Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Montana Birding > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Thursday, March 18 at 11:48 AM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Townsends Solitaire,©Dan Lane

18 Mar Gulls flycatching ["Chuck Carlson" ] 18 Mar White to Brown ["John Carlson" ] 18 Mar 1st Cinnamon Teal of Year @ Lee Metcalf NWR ["Bob Danley" ] 17 Mar Greater White-fronted Goose ["Nate Kohler" ] 17 Mar Re: Church Slough update ["Daniel" ] 17 Mar Re: Church slough ["Daniel" ] 16 Mar Re: Howdy from Indiana [Larry Carter ] 17 Mar Warm Springs WMA ["garyswant" ] 17 Mar Church slough ["mizwoodymmw" ] 16 Mar Tuesday at Freezout Lake [Michael Schwitters ] 16 Mar Re: Howdy from Indiana [Byron Butler ] 16 Mar Swan [Bobby J Jamison ] 16 Mar Yellow-rumped warbler ["kerrplunck" ] 16 Mar Spring in Troy ["DonaldJ" ] 16 Mar Swan Identification Quiz ["Bob Danley" ] 16 Mar Re: Church Slough update ["Nate Kohler" ] 16 Mar They're Back! ["marcurejm" ] 15 Mar Trumpeters back in Bozeman ["grahamneale AT rocketmail.com" ] 15 Mar A Golden Morning [Beth Hill ] 15 Mar Re:Bluebirds in the Highwoods ["Heather Ristow" ] 15 Mar Re: Bison Range & Ninepipes ["William McDowell" ] 15 Mar Bison Range & Ninepipes ["William McDowell" ] 15 Mar Bald Eagles ["jswilsonmd" ] 15 Mar White hawk- Helena valley ["dalelivejx13" ] 14 Mar Singing meadowlark [Kristi DuBois ] 14 Mar Re: Howdy from Indiana [Larry Carter ] 14 Mar Howdy from Indiana [Byron Butler ] 14 Mar Re: Benton Lake [Michael Schwitters ] 14 Mar Benton Lake [Arla Eckert ] 14 Mar Sunday Morning at Freezout [Michael Schwitters ] 14 Mar Hells Canyon ["buccraig" ] 13 Mar Ft. Peck arrivals ["Chuck Carlson" ] 13 Mar Re: Church Slough update [Elizabeth Muraoka ] 13 Mar Church Slough update ["Daniel" ] 13 Mar Amtrak HiLine Birding ["John Carlson" ] 13 Mar Bluebirds in the Highwoods ["davewillmt" ] 12 Mar Re: kestrel [Katie LaSalle-Lowery ] 12 Mar kestrel [Roger Hogen ] 12 Mar MOB new member seeks birds [Joe Faulkner ] 12 Mar Re: Re: Bird Nicknames [Alan Nelson ] 12 Mar typo [Alan Nelson ] 12 Mar Re: Re: Bird Nicknames ["Mary Fay" ] 12 Mar Fwd: Re: Bird Nicknames [Alan Nelson ] 12 Mar Church Slough update ["Daniel" ] 12 Mar Friday Morning at Freezout Lake [Michael Schwitters ] 12 Mar B. Waxwings-Ashley Lake [] 11 Mar vernacular names ["Hendricks, Paul" ] 12 Mar Re: Nicknames [] 12 Mar Nicknames ["garyswant" ] 11 Mar Warm Springs WMA Counts ["garyswant" ] 11 Mar More "other names," nick names ["harrisonbirds" ] 11 Mar RE: Re: Bird Nicknames ["Katie LaSalle-Lowery" ] 11 Mar 9 bluebirds of both species at Blue Mountain, Missoula ["garrettmacbirdman" ] 11 Mar Re: MOB Membership on the rise [Jacqueline Wilson ] 11 Mar Re: Re: Bird Nicknames [Jacqueline Wilson ] 11 Mar MOB Membership on the rise ["Patrick A. Toomey Jr." ] 11 Mar Heron rookery at Ninepipes ["Bob & Mo Rost" ] 10 Mar Ruddy Duck ["Nate Kohler" ] 11 Mar Re: Ruddy Duck ["Nate Kohler" ] 10 Mar RE: Re: Bird Nicknames ["Stevan Hawkins" ] 11 Mar Recent Arrivals ["JoshuaC" ] 11 Mar White Goose ["Nate Kohler" ] 11 Mar Re: Bird Nicknames ["jparkerll38" ] 10 Mar Ruddy Duck ["Nate Kohler" ] 10 Mar Re: Re: Bird Nicknames [Jacqueline Wilson ] 10 Mar Re: Re: Bird Nicknames [Byron Butler ] 10 Mar Wed Morning at Freezout [Michael Schwitters ] 10 Mar Ft. Peck sightings ["Chuck Carlson" ] 10 Mar Helena Valley Migrants ["Bob Martinka" ] 10 Mar More Birb Nicknames ["Bob Martinka" ] 10 Mar Re: Bird Nicknames ["Douglas Hansen" ] 10 Mar Meadowlark South of Ulm This Morning ["davewillmt" ] 10 Mar Re: Bird Nicknames ["Patrick A. Toomey Jr." ] 9 Mar Re: Bird Nicknames ["Gary Swant" ] 9 Mar meadowlark and swallows [Roger Hogen ] 9 Mar Mountain Bluebirds ["Carlene Farmer" ] Subject: Gulls flycatching From: "Chuck Carlson" <chuckcmt AT nemont.net> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:48:05 -0600 Mobsters Just an interesting note: Yesterday I mentioned seeing gulls hawking insects in the air on Wednesday. I noticed more of this yesterday and then I was able to identify what they were catching. There were numbers of waterbugs hatching out of the creek below the dam, commonly called Beaver Creek. They would pop up to the surface, swim to a convenient dead cattail stalk or other debris and sit for a few minutes to dry. Then they would take off to disperse. I imagine there is a good store of energy in these bugs as they fly off. I've posted a photo of the bugs in my album. Chuck Carlson chuckcmt AT nemont.net Ft. Peck MT Subject: White to Brown From: "John Carlson" <jccarlson AT surfbirder.com> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:21:57 -0700 Subject: 1st Cinnamon Teal of Year @ Lee Metcalf NWR From: "Bob Danley" <quasi AT q.com> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:31:11 -0000 Mobidae: Terri Wilson of Stevensville discovered a drake Cinnamon teal today at Lee Metcalf NWR on Pond 6; here is a video of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnP65fpqnkE By the way, the Refuge is celebrating the first day of spring (this coming Saturday) by hosting Welcome Back Waterfowl Day, a partnered special event with Bitterroot Audubon and the Friends of Lee Metcalf NWR. Five Valleys Audubon (Missoula) will also be visiting that day. With so many birders looking...well you might not want to miss out (dare I say the "Patagonia rest stop" effect). Activities/drink/treats run from 10am-2pm at Refuge Headquarters and along Wildfowl Lane. Come and celebrate our great quality of life here in Montana. Bob Danley Lolo Subject: Greater White-fronted Goose From: "Nate Kohler" <nskohler AT bresnan.net> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:21:23 -0000 I located one immature Greater White-fronted Goose today at the southeastern end of the southmost ARCO Pond near Warm Springs. I was not able to locate the bird again just 30 minutes later, but it's probably still in the area somewhere. C-photo in Nate's Album. Nate Kohler Deer Lodge Subject: Re: Church Slough update From: "Daniel" <danielcasey55 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:02:15 -0000 Nate, et al. Yes. Although one photo is not often enough to capture the differences, other shots in my series do indeed confirm the smaller, less round head, slightly smaller body size of the Lesser. Greaters still far outnumber Lessers here in March; with a shift toward more Lessers in mid-April, into the breeding season, when only the Lessers remain. Dan Casey Somers --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Nate Kohler" wrote: > > Dan, > > I was looking at your photos of Eurasian Wigeons and noticed that at the bottom left of the photo "Eurasian Wigeon and others" was a pair of female scaups. It looks like the female scaup on the left is Lesser and the female on the right is a Greater. Would you agree? > > Nate Kohler > Deer Lodge > > --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Daniel" wrote: > > > > MOB-sters: > > > > Church Slough (southeast of Kalispell off Lower Valley road)is always one of the best local places to observe the spring waterfowl migration. Today is a great example of that; this morning I counted 3117 birds of 18 waterfowl species, including my FOY Ross's Goose, Snow Goose, unbanded Trumpeter Swans, and a drake Northern Shoveler. Totals: > > > > Canada Goose: 604 > > Snow Goose : 1(imm) > > Ross's Goose: 1 (ad) > > Tundra Swan: 182 > > Trumpeter Swan: 10 > > Northern Pintail: 1,565 > > Mallard: 210 > > American Wigeon: 255 > > Eurasian Wigeon: 4 (drakes) > > Northern Shoveler: 1 > > Redhead: 29 > > Ring-necked Duck: 1 > > Greater Scaup: 216 > > Lesser Scaup: 2 > > Common Goldeneye: 9 > > Bufflehead: 1 > > Common Merganser: 20 > > Hooded Merganser: 6 > > > > I will post a few pictures today, including teh Ross's Goose and some swan species comparison shots. I highly recommend a visit to this wonderful show before the ice goes all the way out, at which time the birding is replaced by fishing, and the birds move on. The ice is going fast now. If you go, be sure to visit both of the public viewpoints. One is on the south side, on the curve in Lower Valley Road; the other is off of the new Wagner Lane, reached by turning north on that road about a quarter-mile west of the slough and turning into the dirt lane that marks the County Park access. > > > > Dan Casey > > Somers > > > Subject: Re: Church slough From: "Daniel" <danielcasey55 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:05:40 -0000 Dear ??? The birds you describe are Common Mergansers. I was glad to see this afternoon that even though the ice is out, there were still some good numbers of birds on Church Slough. Note that the moderators have asked posters to include their name and location on posts. Dan Casey Somers --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "mizwoodymmw" wrote: > > We are total amateurs when it comes to birding. More curious than professional! We were down at church slough this afternoon and saw a few ducks we couldnt identify. It was black and white with a longer red bill. Very beautiful. Those swans were there too. Even a river otter was putting on a show for us. Welcome Spring. > Subject: Re: Howdy from Indiana From: Larry Carter <birder43 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:39:41 -0700 (PDT) Hi Byron, glad to hear from you.  Have birded much with my son's a lot, and my grandaughter keeps me busy.  I forgot to tell you I have seen four Cardinal's one of my favorite bird's I do not see in Montana.  I flew here, still expensive for me but had to see my son's.  Will try to call you soon.  Hope I can get in some birding but have been busy with other thing's.  Take care and good birding, Larry  --- On Tue, 3/16/10, Byron Butler wrote: From: Byron Butler Subject: Re: [MOB-Montana] Howdy from Indiana To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 2:11 PM   Hi Larry,   I wondered why you weren't reporting from Freezeout. I will be in Fort Wayne around April 1, but you will be gone by thern. My house is in Chesterton, IN, between I90 and I-80. It is an easy 10 min to my house from either freeway in case you want to drop by. Did you drive or fly to Indiana? My number is 406-600-1698.   I have to go out of my way to find WiFi here, so may not be able to reply to email right away.   Cheers, Byron   On Sun, Mar 14, 2010 at 10:27 PM, Larry Carter wrote:   Hi Byron, am also back in my home state of Indiana visiting my two son's.  They live      about thirty miles mostly east of Muncie near the Ohio Border.  Did see a few Robin's, a couple of Killdeer's, three Red-tailed Hawk's, and good number's of American Kestrel's.  Will be back in Montana March 28th.  Take care and good birding, Larry Carter --- On Sun, 3/14/10, Byron Butler wrote: From: Byron Butler Subject: [MOB-Montana] Howdy from Indiana To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups. com Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 7:57 PM   I'm in Indiana right now.  Left the MSU campus at noon on Friday. As I was leaving a flock of about 20 robins came through, moving northwest. I took these migrants as a sign that I might encounter other migrating birds as I drove west to east across Montana, across Hwy 212 through Broadus. That was not to be. Between Bozeman and Billings I saw the usual corvids, a Bald Eagle, and a very dark morph buteo. Between Billings and Crow Agency I recall starlings, but don't recall corvids if they were there.   From Crow Agency to the MT/WY state line on 212 I did not see a single corvid of any species. Looked hard for Pinyon Jay in the pines. Prairie dogs were out in force near Ashland. The only birds I saw at all along here were two adult Bald Eagles and 35 Canada Goose. The percent snow cover increased steadily as I drove s.e. from the Little Bighorn Battlefield to the border, heaviest east of Broadus. In some places snow drifts reached the top strand of 3-strand barbed wire fences. Curiously then, when I was near ther MT/WY border I drove through an insect hatch that peppered my windshield, I never saw the bugs in the air before they hit the windshield. This caused a problem for me later when I drove through fog around Pierre, SD. When I  used my wipers they made an oily smear of my windshield. These were the only bugs in encountered in the 1450 miles between Bozeman and Indiana.   Many large skeins of geese in eastern SD and central Iowa. Some birds appeared small enough to be Cackling Goose. Numerous flocks of blackbirds across SD, IA, and IL. Also lots of flooding in these states,. Few buteos, all seemed to be Red-tails. Adult Bald Eagles seen in every state. No cranes or other migrants seen yet.   Byron K. Butler From Indiana Subject: Warm Springs WMA From: "garyswant" <Birdmontana AT rfwave.net> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:22:57 -0000 Birders, Here are the results of the waterfowl survey that I did today at Warm Springs. Canada Goose - 645 Tundra Swan - 165 Eurasian Wigeon - 1 (first of the year) American Wigeon - 131 Mallard - 230 Northern Shoveler - 2 Northern Pintail - 901 Green-winged Teal - 12 Canvasback - 12 Redhead - 14 Ring-necked Duck - 6 Greater Scaup - 6 Lesser Scaup - 11 Bufflehead - 2 (fist of the season) Common Goldeneye - 1,558 Barrow's Goldeneye - 271 Common Merganser - 11 Ring-billed Gull - 35 (first of the season) Other birds of interest Great Blue Heron - 6 Peregrine Falcon - 1 Northern Harrier - 6 No - Snow Geese today Gary Swant Deer Lodge Subject: Church slough From: "mizwoodymmw" <mizwoodym AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:18:57 -0000 We are total amateurs when it comes to birding. More curious than professional! We were down at church slough this afternoon and saw a few ducks we couldnt identify. It was black and white with a longer red bill. Very beautiful. Those swans were there too. Even a river otter was putting on a show for us. Welcome Spring. Subject: Tuesday at Freezout Lake From: Michael Schwitters <schwit AT 3rivers.net> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:59:39 -0600 Folks, Freezout is still quite iced up. Yesterday was good for swans (about 1000), but poor for white geese (3500). There was a family with one of the adult swans a Bewick's Swan. Another FOS was Killdeer. This morning was poor for swans (350), and slow for geese (7000). Ducks are still not exciting, numbers-wise. Mike Schwitters Choteau MT Subject: Re: Howdy from Indiana From: Byron Butler <byronkbutlermt AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:11:19 -0500 Hi Larry, I wondered why you weren't reporting from Freezeout. I will be in Fort Wayne around April 1, but you will be gone by thern. My house is in Chesterton, IN, between I90 and I-80. It is an easy 10 min to my house from either freeway in case you want to drop by. Did you drive or fly to Indiana? My number is 406-600-1698. I have to go out of my way to find WiFi here, so may not be able to reply to email right away. Cheers, Byron On Sun, Mar 14, 2010 at 10:27 PM, Larry Carter wrote: > > > Hi Byron, am also back in my home state of Indiana visiting my two > son's. They live about thirty miles mostly east of Muncie near the > Ohio Border. Did see a few Robin's, a couple of Killdeer's, three > Red-tailed Hawk's, and good number's of American Kestrel's. Will be back in > Montana March 28th. Take care and good birding, Larry Carter > > --- On *Sun, 3/14/10, Byron Butler * wrote: > > > From: Byron Butler > Subject: [MOB-Montana] Howdy from Indiana > To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com > Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 7:57 PM > > > > > I'm in Indiana right now. Left the MSU campus at noon on Friday. As I was > leaving a flock of about 20 robins came through, moving northwest. I took > these migrants as a sign that I might encounter other migrating birds as I > drove west to east across Montana, across Hwy 212 through Broadus. That was > not to be. Between Bozeman and Billings I saw the usual corvids, a Bald > Eagle, and a very dark morph buteo. Between Billings and Crow Agency I > recall starlings, but don't recall corvids if they were there. > > > > From Crow Agency to the MT/WY state line on 212 I did not see a single > corvid of any species. Looked hard for Pinyon Jay in the pines. Prairie dogs > were out in force near Ashland. The only birds I saw at all along here were > two adult Bald Eagles and 35 Canada Goose. The percent snow cover increased > steadily as I drove s.e. from the Little Bighorn Battlefield to the border, > heaviest east of Broadus. In some places snow drifts reached the top strand > of 3-strand barbed wire fences. Curiously then, when I was near ther MT/WY > border I drove through an insect hatch that peppered my windshield, I never > saw the bugs in the air before they hit the windshield. This caused a > problem for me later when I drove through fog around Pierre, SD. When I > used my wipers they made an oily smear of my windshield. These were the only > bugs in encountered in the 1450 miles between Bozeman and Indiana. > > > > Many large skeins of geese in eastern SD and central Iowa. Some birds > appeared small enough to be Cackling Goose. Numerous flocks of blackbirds > across SD, IA, and IL. Also lots of flooding in these states,. Few buteos, > all seemed to be Red-tails. Adult Bald Eagles seen in every state. No cranes > or other migrants seen yet. > > > > Byron K. Butler > > From Indiana > > > > Subject: Swan From: Bobby J Jamison <bjwildbirds AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:39:53 -0700 (PDT) Loved your videos, I'm over here in Medicine Lake NWR not quite as lively here as it is to the west. Thanks for sharing your work.:) "The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature." Anne Frank Subject: Yellow-rumped warbler From: "kerrplunck" <kerrplunck AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:53:11 -0000 Saw my first yellow-rumped warbler of the year on Kelly Island, in Missoula, Sunday March 14. Also first of the year wood ducks. Eric Rasmussen Subject: Spring in Troy From: "DonaldJ" <gr8gray AT frontiernet.net> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 06:52:16 -0000 Good Morning everyone! I've hardly been aroung the last couple of months but my back yard is currently very busy. Spotted Towhees came back today as well as the first Western Meadowlark and Red Crossbills. Wish I could get out of my office and enjoy it more....... For those interested, I just uploaded to my "New Adventures" portfolio on my website (www.donaldmjones.com) my most recent trip to Alaska. Worked primarily Mammals but there is a token Bird at the end of the portfolio :-) Have a great day Everyone! Don Jones Troy Subject: Swan Identification Quiz From: "Bob Danley" <quasi AT q.com> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:42:17 -0000 Mobsters: I filmed a lone swan at Lee Metcalf NWR (Stevensville, MT)today. Follow to this link to YouTube to enjoy a video id challenge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOiCWbFPXig I've embedded a few still shots to assist your decision making. The video is not of the highest quality however it is similar to seeing things in the field under less than ideal conditions. Bob Danley Lolo Subject: Re: Church Slough update From: "Nate Kohler" <nskohler AT bresnan.net> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:44:49 -0000 Dan, I was looking at your photos of Eurasian Wigeons and noticed that at the bottom left of the photo "Eurasian Wigeon and others" was a pair of female scaups. It looks like the female scaup on the left is Lesser and the female on the right is a Greater. Would you agree? Nate Kohler Deer Lodge --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Daniel" wrote: > > MOB-sters: > > Church Slough (southeast of Kalispell off Lower Valley road)is always one of the best local places to observe the spring waterfowl migration. Today is a great example of that; this morning I counted 3117 birds of 18 waterfowl species, including my FOY Ross's Goose, Snow Goose, unbanded Trumpeter Swans, and a drake Northern Shoveler. Totals: > > Canada Goose: 604 > Snow Goose : 1(imm) > Ross's Goose: 1 (ad) > Tundra Swan: 182 > Trumpeter Swan: 10 > Northern Pintail: 1,565 > Mallard: 210 > American Wigeon: 255 > Eurasian Wigeon: 4 (drakes) > Northern Shoveler: 1 > Redhead: 29 > Ring-necked Duck: 1 > Greater Scaup: 216 > Lesser Scaup: 2 > Common Goldeneye: 9 > Bufflehead: 1 > Common Merganser: 20 > Hooded Merganser: 6 > > I will post a few pictures today, including teh Ross's Goose and some swan species comparison shots. I highly recommend a visit to this wonderful show before the ice goes all the way out, at which time the birding is replaced by fishing, and the birds move on. The ice is going fast now. If you go, be sure to visit both of the public viewpoints. One is on the south side, on the curve in Lower Valley Road; the other is off of the new Wagner Lane, reached by turning north on that road about a quarter-mile west of the slough and turning into the dirt lane that marks the County Park access. > > Dan Casey > Somers > Subject: They're Back! From: "marcurejm" <marcurejm AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:41:02 -0000 We saw 3 FOY Western Bluebirds on Smith Lake Road(w/o Kalispell) today! It must be spring!! Jeannie Marcure Subject: Trumpeters back in Bozeman From: "grahamneale AT rocketmail.com" <grahamneale@rocketmail.com> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:33:15 -0000 If you go to the rec pond on N 7th you'll find a pair of trumpeter swans foraging about in the open water along with lots of malards and a Canada goose. Seems to be a pair there every year for the past several so hopefully the same ones are back. Went out to Circle L arena this weekend for the horse expo and saw 12 bald eagles scattered along Airport Road and Spain Bridge road. Spring is here! Subject: A Golden Morning From: Beth Hill <grizhill AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:12:09 -0600 It was a morning for Common Goldeneye along the Missouri River - Westbank stretch. Sunday morning didn't feel cool at 28 - the sun was quite bright. It was easy counting since the wind was calm and the birds weren't hiding between swells. There were Common Goldeneyes as far as the eye could see. There were at least 250 between the Central Avenue bridge and upstream to the railroad crossing. It was almost all Common Goldeneye with a few Buffleheads thrown in to keep it interesting. I am sure there were some Barrow's in the bunch, but at the distance I was viewing (from the bridge) it was just a guess. Geese - 318 + Common Goldeneye - 385 plus Gulls (mostly California) - 145 + Bufflehead - 100 + Mallard - 63 + Barrow's Goldeneye - 20 + American Wigeon - 5 Canvasback - 3 Pintail - 3 Common Merganser - 4 Lesser Scaup - 2 Hooded Merganser - 2 Crow - 5 Flicker - 2 Robin - 2 Pigeon - 94 + HOSP - but who counts In the evening I did a quick check and had 15 Barrow's near the Westbank, I counted 250 + Common Goldeneye from Sacajawea Island to the Central Bridge. Gulls - 100+ and Canada Geese - 140 +. I guess it was a "Golden" day. Beth Hill Great Falls Subject: Re:Bluebirds in the Highwoods From: "Heather Ristow" <hristow AT mtaudubon.org> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:51:51 -0600 I too had the pleasure of seeing a couple of Mountain Bluebirds this weekend: one at Phipps Park on Saturday, and a pair at the BLM's Acton Area on Sunday. A true sign of spring! ~Heather Ristow, Billings, MT Subject: Re: Bison Range & Ninepipes From: "William McDowell" <willymcdowell AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:46:06 -0000 Sorry, g.eagle and n. shrike at Bison Range. Also trumpeter swans pairs at two places on Duck Rd. can be seen very close, one pair (no neck bands) right by road in farm pond about 4 miles west of Hwy 93. --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "William McDowell" wrote: > > Took a drive Sunday afternoon thru NB Range and Ninepipes. Golden eagle, northern shrike best birds at Ninepipes (no bluebirds!). Was surprised at relatively low numbers of waterfowl in ponds around Ninepipes. Main reservoir had a few small flocks of redheads, Am. wigeon,mallards, Am. goldeneye, coots. Saw one grebe...plumage of winter eared grebe....dusky greyish neck (including front of neck) contrasting with white "ear" and throat....but something about the gizz didn't seem right...no peak on head, bill shape not quite right....can horned grebes have these plumage characteristics at this time of year? Cheers.....Will > Subject: Bison Range & Ninepipes From: "William McDowell" <willymcdowell AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:35:51 -0000 Took a drive Sunday afternoon thru NB Range and Ninepipes. Golden eagle, northern shrike best birds at Ninepipes (no bluebirds!). Was surprised at relatively low numbers of waterfowl in ponds around Ninepipes. Main reservoir had a few small flocks of redheads, Am. wigeon,mallards, Am. goldeneye, coots. Saw one grebe...plumage of winter eared grebe....dusky greyish neck (including front of neck) contrasting with white "ear" and throat....but something about the gizz didn't seem right...no peak on head, bill shape not quite right....can horned grebes have these plumage characteristics at this time of year? Cheers.....Will Subject: Bald Eagles From: "jswilsonmd" <jswilsonmd AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:59:21 -0000 Hi MOB, What a great day in Gallatin Valley. I drove out Springhill and saw a rough legged hawk . Then left on Reese Creek and saw a Bald Eagle sitting on a nest. In view were 2 ring-necked pheasants and a herd of deer and a few more eagles perched in separate trees in the distance. After turning left on Hamilton at sunset I saw a pair of adult bald eagles perched in a stand of trees and then watched as 2 more adults and 6 juveniles flew in to roost. Then 2 more juveniles flew on by (guess the hotel was full). This was such a treat. I've never seen this many eagles at one time. I saw a smaller bird in a tree and thought to myself, hmmm, what's that bird with the red breast? Boy, it's been a long winter if I've forgotten what a robin looks like! How great to finally hear the sounds of spring: red-winged blackbirds, starlings, robins, flickers, chickadees. Enjoy yourselves out there. Jackie, Bozeman Subject: White hawk- Helena valley From: "dalelivejx13" <dlivezey AT bresnan.net> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:48:32 -0000 I took these photos Sunday evening, on Sierra Rd in the Helena valley. file- "Dale's photos". Brownish head. Anyone know what this bird is? Subject: Singing meadowlark From: Kristi DuBois <kdubois AT montana.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:52:01 -0600 I heard a western meadowlark singing today, in a field next to the Erskine Fishing Access Site near Frenchtown. It took a few minutes for the sound to sink into my winter-work-dulled brain. Temperature was around 60 degrees at the time, with the sun shining. Quite nice for the Missoula Valley. Several bald eagle nests visible from roads in the Missoula area seem to have incubating birds now. Kristi DuBois Missoula Subject: Re: Howdy from Indiana From: Larry Carter <birder43 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:27:52 -0700 (PDT) Hi Byron, am also back in my home state of Indiana visiting my two son's.  They live      about thirty miles mostly east of Muncie near the Ohio Border.  Did see a few Robin's, a couple of Killdeer's, three Red-tailed Hawk's, and good number's of American Kestrel's.  Will be back in Montana March 28th.  Take care and good birding, Larry Carter --- On Sun, 3/14/10, Byron Butler wrote: From: Byron Butler Subject: [MOB-Montana] Howdy from Indiana To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 7:57 PM   I'm in Indiana right now.  Left the MSU campus at noon on Friday. As I was leaving a flock of about 20 robins came through, moving northwest. I took these migrants as a sign that I might encounter other migrating birds as I drove west to east across Montana, across Hwy 212 through Broadus. That was not to be. Between Bozeman and Billings I saw the usual corvids, a Bald Eagle, and a very dark morph buteo. Between Billings and Crow Agency I recall starlings, but don't recall corvids if they were there.   From Crow Agency to the MT/WY state line on 212 I did not see a single corvid of any species. Looked hard for Pinyon Jay in the pines. Prairie dogs were out in force near Ashland. The only birds I saw at all along here were two adult Bald Eagles and 35 Canada Goose. The percent snow cover increased steadily as I drove s.e. from the Little Bighorn Battlefield to the border, heaviest east of Broadus. In some places snow drifts reached the top strand of 3-strand barbed wire fences. Curiously then, when I was near ther MT/WY border I drove through an insect hatch that peppered my windshield, I never saw the bugs in the air before they hit the windshield. This caused a problem for me later when I drove through fog around Pierre, SD. When I  used my wipers they made an oily smear of my windshield. These were the only bugs in encountered in the 1450 miles between Bozeman and Indiana.   Many large skeins of geese in eastern SD and central Iowa. Some birds appeared small enough to be Cackling Goose. Numerous flocks of blackbirds across SD, IA, and IL. Also lots of flooding in these states,. Few buteos, all seemed to be Red-tails. Adult Bald Eagles seen in every state. No cranes or other migrants seen yet.   Byron K. Butler From Indiana Subject: Howdy from Indiana From: Byron Butler <byronkbutlermt AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:57:00 -0500 I'm in Indiana right now. Left the MSU campus at noon on Friday. As I was leaving a flock of about 20 robins came through, moving northwest. I took these migrants as a sign that I might encounter other migrating birds as I drove west to east across Montana, across Hwy 212 through Broadus. That was not to be. Between Bozeman and Billings I saw the usual corvids, a Bald Eagle, and a very dark morph buteo. Between Billings and Crow Agency I recall starlings, but don't recall corvids if they were there. From Crow Agency to the MT/WY state line on 212 I did not see a single corvid of any species. Looked hard for Pinyon Jay in the pines. Prairie dogs were out in force near Ashland. The only birds I saw at all along here were two adult Bald Eagles and 35 Canada Goose. The percent snow cover increased steadily as I drove s.e. from the Little Bighorn Battlefield to the border, heaviest east of Broadus. In some places snow drifts reached the top strand of 3-strand barbed wire fences. Curiously then, when I was near ther MT/WY border I drove through an insect hatch that peppered my windshield, I never saw the bugs in the air before they hit the windshield. This caused a problem for me later when I drove through fog around Pierre, SD. When I used my wipers they made an oily smear of my windshield. These were the only bugs in encountered in the 1450 miles between Bozeman and Indiana. Many large skeins of geese in eastern SD and central Iowa. Some birds appeared small enough to be Cackling Goose. Numerous flocks of blackbirds across SD, IA, and IL. Also lots of flooding in these states,. Few buteos, all seemed to be Red-tails. Adult Bald Eagles seen in every state. No cranes or other migrants seen yet. Byron K. Butler From Indiana Subject: Re: Benton Lake From: Michael Schwitters <schwit AT 3rivers.net> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:12:05 -0600 Arla, All roads at Freezout Lake are open (except for the levies) and dry. The weekend found pleasant numbers of visitors at Freezout using those roads. This afternoon I found a brand new flock of about 9,000 white geese had arrived and were in a totally new spot, the southwest part of Pond 4. They were visible at a distance from Point H of the birding brochure. Mike Schwitters Choteau MT Arla Eckert wrote: > The road at Benton Lake is s-t-i-l-l closed! Arla Eckert > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > Subject: Benton Lake From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:47:07 -0600 The road at Benton Lake is s-t-i-l-l closed! Arla Eckert Subject: Sunday Morning at Freezout From: Michael Schwitters <schwit AT 3rivers.net> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:48:36 -0600 All, Freezout Lake had bright sun but chilly temperatures this morning. I found it a bit depressing as white goose (3000) and swan numbers (350) were down. I did see three duck species that were first of season: Eurasian Wigeon, Green-winged Teal and Ring-necked Duck. We sure could use more open water. Perhaps mild weather the first part of the week will help. Mike Schwitters Choteau MT Subject: Hells Canyon From: "buccraig" <buccraig AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:01:42 -0000 Flocks of robins have arrived! One large group was singing in Twin Bridges yesterday morning. I saw a smaller group on my walk in Hells Canyon. I also saw my first pair of mountain bluebirds at a nesting box, a kestrel and the bald eagle has been back on her nest by the Jefferson River. Bucky Ballou Silver Star Subject: Ft. Peck arrivals From: "Chuck Carlson" <chuckcmt AT nemont.net> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:39:51 -0700 Mobsters The waterfowl finally started coming in to the river at Ft. Peck. Migrant Canadas started coming in last night and kept arriving through the day. I was able to find 4 Cackling Geese in with the Canadas. Pintails have also arrived in numbers. The first one, a single male, showed up on Thursday. One thing I forgot about the migrant geese is that they do a lot more "talking" than the wintering birds have been doing. We can hear them up at the house. I'm sure the noise will get more intense in the coming days. I also found 4 Green-winged Teal today. As for gulls, the two Glaucous are still here and at least the one Herring. There are about 30 or so Californias, but I have not yet seen a Ring-billed. You can sure feel the change with the arrival of these migrants. Almost like a renewal. Chuck Carlson chuckcmt AT nemont.net Ft. Peck MT Subject: Re: Church Slough update From: Elizabeth Muraoka <lizmuraoka AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:26:28 -0800 Awesome birding day for you! As it turned out, this was a good birding day for me as well. I just got home after driving 3 hours round trip to look for a Yellow-billed Loon that was first seen on the 8th. I'm happy to report that we were successful! It was too far out to get decent photos, but got great looks through the scope. I sure hope the Trumpeters stick around until I get up to Montana. Liz Santa Barbara On Sat, Mar 13, 2010 at 3:49 PM, Daniel wrote: > > > MOB-sters: > > The ice is going very fast. But lots of birds today, including at least 8 > Eurasian Wigeon (3 pairs, 2 more drakes). I was able to get a few photos of > the mostly rufous females, and compared them side by side with Americans. > Still several Trumpeters there as well. > > Dan Casey > Somers > > > Subject: Church Slough update From: "Daniel" <danielcasey55 AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:49:13 -0000 MOB-sters: The ice is going very fast. But lots of birds today, including at least 8 Eurasian Wigeon (3 pairs, 2 more drakes). I was able to get a few photos of the mostly rufous females, and compared them side by side with Americans. Still several Trumpeters there as well. Dan Casey Somers Subject: Amtrak HiLine Birding From: "John Carlson" <jccarlson AT surfbirder.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 08:39:14 -0800 Subject: Bluebirds in the Highwoods From: "davewillmt" <dwasgeorge AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:20:21 -0000 Yesterday afternoon on a drive into the Highwoods, we saw our first of the year pair of Mountain Bluebirds. Also saw 3 Bald Eagles, but not much of anything else. Dave Williams, Great Falls Subject: Re: kestrel From: Katie LaSalle-Lowery <katie AT bigskycountry.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:47:07 -0700 Me too! Same place (ar least same description) yesterday Katie LaSalle-Lowery katie AT bigskycountry.net http://www.bigskycountry.net Blog: http://blog.bigskycountry.net (sent from my iTouch) On Mar 12, 2010, at 7:45 PM, Roger Hogen wrote: > MOBsters, > We saw a first of year Kestrel sitting on a telephone wire along > Mullan Road this evening. > Roger and Kathy Hogen > Missoula MT > > Subject: kestrel From: Roger Hogen <hogenmt AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:45:45 -0800 (PST) MOBsters, We saw a first of year Kestrel sitting on a telephone wire along Mullan Road this evening. Roger and Kathy Hogen Missoula MT� Subject: MOB new member seeks birds From: Joe Faulkner <joeinthewoods2 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:08:27 -0800 (PST) Patrick and other fellow birders, I am one of the new members of MOB, although my eyes will be of little use for a while , as I'm presently in Somerset, Ohio. I plan to visit Montana in June, along with three other birders, one from Ohio and two from California. Just like it is in Ohio, a group like this is the best way to find where the birds are. We plan to start out in Great Falls on June 9, drive to Malta and do Bowdoin (Sprague's pipit), then back across Rt. 2 to Glacier (Vaux's swift, Saw whet Owl, Cassin's Vireo) then down to Choteau and the Front Range. These will be life birds for some of us, but we promise to look at any other birds we might see. This should be a great birding trip, not to mention the overall beauty of Montana. When we do travel in Montana we will post what we see. Meanwhile, I'll be reading your posts with great expectations. I also have every known book on Montana birding and travel, and have accessed nearly every website that might shed more light on the area. If you could direct me to anything that might be helpful, I would greatly appreciate it. In the mean time, if anyone is planning a trip to Ohio, perhaps for eastern warblers at Lake Erie, just let me know. I have guided many western birders to life birds in this area of the world. Look forward to crossing paths with some of you this summer Joe in the woods, Somerset Ohio Subject: Re: Re: Bird Nicknames From: Alan Nelson <agnhum AT bresnan.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:55:42 -0700 Mary, You are right, the American Wigeon is indeed a Baldpate rather than a Bladpate. Alan Sorry for the typo!!! On Mar 12, 2010, at 12:51 PM, Mary Fay wrote: > > Hi Alan: > > I think it's a typo...I think the American Widgeon is called a > Baldpate rather than Bladpate. Hope you are doing well. > > Mary Fay > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Alan Nelson > To: Bird Listing > Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 12:45 PM > Subject: Fwd: [MOB-Montana] Re: Bird Nicknames > > > > > I may have missed another reporter but old time hunter called the > American Wigeon Bladpate. Alan Nelson > Begin forwarded message: > >> From: "jparkerll38" >> Date: March 10, 2010 5:36:08 PM MST (CA) >> To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com >> Subject: [MOB-Montana] Re: Bird Nicknames >> Reply-To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com >> >> A must-have book for anyone interested in bird names is The >> Dictionary of American Bird Names, revised edition, by Ernest A. >> Choate. If your local bookstore is unable to order this book, it is >> available through Amazon. >> >> Today at our feeder, we had two Devil Downheads, three Wake Ups >> (flickers), and fourteen Alaskan Pine Grosbeaks (common name used >> in early nineteenth century). Good Tidings (a group of magpies) >> from our seven magpies who are busy raiding our suet feeders at the >> mouth of Hyalite Canyon of Bozeman. >> >> John Parker >> >> > > > > Subject: typo From: Alan Nelson <agnhum AT bresnan.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:57:57 -0700 Sorry for the typo, It's BALDPATE not bladpate. Alan Nelson Subject: Re: Re: Bird Nicknames From: "Mary Fay" <mary.fay AT bresnan.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:51:16 -0700 Hi Alan: I think it's a typo...I think the American Widgeon is called a Baldpate rather than Bladpate. Hope you are doing well. Mary Fay ----- Original Message ----- From: Alan Nelson To: Bird Listing Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 12:45 PM Subject: Fwd: [MOB-Montana] Re: Bird Nicknames I may have missed another reporter but old time hunter called the American Wigeon Bladpate. Alan Nelson Begin forwarded message: From: "jparkerll38" Date: March 10, 2010 5:36:08 PM MST (CA) To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [MOB-Montana] Re: Bird Nicknames Reply-To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com A must-have book for anyone interested in bird names is The Dictionary of American Bird Names, revised edition, by Ernest A. Choate. If your local bookstore is unable to order this book, it is available through Amazon. Today at our feeder, we had two Devil Downheads, three Wake Ups (flickers), and fourteen Alaskan Pine Grosbeaks (common name used in early nineteenth century). Good Tidings (a group of magpies) from our seven magpies who are busy raiding our suet feeders at the mouth of Hyalite Canyon of Bozeman. John Parker Subject: Fwd: Re: Bird Nicknames From: Alan Nelson <agnhum AT bresnan.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:45:35 -0700 I may have missed another reporter but old time hunter called the American Wigeon Bladpate. Alan Nelson Begin forwarded message: > From: "jparkerll38" > Date: March 10, 2010 5:36:08 PM MST (CA) > To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: [MOB-Montana] Re: Bird Nicknames > Reply-To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com > > A must-have book for anyone interested in bird names is The > Dictionary of American Bird Names, revised edition, by Ernest A. > Choate. If your local bookstore is unable to order this book, it is > available through Amazon. > > Today at our feeder, we had two Devil Downheads, three Wake Ups > (flickers), and fourteen Alaskan Pine Grosbeaks (common name used in > early nineteenth century). Good Tidings (a group of magpies) from > our seven magpies who are busy raiding our suet feeders at the mouth > of Hyalite Canyon of Bozeman. > > John Parker > > > Subject: Church Slough update From: "Daniel" <danielcasey55 AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:57:45 -0000 MOB-sters: Church Slough (southeast of Kalispell off Lower Valley road)is always one of the best local places to observe the spring waterfowl migration. Today is a great example of that; this morning I counted 3117 birds of 18 waterfowl species, including my FOY Ross's Goose, Snow Goose, unbanded Trumpeter Swans, and a drake Northern Shoveler. Totals: Canada Goose: 604 Snow Goose : 1(imm) Ross's Goose: 1 (ad) Tundra Swan: 182 Trumpeter Swan: 10 Northern Pintail: 1,565 Mallard: 210 American Wigeon: 255 Eurasian Wigeon: 4 (drakes) Northern Shoveler: 1 Redhead: 29 Ring-necked Duck: 1 Greater Scaup: 216 Lesser Scaup: 2 Common Goldeneye: 9 Bufflehead: 1 Common Merganser: 20 Hooded Merganser: 6 I will post a few pictures today, including teh Ross's Goose and some swan species comparison shots. I highly recommend a visit to this wonderful show before the ice goes all the way out, at which time the birding is replaced by fishing, and the birds move on. The ice is going fast now. If you go, be sure to visit both of the public viewpoints. One is on the south side, on the curve in Lower Valley Road; the other is off of the new Wagner Lane, reached by turning north on that road about a quarter-mile west of the slough and turning into the dirt lane that marks the County Park access. Dan Casey Somers Subject: Friday Morning at Freezout Lake From: Michael Schwitters <schwit AT 3rivers.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:41:48 -0700 All, Freezout remains persistently frozen with just a few obscure spots of open water around the edges. I did find some good numbers of white birds arrive yesterday. There were 15 to 20 thousand white geese feeding about a mile and a half east of the Area on the Fairfield Bench. Almost 700 Tundra Swans were at the south end of Pond 4 (Point H in the birding guide) and perhaps the first thousand Northern Pintails were in (also Point H-tho hardly seen back in some coves). All in all the lake/ponds are quite desolate and it takes some looking to find the birds. The Snow Geese are loafing/roosting on Pond 5 during the day. Good birding, Mike Schwitters Choteau MT Subject: B. Waxwings-Ashley Lake From: BStitespdx AT aol.com Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:19:18 -0500 Hello All! For the last several days we have had a huge flock of Bohemian Waxwings at our place on the north shore of Ashley Lake-Flathead County. I certainly hope they stay for a while! There were probably in excess of 150 bird! Good Birding, Bob Stites-Kalispell & Portland, Oregon Subject: vernacular names From: "Hendricks, Paul" <phendricks AT mt.gov> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:10:34 -0700 MOBsters: Water Pipit was a standard AOU common name prior to the Water Pipit being split into American Pipit and Water Pipit (European) about 1988; Water Pipit is not a vernacular name. However, Titlark is a vernacular name for what is now the American Pipit. Paul Hendricks Subject: Re: Nicknames From: radd AT raddphotography.com Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:53:55 +0000 One alternate name that I would hear growing in northwestern Montana was Mountain Robin, referring to Varied Thrush. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -----Original Message----- From: "garyswant" Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:16:29 To: Subject: [MOB-Montana] Nicknames Taking Pat's general guidance I only added two names to the list that were unique. No one had added Butcher Bird for Northern Shrike or Water Pipit for American Pipit. Gary Swant Subject: Nicknames From: "garyswant" <Birdmontana AT rfwave.net> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:16:29 -0000 Taking Pat's general guidance I only added two names to the list that were unique. No one had added Butcher Bird for Northern Shrike or Water Pipit for American Pipit. Gary Swant Subject: Warm Springs WMA Counts From: "garyswant" <Birdmontana AT rfwave.net> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:09:17 -0000 Birders, Today was clear and cold (11F) but more water is opening up all the time at WS WMA Today I found the following; Snow Goose - 236 (first of the year) Ross's Goose - 2 (one was seen yesterday) Canada Goose - 338 Trumpeter Swan - 1 Tundra Swan - 288 American Wigeon - 81 Mallard - 84 Northern Pintail - 185 Northern Shoveler - 2 (first of the year) Canvasback - 12 Redhead - 9 Ring-necked Duck - 2 Common Goldeneye - 1,423 Barrow's Goldeneye - 28 I also found one male Mountain bluebird (first of the year). Gary Swant Deer Lodge Subject: More "other names," nick names From: "harrisonbirds" <beckfarm AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:20:19 -0000 A book I love to skim is from 1917, "Birds of America," edited by T. Gilbert Pearson, with color plates by the famous Louis Agassiz Fuertes. (And lots of mediocre photos of the time.) It's almost a curiosity shop of early America's view of birds. The editors for nearly every bird can't resist pointing out its insect-eating value, or its fruit-destroying record, or its food value (for the Mallard: "They've furnished mankind with countless tons of food from time immemorial," etc.). As to bird "nomenclature" what's fun to see in the book is the "Other Names" section before each species, some mind-boggling ancient collections. For the Flicker, they have "Clape, Pigeon woodp., High-hole, High-holder, Yarrup, Wake-up, Wood Pigeon, Heigh-ho, Wick-up, Hairy Wicket, Yawker Bird, Walk-up" and the usual "Golden-winged," etc. In reading Sibley's new tree book I realize how important Latin names are to avoid confusion among differt books/common names and to learn a few regulars. It appears in ornithology we have much more consistency than in present-day botany? Spring's come to SW Montana judging from the caroling robins and effervescent song sparrows...can more birds be far behind, like CRANES? Mike Becker, Harrison Subject: RE: Re: Bird Nicknames From: "Katie LaSalle-Lowery" <katie AT bigskycountry.net> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:20:32 -0700 Loud vibration? When our “Wake Up” hammers on our chimney crown (which he has not done as yet this spring), it sounds like a machine gun in the house! “Wake Up” – I like it! Katie LaSalle-Lowery katie AT bigskycountry.net http://www.bigskycountry.net blog: http://blog.bigskycountry.net From: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jacqueline Wilson Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 9:49 AM To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [MOB-Montana] Re: Bird Nicknames Yesterday, I awakened to the sound of a very loud vibration. It was a "Wake Up", living up to its name, hammering on my chimney! Thanks for the book info. Jackie, Bozeman --- On Wed, 3/10/10, jparkerll38 wrote: From: jparkerll38 Subject: [MOB-Montana] Re: Bird Nicknames To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 5:36 PM A must-have book for anyone interested in bird names is The Dictionary of American Bird Names, revised edition, by Ernest A. Choate. If your local bookstore is unable to order this book, it is available through Amazon. Today at our feeder, we had two Devil Downheads, three Wake Ups (flickers), and fourteen Alaskan Pine Grosbeaks (common name used in early nineteenth century). Good Tidings (a group of magpies) from our seven magpies who are busy raiding our suet feeders at the mouth of Hyalite Canyon of Bozeman. John Parker Subject: 9 bluebirds of both species at Blue Mountain, Missoula From: "garrettmacbirdman" <birdman2005 AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:04:03 -0000 Hi MOB, Saw my FOY Western (8) and Mountain (1-male) Bluebirds just now at the Blue Mountain dog trails in Missoula. Haven't seen any meadowlarks or spotted towhees, but they'll arrive soon. Good spring birding, Garrett MacDonald Missoula, MT birdman2005 AT hotmail.com Subject: Re: MOB Membership on the rise From: Jacqueline Wilson <jswilsonmd AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:04:26 -0800 (PST) Mobsters, I have learned SO much from being on this list. I'd like to encourage those who are shy about reporting what they're seeing or know about birds to please post.  It's so great to get an overall picture of what birds are being seen in different parts of the state.  And we are so lucky to have such expert birders on the list that we can learn from and consult with.  The photos posted in the albums are a great reference and I'm grateful for the book suggestions.  Thanks everyone, Jackie, Bozeman --- On Thu, 3/11/10, Patrick A. Toomey Jr. wrote: From: Patrick A. Toomey Jr. Subject: [MOB-Montana] MOB Membership on the rise To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, March 11, 2010, 8:21 AM   MOBsters, During the winter of 2010 we seem to have a dramatic rise in the number of memberships to our birding group! Whereas we languished at about 295 members for almost a year, in the past 3 months our membership has risen to about 320 members. For those of you who have been 'taking up' the MOB internet site, thanks. We will all benefit from that many more eyes out in the field. Patrick Subject: Re: Re: Bird Nicknames From: Jacqueline Wilson <jswilsonmd AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:49:10 -0800 (PST) Yesterday, I awakened to the sound of a very loud vibration.  It was a "Wake Up", living up to its name, hammering on my chimney! Thanks for the book info. Jackie, Bozeman --- On Wed, 3/10/10, jparkerll38 wrote: From: jparkerll38 Subject: [MOB-Montana] Re: Bird Nicknames To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 5:36 PM   A must-have book for anyone interested in bird names is The Dictionary of American Bird Names, revised edition, by Ernest A. Choate. If your local bookstore is unable to order this book, it is available through Amazon. Today at our feeder, we had two Devil Downheads, three Wake Ups (flickers), and fourteen Alaskan Pine Grosbeaks (common name used in early nineteenth century). Good Tidings (a group of magpies) from our seven magpies who are busy raiding our suet feeders at the mouth of Hyalite Canyon of Bozeman. John Parker Subject: MOB Membership on the rise From: "Patrick A. Toomey Jr." <ptoomeyjr AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:21:26 -0000 MOBsters, During the winter of 2010 we seem to have a dramatic rise in the number of memberships to our birding group! Whereas we languished at about 295 members for almost a year, in the past 3 months our membership has risen to about 320 members. For those of you who have been 'taking up' the MOB internet site, thanks. We will all benefit from that many more eyes out in the field. Patrick Subject: Heron rookery at Ninepipes From: "Bob & Mo Rost" <mobob AT cyberport.net> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:07:02 -0700 Mobiformes: On Wednesday, 3/10/10, the large rookery in the big cottonwood trees on the southwest shore of Ninepipes Reservoir contained 25 or more Great Blue Herons and one Double-crested Cormorant. Also on the water were lots of ducks and geese, many swans and the gull rookeries on the islands are becoming very noisy with Ringbills. Buteos seem to be on the decline. Good birding. Bob Rost - Ronan MT (406) 676-4545 Subject: Ruddy Duck From: "Nate Kohler" <nskohler AT bresnan.net> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:08:12 -0000 Moblers, I found a single female Ruddy Duck today at the Warm Springs Sewage Lagoon. The earliest I have seen a Ruddy Duck in Montana prior to today was April 2. What little open water there is at the Warm Springs Ponds is becoming crowded with waterfowl. Tundra Swans, Canada Geese and 12 species of ducks at the ARCO Ponds. There was also ONE Snow Goose at the Job Corps Ponds - beat that Mr. Schwitters. I've been unable to locate any bluebirds or cranes yet, but the Song Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds are singing up a storm, so it shouldn't be long now. There are still a few Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Shrikes and Tree Sparrows hanging about as well. Nate Kohler Deer Lodge Subject: Re: Ruddy Duck From: "Nate Kohler" <nskohler AT bresnan.net> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:41:10 -0000 Moblers, After closer examination of digiscoped photos taken earlier today I have determined that the lone white goose observed at the Job Corps Ponds near Warm Springs earlier today was not, as reported, a Snow Goose but in fact a Ross's Goose. My apologies. Photo posted in Nate's Album. Nate Kohler Dee Lodge --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Nate Kohler" wrote: > > Moblers, > > I found a single female Ruddy Duck at the Warm Springs Sewage Lagoon today. The earliest that I have seen a Ruddy Duck in Montana prior to today was April 2. > > What little open water there is a the Warm Springs Ponds is becoming crowded with waterfowl. Tundra Swans, Canada Geese and 12 species of ducks at the ARCO Ponds. There was also ONE Snow Goose at the Job Corps Ponds - beat that Mr. Schwitters. > > I have yet to find any bluebirds or cranes, but the Song Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds are singing up a storm, so it shouldn't be long now. There are still a few Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Shikes and Tree Sparrows hanging about as well. > > Nate Kohler > Deer Lodge > Subject: RE: Re: Bird Nicknames From: "Stevan Hawkins" <shawkins4 AT satx.rr.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:37:53 -0600 All: Wild Canary also is used for whatever species of goldfinch is common in the given area. That sort of usage for more than one species illustrates why the ornithologists came out with standardized English names, right? Later! Steve Stevan Hawkins San Antonio TX From: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jacqueline Wilson Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 5:36 PM To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [MOB-Montana] Re: Bird Nicknames wild canary=yellow warbler --- On Wed, 3/10/10, Byron Butler wrote: From: Byron Butler Subject: Re: [MOB-Montana] Re: Bird Nicknames To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 2:16 PM Pat and All, Regarding your reply to Gary, it seems to me that there are two categories of old bird names, 1) Old common names that were used by professional and amateur ornithologists, these would be recognized names: Coues Flycatcher (Greater Pewee) Plain Titmouse (now split into Oak Titmouse and Juniper Titmouse) Sparrow Hawk (American Kestrel (and other small accipiters worldwide) Pigeon Hawk (Merlin) Duck Hawk (Peregrine Falcon) English Sparrow (House Sparrow) See: http://www.birdwatc hing.com/ tips/recentnamec hanges.html 2) Old and current unofficial but common usage names (usually regional), that have never been used in ornithology. Most of these names come from rural non-birders. These names usually are the most fun. Some contain vulgarity and can not be posted to this list. Thunder pumper (American Bittern) Stake Driver (American Bittern) Timberdoodle (American Woodcock) Snowbird (Dark-eyed Junco) Summer Bird (Yellow Warbler and others) Yellow Bird (Yellow Warbler, American Goldfinch and others) This category is limitless, as indicated by several other names for the American Bittern already mentioned. See Jeff Marks's post for references. Byron K. Butler Sacajawea Audubon, Bozeman Subject: Recent Arrivals From: "JoshuaC" <birdbrainjwc AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:13:00 -0000 I got 10 yearbirds Saturday birding with Dan Casey As you have read, we saw some good birds, but the numbers haven't jumped quite yet. I did check the Gullery Saturday, but the flock of 200 was dominated by California Gulls, and maybe 20 Herring Gulls. I got some shots of birds, but they are not MOB-worthy, just Blog worthy. I haven't gotten any MOB-worthy shots lately. :( Today, I got great looks at a female VARIED THRUSH on my way to school! What a beautiful bird! I do hope to see more in the following weeks. See the whole story and photos on my blog! http://covillbirder.blogspot.com/ Josh Subject: White Goose From: "Nate Kohler" <nskohler AT bresnan.net> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:11:02 -0000 Moblers, After further examination of digiscoped photos, I have determined that the lone Snow Goose found at the Job Corps Ponds earlier today was not as I reported. It was in fact a Ross's Goose. My apologies. Photo posted in Nate's Album. Nate Kohler Deer Lodge Subject: Re: Bird Nicknames From: "jparkerll38" <jparkerll38 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:36:08 -0000 A must-have book for anyone interested in bird names is The Dictionary of American Bird Names, revised edition, by Ernest A. Choate. If your local bookstore is unable to order this book, it is available through Amazon. Today at our feeder, we had two Devil Downheads, three Wake Ups (flickers), and fourteen Alaskan Pine Grosbeaks (common name used in early nineteenth century). Good Tidings (a group of magpies) from our seven magpies who are busy raiding our suet feeders at the mouth of Hyalite Canyon of Bozeman. John Parker Subject: Ruddy Duck From: "Nate Kohler" <nskohler AT bresnan.net> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:52:37 -0000 Moblers, I found a single female Ruddy Duck at the Warm Springs Sewage Lagoon today. The earliest that I have seen a Ruddy Duck in Montana prior to today was April 2. What little open water there is a the Warm Springs Ponds is becoming crowded with waterfowl. Tundra Swans, Canada Geese and 12 species of ducks at the ARCO Ponds. There was also ONE Snow Goose at the Job Corps Ponds - beat that Mr. Schwitters. I have yet to find any bluebirds or cranes, but the Song Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds are singing up a storm, so it shouldn't be long now. There are still a few Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Shikes and Tree Sparrows hanging about as well. Nate Kohler Deer Lodge Subject: Re: Re: Bird Nicknames From: Jacqueline Wilson <jswilsonmd AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:36:20 -0800 (PST) wild canary=yellow warbler --- On Wed, 3/10/10, Byron Butler wrote: From: Byron Butler Subject: Re: [MOB-Montana] Re: Bird Nicknames To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Date: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 2:16 PM   Pat and All,   Regarding your reply to Gary, it seems to me that there are two categories of old bird names,   1)  Old common names that were used by professional and amateur ornithologists, these would be recognized names:   Coues Flycatcher   (Greater Pewee) Plain Titmouse       (now split into Oak Titmouse and Juniper Titmouse) Sparrow Hawk        (American Kestrel (and other small accipiters worldwide) Pigeon Hawk          (Merlin) Duck Hawk            (Peregrine Falcon)   English Sparrow     (House Sparrow)   See: http://www.birdwatc hing.com/ tips/recentnamec hanges.html   2) Old and current unofficial but common usage names (usually regional), that have never been used in ornithology. Most of these names come from rural non-birders. These names usually are the most fun. Some contain vulgarity and can not be posted to this list.   Thunder pumper   (American Bittern) Stake Driver         (American Bittern) Timberdoodle       (American Woodcock) Snowbird             (Dark-eyed Junco) Summer Bird       (Yellow Warbler and others) Yellow Bird          (Yellow Warbler, American Goldfinch and others)   This category is limitless, as indicated by several other names for the American Bittern already mentioned. See Jeff Marks's post for references.   Byron K. Butler Sacajawea Audubon, Bozeman   Subject: Re: Re: Bird Nicknames From: Byron Butler <byronkbutlermt AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:16:29 -0700 Pat and All, Regarding your reply to Gary, it seems to me that there are two categories of old bird names, 1) Old common names that were used by professional and amateur ornithologists, these would be recognized names: Coues Flycatcher (Greater Pewee) Plain Titmouse (now split into Oak Titmouse and Juniper Titmouse) Sparrow Hawk (American Kestrel (and other small accipiters worldwide) Pigeon Hawk (Merlin) Duck Hawk (Peregrine Falcon) English Sparrow (House Sparrow) See: http://www.birdwatching.com/tips/recentnamechanges.html 2) Old and current unofficial but common usage names (usually regional), that have never been used in ornithology. Most of these names come from rural non-birders. These names usually are the most fun. Some contain vulgarity and can not be posted to this list. Thunder pumper (American Bittern) Stake Driver (American Bittern) Timberdoodle (American Woodcock) Snowbird (Dark-eyed Junco) Summer Bird (Yellow Warbler and others) Yellow Bird (Yellow Warbler, American Goldfinch and others) This category is limitless, as indicated by several other names for the American Bittern already mentioned. See Jeff Marks's post for references. Byron K. Butler Sacajawea Audubon, Bozeman Subject: Wed Morning at Freezout From: Michael Schwitters <schwit AT 3rivers.net> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:10:37 -0700 MOBsters, A return to early spring weather along the Rocky Mountain Front, tho sun this morning that has melted the light snow cover. The lake is still ice, though early migrants are arriving. There was a push of Canada Geese yesterday and today with more than 500 migrants. Tundra Swans numbered 149 (but not very visible). White geese were estimated at nearly 10,000 with good numbers joining the flock on Monday and Tuesday afternoons. They provided a good show when they returned to the lake from feeding at 1020-1035 this morning, landing on Pond 5. I have now seen at least three Ross's Geese. Still much to come. Mike Schwitters Choteau MT Subject: Ft. Peck sightings From: "Chuck Carlson" <chuckcmt AT nemont.net> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:07:29 -0700 Mobsters A Sharp-shinned Hawk appeared in the backyard yesterday (Tuesday). A first sighting for the year 2010. For some reason House Sparrows are getting more numerous by the day in the yard. Not too welcome, but perhaps will divert the attention of the hawk from the regulars. Chuck Carlson chuckcmt AT nemont.net Ft. Peck MT Subject: Helena Valley Migrants From: "Bob Martinka" <birder_bob AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:44:13 -0000 This morning, the west end of Lake Helena had about 100+ tundra swans - waiting for Schwitt to melt some ice at Freezout before they head north. The Valley Landfill had maybe 250 or so gulls - mostly of the CA variety with a few ringbills and herrings. Did not see any "good" ones but viewing was a little difficult because of the present configuration of the landfill operations. Bob Martinka Subject: More Birb Nicknames From: "Bob Martinka" <birder_bob AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:40:13 -0000 From a 1933 book "Traveling with Birds" by Rudyerd Boulton, I extracted the following nicknames: Mother Carey's Chicken - Wilson's Petrel Petrella - Spanish generic for Petrels Whistler - Goldeneye Sea Snipe - Red Phalarope Ricebird/Reedbird - Bobolink Sea Swallow - Arctic Tern Devil Downhead - White-headed Nuthatch Candelita - Spanish Generic for Warblers This book has some beautiful color illustrations by Walter Alois Weber. I found the book at a used book store about a year ago and bought it because of the great artwork! Bob Martinka Subject: Re: Bird Nicknames From: "Douglas Hansen" <dhansen01 AT bresnan.net> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:34:36 -0700 "Lord God Bird" (Ivory Billed Woodpecker) is one which I recall being used. -- Don't recall anyone mentioning that one in the recent discussions -- But then, I have not been going through this with a magnifying glass either. ----- Original Message ----- From: Gary Swant To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 6:03 PM Subject: Re: [MOB-Montana] Bird Nicknames Patrick, Pat, I have a 1940 Audubon Bird book that I went through and found 36 names that have changed from then until today. I have no idea if they are nicknames or just old names that are no longer used. Do you want me to post them. An example is Greater Scaup was called Big Bluebill in that field guide. Gary Swant ----- Original Message ----- From: Patrick A. Toomey Jr. To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 9:13 AM Subject: [MOB-Montana] Bird Nicknames MobSters, This past week I was reading Main Street, a novel that I seem to have skipped when I was young, and encountered a word that I had never heard, 'Yellow Jammer.' Dutifully I looked it up in the dictionary and discovered that it was an old nickname for a Yellow-shafted Flicker! It was used by folks in Minnesota in the late 1800's. Anyway, it got me to thinking how many other bird nicknames or old fashioned common names might be lurking in the minds of the MOB members. So, for those who are interested I have created a new database in which anyone can add bird common names, and up to 3 additional nicknames. I for one would be interested to hear some of these from y'all who have either been birding longer than I or are just plain older. Might be fun. Have at it. Not sure how this shuld be organized but we can flounder through that. I kinda thought it would logical to have the first column be either the current common name or the common name as it once was, but there are situations where I am not sure. For instance Yellow-shafted flicker is a lump now. Should I have entered Red-shafted Flicker AND Yellow-shafted Flicker AND Yellow Jammer? I didn't, but if we need to change we can easily do that. Patrick Subject: Meadowlark South of Ulm This Morning From: "davewillmt" <dwasgeorge AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:00:52 -0000 First of the year in this area for me. Eagle gathering down by Cascade seems to have dissipated and never really got going anyway. Subject: Re: Bird Nicknames From: "Patrick A. Toomey Jr." <ptoomeyjr AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:05:01 -0000 Gary, I am not sure how to handle that, but here is a suggestion. What with all of the lumps and splits, I think what we are trying to find out are all of the old colloquial nicknames of the birds, and not the more numerous subtle changes of the various AOU Common and Scientific names. For instance, I do not think we want to include the change from Rufous-sided Towhee to Eastern Towhee. BUT, for instance Big Bluebill seems almost like something we might want to include. So, this site is a social democracy of sorts, so just use your best judgment and lets have some fun with this. Another one that we likely should include would be the Louisiana Heron. I guess the tie breaker for deciding would be if the name is different enough the it would surprise or enlighten someone who might not know what that bird is or was. But, that is only my interpretation. Patrick --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Gary Swant" wrote: > > Patrick, > > Pat, > > I have a 1940 Audubon Bird book that I went through and found 36 names that have changed from then until today. I have no idea if they are nicknames or just old names that are no longer used. Do you want me to post them. An example is Greater Scaup was called Big Bluebill in that field guide. > > Gary Swant > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Patrick A. Toomey Jr. > To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com > Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 9:13 AM > Subject: [MOB-Montana] Bird Nicknames > > > > MobSters, > This past week I was reading Main Street, a novel that I seem to have skipped when I was young, and encountered a word that I had never heard, 'Yellow Jammer.' Dutifully I looked it up in the dictionary and discovered that it was an old nickname for a Yellow-shafted Flicker! It was used by folks in Minnesota in the late 1800's. Anyway, it got me to thinking how many other bird nicknames or old fashioned common names might be lurking in the minds of the MOB members. So, for those who are interested I have created a new database in which anyone can add bird common names, and up to 3 additional nicknames. I for one would be interested to hear some of these from y'all who have either been birding longer than I or are just plain older. Might be fun. Have at it. Not sure how this shuld be organized but we can flounder through that. I kinda thought it would logical to have the first column be either the current common name or the common name as it once was, but there are situations where I am not sure. For instance Yellow-shafted flicker is a lump now. Should I have entered Red-shafted Flicker AND Yellow-shafted Flicker AND Yellow Jammer? I didn't, but if we need to change we can easily do that. > > Patrick > Subject: Re: Bird Nicknames From: "Gary Swant" <Birdmontana AT rfwave.net> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 18:03:00 -0700 Patrick, Pat, I have a 1940 Audubon Bird book that I went through and found 36 names that have changed from then until today. I have no idea if they are nicknames or just old names that are no longer used. Do you want me to post them. An example is Greater Scaup was called Big Bluebill in that field guide. Gary Swant ----- Original Message ----- From: Patrick A. Toomey Jr. To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 9:13 AM Subject: [MOB-Montana] Bird Nicknames MobSters, This past week I was reading Main Street, a novel that I seem to have skipped when I was young, and encountered a word that I had never heard, 'Yellow Jammer.' Dutifully I looked it up in the dictionary and discovered that it was an old nickname for a Yellow-shafted Flicker! It was used by folks in Minnesota in the late 1800's. Anyway, it got me to thinking how many other bird nicknames or old fashioned common names might be lurking in the minds of the MOB members. So, for those who are interested I have created a new database in which anyone can add bird common names, and up to 3 additional nicknames. I for one would be interested to hear some of these from y'all who have either been birding longer than I or are just plain older. Might be fun. Have at it. Not sure how this shuld be organized but we can flounder through that. I kinda thought it would logical to have the first column be either the current common name or the common name as it once was, but there are situations where I am not sure. For instance Yellow-shafted flicker is a lump now. Should I have entered Red-shafted Flicker AND Yellow-shafted Flicker AND Yellow Jammer? I didn't, but if we need to change we can easily do that. Patrick Subject: meadowlark and swallows From: Roger Hogen <hogenmt AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 16:46:55 -0800 (PST) MOBsters, I heard a meadowlark singing in�our�neighbor's pasture�yesterday; and today,�two swallows (most likely Tree Swallows) flew over the�Clark Fork River�just downstream from where I was working.� They were there all afternoon.� A flock of 5 Robins,�and later,�about a dozen Pintails flew overhead. The weather was definitely on the brisk�and blustery side.� Roger Hogen The Big Flat Missoula MT�� Subject: Mountain Bluebirds From: "Carlene Farmer" <birddog AT mt.net> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 15:55:42 -0700 saw our first mountain bluebird yesterday--seems a bit early. but i went around and made sure all of the boxes were clean and welcoming. it was warm and our little ephemeral creek was running. today it is cold and snowing and no sign of the bluebird. Carlene Farmer Clancy, MT www.turtlebeartradingco.com