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Updated on Wednesday, July 1 at 09:04 PM ET
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Dwarf Olive Ibis,©BirdQuest

1 Jul Recent Big Bend Birds [Robert Lengacher ]
29 Jun Gail Menk: Cornerstone Bird List ["Julie Duggan" ]
29 Jun Re: Bald Pt sightings - Saturday ["Jim Stevenson" ]
29 Jun Re: Bald Pt sightings - Saturday [David Simpson ]
29 Jun Re: Bald Pt sightings - Saturday [David Simpson ]
29 Jun Re: Bald Point State Park sightings, Saturday afternoon 6/27 PM ["Jim Stevenson" ]
29 Jun Bald Point State Park sightings, Saturday afternoon 6/27 PM ["markkiser9" ]
27 Jun Re: Bald Pt sightings - Saturday ["Jim Stevenson" ]
27 Jun Bald Pt sightings - Saturday ["John Murphy" ]
27 Jun Friday at St. Marks NWR []
24 Jun Piney Z Southwood and the Southeast Farm []
21 Jun New Approaches to Teaching Ornithology - a Gail Menk posting ["Marvin Collins" ]
21 Jun Homage to Senator Mallory Horne (Gail Menk) ["Julie Duggan" ]
20 Jun MIssissippi Kites at Lake Killarney []
19 Jun A Birder's Passing ["glendajoyce6009" ]
16 Jun Some Notable Bird Records for Leon County April/May 2009 - A Gail Menk Posting ["Marvin Collins" ]
15 Jun Bald Point Scoters 6-15-09 [Melissa Forehand ]
12 Jun Goldfinch []
11 Jun Reminder: Swift movie Saturday [Pam Flynn ]
11 Jun Surf scoters/Bald Pt ["John Murphy" ]
11 Jun Wakulla River birds etc [Linda Most ]
10 Jun Kirklands Warbler, Michigan ["nptf4us" ]
8 Jun Birdsong Open House, 6/13 [Fran Rutkovsky ]
04 Jun Unusual foraging of Eastern Kingbird ["phhomann" ]
04 Jun Dixie County - Roseate spoonbill ["Sharon" ]
4 Jun Northbound Migrants (Gail Menk) [Fran Rutkovsky ]
4 Jun Identify hawk/kite? [mulberry ]
3 Jun TFS Movie-June 13 [Pam Flynn ]
30 May Swallow-tailed Kite & Bluebird Nesting Behavior ["glendajoyce6009" ]
29 May Correction on YCNH location [Angela Johnson ]
29 May Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, interesting behavior [Angela Johnson ]
28 May Re: Owl Question [Melissa Forehand ]
28 May Owl sounds ["John E" ]
27 May Owl Question [Melissa Forehand ]
26 May Monday at St. Marks NWR []
26 May Audubon banquet--Thurs. [Fran Rutkovsky ]
25 May Greater Sand-Plover in JAX [bessinger janice ]
25 May off topic: scope [bessinger janice ]
24 May Rough-winged Swallow at Tallahassee Sears ["phhomann" ]
24 May Rough-Winged Swallow with signature ["phhomann" ]
24 May Rough-winged Swallow at Sears ["phhomann" ]
23 May St. Marks NWR Saturday ["Marvin Collins" ]
22 May Huguenot Memorial Park, 5/22 [Robert Bowman ]
20 May Mississippi Kite - Tallahassee [Linda Most ]
20 May Ring-necked pheasant---Franklin County []
20 May Moorhen at Lake Killarney Tallahassee []
19 May Carpool for Greater Sand Plover? [Luke DeGroote ]
19 May Posting for Mr. Gail Menk: LAKE PATE, BIRDING SITE ["Julie Duggan" ]
19 May Huguenot Park conditions [bessinger janice ]
19 May Fw: [FLBIRDS] Huguenot Park conditions [Linda Most ]
18 May North Georgia Mountains [Andy Wraithmell ]
18 May VERY RARE BIRD GREATER SANDPLOVER [bessinger janice ]
18 May Apalachee Audubon Banquet-Red Knot Presentation [Pam Flynn ]
17 May a charismatic plover in Jacksonville [Linda Most ]
17 May Re: How do I join this group? [Fran Rutkovsky ]
17 May How do I join this group? [dee wilder ]
16 May Greater Sand Plover []
15 May Greater Sand Plover [Robert Bowman ]
15 May TTRS Bird Window Summer Feeding Schedule [CK Borg ]
13 May Cornerstone birds (Gail Menk) [Fran Rutkovsky ]
13 May Wednesday - South side of Tallahassee []
14 May For Swainson's Warbler fans ["phhomann" ]
12 May Strange markings on Egret [judy cooke ]
12 May bike to work (bird) week [Luke DeGroote ]
11 May Video of Acadian Flycatcher calling taken this am- Good sound [eliza hawkins ]
11 May Re: Acadian Flycatchers/Yellow breasted chat/Juv Broadwinged hawk []
10 May Acadian Flycatchers??/Yellow breasted chat/Juv Broadwinged hawk [eliza hawkins ]
10 May Another addendum ["phhomann" ]
10 May Addendum to Yard Blues ["phhomann" ]
10 May Yard blues ["phhomann" ]
8 May Limpkin Piney Z ["Candy and Michael Hill" ]
07 May Shiny cowbird/Alligator Pt ["John Murphy" ]
6 May cedar waxwings Wednesday evening Tallahassee []
6 May Cedar Waxwings Lee Vause Park Tallahassee []
6 May Wednesday Stoneler Rd Tallahassee []
6 May Posting for Mr. Gail Menk: SOME NOTABLE RECORDS IN THE BIG BEND ["Julie Duggan" ]

Subject: Recent Big Bend Birds
From: Robert Lengacher <rlengach AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 22:03:10 -0400
I have been working at the FSU Coastal Marine Lab at Turkey Point for the
last week and a half for some professional development. It has been awesome
becoming much more familiar with the richness of the coastal ecosystems that
we enjoy here in the Big Bend. Best birds at the lab so far were 3
Magnificent Frigatebird on June 22. Best shorebird was a Marbled Godwit
yesterday. Purple Martins are staging and some small groups appear to have
migrated south with many others to follow. Nothing else has been earth
shattering in the bird world at the lab, but I have 4.5 more weeks to go.

Last Saturday morning (June 27) I helped a fellow participant and birder
from Washington D.C get started on an incredible day of birding. I only had
time to bird close to town, so we headed out to the Longleaf Pine/Wiregrass
loop off of FR 309. The target birds were Bachman's Sparrows and
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Bachman's were singing everywhere, but we were
able to get absolutely crippling views and close encounters on FR 350 in
some recently burned sections of the forest. Many of the sparrows were
staying near ground level, probably near nests. All of my other views of
this species have been at a distance, so I was shocked when a number landed
withing 15 feet and others allowed even closer approaches. They were
everywhere. We also found a nice, vocal group of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers
around the fourth main group of marked trees on FR 350. I would highly
recommend making a trip soon if you are interested in either species. My
friend went on to Mashes Sands, St. Marks, and Lake Henrietta and ended the
day with 11 lifers. He said the highlight was adding number 11 as a Limpkin
called at Lake Henrietta as the day was ending.

Directions to the Longleaf Loop from Tallahassee:

   - South on 319 (Crawfordville Hwy)
   - West on 267 (Bloxham Cutoff) about 4 miles
   - South (left) on FR 309
   - East (left) on FR 350 (RCW nesting trees have wide, white bands painted
   on them)
   - Right at the end of FR 350 just a little way
   - Right on FR 352 (which will take you back to FR 309)

Keep looking up!

Rob Lengacher
Tallahassee, FL


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Gail Menk: Cornerstone Bird List
From: "Julie Duggan" <jvduggan AT embarqmail.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:52:17 -0400
 

What follows is a current bird species list at Tallahassee's Cornerstone
Learning Community on Hartsfield Road (as of May 31, 2009). Listings include
records by Yours Truly, Instructor Matt Morris, students and faculty at
sites within an approximate 1 mile radius which includes 2 retention ponds,
a pond south of the campus and a wetlands on the corner of Trimble and Pecan
roads. Fly-overs have been included:

 

Great Egret                                       White-eyed Vireo

Snowy Egret                                     Red-eyed Vireo

Little Blue Heron                              Blue Jay

Wood Stork                                       American Crow

Turkey Vulture                                 Fish Crow

Canada Goose                                   Purple Martin

Wood Duck                                       Northern Rough-winged
Swallow

Hooded Merganser                           Carolina Chickadee

Osprey                                               Tufted Titmouse

Swallow-tailed Kite                           White-breasted Nuthatch

Mississippi Kite                                  Carolina Wren

Red-shouldered Hawk                      Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Red-tailed Hawk                               Eastern Bluebird

PHALAROPE (hypothetical)           American Robin

Solitary Sandpiper                            Grey Catbird

Forster's Tern                                    Northern Mockingbird

Mourning Dove                                Brown Thrasher

Barred Owl                                       Cedar Waxwing

Ruby-throated Hummingbird         Northern Parula

Chimney Swift                                  Yellow-rumped Warbler

Red-headed Woodpecker                 Pine Warbler

Red-bellied Woodpecker                   Palm Warbler (western)

Downy Woodpecker                         Chipping Sparrow

Northern Flicker                               Northern Cardinal

Pileated Woodpecker                        Common Grackle

Great Crested Flycatcher                 House Finch

Eastern Kingbird                               American Goldfinch

 

Gail E. Menk

 

Julie Duggan

Tallahassee



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Bald Pt sightings - Saturday
From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:46:27 -0500
Gannets may well be suffering from the same issues many northern nesting 
shorebirds are, but it'll be interesting to see what happens to these birds 
David saw. 


And probably not necessary, but to anyone birding out to sea this summer and 
early fall, various of the boobies in certain plumages can look an AWFUL lot 
like gannets! 


Jim

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Simpson 
  To: John Murphy 
  Cc: NFLBirds 
  Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 6:38 PM
  Subject: Re: [nflbirds] Bald Pt sightings - Saturday





  John and all,

  I had 27 Northern gannets off Destin while heading out on a party 
  boat for a six hour tour. I had nothing for pelagics. There were 
  two adult gannets in the first 12 birds seen, then a flock of 15 on 
  the water which held a few more adults. There were lots of fish 
  feeding outside the inlet. The gannets seemed to have gotten their 
  fill and were mostly sitting on the water when we headed out. A few 
  were flying around on the way back.

  David Simpson
  Crestview, FL (temporarily)

  On Jun 27, 2009, at 4:23 PM, John Murphy wrote:

  >
  >
  > Birds of interest observed this morning at Bald Pt St Park...all 
  > seen from beach near old Pt Lounge property:
  >
  > N gannet; 1
  > Surf scoter; 4
  > Common tern; 3
  >
  > John Murphy
  > Alligator Pt, FL
  >
  > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  >
  > 

  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



  


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Bald Pt sightings - Saturday
From: David Simpson <simpsondavid AT mac.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:42:53 -0400
The date of my pelagic dud trip out of Destin was Saturday 27 Jun 09

David Simpson
Crestview, FL for now

On Jun 27, 2009, at 4:23 PM, John Murphy wrote:

>
>
> Birds of interest observed this morning at Bald Pt St Park...all  
> seen from beach near old Pt Lounge property:
>
> N gannet; 1
> Surf scoter; 4
> Common tern; 3
>
> John Murphy
> Alligator Pt, FL
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Bald Pt sightings - Saturday
From: David Simpson <simpsondavid AT mac.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:38:59 -0400
John and all,

I had 27 Northern gannets off Destin while heading out on a party  
boat for a six hour tour.  I had nothing for pelagics.  There were  
two adult gannets in the first 12 birds seen, then a flock of 15 on  
the water which held a few more adults.  There were lots of fish  
feeding outside the inlet.  The gannets seemed to have gotten their  
fill and were mostly sitting on the water when we headed out.  A few  
were flying around on the way back.

David Simpson
Crestview, FL (temporarily)

On Jun 27, 2009, at 4:23 PM, John Murphy wrote:

>
>
> Birds of interest observed this morning at Bald Pt St Park...all  
> seen from beach near old Pt Lounge property:
>
> N gannet; 1
> Surf scoter; 4
> Common tern; 3
>
> John Murphy
> Alligator Pt, FL
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Bald Point State Park sightings, Saturday afternoon 6/27 PM
From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:57:24 -0500
Those knots are pretty surprising. I presume they are fall migrants (?), but 
can't be sure. They may be a result of a bad year in the High Arctic this for 
breeding. 


js


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: markkiser9 
  To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 4:46 PM
 Subject: [nflbirds] Bald Point State Park sightings, Saturday afternoon 6/27 
PM 






 Saturday afternoon at Bald Point State Park we found a group of 24 Red Knots, 
one of which was banded (we reported the band to USGS). Also present were 16 
American Oystercatcher, a Wilson's Plover, Least, Sandwich Forster's, and Royal 
Terns, a few Sanderlings and Ruddy Turnstones, and a Magnificent Frigatebird. 


  Missed John's scoters and Common Terns.

 Yesterday 6/28 around noon we had 8 Mississippi Kites over our street in 
southeast Tallahassee. 


  Happy Trails,
  Mark and Selena Kiser
  batboxblues AT netscape.net



  


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Bald Point State Park sightings, Saturday afternoon 6/27 PM
From: "markkiser9" <mark.kiser AT myfwc.com>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:46:37 -0000
Saturday afternoon at Bald Point State Park we found a group of 24 Red Knots, 
one of which was banded (we reported the band to USGS). Also present were 16 
American Oystercatcher, a Wilson's Plover, Least, Sandwich Forster's, and Royal 
Terns, a few Sanderlings and Ruddy Turnstones, and a Magnificent Frigatebird. 


Missed John's scoters and Common Terns.

Yesterday 6/28 around noon we had 8 Mississippi Kites over our street in 
southeast Tallahassee. 


Happy Trails,
Mark and Selena Kiser
batboxblues AT netscape.net
Subject: Re: Bald Pt sightings - Saturday
From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net>
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:51:00 -0500
John and others,

I have an hypothesis about birds like scoters and gannets that stick around 
well into the summer. Since I rarely see them make it to the fall, when others 
of their kind might be returning, I believe they starve in late summer. The 
reason for this is that thermalclines set in in the second half of the summer, 
which separate photosynthetic algae near the surface from the nutrients they 
need to bloom that are deeper. In essence, the algae will be either deprived of 
light or food, and the food chain shuts down. 


This is probably why the fishing is underwhelming in late summer. 

Just my $.02.

Jim
In Alaska










 Birds of interest observed this morning at Bald Pt St Park...all seen from 
beach near old Pt Lounge property: 


  N gannet; 1
  Surf scoter; 4 
  Common tern; 3

  John Murphy
  Alligator Pt, FL

  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



  


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  Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
 Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.93/2204 - Release Date: 06/26/09 
18:00:00 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Bald Pt sightings - Saturday
From: "John Murphy" <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:23:14 +0000
Birds of interest observed this morning at Bald Pt St Park...all seen from 
beach near old Pt Lounge property: 


N gannet; 1
Surf scoter; 4 
Common tern; 3

John Murphy
Alligator Pt, FL


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Friday at St. Marks NWR
From: Edwwjr AT aol.com
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:30:16 EDT
I birded at St. Marks NWR Friday afternoon in the heat.  There was a  high 
tide and the water levels were all very high.  Even the flats behind  the 
lighthouse were under water.
 
At the double dikes, I walked out on the right hand dike and back on  the 
left hand dike.  I found 2 piping plovers traveling with a flock  of 6 
killdeer. The birds were on the muck and vegetation between the dikes about 3/4 

of the way to the crossover/turnaround.  There were also 2 purple  
gallinules.  I did not find either soras or least bitterns.
 
Least, royal, and Forster's terns, black skimmers, oystercatchers, and  
willets were on the lighthouse flats.
 
Ed Woodruff
Tallahassee
**************Make your summer sizzle with fast and easy recipes for the 
grill. (http://food.aol.com/grilling?ncid=emlcntusfood00000005)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Piney Z Southwood and the Southeast Farm
From: Edwwjr AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:53:47 EDT
I birded Piney Z, Southwood Plantation, and the Southeast Farm on  
Wednesday.  Piney Z has such high water levels I did not find any purple  
gallinules. Best bird was a Mississippi Kite. Several green herons were present 
and 

great-crested flycatchers were numerous.
 
At Southwood Plantation loggerhead shrikes, eastern kingbirds, and  
mockingbirds were found along the fence line separating the developed area from 

the farm fields.  Best birds were a flock of more than 60 wood storks  
actively feeding in the holding pond south of Florida High's athletic  fields.
 
At the Southeast Farm, the kites were abundant.  I counted more than  50 
(55), but because they were actively hunting may have double counted a  few.  
Mississippi kites (30) seemed to outnumber the swallowtailed kites  (20) by 
about 3 to 2 but the swallowtailed were closer to the office  complex.  The 
holding ponds are too full for shorebirds.  The only  ones present were 5 
killdeer.  I counted at least 225 cattle egrets around  the ponds.
 
Ed Woodruff
Tallahassee
**************Make your summer sizzle with fast and easy recipes for the 
grill. (http://food.aol.com/grilling?ncid=emlcntusfood00000005)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: New Approaches to Teaching Ornithology - a Gail Menk posting
From: "Marvin Collins" <mcollins AT nettally.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:03:36 -0400
Re:  New approaches to teaching ornithology

On May 12 Elizabeth Platt hosted a meeting of some Leon County grade school 
teachers and yours truly, purpose of which was to promote ways and means of 
nature studies in local schools. Those attending discussed various ongoing 
projects and activities and also discussed time/cost effective suggestions on 
how to supplement appropriate teaching methods and approaches. 


As a volunteer avian consultant, I proposed that I promote one-on-one bird 
outings with teachers at sites in Leon County in order not only to acquaint 
teachers with identification of bird species but also to stress awareness of 
the natural world in general, i.e. plant life, habitat, seasonal change as well 
as other related matters. 


To jump-start such outings, on June 5 I accompanied Julie McBride on a bird 
walk near her residence on Mill Branch Road where we listed 16 bird species and 
discussed various plant life (How nicely were blackberry and elderberry bushes 
doing this time round!). Included on our bird list was a foraging juvenile Wood 
Stork which joined us surprisingly on a stretch of mowed lawn; during daytime 
this species typically confines itself to mud flats where it feasts on fish and 
other aquatic animal life. An unseen calling Limpkin suggested further 
extension of its summer range in the county and several other bird species were 
in good voice - Yellow-billed Cuckoo, White-eyed Vireo, Fish Crow and others. 
Julie's neighborhood is indeed an ideal "resource laboratory" for natural 
learning experiences. 


Later we visited nearby Gilchrist Elementary School where Julie envisions 
additional plants and trees including flowering butterfly gardens and the like. 
A retention pond with flowering pickerel week provides there a good source of 
water. A Red-shouldered Hawk and friendly vocal House Finches and two or three 
Great Crested Flycatchers were on hand to greet us. 


I look forward to future birding and nature walks at Mill Branch Road and 
Gilchrist and greatly appreciate Julie's cordiality on June 5. 


Gail E.  Menk, Tallahassee


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Homage to Senator Mallory Horne (Gail Menk)
From: "Julie Duggan" <jvduggan AT embarqmail.com>
Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:11:50 -0400
Posted for Mr. Gail Menk:

On April 28, 1979 I drove up Leon County's Meridian Road and stopped short
on seeing approximately 15 male Ring-necked Ducks in a pond near the road.
The residence nearby proved to be that of the recently deceased Senator
Mallory Horne, who graciously explained that said ducks had been hatched
near the site and hence were "bonded" to the environs and would not migrate
north after springtime.

Large numbers of Ring-necks are certainly to be encountered as of fall
season in North Florida but towards summer are out-of-season rarities. On
May 17, 2000 I listed a pair at Robert White Williams Birding Trail in
Tallahassee. On July 1, 1976 Henry M. Stevenson recorded a male at Leon's
Lake Lafayette.

GAIL E. MENK

 

Julie Duggan

Tallahassee



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: MIssissippi Kites at Lake Killarney
From: Edwwjr AT aol.com
Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:25:02 EDT
I had 4 Mississippi kites feeding over the west end of Lake Killarney in  
Tallahassee between 11:15 and 11:45 Saturday morning.
 
Ed Woodruff
Tallahassee
**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy 
steps! 

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222585064x1201462784/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd= 

JunestepsfooterNO62)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: A Birder's Passing
From: "glendajoyce6009" <glendajoyce6009 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:10:40 -0000
 Tallahssee has lost a true friend of nature and birds. Sylvia Cohen passed 
away earlier this week. If anyone is interested, her obituary is in today's 
Tallahassee Democrat. The link below should take you to it. She was a special 
lady and will be greatly missed. 


Glenda Simmons
Tallahassee


http://www.legacy.com/tallahassee/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=128611623 

Subject: Some Notable Bird Records for Leon County April/May 2009 - A Gail Menk Posting
From: "Marvin Collins" <mcollins AT nettally.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:47:24 -0400

Note: This posting was sent to Florida Birds and North Florida Birds Listservs 
on 6/14. North Florida Birds evidently did not accept the posting so I am 
re-sending it at this time. Marvin Collins 


Re: Some Notable Bird Records for Leon County, April/May 2009 - A Gail Menk 
Posting 


My FOS Spotted Sandpiper was at Lake Elberta Park (LEP) on April 20, and on 
April 21 I saw my only Bobolink, a male, at Lake Jackson's Crowder Landing 
(CrLg). Two Least Terns greeted me at LEP on April 26, and my best bird of the 
season was a Northern Waterthrush at Lake Jackson's Faulk drive Landing (FDL) 
on April 28. On the latter date I also listed an unusually late northbound 
Wilson's Snipe at CrLg. 


On May 1 LEP hosted a nice mini-congregation of shorebirds: a Semipalmated 
Plover, 3 Lesser Yellowlegs, a Spotted Sandpiper, 5 Least and 1 Semipalmated 
Sandpipers while a male Northern Shoveler still remained there (a "cripple" 
unable to fly north?). The cited plover was likely a new species for LEP, an 
addition to the bird list compiled there by Larry Thompson during his stay in 
Tallahassee. 


On May 3 I listed a Least Bittern at Lake Jackson's Rhoden Cover and later that 
morning a probable Broad-winged Hawk flying over the residence of Fran 
Rutkovsky. Had to wait until May 4 to hear my first calls of Northern Bobwhites 
(FDL) - delayed perhaps because of a late chilly, waterlogged springtime? 


Reports of large numbers of Black Vultures have been far and few between in 
Leon County during recent years. Thus a flock of 75 or more individuals 
foraging along Capital Circle in the northwest part of the county on April 28 
was noteworthy. 


On May 21 I heard, then saw, a singing American Robin near a pond south of 
Tallahassee's Cornerstone Learning Community (CLC) suggesting a slight 
extension of the breeding range of the species locally. Speaking of CLC, the 
bird species list there now numbers 53 as of May 28 with more to come. 


On May 23 I listed a female Greater Scaup at good-old-Lake Ella (Tallahassee). 
Ordinarily I refrain from identifying said species midst large groups of scaup 
ducks, but on this occasion said bird showed a pale but evident ear patch and 
also exhibited the tell-tale longish primary wing stripes as it flew over the 
lake several times before flying off. Report of this species complements a 
report of a male by Rob Lengacher at Lake Henrietta on January 19. 


On May 13 Elizabeth Platt and I visited the above lake where we experienced 
anticipated sighting and soundings of a Limpkin. Orchard Orioles were also seen 
there and included both a brick-red male and a yellowish male with a black 
throat. Two male Wood Ducks flew over and a Barred Owl called several times. 
Most notably, 4 spotted and 2 Solitary Sandpipers cavorted on a "spit" near the 
bridge. One of the spotteds appeared to strut and carry on in courtship mode. 
The 2 solitaries increased my total of records to 21 such birds seen this 
spring in Tallahassee. A dozen or so Cedar Waxwings were perched high up on a 
snag and date-wise were mostly in line with my average late dates of the 
species locally which calculates as app. May 11. 


On May 17 and 21 I recorded a probable same Glossy Ibis at CrLg which 
supplemented 10 such birds seen there earlier on March 113. Also, on May 21 I 
saw an adult Bald Eagle at FDL, another at CrLg (same bird?) I don't see the 
species much after June 1. Summer records appear to be uncommon. 


Best Regards - Gail Menk (Tallahassee)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Bald Point Scoters 6-15-09
From: Melissa Forehand <birdingtreefrog AT gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:15:11 -0400
e. bluebird
b.h. cowbird
e towhee
laughing gull
 crow
b. pelican
c. g. dove
14 scoter most of them male and female surf scoter
     1 female black scoter
foster's tern
willet
snowy egret
royal tern
ruddy turnstone
b. g. gnatcatcher
sanderling
tricolor heron
dowitcher
cattle egret
e. c. dove
b. b. plover
4 wilson's plovers with 3 babies
b. h. nuthatch
n. mockingbird
Subject: Goldfinch
From: speedyg AT swamphen.net
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:24:26 -0400
Yesterday I was astounded to hear an American Goldfinch calling from  
the pines next to our property, both the "Oh really?" call and then  
flight calls. I guess this bird didn't get the word that he's supposed  
to have headed north?

We also have families of titmice and chickadees at the feeders these days.


-Sean P. McCool
Wakulla County, Florida, USA
Subject: Reminder: Swift movie Saturday
From: Pam Flynn <tallypfly57 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:02:19 -0400
Don't forget about the Swift movie and the benefit for St Francis at the
Amtrak Station on Saturday.
Movies at 5:00 and 7:00. There will be a live Mississippi Kite there too.
Got to www.tallahasseefilms.com for details.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Surf scoters/Bald Pt
From: "John Murphy" <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:27:55 +0000
This morning I found a group of 12 Surf scoters floating approximately 20' off 
the beach just east/north of the old Pt Lounge property on Bald Pt Rd. 


John Murphy
Alligator Pt, FL


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Wakulla River birds etc
From: Linda Most <lrmost AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:31:08 -0700 (PDT)
Hi all,

I had a wonderful opportunity to canoe on the upper part of the Wakulla River 
yesterday afternoon/early evening. We put in at the Mysterious Waters 
neighborhood (private) and went up to the upper bridge and back down again from 
about 5:00 - 6:30. There was a family group of four manatees grazing about half 
way up. we even saw the baby nursing! We also saw a group of Prothonatory 
Warblers flitting back and forth between the bank and one of the islands - they 
glow! Four osprey were making lots of noise and chasing each other around near 
the park. We also heard lots of songbirds, saw turtles, alligators, anhingas, 
cormorants, a family of Wood Ducks with three half-grown young, blooming spider 
lilies, and the cypress are a gorgeous fresh shade of green. 


Paradise in our own back yards.
Linda Most
Tallahassee
----------------------
Bird where you are.


      
Subject: Kirklands Warbler, Michigan
From: "nptf4us" <nptf4us AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:47:44 -0000
FYI there are free Kirkland Warbler tours everyday 7 & 11 am out of the Ramada 
Inn Grayling Michigan. These tours are given by the US Fish & Wildlife Service 
and The Audubon Society. You can contact the Ramada Inn of Grayling, 2650 S-I75 
Business Loop Grayling... (989)348-5122. 

Besides seeing the Kirkland Warbler you might see the Dark Eye Junco, Chipping 
Sparrow, Clay Color Sparrow, Common Loon, Spruce Grouse, Upland Sandpiper, 
Brewers Black Bird, Flicker... 


Again these tours are free to the public and lead by tour guides daily until 
July 4th 2009. There is a short video given before the tour heads out into 
protected Kirkland Warbler nesting habitat. The KW is currently with eggs and 
the males are marking their territory with the bountiful song. Come see our 
beautiful Kirklands Warbler. 

Subject: Birdsong Open House, 6/13
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Mon, 8 Jun 2009 12:42:55 -0400
Birdsong Nature Center
2106 Meridian Rd,
Grady Co. GA

  OPEN HOUSE
and  ATTRACTING NATIVE POLLINATORS  (see below for details)
Saturday, June 13,  9 a.m to 5 p.m.

FREE to the public


Bring your family and friends to discover Birdsong. Our Butterfly Garden
  will be blooming, butterflies  and dragonflies will be abundant and  
our
Purple Martins and Bluebirds will be busy feeding their young. Enjoy a
free program on native pollinators ) or visit the Butterfly Garden,
take a hike on our trails and  observe nature at the Listening Place.  
You
  may also relax and watch the birds at our Bird Window, a nationally- 
recognized
  landscaped feeding station that has been attracting birds since the  
1940’s.
  Bring your lunch and picnic under the trees or on the porch.



ATTRACTING NATIVE POLLINATORS
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.   and   1:00-2:00 p.m.

Pollinators play a role in producing over 150 food crops in the United  
States.
There are more than 100,000 varieties of native bees, butterflies,  
moths,
beetles and flies that serve as pollinators and many are decreasing in
number due to environmental stresses.

Join us and learn about pollination: what it involves and why it is  
important.
We will look at some of our native pollinators, learn how to create a
pollinator-friendly habitat and build a "bee house" for your garden.
Please bring a clean plastic water or drink bottle. We will provide  
the rest!


birdsong AT birdsongnaturecenter.org
or via phone at 1-800-953-2473

--from Tallahassee, go north on Meridian Road,
about 18 miles north of the I-10 overpass

--4 miles past the "Grady County" (GA) sign, watch for
the small white Birdsong sign on right

NOTE:   I'll be greeting visitors at the Bird Window inside the  
farmhouse
part of the morning.  Please stop in to see who's coming in to bathe.

-----

Fran Rutkovsky
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net
Tallahassee, FL



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Subject: Unusual foraging of Eastern Kingbird
From: "phhomann" <phhomann AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:21:40 -0000
Stevenson and Anderson in their The Birdlife of Florida write that the Eastern 
Kingbird "watches for insects from an exposed perch." That is how I remember 
it, but yesterday evening I watched one kingbird, and then two, on a large 
pasture (300 m from my home) doing all their watching from the ground in the 
middle of the mowed pasture, flying up occasionally, presumably to catch what 
they had just spotted. On the ground they mingled with a few Common Grackles 
and, at some distance, two crows. 


Peter Homann, Tallahassee

Subject: Dixie County - Roseate spoonbill
From: "Sharon" <dixieredhat AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:14:12 -0000
Was seen yesterday (wed) but didnt have time to stop and check it out. Just 
thought it might be a white ibis. Today I noticed the pink color and had to run 
home to get the bins and camera and go back. 

Yes it was a roseate spoonbill.
go north on 349, 7/10 of a mile from the light at Old Town.
the pasture on the left has water in the west corner. The spoonbill was under 
the trees near the water line. 

 
sharon fronk
old town
352 542 1338
Subject: Northbound Migrants (Gail Menk)
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 12:27:26 -0400
posted for Mr. Gail Menk

SOME LAST DATES OF NORTHBOUND MIGRANTS

For me, springtime arrivals of bird species from the south are
always heartening, whereas northbound departures of wintering
species are far less noticed, if noticed at all. Listed below is a
chronology of such last dates by Yours Truly.  Would be most
appreciative if the reader wishes to compare notes.

MAR 6 -- Hooded merganser
"      10 --American pipit
"      14 --White-throated sparrow
"      16 --Song sparrow
"      19 --Bufflehead
"       23 --Red-breasted merganser
"       27 --Northern harrier
"       30 --Ruddy duck

APR  11--House wren
"         11--Hermit thrush
"         11--Blue-headed vireo (song)
"         15--Swamp sparrow
"         15--American goldfinch
"         19--Ruby-crowned kinglet
"         19--Yellow-rumped warbler
"         19--Black-&-white warbler
"          21--Savannah sparrow
"          22--Western Palm warbler
"          28--Wilson's snipe

MAY     1--Ring-billed gull
"          13--Cedar waxwing
"           13--Northern shoveler
"           20--Solitary sandpiper
"           22--Bald eagle (adult)
"           23--Greater scaup

____Gail E. Menk




-----

Fran Rutkovsky
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net
Tallahassee, FL
Subject: Identify hawk/kite?
From: mulberry <mulberry432 AT hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 08:07:35 -0500
Heard and seen in East Hill area of Pensacola over the past
couple of weeks.  Usually hear them before spotting them.  Two birds,
smaller than osprey, about size of hawk.  Circles like them; have only
seen perched in very tall longleaf pines and another similar tree (very high).
 Birds are shades of gray - small, light colored head and breast, darker
gray wings & back; no mottling/bars/stripes noted.  At least one of
the birds has a noticeable patch of white on the back when roosting.  Watched
one approach the other, walking along branch with wings held out from body
slightly ~ profile reminded me of a parrot (have photo).  Photos in flight
are not representative of true colors (shadows).  Have some photos ~
roosting, preening, flying, but not a great quality. I don't consider myself a 
birder, 

but like to be able to identify local birds.  I've lived in this house 19
years and don't recall seeing or hearing these birds before now. I have also 
spotted one at north edge of airport in residential area, possibly the same 
bird spotted by someone else in Spanish Trail/Summit/Scenic Hwy area. Help, 
please? I'll be traveling for a few days, but will check email within a week. 
Thanks! 

~ Rena
_________________________________________________________________
Windows Live™ SkyDrive™: Get 25 GB of free online storage.
http://windowslive.com/online/skydrive?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_SD_25GB_062009

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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Subject: TFS Movie-June 13
From: Pam Flynn <tallypfly57 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2009 13:59:10 -0400
Get your tickets early or reserve them through the link below.
A second show has been added to the evening.


TFS in partnership
with St. Francis Wildlife
presents at
the ALL SAINTS CINEMA
ON THE WING
Two shows
Saturday, June 13 at 5PM and 7 PM
$7 general admission • $5 TFS members • $5 students with ID
“On The Wing” tells the story of a remarkable flock of birds
that became the heart of a wonderful American city where
people work to coexist with nature instead of smoking it
out. The stars of “On The Wing” are tiny birds called Vaux
swifts that, since the early 1980’s, have taken up residence
in the chimney of a Portland, Oregon Elementary School
during the month of September. Each night during the
swifts’ residency, thousands of them fill the sky above
Chapman Elementary School. Just before sunset, the
birds form a dramatic vortex and dive into the chimney in
an amazing aerial display. In years past, the flock has
been estimated to be the largest collection of roosting
swifts in North America at nearly 40,000 birds.
Since the early 1990’s, the event has become a cult
phenomenon in Portland, drawing hundreds and sometimes
thousands of people nightly to watch the amazing
display. They sit at attention in awe of the birds but burst
out in cheers and jeers as birds of prey roar through the
flock of swifts. The event has become a must see during
the fall in Portland.
The film documents the birds’ 2007 residency. Interviews
with members of the crowd, Chapman Elementary School
neighbors and faculty, Audubon Society of Portland staff
and a cast of characters explain how the phenomenon
came to be and how it has evolved into what it is today.
Amazing footage of the birds, including a view from inside
the chimney, gives audiences an extraordinary, never-before-
seen view of the swifts.
(2008. Color. Unrated. 61 minutes)

Sponsored in part by the city of Tallahassee
and the Council on Culture and Arts
St. Francis Wildlife education director
Sandy Beck will present a short program
about chimney swifts and kites – other
amazing neotropical birds that call north
Florida home during their breeding season.
Meet “Havana,” a live Mississippi kite, and
learn what you can do to attract and help
nature’s bug zappers. A portion of tonight’s
ticket sales will benefit the St. Francis
Wildlife rehabilitation center.
All Saints Cinema, 9181/2 Railroad Avenue
386-4404 for more info • www.tallahasseefilms.com
email: filmnews AT tallahasseefilms.com


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Subject: Swallow-tailed Kite & Bluebird Nesting Behavior
From: "glendajoyce6009" <glendajoyce6009 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 05:39:12 -0000
I have been seeing a Swallow-tailed Kite soaring overhead in my Buck Lake 
neighborhood the past couple of days. Yesterday, it flew over my yard, as low 
as I have ever seen one. I've never been closer to one. Today, I got a couple 
of distant pictures, which I just posted. It had lunch to go. When I zoomed in 
as close as I could, on my monitor, I was able to see a fledgling with a chunk 
of nest attached, in it's talons. I could not see clear enough to ID its catch, 
but it looked large to me, and I'm hoping it was a crow. In the second picture, 
you can at least see the kite's head going down and it's feet pulling up to 
eat. 


I've had some different nesting behavior with my resident Bluebirds. Mr. 
Casonova has two females! The females are both on their second broods. In my 
front yard, Mom is incuabating 4 eggs, while in one of the back yard nesting 
boxes, there are 4 nestlings almost two weeks old, being tended to by a 
different female and the same male. It has been entertaining to watch the male 
feed the nestlings, then blast off to the front to escort and guard that female 
while she laid her eggs, or to feed her. He is one busy bird! He has at least 
staggered the four nests, so far, to not have nestlings in both boxes at the 
same time. As many mealworms, as I put out for them, it probably would not be a 
problem! I did add another box, so the females have several to choose from. 


I monitor these birds very closely, feeding them, daily and am quite certain 
that the females are siblings, and that they are also the off spring of the 
male from last season. His mate of four years, has not been seen since Jan. At 
that time, I was feeding the family of four, everyday. I have a Bluebird soap 
opra going on in my yard! 


Glenda Simmons
Eastside Tallahassee

Subject: Correction on YCNH location
From: Angela Johnson <birdnerd26 AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 22:53:22 -0400
I apologize, the picture was take at St Marks River Park, not Wakulla River
City Park.

Angela Johnson
Woodville


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, interesting behavior
From: Angela Johnson <birdnerd26 AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 22:50:49 -0400
My girlfriend (Pam Kaiser) took this photo of a YCNH sliding down a rail at
Wakulla River City Park on May 25th.  Apparently, the bird was just sitting
on the rail, then decided to slide down it!  I have never witnessed such a
thing, very neat!

Angela Johnson
Woodville


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Owl Question
From: Melissa Forehand <birdingtreefrog AT gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 08:32:43 -0400
Thanks to everyone. Several of you suggested fledgling barred owls begging
and someone even recommended a website with the recording and that was the
sound.
Happy birding
Melissa

On Wed, May 27, 2009 at 8:12 AM, Melissa Forehand  wrote:

> The other day I had this strange sound from  2 owls calling back and forth
> to each other. It was just inside hearing range. The sound went up and then
> ended. I saw one owl it was medium to large but I couldn't see any ID marks.
> Were these great horned owls? I listened to a recording (Florida Birds) and
> it kinda of sounded like that just less of a screech.
> Thanks for any help
> Melissa Forehand
> Tallahassee
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Owl sounds
From: "John E" <jwinforde AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 11:58:00 -0000
The owls you are hearing, I believe, are immature barred owls which call with a 
raspy screech owl sound. I heard some last weekend then spotted and watched 
them for a short time. I had 3 in my neighborhood 2 years ago. 

 John Erickson
  SW Tally
Subject: Owl Question
From: Melissa Forehand <birdingtreefrog AT gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 08:12:11 -0400
The other day I had this strange sound from  2 owls calling back and forth
to each other. It was just inside hearing range. The sound went up and then
ended. I saw one owl it was medium to large but I couldn't see any ID marks.
Were these great horned owls? I listened to a recording (Florida Birds) and
it kinda of sounded like that just less of a screech.
Thanks for any help
Melissa Forehand
Tallahassee


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Monday at St. Marks NWR
From: Edwwjr AT aol.com
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 18:11:22 EDT
Michael Evans and I birded at St. Marks for most of Monday morning.   We 
had about 60 species with several of interest.  At the double bridges we  had 
several prothonotary warblers, a yellow-billed cuckoo (heard and seen), and  
an Acadian flycatcher.  At Tower Pond we had 4 whimbrels on the flats and a 
 roseate spoonbill in the pond along with a feeding brown pelican.  Based 
on  size differences in nearby birds, we had 2 each of greater and lesser  
yellowlegs.  At the main boat ramp we had great looks at a singing  orchard 
oriole.  On the flats behind the lighthouse we had another 4  whimbrel and 6 
black-necked stilts. 
 
Ed Woodruff
Tallahassee
**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy 
steps! 

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222377034x1201454326/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd= 

MaystepsfooterNO62)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Audubon banquet--Thurs.
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 15:41:18 -0400
REMINDER:  The Apalachee Audubon banquet and speaker is this Thurs.  
night, May 28.

Event Title: Banquet and  program, "Red knots -- On the brink of  
extinction"
Where: Lafayette Presbyterian Church 4220 Mahan dr.( U.S. hwy 90 )
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Time: 6:30 PM EST   (social begins at 6 p.m.)


AAS Annual Banquet and Patricia C. Behnke, who will speak on "Red  
knots - On the brink of extinction".
Tickets for the banquet cost $10.00 and may be purchased in advance at  
Wild Birds Unlimited & Native Nurseries, or at the meeting if you RSVP  
Tim Smith at 850-933-5979 by May 27th so we have an accurate  
attendance count. The menu this year is Italian. Bring Desserts and an  
empty container for leftovers.


Patricia C. Behnke, Senior Editor, Community Relations Office Media  
Relations Coordinator, Division of Habitat and Species Conservation  
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, will speak on "Red  
knots - On the brink of extinction".
She will discuss some background information on the red knot and  
provide current information on the three-year study completed this  
year in Florida.
Patricia is a writer/editor with the Florida Fish and Wildlife  
Conservation Commission. She has worked with the scientists on the red  
knot study and written about it for the Florida Wildlife magazine.  
Prior to working for the FWC, she was a journalist in the Gainesville- 
area.

Direct any questions to Melissa Forehand at birdingtreefrog AT gmail.com  
< birdingtreefrog AT gmail.com> or (850) 510-4877

Directions:  1.3 miles east of Capital Circle N.E., past flashing  
light at Dempsey Mayo Rd.


-----

Fran Rutkovsky
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net
Tallahassee, FL
Subject: Greater Sand-Plover in JAX
From: bessinger janice <janmelb AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 25 May 2009 14:51:16 -0700 (PDT)
The bird was seen around noon today as the tide was receding.  Today it seemed 
to be distancing itself from the other plovers.  Besides the previously 
mentioned birds today we saw 2 roseate spoonbills flying over the inlet - 
Gorgeous!  Janice Bessinger in Macclenny 


--- On Mon, 5/25/09, nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com  wrote:


From: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com 
Subject: [nflbirds] Digest Number 2314
To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, May 25, 2009, 2:13 PM
















nflbirds 

Messages In This Digest (1 Message) 


1. 
Rough-winged Swallow at Tallahassee Sears From: phhomann 
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Message 


1. 

Rough-winged Swallow at Tallahassee Sears 
Posted by: "phhomann" phhomann AT yahoo.com   phhomann 
Sun May 24, 2009 10:59 am (PDT) 


This morning (Sunday May 24) a Rough-winged Swallow was picking up 
cedar(?)shavings from mulch to build its nest in a cavity in the bottom of a 
parked trailer at the delivery gates of Sears. Poor thing. 


Peter Homann, Tallahassee



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Subject: off topic: scope
From: bessinger janice <janmelb AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 25 May 2009 14:48:13 -0700 (PDT)
Hope this is allowed.  I have a Kowa scope which came with a cheap tripod.  Can 
y"all recommend a suitable, heavier tripod?  Thanks, Janice Bessinger in 
Macclenny 




      

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Rough-winged Swallow at Tallahassee Sears
From: "phhomann" <phhomann AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 17:58:22 -0000
This morning (Sunday May 24) a Rough-winged Swallow was picking up 
cedar(?)shavings from mulch to build its nest in a cavity in the bottom of a 
parked trailer at the delivery gates of Sears. Poor thing. 


Peter Homann, Tallahassee
Subject: Rough-Winged Swallow with signature
From: "phhomann" <phhomann AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 16:47:11 -0000
This morning (Sunday May 24) a Rough-winged Swallow was picking up cedar 
shavings from mulch to build its nest in a cavity in the bottom of a parked 
trailer at the delivery gates of Sears. Poor thing. 

Peter Homann, Tallahassee 
Subject: Rough-winged Swallow at Sears
From: "phhomann" <phhomann AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 16:41:55 -0000
This morning (Sunday May 24) a Rough-winged Swallow was picking up cedar(?) 
shavings from mulch to build its nest in a cavity in the bottom of a parked 
trailer at the delivery gates of Sears. Poor thing. 

Subject: St. Marks NWR Saturday
From: "Marvin Collins" <mcollins AT nettally.com>
Date: Sat, 23 May 2009 19:04:22 -0400
I spent a couple of hours this morning showing my daughter and son-in-law 
around the refuge. Didn't have a chance to do serious birding, but we did see 
two immature Redish Egrets, one a white morph, at the Tower Pool. A Grey 
Kingbird was hanging out around the lighthouse and appeared to be gathering 
nesting material. 


Marvin Collins
Tallahassee

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Huguenot Memorial Park, 5/22
From: Robert Bowman <bbpictures AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 22 May 2009 16:17:22 -0700 (PDT)
Fellow birder Luke DeGroote and I went to Huguenot Memorial Park this morning 
and saw the Greater Sand-Plover.  Equally as exciting were the Wilson's AND 
Leach's Storm-Petrels we spotted next to the rock jetty, near the mouth of the 
St. Johns River around midday when the winds were really blowing from the 
east.  Interestingly, a birder on Brdbrains reported having seen hundreds of 
Leach's Storm-Petrels off the coast at Ormond Beach this afternoon.  We also 
saw the Purple Sandpiper on the rock jetty and a White-rumped Sandpiper in the 
vicinity. 

 
Good birding,
 
Robert Bowman
Tallahassee


      

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Mississippi Kite - Tallahassee
From: Linda Most <lrmost AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 18:03:58 -0700 (PDT)
I saw a Mississippi Kite cruising around above the tree line and riding the 
gusts on the east side of Innovation Park around 1:30 this afternoon. 


This evening about half an hour before sunset I watched a Carolina Wren family 
scooting up to shelter in the trees. The 'kids' were calling as they scooted as 
fast as they could after the parent, new wings working, little stubby tails 
sticking straight up -- too cute. I hope they have a sheltered spot to roost. 


Linda Most
Tallahassee
----------------------
Bird where you are.


      
Subject: Ring-necked pheasant---Franklin County
From: austrina1 AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 20:22:38 -0400



We had?several interesting sighting this weekend, one of which prompts this 
question?for the group.? How often do you see ring-necked pheasant in Franklin 
County?, obviously wild.? Lydia spotted it and said "ring-necked pheasant", I 
was going to check to see if she was feverish, but I looked anyway.? I couldn't 
believe?it, there was a?pheasant.? We accidentally flushed it but Lydia?got a 
couple of pictures when we relocated it.? It would run through the palmettos 
and hide much like I've observed them in their established range out west.? I 
know?they are?exotic, but I still thought?it was neat.? Shiloh and I walked 
into a herd of wild hogs and we saw a small black bear as well. 


?

Other species of interest:

?

The largest pine snake, by far, that I've ever seen, it was immense.

gray king birds.............................3...............I can't find any in 
Tallahassee, so far this year.?? 2 of these were near the lighthouse? 


red knots.....................................2..................west of the 
lighthouse 


white-rumped sandpiper................2.................tower pond, and 3 miles 
west of Carrabelle"s Public Beach 


black-necked stilts.......................6

?

?

I've tried Andy W.'s?"Appalachian Breeding Bird Tour" a number of times in the 
past and I highly recommend it.? It?doesn't have all the breeding warblers and 
other passerines found?in parts of?Canada but its a lot closer and cheaper and 
still very educational at this?time of year. 


?

?

Rodney and Lydia Cassidy?and crew.

Tallahassee, Florida?

 






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Moorhen at Lake Killarney Tallahassee
From: Edwwjr AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 06:47:38 EDT
There is a common moorhen sitting on a nest in the vegetation near the  
west-end park of Lake Killarney. The bird began incubating on Monday. I have 

not seen moorhens nesting on the lake before.
 
Other interesting species present were eastern kingbird, great-crested  
flycatcher, chimney swift, purple martin, barn swallow, snowy egret, green  
heron, wood stork, and 3 families of wood duck ducklings.
 
Ed Woodruff
Tallahassee
**************Dell Inspiron 15 Laptop: Now in 6 vibrant colors! Shop Dell’s 
full line of laptops. 

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222399266x1201456865/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B215073777%3B3703434 

3%3Bf)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Carpool for Greater Sand Plover?
From: Luke DeGroote <degroote.1 AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 11:58:33 -0400
I was out of town for the weekend and am feeling the urge to twitch.
Is there anyone interested in carpooling from Tallahassee to see the
Greater Sand Plover? I can drive but can only comfortably take 1 and I
have to be back by 5 or 6pm Thur-Sat.

Luke DeGroote
NW Tallahassee
Subject: Posting for Mr. Gail Menk: LAKE PATE, BIRDING SITE
From: "Julie Duggan" <jvduggan AT embarqmail.com>
Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 09:46:06 -0400
LAKE PATE, ANOTHER RECOMMENDED BIRDING SITE IN LEON COUNTY

The finishing touches are in the making for another recreational park in
Tallahassee similar to Lake Henrietta on Springhill Road.

Lake Pate can be viewed across the highway from the parking lot at Harvey's
grocery mart on West US 90 (Quincy Highway) and can best be approached from
the west. Entrance is next to a car rental establishment about a quarter
mile from Capital Circle.

Last fall/winter a number of migrant ducks and other water birds were
"scopable" in the large impounded lake encompassed by a 2-plus-mile paved
road for pedestrians and cyclists. Along the shore are abundant spartina and
sagitarious-like plant growth that could attract such birds as Marsh Wrens,
blackbirds, etc.

ENJOY.

Gail E. Menk

---

Julie Duggan, Tallahassee



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Huguenot Park conditions
From: bessinger janice <janmelb AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 06:07:54 -0700 (PDT)
Please forward to everyone who may have an interest. Janice Bessinger in 
Macclenny 


--- On Tue, 5/19/09, Patrick Leary  wrote:

> From: Patrick Leary 
> Subject: [FLBIRDS] Huguenot Park conditions
> To: FLORIDABIRDS-L AT LISTS.UFL.EDU
> Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2009, 8:51 AM
> Members: Please spread the word that
> NE Florida and Huguenot Park are currently experiencing
> extreme weather conditions with high winds, rain and storm
> surges along the coast. Huguenot Park MAY BE CLOSED upon
> arrival or conditions in the park may be highly adverse to
> access tidal habitats (shorelines flooded). When last
> reported, the Greater Sand-plover may have sought refuge in
> INACCESSIBLE  habitats in the park. 
> 
> We received one extremely troubling report suggesting that
> sometime yesterday afternoon a visitor intruded into
> protected habitats pursuing the plover. Under NO
> circumstances is such behavior condoned or permitted. Any
> such behavior seriously threatens all the good will and
> positive feedback resulting from the responsible behavior of
> those visiting previously.  
> 
> For members associated with the ARBA, please post this
> message there ASAP. The extreme weather conditions are
> predicted to ease Thursday when local birders will verify
> the plover's continued presence. Until then, all potential
> visitors would be well advised to delay or forego plans to
> travel here for views of the plover. 
> 
> Thank you, 
> 
> Patrick Leary, Fernandina Beach
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________
> FLORIDABIRDS-L Listserv mailing list information:
> Member  photos  I:  http://bkpass.tripod.com/floridabirds.htm
> For archives:  http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/floridabirds-l.html
> To set nomail:  listserv AT lists.ufl.edu
> Message: set floridabirds-l nomail
> 
> To reset mail:  listserv AT lists.ufl.edu
> Message: set floridabirds-l mail
> 
> To unsubscribe: listserv AT lists.ufl.edu
> Message: unsub floridabirds-l
> 
> Jack Dozier memorial: http://tinyurl.com/6adm2m
> 


      
Subject: Fw: [FLBIRDS] Huguenot Park conditions
From: Linda Most <lrmost AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 05:54:00 -0700 (PDT)

In case some are not reading Floridabirds-L.

helpfully,
Linda 

--- On Tue, 5/19/09, Patrick Leary  wrote:

> From: Patrick Leary 
> Subject: [FLBIRDS] Huguenot Park conditions
> To: FLORIDABIRDS-L AT LISTS.UFL.EDU
> Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2009, 8:51 AM
> Members: Please spread the word that
> NE Florida and Huguenot Park are currently experiencing
> extreme weather conditions with high winds, rain and storm
> surges along the coast. Huguenot Park MAY BE CLOSED upon
> arrival or conditions in the park may be highly adverse to
> access tidal habitats (shorelines flooded). When last
> reported, the Greater Sand-plover may have sought refuge in
> INACCESSIBLE  habitats in the park. 
> 
> We received one extremely troubling report suggesting that
> sometime yesterday afternoon a visitor intruded into
> protected habitats pursuing the plover. Under NO
> circumstances is such behavior condoned or permitted. Any
> such behavior seriously threatens all the good will and
> positive feedback resulting from the responsible behavior of
> those visiting previously.  
> 
> For members associated with the ARBA, please post this
> message there ASAP. The extreme weather conditions are
> predicted to ease Thursday when local birders will verify
> the plover's continued presence. Until then, all potential
> visitors would be well advised to delay or forego plans to
> travel here for views of the plover. 
> 
> Thank you, 
> 
> Patrick Leary, Fernandina Beach
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________
> FLORIDABIRDS-L Listserv mailing list information:
> Member  photos  I:  http://bkpass.tripod.com/floridabirds.htm
> For archives:  http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/floridabirds-l.html
> To set nomail:  listserv AT lists.ufl.edu
> Message: set floridabirds-l nomail
> 
> To reset mail:  listserv AT lists.ufl.edu
> Message: set floridabirds-l mail
> 
> To unsubscribe: listserv AT lists.ufl.edu
> Message: unsub floridabirds-l
> 
> Jack Dozier memorial: http://tinyurl.com/6adm2m
> 


      
Subject: North Georgia Mountains
From: Andy Wraithmell <bosoxxfan58 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 17:02:37 -0700 (PDT)
Good Evening

I know this is not for our area but thought folks might be interested in what 
birds can be found in the mountains north of Atlanta a mere 375 miles away. 

Julie, Maisie and I spent a wonderful 4 days hiking and birding in the area 
around Helen, Georgia. We got great looks at many breeding warblers including 
several singing male Canada Warblers on Brasstown Bald, which is Georgia's 
tallest peak. Other breeders we had on that particular mountain included many 
Black-throated Blues, Wood Thrush, Ovenbird, Veery, Black-and-white, Dark-eyed 
Juncos (we observed a pair feeding their young), Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, 
American Redstart, Blue-winged Warbler and our first Ruffed Grouse, flushed 
from aside the Wagon Train Rd trail. 

At Ana Ruby Falls we had killer looks at Louisiana Waterthrush and at Smithgall 
Woods we had Scarlet Tanagers, Kentucky Warblers, Worm-eating Warblers and 
Yellow Warbler. 

Our cabin which was west of the small town of Cleveland was great for birds. 
From the baclony we could see a Ruby-throated Hummingbird on her nest and a 
pair of Eastern Phoebes were building a beautifully constructed nest on a 
wooden ledge. Eastern Wood-pewees and Acadian Flycatchers called constantly, 
there were many bluebirds, American Robins, Wood Thrushes, Hairy Woodpeckers, 
Cedar Waxwings and Chuck-wills-widows at night. 

If anybody is looking for a short break I highly recommend this area, the 
scenery is beautiful and it is a great opportunity to see and listen to singing 
warblers that one can spend hours searching for here in Leon County. Each trip 
I take these days leads me further and further away from county birding. The 
Canada Warblers were worth the trip alone. If anybody is interested in making 
this trip and would like some info, we are more than happy to share. 


Andy, Julie and Maisie Wraithmell
at home in Tallahassee not seeing the Greater Sandplover

ps Julie says thanks for the Florida Field Naturalists Linda



      

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: VERY RARE BIRD GREATER SANDPLOVER
From: bessinger janice <janmelb AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 16:53:30 -0700 (PDT)
Folks, this is a rare treat. An Asian bird seen only one other time in the 
Western Hemisphere and it is in our backyard at Hugeunot Park in Jacksonville, 
FL. I was not able to go until today. I saw the bird (after waiting and looking 
for 2 hours) at 1:15 p.m. as the tide was coming in. Be aware of the tides if 
you are going. The park can close during high tide and everyone has to leave. 
It then reopens as the tide recedes. When I saw the bird, the northeaster was 
coming in with winds  AT  35 mph, drizzly rain, and huge salt sprays. The weather 
is supposed to worsen for the next 2 days. The park hours are 8 am to 8 pm. 
Good birding. Janice Bessinger 



      
Subject: Apalachee Audubon Banquet-Red Knot Presentation
From: Pam Flynn <tallypfly57 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 06:27:34 -0700 (PDT)



Event Title: Banquet and Red knots -- On the brink of extinction
Where: Lafayette Presbyterian Church 4220 Mahan dr.( U.S. hwy 90 )
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Time: 6:30 PM EST
 


AAS Annual Banquet and Patricia C. Behnke, who will speak on "Red knots - On 
the brink of extinction". 

Tickets for the banquet cost $10.00 and may be purchased in advance at Wild 
Birds Unlimited & Native Nurseries, or at the banquet if you RSVP Tim Smith at 
850-933-5979 before May 28th so we have an accurate attendance count. 

The menu this year is Italian. Bring Desserts and an empty container for 
leftovers. 

Patricia C. Behnke, Senior Editor, Community Relations Office Media Relations 
Coordinator, Division of Habitat and Species Conservation Florida Fish and 
Wildlife Conservation Commission, will speak on "Red knots - On the brink of 
extinction". 

She will discuss some background information on the red knot and provide 
current information on the three-year study completed this year in Florida. 

Patricia is a writer/editor with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation 
Commission. She has worked with the scientists on the red knot study and 
written about it for the Florida Wildlife magazine. Prior to working for the 
FWC, she was a journalist in the Gainesville-area. 


Direct any questions to Melissa Forehand at birdingtreefrog AT gmail.com 
 

 .

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: a charismatic plover in Jacksonville
From: Linda Most <lrmost AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 17 May 2009 12:02:56 -0700 (PDT)
No, I'm not talking about a DIFFERENT rare bird, I'm talking about the Greater 
Sandplover at Hueguenot Park in Jacksonville that is making all the birding 
news. As one of the Tropical Audubon gang wrote on their bird board, "don't 
talk yourself out of going to see this bird!" It is a really cool bird! 


I got up at 4:30 this morning, jumped in the car at 5:00, stopped at MickyD's 
for eggMcMuffin-no meat and headed east to Jacksonville. Three and a half hours 
later I was standing on the mudflats with lots of other happy people from 
Georgia and Florida and who-knows-where-else looking at the bird, sharing 
'scope views, taking pictures, and swapping stories with the good folks I 
hadn't seen since the last time I chased a rarity somewhere in Florida. After 
90 minutes watching the Greater Sandplover and checking out all the other cool 
shorebirds and terns -- many in breeding plumage, I got back in the car and 
headed west again, the dissertation was calling but I was smiling and singing 
with the cd player as I drove back. Seeing that bird and a beautiful beach and 
a bunch of like minded birders was worth giving up four hours of sleep and a 
lazy Sunday morning! 


Seriously, if you go, go early so you can get into the park without problems 
(park opens at 8:00) and before the birds get skittish and move away. Low tide 
has been in the morning on the days since the bird was first reported. I 
haven't seen anything reported yet about how the bird behaves at high tide, but 
at low tide this morning it was out on the same lagoon mud-flats where it has 
been. It was with Wilson's Plovers and Ruddy Turnstones feeding and running 
around. There is also a Purple Sandpiper hanging around on/near the jetty. 
People who have been there every day were also making anecdotal comments about 
there being fewer shorebirds around since the bad weather cleared. All the 
directions and details are posted on Floridabirds-l, Birdbrains and the Florida 
rare bird alert list. 


This bird is worth the drive,
Linda Most
Tallahassee
----------------------
Bird where you are (except when chasing the occasional mega-rarity within the 
state). 



      
Subject: Re: How do I join this group?
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Sun, 17 May 2009 13:17:18 -0400
I think you already joined, since you posted a message to the list.


North FL Birds

Description
A birding e-mail group covering North Florida, South Georgia, and  
South Alabama.

Please use the below address to subscribe:

nflbirds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com

Just send a blank message to that address,  and you should receive a  
welcome
message shortly.

-----

Fran Rutkovsky
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net
Tallahassee, FL
Subject: How do I join this group?
From: dee wilder <dwilder_32301 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 17 May 2009 09:58:18 -0700 (PDT)
Please tell me how I can sign up for this group. Thanks!
Dee


      
Subject: Greater Sand Plover
From: Edwwjr AT aol.com
Date: Sat, 16 May 2009 22:32:52 EDT
Michael Evans and I successfully chased the Greater Sand Plover at Huguenot 
 Park in Jacksonville this morning.  We appreciated the helpfulness of the  
other birders who were present when we arrived and already had the bird in 
their  scopes.  Thanks particularly to Pappy.
 
The purple sandpiper and Wilson's plover were still present in the general  
vicinity of the sand plover.  Several whimbrel were also present.
 
Ed Woodruff
Tallahassee, Fl.
**************An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy 
Steps! 

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Excfooter51609NO62)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Greater Sand Plover
From: Robert Bowman <bbpictures AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 20:36:07 -0700 (PDT)
On my drive today back from Orlando to Tallahassee, I made a thoroughly 
worthwhile detour to Huguenot Memorial Park near Jacksonville to see the 
Greater Sand Plover that was located yesterday during a routine shorebird 
count. I imagine most followers of nflbirds also follow BrdBrains or the other 
Florida lists, which have been abuzz with reports about this once-in-a-lifetime 
bird for Florida---and probably for North America. This is only the second 
confirmed report of the Greater Sand Plover for the Western Hemisphere (the 
other being a bird in California in 2001). 


I arrived around 5:30 this afternoon, and a couple of scopes were set up with 
people monitoring it. Approximately fifteen minutes later, it disappeared from 
view and it took thirty minutes to relocate it. However, once it was spotted, 
it was unmistakable in its breeding plumage. It provided wonderful looks, and 
there were scopes aplenty set up to view it. There were birders present 
representing all parts of Florida as well as the Carolinas and one gentleman 
who had flown in today only to see it. We were all thrilled at the looks we 
got. 


There were many more beachgoers than birders this afternoon. If you go, you'll 
need to veer left where the road forks, which is past the little concession 
stand. The mud flats to the left were where the plover was seen. I foolishly 
went to the right and ended up getting stuck in the sand. Only by the grace of 
my four-wheel drive was I able to extricate my Jeep. 


Some of us were speculating about how a bird like this that is typically found 
in Asia could end up in Jacksonsville. Someone suggested it might have hopped a 
ride on a freight ship, but it's not clear what it would have eaten along the 
way. Anyway, an incredible find that is well worth the drive over to the 
Atlantic coast. Good luck to those of you who decide to go! 


Robert Bowman
Tallahassee



      
Subject: TTRS Bird Window Summer Feeding Schedule
From: CK Borg <ckborg AT hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 20:11:49 +0000
Hi Folks,
 
The Bird Window feeders will be maintained through today as our seed supplies 
have run dry. There is little point in maintaining the feeders beyond this 
weekend (during the summer) because visitation by both birds and humans is low. 
Additionally, the bird species that regularly visit our feeders at this time of 
year tend to be brown-headed cowbirds, common grackles, and house finches. I 
will resume feeding in mid September once the winter migrants begin to appear. 
Of course visitors interested in paying the window a visit during the summer 
should do so as the Stevenson Trail and Gannet Pond offers some good birding 
especially in the morning hours. The pond typically has breeding purple 
gallinule and in some years has attracted black-bellied whistling ducks during 
the summer months. 

 
Thanks,
CK Borg

Tallahassee



_________________________________________________________________
Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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Subject: Cornerstone birds (Gail Menk)
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 21:59:13 -0400
Posted for Mr. Gail Menk


Since March, students, faculty and Yours Truly have been compiling
a bird species list at Tallahassee's Cornerstone Learning Community
on Hartsfield Road.  Instructor Matt Morris is acquainting his students
with traditional birdlore and species identification, both by ear and
sight, while Ms. Pat's Kindergarten class is learning birds via a bird
feeder near the classroom.  In all, the CLC bird list approaches
40 species with more to come.

Recently pre-Kindergartener Eli was credited with the first listing of a
Mississippi Kite flying over the campus and quickly alerted other  
students
who also got to share the bird.  (GOOD EYE, ELI!)  And Mr. Matt since
has added the Swallow-tailed Kite to said birdlist.

Other notable species within CLC environs have included fly-over
Forster's Terns (2), Osprey, good numbers of  Solitary Sandpipers,
and Gray Catbird.

CLC also houses an increasing collection of bird nests which serve to
illustrate the nest-building materials and "weaving" techniques of  
various
birds.  Recently his students examined a donated Robin nest.  And CLC
is evidently a good environment for birds to raise families, as  
several species
have been observed carrying nesting material.  And on April 30 a pair of
Carolina Chickadees were feeding a recently hatched fledgling.


.......Gail E. Menk



-----

Fran Rutkovsky
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net
Tallahassee, FL
Subject: Wednesday - South side of Tallahassee
From: Edwwjr AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 20:13:21 EDT
Carolyn Smith and I visited several sites on the south side of Tallahassee  
Wednesday morning.  In general, things were slow with very few total birds  
although we had about 30 species.  I am only mentioning birds that might be 
 of general interest:
 
Lake Elberta an eastern kingbird
 
Black Swamp I and II:  common yellowthroat pair, blue grosbeak pair,  
several white eyed vireo, pine warbler, northern parula, fly-over wood stork,  
and at least one prothonotary warbler calling but none were seen.
 
Lake Henrietta: 4 spotted sandpipers on the trash and sandbar near the  
first bridge on the left, great crested flycatcher, eastern kingbird,  
red-shouldered hawk, and limpkin.
 
A controlled burn was being conducted at the Munson Preserve and so the  
park was closed for the day.
 
Koucky Park area: northern parula, downy woodpecker, and a great many  
cardinals, titmouse, and Carolina wrens.
 
Ed Woodruff
Tallahassee
**************Dell Mini Netbooks: Great deals starting at $299 after 
instant savings! 

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221972443x1201442012/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fad.doubleclick.net%2Fclk%3B214819441%3B36680237%3Bi) 



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: For Swainson's Warbler fans
From: "phhomann" <phhomann AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 00:09:33 -0000
In the late eighties through the mid-nineties I suspected and once confirmed 
nesting of Swainson's Warblers south of Concord in Gadsden County. Perhaps this 
is still the case but I probably would not hear the song now even with my 
hearing aid. To get there turn north onto Old Bainbridge Road from US 27 after 
having passed Lake Jackson, then go about 4 miles to a bridge over the 
Ochlockonee River and ½ - ¾ mile past it turn right onto the road to Concord 
(CR 157?). Stop after another ¾ mile or so when you arrive at a bridge over a 
small stream: I hope the vegetation has remained undisturbed. Prick up your 
ears. You may also hear Lousiana Waterthrush, Acadian Flycatcher and many 
others (I typically recorded at least 15 species per visit). Usually I parked 
my car and ventured into the woods along the stream to get away from the 
traffic noise. 


Peter Homann., Tallahassee 

Subject: Strange markings on Egret
From: judy cooke <dellabirdie AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 12:15:16 -0700 (PDT)
Was out at Bald Point today and saw a strangely marked Egret.  I did not have 
my camera with me, but there was another person with - who, although not a avid 
birdwatcher, knew this egret was different from the ones commonly seen around 
here. 

It
 was flying with a Snowy Egret - and was identical to the Snowy with the the 
exception on a black stripe on it's wings.  The black stripe looked to be where 
the primaries meet the secondaries running from the front of the wing to the 
back - about 4-5 inches wide.  The bird flew over us repeatedly and neither one 
of us have ever seen an egret like this. 

 
I have gone though my bird books several times and have not been able to come 
up with anything.  Was it possibly a juvenile?  Any help would be really 
appreciated. 

 
Judy
Panacea


      

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: bike to work (bird) week
From: Luke DeGroote <degroote.1 AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 00:18:42 -0400
I received several great emails after my big day by bicycle post so I
thought there might be some readers interested to know that this week
is bike to work week (Friday is bike to work day).  With a myriad of
reasons to go by bike I think it would be great if birders considered
it a bike to bird day/week.  While most of us can't bike across the
country like Malkolm Boothroyd (http://www.cariboucommons.com/) biking
around the neighborhood, to a park, or from the Saint Marks visitor
center to the lighthouse offer a completely different way to
experience birds.  And, every little bit helps.

Luke DeGroote
NW Tallahassee
Subject: Video of Acadian Flycatcher calling taken this am- Good sound
From: eliza hawkins <ehawkins AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 09:40:44 -0700 (PDT)
Here is a video took this morning of the Acadian Flycatcher with good sound 
recording of the call.   Should come up first in the slide show and should play 
automatically though may take a minute to load - best to minimize the window: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9467770 AT N06/sets/72157617873990499/show/


At the same time I was alternately listening to my ipod playing the 
Acadian flycatcher song through my car stero and listening to the real 
flycatcher, I was reading an email on my blackberry from Rodney Cassidy.  
Something Rodney said in his email reminded me I had my little Canon IS 3 with 
me which has a video recorder.   Thanks Rodney, for the reminder. 


Sorry for the multiple postings...I have used all my high tech gadgets today.
.  


      
Subject: Re: Acadian Flycatchers/Yellow breasted chat/Juv Broadwinged hawk
From: ehawkins AT yahoo.com
Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 14:02:08 +0000
Am back this am to find lost sunglasses (no luck) butdid find the flycatcher on 
virtually the same perches as yesterday still repeating it calls constantly. 
Replayed all the flycatcher calls and am pretty sure it is an Acadian. 


Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

-----Original Message-----
From: eliza hawkins 

Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 15:51:23 
To: 
Subject: [nflbirds] Acadian Flycatchers??/Yellow breasted chat/Juv Broadwinged 
hawk 



A pair of flycatchers were calling loudly and repeadedly in St Marks at the 
first bend in the road right after the ranger station about 100 feet before the 
35 mph sign on the right.   I watched them on and off for about 2 hours (they 
were there calling every time I went by) and after running through my Stokes 
bird calls for all the possible flycatchers decided these were Acadians.   One 
was doing the first  two calls on the Stokes recording ( very loud two or 
three note call and the low "wheeeew" when flying to a perch).   The other 
bird called  from  nearby intermitantly (the first call on the tape).   The 
loudest most visable bird was hanging out on the east side of the road about 30 
or 40 feet up in trees in front of a open clearing full of water (went back and 
forth within the same littel area so wonder if there was a nest).   Would often 
sit in one place calling for awhile before flying a short distance.  


There were Parula, Pine warblers and white-eyed vireos all around as well.

Also saw a purple galinule at East Mounds Pool, a yellow breasted chat that was 
unfortunately a road kill (and which was gone a few minutes later when I went 
by the same spot - I don't suppose it flew away!!??), and what I think is a 
juvenile broadwinged hawk (very small hawk; its wings were solid and when it 
flew had one dark tail band).   Also saw an adult broadwinged hawk last week in 
Wakulla county.  


 See photos below:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/9467770 AT N06/sets/72157617873990499/show/


      

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Subject: Acadian Flycatchers??/Yellow breasted chat/Juv Broadwinged hawk
From: eliza hawkins <ehawkins AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 15:51:23 -0700 (PDT)
A pair of flycatchers were calling loudly and repeadedly in St Marks at the 
first bend in the road right after the ranger station about 100 feet before the 
35 mph sign on the right.   I watched them on and off for about 2 hours (they 
were there calling every time I went by) and after running through my Stokes 
bird calls for all the possible flycatchers decided these were Acadians.   One 
was doing the first  two calls on the Stokes recording ( very loud two or 
three note call and the low "wheeeew" when flying to a perch).   The other 
bird called  from  nearby intermitantly (the first call on the tape).   The 
loudest most visable bird was hanging out on the east side of the road about 30 
or 40 feet up in trees in front of a open clearing full of water (went back and 
forth within the same littel area so wonder if there was a nest).   Would often 
sit in one place calling for awhile before flying a short distance.  


There were Parula, Pine warblers and white-eyed vireos all around as well.

Also saw a purple galinule at East Mounds Pool, a yellow breasted chat that was 
unfortunately a road kill (and which was gone a few minutes later when I went 
by the same spot - I don't suppose it flew away!!??), and what I think is a 
juvenile broadwinged hawk (very small hawk; its wings were solid and when it 
flew had one dark tail band).   Also saw an adult broadwinged hawk last week in 
Wakulla county.  


 See photos below:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/9467770 AT N06/sets/72157617873990499/show/


      

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Subject: Another addendum
From: "phhomann" <phhomann AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 16:54:00 -0000
I am embarrassed and apologize - now with signature.

Peter Homann, Tallahassee
Subject: Addendum to Yard Blues
From: "phhomann" <phhomann AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 16:24:33 -0000
Fan Rutkovsky reminded me that I should have added my name to the posting - I 
apologize. Even more importantly, I should have mentioned that I refer to about 
3.5 acres west of N. Meridian Road/south of I-10. 

Subject: Yard blues
From: "phhomann" <phhomann AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 15:45:00 -0000
White-throated Sparrows usually are regulars in my yard during the winter 
months, but for the second winter in a row I did not observe a single one. 

Now, as spring has arrived, I remember the species, a dozen or so, that 
vanished as breeding birds from the immediate vicinity of my home since I moved 
here more than 40 years ago. That story is for another time. Right now I think 
of Orchard Oriole and Eastern Towhee and wonder about Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and 
Parula Warbler. These species had to cope with persistent parasitism by the 
Brown-headed Cowbird that, not surprisingly, has become now a rarity also after 
doing its thing when peaking in the mid eighties. It looks as if White-eyed 
Vireo will be next on my list - but I hope not. I will keep the hearing aid in 
place. 

Subject: Limpkin Piney Z
From: "Candy and Michael Hill" <mchill7 AT embarqmail.com>
Date: Fri, 8 May 2009 17:04:23 -0400
Last Thursday, a lone limpkin was observed feeding on the, newly
established, exotic island apple snails in Piney Z Lake.  The bird was
between Finger #1 and the concrete boat ramp to the west end of the
lake.  Last year, I saw several conspicuous exotic snail egg masses in
Piney Z (Lafayette Heritage Trail Park) and this year there are more.
Although most of the egg masses are along the west end, I did see
several egg masses (which contains 700+ eggs!) along the eastern end of
the lake.  The limpkin could be anywhere.  
	I also saw a Forester tern, and hope the least terns show up
again this year to use the nesting site.  
Michael Hill, Tallahassee
Subject: Shiny cowbird/Alligator Pt
From: "John Murphy" <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com>
Date: Thu, 07 May 2009 18:53:02 +0000
A FOTS Shiny cowbird (ad male) showed up at my feeders yesterday (05/06) 
afternoon. 


John Murphy
Alligator Pt, FL


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Subject: cedar waxwings Wednesday evening Tallahassee
From: Edwwjr AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 20:25:59 EDT
I had a flock of 59 (counted twice) cedar waxwings fly into a bare hickory  
tree in the backyard just before 7:30 this evening.
 
Ed Woodruff
Tallahassee
**************Big savings on Dell’s most popular laptops. Now starting at 
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Subject: Cedar Waxwings Lee Vause Park Tallahassee
From: Edwwjr AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 18:18:19 EDT
I forgot to mention that Carolyn Smith and I visited Lee Vause Park off Old 
 Bainbridge Road in Tallahassee Wednesday morning and had a small flock 
(10-15)  of cedar waxwings in the trees along the short entrance road to the 
park before  the road divides.
 
Ed Woodruff
Tallahassee
**************Big savings on Dell’s most popular laptops. Now starting at 
$449! 

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Subject: Wednesday Stoneler Rd Tallahassee
From: Edwwjr AT aol.com
Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 18:01:26 EDT
Wednesday morning, Carolyn Smith and I visited the state park at the end of 
 Stoneler Road in northwest Tallahassee.  We had about 25 species as we  
birded walking along the road.
 
Mississippi Kite 
summer tanager 
blue grosbeak 
indigo bunting 
bob white calling
great crested flycatcher many
brown thrasher 
eastern bluebird
red-bellied and red-headed woodpecker
Carolina wren
orchard oriole
wood stork
great egret
black and turkey vultures
chickadee
Am. crow
barn swallow
towhee
cardinal
mockingbird
blue jay
hawk species 
 
Ed Woodruff
Tallahassee
 
**************Big savings on Dell’s most popular laptops. Now starting at 
$449! 

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Subject: Posting for Mr. Gail Menk: SOME NOTABLE RECORDS IN THE BIG BEND
From: "Julie Duggan" <jvduggan AT embarqmail.com>
Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 14:06:31 -0400
SOME NOTABLE RECORDS IN THE BIG BEND, DECEMBER 2008/LATE APRIL 2009

On December 6 John Murphy listed a Red-breasted Nuthatch at Alligator Point,
Franklin County, JM and Alan Knothe a Winter Wren in said county on December
7. During late December Pamela Pierce reported a Burrowing Owl at Franklin's
St. George Island in late December which was later seen there by John Murphy
and Alan Knothe on January 24.

Probably best bird of the winter season was a Fork-tailed Flycatcher
described as such by J. Murphy and A. Knothe at Alligator Point on December
25; details have been sent to the FOS Records Committee.

A male Wilson's Warbler was reported in Leon County by Dana Bryan on
February 13 while another male previously reported by Melissa Forehand at
her Tallahassee residence was still there as of February 16. A Yellow
Warbler at Franklin's Apalachicola on December 28 was way-out-of-season,
carefully studied by John Murphy et al. with details also sent to FOS. And
on the same date 2 Sprague's Pipits were reported by JM also at
Apalachicola.

On January 4 a Song Sparrow was heard singing by Yours Truly in Jackson
County. In Tallahassee that female Bullock's Oriole remained at the home of
Fran Rutovsky into March and a male was photographed at the residence of Amy
Rogers on February 25.

On February 10 app. 120 hard-to-find Rusty Blackbirds congregated near the
residence of Tara Tanaka in northwest Leon County while usually rare Pine
Siskins were unusually common in the Big Bend this time around; John Murphy
listed 45 individuals at his Alligator Point residence on January 29 (wow!)
and the species has been reported into April (Fran Rutovsky).

On January 19 Melissa Forehand found a White-crowned Sparrow in adult
plumage at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (SMNWR); such winter garb
is rare in the Big Bend. Also on January 19 Rob Lengacher listed 2 pairs of
Canvasbacks at Tallahassee's Lake Henrietta while on January 10 I saw a
female at Lake Jackson's Crowder Landing.

On January 19 I witnessed a juvenile Bald Eagle "toting" an American Coot
off Crowder Landing (has the reader read Harry Hooper's "The Hunt"?-relates
a similar coot-capture by said raptor). Also on January 19 Rob Lengacher
reported a rare inland Greater Scaup at Lake Henrietta where a Limpkin was
still to be seen on April 10 and where I next saw 2 such individuals and
heard another far-off on April 29.

A Dark-eyed Junco reported by Dana Bryan at his Leon County residence on
January 24 was the only known report of the species in the Big Bend. A
female Purple Finch reported by Bill Pheland at his Leon residence on
February 4 was another such rarity. The latter species was formerly found in
fair numbers in Leon County; i.e., at the now abandoned FSU Dairy.

Purple Martins were not reported until well into February-at Southwood by
Jody Walthall on February 6, at the Springhill Road Sewage Facility also on
February 6 (GEM), on February 8 in Wakulla County by Marvin Collins, and, of
special interest, at gourds erected at Cornerstone Learning Community in
Tallahassee on February 19 where instructor Matt Morris later reported that
nesting Great Crested Flycatchers had taken over the site.

TANAGERS: In Tallahassee Susan Ware hosted a male Western Tanager at her
residence on February 14, Fran Rutovsky a female at her home on March 22; FR
also monitored a female Summer Tanager during much of the winter; both of
the females remained into April.

On February 15 Bob Landry report a Common Teal (presumably a male at SMNWR
where that subspecies has been reported in recent years. Also on February 15
Sean McCool reported a Lark Sparrow at Franklin's Alligator Point, later
seen there by John Murphy on February 22 along with a Yellow-breasted Chat.
On February 23 I listed a Grasshopper Sparrow at Leon's Rhoden Cove.

Beginning in late February 1-8 Greater Yellowlegs sojourned at Leon's
Crowder Landing and were later joined by a Solitary Sandpiper and a
surprisingly late Wilson's (Common) Snipe on April 28; I have but two
previous records of the latter species during May for Leon County.

Twenty-five Cattle Egrets reported by Harry Hooper and Lyn Renolds in
Jackson County on February 28 were enigmatic-early migrants or wintering
birds.

Chris Borg's posting of sounding Whip-poor-wills at Leon's Tall Timbers
Research Station sometime after March 2 was of interest and recalls one of
few personal county records on Leon's Aenon Church Road at pre-dawn on March
13, 2004.

As of March 8 Leon's Rhoden Cove environs has been good for Wild Turkey
sightings and in past years seems to attract Prairie Warblers and
hummingbirds.

Northern Rough-winged Swallows were reported by John Murphy in Franklin
County on March 8, and at Leon's Lake Epler by Yours Truly on March 9.
Earliest known springtime arrival for the Big Bend is March 3 at Leon's
Crowder Landing.

In Tallahassee a Solitary Sandpiper was at the Robert White Williams Birding
Trail on March 9 and 8 individuals were in the environs of Cornerstone
Learning Community on April 16. And by end of April I had listed 18
sightings of the species in Tallahassee, no doubt due to the many temporary
"wetlands" which had lingered there after 10-or-so inches of April rains
locally. What a difference water makes!

Ten migrating Glossy Ibis graced the meadow off Crowder Landing on March 13
and three Laughing Gulls in beautiful adult plumage were at Lake Epler Park
on March 16. The latter species was at one time rare county-wise, but in
part due to the landfill in east Leon County and later golf course at
Southwood, is to be seen regularly as it flies to and from the Gulf Coast in
at times large numbers. Southwood continues to be a good site for the
wintering Sedge Wren; one was seen there on March 19 by Marvin Collins and
GEM along the lake shore.

Speaking of wrens, the House Wren was to be heard singing in Leon County on
March 20-April 11 (what a joyful noise!), and on March 20 I saw my last
American Bittern at Crowder Landing. Sigh!

The locally rare Field Sparrow (2 individuals) was at Leon's Faulk Drive
Landing on March 20 and on March 23 I listed both a male Red-breasted
Merganser and a Swallow-tailed Kite flying over Black Swamp Nature Preserve.
Matt Morris also reported a STK near Miccosukee on April 2. 

I could have recorded spring arrivals of Barn Swallows much earlier than
March 24 in Leon County had I remembered to check out the railroad underpass
near Lake Epler Park (Lake Bradford Road). On March 26 Marvin Collins
distinguished a singing Yellow-throated Vireo on Leon's Proctor Road and on
April 11 that species along with White-eyed, Blue-headed and Red-eyed vireos
where also singing at Tallahassee's St. Luis Mission Park, a joyful chorus!

On March 27 an Eastern Kingbird was seen by this nimrod on Maryland Circle
(off Hartsfield Road). On March 28 Fran Rutovsky spotted a male Hooded
Warbler in her backyard (Rutovsky's Ravine) where after April she listed 2
Indigo Buntings, 2 Worm-eating and 2 Prothonotary Warblers. The Indigos were
as usual just passing through and this spring marked the first time she
counted more than one springtime Prothonotary there.

With regards to all,

Gail E. Menk

 

Posted by Julie Duggan

Tallahassee

 

 

 

 



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