Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Mississippi Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, November 20 at 10:42 AM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Bridled Sparrow,©Dan Lane

20 Nov Peregrine Falcon, Long-billed Curlew, more at Grand Bay NERR [Jake Walker ] 19 Nov Pelicans and Cormorants [Rob Heflin ] 19 Nov Tunica-Tate-DeSoto Co. Mississippi [] 16 Nov Hummer(s) feeding again Monday ["Roger G. McGrath, III" ] 15 Nov Dahomey CBC ["Mark Bonta" ] 15 Nov Bay Springs Lake in Tishomingo Co. [Wayne Patterson ] 15 Nov Ruby Throat ["Roger G. McGrath, III" ] 14 Nov No Subject ["JoRee Pease" ] 14 Nov Am. white pelicans [Nancy Donald ] 14 Nov Arkabutla CBC ["Van Harris" ] 14 Nov Christmas Bird Counts (Vicksburg and Tensas) [] 12 Nov Field Trip reminder [sharon milligan ] 11 Nov Re: Tunica County Tour ["Rob Heflin" ] 11 Nov Tunica County Tour ["Robert Briscoe" ] 10 Nov Fw: www.wlbt.com : Veterans History Project: Maurice Duvic Part 1 ["Maurice Duvic" ] 9 Nov RE: Vultures in the Miss. delta ["littonsphac" ] 9 Nov Re: Arkabutla and Sardis Lakes [] 9 Nov Lake Radnor - Nashville TN ["John M. Bonelli" ] 9 Nov RE: Vultures in the Miss. delta ["Mark Bonta" ] 9 Nov Arkabutla and Sardis Lakes [] 08 Nov So.Hancock CBC [Ned and Lucy Boyajian ] 8 Nov Vultures in the Miss. delta ["greenmansions" ] 7 Nov Surf Scoters in Tupelo [Wayne Patterson ] 5 Nov Bird Pictures [] 5 Nov first Dark-eyed Junco ["David J. Ringer" ] 4 Nov CBC date [Nancy Donald ] 3 Nov Purple Finch and Snow Geese ["knights" ] 3 Nov RE: Woodcock ["Jerry L. Litton" ] 2 Nov Woodcock ["J. Allen Burrows" ] 2 Nov Re: Krider's is back ["knights" ] 2 Nov Hummer report ["stellaandtom" ] 2 Nov Possible Rufous Hummingbird in Madison ["Tom Moorman" ] 2 Nov Tunica Co. and Arkabutla Lake, MS [] 2 Nov Krider's is back ["Rob Heflin" ] 1 Nov Re: HUMMER REPORT ["Randy Richardson" ] 1 Nov RE: HUMMER REPORT [Joe McGee ] 1 Nov on the road bird ["Jerry L. Litton" ] 1 Nov Re: HUMMER REPORT [Kathy Shelton ] 1 Nov HUMMER REPORT ["Roger G. McGrath, III" ] 1 Nov Le Fluers Bluff State Park [] 1 Nov Aberdeen Lock and Dam in Monroe County [Wayne Patterson ] 31 Oct Lee County [Wayne Patterson ] 31 Oct Brown Creeper at Knight's PN Butter ["knights" ] 29 Oct Sidon CBC count date ["Barbour, Philip - Madison, MS" ] 29 Oct fox sparrow [Jim & Dianne Patterson ] 28 Oct Am Avocet [Ned and Lucy Boyajian ] 28 Oct Re: Another scissortail flycatcher ["G.Edward Alexander,Jr." ] 28 Oct Buff-Bellied Hummingbird ["Amelia Gail" ] 27 Oct Migrants breeding at stopover spots [Nick Winstead ] 26 Oct Re: rainy night ["J. K. Cliburn" ] 26 Oct Another scissortail flycatcher [harleyiii ] 26 Oct Unsubscribe [maury haraway ] 26 Oct Bird pgm at Jackson Audubon Tues Oct 27 [] 26 Oct Wearable hummingbird feeder [Matt Smith ] 26 Oct rainy night ["Jerry L. Litton" ] 25 Oct Arkabutla Dam [] 25 Oct Le Fluers Bluff State Park [] 24 Oct Sabine's Gull [Nick Winstead ] 24 Oct Scissortail Flycatcher [Wayne Patterson ] 23 Oct Re: Banded dove/pigeon leg [Sheri Glowinski ] 23 Oct Banded dove/pigeon leg [Sheri Glowinski ] 22 Oct Rig Birds 10/21 & 10/22 ["RudyDog" ] 21 Oct High water [] 20 Oct Rig Birds 10/20 ["RudyDog" ] 20 Oct Re: Announcing Trumpeter Watch [Ned and Lucy Boyajian ] 20 Oct Announcing Trumpeter Watch [Nick Winstead ] 19 Oct Western Strays [Ned and Lucy Boyajian ] 19 Oct Lincolns Sparrow [Wayne Patterson ] 19 Oct MCAS upcoming Field Trips [sharon milligan ] 19 Oct Re: Fw: [ALBIRDS] Fw: Yellow Rails and Rice Festival UPDATE [Marie Perkins ] 19 Oct Comcast problem resolved [] 19 Oct Comcast and Hotmail problems [] 19 Oct Birds - Clinton and Reservoir area ["John M. Bonelli" ] 19 Oct October 18, 2009 ["Jerry L. Litton" ] 19 Oct Oh Captain! ["J. Allen Burrows" ] 19 Oct Interesting Finds [] Subject: Peregrine Falcon, Long-billed Curlew, more at Grand Bay NERR From: Jake Walker <jakenwalker AT yahoo.ca> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:42:01 -0800 (PST) Birders- This report is from Monday Nov 16, 2009. An adult Peregrine Falcon has been hanging around the Grand Battures Island and nearby shell midden for about 3 weeks.  I suspected this might be the falcon that has spent the past 3 winters hunting Horned Grebes flushed by boats, but there hadn't been any waterfowl around until just recently. When we first found the bird on Monday around 11:00AM, there were no grebes to be seen.  It made a few unsuccessful runs on a large flock of Dunlin, and returned to its perch on the shell midden.  I was out with Jennifer Hewitt, a surveyor for Audubon's Coastal Birds Conservation Program looking for wintering plovers, Oystercatchers and Reddish Egrets. We didn't find any of our target species other than the local REDDISH EGRET, so we went over to the Point aux Chenes Salt Pannes to look for WILSON'S PLOVERS, where we found a whopping 13. (very late for this area.)  Also present were 1 LONG-BILLED CURLEW and 2 WHIMBREL, as well as several thousand Dunlin, tons of Black-bellied Plovers, and hundreds of both Dowitcher species. When we returned to the Grand Battures at 3:00PM to check again for Oystercatchers, 6 Horned Grebes flushed right in the general area where the falcon was hanging out, but the bird was nowhere in site. After scanning through the flocks of shorebirds and White Pelicans, we turned around to see the Peregrine waiting patiently on the midden. 2 Horned Grebes were swimming about 100 yards away. I turned to Jenny and said "watch this and hang on", then surged the boat ahead towards the grebes. Both flushed, and the falcon immediately overtook us and the grebes in powered flight, and smacked one of the grebes to the water. The falcon circled over waiting for the grebe to come up for air, but the grebe was smart enough to only poke its bill up for a quick breath before diving again. I circled the boat around searching for more grebes on the water but saw none, so started heading north along the shoreline of Jose Bay. The falcon followed overhead, then started circling high above. A grebe flushed, but flew up into the wind making it a hard target for the stooping falcon, who came close but missed. No more grebes flushed, and the falcon soon returned to its perch for a break. I didn't want to leave my bird hungry, so I turned around and cruised Jose Bay once more, but further offshore. I flushed 6 grebes and got the falcon's attention; it took off and came up low behind the grebes, but they all dropped into the water in time. The falcon gained a little altitude, and a second group of four grebes flushed ahead of the boat. The Peregrine closed the distance quickly, and as the grebes were splashing into the water the falcon nailed one by the base of the wing, and started off on a long flight back to shore with the Horned Grebe dangling beneath it. The flight back looked hard travelling into the wind and the falcon started losing altitude, levelling out just over the tops of the waves. I thought for a second that the Peregrine would have to drop the grebe to stay aloft, but she toughed it out and made it back to shore. Looking forward to an exciting winter! Jake Walker Grand Bay NERR Moss Ponit, MS __________________________________________________________________ Make your browsing faster, safer, and easier with the new Internet Explorer® 8. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free! at http://downloads.yahoo.com/ca/internetexplorer/ Subject: Pelicans and Cormorants From: Rob Heflin <delta_gamekeeper AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:51:17 -0800 (PST) While walking out to the truck this morning at 6:30, I witnessed in excess of 1,000 American White Pelicans fly over the house in a line of V's at least a mile long if not longer.  I stood and counted beween 3 and 400 just before I had to leave.  I imagine that they had sneaked in to someone's catfish ponds over night and cleaned house. Yesterday, I witnessed hundreds if not thousands of Double-crested Cormorants flying over in an E-W direction and vice versa.  A fish doesn't stand a chance in Isola these days. Rob Heflin Isola, MS Subject: Tunica-Tate-DeSoto Co. Mississippi From: OLCOOT1 AT aol.com Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:31:59 EST Nov. 18, 2009 Had an afternoon and made a quick run through area. In Tunica Co, I had my first large flocks of geese, including Ross's, Snow and Greater White-fronted. A solid dark calurus Red-tailed Hawk was found among the numerous eastern and western regulars present plus 16 Harriers, 1 Sharp-shinned and an immature MERLIN. In one flooded field, I had 26 Greater Yellowlegs, 4 Lesser, 121 Ring-billed Gulls and 14 FRANKLIN'S GULLS. At Arkabutla Dam, 324 Forster's Terns, Ring-billed and Bonaparte's Gulls, 4 Herring and 4 Franklin's plus 16 Common Loons but only 4 White Pelicans. Good Birding !!! Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA 6300 Memphis-Arlington Road Bartlett, TN 38135 http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/ What is this feathered thing that lifts my heart to the heavens. Subject: Hummer(s) feeding again Monday From: "Roger G. McGrath, III" <rgmycms AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:27:31 -0600 During the last 30 minutes or so we have had a hummer back at the same feeder where we saw one yesterday around noon. I am not SURE what type hummer this is--- it did NOT have a red neck like a male Ruby throat. It had a dark head with a very distinct white neck and the back appeared to be dark green. We did not see any color on the tail feathers. While it was perched/feeding, it's left wing was still (next to it's body) but the right wing continued to "flutter'. After looking at 3 reference books (Nat. Geo.--Sibley and MS Birds by Fred Alsop) perhaps it is an immature male Ruby or a male Rufous (except it's neck has a very distinct white collar). Anyway, we are glad to see a Hummer this late--- we still have left four feeders up but have washed and put the rest away for the winter. Barbara and Roger McGrath Yazoo City, MS Subject: Dahomey CBC From: "Mark Bonta" <mbonta AT deltastate.edu> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:30:57 -0600 Missbirders: Everyone is welcome to our Dahomey-Great River Bird Count in Bolivar County, sponsored by Friends of Dahomey. It will be on Wednesday, December 16. Please contact me for details and route assignments. mb Dr. Mark Bonta Associate Professor of Geography Division of Social Sciences Delta State University Cleveland MS 38733 662.846.4096 (office) webpage: http://ntweb.deltastate.edu/mbonta Subject: Bay Springs Lake in Tishomingo Co. From: Wayne Patterson <wrp6 AT att.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:45:38 -0800 (PST) The Common Loons had arrived but only in very small numbers as I saw (5).  A late Osprey was sitting over a nest?  Had to just be a good perch..  No ducks were on the lake and all gulls seen were Ring-billed.  On my way back to the truck I walked the field I have had luck in the past with LeConte's Sparrow.  There were at least three and possibly four birds that flew into a wild plum thicket.  Attached are a couple links to give you an idea of the beauty of the these sparrows and how they can blend in with their surroundings.       http://www.pbase.com/wpatterson/image/119403464 http://www.pbase.com/wpatterson/image/119403910 Wayne Patterson Shannon, MS  Lee Co. Subject: Ruby Throat From: "Roger G. McGrath, III" <rgmycms AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:46:27 -0600 We just had the first hummer we have had (seen) since Monday, November 2nd. It arrived at one of our feeders right at 12 Noon today (just in time for lunch) and stayed about 5 minutes. It was right outside one of our windows so we could tell it was a Male Ruby Throat. It was not a large bird. We have mixed emotions as to whether it left (moved on) or just flew somewhere to rest. Barbara & Roger McGrath III 801 Wildwood Cove Yazoo City, MS 39194 Subject: No Subject From: "JoRee Pease" <wpjp AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:20:19 -0600 The Jackson County Christmas Bird Count will be Friday, December 18. Please contact me or Millie Page as soon as possible if you would like to participate. JoRee Pease 228-875-4138 Subject: Am. white pelicans From: Nancy Donald <nmdonald55 AT att.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:56:03 -0800 (PST) Hey all, I spent the day birding around Lauderdale county.  70 white pelicans seen from the West Bank at Okatibbee Reservoir.  The woods were full of robins feeding on berries.  But did not see a warbler all day, not even a Yellow-rumped.  Also at the Reservoir: Belted kingfisher Great egret Great blue heron Pie-billed grebe Red-winged blackbirds & C.grackles chickadees, titmouse and RC kinglets At Dabbs fish ponds: More robins Northern flicker Cedar waxwings Swamp sparrow Song sparrow Savannah sparrow W-T sparrow Killdeer Ring-necked duck Center Hill Rd. 2nd yr. juvenile Bald eagle And at Kemper Lake, my first geocache! Nancy DonaldMeridian, MS  After you have exhausted what there is in business, politics, conviviality, and so on -- have found that none of these finally satisfy, or permanently wear -- what remains? Nature remains. -Walt Whitman, poet (1819-1892) Subject: Arkabutla CBC From: "Van Harris" <shelbyforester1223 AT bigriver.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:31:45 -0800 Subject: Christmas Bird Counts (Vicksburg and Tensas) From: ulswan AT olemiss.edu Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:45:20 -0600 Reposting fro Daniel J Twedt: The Vicksburg 2009 Christmas Bird Count will be on Saturday, 19 December 2009. The Tensas River NWR Christmas Bird Count will be on Saturday, 2 January 2010. For more information contact: Dan Twedt, 601-629-6605 or dtwedt AT usgs.gov; Dave King, 601-638-4429; Bruce Reid, 601-661-6189 or breid AT audubon.org For details on Christmas Bird Counts visit: http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/ Dan Twedt USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center 2524 South Frontage Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180 601-629-6605 (Fax 601-636-9541) http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/staff/profiles/documents/twedt.htm Martha Swan 1665 Toccopola Jct. Rd. Thaxton, MS 38871 Subject: Field Trip reminder From: sharon milligan <2sharon123 AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:41:35 -0600 Please join us for the next Mississippi Coast Audubon field trip. November 14, 2009: Old Ft. Bayou Mitigation Bank. Mark Woodrey (228-697-0460) Meet at 7:30 AM at Park and Ride in Ocean Springs I-10, Exit 50. Sparrows, field birds, raptors. May want to bring boots in case it's muddy. Don't forget your snacks and water. *Also,* December 5, 2009: Seaman Road Wastewater Facility. Millie Page (228-324-8317) Meet at 7:30 AM at Park and Ride in Ocean Springs I-10, Exit 50 or at the facility. Cranes, winter marsh birds, ducks. Bring water, boots if wet, snacks. Subject: Re: Tunica County Tour From: "Rob Heflin" <delta_gamekeeper AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:35:20 -0600 I wouldn't doubt it, Robert. They've learned to follow combines harvesting in the fields in my area. Rob Heflin Isola, MS ----- Original Message ----- From: Robert Briscoe To: Missbird Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 7:18 PM Subject: [MISSBIRD] Tunica County Tour I was driving east on Fish Lake Road, when I noticed this truck dirving along the edge of the pond and putting out what I thought was fish food. There were Great Blue Herons, Cormorants, Ducks, Gulls and Red-tailed Hawks, all taking flight ahead of the truck. Two adult Bald Eagles were soaring just above the tree line beyound the fish ponds. When the truck was about half way down the side of the pond. Both eagles made a dive for the pond at the same time. The pond levee was so high that I could not see the water. The eagles went so low that I could not see them. Then I saw two cars approching from behind me. I had to move and I did not see the eagles again. Have Bald Eagles learned to follow a fish feeding truck? Robert Briscoe 53 CR 327 Oxford Ms 38655 robertb AT dixie-net.com Subject: Tunica County Tour From: "Robert Briscoe" <robertb AT dixie-net.com> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:18:42 -0600 I was driving east on Fish Lake Road, when I noticed this truck dirving along the edge of the pond and putting out what I thought was fish food. There were Great Blue Herons, Cormorants, Ducks, Gulls and Red-tailed Hawks, all taking flight ahead of the truck. Two adult Bald Eagles were soaring just above the tree line beyound the fish ponds. When the truck was about half way down the side of the pond. Both eagles made a dive for the pond at the same time. The pond levee was so high that I could not see the water. The eagles went so low that I could not see them. Then I saw two cars approching from behind me. I had to move and I did not see the eagles again. Have Bald Eagles learned to follow a fish feeding truck? Robert Briscoe 53 CR 327 Oxford Ms 38655 robertb AT dixie-net.com Subject: Fw: www.wlbt.com : Veterans History Project: Maurice Duvic Part 1 From: "Maurice Duvic" <jsb8 AT webtv.net> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:36:59 GMT I was told that Part II was to be shown on WLBT News, Thursday at 5 PM. And that this Part I appeared this morning, Tuesday. Best regards, Vic Author Forty Missions Madison,MS jsb8 AT webtv.net -----Original Message----- From: jsb8 AT webtv.net Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 10:19 AM To: jsb8 AT webtv.net Subject: www.wlbt.com : Veterans History Project: Maurice Duvic Part 1 Subject: RE: Vultures in the Miss. delta From: "littonsphac" <littonsphac AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 08:32:31 -0600 Here is a guess about vultures. The Mississippi Delta is an open and flat landscape and today, does not have the visual obstacles and perch stages that vultures seem to prefer, that hills, rivers, bottom- lands and forested landscapes include, the delta is flat and de-forested except for national forest and national wildlife refuge lands and a few buffers around swamps and along rivers, there-fore a vulture that hunts by fly-over to find carrion and dying animal life, and the vulture is more open to visual observation and location from great distances in the delta, and they are normally a shy animal until they become acclimated to road and people traffic which they seem to do quickly, don't need flat and tree-less landscape to hunt, they hunt from the air and move about effortlessly, and really seem to enjoy winds. I don't know of much predation on vultures except an occasional target practice target. I grew up in Bolivar County on a small farm during years 1946 to 1966 and remember seeing vultures when I was young, however we had more forest, and had more tall snaggy trees such as Cottonwood and Bald Cypress with bald and big high limbs, suitable for vulture assembly, perching and warming in the winter sun. What I didn't see was as many hawks, hummers and other species including rabbits that were impacted by DDT. Possibly because of animal deaths and reduced re-population episodes during those years, and the rapid disintegration of animal remains, the food source deteriorated so vultures moved and haven't returned, the vulture is a social species, and vulture hunting for food is good else where, especially along our many roads. A forty foot wide sheet of cement with median and shoulders assures road-kill of all kinds. Also, ant populations have been on the increase and the vulture must compete to be first to the carcass, to get the best of the meal, ants work fast and furious day and night. Roosting is a different story in my opinion. They like thick shrubby isolated patches of vegetation such as islands that offer protection by being hard to access, and suspect they like tall limby treetops that are had to access by eating animals such as reptiles, raccoon, bobcat and fox. A tall tree on a high hill is 250' above the horizon, not just the tree height. One time when fishing in the Ross Barnett I came upon an island with snaggy and heavily leaved shrub. On this small spit of dirt, pointed on both ends, about 8' wide and 30' long, with most shrubs about 10' tall, and others no taller than 20', was an estimated 40 vultures and they were like humans around a camp fire, nuzzling, talking and yawning in the early morning cool, dew and light. Some were on the ground walking around and others limbing, sharing the moment and fusing about having to wake up. Soon after sunlight, they all flew off in the same direction to look for breakfast. I find many assemblies of vultures near rivers where tall snag trees still exist and there is a continuing episode of replacement of tree dye-off for new snag tree evolution. I also see vultures, such as the assembly on the interstate road-side sign near the Pearl River, off I- 55 just south of the Mississippi Fair Grounds where the Coliseum is located. This vulture family has been here for several years and counts around 75 - Black Vultures. I don't see as many Turkey Vultures but I bet there are many in the sky and forest. The vultures are here year round. Sometimes there are as many as 30 - 50 sitting in the row atop one sign, some facing north, others south, and others are perched on other signs nearby. Sometimes they fly off the sign to soar over the interstate keeping above the trucks. I don't remember seeing a road kill vulture in this area even though I do see road-kill animals, most small animals but occasionally a deer. I see many vultures as road-kill victims themselves so they pay a price for being strong slow fliers and reluctant to leave a meal half finished. I have heard of vehicle accidents being caused by late flying vultures from a land perch, so give them some room, don't just keep speeding down the road when you see them. I can only see to the nearest tree or forested place that is in most all directions in Mississippi unless I'm in a hot air balloon, vultures can look down and see a lot more of what they need to see. The other day while driving I saw a vulture soaring in an open and high place in the sky, looked away to make sure I was not running off the interstate and looked back to see the bird and it was no where to be seen and wondered where the booger had gotten of to. Never did find it again even though I thought it was at least 250 - 400' up in the open sky, gliding when I last saw it two seconds ago. Jerry L. Litton Pelahatchie MS _____ From: owner-missbird AT willow.olemiss.edu [mailto:owner-missbird AT willow.olemiss.edu] On Behalf Of Mark Bonta Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 6:59 AM To: greenmansions; Missbird Subject: RE: [MISSBIRD] Vultures in the Miss. delta Yes, between November and December it is not infrequent to see small flocks of both species migrating through. I didn't see these--will check if any are still around. Why vultures don't frequent the depths of the Delta the rest of the year is a enigma. mb Dr. Mark Bonta Associate Professor of Geography Division of Social Sciences Delta State University Cleveland MS 38733 662.846.4096 (office) webpage: http://ntweb.deltastate.edu/mbonta -----Original Message----- From: owner-missbird AT willow.olemiss.edu on behalf of greenmansions Sent: Sun 11/8/2009 8:27 PM To: Missbird Subject: [MISSBIRD] Vultures in the Miss. delta From Larry White in Cleveland, MS this morning: Approximately 15 vultures flying around and landing on the administration building at Delta State University. Mr. White called me about this time last year and reported over 20 vultures flying over Cleveland. He is not a birder, but he realized that vultures are not a common sight in Cleveland. He could not say if they were Black or Turkey Vultures. He thinks these are migrating birds. It sounds like he could be right. Dennis Welch Grenada Subject: Re: Arkabutla and Sardis Lakes From: OLCOOT1 AT aol.com Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 08:34:36 EST Nov. 8, 2009 Sardis Lake Sorry, I left off a presumed adult Lesser Black-backed Gull at Sardis, seen from the dam. The bird was a bit too far away but was the right size, color and had grayish secondaries and primaries with light underwing coverts. Good Birding !!! Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA 6300 Memphis-Arlington Road Bartlett, TN 38135 http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/ What is this feathered thing that lifts my heart to the heavens. Subject: Lake Radnor - Nashville TN From: "John M. Bonelli" <jbonelli AT loansourcems.com> Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 07:32:49 -0600 Good Morning: My wife and I went to Lake Radnor this weekend, which is on the south side of Nashville. We got treated to lots of great things up there. They have a beautiful Bald Eagle. We saw him Friday when we went there and again Sunday morning. On Sunday morning, he had caught a small fish and was eating it in a tree, not more than 25 feet away from us. He then swooped out of the tree and went after a duck, whom barely escaped. I have never watched an eagle in action like that. It was indeed a spectacular moment or two. We also saw a beautiful Barred Owl. He was about 25 yards from us in a tree. He was also magnificent. I spoke to a couple of the rangers there and they told me the owl nests there and raised two offspring. He also said they had at least two bald eagles there over the spring and they nest somewhere in the vicinity. There were many other birds there. We saw hundreds of Cedar Waxwings, Goldfinches, Carolina and Winter Wrens, and Eastern Bluebirds. There were also several varieties of sparrows there as well. Of course, there were the usual suspects there as well, the titmice and chickadees. There were a ton of ducks there, as well as our Canada Geese friends. We saw Wood ducks, Mallards, American Black Ducks, Blue-winged teals, and American Wigeons. For the record, it appeared the eagle went after a wood duck. While on the one of the trails (South Cove, I believe), we were going up and walked right up on two deer. They were no less than five feet away. They were quite beautiful and apparently, used to seeing people around. They continued their normal activity of munching on the bushes. All in all, if you have not made the journey there, it is worthwhile. It is a busy area though, the locals are there all day, not a place for solitude, my only complaint. JMB John M. Bonelli Loan Officer - Commercial/Residential LoanSource Financial Services 112 Village Blvd., Ste. B Madison, MS 39110 601.856.2717 Phone 601.856.3470 Fax 601.842.9764 Mobile "We Shop So You Don't Have To." Subject: RE: Vultures in the Miss. delta From: "Mark Bonta" <mbonta AT deltastate.edu> Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 06:58:51 -0600 Yes, between November and December it is not infrequent to see small flocks of both species migrating through. I didn't see these--will check if any are still around. Why vultures don't frequent the depths of the Delta the rest of the year is a enigma. mb Dr. Mark Bonta Associate Professor of Geography Division of Social Sciences Delta State University Cleveland MS 38733 662.846.4096 (office) webpage: http://ntweb.deltastate.edu/mbonta -----Original Message----- From: owner-missbird AT willow.olemiss.edu on behalf of greenmansions Sent: Sun 11/8/2009 8:27 PM To: Missbird Subject: [MISSBIRD] Vultures in the Miss. delta From Larry White in Cleveland, MS this morning: Approximately 15 vultures flying around and landing on the administration building at Delta State University. Mr. White called me about this time last year and reported over 20 vultures flying over Cleveland. He is not a birder, but he realized that vultures are not a common sight in Cleveland. He could not say if they were Black or Turkey Vultures. He thinks these are migrating birds. It sounds like he could be right. Dennis Welch Grenada Subject: Arkabutla and Sardis Lakes From: OLCOOT1 AT aol.com Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 06:48:29 EST Nov. 8, 2009 Tunica Co. and North MS Lakes In Tunica Co, a couple of wet fields held a passel of Greater Yellowlegs - 72 plus 9 Lesser Yellowlegs and about 50 Least Sandpipers. Lots of Harriers gliding over the fields and Red-tailed Hawk numbers are steadily increasing. At the dam at Arkabutla, the Terns still hold court with 320 counted along with 9 Franklin's Gulls and a Spotted Sandpiper. Sardis Lake was smooth as glass allowing great views of a large flotilla of Common Loons, 34 in one group and another single keeping the company of an PACIFIC LOON. Also present among the Forster's Terns and Ring-billed Gulls were 11 Franklin's Gulls, 1 Eared Grebe, 21 Horned Grebes and 1 Pied-billed. Good Birding !!! Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA 6300 Memphis-Arlington Road Bartlett, TN 38135 http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/ What is this feathered thing that lifts my heart to the heavens. Subject: So.Hancock CBC From: Ned and Lucy Boyajian <nedlucyboyajian AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:56:27 -0600 The So. Hancock CBC will be held on Tuesday, Dec 15. Please contact me if you are interested in participating. Ned Boyajian Subject: Vultures in the Miss. delta From: "greenmansions" <greenmansions AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 20:27:17 -0600 From Larry White in Cleveland, MS this morning: Approximately 15 vultures flying around and landing on the administration building at Delta State University. Mr. White called me about this time last year and reported over 20 vultures flying over Cleveland. He is not a birder, but he realized that vultures are not a common sight in Cleveland. He could not say if they were Black or Turkey Vultures. He thinks these are migrating birds. It sounds like he could be right. Dennis Welch Grenada Subject: Surf Scoters in Tupelo From: Wayne Patterson <wrp6 AT att.net> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 08:46:42 -0800 (PST)     This morning I was instantly alert when I saw what appeared to be two Scoters on the North pond of the Tupelo Water Treatment Facility.  I've been waiting on this moment for years.  Now the question was what kind?  From what I've been able to access the Surf has the light cheek that contrasts with the dark cap, which these birds most definitely have.  Also the Canvasback like sloped forehead eliminated the Black Scoter and no White Wing or White speculum spot eliminated the White-winged Scoter.  I actually saw the birds fly and could not detect any White Wing. The final ID mark indicating Surf Scoter was the vertical White patch at the base of the bill where the White Wing has the horizontal white markings in this area.  I'm afraid the last I saw of these two females they were heading towards the Coast :-(   They were flying low so there is a possiblity they could still be around. Here is a photo I managed to get  http://www.pbase.com/wpatterson/image/119135124/medium Wayne Patterson Shannon, MS  Lee Co. Subject: Bird Pictures From: Qgray AT aol.com Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:31:25 EST Missbirders, Recently my wife and I spent some time in Utah birding and just looking over the scenery. While Utah doesn't come to mind as a prime birding state, one would be hard pressed to find a more scenic place to bird than the canyons of eastern and southern Utah. I have posted some pictures of birds seen which starts here _http://www.pbase.com/pintail1/image/119019878_ (http://www.pbase.com/pintail1/image/119019878) Some of the species of birds pictured here are common in the east but look for plumage variations between those pictured here and the easterly ones. If interested, I have posted some pictures of landscapes of Utah here _http://www.pbase.com/pintail1/image/118859056_ (http://www.pbase.com/pintail1/image/118859056) Q.B. Gray Nesbit Ms. Subject: first Dark-eyed Junco From: "David J. Ringer" <djringer AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 06:59:34 -0600 It's a lovely fall morning here in Vicksburg, and I just had my first Dark-eyed Junco of the season -- a lone bird passing through the yard. David Vicksburg, MS http://djringer.com/birding Subject: CBC date From: Nancy Donald <nmdonald55 AT att.net> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 05:29:48 -0800 (PST) Hey all,    The Okatibbee Creek AS is conducting the CBC for Lauderdale County on 1/2/2010.  Any one interested in helping out, contact me.  Always a great day for the birds!   Nancy Donald Meridian, MS    After you have exhausted what there is in business, politics, conviviality, and so on -- have found that none of these finally satisfy, or permanently wear -- what remains? Nature remains. -Walt Whitman, poet (1819-1892) Subject: Purple Finch and Snow Geese From: "knights" <gsknight AT dixie-net.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 09:48:44 -0600 MISSBIRDERS, Yesterday morning we heard our FOF Purple Finch fly over calling and in the afternoon we saw a flock of Snow Geese, also a FOF, fly over our house south of Oxford. Many Robins and a few A. Goldfinch were also in the air. Gene & Shannon Knight Oxford, MS gsknight AT dixie-net.com Subject: RE: Woodcock From: "Jerry L. Litton" <littonsphac AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 09:18:34 -0600 A few years ago we had a snow here in Jackson. I went to LeFleur's Bluff State Park to see what I could photograph. The park entrance was locked so I walked around some. I parked my truck in the area just outside the park entrance, and when I was leaving the park I saw two woodcocks working the thin snow covering the asphalt and short grass for seeds and insects, maybe some small gravel: what ever they eat. Occasionally they delved in snow deep as their necks and would dive under to grab something in that shelter of cover. The woodcocks did not flush when I approached but they did move away using short flights like leap-froggers. What seemed to work best for me was to use my truck as a blind, even though I was moving it some for positioning and peering out the open window with my camera and lens, I could get closer than by walking with camera and tripod: and it was easier. I got some pretty good photos of the woodcocks in snow, except the elevation of a truck blind is obvious in orientation of subject located so near and looking down to ground level which sort of spoils the approach and feeling of seeing the birds naturally. Even though good photos, they don't interest me much since I did use comfort rather than stealth to make my approach. yep, thinking about it, I cheated. The birds were very intense on their pursuit, moving quickly hunt and peck style, in fact I left the location and they did not. I got bored before they got full. Maybe they were accustomed to people if they often go to this place because the baseball fields are often occupied and the parking lot is often having cars around. Maybe like killdeer, they just develop an urban strategy of keeping away far enough to be safe, and hunters don't encroach, except for kids who may be curious and/or also may know a woodcock when they see one and give it a chase. Had I been a native Indian with a rock, I could have got me one or maybe two to share with my clan, and my feet and fingers would have been much colder, but I would have been stronger than the man with a camera. Where I have seen woodcocks before is on slopes and uplands, when hunkered down in thick understory and leaf thatch. When on that slope, breathing deeply and exhausting vapors, body weary from exhaustion and sweating under my covers and closer to anything I can find on than slope due to sharing the elements than any other time I go to the woods. When they flush they usually leave a dime sized depression on leaves that are slightly warm for a very short time, and me a quickened heart of my obvious confusion, delight and freight: sound and motion does shake on up. I usually walk up on them in a forest of leafless trees so it is colder. I don't remember ever finding a summer stray, even though it's likely they do nest on occasion in our tropical climate and can run about in the understory or just sit tight and not be seen. Ground nesters need to go north where there is less ant predation: ants probably one of our smartest species for finding stores of food without an ATV or rifle and hold self contained cultures and societies without government intervention or help, and survive without a written constitution, Red Cross or ACLU. I believe they believe, you work, contribute to colony, you eat, you live. I read recently E. O. Wilson was ask what to do about some ants that had taken up residence in someone's kitchen. He replied, "Get down on your knees, watch them and learn." "What nature teaches is useful." Please excuse this ramble, but I just learned my lesson of seeing those woodcock. Jerry L. Litton Jerry L. Litton Litton's Plumbing and Heating, Inc. Lightscribe Photography and Publishing, Inc. Narrative of Nature Calendars RepAmerica/ MS 3987 Terry Road Jackson, MS 39212 601 372 1580 601 346 0430 fax. 4jll AT bellsouth.net www.lightscribesource.com www.lightscribephotography.com -----Original Message----- From: owner-missbird AT willow.olemiss.edu [mailto:owner-missbird AT willow.olemiss.edu] On Behalf Of J. Allen Burrows Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 10:02 PM To: Mississippi Birding List Subject: [MISSBIRD] Woodcock Saw a woodcock today in thick cover. A private garden near the intersection of Ridgewood and Meadowbrook Road in Jackson. A life bird for me. Subject: Woodcock From: "J. Allen Burrows" <rotteral AT aol.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 22:01:34 -0600 Saw a woodcock today in thick cover. A private garden near the intersection of Ridgewood and Meadowbrook Road in Jackson. A life bird for me. Subject: Re: Krider's is back From: "knights" <gsknight AT dixie-net.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 16:08:04 -0600 Hi Rob, Yes, wintering hawks set up their territories just as though they were at home, which you could say it was their "wintering" home! We had a Harlan's that came back to the same field for over 5 years. We see a lot of that over in Tunica Co. Fun Stuff!! Gene ----- Original Message ----- From: Rob Heflin To: MISSBIRD Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 1:19 AM Subject: [MISSBIRD] Krider's is back 2 weeks ago on October 17, I spotted a Krider's hawk in the same tree where I spotted one last year on October 21. I also spotted my first ever Krider's in February 2008 on our farm, which is less than 2 miles from the above location. So that would make 3 winters I've seen a Krider's in the same area. Do they claim territories on the wintering grounds and come back to the same areas year after year? I travel this road several times each week and have not seen this bird since last fall/winter. Rob Heflin Isola, MS Subject: Hummer report From: "stellaandtom" <stellaandtom AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 10:21:17 -0600 We still have a female RT in Cleveland, MS. She loves the Pineapple Sage that I have blooming right now. This is late for us also. Usually our hummers are gone by the middle of October. I am studying her just to make sure that she is a RT. Stella Wear Subject: Possible Rufous Hummingbird in Madison From: "Tom Moorman" <tmoorman AT ducks.org> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 08:12:34 -0600 As of yesterday we still had one female hummingbird hitting our feeder and hummingbird flowers. I think it is an immature female ruby-throated - though it is getting really late in the year and has been making me wonder if we were lucky enough to attract a female black-chinned hummer. However, since the other reports of ruby-throats came across over the weekend, I assume that bird is one of many "running late" this year. However, this morning I was surprised to see the ruby-throat hummingbird chased away from a large blooming sage by another hummer, and I caught a glimpse of orange on the pursuer as the chase occurred. Shortly thereafter, I was able to get great looks at the "new" hummer perched on low dead limb of an oak tree. I believe it is an immature rufous hummingbird - it has streaking on the neck but no evidence of a gorget or any iridescent feathers, so I am guessing it is probably female (I am by no means an expert on almost impossible to identify hummers like these). The bird is very aggressive and spent the time I was able to watch it this morning hitting flowers, and then "bugging". If anyone is interested in trying to see this bird, or if the hummer banders out there are interested is trying to band it and positively identify it - shoot me an email at tmoorman AT ducks.org If the hummer banders are interested in trying to catch the rufous - I'd also be curious about your id of the other hummer since it is getting so late, though I am guessing it is a ruby-throated. I have watched that bird for a couple of weeks now. It does hit the feeders, though it hits the flowers much more often than the feeders. The probable rufous did not hit the feeders in the 10 minutes or so I was able to watch it this morning - but since it is a new arrival it may not have discovered them as yet. My wife will be watching today to see if it hangs around, and if it starts using the feeders. This is the second rufous that has paid us a visit at this location - the first was about 4-6 years ago! We feel lucky! Tom Moorman Subject: Tunica Co. and Arkabutla Lake, MS From: OLCOOT1 AT aol.com Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 08:23:15 EST Nov. 1, 2009 Tunica-DeSoto-Tate Co. MS In Tunica Co, MS, a few shorebirds were scattered in the wet fields, 18 Greater Yellowlegs, 2 Stilt Sandpipers, 3 Long-billed Dowitchers, 2 Dunlin, a few scattered Least, plus lots of Killdeer. No gull concentration yet. At Arkabutla Lake, the numbers of Forster's Terns down from last week's high of 492 now only 392 counted on Sunday but FRANKLIN'S GULLS numbers were up to 57+ birds; many coming and going from a flock out from the Dam in DeSoto Co. Only 1 Herring Gull and a few dozen Ring-billed Gulls were joined by 6 Bonaparte's. Thousands of White Pelicans contrasted with equal numbers of DC Cormorants. Also present were lines of Scaup and Gadwall with a male and 3 hen Buffleheads in the mix. Good Birding !!! Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA 6300 Memphis-Arlington Road Bartlett, TN 38135 http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/ What is this feathered thing that lifts my heart to the heavens. Subject: Krider's is back From: "Rob Heflin" <delta_gamekeeper AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 01:19:16 -0600 2 weeks ago on October 17, I spotted a Krider's hawk in the same tree where I spotted one last year on October 21. I also spotted my first ever Krider's in February 2008 on our farm, which is less than 2 miles from the above location. So that would make 3 winters I've seen a Krider's in the same area. Do they claim territories on the wintering grounds and come back to the same areas year after year? I travel this road several times each week and have not seen this bird since last fall/winter. Rob Heflin Isola, MS Subject: Re: HUMMER REPORT From: "Randy Richardson" <nature_nut AT hughes.net> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 20:02:41 -0600 I still have a female RT hummer which I saw again today (11-1), and have seen her feeding on my hummer flowers and feeders every day since 10/28. Have never saw a RT hummer in November here in State Line since I've been here for 9 years. Randy Richardson State Line, Mississippi in south east MS ----- Original Message ----- From: Kathy Shelton To: Roger G. McGrath, III Cc: msbird/posting Sent: Sunday, November 01, 2009 4:34 PM Subject: Re: [MISSBIRD] HUMMER REPORT I had one buzz me as I walked past the feeder on the way to the mailbox yesterday. It was a surprise since I usually don't see them this late. Kathy Biloxi MS On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 2:40 PM, Roger G. McGrath, III wrote: Today-Sunday-November 1st, we have seen one female Hummer eating at one of the 8 feeders we still have up. During this last week, we have seen 1-3 each day but have only seen one thus far today. We normally don't see any Hummers after about October 24th. This is in Yazoo City, MS. Barbara & Roger McGrath -- Kathy Shelton South Mississippi Conservation Program Museum of Natural Science MS Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks 211 Critz St N Wiggins MS 39577 228-860-0573 (cell) 601-528-5705 (office) 601-528-9161 (fax) Subject: RE: HUMMER REPORT From: Joe McGee <joe_mcgee43 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 20:02:40 -0600 I saw a hummingbird leave my feeder yesterday (Oct. 31) as I turned into the driveway. I live in Newton County. I'm not sure what species it was. Sincerely, Joe McGee Outreach Naturalist Mississippi Museum of Natural Science WWW.MSNATURALSCIENCE.ORG 2148 Riverside Drive Jackson, MS 39202-1353 Phone (601) 354-7303 FAX (601) 354-7227 Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 16:34:49 -0600 Subject: Re: [MISSBIRD] HUMMER REPORT From: krshelton64 AT gmail.com To: rgmycms AT bellsouth.net CC: missbird AT willow.olemiss.edu I had one buzz me as I walked past the feeder on the way to the mailbox yesterday. It was a surprise since I usually don't see them this late. Kathy Biloxi MS On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 2:40 PM, Roger G. McGrath, III wrote: Today-Sunday-November 1st, we have seen one female Hummer eating at one of the 8 feeders we still have up. During this last week, we have seen 1-3 each day but have only seen one thus far today. We normally don't see any Hummers after about October 24th. This is in Yazoo City, MS. Barbara & Roger McGrath -- Kathy Shelton South Mississippi Conservation Program Museum of Natural Science MS Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks 211 Critz St N Wiggins MS 39577 228-860-0573 (cell) 601-528-5705 (office) 601-528-9161 (fax) _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ Subject: on the road bird From: "Jerry L. Litton" <littonsphac AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 18:36:24 -0600 I was driving south to Natchez this AM on I- 55 south of Byram when a Red- headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus chased a Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus out of a pine tree thicket. The chase was hot and heavy for little while but the redhead slowed then turned back to the trees and the flicker kept going away. The yellow was most striking on the flicker. I had a gliding toward the grasses in the pasture Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus. Did you see the moon rise this evening about 4:00 or 4:15. When I saw it, it was about 15º above the east horizon, and was splendid, and seemed when I saw it the first time was perfectly round so I think a full moon. About that same time there were some crows along the road side and the one I saw the most was radiantly black in the almost setting sun. Amazing how a cool air atmosphere can give sunlight more radiance. When I got to my south Jackson office nearly 6 PM the moon was up nearly 25 or 30º, blaring bright and seemed to have a clipped front edge, now waning toward last quarter and the sun was below the horizon, temperature seemed to have dropped maybe five degrees as dark emerged and I shivered a little in the cool thinking winter is coming. Can’t wait for frost covered wildflowers. Jerry L. Litton Jerry L. Litton Litton's Plumbing and Heating, Inc. Lightscribe Photography and Publishing, Inc. Narrative of Nature Calendars RepAmerica/ MS 3987 Terry Road Jackson, MS 39212 601 372 1580 601 346 0430 fax. 4jll AT bellsouth.net www.lightscribesource.com www.lightscribephotography.com Subject: Re: HUMMER REPORT From: Kathy Shelton <krshelton64 AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 16:34:49 -0600 I had one buzz me as I walked past the feeder on the way to the mailbox yesterday. It was a surprise since I usually don't see them this late. Kathy Biloxi MS On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 2:40 PM, Roger G. McGrath, III wrote: > Today-Sunday-November 1st, we have seen one female Hummer eating at one > of the 8 feeders we still have up. During this last week, we have seen 1-3 > each day but have only seen one thus far today. We normally don't see any > Hummers after about October 24th. > > This is in Yazoo City, MS. > > Barbara & Roger McGrath > -- Kathy Shelton South Mississippi Conservation Program Museum of Natural Science MS Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks 211 Critz St N Wiggins MS 39577 228-860-0573 (cell) 601-528-5705 (office) 601-528-9161 (fax) Subject: HUMMER REPORT From: "Roger G. McGrath, III" <rgmycms AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 14:40:54 -0600 Today-Sunday-November 1st, we have seen one female Hummer eating at one of the 8 feeders we still have up. During this last week, we have seen 1-3 each day but have only seen one thus far today. We normally don't see any Hummers after about October 24th. This is in Yazoo City, MS. Barbara & Roger McGrath Subject: Le Fluers Bluff State Park From: PullenWatkins AT comcast.net Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 19:29:42 +0000 (UTC) Missibrders, Just before you get to the concrete bridge in the park, I got a glimspe of an American Woodcock. He scared me to death when he flew off. This is a lifer for me. Thanks, Pullen Madison, MS Subject: Aberdeen Lock and Dam in Monroe County From: Wayne Patterson <wrp6 AT att.net> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 10:38:03 -0800 (PST) At the beach location just before you get to the dam a seach of the small wooded area facing the Blue Bluff  Campground produced a beautiful male Wilson's Warbler.  Also seen was the First of the Fall Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and 10 High flying American White Pelicans.  Beautiful crisp morning for birding.  Wayne Patterson Shannon, MS  Lee Co. Subject: Lee County From: Wayne Patterson <wrp6 AT att.net> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:37:44 -0700 (PDT) My first House Wren of the fall was seen at Tombigee State Park this morning and another behind Walmart near the Barnes Crossing Mall this afternoon..  Also behind Walmart was another Lincoln's Sparrow.   For two weeks in a row I've seen a Green Heron at the Tupelo Water Treatment Ponds that is going to establish a late record for me.  Two White Pelicans were nice at the Treatment Ponds this morning as were the first Lesser Scaup of the Fall.  Winter bird numbers are starting to build with much larger numbers of Swamp, Song & Savannah Sparrows arriving.  Very few ducks other than the Scaup, a dozen or so Shovelers, and a few Ruddy Ducks. Wayne Patterson Shannon, MS  Lee Co. Subject: Brown Creeper at Knight's PN Butter From: "knights" <gsknight AT dixie-net.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:21:24 -0500 MISSBIRDERS, Yesterday in all the rain "OUR" Brown Creeper returned for the 3rd consecutive year to feed on the P-Nut Butter we put out for the birds on the deck!!! Thursday on the A&D Turf Farm south of Oxford we spotted our first fall Great White-fronted Goose feeding with the resident CAGO's. Gene & Shannon Knight Oxford, MS gsknight AT dixie-net.com Subject: Sidon CBC count date From: "Barbour, Philip - Madison, MS" <Philip.Barbour AT ms.usda.gov> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:51:28 -0500 MissBird: The Sidon CBC 2009 will be Saturday, 2 January 2010. See link below for more information. Thanks, Philip Shortcut to: http://app.audubon.org/cbcapp/updateCountDate.do Subject: fox sparrow From: Jim & Dianne Patterson <hummers2 AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:46:52 -0700 (PDT) had our first backyard fox sparrow this morning, we still have 2 hummingbirds. columbus ms. Subject: Am Avocet From: Ned and Lucy Boyajian <nedlucyboyajian AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:19:20 -0500 Missbirders Yesterday morning, Oct 27 I was standing in the road outside my home in Henleyfield, Pearl River Co enjoying a small flock of late migrant warblers when I was amazed to see an American Avocet fly by high overhead. Enjoyable of course, but the sort of sighting that always makes me reflect on how much must go by undetected and how really limited my perspective is of what is really going on. Ned Boyajian Subject: Re: Another scissortail flycatcher From: "G.Edward Alexander,Jr." <ebby AT suddenlink.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:34:53 -0500 Harley----I am switching over to Outlook Express----Ed ----- Original Message ----- From: "harleyiii" To: "missbird" Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 8:19 PM Subject: [MISSBIRD] Another scissortail flycatcher >I saw another scissor tail flycatcher today. This one was 3 miles Northeast >of Scott sitting on a light wire. Two hours later when I passed the same >spot it was gone. > Harley Metcalfe III -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.423 / Virus Database: 270.14.32/2460 - Release Date: 10/26/09 08:10:00 Subject: Buff-Bellied Hummingbird From: "Amelia Gail" <ggyoung AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:37:13 -0500 This morning I had a nice surprise while I was outside enjoying the influx of Chipping Sparrows arriving at my feeders. I was actually following a Wren with my camera when this beauty came into sight. My first ever Buff-Bellied Hummingbird. I managed to get a couple of shots and thought I would share them with you. He or she is such a beauty. http://imageevent.com/ameliagail/buffbelliedhummingbird Gail Young Vancleave Subject: Migrants breeding at stopover spots From: Nick Winstead <Nick.Winstead AT mmns.state.ms.us> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:05:35 -0500 This link, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026152806.htm, is to an article showing five North American breeding songbirds that undergo a second breeding season at southbound migration stopover spots in western Mexico. Pretty interesting. Nick Nick Winstead Ornithologist Mississippi Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks Museum of Natural Science 2148 Riverside Drive Jackson, Mississippi 39202 Phone: 601-354-7303, ext. 108 Fax: 601-354-7227 http://museum.mdwfp.com/ ________________________________ Confidentiality Notice: The information contained in this email and/or document(s) attached is for the exclusive use of the individual named above and may contain confidential, privileged and non-disclosable information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from reading, photocopying, distributing or otherwise using this e-mail or its contents in any way. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify me immediately. Subject: Re: rainy night From: "J. K. Cliburn" <jcliburn AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:30:57 -0500 On Oct 26, 2009, at 10:46 AM, Jerry L. Litton wrote: > Turns out, it was a kill-de as Aunt Lillie use to name them. > That's what my grandfather used to call them, too -- Killdee. He also had some other unusual names for birds. Meadowlark: Fee lark. Nighthawk: Bull bat. Kingbird: Bee martin. Jay Subject: Another scissortail flycatcher From: harleyiii <harleyiii AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:19:16 -0400 (EDT) I saw another scissor tail flycatcher today. This one was 3 miles Northeast of Scott sitting on a light wire. Two hours later when I passed the same spot it was gone. Harley Metcalfe III Subject: Unsubscribe From: maury haraway <mharaway1 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:48:30 -0700 (PDT) Unsubscribe Subject: Bird pgm at Jackson Audubon Tues Oct 27 From: skipperand AT aol.com Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:40:07 -0400 Missbirders, I will be doing the program "A Fascination With Birds" and would like to invite all of you - Tuesday night at the Welty Library in downtown Jackson. The meeting begins at 6:30 and the program around 7:00. Skipper Anding, Ridgeland, MS Subject: Wearable hummingbird feeder From: Matt Smith <mcsmitfl AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:29:41 -0700 (PDT) MISSBIRDers, Which one of you brave souls is willing to test-drive this thing (for "only" $79.95!)? I'll chip in a few bucks if you let me try it... http://heatstick.com/_eYe2eye.htm Matt Smith Subject: rainy night From: "Jerry L. Litton" <littonsphac AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:46:00 -0500 The other night I was waiting at the old Pearl High School football field for my grandson's game to start at 7 pm. It was raining, the field lights blasting beams through showers and some winds and there was a lot of talk and fun being shared by some sitters and more standers, most of us under some kind of parasol or hooded parka and then some kids splashing in the puddles, they barefoot and wet as catfish, as the young teams on the field got wet, warmed-up and pepped up for the scrimmage. Suddenly there was a Luke Skywalker like flight-maker zipping, dipping and flitting about the field and lighted sky, zipping so fast I couldn't keep my eyes on it or make out whether it a bat or sick-o bird gone haywire, as it vanished and re-appeared several times. Turns out, it was a kill-de as Aunt Lillie use to name them. It barely missed players on the field, looping over their helmets and did fast dodge-bys to us on the side lines, then to land with the quickness of a fly dodging a swat. It walked around the slight opening near a group of talkers, keeping mostly in the shadows of the sea of legs of those who did not see or suspect anything but the talk at hand. All I could think was Geez, field of dreams. I saw a great egret the other day as it flew away from me, not very high above the pond waterline, already in flight when I saw it. I thought it was a great egret by wing beat and rear end silhouette but was mystified by the appearance of black wing tips that seemed to come and go as the wings moved up then down. The black vee of both wing tips seemed real, but I hope I know better then to look for them on g. egrets in the future. I suppose light angle, bird movement and angle opposed to light penetration, reflectance and shadow making abilities and my horizontal travel at 60 mph may had placed me at this moment and surprised me with this new experience. Something about this told me white pelican, something else told me to look a little longer and there it was. The eyes have it, the mind gets confused. Jerry L. Litton Jerry L. Litton Litton's Plumbing and Heating, Inc. Lightscribe Photography and Publishing, Inc. Narrative of Nature Calendars RepAmerica/ MS 3987 Terry Road Jackson, MS 39212 601 372 1580 601 346 0430 fax. 4jll AT bellsouth.net www.lightscribesource.com www.lightscribephotography.com Subject: Arkabutla Dam From: OLCOOT1 AT aol.com Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:36:24 EDT Oct. 25, 2009 Arkabutla Lake, MS Scanning from the swimming area parking lot, the expected White Pelicans, Coots and DC Cormorants were spread across the lake. I photographed and counted the Forster's Terns, no Common or Black Terns, but 472+ Forster's is a pretty good number for north Mississippi. The surprise bird swimming among these terns was a single Avocet. Ring-billed numbers were way down, less than 50 counted, but 8 FRANKLIN'S GULLS were a nice addition to today's list. Good Birding !!! Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA 6300 Memphis-Arlington Road Bartlett, TN 38135 http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/ What is this feathered thing that lifts my heart to the heavens. Subject: Le Fluers Bluff State Park From: PullenWatkins AT comcast.net Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:46:39 +0000 (UTC) Missbirders: I birded the park this morning and found an interesting array of winter arrivals and some late migrants. Winter Arrivials: Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker,Golden Crowned Kinglet (heard and saw), Ruby Crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-Rumped Warbler, of course Eastern Phoebe (they come around Labor Day and stay until Memorial Day) Winter Wren, House Wren, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, and White Throated Sparrow (didn't hear until later it was cold this morning) no Blue Headed Vireo :(, Brown Creeper, Cedear Waxwings or Dark Eyed Junco, theres still alot of winter Summer/ Migrants: Eastern Wood Pewee, Red Eyed Vireo, Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher, Gray Catbird, Tennessee Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Indigo Bunting 2 stragglers in winter color, and according to Sibley this is a migrant Lincoln Sparrow One note: There is a sink hole on the main trail headed toward the boat launch of the Pearl River. Thanks, Pullen Madison, MS Subject: Sabine's Gull From: Nick Winstead <Nick.Winstead AT mmns.state.ms.us> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:41:09 -0500 Yesterday between 2:30 and 3:00 I saw a juvenile Sabine's Gull off and on over the spillway at Ross Barnett Reservoir. I got excellent looks at the bird as it was flying around the churning water below the spillway and back over the dam to the open water of the reservoir. The bird was loosely hanging around a small group of Franklin's Gulls. There were also at least hundreds of migrating Tree Swallows scattered all over the reservoir. I would have posted sooner but am just now getting back to my computer. Nick Nick Winstead Ornithologist Mississippi Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks Museum of Natural Science 2148 Riverside Drive Jackson, Mississippi 39202 Phone: 601-354-7303, ext. 108 Fax: 601-354-7227 http://museum.mdwfp.com/ ________________________________ Confidentiality Notice: The information contained in this email and/or document(s) attached is for the exclusive use of the individual named above and may contain confidential, privileged and non-disclosable information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from reading, photocopying, distributing or otherwise using this e-mail or its contents in any way. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify me immediately. Subject: Scissortail Flycatcher From: Wayne Patterson <wrp6 AT att.net> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:58:18 -0700 (PDT) Coming back from Tombigbee State Park this AM on the Verona Plantersville road I was stunned to see a male Scissortail on an electric wire.   Of course I was in a hurry to get back home to get to Clinton and see my son March for Tupelo in the State Marching Competition.  To see the bird, assuming he's still there, take the Verona Exit East off of Hwy 45 onto the Verona Planterville Road.  The bird was on the wire to the South before you get to town creek and before you get to the CREEK BOTTOM, about a mile from the turnoff.  There were NO visible open fields at this spot so if he flys off the wire and into the surrounding area he may not be in a visible spot.  I just got lucky.  Photos will follow tomorrow.  GO WAVE!! Wayne Patterson Shannon, MS  Lee Co. Subject: Re: Banded dove/pigeon leg From: Sheri Glowinski <sheri_glowinski AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:49:21 -0700 (PDT) That seems to be the correct site to report the band. Many thanks. sheri ________________________________ From: Lucy and Bob Duncan To: Sheri Glowinski Sent: Fri, October 23, 2009 9:37:29 AM Subject: Re: [MISSBIRD] Banded dove/pigeon leg For racing pigeon bands, go to one of these sites. From there you can enter the band info, etc.: PIGEONS:  http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/homepage/recwobnd.cfmwhich takes you to the American Racing Pigeon Union site http://www.pigeon.org/lostbirdinfo.htm   Lucy Duncan Gulf Breeze, FL ----- Original Message ----- >From: Sheri Glowinski >To: missbird AT listserv.olemiss.edu >Sent: Friday, October 23, 2009 9:27 AM >Subject: [MISSBIRD] Banded dove/pigeon leg > > >Hi folks, >A colleague of mine found a dove or pigeon LEG (yes, only the leg!) with a non USGS band on it in downtown Hattiesburg. The info on the band was: AV2009 SMRP 7169. > >I thought I remembered a posting about a banded dove in the not too distant past on MISSBIRD, but couldn't remember the resolution. Any help anyone can provide on tracking down the bander would be appreciated. > >Best regards, >sheri   >---------  >Sheri L. Glowinski >PhD Candidate >Migratory Bird Research Group >The University of Southern Mississippi >Dept. of Biological Sciences >118 College Drive [5018] >Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001 >Lab: 601-266-4394 >http://www.usm.edu/mbrg/ > > > Subject: Banded dove/pigeon leg From: Sheri Glowinski <sheri_glowinski AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:27:07 -0700 (PDT) Hi folks, A colleague of mine found a dove or pigeon LEG (yes, only the leg!) with a non USGS band on it in downtown Hattiesburg. The info on the band was: AV2009 SMRP 7169. I thought I remembered a posting about a banded dove in the not too distant past on MISSBIRD, but couldn't remember the resolution. Any help anyone can provide on tracking down the bander would be appreciated. Best regards, sheri   ---------  Sheri L. Glowinski PhD Candidate Migratory Bird Research Group The University of Southern Mississippi Dept. of Biological Sciences 118 College Drive [5018] Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001 Lab: 601-266-4394 http://www.usm.edu/mbrg/ Subject: Rig Birds 10/21 & 10/22 From: "RudyDog" <cnrdmd AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:19:37 -0500 All, I've had about a half dozen Cattle egrets the last two days. Yesterday, 10/21, there was a Black and White warbler along with a Gray catbird. Today there was a lone Gray Catbird. Later on this afternoon three Cattle egrets. Four hawks are still hanging around the rig. The moths are all but gone. I'll be leaving the rig in the morning 10/23. Have a great day, Troy Bay of Campeche Mexico Subject: High water From: skipperand AT aol.com Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:23:50 -0400 Mays Lakes was closed for high water today, so I tried the park across Lakeland Dr. It was full of C. Wrens and Brown Thrashers. Arriving at the gas facility in the back, I looked for and found a way through the fence into the trails behind the Wildlife Dept. This didn't take too long. I sure thought I was hearing Golden-crowned Kinglets, but didn't stop to check as I had little repellant and could not stop long. From the gas facility I took a gravel road toward Smith Wills Stadium and back to parking, walking around a cattle gate near the ballfield (don't turn back as you can get around it). From the Pearl Street overpass I saw the remains of the fair and the old Natural Science Museum building, which had been crunched by a big digger. Skipper Anding, Ridgeland, MS Subject: Rig Birds 10/20 From: "RudyDog" <cnrdmd AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:26:06 -0500 Good evening all, Where have all the cattle egrets gone? None here today. Not many birds at all today. Had one Hooded warbler, one male and female Redstart and one Gray Catbird. There have been as many as three hawks flying around the rig the past couple of days. Not sure what kind they would be. No hummers. Have a great day, Troy, Bay of Campeche Mexico Subject: Re: Announcing Trumpeter Watch From: Ned and Lucy Boyajian <nedlucyboyajian AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:15:54 -0500 Missbirders I personally am not knowledgeable enough on the subject to have formed an opinion, but Missbirders should be aware that "reintroduction" of this species in the east has by no means met universal acceptance. *An interesting discussion on the pros and cons of reintroducing this species in the east can be found in Birding 34:4 338-343 Ned Boyajian Nick Winstead wrote: > > Below is an email from John Cornely with the Trumpeter Swan Society > about an effort to track Trumpeter Swan distribution from > November-May. This effort could yield some good information on the > species. > > Nick > > *TRUMPETER WATCH* > > The Trumpeter Swan Society has launched a new Citizen Science project > and we hope to encourage your participation and support. If there are > specific areas that you would like information to be collected on by > volunteer observers, please let us know. Below I outline the project > with an invitation for comment if there are additional points you feel > we should be making to collect data most useful to your future > management efforts. We welcome the participation of agency personnel > as well. > > For the period Nov 1, 2009 – May 1, 2010 we are encouraging birders > and wildlife enthusiasts to join our network of volunteer observers to > document the changing winter distribution of Trumpeter Swans. > Observers are asked to register on our website > www.trumpeterswansociety.org . > We aim to contact at least 1000 bird watchers over a broad geographic > area with hopes of getting reliable coverage over most of our area of > interest. Using skilled birders that regularly report sightings we > hope to make qualified data available to you by next July. > > Our focus for observation in this first year of the effort is on the > states of NE, KS, OK, eastern NM & CO, MO, AR, IL, IN, KY, TN, TX, NM, > LA, MS, AL, VA, MD, DE (or any other Southern, Central or Eastern > State where Trumpeters are observed during the winter). > > When asked why we need observers to participate, we are saying: > > */Why is your help needed/*? > > * /By 1900 Trumpeter Swans were extirpated from their nesting and > wintering areas in Central and Eastern North America. Their > historic migrations to southerly wintering sites were totally > destroyed./ > * /In recent decades wild nesting populations of Trumpeters have > been successfully restored in several northerly states and > Ontario. Most swans now winter near their northern breeding > areas, but an unknown number are pioneering southward where they > are beginning to establish use of more southerly wintering sites. / > * /Little is known regarding the numbers and groupings of > southward migrants, the location and characteristics of the > sites they are pioneering, the duration of use, or problems they > may be encountering./ > * /By providing information through Trumpeter Watch, observers can > help document the changing distribution of wintering Trumpeter > Swans and help identify potential new southerly wintering sites./ > * /Currently there is no coordinated, broad-scale observation > effort to monitor Trumpeter Swans during the winter./ > > / / > > / / > > Once an observer has registered for TRUMPETER WATCH, we ask: > > /- Report any first observation of a Trumpeter Swan at a new location > to us by email as soon as possible, using our _TRUMPETER WATCH > OBSERVATION FORM_. Even a single observation is helpful, although we > hope you will want to monitor the vicinity through the winter or > enlist the help of other local observers. / > > / / > > - /We encourage you to regularly check on this location to observe the > duration and patterns of use. Please send summary of observations to > us by the 10^th of each month throughout the study period. We want to > document key habitat information, as well as details about the swans > and their behavior. / > > / / > > We are asking for the following information, but if you have input on > additional information you wish to collect, we can communicate that to > observers in your area. We will request that all marked and banded > birds be reported to the USGS Bird Banding Lab and that all persons > use caution not to disturb swans during observation. These are general > guidelines we are giving at the start of the program: > > / / > > *Clear description of location* > > Note name of state, county, closest town or recognizable location such > as a lake, park or refuge. Additionally, you may note township, range > section, lat-long coordinates, or GPS coordinates if known. If you can > paste in a small map of the site, that would be very helpful. > > *Details on the sighting* > > To the best of your ability, note age class (adult birds are white, > juvenile birds (cygnets) are gray. Note total numbers of Trumpeter, > Tundra, or unidentified swans. Note behavior (feeding, flying > overhead, loafing/resting). General notes on other species in the area > are of interest, such as in mixed flock with 300 Snow Geese, etc. > > *Details on habitat characteristics* > > Notes on human activities in the area and swan reaction, notes on any > obvious hazards or attractive attributes of the sites, food resources, > water conditions, etc., use by other waterfowl > > If Trumpeters are regularly using a location in your area, we would > value further details or photo documentation of the habitat if you are > willing to provide this level of detail. Details of what to observe in > this SITE CHARACTERISTIC ASSESSMENT will be given to regular observers > as needed. > > By next July we hope to have data summarized and available to public > and private land managers. > > John Cornely > Executive Director > The Trumpeter Swan Society > 3 Cliffrose > Littleton, CO 80127 > Res. 303-933-9861 > cell 303-910-9360 > > jcornely AT trumpeterswansociety.org > > johncornely AT msn.com > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Confidentiality Notice: The information contained in this email and/or > document(s) attached is for the exclusive use of the individual named > above and may contain confidential, privileged and non-disclosable > information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby > notified that you are strictly prohibited from reading, photocopying, > distributing or otherwise using this e-mail or its contents in any > way. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify me > immediately. Subject: Announcing Trumpeter Watch From: Nick Winstead <Nick.Winstead AT mmns.state.ms.us> Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:52:18 -0500 Below is an email from John Cornely with the Trumpeter Swan Society about an effort to track Trumpeter Swan distribution from November-May. This effort could yield some good information on the species. Nick TRUMPETER WATCH The Trumpeter Swan Society has launched a new Citizen Science project and we hope to encourage your participation and support. If there are specific areas that you would like information to be collected on by volunteer observers, please let us know. Below I outline the project with an invitation for comment if there are additional points you feel we should be making to collect data most useful to your future management efforts. We welcome the participation of agency personnel as well. For the period Nov 1, 2009 - May 1, 2010 we are encouraging birders and wildlife enthusiasts to join our network of volunteer observers to document the changing winter distribution of Trumpeter Swans. Observers are asked to register on our website www.trumpeterswansociety.org. We aim to contact at least 1000 bird watchers over a broad geographic area with hopes of getting reliable coverage over most of our area of interest. Using skilled birders that regularly report sightings we hope to make qualified data available to you by next July. Our focus for observation in this first year of the effort is on the states of NE, KS, OK, eastern NM & CO, MO, AR, IL, IN, KY, TN, TX, NM, LA, MS, AL, VA, MD, DE (or any other Southern, Central or Eastern State where Trumpeters are observed during the winter). When asked why we need observers to participate, we are saying: Why is your help needed? * By 1900 Trumpeter Swans were extirpated from their nesting and wintering areas in Central and Eastern North America. Their historic migrations to southerly wintering sites were totally destroyed. * In recent decades wild nesting populations of Trumpeters have been successfully restored in several northerly states and Ontario. Most swans now winter near their northern breeding areas, but an unknown number are pioneering southward where they are beginning to establish use of more southerly wintering sites. * Little is known regarding the numbers and groupings of southward migrants, the location and characteristics of the sites they are pioneering, the duration of use, or problems they may be encountering. * By providing information through Trumpeter Watch, observers can help document the changing distribution of wintering Trumpeter Swans and help identify potential new southerly wintering sites. * Currently there is no coordinated, broad-scale observation effort to monitor Trumpeter Swans during the winter. Once an observer has registered for TRUMPETER WATCH, we ask: - Report any first observation of a Trumpeter Swan at a new location to us by email as soon as possible, using our TRUMPETER WATCH OBSERVATION FORM. Even a single observation is helpful, although we hope you will want to monitor the vicinity through the winter or enlist the help of other local observers. - We encourage you to regularly check on this location to observe the duration and patterns of use. Please send summary of observations to us by the 10th of each month throughout the study period. We want to document key habitat information, as well as details about the swans and their behavior. We are asking for the following information, but if you have input on additional information you wish to collect, we can communicate that to observers in your area. We will request that all marked and banded birds be reported to the USGS Bird Banding Lab and that all persons use caution not to disturb swans during observation. These are general guidelines we are giving at the start of the program: Clear description of location Note name of state, county, closest town or recognizable location such as a lake, park or refuge. Additionally, you may note township, range section, lat-long coordinates, or GPS coordinates if known. If you can paste in a small map of the site, that would be very helpful. Details on the sighting To the best of your ability, note age class (adult birds are white, juvenile birds (cygnets) are gray. Note total numbers of Trumpeter, Tundra, or unidentified swans. Note behavior (feeding, flying overhead, loafing/resting). General notes on other species in the area are of interest, such as in mixed flock with 300 Snow Geese, etc. Details on habitat characteristics Notes on human activities in the area and swan reaction, notes on any obvious hazards or attractive attributes of the sites, food resources, water conditions, etc., use by other waterfowl If Trumpeters are regularly using a location in your area, we would value further details or photo documentation of the habitat if you are willing to provide this level of detail. Details of what to observe in this SITE CHARACTERISTIC ASSESSMENT will be given to regular observers as needed. By next July we hope to have data summarized and available to public and private land managers. John Cornely Executive Director The Trumpeter Swan Society 3 Cliffrose Littleton, CO 80127 Res. 303-933-9861 cell 303-910-9360 jcornely AT trumpeterswansociety.org johncornely AT msn.com ________________________________ Confidentiality Notice: The information contained in this email and/or document(s) attached is for the exclusive use of the individual named above and may contain confidential, privileged and non-disclosable information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from reading, photocopying, distributing or otherwise using this e-mail or its contents in any way. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify me immediately. Subject: Western Strays From: Ned and Lucy Boyajian <nedlucyboyajian AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:30:47 -0500 A few western strays are beginning to arrive in coastal Hancock County. Seen Today, Oct 19 2009 Franklin's Gull, 2 Washington Street Pier, Bay St Louis. Considering that there have already been two reported for MS it looks like it may be a better than average year for Groove-billed Ani. Today there was one at the Ansley Chenier and another near the RR crossing on Heron Bay Road. Both were perched on the sunny (and lee) side of dense brush, sunning themselves like absurd little cormorants. A Yellow-headed Blackbird ( winter male) was at the feeders I maintain at my old home site at Heron Bay. (the summer resident Bronzed Cowbirds seem to have left -I have not seen any since the first days of the month). Ned Boyajian Subject: Lincolns Sparrow From: Wayne Patterson <wrp6 AT att.net> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:43:12 -0700 (PDT) For those of you, me included, who have seen few to no Lincoln's Sparrows, I have attached a photo of one that popped out for me at the Tupelo Water Treatment Plant yesterday.  Not totally sure of my ID I had to ask, and kindly received, verification.  In the photo you can see what the guides call Buff "looks Orange to me" across the chest, in the malar area and eye ring.  The dark brown to black streaks are prominant as is the birds peaked crown.  In a straight on photo the streaks did extend into the throat area.  http://www.pbase.com/wpatterson/image/118454223/large While this bird may be common on the coast and the Western part of the state it is definitely uncommon for me. Wayne Patterson Shannon, MS  Lee Co. Subject: MCAS upcoming Field Trips From: sharon milligan <2sharon123 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:57:44 -0500 This Saturday, October 24, 2009: Grand Bay NERR, SE Jackson County. Jake Walker (228-697-7157) Meet at 7:30 AM at NERR headquarters building. Variety of birds possible in several distinct habitats. Bring water, snacks, bug spray. Saturday, November 14, 2009: Old Ft. Bayou Mitigation Bank. Mark Woodrey (228-697-0460) Meet at 7:30 AM at Park and Ride in Ocean Springs I-10, Exit 50. Sparrows, field birds, raptors. If it's been raining, boots might be a good choice for footwear. Don't forget bugspray, snacks and water. Subject: Re: Fw: [ALBIRDS] Fw: Yellow Rails and Rice Festival UPDATE From: Marie Perkins <mariemperkins AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:24:19 -0500 To anyone wondering if this might be a worthwhile trip: I did my Master's research on rails in southwest Louisiana and spent weeks (even over Halloween weekend, 2004) trying to capture rails during the second rice harvest in the area were this festival is being held. We saw alot of yellow rails, sora, Virginia rails, and a few king rails. As long as a rice field still had some water on it, there were rails, often alot of rails. The potential for this to be a great birding trip is high. Though as a caveat, I would like to add that I don't know anything about the logistics of this trip or how the second rice season has been going in LA this year, both could affect how many birds you will see. Marie Perkins On Tue, Oct 13, 2009 at 7:26 AM, Jake Walker wrote: > > > --- On Mon, 10/12/09, Greg D. Jackson wrote: > >> From: Greg D. Jackson >> Subject: [ALBIRDS] Fw: Yellow Rails and Rice Festival UPDATE >> To: "AL Birds" >> Received: Monday, October 12, 2009, 12:18 AM >> AL Birders: >> >> Here's a note from our friends in LA concerning what sounds >> like a fun birding event. >> >> Greg >> >> Greg D. Jackson >> Birmingham, AL >> g_d_jackson AT bellsouth.net >> >> >> >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- >> From: Steve Cardiff >> Date: Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 3:30 PM >> Subject: Re: Yellow Rails and Rice Festival UPDATE >> >> >> Dear Birders- >>      Here's an update on the upcoming >> Yellow Rails and Rice Festival (see original announcement at >> bottom), now only a month away.  Dates with scheduled >> activities have been trimmed down as follows: >> >> >> --FRIDAY & SATURDAY 30-31 OCTOBER.  Central >> meeting location/staging area will be at the LSU AgCenter >> facility on Hwy. 26 south in JENNINGS, LA. >> Participants can begin arriving at 9:00 AM.  For this >> year at least, there is no official preregistration, but we >> would prefer that all participants first check-in at the >> meeting/staging area so that we have a better handle on >> number of people and can better coordinate distribution of >> participants among multiple harvest sites.  Information >> handouts will be available including Yellow Rail "fact >> sheets," a checklist of the birds of southwest Louisiana's >> rice-growing region, etc.  There will be a brief, >> repeating powerpoint slideshow on Yellow Rails, and possibly >> other slideshows to watch.  Additional activities, >> presenters TBA.  Starting around 10:00 AM, >> facilitator-led groups will depart hourly from the staging >> area and caravan to harvesting sites.  Caravan leaders >> will "hand-off" the arriving group to an onsite >> facilitator.  Once participants are at the harvest >> site, they can stay as long as they want and they will be on >> their own when they depart the site.  The >> meeting/staging area will shut down, and the last group(s) >> will depart for the harvesting site(s), at 4:00 PM each >> day.  Harvesting activities sometimes continue until >> dusk. >> >> >> --FRIDAY & SATURDAY 6-7 NOVEMBER.  Central Meeting >> location/staging area will be at the Thornwell Warehouse >> Association building at THORNWELL, Jeff Davis Parish, >> LA.  Otherwise, details as above. >> >> >> --Depending on demand, we may add a mid-week date (e.g., 3 >> or 4 November).  We need feedback (see festival email >> address below)! >> >> >> --Depending on recruitment of farmers, we will do our best >> to set up limited Yellow Rail viewing activities on Sunday 1 >> November so that LOS Fall Meeting participants (taking >> advantage on their way home from Cameron) or other visitors >> don't miss an opportunity.  Again, we need feedback on >> whether there would be enough interest to make this worth >> the effort (see festival email address below)! >> >> >> IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE FESTIVAL, >> then please send an email with your contact information to >> Donna Dittmann at: >> >> >> yellowrailsandrice AT gmail.com >> >> >> Please indicate which festival day(s) you would be most >> likely to visit. This will help us estimate potential >> turnout. We will also add you to a group email list and you >> will receive festival updates, as details may be subject to >> change. >> >> >> Festival information will also begin appearing at various >> websites, e.g., Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development and >> Tourism (http://www.jeffdavis.org/), birdlouisiana.com , >> etc.  We will provide updates with the web links as >> they become activated. >> >> >> Let us know OFF-LIST if you have questions.  And, of >> course, by all means spread the word. >> >> >> Sincerely, >> >> >> Steve Cardiff & Donna Dittmann >> >> >> -- >> >> On Tue, Sep 8, 2009 at 10:25 PM, Steve Cardiff >> wrote: >> >>   Dear Labirders- >> >>        I'm pleased to announce the >> First Annual "Yellow Rail and Rice Festival," tentatively >> scheduled for this coming 30 October-8 November 2009. >> So, mark your calendars and please stay tuned for further >> developments. >> >>        Until now this has been >> merely an idea conjured up by Donna Dittmann, rice farmers >> Kevin & Shirley Berken, and myself, but now we are >> finally ready to go operational and move into an >> experimental phase.  I must emphasize that this first >> attempt will be very scaled down and is still somewhat >> TENTATIVE. >> >> >> >>    Intended goals of the festival are >> five-fold (at least): >> >> >> >>   1) To bring birders and rice farmers together during >> Louisiana's late (second) rice harvest in a more organized >> format that will make Yellow Rail searching a more reliable >> endeavor. >> >> >> >>   2) To give birders (and others) the opportunity to >> see rice harvesting operations up close and personal and to >> further appreciate the rich cultural traditions of southwest >> Louisiana agriculture-based communities. >> >> >> >>   3) To promote mutually beneficial Agritourism (from >> the farmers' perspective) and Ecotourism (from the birders' >> perspective) that will provide recreational enjoyment for >> birders and generate economic opportunities in southwestern >> Louisiana’s rice-growing region and adjacent areas. >> >> >> >>   4) To further educate the birding public (and >> others) regarding the critical importance of rice >> cultivation and other "working wetlands" to bird populations >> and to encourage cooperation between agricultural and bird >> conservation interests in a joint effort to preserve these >> relatively “bird friendly” agricultural systems. >> >> >> >>   5) To have fun, see lots of great birds, and meet >> lots of nice people! >> >> >> >>   Until festival infrastructure becomes further >> developed, the inaugural festival will, of course, primarily >> focus on finding Yellow Rails.  Preliminarily, rail >> searches will be confined to Jefferson Davis Parish, but the >> activities may expand to other parishes in the future. >> We anticipate having birders meet at a staging area(s) from >> where they will be escorted by "facilitators" to actual >> harvesting operations being conducted by a network of >> cooperating rice farmers.  Once at the fields, birders >> will (hopefully) have the opportunity to see Yellow Rails >> that are flushed by the harvesting combines.  We are >> hoping to be able to allow birders to take turns actually >> riding on the harvester machines, but the details still need >> to be worked out.  In addition to modest numbers of >> Yellow Rails, observers typically will also be able to enjoy >> seeing a tremendous variety and abundance of other bird >> species in the region. >> >> >> >>   The dates chosen for this fall are intended to >> maximize the chances that second crop harvesting operations >> will be in progress and that Yellow Rails will have arrived >> in the region in substantial numbers.  The first >> weekend also coincides with this year's Louisiana >> Ornithological Society fall meeting to be held in Cameron >> Parish 30 October-1 November 2009.  So, we hope that >> this will give birders attending the LOS meeting a great >> opportunity to attend the Yellow Rail and Rice Festival on >> their way to, during, or after the meeting.  The >> "Yellow Railing" will continue through the first week of >> November, with the finale on the weekend of 7-8 >> November.  Of course, rice harvesting is dependent on >> good weather conditions, so any significant rainfall could >> interfere with our plans.  But we hope that having two >> consecutive weekends to work with will lessen the chances of >> a complete washout, and we should be able to issue rail >> watching forecasts in advance. >> >> >> >>   Tentative supporters of the festival include the >> Jefferson Davis Parish Rice Growers Association, the LSU >> AgCenter, and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and >> Forestry.  Of course, we would welcome additional >> endorsements and sponsors.  At some point in the near >> future, I will provide a point of contact for organizations >> or individuals interested in signing on as sponsors or >> volunteers, and we will likely request that festival >> participants "RSVP" just so we have a rough idea of the >> potential volume of birders/day. >> >> >> >>   Sincerely, >> >> >> >>   Steve Cardiff & Donna Dittmann >> >> >> >> >> >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> >> >> >> ------------------------------------ >> >> IMPORTANT ADDRESSES: >> Post message: albirds AT yahoogroups.com >> Subscribe: albirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com >> List owner: albirds-owner AT yahoogroups.com >> AOS website:  http://www.aosbirds.org/ >> >> This list is sponsored by the Alabama >> Ornithological Society (AOS) and is provided >> as a service to the birding community.  AOS >> does not endorse the views or opinions expressed >> by the members of this discussion group.  Nor >> does AOS support or endorse the advertising >> provided by the Yahoo Groups list service.Yahoo! Groups >> Links >> >> <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: >>     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/ >> >> <*> Your email settings: >>     Individual Email | Traditional >> >> <*> To change settings online go to: >>     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/albirds/join >>     (Yahoo! ID required) >> >> <*> To change settings via email: >>     mailto:albirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com >> >>     mailto:albirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com >> >> <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email >> to: >>     albirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com >> >> <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: >>     http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ >> >> > > >      __________________________________________________________________ > Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr! > > http://www.flickr.com/gift/ > > Subject: Comcast problem resolved From: ulswan AT olemiss.edu Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:49:16 -0600 The Comcast problem has been resolved, thanks to Ole Miss tech support. Martha Martha Swan 1665 Toccopola Jct. Rd. Thaxton, MS 38871 Subject: Comcast and Hotmail problems From: ulswan AT olemiss.edu Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:36:25 -0600 Missbirders, Delete now if you don't use either of these email services! Last week, there were two brief intervals when Hotmail was rejecting all Missbird messages, but the problem seems to have resolved itself. Now, Comcast is rejecting Missbird messages but I can't tell whether it is rejecting all of them, or just a few. I don't get a notice until about five days later. *Please*, Comcast users, contact your tech support services and tell them that Missbird is not Spam! I have contacted Ole Miss tech support, but in my experience, email providers are more responsive to their own customers than they are to list administrators. Please contact me individually if you have any questions. Thanks, Martha Martha Swan 1665 Toccopola Jct. Rd. Thaxton, MS 38871 Subject: Birds - Clinton and Reservoir area From: "John M. Bonelli" <jbonelli AT loansourcems.com> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:36:22 -0500 Good morning: Yesterday afternoon, my wife and I went to the Clinton Nature Center. We saw few birds, but there were a couple that really stood out. We saw an immature painted bunting and a female painted bunting. Also hanging around appeared to be a hermit thrush. There was another bird that we saw, but I could not identify it. Of course, there were the standard birds, titmice, chicadees, blue jays, cardinals, carolina wrens, downy woodpeckers and red-bellied woodpeckers. Saturday, while officiating soccer matches at JFC (north Jackson area), I saw a huge flock of white pelicans flying over, heading to the southeast. On Sunday, I heard some birds in the woods behind field 7 that I could not identify. I believe them to be some warblers, but I cannot remember their tune. That's all I have for now.... JMB John M. Bonelli Loan Officer - Commercial/Residential LoanSource Financial Services 112 Village Blvd., Ste. B Madison, MS 39110 601.856.2717 Phone 601.856.3470 Fax 601.842.9764 Mobile "We Shop So You Don't Have To." Subject: October 18, 2009 From: "Jerry L. Litton" <littonsphac AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:26:37 -0500 Driving from Jackson to Shelby and back to Pelahatchie: Early morning, driving north on hi-way 49 north of Jackson, had two White-tailed Deer on the east roadside, does, one a yearling, wanted to get across so they ran carelessly, and we would have collided if I had not nearly stopped. The yearling tagged behind about 15', neither animal seemed to look at me as they ran. On the other side, the two-lane south bound, another car had to slow to avoid a collision. The deer ran into the yard of a residence, and had a fence along the sides and back. I didn't hang around to see where the deer escaped. A little farther north I crossed the flooded Big Black River and on the north row crop area that was flooded were two more deer wading about belly deep along the pool. After going toward home late in the afternoon I approached a fawn, a really young one about 30" inches tall and had lots of white spots. I did not see its mother, and the fawn looked healthy so I suspect it is getting plenty to eat. Saw a hawk, probably Red-shoulder on the west side, on a high wire, had its back-side to the sun, was looking down into the grasses. A little farther north, less than a quarter mile was a Belted Kingfisher, on the same west side of the road, facing the sun, looking down into the filled roadside ditch. I thought it interesting how these birds use directional sun rays the way I use them for effect, I to get a photograph, they to get breakfast. I also thought it interesting how they and I must aim our attention to where something will be when we snap our shutter, talons, and beak to complete our strike, where the subject will be, not where it is, when we get there. I saw several Red-winged Blackbirds perched on high standing stalks along heavy cluttered ditches and wonder if they know summer is over, nesting season has waned. It was males doing this and I could not see if they still had prominent red wing bars, or if they were defending territory chasing other males away or chasing females to nesting joy. I only saw males, females do not usually high perch sit. Just north of Indianola I saw a rarity in my opinion. Had a bird to fly up and across the highway. A straight flying and rhythmic wing cadence, and I first suspected some gull or raptor but it was a Black-crowned Night Heron. I seldom see these in the open, and often see them in swamps or along bayous densely lined with plants, mud islands and bars, shrubbery and trees, mostly seen at dusk and dawn. I suspect this was a first year bird and had found easy pickings in the fish pond, doesn't know yet it is a night heron or maybe it has poor nocturnal vision and must use sun light. Usually a shy bird, seems to have good behavior in heronry locations and is a little stand-offish how and where it nests. It seems to pick a smallish nest tree, building near the trunk or center, where no other species are nesting, however other nesters do move in on the same tree to make things interesting. I have seen BCNH nestlings unfledged as late as October. I saw two white egrets in a road-side ditch, one a Snowy and I suspect the other was to but could have been a Great Egret first year because they were about the same size. The one I identify had the black beak, dark legs and silky snowy feather feature so prominent to the species. The snowy just seems to move faster, dart and grab, in its pursuit, the egret uses its long reach, step, wait, stab, to advantage. Then there were swallows and swifts hunting above the fish ponds. I was surprised to see this. They were mostly over the water places but mid morning, driving toward Ruleville there was a flight seeking insects that must have moved over the highway and I had to slow several times to avoid them, coming to close to several as they were very eager toward their work. On the way home I did wreck with a low fast flying dark bird that streaked about head light high across the road out of no-where going right to left, hit my truck near the left front side and feathers flew to my sadness. Reminds me how fast accidents happen. Our farmers are in trouble. There is too much fiber and grain still in the fields. I suspect fungus and mildew is doing its work. I saw several fields with green but undeveloped, looked like immature corn. Rice appears to be harvested, and some corn, but some corn, cotton, and beans may be unusable or can't be harvested till rains stop and drying occurs. Looking like framed patch-work mosaics of grasses had several raptors low-flying in the breezes and many bunches of dark and fast birds congregating over grain fields. Doves seemed to be doing well and happy. Nature 1, Man/Science/ Schedules 0, the series continues. Jerry L. Litton Jerry L. Litton Litton's Plumbing and Heating, Inc. Lightscribe Photography and Publishing, Inc. Narrative of Nature Calendars RepAmerica/ MS 3987 Terry Road Jackson, MS 39212 601 372 1580 601 346 0430 fax. 4jll AT bellsouth.net www.lightscribesource.com www.lightscribephotography.com Subject: Oh Captain! From: "J. Allen Burrows" <rotteral AT aol.com> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:30:50 -0500 Saw two Lincoln's Sparrows (separately). One was actually with two of his Chipping brethren but seemed to be keeping his back turned toward them. Three immature Rose-breasted Grosbeak. All were seen at the powerline ROW alongside the abandoned GM&O tracks by the water treatment plant in the shadow of I55 East of Belhaven at the end of Laurel Street. Sent from my iPhone Subject: Interesting Finds From: PullenWatkins AT comcast.net Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:22:49 +0000 (UTC) Missbirders: Oct 17-- Harbor Drive- 2nd pipeline Ross Barnett Rez-- 3 Marsh Wrens; 1 Bald Eagle Oct 18-- Turcotte Lab- Ross Barnett Rez- the Ducks arrived (Green Wing Teal, mostly Gadwall, BlueWing Teal, Northern Shovler) Bank Swallows mixed in with Northern Roughwings at Turcotte my backyard (Madison)- Y all this was rather weird. I was a doing a cheklist for my yard. I looked out my kitchen window and saw a female Summer Tanger eating my suet that I had put out for birds. Thanks, Pullen Madison, MS