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8 Feb Re: Re: Website update- great NZ photos! ["Ross Silcock" ] 08 Feb Re: Website update- great NZ photos! ["md33ellis" ] 7 Feb longspurs ["Kathy DeLara" ] 07 Feb 5 Woodpecker Sp. in yard ["md33ellis" ] 07 Feb How long does it take a Sharp-Shinned to bathe? ["lutherhaige" ] 07 Feb How long does it take a Sharp-Shinned to bathe? ["lutherhaige" ] 5 Feb Re: Lapland longspurs ["Clem Klaphake" ] 4 Feb Lapland longspurs [Roland Barth ] 04 Feb Lapland longspurs ["scitchyrooroo" ] 02 Feb Nebraska Bird Conservation News - February ["Jill Liske-Clark" ] 3 Feb Re: Cedar Waxwings ["leamarart" ] 03 Feb Cedar Waxwings ["Wic7ita" ] 03 Feb Short-eared owls 2/2 at Jack Sinn WMA ["flyingcarlini" ] 03 Feb Crows ["mjrome46" ] 1 Feb Re: Website update- great NZ photos! ["Clem Klaphake" ] 1 Feb Re: Website update- great NZ photos! ["Ross Silcock" ] 01 Feb Re: Website update- great NZ photos! [] 1 Feb Re: Website update- great NZ photos! ["Linda R. Brown" ] 31 Jan Re: Website update- great NZ photos! ["Phil Swanson" ] 31 Jan Hamilton County 1-31-10 [Robin and Lanny ] 31 Jan Website update- great NZ photos! ["Ross Silcock" ] 31 Jan Feels like Spring is coming in the Central Platte River Valley ["Linda R. Brown" ] 31 Jan Re: Red-breasted Nuthatches ["gharbisonne" ] 31 Jan Pressey WMA - Custer Co. 1/30 ["tbirdboy10" ] 30 Jan Re: Red-breasted Nuthatch ["Kathy DeLara" ] 30 Jan Re: Red-breasted Nuthatch [Robin and Lanny ] 30 Jan Re: Red-breasted Nuthatches [jc52825 ] 30 Jan Re: Re:Winter Wren [Colleen Noecker ] 30 Jan Re:Winter Wren ["Juanita Rice" ] 29 Jan Winter Wren ["Clem Klaphake" ] 28 Jan Reducing aircraft-wildlife strikes at airports [Matt Kennedy ] 28 Jan Amazon Kingfisher [] 28 Jan Snowy Plover ["J. Ducey" ] 28 Jan at my feeder ["Patsy" ] 27 Jan at my feeder [patsyj ] 28 Jan Geese at Grandpa's Steakhouse - Buffalo Co. 1/27 ["tbirdboy10" ] 27 Jan Raptors and others ["Bruce & Donna Walgren" ] 27 Jan Re: Hawks/snakes in January! [] 27 Jan Re: Hawks/snakes in January! [] 26 Jan New ABA Record- Texas [Justin Rink ] 26 Jan Re: Raptor Workshop Announcement ["Gene" ] 26 Jan Re: For Edward O'Donnelle ["Edward" ] 26 Jan Re: Broad-winged Hawk? ["jkholmquist" ] 26 Jan birds at feeder ["Phyllis" ] 26 Jan For Edward O'Donnelle ["birdloverj" ] 26 Jan For Edward O'Donnell ["birdloverj" ] 24 Jan Raptor Workshop ["Gene Jacobs" ] 25 Jan Lied Bridge birds ["brucergr" ] 25 Jan Re: Odd looking Red-Tailed Hawk ["Edward" ] 25 Jan Re: Broad-winged Hawk? [Tim H ] 25 Jan RE: Broad-winged Hawk? ["Thomas Labedz" ] 25 Jan Broad-winged Hawk? ["jkholmquist" ] 24 Jan Re: Dannebrog birds ["Kathy DeLara" ] 24 Jan Re: Raptor Workshop Announcement [james gibson ] 24 Jan Dannebrog birds [Robin and Lanny ] 24 Jan Raptor Workshop Announcement ["Gene Jacobs" ] 24 Jan Greater Prairie Chickens ["LJH" ] 23 Jan Request to REPORT Trumpeter Swan Sightings ["Peg Abbott" ] 23 Jan Gray-crowned Rosy-finches ["Kathy DeLara" ] 23 Jan Birdjam [Theresa Pester ] 22 Jan Re: Barrow's still present [Tim H ] 22 Jan Barrow's still present ["Walker, Thomas" ] 21 Jan Re: birdjam [Paul Roisen ] 21 Jan birdjam ["stivland AT cpinternet.com" ] 21 Jan RE: Birdjam [Theresa Pester ] 21 Jan RE: Birdjam ["Walker, Thomas" ] 21 Jan Afghanistan ["rickwings" ] 21 Jan Birdjam [Theresa Pester ] 21 Jan Barrow's Goldeneye ["Walker, Thomas" ] 21 Jan Fall Singing ["Clem Klaphake" ] 20 Jan RE: Howdy, just a few of my recent Bird Photos. ["Spence Watson" ] 20 Jan More on Harris's Sparrows ["Wic7ita" ] 20 Jan Calling All Bird Brains [Jeanine Lackey ] 20 Jan Re: Rare Warbler ["bent6130" ] 20 Jan Howdy, just a few of my recent Bird Photos. ["Edward" ] 20 Jan Re: Odd looking Red-Tailed Hawk ["Edward" ] Subject: Re: Re: Website update- great NZ photos! From: "Ross Silcock" <silcock AT rosssilcock.com> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 18:54:44 -0600 Mike- There's really only one general guide, but fortunately it's excellent. Heather and Robertson's "A field Guide to the Birds of NZ". Comes in two versions, Field Guide, and Hand Guide. The latter has only the plates. Ross Ross Silcock P.O. Box 57 Tabor, IA 51653 New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours http://www.rosssilcock.com From: md33ellis Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 9:31 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEBirds] Re: Website update- great NZ photos! Speaking of New Zealand..... I will be taking a group of high school students to New Zealand and Australia in the spring of 2011. Does anyone have recommendations on the best field guides for each of these countries. I would like to purchase some guides to be well prepared before departing on this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Any help is much appreciated! Mike Ellis Omaha, NE [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Website update- great NZ photos! From: "md33ellis" <mellis33 AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:31:37 -0000 Speaking of New Zealand..... I will be taking a group of high school students to New Zealand and Australia in the spring of 2011. Does anyone have recommendations on the best field guides for each of these countries. I would like to purchase some guides to be well prepared before departing on this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Any help is much appreciated! Mike Ellis Omaha, NE --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Ross Silcock" wrote: > > > I've just overhauled the photo gallery on my website (URL below) to include 200+ great photos of our recent New Zealand trip by Phil Swanson- the seabird photos are especially noteworthy. Phil will be presenting at the May Omaha Audubon meeting, and will show many of the photos as well as some spectacular scenic shots. > > http://www.rosssilcock.com/galleryindex.htm > > Ross > > > Ross Silcock > P.O. Box 57 > Tabor, IA 51653 > New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours > http://www.rosssilcock.com > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: longspurs From: "Kathy DeLara" <renosmom AT charter.net> Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 18:27:44 -0700 Bob, Ann Duey and myself went looking for longspurs in Banner County yesterday. We searched though flocks of thousands of Horned Larks and found one Lapland Longspur. Did see 2 Merlin's, a Prairie Falcon, 3 Rough-legged Hawks a couple of Red-tail Hawks but not much else. We also looked for the rosy-finches at the Scotts Bluff National Monument with out any luck. Kathy DeLara Mitchell NE [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: 5 Woodpecker Sp. in yard From: "md33ellis" <mellis33 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:08:03 -0000 We've had 5 species of woodpecker visit our back yard this weekend. Yesterday at lunchtime we simultaneously had 1 Hairy, 2 Downy and 2 Northern Flickers. Today a juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker was feeding on suet followed shortly by a Red-bellied Woodpecker. On another note, a pair of red-tailed hawks were mating high in a tall cottonwood tree behind our house yesterday as well. Mike Ellis Omaha, NE Subject: How long does it take a Sharp-Shinned to bathe? From: "lutherhaige" <lutherhaige AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:05:27 -0000 How long does it take a Sharp-shinned Hawk to bathe? About an hour and a quarter! That is, if you count the 30 minutes or so it takes it to adjust to the cold water for this time of the year, 10 minutes to actually get itself immersed, a 5 minutes of actual bathing time, and another 20 to 30 minutes of drying time. A Sharpie came in to bathe at our bird bath today, around 11:45 am. It completed its task, including drying time around 1:15 pm. The Sharpie spent almost a half hour fanning it wings and tail, trying to dry them off. Its drying time was interrupted after about 30 minutes, when a Red-tailed Hawk landed directly above it, about 60 feet above, in our White Pine tree. (We've seen Sharpies and Cooper's Hks scare off so many small birds, so it was kind of funny to see this Sharpie make a quick exit when the Red-tailed Hk came in.) About two hours later we had a good sized Cooper's Hk. I posted a video, an MP4, of the Sharpie eating a Starling and taking the bath. The video should take several seconds before it starts to play. I will also post photos of the Sharpie bathing as soon as I get them on my computer. We've not had too many birds lately. We have a Screech Owl hanging around again this winter. Last year when the owl was around, many of the small birds cleared out. We had 22 White-throated Sparrows two weeks ago. We have not seen the Carolina Wren for two weeks. Luther Central Omaha Subject: How long does it take a Sharp-Shinned to bathe? From: "lutherhaige" <lutherhaige AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:40:19 -0000 How long does it take a Sharp-shinned Hawk to bathe? About an hour and a quarter! That is, if you count the 30 minutes or so it takes it to adjust to the cold water for this time of the year, 10 minutes to actually get itself immersed, a 5 minutes of actual bathing time, and another 20 to 30 minutes of drying time. A Sharpie came in to bathe at the bird bath today around 11:45 am. I completed its task and drying time around 1:15 pm. The Sharpie spent almost a half hour fanning it wings and tail trying to dry off completely. Its drying time was interrupted after about 30 minutes when a Red-tailed Hawk landed directly above, about 60 feet above. We've seen Sharpies and Cooper's Hks scare off so many birds, so it was kind of funny to see this Sharpie make a quick exit when the Red-tailed Hk came in. About two hours later we had a good sized Cooper's Hk. I posted a video, an MP4 of the Sharpie eating a Starling and taking the bath. The should take several seconds before it starts to play. I tried to play it like the other videos I've posted, but it did not start up. I try it again later. If that doesn't work I try reposting it. I will also post photos as soon as I get them on my computer. Not too many birds lately. We have a Screech Owl hanging around again. Last year when the owl was around the small birds cleared out. We had 22 White-throated Sparrows two weeks ago. Luther Central Omaha Subject: Re: Lapland longspurs From: "Clem Klaphake" <ckavian AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 10:20:06 -0600 X, It is always easier to respond to posts if you leave a name and location at the end of your posts. I don't recognize scitchyrooroo. Clem Klaphake Bellevue, NE ----- Original Message ----- From: scitchyrooroo To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 2:59 PM Subject: [NEBirds] Lapland longspurs I visited the farm and ranch area in Banner County 2/2, between Harrisburg and the state line, and had thousands of Lapland longspurs. I have been seeing them there since the fall, but not in these numbers. I saw two enormous flocks in the distance from one vantage point that looked like clouds of gnats, and I estimated something on the order of 5,000 birds altogether; I also saw a few other clouds of birds in the distance through the morning, but not quite this size. There are many horned larks in the area as well, and undoubtedly composed at least part of the flocks. My assumption that they were mostly LALOs is based on the fact that, throughout the morning, several flocks of about 100 to several hundred birds passed close to me, and all of the call notes that I heard, and birds ID'd with binoculars, were LALOs. I also saw a flock I figured at 1,500 birds passing a few hundred meters north of me at one location, and when I got closer a couple of more smaller flocks passed and, again, all or almost all of the birds I ID'd were LALOs. I am wondering if at this time of year they start to gather in large flocks like this preparatory to migrating. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lapland longspurs From: Roland Barth <rebarth AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 16:50:11 -0600 In my experiences driving western I-80 in February, even when the cold winds are blowing from the north, the LALOs fly in large, loose flocks flying close to the ground heading north, but temporarily gaining altitude as they cross the Interstate. Roland Subject: Lapland longspurs From: "scitchyrooroo" <scitchyrooroo AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:59:21 -0000 I visited the farm and ranch area in Banner County 2/2, between Harrisburg and the state line, and had thousands of Lapland longspurs. I have been seeing them there since the fall, but not in these numbers. I saw two enormous flocks in the distance from one vantage point that looked like clouds of gnats, and I estimated something on the order of 5,000 birds altogether; I also saw a few other clouds of birds in the distance through the morning, but not quite this size. There are many horned larks in the area as well, and undoubtedly composed at least part of the flocks. My assumption that they were mostly LALOs is based on the fact that, throughout the morning, several flocks of about 100 to several hundred birds passed close to me, and all of the call notes that I heard, and birds ID'd with binoculars, were LALOs. I also saw a flock I figured at 1,500 birds passing a few hundred meters north of me at one location, and when I got closer a couple of more smaller flocks passed and, again, all or almost all of the birds I ID'd were LALOs. I am wondering if at this time of year they start to gather in large flocks like this preparatory to migrating. Subject: Nebraska Bird Conservation News - February From: "Jill Liske-Clark" <jill AT nebraskabirds.org> Date: Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:19:39 GMT Visit www.nebraskabirds.org for the latest from the Nebraska Bird Partnership.Recent posts:Bird of the Month – Northern PintailConservation CalendarQ&A – Sandhill Crane ViewingProject Beak Hits the AirwavesRivers and Wildlife Celebration Turns 40Crane Migration is Big BusinessThe Nebraska Bird Partnership (formerly the Nebraska Partnership for All-Bird Conservation) has adopted a new online blog format so that we can share more news and information related to bird conservation in Nebraska, more often.  If you prefer to subscribe to our feed, or otherwise do not wish to receive these monthly email notices, please let us know by emailing us at this address.The online news blog is intended to publicize any news related to bird conservation in Nebraska, not just news from the Nebraska Bird Partnership.  If you or your organization has news or event information you would like us to share, send us an email. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Cedar Waxwings From: "leamarart" <leamarart AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 15:30:38 -0600 We have been having a flock of about 20 cedar waxwings off and on since last week at Pacific Springs Village, 174th and Pacific in Omaha, Douglas County. Marian Leach ----- Original Message ----- From: Wic7ita To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 11:32 AM Subject: [NEBirds] Cedar Waxwings First backyard/county sighting of Cedar Waxwings this morning at my water basin. Exciting and beautiful. Juanita Rice, Fairmont [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Cedar Waxwings From: "Wic7ita" <juanitapat AT csus.edu> Date: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:32:06 -0000 First backyard/county sighting of Cedar Waxwings this morning at my water basin. Exciting and beautiful. Juanita Rice, Fairmont Subject: Short-eared owls 2/2 at Jack Sinn WMA From: "flyingcarlini" <flyingcarlini AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:26:56 -0000 Hello Birders, We went on a stake-out for short-eareds after seeing 5 owls last week circle several times before dispersing at dusk to hunt. Today we relocated 4 of them in the distance as they gathered just after sunset (in pretty good light conditions.) Saw 3 sitting near each other on posts and another some distance away in a short tree. When they dispersed to hunt, a female flew directly past our car 2 times giving us great views. We were parked facing east from N. 98th and Ashland road. Other species of interest: at least 17 RT hawks 4 Rough-leggeds 1 N. Harrier 1 N. Shrike The road was nicely frozen today but watch out for muddy conditions with the warm up. John Carlini & Shari Schwartz, Lincoln Subject: Crows From: "mjrome46" <mjrome46 AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:52:07 -0000 I was heading home from work this evening and at 50th and Leavenwoth there is a cemetary. This is actually the west side of the cemetary...It might be the Bohemian...anyway the was a large gathering of crows. There seened to be 7-10 in several large trees. Unusual in that area. Thats all I got:) Mary Jo Omaha Subject: Re: Website update- great NZ photos! From: "Clem Klaphake" <ckavian AT cox.net> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 19:58:05 -0600 Phil, Great photos! Clem Klaphake Bellevue, NE ----- Original Message ----- From: Ross Silcock To: NEBIRDS ; IA-BIRD Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 8:10 PM Subject: [NEBirds] Website update- great NZ photos! I've just overhauled the photo gallery on my website (URL below) to include 200+ great photos of our recent New Zealand trip by Phil Swanson- the seabird photos are especially noteworthy. Phil will be presenting at the May Omaha Audubon meeting, and will show many of the photos as well as some spectacular scenic shots. http://www.rosssilcock.com/galleryindex.htm Ross Ross Silcock P.O. Box 57 Tabor, IA 51653 New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours http://www.rosssilcock.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Website update- great NZ photos! From: "Ross Silcock" <silcock AT rosssilcock.com> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 18:10:23 -0600 Thanks Linda! The kiwi video was of a wild bird that I had to stop filming because it walked past me about a foot away. I took it with an old (now defunct) Sony using night vision. The illumination was from the guide's (Phillip Smith) light. Ross Ross Silcock P.O. Box 57 Tabor, IA 51653 New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours http://www.rosssilcock.com From: Linda R. Brown Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 12:35 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Website update- great NZ photos! Dear Ross and Phil, The website is amazing! I like the organization. It made it easy to find birds I had seen or wanted to see when I went to New Zealand. I am impressed that you actually could identify all those flying tube-nosed birds. I started out watching the Stewart Island kiwi video. Was that bird in captivity? I can not imagine getting that kind of video considering that the bird only feeds in the dark. Phil, Your pictures are stunning! When and where is your May Audubon program? I hope you will share what cameras and other equipment you are using. Linda R. Brown Lincoln, NE ________________________________ From: Ross Silcock To: NEBIRDS ; IA-BIRD Sent: Sun, January 31, 2010 8:10:07 PM Subject: [NEBirds] Website update- great NZ photos! I've just overhauled the photo gallery on my website (URL below) to include 200+ great photos of our recent New Zealand trip by Phil Swanson- the seabird photos are especially noteworthy. Phil will be presenting at the May Omaha Audubon meeting, and will show many of the photos as well as some spectacular scenic shots. http://www.rosssilcock.com/galleryindex.htm Ross Ross Silcock P.O. Box 57 Tabor, IA 51653 New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours http://www.rosssilcock.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Website update- great NZ photos! From: burhinus AT talktalk.net Date: Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:23:10 -0500 Hi Ross Thoroughly enjoyed looking at your NZ shots it brought very pleasant memories of a trip there in 2004. The pelagic from Kiakoura was a memorable experience as was our walk along the Milford Track where we had some great views of Kea New Zealand Robins etc. burhinus -----Original Message----- From: Linda R. Brown To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 18:35 Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Website update- great NZ photos! Dear Ross and Phil, The website is amazing! I like the organization. It made it easy to find birds I had seen or wanted to see when I went to New Zealand. I am impressed that you actually could identify all those flying tube-nosed birds. I started out watching the Stewart Island kiwi video. Was that bird in captivity? I can not imagine getting that kind of video considering that the bird only feeds in the dark. Phil, Your pictures are stunning! When and where is your May Audubon program? I hope you will share what cameras and other equipment you are using. Linda R. Brown Lincoln, NE ________________________________ From: Ross Silcock To: NEBIRDS ; IA-BIRD Sent: Sun, January 31, 2010 8:10:07 PM Subject: [NEBirds] Website update- great NZ photos! I've just overhauled the photo gallery on my website (URL below) to include 200+ great photos of our recent New Zealand trip by Phil Swanson- the seabird photos are especially noteworthy. Phil will be presenting at the May Omaha Audubon meeting, and will show many of the photos as well as some spectacular scenic shots. http://www.rosssilcock.com/galleryindex.htm Ross Ross Silcock P.O. Box 57 Tabor, IA 51653 New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours http://www.rosssilcock.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Website update- great NZ photos! From: "Linda R. Brown" <brownbirder AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 10:35:22 -0800 (PST) Dear Ross and Phil, The website is amazing!  I like the organization.  It made it easy to find birds I had seen or wanted to see when I went to New Zealand. I am impressed that you actually could identify all those flying tube-nosed birds. I started out watching the Stewart Island kiwi video.  Was that bird in captivity?  I can not imagine getting that kind of video considering that the bird only feeds in the dark.  Phil,  Your pictures are stunning!  When and where is your May Audubon program?  I hope you will share what cameras and other equipment you are using.  Linda R. Brown Lincoln, NE   ________________________________ From: Ross Silcock To: NEBIRDS ; IA-BIRD Sent: Sun, January 31, 2010 8:10:07 PM Subject: [NEBirds] Website update- great NZ photos!   I've just overhauled the photo gallery on my website (URL below) to include 200+ great photos of our recent New Zealand trip by Phil Swanson- the seabird photos are especially noteworthy. Phil will be presenting at the May Omaha Audubon meeting, and will show many of the photos as well as some spectacular scenic shots. http://www.rosssilcock.com/galleryindex.htm Ross Ross Silcock P.O. Box 57 Tabor, IA 51653 New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours http://www.rosssilcock.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Website update- great NZ photos! From: "Phil Swanson" <pswanson19 AT cox.net> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:13:05 -0600 Ross, Is the King Shag also called a Rough-faced Shag? Which is right? Phil ----- Original Message ----- From: Ross Silcock To: NEBIRDS ; IA-BIRD Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 8:10 PM Subject: [NEBirds] Website update- great NZ photos! I've just overhauled the photo gallery on my website (URL below) to include 200+ great photos of our recent New Zealand trip by Phil Swanson- the seabird photos are especially noteworthy. Phil will be presenting at the May Omaha Audubon meeting, and will show many of the photos as well as some spectacular scenic shots. http://www.rosssilcock.com/galleryindex.htm Ross Ross Silcock P.O. Box 57 Tabor, IA 51653 New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours http://www.rosssilcock.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hamilton County 1-31-10 From: Robin and Lanny <snowbunting AT rcom-ne.com> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:30:24 -0600 Hi Nebraska birders, Sunday January 31, 2010 Robin and I looked for birds in Hamilton County. I will list our highlights with further detail in the text that follows. Bald Eagle 2 Rough-legged Hawk 1 Eastern Screech Owl 1 Black-capped Chickadee 2 Lapland Longspur many All around Deep Well WMA we saw Lapland Longspurs. We found more Lapland Longspurs around a mile and a half southwest of Aurora. At Springer WPA a Rough-legged Hawk showed us everything while hovering. South of Toley Park we saw an almost adult Bald Eagle fly past. Toley Park is on the south bank of the Platte River 2 1/2 miles northwest of Marquette. In Toley park we played a Screech-Owl tape in an effort to see if we could get a look at whatever had been chirping and a real Eastern Screech-Owl answered. Not long after two Black-capped Chickadees showed themselves. We saw an adult Bald Eagle on a power pole in North Central Hamilton County. May your birds be lifers and your troubles temporary. good birding and goodbye, Lanny Lanny Randolph south central Nebraska Kearney County 2028 34th rd Minden, Ne. 68959 308-216-0427 SnowBunting(at)rcom-Ne.com Subject: Website update- great NZ photos! From: "Ross Silcock" <silcock AT rosssilcock.com> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:10:07 -0600 I've just overhauled the photo gallery on my website (URL below) to include 200+ great photos of our recent New Zealand trip by Phil Swanson- the seabird photos are especially noteworthy. Phil will be presenting at the May Omaha Audubon meeting, and will show many of the photos as well as some spectacular scenic shots. http://www.rosssilcock.com/galleryindex.htm Ross Ross Silcock P.O. Box 57 Tabor, IA 51653 New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours http://www.rosssilcock.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Feels like Spring is coming in the Central Platte River Valley From: "Linda R. Brown" <brownbirder AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:02:19 -0800 (PST) Hi All, This is directed mainly towards those who live in Eastern Nebraska, where the piles of snow are just beginning to recede.  Have hope! Yesterday, eight of us from Wachiska Audubon in Lincoln drove out to the J2 power plant in the loess hills south of Lexington to see eagles.  After what seems like six weeks of cloudy wintery days, we were able to go coatless down in the sunny canyon near the supply canal by the power plant. We probably saw a total of five bald eagles.  It was a little hard to tell totals as the birds crisscrossed the  brushy canal at quite a distance from the windows.  Unfortunately, many of the trees that originally served as perches near the plant are now dead and are heaped in a pile beside the canal.  One power plant person said back in the olden days when the perches were closer and the water less open, he had once watched 30 eagles fishing for the stunned shad at a fairly close distance. The most wonderful and hopeful part of the trip was spotting many different ponds sporting 500-1000 cackling geese.  We estimate a total for the day of about 20,000.  There were certainly some of the larger races of Canada geese represented but the Cackling Geese dominated the picture.  At the little lake east of the Grandpa's Restaurant near Kearney, we saw 1500 cackling geese, one snow goose (blue morph), a white-fronted goose, two common golden-eye drakes,  about 11 ring-necked drakes and one female ring-necked duck concentrated in a small area of open water.  This little lake, which is edged with houses on the north and west was frozen on Tuesday when we drove out to Kearney to help hang our Evolution show at the Museum of Nebraska Art. Both Tuesday and Saturday we took pictures of the Platte River at several of the bridges.  Some of the channels were much more open than others. Even though the newly opening Platte was filled with chunks of floating ice, I felt excited.  I now have hope that even in the east, we will get a thaw. Linda R. Brown Lincoln, NE   ________________________________ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Red-breasted Nuthatches From: "gharbisonne" <gerry AT setanta.unl.edu> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:44:02 -0000 --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, Loren Padelford wrote: > > NeBirders, > > We have three Red-breasted Nuthatches coming to our feeders in > Bellevue, two males and a female. Are others seeing these winter > visitors at their feeders? > > Loren & Babs Padelford > Bellevue, NE > lpdlfrd AT ... > We have them visiting the feeder in SW Lancaster Co.. I'm not entirely certain they're winter visitors either; I've been hearing them out in the pine trees in the summer time for the last couple of summers (though I haven't actually seen them in the summertime, just heard them). Subject: Pressey WMA - Custer Co. 1/30 From: "tbirdboy10" <tim.birdboy AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:55:53 -0000 Hi NEBirders, I spent about an hour this morning birding around the northwestern section of Pressey WMA. A few highlights: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1 immature 'Myrtle' Yellow-rumped Warbler - 1 Black-capped Chickadee - only 4 Cedar Waxwing - 60 Surprisingly no Golden-crowned Kinglets, which were everywhere last time I was at Pressey. A few other things seen around my house, southeast of Broken Bow: Sharp-tailed Grouse - 15 on 1/28; 22 on 1/29 Northern Shrike - 1 this morning Rough-legged Hawk - 1 light-morph on 1/23 Tim Hajda Broken Bow, Custer Co. tim.birdboy AT gmail.com Subject: Re: Red-breasted Nuthatch From: "Kathy DeLara" <renosmom AT charter.net> Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:24:16 -0700 No Red-breasted at our suet feeders but the White-breasted Nuthatch has been here since mid-December. Kathy DeLara Mitchell NE ----- Original Message ----- From: Robin and Lanny To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2010 12:09 PM Subject: [NEBirds] Re: Red-breasted Nuthatch Nebraska birders, Lanny and I have not seen any Red-breasted Nuthatches in our area this winter. We have a couple suet dough cakes out in our back yard. The juncos have been enjoying them. Robin Harding northern Kearney County, Nebraska For more information about birding in Nebraska, see the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union web site at: http://rip.physics.unk.edu/NOU/ > > >We have at least 2 RB Nuthatches at the suet feeder daily. > >Suet is the hot item at our feeders - RB Nuthatches, WB Nuthatches, >RBellied-WP, Hairy adn Downy WP, Starlings, House Sparrows and even >Goldfinches trying a taste even though we have 2 sunflower feeders. > >Colleen Noecker >Albion, NE >Boone Co. > >On Jan 30, 2010, at 10:54 AM, Juanita Rice wrote: > >> You mention nuthatches, Clem. Anyone seeing red-breasted nuthatches? >> >> Juanita Rice, Fairmont > > . [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Red-breasted Nuthatch From: Robin and Lanny <snowbunting AT rcom-ne.com> Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:09:48 -0600 Nebraska birders, Lanny and I have not seen any Red-breasted Nuthatches in our area this winter. We have a couple suet dough cakes out in our back yard. The juncos have been enjoying them. Robin Harding northern Kearney County, Nebraska For more information about birding in Nebraska, see the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union web site at: http://rip.physics.unk.edu/NOU/ > > >We have at least 2 RB Nuthatches at the suet feeder daily. > >Suet is the hot item at our feeders - RB Nuthatches, WB Nuthatches, >RBellied-WP, Hairy adn Downy WP, Starlings, House Sparrows and even >Goldfinches trying a taste even though we have 2 sunflower feeders. > >Colleen Noecker >Albion, NE >Boone Co. > >On Jan 30, 2010, at 10:54 AM, Juanita Rice wrote: > >> You mention nuthatches, Clem. Anyone seeing red-breasted nuthatches? >> >> Juanita Rice, Fairmont > > . Subject: Re: Red-breasted Nuthatches From: jc52825 <jc52825 AT windstream.net> Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:03:10 -0600 We have red-breasted nuthatches visiting daily. They like the nut and suet feeders. Pat Cole, Lincoln Subject: Re: Re:Winter Wren From: Colleen Noecker <nebrbluebird AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:18:42 -0600 We have at least 2 RB Nuthatches at the suet feeder daily. Suet is the hot item at our feeders - RB Nuthatches, WB Nuthatches, RBellied-WP, Hairy adn Downy WP, Starlings, House Sparrows and even Goldfinches trying a taste even though we have 2 sunflower feeders. Colleen Noecker Albion, NE Boone Co. On Jan 30, 2010, at 10:54 AM, Juanita Rice wrote: > You mention nuthatches, Clem. Anyone seeing red-breasted nuthatches? > > Juanita Rice, Fairmont > . > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re:Winter Wren From: "Juanita Rice" <juanitapat AT csus.edu> Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 10:54:01 -0600 You mention nuthatches, Clem. Anyone seeing red-breasted nuthatches? Juanita Rice, Fairmont [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Winter Wren From: "Clem Klaphake" <ckavian AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:45:27 -0600 I went for a hike in Fontenelle Forest today here in Bellevue. The snow is very hard and compacted and easy to walk on. I stayed in flood plain area. Found the following: - 4 Green-winged Teal - 18 Mallards - 1 Bald Eagle (4th year, quite high and heading north) - 2 Red-tailed Hawks - 3 Song Sparrows - 2 White-throated Sparrows - 1 Winter Wren (best bird) - Lots of Chickadees, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers (no Pileated), Blue Jays and Titmice Clem Klaphake Bellevue, NE [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Reducing aircraft-wildlife strikes at airports From: Matt Kennedy <kennedym2009 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:59:16 -0800 (PST) Dear fellow birding enthusiasts,     As a lifelong birder and professional aviator for over 16 years, I am conducting a nation-wide study on the level of community support for the mitigation measures used at airports to reduce the wildlife strike hazard to commercial aircraft.  Getting input from different regions of the country is necessary to gauge whether there are regional differences due to varying bird populations or possible high profile incidents involving wildlife strikes on aircraft.      Responses are submitted electronically to a database that does not identify users, so your answers will be completely confidential.  Findings will be released only as analyzed data or summaries in which no individual’s answers can be identified.  Please take a few moments to share your opinions and experiences.  I appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to contribute toward this important research about community views on wildlife mitigation measures at airports.   The survey can be accessed at:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XTVS225   If you would like a summary of my findings, please send me your e-mail address at kennedym2009 AT yahoo.com.  Once the study is complete, I will e-mail the summary to you. Best Regards, Matt Kennedy Graduate student in Aeronautical Science Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Amazon Kingfisher From: allenreyer AT aol.com Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:41:50 -0500 As Justin reported the other day, an Amazon Kingfisher (first every for North America) is being seen in Laredo. Cindy and I went looking today, and after a 3 hr and 45 minute wait, it showed up. We had great looks for as long as we wanted. Tomorrow, we're going to go look for the Bare-throated Tiger Heron that the Padelfords saw in Dec., but it hasn't been seen in 7 days, so doesn't look hopeful. Not about NE birds, but with the cold and snow, thought you might enjoy any bird news. Al Reyer Bellevue, NE = [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Snowy Plover From: "J. Ducey" <jeducey AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:31:13 -0600 Would anyone plese point me to an online reference that has the current status of the snowy plover in Nebraska, with any details on breeding status? Jim Ducey _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390706/direct/01/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: NEBirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com NEBirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: NEBirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: at my feeder From: "Patsy" <pjlam44 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 04:41:24 -0000 I had Goldfinch this morning! I counted 5,,a couple were quite yellow. Is it kind of early for them to be around and to be so bright? And with them were 2 Purple Finch,,,,,or House Finch. One was quite colorful, too. They were at the feeders with sunflower seed and didn't come to the deck for the niger seed feeder. ~~Patsy South Central, Omaha Subject: at my feeder From: patsyj <pjlam44 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:33:44 -0800 (PST) I had Goldfinch this morning!  I counted 5,,a couple were quite yellow.  Is it kind of early for them to be around and to be so bright? And with them were 2 Purple Finch,,,,,or House Finch.  One was quite colorful, too. ~~Patsy South Central, Omaha "If you obey all of the rules, you miss all of the fun." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Geese at Grandpa's Steakhouse - Buffalo Co. 1/27 From: "tbirdboy10" <tim.birdboy AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:59:22 -0000 Hi NEBirders, I saw several flocks of Canada Geese flying over the Kearney area today, so I stopped by the sandpit behind Grandpa's Steakhouse around 1:30 PM to check out the goose scene. Here's what I found: Greater White-fronted Goose - 11 Cackling Goose - probably about 50, but very mixed in with the others Canada Goose - about 500, all shapes and sizes Common Goldeneye - 2 drakes Tim Hajda Broken Bow, Custer Co. tim.birdboy AT gmail.com http://ebird.org Subject: Raptors and others From: "Bruce & Donna Walgren" <Piranga AT bresnan.net> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:32:23 -0700 It's been a bit slow for birding, but we have been enjoying watching the Bald Eagles hunting along the ridge east of our house. We also see a Ferruginous Hawk in the same area and at time both species are present and they spar over territory. Rough-legged Hawks also frequent this area, though we haven't one in a while. Today there was a Golden Eagle and two adult Bald Eagles perched ( two on the ground and one on the big cross) in the area. At this same time, we had a Sharp-shinned Hawk in the yard hunting for lunch. Yesterday I observed a Merlin perched accross the road on the power line, so we've had our share or raptors. We're also seeing crows flying around in their search for food. We're hearing reports of Evening Grosbeaks around Casper - a friend who lives on Ridgecrest had a flock (20 to 30 birds) at her feeder and they have visited the feeders at the Audubon Center - we haven't been able to see them yet. Lois Layton is still seeing the Spooted Towhee at her feeder, I even caught a glimpse of it on a recent visit to her house. What have you been seeing? Bruce & Donna Walgren Casper, WY [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Hawks/snakes in January! From: wmollhoff AT netscape.net Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:19:43 -0500 Larry Brought back memories of many years ago, wading across Beaver Creek (NW Boone Co) in a snowstorm and with ice cakes floating down the creek during freeze-up. Must have been in late Dec. or early Jan. Noticed something floating downstream toward me and thought it was a stick at first. It turned out to be a 2.5 ft garter snake swimming across the creek....in very slow motion. So cold it could hardly bend, but it finally made it to the far bank. Like you, I wondered why it was out and about! Wayne Mollhoff Ashland NE -----Original Message----- From: larryeinemannl AT aol.com To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Cc: WOLFPHARM AT YAHOO.COM Sent: Wed, Jan 27, 2010 9:15 am Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Hawks/snakes in January! Hi! I spent a few hours yesterday, January 26, 2010 birding in Lancaster County. I did not have the time to stay out longer. The birding was poor with not much diversity. With the recent thaw and rain, much of the snow cover has been reduced except in areas where it drifted. Finding bird activity was a chore even at feeders. I did Branched Oak Lake for a couple of hours or so. There were lots of robins milling about and I got out to walk at a site with a lot of cedars where I found at least 5 yellow-rumped warblers and a sharp-shinned hawk working the birds (juncos, robins, flickers, chickadees, cardinals etc.) at the site. I briefly birded a small portion of Pawnee Lake with few birds present. The day was rare in that the sky was clear after many days of clouds and fog. The temperature started at 19 degrees F. at 8:30 a.m. and warmed to about 26. There was a NW wind blowing from 15 to 25 mph. By the time I headed home at 2:30 p.m. I was driving back to Lincoln via U.S. Highway 6 ("O" Street) just east of NW/SW 126th. I saw this adult red-tailed hawk swoop low over the highway and land in the ditch on the north side of the highway. I immediately slowed down as the hawk fluttered in the ditch it then flew off with its prey--a snake about as long as the raptor was. The snake ( a bullsnake?) appeared dead since there was no movement in the dangling snake. I certainly did not expect to see a snake in January. Then I thought: could it have died earlier and the raptor spotted it from afar or was it alive and moving in the weedy, snow-free ditch, warmed by the sun? We had a stretch of a couple of weeks of relatively mild days and nights with temperatures in the 30s. We had some rain a few days ago, along with snow melt that could have flooded the snakes denning hole, forcing it out of the hole and into the confines of the ditch. Has anyone else seen raptors prey on snakes in Nebraska in January? Larry Einemann Lincoln, NEbraska In a message dated 1/26/2010 7:03:46 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, spindalis79 AT yahoo.com writes: I know this is off the topic of Nebraska birding, though quite significant never the less. I wanted to post that a female AMAZON KINGFISHER was discovered at Laredo, Texas in the vicinity of Zacate Creek on 1/25. This bird is native to Mexico and the new world tropics. If accepted, this bird would be a first ABA area record! If anyone is interested, there are some great pics of this bird on www.surfbirds. If anyo Good birding. Justin Rink Midtown Omaha, Douglas Co., NE _spindalis79 AT spindalis_ (mailto:spindalis79 AT yahoo.com) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Hawks/snakes in January! From: larryeinemannl AT aol.com Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:15:57 EST Hi! I spent a few hours yesterday, January 26, 2010 birding in Lancaster County. I did not have the time to stay out longer. The birding was poor with not much diversity. With the recent thaw and rain, much of the snow cover has been reduced except in areas where it drifted. Finding bird activity was a chore even at feeders. I did Branched Oak Lake for a couple of hours or so. There were lots of robins milling about and I got out to walk at a site with a lot of cedars where I found at least 5 yellow-rumped warblers and a sharp-shinned hawk working the birds (juncos, robins, flickers, chickadees, cardinals etc.) at the site. I briefly birded a small portion of Pawnee Lake with few birds present. The day was rare in that the sky was clear after many days of clouds and fog. The temperature started at 19 degrees F. at 8:30 a.m. and warmed to about 26. There was a NW wind blowing from 15 to 25 mph. By the time I headed home at 2:30 p.m. I was driving back to Lincoln via U.S. Highway 6 ("O" Street) just east of NW/SW 126th. I saw this adult red-tailed hawk swoop low over the highway and land in the ditch on the north side of the highway. I immediately slowed down as the hawk fluttered in the ditch it then flew off with its prey--a snake about as long as the raptor was. The snake ( a bullsnake?) appeared dead since there was no movement in the dangling snake. I certainly did not expect to see a snake in January. Then I thought: could it have died earlier and the raptor spotted it from afar or was it alive and moving in the weedy, snow-free ditch, warmed by the sun? We had a stretch of a couple of weeks of relatively mild days and nights with temperatures in the 30s. We had some rain a few days ago, along with snow melt that could have flooded the snakes denning hole, forcing it out of the hole and into the confines of the ditch. Has anyone else seen raptors prey on snakes in Nebraska in January? Larry Einemann Lincoln, NEbraska In a message dated 1/26/2010 7:03:46 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, spindalis79 AT yahoo.com writes: I know this is off the topic of Nebraska birding, though quite significant never the less. I wanted to post that a female AMAZON KINGFISHER was discovered at Laredo, Texas in the vicinity of Zacate Creek on 1/25. This bird is native to Mexico and the new world tropics. If accepted, this bird would be a first ABA area record! If anyone is interested, there are some great pics of this bird on www.surfbirds. If anyo Good birding. Justin Rink Midtown Omaha, Douglas Co., NE _spindalis79 AT spindalis_ (mailto:spindalis79 AT yahoo.com) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: New ABA Record- Texas From: Justin Rink <spindalis79 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:03:35 -0800 (PST)   I know this is off the topic of Nebraska birding, though quite significant never the less. I wanted to post that a female AMAZON KINGFISHER was discovered at Laredo, Texas in the vicinity of Zacate Creek on 1/25.  This bird is native to Mexico and the new world tropics.  If accepted, this bird would be a first ABA area record!  If anyone is interested, there are some great pics of this bird on www.surfbirds.com   Good birding.   Justin Rink Midtown Omaha, Douglas Co., NE spindalis79 AT yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Raptor Workshop Announcement From: "Gene" <gene AT raptorresearch.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:12:22 -0000 Hi Jim, The cost of the 5-day Raptor Workshop is $425, this does not cover food or lodging. For additional details visit the website, or I can send you a flier and itinerary of the workshop. I remember Dr. Post, but I didn't get to know him personally. Gene Jacobs --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, james gibson wrote: > > Hello Gene:   If we don't want the credit, what is the total cost fot the raptor workshop? > > Do you happen to know Doug Post who was on the St. Pt. faculty in biology for a long time? > > Jim Gibson > Chadron NE > > > ________________________________ > From: Gene Jacobs > To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com > Sent: Sun, January 24, 2010 10:23:08 AM > Subject: [NEBirds] Raptor Workshop Announcement > >   > Hi, > > If you're looking for a chance of a lifetime to work with some of > Wisconsin's finest birds, consider attending the Raptor Workshop. During > this workshop you will be active in assisting in on-going research projects > here in central Wisconsin. You will capture, band, and release several > different species of raptors, from the powerful Red-tailed Hawk down to the > beautiful American Kestrel. You will receive "hands-on" training in many of > the field techniques used to study raptors. Small class sizes of 8 > students, allows for individualized instructions throughout the course. > These two 5-day workshops entitled "Introduction to Raptor Field Techniques" > will be held in Stevens Point, WI by Eugene Jacobs of the Linwood Springs > Research Station and Loren Ayers of the Wis. Dept. of Natural Resources. > Session #1 June 7-11, 2010 and session #2 June 21-25, 2010. This course can > be taken for credit through UW-Stevens Point. For more details visit > www.RaptorResearch. com > > Gene Jacobs > Raptor Services, LLC > 1601 Brown Deer Lane > Stevens Point, WI 54481 > 715-347-7998 > > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _______ > Unlimited Disk, Data Transfer, PHP/MySQL Domain Hosting > http://www.doteasy. com > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: Re: For Edward O'Donnelle From: "Edward" <edwodonnell AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:38:06 -0000 You were right! I found your e-mail in my spam folder. It went straight in there and it's a place I rarely look unless I want to check on the status of the Jailed Nigerian Prince that wants to pay me 20 Million to free him. I'm now wondering exactly how many other e-mails went there? How many of my replies went into others spam folder? If someone has sent me an e-mail and I haven't replied, this is more than likely the case...unless they come from John and Shari. I delete them on sight! :) Edward, Lincoln --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "birdloverj" wrote: > > Sorry but the first message posted before I got anything written. Anyway, Ed, I sent you a message privately last week and am wondering if you received it or it was put into you junk mail folder? > > Jan Johnson > Subject: Re: Broad-winged Hawk? From: "jkholmquist" <jill AT fai-insight.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:18:35 -0000 Thanks, everyone, for your responses. It wasn't a Sharp-shinned Hawk (I've had one of those before) and it didn't look at all like the Cooper's Hawk image below (or like others I found online). Interestingly, I looked at the gorgeous pictures Edward posted of the Red-tailed Hawk and it looked very much like that. Its breast was very white, with speckling lower on the abdomen. Its tail was hidden when it was sitting still and I didn't get a good look at it in flight, and it was carrying something reddish anyway. But given the unlikelihood of it being a Broad-winged Hawk, I think it was a Red-tailed Hawk. Jill --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, Tim H wrote: > > Hi Jill, > > Broad-winged Hawks are virtually nonexistent in Nebraska in the winter, so > I'd venture to guess that your bird was an immature Cooper's Hawk. They > have a similar pattern and are frequently found in Nebraska at this time of > year. The main differences are that Cooper's are much slimmer, > longer-tailed, and have shorter, rounder wings in flight. > > Here's a nice shot of an immature Cooper's that I found online: > > http://www.pbase.com/zylen/image/48676485 > > Another very similiar species is the Sharp-shinned Hawk, but they are a > noticeably small hawk that usually wouldn't be confused with a *Buteo*. > > > Tim Hajda > Broken Bow, Custer Co. > tim.birdboy AT ... > http://ebird.org > > On Mon, Jan 25, 2010 at 9:47 AM, jkholmquist wrote: > > > > > > > A large bird carrying either a robin or a small squirrel caught my eye in > > my backyard/park yesterday. It landed in a pine tree close to my house so I > > got a really good look at the hawk. It looked identical to the juvenile > > Broad-winged Hawk picture at whatbird.com. http://tinyurl.com/yd3cjkt It > > flew off between two houses with jays squawking and chasing after it. > > > > I saw that they're migratory through Eastern Nebraska. I thought this might > > be unusual in January, but then later I did see two robins. Seems strange in > > January, too. I think a flock of robins flew by, but can't confirm that. > > > > I'd appreciate it if someone could confirm that it could have been a > > Broad-winged Hawk. > > > > Jill H. > > Lincoln > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: birds at feeder From: "Phyllis" <hpsalyar AT tcgcs.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:36:35 -0000 Since the Christmas blizzard, feeders have been almost deserted. BUT yesterday during gale force winds there appeared five female goldfinches after an absence of nine months at same feeder. Bizarre Phyllis is Adams County Subject: For Edward O'Donnelle From: "birdloverj" <bluebird47 AT cedarwb.net> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:54:40 -0000 Sorry but the first message posted before I got anything written. Anyway, Ed, I sent you a message privately last week and am wondering if you received it or it was put into you junk mail folder? Jan Johnson Subject: For Edward O'Donnell From: "birdloverj" <bluebird47 AT cedarwb.net> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:53:12 -0000 --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Edward" wrote: > > Just to bring it on home, I had someone post this on my Hawk shot: > > "As the bird is a juvenile, it is too heavily-marked (particularly on the head) for a juv Krider's. Also, it has so little warm tones anywhere that it seems right for a Harlan's." > > Edward, Lincoln. > > --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Edward" wrote: > > > > Hello, > > I want to thank you all for your replies. I'm starting to appreciate the genetic variation in the Red-Tailed Hawks (and coming to grips with it). I did do a little research on the different morphs and such before I got frustrated and just posted the photos. > > Immature? Ok, I get that. > > Light Morph? I get that too. > > Dark Morph? Sure, why not? > > Krider's? Hmmmm. > > Harlan's? Hmmmm, this is kinda getting out of hand. > > A Light Morph of a Dark Morph? (Harlan's) Well this is just Madness! > > Now throw in the Ornithological organizations changes every year and I'll just settle for a, "That colored Red-Tailed-Hawk." > > > > It's in my nature to define a species and properly label my photos for storage, but I'm just going to have to label it Red-Tailed Hawk_37 and just accept and marvel at the genetic variation. > > > > Well, with that said, I think it's really cool looking Red-Tailed Hawk. > > Edward, Lincoln. > > > > > > --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Edward" wrote: > > > > > > Hola, it's me again. I'm still around. > > > I have 3 shots of an odd looking hawk that was sitting on a pole at the entrance to Platte River State Park. > > > I know it's a Red-Tailed, but which kind? It had a very faint Red tail...almost pinkish. My book says it might be a couple of different kinds. This one is a lot different than any Red-Tailed Hawk I've seen. > > > > > > Profile > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4287215058/sizes/l/ > > > > > > Front > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4286474253/sizes/l/ > > > > > > Back(ish) > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4286477659/sizes/l/ > > > > > > As usual, any help is appreciated. > > > Edward, Lincoln. > > > > > > Subject: Raptor Workshop From: "Gene Jacobs" <gene AT raptorresearch.com> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:59:51 -0600 Greeting: If you're looking for a chance of a lifetime to work with some of Wisconsin's finest birds, consider attending the Raptor Workshop. During this workshop you will be active in assisting in on-going research projects here in central Wisconsin. You will capture, band, and release several different species of raptors, from the powerful Red-tailed Hawk down to the beautiful American Kestrel. You will receive "hands-on" training in many of the field techniques used to study raptors. Small class sizes of 8 students, allows for individualized instructions throughout the course. These two 5-day workshops entitled "Introduction to Raptor Field Techniques" will be held in Stevens Point, WI by Eugene Jacobs of the Linwood Springs Research Station and Loren Ayers of the Wis. Dept. of Natural Resources. Session #1 June 7-11, 2010 and session #2 June 21-25, 2010. This course can be taken for credit through UW-Stevens Point. For more details visit www.RaptorResearch.com Eugene Jacobs Raptor Services, LLC 1601 Brown Deer Lane Stevens Point, WI 54481 715-347-7998 Website: www.RaptorResearch.com _______________________________________________________ Unlimited Disk, Data Transfer, PHP/MySQL Domain Hosting http://www.doteasy.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lied Bridge birds From: "brucergr" <brucergr AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:55:32 -0000 Sunday, ~2:30+ pm: April and I spotted a mature bald eagle resting on the frozen Platte, soon joined by an incoming immature baldie, just N of the MoPac East/Lied Platte River (pedestrian) Bridge. 6 or 7 crows were mobbing them on the ice, to little effect. An occasional fish leaped from open water... On/over the banks nearby were also: ~20 dark-eyed juncos 3 eastern blue birds 1 Canada Goose (on open water, 7-8 in flight) Red tail hawk En route (Hwy 6 & fish hatchery): 2 Am. kestrels 10+ Am. robins Mallards B. Mellberg Subject: Re: Odd looking Red-Tailed Hawk From: "Edward" <edwodonnell AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:46:29 -0000 Just to bring it on home, I had someone post this on my Hawk shot: "As the bird is a juvenile, it is too heavily-marked (particularly on the head) for a juv Krider's. Also, it has so little warm tones anywhere that it seems right for a Harlan's." Edward, Lincoln. --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Edward" wrote: > > Hello, > I want to thank you all for your replies. I'm starting to appreciate the genetic variation in the Red-Tailed Hawks (and coming to grips with it). I did do a little research on the different morphs and such before I got frustrated and just posted the photos. > Immature? Ok, I get that. > Light Morph? I get that too. > Dark Morph? Sure, why not? > Krider's? Hmmmm. > Harlan's? Hmmmm, this is kinda getting out of hand. > A Light Morph of a Dark Morph? (Harlan's) Well this is just Madness! > Now throw in the Ornithological organizations changes every year and I'll just settle for a, "That colored Red-Tailed-Hawk." > > It's in my nature to define a species and properly label my photos for storage, but I'm just going to have to label it Red-Tailed Hawk_37 and just accept and marvel at the genetic variation. > > Well, with that said, I think it's really cool looking Red-Tailed Hawk. > Edward, Lincoln. > > > --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Edward" wrote: > > > > Hola, it's me again. I'm still around. > > I have 3 shots of an odd looking hawk that was sitting on a pole at the entrance to Platte River State Park. > > I know it's a Red-Tailed, but which kind? It had a very faint Red tail...almost pinkish. My book says it might be a couple of different kinds. This one is a lot different than any Red-Tailed Hawk I've seen. > > > > Profile > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4287215058/sizes/l/ > > > > Front > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4286474253/sizes/l/ > > > > Back(ish) > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4286477659/sizes/l/ > > > > As usual, any help is appreciated. > > Edward, Lincoln. > > > Subject: Re: Broad-winged Hawk? From: Tim H <tim.birdboy AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:29:53 -0600 Hi Jill, Broad-winged Hawks are virtually nonexistent in Nebraska in the winter, so I'd venture to guess that your bird was an immature Cooper's Hawk. They have a similar pattern and are frequently found in Nebraska at this time of year. The main differences are that Cooper's are much slimmer, longer-tailed, and have shorter, rounder wings in flight. Here's a nice shot of an immature Cooper's that I found online: http://www.pbase.com/zylen/image/48676485 Another very similiar species is the Sharp-shinned Hawk, but they are a noticeably small hawk that usually wouldn't be confused with a *Buteo*. Tim Hajda Broken Bow, Custer Co. tim.birdboy AT gmail.com http://ebird.org On Mon, Jan 25, 2010 at 9:47 AM, jkholmquist wrote: > > > A large bird carrying either a robin or a small squirrel caught my eye in > my backyard/park yesterday. It landed in a pine tree close to my house so I > got a really good look at the hawk. It looked identical to the juvenile > Broad-winged Hawk picture at whatbird.com. http://tinyurl.com/yd3cjkt It > flew off between two houses with jays squawking and chasing after it. > > I saw that they're migratory through Eastern Nebraska. I thought this might > be unusual in January, but then later I did see two robins. Seems strange in > January, too. I think a flock of robins flew by, but can't confirm that. > > I'd appreciate it if someone could confirm that it could have been a > Broad-winged Hawk. > > Jill H. > Lincoln > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: NEBirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com NEBirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: NEBirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: RE: Broad-winged Hawk? From: "Thomas Labedz" <tlabedz1 AT unl.edu> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:23:57 -0600 Jill Find a picture of an adult Cooper's Hawk. That is the much more likely suspect. Thomas Labedz, Lincoln _____ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of jkholmquist Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 9:47 AM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEBirds] Broad-winged Hawk? A large bird carrying either a robin or a small squirrel caught my eye in my backyard/park yesterday. It landed in a pine tree close to my house so I got a really good look at the hawk. It looked identical to the juvenile Broad-winged Hawk picture at whatbird.com. http://tinyurl. com/yd3cjkt It flew off between two houses with jays squawking and chasing after it. I saw that they're migratory through Eastern Nebraska. I thought this might be unusual in January, but then later I did see two robins. Seems strange in January, too. I think a flock of robins flew by, but can't confirm that. I'd appreciate it if someone could confirm that it could have been a Broad-winged Hawk. Jill H. Lincoln [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Broad-winged Hawk? From: "jkholmquist" <jill AT fai-insight.com> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:47:28 -0000 A large bird carrying either a robin or a small squirrel caught my eye in my backyard/park yesterday. It landed in a pine tree close to my house so I got a really good look at the hawk. It looked identical to the juvenile Broad-winged Hawk picture at whatbird.com. http://tinyurl.com/yd3cjkt It flew off between two houses with jays squawking and chasing after it. I saw that they're migratory through Eastern Nebraska. I thought this might be unusual in January, but then later I did see two robins. Seems strange in January, too. I think a flock of robins flew by, but can't confirm that. I'd appreciate it if someone could confirm that it could have been a Broad-winged Hawk. Jill H. Lincoln Subject: Re: Dannebrog birds From: "Kathy DeLara" <renosmom AT charter.net> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:33:39 -0700 At this end of the state we have noticed a lack of winter birds too. The birds are around, but in much lower numbers than previous years. The only other birds I saw at the monument yesterday were 5 Juncos, 1 Red-tail Hawk, 1 kestral and 5 Bald Eagles that were flying around the bluffs. I was there for at least an hour and a half the first time and went back with a friend later to try to relocate the rosy-finches. We were there nearly an hour and only saw the juncos and a magpie, didn't find the rosy-finches again. Kathy DeLara Mitchell NE ----- Original Message ----- From: Robin and Lanny To: NeBirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 11:30 AM Subject: [NEBirds] Dannebrog birds Nebraska birders, Saturday, January 23, Lanny and I looked for some birds in Dannebrog which is located in Howard County (northwest of Grand Island). There are only about 350 residents but it is bird friendly. The city park is a good place to bird and they have a wonderful nature trail that goes around the edge of town, out to the sewage lagoons and back past the cemetery. Nice variety of habitats. In the cemetery, we found about five Brown Creepers which was a new county bird for both of us. Near the sewage lagoons, we saw many Eastern Bluebirds. Lanny and I are both up to 145 species in Howard County. As other birders have reported, the birding has been rather boring this winter. There have been some reports of winter rarities such as Snow Buntings but I have not seen much about other species that show-up during hard winters. Have they all gone further south? Robin Harding northern Kearney County, Nebraska For more information about birding in Nebraska, see the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union web site at: http://rip.physics.unk.edu/NOU/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Raptor Workshop Announcement From: james gibson <jgibson38 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:11:11 -0800 (PST) Hello Gene:   If we don't want the credit, what is the total cost fot the raptor workshop? Do you happen to know Doug Post who was on the St. Pt. faculty in biology for a long time? Jim Gibson Chadron NE ________________________________ From: Gene Jacobs To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sun, January 24, 2010 10:23:08 AM Subject: [NEBirds] Raptor Workshop Announcement   Hi, If you're looking for a chance of a lifetime to work with some of Wisconsin's finest birds, consider attending the Raptor Workshop. During this workshop you will be active in assisting in on-going research projects here in central Wisconsin. You will capture, band, and release several different species of raptors, from the powerful Red-tailed Hawk down to the beautiful American Kestrel. You will receive "hands-on" training in many of the field techniques used to study raptors. Small class sizes of 8 students, allows for individualized instructions throughout the course. These two 5-day workshops entitled "Introduction to Raptor Field Techniques" will be held in Stevens Point, WI by Eugene Jacobs of the Linwood Springs Research Station and Loren Ayers of the Wis. Dept. of Natural Resources. Session #1 June 7-11, 2010 and session #2 June 21-25, 2010. This course can be taken for credit through UW-Stevens Point. For more details visit www.RaptorResearch. com Gene Jacobs Raptor Services, LLC 1601 Brown Deer Lane Stevens Point, WI 54481 715-347-7998 ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _______ Unlimited Disk, Data Transfer, PHP/MySQL Domain Hosting http://www.doteasy. com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Dannebrog birds From: Robin and Lanny <snowbunting AT rcom-ne.com> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:30:37 -0600 Nebraska birders, Saturday, January 23, Lanny and I looked for some birds in Dannebrog which is located in Howard County (northwest of Grand Island). There are only about 350 residents but it is bird friendly. The city park is a good place to bird and they have a wonderful nature trail that goes around the edge of town, out to the sewage lagoons and back past the cemetery. Nice variety of habitats. In the cemetery, we found about five Brown Creepers which was a new county bird for both of us. Near the sewage lagoons, we saw many Eastern Bluebirds. Lanny and I are both up to 145 species in Howard County. As other birders have reported, the birding has been rather boring this winter. There have been some reports of winter rarities such as Snow Buntings but I have not seen much about other species that show-up during hard winters. Have they all gone further south? Robin Harding northern Kearney County, Nebraska For more information about birding in Nebraska, see the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union web site at: http://rip.physics.unk.edu/NOU/ Subject: Raptor Workshop Announcement From: "Gene Jacobs" <gene AT raptorresearch.com> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 11:23:08 -0600 Hi, If you're looking for a chance of a lifetime to work with some of Wisconsin's finest birds, consider attending the Raptor Workshop. During this workshop you will be active in assisting in on-going research projects here in central Wisconsin. You will capture, band, and release several different species of raptors, from the powerful Red-tailed Hawk down to the beautiful American Kestrel. You will receive "hands-on" training in many of the field techniques used to study raptors. Small class sizes of 8 students, allows for individualized instructions throughout the course. These two 5-day workshops entitled "Introduction to Raptor Field Techniques" will be held in Stevens Point, WI by Eugene Jacobs of the Linwood Springs Research Station and Loren Ayers of the Wis. Dept. of Natural Resources. Session #1 June 7-11, 2010 and session #2 June 21-25, 2010. This course can be taken for credit through UW-Stevens Point. For more details visit www.RaptorResearch.com Gene Jacobs Raptor Services, LLC 1601 Brown Deer Lane Stevens Point, WI 54481 715-347-7998 _______________________________________________________ Unlimited Disk, Data Transfer, PHP/MySQL Domain Hosting http://www.doteasy.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Greater Prairie Chickens From: "LJH" <rogercheryl AT q.com> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:37:31 -0000 Hello all, While there has been a general dearth of avifauna in our immediate vicinity, I was up at my grandparent's ranch in Grant Co. this weekend and was pleasantly surprised to find three G. Prairie Chickens in the meadow next to the house. I was able to get within 50 ft. of them before they flew off. Although not necessarily a "rare" species, they were exciting to me after two weeks of seeing only juncos,House sparrows, starlings and E-C doves.Oh, and the occasional House finch. Here's hoping the weather heats up and the birding does too! Good birding to all, Luke J. Hamilton Bridgeport NE Subject: Request to REPORT Trumpeter Swan Sightings From: "Peg Abbott" <portalpeg AT vtc.net> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 14:28:58 -0700 I am looking for reports this winter (through May 1) for any sightings of Trumpeter Swans as part of The Trumpeter Swan Society's TRUMPETER WATCH program. Details of this Citizen Science effort can be found at http://www.trumpeterswansociety.org/csp-trumpeter-watch.html In general we hope to get an accurate geographic picture of wintering Trumpeters. As the Midwest populations expand, people are seeing Trumpeters in places they have not been for over a century. Oklahoma now reports nine different locations and it seems birds are showing up with increasing frequency. If Trumpeter Swan is in the title of your post I can easily find it. If not, sending me an email alert or sightings report (on the link above) would help our effort greatly. We are tracking distribution in states on or south of the 40th parallel. I'd be thrilled to find someone to regularly track sightings on this site, and also to research past sightings. If someone has time to do some of this Internet research please contact me at peg AT trumpeterswansociety.org Thank you. Peg Abbott, Outreach Coordinator, The Trumpeter Swan Society Subject: Gray-crowned Rosy-finches From: "Kathy DeLara" <renosmom AT charter.net> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 14:38:27 -0700 About noon today I found aprox 100 Gray-crowned Rosy-finches at the Scotts Bluff National Monument I drove to the top and walked down the trail, as far as where it makes a sharp turn back to the west. I stopped there for a few minutes and looked around, pretty soon I heard birds that I didn't recognize so thought it might be the finches. I soon got my eye on them as they flew across the face of the east slope, there was a flock of at least 100. They fly in a pretty tight flock so easy to spot as they flew around. They stopped on the face of the rocks for a few seconds, flew to another area and stopped again then flew to a snowy patch and were drinking from the melting snow. This was right below the first sign on the south overlook trail. I could see them pretty good from where I was, the light was good and I could see the rosy color and gray nape/head. Can't saw for sure they were all Gray-crowned Rosy-finches but probably were. They took off and went around the south overlook and out of sight. I walked over there, of course that took a good 20 minutes, and couldn't relocate them after that. Since they have been there for a week good chance they will stick around for a while yet. Don't think I could have seen them from the upper parking lot, they were flying pretty close to the rocks. Probably could have seen them from the road going up when they flew to the south so there is a chance you could see them from a car if they were flying around. Gordon Warrick saw them on the north side of the walking trail tunnel last Sunday Kathy DeLara Mitchell NE [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Birdjam From: Theresa Pester <warblerluvr AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 10:56:08 -0800 (PST) Thanks for all the information.  Russ read all the info.   I let Russ order what he wanted to get for me since the original Ipod was a Christmas gift without the birdjam pre-loaded. . We decided we didn't want to mess with loading it ourselves and it seemed to be a good deal to get a pre-loaded.  I don't know which one he got for me so it will be a surprise when it comes in the mail. : )   Theresa Pester [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Barrow's still present From: Tim H <tim.birdboy AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 23:26:59 -0600 I got some poor-quality photos of the Barrow's Goldeneye next to some Common Goldeneyes when we re-found it this morning. A mouth-dropping bird, and even better in real life! http://www.flickr.com/photos/7469215 AT N04/4297106696/ Thanks again, T.J., for making it an easy and enjoyable chase. Tim Hajda Broken Bow, Custer Co. tim.birdboy AT gmail.com http://ebird.org On Fri, Jan 22, 2010 at 11:36 AM, Walker, Thomas wrote: > > > In case anyone is considering looking for the Barrow's Goldeneye, it was > still present this AM right below the NPPD powerhouse just south of State > Farm Road on the south side of North Platte. > > This may not be a "chaser" bird but just in case anyone was considering it, > I thought I would give an update. > > T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section > Nebraska Game and Parks Commission > 301 East State Farm Road > North Platte, NE 69101 > Office Phone 308-535-8025 > Cell Phone 308-530-7659 > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: NEBirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com NEBirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: NEBirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Barrow's still present From: "Walker, Thomas" <thomas.walker AT nebraska.gov> Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:36:48 -0600 In case anyone is considering looking for the Barrow's Goldeneye, it was still present this AM right below the NPPD powerhouse just south of State Farm Road on the south side of North Platte. This may not be a "chaser" bird but just in case anyone was considering it, I thought I would give an update. T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 301 East State Farm Road North Platte, NE 69101 Office Phone 308-535-8025 Cell Phone 308-530-7659 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: birdjam From: Paul Roisen <roisenp1950 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:16:50 -0800 (PST) iMainGo 2   is even a little bit better.  I would not trade it for any other system when I am out of the vehicle. 1)  Keep a fresh set of batteries around2)  Batteries last quite awhile IF      You set it the inside switch to the TOP position (alarm?)      Turn it OFF whenever you are not using it.3)  It the sound (especially lower end of the scale) starts to degrade replace the batteries     IF fresh batteries don't do the trick you may have to take it apart and reposition the speakers (dropping or jarring can cause the speakers to break loose).  Not that I have ever let my iMainGo fall out of the car while driving. God Bless, Paul Roisen Sioux City, IA Woodbury County 712-276-0371(H) 712-301-2817(C) --- On Thu, 1/21/10, stivland AT cpinternet.com wrote: From: stivland AT cpinternet.com Subject: [NEBirds] birdjam To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, January 21, 2010, 6:01 PM   We have used our Birdjam (with I-main-go speaker system) for several years. I give it a 10 - you could not get it away from us, now. I agree with T.J. that you need to pay attention to the batteries. Having said that, I am impressed with the volume available and the battery life for the four AAA batteries. I am sort of used to this from digital cameras and other electronic equipment. I always forget to recharge the ipod, which is worse, because you cannot just slap in four new AAA's. Just my 2 cents. Sid and Gail Stivland Plymouth, MN [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: birdjam From: "stivland AT cpinternet.com" <stivland@cpinternet.com> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:01:58 -0600 We have used our Birdjam (with I-main-go speaker system) for several years. I give it a 10 - you could not get it away from us, now. I agree with T.J. that you need to pay attention to the batteries. Having said that, I am impressed with the volume available and the battery life for the four AAA batteries. I am sort of used to this from digital cameras and other electronic equipment. I always forget to recharge the ipod, which is worse, because you cannot just slap in four new AAA's. Just my 2 cents. Sid and Gail Stivland Plymouth, MN Subject: RE: Birdjam From: Theresa Pester <warblerluvr AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:52:24 -0800 (PST) ok thanks : ) --- On Thu, 1/21/10, Walker, Thomas wrote: From: Walker, Thomas Subject: RE: [NEBirds] Birdjam To: "NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com" Date: Thursday, January 21, 2010, 2:30 PM 10 provided that your batteries are not running low, then it quickly drops to 1...... T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 301 East State Farm Road North Platte, NE  69101 Office Phone 308-535-8025 Cell Phone 308-530-7659 ________________________________ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Theresa Pester [warblerluvr AT yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 1:35 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEBirds] Birdjam Does anyone have the speakers that you can purchase with the birdjam? What is your opinion of the speakers on a scale of 1 to10. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Birdjam From: "Walker, Thomas" <thomas.walker AT nebraska.gov> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:30:03 -0600 10 provided that your batteries are not running low, then it quickly drops to 1...... T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 301 East State Farm Road North Platte, NE 69101 Office Phone 308-535-8025 Cell Phone 308-530-7659 ________________________________ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Theresa Pester [warblerluvr AT yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 1:35 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEBirds] Birdjam Does anyone have the speakers that you can purchase with the birdjam? What is your opinion of the speakers on a scale of 1 to10. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: NEBirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com NEBirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: NEBirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Afghanistan From: "rickwings" <rick AT wingsbirds.com> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:58:01 -0000 Eric, Here are some suggestions: Adamian, M.S. & Klem, D. Jnr.. 1997 A Field Guide to the Birds of Armenia. --Tanya Bray was heavily involved in the creation of this guide. Flint, et al. 1984. A Field Guide to the Birds of the USSR. Princeton. Knystautas, A. 1993. Collins Guide: Birds of Russia. Svensson, L., D. Zetterstrom, and K. Mullarney. 2009. Birds of Europe. Second Edition. Princeton: Princeton UP. ISBN 0691143927. Porter, R. Christensen,S. & Schiermacker-Hansen, P. Field Guide to the Birds of the Middle East. Rasmussen Pamela C. and John C Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Lynx Edicions. (ISBN: 84-87334-67-9). Volumes I & II. None of these will offer perfect coverage, but using Svensson et al. as your primary guide, supplemented where necessary with the others, should help. Best, Rick Wright Tucson and Vancouver Subject: Birdjam From: Theresa Pester <warblerluvr AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:35:31 -0800 (PST) Does anyone have the speakers that you can purchase with the birdjam? What is your opinion of the speakers on a scale of 1 to10. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye From: "Walker, Thomas" <thomas.walker AT nebraska.gov> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:05:08 -0600 Found an absolutely perfectly colored drake Barrow's Goldeneye just below the gates on the canal by the NPPD office (right across the road from our office here in North Platte) over the noon hour. With it being down in a canal, I had a great view of the bird and all of the appropriate plumage characteristics, head shape, etc. were notable. It was also with two drake Common Goldeneyes (providing side by side views at times) and one hen goldeneye that I actually didn't even think to try to ID..... Not much else around, pretty quiet in all of this fog. T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 301 East State Farm Road North Platte, NE 69101 Office Phone 308-535-8025 Cell Phone 308-530-7659 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fall Singing From: "Clem Klaphake" <ckavian AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:17:51 -0600 Ross, et.al., The thread about fall singing birds reminded me of some recent research that found that a number of 'our' summer migrants are again mating and producing another clutch of young in their and our winter season (Mexico, Central America.....). Possibly some of these birds don't have a "no-singing" or silent season. For example, some of us have commented on the Red-eyed Vireos that are still singing in September. They may be singing as they migrate south the same way they sing when they are migraitng north - they don't only sing when they are on territory. We aren't even sure why they often sing in the first place. I realize some non-migrants may be sometimes singing in the fall also (Meadowlarks). Interesting topic. I found it fascinating that we just found out in 2008 that some of these species breed again in their southern locations. Shows how little we really know. Clem Klaphake Bellevue, NE [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Howdy, just a few of my recent Bird Photos. From: "Spence Watson" <groups AT spencewatson.com> Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:24:26 -0600 Edward, Wow, those are great shots!! What kind of camera are you using? Maybe one day you would let me tag-along and give me a few pointers! Spence Papillion, NE From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Edward Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 6:56 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEBirds] Howdy, just a few of my recent Bird Photos. I haven't been out much lately due to the extreme cold weather. I'm a little over paranoid about taking my camera out in sub-zero weather. I have been out a few times lately and just wanted to post a few of my shots. An American Kestrel on a line at Branched Oak. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4273450434/sizes/l/ Brown Creeper (Yay, new bird!) at Platte River State Park http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4288637977/sizes/l/ Hearty Bluebirds at Platte River State Park. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4288642669/sizes/l/ and he takes off in a blur http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4288646477/sizes/l/ I met up with John Carlini and Shari Schwartz and went to Platte River State Park. All things considering it was a pretty productive day with something like 23 species counted. Highlights were Yellow Rumped Warblers, Purple Finch, Bald Eagle and the Red-Tailed Hawk photos in my previous post. I'm told these are Rusty Blackbirds. (Yay, new bird!) In an Apple tree about 10 miles Northeast of Shoemaker's Marsh. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4288636973/sizes/l/ There was also a Red-Bellied Woodpecker in the tree with his bill dug into one of the, "Apples" Edward, Lincoln No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.432 / Virus Database: 270.14.145/2626 - Release Date: 01/19/10 07:34:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: More on Harris's Sparrows From: "Wic7ita" <juanitapat AT csus.edu> Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:58:52 -0000 I have had exactly two Harris's Sparrows since the heavy snow came. They usually are around in groups of 2 to perhaps 8 in the rare hedgerows and ditch vegetation in this over-farmed part of Fillmore County. When the snowcover is dense, they come to the feeders. But 2 is a low number compared to previous years. NEWS: Today we are having a melt, and ice is "hailing" down from the trees in drumrolls and tinkles. And the Harris's Sparrow/s is/are singing! Go to Cornell Bird Lab to hear the piercing piccolo-tones of their song and you will understand the delight I take in hearing it on this gray gray day. Will we ever see the sun again? Juanita Rice, Fairmont, SE Rainwater Basin Subject: Calling All Bird Brains From: Jeanine Lackey <jeanine.dinan AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:29:42 -0600 Please see information below from Nebraska Prairie Partners Education Staff regarding an upcoming FLYING WILD workshop in Kearney. Calling all bird brains! Come attend a Flying WILD workshop on Thursday, February 4, 2010 from 1-5 p.m. (CST) at the Ramada Inn in Kearney (Conference room TBA). Flying WILD introduces students to the study of birds and related habitat and conservation issues. This workshop will provide you with activities that teach students about birds, their migration, bird adaptations, and what people can do to help local birds and their habitats. Activities are geared toward 5th-8th grades, but area easily adapted for lower or upper levels. The cost of this workshop FREE! Yes, that’s right FREE! Plus, workshop participants will receive: -Flying WILD: An Educators Activity Guide to Celebrating Birds -Background content on common birds of Nebraska -Bird field guides, bird song cd’s and other supplemental materials -Door prizes and Candy! For more information or to obtain a registration form, please contact Amanda Filipi with Nebraska Prairie Partners/NGPC/RMBO at 308-220-0052 or * amanda.filipi AT rmbo.org* Space is limited to 25 participants, so register early! Registration deadline is January 29th.. Jeanine Lackey Fish and Wildlife Biologist U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 203 West Second Street Grand Island, Nebraska 68801 Phone: 308-382-6468 ext. 14 Fax: 308-384-8835 Jeanine_Lackey AT fws.gov [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: NEBirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com NEBirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: NEBirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: Rare Warbler From: "bent6130" <ericbents AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:25:28 -0000 funny you should post this ... I was going to ask if anyone could recommend a central Asia birding guide as I am in fact going to spend a few months in Afghanistan this year. Mostly urban setting, however. Eric B --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "stivland AT ..." wrote: > > Interesting article in the Minneapolis Star-tribune about > finding a rare warbler in Afghanistan. Anyone want to > organize a birding trip? > > http://www.startribune.com/world/82007062.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU > > Sid Stivland > Plymouth, MN > Subject: Howdy, just a few of my recent Bird Photos. From: "Edward" <edwodonnell AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:55:33 -0000 I haven't been out much lately due to the extreme cold weather. I'm a little over paranoid about taking my camera out in sub-zero weather. I have been out a few times lately and just wanted to post a few of my shots. An American Kestrel on a line at Branched Oak. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4273450434/sizes/l/ Brown Creeper (Yay, new bird!) at Platte River State Park http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4288637977/sizes/l/ Hearty Bluebirds at Platte River State Park. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4288642669/sizes/l/ and he takes off in a blur http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4288646477/sizes/l/ I met up with John Carlini and Shari Schwartz and went to Platte River State Park. All things considering it was a pretty productive day with something like 23 species counted. Highlights were Yellow Rumped Warblers, Purple Finch, Bald Eagle and the Red-Tailed Hawk photos in my previous post. I'm told these are Rusty Blackbirds. (Yay, new bird!) In an Apple tree about 10 miles Northeast of Shoemaker's Marsh. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4288636973/sizes/l/ There was also a Red-Bellied Woodpecker in the tree with his bill dug into one of the, "Apples" Edward, Lincoln Subject: Re: Odd looking Red-Tailed Hawk From: "Edward" <edwodonnell AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:37:14 -0000 Hello, I want to thank you all for your replies. I'm starting to appreciate the genetic variation in the Red-Tailed Hawks (and coming to grips with it). I did do a little research on the different morphs and such before I got frustrated and just posted the photos. Immature? Ok, I get that. Light Morph? I get that too. Dark Morph? Sure, why not? Krider's? Hmmmm. Harlan's? Hmmmm, this is kinda getting out of hand. A Light Morph of a Dark Morph? (Harlan's) Well this is just Madness! Now throw in the Ornithological organizations changes every year and I'll just settle for a, "That colored Red-Tailed-Hawk." It's in my nature to define a species and properly label my photos for storage, but I'm just going to have to label it Red-Tailed Hawk_37 and just accept and marvel at the genetic variation. Well, with that said, I think it's really cool looking Red-Tailed Hawk. Edward, Lincoln. --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Edward" wrote: > > Hola, it's me again. I'm still around. > I have 3 shots of an odd looking hawk that was sitting on a pole at the entrance to Platte River State Park. > I know it's a Red-Tailed, but which kind? It had a very faint Red tail...almost pinkish. My book says it might be a couple of different kinds. This one is a lot different than any Red-Tailed Hawk I've seen. > > Profile > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4287215058/sizes/l/ > > Front > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4286474253/sizes/l/ > > Back(ish) > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4286477659/sizes/l/ > > As usual, any help is appreciated. > Edward, Lincoln. >