North Florida Birds

Birdingonthe.Net

Recent Postings from
North Florida Birds

Updated on Monday, February 8 at 05:54 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.

8 Feb Common Loon - A.B. Maclay Gardens SP [Andy Wraithmell ]
08 Feb Weekend birding: amazing duck numbers []
08 Feb Re: Pelican flock sighting []
06 Feb St. Marks NWR- Saturday ["Don Morrow" ]
6 Feb Re: Pelican flock sighting ["Jim Stevenson" ]
06 Feb Pelican flock sighting [Kathleen Carr ]
6 Feb Female Summer Tanager - Hilaman Golf Course []
5 Feb Common Goldeneye ["Carol Miller" ]
5 Feb Re: Shell Point Friday [Vincent Lucas ]
5 Feb Shell Point Friday []
4 Feb Pine Siskin ["Janeen Langley" ]
3 Feb Alligator Point Sparrows and Southwood Geese []
1 Feb Apalachee Audubon Wildlife Friendly Yard Tour - Feb 20 [Pam Flynn ]
1 Feb Purple Martins in Tallahassee []
31 Jan Sparrows aplenty in Tallahassee (Plus bonus Summer Tanager) [Robert Lengacher ]
31 Jan Increased Numbers at Feeders? [judy cooke ]
30 Jan Apalachee Audubon field trip - A B Maclay Gardens SP [Andy Wraithmell ]
30 Jan Cackling Goose No []
30 Jan Barn Owl [Daniel Greene ]
30 Jan Reducing aircraft-wildlife strikes at airports ["kennedym2009" ]
29 Jan update from GABO re Ivory Gull passing [Linda Most ]
29 Jan Ivory Gull must read before racing up to West Point Lake [CK Borg ]
29 Jan GA Ivory Gull ["davisfritz" ]
28 Jan Re: (probable) Cackling Goose at St. Marks []
28 Jan Alligator Lake, Lake City ["Marvin Smith" ]
27 Jan Bird Identification workshop, Native Nurseries [Fran Rutkovsky ]
26 Jan Field trip to Maclay Gardens, Sat. Jan. 30 [Fran Rutkovsky ]
25 Jan Jim Cox, Audubon program, Thurs. Jan. 28 [Fran Rutkovsky ]
25 Jan Tall Timbers and Wakulla Springs 01-23-2010 ["wayne.schaffner" ]
24 Jan St Marks NWR-Saturday ["Don Morrow" ]
23 Jan Least Bittern at Wakulla Springs (late post) [Robert Lengacher ]
22 Jan Marsh Wren [Andy Wraithmell ]
22 Jan Probably Indigo Bunting in Tallahassee [Robert Lengacher ]
21 Jan Arctic terns--migration []
19 Jan Designing a Bird Garden, Sat. [Fran Rutkovsky ]
19 Jan Banding at Tall Timbers, Sat. (AAS field trip) [Fran Rutkovsky ]
18 Jan Turkey Vulture Feast [judy cooke ]
15 Jan Southwood and the Southeast Farm Tallahassee []
14 Jan Re: Seeking ID confirmation of YB Chat ["Jim Stevenson" ]
15 Jan Seeking ID confirmation of YB Chat ["johanvantol" ]
14 Jan Yellow Breasted Chat ["johanvantol" ]
13 Jan Henslow's Sparrows ["Jim Stevenson" ]
13 Jan Tall Timbers Bird Window [CK Borg ]
13 Jan tanager [MARY LOUISE ELLIS ]
12 Jan Feast of the Robins & GGBC event [Andy Wraithmell ]
11 Jan White-fronted Geese Tallahassee []
11 Jan hummingbird program ["tea4bluebird" ]
11 Jan Whoopers Possibly tomorrow! [Pam Flynn ]
11 Jan Southwood Snow Goose []
09 Jan St Marks NWR--Saturday ["Don Morrow" ]
08 Jan Common Merganser in Jacksonville ["jaxnaturalist1" ]
7 Jan AJ Henry Park Tallahassee []
7 Jan Whoopers update [Pam Flynn ]
7 Jan PBS Hummingbirds ["Beth W. Grant" ]
7 Jan yard activity [Fran Rutkovsky ]
7 Jan Twitcher Trifecta []
6 Jan The Whoopers are coming! [Pam Flynn ]
5 Jan St. Marks [Scott Borderieux ]
5 Jan Hummingbird talk at Native Nurseries, Sat., Jan. 9 [Fran Rutkovsky ]
5 Jan Woodpecker IDs ["John Griffin" ]
04 Jan Woodpecker ID ["griffoneboggy" ]
4 Jan Bullock's Oriole [Fran Rutkovsky ]
3 Jan Re: St Marks map [Nico Wienders ]
02 Jan St. Marks NWR-Saturday ["Don Morrow" ]
02 Jan St Marks map ["Don Morrow" ]
31 Dec Browncreeper - Happy New Year [Andy Wraithmell ]
29 Dec St. Marks Map [Scott Borderieux ]
29 Dec Lake Killarney ["wschmelzle1" ]
28 Dec Alligator Lake (Lake City, Columbia County) ["wayne.schaffner" ]
27 Dec St Marks 12/27/09 [Angela Johnson ]
27 Dec Paynes Prairie ["Marvin Smith" ]
27 Dec Bald Point State Park ["Marvin Smith" ]
26 Dec Bald Point State Park [Andy Wraithmell ]
25 Dec bald Pt 12-21-09 [Melissa Forehand ]
25 Dec Two Photos of the Neotropic Cormorant ["Judy" ]
25 Dec Red-breasted Mergansers []

Subject: Common Loon - A.B. Maclay Gardens SP
From: Andy Wraithmell <bosoxxfan58 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 15:54:24 -0800 (PST)

A Common Loon in basic plumage was present on Lake Hall, Saturday and Sunday. I was not at work today so don't know whether it is still present. A final reminder that we are having a Great Backyard Bird Count event at the park on Sunday February 14th. It will begin 8am at the Recreation Area and end around noon. See previous posts for more information or email me if you have any questions. Andy Wraithmell Park Ranger AB Maclay Gardens SP Tallahassee (850) 487-4556 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Weekend birding: amazing duck numbers
From: austrina1 AT aol.com
Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:44:40 -0500

Lydia and I spent long hours birding in Franklin and Gulf counties with some unusual results. I read Don Morrow's report about the duck numbers being down at St. Marks and we may have located the missing ducks. Dog Island to Apalachicola River ---Sunday AM.-----Franklin County numbers only. Redhead -------------------1700 Lesser Scaup------------11,000 Greater Scaup----------------150 Hooded mergansers--------------268 Red-breasted mergansers-------------------61--(in one actively feeding flock), several other flocks present. Black scoter---largest "flock"-------------5 Surf scoter-----------10 Bonaparte's Gull---------------39------largest flock-------mouth of Indian Pass-----Gulf County Fish Crow-----900----largest flock DC Cormorant---------------675----largest flock Gannets were even in the sounds and more common offshore. We had some other interesting sightings and species: A dead marine mammal on St. Vincent Island, TV's and Bald Eagles vying for foraging rights. Large sharks feeding on DC Cormorants, local fisherman told me where to observe this activity on a regular basis, it doesn't look like a good place to swim. A large black bear in Tate's Hell, 1 antlered wt deer, 1 coyote that seemed to have little fear of us. We also saw a lone shorebird on an oyster bar that had the size, coloration, bill, legs and mannerisms of a purple sandpiper, just WNW of Indian Pass. I've seen purple sandpipers as far west as Fort Travis in Texas, we weren't 100% sure due to access problems but it would definitely be worth it to look if you are in the area. We've been counting ducks in this immediate area for several years, this was our best local "duck count" in Franklin County. Rodney and Lydia Cassidy Tallahassee, Florida PS: we got really good looks (close and at length) at a Sprague's Pipit in Wilcox County, Alabama (central) about 10 days ago----we need to submit it to the Alabama rare bird committee if our schedule lets up. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Pelican flock sighting
From: austrina1 AT aol.com
Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:55:01 -0500

I've been surprised by White Pelicans on small lakes from the southern tip of peninsular Florida to the taiga of Canada. They'll even "stop over" at very small lakes in our desert southwest. Rodney Cassidy Tallahassee -----Original Message----- From: Jim Stevenson To: nflbirds ; Kathleen Carr Sent: Sat, Feb 6, 2010 9:23 am Subject: Re: [nflbirds] Pelican flock sighting White Pelicans are a far cry from Browns, in that they easily take to large lakes inland, and even breed in such places. Also, they will soon be migrating northwest, to places like the Great Salt Lake. But still, it's neat seeing them over Tallahassee! Jim in Galveston ----- Original Message ----- From: Kathleen Carr To: nflbirds Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 8:11 AM Subject: [nflbirds] Pelican flock sighting Around 6:30 last night (Feb. 5), I was westbound on 7th Avenue waiting for a red light at Thomasville Rd. when I saw a flock of 30-50 birds circling just west of North Monroe. DidnÂšt recognize them as anything familiar. Grabbed my binoculars and was surprised to see that they were pelicans. They flew around in circles for a bit longer, then straggled off into a loose V pattern and headed southeast. White pelicans? Surprised to have seen them so far inland. -Kathleen [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ---------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2667 - Release Date: 02/04/10 07:35:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: St. Marks NWR- Saturday
From: "Don Morrow" <don.morrow AT tpl.org>
Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:56:38 -0800

The last of the St Marks winter wildlife tours took place on a cool windy day. A total of sixty-eight species were recorded. Duck populations are definitely down, but species diversity was still high with fifteen duck species counted. The coots, which have been abundant this winter, have thinned out. Shorebird numbers and diversity are still high. Stony Bayou I Red-breasted Merganser Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Killdeer Black-necked Stilt American Avocet Greater Yellowlegs Solitary Sandpiper Willet Western Sandpiper Dunlin Dowitcher sp Common Snipe Stony Bayou II Green-winged Teal (several hundred) Blue-winged Teal (over a hundred) Gadwall Greater Scaup Bufflehead Mounds Pool III Green-winged Teal Mallard Redhead Northern Shoveler Lesser Scaup Hooded Merganser Ruddy Duck Lighthouse Pond Northern Shoveler American Wigeon Canvasback Redhead Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Thanks to Ed Woodruff for co-leading the afternoon tour. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Pelican flock sighting
From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net>
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 08:23:27 -0600

White Pelicans are a far cry from Browns, in that they easily take to large lakes inland, and even breed in such places. Also, they will soon be migrating northwest, to places like the Great Salt Lake. But still, it's neat seeing them over Tallahassee! Jim in Galveston ----- Original Message ----- From: Kathleen Carr To: nflbirds Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 8:11 AM Subject: [nflbirds] Pelican flock sighting Around 6:30 last night (Feb. 5), I was westbound on 7th Avenue waiting for a red light at Thomasville Rd. when I saw a flock of 30-50 birds circling just west of North Monroe. Didnšt recognize them as anything familiar. Grabbed my binoculars and was surprised to see that they were pelicans. They flew around in circles for a bit longer, then straggled off into a loose V pattern and headed southeast. White pelicans? Surprised to have seen them so far inland. -Kathleen [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2667 - Release Date: 02/04/10 07:35:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Pelican flock sighting
From: Kathleen Carr <kcarr AT nasw.org>
Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:11:40 -0500

Around 6:30 last night (Feb. 5), I was westbound on 7th Avenue waiting for a red light at Thomasville Rd. when I saw a flock of 30-50 birds circling just west of North Monroe. Didnšt recognize them as anything familiar. Grabbed my binoculars and was surprised to see that they were pelicans. They flew around in circles for a bit longer, then straggled off into a loose V pattern and headed southeast. White pelicans? Surprised to have seen them so far inland. -Kathleen [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Female Summer Tanager - Hilaman Golf Course
From: raybieber AT comcast.net
Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 13:11:51 +0000 (UTC)

This is Sunny.Â I was walking out this morning into my backyard to fill the serving dish with mealworms and noticed a female Summer Tanager feeding on my homemade suet.Â I have seen both females and males in the summer but this is my first during the winter months.Â Suet recipe follows: In a small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup white corn syrup, 1/3 c crisco and 1/3 c smooth peanut butter; heat on low to medium heat until all ingredients are melted.Â Take off heat and add slowly while stirring, add 1/3 c + a bit of corn meal.Â Let cool - it will harden - and serve up!Â I have made a suet feeder by using a 2-2 1/2 inch log and drilled holes in it about 1 inch in diameter for the suet, put a hook in the top of the log and hung from a squirrel and racoon proof pole with baffle.Â I put peanuts, raisins, peacan and walnuts on the top of the baffle.Â Works great!Â Happy feeding. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Common Goldeneye
From: "Carol Miller" <miller_c6 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 17:37:19 -0500

I was down at Bald Pt SP on a chilly Wednesday morning, and most of the birds had better sense than I did. The only notable bird was a male Common Goldeneye swimming between the oyster bars off the point. Carol Miller Miller_c6 AT yahoo.com Monticello, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Shell Point Friday
From: Vincent Lucas <vplucas AT comcast.net>
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 16:21:16 -0500

Is this Shell Point on the way to Sanibel? You really need to specify where exactly this place is i.e. the county/town, etc. Vince Lucas Naples, FL On Feb 5, 2010, at 1:56 PM, swamphen AT heirborn.net wrote: > A foggy, rainy 30 minutes at Shell Point this morning turned up a nice > crop of shorebirds. > > Location: Shell Point > Observation date: 2/5/10 > Number of species: 24 > > Redhead 9 > Lesser Scaup 19 > Bufflehead 18 > duck sp. 13 > Common Loon 4 > Brown Pelican 2 > Double-crested Cormorant 6 > Wilson's Plover 1 > Semipalmated Plover 4 Minimum count > Killdeer 1 > Willet 37 > Ruddy Turnstone 25 Minimum count > Sanderling 6 Minimum count > Western Sandpiper 2 > Least Sandpiper 3 > Dunlin 51 Minimum count > Short-billed Dowitcher 19 > Laughing Gull 6 > Ring-billed Gull 2 > Forster's Tern 1 > Eurasian Collared-Dove 7 > Mourning Dove 1 > European Starling 14 > Palm Warbler 8 > Boat-tailed Grackle 3 > > This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) > > -Sean P. McCool > Wakulla County, Florida, USA > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nflbirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nflbirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: nflbirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com nflbirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: nflbirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Subject: Shell Point Friday
From: swamphen AT heirborn.net
Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 13:56:10 -0500

A foggy, rainy 30 minutes at Shell Point this morning turned up a nice crop of shorebirds. Location: Shell Point Observation date: 2/5/10 Number of species: 24 Redhead 9 Lesser Scaup 19 Bufflehead 18 duck sp. 13 Common Loon 4 Brown Pelican 2 Double-crested Cormorant 6 Wilson's Plover 1 Semipalmated Plover 4 Minimum count Killdeer 1 Willet 37 Ruddy Turnstone 25 Minimum count Sanderling 6 Minimum count Western Sandpiper 2 Least Sandpiper 3 Dunlin 51 Minimum count Short-billed Dowitcher 19 Laughing Gull 6 Ring-billed Gull 2 Forster's Tern 1 Eurasian Collared-Dove 7 Mourning Dove 1 European Starling 14 Palm Warbler 8 Boat-tailed Grackle 3 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USA
Subject: Pine Siskin
From: "Janeen Langley" <jelangley AT comcast.net>
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 08:25:34 -0500

There has been a lone pine siskin among the 50 or so goldfinches at my feeders the past couple of weeks. This is a change from last year, but I know the numbers can vary greatly from year to year. Anyone else seeing greater numbers this year? Janeen Langley Northeast Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Alligator Point Sparrows and Southwood Geese
From: swamphen AT heirborn.net
Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 20:00:49 -0500

Early this afternoon at Alligator Point I found an interesting group of sparrows in an overgrown lot at the intersection of Alligator Drive and Clemen Street, containing four Vesper Sparrows and a single Lark Sparrow. Earlier at Bald Point it was the Day of the Dunlin, however a lone Piping Plover was notable. At dusk this evening the blue-morph Snow Goose and two Greater White-fronted Geese were still present with the 100 Canada Geese in the fields on the east side of Biltmore Drive in Southwood. - Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USA
Subject: Apalachee Audubon Wildlife Friendly Yard Tour - Feb 20
From: Pam Flynn <tallypfly57 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 15:32:04 -0500

Tickets are now on sale at Native Nursery and Wild Birds Unlimited for the third annual Back Yard Wildlife Tour on Feb. 20 from 10am-4pm. Price is $10/person with all proceeds to benefit Apalachee Audubon. If you've done this tour before, you know what fun it is..if you haven't, you are in for a treat! You will receive all information/maps/addresses with your ticket purchase. For additional information, contact Pam Flynn at pflynn57 AT gmail.com or 850-383-1238. Also, if anyone has a wildlife friendly yard that you would like to share on this tour next year, please let us know. We are always looking for new yards for the tour. Being the middle of winter, this tour is not a garden tour. Our tour is to share ideas for the habitat we have in our yards, how to attract different birds, see what blooms in the winter and to show off our winter birds. It's as much fun for the hosts as the tourist. Thanks... [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Purple Martins in Tallahassee
From: swamphen AT heirborn.net
Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 01:20:39 -0500

Had my first of spring Purple Martins, two of them, among the Tree Swallows on a positively frigid late afternoon on Lake Lafayette (Lafayette Heritage Trail Park). -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USA
Subject: Sparrows aplenty in Tallahassee (Plus bonus Summer Tanager)
From: Robert Lengacher <rlengach AT gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:10:39 -0500

I spent one hour birding the sparrow road in Southwood that I first posted about a few months ago. I easily found the following species of sparrow: - Song Sparrow - Swamp Sparrow - Chipping Sparrow - Savannah Sparrow - Field Sparrow (4) - Vesper Sparrow (3, first for this location) - Eastern Towhee I did not find any *Ammodramus* sparrows, but I chased a few likely suspects that refused to perch. To access this location, park at the dead end intersection of Orange Ave. and Mossy Creek Ln. in Southwood. Walk east beyond the dead end signs (which were toppled today). Sparrows aplenty can be found on both sides of the rutted road. There are quite a few damp places and puddles, so some persistent work should turn up additional species. Just a few minutes ago I heard the signature "Chicka Too, chicka too, chick too" of a Summer Tanager. I walked to the window to discover a male on our suet feeder (our first record in winter). It had the tiniest patch of red on its back. Keep looking up! Rob Lengacher Tallahassee, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Increased Numbers at Feeders?
From: judy cooke <dellabirdie AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 08:51:56 -0800 (PST)

Has anyone noticed an increased number of birds at the feeders in the last couple of days? I kinda expected there to be more coming during the cold blitz we had, but my numbers have increased dramatically in the last 4-5 days. I have well over 100 Chipping Sparrow this morning and close to that in Goldfinches. I have never seen so many goldfinches at one time before! There are double the number of Mourning Doves, Cowbirds, and Red-Winged Blackbirds. There are usually only a couple Titmouse and Chickadee and this morning I counted 6 Titmouse. There were easily close to 300 birds out there this morning and for the first time in a long time, there are even 2 Painted Buntings. Anyone else having more visitors? Judy-Panacea [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Apalachee Audubon field trip - A B Maclay Gardens SP
From: Andy Wraithmell <bosoxxfan58 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:47:59 -0800 (PST)

Thankfully the thunderstorms moved through town early this morning and allowed 6 intrepid birders a dry 4 hours of spotting at A B Maclay Gardens State Park. We began at the Recreation Area and checked around the lake's edge enjoying Eastern Bluebirds, 2 very obliging Pileated Woodpeckers, 2 White Ibis (uncommon at the park), White-throated Sparrows, Northern Flickers, Eastern Phoebes, a Blue-headed Vireo, Red-tailed Hawk, American Robins.....etc. We then headed to the Lake Overstreet trail and walked slowly along the power line enjoying fantastic prolonged views of 8 "tom" Wild Turkeys who were busy feeding on the power line edge and later around the creek that is now flowing fast from a very full Lake Overstreet. At the viewing platform we had a drake Green-winged Teal, Black-and-white Warbler, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Palm Warblers, Song and Swamp Sparrows, Wood Ducks, Red-shouldered Hawks and several large alligators that were enjoying the warm temps. On the way back to the car park we stopped at a wood pile in an area normally off limits to park visitors to search for the Winter Wren that has been hanging out this past few weeks. We did spot a small very elusive wren all too briefly which in typical fashion vanished into the several ton pile of timber and briar without uttering a peep or responding to pishing but I'd bet my house on it being the Winter Wren that I've seen and heard there recently! Last stop was the gardens to show off our nesting Great Horned Owls but sadly the recent storms and high winds (particularly last Tuesday) have damaged the nest beyond repair and it seems the birds have deserted. While there we did have one of the adult Bald Eagles fly over, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and Hermit Thrush. A good time was had by all on what turned out to be a perfect day for birding. Don't forget we have our Great Backyard Bird Count event on Valentine's Day Sunday Feb 14 starting at 8am until noon. There are 4 sections to the count; The Rec Area (lead by Andy Wraithmell), the Gardens (Melissa Forehand and Marvin Collins), Ravine trail (Dave Garcia and Chris Borg) and Lake Overstreet trail (Julie Wraithmell and Greg Kaufmann). Should be a fun day! Andy Wraithmell Park Ranger A.B. Maclay Gardens State Park (850) 487-4556 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Cackling Goose No
From: Edwwjr AT aol.com
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:29:08 EST

Michael Evans, Melissa Forehand, and I birded St. Marks NWR Saturday morning looking for the cackiling goose. We had no luck finding the goose but did see the neotropic cormorant on the pilings near the lighthouse. There was a single marbled godwit, a spotted sandpiper, 2 black-necked stilts, and 6 avocet in Stoney Bayou 1. Duck species seen: ruddy, lesser scaup, blue and green-wing teal, pintail, canvasback, widgeon, bufflehead, and northern shoveler. Most were in the lighthouse pool but some were in the east river pool. Ed Woodruff Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Barn Owl
From: Daniel Greene <dan_greene907 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:30:27 -0800 (PST)

I have a barn owl roosting at my house. Reply if you're nearby and would like to see. Dan Greene Lynn Haven, Bay County, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Reducing aircraft-wildlife strikes at airports
From: "kennedym2009" <kennedym2009 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:06:55 -0000

Dear fellow birding enthusiasts, As a lifelong birder and professional aviator for over 16 years, I am conducting a nation-wide study on the level of community support for the mitigation measures used at airports to reduce the wildlife strike hazard to commercial aircraft. Getting input from different regions of the country is necessary to gauge whether there are regional differences due to varying bird populations or possible high profile incidents involving wildlife strikes on aircraft. Responses are submitted electronically to a database that does not identify users, so your answers will be completely confidential. Findings will be released only as analyzed data or summaries in which no individual's answers can be identified. Please take a few moments to share your opinions and experiences. I appreciate you taking time from your busy schedule to contribute toward this important research about community views on wildlife mitigation measures at airports. The survey can be accessed at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XTVS225 If you would like a summary of my findings, please send me your e-mail address at kennedym2009 AT yahoo.com. Once the study is complete, I will e-mail the summary to you. Best Regards, Matt Kennedy Graduate student in Aeronautical Science Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Omaha, NE
Subject: update from GABO re Ivory Gull passing
From: Linda Most <lrmost AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:05:49 -0800 (PST)

Dear all, sorry to spread bad news but if you know about the Ivory Gull in Georgia you may already know that there are reliable reports that it is dead. Please check the Georgia Bird List via Birdingonthe.net if you are interested in following this story. Linda Most (formerly of Tallahassee, now South Georgia)
Subject: Ivory Gull must read before racing up to West Point Lake
From: CK Borg <ckborg AT hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:00:56 +0000

Folks, Interesting if not pathetically sad goings on in Georgia these days... read the posts to GABO concerning the West Point Ivory Gull here: http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/GABO.html CK Borg Tallahassee _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsofts powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390706/direct/01/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nflbirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nflbirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: nflbirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com nflbirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: nflbirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Subject: GA Ivory Gull
From: "davisfritz" <davisfritz AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:16:27 -0000

I drove to West Point Dam in Gerogia to see the Ivory Gull. It's a stunner! Hopefully, it will last through the weekend, but it definitely appeared to be flagging and no saw it feed yesterday. From Tallahassee, I followed Google maps on the way up, but returned via 85s to 431 to 27 (a more efficient route; it took 4 hours). Fritz Davis Tallahassee, FL
Subject: Re: (probable) Cackling Goose at St. Marks
From: swamphen AT heirborn.net
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:19:59 -0500

Thanks Fran for posting earlier while I was on the bird. The small Canada Goose at St. Marks posed beautifully for me after I found it following the avice of two birdwatchers who had seen it and had thought it was just a Canada, I had been looking in the pool but the bird had moved and was grazing right in front of the lighthouse observation platform, too close to focus 10x50s on. The bird looks to me to be very good for a Cackling Goose. It has a tiny, tiny beak, and its overall size looked, at a guess, about the size of a large Mallard, but smaller or the same size as a Red-breasted Merganser. There is a bit of a white collar marking on the neck in front. The bird was slightly skittish but seemed content to hang out in front of the platform and was still there when I left at around 5pm. The Neotropic Cormorant, on the other hand, was not seen. -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USA
Subject: Alligator Lake, Lake City
From: "Marvin Smith" <mtsmith AT valdosta.edu>
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:33:26 -0500

Group, I'm planning a trip to Alligator Lake in Lake City this weekend. I've never been there, but I have directions and a brochure. Can anyone give me tips on where I should look in the morning. I want to do some photography. Would I be better off with a 400mm lens or a 600mm? In other words, can I expect to get close to birds there? Will there be lots of opportunities for photographing birds in flight, or not? Thanks Marvin T. Smith Valdosta [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Bird Identification workshop, Native Nurseries
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:28:52 +0000 (UTC)

Identification of the Birds of North Florida with Jim Cox Saturday, January 30 10am --Free Jim is a biologist at Tall Timbers studying red-cockaded woodpeckers, brown headed nuthatches, Bachmanâs sparrow and other birds of the mature longleaf forest. He will show you what to look for when you are identifying birds at home or in the field. Native Nurseries 1661 Centerville Rd., Tallahassee 850.386.8882 -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Field trip to Maclay Gardens, Sat. Jan. 30
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:37:14 +0000 (UTC)

Apalachee Audubon Field Trip http://www.apalachee.org Birding Maclay Gardens with Andy & Julie Wraithmell Where: Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park Saturday, January 30, 2010 Time: 8:15 AM - 12:00 PM EST Meet at the Maclay Recreation Area parking lot at 815AM for a guided birdwalk of the park by Ranger Andy Wraithmell. We will look for regular winter vagrants like dark-eyed juncos, golden-crowned kinglets, brown creepers and winter wrens, as well as more familiar winter visitors. Group will also walk the park's rustic trail to Lake Overstreet to view the more than 1000 ring-necked and other ducks that winter on the lake, with a chance of witnessing the spectacle of the park's resident bald eagles hazing the ducks on the lake. Expert birder Andy Wraithmell is a park ranger at Alfred B. Maclay State Park. He has previously worked as the seawatch counter and a shorebird technician at Cape May Bird Observatory in NJ, and was assistant warden for three years at Dungeness Bird Observatory, in southeast England. Julie Wraithmell coordinates wildlife policy for Audubon of Florida in Tallahassee, and previously created the Great Florida Birding Trail for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. There is easy walking on unpaved paths, greater than 1 mile. Park entry fee is $6/car up to 8 people; family pass holders: free entrance for carload up to 6; individual pass holders: free entrance for pass holder, admission for each passenger without a pass, $2. Bicycle and pedestrian entry is $2 per person. Bring binoculars, comfortable shoes, water, dress for the weather. You may contact Julie by phone at 850-527-0279, or by email at jwraithmell AT audubon.org -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Jim Cox, Audubon program, Thurs. Jan. 28
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:57:23 -0500

Apalachee Audubon program Amtrak Passenger Station, 918 Railroad Ave, Tallahassee Thursday, January 28, 2010 Time: 7:00 PM, social ; 7:30, program (sometimes starts earlier) Can a Hunting-based Juggernaut Help Birds on Our Public Lands? Jim Cox will present: PINE-GRASSLAND BIRD CONSERVATION: IS IT TIME TO DROP YOUR BINOCULARS AND PICK UP A GUN? Pine-grassland birds are experiencing steep population declines. Management for this group of birds that includes Henslow's Sparrow, Bachman's Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlark, and many other species often overlaps with management for the Bobwhite Quail, a favorite game species. Recent programs focussed on Bobwhite Quail conservation have tauted the benefits that quail management might provide these other species, but efforts to date may not be living up to the promise. The presentation addresses the positives and negatives associated with a quail-centric approach and discusses the importance of a balanced, ecosystem-approach to land management. Jim Cox is a biologist with Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy. He works primarily with Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Bachman's Sparrows, Brown-headed Nuthatches, and other pineland songbirds. http://www.apalachee.org ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FL
Subject: Tall Timbers and Wakulla Springs 01-23-2010
From: "wayne.schaffner" <wschaffner AT live.com>
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:08:26 -0000

Many thanks to Tall Timbers, Jim Cox and Apalachee Audubon Society from Wayne and Suzanna. Blue-headed Vireo and Red-headed Woodpecker photos posted on nflbirds. Banding photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/44510955 AT N05/sets/72157623273982396/ Wakulla Springs highlights: American Wigeon (m & f) Hooded Merganser (m & f) Sora Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Bald Eagle (adult) Osprey Orange-crowned Warbler in Camellia behind the lodge several Blue-gray Gnatcathers
Subject: St Marks NWR-Saturday
From: "Don Morrow" <don.morrow AT tpl.org>
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 05:47:29 -0800

A quick three-hour run through the refuge produced sixty-five species including eighteen species of waterfowl. East River Pool Ring-necked Duck Ruddy Duck Red-breasted Merganser Bufflehead Stony Bayou I Semipalmated Sandpiper Killdeer Black-bellied Plover Western Sandpiper Dunlin Solitary Sandpiper Long-billed Dowitcher Willet American Avocet Black-necked Stilt Mounds Pool III Gadwall Hooded Merganser Green-winged Teal Blue-winged Teal Mallard Pintail Shoveler Lesser Scaup Redhead Ruddy Duck Bufflehead Snow Goose (four white phase and two blue phase) Lighthouse Pond American Wigeon Lesser Scaup Greater Scaup Redhead Canvasback Ruddy Duck Bufflehead Offshore Common Loon Red-throated Loon Horned Grebe Redhead Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Common Goldeneye The last of the St Marks Winter Wildlife Tours will take place on February 6th. Call the refuge at 925.6121 for details. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Least Bittern at Wakulla Springs (late post)
From: Robert Lengacher <rlengach AT gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 10:58:20 -0500

After posting about the Indigo Bunting at our feeder (I saw it again after posting) I remembered that we had seen a Least Bittern on the river boat tour at Wakulla Springs last Monday. After the boat made the turn around we found an American Bittern. I was scanning for more when I spotted a Least Bittern (head in the air) at the edge of the cattails right next to two American Coots. The coots absolutely dwarfed the bittern. This was my first winter Least Bittern in Florida. If you haven't taken the river boat tour, it shouldn't be missed: manatees, gators, turtles, and a great variety of birds. Keep looking up! Rob Lengacher [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Marsh Wren
From: Andy Wraithmell <bosoxxfan58 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:56:50 -0800 (PST)

It's been a while since I've seen one in Tallahassee. I watched it for about 15 minutes from the newish viewing platform on Lake Overstreet at AB Maclay Gardens SP. The number of Ring-necked Ducks is still way down from this time last year with 500 still being the highest count as opposed to last years high of 2500! I've had a bunch of queries regarding the Browncreeper at the Ranger Station. It hasn't been seen since my original post despite several pairs of eyes watching on a daily basis. There are usually 2-3 in the park each winter but not this year. Lots of American Goldfinches in the park right now eating sweet gum. Best bird experience of the week was walking out of the break room after lunch time to see a Bald Eagle flying over our heads no more than 25 feet off the ground. Awesome! cheers Andy Wraithmell [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Probably Indigo Bunting in Tallahassee
From: Robert Lengacher <rlengach AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:50:06 -0500

I got short glimpses of a little brown job that was probably an Indigo Bunting. I had brief hopes that I had been surprised by a Lazuli, but I'm pretty sure there was some light streaking on the breast. The bird was traveling with a nice mixed flock in our backyard. Keep looking up, Rob Lengacher Tallahassee, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Arctic terns--migration
From: wmjphelan AT comcast.net
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:27:26 +0000 (UTC)

Thought y'all might be interested in this article from the NY Times. Bill Phelan, Tallahassee January 21, 2010 Editorial A Tern Around the World We are all used to miniaturization in our daily lives â the steady shrinking of the electronic tools we use, like telephones and video screens. But what happens when miniaturization reaches the natural world? The best example is new research on the migratory patterns of the Arctic tern, using a minute electronic device designed by engineers at the British Antarctic Survey. Called a geolocator, the device weighs 1.4 grams, or about 0.05 ounce, and is about the size of a tiny halogen bulb. Affixed to the ternâs leg, the geolocator measures variations in light levels as the bird flies â data it compresses and stores, creating a map of the ternâs movements. And what a map it is! Ornithologists had guessed at the range of the ternâs migration, but evidence drawn from geolocators confirms that it is almost certainly the longest of any species on the planet â about 44,000 miles round trip from breeding sites in Iceland and Greenland to its wintering sites in the marginal ice near Antarctica. The long, looping migration, which averages more than 300 miles a day, includes a monthlong hiatus in the North Atlantic. There was no single migratory pattern. Some birds followed the coast of Africa south, while others tracked the eastern edge of South America. The shape of the route is determined both by the biological richness of the waters they pass and by global wind patterns. Our ability to track the movement of Arctic terns does not yet translate into an understanding of how they map the world for themselves. And for all our increasing ability to follow the movements of a creature as expeditionary as this, it still takes all our imagination even to begin to guess what it must be like to have both poles, and the winds and seas between them, as oneâs proper habitation. Home â˘ World â˘ U.S. â˘ N.Y. / Region â˘ Business â˘ Technology â˘ Science â˘ Health â˘ Sports â˘ Opinion â˘ Arts â˘ Style â˘ Travel â˘ Jobs â˘ Real Estate â˘ Automobiles â˘ Back to Top Copyright 2010 The New York Times Company â˘ Privacy Policy â˘ Terms of Service â˘ Search â˘ Corrections â˘ RSS â˘ First Look â˘ Help â˘ Contact Us â˘ Work for Us â˘ Site Map [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Designing a Bird Garden, Sat.
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:49:22 +0000 (UTC)

Native Nurseries 1661 Centerville Rd., Tallahassee 386-8882 Feeding Birds and Designing a Bird Garden Saturday, January 23rd 10am Free Jody Walthall is combining two of his most popular classes into one for this special session. You will learn how to attract more and varied birds to your feeders, how to squirrel-proof your feeder and what birds you are likely to attract this winter. In addition, he will teach you how to create a bird garden that goes a step beyond a mere feeding station, one that is both aesthetically pleasing and good for the birds. Annual Birdseed Benefit for the Tallahassee Museum January 21st - January 27th - Birdseed 20% Off - It's time to save on quality birdseed and, through your purchase, support the Tallahassee Museum. Just stop by the nursery to purchase your seed during this week; a portion of seed sales benefits the Tallahassee Museum. If you are picking up your seed on Saturday, January 21st , between 10am and noon, be sure to bring the children for a closeup bird encounter with some very special birds - owls, hawks and possibly Bucket, the vulture. Sandy Beck with St. Francis Wildlife Association and a naturalist from the Tallahassee Museum will introduce you to these beautiful birds. Native Nurseries' resident red rat snake, Checkers, will also make an appearance. Hot cider will be served. Children can make pinecone/suet feeders and you can also attend Jody's class on feeding birds and designing a bird garden at 10am. -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Banding at Tall Timbers, Sat. (AAS field trip)
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:27:08 +0000 (UTC)

Apalachee Audubon Society http://apalachee.org Bird Banding at Tall Timbers with Jim Cox Saturday, January 23, 2010 7:30 - 11:00 a.m. (This event will be cancelled if it rains.) Hosted by: Jim Cox (Jim Cox is a biologist with Tall Timbers.) Skill Level: Easy. Short walk along a trail to the banding site. Cost: Free, but donations to the bird program are welcome. WE'LL SET UP NETS ALONG THE HENRY STEVENSON BIRD TRAIL STARTING AT 7:30 AM UNLESS IT RAINS. PEOPLE CAN STOP BY TO SEE WHAT HAS BEEN NETTED ANYTIME THAT MORNING, SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE THERE RIGHT AT 7:30. WE'LL SHUT THE NETS DOWN SOMETIME AROUND 11 AM. PEOPLE SHOULD JUST DRIVE UP TO TALL TIMBERS AND LOOK FOR THE SIGNS DIRECTING THEM TO THE BIRD TRAIL. IT'S A 300 Meter WALK DOWN THE TRAIL. NOT PHYSICALLY DIFFICULT, AND NO SKILLS ARE NEEDED. THERE IS NO COST BUT DONATIONS TO OUR BIRD PROGRAM ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED. BRING BINOCULARS AND WATER. INSECTS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. PEOPLE CAN ALSO WALK ON DOWN TO THE BIRD WINDOW OVERLOOKING GANNET POND. KATY MAY LEAD PEOPLE THAT WAY NOW AND AGAIN. CONTACT JIM AT JIM AT TTRS.ORG OR 893-4153 EXT. 223 -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Turkey Vulture Feast
From: judy cooke <dellabirdie AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:19:09 -0800 (PST)

Was out to Bottoms Road today and the Vultures were feasting. Is it a bear? http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/delsbirds/ Also...in case anyone is interested, I have pictures of the Whoopers arrival last week: http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/imdella And I know this is a bird list, but if anyone is interested in the recent plight of the Sea Turtles: http://imdella.wordpress.com/ Thanks so much. Judy-Panacea [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Southwood and the Southeast Farm Tallahassee
From: Edwwjr AT aol.com
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:23:09 EST

Carolyn Smith and I birded Southwood Plantation and then visited the Southeast Farm (Tram Road WTP) Friday morning from roughly 10:00 to 11:30 AM. The blue phase snow goose and the 2 greater white-fronted geese were still present in the northern pond east of Biltmore Drive as well as 30 or more Canada geese. Near Florida High we had a large flock of palm warblers. At the Southeast Farm, we found bufflehead, lesser scaup, northern shovelers, and 6 common goldeneye. The ducks moved each time we approached but did not leave the ponds. Also present were an American pipit, greater yellowlegs, tree swallows, mourning doves, and least sandpipers. Mockingbirds and yellow-rump warblers were busy along the entrance road and parking lot. Ed Woodruff Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: Seeking ID confirmation of YB Chat
From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net>
Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:34:40 -0600

Hans, Congratulations! You have photographed a male Yellow-chested Brat, a rare winter resident in North Florida. These are actually fairly common breeders in the area, and many more slip through unobtrusively in the migration. Chats are best located by their bizarre collection of squawks and whistles, and are generally extremely hard to get decent looks at - and especially to photograph! Nice job! Jim ----- Original Message ----- From: johanvantol To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2010 10:08 PM Subject: [nflbirds] Seeking ID confirmation of YB Chat As I found that it is quite rare to have YB Chat in winter in Leon County, and I've never seen one before, I'd like to have confirmation before putting it on my list. Please have a look at pictures I took, posted at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nflbirds/photos/album/1504381078/pic/list Sorry for the quality, they've been taken through the window and bug screen. Hans ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.432 / Virus Database: 270.14.140/2621 - Release Date: 01/14/10 12:39:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Seeking ID confirmation of YB Chat
From: "johanvantol" <johanvantol AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:08:23 -0000

As I found that it is quite rare to have YB Chat in winter in Leon County, and I've never seen one before, I'd like to have confirmation before putting it on my list. Please have a look at pictures I took, posted at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nflbirds/photos/album/1504381078/pic/list Sorry for the quality, they've been taken through the window and bug screen. Hans
Subject: Yellow Breasted Chat
From: "johanvantol" <johanvantol AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:46:46 -0000

I was surprised to see a yellow-breasted Chat in my front yard this morning. Hans van Tol
Subject: Henslow's Sparrows
From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net>
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:26:12 -0600

CK's Henslow's record is a good one, of course, and now I'm really jealous coz *I* haven't seen one on "my dad's" trail. :0- Where they *do* live is an interesting thing, though. In my 43 years in North Florida, I have found this species in broomsedge far more than anywhere else. Places such as under power lines in Wakulla County provide great habitat for them, albeit a tad artificial. I also humorously wonder about their IQ after spending half their life under power lines. ;) IMHO, broomsedge is a bit of a replacement for bluestem, still the habitat of choice for the closely-related Le Conte's Sparrows more common further west. Broomsedge is a plant of disturbed soil in North Florida, and where it flourishes in low, damp areas, Henslow's can be fairly regular, even considering its hidden nature. And in many of these places, it's still outnumbered by Savannahs. This genus Ammodramus actually has several members, but I believe the two above to be especially closely-related. Henslow's is more of an eastern bird, with it and Le Conte's no doubt evolving from a superspecies. The two sharp-tails obviously prefer wetter areas, Grasshoppers prefer drier, more hilly regions, and Seasides are non-migratory, highly evolved and specialized denizens of salt marshes. They no doubt split off from the others many thousands of years ago. Birds of this genus have varying status where their overall population is concerned, and I believe they should be watched carefully for drops in numbers. They are a group of specialists, a characteristic that often leads to trouble, the way our species manipulates the environment. It was great seeing some of you on my recent trip back home, and I took Mother down to the refuge to see my dad's new bench by headquarters. It is kept company by another bench in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Short; Bob being one of my favorite professors at FSU during my days as a student there. Anyone interested in receiving my bird photos and commentary may do so. It's a free service with low-res pictures, and you can get on and off whenever you wish. Have a great 2010. Jim ----- Original Message ----- From: CK Borg To: Birding List: N. FL Birds Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 12:41 PM Subject: [nflbirds] Tall Timbers Bird Window ...Folks just wanted to let you know the feeders at Tall Timbers bird window are again being maintained ...my apologies for the irregular maintenance over the Holidays ...I had hoped a few folks would cover for me while I was away, but somehow that fell through the cracks. Regardless, things are running now and some good birds are being seen along the trail and at the Window. This morning I had a Henslow's Sparrow along the Stevenson Trail enroute to fill the feeders. In years past this species has proven to be quite tame along this trail allowing for great looks (same bird?). Best, CK Borg Tallahassee __________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390707/direct/01/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.432 / Virus Database: 270.14.138/2618 - Release Date: 01/13/10 07:35:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Tall Timbers Bird Window
From: CK Borg <ckborg AT hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:41:32 +0000

...Folks just wanted to let you know the feeders at Tall Timbers bird window are again being maintained ...my apologies for the irregular maintenance over the Holidays ...I had hoped a few folks would cover for me while I was away, but somehow that fell through the cracks. Regardless, things are running now and some good birds are being seen along the trail and at the Window. This morning I had a Henslow's Sparrow along the Stevenson Trail enroute to fill the feeders. In years past this species has proven to be quite tame along this trail allowing for great looks (same bird?). Best, CK Borg Tallahassee _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/196390707/direct/01/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: tanager
From: MARY LOUISE ELLIS <ELLISM AT tcc.fl.edu>
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:38:38 -0500

We've had a male summer tanager coming to the suet and to the sunflower seed for the past week...northwest Tallahassee....Mary Louise Ellis [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Feast of the Robins & GGBC event
From: Andy Wraithmell <bosoxxfan58 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:52:43 -0800 (PST)

Every year for many years Cedar Waxwings have depleted the berries from the American Holly tree outside the Maclay House. Not this year! It was an amazing sight to behold today as several hundred American Robins stripped the 37 year old holly of virtually all its fruit and then, much to our Administrative Assistants disgust, deposited what wasn't worth keeping onto the nearby cars, mostly his! A Saturn covered in robin poop is also a sight to behold! The cold weather has forced Ruby-crowned Kinglets to feed around the warmth of a recently operated truck searching for bugs. I observed one kinglet feeding on the ground with Chipping Sparrows eating grass seed! The Pied-billed Grebes on Lake Hall have formed a small feeding flotilla. American Goldfinches are stripping the Sweet Gums of their footballs. The avian activity at the park has been somewhat subdued...so as the human kind! Hopefully the warm-up will bring things back to normal. The date for the Great Backyard Bird Count event has been changed and set in stone, Rain or Shine, for Sunday February 14. The event will commence at 8am at the Recreation Area picnic shelter and conclude at 12noon at same location. We have divided the park into four sections, Recreation Area, Maclay Gardens, Lake Overstreet trail and the Ravine trail. Each section has been designed to cater for different ages and walking ability. The Recreation Area will be lead by yours truly Andy Wraithmell and is for birders who like a more relaxed outing with not too much walking on fairly easy terrain. Be prepared to sit in comfort! We hope to see 40+ species including Dark-eyed Junco. The Maclay Gardens section will be lead by Melissa Forehand & Marvin Colllins and is easy walking for all ages. The gardens should produce the highest number of species 60+ during the event, you should reasonably expect to see mixed songbird flocks of 10-20 species, nesting Great Horned Owls and hunting Bald Eagles. The Lake Overstreet trail will be lead by Julie Wraithmell and is 3 miles long over moderate terrain, sturdy walking shoes or boots are recommended. There is a compost restroom halfway round. Bald Eagles hunt over the lake throughout the day and Wild Turkeys are regular on the powerline. The Ravine Trail will be lead by Park Service Specialist Dave Garcia and Chris Borg, and will involve a moderate to difficult hike on and off trail. This hike will probably produce species such as Winter Wren. The ravine is one of the most spectacular areas of the park. Hermit Thrushes are more numerous than the cardinals and on sunny days can be heard singing their beautiful fluting song. To take part in the event you will need to either part with $6 (per vehicle with up to 8 occupants) or show your annual park pass at the Ranger Station as you enter the park. Bring binoculars (we do have a few spares to loan out), a spotting scope (if you own one), camera and wear appropriate clothing for the weather, wear sturdy shoes or boots especially for those going on Lake Overstreet and Ravine Trail sections, bring drinks and snacks. At the meeting place we will divide into our preferred groups and head off for our sections asap, so please aim to arrive at 8am. Dave and I are hoping for a really great turnout from the capital's and surrounding area's bird lovers (last year we had one birder drive all the way from Jacksonville) so mark your calendar for Valentine's Day and show the birds some love! Andy Wraithmell Park Ranger A.B. Maclay Gardens State Park (850) 487-4556 www.floridastateparks.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: White-fronted Geese Tallahassee
From: Edwwjr AT aol.com
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:36:21 EST

I visited Southwood mid-afternoon Monday and found both the greater white-fronted geese and the blue phase snow goose in the large pond on Biltmore Drive. Ed Woodruff Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: hummingbird program
From: "tea4bluebird" <tea4bluebird AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:15:59 -0000

Just wanted to share that PBS has a wonderful program on its "Nature" program called "Hummingbirds: Magic in the Air". You can check the schedule online and they also have clips on their website. In fact, the entire video is available to watch from the website. It has fantastic information and high speed camera footage, including some rare birds.
Subject: Whoopers Possibly tomorrow!
From: Pam Flynn <tallypfly57 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:52:04 -0500

Just got an update on the arrival of the Whoopers.. They flew this morning and will be arriving in Jefferson County. Fred Dietrich went up for the flyover in GA and spoke with OM Liz Condie..They are going to try to tomorrow morning for the St Marks arrival. If you can be a little late for work, it's worth getting up early.. Check the OM webpage tonight and in the morning before heading out: http://operationmigration.org/Field_Journal.html There is always a chance you will make the trip and they will not be able to fly but the weather prediction looks perfect. Travel south on Monroe/Woodville Hwy to the town of St Marks. Turn right at the end and following parking instructions. Be there by sunrise. Dress warmly! Put on as many layers as you think it will take and add two more! It was really cold last year! Tomorrow morning is ONLY supposed to be down in the 20s.. See you there! Pam Flynn Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Southwood Snow Goose
From: swamphen AT heirborn.net
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 01:48:24 -0500

The blue-morph Snow Goose is still present (has returned?) to the fields east of Biltmore Drive in Southwood, hanging out with the hordes of Canadas in the barely-visible northern pond. The white-morph Snow there earlier, and the Greater White-fronts, appear to be long gone... -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USA
Subject: St Marks NWR--Saturday
From: "Don Morrow" <don.morrow AT tpl.org>
Date: Sat, 09 Jan 2010 16:38:49 -0800

Despite extremely cold weather, the January Wildlife Tours took place today. There were Dark-eyed Juncos in the Visitor Center parking lot. There were more ducks than there have been all year, good numbers and a total of nineteen species, including Wood Ducks in the swamps near the double bridges. Shorebird numbers were low, but there was good diversity, including American Avocet and Black-necked Stilt. East River Pool Canvasback Lesser Scaup Ring-necked Duck Redhead Bufflehead Ruddy Duck Stony Bayou II Hooded Merganser Blue-winged Teal Green-winged Teal American Wigeon Shoveler Mallard Gadwall Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Mounds Pool III White-faced Ibis Hooded Merganser Blue-winged Teal Green-winged Teal Shoveler Mallard Black Duck Gadwall Pintail Bufflehead Lesser Scaup Lighthouse Pond American Wigeon Redhead Lesser Scaup Canvasback Ruddy Duck Offshore Horned Grebe Common Loon Lesser Scaup Redhead Common Goldeneye Red-breasted Merganser Bufflehead [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Common Merganser in Jacksonville
From: "jaxnaturalist1" <ljroyce AT earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:12:51 -0000

While conducting our weekly shorebird monitoring today (Thursday) at Huguenot Memorial Park, we saw a Common Merganser mixed in with the Red-breasted Mergansers. This was a female. The bird was spotted in the cove, zone 14, near where we first saw the Greater Sand-plover in May. Much thanks to Doris Leary for her knack of seeing birds that look "different." Lesley Royce Jacksonville, FL
Subject: AJ Henry Park Tallahassee
From: Edwwjr AT aol.com
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 18:24:21 EST

Michael Evans and I spent a couple of hours Thursday morning at AJ Henry Park. We had two nice mixed flocks and some other interesting birds in the 33 species we found. The highlights were: golden crowned and ruby crowned kinglets American goldfinch - 6 black and white warbler palm warbler hermit thrush wood stork - 9 hooded merganser - 14 wood duck - 2 green heron sharp-shinned hawk bald eagle Ed Woodruff Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Whoopers update
From: Pam Flynn <tallypfly57 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 16:07:28 -0500

Operation Migration flew again today and again skipped a stop. They are now 2 stops from St Marks. I just spoke with St Marks National Wildlife Refuge. They are anticipating the arrival on Tuesday or Wednesday. There is at least the probability of one bad fly day (tomorrow due to front) and then they will spend a couple days in Monticello separating the flock. There are 20 birds. 10 will come to St Marks and 10 will be taken to Chassahowitzka NWR. I will send out another update if/when I hear.. For those that were not around last year, the flyover location will again be in the town of St Marks in the field just north of the public boat launch. Plan to arrive just before day break. The pilots will take off as soon after sunrise as they can. Take Monroe/Woodville Hwy all the way down and turn right at the end. The birds will be led right over this field and will not be landing. Once the birds have been taken to the pen site, usually Operation Migration brings one of the trikes back to the flyover location and the pilots and staff of OM are available for questions, etc. It isn't necessary, but Operation Migration can always use your donations. This project is funded completely by our tax deductable donations. For more information about this project, go to www.operationmigration.org. Thanks! See you there! Pam Flynn Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: PBS Hummingbirds
From: "Beth W. Grant" <bethgrant AT bellsouth.net>
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 12:11:00 -0500

PBS has a special on hummingbirds with special slow motion photography, this Sun 8pm. Their description follows: Hummingbirds take extraordinary to a whole new level. They are the smallest warm-blooded creatures on the planet, but they are also among the fastest. With wings that beat up to 200 times every second, they are among nature's most accomplished athletes, the only birds able to hover, fly backwards, and even upside down. Hummingbird metabolisms are set in permanent overdrive, requiring them to consume more than half their body weight in nectar every day, yet even so, they remain in constant threat of starving to death as they sleep. To survive the night, they fluff up their feathers and adjust their thermostats, decreasing their body temperatures by half and reducing their heart rate from 600 beats per minute to a mere 36. Because hummingbirds live their lives in fast forward, much of their fascinating world is typically lost to human perception. But using cameras able to capture over 500 images a second, the hummingbirds' magical world can finally be seen and appreciated. Amazing footage shows these little powerhouses are far more than delicate nectar gatherers - they are also deadly predators. And watch as the birds display their elaborate mating rituals, showing off with nose dives that subject them to over ten G's of force - enough to cause an experienced fighter pilot to black out! These tiny marvels dazzle and delight bird watchers all over the world, and NATURE reveals their stunning abilities as they have never been seen before. Hummingbirds: Magic in the Air premieres Sunday, January 10, 2010 (check local listings). ---------- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.432 / Virus Database: 270.14.129/2605 - Release Date: 01/07/10 07:35:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: yard activity
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 16:58:13 +0000 (UTC)

Hi all The cold weather has brought increased activity at the feeders. Today I have 6-8 Baltimore Orioles; the female Bullock's Oriole (with no tail); the Yellow-throated warbler (first winter I've had one stick around in this yard); female Rubythroat; several Chipping sparrows; the usual resident birds; and for two days I've had a female Painted Bunting. Â She's a drabÂ gray-green, and at first I thought it was an Orange-crowned warbler, until I saw the face and bill. Â Neat new yard bird. Â -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Twitcher Trifecta
From: wmjphelan AT comcast.net
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 11:21:13 +0000 (UTC)

Yes I admit to being a lister/twitcher. With the help of other birders, I found: 1.Â Two juvenile TUNDRA SWANS at Bartram Farms, St John's County on 1/3/10, with help of two local birders. 2.Â One male MASKED DUCK at Viera Wetlands on 1/4/10--in the weeds near two dead palms at northern end of cell #4.Â Seen best from the southern edge of the cell because of the light. 3.Â One male EURASIAN WIGEON at MINWR, Black Point Drive, between stops 7 & 8. It was seen by me on 1/5/10 (and by a local birder named Carl on 3 previous occasions) alwaysÂ in the same spot--amid hundreds of wigeons in the far left corner of the pond. I missed the Common Eider on 1/3/10 when I searched at Gamble Rogers SRA. Bill Phelan, Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: The Whoopers are coming!
From: Pam Flynn <tallypfly57 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 21:04:06 -0500

The Whoopers are four stops from St Marks..which could mean 4 fly days BUT they have been doubling up.. Stay alert if you are interested in seeing the flyover.. www.operationmigration.org Click 'In the Field' for the field journal. Flyover information will be posted there. Hopefully the Democrat will also post it but it is never certain until the morning of the flight. Pam Flynn Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: St. Marks
From: Scott Borderieux <borderieux AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 11:59:39 -0500

Listers, Thank you for responses to my request for a park map for St. Mark National Wildlife Refuge. It was brought to my attention (and confirmed after my post) that someone on the list is sending rather aggressive and insulting emails to anyone who refers to St. Marks as a park. First I would like to point out that personal attacks, either on or off list, are not acceptable behavior. Second, in order to short-circuit this really irrelevant debate, on this list, please feel free to refer to St. Marks as a park (see the footnote for some (hopefully amusing) reasoning). Please consider this case-closed and do not respond on-list to this. Feel free to contact me directly about this or other issues. Also, please remember to sign your name and city or town to your posts. Scott Borderieux list-owner NFLbirds Tampa, FL borderieux AT gmail.com After thinking about it for a few minutes, I realized that, within the narrow constraints of government verbiage, this person is technically correct (The US has so many parks under so many different budgets, departments, purposes, etc. the it has to divvy up its parks into subsets and give each subset a different name to keep them straight). However, estimating that 20% of americans are employed by the government (I don't know the actual number, but it doesn't improve my point to look it up) that means that for 60,000,000 he would be technically correct. Given that the world's population is 7 billion, he is technically correct 0.9% of the time with his statement. Since I prefer the >99% correct, people may refer to National Wildlife refuges as parks on this list. Also, since national lands are public property, and we are in fact the public, as owners, we can call it whatever we want. You can call it a park, or not a park, or a walnut if you want. In your posts, just make it clear which walnut you are referring to, and everyone should be happy. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Hummingbird talk at Native Nurseries, Sat., Jan. 9
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 16:46:45 +0000 (UTC)

Winter Hummingbirds and Banding Native Nurseries, Tallahassee Saturday Â January 9th Â 10am Â Free Licensed bird bander, Fred Bassett, from Montgomery, Alabama has been banding winter hummingbirds throughout the southeast for many years. He will be banding Tallahassee birds this weekend and will also show slides and discuss winter hummers at the nursery. His slides are fantastic! Call the nursery in advance if you have a winter hummingbird so Fred can arrange to band it. You can email Fred Bassett at Â FHound AT aol.com Â or Fred Dietrich in Tallahassee atÂ Â fdietrich AT gmail.com Â Native Nurseries 1661 Centerville Rd., TallahasseeÂ 850.386.8882Â -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Woodpecker IDs
From: "John Griffin" <jgriffin36 AT cox.net>
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 2010 04:26:41 -0600

Thanks everyone for the responses. It gives some more things to check for. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Woodpecker ID
From: "griffoneboggy" <jgriffin36 AT cox.net>
Date: Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:59:10 -0000

Being a rookie birdwatcher, I am having trouble identifying the two distinctly different woodpeckers that are frequenting the large Oak tree in my yard. The smaller one has all of the marking of a Red Cockaded. I can discern no red patch on the back of the head you might see on a Downy or a Hairy Woodpecker. It is rather small, and is whole lot smaller than the other Woodpecker. It has a lot of red on its head but I can not decide what type it might be. It apperars to be twice the size of the other bird I suspect to be a Red Cockaded, which is steadily boring out a hole in the dead tree limb and climbing up inside it and disappearing in there right now. The debris falls all over the porch which my wife is constantly sweeping off! We live in Niceville Fl.I will try to get a decent picture and post it.
Subject: Bullock's Oriole
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 2010 18:03:46 +0000 (UTC)

Happy cold New Year to everyone: We returned last night from almost 3 weeks away so I was anxious to see what would show up at the feeders this morning. Â I still have one female Rubythroat, who has been uncooperative twice when Fred Dietrich set up a banding trap.Â I've had oneÂ male Baltimore Oriole for a couple of months. Today he's joined by 2 females and an immature male. Â I saw a flash of gray with orange cheeks--yep, it's a female Bullock's Oriole for the 5th winter. Â I have not yet talked with anyone to see if she was around for the CBC on Sat. Â Thanks to all who kept my feeders stocked! I also had a Yellow-throated warbler at the suet today. -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Re: St Marks map
From: Nico Wienders <wienders AT ocean.fsu.edu>
Date: Sun, 3 Jan 2010 00:01:25 -0500

On Jan 2, 2010, at 7:57 PM, Don Morrow wrote: > Listers, > Does anyone know of a good online map to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge > that includes labels for the various ponds and points of interest. Although > I haven't been there in a while, it remains one of my favorite parks, and so > I'd like a good map of the park. > > Scott Borderieux > > Tampa, FL > > Try this > > http://www.fws.gov/saintmarks/images/StMarks-unit-road-numbers.pdf USGS maps (free) http://store.usgs.gov/b2c_usgs/usgs/maplocator/(xcm=r3standardpitrex_prd&layout=6_1_61_48&uiarea=2&ctype=catalogEntry&carea=%24ROOT)/.do
Subject: St. Marks NWR-Saturday
From: "Don Morrow" <don.morrow AT tpl.org>
Date: Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:59:31 -0800

I quick scouting trip in advance of next Saturday's regular Wildlife Tours produced the following. East River Pool Ring-necked Duck Ruddy Duck Mounds Pool III Hooded Merganser Green-winged Teal Blue winged Teal American Wigeon Gadwall Mallard Pintail Shoveler Bufflehead Black-necked Stilt White Pelican White-faced Ibis Cave Swallow (three, juvenile and adult) Lighthouse Pond American Wigeon Redhead Gadwall Offshore Lesser Scaup Common Goldeneye Bufflehead Red-breasted Merganser Horned Grebe If you spend the day at the refuge, you should be able to tally up to 100 species with any reasonable luck. To sign up for the January wildlife tour (9am and 1pm on January 9th) call the refuge at 850.925.6121 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: St Marks map
From: "Don Morrow" <don.morrow AT tpl.org>
Date: Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:57:58 -0800

Listers, Does anyone know of a good online map to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge that includes labels for the various ponds and points of interest. Although I haven't been there in a while, it remains one of my favorite parks, and so I'd like a good map of the park. Scott Borderieux Tampa, FL Try this http://www.fws.gov/saintmarks/images/StMarks-unit-road-numbers.pdf [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Browncreeper - Happy New Year
From: Andy Wraithmell <bosoxxfan58 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:52:09 -0800 (PST)

One of my duties at Maclay Gardens State Park is to work the Ranger Station at the park entrance. Every 4-5 weeks from 715am to 330pm, Monday thru Thursday I work the box, collecting entrance fees, selling park passes etc. One of the benefits, for me, of working in the box is I get to see some pretty cool wildlife. I've lost count of how many Bobcats I've seen, Red Foxes are common and White-tailed Deer walk by without a care in the world, much to the chagrin of their WMA cousins! The birds are pretty cool as well, Hooded Warbler inside the box, Worm-eating Warbler in my hand after landing on the road exhausted, Cooper's Hawk eating a cardinal, a covey of quail walking single file across the park road and flock after flock of American Robins heading south ahead of a cold front. Today was a very birdy day, the last hour was the most productive and no surprise it coincided with a sunny spell. 2 Blue-headed Vireos issued their witch-like cackle, a White-eyed Vireo sang for his beer check (hey it is New Year's Eve), Ruby-crowned Kinglets fussed, Golden-crowned Kinglets seeped, American Goldfinches tueeed and a bird creeping head first down a water oak resembled an Everton mint (look it up) but the bird heading in the other direction was a very pleasant surprise. A Browncreeper! For 20 minutes I got great looks down to 5 feet and my only regret was that my camera equipment was sitting idle at home. That was no surprise! My first year of working in the box at Maclay ended on a high. For the record I have not quit birding but thanks to those for checking on me. After spending the majority of my 38 years of life looking at birds that would seem impossible. I have however devolved as a birder. Chasing rare birds, or twitching as we call it in Europe, is a thing of the past and competitive listing no longer appeals to me or my ego. I haven't the slightest idea how many species I've seen this year and I've forgotten what my life list total is, who cares? I've started looking at birds as birds again and not as check marks. Once again I am observing, learning and enjoying. Happy New Year! Andy Wraithmell Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: St. Marks Map
From: Scott Borderieux <borderieux AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:07:49 -0500

Listers, Does anyone know of a good online map to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge that includes labels for the various ponds and points of interest. Although I haven't been there in a while, it remains one of my favorite parks, and so I'd like a good map of the park. Scott Borderieux Tampa, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Lake Killarney
From: "wschmelzle1" <wschmelzle1 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:35:30 -0000

Good Morning Everyone, A pair of Hooded Merganser on Lake Killarney this morning. With 13 other species so far today. 27 yesterday including an adult Bald Eagle. I LOVE this place. Wayne Lake Killarney Tallahassee Fl
Subject: Alligator Lake (Lake City, Columbia County)
From: "wayne.schaffner" <wschaffner AT live.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 01:02:58 -0000

Location: Alligator Lake -- Montgomery Trail Observation date: 12/27/09 (11:30AM-2:30PM) Notes: This is only my third visit to Alligator Lake. Last winter I came over to see the Masked Duck (found!), the White-faced Ibis (found!) and the Ruff (not found). I really had no intention to do a count today since I arrived late morning (11:30 AM). However, having remembered the abundant Blue-gray Gnatcatchers last year I started a complete tally. I was surprised the filters flagged the number of Song Sparrows. I was equally surprised the filters did not flag the number of BGGN. Is this normal? Anyway, it was pure joy to be surrounded by them all afternoon. Number of species: 59 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 1 (juvenile) Wood Duck 2 Hooded Merganser 1 Pied-billed Grebe 29 Anhinga 7 Great Blue Heron 7 Great Egret 11 Snowy Egret 11 Little Blue Heron 6 Tricolored Heron 3 Cattle Egret 1 White Ibis 68 Glossy Ibis 6 Wood Stork 2 Black Vulture 4 Turkey Vulture 9 Bald Eagle 1 (immature) Red-shouldered Hawk 6 American Kestrel 1 Common Moorhen 3 American Coot 9 Sandhill Crane 2 (on the ground) Killdeer 12 Least Sandpiper 22 Ring-billed Gull 18 Mourning Dove 8 Great Horned Owl 1 Belted Kingfisher 5 Red-headed Woodpecker 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 5 Downy Woodpecker 3 Northern Flicker 4 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Eastern Phoebe 16 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Blue Jay 4 American Crow 3 Fish Crow 2 Carolina Wren 9 House Wren 9 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 22 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 36 Eastern Bluebird 2 Gray Catbird 3 Northern Mockingbird 6 Brown Thrasher 2 American Pipit 6 Orange-crowned Warbler 2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 80 Yellow-throated Warbler 2 Pine Warbler 2 Palm Warbler 60 Black-and-white Warbler 3 Common Yellowthroat 26 Eastern Towhee 2 Song Sparrow 18 Swamp Sparrow 28 Northern Cardinal 16 Red-winged Blackbird 50 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Wayne Schaffner Tifton, Georgia P.S. I don't know why the posting date is Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:54AM. It is Sunday December 27, 2009 8:03PM. It's not my PC. HELP?
Subject: St Marks 12/27/09
From: Angela Johnson <birdnerd26 AT gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:36:49 -0500

Myself and Pam Kaiser went out to St Marks today and birded mostly along the main road and down by the lighthouse. We spent a bit of time looking for the long-tailed duck at Picnic Pond but with no luck other than the usual ducks. We did find a Sora foraging in the tall grasses along the pond near the parking area. Along the parking lot at the edge of Lighthouse Pool we saw a Clapper Rail, and offshore along the smaller pilings we had two American Oystercatchers, and two female Common Goldeneye. Walking the levy we also got great pictures of a very curious female Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. For the amount of people at the park today, the birds were very active and there was plenty to see. Angela Johnson Woodville [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Paynes Prairie
From: "Marvin Smith" <mtsmith AT valdosta.edu>
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:31:03 -0500

I just realized that I didn't change the subject line the first time. Sorry. Marv Hello Group, I'm a new member from Valdosta, GA. I'm planning a trip to Paynes Prairie, and I'd like some advice on which trails to do this time of year. I'd like to photograph birds with my 400mm lens. Are certain trail better at certain times of the day for lighting and bird availability? Is it possible to get close to Sandhill Cranes, eagles, and bison? Are there Limpkins this year? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Marvin T. Smith Valdosta, GA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Bald Point State Park
From: "Marvin Smith" <mtsmith AT valdosta.edu>
Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:27:32 -0500

Hello Group, I'm a new member from Valdosta, GA. I'm planning a trip to Paynes Prairie, and I'd like some advice on which trails to do this time of year. I'd like to photograph birds with my 400mm lens. Are certain trail better at certain times of the day for lighting and bird availability? Is it possible to get close to Sandhill Cranes, eagles, and bison? Are there Limpkins this year? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Marvin T. Smith Valdosta, GA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Bald Point State Park
From: Andy Wraithmell <bosoxxfan58 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 2009 16:47:53 -0800 (PST)

While on a family outing (to fish and build sandcastles) to the beach at Bald Point State Park today, Julie and I had 4 Common Goldeneye (2 males and 2 females) feeding in Ocklockonee Bay. I also had a single Cave Swallow hanging out with several Tree Swallows. A small flock of American White Pelicans flew over heading south and there was a Merlin and an American Kestrel near the restrooms. Julie had a Vesper Sparrow in the dunes and we both had the usual shorebirds, terns and gulls save a single 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull, which was roosting on an osyter bar off the point. Andy & Julie Wraithmell Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: bald Pt 12-21-09
From: Melissa Forehand <birdingtreefrog AT gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 2009 11:48:16 -0500

Had a vesper sparrow near the dock on the point hanging in the oak trees swamp sparrow hermit thrush common loon bufflehead belted kingfisher e pheobe royal tern laughing gull ring bill gull chipping sparrow white wing dove mourning dove house wren song sparrow brown headed nuthatch 2 adult bald eagles 1 juv bald eagle american robins palm warbler yellow rumped warblers [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Two Photos of the Neotropic Cormorant
From: "Judy" <judykb AT earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 2009 06:40:57 -0500

I just posted two photos taken in October of the neotropic cormorant in the album Neotropic Cormorant at St. Marks NWR. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nflbirds/photos/album/1089892197/pic/list Judy Lyle [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Red-breasted Mergansers
From: swamphen AT heirborn.net
Date: Fri, 25 Dec 2009 04:09:58 -0500

Apologies for the late post. Red-breasted Mergansers must be passing through Tallahassee, as in addition to Andy's report on Wednesday I had a male Red-breasted on Lake Elberta/Church's Chicken Pond, along with a Horned Grebe, and "the usuals". Merry Christmas one and all! - Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USA

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