Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Missouri > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Monday, February 8 at 10:53 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Blue Eared Pheasant,©BirdQuest

8 Feb Re: Pink-Sided Junco [Chase Darr ] 8 Feb Re: Pink-Sided Junco [Clark Creighton ] 8 Feb Re: Pink-Sided Junco [Bob Fisher ] 8 Feb Re: Pink-Sided Junco [Joshua Uffman ] 8 Feb Pink-Sided Junco [Chase Darr ] 8 Feb Bountiful Savannah Sparrows, Dexter Rice Fields, Stoddard Co, 2/7 [Chris Barrigar ] 8 Feb backyard birds, St. Louis Co. [Jane C Allen ] 8 Feb Re: long eared owl photos Knox Co [Jackie Chain ] 7 Feb Super Sunday Raptors, Livingston Co. [Dianne & Steve Kinder ] 7 Feb St. L. area. Lotta bologna [Bill Rudden ] 7 Feb Eagle Bluffs CA [Jean Leonatti ] 7 Feb SLAS trip report, Feb. 6 [William Rowe ] 7 Feb sorry re: my post.. St. Louis Co, no sighting [Jane C Allen ] 7 Feb Re: IOS GUll Frolic 2010, Feb 20 [Charlene and Jim Malone ] 7 Feb RFI: Snow Buntings [Chase Darr ] 7 Feb Re: IOS GUll Frolic 2010, Feb 20 [Jane C Allen ] 7 Feb IOS GUll Frolic 2010, Feb 20 [Charlene and Jim Malone ] 7 Feb long eared owl photos Knox Co [Frankie Cuculich ] 7 Feb endangering Bald Eagles [June Newman ] 6 Feb eagles at Stella [Lawrence Herbert ] 6 Feb Brown Thrasher, StL City, Sat [Mike Thelen ] 6 Feb Rough-legged Hawk, Shelby County, 2-5-10 ["Patrick Harrison (Home)" ] 6 Feb Carlyle Lake - L-T Duck & Glaucous gull [Charlene and Jim Malone ] 6 Feb Vocal Western Meadowlark, Near Otter Slough CA, Stoddard Co., 2/6 [Chris Barrigar ] 6 Feb SE Owls seen around Hi Lonesome [MARGE LUMPE ] 6 Feb Riverlands Rough-legged Hawk [Joshua Uffman ] 6 Feb Re: Please doc. rare gulls [Joshua Uffman ] 6 Feb Re: Please doc. rare gulls [Charlene and Jim Malone ] 6 Feb Re: Please doc. rare gulls [Bob Fisher ] 6 Feb Please doc. rare gulls [Charlene and Jim Malone ] 6 Feb Long Branch [Nicholas March ] 6 Feb Rough-leg, Bonie at RMBS [Charlene and Jim Malone ] 5 Feb Eagle Bluffs CA [Grant Connette ] 5 Feb WGNSS trip 2-4-10/St Louis and St Charles Counties/RMBS/Ill Hwy 143 Slough [Jackie Chain ] 5 Feb SLAS field trip tomorrow? YES [William Rowe ] 5 Feb AZ: Aravaipa Canyon/Watershed Heavy Metal Contamination ["Hazelwood, Susan" ] 5 Feb Re: Trumpeter Swans Howard Co. [Chase Darr ] 5 Feb Trumpeter Swans Howard Co. [Edge ] 5 Feb MidMO Update [Joe LaFleur ] 5 Feb GH owl in TGP [Gail Ahumada ] 5 Feb Color of feathers in dinosaurs [Dency Kahn ] 4 Feb Common Redpoll, Columbia [Joe LaFleur ] 4 Feb More Riparian LEOWs! , Livingston Co. [Dianne & Steve Kinder ] 4 Feb Am Black Duck - Eagle Bluffs [Kathleen Anderson ] 4 Feb RMBS minutia [Bill Rudden ] 4 Feb Long Branch - Glaucous and Lesser Black-backed [Kathleen Anderson ] 3 Feb add ECD [Lawrence Herbert ] 3 Feb Young Golden Eagle on I-44 [Jackie Chain ] 3 Feb Re: Birds singing today! [Jackie Chain ] 3 Feb Eagle Bluffs CA [Eric Wood ] 3 Feb Creve Coeur Lake & Lost Valley Trail(Weldon Springs, Mo.) [bryan prather ] 3 Feb Question regarding postings. [Kent Lannert ] 3 Feb Birds singing today! [Pat Lueders ] 3 Feb Brown-headed cowbird [Jo Strange ] 3 Feb RB nuthatch [Jean Leonatti ] 2 Feb Additional details and link to the lesser black-backed gull (LBBG) photo from Long Branch [Peter Kondrashov ] 2 Feb Smithville Lake, McComas Rd. 2/2 [Bob Fisher ] 2 Feb Re: FW: Sneak-a-Peak Day at the Refuge [Dianne & Steve Kinder ] 2 Feb Re: Hummingbird story -- Link correction [Bob Fisher ] 2 Feb spotted towhee at SNR [Donald Hays ] 2 Feb Re: Birth of a hummingbird [Carol Kershner ] 2 Feb Rusty B, Joplin [Lawrence Herbert ] 2 Feb Pine Warbler, Dexter City Lake, 2/2, Stoddard Co. [Chris Barrigar ] 2 Feb Hummingbird story -- Link correction [Bob Fisher ] 2 Feb Re: Birth of a hummingbird [June Newman ] 2 Feb Lesser black-backed and glaucous gulls at Long Branch SP today [Peter Kondrashov ] 2 Feb Birth of a hummingbird [Bob Fisher ] 2 Feb Re: Swans with collars [Brad Jacobs ] 2 Feb Re: Swans with collars [Kristi Mayo ] 2 Feb Re: Swans with collars [Susan Seyboth ] 2 Feb Sandhill Crane St Louis County - no [Jackie Chain ] 1 Feb LEOW in riparian thicket [Dianne & Steve Kinder ] 1 Feb Rusty Blackbirds Monday at TGP [Pat Lueders ] 1 Feb goodbye Grussy [Linda Bobo ] 1 Feb long eared owls Knox Co [Frankie Cuculich ] 1 Feb Riverlands ["ROBYN, Tony" ] Subject: Re: Pink-Sided Junco From: Chase Darr <cmdp77 AT MAIL.MISSOURI.EDU> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 22:52:26 -0600 Thanks for your well-put reply. I agree that we should always tend toward the most probably race or species unless absolutely sure of the veracity of the find. That's why I haven't tried listing it on eBird so far or counted it on my own personal life list. I'm mainly trying to rule out all other possibilities: one of which is the *extreme* apparent ambiguity between the races from a visual perspective. Looking deeper into it, I find that I'm not at all alone in this issue. There are apparently even more subspecies (like the white-winged and another I just found called the Cassiar Junco, which is a recognized intergrade between Slate-Colored and Oregon DEJU)...all of which have amazingly complex and inconspicuous differences. And in one website I found, someone bemoaned the fact that people are still going off Junco 'philosophy' of Peterson's original guide, which is outdated (beyond my understanding of birding). When it comes down to it, I think I'm pretty much screwed unless I get a good photo of the bird...and even if I do, people are likely to write it off as a natural color variant of a Slate-Colored DEJU. Thanks again, Chase Darr Columbia, MO ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Re: Pink-Sided Junco From: Clark Creighton <clark.creighton AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 20:46:23 -0800 I absolutely love the Junco as the color combos are amazing. I am interested in expert input on this Junco I snapped a picture of outside of Macon a few months backhttp://clark-creighton.smugmug.com/Other/Unknown-birds/10664169_6hiau#742190508_EDSeA It was suggested a pink sided but I didnt know Thanks! Clark CreightonWildwood MOclark.creighton AT yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Re: Pink-Sided Junco From: Bob Fisher <bobgfisher AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 22:31:41 -0600 I have a different take on junco issues than the Illinois respondent copied in Josh Uffman's post. I think typical male Oregon Juncos are easily identified, and they do occur regularly in Missouri in small numbers. Females are more problematic. It may well be that they are frequently mis-identified on CBCs and that Missouri CBC numbers of "Oregon Juncos" are somewhat inflated. Real Pink-sided Juncos (subspecies mearnsi) are not as difficult to identify as persons who have mis-identified lots of female Slate-coloreds with brownish backs and pinkish brown sides might believe. They are like Oregons, but with lighter gray heads and breasts, contrasting dark lores and brown wings and backs. Their sides are a rich pinkish cinnamon color that covers more of the flanks than Oregons. They breed in the northern rocky mountains and winter in the west. It is highly unlikely that the subspecies has appeared in Missouri more than once or twice, if ever. Oregon Junco ID issues are complicated by the fact that there are as many as seven different recognized subspecies. (Some would add Pink-sided to the seven). There are at least three recognized subspecies in the Slate-colored group. Typical male Oregons have a blackish head and breast sharply contrasting with a brown back and wings and reddish flanks. The problem for us is that the inland and more southern races -- i.e. some of those closest to us -- tend toward somewhat duller and paler plumages, and their females may be closer to Slate-colored females. Female Slate-coloreds often have brownish backs and sides, and the brownish of the sides can look pinkish. Thus it may not be too difficult to make a female Slate-colored into one of the duller female Oregons. True Oregons have distinctly different hoods and bibs from the rest of their plumages. Female Slate-coloreds tend to have more of a mixture of brown and gray on the back and wings and more brownish pink than reddish flanks. I believe that there is a good photographic record of a Gray-headed Junco (caniceps) in Missouri. It has an all-gray head, breast, body and flanks with a bright red back. White-winged Juncos (aikeni) live in the Black Hills of South Dakota and surrounding areas and winter south to New Mexico. My recollection from seeing them in the Black Hills is that they are somewhat larger than Slate-colored Juncos and have broader white tail feathers in addition to the white wing bars for which they are named. They winter south to New Mexico. It is much more likely that a gray junco with white wing bars is an aberrant Slate-colored Junco than that it is a genuine aikeni. Were I on the MBRC, I would not accept a report of a White-winged Junco in Missouri without a specimen. BTW, the "splitters" among the expert taxonomists have the high ground these days, and the "lumpers" appear to be in nearly full retreat. If you see a non-Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco, keep it "in escrow" for possible addition to your life list in the future. It may once again become a separate species. Bob Fisher Independence, MO bobgfisher AT comcast.net ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Re: Pink-Sided Junco From: Joshua Uffman <Birdsandbugs AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 20:04:59 -0600 Chase and others interested: There was some very good comments made on the IL Listserve last week which certainly pertain to your question - I have pasted in below the responses from two of Illinois' finest, which are pretty much the same for your Missouri query. Josh Uffman Subject: Re: IBET Pink-sided Junco From: "calcariusp" Date: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:48:17 -0000 My post does not reflect on Eric's recent Pink-sided Junco sighting, but is more in agreement with Michael in that folks should take caution in identifying ANY junco other than "Slate-colored" Junco's�even the "Oregon" subspecies. I have to admit that other than juncos at my feeders, I don't often scrutinize junco flocks for rare subspecific individuals. With that said, many years ago, I did find and identify a "Pink-sided" Junco (even got some poor pictures!) at Lake Shelbyville�in June! Luckily, I had just started working for Dr. Scott Robinson at the time (one of few exceptional ornithologists that I know who are avid birders and listers). As Scott still did not know me well, he went to look for it the next day (I suspect as he had doubts that I had ID'ed it correctly), and luckily he found it! Bohlen (1989) lists it as only one of two "good" sight records in his Birds of Illinois book. Of course, there have likely been several more sightings since then, but this does show the subspecies rarity. My thought is that I think even the "Oregon" Junco may very well be identified way too easily (& often) by a lot of birders, as I seldom even see this subspecies. They are relatively often reported on the Christmas Bird Counts I help on, and I've noted 2-3 individuals reported at the same time and place by some folks, and have always wondered how well these individuals were actually seen. The range in variation in the most common junco in Illinois (Slate-colored) varies greatly between individuals, and nowhere was this more noticeable to me as when I used to band hundreds of birds each year, many years ago. Most of my banding was done in late-fall and winter, so a good percentage of the birds I caught were "Slate-colored" Juncos, and I was somewhat amazed at the varying amounts of brown wash there was in the otherwise gray plumage of the dorsal areas of the juncos, not to mention the varying amounts of pinkish/brownish wash in the flanks and sides. Even the gray of many birds approached more of a charcoal gray to blackish, although these may have been immature males. It was much easier to differentiate the gray and white adult males. I have always been a lot more hesitant to call any junco an "Oregon" without a pretty good look. It was interesting to read one of the links in Michael's post, in which comments by Ted Floyd (Chief editor of Birding magazine) show just how rare "Oregon" juncos are at the Powdermill Banding Station in Pennsylvania (granted it is a fair distance farther east). He says that the "Oregon" race is EXCEEDINGLY rare in the banding records there, but I bet if you checked the published sight records from that area of the U.S., published records would not show the race to be that rare. Just something to think about the next time you are getting ready to call one of those birds underneath your feeder an "Oregon" or "Pink-sided" Junco. With that said, would someone please find a "White-winged" Junco in Lake County while they're looking for an "Oregon"! I'd probably come and take a look at it. Good birding! Steve Bailey Mundelein (Lake Co) sdbailey AT mail.inhs.uiuc.edu _________________________________________________________________________________ Subject: Re: IBET Pink-sided junco From: "Michael L. P. Retter" Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 10:22:12 -0800 (PST) Hello, all. I'm very glad to hear that Eric is scrutinizing the juncos at his feeders. Many birders simply say "Dark-eyed Junco" and leave it at that, but they miss out on the fun and challenge of going further. Anyone who sees any junco they think is not Slate-colored, Oregon, or a hybrid thereof should be encouraged to properly document and photograph the bird. It would be accidental in Illinois, and its true status unclear/unknown. Caution and careful study are warranted, especially, when identifying any junco as Pink-sided (mearnsi) in Illinois. Hybrid Slate-colored X Oregon juncos (also know as Cassiar Juncos [=cismontanus]) are not rare in Illinois, and females can look very similar to Pink-sideds. Here is a junco I photographed in 2003 at Starved Rock that I thought might be a Pink-sided: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlretter/928749760/in/set-72157601057052980/ Expert consensus, however, was that this was a female cismontanus. Not many people know, let alone are familiar with, this taxon, so it consequently perplexes people on a regular basis. Notice how is lacks the paler blue-gray head and the starkly contrasting black lores of this Pink-sided Junco: http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/Photos/Sparrows/PSJU_2.jpg Here are some additional junco ID resources: http://www.oceanwanderers.com/JuncoID.html http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/DEJU.html http://www.roysephotos.com/DarkEyedJunco3.html Good birding, Michael L. P. Retter -----Original Message----- From: Missouri Wild Bird Forum [mailto:MOBIRDS-L AT PO.MISSOURI.EDU] On Behalf Of Chase Darr Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 6:47 PM To: MOBIRDS-L AT PO.MISSOURI.EDU Subject: Pink-Sided Junco For the last couple of months, I've had a faithful group of dark-eyed juncos (DEJU) grazing around our porch. Over that time, I've gotten very good looks at them (since they are <5 feet from our all-glass back door). I have noticed that not all are the dark slate-colored type you see when you look up DEJUs on the Cornell or whatbird websites. A google search yielded that there are several different races: Slate-colored, Gray-headed, Pink-sided, Oregon, and Red-backed (and Guadalupe, which does not come this far north). If you are interested in seeing the differences, I suggest this site: http://www.roysephotos.com/DarkEyedJunco.html. I have noticed a great deal of similarity between the Oregon & Pink-sided and Gray-headed & Red-backed races in the images. The main difference between Oregon and Pink-sided is that Oregons have a dark slate-colored head whereas Pink-sided have a light gray head and lighter features overall. Both have pink sides and russet backs to some degree (again, Pink-sided 'accent' colors are lighter). The same goes for Gray-headed and Red-backed, with the main difference being Gray-headed are lighter overall than Red-backed, which are a blue-slate. Why all of this fuss over Junco races? Currently, eBird has the Slate-colored (most common species for Missouri) and Oregon races listed (with Oregon listed as rare/improbable). My thing is: in looking closely at the birds on my porch, I have seen what look to be Pink-sided and maybe even Red-backed DEJUs. Wikipedia has some info on their ranges. The Pink-sided and Red-backed races are listed in states along the Rocky Mountains whereas Oregon DEJUs live in...well...Oregon. What I would like to know is: 1) Has anyone else noticed apparently pink-sided DEJUs on their porch this winter and more positively IDed them? I'm still relatively new to birding, so I usually default to the most common race. 2) Is anyone more knowledgable than myself aware of range restrictions that would absolutely prohibit these unlisted races from reaching my doorstep? (i.e. Some are limited by altitude/climate/etc.) 3) To whoever has access, are there state records for Pink-sided and Red-backed DEJU that would vindicate my seemingly unheard of find? I realize this is a long post, but I wanted to take everyone who decides to read this through my thought process to get to my questions rather than just post them without context. Thanks in advance to all who have read this, let alone reply! -Chase Darr Columbia, MO ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Pink-Sided Junco From: Chase Darr <cmdp77 AT MAIL.MISSOURI.EDU> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 18:47:11 -0600 For the last couple of months, I've had a faithful group of dark-eyed juncos (DEJU) grazing around our porch. Over that time, I've gotten very good looks at them (since they are <5 feet from our all-glass back door). I have noticed that not all are the dark slate-colored type you see when you look up DEJUs on the Cornell or whatbird websites. A google search yielded that there are several different races: Slate-colored, Gray-headed, Pink-sided, Oregon, and Red-backed (and Guadalupe, which does not come this far north). If you are interested in seeing the differences, I suggest this site: http://www.roysephotos.com/DarkEyedJunco.html. I have noticed a great deal of similarity between the Oregon & Pink-sided and Gray-headed & Red-backed races in the images. The main difference between Oregon and Pink-sided is that Oregons have a dark slate-colored head whereas Pink-sided have a light gray head and lighter features overall. Both have pink sides and russet backs to some degree (again, Pink-sided 'accent' colors are lighter). The same goes for Gray-headed and Red-backed, with the main difference being Gray-headed are lighter overall than Red-backed, which are a blue-slate. Why all of this fuss over Junco races? Currently, eBird has the Slate-colored (most common species for Missouri) and Oregon races listed (with Oregon listed as rare/improbable). My thing is: in looking closely at the birds on my porch, I have seen what look to be Pink-sided and maybe even Red-backed DEJUs. Wikipedia has some info on their ranges. The Pink-sided and Red-backed races are listed in states along the Rocky Mountains whereas Oregon DEJUs live in...well...Oregon. What I would like to know is: 1) Has anyone else noticed apparently pink-sided DEJUs on their porch this winter and more positively IDed them? I'm still relatively new to birding, so I usually default to the most common race. 2) Is anyone more knowledgable than myself aware of range restrictions that would absolutely prohibit these unlisted races from reaching my doorstep? (i.e. Some are limited by altitude/climate/etc.) 3) To whoever has access, are there state records for Pink-sided and Red-backed DEJU that would vindicate my seemingly unheard of find? I realize this is a long post, but I wanted to take everyone who decides to read this through my thought process to get to my questions rather than just post them without context. Thanks in advance to all who have read this, let alone reply! -Chase Darr Columbia, MO ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Bountiful Savannah Sparrows, Dexter Rice Fields, Stoddard Co, 2/7 From: Chris Barrigar <1chrisbarrigar AT LIVE.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 14:29:30 -0700 Greetings! Yesterday morning, I had about a two hour window in which I wanted try to locate and digiscope Lapland Longspurs in good light. Remembering that last year this time, there was a sizable flock of about 3000-4000 Lapland Longspurs out at what is known as the Dexter Rice Fields (location: Hwy CC and Hwy HH ~10-12 miles East of Dexter South of Hwy 60), that's where I went. Upon my arrival, no major flock of . . . well anything was to be found, only sparse individuals of Horned Larks. As I approached the grain bins at the first "S" curve (headed southward), I noticed that there were several LBJ's (Little Brown Jobs) working the edges of the road and slowed for ID. There were a minimum of 50 Savannah Sparrows along the stretch of road for the next 1/4 mile. As I continued up and down the road, more Savannah Sparrows appeared. I could not locate any major flocks of Longspurs or Larks during my time out and about. Just thought I'd share. We're (here in the Southeast) expecting another round of snow today/tonight and already seeing it fall. I will continue expecting to see a super sighting what with all the snow. Good Birding! Chris Barrigar Stoddard Co. 1chrisbarrigar AT live.com chrisbarrigar AT hotmail.com http://community.webshots.com/user/photosbychris http://community.webshots.com/user/photosbychris1 _________________________________________________________________ Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469229/direct/01/ ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: backyard birds, St. Louis Co. From: Jane C Allen <allen.janec2 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 08:55:39 -0600 I've been in all weekend. Birds in yard: pair of cardinals (male is feeding female), 2-3 blue jays, 4-5 white-throated sparrows, 6 eurasian tree sparrows, 5 house sparrows, 4 dark-eyed juncos, red-bellied woodpecker, downy woodpecker, northern flicker, two chickadee species, tufted titmouse, 8-10 e. starlings, song sparrow, 2 northern mockingbirds, 4-5 mourning doves, numerous pigeons on the wires,two male and four either female or immature house finches, and the eastern towhee comes in ,but not regularly. 18 species Missing of late: red-tail hawks, cooper's hawk(seen once last week), carolina wren (not even heard). Re: feeding: I have two feeders with black-oiled sunflower seeds since hard winter hit. Since I stopped feeding in the fall, the large numbers of birds has declined with small representations as noted above. Birds are almost equally searching the ground, tossing the leaves , especially when sun is warming the ground. I think the mixed seed I had before was drawing the large number of sparrows and doves. I think the most species I had last year with the Great Backyard Bird Count was 23. Jane Allen allen.janec2 AT gmail.com St. Louis County ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Re: long eared owl photos Knox Co From: Jackie Chain <chainjac AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 00:34:33 -0800 Wonderful pictures, backwoodsFrank.  They really show off the paving stone pattern of the breast and belly feathers that I had never focused on in the relatively few Long-eared Owls that I have seen in the St Louis Area over the years.  Thank you for posting.   Jackie Chain St Louis County chainjac AT sbcglobal.net --- On Sun, 2/7/10, Frankie Cuculich wrote: From: Frankie Cuculich Subject: long eared owl photos Knox Co To: MOBIRDS-L AT PO.MISSOURI.EDU Date: Sunday, February 7, 2010, 12:21 PM Here is a link to my photos of the long eared owls at Hurdland Lake Knox Co. http://backwoodsfrank.smugmug.com Frankie Cuculich Brashear Mo Adair Co ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Super Sunday Raptors, Livingston Co. From: Dianne & Steve Kinder <dmkinder AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 20:00:12 -0800 I had to get out to Poosey CA this a.m. for a look around and some X-C Ski-ing. Saw 5 Rough-legged Hawks, about the usual # I've been seeing there this year. Good number of Redtailed Hawks, including one Harlan's, and a few Northern Harriers. Quite a few Kestrals around too. Found 2 Short-eared Owls in one part of a row of pines, and 4-5 Long-eared Owls in another part of it. I saw one Mockingbird but no Shrikes, though I didn't cover all the places I had seen some earlier. Only a few Horned Larks again.   This eve I was out to Thompson River Wetland in the falling Snow. Pretty, but pretty quiet,but did get up one Short-eared Owl, heard a Barred Owl, and saw couple Harriers, and a Rooster Pheasant. Also nice flock of about 200 Am. Tree Sparrows.   Snow On!   Steve Kinder Chillicothe dmkinder AT yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: St. L. area. Lotta bologna From: Bill Rudden <bilrudn AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 19:54:04 -0800 Spaceship lands in St. Louis 50 mile Circle.  Here indirect evidence:http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-6-10d.jpg Northern Horned Lark:http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-6-10b.jpg Dan K. of Team Carlyle:http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-6-10e.jpg Quit now, just gulls below.Ring-billed Gull that looks like a Herring:http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-6-10c2.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-6-10c4.jpg Herring Gull that looks like a Ring-billed:http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-7-10c.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-7-10c2.jpg West-coast Herring. Note the BB sized mirror on P10 only;http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-7-10b2.jpg Possibly the same Thayer's from Melvin Price spillway:http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-7-10a.jpg LBIMO Bill RuddenSt. Louis bilrudn AT yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Eagle Bluffs CA From: Jean Leonatti <jleonatti AT CMAAA.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 19:58:30 -0600 A late morning trip to Eagle Bluffs yielded the swan, a Redhead, several pintails and a flock of about 50 Greater White-fronted Geese mixed in with hundreds and hundreds of Canada's and Mallards - but could not pick out the Black Duck. Jean Leonatti Boone County, Columbia, MO jleonatti AT cmaaa.net ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: SLAS trip report, Feb. 6 From: William Rowe <rowe AT TJS.ORG> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 13:15:41 -0600 A small but hardy group took part in the St. Louis Audubon Society's field trip to Riverlands and Columbia Bottom yesterday, Feb. 6. At Riverlands, including the Illinois side, we found small to moderate populations of waterfowl and gulls, with MALLARD, CANADA GOOSE, and TRUMPETER SWAN the only species with numbers well up into the hundreds, although GADWALL and GREEN-WINGED TEAL were fairly numerous in the sloughs along 143. TUNDRA SWANS were present among the Trumpeters, totaling 10-11 birds between Teal and Heron Ponds, and a single adult MUTE SWAN was on Teal. COMMON MERGANSER and COMMON GOLDENEYE were scattered throughout the area but probably did not total more than 100 birds each, far fewer than we have seen some winters. We had handfuls of GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, NORTHERN PINTAIL, and HOODED MERGANSER, and I saw a single CACKLING GOOSE before the trip started. At the Great Rivers Museum, a group of four LESSER and one drake GREATER SCAUP gave us extended well-lit views, for a good lesson in comparing the two. As we watched the ducks along 143, Mike Thelen spotted a well-hidden WILD TURKEY. Gulls were limited to RING-BILLS and HERRINGS, plus one adult BONAPARTE'S below the dam; we were unable to find any of the usual "good" winter gulls on either side. There were small parties of WHITE PELICANS here and there. The highlight raptor was the ROUGH- LEGGED HAWK posted by Charlene and Josh, over the levee along 143; otherwise we had only BALD EAGLE in fair numbers (perhaps about 50) plus NORTHERN HARRIER, AMERICAN KESTREL, and RED-TAILED HAWK. We didn't look for passerine species and saw hardly any. After lunch, three hours at Columbia Bottom CA produced nothing remarkable but nice views of various common species including WHITE- THROATED, WHITE-CROWNED, FOX, SONG, SWAMP, and EURASIAN TREE SPARROWS. While HORNED LARKS were here and there throughout the fields, we couldn't see or hear a single longspur. The larks were singing vigorously, as were 10 or so EASTERN MEADOWLARKS in one section of prairie grass, and the numbers of AMERICAN CROWS were higher than previously this winter, at least 200-300. A flock of at least 1000 gulls off the confluence overlook did not seem to contain any new species, and raptors were limited to the same species already recorded (minus Rough-leg but including a handsome adult male harrier). Another half-dozen TRUMPETER SWANS rested in the fields. All in all, an afternoon to take it easy and enjoy some of our regular birds. The gravel loop road, by the way, is rutted and messy but passable, and the amount of water in the wetland pools looks promising for spring. Bill Rowe St. Louis rowe AT tjs.org ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: sorry re: my post.. St. Louis Co, no sighting From: Jane C Allen <allen.janec2 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 17:59:26 -0600 I've written Charlene privately. I meant no criticism of her posting about the event. I was just amazed when reading the "possible sightings" list for the event how we see those birds here.. And I was just bragging on our "expert birders".. so will try to watch the tone or unwanted implications.. I always read Charlene's posts.. actually I read everyone's posts.. And I noticed how across the state the more unusual gulls are being sighted. I wish I had more guts for winter birding.. Jane Allen St. Louis Co allen.janec2 AT sbcglobal.net ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Re: IOS GUll Frolic 2010, Feb 20 From: Charlene and Jim Malone <2bbirdn AT CHARTER.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 17:14:31 -0600 Since this went out to the entire group, I will answer in kind. HUH.?!?.. is my first response, so there won't be any reading between the lines, the spelled out response is below. Birding is slow this time of year and was just passing on info for a different semi-near festive that some might be interested. It was merely an announcement of a birding opportunity in a state next to ours for those that might actually be interested in bettering themselves and taking on the challenges to be a more complete birder. I am NOT being disrespectful to our local gull experts by posting the info about this opportunity at all. I have great respect for those local birders that have taken on the complexities of learning the genus Larus and for someone to even suggest I am being ungrateful or disrespectful to them by posting about this festival has me completely gobsmacked. IF one is not interested in this festival, then please use the delete button. IF someone thinks it is inappropriate because it is an out of state event, then the NUMEROUS posts about out of state birding in TX, California, Florida, whatever extended birding vacations that are allowed should also be disallowed as well....Rules that are applicable to one should be applicable to all.......yes?......or better yet, please use the delete button. I find it GREATLY interesting/amusing when I stray a nanometer from the "sightings only" posts I often get electronically thumped on the head. I have had my fill and have developed a concussion from all the accumulative "thumpings" therefore am taking a "medical leave of absence". I'm tagging out. Besides it's time to get my football and adult beverage on. WooHoo! Charlene Malone St. Louis co. ----- Original Message ----- From: Jane C Allen To: Charlene and Jim Malone Cc: MOBIRDS-L AT po.missouri.edu Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 1:06 PM Subject: Re: IOS Gull Frolic 2010, Feb 20 Charlene, the bird list that one "might see " at this event is not too different from what one sees around the Mississippi River, Carlyle Lake , IL area here through the winter. And our "gull experts", are pretty good. We need to be thankful.. and that's coming from someone who struggles with gull stuff.. Jane Allen allen.janec2 AT gmail.com St. Louis County On Sun, Feb 7, 2010 at 12:48 PM, Charlene and Jim Malone <2bbirdn AT charter.net> wrote: Gull Frolic 2010, Lake County, Chicago, IL. I know ALL of you just love IDing gulls so thought I would pass this on for those that want to sharpen their skills. One of the preeminent gull experts, Alvaro Jaramillo, will be the guest speaker. http://www.lakecookaudubon.org/Gull_Frolic_Illinois.php Hope they are having better selection of gulls than we are here in St. L. Good gulling, Charlene Malone St. Louis co. ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: RFI: Snow Buntings From: Chase Darr <cmdp77 AT MAIL.MISSOURI.EDU> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 16:37:08 -0600 With the recent arctic fronts pushing through the Midwest, I'm still in desperate hope that a snow bunting will wander down to check things out here in Missouri. I've missed the ones that came down so far for one reason or another. Those that go out birding this week, take some extra special looks at any groups of longspurs or horned larks you see and think of me...the hapless newcomer to Missouri hoping for a lifer. Good birding and thanks in advance! -Chase Darr Columbia, MO ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Re: IOS GUll Frolic 2010, Feb 20 From: Jane C Allen <allen.janec2 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 13:06:39 -0600 Charlene, the bird list that one "might see " at this event is not too different from what one sees around the Mississippi River, Carlyle Lake , IL area here through the winter. And our "gull experts", are pretty good. We need to be thankful.. and that's coming from someone who struggles with gull stuff.. Jane Allen allen.janec2 AT gmail.com St. Louis County On Sun, Feb 7, 2010 at 12:48 PM, Charlene and Jim Malone < 2bbirdn AT charter.net> wrote: > Gull Frolic 2010, Lake County, Chicago, IL. > > I know ALL of you just love IDing gulls so thought I would > pass this on for those that want to sharpen their skills. > One of the preeminent gull experts, Alvaro Jaramillo, will be the guest > speaker. > > http://www.lakecookaudubon.org/Gull_Frolic_Illinois.php > > Hope they are having better selection of gulls than we are here in St. L. > > Good gulling, > Charlene Malone > St. Louis co. > ------------------------------------------------------------ > The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum > To unsubscribe or change subscription options: > https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 > ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: IOS GUll Frolic 2010, Feb 20 From: Charlene and Jim Malone <2bbirdn AT CHARTER.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 12:48:23 -0600 Gull Frolic 2010, Lake County, Chicago, IL. I know ALL of you just love IDing gulls so thought I would pass this on for those that want to sharpen their skills. One of the preeminent gull experts, Alvaro Jaramillo, will be the guest speaker. http://www.lakecookaudubon.org/Gull_Frolic_Illinois.php Hope they are having better selection of gulls than we are here in St. L. Good gulling, Charlene Malone St. Louis co. ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: long eared owl photos Knox Co From: Frankie Cuculich <flcuculich AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 12:21:44 -0600 Here is a link to my photos of the long eared owls at Hurdland Lake Knox Co. http://backwoodsfrank.smugmug.com Frankie Cuculich Brashear Mo Adair Co ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: endangering Bald Eagles From: June Newman <june AT BINMAIL.NET> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 08:43:54 -0600 An article in the La Mars, Iowa Daily Sentinel describes an alarming incidence of lead poisoning in Bald Eagles. http://www.lemarssentinel.com/story/1607106.html June Newman Carrollton, MO ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: eagles at Stella From: Lawrence Herbert <certhia AT ATT.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 22:09:06 -0600 MObirders - I counted 125 Bald Eagles this morning down by Stella, Newton County. I enjoyed showing lots of adults and youngsters too, eagles "up close" through a scope. The Master Naturalists had a booth. A church had hot dogs and soda. It is getting to be quite an annual event for them down there. Good birding, Larry H. Joplin, Jasper County, MO. certhia AT att.net ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: Brown Thrasher, StL City, Sat From: Mike Thelen <mikethelen AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 21:14:25 -0600 MOBIrders: I spotted a BROWN THRASHER this morning at the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis City. The bird popped up on the east side of the climatron then dropped down into the veg on the north side. Mike Thelen U. City, St. Louis County, MO mikethelen AT sbcglobal.net ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: Rough-legged Hawk, Shelby County, 2-5-10 From: "Patrick Harrison (Home)" <saxman AT MARKTWAIN.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 20:41:45 -0600 Rhonda and I observed a Rough-legged Hawk 4 miles west of Emden yesterday afternoon (coming home in the falling snow)... Bird was perched on a wooden fencepost until we got just about even with it. It took flight and provided fantastic close views of it's tail and upper and lower wing patterns... Very cool! Patrick :ASM::::ASM::::ASM::::ASM::::ASM::::ASM: * * * Patrick Harrison * * Shelbyville, Shelby County, Missouri * * saxman AT marktwain.net A * pharrison AT hannibal.k12.mo.us S * webmaster AT mobirds.org M * http://mobirds.org * * http://www.patrickdharrison.com A * ,_ S * >' ) M * ( ( \ * * "|\ * * * *****The Audubon Society of Missouri**** ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: Carlyle Lake - L-T Duck & Glaucous gull From: Charlene and Jim Malone <2bbirdn AT CHARTER.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 19:41:37 -0600 Kinda' didn't know where to go to find birds since it is slow going bird-wise: Went to Carlyle Lake, Clinton co, ILLINOIS. Not as many gulls or waterfowl as last weekend but a few big gulls around near the dam: one 1st-2nd cycle GLAUCOUS GULL one 1st cycle Thayer's one LONG-TAILED DUCK Had a dark phased raptor flying near the entrance at Hazlet SP (the "Y") Could not ID 100% as it disappeared behind the trees, but a Rough-legged Hawk has been said to have wintered in this general area. Later, Charlene Malone St. Louis co. ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: Vocal Western Meadowlark, Near Otter Slough CA, Stoddard Co., 2/6 From: Chris Barrigar <1chrisbarrigar AT LIVE.COM> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 18:14:51 -0700 Greetings! Today, a visit to and around Otter Slough CA was a frigid trip with N winds gusting to 30+ mph. While trying to digiscope Horned Larks and Lapland Longspurs in a corn stubble field located North and East of Otter Slough's East entrance along Hwy ZZ, I was able to hear (in between gusts) a Western Meadowlark calling. Always a pleasant sound to hear for me! I'll have to go back when the winds aren't as strong. Otter Slough Bald Eagles were few and far between compared to previous visits. I was trying to relocate a Golden Eagle reported to me by a photographer friend, but I could barely find the Baldies, let alone a Golden. He also had a photo of a imm. Peregrine Falcon. Good Birding! Chris Barrigar Stoddard Co. 1chrisbarrigar AT live.com chrisbarrigar AT hotmail.com http://community.webshots.com/user/photosbychris http://community.webshots.com/user/photosbychris1 _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469230/direct/01/ ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: SE Owls seen around Hi Lonesome From: MARGE LUMPE <birdwatcher AT MSN.COM> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 17:38:00 -0600 My husband, Ron, and I drove around Hi Lonesome and nearby fields today in search for the 5 Prairie Chickens that have been observed recently. No PC's, BUT we did see around 20 SE Owls all perching near the road (Klink Ave.) They are such a joy to observe. It was around 12:45 PM. Many Crows were observed, a couple of Harriers, 5 Horned Larks, and a Dark morph Rough-legged Hawk. Lovely afternoon. Marge L. Marge Lumpe P. O. Box 448 Cole Camp, MO 65325 Benton County birdwatcher AT msn.com ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: Riverlands Rough-legged Hawk From: Joshua Uffman <birdsandbugs AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 12:16:12 -0800 Thanks for forwarding Charlene - That is correct, it has been a long time since I have seen a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK in the St. Louis area, much less Riverlands M.B.S.  Like Charlene said, we observed the bird kiting over the levee along Hwy 143 (IL side), just north of the visitor's center, than it flew down river.  However, I would not be surprised if it sticks around there somewhere.  To give a better idea of what to look for - The bird was a light phase.... so very similar to a light adult Harlan's.  However, this bird sported a nice black tail band!  I had to cut out of Bill Rowe's SLAS fieldtrip early, so I will let Bill post the rest of the groups finds for the day.  Joshua Uffman St. Louis County, MO Birdsandbugs AT sbcglobal.net MO-Records: www.showme-birds.com Bird Photos: http://www.pbase.com/jpuf ________________________________ From: Charlene and Jim Malone <2bbirdn AT CHARTER.NET> To: MOBIRDS-L AT PO.MISSOURI.EDU Sent: Sat, February 6, 2010 9:56:52 AM Subject: Rough-leg, Bonie at RMBS Josh Uffman called, must be with the SLAS group at Riverlands MBS, St. Charles co: IL birds: One ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK flying over the levee on the IL side - Josh commented have not seen one at RMBS or St. L in some time. one BONAPARTE'S GULL at the spillway of the dam. Charlene Malone St. Louis co. ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: Re: Please doc. rare gulls From: Joshua Uffman <birdsandbugs AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 10:56:09 -0800 Bob and all interested.... Glaucous Gull has certainly been reported more in northern Missouri (and away from the Mississippi River the last couple of years) but has still not reached the magic 15 'accepted records' to move a species from Casual to Rare on the state checklist.   Based on the link below, which includes all 'accepted' records from R & E and the Annual MBRC reports, I would say we are getting close, but still not there.   http://www.showme-birds.com/index_files/Page1864.htm  However, this does not include last winter's finds at Smithville and Long Branch Lake that may have been documented, but will once this year's MBRC report comes out.  So, please document them until that threshold is reached, it makes it much easier for the next person that finds one.  Joshua Uffman St. Louis County, MO Birdsandbugs AT sbcglobal.net MO-Records: www.showme-birds.com Bird Photos: http://www.pbase.com/jpuf ________________________________ From: Bob Fisher To: MOBIRDS-L AT PO.MISSOURI.EDU Sent: Sat, February 6, 2010 12:09:40 PM Subject: Re: Please doc. rare gulls Glaucous Gull has been pretty regular at Smithville Lake and is also regular on the eastern Kansas lakes nearby. It is not difficult to identify. Why is Glaucous Gull still on the Review List? (The same question could probably be asked about Thayer's, except that it is more difficult to identify). Bob Fisher Independence, MO bobgfisher AT comcast.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charlene and Jim Malone" <2bbirdn AT CHARTER.NET> To: Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 11:53 AM Subject: Please doc. rare gulls > Friendly reminder that GLAUCOUS and LESSER BLACK-BACKED gulls that are > away from the STL area and north MS. River should be documented. > > Please see the MBRC Review List below. > http://www.mobirds.org/MBRC/review.asp > > Good gulling, > Charlene Malone > St. Louis co. > ------------------------------------------------------------ > The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum > Questions or comments? Email the list owners: > mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu > ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: Re: Please doc. rare gulls From: Charlene and Jim Malone <2bbirdn AT CHARTER.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 12:44:11 -0600 Bob Fisher wrote: > Glaucous Gull has been pretty regular at Smithville Lake and is also > regular on the eastern Kansas lakes nearby. It is not difficult to > identify. Why is Glaucous Gull still on the Review List? > > (The same question could probably be asked about Thayer's, except that it > is more difficult to identify). Glaucous Gull easy to ID, but hard to find away from the MS. River.....? Fewer than 15 DOCUMENTED records away from the River in MO so they are not off the Review List yet..? Thayer's is not all the easy and has some pitfalls if one does not see them regularly. Just some thoughts. Charlene Malone St. L co. ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: Re: Please doc. rare gulls From: Bob Fisher <bobgfisher AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 12:09:40 -0600 Glaucous Gull has been pretty regular at Smithville Lake and is also regular on the eastern Kansas lakes nearby. It is not difficult to identify. Why is Glaucous Gull still on the Review List? (The same question could probably be asked about Thayer's, except that it is more difficult to identify). Bob Fisher Independence, MO bobgfisher AT comcast.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Charlene and Jim Malone" <2bbirdn AT CHARTER.NET> To: Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 11:53 AM Subject: Please doc. rare gulls > Friendly reminder that GLAUCOUS and LESSER BLACK-BACKED gulls that are > away from the STL area and north MS. River should be documented. > > Please see the MBRC Review List below. > http://www.mobirds.org/MBRC/review.asp > > Good gulling, > Charlene Malone > St. Louis co. > ------------------------------------------------------------ > The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum > Questions or comments? Email the list owners: > mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu > ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: Please doc. rare gulls From: Charlene and Jim Malone <2bbirdn AT CHARTER.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 11:53:25 -0600 Friendly reminder that GLAUCOUS and LESSER BLACK-BACKED gulls that are away from the STL area and north MS. River should be documented. Please see the MBRC Review List below. http://www.mobirds.org/MBRC/review.asp Good gulling, Charlene Malone St. Louis co. ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: Long Branch From: Nicholas March <nwmarch AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 16:01:37 +0000 we are observing a Lesser Black-blacked and Glaucous Gull at long bracnh in macon. nicholas march, macon mo, nwmarch AT gmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: Rough-leg, Bonie at RMBS From: Charlene and Jim Malone <2bbirdn AT CHARTER.NET> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 09:56:52 -0600 Josh Uffman called, must be with the SLAS group at Riverlands MBS, St. Charles co: IL birds: One ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK flying over the levee on the IL side - Josh commented have not seen one at RMBS or St. L in some time. one BONAPARTE'S GULL at the spillway of the dam. Charlene Malone St. Louis co. ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: Eagle Bluffs CA From: Grant Connette <grmcco AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 23:20:41 -0600 There was still one American Black Duck at Eagle Bluffs today. I also saw 14 Green-winged Teal, 5 Northern Shoveler, 2 Common Goldeneye, 3 Northern Pintail, and 80 Gadwall. There were also thousands of mallards and at least a few hundred Canada Geese. I didn't see the Ring-necked Duck or White-fronted geese today. Other than waterfowl there were 3 Bald Eagles, 3 Red-tailed Hawks, 1 Red-shouldered Hawk, 30+ Horned Larks, and a flock of 20 or so Red-winged Blackbirds. No Rusty Blackbirds today. Grant Connette Columbia, MO -- Grant Connette 212 Tucker Hall Division of Biological Sciences University of Missouri Columbia, MO 65211-7400 ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Website: http://mobirds.org/ Subject: WGNSS trip 2-4-10/St Louis and St Charles Counties/RMBS/Ill Hwy 143 Slough From: Jackie Chain <chainjac AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 17:08:42 -0800 Birds of note by absence:  Great-tailed Grackles, Common Grackles, Rusty Blackbirds, Brewer's Blackbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds -- the big Grackle and Blackbird flock that has been hanging out for weeks at the Church Rd and Seeberger Black Angus farm had been replaced by a big flock of European Starlings.  My fault for bypassing the Briar Island Horse Farm in the interest of saving time.   Dan Curran came up with a total count for the group of over 40 species.  Below is a partial list; apologies for missing or adding birds in error.    Canada Geese - Trumpeter Swans - Gadwall - Am Wigeons - Am Black Ducks - Mallards - Blue-winged Teal (spotted by Richard Coles) - N Pintails - Green-winged Teal - Canvasback pair - Bufflehead -  C Goldeneye - C Merganser - Red-breasted Merganser - Am White Pelicans (few) - Great Blue Herons scattered all over - Bald Eagles also all over - Coopers Hawk - Red-shouldered Hawk - Red-tailed Hawk - Am Kestrels (common) - Wilson's Snipe (refound again by Richard Coles in 143 slough at intersection of Alton Barge access) - Ring-billed Gulls - Herring Gulls - Rock Pigeons - Eurasian Collared Doves (Payne Rd) -  Mourning Doves - Red-headed Woodpeckers (South Shore and Hideaway Harbor) - Red-bellied Woodpeckers - Downy Woodpecker - N Flicker - Blue Jays - Am Crows - Horned Lark - Carolina Chickadee - Tufted Titmouse - White-breasted Nuthatch - Carolina Wren heard - E Bluebird - Am Robin - N Mockingbird - European Starlings - Am Tree Sparrows - Song Sparrow - White-throated Sparrows - Dark-eyed Juncos - N Cardinals - House Finch - Am Goldfinch - House Sparrows - Eurasian Tree Sparrows   Nothing earth-shattering but nice to see all the waterfowl and raptors small and large.   Jackie Chain   St Louis County  chainjac AT sbcglobal.net               ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Website: http://mobirds.org/ Subject: SLAS field trip tomorrow? YES From: William Rowe <rowe AT TJS.ORG> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 17:21:54 -0600 To all birders who were considering the Riverlands/Columbia Bottom field trip tomorrow: The trip is still on as far as I'm concerned. I have no idea what the roads will be like, but the accumulation is not predicted to be that much (couple of inches, max?). So I will be at Teal Pond at the appointed time (8:00) and will be pleased to go ahead as planned with any folks who show up. Remember that this trip is BYOC (Bring Your Own Coffee), but we are stopping for a fast-food lunch. Bill Rowe St. Louis rowe AT tjs.org ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Website: http://mobirds.org/ Subject: AZ: Aravaipa Canyon/Watershed Heavy Metal Contamination From: "Hazelwood, Susan" <HazelwoodS AT MISSOURI.EDU> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 17:04:09 -0600 Aravaipa Canyon, located about 50 air-miles northeast of Tucson, AZ is noted for its desert stream, majestic cliffs, and bighorn sheep. For birders it is noted for the fairly regular presence of Zone-tailed Hawks and Black Hawks, often sought and found on summer trips there by birders who are also US life listers. The Nature Conservancy's Aravaipa Canyon Preserve includes lands at both the east and west ends of the canyon as well as preserve lands, intermixed with public land, on the canyon's south rim. The preserve's 7,000 acres of deeded land, combined with the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) 35,000 acre south rim allotment, comprise a management unit of roughly 42,000 acres. Preserve elevation ranges from 2,800 feet at the west end of the canyon bottom to 6,150 feet on Table Mountain. The 10-mile long central gorge, which cuts through the northern end of the Galiuro Mountains, is a federal Wilderness Area managed by BLM. Access into Aravaipa Canyon is by permit only and available only through BLM. All of this is background information as to why I'm posting information about a single source funding award of $25,000, for one year of work, to the University of Arizona Museum of Natural History. "Funding Opportunity Description A. Project Background Information: Heavy metal contamination from mine waste tailing piles has recently been identified as a threat to native fish and their habitat in Aravaipa Creek. Lead, zinc, copper, silver, and gold mines were once very common in and around the Aravaipa Canyon watershed. Now abandoned, these mines are contaminating the native fishery through bioaccumulation of metals (i.e., lead), which can lead to reproductive failure and death in fish. The University of Arizona, through an Assistance Agreement with BLM, proposes to use isotope analyses (lead and strontium) to identify actual sources of metal contamination, main mechanisms of transfer off site, and evaluate remediation strategies. B. Project Objective: Identification and remediation of metal contaminated sites/sources in and around the Aravaipa Creek watershed to improve watershed health and function. Improve water and soil quality for native fish and wildlife. A variety of outdoor enthusiasts from all over the US and other countries use Aravaipa for hiking, hunting, picnicking, birding, horseback riding, primitive camping, off-highway vehicle driving, geocaching, and playing in the stream. Remediation of sites/sources in and around the Aravaipa Creek watershed will improve water and soil quality for the recreating public; as well as improve the overall health of the native fish and wildlife. From: BLM-AZ-NOI-10-1886, CFDA No. 15.236, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=51584 To learn more contact: Grants Management Officer (GMO) - Paul Stout Phone: (602) 417-9268 Susan Susan Hazelwood MOBirds-L Co-Owner Columbia, MO hazelwoods AT missouri.edu ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Website: http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Re: Trumpeter Swans Howard Co. From: Chase Darr <cmdp77 AT MAIL.MISSOURI.EDU> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 11:13:34 -0600 I wonder if these are the same group that hung out at Eagle Bluffs for about a week around Valentine's Day last year. As I recall, there was a group of about the same number here. We didn't see any bands on the ones we saw last year. Any word on banding for this group? Thanks, Chase Columbia, MO ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Website: http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Trumpeter Swans Howard Co. From: Edge <edgew AT MCHSI.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 10:29:09 -0600 Jim Wallace called to report 32 (incl. many imm) Trumpeter Swans spending time for more than a week now in a field in southern Howard County. Jim has friends in the area who reported this to him yesterdsy. Their observations: The swans are in the field in early morning, then leave. They return in early afternoon and hang around for a long time. To reach this site: From I-70, take exit 106 onto Hwy. 87. Take Hwy. 87 through Boonville and over the Missouri River bridge. Hwy. 87 turns left on the far side of the bridge. Stay with Hwy. 87, going toward Glasgow. As you begin to come out of the river bottom, turn left onto Rt. Z. Follow Rt. Z, watching for CR 335. The swans are using a field 1/2 mile west of 335 and Z, south side of Z, new windmill in pasture nearby. Edge Wade for Jim Wallace ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Website: http://mobirds.org/ Subject: MidMO Update From: Joe LaFleur <joe AT BETTERBIRDWATCHING.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 08:09:03 -0700 Subject: GH owl in TGP From: Gail Ahumada <gailahumada AT JUNO.COM> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 08:27:13 -0600 One day last week, and again yesterday, I happened to be walking Tower Grove Park at about 4 p.m. On both occasions it was easy to find the Great Horned owl in the pines across from the "nest tree". -- Gail Ahumada St. Louis MO ____________________________________________________________ Nutrition Improve your career health. Click now to study nutrition! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=2C_qtcKvWJdvOsQt0eKdXAAAJ1DUTKgb53dyzw0C5Xd2ZAAwAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASQwAAAAA= ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Website: http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Color of feathers in dinosaurs From: Dency Kahn <dency AT VIERCK.US> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 08:24:58 -0600 My son alerted me to this recent article from the New York Times, which discusses an article from Science where scientists are now able to identify the colors of the feathers in a feathered dinosaur. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/05/science/05dino.html?scp=4&sq=feathers&st=cse Dency Kahn Olivette, St. Louis County dency AT vierck.us ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Website: http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Common Redpoll, Columbia From: Joe LaFleur <joe AT BETTERBIRDWATCHING.COM> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 21:23:32 -0700 Subject: More Riparian LEOWs! , Livingston Co. From: Dianne & Steve Kinder <dmkinder AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 18:59:58 -0800 I took the dog out for a little while to the Thompson River this morning before work. I really wasn't thinking about finding Owls until I got into a kind of sapling jungle. Then I thought there might be some since it was similiar habitat to what I found them in the other day. I looked around awhile but didn't see any sign of Owls. I took a different route back towards my vehicle and an Owl flew out just ahead of me. I thought I might have spooked out a Barred Owl at first, and then two more flew out followed by a fourth. I could see as these went by they were Long-eared Owls. I found the roost tree, lots of whitewash down the trunk and many pellets on the ground. It was a larger Cottonwood surrounded by the thicket of dense smaller trees. The birds had been roosting in the lower branches and some vines around them.I'm thinking there may be more of these guys roosting in similar places around North Mo.   Steve Kinder  Chillicothe, Livingston Co. dmkinder AT yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum List archives: https://po.missouri.edu/archives/mobirds-l.html Subject: Am Black Duck - Eagle Bluffs From: Kathleen Anderson <andersonka AT CENTURYTEL.NET> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 20:33:45 -0500 Making a day of it, we continued to Eagle Bluffs. There we found a couple thousand each Mallards and Canada Geese. Duck species: American Black Duck - 1 Gadwall - 70 Northern Pintail - 4 Green-wing Teal - 3 Northern Shoveler - 6 Ring-necked duck - 1 Common Goldeneye - 2 Also: Greater-white Fronted Goose - 10 Bald Eagle - 2 We did NOT find the swan reported earlier this week or the Rusty Blackbirds. Kathleen Anderson, Sandy Elbert, Columbia ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum List archives: https://po.missouri.edu/archives/mobirds-l.html Subject: RMBS minutia From: Bill Rudden <bilrudn AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 13:14:01 -0800 Caught these Black Ducks at State Line wet: Note bill colors.http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-2-10b.jpg Ocher-throated Mallard: http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-2-10a.jpg Am. Tree Sparrows at Confluence Park. Note the rusty "comet tail" eye line:http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-1-10c.jpg They are so recognizable we miss the "spare" eye line extending from the shoulder:http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-1-10c2-1.jpg Still no Goshawk sightings:http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-3-10a.jpg Activity is increasing in the spillway. Here a adult Thayer's:http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-1-10b4.jpg Trumpeter Swans from Confluence Park:http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-4-10b2.jpg http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-4-10bb.jpg Eagle from Museum side:http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/bilrudn/42009/2-1-10a.jpg LBIMOBill RuddenSt. Louisbilrudn AT yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum List archives: https://po.missouri.edu/archives/mobirds-l.html Subject: Long Branch - Glaucous and Lesser Black-backed From: Kathleen Anderson <andersonka AT CENTURYTEL.NET> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 13:52:20 -0500 The gulls were on the ice out from the dam this morning at Long Branch. We were lucky to see the Glaucous Gull and the Lesser Black-backed Gull. They were among a large group of mainly Ring-billed with some Herring gulls mixed in. Kathleen Anderson, Sandy Elbert, Columbia ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum List archives: https://po.missouri.edu/archives/mobirds-l.html Subject: add ECD From: Lawrence Herbert <certhia AT ATT.NET> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 22:22:27 -0600 Pat L. sent a list of birds singing today. Back on Jan. 19th Eurasian Collard-Doves were singing from a cedar hedgerow north of Joplin, Jasper County. I imagine that they nest year around if conditions are right. Good birding, Larry H. Joplin, MO. ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Young Golden Eagle on I-44 From: Jackie Chain <chainjac AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 21:11:53 -0800 On my way to Shaw Nature Reserve this afternoon, I saw an immature Golden Eagle with two enormous white spots on each underwing flying northeast as I was driving southwest between Eureka and Pacific.  Guess I should double check that World Birds hasn't released a patient recently.   Jackie Chain   St Louis County    chainjac AT sbcglobal.net     ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Re: Birds singing today! From: Jackie Chain <chainjac AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 21:06:49 -0800 I was out at Shaw Nature Reserve and the birds there were making joyous noise as well.   Jackie Chain  St Louis County   chainjac AT sbcglobal.net --- On Wed, 2/3/10, Pat Lueders wrote: From: Pat Lueders Subject: Birds singing today! To: MOBIRDS-L AT PO.MISSOURI.EDU Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 12:58 PM On my walk this morning in Webster Groves (a suburb of St. Louis) I was surprised at all of the birds I heard singing.  They included Am. Robin, House Finch, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Chickadees, Song Sparrow, W-t Sparrow, Morning Doves cooing, & Blue Jays vocalizing.  I guess the birds have Spring fever, too, and were happy to see the sun!   Pat Lueders, Webster Groves, MO------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Eagle Bluffs CA From: Eric Wood <ewood802 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 17:03:06 -0800 Mom and I had a good trip out to Eagle Bluffs today we saw several FOY birds and just had a good time of it. Raptors were out in force and most of the birds we saw were in large numbers. Here's a short list. I'll post a full list to Cache latter. Red-tialed Hawks 13 American Crows 77 Bald Eagles  8 Rusty Blackbirds 12 Common Goldeneye 1 Great Blue Heron 5 Lincoln Sparrow 3 Trumpeter Swan 1 American Wigeon 5 ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Creve Coeur Lake & Lost Valley Trail(Weldon Springs, Mo.) From: bryan prather <brynprth AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 12:08:40 -0800 Great to see the sun again!  I went to CC lake in the morning.  Pockets of open water elicited some water enthusiasts.  A Red-Breasted Merganser and 3 C. Goldeneyes were real close to the boat launch ramps.  Common Mergansers(16), and 2 L. Scaup w/2 Ruddys rounded out the waterfowl.  Many gulls on the ice w/a few that looked like Bonaparte's. Lost Valley Trail yielded a nice variety.  Belted Kingfisher, a baker's dozen of E. Bluebirds, Red-Headed WP, Golden Crowned Kinglets, Turkey Vulture, and Brown Creepers to name a few. All in all a nice day.   Bryan Prather brynprth AT yahoo.com St.Louis,Co. Mo. ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Question regarding postings. From: Kent Lannert <klannert AT CHARTER.NET> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 13:38:22 -0600 Could the listserve keeper contact me offline. I have a question regarding if something I wish to post is appropriate. Kent Lannert klannert AT charter.net ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Birds singing today! From: Pat Lueders <Pllueders479 AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 13:58:23 EST On my walk this morning in Webster Groves (a suburb of St. Louis) I was surprised at all of the birds I heard singing. They included Am. Robin, House Finch, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Chickadees, Song Sparrow, W-t Sparrow, Morning Doves cooing, & Blue Jays vocalizing. I guess the birds have Spring fever, too, and were happy to see the sun! Pat Lueders, Webster Groves, MO ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Brown-headed cowbird From: Jo Strange <jostrange AT JUNO.COM> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 09:31:50 -0600 Good morning; I just opened the drapes and found a brown-headed cowbird male under my feeders. He's definitely that, black eyes, black bill, right size, and brown head. How uncommon is that?! Fog is frosting the trees and it's beautiful out. The birds are extra thick around the feeders. Nice birdy morning. Too bad I don't have time to go out and take advantage of it. Jo Strange Branson, MO ____________________________________________________________ Nutrition Improve your career health. Click now to study nutrition! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=7Vp-9fOWG8VSPpEAAnM-DAAAJ1DUTKgb53dyzw0C5Xd2ZAAwAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASQwAAAAA= ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: RB nuthatch From: Jean Leonatti <jleonatti AT CMAAA.NET> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 09:10:11 -0600 A red-breasted nuthatch showed up at my feeders this morning. Jean Leonatti Boone County, Columbia, MO jleonatti AT cmaaa.net ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum ASM Spring Meeting: April 30-May 2. Cape Girardeau, MO http://mobirds.org/ Subject: Additional details and link to the lesser black-backed gull (LBBG) photo from Long Branch From: Peter Kondrashov <pkondrash AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 23:02:29 -0600 Here is the link to the very distant photo of the LBBG that I took earlier today at Long Branch SP (Macon Co,): http://picasaweb.google.com/Pkondrash/MissouriWinter2010#5433875676108485410 Additional comments: I do not have my gull book with me and Sibley does not show 3rd cycle LBBG, but I am convinced that the bird is a 3rd-winter bird. It is not an adult because of the black on bill, no white spots at all on the wings and (maybe - did not get a good look) dirty pinkish legs. SIZE: the bird was distinctly larger than the ring-billed gulls around it and close in size to herring gulls nearby. The eye was dark, the bill did not have a red spot, but had a black tip. The head was distinctly streaked. There was no black band on the tail (all-white tail). Your comments are welcome, as I do not pretend to be a gull expert and like to hear other people's opinions. Stay warm. It's 72 in Phoenix! PK -- Peter Kondrashov Kirksville, MO ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Smithville Lake, McComas Rd. 2/2 From: Bob Fisher <bobgfisher AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 23:22:14 -0600 Gary Johnson and I went to Smithville Lake this afternoon. The lake is 99% frozen, but there are a few leads and small open spaces, which did hold a few ducks and gulls. Unfortunately, the open space with the most gulls in it was on the Little Platte side of the lake, and there was quite a bit of glare and heat shimmer there. I believe I can rule out the possibility of a Glaucous or adult Lesser Black-backed among them, but it would have been impossible to ID or rule out any other kind of good gull in those light conditions. Most of the ducks were Goldeneye, Hooded Mergansers or Mallards with just a couple of Common Mergansers thrown in. The only geese were abundant Canadas with a couple of Cackling Geese visible among those on the golf course across from the Little Platte Marina. There were coots at both marinas and a couple of Pied-billed Grebes at the Camp Branch marina. We saw a half dozen or more Bald Eagles during our trip around the lake. All in all, pretty slim pickings. We did some dickey birding at favorite spots that usually produce respondents to the owl tape and quickly got an idea how much devastation the snow and cold snap have done to the birds. Chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, juncos, Cardinals and woodpeckers responded vigorously, but we saw none of the half hardy species that usually come in. No Creepers, no Bluebirds, no Carolina Wren, no Robin, not even a goldfinch or Blue Jay! I fear that most of the Bluebirds and Carolina Wrens that lack proximity to feeders have been wiped out at this latitude. The only half hardies that we saw all afternoon were Mockingbirds (4-5 of those) and a couple of White-throated Sparrows. We did see one Harris Sparrow. If I were Puxatawny Phil, I'd have stayed in the den today. It's barren out there! We finished by going to McComas Road for the Short-eared Owls. There were more N. Harriers there than we saw last November (7-8 vs. 2-3) and also several Red-tailed Hawks. Last November, the owls came out at about 5:00 p.m., shortly after sundown, while it was still quite light. They did not appear until about 5:50 p.m. tonight, when it was already fairly dark. Indeed, I was beginning to wonder if the snow had driven them somewhere else. Suddenly, three got up and flew NE across the road and six more were in the air over the longer grass where they roost. My hypothesis is that the Red-tailed Hawks kept them from coming out until dark. They may well come out earlier on a different day, particularly one that is overcast. Bob Fisher Independence, MO bobgfisher AT comcast.net ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Re: FW: Sneak-a-Peak Day at the Refuge From: Dianne & Steve Kinder <dmkinder AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 18:28:39 -0800   NEWS RELEASE U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM SWAN LAKE NWR, 16194 SWAN LAKE AVE, SUMNER, MO 64681 (660) 856-3323 Contact: Steve Whitson or John Benson         660-856-3323, ext 10 For Immediate Release Sneak-a-Peak Day at the Refuge Sumner – Missouri On February 20, 2010 Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge will open its main gate for one day of bird watching.  Each year somewhere between one hundred-thousand to 1 million Snow Geese use Silver Lake as a stop over point during their long journey north.  We are offering the chance for the general public to come onto the refuge and view this magnificent event.  Don’t let this opportunity pass you by!   Remember, trying to forecast the migration of birds is a very risky task and if the number of geese is low due to an early or late migration, the event will be cancelled.  The gates will be open at 11:00 am and will close at 4:00 pm.   We are asking that you call 660-856-3323, ext 10 or visit www.fws.gov/midwest/swanlake to ensure the event is still happening.   All visitors will be required to stop at the Visitor Center for directions. Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located one mile south of Sumner, Missouri and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conservation. Steve Whitson Refuge Manager Swan Lake NWR 16194 Swan Lake Avenue Sumner, MO 64681 (660) 856-3323   Ext. 13     ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Re: Hummingbird story -- Link correction From: Bob Fisher <bobgfisher AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 19:44:59 -0600 Try This: http://community-2.webtv.net/Velpics/HUM/ Apparently there were two spaces in the link. Both persons who have corrected these problems emailed me that they got it to work. Several have emailed me saying they really liked the pix. Let's keep trying. Sooner or later we'll get it right. BTW, http://www.ustream.tv/channel-popup/Hummingbird-Nest-Cam is a different bird, which also looks like an Allen's to me. Bob Fisher Independence, MO bobgfisher AT comcast.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robinson, Richard D." To: "Bob Fisher" Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 12:31 PM Subject: Re: Hummingbird story -- Link correction Still does not work! ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: spotted towhee at SNR From: Donald Hays <haysdr AT USMO.COM> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 17:17:00 -0600 As others have posted earlier, there were quite a few towhees this morning at Shaw Nature Reserve as well as dozens of red-headed woodpeckers. I saw two towhees that were probable eastern x spotted towhees--just a smattering of white spots on the scapulars. Another bird had white on the scaps and no white on the primaries. It was likely a spotted towhee but there seemed to be a lot of variation in this group of birds. I have not seen such a large active flock of towhees like this before. I also had a clean sweep of woodpeckers for the day at SNR and several rb nuthatches around the pinetum. Don Hays ________________________________ Donald R. Hays Union, Franklin Co., Missouri ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Re: Birth of a hummingbird From: Carol Kershner <wildbirdrehab AT ATT.NET> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 13:47:55 -0600 For a live feed from another nest try this link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel-popup/Hummingbird-Nest-Cam Carol Kershner 314-426-6403 Carol AT wildbirdrehab.org _____ From: Missouri Wild Bird Forum [mailto:MOBIRDS-L AT PO.MISSOURI.EDU] On Behalf Of June Newman Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 11:15 AM To: MOBIRDS-L AT PO.MISSOURI.EDU Subject: Re: Birth of a hummingbird Bob, your link has a space after net/ that keeps it from working. Try http://community-2.webtv.net/Velpics/HUM/ June Newman On Feb 2, 2010, at 10:49 AM, Bob Fisher wrote: Check out the link below and keep clicking on "next" until you have seen all 5 pages. It follows, up close and personal, the development of a Selasphorus sp.? from egg to fledging. http://community- 2.webtv.net/ Velpics/HUM/ ID? I'm guessing Allen's. What do you think? Bob Fisher Independence, MO bobgfisher AT comcast.net ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l &A=1 ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Rusty B, Joplin From: Lawrence Herbert <certhia AT ATT.NET> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 13:16:19 -0600 MObirders - Monday, 2-1-10, I had 5 Rusty Blackbirds at the Walter Woods C.A., Newton County, just south of Joplin. (Woods, Walter in our CACHE file). No luck today at the MSSU wooded wetland. I'm happy with 1 for 2. Good birding, Larry H. Joplin, Jasper County, MO. certhia AT att.net ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Pine Warbler, Dexter City Lake, 2/2, Stoddard Co. From: Chris Barrigar <1chrisbarrigar AT LIVE.COM> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 11:38:27 -0700 I was starting to wonder if I'd be seeing a Pine Warbler here shortly, and when I arrived at Dexter City Lake today for lunch, I heard a sweet, descending "chip" coming from the pines adjacent to the lake. The sound wasn't a "chep" or "chup" and upon seeing it had no yellow rump, I knew I would be adding a new species to my year list. The Eastern Bluebirds were out in force today as there were a minimum 8 working around the lake. The American Robins are taking advantage of the thawing ground, hunting for wormies. Good Birding! Chris Barrigar Stoddard Co. 1chrisbarrigar AT live.com chrisbarrigar AT hotmail.com http://community.webshots.com/user/photosbychris http://community.webshots.com/user/photosbychris1 _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469226/direct/01/ ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Hummingbird story -- Link correction From: Bob Fisher <bobgfisher AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 12:22:19 -0600 June Newman points out that my link has a space after "net" that keeps it from working. Please delete the space and try again or click the link below: http://community- 2.webtv.net/Velpics/HUM/ Bob Fisher Independence, MO bobgfisher AT comcast.net ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Re: Birth of a hummingbird From: June Newman <june AT BINMAIL.NET> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 11:15:04 -0600 Bob, your link has a space after net/ that keeps it from working. Try http://community-2.webtv.net/Velpics/HUM/ June Newman On Feb 2, 2010, at 10:49 AM, Bob Fisher wrote: > Check out the link below and keep clicking on "next" until you have > seen all 5 pages. It follows, up close and personal, the > development of a Selasphorus sp.? from egg to fledging. > > > http://community- 2.webtv.net/ Velpics/HUM/ > > ID? I'm guessing Allen's. What do you think? > > Bob Fisher > Independence, MO > bobgfisher AT comcast.net > ------------------------------------------------------------ > The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum > To unsubscribe or change subscription options: > https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Lesser black-backed and glaucous gulls at Long Branch SP today From: Peter Kondrashov <pkondrash AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 11:13:48 -0600 I decided to check Long Branch SP (Macon Co.) today onthe way to KCI. I was not disaapointed. All of the lake is frozen, but I saw gulls flying towards the marina. I parked along the road and walked to the shore across from the marina and the tip of the dam (or wave-break). There were over 500 gulls there. I immideately spotted the 1-year glaucous gull. Then I saw a gull with a dark mantle. It was rather far out, but I got decent looks at it and took some very distant shots. The bird was plumaged almost like an adult, but had all-black smudged wing tips and a bicolored bill, yellow with a black tip. The head was white with streaks. The mantle was dark gray with a prominent white crescent. I did not get a good look at the legs, but they appeared dirty pink. I will post some shots later on. Try to get to Long Branch to check it out! Now to AZ!! Good birding PK -- Peter Kondrashov Kirksville, MO ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Birth of a hummingbird From: Bob Fisher <bobgfisher AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 10:49:06 -0600 Check out the link below and keep clicking on "next" until you have seen all 5 pages. It follows, up close and personal, the development of a Selasphorus sp.? from egg to fledging. http://community- 2.webtv.net/ Velpics/HUM/ ID? I'm guessing Allen's. What do you think? Bob Fisher Independence, MO bobgfisher AT comcast.net ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Re: Swans with collars From: Brad Jacobs <Brad.Jacobs AT MDC.MO.GOV> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 08:30:24 -0600 Here is some information that might help with the various swan collars. Note :There is a project going on where they are releasing some Iowa raised birds birds down in Arkansas to see if they can establish a migration tradition. They are interested in any observations of these birds. They have a green collar. Brad Brad Jacobs Missouri Department of Conservation P.O.Box 180 Jefferson City , MO 65102 573-751-4115 ext 3648 Here are some of the collars and locations of restoration sites. GREEN COLLARS: -Green collars with white characters #P# = Iowa's Department of Natural Resources (Trumpeters Released in Arkansas) - Green collars with white letters #A# (number, alpha A, number) are Minnesota's Three Rivers Park District (formerly Hennepin. Parks) - marked this way through 1997. - Green collars with ##E = Michigan - Green collars with white characters #F# = Iowa's Department of Natural Resources - Green collars with white codes ##K and ##T are Wisconsin birds (marked this way through 1998). - Green collars with white codes M## and #M# and ##M = Ohio - Green collars with white codes S## = South Dakota - Green collars with white codes R## = Nebraska -RED COLLARS - Red collars with alpha H, J, P, T, C, or M with two numbers = IOWA - Red collars with white codes ##K = Michigan YELLOW COLLARS - Yellow collars with black codes with E, X, T, H, P, Z followed by ## and Z, A,C, J, K, U,Y preceded by ## = Wisconsin - Yellow collars with black codes #A# = Ohio WING TAGS - Green tags with black T## = Minnesota's Three River Park District 1997-present - Green tags with black ### (3 numbers) = Michigan (marked before or up to 1998) - Orange tags with black ### (3 numbers) = Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources - Yellow tags with black ### (3 numbers) = Ontario From: Missouri Wild Bird Forum [mailto:MOBIRDS-L AT PO.MISSOURI.EDU] On Behalf Of Kristi Mayo Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 8:21 AM To: MOBIRDS-L AT PO.MISSOURI.EDU Subject: Re: Swans with collars From my past experience, red and green collars are from Iowa; yellow collars come from Wisconsin. Kristi Mayo Kearney MO (Clay Co.) kristi AT writebirds.com On Feb 1, 2010, at 1:28 PM, Patrick Maloney wrote: I took a friend up to RMBS yesterday and we saw several swans with collars. I don't have a scope so I could not see the numbers. Has anyone ever gotten any information on where the RMBS swans come from? My friend asked about that and I really don't know. Can anyone help? ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Re: Swans with collars From: Kristi Mayo <kristi AT WRITEBIRDS.COM> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 08:20:49 -0600 From my past experience, red and green collars are from Iowa; yellow collars come from Wisconsin. Kristi Mayo Kearney MO (Clay Co.) kristi AT writebirds.com On Feb 1, 2010, at 1:28 PM, Patrick Maloney wrote: > I took a friend up to RMBS yesterday and we saw several swans with > collars. I don't have a scope so I could not see the numbers. Has > anyone ever gotten any information on where the RMBS swans come > from? My friend asked about that and I really don't know. Can > anyone help? ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Re: Swans with collars From: Susan Seyboth <whitekrane AT AOL.COM> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 08:59:45 -0500 Patrick, If the collars were red with white letters the birds were probably from Iowa's swan re-introduction program. I had one with such a collar spend a day on the small lake behind our house in Jan 2005. After several inquiries, I learned about their work, and was even treated to a later report on "my" swan, since I was able to read his collar number. As far as I know, there have been other re-introduction programs, also, but I know nothing about the colors of the collars they used. Hope that helps a little. Susan Seyboth Kansas City, MO -----Original Message----- From: Patrick Maloney To: MOBIRDS-L AT PO.MISSOURI.EDU Sent: Mon, Feb 1, 2010 1:28 pm Subject: Swans with collars I took a friend up to RMBS yesterday and we saw several swans with collars. I don't have a scope so I could not see the numbers. Has anyone ever gotten any information on where the RMBS swans come from? My friend asked about that and I really don't know. Can anyone help? ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: Sandhill Crane St Louis County - no From: Jackie Chain <chainjac AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Tue, 2 Feb 2010 05:26:32 -0800 Monday I scanned from the car for the Sandhill at Howell Island at 2 and again at 4pm and did not see it in its usual field or neighboring fields.   Jackie Chain   St Louis County    chainjac AT sbcglobal.net   ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum To unsubscribe or change subscription options: https://po.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mobirds-l&A=1 Subject: LEOW in riparian thicket From: Dianne & Steve Kinder <dmkinder AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 19:42:02 -0800 Today I found 3 Long-eared Owls in a thicket on an old levee along Locust Creek in Linn Co. This is near same place I found some last year and reported it as a Willow thicket. There are Willows there but the Owls were actually roosting in a fairly dense stand of young Silver Maples. I know from what Brad Jacobs has told me that LEOW can sometimes be found roosting in riparian thickets in the SouthWest U.S. This is the only place I have found them anywhere except in Pines or Cedars in North Mo.    Steve Kinder Chillicothe, Livingston Co. dmkinder AT yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: Rusty Blackbirds Monday at TGP From: Pat Lueders <Pllueders479 AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 17:22:12 EST There was a large flock (approximately 200) of blackbirds feeding on the grassy areas near Cypress Circle in Tower Grove Park today. More than 2/3 were Red-winged Blackbirds and Starlings but there were at least 30 Rusty Blackbirds with them. There was one all gray bird, Red-winged size, that I saw briefly and couldn't ID. Pat Lueders, Webster Groves, MO ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: goodbye Grussy From: Linda Bobo <magicfuzz AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 17:15:22 -0600 Howell Island 8:30 AM 2/1/10: no crane. The last sighting of the Sandhill crane was on Thursday 1/28/10 (posted pix), where it was looking well, and did a small "dance". I have been wrong before, but I do believe Grussy has now flown for better digs. We enjoyed and learned from observing you. All the best to you Grussy, you are a survivor; may your life be long and your colts many. Linda Bobo ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: long eared owls Knox Co From: Frankie Cuculich <flcuculich AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 17:14:22 -0600 Sunday Debbie and David Nichols joined me at Hurdland Lake to see the owls. There is 4 long eareds roosting in the cedars. They got really good looks. I don't know who was more excited David and Debbie or me. That was his first long eared. For me, that is what birding is all about, sharing experiences like that with other people who are as passionate about the same things that you are. I would like to thank the Nichols for letting me be a part of that. Frankie Cuculich Brashear, Mo. Adair Co. ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu Subject: Riverlands From: "ROBYN, Tony" <twrobyn AT AUDUBON.ORG> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 16:23:06 -0500 Thanks to all who gave feedback on Riverlands. Was able to run up with the in-law and family to see a half dozen eagles total at Ellis and near the lock and a few dozen swan in an open area as you enter Confluence SP gravel road. The best part was when my 5 yr old daughter, while looking through my binoculars at an eagle on the ice, said "this is soooo cool". She finally learned the value of looking through the binoculars from the right end... Tony In St. Louis ------------------------------------------------------------ The Audubon Society of Missouri's Wild Bird Discussion Forum Questions or comments? Email the list owners: mailto://mobirds-l-request AT po.missouri.edu