west side of Fleming Creek. 

 
I first detected the Catbird by hearing a soft, indistinct mewing call in the 
distance. While the sound suggested Catbird I could not rule out Hermit Thrush. 
Fortunately as I approached the area where I had heard the call, the Catbird 
popped out into plain view. 

 
Other notable birds in the area were a Fox Sparrow along the bank of Fleming 
Creek in Radrick Farms golfcourse and a Hermit Thrush in Parker Mill. 

 
Roger Kuhlman
Ann Arbor, Michigan
12/8/2007

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