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19 Nov RE: Willow Pond, Jefferson County - a Gail Menk Posting ["Marvin Collins" ] 18 Nov Lake Killarney Fish Roundup [] 18 Nov Goldfinch [Joseph Asarisi ] 18 Nov Sat. field trip to Talquin State Forest [Fran Rutkovsky ] 17 Nov St Marks NWR Wildlife Tours ["Don Morrow" ] 16 Nov Alford Greenway ["pmct32308" ] 16 Nov late post Dark-eyed Junco 11/11/09 ["markkiser9" ] 16 Nov Hummingbird talk, Thurs., Audubon [Fran Rutkovsky ] 16 Nov 1st winter Prairie Warbler-St. Marks NWR - nflbirds photo album created ["wayne.schaffner" ] 16 Nov 1st winter Prairie Warbler - St. Marks NWR ["wayne.schaffner" ] 15 Nov St Marks NWR--Sunday ["Don Morrow" ] 15 Nov Birdsong, Wed. Walks [Fran Rutkovsky ] 14 Nov Neotropic Cormorant, Wilson's Warbler--yes [Robert Bowman ] 14 Nov St Marks NWR--Saturday ["Don Morrow" ] 12 Nov Goldfinches [judy cooke ] 11 Nov St. George Island Wednesday [] 11 Nov Summer Tanager [Fran Rutkovsky ] 11 Nov Birdsong Open House, Sun. [Fran Rutkovsky ] 10 Nov Alligator Pt/TS Ida ["John Murphy" ] 10 Nov RE: GBBC photos [Fran Rutkovsky ] 10 Nov Glenda Simmons' bird photograpy [Fran Rutkovsky ] 10 Nov Mashes Sands County Park - Tuesday AM [] 10 Nov Birdsong Early Morning Walk, Sat. 11/14 [Fran Rutkovsky ] 9 Nov Neotropic Cormorant & White-faced Ibis at St Marks [] 07 Nov St Marks NWR Saturday ["Don Morrow" ] 08 Nov Bald Pt/Saturday ["John Murphy" ] 7 Nov Dorothy Oven Park Pond [Pam Flynn ] 7 Nov Bald Point Fri [Melissa Forehand ] 7 Nov Friday birding at Lake Miccosukee [] 06 Nov Chippers ["dellabirdie" ] 06 Nov Lots of Great Egret and more ["pmct32308" ] 06 Nov Bird Call ["jwinforde" ] 5 Nov Chippies [Joseph Asarisi ] 3 Nov AAS Field Trip to San Blas, Nov. 7 [Fran Rutkovsky ] 3 Nov White-winged Dove - Wakulla [] 02 Nov White-throated Sparrow ["pmct32308" ] 2 Nov Monday birding at Southwood and Southeast Farm Tallahassee [] 2 Nov Return of the Sparrow [] 02 Nov Trip to Tennessee ["Candy" ] 02 Nov Traveling through Tenn and N.C. in the Smokey's ["Candy" ] 02 Nov Traveling through Tenn and N.C. in the Smokey's ["Candy" ] 02 Nov Trip to Tennessee ["Candy" ] 31 Oct New Yard Birds ["ShelleyCarpenter" ] 31 Oct Franklin's gull/Alligator Pt ["John Murphy" ] 30 Oct Birding Basics at Birdsong, Sat. [Fran Rutkovsky ] 30 Oct Harrier and Peregrine, Bald Point [] 29 Oct Winter Wren [Fran Rutkovsky ] 29 Oct Wilson's Warbler @ Phipps Park [Robert Bowman ] 29 Oct Hummer ["Janeen Langley" ] 29 Oct Yesterday's Yard Birds ["Janeen Langley" ] 28 Oct Late October Hummingbids in Tallahassee ["armstrong_j" ] 28 Oct Winter Wren at Black Swamp [Fran Rutkovsky ] 28 Oct Looking for Ruby-throats all year [Fran Rutkovsky ] 27 Oct thrush [Fran Rutkovsky ] 27 Oct AAS field trip, St Marks, Sat. [Fran Rutkovsky ] 25 Oct spectacular sight [Harry Hooper ] 25 Oct Lake Elberta and Longleaf Road ["pmct32308" ] 25 Oct Warblers ["griffoneboggy" ] 24 Oct Bald Point SP + Alligator Point, 10/24 [Robert Bowman ] 22 Oct Need some identification help. ["pmct32308" ] 22 Oct warbler [Fran Rutkovsky ] 21 Oct Crane Cam [Fran Rutkovsky ] 20 Oct Author Olivia Gentile at Wild Birds Unlimited ["listen2mockingbird" ] 19 Oct Re: {Disarmed} Audubon potluck/meeting, Thurs. [Harvey/Judy Goldman ] 19 Oct Audubon potluck/meeting, Thurs. [Fran Rutkovsky ] 19 Oct Butter Butt ["Janeen Langley" ] 19 Oct Return of the Phoebe [] 18 Oct Torreya State Park Sat Oct 17 2009 ["markkiser9" ] 17 Oct Neotropic Cormorant ["Jim Stevenson" ] 17 Oct Neotropic Cormorant [Dean and Sally Jue ] 17 Oct St George Is & Bald Pt/Saturday ["John Murphy" ] 16 Oct Cornerstone Learning Center and Birdsong Nature Center - A Gail Menk Posting ["Marvin Collins" ] 16 Oct Re: Request for help [Raybieber ] 15 Oct Re: Request for help ["Jim Stevenson" ] 15 Oct Request for help ["pmct32308" ] 15 Oct Chimney Swifts in Jax [Pam Flynn ] Subject: RE: Willow Pond, Jefferson County - a Gail Menk Posting From: "Marvin Collins" <mcollins AT nettally.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:15:05 -0500 Re: Willow Pond, Jefferson County
On October 3 I drove to southeast Jefferson County where Clyde Simpson met and
guided me on a tour of Willow Pond, a farmstead which he has converted into a
rural retreat for social gatherings, weddings, etc. A hayfield has been
maintained on the premises and is surrounded by a meeting house, dance hall,
guest house, pond and a gazebo with attractive wedding facilities.
For the birdwatcher and nature buff, the well shaded grounds include
bird-friendly fenced roads and a path through a sunny terrain. I counted 50
Cattle Egrets and several White Ibis foraging in the hay field and Red-headed
Woodpeckers and Eastern Bluebirds were conspicuous; Mr. Simpson touted an
active bluebird house near the pond. I listed 16 summering bird species.
On November 1 I again "retreated" to Willow Pond, this time with Marvin
Collins, where we added 16 fall bird species to the list which is now as
follows:
Double-crested Cormorant American Crow
Cattle Egret Carolina Wren
White Ibis House Wren
Canada Goose Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Turkey Vulture Eastern Bluebird Hermit Thrush
Red-shouldered Hawk American Robin
Wild Turkey (tracks) Gray Catbird
Mourning Dove Northern Mockingbird
Belted Kingfisher White-eyed Vireo
Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-rumped Warbler
Red Bellied Woodpecker Pine Warbler
Northern Flicker Northern Cardinal
Pileated Woodpecker Eastern Towhee
Eastern Phoebe Chipping Sparrow
Barn Swallow White-throated Sparrow
Blue Jay
I also plan to compile a plant species list at Willow Pond which incidentally
hosts a Chinese Ginkgo tree but, thankfully, NO CHINESE TALLOW TREES. It should
prove interesting to compare flora there with that of other Big Bend counties.
Mr. Simpson wishes to promote the natural beauty of Jefferson County and I am
more than glad to contribute to his wishes.
I look forward to future monthly trips to Willow Pond from where I plan to
gather bird records and data in neglected Jefferson and Madison counties during
return trips to Tallahassee.
Mr. Simpson requests that visitors call well ahead of time regarding brochures,
fees and other matters regarding admittance to the retreat. Telephone No.
850/222-4400.
Gail E. Menk
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Lake Killarney Fish RoundupFrom: Edwwjr AT aol.com Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:28:40 EST For the past three mornings there has been a fish roundup at Lake Killarney in Killearn Estates, Tallahassee. The lake runs east-west with the deeper water in the east end. As the drought is returning the Lake has begun to dry up on the west end near the park. Each morning, a flock of about 60 double-crested cormorants has flown in to the area of the Lake where the shallower water begins and, as they swim west, flush fish ahead of them. The results have been an amazing example of several bird species working together for the common good - FOOD. This morning there were 71 wood storks, over 80 great egrets, 6 great blue herons, a couple of snowy egrets, an immature bald eagle, two osprey, and a little blue heron waiting at the west end for breakfast. The Lake almost looks white as the flock chases the incoming fish. Once the cormorants have reached the west end they fly back to the east and the roundup starts all over again. This hunting/sharing has gone on almost all day, each day, but tends to lose numbers after the 7:30 to 9:00 AM "morning rush." Ed Woodruff Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Goldfinch From: Joseph Asarisi <joseph_asarisi2001 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:03:23 -0800 (PST) We had our first Goldfinch yesterday morning. They showed Nov 7 in 2007. Can't
find that section of 2008 journal; that's when microsoft crashed my computer
and I never got it all caught up.
Alice and Joe
McAlpin, Suwannee County
Subject: Sat. field trip to Talquin State ForestFrom: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:25:12 -0500 Apalachee Audubon Field Trip http://apalachee.org Saturday, November 21, 2009 ---------- Talquin State Forest birding with Mike Tucker Where: Meet at Lake Jackson Winn Dixie parking lot near McDonalds on N. Monroe St. Time: 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST Mike Tucker will lead a field trip to Talquin State Forest, Northern section at the end of Tower Rd. We will walk about 4 miles along sandy jeep trails, observing birds, butterflies, and wild flowers. Mike is a lifelong outdoorsman with emphasis on birding, hiking, camping and wildlife observation. We will meet at Lake Jackson Winn Dixie parking lot near McDonalds on N. Monroe St. at 7:30 and drive to the entrance, about 3 miles. We expect to be done by 1 PM. It will be easy hiking, but there may be some wet areas. There is no entrance fee required. Wear sturdy shoes and bring binoculars, water, snacks, insect repellent, field guides, camera, sunscreen and hat. For additional information contact Mike at; tuckems AT hotmail.com 850-562-0555 or 850-545-3489. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: St Marks NWR Wildlife Tours From: "Don Morrow" <don.morrow AT tpl.org> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:37:20 -0800 I was asked about the remaining St Marks NWR Wildlife Tours. There are three remaining days of wildlife tours. December 12, January 9 and February 6. Each day I lead a three-hour tour behind the locked gates at 9:00 am and again at 1:00 pm. These are good opportunities for both new and seasoned birders to view ducks, shorebirds and waders without hiking for several hours. You must sign up in advance. There is no fee, but donations to the nonprofit St. Marks Refuge Association are always graciously accepted. St. Marks has many public events (see attached). Please call the refuge with questions or to sign up at 850.591.7645. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Alford Greenway From: "pmct32308" <mct AT nettally.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:07:33 -0000 I walked at Alford Greenway yesterday starting just before ll:00 until 12:30. I believe I saw a Tennessee warbler. It had a light eye line, I didn't see any wingbars, it had white under-tail coverts,no tail spots. These are the ones I saw: Tennessee warbler? Mockingbird Palm warblers (lots of them) Bluebirds Pine warbler Carolina wren Ruby-crowned kinglets (4) Phoebe Cardinals American crow Harrier Yellow-rumped warbler Chickadee Blue jay Hawk (sitting so far away I couldn't identify it) Loggerhead shrike The weather has been gorgeous!!! Pat McTarsney TallahasseeSubject: late post Dark-eyed Junco 11/11/09 From: "markkiser9" <mark.kiser AT myfwc.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:04:06 -0000 Much to our surprise we saw a lone Dark-eyed Junco in our backyard on Wed. 11/11/09. A new yard bird for us. So far it has not returned. Happy trails, Mark and Selena Kiser Tallahassee batboxblues AT netscape.netSubject: Hummingbird talk, Thurs., Audubon From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:05:43 +0000 (UTC) Apalachee Audubon Society http://www.apalachee.org Southeastern Hummingbirds - A lot more than you may think --a talk by Fred Bassett When: Thursday, Nov. 19 Where: Amtrak Passenger Station, 918 Railroad Ave Time: 7:00 PM EST social; 7:30 program The program will discuss Ruby-throated hummingbirds in depth and introduce several western hummingbird species wintering in the Southeast and show how they are banded. Fred Bassett is a certified master bird bander who works with the Hummer/Bird Study Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and preservation of hummingbirds and other birds. He is a retired Air Force officer who has worked with birds for over fifteen years. Fred bands all types of birds each April and October at the Fort Morgan banding station on the gulf coast and travels each summer to study hummingbirds in western states. During the winter he documents western hummingbirds wintering in south Alabama and Florida, and the last ten winters he has captured more than 1,600 hummingbirds of ten different species in that area. NOTE: If you are currently seeing a hummingbird at your feeder and want to have it banded, email Fred Bassett at FHound AT aol.com or Fred Dietrich at fdietrich AT yahoo.com -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: 1st winter Prairie Warbler-St. Marks NWR - nflbirds photo album created From: "wayne.schaffner" <wschaffner AT live.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:35:09 -0000 I have created an album in nflbirds for the 1st winter Prairie Warbler. Stll available at previously posted link. Wayne Schaffner Tifton, GeorgiaSubject: 1st winter Prairie Warbler - St. Marks NWR From: "wayne.schaffner" <wschaffner AT live.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:01:37 -0000 Saturday morning I located and photographed a 1st winter Prairie Warbler just west of the lighthouse parking lot near the first bench on the Gulf side of the dike. Photos can be seen at: http://s983.photobucket.com/albums/ae311/wschaffner/St%20Marks%20NWR/Prairie%20Warbler/?albumview=grid Wayne Schaffner Tifton, GeorgiaSubject: St Marks NWR--Sunday From: "Don Morrow" <don.morrow AT tpl.org> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:53:54 -0800 A quick afternoon trip down to St Marks NWR produced the following: Lighthouse Neotropic Cormorant (best observed at high tides on the pilings) American Wigeon on Lighthouse Pond Picnic Pond Lesser Scaup Mounds Pool III, Southern end accessed from Mounds Pool Trail White Ibis Glossy Ibis White-faced Ibis (at least two) Lesser Scaup Redhead Shoveler American Wigeon Blue-winged Teal Green-winged Teal Numerous large (>100) flocks of Willets were coming in to Lighthouse Pond and SB II. Between yesterday morning and this afternoon wader numbers have increased by a factor of at least ten. White Ibis, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron and Snowy Egret are the most common in descending order of magnitude. Duck numbers seem to be increasing, but they are mostly in the back pools and not visible from the road. I'm up to fourteen species of ducks at SMNWR this winter. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Birdsong, Wed. Walks From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:52:45 -0500 Birdsong Nature Center
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY WALKS
Wednesdays, November 18, December 2, and 16
10:00 AM
3:00-4:30 PM
This is a great opportunity to learn what Birdsong has to offer
during these cooler months. Chris Bittle will help you identify our
autumn birds and wildflowers, trees, seeds and berries. You will also
get a view of the larger picture: how ecological processes are at
work, how Birdsongs habitats and wildlife are managed, and how all
things are connected. You will also walk different trails, experience
Birdsongs variety, learn about its history, and visit the Bird Window.
Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and field guides.
$3 Friends, $5 nonmembers, children half-price.
for more information:
birdsong AT birdsongnaturecenter.org
or via phone at 1-800-953-2473
Birdsong Nature Center
2106 Meridian Rd
about 18 miles north of I-10
4 miles past the "Grady County" (GA) sign
-----
Fran Rutkovsky
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net
Tallahassee, FL
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Subject: Neotropic Cormorant, Wilson's Warbler--yesFrom: Robert Bowman <bbpictures AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:40:36 -0800 (PST) Made a quick trip to St. Marks this afternoon and saw the Neotropic Cormorant
on the pilings at the lighthouse. I spoke to a few other birders who had been
to the helipad and had seen a Henslow's Sparrow and got a quick unidentifiable
glimpse of either a Grasshopper or a Le Conte's.
I also went to Phipps Park on Thursday and was able to relocate the Wilson's
Warbler, which has been seen there since Oct 25.
Good Birding,
Robert Bowman
Subject: St Marks NWR--SaturdayFrom: "Don Morrow" <don.morrow AT tpl.org> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:48:47 -0800 The first of the Refuge's winter wildlife tours yielded, among other birds, the following; Stony Bayou I (large numbers of the common species) American Avocet Black-bellied Plover Marbled Godwit Greater Yellowlegs Willet Short-billed Dowitcher Dunlin Least Sandpiper Western Sandpiper White-faced Ibis Stony Bayou II (ducks sparse and mostly scattered among the coots) Gadwall American Wigeon Blue-winged Teal Green-winged Teal Redhead Canvasback Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup Hooded Merganser Ruddy Duck Cooper's Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk I did not get down to the lighthouse and did not speak to anyone who had a report on the Neotropic Cormorant. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Goldfinches From: judy cooke <dellabirdie AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:05:34 -0800 (PST) The Goldfinches have returned to Panacea. Looked out first thing this morning
and there were 2 hanging on the thistle bag. Looking out now and there are4.
Hopefully the rest of the extended family will arrive soon!Good to havethem
back!
Judy - Panacea, FL
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: St. George Island WednesdayFrom: swamphen AT heirborn.net Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:09:31 -0500 Took advantage of the free entry to state parks today and made a trip to St. George Island. I really should have picked an inland park...as the high coastal winds made the entire park nearly dead. Youth Camp: Dead as a doornail. A few shorebirds (including 3 oystercatchers) at the boat ramp, and 2 osprey "hovering" overhead into the wind. And that was essentially *it*. Beach access #2: A lone, probable Magnificent Frigatebird, way, way, WAY out there on the edge of 10x50 binocular range, identifiable, essentially, only by "jizz". Also one juvenile gannet who was a fair bit closer. Campground ponds: one female Bufflehead, my first of the season. Sugar Hill beach access (end of the road): One Snowy Plover among the tame (and hungry) gulls. Beach access #1 at dusk: a gorgeous male Northern Harrier. -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USA.Subject: Summer Tanager From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:18:04 -0500 I had a female Summer Tanager at the suet feeder today. Last year I had one show up on Nov. 23 and stayed all winter. Same one? ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FLSubject: Birdsong Open House, Sun. From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:26:15 -0500 AN AFTERNOON AT BIRDSONG
Birdsong Nature Center
Open House, 1-5 p.m.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
FREE Admission
Raffle Drawing at 4:30 PM
Birdsong is the ideal place to relax and enjoy a pleasant afternoon in
natural surroundings before the big holiday push begins.
Visit the Bird Window, walk the trails, go on a guided nature hike
or a leisurely hayride through the woods. There will be string music
on the front porch provided by Steve Hodges, Iris Melton, Katherine
Easterling and Tyler Mauney. Lunch will be served under the cedars in
the backyard (hotdogs, burgers and bocas for sale). Karen Askey, our
volunteer gift shop manager has a nice sale planned so you can do some
early pre-holiday browsing. Conservation artist Jean Henriksens
artwork will be displayed on the back porch, along with the rest of
our 2009 Fall Raffle prizes. At 4:30 the raffle prizes will be drawn.
We hope you will be a winner!
birdsong AT birdsongnaturecenter.org
or via phone at 1-800-953-2473
Birdsong Nature Center
2106 Meridian Rd --just over the line in GA
about 16 miles north of I-10
4 miles past the blue "Grady County" (GA) sign
The weather should be gorgeous!
-----
Fran Rutkovsky
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net
Tallahassee, FL
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Subject: Alligator Pt/TS IdaFrom: "John Murphy" <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:31:24 +0000 When I came home from work this evening I used what little daylight was left to search for birds which may have come in with Tropical Storm Ida. There was very little birdlife but I did find 3 Magnificent frigatebirds - all males. John Murphy Alligator Pt, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: RE: GBBC photos From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:40:49 -0500 Hi all: Seems that the direct link to the photo album of winners that contains Glenda's photo does not work. Try going here: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ Then click on Photo Contest Winners, then click on Photo Album ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FLSubject: Glenda Simmons' bird photograpy From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:08:26 -0500 Congratulations to local birder, Glenda Simmons, who has learned that one of her photographs tied for fifth place in the "Overall Category" in the 2009 Great Backyard Bird Count photography competition. This was out of nearly 6,000 entries! Glenda also has another photo in the "gallery" section. Go to 2009 Photo Gallery and look on page 22 for her Bluebird photo. Look for her winning photo in the GBBC gallery that features all the winners, finalists, and honorable mentions: http://ww.birdsource.org/gbbc/gallery The next GBBC will be Feb. 12-15, 2010. Go to the home page and click on "Explore the Results". Check out Top Ten Lists and you'll find that Tallahassee was #3 -nationally- in number of checklists submitted! http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ Glenda also has a photograph (for the third year in a row) on the Project FeederWatch Calendar. Go Glenda! ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FLSubject: Mashes Sands County Park - Tuesday AM From: swamphen AT heirborn.net Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:42:57 -0500 Went down to Mashes Sands this morning to check out the hurricane-turned-nor'easter and see if there were any Pelandrics about. Alas, the only Pelandrics were the juvenile NORTHERN GANNETS, but it was still amazing to watch the weather, and there was an interesting assortment of birds: Hooded Merganser 2 Northern Gannet 12 Brown Pelican 2 Double-crested Cormorant 2 Great Egret 1 Osprey 2 Black-bellied Plover 2 Semipalmated Plover 12 Willet 10 Marbled Godwit 5 Ruddy Turnstone 1 Sanderling 4 Dunlin 1 Short-billed Dowitcher 2 Laughing Gull 27 Forster's Tern 10 Royal Tern 1 Belted Kingfisher 1 Tree Swallow 14 Northern Mockingbird 1 European Starling 27 Red-winged Blackbird 26 Boat-tailed Grackle 1 - Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USASubject: Birdsong Early Morning Walk, Sat. 11/14 From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:54:23 +0000 (UTC) Birdsong Nature Center and Apalachee Audubon Society event: EARLY MORNING BIRD WALK at Birdsong Saturday, November 14 8:00 - 11:00 AM Join volunteer Melissa Forehand of the Apalachee Audubon Society for an early morning walk through Birdsong’s varied habitats in search of our fall migrating and resident birds. Afterward spend time viewing some of the same birds up close at our Bird Window. Bring binoculars, field guides, and water. Dress for the weather and walking on mowed trails. $4 Friends, $8 non-members, children half-price birdsong AT birdsongnaturecenter.org or via phone at 1-800-953-2473 Birdsong Nature Center 2106 Meridian Rd about 18 miles north of I-10 4 miles past the "Grady County" (GA) sign -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Neotropic Cormorant & White-faced Ibis at St Marks From: swamphen AT heirborn.net Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 11:17:58 -0500 Finally saw the NEOTROPIC CORMORANT at St. Marks NWR this morning, flying over the lighthouse trail (neaded northeast) at about 8:30am. Didn't relocate it on the pilings afterwards. Also had my personal first-of-season Common Loon and Northern Gannet flying offshore. Two WHITE-FACED IBIS were in the mob of waders (including many Glossies) by the road in Mounds Pool #1, great looks. -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USASubject: St Marks NWR Saturday From: "Don Morrow" <don.morrow AT tpl.org> Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:20:28 -0800 Ducks are returning to St Marks NWR. Picnic Pond Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup Ring-necked Duck Bufflehead Stony Bayou II Lesser Scaup Ring-necked Duck Mallard Blue-winged Teal Green-winged Teal Redhead Gadwall American Wigeon I also noted Catbirds, Savannah and Swamp Sparrows along the dikes and the now-usual flock of Avocets in Stony Bayou I. There was at least one White-faced Ibis among the mixed Ibis flock in Mounds Pool I. It was low tide and no cormorants were at the lighthouse. The Trust for Public Land - Celebrating 35 years of conserving land for people---2 million acres and counting. www.tpl.org ---------- BEGIN:VCARD VERSION:2.1 X-GWTYPE:USER FN:Don Morrow TEL;WORK:850-222-7911 ext 22 ORG:The Trust for Public Land;SERO - Projects TEL;PREF;FAX:850-222-3133 EMAIL;WORK;PREF;NGW:Don.Morrow AT tpl.org N:Morrow;Don TITLE:Division Transaction Director ADR;DOM;WORK;PARCEL;POSTAL:;;306 North Monroe Street;Tallahassee;Florida;32301 LABEL;DOM;WORK;PARCEL;POSTAL;ENCODING=QUOTED-PRINTABLE:Don Morrow=0A= 306 North Monroe Street=0A= Tallahassee, Florida 32301 TEL;PREF;CELL:850.591.7645 END:VCARD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Bald Pt/Saturday From: "John Murphy" <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:42:36 +0000 Some birds of note at Bald Pt St Park today... Common loon - 7 King rail Virginia rail Barn owl Golden-crowned kinglet - 3 John Murphy Alligator Pt, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Dorothy Oven Park Pond From: Pam Flynn <tallypfly57 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 10:23:01 -0800 (PST) Welcome back to the hooded mergansers at Dorothy Oven Park pond.Always nice to see that brilliant white 'hood ornament' flash across the pond. Pam FlynnTallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Bald Point Fri From: Melissa Forehand <birdingtreefrog AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 11:13:18 -0500 Lots of migrants both warblers and birds of prey saw 5 n. harriers at one time one a male brown headed nuthatch mourning dove e. towhee a. kestrel barn swallow tree swallow lots of yellow rumped warbler pine warbler red shouldered hawk red headed woodpecker merlin blue gray gnatcatcher palm warbler ruby crowned kinglet catbird black throated green savannah sparrow a sparrow with an eye ring and light head markings orange crowned warbler female common yellowthroat Also went to Mashes Sands and had killer views of a marsh wren Melissa Forehand Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Friday birding at Lake Miccosukee From: Edwwjr AT aol.com Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 04:57:44 EST Carolyn Smith and I birded at Reeves Landing, Lake Miccosukee, Friday morning. The coots were present in large numbers. Best birds were a northern harrier, 2 Wilson's snipe, and 7 ruddy ducks. Other species seen were: eastern meadowlark (2) cattle egret (1) greater yellowlegs (2) least sandpiper (7) moorhen great egret great blue heron blue jay killdeer eastern phoebe ruby-crowned kinglet American crow turkey vulture If you go to Reeves Landing, remember the area is private property and you must ask permission at the store before birding. Ed Woodruff Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Chippers From: "dellabirdie" <dellabirdie AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:19:04 -0000 The number of my Chippers exploded overnight. For the last week or so, the most I've had on the feeders at one time was 8. This morning there were 36. Also had 22 male Red-winged Blackbirds this morning. Judy-PanaceaSubject: Lots of Great Egret and more From: "pmct32308" <mct AT nettally.com> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:07:26 -0000 Today I was on Blairstone just off Capital Circle and when I went by the Wednesday Road pond I saw a lot of great egrets. On my return trip I stopped and counted 47. The most I've seen in one spot for a long time. Also saw a Red-tailed Hawk soaring over intersection of Philips and Mahan. Yesterday I went to Southwood and saw 22 species. There was nothing unusual, but I saw my FOS Hooded Mergansers and 4 Wood Ducks. The list is below: Blue jays Hooded mergansers Pied-billed grebes Mockingbirds Mourning doves Turkey vultures Amer. Crows Osprey Cardinal Great egrets Coots Moorhens Phoebes Wood ducks Downy woodpecker Red-winged blackbirds Blue-winged teal Common yellow-throat Canada geese Great blue heron Red-shouldered hawk BluebirdsSubject: Bird Call From: "jwinforde" <jwinforde AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:06:18 -0000 This call is after/during sunset and comes from ground-low level. Sounds like a rubberband, at 1 second intervals. boink...boink.....boink.. low frequency. I thought it was a catbird at first. Too cool for amphibians. Too low pitched for a woodcock. Any ideas? John In TallySubject: Chippies From: Joseph Asarisi <joseph_asarisi2001 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:53:31 -0800 (PST) Our fist Chippies showed up at 1:30 today; straight to the feeder and then to
the birdbath. The Eastern Phoebee has been here a few days and his mealworms
came yesterday.
Alice and joe
McAlpin, Suwanee County
Subject: AAS Field Trip to San Blas, Nov. 7From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 17:23:11 -0500 Apalachee Audubon Society http://www.apalchee.org Saturday, November 7, 2009 ---------- Field Trip to Cape San Blas hawk watch with Chris Borg Where: Cape San Blas/St Joseph Peninsula State Park Time: 10:00 AM EST Entry to the state park will cost $5 per car; no cost for pass holders. Chris Borg will lead a trip to the Cape San Blas/St Joseph Peninsula State Park on Saturday, November 7, 2009. Important note: Those planning to attend must inform Chris prior to 4:00 p. m. on Friday, November 6th. His email is bikingforbirds AT hotmail.com Meet at the Wachovia Bank on South Monroe at 7:30 for carpooling or meet Chris at the boat launch parking lot at the St. Joseph State Park at 10:00 EDT, 9:00 CDT. We anticipate returning to Tallahassee by late afternoon. We expect to see hawks and other late migrants. Possible species include sharp-shinned hawk, coopers hawk, Swainson's Hawk, Broadwinged Hawk, Merlin, Peregine Falcon, and American Kestrel. Chris is a conservation biologist with Tall Timbers Land Conservancy and has been birding for over 20 years. We will not be walking much, but rather sitting and watching for hawks. Participants should bring binoculars, hat, sunscreen, insect repellant, water, snacks and lunch. They will also need a folding chair and/or something to put on the ground. To confirm your attendance and also to learn about probable weather conditions relating to the appearance of hawks, send an email to Chris at bikingforbirds AT hotmail.com by 4:00 p.m. Write 'Apalachee Audubon field trip' in the subject line. Chris will email each participant with information about the trip later in the evening. If you have questions or concerns, or if you did not email Chris before the Friday afternoon deadline, please contact Elizabeth Platt at 850-284-0963 or ejplatt AT embarqmail.com . She will also be reachable at that number on Saturday morning. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: White-winged Dove - Wakulla From: swamphen AT heirborn.net Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:32:20 -0500 Had a White-winged Dove at the boat ramp at Mashes Sands County Park on Ochlockonee Bay this morning. Also swarms of swallows - estimated a 75-to-1 ratio Tree:Barn, with at least one Cliff Swallow in the mix. -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USASubject: White-throated Sparrow From: "pmct32308" <mct AT nettally.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:58:44 -0000 Two weeks ago I saw the first catbirds at my bird bath,last week I saw my first Chipping Sparrow, yesterday I had my first flock of Yellow-rumps, and at 3:35 today I saw my first of the season White-throated Sparrow. These were seen in my back yard. Pat McTarsney North-east,TallahasseeSubject: Monday birding at Southwood and Southeast Farm Tallahassee From: Edwwjr AT aol.com Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:25:37 EST Carolyn Smith and I spent a breezy two hours birding at Southwood Plantation and the Southeast Farm. In Southwood along the east fence line we had 3 loggerhead shrikes. In the small lake we had our first of the fall male hooded merganser and a Forster's tern. At the Florida High holding pond and along the fence surrounding the school there were bluebirds, house finches, 3 female blue-winged teal, a little blue heron, and a great egret. At the Southeast Farm (Tram Road) we had yellow-rumped warblers, tree and barn swallows, and a flock of 31 least sandpipers. When we arrived there was a second flock of sandpipers which appeared to be a mix of western and semipalmated sandpipers but it did not stay around to make sure there were late season semipalmated in the flock. Ed Woodruff Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Return of the Sparrow From: swamphen AT heirborn.net Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 10:23:37 -0500 Just after I clicked 'send' on my last message, I heard a familar cheep outside my open window on this chilly morning, and looked out to see the first Chipping Sparrow of the season atop the birdfeeder. -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USASubject: Trip to Tennessee From: "Candy" <ralph_candypfau AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:07:42 -0000 I saw this pretty little sparrow around Lake Tellico in Vonore Tenn. today. We are travelng through the smokies to see Fall leaves and look for a summer home. I will have to look him up in my bird book. He was living in the rushes and wetland around the lake. Hope I see some more birds that I do not recognize. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3897897&id=589812194 Candy Pfau Palatka, Fl 32148Subject: Traveling through Tenn and N.C. in the Smokey's From: "Candy" <ralph_candypfau AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:06:55 -0000 Just saw regular woodpeckers and blue birds in Tellico Plains Tenn. But today on Lake Tellico I saw this sparrow in the rushes around the lake. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3897897&id=589812194 http://www.flickr.com/photos/66013135 AT N00/4065915635/Subject: Traveling through Tenn and N.C. in the Smokey's From: "Candy" <ralph_candypfau AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:07:30 -0000 Just saw regular woodpeckers and blue birds in Tellico Plains Tenn. But today on Lake Tellico I saw this sparrow in the rushes around the lake. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3897897&id=589812194 http://www.flickr.com/photos/66013135 AT N00/4065915635/Subject: Trip to Tennessee From: "Candy" <ralph_candypfau AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:04:08 -0000 I saw this pretty little sparrow around Lake Tellico in Vonore Tenn. today. We are travelng through the smokies to see Fall leaves and look for a summer home. I will have to look him up in my bird book. He was living in the rushes and wetland around the lake. Hope I see some more birds that I do not recognize. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3897897&id=589812194 Candy Pfau Palatka, Fl 32148Subject: New Yard Birds From: "ShelleyCarpenter" <shelleycarpenter AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:37:15 -0400 This afternoon, shortly after the rain passed, I had 3 white-winged doves gorging themselves on sunflower seeds at the platform feeders (they sure don't peck like mourning doves, they gulp) and at least 2 eastern phoebes. The phoebes were taking turns sitting on the bird bath but not bathing. I have not had either of these in the yard before. Crawfordville - close to Wal-Mart. Shelley [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Franklin's gull/Alligator Pt From: "John Murphy" <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:10:31 +0000 This morning I saw a single first-cycle Franklin's gull on the water near the rock revetment along Alligator Drive. It was with a group of Laughing gulls. John Murphy Alligator Pt, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Birding Basics at Birdsong, Sat. From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:50:16 -0400 BIRDING BASICS Birdsong Nature Center 2106 Meridian Rd, just over the GA line Saturday, October 31 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. Birdwatching has become one of the nation's most popular pastimes. If you are a novice birder, this program will help you learn the basics of bird identification, including the use of binoculars and field guides. We will take a short walk to look for birds in various habitats and then spend time at the Bird Window. Bring water and wear field clothes and walking shoes. If you have them, bring binoculars and field guides. If not, we have a few pair to share and plenty of guides. Note: This program is geared toward beginning birders but everyone is welcome. $4 Friends, $8 non-members, children half-price birdsong AT birdsongnaturecenter.org or via phone at 1-800-953-2473 Birdsong Nature Center 2106 Meridian Rd about 18 miles north of I-10 -4 miles past the "Grady County" (GA) sign ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FLSubject: Harrier and Peregrine, Bald Point From: swamphen AT heirborn.net Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:53:11 -0400 A quick check of Sunset Beach on Bald Point this morning produced a Peregrine Falcon and my first of fall Northern Harrier, along with a female Indigo Bunting in back of the dunes. -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USASubject: Winter Wren From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:48:12 -0400 I just watched a first-of-season Winter Wren taking a bath for about 5 minutes in the birdbath--right on schedule. Some years the wren is very vocal upon arriving, but this one was silent. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FLSubject: Wilson's Warbler @ Phipps Park From: Robert Bowman <bbpictures AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:51:47 -0700 (PDT) Interesting afternoon of birding. On Sunday at Phipps Park I got a glimpse of
what I thought might be a male Wilson's Warbler, so I went back this afternoon
to see if I could relocate it, never really expecting to find it. Boy, was I
surprised! He was within fifty feet of where he was Sunday, and not only did I
get good looks at the black cap, but I got to hear his call (which Sibley
describes as "tilk"). This would be at least five days that he's been there, so
maybe he'll stick around for awhile.
Also had a Prairie Warbler not far from the Wilson's, and at the Lake Jackson
boat ramp at the end of Miller Landing Rd, I found a female Magnolia. I'm
thinking both of these seem a little late in the season (perhaps later for the
Prairie than the Magnolia).
Directions: to get to the area where the Wilson's was spotted, go to the park's
Gate B entrance on Millers Landing Rd. It was seen on the grassy, equestrian
trail within 150-200 feet of trail marker "4". Park maps are available at the
parking area.
Good Birding,
Robert Bowman
Subject: HummerFrom: "Janeen Langley" <jelangley AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:48:33 -0400 There is a female Rufous hummer in the flower garden this morning. Janeen Langley Northeast Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Yesterday's Yard Birds From: "Janeen Langley" <jelangley AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:26:58 -0400 Seen in my back yard yesterday, October 28: RC Kinglet at the suet feeder First fall male Baltimore Oriole Small flock of Chipping Sparrows at millet Several YR warblers in the wax myrtles Ruby-throated hummer at the cardinal guard Flicker calling RW Blackbirds at feeder The other usual visitors Janeen Langley Northeast Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Late October Hummingbids in Tallahassee From: "armstrong_j" <mmarmstrong112024 AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:31:24 -0000 Most of my summer Ruby Throats left about 2 weeks ago -- followed by a few drop-ins. I now have one scraggly female who by the looks of her feathers came from a far piece north. I was hoping she was one of the 6 Rubys Fred B and Fred D banded last winter in my Indian Head yard but no band. Hope I have some Rufus this year, none stopped by last winter for tbe first time in many years. I did have a female Black Chined though. I hope to see some western hummingbirds in about 2 week (about the time they usually show up). I have had them show as early as August John ArmstrongSubject: Winter Wren at Black Swamp From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:02:50 -0400 Gail Menk called to report a Winter Wren at Black Swamp Nature Preserve today. He also had a female Rose- breasted Grosbeak. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FLSubject: Looking for Ruby-throats all year From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:52:44 +0000 (UTC) Posted on behalf of Doreen Cubie Looking for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in FL, GA From: "doreencubie tds.net"Subject: thrush From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:42:56 -0400 A first of season Hermit Thrush is eating American Beautyberries today in the ravine. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FLSubject: AAS field trip, St Marks, Sat. From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:34:51 +0000 (UTC) Apalachee Audubon Society Field trip to St. Marks with George Weymouth St Marks National Wildlife Refuge Saturday, Oct. 31 8:30 a.m.-noon EST http://www. apalachee.org George Weymouth will lead a trip on the the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge on Oct 31. We expect to see water fowl wintering, a few late migrants, gators, and butterflies. - behavior and calls, stories. George has lived in Florida most of his adult life, and his career has revolved around many areas of wildlife. He is a local artist who frequents many festivals selling his art work, and he has written articles for Sanibel Sightings and the Wakulla Newspaper. Meet to begin the trip or activity at the Wachovia Bank parking lot on South Monroe at 7:45 (to carpool) or at 8:30 at the refuge headquarters parking lot. The trip will begin at 8:30 and end at approximately 11:30 unless there is interest in continuing. The anticipated level of physical difficulty or skill is easy. There is no cost for your trip or activity, although there is an entry fee for the refuge. Bring binoculars, water, insect repellent, snack You may contact George at 850-962-9092 -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: spectacular sight From: Harry Hooper <sn_egret AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:48:45 -0700 (PDT) Evening nflbirders,
I along with several other Apalachee Audubon chapter volunteers set up and
managed the chapter's display table at Picnic Pondyesterday as part of the
St.Marks National Wildlife Refuge Monarch Butterfly Festival. As I was taking
a short lunch break under one of the oaks at Picnic Pond, a moving kaleidoscope
of shadows appeared amongst the shadows created by the large oak. Glancing
upward through the branches revealed an amazing sight which became even more
amazing once I was in the open and looking eastward out over the pond. High up
and a good half mile awaywas a soaring, rotating flock of white pelicans, not
just aflock, but a huge flock. My initial estimate was 400 plus birds. But
within a minute, I upped it to over 500 as another flock merged with the
first. Then other festivalparticipants spotted two additional large flocks to
the southeast heading toward this massive avian spectacle. New estimates were
now set at around 700
birds.A spectacular sight indeed. And as othervisitors returned from
themonarch banding at the lighthouse, we discovered that many more visitors at
the lighthouse also had the opportunity to enjoythe wondrous display of these
large and beautiful birds.
Harry Hooper
Tallahassee, Florida
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: Lake Elberta and Longleaf RoadFrom: "pmct32308" <mct AT nettally.com> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:40:01 -0000 I went birding the is morning and saw 19 species at Lake Elbertba Park(Churches Fried Chicken). The most interesting was a sedge wren. There were lots of web worms in the pecan trees and I kept looking for a cuckoo but no luck. I went to the end of Longleaf Road, walked to the lake, and added 6 species. Lake Elberta Park Mockingbird Phoebe Great egret D.C. cormorant Sedge wren (I saw it briefly, but it was singing) Killdeer Kingfisher Lesser yellowlegs Greater yellowlegs Great blue heron Forster's tern Palm Warbler Red-tailed hawk (overhead) Snowy Egret Red-bellied woodpecker Red-shouldered hawk (sitting and he was a beauty) Sparrow (not enough of a look to identify) Blue jay Cardinal Longleaf Road Pied-billed grebe Carolina wren A. Crow C. Chickadee Blue-gray gnatcatcher Downy woodpeckerSubject: Warblers From: "griffoneboggy" <jgriffin36 AT cox.net> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:46:49 -0000 We had Hooded Warblers in my yard day before yesterday. Kept an eye out for them yesterday as I had never seen one before that, but they did not return. Just passing through I guess.Subject: Bald Point SP + Alligator Point, 10/24 From: Robert Bowman <bbpictures AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:37:59 -0700 (PDT) Luke DeGroote and I made the trip to Bald Point SP this morning to see what we
could find.
We had a probable Western Kingbird fly-by, but were unable to relocate the
bird.
Surprisingly, only warblers were a single Blackpoll and too many Palms to
count.
But the Hawk-watching was great as we had the following:
Turkey Vulture (75+)
Osprey
Bald Eagle (juvenile and adult)
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered (multiple)
Red-tailed
Kestrel (at the end of the road in Alligator Point)
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
As for shorebirds, we saw numerous Black-bellied Plovers, fewer Semipalmated
Plovers, a couple of Piping Plovers, and a Snowy Plover.
Also Oystercatchers, 8 Avocets (same number that has been seen at St. Marks NWR
recently), Willets, Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings, a Least Sandpiper, and a
Dunlin.
On the boardwalk we had Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Phoebe, House Wren, and our only
sparrow of the day: a White-crowned at the end of the boardwalk.
We also drove the road through Alligator Point and near the end of Alligator
Drive, we had a White-winged Dove in someone's yard.
Good birding,
Robert Bowman
Tallahassee
Subject: Need some identification help.From: "pmct32308" <mct AT nettally.com> Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:25:36 -0000 Yesterday I went to Piney Z and found a bird that I did not recognize. It was flycatcher, head had a slight crest, gray with wing bars, black billand not as large as a gray kingbirds, grayish white throat and upper belly, and pale yellow lower belly. It was quite vocal, but of course, I had neither a camera nor a tape recorder. It was not a phoebe, nor was it like any gray kingbird I ever heard. It seemed to be between the sizes of those two. Its bill was black . I came home and listened to the ashthroated flycatcher on the computer. It was not the same but it was coarse like the ashthroated. It was in the dike at the end of the lake near the first bench. It was in the same location where I saw the vermilion flycatcher about 3 years ago. I'm hoping someone else will be able to go look for it. I would really like it if someone else could see it. I saw a total of twenty-five species, but nothing else unusual. There were over 20 wood storks there. Pat McTarsney TallahasseeSubject: warbler From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:26:06 -0400 Just saw a beautiful adult male Black-throated green warbler taking a bath at the mister. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FLSubject: Crane Cam From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:22:40 +0000 (UTC) From the Apalachee Audubon Society web site, about the Whooping Cranes that are training now to fly south: (http://www.apalachee.org) Crane Cam The CraneCam will deliver views of the Class of 2009 in their travel pen at the conclusion of each migration flight leg. On completion of the migration, the CraneCam will be set up at Florida’s St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge to provide an unprecedented opportunity to watch the young Whooping cranes as they mature over the winter. The CraneCam will offer online viewers a ringside seat to witness their “soft release” into the wild. The video that is running now is at the West Training Site located on the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Central Wisconsin. Through the CraneCam, you will be able to view Cohort Two go through their aircraft conditioning and training as they prepare for their first ever southward migration this coming Autumn. This is the link to the live cam: http://www.operationmigration.org/crane-cam.html -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Author Olivia Gentile at Wild Birds Unlimited From: "listen2mockingbird" <listen2mockingbird AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:39:07 -0000 Olivia Gentile, author of "Life List: A Woman's Quest for the World's Most Amazing Birds" will be at Wild Birds Unlimited in Tallahassee on October 21 at 7pm. Olivia is a natural storyteller who paints a powerful portrait of Phoebe Snetsinger, one of the best known birders of the modern age. "Life List" is on sale at Wild Birds Unlimited at 20% off the publisher's price in honor of Olivia's visit with us!Subject: Re: {Disarmed} Audubon potluck/meeting, Thurs. From: Harvey/Judy Goldman <goldman AT hep.fsu.edu> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:20:13 -0400 (EDT) Fran,
I love getting these local bird reports and it is great that you put
this announcement about Auduon mtg on. Thanks,
Judy
--
_\\|//_
( . . )
-----------------------ooO-(_)-Ooo------------------------------------
Harvey & Judy Rice Goldman
Goldman AT hep.fsu.edu
--
This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
believed to be clean.
Subject: Audubon potluck/meeting, Thurs.From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:59:11 -0400 Apalachee Audubon Society Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 http://www.apalachee.org/ Update on 2009 Whooping Crane Class and Land Acquisition at St. Marks NWR Where: Amtrak Passenger Station, 918 Railroad Ave, Tallahassee Time: 6:30 PM EST Potluck dinner preceeds program. Bring a dish to share or pay $5.00. Terry Peacock, Saint Marks National Wildlife Mnaager, will present the status of the new class of whooping cranes that will be coming to Saint Marks next January and give an update on last year's group of cranes. She recently attended a meeting in Wisconsin on the crane program. Terry will also present maps and information for a proposed Land Acquisition Plan for the Saint Marks NWR. She will be requesting your comments on the plan. Terry has been the Refuge Manager at Saint Marks NWR since 2005. Her extensive experience on NWRs includes work at the Eufaula NWR in Alabams, the Saint Vincent NWR in Apalachicola FL, the Washita and Optima NWRs in Oklahoma. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FLSubject: Butter Butt From: "Janeen Langley" <jelangley AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:30:50 -0400 I had a first of the season Yellow-rumped Warbler in the yard yesterday afternoon. Janeen Langley Northeast Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Return of the Phoebe From: swamphen AT heirborn.net Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:13:10 -0400 Just heard my first-of-fall Eastern Phoebe calling away outside my window here. -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USASubject: Torreya State Park Sat Oct 17 2009 From: "markkiser9" <mark.kiser AT myfwc.com> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:44:32 -0000 Had a great day of hiking at Torreya State Park 10/17/09, birding was slow however. Highlights were 6 woodpecker species, incl. 7 Red-headed and 2 first of fall Y B Sapsuckers. Also found 2 Eastern Wood-Pewees, 1 Scarlet Tanager, 3 Gray Catbirds, 1 N. Parula, 2 N. Rough-winged Swallows. Sitting at the Gregory House overlooking the Apalachicola River, we had a Bald Eagle and small squadrons of Tree Swallows cruising right over the water. Happy trails, Mark and Selena Kiser Tallahassee batboxblues AT netscape.netSubject: Neotropic Cormorant From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:10:31 -0500 It's great that Dean and Sally saw the cormorant, which is clearly an outstanding fall visitor this year. My hypothesis, for what it's worth, is that several tropical species are moving further out of the Mexico area and spreading east, north and/or west, and this species certainly has! When I first moved to Texas after 43 years in North Florida, telling Neotrops from DCs at a glance wasn't that easy, as much of what distinguishes them is jizz. However, as is always the case with the unfamiliar, field marks must come first. Their e-mail certainly outlined some excellent field marks. Here are some other types of information. Neotrops are a more slender bird that appears to have a longer tail, and a more "Anhinga-like" profile. DCs show off their orange gular pouch much more, and the back of the pouch is vertical, not slanted like Sally correctly reported. The bill of the Neotrop is thinner, and they don't have the pot-bellied look that I get after eating seafood. The white line Sally reported is an interesting feature, as well as an excellent field mark. It actually shows the beginning of the breeding season for them, as gonads grow. This may seem odd, but not really. First, as they evolved in the New World Tropics, wintertime to us might be summertime to them, historically. But more over, and the likely reason they haven't switched breeding seasons, is that wintertime has far lower tides, making feeding in shallower water much easier than the deeper waters of summertime. If you are feeding a hungry nest of picivores, every advantage helps. [Many factors cause lower tides in winter, like the presence of cold fronts, but the principle reason is that the sun is on the south side of the Equator.] And a quick look at the ecology of Neotrops adds to this likely explanation. Throughout its range, they live and feed in ditches, shallows, small ponds and the like. Here in Texas, where they co-exist (more/less) with DCs (at least from Oct-March), DCs are out in the open bays and Gulf far more, seldom really competing with Neopolitan Cormorants. Er go, there is REALLY a big difference between the water level in low bays, canals and such from winter to summer (as anyone who launches boats knows). Since the bird is approaching breeding plumage, it's obviously an adult (see what being a biologist can do for you?). Given that, you can't see the best field mark of Neotrops - the brownish chest of the immatures, as compared to the whitish chest of DCs. I say that coz it's far more likely in most species to see extralimital young birds than adults, as they tend to be inexperienced, and wander off-course more. Remember when we were young? To my friends who may have further questions, I leave tomorrow for South Africa to run a couple of tours, so my e-mails will only be occasional, and my cell phone nada. Please be patient, and I'm not lion. Jim Galveston, Texas [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Neotropic Cormorant From: Dean and Sally Jue <dsjue AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:47:49 -0400 (EDT) Today, Dean and I went down to St. Marks NWR to look for the Neotropic Cormorant that has been reported off and on the past few weeks. We were not disappointed. When we first arrived at the lighthouse around 11:00 AM, there were no cormorants sitting on the pilings just off shore. But as the tide came in, a few came in to roost, and within a half hour we spotted a cormorant that was smaller than the others with less orange on the face. With our scope, we could see that the throat pouch had a light border and extended to a sharp point behind the bill. We watched the bird for about two hours, during which time it flew off and returned a couple times, always tending to perch on the shortest pilings just above the water. Dean took some digiscoped pictures of the Neotropic with Double-cresteds. Thanks to Chris and Bonnie who first found the bird and reported it! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: St George Is & Bald Pt/Saturday From: "John Murphy" <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:01:19 +0000 Quite a fallout at St George Is SP of the mammalian persuasion...over 300 boy scouts had commandeered the youth camp. Their activity greatly limited the area suitable for birding but I managed to find the following... Y-B cuckoo - 2 Chuck-will's-widow G-C thrush Tennessee w N parula - 3 Chestnut-sided w Magnolia w - 4 Yellow-rumped warbler Black-throated green w - 4 Blackburnian w Yellow-throated w Palm w - 100+ Black & white w - 3 Am redstart - 2 Summer tanager Scarlet tanager - 2 Rose-breasted grosbeak Blue grosbeak Indigo bunting - 4 At Bald Pt SP I saw most of the same species but also added a few new ones... Blue-headed vireo Black-throated blue w Bay-breasted warbler John Murphy Alligator Pt, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Cornerstone Learning Center and Birdsong Nature Center - A Gail Menk Posting From: "Marvin Collins" <mcollins AT nettally.com> Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:22:06 -0400 Birding at Cornerstone, Field Trip to Birdsong and Related matters On Thursday October 1 I birded briefly at Tallahassee's Cornerstone Learning Community and listed a Gray Catbird and a Red-eyed Vireo (likely migrants) prior to accompanying as invited guest a bus load of CLC 4th-graders to Birdsong Nature Center in Grady County, Georgia, where said students undertook field activities under the tutelage of naturalist Matt Morris. It was nice to touch shoulders once more with Birdsong's Kathleen Brady who informed me that, interestingly, the Gray Catbird had yet to be listed there as a nesting species despite its southward spread as year-round resident into North Florida as of 1978. First student project was to help uproot invasive "rattlesnake roots" (Florida Botany, Stachys floridana) crowding out a certain bed of blue-flowering hummingbird-attracting plants which reminded me that I had the day before observed a hummer sipping from the blue flowers of the Pickerel weed. The tuber of the rattlesnake plant does suggest the segmented tail of a rattler and is reportedly edible as radish-tasting "without the hot taste" - good for salads, pickling, snacks, etc; hence one good way to eradicate the plants is to dig up their roots and eat them (according to Florida's Incredible Wild Edibles by R. Deuerling and P. Lantz, copy of which I recently purchased at Tallahassee's Native Nurseries). Next Mr. Matt lead the students into the nearby forest where he lectured concerning the interesting ecology of the prized longleaf pine, including how the sap of the species serves as a conduit for lightning strikes which tend to ignite fires and burn off the forest understory which otherwise crowd out or eliminate the more valued pine saplings. He next drew attention to a tent caterpillar-infested persimmon tree and explained the related whys and ways of photosynthesis-how it relates to natures food chain. This fall I have especially noticed that the caterpillars have been steadily denuding at least a dozen tree species in the Big Bend. The Yellow-billed cuckoo feeds on such worms and one wonders if it's pending southbound migration will be delayed well into November by such abundant food supply. A third project seining and identification of vertebrates, invertebrates, whatever, taken from a brooklet along the way. No telling what resides in or near such ecological niches - cicadas, wolf spiders, other critters, many of which were collected for further study. Again I noted well how plant life varies markedly with the various elevations of a given forest path (therein lies another field study), and on October 1 I was especially impressed by a spectacularly large growth of purplish colored American beauty berry, a valuable food source for certain of the larger song birds. A morning well spent. And thank you Mr. Matt, chaperone Marie, bus driver, Keith, and you delightful CLC fourth-graders. I learned a lot. Gail E. Menk [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Re: Request for help From: Raybieber <raybieber AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:00:15 -0400 My late husband Ray Bieber lived in McAllen and volunteered with Santa Anna and valley nature center. My friend and Ray's friend is the innkeeper at the Alamo inn. If u want an introduction please let me know. I have stayed at their inn and loved it! Keith is a birder, photographer and involved with local birding and ecological efforts. - Sunny On Oct 15, 2009, at 6:51 PM, "Jim Stevenson"Subject: Re: Request for help From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:51:09 -0500 There is an amazing place to stay in nearby Alamo, Texas, run by a birding expert, with all kinds of helpful things there for birders, including the latest advice and rare birds. I run annual trips there as a bird guide, and I always want to stay there! It's called the Alamo Inn. I looked up their number, and it's 956-782-9912. Good birding! Jim Galveston, Texas ----- Original Message ----- From: pmct32308 To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 5:46 PM Subject: [nflbirds] Request for help Have a group of 8 or 9 going to the McAllen or Harlingen area in March,2009. Does anyone have info about places to stay. Would prefer a 4 bedroom house, are open to B&Bs. Would prefer not to stay in motel but will if necessary. I would appreciate any information. Pat McTarsney mct AT nettally.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.421 / Virus Database: 270.14.13/2432 - Release Date: 10/13/09 06:35:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Request for help From: "pmct32308" <mct AT nettally.com> Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:46:24 -0000 Have a group of 8 or 9 going to the McAllen or Harlingen area in March,2009. Does anyone have info about places to stay. Would prefer a 4 bedroom house, are open to B&Bs. Would prefer not to stay in motel but will if necessary. I would appreciate any information. Pat McTarsney mct AT nettally.comSubject: Chimney Swifts in Jax From: Pam Flynn <tallypfly57 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:52:48 -0700 (PDT) The chimney swifts are back atRiverside Avenue Christian Church (2841 Riverside Ave) in Jacksonville, between 7:00 and 7:20 they all flew down the chimney!There are thousands of them again over there this year.If you happen to be in Jax the next few days, don't miss it! Pam Flynn [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |