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9 Mar Re: St George Island ["Jim Stevenson" ] 10 Mar St George Island [] 09 Mar Shrike [] 8 Mar Sparrow ID [Joseph Asarisi ] 8 Mar RE: Shrike ["White, Eddie" ] 8 Mar Re: Shrike Update & Question About Behavior ["Jim Stevenson" ] 08 Mar Shrike Update & Question About Behavior ["glendajoyce6009" ] 7 Mar Recent sightings - Tallahassee [Andy Wraithmell ] 07 Mar lake jackson--leon county [] 7 Mar Eagle and Summer Tanager - Hilaman Golf course [] 6 Mar Re: Shrike ["Don Morrow" ] 6 Mar Re: Shrike ["Jim Stevenson" ] 6 Mar Franklin Co/Saturday [John Murphy ] 06 Mar Shrike ["glendajoyce6009" ] 5 Mar all clear - virus removed [Terri Baker ] 4 Mar DO NOT OPEN EMAILS FROM THIS ADDRESS _I HAVE A VIRUS [Terri Baker ] 4 Mar misuse? ["Carol Miller" ] 4 Mar No Subject [Terri Baker ] 4 Mar No Subject [Terri Baker ] 4 Mar No Subject [Terri Baker ] 3 Mar Nest needed for eaglets ["Judy" ] 3 Mar Myrtle Warblers ["Carol Miller" ] 2 Mar RE: Yellow-rumpeds ["Janeen Langley" ] 2 Mar Re: Yellow-rumpeds [] 2 Mar Re: Yellow-rumpeds [Fran Rutkovsky ] 2 Mar Migration Tracking Map [Fred Dietrich ] 02 Mar Yellow-rumpeds ["strick2010" ] 26 Feb Michael Keys/R4/FWS/DOI is out of the office. [] 26 Feb First spring migrant ruby-throated [Fred Dietrich ] 25 Feb Western Tanager [Andy Wraithmell ] 25 Feb baby blue crabs for Whooping Cranes ["Tracee Strohman" ] 24 Feb Re: Supplemental Feeding of Birds [Fran Rutkovsky ] 24 Feb Lake Killarney Tallahassee Wednesday morning [] 23 Feb Tuesday morning Piney Z in TAllahassee [] 23 Feb Supplemental Feeding of Birds [Daniel Greene ] 24 Feb western tanager-- tallahassee [Candy Pfau ] 23 Feb Northern Flicker [judy cooke ] 23 Feb western tanager-- tallahassee [] 22 Feb Audubon talk: Sandy Beck, Thurs. 2/25 [Fran Rutkovsky ] 22 Feb Bluebird Links ["glendajoyce6009" ] 22 Feb Re: Bluebirds/Mealworms [Glenda Simmons ] 21 Feb Thanks! ["strick2010" ] 21 Feb Lake Lafayette Heritage Trail Park Saturday 2-20-2010 ["markkiser9" ] 20 Feb Ovenbird, Bear Creek Forest (Lake Talquin) [Angela Johnson ] 19 Feb RE: mealworms ["Valeri Ponzo" ] 20 Feb mealworms [Candy Pfau ] 19 Feb RE: mealworms ["Valeri Ponzo" ] 19 Feb Kirtland's Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii) ["Kim" ] 19 Feb Hummingbird RFI [] 19 Feb mealworms ["Beth W. Grant" ] 19 Feb Bluebirds [Joseph Asarisi ] 18 Feb Orlando RFI ["icsanchez2003" ] 18 Feb Lake Killarney Park ducks [] 19 Feb Re: Bluebirds [Candy Pfau ] 18 Feb Re: Prairie warbler [Fran Rutkovsky ] 18 Feb Bluebirds [judy cooke ] 18 Feb Prairie warbler ["strick2010" ] 17 Feb Re: What is missing from your yard this winter? [Fran Rutkovsky ] 17 Feb Baltimore Oriole ["Tracee Strohman" ] 16 Feb ? Fox Sparrow ["glendajoyce6009" ] 15 Feb Tallahassee Screech Owl Question [] 15 Feb Re: What is missing from your yard this winter? [Fran Rutkovsky ] 15 Feb Bullock's Oriole is back [Fran Rutkovsky ] 15 Feb Apalachee Audubon Back Yard Wildlife Tour - This Saturday! [Pam Flynn ] 15 Feb What is missing from your yard this winter? ["Candy" ] 14 Feb GBBC - A.B. Maclay Gardens State Park [Andy Wraithmell ] 14 Feb out of place ? meadowlark [Harry Hooper ] 14 Feb bird count on Sat. [Fran Rutkovsky ] 14 Feb A Magnolia Warbler that refused to be fooled by the cold weather ["Pete" ] 13 Feb Red Bellied Woodpecker ["griffoneboggy" ] 10 Feb Re: Tallahassee Goldeneye, White-winged, Long-billed and Geese [] 10 Feb Tallahassee Goldeneye, White-winged, Long-billed and Geese [] 10 Feb Gadwall on Lake Killarney Tallahassee [] 9 Feb GBBC events this weekend [Fran Rutkovsky ] 8 Feb Common Loon - A.B. Maclay Gardens SP [Andy Wraithmell ] 08 Feb Weekend birding: amazing duck numbers [] Subject: Re: St George Island From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 21:10:44 -0600 When I was young, Bonies showed up around Halloween. Later, I remember them arriving as late as Thanksgiving. Now, you're lucky to see them by Christmas and/or New Year's. Many CBCs in the Deep South miss them now. Similar things are happening with other winter residents, like our Sandhill Cranes who now leave Galveston in February. As the earth continues to warm, we will get fewer winter residents from the north, and more tropical stuff moving our way. js From: wmjphelan AT comcast.net Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 8:17 PM To: nflbirds Birds Subject: [nflbirds] St George Island This morning, on the East end of SGI, about 1/4 mile before the park entrance, I saw 30+ Bonaparte's Gulls on the beach. Bill Phelan Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2733 - Release Date: 03/09/10 13:33:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: St George Island From: wmjphelan AT comcast.net Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:17:52 +0000 (UTC) This morning, on the East end of SGI, about 1/4 mile before the park entrance, I saw 30+ Bonaparte's Gulls on the beach. Bill Phelan Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Shrike From: austrina1 AT aol.com Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:05:14 -0500 Spring may be even further along on the Franklin County coast. I've been preparing for spring birding by forcing myself to identify all to the bird calls that I hear when I'm outside (even when I'm not birding) instead of tuning them out. The last few days the "morning chorus" has been so loud and diverse that my very finite operating system freezes and I have to reboot and begin listening again. Lydia, Deborah, Samantha, Aurora and I had a Henslow's sparrow up and "singing" on sea oats in Gulf County this weekend. The ducks on the St George Island sound were scarce Sunday (~500 vs. 15,000 from a couple of weeks back). We saw two peregrine falcons and a merlin in Franklin County. One of the two peregrines was on the Hwy 98 causeway (just east of Apalachicola) on the power transmission lines. It was acting territorial toward the cormorants that were sharing the "tower". We had a single flock of well over 80 Bonaparte's gulls three miles north of Carrabelle Public beach. Three Caspian terns were my highest count in months, there seems to be an increase in sandwich terns as well. We saw our first broad-winged hawk of the year near the Gulf and Franklin county lines (about a week or two early). This is the first weekend in a while that we haven't seen either a bear, coyote, or a "confused" red wolf/coyote hybrid thingy near St. Vincent Island. The things "we" call red wolves today don't look like the red wolves my Dad, brother and I used to see and catch in the salt marshes of SE Texas. I guess species without breeding signal boundaries aren't species, at least not for long. Rodney C. -----Original Message----- From: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of White, Eddie Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 8:52 To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [nflbirds] Shrike Loggerheads make take larger prey, but my ruby throats kicked the pair that nested in my pear tree butts all summer last year. I visited a friend off of Lenear Road in Gadsden County this week end. There is a swamp on the back of the property. Seemed to be a cat bird in every bush on the property. The landowner said they arrived in numbers after the rain last week. Saw three Hermit thrush and two flickers. Had Canada geese flyover, flocks of chipping sparrows and white throated sparrows, nesting Carolina wren, and a cardinal with nesting material in its mouth. Morning chorus has grown quite loud. Cardinals and Carolina wrens seem to be the majority. Purple martins Towhees and Ground doves are also singing on my place in Havana. Eddie White Havana FL Gadsden County [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Sparrow ID From: Joseph Asarisi <joseph_asarisi2001 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 12:02:19 -0800 (PST) We went to St marks yesterday and saw several sparows feeding in the grass by
the lighthouse observation tower. Not sure what they were. I will try to send
the pictures I took. Not great, but maybe some help.
Alice and joe McAlpin, Suwannee County
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: RE: ShrikeFrom: "White, Eddie" <Eddie.White AT MyFWC.com> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 08:51:47 -0500 Loggerheads make take larger prey, but my ruby throats kicked the pair that nested in my pear tree butts all summer last year. I visited a friend off of Lenear Road in Gadsden County this week end. There is a swamp on the back of the property. Seemed to be a cat bird in every bush on the property. The landowner said they arrived in numbers after the rain last week. Saw three Hermit thrush and two flickers. Had Canada geese flyover, flocks of chipping sparrows and white throated sparrows, nesting Carolina wren, and a cardinal with nesting material in its mouth. Morning chorus has grown quite loud. Cardinals and Carolina wrens seem to be the majority. Purple martins Towhees and Ground doves are also singing on my place in Havana. Eddie White Havana FL Gadsden County [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Re: Shrike Update & Question About Behavior From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 8 Mar 2010 07:40:09 -0600 Glenda, First, you are correct in surmising that potential prey can often tell if a predator is disinterested in them. The famous case is zebra and wildebeest on the African Savannah, where they "know" that certain lions are either not hungry, or interested in other prey. A shrike digging for "worms" probably gives the impression to smaller songbirds that it's safe to go about their business. I'm not sure shrikes are sophisticated enough to "sucker" birds into a relative feeling of safety, and they are actually fairly primitive and not too bright. When they learn to frequent my yard in inclement weather (for tired migrants), that's probably trial and error over the years. In fact, there's a reason we use the term "bird brain." While the term "grub worm" (lower case*) is vernacular, these are actually not worms at all. They are larvae of various arthropods like butterflies and such. They are an easy meal for many species of birds, but far less protein than another vertebrate would be. *BTW, all bird names are lower case as well, unless they are a SPECIES name like Loggerhead Shrike. Your crow example was interesting, as they (along with parrots) are at the pinnacle of avian evolution and intelligence. Washing their food like raccoons demonstrates a light on up there. I know fellow Texans that, well, never mind. Thank you, Glenda, for providing such a place for your birds, and sharing your insights and terrific pictures. Jim in Galveston From: glendajoyce6009 Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2010 11:20 PM To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [nflbirds] Shrike Update & Question About Behavior The Shrike I earlier posted on, hung around all week-end, dining on Grub Worms, as did the Juv. Red-shouldered Hawk and a Crow. After reading Jim's and Don's replys about Shrikes trying to take on larger birds, and seeing the picture, my friend, Lou, took of the Shrike with the Cardinal at Maclay Gardens, I am wondering about the Shrike in my yard's beavior. There were plenty of birds all around this Shrike, both on the ground and in the tree or a feeder perch right next to him. Smaller birds, such as Chipping Sparrows and Gold Finch were abundant. He was obviously not interested, and none of the other yard birds seemed the least bit intimidated by his presence. The same is true when the Hawk is hunting for Grub Worms. They may give the hawk a little more distance, but not much. Is Is it because the worms are easier to catch? To my eye, it appeared it would have been easier for him to nab a little bird and certainly make a more substantial meal. Does it just have a taste for Grub Worms? Is it all part of the bigger plan to sucker in all my yard birds to feel he is no threat, then be targets for a sneak attack? This is my first time being around a Shrike, so I am not familiar with their behavior. Another interesting observation on behavior, was watching the crow eat the Grub Worm. He immediately took it up to the bird bath, gave it a deliberate rinsing off, before eating it, which he did while perched on the edge of the bird bath, securing the worm under his toes. He thin stuck his beak into the water and swished back and forth, rinsing his beak off, before flying off. I don't care for crows, but this one sure has better table manners than any other bird I have ever seen. I also had two juvenile male Baltimore Orioles visiting and enjoying the jelly and bark butter. There are four eggs in one of the two completed Bluebirid nests, already. I have put together a few pictures of the Shrike's behavior in a picasa album, if anyone is interested in seeing them, at the link below. http://picasaweb.google.com/glendajoyce6009/LoggerheadShrike# Glenda Simmons Eastside TAllahassee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2729 - Release Date: 03/07/10 13:34:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Shrike Update & Question About Behavior From: "glendajoyce6009" <glendajoyce6009 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:20:55 -0000 The Shrike I earlier posted on, hung around all week-end, dining on Grub Worms, as did the Juv. Red-shouldered Hawk and a Crow. After reading Jim's and Don's replys about Shrikes trying to take on larger birds, and seeing the picture, my friend, Lou, took of the Shrike with the Cardinal at Maclay Gardens, I am wondering about the Shrike in my yard's beavior. There were plenty of birds all around this Shrike, both on the ground and in the tree or a feeder perch right next to him. Smaller birds, such as Chipping Sparrows and Gold Finch were abundant. He was obviously not interested, and none of the other yard birds seemed the least bit intimidated by his presence. The same is true when the Hawk is hunting for Grub Worms. They may give the hawk a little more distance, but not much. Is Is it because the worms are easier to catch? To my eye, it appeared it would have been easier for him to nab a little bird and certainly make a more substantial meal. Does it just have a taste for Grub Worms? Is it all part of the bigger plan to sucker in all my yard birds to feel he is no threat, then be targets for a sneak attack? This is my first time being around a Shrike, so I am not familiar with their behavior. Another interesting observation on behavior, was watching the crow eat the Grub Worm. He immediately took it up to the bird bath, gave it a deliberate rinsing off, before eating it, which he did while perched on the edge of the bird bath, securing the worm under his toes. He thin stuck his beak into the water and swished back and forth, rinsing his beak off, before flying off. I don't care for crows, but this one sure has better table manners than any other bird I have ever seen. I also had two juvenile male Baltimore Orioles visiting and enjoying the jelly and bark butter. There are four eggs in one of the two completed Bluebirid nests, already. I have put together a few pictures of the Shrike's behavior in a picasa album, if anyone is interested in seeing them, at the link below. http://picasaweb.google.com/glendajoyce6009/LoggerheadShrike# Glenda Simmons Eastside TAllahasseeSubject: Recent sightings - Tallahassee From: Andy Wraithmell <bosoxxfan58 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 14:20:07 -0800 (PST) On Lake Lafayette at Piney Z last Tuesday I had a female Common Goldeneye
viewed from fishing finger #5, along with Redhead, Am. Wigeon, Lesser Scaup,
Green-winged Teal, Bufflehead and Ring-necked Duck.
The male Western Tanager is still gracing our 1/2 acre and was heard calling
today, sounding similar to a Baltimore Oriole but not as harsh and somewhat
shorter. We also had a male Indigo Bunting visit today.
Julie, Maisie, Chris and I visited Lake Talquin State Park this morning and had
a Common Loon on the lake and a Baltimore Oriole in the trees around the
parking lot. Like Rodney it is great fun birding with your kids. Maisie spotted
the first bird at the park as we drove along the entrance road, a male
Cardinal.
There are now 5 Dark-eyed Juncos at the large picnic shelter at the Maclay
Gardens recreation area and the Loggerhead Shrike continues to entertain in
front of the Maclay House. The number of Cedar Waxwings in the gardens has been
low this winter, probably due to the lack of American Holly berries which were
quickly consumed by robins during the freeze.
Andy Wraithmell
Tallahassee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Subject: lake jackson--leon countyFrom: austrina1 AT aol.com Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:51:06 -0500 I've been seeing lots of good birds on private property, but I don't want to tempt people and fate so I'll keep those to myself. I have seen some "good" birds this week on public land. Lake Jackson has been generally slow, however, there is a flock of 90-105 redheads that also contains a few greater scaup. I have never observed a larger flock of redheads on that lake. A common loon has also been present, both observations are boat traffic dependant, i.e., more boats equals less ducks. A sharp-shinned hawk has been variably present at the Kensington and Camden intersection in Edinburg estates. 35 white pelicans, gannet, surf scoters and 900 other ducks, east end of St. George Island, late Saturday evening. I had three screech owls (both color phases) within about 30 feet (one at 5 feet) at the entrance booth at St. Marks (1st road out of main gate on the right). The owls perched very close and one called "loudly", the other two almost cooed very softly. My little girls begged me for a cute little owl of their own. I think they are cute too, kind of like a shrike. Rodney [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Eagle and Summer Tanager - Hilaman Golf course From: raybieber AT comcast.net Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 14:08:02 +0000 (UTC) In addition to the usual great egrets, blue heron, goldfinches, carolina wrens and chicadees, my juve summer tanager remains dining on suet and mealworms, an approx 4 yr bald eagle soared through the neighborhood chased by american crows. The eagle made several fly bys over the 15th hole of Hilaman, right in front of my house and then landed in a tree at the corner of 15 and 16 to finish eating the catch, that it probably stole! Very cool. This is the third year that I have observed eagles in this area. I looked out again to see if the eagle remained at the roost and yes, 2 hours later, it was still there. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Re: Shrike From: "Don Morrow" <don.morrow AT tpl.org> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 22:48:01 -0500 Predators tend to take the easiest available prey, but will go for survival grub as necessary. I have seen Loggerhead Shrike attempt to take a Brown Thrasher in late winter. It might have been successful, but was scared off by the observers (me and the staff of Morningside Nature Center). >>> "Jim Stevenson"Subject: Re: Shrike From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 21:07:15 -0600 Glenda, thanks for teaching me something! Shrike eating worms! Who knew? Fairly recent research reveals that shrikes have the dark mask to cut down on the sun's glare, just as football and baseball players do. The thing is, shrikes forage by looking into the sun, as they can spot the chitinous exoskeletons of arthropods like grasshoppers better. Before that, scientists just assumed it was the typical black mask of predators, like coons, pit vipers, the Lone Ranger, etc. Living in a migrant trap (I might add now the top yard list in the country), I have observed shrikes entering my yard only in spring and fall, and only under inclement conditions. I firmly believe they have learned that songbird migrants may be caught when they are weary from the 600-900 mile run across the Gulf under poor weather, and can't at other times. And don't think for a minute that their avian prey consists of warblers and sparrows. One bit me in a mist net, drew blood, and I can say cardinal's bills are child's play next to a shrike's. Last year, I saw one seriously trying to take down an Upland Sandpiper. Science learns so much from backyard observations such as yours, Glenda. Jim in Galveston From: glendajoyce6009 Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 10:26 PM To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [nflbirds] Shrike Good Evening, A new yard bird for me, a Loggerhead Shrike! It entertained me, a couple of times, today, just as a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk has done on several occasions, recently...dining on Grub Worms. I don't know anything about Grub worms, never knew they were in my yard, until I watched the Hawk, and don't know if it is something I should be concerned about? The Shrike demonstrated textbook behavior, which I got photos of. He patiently perched in a bare Crape Myrtle tree in my birding courtyard area, and flew to the ground when he spotted something. He then took the worm back to the tree, and impaled it on one of the small new growth branches, and ate his catch. I'm hoping to see it tomorrow, when I count for Project Feeder Watch. Glenda Simmons Eastside Tallahassee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2725 - Release Date: 03/05/10 13:34:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Franklin Co/Saturday From: John Murphy <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com> Date: Sat, 6 Mar 2010 17:48:38 -0600 (CST) This morning I birded inland Franklin Co north of Eastpoint. Best bird was an early Worm-eating warbler . Other species of note included Winter wren (2) and Golden-crowned kinglet . John Murphy Alligator Pt, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Shrike From: "glendajoyce6009" <glendajoyce6009 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:26:29 -0000 Good Evening, A new yard bird for me, a Loggerhead Shrike! It entertained me, a couple of times, today, just as a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk has done on several occasions, recently...dining on Grub Worms. I don't know anything about Grub worms, never knew they were in my yard, until I watched the Hawk, and don't know if it is something I should be concerned about? The Shrike demonstrated textbook behavior, which I got photos of. He patiently perched in a bare Crape Myrtle tree in my birding courtyard area, and flew to the ground when he spotted something. He then took the worm back to the tree, and impaled it on one of the small new growth branches, and ate his catch. I'm hoping to see it tomorrow, when I count for Project Feeder Watch. Glenda Simmons Eastside TallahasseeSubject: all clear - virus removed From: Terri Baker <drtbaker AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 06:37:26 -0500 _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469227/direct/01/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: DO NOT OPEN EMAILS FROM THIS ADDRESS _I HAVE A VIRUS From: Terri Baker <drtbaker AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 11:42:13 -0500 do not open any emails from this address To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com From: miller_c6 AT yahoo.com Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 11:30:14 -0500 Subject: [nflbirds] misuse? Is Terri BakerSubject: misuse? From: "Carol Miller" <miller_c6 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 11:30:14 -0500 Is Terri BakerSubject: No Subject From: Terri Baker <drtbaker AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 11:00:39 -0500 http://prettycrocs.webs.com?Ho02aws0 _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469227/direct/01/Subject: No Subject From: Terri Baker <drtbaker AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 06:39:45 -0500 http://prettyjudy.webs.com?H80nd6t11qo _________________________________________________________________ Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469229/direct/01/Subject: No Subject From: Terri Baker <drtbaker AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 02:55:14 -0500 http://seestructure.webs.com?H2kv _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/Subject: Nest needed for eaglets From: "Judy" <judykb AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 10:08:13 -0500 Lynda White of the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey sent out the following message Feb 26th to the EagleWatch volunteers. I sent her a current photo of the eaglet in the nest near the lighthouse at St. Marks NWR but she thought that eaglet was too old. If you know of any nest that you think might be suitable, please let her know. Her email is: LWHITE AT audubon.org "The eaglets who had to be removed from their nest were safely rescued yesterday afternoon. Their nest is on the Herbert Hoover Dike on Lake Okeechobee, and it is one of the weakest spots on the dike. Repairs have to be made to ensure the safety of the people living near the lake, so the Army Corps of Engineers received permission to remove the eaglets. The biggest concern was that the construction activity would cause them to jump. The nest is in an Australian pine, hanging over the water, and was very difficult to climb. Our heroic Jim Lott did it, though it took over two hours.The eaglets are between 4-5 weeks old, and a photo of them in the nest is attached. I also have close-ups if you need help identifying the ages of your eaglets. I need to get them into foster nests as soon as possible. As part of our contract with the Corps, they must be monitored intensively for the first three days to ensure they have been accepted by their new parents and siblings, so the foster nests must be accessible and with someone who is willing to keep a close eye on them. It has to be a tree, preferably live-no manmnade structures. Please let me know asap if you think your nest may be a possibility.I need to get them placed quickly before they become jumpers. Thanks, Lynda Lynda White EagleWatch Coordinator Audubon Center for Birds of Prey 1101 Audubon Way Maitland, FL 32751 407-644-0190 x 106 407-719-2642 cell" [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Myrtle Warblers From: "Carol Miller" <miller_c6 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 08:45:21 -0500 I have a flock of about a dozen Myrtle Warblers mobbing my suet feeders. There are one or two who have lost most of the brown on their heads, but none has completely gained their full colors. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: RE: Yellow-rumpeds From: "Janeen Langley" <jelangley AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 18:30:44 -0500 While visiting in my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky a few years ago, I watched a blue jay take a bat from its roost site in a tree and proceed to have it for lunch. Janeen -----Original Message----- From: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of gallinasviejas AT comcast.net Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2010 5:52 PM To: Fran Rutkovsky Cc: NFLBirds NFLBirds Subject: Re: [nflbirds] Yellow-rumpeds Yes, had the mask, very pretty. Your jays remind me of one of my most interesting bird experiences. On an early morning walk on the mounds trail, I witnessed a "murder" of crows vigorously pursuing an owl. Quiet a sight! Maggie ----- Original Message ----- From: "Fran Rutkovsky"Subject: Re: Yellow-rumpeds From: gallinasviejas AT comcast.net Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 22:52:18 +0000 (UTC) Yes, had the mask, very pretty. Your jays remind me of one of my most interesting bird experiences. On an early morning walk on the mounds trail, I witnessed a "murder" of crows vigorously pursuing an owl. Quiet a sight! Maggie ----- Original Message ----- From: "Fran Rutkovsky"Subject: Re: Yellow-rumpeds From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 12:21:32 -0500 Was this a male with the black mask ? I think this is one of the best looking warblers in spring. I've had 25-30 screaming Blue Jays in the yard and ravine the past half hour. I can't find what they're so cranked up about. They must be on the move now. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FLSubject: Migration Tracking Map From: Fred Dietrich <fdietrich AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 04:42:03 -0800 (PST) Here is a link to the Migration Maps of returning ruby-throated hummingbirds,
including the one I banded near Woodville on February 25th. You can also check
out maps for previous years. This site is maintained by Lanny Chambers, a
hummingbird bander in St Louis, MO, and his site contains lots of information
about hummingbirds. Its worth searching around to learn more about these
wonderful birds.
http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html
Fred Dietrich
Tallahassee, FL
Subject: Yellow-rumpedsFrom: "strick2010" <gallinasviejas AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:00:39 -0000 Is it too early to be seeing yellow-rumpeds in breeding plumage? If so, then I didn't see it, but whatever it was was very pretty!:-) Once again, this was at Indian Mounds on the "pasture" trail Sunday 2/28. Thanks, MaggieSubject: Michael Keys/R4/FWS/DOI is out of the office. From: Michael_Keys AT fws.gov Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:02:47 -0500 I will be out of the office starting 02/26/2010 and will not return until 03/09/2010. I will respond to your message when I return. If you need to contact me immediately, please phone 850-528-9105.Subject: First spring migrant ruby-throated From: Fred Dietrich <fdietrich AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:12:28 -0800 (PST) This morning I banded an adult male ruby-throated hummingbird in Crawfordville
that had just arrived the day before. This is the first report of a returning
ruby-throated this spring. Usually I see my first male around March 6th
followed in about two weeks by the first females.
Fred Dietrich
Tallahassee, FL
Subject: Western TanagerFrom: Andy Wraithmell <bosoxxfan58 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:21:47 -0800 (PST) The adult male Western Tanager has been consistently feeding in our front yard
this week and often spends up to 5 minutes sitting in the azalea next to the
oriole feeders. Best time to see him is around 8am. Birders are more than
welcome to come by and see him. We do please ask that you only view the feeders
from the street, which easily affords great views of all our feeders. Wandering
around the yard will only set the dog barking and alert our neighborhood watch!
The oriole feeders are in between a medium sized azalea and a large pine tree
on the right side of the yard as you look at the house.
Haven't spent much time birding in the park (A.B Maclay Gardens SP) lately as
I've been busy repairing irrigation pipes but the Winter Wren is still present
on the boy scout trail. This trail leads from the crew boats that are stored at
the Recreation Area. The wren prefers the area where a large pine tree has been
cut up next to the trail. The Dark-eyed Juncos are still hanging out by the
large picnic shelter.
Andy Wraithmell
Tallahassee
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Subject: baby blue crabs for Whooping CranesFrom: "Tracee Strohman" <tracee11 AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:04:28 -0500 FUNDS NEEDED TO REPLACE SHARK TANK HELP US REPLACE OUR BIGGEST DISPLAY TANK Funds are urgently needed to replace a major marine education display at Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory in Panacea, Florida. Until this past month, "C-5" (otherwise known as the "shark tank" was our largest concrete tank built in 1970. U-Shaped 120 foot long, running around the perimeter of our 20 x 50' foot building. It held four thousand gallons of sea water, redfish that struck their food like a freight train, triggerfish that stared up at you with doleful eyes and remoras that we sometimes allowed kids to feed by hand. On YouTube http://www.youtube.com/gulfspecimen#p/a/u/1/fhoupZ82eKc you can watch kids squealing with delight as nurse sharks splash them during a feeding frenzy. Our students, volunteers and alumni still recall the arduous back breaking labor of hauling in beach sand by the bucket full, and working through the night building the sub gravel filter system. Some helped erect the pole barn to keep out the rain, others worked on the insulation or the graphics and signs. Others helped us produce soft-shell crabs for a molting hormone study, working through the night, picking out the blue crabs that shed their shells and freezing them in liquid nitrogen. After decades of struggling with aging concrete in the tank walls and floor, spending endless hours and money playing "find the leak" our staff had enough. Wakulla County community service workers demolished it with sledge hammers and hauled away 20 tons of concrete rubble. We are now seeking $40,000 to rebuild the facility and fill the empty space with new and exciting tanks and exhibits. A bioluminescent tank is planned where people can see luminous sea pansies and plankton flash blue fire along with transparent tubular columns with jellyfish pulsing in the darkness. Special tanks featuring the "critter of the month" will magnify small and obscure pistol shrimp and sand fleas to show what monsters they are on giant television screens. The new temperature controlled tanks will give us more room to hold a greater number of endangered sea turtles during cold stun emergencies. This January we kept 65 sea turtles alive of the five thousand stranded by record biting cold until they could be released. The new facility will also help us provide live baby blue crabs to Operation Migration's young whooping cranes that are escorted from Wisconsin by ultralight planes to the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Field Trip Season and thousands of kids are coming. We don't want to disappoint them with fewer specimens to show. You can see our dream layout on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiM0NYwahZs. It will cost $40,000, but any contribution you can make towards this effort will be greatly appreciated. If you are not a member of Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory, please see our website and join: http://www.gulfspecimen.org/membership.html or phone us at (850) 984-5297. Send checks to Gulf Specimen Marine Lab, P.O. Box 327, Panacea, Florida 32346. We are a 501 (c) 3 tax exempt educational organization. Thanks, Jack Rudloe, President -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2709 - Release Date: 02/25/10 07:34:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Re: Supplemental Feeding of Birds From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:37:05 -0500 A good web site about the issues of feeding birds is through Audubon At Home > Bird Feeding. This includes information about proper maintenance, healthy yards, conservation, etc. as well as a list of Bird Feeding FAQs. http://audubon.org/bird/at_home/bird_feeding/index.html ---------------------------- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FLSubject: Lake Killarney Tallahassee Wednesday morning From: Edwwjr AT aol.com Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:42:05 EST The pair of gadwall, the male ring-necked duck, and 11 wood ducks were present at 11:30 this morning. They were across from the observation deck as you are looking southeast toward the homes. Three mallards were also in the vicinity. Ed Woodruff Tallahassee. Fl [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Tuesday morning Piney Z in TAllahassee From: Edwwjr AT aol.com Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:21:13 EST I birded the LAke and trails around Piney Z this morning from roughly 10:15 until 11:45 and found 36 species. There was one large flock of more than 150 ducks on the lake. The vast majority were lesser scaup but there were a few ring-necked ducks scattered through the flock. I had 4 osprey, two on the platform nestbox mated and further east on the lake, a second pair dive bombed an immature bald eagle. A mature bald eagle was near the metal floating walkway. The most interesting birds for the morning were the number of hermit thrush and house wrens visible. Brown thrashers were also quite frequently seen. Purple martins and tree swallows were very active over the lake. Ed Woodruff Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Supplemental Feeding of Birds From: Daniel Greene <dan_greene907 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:00:00 -0800 (PST) There's been a lot of talk on the listserv lately about feeding birds. While
I'm somewhat of an advocate of bird feeders, it's important to remember that
we're feeding wild animals. Backyard feeding should be a treat, not a meal.
When you start to have a larger-scale supplemental feeding operation, don't
lose sight of the fact that these are still wild animals and we may be altering
what's natural for the birds.
While feeding wildlife makes us feel good, all to often we're just another
component to the transmission to diseases. This often happens through direct
contact, or through infections lingering on the feeders (both visible = feces
and microscopic). There are great online sources on how to clean your feeders,
both with solution recommendations and frequency. While difficult to accept,
it's best to not feed the birds if we're not going to take the time to make
sure they're eating in a clean/safe place.
Additionally, there are some serious behavior implications to feeding. Some
foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries, worms, etc. introduces birds
to foods that aren't part of their natural diet. The effects range from
digestion issues to learned behaviors for the young on what to eat. It can
disrupt migration periods, which we see with late-records for many birds in our
own back yards. It can alter habitat selection (which can affect breeding) and
it can tame birds to increased exposure to humans, pets, and cars. It can also
increase mortality through attracting predators (hawks, cats) and through car
or window kills.
It's up to each of us to weight the pros and the cons for what we want to do
in our back yards, for ourselves and for the birds.
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Subject: western tanager-- tallahasseeFrom: Candy Pfau <ralph_candypfau AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:07:50 +0800 (CST) Wow, great luck. We used to see one in the early spring. But they were
summer tanagers and have not seen one in years. Do they like fruit and
oranges. Maybe I need to put out something they like. I have bluebirds now
looking in my houses. And eating my mealworms
Candy PfauPalatka fl 32148
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Subject: Northern FlickerFrom: judy cooke <dellabirdie AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:57:56 -0800 (PST) I just had a Northern Flicker in the yard. I've seen them at St. Marks before,
but have only had one in the yard once before. Very Cool Bird!
Judy - Panacea
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Subject: western tanager-- tallahasseeFrom: parulablue AT comcast.net Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:15:10 +0000 (UTC) Andy spotted a male western tanager briefly on our oriole feeder this morning--I first saw it the morning of 2/14, but this is the first time we have spotted it since. Hopefully it will start coming to the feeder more regularly-- if so, we'll post again in the event others would like to come see it. Julie Wraithmell Tallahassee, FL jwraithmell AT audubon.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Audubon talk: Sandy Beck, Thurs. 2/25 From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:12:02 -0500 Apalachee Audubon Society program NATIVE OWLS by Sandy Beck Thursday, February 25, 2010 Amtrak Passenger Station, 918 Railroad Ave Time: 7:00 PM, social; Program starts at 7:30, or before Sandy Beck, education director with the St. Francis Wildlife Association, will tell us about three native species - the Great Horned, Barred and Screech Owls. She will explain the unique adaptations that make them spectacular nocturnal hunters and inform us about specific actions we can take to help protect these fascinating birds. Sandy Beck has served as Education Director with the St. Francis Wildlife Association since 1989. St. Francis Wildlife, a local non-profit organization, rescues and rehabilitates 3,500 sick, injured, and orphaned wild birds and animals from North Florida and South Georgia every year. Sandy's Wild Classroom programs - which feature disabled raptors, mammals and reptiles - promote awareness, appreciation and understanding of native wildlife and the habitats we share. In addition to her work with St. Francis Wildlife, she teaches gifted and talented students at Astoria Park Elementary, is a regular contributor toFlorida Wildlife Magazine ,writes a monthly environmental column for the Tallahassee Democrat Chronicle, and works as a freelance writer for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The Leon Association for Science Teaching honored her with their Excellence in Science Teaching Award, and in 2008, The Florida Magazine Association presented her with their Charlie Award for Writing Excellence http://www.charlieawards.org/awards/index.cfm In 2009, The Tallahassee Community College Women's History Month Committee honored Sandy and nine other local women - including Susan Cerulean and Donna Legare - with their annual Women's History Month award. The theme was "Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet." Sandy is passionate about ensuring that "wildness has a secure place in our collective future." ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FLSubject: Bluebird Links From: "glendajoyce6009" <glendajoyce6009 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:36:59 -0000 Sorry, I forgot to attach the link, on last post, to the newly formed Florida Bluebird society. Also including the North American society, which is an affiliate, and has alot of good resources. Glenda Simmons Eastside Tallahassee http://www.floridabluebirdsociety.com http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/Subject: Re: Bluebirds/Mealworms From: Glenda Simmons <glendajoyce6009 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:08:16 -0800 (PST) Joe, Beth, Valerie, Candy, and anyone else interested in Bluebirds and
mealworms,Â
Â
Your best bet at attracting Bluebirds is by putting up a bluebird nesting box
in the most open area of your yard, and best to mount it on a free standing
pole, to help lessen the chances of snakes getting to eggs or nestlings. I go
a step further, and always put snake baffles on my Bluebird boxes, which can
easily and cheaply be constructed. A tip, that may help bluebirds spot your
box from a distance, is to get black electrical tape and mark a X with it on
the top and the other sides that don't have the entrance hole. From a bird's
perspective, while flying, this may appear like the dark entrance hole of a
natural cavity, which may get the bird's attention to further investigate. If
the bird shows interest, then you remove the tape, so it would not be spotted
by others.
Â
The best time to do this is in Jan. and Feb. when Bluebirds are actively
searching for territory to start their family. I have been fortunate to be able
to closely monitor a Bluebird family in my yard for the past 5-6 years.Â
Yesterday, I watched one female taking pinestraw in one of the boxes, and later
checked other boxes, to find that I have two nests already in the works.Â
Â
I first started putting mealworms out after I already had a pair, and would put
them in a container, not far from their nesting box, when I saw the birds.Â
To easily train them, you always make the same noise, when you put the worms
out, whistle or some type of call. I cannot whistle, so I ring a little
bell.  Believe me, it took no time for my Bluebirds to know their dinner
bell. Of course doing this as close to a time schedule, as you can, helps.Â
At present, I am feeding one male and three females, and they are waiting for
me when I come home from work to feed them.  Â
Â
Bully Mockingbirds, are frequently a problem, but as I trained my Bluebirds, I
was able to get closer and closer to them, so they will land much closer to me,
than mean ole Mockingbird will dare, so I generally will stay outside and
stand guard, close by, to asure that my Bluebirds get the worms. I don't
mind some of the other small birds grabbing a few, and my Bluebirds will
sometimes share a few. I have watched my male bluebird go several rounds with
a larger male Cardinal, when he was not in a sharing mood. That was a very
colorful scene.Â
Â
 The mealworm caged feeder that Candy described, I also have, and have finally
seen my Bluebirds go in it. I secured a perching stick through it, to make it
easier for them to enter. The mockingbird is too large to fit through the
caged openings, but you will not keep out smaller birds like wrens. I also
put suet in this caged feeder, for the small birds. I bought this mainly for
a backup for the pesky Mockingbird, however last season, when I found baby
mockingbirds in a nest, I provided some worms for them, as well, since the
parents were just trying to feed their young, as the Bluebirds were. In the
past year, I have on occasion, seen my bluebirds eat the suet that I make, and
just recently started putting out WBU bark Butter, that my Bluebirds are also
eating.
Â
Valerie, I have no help to offer for your anoles. lol...that's one problem , I
have not had. But I would be glad to trade you a large flock of Blackbirds for
a few of your anoles.Â
Â
IÂ would also like everyone to know that Florida now has an official Bluebird
Society, which I will add the link. There is not much on the website, yet,
but I would encourage any of you that love Bluebirds to check it out, and if
possible help support it's growth by joining. It's only ten bucks a year, and
when you join, you will receive an info pamphlet, a nice window cling of our
logo and a very nice bookmark with one of my images of my handsome male
Bluebird. I'm sure there will be more added to the website, soon.
Â
Happy Bluebird Trails!
Â
Glenda Simmons
Eastside Tallahassee
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Subject: Thanks!From: "strick2010" <gallinasviejas AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:54:27 -0000 Just a quick thank you to those who responded to my posting of a POSSIBLE Prairie Warbler sighting. There were no audible eye rolls, only kind words of encouragement and sources for additional info. I do hope there will be a "workshop" on warblers some day. I'm about 18 months away from retirement and really looking forward to having more time to spend birding. Thanks again, MaggieSubject: Lake Lafayette Heritage Trail Park Saturday 2-20-2010 From: "markkiser9" <mark.kiser AT myfwc.com> Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:07:16 -0000 Yesterday 2-20-2010 at Lake Lafayette Heritage Trail Park in Tallahassee we observed several species we had previously not encountered at this location, including a Common Loon and a Marsh Wren. Other highlights were Canada Goose (4), Purple Martin (our FOS), Tree Swallow, Hermit Thrush, Lesser Scaup (around 100), Bufflehead (15) and 3 Bald Eagles. In town, a lone Pine Siskin has been fairly regular at our feeders the past week. Happy trails, Mark and Selena Kiser Tallahassee batboxblues AT netscape.netSubject: Ovenbird, Bear Creek Forest (Lake Talquin) From: Angela Johnson <birdnerd26 AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 22:41:44 -0500 Myself and Pam Kaiser went birding this afternoon along the Ravine Trail at the Bear Creek Educational Forest and managed to get this one fuzzy picture of what we think is an Ovenbird. Definitely a shy bird, it flew off as soon as I snapped the picture, never to be seen again. Not much else to note out there, besides bunches of Yellow-rumped Warblers, goldfinches, a couple of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, and a White-eyed Vireo. We went late in the afternoon so bird activity was pretty low. Happy Birding, Angela Johnson Woodville [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: RE: mealworms From: "Valeri Ponzo" <vponzo AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:11:07 -0500 We raise ours in a five-gallon bucket of oatmeal. If you leave some they will mature and you end with beetles who will make more mealworms! : ) Valeri Ponzo Sarasota _____ From: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Candy Pfau Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 7:40 PM To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [nflbirds] mealworms My husband got me this blue dish in a hanger at wild birds unlimited. So far just a carolina wren and pine warblers have eaten from it. Today I saw the bluebird looking at the house and I put the mealworm hanging feeder on the crepe myrtle tree near the house. But my husband said in the instructions, It says not to put near the blue bird house. I have yet to have a bluebird notice it. I will take a photo of it and post it. Also sometimes the mealworms crawl over the edge. I put my mealworms in an empty cool whip container, which I put bran meal in, and carrots an apples or potato. And I put screening material on with a rubber band. Or I cut a huge circle out of the cool whip top and insert a piece of screening under that. My mealworms get fatter. Candy PfauPalatka Fl32148 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2696 - Release Date: 02/19/10 14:34:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: mealworms From: Candy Pfau <ralph_candypfau AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 08:40:10 +0800 (CST) My husband got me this blue dish in a hanger at wild birds unlimited. So far
just a carolina wren and pine warblers have eaten from it. Today I saw the
bluebird looking at the house and I put the mealworm hanging feeder on the
crepe myrtle tree near the house. But my husband said in the instructions, It
says not to put near the blue bird house. I have yet to have a bluebird notice
it. I will take a photo of it and post it. Also sometimes the mealworms crawl
over the edge. I put my mealworms in an empty cool whip container, which I put
bran meal in, and carrots an apples or potato. And I put screening material
on with a rubber band. Or I cut a huge circle out of the cool whip top and
insert a piece of screening under that. My mealworms get fatter.
Candy PfauPalatka Fl32148
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Subject: RE: mealwormsFrom: "Valeri Ponzo" <vponzo AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:12:50 -0500 What I would like to know is how do I make sure the birds get them and not the anoles! Valeri Ponzo Sarasota, FL _____ From: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Beth W. Grant Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 10:24 AM To: North Fl Birds Subject: [nflbirds] mealworms I just recently started putting out mealworms, and so far one mockingbird totally dominates and eats them all! It frequently comes by and checks to see if I've put them out. How do the rest of you serve mealworms? I just have them in a shallow dish on a platform feeder. Beth ---------- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2695 - Release Date: 02/18/10 07:34:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2696 - Release Date: 02/18/10 14:34:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Kirtland's Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii) From: "Kim" <nptf4us AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:39:25 -0000 I am getting really excited about the coming nesting season for the Kirtland's Warbler. I have had the pleasure of working with the survival of this bird for several years. I can not wait to hear the male sing!!Subject: Hummingbird RFI From: swamphen AT heirborn.net Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:56:54 -0500 I notice on the Great Backyard Bird Count results for Tallahassee that both Black-chinned and Rufous hummingbirds were reported. Does anybody know if any of these hummers (or any other non-Rubythroats) are still around and possibly available for viewing? Thanks! -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USASubject: mealworms From: "Beth W. Grant" <bethgrant AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:24:17 -0500 I just recently started putting out mealworms, and so far one mockingbird totally dominates and eats them all! It frequently comes by and checks to see if I've put them out. How do the rest of you serve mealworms? I just have them in a shallow dish on a platform feeder. Beth ---------- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.435 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2695 - Release Date: 02/18/10 07:34:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Bluebirds From: Joseph Asarisi <joseph_asarisi2001 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:19:56 -0800 (PST) When I moved here 10 years ago from S Fl I put mealworms out hopefully. My 5
acres is mostly wooded and there is a hay farm across the road. Two Bluebirds
came by once and no more. We don't even see them near the hayfield along thr
power lines. However, I still put out mealworms and an E Phoebe will set at the
feeder and wait for them, especially on very cold days. As soon as I put them
out he lands on the feeder. Cardinals, C Wrens , Chippies, Chickadees and
Titmice also take them. We have been having lots of birds yhe last few weeks
including flocks of Robins that root around in all the leaves for bugs.
Joe and alice
McAlpin
Suwannee County
Subject: Orlando RFIFrom: "icsanchez2003" <sanchez AT che.utexas.edu> Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:01:41 -0000 My wife and I will be visiting Orlando Feb. 28 -March 3. I would like recommendations for birding areas in the Orlando vicinity within one hour's drive from the airport. We already plan to visit Orlando Wetlands Park (looking for Limpkins), but I would welcome other recommendations. Thanks in advance, Isaac Sanchez sanchez AT che.utexas.edu Austin, TXSubject: Lake Killarney Park ducks From: Edwwjr AT aol.com Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:14:42 EST It might have something to do with the higher water levels in the lake this February, but I am seeing ducks I have not found on the lake before. At 3:45 PM Thursday I found a flock of 12 ducks. Six wood ducks, which are not uncommon, three hooded mergansers, again not that unusual, but a male gadwall, a female goldeneye, and a male ring-necked duck were all due east of the pier at the city park off Shannon Lakes. The ring-necked and goldeneye were first for me in the seven years I have been checking the lake regularly and the gadwall was a first when I saw a pair a few days ago. If you stop by, look south toward the pier/houses on the opposite side of the canal and work your way southeast toward a willow that is toppled over with branches in the water. The ducks seemed to like being under the pier and the branches of the willow. Ed Woodruff [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Re: Bluebirds From: Candy Pfau <ralph_candypfau AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:11:23 +0800 (CST) We have had the same experience Judy.  Last year for the first time they were in the birdbath.  This time we put a house up across from an open field. And we had just added chain link all around our acre.  They put a nest in the house, laid three eggs and then suddenly abandoned it.  All we can think of is that chick a dee's had been fighting over the bluebird house with them.  And a female chicka dee kept sticking her head in the house even after the female bluebird was sitting on eggs.  I can't really control the chick a dee's. All I can say is bluebirds like water available.  something to perch on nearby, even a telephone wire, and an open space on one side.  We have a meal worm feeder and I buy mealworms but so far the wren, and the pine warbler are the only ones eating them.  This year about four bluebirds came through and checked out the houses. We have two houses up.  But they moved on.  Then one female came back and checked out a house again.  We had to put up numerous houses to counter act the chick a dee's.  So, water, open area, and something to perch on.   Candy PfauPalatka  Fl.  Northeast Florida --- On Thu, 2/18/10, judy cookeSubject: Re: Prairie warbler From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:52:57 +0000 (UTC) Hi Maggie: Thanks for posting your sighting to the NFLBirds list. You might consider that what you saw was a male Pine Warbler, which can be very yellow-gold in winter. It also has some streaking down the side, but not as black as a spring male Prairie warbler. Now that you have told people where you saw it, maybe other birders will go look for it and report back to the list. If you're at Native Nurseries or Wild Birds Unlimited, you may want to buy a copy of the Henry Stevenson "Field Card of Florida Birds" (couple of dollars or less, I think). It lists the "status" of every species likely to be here and gives the inclusive dates for the region. For instance, Prairie Warbler is listed as 3-5; 7-11. That means it's likely to be here during spring migration, March-May; or late summer and fall migration, from July -November. And as I remarked previously, birds don't read our charts, so they can and do show up outside those dates. I think this chart may also be online through the Apalachee Audubon web site or the Florida Ornithological Society web site. Check those, too. We all continue to learn about birds, no matter if we're newbies or more experienced. -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Bluebirds From: judy cooke <dellabirdie AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:08:46 -0800 (PST) Been in the house almost 5 years now and Tuesday for the very first time, there
were 4 Bluebirds in the front yard. Later in the day, I saw them in the
backyard. I did not see them eating mealworms, but they were perched near
them. Yesterday morning, there were 12. I ran out and got a bluebird house
and got it up and put mealworms out front.
I don't know if they are just passing through or thinking about staying - but I
was wondering if there are any little tricks I could use to encourage them to
stay? I am bordered by woods on two sides and the front yard has quite a few
trees. (Side yard connects to the neighbor.) I only have an acre. I didn't
want to go to the expense of putting more than one house out, but I will if
that will help encourage them to stay.
Any Suggestions????
Thanks!
Judy-Panacea
Picture:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nflbirds/photos/album/831073840/pic/633606678/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc
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Subject: Prairie warblerFrom: "strick2010" <gallinasviejas AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:58:31 -0000 Okay, this is my first ever post, and I am a real newbie, BUT on Sunday, 2/14 I saw what I believe was a Prairie warbler at Indian Mounds SP. The very dark streaking on his breast and under his wings caught my attention. It was NOT a yellow-rumped. I did determine that, so I went through the list I had downloaded from GBBC and my guide. I (newbie) THINK it was a Prairie warbler. I was not on the mounds trail. I was on the newest section, what I call the pasture trail. This was between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. and there was a great deal of bird activity. Sorry, I'm not experienced enough to be positive. MaggieSubject: Re: What is missing from your yard this winter? From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:28:12 -0500 On Feb 15, 2010, at 1:26 PM, Fran Rutkovsky wrote: > The Parula Warbler does not show up in north FL until about the end of > Feb. and breeds here in summer. > I guess the two N. Parula Warblers that were reported for Tallahassee on the Great Backyard Bird Count did not read the Stevenson field card for dates. Does anyone know where these were seen? Or the Prairie Warbler? Both warblers sp. are early dates. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FLSubject: Baltimore Oriole From: "Tracee Strohman" <tracee11 AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:31:30 -0500 For the first time in 3 years I saw a female Baltimore Oriole in my yard, she eventually went to the suet. Having spent time with the gals of Wild Birds Unlimited yesterday must have been a good luck charm :-) Tracee Strohman Indianhead Acres - Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: ? Fox Sparrow From: "glendajoyce6009" <glendajoyce6009 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:44:15 -0000 Good Afternoon, Sunday morning, at 8:15, while standing at my kitchen window, counting birds for the GBBC, I had a most interesting visitor at my bird bath. I just posted pictures. Take a look, and let me know if this could be a Fox Sparrow? On Friday evening, also while doing the count, I counted my highest number of Northern Cardinals, ever in my yard. Twenty-four! I usually count 6-12 at the same time. I got a not great quality picture, and later on my computer, actually believe there were 26. Sure am glad that Maclay Shrike was not around! Glenda Simmons Eastside TallahasseeSubject: Tallahassee Screech Owl Question From: Edwwjr AT aol.com Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:01:59 EST We don't have a screech owl reported for the GBBC. Doesn't anyone have one that can be heard tonight? Ed Woodruff [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Re: What is missing from your yard this winter? From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:26:16 -0500 Candy: The Parula Warbler does not show up in north FL until about the end of Feb. and breeds here in summer. So if you saw one now, it would be rare. I think the bird in your photo is a male Pine Warbler. Some of them can be bright yellow-gold. Where are you trying to add a post? If you want to reply to someone's posting, make sure it's addressed to North FL Birds. If you try to just reply off the posting, it will only go to the person who posted it. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FLSubject: Bullock's Oriole is back From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:21:37 -0500 Hi all: I had not seen the female Bullock's Oriole for 12-14 days, but she showed up 15 min. ago-- just in time to make it on the last day of the Great Backyard Bird Count. The first time I saw a female Bullock's in the yard was during a GBBC 5 years ago. I emailed to Jack Dozier (who was monitoring the count that year for FL) that I had an oriole that was so gray I had first counted it as a mockingbird. He fired back, "consider Bullock's--and get someone over there right away to confirm and take a photo." I've had a female Bullock's every winter since then. Same one? Most years she stays until early April, though she does disappear now and then. I have 9-10 Baltimore orioles here today, including 3 adult males. Don't forget that GBBC runs through today, and you can count anywhere. Just use the zip code of the location of the count when you submit your checklist. And don't be insulted if you get an email questioning your bird or your totals. Some of these are automatically "flagged" and will need verifying. If you have any questions about the count, let me know and I can try to help you get the answer. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FLSubject: Apalachee Audubon Back Yard Wildlife Tour - This Saturday! From: Pam Flynn <tallypfly57 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 11:48:01 -0500 Tickets are now on sale at Native Nursery and Wild Birds Unlimited for the third annual Back Yard Wildlife Tour on Feb. 20 and yards will be open for viewing 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. You set your own pace and tour order. 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, to share ecologically sound ideas and to show off our winter birds. It's as much fun for the hosts as the tourist. Hope you can make it. Thanks... [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: What is missing from your yard this winter? From: "Candy" <ralph_candypfau AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:36:26 -0000 Peter H. suggested it is just as interesting what birds are missing this winter as what birds we see. I have been doing the Big Backyard Bird Count with Cornell. And I have huge amounts of pine warblers. I did not even know what they were. I kept thinking I had a yellow warbler (not possible) Also, my numbers of goldfinch which are usually anywhere from 30 to 50 are down around 15. Where as I probably had at least 30 pine warbler. Also I have a few chipping sparrows. I have not seen one parula which used to frequent my high pine tree and oak tree tops. I have not seen a tanager in years. No buntings or cedar waxwings. But we did get a flock of cedar waxwings come though early Jan and ate all the holly berries. Considering how low the temperatures are I expected way more rare bird sightings. It has been a very strange winter. I believe the heavy rain all over has kept them further north due to more insect activity. These are the berry and insect eaters. I have experimented with meal worms this winter and the pine warbler, carolina wren, and chickadee have loved the worms. Also we have seen this very yellow yellow larger bird who resembles a bit a Prothonotary warbler. His head is too yellow all over. I have trouble with the warbler id. What has everyone else been missing this winter? Also, how do I add a comment to a post. My comments never seem to show up. Any help id'ing would be welcome. http://www.flickr.com/photos/66013135 AT N00/4358178100/Subject: GBBC - A.B. Maclay Gardens State Park From: Andy Wraithmell <bosoxxfan58 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:37:28 -0800 (PST) 19 birders braved a sub-zero start to the annual GBBC event at Maclay Gardens
State Park today but by 9am the sun worked its magic and by noon it was
positively balmy!
We split into 4 groups and headed to our respective count sections and "had at
it".
Dave, Suzie, Chris and Andrew enjoyed the amazing ravine which had many of the
typical woodland species. They counted the only Wild Turkeys of the day (11)
and had a Purple Martin giving a Bald Eagle a piece of its mind!
Greg and Misty ably assisted by Ed worked the Lake Overstreet multi-use trail.
They scored with the only Golden-crowned Kinglet of the day as well as the only
Barred Owl of the day!
Marvin, Melissa, Pat and Lou had the undoubted highlight of the day in the
gardens, which may not sound all that unusual to some, but Loggerhead Shrikes
are not resident at Maclay anymore and haven't been for a number of years. Even
more unusual that they saw it eating a Northern Cardinal.....the photo's Lou
took are incredible! Chris and I enjoyed watching it later in the day.
Finally, Julie and I were joined by Tara, Fred, Rose-Marie, Ginger, Jacob and
Betsy down at the Recreation Area. One of the first birds we saw was a male
Dark-eyed Junco. The other highlight was on the boy scout trail and came in the
tiny form of a Winter Wren. This particular bird had not been seen on the trail
since before Christmas!
All together we had a total of 738 birds of 66 species but most of all we had
fun. Here is a complete list of the birds we counted.
16 Pied-billed Grebe
12 Double-crested Cormorant
1 Anhinga
5 Great Blue Heron
3 Great Egret
1 Little Blue Heron
1 Snowy Egret
3 Black Vulture
7 Turkey Vulture
4 Canada Goose
10 Wood Duck
2 Osprey
5 Bald Eagle
1 Cooper's Hawk
9 Red-shouldered Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
11 Wild Turkey
3 Common Moorhen
5 American Coot
3 Killdeer
1 Least Sandpiper
7 Ring-billed Gull
10 Mourning Dove
2 Great Horned Owl
1 Barred Owl
19 Red-bellied Woodpecker
4 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
9 Downy Woodpecker
8 Northern Flicker
5 Pileated Woodpecker
1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
11 Eastern Phoebe
1 Loggerhead Shrike
5 White-eyed Vireo
7 Blue-headed Vireo
23 Blue Jay
7 American Crow
7 Fish Crow
1 Purple Martin
32 Carolina Chickadee
21 Tufted Titmouse
4 White-breasted Nuthatch
32 Carolina Wren
1 Winter Wren
1 Golden-crowned Kinglet
38 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
2 Eastern Bluebird
8 Hermit Thrush
119 American Robin
9 Northern Mockingbird
3 Brown Thrasher
31 Cedar Waxwing
2 Orange-crowned Warbler
62 Yellow-rumped Warbler
33 Pine Warbler
2 Black-and-white Warbler
3 Common Yellowthroat
5 Eastern Towhee
3 Swamp Sparrow
3 White-throated Sparrow
2 Dark-eyed Junco
67 Northern Cardinal
6 Red-winged Blackbird
2 Common Grackle
2 House Finch
13 American Goldfinch
thanks to everyone who came along and made it an enjoyable day. Hope to see you
next year.
Andy Wraithmell
Park Ranger
A.B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Tallahassee
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Subject: out of place ? meadowlarkFrom: Harry Hooper <sn_egret AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2010 14:36:25 -0800 (PST) Afternoon nflbirders,
We took a two day road trip birding the coastal and barrier island habitats
yesterday and today. Of interest, late yesterday afternoon, we observed an
Eastern (Western?) Meadowlark perched on power lines on Gulf Beach Drive in the
area of W 9th Street, approximately 1.4 miles west of Franklin Blvd. (causeway
road) on St. George Island. The area is comprised of residences with open
sandy to wooded lots. The meadowlark appeared disheveled, hunkered down on the
wires as the air temperature hovered in the mid 40s.
Has anyone noted meadowlarks on St. George Island in the past? And within
generally non-meadowlark habitat?
Harry Hooper
Tallahassee, Florida
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Subject: bird count on Sat.From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:38:29 +0000 (UTC) Seven people joined me on my deck and in the yard yesterday to count birds during the Apalachee Audubon field trip. We came up with 28 species to submit for the Great Backyard Bird Count. Though there were no surprises, nothing unusual or rare, everyone enjoyed watching the Baltimore Orioles, Summer Tanager, and the other usual birds in winter. In looking at her photos later, Glenda Simmons discovered a Yellow-rumped warbler wearing a band, which most likely was banded in Peter Homann's yard nearby. Thanks to Ed Woodruff for being my co-host. -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: A Magnolia Warbler that refused to be fooled by the cold weather From: "Pete" <phhomann AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:17:12 -0000 After an almost Yellow-rumped Warbler-less winter in my back yard, the warblers finally began showing up in small flocks on 9 February. Surprisingly, 2 Yellow-rumps captured during banding operations on 11 February were in the company of a female Magnolia Warbler that apparently had joined one of the flocks. For this area such an early date is not listed in Stevenson and Anderson's "The Birdlife of Florida." My Magnolia Warbler must have been a true believer in Global Warming - I wish her well. Peter Homann, TallahasseeSubject: Red Bellied Woodpecker From: "griffoneboggy" <jgriffin36 AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:38:10 -0000 Blessed to have a male Red Bellied Woodpecker feeding alongside the other birds in the yard today. He likes to frequent the oak tree with dead limbs in the driveway and will peck away for hours showering my porch with debris which the wife complains about as she sweeps it off several times a day. Striped back, all red on the top and back of the head and a strip of red across top of bill. Lightly tinted belly feathers. Cornell Lab of Ornithology has some wonerful videos of them with great audio.Subject: Re: Tallahassee Goldeneye, White-winged, Long-billed and Geese From: swamphen AT heirborn.net Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:38:34 -0500 Meant to append my eBird checklist for Southeast Farm to my original post but forgot, so, here it is. Location: Southeast Farm (Tallahassee) Observation date: 2/10/10 (45 minutes) Number of species: 21 Northern Shoveler 31 Redhead 2 Lesser Scaup 34 Bufflehead 32 Common Goldeneye 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Killdeer 1 Least Sandpiper 27 Rock Pigeon 14 White-winged Dove 1 Mourning Dove 30 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 3 Tree Swallow 1 Northern Mockingbird 3 European Starling 3 American Pipit 9 Cedar Waxwing 70 Yellow-rumped Warbler 6 Palm Warbler (Western) 1 Palm Warbler (Yellow) 2 Savannah Sparrow 2 -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USA > Hi all, > > Went to a few places in Tallahassee today in search of birds. And, > found some. Specifically, I didn't find the Gadwall at Lake Killearn, > but did find a feeding mob of 93 cormorants, 28 Great Egrets, 2 Great > Blue Herons, 2 Ospreys, and the hightlight, 9 Wood Storks. > > Earlier at Southwood's Biltmore Road fields and ponds, the blue-morph > Snow Goose and two Greater White-fronted Geese were still present > among the Canadas, and a bonus bird in the northern pasture pond > (which is the "middle pond", technically, as the North Pond per eBird > is the one on the west side in the overgrown fields, but I digress...) > was a lone Dowitcher, that looked very good for a Long-billed. > > And earlier still, my first stop of the day had been at the Tram Road > sewage facility (Southeast Farm), where the highlights of the day were > two female Common Goldeneye, a White-winged Dove, and nine American > Pipits. Along with a Sharp-shinned Hawk that flew directly at me over > one of the ponds for a minute, very cool... >Subject: Tallahassee Goldeneye, White-winged, Long-billed and Geese From: swamphen AT heirborn.net Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:36:02 -0500 Hi all, Went to a few places in Tallahassee today in search of birds. And, found some. Specifically, I didn't find the Gadwall at Lake Killearn, but did find a feeding mob of 93 cormorants, 28 Great Egrets, 2 Great Blue Herons, 2 Ospreys, and the hightlight, 9 Wood Storks. Earlier at Southwood's Biltmore Road fields and ponds, the blue-morph Snow Goose and two Greater White-fronted Geese were still present among the Canadas, and a bonus bird in the northern pasture pond (which is the "middle pond", technically, as the North Pond per eBird is the one on the west side in the overgrown fields, but I digress...) was a lone Dowitcher, that looked very good for a Long-billed. And earlier still, my first stop of the day had been at the Tram Road sewage facility (Southeast Farm), where the highlights of the day were two female Common Goldeneye, a White-winged Dove, and nine American Pipits. Along with a Sharp-shinned Hawk that flew directly at me over one of the ponds for a minute, very cool... -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USASubject: Gadwall on Lake Killarney Tallahassee From: Edwwjr AT aol.com Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:02:01 EST At 8:45 AM there were 2 gadwall (male and female) on Lake Killarney south of the park's observation deck. They were swimming with 2 wood ducks. First I have ever seen at the Lake. Ed Woodruff Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: GBBC events this weekend From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 17:44:04 -0500
GBBC events this weekend
The Great Backyard Bird Count begins on Friday and continues through
Monday. See the web site for full details, including how to submit
checklists. Make sure you submit a separate checklist for each
location, with the correct zip code for the location of the count (not
the location of your computer, unless you count there). If you take
photos, be sure to submit them to the contest online.
http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/
Related events :
BIRDSONG NATURE CENTER will collate data for birds seen on the
property on Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m-4 p.m and Sunday 1-4 p.m. Pick
up a tally sheet when you sign in, then drop it off when you leave.
Or you can help count at the Bird Window. Free for members; $5 for
non-members.
birdsong AT birdsongnaturecenter.org or (229) 377-4408, 1-800-953-BIRD
2106 Meridian Rd., 4 miles past the Grady Co. (GA) sign
APALACHEE AUDUBON field trip to the yard of Fran and Paul Rutkovsky
Saturday, 2/13, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m
3210 Brookforest Drive, off Lakeshore Drive
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net or 422-3636 for any questions
We will keep a running tally of birds seen or heard in the yard, the
street, the ravine, the sky, nearby yards and submit one checklist for
the day.
Non-members are also welcome.
ALFRED B. MACLAY GARDENS STATE PARK
Sunday, 2/14, 8 a.m. to noon
Park admission applies ( $6 per vehicle); field trips and counts are
free
There are 4 sections to the count:
The Rec Area (led 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)
Andy Wraithmell
Park Ranger
A.B. Maclay Gardens State Park
(850) 487-4556
www.floridastateparks.org
-----
Fran Rutkovsky
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net
Tallahassee, FL
Subject: Common Loon - A.B. Maclay Gardens SPFrom: 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
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Subject: Weekend birding: amazing duck numbersFrom: 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] |