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19 Nov Gull id [Arla Eckert ] 19 Nov Gull ["Chuck Carlson" ] 19 Nov Re: Thayer's Gull or ? ["Chuck Carlson" ] 19 Nov Snowy Owls ["hdroadcurlew" ] 19 Nov Re: Thayer's Gull or ? ["Jeff Marks" ] 19 Nov Thayer's Gull or ? ["Chuck Carlson" ] 19 Nov Flathead Gulls ["Daniel" ] 18 Nov Surf Scote ["Larry Carter" ] 18 Nov Westby birds ["fabian_vas" ] 17 Nov Gull [Arla Eckert ] 16 Nov scoters ["Chuck Carlson" ] 17 Nov Re: More on scoters ["NateK" ] 16 Nov Re: Re: Helena Trip - Part 2 ["Sharon Dewart-Hansen" ] 16 Nov More on scoters ["Daniel" ] 16 Nov Re: Helena Trip - Part 2 ["NateK" ] 15 Nov Helena Trip - Part 2 ["Sharon Dewart-Hansen" ] 15 Nov No gull [Arla Eckert ] 14 Nov Lesser Black-Backed Gull [Arla Eckert ] 15 Nov WW Scoter continues - Gulls ["JoshuaC" ] 15 Nov Warm Spring Birds ["garyswant" ] 14 Nov Benton Lake ["Sharon Dewart-Hansen" ] 14 Nov Gyrfalcon near Bozeman [] 13 Nov Ft. Peck geese ["Chuck Carlson" ] 14 Nov Silver Lake Scoters ["NateK" ] 13 Nov Lesser Black-Backed Gull [Arla Eckert ] 12 Nov Lesser Black-Backed Gull [Arla Eckert ] 11 Nov Lesser Black-Backed Gull [Arla Eckert ] 10 Nov Trumpeter Swan [Roger Hogen ] 10 Nov Lesser Black-Back Gull update [Arla Eckert ] 10 Nov Bewick's Swan Freezout Lake [Michael Schwitters ] 09 Nov Gull still here [Arla Eckert ] 09 Nov Gull [Arla Eckert ] 9 Nov LBBG - Update [Beth Hill ] 08 Nov Double-crested Cormorant [Arla Eckert ] 08 Nov Lesser Back-Back Gull [Arla Eckert ] 08 Nov A Harris's in Harrison, etc. ["harrisonbirds" ] 08 Nov Lesser Back -backed Gull [Arla Eckert ] 07 Nov Lesser Black-backed Gull Photos [Michael Schwitters ] 07 Nov Re: Lesser Black-backed Gull [Arla Eckert ] 07 Nov Re: Lesser Black-backed Gull [Michael Schwitters ] 07 Nov Western Grebe in Missoula [Craig Messerman ] 07 Nov White-winged Scoter in Kalispell ["JoshuaC" ] 7 Nov Lesser Black-backed Gull ["Sharon Dewart-Hansen" ] 07 Nov Re: Dark (backed) Gull ["Daniel" ] 6 Nov Ft. Peck birds ["Chuck Carlson" ] 6 Nov Re: Dark Gull ["Chuck Carlson" ] 06 Nov Gull map [Arla Eckert ] 06 Nov Posted [Arla Eckert ] 6 Nov Great Falls Gull [Beth Hill ] 06 Nov Gull with black back [Arla Eckert ] 6 Nov Possible Lesser Black Backed Gull [Beth Hill ] 6 Nov Re: Long-tailed Duck continues [Beth Hill ] 6 Nov Re: Dark Gull [Beth Hill ] 6 Nov Winter finch forecast [Byron Butler ] 5 Nov Foreign Visitors or Escapees? ["Jeff Marks" ] 5 Nov Foreign Visitors or Escapees? ["Sharon Dewart-Hansen" ] 06 Nov Long-tailed Duck continues ["barthoag" ] 5 Nov Re: Dark Gull ["Jeff Marks" ] 5 Nov Dark Gull [Beth Hill ] 05 Nov Egyptian Geese ["bug4eater" ] 5 Nov Surf Scoters and more ["Linda Winnie" ] 5 Nov Greater Sage-Grouse ["John Carlson" ] 5 Nov Poll results for MOB-Montana [] 05 Nov Re: Local CBCs ["patrick_toomey_jr" ] 4 Nov Owls in Bozeman [Christopher Nixon ] 04 Nov Helena Valley Update ["RobertM" ] 04 Nov Local CBCs ["garyswant" ] 04 Nov Greater Snow Geese in Montana [Michael Schwitters ] 04 Nov Owl at shopping center in Bozeman ["jswilsonmd" ] 3 Nov Re: Not a Montana Bird...but ["Carlene Farmer" ] 03 Nov Not a Montana Bird...but [Michael Schwitters ] 02 Nov A few Flathead birds ["Daniel" ] 01 Nov Nov. 1, 09 Great Falls update [Arla Eckert ] 01 Nov Medicine Lake ["BethM" ] 1 Nov New poll for MOB-Montana [] 1 Nov Yellowstone NP [Byron Butler ] Subject: Gull id From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:55:58 -0700 It sounds to me like even the gulls themselves can not figure out what species they are for sure and end up mating with the wrong one giving us yet more gull id head aches. Arla Eckert Great Falls Subject: Gull From: "Chuck Carlson" <chuckcmt AT nemont.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:44:58 -0700 Jeff, Mobsters I just posted another photo. I found a California in the mix. Distance makes the size difference deceptive but the back color difference is obvious. Chuck Subject: Re: Thayer's Gull or ? From: "Chuck Carlson" <chuckcmt AT nemont.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:31:02 -0700 Thanks Jeff As to eye color, through the scope it was not as light as seen on the Ring-billeds and appeared mostly dark. However in the photos it appears somewhere between yellow and dark, but definitely darker than the yellow eye of a Herring or Ring-billed. Back color was a shade darker than the Ring-billed but lighter than a California. Size-wise it was larger than a California, but seemd sa bit smaller than a Herring. These are some of the things that gave me a bit of a pause. Hopefully I will be able to get some better shots. Chuck Carlson chuckcmt AT nemont.net Ft. Peck MT ----- Original Message ----- From: Jeff Marks To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 11:04 AM Subject: Re: [MOB-Montana] Thayer's Gull or ? Chuck, As you surmised, it is not a Thayer's. It's too big, head shape and bill are wrong, and wing tips are too light. I suspect it's a hybrid Glaucous-winged and either Western or Herring, likely not a first-generation hybrid but a backcross. Back looks too light for F1 Glaucous-winged X Western, and wing tips are too light for F1 Herring X Glaucous-winged, which is why I think backcross. Eye color would help of course, and perhaps the sunlight is making the mantle look lighter than it is. Jeff ***************** Jeff Marks 4241 SE Liebe Street Portland, OR 97206 503-774-4783 Birds of Montana Project http://mtaudubon.org/ ***************** Subject: Snowy Owls From: "hdroadcurlew" <curlew AT 3riversdbs.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:03:48 -0000 HI Gang, I'm actually in Washington DC having visited with Dan's Organization today. I must say how impressed I am with Am. Bird Conservancy. Any way TEd's note from Westby about the first Snowy Owl reminded me that 4 years ago we had a small flight of birds. One of which I had just NE of Valier. Since Snowy Owls are on a "4 year" lemming cycle I wanted to remind everyone -that this Should be a pretty good one for Snowies. All my Best, Tim Barksdale Choteau, MT Subject: Re: Thayer's Gull or ? From: "Jeff Marks" <jeff17_marks AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:04:49 -0800 Chuck, As you surmised, it is not a Thayer's. It's too big, head shape and bill are wrong, and wing tips are too light. I suspect it's a hybrid Glaucous-winged and either Western or Herring, likely not a first-generation hybrid but a backcross. Back looks too light for F1 Glaucous-winged X Western, and wing tips are too light for F1 Herring X Glaucous-winged, which is why I think backcross. Eye color would help of course, and perhaps the sunlight is making the mantle look lighter than it is. Jeff ***************** Jeff Marks 4241 SE Liebe Street Portland, OR 97206 503-774-4783 Birds of Montana Project http://mtaudubon.org/ ***************** Subject: Thayer's Gull or ? From: "Chuck Carlson" <chuckcmt AT nemont.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:08:43 -0700 Mobsters I've posted two long range photos of a gull I identified as an adult Thayer's Gull. However some of the characteristics seem a little off for this species. Does anyone have any thoughts on it? The flat-headed aspect seems to indicate Herring, but the primaries are a dark gray, not black. And the bill seems too large for a Thayer's. The wind was blowing at about 15 to 20 mph. Chuck Carlson chuckcmt AT nemont.net Ft. Peck MT Subject: Flathead Gulls From: "Daniel" <caseys4 AT centurytel.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:41:23 -0000 MOB-sters: A lunch-time check of the Flathead Gullery revealed a minimum of 4 recognizable Mew Gulls (not all seen together). Big numbers, and the Glaucous was still present, although before I could scan the entire group, a garbage tuck operator set off some bottle rockets, with the expected result of flushing most of the gulls to a more inaccessible spot. One imm Thayer's was the only other specialty I saw before that point. Dan Casey Somers Subject: Surf Scote From: "Larry Carter" <birder43 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:01:52 -0000 Hi all, saw one adult female Surf Scoter on pond 1 at Freezout this morning. Still have several Tundra Swans and White Geese around the lake. Saw one Marsh Wren also at pond 1 and many Common Goldeneye's. Good birding--Larry Carter Fairfield Subject: Westby birds From: "fabian_vas" <soraart AT nemont.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:06:52 -0000 Mob, Early this morning I had a Snowy Owl south of Westby, my first of the season. Ted Nordhagen Westby MT Subject: Gull From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:26:47 -0700 Hi, I checked again this after noon then again just before dark today with no luck. We seem to still have lots of Ring-billed Gulls but not our Lesser Black-Backed Gull. Arla Eckert Great Falls Subject: scoters From: "Chuck Carlson" <chuckcmt AT nemont.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:46:55 -0700 Nate, Dan, Mobsters Just a point of interest on scoters In Birds of Europe by Mullarney, Svensson, et al is an excellent descrption and illustration of the difference in diving styles of the three scoters. "Common Scoter (our .Black Scoter) dives with small leap and wings held tight against body. Velvet Scoter (our White-winged Scoter) flip dives without leap, wings partially open. Surf Scoter (same) dives with tiny leap, wings flicked open just before it disappears." Chuck Carlson chuckcmt AT nemont.net Ft. Peck MT Subject: Re: More on scoters From: "NateK" <nskohler AT bresnan.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:25:50 -0000 Hello All, To add to Dan's notes on spotting scoters at a distance, I've also noticed that the White-winged will typically lift their wings a little higher than Surf do just prior to the dive. I first noticed this slight difference while watching both species for several hours in close proximity this year at Silver Lake. I've also noticed that there's a bit of a difference in dive times between the two species. I'm sure that the water depth adds a variable, but Surf seem to average around 30 sec. per dive, while White-winged average a little longer at 35 sec. per dive. While watching these birds for several hours, you tend to notice certain rhythms, and I've found that while scoters are actively feeding that they tend to spend more time under water than above. This was also the case with the Long-tailed Duck that was in our area for a few weeks this year (which, by the way, averaged around 17 sec. per dive.) Nate Kohler Deer Lodge --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Daniel" wrote: > > Sharon: > > I agree with Nate that the bird you photographed is a Surf Scoter for the reasons he noted, with the apparent white stripe probably a light artifact. > > I checked on the Foy's lake White-winged Scoter today, and actually found an adult female together with an immature bird. For those of you looking to spot a scoter among distant diving ducks, watch for the distinctive way they open their wings as they dive. It really is a good way to narrow the search when plumage characters are hard to see. > > Dan Casey > Somers > Subject: Re: Re: Helena Trip - Part 2 From: "Sharon Dewart-Hansen" <smdhansen AT bresnan.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:02:37 -0700 Nat & Dan, I kinda of thought that was the case but you can't blame a girl for trying. We'll find one some day. However, having a full time job sorta limits the search to weekends. Which are limited by other parts of one's life. I wish we would of had the time to get down to Silver Lake. Sharon Dewart-Hansen ----- Original Message ----- From: NateK To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 11:51 AM Subject: [MOB-Montana] Re: Helena Trip - Part 2 Sharon, I took a look at your scoter photos, and from what I can tell it looks like a Surf. I'm not sure what that light patch on the wing is, but the location and angle are wrong for White-winged. Also, in looking at your second photo, the feather pattern at the base of the bill is more what you'd expect to see on a Surf - unfeathered and dark. Whereas a White-winged has a forward extension of feathering into the base of the bill which is generally pale or whitish. Sibley has a good illustration of these feather patterns in his guide. Hope this helps, Nate Kohler Deer Lodge P.S. As of yesterday, there were still 3 White-winged Scoters near the west end of Silver Lake; one adult male and two females, but it looks like the adult male Surf Scoter has departed. --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Sharon Dewart-Hansen" wrote: > > Thought about going to Silver Lake today but decided it was too far to go on a Sunday. Started at the Helena Reg Res. Found Common & Barrow's Goldeneye, Ring-necked Ducks, Common Mergansers, Buffleheads, Mallards, American Coots, Lesser Scaup, Tundra Swans, Ring-billed Gulls, a couple of bigger Gulls I'm not sure of yet. Lighting was too bright. Also, found one Scoter who, until I looked a my photos, I was not sure of its identity. Photos appear to show a white line along the wing. I posted the 2 shots in hopes someone can confirm or dash my hopes. > > We then took a drive up Grizzly Gulch but not much to see. Went to lunch and then went to check out the Forestvale Cemetery. Like, last Sunday, we did not come upon the Pinyon Jays. However, we did find a Townsend Solitaire, Mountain and Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches, Black-billed Magpies, Northern Flicker, and about a dozen deer. > > On the way back we saw 3 Bald Eagles, a Northern Shrike, and a Belted Kingfisher. > > Sharon Dewart-Hansen > Doug Hansen > Great Falls, MT > Subject: More on scoters From: "Daniel" <caseys4 AT centurytel.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:13:44 -0000 Sharon: I agree with Nate that the bird you photographed is a Surf Scoter for the reasons he noted, with the apparent white stripe probably a light artifact. I checked on the Foy's lake White-winged Scoter today, and actually found an adult female together with an immature bird. For those of you looking to spot a scoter among distant diving ducks, watch for the distinctive way they open their wings as they dive. It really is a good way to narrow the search when plumage characters are hard to see. Dan Casey Somers Subject: Re: Helena Trip - Part 2 From: "NateK" <nskohler AT bresnan.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:51:19 -0000 Sharon, I took a look at your scoter photos, and from what I can tell it looks like a Surf. I'm not sure what that light patch on the wing is, but the location and angle are wrong for White-winged. Also, in looking at your second photo, the feather pattern at the base of the bill is more what you'd expect to see on a Surf - unfeathered and dark. Whereas a White-winged has a forward extension of feathering into the base of the bill which is generally pale or whitish. Sibley has a good illustration of these feather patterns in his guide. Hope this helps, Nate Kohler Deer Lodge P.S. As of yesterday, there were still 3 White-winged Scoters near the west end of Silver Lake; one adult male and two females, but it looks like the adult male Surf Scoter has departed. --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Sharon Dewart-Hansen" wrote: > > Thought about going to Silver Lake today but decided it was too far to go on a Sunday. Started at the Helena Reg Res. Found Common & Barrow's Goldeneye, Ring-necked Ducks, Common Mergansers, Buffleheads, Mallards, American Coots, Lesser Scaup, Tundra Swans, Ring-billed Gulls, a couple of bigger Gulls I'm not sure of yet. Lighting was too bright. Also, found one Scoter who, until I looked a my photos, I was not sure of its identity. Photos appear to show a white line along the wing. I posted the 2 shots in hopes someone can confirm or dash my hopes. > > We then took a drive up Grizzly Gulch but not much to see. Went to lunch and then went to check out the Forestvale Cemetery. Like, last Sunday, we did not come upon the Pinyon Jays. However, we did find a Townsend Solitaire, Mountain and Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches, Black-billed Magpies, Northern Flicker, and about a dozen deer. > > On the way back we saw 3 Bald Eagles, a Northern Shrike, and a Belted Kingfisher. > > Sharon Dewart-Hansen > Doug Hansen > Great Falls, MT > Subject: Helena Trip - Part 2 From: "Sharon Dewart-Hansen" <smdhansen AT bresnan.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:14:24 -0700 Thought about going to Silver Lake today but decided it was too far to go on a Sunday. Started at the Helena Reg Res. Found Common & Barrow's Goldeneye, Ring-necked Ducks, Common Mergansers, Buffleheads, Mallards, American Coots, Lesser Scaup, Tundra Swans, Ring-billed Gulls, a couple of bigger Gulls I'm not sure of yet. Lighting was too bright. Also, found one Scoter who, until I looked a my photos, I was not sure of its identity. Photos appear to show a white line along the wing. I posted the 2 shots in hopes someone can confirm or dash my hopes. We then took a drive up Grizzly Gulch but not much to see. Went to lunch and then went to check out the Forestvale Cemetery. Like, last Sunday, we did not come upon the Pinyon Jays. However, we did find a Townsend Solitaire, Mountain and Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted and Red-breasted Nuthatches, Black-billed Magpies, Northern Flicker, and about a dozen deer. On the way back we saw 3 Bald Eagles, a Northern Shrike, and a Belted Kingfisher. Sharon Dewart-Hansen Doug Hansen Great Falls, MT Subject: No gull From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:11:48 -0700 Just did a 15 min. check late afternoon and did not find the LBBG. Way less geese today and a number of gulls seem to have gone. 2 swans and one Common Loon and one adult Bald Eagle. Arla Eckert Subject: Lesser Black-Backed Gull From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:34:13 -0700 Well the Farmers came up from Bozeman today to see it. We sat and sat and waited for it to show. It never came! It may have packed it bags and gone. The island down river was full of geese and as some moved out I saw a very interesting head. The head belonged to what I think is a Greater White-fronted goose. No ridge line, no big belly area and then we saw it fly away with the rest of the geese. To me that rules out a farm yard goose. (Beth in the big Sibley book there is a drawing of the wing top with white lines-so I think this is what you saw a while back) We also saw 2 Sharpies and 2 Northern Pintails. It looks to me like the gull was here from Nov. 5th-the 13th. Wonder where it will show up next? Arla Eckert Great Falls Subject: WW Scoter continues - Gulls From: "JoshuaC" <birdbrainjwc AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:01:25 -0000 Today, I made the rounds of Flathead Valley, after it snowed 3 to 4 inches at my house this morning. LANDFILL: First-year GLAUCOUS GULL continues, as well as the multipule THAYER'S GULLS, including 2 adults. NEW birds were 3 MEW GULLS!! Year birds for me. I will post pictures later. Most were through my scope with my phone's camera. WEST VALLEY: Didn't see any hawks, shrikes or buntings. Not much to report FOY LAKE: The juvenile (not female like I previously posted) WHITE-WINGED SCOTER is still at the north end of the lake. Also almost 50 to 60 COMMON and BARROW'S GOLDENEYES in the lake today. Great birds. FLATHEAD LAKE/SOMERS: One COMMON LOON, WESTERN GREBE, and RED-NECKED GREBE on Somers Bay. 30 or so CANADA GEESE and a few BUFFLEHEAD. At least 4 Bald Eagles put on a show as well. Not a bad day of birding. My head is increasingly being filled by images and thoughts about birding around Tacoma, WA. I can't keep my mind of the great birds I will see there this coming weekend. Check out my blog - http://www.covillbirder.blogspot.com/ Good Luck Birding Josh Subject: Warm Spring Birds From: "garyswant" <Birdmontana AT rfwave.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:03:11 -0000 Birders, Most of the ponds at Warm Springs have frozen over. ARCO Pond 3 is 30% open and Pond 2 is 15% open. I counted 382 Tundra Swans today, one was banded. Additional birds of interest were 8 Bald Eagles sitting on the ice, 476 American Wigeons, and 501 Barrow's Goldeneye. In all I counted 2,388 waterfowl. Gary Swant Deer Lodge Subject: Benton Lake From: "Sharon Dewart-Hansen" <smdhansen AT bresnan.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:34:15 -0700 Went to Benton Lake this morning. Mostly ice but opening up. Found about 200 Tundra Swans and close to 1,000 white geese. Flocks of Pheasants and Grey Partridges. One Great Horned Owl and a juvenile Peregrine Falcon. Sharon Dewart-Hansen Great Falls, MT Subject: Gyrfalcon near Bozeman From: radd AT raddphotography.com Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:22:31 +0000 I just observed a Gyrfalcon near the junction of Dry Creek Road and the old highway. It was actively hunting a group of Rock Pigeons. Outstanding, absolutely outstanding. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Subject: Ft. Peck geese From: "Chuck Carlson" <chuckcmt AT nemont.net> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:40:58 -0700 Mobsters I just posted two photos of some of the geese that are now loafing on the First Dredge Cut. The one titled Cackling Geese shows how these birds crowd into fairly dense flocks. They do this whether they're just sitting or if they're swimming. On the other hand the Canadas always seem to have a larger personal space around them, unless it is cold and windy. The Cackling Geese photo shows about 1/5th of the geese that were in the area at that time. Rough estimate - 1000 birds total. If you go to the album and click on large or original you get a better perspective of the numbers of Cacklers in the photo. There are a few Canadas in the shot but Cacklers make up the bulk of the birds. Chuck Carlson chuckcmt AT nemont.net Ft. Peck MT Subject: Silver Lake Scoters From: "NateK" <nskohler AT bresnan.net> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:57:05 -0000 Hello All, There were four scoters on Silver Lake today; one adult male Surf, one adult male White-winged and two female White-winged. These four birds have been in the area for at least three days now. It was neat to have two species of scoters in one scope veiw - adult males in breeding plumage, no less. Georgetown Lake was almost completely frozen over, and I'm sure Silver Lake is not far behind. These scoters may hang out for a day or two, but open water days are numbered in our neck of the woods. I have several photos of these scoters in Nate's Album. Nate Kohler Deer Lodge Subject: Lesser Black-Backed Gull From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:54:39 -0700 Started the check for it today at 2 and saw it come in at 2:35. Also had one Ross's goose and one American White Pelican. Things I have forgotten to post in the past few days. I had one Rough-legged Hawk yesterday and what was interesting is, it did not cause a panic in the gulls and the geese but when a Bald Eagle comes over a panic is caused. On Wed. we saw 2 Song Sparrows and one American Kestrel. For those coming in this weekend to see the gull dress warm and for wind. The wind just howls thru the shore area where we have been seeing the gull from and it gets very cold. Arla Eckert Great Falls Subject: Lesser Black-Backed Gull From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:14:23 -0700 1:30ish check no luck, then drove down the river on the West side, still no luck, today no wind so was able to really see the swimming gulls. Got back to West Bank Park, looked once fast then took a second look at the long nearby sand bar after looking at a Hooded Merganser. There was the gull! This time it was hiking along the outer edge of the bar and seemed to be picking up things and maybe eating them. It got in the water and free swam for a bit, then a bike came by and it took off landing out on the bigger up river bar. It then stood in the water and took a nap. Some where in here I was looking way out and up and saw a plane then a whole line of-what under the sun is that-looked with the binos and low and behold it was 14 parachutes. You never know what you will see birding. There also was a Common Loon. I did not stay long since I needed to food shop. Arla Eckert Great Falls Subject: Lesser Black-Backed Gull From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:42:45 -0700 Had more folks coming in today from Bozeman, Garner so met them at noon. We waited and waited. It showed up just a bit after 3. I saw it coming in and yelled here it comes. This time it landed at the end of the big island. We also had a person from Hamilton today giving us 4 folks from out of town who get to go home happy. Arla Eckert Great Falls Subject: Trumpeter Swan From: Roger Hogen <hogenmt AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:49:01 -0800 (PST) I saw a Trumpeter Swan late this afternoon about 4:30, sitting alone in a very small slough with barely enough water to allow it to swim its own body length.   The location is at the NE corner of the  junction of Hwy 200 and Monture Rd, a half mile west of Ovando.  It had a red collar Identification code OA1.  It was busy feeding and seemed healthy but I was concerned for its safety because of the unusual location.   Roger Hogen Missoula, MT Subject: Lesser Black-Back Gull update From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:44:15 -0700 Well it showed up again today but not until 5 pm. I had been looking late afternoon then all of a sudden it showed up. One more person got to see it who had not seen it before. There was a Common Loon and Snow geese on the river today. Arla Eckert Great Falls Subject: Bewick's Swan Freezout Lake From: Michael Schwitters <schwit AT 3rivers.net> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:57:27 -0700 Folks, I found a male Bewick's Swan at Priest Butte Lake this (Tues) morning. The huge yellow spot on the bill wraps over the bridge of the bill. He came to North America from NE Asia. I will post a distant digiscope to the "Mike Schwitters" MOB album. Good birding, Mike Schwitters Choteau MT Subject: Gull still here From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:30:40 -0700 Our Lesser Black-Backed gull is still here as of 4 this afternoon. We gained a Bonaparte's Gull. Arla Eckert Great Falls Subject: Gull From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:20:57 -0700 Since I do not have a cell phone but do have a 2way radio, I will give a yell on channel 8 if and or when I find the gull today. I may not be able to post here until late tonight since I have an Audubon meeting tonight. I hope to get home again before that meeting-but who knows. At this point I know more folks are coming in today for this rare gull. Arla Eckert Great Falls Subject: LBBG - Update From: Beth Hill <grizhill AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 08:47:56 -0700 I watched the Lesser Black Backed Gull Sunday evening after everyone left - until well after 5 pm. The wind was decreasing so it wasn't quite so bad to sit and watch as it bathed and preened. It seems to have attracted quite a few people from around the state and even an out of stater that stopped by on their way from one place to another. It was really nice that so many others could enjoy seeing a different variety of gull. Otherwise, the birding around the West Bank was pretty slow the past few days. The constant wind with gusts into the 40's just doesn't do much for birding. It should be much calmer and a little warmer the next few days. On the other hand, I did watch the domestic geese yesterday morning and after seeing them and their poor attempts at flight I am pretty sure the surprise goose I saw a couple weeks ago was a White-fronted. They aren't too common in that area. Beth Hill Great Falls Subject: Double-crested Cormorant From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:33:36 -0700 We also saw one Double-crested Cormorant yesterday off West Bank Park who I forgot about until now. Arla Eckert Great Falls Subject: Lesser Back-Back Gull From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:55:11 -0700 3:09 this afternoon it showed up. Gave 2 of us great views then we were joined by more folks. 6 of us got to see it today. Arla Eckert Great Falls Subject: A Harris's in Harrison, etc. From: "harrisonbirds" <beckfarm AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:00:03 -0000 Mobsters, A single, rakish Harris's sparrow for the first time in 2 years at the feeder, and hoping he spends the warm El Nino winter (ha, ha) with us. Tree sparrows on the same date again just about every year, Oct 27, but numbers are very skimpy--for most feeder birds this year really...kind of lonesome out there? (Maybe it's the n. shrike hanging around since 10/22.) Our varied thrush of course is long gone, as is our white-throated sparrow of 8 Oct. Thanks to Gary Swant for the Long-tailed duck info. We saw it at both lagoon ponds all Thurs aft.(11/5): he stayed mostly in the middle in the deeper water away from the snoozing brown types and in the chop of a strong SW wind, but when he moved to the calm edges, great views at very close range--stunning views of a stunning bird! "Like a snowy dove trooping with crows." Mike Becker, Harrison Subject: Lesser Back -backed Gull From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:24:11 -0700 It was about noon yesterday that I saw it for the first time for that day. It was on the sand bar just up river from the island and the big metal bear. It then moved to the bar/island way out where most folks got to see it. Then it moved to the sand bar upriver and around 4ish a kayak came by and we lost it. Folks were coming and going all afternoon to see the bird. I think 17 folks came. Just the last 3 did not get the bird since they were there after we lost the bird. The map I posted to mob on Friday night of where to look for this bird is under A. Eckert's birds. This bird can hide really well. It gets in behind other birds and at one point yesterday was behind a log with twigs. Good luck with it today, if more of you are coming in to see it. We were also seeing a Herring Gull yesterday and one swan. We also have a group of farm yard geese in that area they are part of the Sun River group. Arla Eckert Great Falls Subject: Lesser Black-backed Gull Photos From: Michael Schwitters <schwit AT 3rivers.net> Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:38:32 -0700 MOBsters, The gull gave me some distant, windy opportunities for digiscopes. I have posted a couple to the Mike Schwitters album. The enlarged shot shows the yellow eye and yellow legs and the afternoon sun shows the true dark gray mantle. Mike Schwitters Choteau MT Subject: Re: Lesser Black-backed Gull From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:22:52 -0700 We lost it after 4 when a kayak went by. More folks came and we looked until after 5. It was fun to see folks from all around the state who all had a common interest. We had lots of great views of the bird. Arla Eckert Great Falls On 11/7/09 6:15 PM, "Michael Schwitters" wrote: > Sharon and all, > The gull returned to the coop not long afterward, and was seen by > several more of us who chased it. I left at 4PM and it was still > present in the wind. > Mike Schwitters > Choteau MT > > > > Sharon Dewart-Hansen wrote: >> >> >> Hail, Hail, the gang was all here. In our search for the LBBG, we met >> a few of the other birders from the south, Wayne, Gary, Byron, etc. >> Those of us lucky enough to be in West Bank Park, from early afternoon >> 'til around 2:30, got to see the Lesser Black-backed Gull. All agreed >> from the bill, size, etc. that it definitely was a Lesser Black-backed >> Gull. Then when we all started looking for other Gull possibilities, >> it flew the coop, as it were. We left going on 3:00 and it had not >> been re-spotted. Maybe it will be back by 5:00, as it was seen for the >> last 2 days. >> >> Thanks Beth, for the initial find. >> >> Sharon Dewart-Hansen >> Doug Hansen >> Great Falls, MT >> >> >> > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > Subject: Re: Lesser Black-backed Gull From: Michael Schwitters <schwit AT 3rivers.net> Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:15:08 -0700 Sharon and all, The gull returned to the coop not long afterward, and was seen by several more of us who chased it. I left at 4PM and it was still present in the wind. Mike Schwitters Choteau MT Sharon Dewart-Hansen wrote: > > > Hail, Hail, the gang was all here. In our search for the LBBG, we met > a few of the other birders from the south, Wayne, Gary, Byron, etc. > Those of us lucky enough to be in West Bank Park, from early afternoon > 'til around 2:30, got to see the Lesser Black-backed Gull. All agreed > from the bill, size, etc. that it definitely was a Lesser Black-backed > Gull. Then when we all started looking for other Gull possibilities, > it flew the coop, as it were. We left going on 3:00 and it had not > been re-spotted. Maybe it will be back by 5:00, as it was seen for the > last 2 days. > > Thanks Beth, for the initial find. > > Sharon Dewart-Hansen > Doug Hansen > Great Falls, MT > > > Subject: Western Grebe in Missoula From: Craig Messerman <cmflyer AT bresnan.net> Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:10:55 -0700 Just added it to my backyard list (a first). Swimming peacefully and occasionally diving in the Clark Fork behind Ben Hughes subdivision near East Missoula. -- Craig Messerman Missoula, Montana Subject: White-winged Scoter in Kalispell From: "JoshuaC" <birdbrainjwc AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:42:19 -0000 I found a lone female WHITE-WINGED SCOTER on the north end of Foy Lake today just outside of Kalispell. A great bird, and a new State bird for me!!! Also, a few juvenile THAYER'S GULLS, and a first-year GLAUCOUS GULL at the landfill, along with a possible MEW GULL, but didn't get comfirming looks at the bird. The larger pond of Church Rd, in the west valley held several hundred MALLARDS, maybe 25 PINTAIL, and about 100 CANADA GEESE. Also a covey of GRAY PARTRIDGE, and a pair of EURASIAN COLLARED DOVES off Church RD. Check out my Blog! - http://www.covillbirder.blogspot.com/ Good Luck Birding Josh Subject: Lesser Black-backed Gull From: "Sharon Dewart-Hansen" <smdhansen AT bresnan.net> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 15:25:54 -0700 Hail, Hail, the gang was all here. In our search for the LBBG, we met a few of the other birders from the south, Wayne, Gary, Byron, etc. Those of us lucky enough to be in West Bank Park, from early afternoon 'til around 2:30, got to see the Lesser Black-backed Gull. All agreed from the bill, size, etc. that it definitely was a Lesser Black-backed Gull. Then when we all started looking for other Gull possibilities, it flew the coop, as it were. We left going on 3:00 and it had not been re-spotted. Maybe it will be back by 5:00, as it was seen for the last 2 days. Thanks Beth, for the initial find. Sharon Dewart-Hansen Doug Hansen Great Falls, MT Subject: Re: Dark (backed) Gull From: "Daniel" <caseys4 AT centurytel.net> Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:16:48 -0000 Arla, Beth et al: I agree with Chuck, that based on the size, description and photos this bird does seem to be an adult Lesser Black-backed. It would still be good to describe (or photograph) the bill and legs in detail. Great find, in any case. Dan Casey Somers Subject: Ft. Peck birds From: "Chuck Carlson" <chuckcmt AT nemont.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 22:52:52 -0700 Mobsters The Cackling Geese are here in good numbers now. I've posted two photos in my album of a small part of a much larger flock that was on the First Dredge Cuts yesterday. In both photos are a pair of Greater White-fronted Geese. In the longer one you can see a Canada Goose at the far right edge. Chuck Carlson chuckcmt AT nemont.net Ft. Peck MT Subject: Re: Dark Gull From: "Chuck Carlson" <chuckcmt AT nemont.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 22:45:34 -0700 Beth That sure looks like a Lesser Black-backed Gull from the photos that have been posted. Good find! Chuck Carlson chuckcmt AT nemont.net Ft. Peck MT Subject: Gull map From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:24:47 -0700 I just posted a photo of a map showing where I saw the Lesser Black-backed Gull today here in Great Falls. This is for any of you wanting to try for it. It has been in that same place now for 2 days around 5 pm. The rest of the day we do not know where it is hiding out. I hunted almost all day today for it and could not find it until 5. Arla Eckert Great Falls Subject: Posted From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:50:50 -0700 Hi all, I just posted the photos on mob I got today of our odd ball gull. Arla Eckert Great Falls Subject: Great Falls Gull From: Beth Hill <grizhill AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:06:26 -0700 I didn't have any luck with fast glances at the river at just before 1 pm and 5 pm. Apparently Arla saw it arrive at 5 and leave about 15 minutes later. We will try tomorrow evening and will be prepared with some good camera gear. Beth Hill Great Falls Subject: Gull with black back From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:49:39 -0700 I could not find it all day, then was sitting in my van looking at the sand bar where Beth had it just before dark yesterday and it was there again behind a Ring-billed gull. It moved and I got some looks at it. I do not think my photos will be as good as hers were. It came in at about 5:02 and then it took off 5:18ish. Just to dark for good shots. I did get to see the bill. I have no clue where it is during the day, I checked down river and up river today plus really checked the sand bars in the area where we have been seeing it just at dark. After supper I will write more. Arla Eckert Great Falls Subject: Possible Lesser Black Backed Gull From: Beth Hill <grizhill AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 11:23:11 -0700 After googling some pictures of the said gull - the non-breeding plumage just jumped out at me as what I saw last night on a sand bar just upstream of Sacajawea Island. Arla has been checking this morning, but no dice. It's windy today so they may stay put wherever they are. I hope to find a few minutes to do a check. Beth Hill Great Falls Subject: Re: Long-tailed Duck continues From: Beth Hill <grizhill AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 08:48:38 -0700 I just wonder if it may not be there for the winter. The Great Falls Long-tailed Duck was here most of a winter one year. Maybe you have our wanderer. Beth Hill On Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 6:24 PM, barthoag wrote: > > > As of 1200 today the Long-tailed Duck was still at the Warm Springs sewer > ponds. As I watched he and assorted other ducks moved from pond 2 to pond 1. > I did not find anything else of note, except there are alot (14 at least) of > Rough-legged Hawks in the Big Hole, many of them quite light. > Bart Hoag, Darby > > > > Subject: Re: Dark Gull From: Beth Hill <grizhill AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 07:49:22 -0700 No on the eye color and bill - it had its head in armpit or was looking the other way most of my observation time. I did get a good impression of dark eye and definitely dark around the eye (like a heavy smokey mascara and eye shadow job). He was on the sandbar just up stream of Sac Island. There are 4 sand bars that the gulls loaf on - all up of the island. I was observing a little up from the "bear". Beth On Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 6:10 PM, Jeff Marks wrote: > > > Beth, > > It is too dark-backed for California Gull and sure looks and sounds (from > your description) like a Lesser Black-backed Gull. Did you get eye and bill > color? It would be great to post an exact location on the river so > others can be on the lookout tomorrow a.m. Nice find, whatever it is! > > Jeff > > ***************** > Jeff Marks > 4241 SE Liebe Street > Portland, OR 97206 > 503-774-4783 > Birds of Montana Project > http://mtaudubon.org/ > ***************** > > > Subject: Winter finch forecast From: Byron Butler <byronkbutlermt AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 03:13:40 -0700 Ron Pittaway's 2009-2010 winter finch forecast can be viewed at: http://brucedilabio.blogspot.com/2009/09/winter-finch-forecast-20092010.html Or, simply google on: ron pittaway winter finch forecast 2009-2010 Although this forecast applies mostly to areas east of Montana there is plenty of good information in it for us, especially in regard to understanding these finches and the trees they are associated with. Byron K. Butler Bozeman Subject: Foreign Visitors or Escapees? From: "Jeff Marks" <jeff17_marks AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 20:09:15 -0800 Sharon, Yes, they are Egyptian Geese. But they probably are not far from home given that they are commonly raised in captivity and have never set foot in their native home in sub-Saharan Africa. Jeff ***************** Jeff Marks 4241 SE Liebe Street Portland, OR 97206 503-774-4783 Birds of Montana Project http://mtaudubon.org/ ***************** Subject: Foreign Visitors or Escapees? From: "Sharon Dewart-Hansen" <smdhansen AT bresnan.net> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 20:33:02 -0700 Hello Fellow MOBsters, As Doug posted earlier, last Friday evening when we were returning from dinner, we found a couple of strange looking birds at the entrance to our mobile home park. I spotted them again yesterday coming home from work and was able to some shots, and Doug saw them earlier today but they were gone when I came home. The closest match I could find on my Internet search is Egyptian Goose which made me think they were possibly escapees or set free by someone in the area who had them as pets. Otherwise, they are a long, long way from home. I posted a shot at Mike's request. If anybody knows for sure what they are, and confirm that they are raised as pets, etc. That could solve the mystery. Sharon Dewart-Hansen Great Falls, MT Subject: Long-tailed Duck continues From: "barthoag" <barthoag AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:24:09 -0000 As of 1200 today the Long-tailed Duck was still at the Warm Springs sewer ponds. As I watched he and assorted other ducks moved from pond 2 to pond 1. I did not find anything else of note, except there are alot (14 at least) of Rough-legged Hawks in the Big Hole, many of them quite light. Bart Hoag, Darby Subject: Re: Dark Gull From: "Jeff Marks" <jeff17_marks AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:10:49 -0800 Beth, It is too dark-backed for California Gull and sure looks and sounds (from your description) like a Lesser Black-backed Gull. Did you get eye and bill color? It would be great to post an exact location on the river so others can be on the lookout tomorrow a.m. Nice find, whatever it is! Jeff ***************** Jeff Marks 4241 SE Liebe Street Portland, OR 97206 503-774-4783 Birds of Montana Project http://mtaudubon.org/ ***************** Subject: Dark Gull From: Beth Hill <grizhill AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:59:06 -0700 I had a few minutes before the sunset, so I ran back to the Missouri river for a quick look around. A larger and dark backed gull jumped out at me. I ran back to get a camera and a scope (24) to get a better look. Most of the time the head was tucked or turned. It was larger than the ringbills. Yellow legs, dark back (you can see that in the photos), dark around the eye, some shading on the chest/neck. A couple mallards walked by - he wasn't larger than them. Then something else spooked the group and off they went. So, is this most likely a California? I just hadn't seen one stand out so differently from the ringbills. It was sunset, but good light. The pictures I took aren't the greatest - especially since I racked the lens out to use the digital zoom, but you get the idea of color and size. At first I was thinking "a black backed gull" - but they are huge and would probably dwarf a mallard duck. Just wondering what better gull watchers thought. Beth Hill Great Falls Subject: Egyptian Geese From: "bug4eater" <dhansen01 AT bresnan.net> Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:55:57 -0000 A pair of Egyptian Geese have been haunting the entrance to Countryside Village for about a week. We do have photos if interested. Doug Hansen Great Falls Subject: Surf Scoters and more From: "Linda Winnie" <lindawin AT centurytel.net> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:52:10 -0700 We just had 8 Surf Scoters arrive at Rogers Lake (west of Kalispell) -- one male, the rest female or juvenile. We've also had on the lake for a number of weeks: a flotilla of 30+ Barrows Goldeneyes, several pairs of Buffleheads, 14+ Hooded Mergansers, 4 female Common Mergansers (plowing the surface from one side of the lake to the other, and then back again), a varying number (depending on the day) of Ring-billed Gulls chasing after the Hooded Mergansers to steal away the crayfish that the mergansers are finding, and several pairs of Mallards. The ice is starting to form around the edges of the lake, so the above may not be here for much longer. Linda Winnie Subject: Greater Sage-Grouse From: "John Carlson" <jccarlson AT surfbirder.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 04:48:32 -0800 Subject: Poll results for MOB-Montana From: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Date: 5 Nov 2009 07:23:43 -0000 The following MOB-Montana poll is now closed. Here are the final results: POLL QUESTION: The November "Photo of the Month" Poll is now open and awaiting your vote! Though we only have six entrants this month, the photos are terrific. The Poll will close at midnight on November 5th. You can change your vote at any time up until the poll closes Patrick CHOICES AND RESULTS - Bufflehead, 4 votes, 9.09% - Chestnut-backed Chickadee, 1 votes, 2.27% - Golden-crowned Kinglet, 12 votes, 27.27% - Golden-winged Warbler, 11 votes, 25.00% - Hermit Thrush, 13 votes, 29.55% - Wood Duck, 3 votes, 6.82% For more information about this group, please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MOB-Montana For help with Yahoo! Groups, please visit http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/general.html Subject: Re: Local CBCs From: "patrick_toomey_jr" <ptoomeyjr AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:52:45 -0000 MOBsters, A really great place to put the Christmas Bird Count information is on the calendar on the front page RATHER than in posted messages. That way people can easily glance in one place rather than trying to find the information in an old message. There is room to put date, time, contact, phone, meeting place etc. Let's systematically put the CBC stuff there so everyone can find it and we will have fully staffed bird counts. Patrick --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "garyswant" wrote: > > Hi Birders, > > I thought that I would give you the dates of the local CBCs sponsored by Pintlar Audubon Society. If you want to join us for any of these contact myself or Jack Kirkley. > > Clark-Canyon - Dillon December 19 > > Grant-Kohrs Deer Lodge - December 21 > > Warm Springs January 1 > > All of them start at 8:00 AM. Contact us for details. > > Also, I was out at Warm Springs yesterday and the Long-tailed Duck is still present, but it has moved from Sewage Pond 1 to Sewage Pond 2. > > One interesting sighting was the presence of 27 Bonaparte's Gulls. > > Gary Swant > Deer Lodge > Subject: Owls in Bozeman From: Christopher Nixon <christopherfnixon AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:45:19 -0800 (PST) I haven't seen the owl on N 19th.  But, last Sunday night November 1st, there was a pair of Great Horned Owls on top of the Misco Mill Gallery on North Wallace Ave.  A friend and I heard the owls hooting to each other and then were able to see them both silouited against the bright moon. They were sitting on the very top ridge of the old grain elevator. One flew while we were watching.  We and the neighbors have been hearing them in the area for at least three years now. Subject: Helena Valley Update From: "RobertM" <birder_bob AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:05:32 -0000 There is still a nice variety of birds at the Hln. Regulating Reservoir. Best of the morning was a late black-bellied plover near the outlet structure. Other birds of interest include; single common loon, 3 red-breasted mergansers, and lots of Barrow's goldeneyes and hooded mergansers. I could not relocate the pair of surf scoters that Coburn Currier and I found on Sunday. Also, I had a report of a Harlequin duck on one of the east side bays from yesterday, but couldn't relocate it. Numbers of common goldeneye has noticeably increased, as have gull numbers. But for the latter, I could not pick out any unusual species at the reservoir or the landfill, except for one smallish juv. gull whose picture I'll have to review more closely. Bob Martinka Subject: Local CBCs From: "garyswant" <Birdmontana AT rfwave.net> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:42:29 -0000 Hi Birders, I thought that I would give you the dates of the local CBCs sponsored by Pintlar Audubon Society. If you want to join us for any of these contact myself or Jack Kirkley. Clark-Canyon - Dillon December 19 Grant-Kohrs Deer Lodge - December 21 Warm Springs January 1 All of them start at 8:00 AM. Contact us for details. Also, I was out at Warm Springs yesterday and the Long-tailed Duck is still present, but it has moved from Sewage Pond 1 to Sewage Pond 2. One interesting sighting was the presence of 27 Bonaparte's Gulls. Gary Swant Deer Lodge Subject: Greater Snow Geese in Montana From: Michael Schwitters <schwit AT 3rivers.net> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:51:34 -0700 All, My note about the collared Greater Snow Goose brought a note from a Montana taxidermist (Ray Johnson, www.gamebirdtaxidermy.com ) who prepared a Greater Snow Goose for a client in the fall of 2007 that was taken at Freezout Lake. So Monday's collared bird was only the second confirmed record of Greater Snow Goose for Montana (of course not a separate species). The subspecies may be expanding its range into the Pacific flyway. Mike Schwitters Choteau MT Subject: Owl at shopping center in Bozeman From: "jswilsonmd" <jswilsonmd AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:59:31 -0000 Sunday night as I was getting ready to drive out of the parking area at the N. 19th shopping center, an owl flew in front of my car and landed on the corner of the Ross store above it's lighted sign. Even though I had binoculars, the contrast of the bright sign and the dark night sky made it impossible to get a look at it. Anyway, it's always interesting to see how critters adapt to our alteration of their environment. I'll be curious to see if anyone else has seen it or if it hangs around. Subject: Re: Not a Montana Bird...but From: "Carlene Farmer" <birddog AT mt.net> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 17:30:56 -0700 wow! how lucky for you "eagle eye Mike"! i was just looking at the latest issue of Wildfowl and someone shot a banded greater snow in MD; it had been banded in 2007 at Sud De Flat Sound, NU. it also had a yellow neck collar. Carlene Farmer Clancy, MT www.turtlebeartradingco.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Schwitters To: MOB Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 12:11 PM Subject: [MOB-Montana] Not a Montana Bird...but MOBsters, My spotting scope search of white goose flocks at Freezout Lake found an unusual neckband. Yellow with four black characters. Contacting the biologist in Quebec I learned the bird was marked at Ellesmere Island (near NW Greenland...83N, 79W) in 2007. It is a GREATER SNOW GOOSE, a Snow Goose subspecies. These birds never cease to amaze me. Mike Schwitters Choteau MT Subject: Not a Montana Bird...but From: Michael Schwitters <schwit AT 3rivers.net> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:11:10 -0700 MOBsters, My spotting scope search of white goose flocks at Freezout Lake found an unusual neckband. Yellow with four black characters. Contacting the biologist in Quebec I learned the bird was marked at Ellesmere Island (near NW Greenland...83N, 79W) in 2007. It is a GREATER SNOW GOOSE, a Snow Goose subspecies. These birds never cease to amaze me. Mike Schwitters Choteau MT Subject: A few Flathead birds From: "Daniel" <caseys4 AT centurytel.net> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:36:56 -0000 MOB-sters: I was able to explore a little bit locally this weekend, looking mostly for waterbirds. Nothing unexpected, but nice looks at several interesting birds. I found 5 loons, all Commons. Two were off of the Somers hatchery, another in the Yacht Club docks, one at Church Slough, and one on Foy's Lake today. There were also 3 Red-breasted Mergansers off the fish hatchery yesterday, all female/immature. A nice batch of about 16 Hooded Mergansers at Wiley Dike yesterday, and an adult female Rough-legged Hawk. In the shrubland se of Manning and Farm Roads I found an immature Northern Shrike, and further east at Brosten's Pond there were 4 Bonaparte's Gulls. Speaking of gulls, Josh and I checked the dump today, where there were at least 1000 gulls. We found one first-winter Glaucous, this being the new earliest fall date for the species in the state. There were at least 3-4 first winter Thayer's, but just the usual 3 species beyond that. As always, there were a few perplexing first year birds as well. Subject: Nov. 1, 09 Great Falls update From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:42:13 -0700 Nov. 1, 09 Great Falls update Found the White-winged Scoter today off West Bank Park, this time mixed in with American Coots. Benton Lake, swans and white geese and normal late fall ducks plus 2 American Tree Sparrows Birds of note below and at Giant Springs: 1 Double-crested Cormorant, again rope sitting on the dam warning balls, plus 3 American Tree Sparrows winter flock at Giant Springs made up of: 2 American Robins 1 Townsend¹s Solitaire Black-capped Chickadees Dark-eyed Juncos Golden-crowned Kinglet 1 Ruby-Crowned Kinglet 1 2 Brown Creepers Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker, these last 3 were all in the tree at one time where # 12 bird house is, in about 3 feet of each other and the house Arla Eckert Great Falls Subject: Medicine Lake From: "BethM" <bethmadden64 AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:55:32 -0000 Hi all, In watching the gang of pine siskins that has been at my thistle feeder for a few days, I just noticed the first of the season common redpoll among them! Also, I saw an immature gyrfalcon 10/29, on Hwy 16 near the Refuge entrance. Has been a nice fall for waterfowl here - tundra swans, ducks, cranes etc plentiful - nice that the drought subsided this year. Right now there are thousands of white-fronted and snow geese in the area...commuting around and filling the skies with their busy-sounding voices. They spent yesterday and last night down by the Hwy 16 bridge on the Refuge, with great viewing opps. Having a bit of mild fall weather here, for a change! Beth Madden Medicine Lake Subject: New poll for MOB-Montana From: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Date: 1 Nov 2009 12:05:52 -0000 Enter your vote today! A new poll has been created for the MOB-Montana group: The November "Photo of the Month" Poll is now open and awaiting your vote! Though we only have six entrants this month, the photos are terrific. The Poll will close at midnight on November 5th. You can change your vote at any time up until the poll closes Patrick o Bufflehead o Chestnut-backed Chickadee o Golden-crowned Kinglet o Golden-winged Warbler o Hermit Thrush o Wood Duck To vote, please visit the following web page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MOB-Montana/surveys?id=12958094 Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups web site listed above. Thanks! Subject: Yellowstone NP From: Byron Butler <byronkbutlermt AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 02:57:00 -0600 The roads in Yellowstone NP, except Gardiner to Cooke City (through the Lamar Valley), close on Monday. Today (Saturday) Maggie and I took advantage of this last weekend of the year to bird in the park all the way to Yellowstone Lake. We registered 86 miles driving from Gardiner to Grant Village via Norris and Canyon. Below are the birds we recorded, all birds were seen on the Wyoming side unless otherwise noted. We did not encounter other birders and saw only about 30 vehicles all day. We pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. We did not go into the Lamar Valley on this trip. We did not find any feeders with seeds in Gardiner. BIRDS SEEN: Canada Goose [lost count, many, 100+, most on Yellowstone R., 10 at Grant.] Trumpeter Swan [44; Nymph Lake (16), Yellowstone R. (26), Yellowstone Lake (2); all the swans we identified were Trumpeters, not all swans seen were identified to species. At least 5 were juveniles.] Mallard [lost count, many, 100+, most on Yellowstone R.] Green-winged Teal [4, Yellowstone R., btwn Canyon & Lake Village] Lesser Scaup [10+, several locations, Nymph Lake, Yellowstone R., Yellowstone Lake.] Common Goldeneye [ approx. 50, several locations, most on Yellowstone R.] Barrow’s Goldeneye [approx. 100, Yellowstone R., 83 were in one raft at Grant, of which 20-30 were adult males and several others were first winter males. Adult & first winter females had mostly yellowish bills, and Barrow’s head color and shape. Did not see any clear-cut Commons in this raft. Other Barrow’s were seen on the Yellowstone R.] Bufflehead [5; Yellowstone R.] Common Loon [1, Grant Village] Pied-billed Grebe [1, Yellowstone R., btwn Canyon & Lake Village] Horned Grebe [5-6, Grant Village] Western Grebe [1, Grant Village] Bald Eagle [1 adult, Yellowstone R., a little s. of Canyon] Sharp-shinned Hawk [1] Wilson’s Snipe [2; together in Yellowstone R., btwn Canyon & Lake Village] Common Raven [13; 2 on MT side; 11 on WY side] Clark’s Nutcracker [13-15, scattered locations, mostly in pairs] Black-billed Magpie [2] Gray Jay [5, Yellowstone R., btwn Canyon & Lake Village, with Clark’s Nutcrackers. Non-vocal, silent flight.] American Dipper [6; 3 on MT side in Gardiner R.; 3 on WY side in Yellowstone R.] Townsend’s Solitaire [1, n. side of Mammoth, just before Post Office] Mountain Chickadee [approx. 20; 6-8 btwn Mammoth & Norris; another 10+ btwn Norris and Canyon.] Dark-eyed Junco [1, Canyon Village] Red Crossbill [10-20, btwn Norris and Canyon, another 10 birds that flew off were probably this spp.; 4.3 mi. w. of Canyon.] Pine Grosbeak [6-10, btwn Norris and Canyon; 4.3 mi. w. of Canyon] Pine Siskin [1, btwn Norris and Canyon, with the crossbills; 4.3 mi. w. of Canyon] We returned to Bozeman a little after 10:00 pm and went to the historic downtown area where MSU students have a tradition of walking Main Street in downtown and hitting the bars in costumes on Halloween. Hundreds of students were in costume. Maggie and I had great fun watching them until 11 pm. I understand the students take this annual event seriously, few were not in costume. Byron K. Butler Bozeman