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25 Jan American Avocets and Lesser Black-backed Gull at Bunche Beach [Cheyenne Szydlo ] 24 Jan Longboat Key roost ["ericwalt40" ] 24 Jan Siesta Key beach birding - Jan. 21st ["ericwalt40" ] 24 Jan Myakka River State Park on Jan 21st ["ericwalt40" ] 24 Jan Sarasota Birding ["ericwalt40" ] 24 Jan Siesta Key beach birding - Jan. 21st ["ericwalt40" ] 23 Jan San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach shorebirds, Sat 23 Jan 2010 ["Charlie Ewell" ] 21 Jan FW: Upcoming birding opportunities ["Charlie Ewell" ] 13 Jan Painted Buntings growing in numbers. [F Stevens ] 04 Jan Off Topic: Blue Moon ["Blair" ] 27 Dec Ruddy Duck & Scaup ["Blair" ] 25 Dec Fabulous Painted BuntingS Christmas morning! [F Stevens ] 25 Dec Painted Bunting in Sebring [Bruce Makuk ] 20 Dec Ruddy Duck yes! [Vincent McGrath ] 18 Dec SRQ Bird Alerts 18 December 2009 - Common Goldeneye ["Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" ] 16 Dec Date correction CBC assistance to December 19th ["Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" ] 16 Dec SRQ Bird Alerts 16 December 2009 & request for CBC assistance [3 Attachments] ["Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" ] 10 Dec Curlew at South lagoon of Holiday Inn/ Fort Myers beach . [F Stevens ] 9 Dec Bonita beach north end back side. [F Stevens ] 27 Nov newbie [Kenny Patrowicz ] 24 Nov SRQ Bird Alerts 24 November 2009 ["Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" ] 22 Nov North Bonita beach 22 Nov. sunset. [F Stevens ] 20 Nov Bunche Beach birding tomorrow ["Charlie Ewell" ] 15 Nov STA5 Nov. 14 ["Margaret England" ] 12 Nov Great Black-backed Gull at Bunche Beach [Cheyenne Szydlo ] 10 Nov Target Sparrows ["kacressman" ] 02 Nov American Avocet ["mybuntings" ] 21 Oct Target SWFL Species for a December Visit ["Pete" ] 18 Oct STA5 Hendry County: 10/19/09 ["Margaret England" ] 17 Oct SRQ Bird Alerts 17 October 2009 - Mangrove Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Golden-winged Warbler ["Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" ] 10 Oct American Redstart at OK Slough Sic Island Road Boardwalk (Hendry County) ["Margaret England" ] 9 Oct RE: Stilt Sandpiper still present at Six Mile Cypress Parkway Publix near Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers (Lee County) ["Charlie Ewell" ] 9 Oct Stilt Sandpiper still present at Six Mile Cypress Parkway Publix near Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers (Lee County) [1 Attachment] ["Charlie Ewell" ] 1 Oct RE: Lee County report: A true fallout- almost ["Charlie Ewell" ] 1 Oct RE: Lee County report: A true fallout- almost ["Charlie Ewell and Arlyne Salcedo" ] 1 Oct Lee County report: A true fallout- almost ["Charlie Ewell" ] 15 Sep RE: Re: [SWFLBirdline] Digest Number 999 ["Jeff Bouton" ] 15 Sep Re: Digest Number 999 [Dany Sloan ] 15 Sep RE: Digest Number 999 ["Jeff Bouton" ] 15 Sep Re: Digest Number 999 [] 15 Sep Re: Digest Number 999 ["Joan Chasan" ] 14 Sep Birding Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Book ["Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" ] 10 Sep Fwd: [FlaBirding] Goals and Cockatiels [David Simpson ] 10 Sep Goals, not cockatiels [3 Attachments] [David Simpson ] 6 Sep FW: [BRDBRAIN] Alder Flycatcher ["Charlie Ewell" ] 27 Aug RE: Red Knots and Reporting Banded Shorebirds ["Charlie Ewell" ] 26 Aug Painted Buntings ["mybuntings" ] 20 Aug Buntings in August? ["mybuntings" ] 18 Aug FW: Bunche Beach birding next Sat. 22 Aug ["Charlie Ewell" ] 15 Aug Red Knots and Reporting Banded Shorebirds ["Charlie Ewell" ] 15 Aug RE: tricolor herons ["Charlie Ewell and Arlyne Salcedo" ] 14 Aug tricolor herons ["bgunnels4" ] 11 Aug Purple Martin roost story ["Charlie Ewell" ] 29 Jul Participants needed for bird feeding study ["national_bird_feeding_society" ] 23 Jul FW: Bunche Beach on Sat morning ["Charlie Ewell" ] 12 Jul FW: Harns Marsh - an easy site to find Snail Kites in SW Florida ["Charlie Ewell" ] 12 Jul FW: Great Birding day ["Charlie Ewell" ] 29 Jun FW: Bird Patrol tour at Bunche Beach ["Charlie Ewell" ] 26 Jun hiding from the heat ["Jeff Bouton" ] 19 Jun Least Terns at Gulf Coast Town Center ["Bob" ] 5 Jun a belated Greater Sand-Plover blog post ["Jeff Bouton" ] 29 May Scarlet Ibis at Lakes Park today [Cheyenne Szydlo ] 26 May Surf Scoters@ Bunche Beach [Vincent Mcgrath ] 24 May Fwd: [FLBIRDS] White-rumped Sandpipers [Vincent Mcgrath ] 24 May Gray Kingbirds ["Bob" ] 8 May sleeping dove pics ["Valeri" ] 5 May STA5 Schedule through Dec. 2010 ["Margaret England" ] 5 May RW Blackbirds on Sanibel [] 29 Apr Seen in my oak tree [Gayle Schmidt ] 27 Apr Painted Buntings [1 Attachment] [F Stevens ] 26 Apr Red Knots NATURE episode on PBS ["Charlie Ewell" ] 23 Apr STA5 5/18/09 (20 miles South of Clewiston) ["Margaret England" ] 21 Apr FW: Snowy and Piping Plovers- request for observations ["Charlie Ewell" ] 21 Apr Sanibel Lighthouse 4/21 [Cheyenne Szydlo ] 20 Apr Sanibel Lighthouse - April 19 [Gayle Schmidt ] 17 Apr FW: Harns Marsh this Saturday ["Charlie Ewell" ] Subject: American Avocets and Lesser Black-backed Gull at Bunche Beach From: Cheyenne Szydlo <cheyenne.szydlo AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:29:04 -0800 (PST) Yesterday evening (1/24) at high tide, there were a lot of gulls feasting on all the dead fish washed up on Bunche Beach. There were mostly Ring-billed and Laughing Gulls, but I did see one 1st winter Lesser Black-backed and an adult non-breeding Herring Gull.  I saw one other gull that stumped me for awhile, and I have tentatively ID'd it as another 1st winter Lesser Black-backed. What stumped me was how much white was in the scapulars -- much paler than I am seeing in Lesser Black-backed photos in 'Gulls of the Americas' and Sibley. The bird was smaller than the adult Herring, larger than the Ring-bills, and had a dark eye and pale pink legs. Its bill was solid black with the exception of the tip of the lower mandible which was translucent or pale.  Any suggestions?   Also, there were three American Avocets mixed in with the usual terns, skimmers, and sanderlings -- the first time I've seen them at Bunche!   -Cheyenne Subject: Longboat Key roost From: "ericwalt40" <ericwalt40 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:26:35 -0000 At Longboat Key's Bay Isles subdivision, behind `Portofino' restaurant: 230+ Brown Pelicans 85+ White Ibis 30+ Great Egret 5 Double-crested Cormorants I was clued into this overnight roost location from my parents, who stumbled into coming-to-roost show 3-4 years ago. I got there nearly at dusk, so I'm sure I couldn't see all the birds (ie. roosting bird numbers above conservative). All of these birds are only between 10-20 feet off the ground, maybe 40 feet out over the water! An amazing concentration of birds, the Ibis were all clustered together, while the pelicans were spread evenly over the vegetation. Eric Walters Zion, IL Subject: Siesta Key beach birding - Jan. 21st From: "ericwalt40" <ericwalt40 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:23:15 -0000 Siesta Key beach: 225+ Laughing Gulls 55+ Ring-billed Gulls 28 Herring Gulls 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (adults, both photographed) 440 Forster's Tern 205 Black Skimmers 58 Royal Terns 2 Sandwich Terns 2 Wood Storks 1 Snowy Egret 25+ Brown Pelicans 8 Double-crested Cormorants 2 Mottled Ducks (pair) 1 Osprey (caught fish only about 60 feet offshore) 85+ Sanderlings 1 Snowy Plover 1 House Wren (in brushy hedge at edge of beach In the mudflat on the northeast corner of the Siesta Key causeway bridge: 17 White Ibis 12 Snowy Egret 6 Great Egret 6 Little Blue Herons 1 Reddish Egret 1 Tricolored Heron 1 Great Blue Heron 6 Semi-palmated Plovers 1 Black-bellied Plover 4 Turkey Vultures eating dead fish Eric Walters Zion, IL Subject: Myakka River State Park on Jan 21st From: "ericwalt40" <ericwalt40 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:25:03 -0000 670+ Turkey Vultures 280+ Black Vultures 60+ White Ibis (7 subadults) 2 Limpkin 3 Wood Stork 2 Yellow-crowned Night-Herons also Cattle, Snowy and Great Egrets and Little and Great Blue Herons 2 Sandhill Crane (pair) 11 Double-crested Cormorants 3 Bald Eagles (one chasing an Osprey) 4 Red-shouldered Hawk (territories) 9 Wild Turkey (early morning group along road) 10 Black-necked Stilts (2 flocks) 2 Belted Kingfishers 2 Pileated Woodpeckers 20+ Palm Warblers also Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers Per the park bird checklist, the best birds were: 2 Fish Crows (calling near park entrance, rest of crows were American) 1 Tufted Titmouse (near canopy tower) 18 Cedar Waxwing (flyover over canopy tower) Also, 2 Wild Pigs, White-tailed Deer and many alligators were observed The vast majority of the Turkey Vultures could be seen in the air from the canopy tower in early morning, circling in the air in the directions of Upper Myakka and Lower Myakka Lakes. Interestingly, nearly all Black Vultures were noted on or near the ground, few flying around high in the sky like the Turkey's. Two Osprey nests could also be seen from the tower, both in a northeast direction on the power line tower. Eric Walters Zion, IL Subject: Sarasota Birding From: "ericwalt40" <ericwalt40 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:20:20 -0000 Lido Beach on Jan 18th: 30+ Brown Pelicans 4 Double-crested Cormorants 3 Osprey 202 Royal Terns 68 Forster's Terns 4 Black Skimmers 3 Sandwich Terns 370+ Laughing Gulls 10 Ring-billed Gulls 6 Herring Gulls 6 Black-bellied Plovers 2 Snowy Plovers 115+ Sanderlings 4 Ruddy Turnstones 2 Willets I thought I had a single Semi-palmated Sandpiper, but shorebird flock was flushed by people and never could relocate it. At the first canal immediately east of the middle beach small parking lot were: 2 Wood Stork 5 Monk Parakeet 4 Eurasian Collarded-Dove 11 Fish Crow Braden River southwest side in Mote Creek subdivision (esp. Copper Creek): 28 Glossy Ibis 4 Anhinga 1 Tricolored Heron 6 White Ibis 95+ Fulvous Whistling Ducks (5 flocks, daily coming/going to roost at River) 5 Hooded Mergansers 4 Sandhill Cranes (2 pairs) 4 Red-shouldered Hawks (2 pair) 2 Black Vulture 1 Pileated Woodpecker 40+ Fish Crow (flock heading to River roost in evening) Copper Creek Park (new park west side of Hwy 75, south of Fruitville Rd.): 4 Anhinga 10 Pied-billed Grebes 2 Common Moorhen 12 American Coot 140+ Double-crested Comorants 30+ Brown Pelicans 1 Belted Kingfisher Looks like a good potential spot for diving ducks/loons. Ringling property: 5 Osprey (in sky together, suggests a recent successful nesting here) Eric Walters Zion, IL Subject: Siesta Key beach birding - Jan. 21st From: "ericwalt40" <ericwalt40 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:22:26 -0000 Siesta Key beach: 225+ Laughing Gulls 55+ Ring-billed Gulls 28 Herring Gulls 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (adults, both photographed) 440 Forster's Tern 205 Black Skimmers 58 Royal Terns 2 Sandwich Terns 2 Wood Storks 1 Snowy Egret 25+ Brown Pelicans 8 Double-crested Cormorants 2 Mottled Ducks (pair) 1 Osprey (caught fish only about 60 feet offshore) 85+ Sanderlings 1 Snowy Plover 1 House Wren (in brushy hedge at edge of beach In the mudflat on the northeast corner of the Siesta Key causeway bridge: 17 White Ibis 12 Snowy Egret 6 Great Egret 6 Little Blue Herons 1 Reddish Egret 1 Tricolored Heron 1 Great Blue Heron 6 Semi-palmated Plovers 1 Black-bellied Plover 4 Turkey Vultures eating dead fish Eric Walters Zion, IL Subject: San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach shorebirds, Sat 23 Jan 2010 From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 14:14:14 -0500 All, I co-led a walk at Bunche Beach today (Sat 23 January 2010) with Walt Winton for Lee County's volunteer group Bird Patrol, and relocated the Lesser Black-backed Gull mentioned by Eleanor Marr in the report below. Our list was very similar to Eleanor's, except we did not see the American Avocets. We can add to her list with the following: Bald Eagle (2 adult, 2 imm) (Eagles can often be seen perched in the dead Casuarinas (Australian Pine) to the west of the flats toward the Sanibel Causeway. American Oystercatcher (3) Long-billed Curlew (Seen only by scope well to the west of the flats toward the Sanibel Causeway) Caspian Tern Common Tern (extensive black cap and carpal bar present) Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife/Burrowing Owl Festival info: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ Lee County Bird Patrol info: http://www.birdpatrol.org/ SWFL Birdline info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/ FL Ornithological Society info: http://www.fosbirds.org/ _____ From: Birdbrains - Florida Birds/Natural History [mailto:BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU] On Behalf Of Eleanor K. Marr Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 11:22 AM To: BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Subject: [BRDBRAIN] San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach shorebirds All the posts on Lesser Black-backed Gull sightings prompted me to belatedly report one seen at Bunche Beach (Fort Myers) on Saturday Jan. 16. Apparently they're being sighted on the Gulf Coast with some regularity now. Sorry I didn't get around to this sooner. We went back yesterday, Friday Jan. 22, hoping to see it again. We arrived around 11 AM, about 45 minutes after low tide, after too much debate as to whether the predicted rain would spoil the trip. No rain, but it was quite foggy just before we left (tide had covered most sand bars by then). There were hundreds of birds to be seen. The sand bars in the distance across the inlet were not visible, and that's where the LBBG had been spotted. Didn't find the LBBG, but the birding was nontheless quite satisfactory. I'm listing numbers when it might be of particular interest. Brown Pelican Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Snowy Egret Reddish Egret Tricolored Heron Little Blue Heron White Ibis Red-breasted Merganser Osprey Turkey Vulture Black-bellied Plover Piping Plover (~ 6) Semipalmated Plover Wilson's Plover American Avocet (3) Willet Spotted Sandpiper Marbled Godwit (3 in a rather foggy area - might have missed some) Ruddy Turnstone Red Knot (2) Sanderling Dunlin Western Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Short-billed Dowitcher Laughing Gull Ringed-bill Gull Herring Gull Royal Tern Forster's Tern Black Skimmer Red-bellied Woodpecker Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Palm Warbler Eleanor K. Marr Port Charlotte/Punta Gorda To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________ Subject: FW: Upcoming birding opportunities From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:59:14 -0500 All, Below are two birding opportunities that will be offered by Bird Patrol, a Lee County Parks and Rec/Conservation 2020 volunteer group. For other opportunities go to the website http://www.birdpatrol.org/ and click the tab for "site tours" Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife/Burrowing Owl Festival info: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ Lee County Bird Patrol info: http://www.birdpatrol.org/ SWFL Birdline info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/ FL Ornithological Society info: http://www.fosbirds.org/ _____ Subject: Upcoming birding opportunities January 23, Saturday 8AM Bunche Beach Guides: Charlie Ewell and Walt Winton. Located in So Ft. Myers off Summerlin Rd: Drive south on John Morris Rd until it deadends. Experience one of the best birding sites in Lee Co. Bring binoculars, sun protection, shoes that can get wet, a bottle of drinking water. Meet in the parking lot. 239-707-3015 * February 6, Saturday 8AM Harns Marsh Mickey Miller, Georgia Nef, Gayle Sheets. February and March are months when Bird Patrol shows off some of the Conservation 2020 properties that we monitor, and this is the first of several such tours. We will probably be able to drive around the property, but there are no guarantees (because of the current weir construction). No restrooms. (239) 482-6250 From I-75, take Exit 136 (Lee Blvd) east to Sunshine Blvd in Lehigh Acres. Turn left on Sunshine Blvd and drive north past the Able Canal. Just beyond the canal, the road curves. Turn left onto 31st St. and make an immediate right onto Ruth Ave. Drive north to 38th St. Turn left on 38th and to the parking area at th end of the road. About Harns Marsh: The marsh is a 578 acre preserve that is part of the East County Water Control District, and one of the area's major stormwater retention/detention facilities. The Water District and Lee County have slated Harns Marsh as a regional park. The variety and quantity of birds is amazing. So far, 132 species have been recorded, snail kites and limpkins being a couple of standout species found there year-round. See www.birdpatrol.org "Site Tours" for a complete listing of this year's Birdfest tours. Subject: Painted Buntings growing in numbers. From: F Stevens <mybuntings AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:22:06 -0800 (PST) Four males and three females at my feeders, so this is one more for each gender, last Saturday during the constant rain they never stopped feeding and this weeks cold weather has them feeding all day also, location is Penyslvania Ave and Pelican Ridge in Bonita Springs. Subject: Off Topic: Blue Moon From: "Blair" <skink AT embarqmail.com> Date: Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:08:09 -0000 I wish I could say that I have been out seeing fantastic birds but I can't. I did get out New Years eve and photographed the Blue Moon. A Blue Moon occurs any time we have a full moon twice in one month. They occur on New Years eve every 19 years I believe. Other then that it looks like any other full moon. LOL. I have posted a few of my photos in the photo section, hope you enjoy and are keeping warm. Blair Subject: Ruddy Duck & Scaup From: "Blair" <skink AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2009 01:04:59 -0000 Hi All, I have uploaded some rather poor photos of the Ruddy Duck & female Scaup to the Photos section. Included a map. I think it was early afternoon when I got there and had no trouble locating them. Unfortunately a group of R/C boat enthusiast arrived at the same time and were making an incredible amount of noise. The ducks were less bothered by the noise then I was and did not fly. Sorry the photos are not better, I was pushing it taking photos through my spotting scope with my point and shoot. Have a Very Happy New Years! Subject: Fabulous Painted BuntingS Christmas morning! From: F Stevens <mybuntings AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:37:41 -0800 (PST) I couldn't have wished it better, I observed 3 males and 2 female Painted Buntings at my feeder all morning while I was enjoying a very lazy Christmas morning, this brought me great joy since I always wonder how many will come back to my feeder for the season as I never know when they leave in April if I will ever have their pleasure again.   The best I could get from this Holiday is TIME to appreciate my good fortune!     Subject: Painted Bunting in Sebring From: Bruce Makuk <brucemakuk AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 25 Dec 2009 05:33:36 -0800 (PST) Merry Christmas Everyone,   I got a beautiful present this morning - a painted bunting appeared at my bird feeder.   I saw a pair last year, but he was the first this year. Sincerely, Bruce Makuk Subject: Ruddy Duck yes! From: Vincent McGrath <McAvian AT aol.com> Date: Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:42:55 -0500 Thanks Gail for the tip. Stopped at the lake on Six Mile C Pkwy and saw the male ruddy immediately w/ f lesser scaup. Lot of recreating but the birds seemed relaxed. A male Painted Bunting showed up today at my feeder with a female, I'm up to 3 buntings now. Mcavian AT aol.com Vince McGrath Fort Myers, Fl Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 18 December 2009 - Common Goldeneye From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:07:13 -0500 18 December - I just received a call from Jeanne Dubi who said the Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye are back in the Pond across the street from the Shining Light Church on Fruitville Rd, about two miles east of I-75. It's a first record for a Common Goldeneye in Sarasota county! The birds are very skittish. Park at the church across the street, then cross the street. Use the bushes along the sidewalk for cover. Dan Irizarry, Bradenton, FL 18 December - A group of intrepid birders guided by Valeri Ponzo braved high winds and lots of rain for a walk on Lido Key Beach in search of shorebirds. In the group were two visitors from Seattle, Washington and one from London, England! Great to have visitors from all over for these excursions. We were on the beach for about an hour and had the following: Northern Gannet (1 immature about 100 yards out in the water) Red-breasted Merganser (2 flying out past the shoreline) Brown Pelicans Laughing Gulls Ring-billed Gulls Herring Gulls (including 2 first year birds) Sandwich Terns Royal Terns Snowy Plovers Sanderlings Ruddy Turnstones Black-bellied Plovers Red Knots (2 banded that we saw, Valeri has the tag ID) Palm Warblers (several heard in the grassy area near the parking lot) Not bad for an hour in terrible weather! I tried to take some pictures, we'll see how they turn out. They'll be posted at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/danirizarry Dan Irizarry Bradenton, FL _______________________________________ Peter Rice Subject: Date correction CBC assistance to December 19th From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:42:03 -0500 Request For CBC Assistance - This Saturday, December 19th is the Christmas Bird Count of the Peace River Audubon Society (PRAS) and your NEED your help. To adequately survey our region PRAS needs two experienced birders. Two of our routes have drivers but no one to identify and record the birds sighted. Both routes occur on the water and the boat owners have generously donated their boats and time but can't do the route without assistance. If you are able to help please contact Tony Licata 941 505-9775 alicata AT dcwis.com or Cathy Olson at 941 613-6753 cathyolson AT comcast.net Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 16 December 2009 & request for CBC assistance [3 Attachments] From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:40:52 -0500 Request For CBC Assistance - This Saturday, December 18th is the Christmas Bird Count of the Peace River Audubon Society (PRAS) and your NEED your help. To adequately survey our region PRAS needs two experienced birders. Two of our routes have drivers but no one to identify and record the birds sighted. Both routes occur on the water and the boat owners have generously donated their boats and time but can't do the route without assistance. If you are able to help please contact Tony Licata 941 505-9775 alicata AT dcwis.com or Cathy Olson at 941 613-6753 cathyolson AT comcast.net 16 December - BirdFriends, my good friend ( and now crack birder) Marina Scarr called and alerted me to the fact that there was(is) a Common Goldeneye in a pond in the Founders Club on Fruitville Rd. To find the pond, go east on Fruitville Rd about two miles east of I-75 until you see the Shining Light Church. Cross the road (carefully!!) the pond is on the SOUTH side of Fruitville directly across from the church. There is plenty of parking at the church, please do not park on the shoulder or go onto the pond edges. This is private property and there is a nice sidewalk that affords great views of the pond. There are also about 50 Hooded Mergansers, Scaup, Teal ,etc. Good Luck and Good Birding, Rick Greenspun birddoggie1 AT gmail.com 15 December - Yesterday (Tuesday) there were a half-dozen pairs of hooded mergansers in the small pond north of Denny's Restaurant on Rt.41 and Beneva Rd intersection (across from Sarasota Square Mall). I've seen the hooded mergansers in this same pond several times in the past week when driving south on Rt.41 Mary Jane Beeman _______________________________________ Peter Rice Subject: Curlew at South lagoon of Holiday Inn/ Fort Myers beach . From: F Stevens <mybuntings AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:25:54 -0800 (PST) Finally made it there for the first time after Dale my new birder friend prompt me to go check a Long-billed Curlew he saw this morning, I lucked out at sunset observing the bird still there at a distance alone and busy feeding. As I began my walk south a beautiful Roseate Spoonbill was close enough for me to truly appreciate it's beautiful plumage on my return another had joined this one I notice had a red/orange tag couldn't identify the number. I remember Charlie Ewell saying the green tags were Florida but I don't remember the other colors, didn't have a pen at the presentation...so if anyone knows about red/orange feel free to educate me.   PS. Dale said an Avocet was sighted there this morning, I didn't see it at my walk.   Subject: Bonita beach north end back side. From: F Stevens <mybuntings AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 18:02:05 -0800 (PST) Sometimes it's what you don't see that's amazing, Monday the 7th at sunset walk there wasn't a single shorebird in site, in the past two weeks too many to count and at least 20/30 sanderlings also last Thursday at my last walk before Fridays and Saturdays heavy rains.   Did all the shorebirds relocate because of the rain or were they resting to move on? After Charlie Ewell's migration presentation on the 4th Dec. I now know many have a very long flight and rest before heading for their destination.   Monday I did observe a first spring Black crowned Night Heron, this bird caught my attention because of his plumage, I had plenty of time to scketch him out and was able to check my book that was in the car ! Subject: newbie From: Kenny Patrowicz <orbisonfan AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:26:13 -0800 (PST) Hi y'all, Just moved here from Texas to Bonita Springs. Looking forward to seeing the local bird species. Happy birding, Kenny   Thank you,.......thankyouverymuch!             Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 24 November 2009 From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:06:31 -0500 24 November -- FLARBA alert: Tropical/Couch's Kingbird (possible), De Soto County, Arcadia, FL. Reporter: Ron Smith, observers: Dave Goodwin & Erik Haney. Directions: From Arcadia go east on SR 70 about five miles to CR 760. Turn south and proceed approx. 2.2 miles to a large field on your left (south). The kingbirds perch on the wires overhead and also on the wires that go across the field. (DeLORME p.g 99 C-1) 5 Western Kingbirds in area as well. 24 November - Driving through the Rotonda community in Englewood this afternoon, just before 3:00 PM, I saw a beautiful adult Scissor-tailed Flycatcher on the power lines on Boundary Circle. I did not see the bird on my return trip home two hours later, however, so it's possible the bird was just migrating through and not hanging around. Should anyone care to go poking about for him, check the lines and the large field on the east side of Boundary, between Indian Creek and Rebel. This is the same area where an Upland Sandpiper was located a few years back. I am curious if anyone else has seen an STFL in Charlotte County before, as this is my first sighting here. Please let me know, if so. Thanks. Suisan Daughtrey Englewood, Charlotte County susansd AT comcast.net 23 November - Among a group of 85 RED KNOTS I spotted at Don Pedro Island State Park (western portion)today I noticed later in my photos that 5 were banded. Yesterday while having lunch with family on our back porch we noticed a beautiful male BLACK-THROATED BLUE warbler bathing in a nearby birdbath & were delighted to see one this late. Bill Dunson, Englewood mkdunson AT comcast.net Perhaps of interest - This morning (11/24/09), the International Baccalaureate (IB) class of Brookside Middle School went into Pinecraft Park for their semi-annual air potato pick up. There were about 70 students with a dozen or so working/supervising adults. They swarmed through the park like ants and filled bucket after bucket with potatoes. I estimated 7,000 to 10,000 in all. They also freed up some trees from those strangling vines. This IB class program is led by Deb Walker who coordinates the effort with Lynda Eppinger of SRQ Parks & Rec. This is the third year of the program. In addition to the potato gathering, a smaller crew of students worked with P&R staffers to erect permanent boundary markers in the park. Believe or not, the County does not own all of Pinecraft Park; the paths snake in and out of County and private property. The markers will not be joined by wire or tape, so birders will still be able to access the private areas. Please exercise discretion though, so that the homeowners don't feel as though they are being spied on. Many thanks to all involved today in helping to keep Pinecraft Park exotic free. Jeanne Dubi, Sarasota Audubon Society dubi AT comcast.net Perhaps of interest - If you have been to Celery Fields (in SRQ) lately you may have seen all the pink blobs on the stems of the aquatic life in the ponds. Lots of people are asking - What are they? I have asked a few people and looked them up online and it looks like they are APPLE SNAIL EGGS, and as you all know this is what the Limpkin and Snail Kite eat. Limpkins eat many different snails, but Snail Kites eat only Apple Snails - so why don't we get more Snail Kites at the CF's? Here is some info about the snail eggs: Apple snails lay eggs above the water line. They can leave the water for a few hours as long as they are kept moist. The eggs are usually pretty colors like yellow or pink. In aquariums, they are laid on the side or lid of glass. In ponds, they are laid on vertical plant stems. After about two to four weeks, they hatch. Eggs that do not hatch are usually not fertilized. Newborns may drown and need to stay out of the water. If anyone has more information on the Apple Snails please come forward. Kathryn Young Sarasota kathwren4 AT gmail.com _______________________________________ Peter Rice Subject: North Bonita beach 22 Nov. sunset. From: F Stevens <mybuntings AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:49:26 -0800 (PST) Again an amazing show one hour into the sunset at North end of Bonita beach in the back pass. The schools of fish were jumping and the birds were feeding.   Too many Dunlins to count and a few Willets, many more shore birds I can't identy as I have trouble distinguishing some shore birds (need a coach!) without my book but it's nice to see the little ones snuggle into the crevaces in the sands, do they sleep there? Numerous Snowy Egrets of course and Great Egrets. A few Tricolored Herons, Red Egrets and Little Blue Herons, the usual King Fisher a dozen Black Skimmers skimming!  Five Frigatebirds. No Night Herons yet but a Roseate Spoonbill earlier this week was a treat as I had not seen any in a very long time at this location.   I'm always the only one there with binoculars enjoying the show !   At my feeder in the yard the Painted Buntings are feeding all day, I know for sure of 2 males and one female.  Subject: Bunche Beach birding tomorrow From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:47:51 -0500 All, See below for a Lee County Bird Patrol announcement for a walk at Bunche Beach tomorrow: November 21, Saturday 8AM Bunche Beach Guides: Iver Brook, Walt Winton, Charlie Ewell Located in So Ft. Myers off Summerlin Rd: Drive south on John Morris Rd until it dead ends. Experience one of the best birding sites in Lee Co. Bring binoculars, sun protection, shoes that can get wet, a bottle of drinking water. Meet in the parking lot. 239-707-3015 for more info Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife/Burrowing Owl Festival info: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ Lee County Bird Patrol info: http://www.birdpatrol.org/ SWFL Birdline info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/ FL Ornithological Society info: http://www.fosbirds.org/ Subject: STA5 Nov. 14 From: "Margaret England" <mlelighthouse AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:23:18 -0500 STA5 20 miles South of Clewiston: Two species were added to the STA5 checklist yesterday: Wilson's Phalarope and Blue-headed vireo. I've included Caloosa Bird Club, Tropical Audubon, St. Lucie Audubon and individual birder's combined lists for Blumberg and the STA5 cells. There is a cap of 60 participants for the STA5 tours. Reservations are required. No new reservations are being taken for Jan. 16 or Jan. 30th. Birders, photographers and compilers are needed for the Jan. 2nd CBC.(FLSO) You may volunteer for 1/2 or the full day. The post count event will be held on 835 in Clewiston. For information or reservations contact: Margaret England LaBelle sta5birding AT embarqmail.com Hendry-Glades Audubon Website: http://www.orgsites.com/fl/hgaudubon/ Location: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 Observation date: 11/14/09 Number of species: 81 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Fulvous Whistling-Duck Gadwall 3 American Wigeon 2 Northern Shoveler Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup Ruddy Duck Pied-billed Grebe American White Pelican Double-crested Cormorant Anhinga American Bittern Great Blue Heron Great Blue Heron (White form) Great Egret Snowy Egret Little Blue Heron Tricolored Heron Cattle Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron White Ibis Glossy Ibis Roseate Spoonbill Wood Stork Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Osprey Snail Kite 13 Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper's Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Crested Caracara 2 American Kestrel Peregrine Falcon 2 Sora Purple Swamphen Purple Gallinule Common Moorhen American Coot Limpkin 3 Killdeer Black-necked Stilt Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Least Sandpiper Dunlin Stilt Sandpiper Long-billed Dowitcher Wilson's Snipe Wilson's Phalarope 1 Caspian Tern 1 Eurasian Collared-Dove Mourning Dove Common Ground-Dove Barn Owl 1 Belted Kingfisher Eastern Phoebe Cassin's Kingbird 1 Western Kingbird 1 Loggerhead Shrike White-eyed Vireo Blue-headed Vireo 1 Tree Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird European Starling Yellow-rumped Warbler Palm Warbler Common Yellowthroat Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Boat-tailed Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird Subject: Great Black-backed Gull at Bunche Beach From: Cheyenne Szydlo <cheyenne.szydlo AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:02:21 -0800 (PST) This evening (11/12) there were tons of shorebirds at Bunche Beach at low tide. In addition to the usual birds, I saw a 1st winter ring-billed and at least four 1st winter Herring Gulls. With them I believe was a 1st winter Great Black-backed Gull. The sun had already set when I found this bird and it was overcast, but here are the features I could see: very large bird, significantly larger than herrings, thick black bill with bulging gonydeal expansion, low sloping forehead, whitish head including face and neck, dark eye with faint dark smudging extending behind eye and to back of head, brown streaking on chest, obvious white flecking or checkering in otherwise brownish coverts, and short primary projection. The size of this gull alone made me think it couldn't be any other than a Great Black-backed before I even checked my field guides (Sibley and peterson's Gulls of the Americas).  Nice find for me!   -Cheyenne Subject: Target Sparrows From: "kacressman" <kacressman AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:27:40 -0000 Hi all, I've got a friend coming to town next week, and he's got some target birds that we're not sure where to find. I shouldn't have a problem getting him a burrowing owl. The stumpers are sparrows. Here's his wish list: Nelson's Sparrow Saltmarsh Sparrow Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Bachman's Sparrow - I've heard of these at Babcock-Webb; any other place we should try? He also mentioned gull-billed tern. The only one I've ever seen was at Bunche Beach (it was with this same friend, and it took us a long time to figure out the ID. Luckily it just kept dive-bombing the wrack line until we got it). Do we just have to hope for luck? One final thing is that he's never seen a gannet - how likely is it that we'll be able to spot one from the beach if we just look long and hard? Thanks! Kim Cressman Cape Coral kacressman AT yahoo.com Subject: American Avocet From: "mybuntings" <mybuntings AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:33:00 -0000 For anyone interested, at Bonita Beach most Northern beach acceess, just before the overpass. I walk that end of the beach regularly and tonight at sunset I observed 8 beautiful American Avocet and many other shore birds, not on the beach you must walk all the way north until you reach the end and then walk to the back. Last week one Roseate Spoonbill... Subject: Target SWFL Species for a December Visit From: "Pete" <phf AT mchsi.com> Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:23:09 -0000 Greetings SW FL Birders, I will be visiting the Sanibel area in late December for a week, and am interested in finding a few target species. Can anyone suggest some likely places for the following birds? I am willing to travel to Naples and further if necessary. Thanks! Snail Kite White-tailed Kite Swainson's Hawk Short-tailed Hawk Mangrove Cuckoo Prairie Warbler Bachman's Sparrow (Babcock Webb, right?) Limpkin Whistling Ducks (Fulvous and Black-bellied) Clapper Rail King Rail Gull-billed Tern On previous visits, I have birded and am mostly familiar with Ding Darling, Bunche Beach, Sanibel Lighthouse, Corkscrew and Babcock Webb. Thank you for any advice. Pete Fenner East Peoria, IL Subject: STA5 Hendry County: 10/19/09 From: "Margaret England" <mlelighthouse AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:58:39 -0400 Subject: STA5 Hendry County: 10/19/09 Here's yesterday's STA5 list. The highlight of the day was a banded roseate spoonbill, 9 snail kites and a Cassin's Kingbird. Three large groups have already signed up for the Nov. 14th tour, however only a few birders or photographers have signed up for Nov. 28th, Dec. 12 or Dec. 26th. Reservations are required. Teams and indivduals are invited to participate in the 3rd annual STA5-Clewiston (FLSO) Christmas Bird Count on Jan. 2nd . The CBC circle includes STA5, Blumberg Road, 835 and Farm , Miami Canal/Manley Ditch Road, and L2 Canal Road. For information or reservations contact: Margaret England LaBelle Hendry-Glades Audubon sta5birding AT embarqmail.com Black-bellied Whistling-Duck x72 Fulvous Whistling-Duck >25 Mottled Duck Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler Ring-necked Duck Pied-billed Grebe American White Pelican >30 Double-crested Cormorant Anhinga American Bittern x2 (FOTS) Great Blue Heron Great Blue Heron (Great White Heron) x3 Great Egret Snowy Egret Little Blue Heron Tricolored Heron Cattle Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron White Ibis Glossy Ibis Roseate Spoonbill >75 (One was banded K over Y on right leg with what appeared to be a faded yellow band or perhaps cream-colored band) Wood Stork >50 Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Osprey Snail Kite x9 Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Crested Caracara American Kestrel Peregrine Falcon x6 Sora Purple Swamphen x5 Purple Gallinule >20 (mostly juveniles) Common Moorhen American Coot Limpkin Killdeer Black-necked Stilt >50 Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Least Sandpiper >200 Stilt Sandpiper >50 Long-billed Dowitcher >15 Wilson's Snipe (FOTS) Eurasian Collared-Dove x1 (Uncommon at STA-5/Blumberg Rd.) Mourning Dove Common Ground-Dove Barn Owl x3 Belted Kingfisher Eastern Phoebe (FOTS) CASSIN'S KINGBIRD Loggerhead Shrike White-eyed Vireo Tree Swallow x2 Northern Rough-winged Swallow >150 Barn Swallow >10 Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Palm Warbler Northern Waterthrush x2 Common Yellowthroat Eastern Towhee Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Eastern Meadowlark Boat-tailed Grackle Good birding. Vince Lucas Naples, FL vplucas AT comcast.net Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 17 October 2009 - Mangrove Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Golden-winged Warbler From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:02:03 -0400 17 October - This Saturday morning on Edwards Island in Roberts Bay I had a Philadelphia Vireo. Also there, Black and White, Tennessee, and Yellow-throated Warblers, E. Wood Pewee, Indigo Buntings, and a nice pair of Am Redstarts. Tons of gnatcatchers, too. This afternoon in North Lido Park with Rick Greenspun and Valeri Ponzo, we had a MANGROVE CUCKOO. This is a super find for this area. We also had a nice mixed flock of migrants: Bay-breasted, Magnolia, Black-throated Green, Tennessee, Pine, Black and White, and Palm Warblers, N. Parula, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Scarlet and Summer Tanagers, Swainson's Thrush, Indigo Buntings, catbirds, and a number of calling E. Wood Pewees. Jeanne Dubi-Sarasota dubi AT comcast.net 17 October - We had another day this Fall of opening up the front door here in SW Englewood, and finding every tree covered and the air dense with the sound of birds...truly a mass fallout. The majority of warblers moved through extremely quickly within about an hour, feeding frantically, and barely pausing on their move. We had a total of 17 warbler species: Tennessee, No. Parula, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia (lots), Cape May, Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green (several), Yellow-throated, Pine, Prairie (a few), Palm, Bay-breasted (FINALLY! - a lifer for me), Black-and-white (several), Am. Redstart (many), Worm-eating, Common Yellowthroat, and a few gorgeous male Hoodeds. We also saw some birds that were new yard birds for me: Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Swainson's Thrush, and Tufted Titmouse. New first-of-the-season birds included Eastern Phoebe and a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Other migrating and notable species were a few Eastern Wood-Pewees, an Empid species, late Chimney Swifts, Swallow species (sad to say, but I didn't really want to look up to focus the bins because of all the warblers conveniently right in front), Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Gray Catbirds, Brown Thrashers, Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos, several Summer and Scarlet Tanagers, and several Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. Raptors included a few Bald Eagles and Ospreys, a Cooper's Hawk, and a Red-shouldered Hawk. We took some visiting weekend company out on the boat to Charlotte Harbor this afternoon, where the winds picked up considerably over the course of a few hours. We had a flyover flock of 5 Roseate Spoonbills and an estimated 250-300 FOTS American White Pelicans on Bird Island out in the harbor. Truly a wonderful birding day! Susan Daughtrey Englewood, Charlotte County susansd AT comcast.net 17 October - In addition to the birds John Wilson saw in Pinecraft Park, we saw: male and female black-throated green warblers, male and female redstarts, multiple ruby-throated hummingbirds, summer tanagers, yellow throated warbler, northern parulas, red eyed vireo, white-eyed vireos, and best of the day for Gregg and I: a beautiful male golden-winged warbler, who let us take long looks in wonderful light! Cathy Olson cathyolson AT comcast.net Perhaps of interest, the last entry is from north-west Highland County, the county east of Hardee County (that is east of Manatee County). 17 October - I finally got motivated to get out and look for some fall migrants (the cooler weather helped a lot). I checked out the Sun 'N Lake Preserve, a county park in northwestern Highlands County this morning and found about 45 species total, including Chestnut-sided and Tennessee Warblers, 2 redstarts, an Ovenbird, a couple phoebes, my first of the season harrier, a bald eagle, and a peregrine falcon. Here's my complete list: 1. Anhinga - 1 female in Gator Pond. 2. Snowy Egret - 1 at the back of Gator Pond. 3. Little Blue Heron - 1 ad. at Gator Pond. 4. Great Blue Heron - 4 or 5 5. Great Egret - 2 or 3 6. White Ibis - about 65, flyovers. 7. Black Vulture - about 20. 8. Turkey Vulture - about 8. 9. Bald Eagle - 1 adult. It didn't seem to be much bigger than the vultures it was flying with, so I'd guess it was a male. 10. Accipiter spp. - 1 11. Northern Harrier - 1 imm. or female flying across cattle pasture at the west side of the property. 12. Red-shouldered Hawk - about 5. 13. Peregrine Falcon (?) - I was scanning through a vulture flock when I saw a large falcon flying very high and fast above them, headed west. I couldn't even see it with my naked eye, but it was almost certainly a peregrine. 14. Common Moorhen - 1 heard near Otter Pond. 15. Mourning Dove - about 8 16. Common Ground-dove - about 5 17. Chimney Swift - 2 18. Red-bellied Woodpecker - about a dozen 19. Downy Woodpecker - about 8 20. Pileated Woodpecker - about 4 heard. 21. Eastern Phoebe - 2 or 3. I had my first of the fall yesterday while I was driving to work. 22. Great Crested Flycatcher - 2 heard. 23. White-eyed Vireo - about 6 heard. 1 seen, a very pretty bird. 24. Blue Jay - about 5 25. American Crow - 2 heard. 26. Tufted Titmouse - about a dozen. 27. Carolina Wren - about 10 heard. 28. House Wren - very common, although I never saw any. Probably heard at least 50 or 60. 29. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - Very common, dozens seen and heard. 30. Catharus spp. - I flushed a thrush that I got a brief look at. I know it wasn't a Veery, but other than that am not really sure. My gut feeling was Gray-cheeked. 31. Northern Mockingbird - Common. Probably saw or heard 30 or 40. 32. Gray Catbird - Abundant, nearly ubiquitous in the park. Probably saw or heard several hundred. 33. Chestnut-sided Warbler - 1 seen briefly in a mixed flock with Pine Warblers, gnatcatchers, titmice, red-bellied woodpeckers, the parula, black-and-white, and a redstart. 34. Yellow-rumped Warbler? - I think I briefly saw a group of 3. They were all backlit, but the shape looked right and the call note sounded right. These would be my first of the fall. 35. Palm Warbler - Probably saw about 10 or 15. 36. Pine Warbler - Probably saw 20 or 30. 37. Black-and-white Warbler - 1 (a male I think). 38. American Redstart - 2 females, great looks. 39. Tennessee Warbler - 2 first fall birds foraging near the trailhead in a tree with a redstart, summer tanager, and a gnatcatcher. 40. Northern Parula - 1 41. Ovenbird - briefly saw 1 that I flushed from the edge of the pond with the cypress dome near the cattle pasture. 42. Common Yellowthroat - Common. Saw several, probably heard 40 or 50. 43. Summer Tanager - 1 44. Northern Cardinal - about a dozen. 45. Common Grackle - about 10. Also, 3 eastern gray squirrels and 1 alligator. Greg Schrott Sebring, FL gschrott AT ARCHBOLD-STATION.ORG _______________________________________ Peter Rice Subject: American Redstart at OK Slough Sic Island Road Boardwalk (Hendry County) From: "Margaret England" <mlelighthouse AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:24:17 -0400 Subject: American Redstart at OK Slough Sic Island Road Boardwalk (Hendry County) The highlight of today's Forest Awareness Day at Okaloacoochee Slouth State Forest was a male American Redstart in the trees along the path leading to the new Sic Island Road Boardwalk. To get to the boardwalk head east from SR 29 to C.R. 832 in southern Hendry County. Drive on 832 approximately 4 miles from S.R. 29. Turn on to Sic Island Road (south side of 832) and continue 1/4 mile to parking area. More species were reported, but I'm only including my "short" list. Margaret England LaBelle (Hendry County) Location: Okaloacoochee Slough Observation date: 10/10/09 Number of species: 20 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 6 Great Blue Heron Great Egret Cattle Egret Green Heron White Ibis Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Red-shouldered Hawk Mourning Dove Common Nighthawk Loggerhead Shrike American Crow Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Palm Warbler American Redstart Red-winged Blackbird Boat-tailed Grackle Subject: RE: Stilt Sandpiper still present at Six Mile Cypress Parkway Publix near Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers (Lee County) From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2009 07:49:37 -0400 I should have noted a scope is highly recommended! Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife/Burrowing Owl Festival info: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ Lee County Bird Patrol info: http://www.birdpatrol.org/ SWFL Birdline info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/ FL Ornithological Society info: http://www.fosbirds.org/ _____ From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Charlie Ewell Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 7:29 AM To: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Stilt Sandpiper still present at Six Mile Cypress Parkway Publix near Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers (Lee County) [1 Attachment] [Attachment(s) from Charlie Ewell included below] Subject: Stilt Sandpiper still present All, Here is a nice comparison between a Stilt Sandpiper and a Lesser Yellowlegs. The Stilt Sandpiper is the smaller, paler bird with the slight droop to the bill. You can see the different facial pattern nicely between the Stilt and Lesser Yellowlegs, with the Stilt showing the white supercilium (eyebrow) and chin/neck vs. the Lesser's gray-brown face and neck area that does not contrast as much. You will need to sort through quite a few Lesser Yellowlegs if you look for the Stilt! I stopped by the Publix on the east side of Six Mile Cypress Pkwy (a short distance south of Colonial Blvd) that has a recently cleared field (that is still holding some water) between the store and Six Mile. There is also nice shorebird habitat adjacent to the store on the south and east sides. The birds move between all the wet areas. You can park in the Publix lot, or all the way down at the south-end access road. A Wilson's Snipe was also reported previously by Vince McGrath, but I did not see it on this visit. Shorebirds present today were: Killdeer Pectoral Sandpiper (2) Stilt Sandpiper (1) Lesser Yellowlegs (30+) Greater Yellowlegs (~10) Spotted Sandpiper (1) Least Sandpiper (100+): Beware of the Least Sandpipers with mud-covered legs! They look like Semipalmated Sandpiper at first glance. There may be Semiplamated present, but I couldn't be sure today!) Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmai l.com Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife/Burrowing Owl Festival info: http://www.ccfriend sofwildlife.org/ Lee County Bird Patrol info: http://www.birdpatr ol.org/ SWFL Birdline info: http://groups. yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/ FL Ornithological Society info: http://www.fosbirds .org/ Subject: Stilt Sandpiper still present at Six Mile Cypress Parkway Publix near Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers (Lee County) [1 Attachment] From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2009 07:29:29 -0400 Subject: Stilt Sandpiper still present All, Here is a nice comparison between a Stilt Sandpiper and a Lesser Yellowlegs. The Stilt Sandpiper is the smaller, paler bird with the slight droop to the bill. You can see the different facial pattern nicely between the Stilt and Lesser Yellowlegs, with the Stilt showing the white supercilium (eyebrow) and chin/neck vs. the Lesser's gray-brown face and neck area that does not contrast as much. You will need to sort through quite a few Lesser Yellowlegs if you look for the Stilt! I stopped by the Publix on the east side of Six Mile Cypress Pkwy (a short distance south of Colonial Blvd) that has a recently cleared field (that is still holding some water) between the store and Six Mile. There is also nice shorebird habitat adjacent to the store on the south and east sides. The birds move between all the wet areas. You can park in the Publix lot, or all the way down at the south-end access road. A Wilson's Snipe was also reported previously by Vince McGrath, but I did not see it on this visit. Shorebirds present today were: Killdeer Pectoral Sandpiper (2) Stilt Sandpiper (1) Lesser Yellowlegs (30+) Greater Yellowlegs (~10) Spotted Sandpiper (1) Least Sandpiper (100+): Beware of the Least Sandpipers with mud-covered legs! They look like Semipalmated Sandpiper at first glance. There may be Semiplamated present, but I couldn't be sure today!) Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife/Burrowing Owl Festival info: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ Lee County Bird Patrol info: http://www.birdpatrol.org/ SWFL Birdline info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/ FL Ornithological Society info: http://www.fosbirds.org/ Subject: RE: Lee County report: A true fallout- almost From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 23:18:49 -0400 All, Walt Winton found a Blue-winged and a Golden-winged Warbler at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve during the Wednesday morning action, and he and I relocated the birds today (Thursday 1 Oct). They were both along the boardwalk in the vicinity of Pop Ash Pond, which is the pond with the blind that is located at the south end of the boardwalk. Many of the birds mentioned below were still present, although in lesser numbers. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife/Burrowing Owl Festival info: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ Lee County Bird Patrol info: http://www.birdpatrol.org/ SWFL Birdline info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/ FL Ornithological Society info: http://www.fosbirds.org/ _____ From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Charlie Ewell Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 6:13 AM To: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Lee County report: A true fallout- almost The below was reported by Vince McGrath The strong weather system that passed southwest Florida coast this morning inundated Lee Co with the dream birding we all desire. As I drove to work along Sanibel to the north tip of Captiva it appeared daybreak would be delayed. By 8am about halfway up Sanibel I began seeing migrants crossing the road in every direction. At work flocks of warblers were streaming in from every direction. By 9 am I'd seen 13 species of warblers. Wood, Swainson and Veery. Yellow-throated, Red- eyed, and White-eyed Vireos. Eastern Wood Pewee- fuggeda about it- I don't recall ever seeing so many in one day. Summer and Scarlet Tanagers. Left work early to finish the day at Six Mile Cypress Preserve inland. Added Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Acadian Flycatcher plus 3 more warblers species. Absent was prairie, black-throated blue, cuckoos, swallows, swifts and goatsuckers. 16 species of warblers N Parula Tennessee- 100s Yellow Chestnut-sided 20 Magnolia 12 Black-throated Green Blackburnian Yellow-throated Palm Prothonotary Hooded 6 Black and White Am Redstart N Waterthrush Ovenbird Yellowthroat 20 Mcavian AT aol. com Vince McGrath Fort Myers, Fl Subject: RE: Lee County report: A true fallout- almost From: "Charlie Ewell and Arlyne Salcedo" <ARandCHAR AT embarqmail.com> Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 06:17:32 -0400 I forgot to mention the report is for Wednesday 30 Sep 09 _____ From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Charlie Ewell Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 6:13 AM To: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Lee County report: A true fallout- almost The below was reported by Vince McGrath Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmai l.com Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife/Burrowing Owl Festival info: http://www.ccfriend sofwildlife.org/ Lee County Bird Patrol info: http://www.birdpatr ol.org/ SWFL Birdline info: http://groups. yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/ FL Ornithological Society info: http://www.fosbirds .org/ _____ On Behalf Of Vincent McGrath Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 10:19 PM Subject: [FlaBirding] A true fallout- almost The strong weather system that passed southwest Florida coast this morning inundated Lee Co with the dream birding we all desire. As I drove to work along Sanibel to the north tip of Captiva it appeared daybreak would be delayed. By 8am about halfway up Sanibel I began seeing migrants crossing the road in every direction. At work flocks of warblers were streaming in from every direction. By 9 am I'd seen 13 species of warblers. Wood, Swainson and Veery. Yellow-throated, Red- eyed, and White-eyed Vireos. Eastern Wood Pewee- fuggeda about it- I don't recall ever seeing so many in one day. Summer and Scarlet Tanagers. Left work early to finish the day at Six Mile Cypress Preserve inland. Added Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Acadian Flycatcher plus 3 more warblers species. Absent was prairie, black-throated blue, cuckoos, swallows, swifts and goatsuckers. 16 species of warblers N Parula Tennessee- 100s Yellow Chestnut-sided 20 Magnolia 12 Black-throated Green Blackburnian Yellow-throated Palm Prothonotary Hooded 6 Black and White Am Redstart N Waterthrush Ovenbird Yellowthroat 20 Mcavian AT aol. com Vince McGrath Fort Myers, Fl Subject: Lee County report: A true fallout- almost From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2009 06:13:19 -0400 The below was reported by Vince McGrath Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife/Burrowing Owl Festival info: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ Lee County Bird Patrol info: http://www.birdpatrol.org/ SWFL Birdline info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/ FL Ornithological Society info: http://www.fosbirds.org/ _____ On Behalf Of Vincent McGrath Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 10:19 PM Subject: [FlaBirding] A true fallout- almost The strong weather system that passed southwest Florida coast this morning inundated Lee Co with the dream birding we all desire. As I drove to work along Sanibel to the north tip of Captiva it appeared daybreak would be delayed. By 8am about halfway up Sanibel I began seeing migrants crossing the road in every direction. At work flocks of warblers were streaming in from every direction. By 9 am I'd seen 13 species of warblers. Wood, Swainson and Veery. Yellow-throated, Red- eyed, and White-eyed Vireos. Eastern Wood Pewee- fuggeda about it- I don't recall ever seeing so many in one day. Summer and Scarlet Tanagers. Left work early to finish the day at Six Mile Cypress Preserve inland. Added Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and Acadian Flycatcher plus 3 more warblers species. Absent was prairie, black-throated blue, cuckoos, swallows, swifts and goatsuckers. 16 species of warblers N Parula Tennessee- 100s Yellow Chestnut-sided 20 Magnolia 12 Black-throated Green Blackburnian Yellow-throated Palm Prothonotary Hooded 6 Black and White Am Redstart N Waterthrush Ovenbird Yellowthroat 20 Mcavian AT aol. com Vince McGrath Fort Myers, Fl Subject: RE: Re: [SWFLBirdline] Digest Number 999 From: "Jeff Bouton" <jbouton2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:56:31 -0400 Dany, Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of these products and own no fewer than 20 varying bird-finding guides (ABA & other) dating back to the first one I purchased back in 1985. None-the-less, let's use the aforementioned "ABA Birder's Guide to Florida" as an example. Let me preface by saying that Bill Pranty has done a Fantastic job here and this is one of the best guides in its class. This is not meant at a dig at the guides but strictly as a comparison. The ABA guide was last published in 2005 and much of the data included was written 2-3 years earlier so some of the data presented is approaching 8 years old. It's 418 pages and chronicles ~75 birding areas or "loops" complete with directions, etc. for a total of ~320+/- individual sites (from a quick thumb through). Also included is an annotated list, information on other wildlife, a specialty species section, and other stuff. All to the tune of $25.95 retail. Now let's compare this to the "Great Florida Birding Trail": http://www.floridabirdingtrail.com/guide.htm These guides are smaller regional pamphlets but like the ABA guide offer bird-finding tips, maps & directions, contact numbers for parks, etc. These are absolutely free for the asking and if you can't find an agency office, etc. that carries them, you can download PDF versions that you can view on your handheld in the field, cell phone, or if you want the "real deal" you can print out all or just the sections you plan to visit. The four guides are ~32-40 pages long each and are broken into four regions East, West, South, and Panhandle. They include 71 "clusters" (similar to the loops in the ABA guide) which cover 487 individual sites. The eastern guide was the first produced 2002, but online there is a list of individual sites and an additional 46 sites are listed here. As names and directions change, the website adds updates (as recent as August 5th 2009) to handle the changes. So in direct comparison, for $26 I get a 418 page book that covers ~320 birding sites. For free I have the same quality site finding information on 487 (printed) or 533 (electronic) sites. I know personally I have had times where I couldn't find a newer site in ABA and could on the birding trail site. One requires carrying the large 417 page guide (near the size of the full-sized Sibley guides), the other only requires a cell phone signal. In addition, I note that the Great Florida Birding Trail is synched with "Google Maps" so I can get direct turn by turn directions and even images showing landmarks, (e.g. what the intersection looks like). Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the book is obsolete. Only that these new resource that are more inclusive of sites (40% more in this case), are more intuitive, and regularly updated are absolutely FREE. Plus, for anyone with an I-phone or Blackberry eliminates the need to print these or pick these up. This is more eco-friendly (no paper waste). Plus since many of these handheld devices also have GPS capabilities, one can simply access the site they want to go to, click the Google Maps tool, and their phone will guide them turn by turn to the site! It's come a long way from when I bought my first "Lane" Guide (original name of this ABA bird-finding series) 25 years ago and felt like I'd been given the golden ticket, and these changes are ABSOLUTELY affecting the sales of these products which offer (comparatively) old and sometimes out-dated information on notably fewer birding sites. The annotated checklists in these books was always one of my favorite portions of these but in this case this single checklist for the state requires a bit of guesswork depending where you are in the state. For example, Purple Sandpiper is listed from Late October all the way through June. from October to March it is listed as "Uncommon", then "Rare" in April, and "Casual" in May & June. However, the first section of this graph is broken up into 5 geographic areas: Panhandle, North Peninsula, Central Pen., South Pen, & keys. In the Panhandle and Keys the listing is Casual, it is Rare in Central & South, and Uncommon only in North Peninsula. Meaning anywhere but the former you have to assume that abundance & likelihood is downgraded marginally to significantly. Enter E-bird. Using E-bird I can create my own annotated checklists limited to exact sites or geographic areas as I dictate (county, area, township, state whatever). In addition, I can have it list only specific date ranges and the graphs represented include real time data that could include sightings as recent as yesterday from that site in some cases. The annotated checklist in the guide is based on review of 40 years of written checklist data that often includes information on species which are no longer seen reliably. For example, in the ABA guide Smooth-billed Ani is listed as rare year round, throughout the south peninsula region. While this may be correct by definition, the reality of this is that in the past 6+ years no one has reported any birds in the state except for a single family group that is seen near the Ft. Lauderdale airport. A real time species checklist drawn from modern and recent data would not give a visiting birder the impression that they stand a fair chance of running into these as they bird the southern peninsula. Plus, once again, it's completely free and you can customize it to the EXACT variables you are interested in! http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ Best, Jeff Bouton Birder/Naturalist rep Leica Sport Optics, USA Port Charlotte, FL jbouton2 AT earthlink.net From: Dany Sloan [mailto:danymsloan AT gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 1:35 PM To: Jeff Bouton Cc: 'Joan Chasan'; swflbirdline AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [Norton AntiSpam] Re: [SWFLBirdline] Digest Number 999 As much as I use the internet for one of my main sources of info both locally and on the road, having books like this are a must for me -- while real time birding is important, having a handy guide that has a list of all of the bird hotspots (which rarely change), as well as directions on how to get there (which is always useful although I have an iPhone and GPS for my car) is a must for me. It's not my only source, but it's important for the greater arsenal of info. Although I am relatively young (30 years old), I am not ready to give books the heave-ho yet -- these ABA guides have been a huge help for me, and I take my SoCal guide with me every weekend I am in the field. Cheers, Dany Sloan Philadelphia, PA / Los Angeles, CA / Bonita Springs, FL On Sep 15, 2009, at 10:07 AM, Jeff Bouton wrote: This has never been a quick process, I know the section I wrote I submitted in 2002 I believe. So the info was already ~3 years old when the guide was new. That said most of this doesn't change and moreover the need for these guides (and sales of) ha largely been destroyed by the plethora of real time and free info available online. For example, most states have bird trail programs as FL does these pamphlets and subsequent updates are easier and cheaper to produce, plus since these are free publications there isn't that pressure of having to wait until you sell through the old stock either. Also bird listserves like this one are VERY common and can be found for any locale with real time info and data. Same for e-bird! The data you can view here represents REAL-TIME current data, not a list comprised from handwritten checklists decades old. This has done much to all but destroy the market need/desire for these local bird-finding guides it seems. I know whenever I prepare for a trip I turn to the internet for my data. Best, Jeff From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com [ mailto:SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Joan Chasan Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 10:17 AM To: swflbirdline AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [SWFLBirdline] Digest Number 999 a birders guide to Florida - revised??? in 2005. is that the latest edition? It is 2009 now. ----- Original Message ----- From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com To: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 10:01 AM Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Digest Number 999 SW FL Birdline Messages In This Digest (1 Message) 1. Birding Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Book From: Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts View All Topics | Create New Topic Message 1. Birding Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Book Posted by: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:03 pm (PDT) Perhaps of interest, two books to assist in searching for rare and unusual birds one in the SRQ area and the other elsewhere in Florida 1. Hot Spots book - The revised and updated Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties is available at the monthly meetings of Sarasota, Manatee and Venice Audubon Societies. The cost is $6. You can also purchase it by mail for $7.75. Make your check out to: SAS-Hot Spots and mail to: P.O. Box 15423 Sarasota, FL 34277 The book is also available in many SRQ area bookstores. SRQ is the code for the Sarasota Bradenton Airport and is used by many to indicate Sarasota and Manatee Counties. ---------------------------------------------------------- 2. The revised Florida birder's guide is available for sale from ABA (American Birding Association). I recommend it. The hyperlink for ABA sales is below, but you may have to copy and paste it to your browser. A Birder's Guide to Florida (ABA/Lane Birdfinding Guide Series) Code: 175 Price: $21.95 Bill Pranty American Birding Association, revised 1996; 388 pages; wire-O binding Currently under revision; available spring 2005 (actually, fall 2005) This guide, representing a total rewrite of the original Jim Lane and Harold Holt texts, describes over 250 birding sites throughout the state, virtually every one of which is shown in the 82 maps created for this edition. The bird finding text was rewritten with the assistance of nearly 70 of the state's top birders; it contains detailed instructions with exact mileages to all sites covered. The extensive Introduction and Birds of Particular Interest sections were rewritten using the most recent references to Florida's bird life. The bar-graphs contain 483 species, including the entire accepted Florida bird list and a few "non-countable" exotics that appear to be increasing in range and numbers. Also included is a list of 171 species of exotic birds, lists for the state's dragonflies, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, and complete citations for nearly 100 publications referenced during the book's preparation. You'll want a copy of this guide to help yo! u find Florida's specialties-Snail Kite, Limpkin, Short-tailed Hawk, Mangrove Cuckoo, and more. ABA Sales, 115 Fairview Rd, Asheville, NC 28803 . abasales AT abasales.com abasales AT abasales.com> 828/274-5576 or 800/634-7736 (US/Canada) . fax 828/274-1955 . 9 am-5 pm ET M-F http://americanbirding.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ASBS &Product_Code=175&Category_Code=BRGFL< http://americanbirding.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ASBS &Product_Code=175&Category_Code=BRGFL> _______________________________________ Peter Rice Back to top Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post Messages in this topic (1) RECENT ACTIVITY Visit Your Group Yahoo! Finance It's Now Personal Guides, news, advice & more. Yahoo! Groups Mom Power Community just for Moms Join the discussion Yahoo! Groups Do More For Dogs Group Connect and share with dog owners like you Need to Reply? Click one of the "Reply" links to respond to a specific message in the Daily Digest. Create New Topic | Visit Your Group on the Web Messages | Files | Photos | Database | Members | Calendar MARKETPLACE Mom Power: Discover the community of moms doing more for their families, for the world and for each other Yahoo! Groups Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Individual | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Error! Filename not specified. Subject: Re: Digest Number 999 From: Dany Sloan <danymsloan AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:35:25 -0700 As much as I use the internet for one of my main sources of info both locally and on the road, having books like this are a must for me -- while real time birding is important, having a handy guide that has a list of all of the bird hotspots (which rarely change), as well as directions on how to get there (which is always useful although I have an iPhone and GPS for my car) is a must for me. It's not my only source, but it's important for the greater arsenal of info. Although I am relatively young (30 years old), I am not ready to give books the heave-ho yet -- these ABA guides have been a huge help for me, and I take my SoCal guide with me every weekend I am in the field. Cheers, Dany Sloan Philadelphia, PA / Los Angeles, CA / Bonita Springs, FL On Sep 15, 2009, at 10:07 AM, Jeff Bouton wrote: > > This has never been a quick process, I know the section I wrote I > submitted in 2002 I believe. So the info was already ~3 years old > when the guide was new. That said most of this doesn’t change and > moreover the need for these guides (and sales of) ha largely been > destroyed by the plethora of real time and free info available > online. For example, most states have bird trail programs as FL does > these pamphlets and subsequent updates are easier and cheaper to > produce, plus since these are free publications there isn’t that > pressure of having to wait until you sell through the old stock > either. > > > > Also bird listserves like this one are VERY common and can be found > for any locale with real time info and data. Same for e-bird! The > data you can view here represents REAL-TIME current data, not a list > comprised from handwritten checklists decades old. This has done > much to all but destroy the market need/desire for these local bird- > finding guides it seems. I know whenever I prepare for a trip I turn > to the internet for my data. > > > > Best, > > > > Jeff > > > > From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com > ] On Behalf Of Joan Chasan > Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 10:17 AM > To: swflbirdline AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [SWFLBirdline] Digest Number 999 > > > > > > a birders guide to Florida - revised??? in 2005. is that the latest > edition? It is 2009 now. > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com > > To: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com > > Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 10:01 AM > > Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Digest Number 999 > > > > SW FL Birdline > > Messages In This Digest (1 Message) > > 1. > > Birding Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Book From: Peter > Rice SRQ Bird Alerts > > View All Topics | Create New Topic > > Message > > 1. > > Birding Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Book > > Posted by: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com > > Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:03 pm (PDT) > > > > Perhaps of interest, two books to assist in searching for rare and > unusual birds one in the SRQ area and the other elsewhere in Florida > > 1. Hot Spots book - The revised and updated > > Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties is available at the > monthly meetings of Sarasota, Manatee and Venice Audubon Societies. > The cost is $6. You can also purchase it by mail for $7.75. Make > your check out to: > > SAS-Hot Spots and mail to: > P.O. Box 15423 > Sarasota, FL 34277 > > The book is also available in many SRQ area bookstores. > > SRQ is the code for the Sarasota Bradenton Airport and is used by > many to indicate Sarasota and Manatee Counties. > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > 2. The revised Florida birder's guide is available for sale from ABA > (American Birding Association). I recommend it. The hyperlink for > ABA sales is below, but you may have to copy and paste it to your > browser. > > A Birder's Guide to Florida (ABA/Lane Birdfinding Guide Series) > Code: 175 Price: $21.95 Bill Pranty > American Birding Association, revised 1996; 388 pages; wire-O binding > > Currently under revision; available spring 2005 (actually, fall 2005) > > This guide, representing a total rewrite of the original Jim Lane > and Harold Holt texts, describes over 250 birding sites throughout > the state, virtually every one of which is shown in the 82 maps > created for this edition. The bird finding text was rewritten with > the assistance of nearly 70 of the state's top birders; it contains > detailed instructions with exact mileages to all sites covered. The > extensive Introduction and Birds of Particular Interest sections > were rewritten using the most recent references to Florida's bird > life. The bar-graphs contain 483 species, including the entire > accepted Florida bird list and a few "non-countable" exotics that > appear to be increasing in range and numbers. Also included is a > list of 171 species of exotic birds, lists for the state's > dragonflies, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, and > complete citations for nearly 100 publications referenced during the > book's preparation. You'll want a copy of this guide to help yo! u > find Florida's specialties-Snail Kite, Limpkin, Short-tailed Hawk, > Mangrove Cuckoo, and more. > > ABA Sales, 115 Fairview Rd, Asheville, NC 28803 . abasales AT abasales.com > > 828/274-5576 or 800/634-7736 (US/Canada) . fax 828/274-1955 . 9 am-5 > pm ET M-F > > http://americanbirding.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ASBS&Product_Code=175&Category_Code=BRGFL > > > _______________________________________ > > Peter Rice > > Back to top > > Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post > Messages in this topic (1) > > RECENT ACTIVITY > > Visit Your Group > > Yahoo! Finance > > It's Now Personal > > Guides, news, > > advice & more. > > Yahoo! Groups > > Mom Power > > Community just for Moms > > Join the discussion > > Yahoo! Groups > > Do More For Dogs Group > > Connect and share with > > dog owners like you > > Need to Reply? > > Click one of the "Reply" links to respond to a specific message in > the Daily Digest. > > Create New Topic | Visit Your Group on the Web > > Messages | Files | Photos | Database | Members | Calendar > > MARKETPLACE > > Mom Power: Discover the community of moms doing more for their > families, for the world and for each other > > > Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) > Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Individual | Switch > format to Traditional > Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe > > Error! Filename not specified. > > > > Subject: RE: Digest Number 999 From: "Jeff Bouton" <jbouton2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:07:45 -0400 This has never been a quick process, I know the section I wrote I submitted in 2002 I believe. So the info was already ~3 years old when the guide was new. That said most of this doesn't change and moreover the need for these guides (and sales of) ha largely been destroyed by the plethora of real time and free info available online. For example, most states have bird trail programs as FL does these pamphlets and subsequent updates are easier and cheaper to produce, plus since these are free publications there isn't that pressure of having to wait until you sell through the old stock either. Also bird listserves like this one are VERY common and can be found for any locale with real time info and data. Same for e-bird! The data you can view here represents REAL-TIME current data, not a list comprised from handwritten checklists decades old. This has done much to all but destroy the market need/desire for these local bird-finding guides it seems. I know whenever I prepare for a trip I turn to the internet for my data. Best, Jeff From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Joan Chasan Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 10:17 AM To: swflbirdline AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [SWFLBirdline] Digest Number 999 a birders guide to Florida - revised??? in 2005. is that the latest edition? It is 2009 now. ----- Original Message ----- From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com To: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 10:01 AM Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Digest Number 999 SW FL Birdline Messages In This Digest (1 Message) 1. Birding Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Book From: Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts View All Topics | Create New Topic Message 1. Birding Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Book Posted by: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:03 pm (PDT) Perhaps of interest, two books to assist in searching for rare and unusual birds one in the SRQ area and the other elsewhere in Florida 1. Hot Spots book - The revised and updated Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties is available at the monthly meetings of Sarasota, Manatee and Venice Audubon Societies. The cost is $6. You can also purchase it by mail for $7.75. Make your check out to: SAS-Hot Spots and mail to: P.O. Box 15423 Sarasota, FL 34277 The book is also available in many SRQ area bookstores. SRQ is the code for the Sarasota Bradenton Airport and is used by many to indicate Sarasota and Manatee Counties. ---------------------------------------------------------- 2. The revised Florida birder's guide is available for sale from ABA (American Birding Association). I recommend it. The hyperlink for ABA sales is below, but you may have to copy and paste it to your browser. A Birder's Guide to Florida (ABA/Lane Birdfinding Guide Series) Code: 175 Price: $21.95 Bill Pranty American Birding Association, revised 1996; 388 pages; wire-O binding Currently under revision; available spring 2005 (actually, fall 2005) This guide, representing a total rewrite of the original Jim Lane and Harold Holt texts, describes over 250 birding sites throughout the state, virtually every one of which is shown in the 82 maps created for this edition. The bird finding text was rewritten with the assistance of nearly 70 of the state's top birders; it contains detailed instructions with exact mileages to all sites covered. The extensive Introduction and Birds of Particular Interest sections were rewritten using the most recent references to Florida's bird life. The bar-graphs contain 483 species, including the entire accepted Florida bird list and a few "non-countable" exotics that appear to be increasing in range and numbers. Also included is a list of 171 species of exotic birds, lists for the state's dragonflies, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, and complete citations for nearly 100 publications referenced during the book's preparation. You'll want a copy of this guide to help yo! u find Florida's specialties-Snail Kite, Limpkin, Short-tailed Hawk, Mangrove Cuckoo, and more. ABA Sales, 115 Fairview Rd, Asheville, NC 28803 . abasales AT abasales.com > 828/274-5576 or 800/634-7736 (US/Canada) . fax 828/274-1955 . 9 am-5 pm ET M-F http://americanbirding.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD &Store_Code=ASBS&Product_Code=175&Category_Code=BRGFL &Store_Code=ASBS&Product_Code=175&Category_Code=BRGFL> _______________________________________ Peter Rice Back to top <> Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity Visit Your Group Yahoo! Finance It's Now Personal Guides, news, advice & more. Yahoo! Groups Mom Power Community just for Moms Join the discussion Yahoo! Groups Do More For Dogs Group Connect and share with dog owners like you Need to Reply? Click one of the "Reply" links to respond to a specific message in the Daily Digest. Create New Topic | Visit Your Group on the Web Messages | Files | Photos | Database | Members | Calendar MARKETPLACE Mom Power: Discover the community of moms doing more for their families, for the world and for each other Yahoo! Groups Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Individual | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Error! Filename not specified. Subject: Re: Digest Number 999 From: anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:14:19 +0000 Yes, the edition of "A Birders Guide to FL" that was mentioned is the revised edition from 2005. It was revised from the first edition about 10 years prior. That is the latest edition. Charlie Ewell Anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T -----Original Message----- From: "Joan Chasan" Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:16:47 To: Subject: Re: [SWFLBirdline] Digest Number 999 SW FL Birdlinea birders guide to Florida - revised??? in 2005. is that the latest edition? It is 2009 now. ----- Original Message ----- From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com To: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 10:01 AM Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Digest Number 999 SW FL Birdline Messages In This Digest (1 Message) 1. Birding Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Book From: Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts View All Topics | Create New Topic Message 1. Birding Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Book Posted by: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:03 pm (PDT) Perhaps of interest, two books to assist in searching for rare and unusual birds one in the SRQ area and the other elsewhere in Florida 1. Hot Spots book - The revised and updated Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties is available at the monthly meetings of Sarasota, Manatee and Venice Audubon Societies. The cost is $6. You can also purchase it by mail for $7.75. Make your check out to: SAS-Hot Spots and mail to: P.O. Box 15423 Sarasota, FL 34277 The book is also available in many SRQ area bookstores. SRQ is the code for the Sarasota Bradenton Airport and is used by many to indicate Sarasota and Manatee Counties. ---------------------------------------------------------- 2. The revised Florida birder's guide is available for sale from ABA (American Birding Association). I recommend it. The hyperlink for ABA sales is below, but you may have to copy and paste it to your browser. A Birder's Guide to Florida (ABA/Lane Birdfinding Guide Series) Code: 175 Price: $21.95 Bill Pranty American Birding Association, revised 1996; 388 pages; wire-O binding Currently under revision; available spring 2005 (actually, fall 2005) This guide, representing a total rewrite of the original Jim Lane and Harold Holt texts, describes over 250 birding sites throughout the state, virtually every one of which is shown in the 82 maps created for this edition. The bird finding text was rewritten with the assistance of nearly 70 of the state's top birders; it contains detailed instructions with exact mileages to all sites covered. The extensive Introduction and Birds of Particular Interest sections were rewritten using the most recent references to Florida's bird life. The bar-graphs contain 483 species, including the entire accepted Florida bird list and a few "non-countable" exotics that appear to be increasing in range and numbers. Also included is a list of 171 species of exotic birds, lists for the state's dragonflies, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, and complete citations for nearly 100 publications referenced during the book's preparation. You'll want a copy of this guide to help yo! u find Florida's specialties-Snail Kite, Limpkin, Short-tailed Hawk, Mangrove Cuckoo, and more. ABA Sales, 115 Fairview Rd, Asheville, NC 28803 . abasales AT abasales.com 828/274-5576 or 800/634-7736 (US/Canada) . fax 828/274-1955 . 9 am-5 pm ET M-F http://americanbirding.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ASBS&Product_Code=175&Category_Code=BRGFL _______________________________________ Peter Rice Back to top Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity Visit Your Group Yahoo! Finance It's Now Personal Guides, news, advice & more. Yahoo! Groups Mom Power Community just for Moms Join the discussion Yahoo! Groups Do More For Dogs Group Connect and share with dog owners like you Need to Reply? Click one of the "Reply" links to respond to a specific message in the Daily Digest. Create New Topic | Visit Your Group on the Web Messages | Files | Photos | Database | Members | Calendar MARKETPLACE Mom Power: Discover the community of moms doing more for their families, for the world and for each other Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Individual | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Subject: Re: Digest Number 999 From: "Joan Chasan" <jec56 AT rcn.com> Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:16:47 -0400 SW FL Birdlinea birders guide to Florida - revised??? in 2005. is that the latest edition? It is 2009 now. ----- Original Message ----- From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com To: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 10:01 AM Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Digest Number 999 SW FL Birdline Messages In This Digest (1 Message) 1. Birding Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Book From: Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts View All Topics | Create New Topic Message 1. Birding Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Book Posted by: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:03 pm (PDT) Perhaps of interest, two books to assist in searching for rare and unusual birds one in the SRQ area and the other elsewhere in Florida 1. Hot Spots book - The revised and updated Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties is available at the monthly meetings of Sarasota, Manatee and Venice Audubon Societies. The cost is $6. You can also purchase it by mail for $7.75. Make your check out to: SAS-Hot Spots and mail to: P.O. Box 15423 Sarasota, FL 34277 The book is also available in many SRQ area bookstores. SRQ is the code for the Sarasota Bradenton Airport and is used by many to indicate Sarasota and Manatee Counties. ---------------------------------------------------------- 2. The revised Florida birder's guide is available for sale from ABA (American Birding Association). I recommend it. The hyperlink for ABA sales is below, but you may have to copy and paste it to your browser. A Birder's Guide to Florida (ABA/Lane Birdfinding Guide Series) Code: 175 Price: $21.95 Bill Pranty American Birding Association, revised 1996; 388 pages; wire-O binding Currently under revision; available spring 2005 (actually, fall 2005) This guide, representing a total rewrite of the original Jim Lane and Harold Holt texts, describes over 250 birding sites throughout the state, virtually every one of which is shown in the 82 maps created for this edition. The bird finding text was rewritten with the assistance of nearly 70 of the state's top birders; it contains detailed instructions with exact mileages to all sites covered. The extensive Introduction and Birds of Particular Interest sections were rewritten using the most recent references to Florida's bird life. The bar-graphs contain 483 species, including the entire accepted Florida bird list and a few "non-countable" exotics that appear to be increasing in range and numbers. Also included is a list of 171 species of exotic birds, lists for the state's dragonflies, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, and complete citations for nearly 100 publications referenced during the book's preparation. You'll want a copy of this guide to help yo! u find Florida's specialties-Snail Kite, Limpkin, Short-tailed Hawk, Mangrove Cuckoo, and more. ABA Sales, 115 Fairview Rd, Asheville, NC 28803 . abasales AT abasales.com 828/274-5576 or 800/634-7736 (US/Canada) . fax 828/274-1955 . 9 am-5 pm ET M-F http://americanbirding.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ASBS&Product_Code=175&Category_Code=BRGFL _______________________________________ Peter Rice Back to top Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity Visit Your Group Yahoo! Finance It's Now Personal Guides, news, advice & more. Yahoo! Groups Mom Power Community just for Moms Join the discussion Yahoo! Groups Do More For Dogs Group Connect and share with dog owners like you Need to Reply? Click one of the "Reply" links to respond to a specific message in the Daily Digest. Create New Topic | Visit Your Group on the Web Messages | Files | Photos | Database | Members | Calendar MARKETPLACE Mom Power: Discover the community of moms doing more for their families, for the world and for each other Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Individual | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Subject: Birding Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties Book From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:02:50 -0400 Perhaps of interest, two books to assist in searching for rare and unusual birds one in the SRQ area and the other elsewhere in Florida 1. Hot Spots book - The revised and updated Hot Spots of Sarasota and Manatee Counties is available at the monthly meetings of Sarasota, Manatee and Venice Audubon Societies. The cost is $6. You can also purchase it by mail for $7.75. Make your check out to: SAS-Hot Spots and mail to: P.O. Box 15423 Sarasota, FL 34277 The book is also available in many SRQ area bookstores. SRQ is the code for the Sarasota Bradenton Airport and is used by many to indicate Sarasota and Manatee Counties. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. The revised Florida birder's guide is available for sale from ABA (American Birding Association). I recommend it. The hyperlink for ABA sales is below, but you may have to copy and paste it to your browser. A Birder's Guide to Florida (ABA/Lane Birdfinding Guide Series) Code: 175 Price: $21.95 Bill Pranty American Birding Association, revised 1996; 388 pages; wire-O binding Currently under revision; available spring 2005 (actually, fall 2005) This guide, representing a total rewrite of the original Jim Lane and Harold Holt texts, describes over 250 birding sites throughout the state, virtually every one of which is shown in the 82 maps created for this edition. The bird finding text was rewritten with the assistance of nearly 70 of the state's top birders; it contains detailed instructions with exact mileages to all sites covered. The extensive Introduction and Birds of Particular Interest sections were rewritten using the most recent references to Florida's bird life. The bar-graphs contain 483 species, including the entire accepted Florida bird list and a few "non-countable" exotics that appear to be increasing in range and numbers. Also included is a list of 171 species of exotic birds, lists for the state's dragonflies, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, and complete citations for nearly 100 publications referenced during the book's preparation. You'll want a copy of this guide to help you find Florida's specialties-Snail Kite, Limpkin, Short-tailed Hawk, Mangrove Cuckoo, and more. ABA Sales, 115 Fairview Rd, Asheville, NC 28803 . abasales AT abasales.com 828/274-5576 or 800/634-7736 (US/Canada) . fax 828/274-1955 . 9 am-5 pm ET M-F http://americanbirding.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ASBS&Product_Code=175&Category_Code=BRGFL _______________________________________ Peter Rice Subject: Fwd: [FlaBirding] Goals and Cockatiels From: David Simpson <simpsondavid AT mac.com> Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:44:48 -0400 Begin forwarded message: > From: David Simpson > Date: September 6, 2009 4:25:41 PM EDT > To: SpaceCoastAudubon AT yahoogroups.com, NFLBirds > , BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU, > FlaBirding , FLORIDABIRDS-L AT LISTS.UFL.EDU > Subject: [FlaBirding] Goals and Cockatiels > > Hi all, > > I just posted an entry to my blog that I thought might be of interest > to some of you out there. I'll paste the text at the end of the > message. In the meantime, I saw another new county bird while I was > hard at work fixing the chainsaw for the 10th time today. I heard a > Cockatiel calling. That's not unusual since there are some at the > neighbors' place, along with many other exotic pets. This call was > coming from the street our front. The Cockatiel flew across the yard > to say hi to it's friends next door. I guess that is a county bird > of sorts. > > The rest is the blog post, no more cool bird info. > > I am a goal-oriented person. I don't always have my eye on the long- > term goal, but I always have a series of goals in mind. To that end, > I have a series of bird-oriented goals for this year. Don't worry > dear, there are goals including you, but I am not going to post them > here. What bird-oriented goals you say? By the end of 2009, I hope to: > > 1) Have at least 125 species on every county list in Florida. > > Currently I have 125 or more in 65 of 67 counites. I am at 123 in > DeSoto and 122 in Union. I will be in DeSoto ca. Sep 20 and should > manage at least two new species, I hope. No specific plans for > Union, but I will be next door in Alachua for the FOS meeting in > early October. > > 2) Submit at least one complete checklist to eBird from each county > in Florida. > > I have submitted complete checklists from 56 counties so far. I > should manage to get several counties on a trip to SW Florida ca. Sep > 20. > > 3) Find a reportable number of species in each county in Florida. > > By reportable, I mean breaking the 20 species threshold for posting > to the Bob Carrol's Florida County Listing website. (http:// > www.geocities.com/gatorbob23/) So far 61 counties qualify. > > 4) Find one species (or more) in every county in Florida. > > Currently Mourning dove is in the lead with 64 of 67 counties. > Turkey vulture is right behind with 63. I somehow missed them in > Hamilton even though I have a BBS route with 24 stops in Hamilton > County. Both of these species were on my original five closeout > species for Florida. Northern cardinal (57 in 2009) was first. > Turkey vulture (63 in 2009) almost beat out cardinal. Carolina wren > (52 in 2009), Northern mockingbird (62 in 2009) and Mourning dove (64 > in 2009) rounded out the top five. > > 5) Add at least one new species to every Florida county list. I > have managed 57 so far. A suite of six SW Florida counties should be > knocked out by Sep 21. Pasco is very easy in the fall. I can hit > this on the way to the FOS meeting. Putnam might be tough given as > much time as I have spent, but I am somehow missing Eastern pewee in > that county. There is a bird survey on Sep 12 that should take care > of that. Palm Beach should be as easy as getting down to Jupiter > Inlet with a northeast wind this fall and picking up something easy > like Lesser scaup. Brevard is the tough one. I grew up there and > there are no low-hanging fruit. I don't think there are even any > leaves left. I hope to pick out something easy like Thayer's or > California gull or maybe Henslow's sparrow or Harlequin duck. Maybe > something like Olive-sided flycatcher, Willow/Alder flycatcher or > Yellow-bellied flycatcher will show up this fall on the north side of > Sebastian Inlet. The south side, in Indian River County, has > produced Harlequin Duck and Kirtland's warbler for me in the past. > > That should keep me busy for the rest of the year. > > David Simpson > Fellsmere, FL > simpsondavid AT mac.com > > Subject: Goals, not cockatiels [3 Attachments] From: David Simpson <simpsondavid AT mac.com> Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:04:47 -0400 Hi all, For those interested in following my latest quest, as outlined in a previous post. I will be posting the progress to my blog. The entries will automatically go to my Facebook page. I have attached a couple of files showing the current state of things. I have a few trips in store in the next couple weeks. I will be in Putnam County Saturday participating in a bird survey on Caravelle Ranch WMA. I will be in Glades County for the NAMC on Sep 19th, then spend the weekend birding in SW Florida covering many of those counties Sunday and Monday on the way home. The last week of September, I plan to be at Big Cypress Preserve for a few days of volunteering. Afterwards, en route to the FOS meeting in Gainesville, I plan to visit Scott Bordereaux and do some birding in Hillsborough and Pasco in the morning before heading to G'ville. I may hit Union before and Duval after the meeting. I'll keep things up to date on the blog. DOCUMENTS LINKS My blog. Search for the County List tags. There aren't any at this time, but I will have some soon. http://birdingwdavid.livejournal.com/ My website. Has a link to my blog. http://homepage.mac.com/simpsondavid/ My Facebook Page. You need to sign up and become my friend to fully access the page. http://www.facebook.com/BirdingwDavidSimpson David Simpson Fellsmere, FL simpsondavid AT mac.com Subject: FW: [BRDBRAIN] Alder Flycatcher From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sun, 6 Sep 2009 21:21:31 -0400 FYI Directions to Sugden Park at: http://www.caloosabirdclub.org/HotSpots.html Scroll down the page to Sugden Park entry.. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife/Burrowing Owl Festival info: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ Lee County Bird Patrol info: http://www.birdpatrol.org/ SWFL Birdline info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/ FL Ornithological Society info: http://www.fosbirds.org/ _____ From: Birdbrains - Florida Birds/Natural History [mailto:BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU] On Behalf Of Alan (Mac)Murray Sent: Sunday, September 06, 2009 5:01 PM To: BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Subject: [BRDBRAIN] Alder Flycatcher Location: sugden regional park Observation date: 9/6/09 Number of species: 25 Anhinga X Great Egret X Snowy Egret X Little Blue Heron X Black Vulture X Turkey Vulture X Osprey X Red-shouldered Hawk X Common Moorhen X Eurasian Collared-Dove X Mourning Dove X Red-bellied Woodpecker X Downy Woodpecker X Alder Flycatcher X Great Crested Flycatcher X Loggerhead Shrike X Red-eyed Vireo X Blue Jay X Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X Northern Mockingbird X European Starling X Prairie Warbler X Northern Cardinal X Common Grackle X Boat-tailed Grackle X This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) When I saw this bird he was silent but as I played the different flycatcher songs he responded to the Alder song and started to call, the call notes were identical to the call notes on my bird pod. alan murray naples _____ To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________ Subject: RE: Red Knots and Reporting Banded Shorebirds From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:30:27 -0400 FYI Bunche and Red Knot fans.. Scroll down for a recent report... Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife/Burrowing Owl Festival info: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ Lee County Bird Patrol info: http://www.birdpatrol.org/ SWFL Birdline info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/ FL Ornithological Society info: http://www.fosbirds.org/ _____ Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 6:24 PM To: Charlie Ewell Subject: RE: [SWFLBirdline] Red Knots and Reporting Banded Shorebirds Charlie; At Bunche Beach today there were several red knots. One was banded green and silver or white on the right leg; green on the left leg. The bird was at some distance and I did not have my scope with me so could not detect letters. Of interest one avocet flew in and stayed for 15 minutes so then headed south. WEs Dirks _____ To: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com From: anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:45:37 -0400 Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Red Knots and Reporting Banded Shorebirds All, The following email has a link to a new site for reporting banded shorebirds, particularly the declining Red Knot. I haven't been out myself recently to look for them, but I'm hearing reports that the knots are returning and have been seen at Little Estero Lagoon, Bunche Beach, and Bowditch Point. Many of the birds that return to SWFL have lime green flags with lettering large enough that can be read at close range with binocs, or from a distance with a scope. If you do happen to run across any of the flagged knots, please let me know as I keep a spreadsheet of the local resightings. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmai l.com Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife/Burrowing Owl Festival info: http://www.ccfriend sofwildlife.org/ Lee County Bird Patrol info: http://www.birdpatr ol.org/ SWFL Birdline info: http://groups. yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/ FL Ornithological Society info: http://www.fosbirds .org/ ---Original Message----- From: Birdbrains - Florida Birds/Natural History [mailto:BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV. ADMIN.USF.EDU] On Behalf Of David Hartgrove Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 8:48 AM To: BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV. ADMIN.USF.EDU Subject: [BRDBRAIN] Reporting Banded Shorebirds Hi All, I recently got a response to a report of some banded Red Knots I found last May while doing the NAMC Spring Count. The birds had been banded in 2006, at Hog's Beach, Va.; 2008, at Cook's Beach, NJ, and 2008, Bahia Lomas, Tierra Del Fuego, Chile. Bill Pitts, the man from the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife who responded, included a link to a new web site for reporting banded shorebirds. Here it is: www.bandedbirds.org After entering your reporting information, you can click on another tab and find out where and when the bird was banded. Citizen science does indeed provide invaluable information. David Hartgrove, President & Conservation Chair, Halifax River Audubon Subject: Painted Buntings From: "mybuntings" <mybuntings AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:03:50 -0000 Today I observe a female at my feeder here in Bonita Springs behind Perkins at US 41 and Bonita Beach road. This is the fIrst time in 9 years I see a female at my feeder in August last week the male showed up and is still around, usually this is aa Mid October occurance. Any one getting such sightings as well? Subject: Buntings in August? From: "mybuntings" <mybuntings AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2009 01:22:38 -0000 For the first time in 10 years of observing Buntings at my feeder I saw one at my unattented feeder today, I was skeptical and rather in disbeleif until I got very close and observed one male going back and forth to the feeder. I immediately called my neighbor to report this to her and then an expert birder friend in NY state. Quickly went outside to clean the feeder put in fresh seeds and put out the feeder in the back also. Will I see it tomorrow? Was he just passing thru? More importantly as anyone ever observed Bunting here in August? I never see them until beginning of October... Subject: FW: Bunche Beach birding next Sat. 22 Aug From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:36:51 -0400 See below for the next Bunche Beach guided tour offered by the volunteer Lee County Bird Patrol! Shorebird migrants have returned to the area, so this will be a great chance to check them out! I won't be co-leading this trip, but hope to attend and help out. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife/Burrowing Owl Festival info: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ Lee County Bird Patrol info: http://www.birdpatrol.org/ SWFL Birdline info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/ FL Ornithological Society info: http://www.fosbirds.org/ _____ From: Bird Patrol [mailto:birdpatrol AT mac.com] Sent: Sunday, August 16, 2009 11:55 AM To: birdpatrol AT birdpatrol.org Subject: Bunche Beach birding next Sat. August 22, Saturday 8AM Bunche Beach Guides: Sue Moore and Elaine Swank . Located in So Ft. Myers off Summerlin Rd: Drive south on John Morris Rd until it deadends. Experience one of the best birding sites in Lee Co. Bring binoculars, sun protection, shoes that can get wet, a bottle of drinking water. Meet in the parking lot. 239-707-3015 Subject: Red Knots and Reporting Banded Shorebirds From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:45:37 -0400 All, The following email has a link to a new site for reporting banded shorebirds, particularly the declining Red Knot. I haven't been out myself recently to look for them, but I'm hearing reports that the knots are returning and have been seen at Little Estero Lagoon, Bunche Beach, and Bowditch Point. Many of the birds that return to SWFL have lime green flags with lettering large enough that can be read at close range with binocs, or from a distance with a scope. If you do happen to run across any of the flagged knots, please let me know as I keep a spreadsheet of the local resightings. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife/Burrowing Owl Festival info: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ Lee County Bird Patrol info: http://www.birdpatrol.org/ SWFL Birdline info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/ FL Ornithological Society info: http://www.fosbirds.org/ ---Original Message----- From: Birdbrains - Florida Birds/Natural History [mailto:BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU] On Behalf Of David Hartgrove Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 8:48 AM To: BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Subject: [BRDBRAIN] Reporting Banded Shorebirds Hi All, I recently got a response to a report of some banded Red Knots I found last May while doing the NAMC Spring Count. The birds had been banded in 2006, at Hog's Beach, Va.; 2008, at Cook's Beach, NJ, and 2008, Bahia Lomas, Tierra Del Fuego, Chile. Bill Pitts, the man from the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife who responded, included a link to a new web site for reporting banded shorebirds. Here it is: www.bandedbirds.org After entering your reporting information, you can click on another tab and find out where and when the bird was banded. Citizen science does indeed provide invaluable information. David Hartgrove, President & Conservation Chair, Halifax River Audubon To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________ Subject: RE: tricolor herons From: "Charlie Ewell and Arlyne Salcedo" <ARandCHAR AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2009 09:42:26 -0400 Charles and All, I've seen a few Tri-colored Herons recently at Harns Marsh in Lehigh. They are usually present at Bunche Beach (except at high tide), Little Estero Lagoon (south end of Ft Myers Beach), and Lakes Park to name a few locations. Directions of the locations mentioned above can be found at the Caloosa Bird Club's website: http://www.caloosabirdclub.org/ Click on the "Local Birding Hot Spots" link along the left hand column of the home page. Harns Marsh is not on the website yet, so directions are below: From I-75, take Exit 136 (Lee Blvd) east to Sunshine Blvd in Lehigh Acres. Turn left on Sunshine Blvd and drive north past the Able Canal. Just beyond the canal, the road curves and 31st St. is on the left. Turn left on 31st and make an immediate right onto Ruth Av. Drive north on Ruth Av to 38th St. Turn left on 38th and drive to the parking area at the end of the road. Snail Kites, Limpkins, and wading birds are present this time of year. Many times you can see the target birds from the parking area, but if needed you are permitted to walk along the gated dirt road. No restrooms available. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Lee County Bird Patrol info: http://www.birdpatrol.org/ Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife/Burrowing Owl Festival info: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ SWFL Birdline info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/ FL Ornithological Society info: http://www.fosbirds.org/ _____ From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of bgunnels4 Sent: Friday, August 14, 2009 1:32 PM To: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [SWFLBirdline] tricolor herons Howdy all, I have a student working with tri-color herons. Can any suggests some natural areas where he can reliably find foraging tri-color heron? Thank you in advance. Charles (billY) Gunnels Subject: tricolor herons From: "bgunnels4" <bgunnels4 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:31:46 -0000 Howdy all, I have a student working with tri-color herons. Can any suggests some natural areas where he can reliably find foraging tri-color heron? Thank you in advance. Charles (billY) Gunnels Subject: Purple Martin roost story From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:45:10 -0400 All, Here's a link to a story on WGCU about the local Purple Martin roost in downtown Ft Myers that hosts thousands of birds this time of year: http://wgcu.org/ Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org Burrowing Owl Festival info at: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ FL Ornithological Society info http://fosbirds.org Subject: Participants needed for bird feeding study From: "national_bird_feeding_society" <amshonkwiler AT millikin.edu> Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:06:52 -0000 Hello, The National Bird-Feeding Society is currently assisting in a scientific study of bird seed preferences. Participants will receive free bird feeders, bird seed, poles, and squirrel baffles. In return, participants will be responsible for recording the number of birds visiting each feeder for approximately six weeks. During the six weeks, you will complete twenty-four surveys with each survey taking approximately one hour to complete. You will also be responsible for filling and rotating feeders based on a pre-assigned schedule. Participants must be able to identify all species of birds visiting their feeders, and data collection must be completed by October 31. Interested in participating? Limited slots are available. Visit the National Bird-Feeding Society's website at www.nbfs.org or call us at 1-866-945-3247 before August 12. Thank you! Sincerely, Stacey Shonkwiler Subject: FW: Bunche Beach on Sat morning From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:46:38 -0400 All, FYI re: the field trip announcement below for Bunche Beach, Ft Myers. This is a great time to examine the plumage subtleties of adults that have returned from the breeding grounds vs. immatures that have summered in the area. Walt Winton and I will be the leaders. Please email me if you have any questions! Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org Burrowing Owl Festival info at: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ FL Ornithological Society info http://fosbirds.org Subject: Bunche Beach on Sat morning Bird Patrol Tour this coming Saturday: * July 25, Saturday 8AM Bunche Beach Located in So Ft. Myers off Summerlin Rd: Drive south on John Morris Rd until it deadends. Experience one of the best birding sites in Lee Co. Bring binoculars, sun protection, shoes that can get wet, a bottle of drinking water. Meet in the parking lot. And to whet your appetite, here is Elaine Swank's photo of a Long-billed Curlew and a Willet taken at Bunche recently: Subject: FW: Harns Marsh - an easy site to find Snail Kites in SW Florida From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:05:38 -0400 FYI Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org Burrowing Owl Festival (Feb 21 2009) info at: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ FL Ornithological Society info http://fosbirds.org _____ From: Birdbrains - Florida Birds/Natural History [mailto:BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU] On Behalf Of Brian Ahern Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2009 8:50 PM To: BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Subject: [BRDBRAIN] Harns Marsh - an easy site to find Snail Kites in SW Florida Hi All, I've spent the last week on Sanibel Island (no bird sightings worth mentioning), but on the way back home I checked out a small little known birding site called Harns Marsh that's in Lee County. I had heard Snail Kites have been found there year-round for the past several years and I was certainly not disappointed! With only walking a small part bordering the marsh I counted at least 5 different Kites plus as many as 10 Limpkins. A Swallow-tailed Kite soaring overhead was a nice little bonus. This area looks good for wintering ducks too. From I-75 Harns Marsh is pretty easy to find and for out of town birders visiting SW Florida/Ft. Myers area this is "the spot" to easily find Snail Kites & Limpkins without much effort. I found directions to Harns Marsh & other birding sites in Lee County on the link below: http://www.zinnysworld.com/lee_county.htm Best, Brian Ahern Tampa Bay, FL. BrianAhern AT aol.com Photos: www.pbase.com/brianahern To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin AT admin.usf.edu ____________________________________________________________________________ Subject: FW: Great Birding day From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:04:39 -0400 FYI Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org Burrowing Owl Festival (Feb 21 2009) info at: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ FL Ornithological Society info http://fosbirds.org _____ From: FlaBirding AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:FlaBirding AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Vincent McGrath Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2009 10:50 PM To: Flabirding AT yahoogroups.com; floridabirds-l AT lists.ufl.edu Subject: [FlaBirding] Great Birding day Hi all I see I wasn't the only intrepid birder weathering the July heat this weekend. A fellow British birder and I tallied 70 species today starting at Harns Marsh in Lee Co. Attendant Snail Kites and Limpkins inspired us. A Blk-cr Night Heron, many Multi-hued Little Blue heron, roosting black and turkey vultures. We east with Sta-1 as our eastern most destination. In LaBelle we took some side streets to the south and found a Red-headed Woodpecker along with red-bellied, downy, pileated,brown thrasher, white-eyed vireo, 5 species of doves( several white-winged, Eurasian collared, mourning, ground and rock pigeon), red-shouldered hawk, and several common passerine species. Stopped along SR-80 for looks at caracara and Sandhill crane.I heard bobwhite while passing Wellington pkwy a couple of miles east of LaBelle and we enjoyed dueling Bobwhites from fences posts with a meadowlark chorus. At South Bay we jogged south to SR-827A where we began seeing common nighthawks. We found a wet field just south of Belle Glade with a score of blk-necked Stilts, glossy ibis and 2 black-bellied whistling duck, some laughing gulls and a lesser yellowlegs. At STA-1 just a few green and great blue heron but plenty of tri-colored and little blues, a lone spoonbill and another blk-bellied whistling duck. It took a while but did see a barn owl as it flushed from a huge Java Plum tree. Heading back we drove Browns Farm Rd. There are no wet fields at all but plenty of stagin purple martins and a scattering of barn swallows. Then as we approached a thick cluster of Aussie pines we spotted a White-tailed Kite roosting in the nearest tree to the road. Oh, and a lot more nighthawks. We returned to ft myers via SR-78 Spotted a Swallow-tailed Kite soaring along the rim canal just befored Clewiston. While still in Glades Co we spotted a wet pasture with waders and purple gallinule, in Lee Co now we stopped at the wet pasture on 78 that yields so much and were not disappointed 2 caracara, several sandhill crane and more. Stopped along Plantation Rd for eastern bluebird and found three. A red-tailed hawk was spotted circling with a Rex-shouldered hawk Mcavian AT aol. com Vince McGrath Subject: FW: Bird Patrol tour at Bunche Beach From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:59:27 -0400 FYI the trip announcement below, weather permitting.. While it may seem early for migrants, the first southbound adult shorebirds will be showing up any day now. I'll be checking the plumages to see if we make the claim that shorebird migration is officially underway in Lee County! Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org Burrowing Owl Festival (Feb 21 2009) info at: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ FL Ornithological Society info http://fosbirds.org _____ From: Gayle Schmidt [mailto:gayleschmidt AT mac.com] Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 11:10 AM To: birdpatrol AT birdpatrol.org * June 30, Tuesday 5PM - 7PM (Evening walk!!) Bunche Beach Guide: Charlie Ewell. Located in So Ft. Myers off Summerlin Rd: Drive south on John Morris Rd until it deadends. Experience one of the best birding sites in Lee Co. Bring binoculars, sun protection, shoes that can get wet, a bottle of drinking water. Meet in the parking lot. 239-707-3015 Subject: hiding from the heat From: "Jeff Bouton" <jbouton2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:59:46 -0400 Hey all, Whilst hiding from the heat (and not birding) over the past few days, I dipped back and added a couple blog posts about some of my spring adventures on my new blog site to include this year's adventures with nesting Screech Owls in the back yard and another on Great Egret nesting in FL as well. Anyone interested could gladly check out the story and images here: http://leicabirding.blogspot.com/ I finally attracted a good looking Red morph female screech this year. Unfortunately was not around to watch the kids fledge though.... was in Alaska when this happened so it's not all bad! ;p I realize this isn't true birding, but as a break from the heat, some virtual birding might be just the thing! Best, Jeff Bouton Port Charlotte, FL jbouton2 AT earthlink.net Subject: Least Terns at Gulf Coast Town Center From: "Bob" <rihargrave AT embarqmail.com> Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:51:58 -0000 Wednesday evening (June 17th) around sunset there were 70 to 90 (hard to count when they are swirling and dipping) Least Terns circling over the Belk store at Gulf Coast Town Center (I-75 and Alico Road). Subject: a belated Greater Sand-Plover blog post From: "Jeff Bouton" <jbouton2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 14:44:46 -0400 Hey all, I just posted a blog post on my new blog about my personal experience with the Sand-Plover in Jacksonville on the Leica Bird Blog: http://leicabirding.blogspot.com/ It includes digiscoped pics of the Sand-Plover plus others including an Arctic Tern, and has links to site summarizing the first record of this species in the US in Winter 2001 in California if your interested in bird history at all! BTW - theirs was dull and nowhere near as pretty as our stunning adult male!! ;) Good birding all, Jeff Bouton Port Charlotte, FL jbouton2 AT earthlink.net Subject: Scarlet Ibis at Lakes Park today From: Cheyenne Szydlo <cheyenne.szydlo AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 13:56:17 -0700 (PDT) Not sure if this is exciting for most locals, but it was a first for me!:  There was a Scarlet Ibis preening on the shore of the beach between the two water-parks at Lakes Park today. What a beautiful bird!   -Cheyenne Subject: Surf Scoters@ Bunche Beach From: Vincent Mcgrath <McAvian AT aol.com> Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 21:20:32 -0400 For some reason every now and then Surf Scoters show up and fish the channel of Mantazas Pass. This is the body of water that seperates Ft Myers Beach and Bunche Beach along the Lee Co coast. My co- birdpatroler Iver spotted them yesterday on his end of the beach. Had to get up early today and feed my face to the no-seeums but it paid off with an avidly feeding pair. Mcavian AT aol.com Vince McGrath Ft Myers, Fl Sent from my iPhone Subject: Fwd: [FLBIRDS] White-rumped Sandpipers From: Vincent Mcgrath <McAvian AT aol.com> Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 23:47:45 -0400 Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: > From: Vincent Mcgrath > Date: May 24, 2009 8:12:05 PM EDT > To: FLORIDABIRDS-L AT LISTS.UFL.EDU > Subject: [FLBIRDS] White-rumped Sandpipers > Reply-To: Vincent Mcgrath > > What a Spring, still going strong! > The recent rains have restored the pools at the Bunche Beach > saltflats ( behind the publix at bunche beach rd) and the excellent > numbers and variety is exciting. This site is not for the less > dedicated as it can produce extreme heat, humid, muddy and soon buggy. > But most important is to be extra cautious of the multitude of > ground nesting species-least tern, willet, black -necked stilt, > Wilson's plover, and common nighthawk. There are many others as well > like prairie warbler, red-winged blackbird(+12 pairs), doves. > It is not unusual to be surrounded by a couple dozen birds with all > seeming to have a crippling defect. Humorous but they are letting > you know you are approaching eggs or young too closely so back off > and change direction. > Oh yeah, the bird sightings. > Up to 10 white-rumped sandpipers in breeding plumage mingling with > mostly in plumage Dunlin, semipalmated(3),least(2), > western(20)sandpipers , lesser yellowlegs, good groups of s.-b > dowitchers, semipalmated and black-bellied plovers in addition to > above mentioned breeders. > Late migrants on Captiva produced an imm yellow warbler and 3 umm > male am redstart fri may 21 at > Mcavain AT aol.com > Vince McGrath > Ft Myers, Fl > Sent from my iPhone > > ____________________________________________________________________________ > FLORIDABIRDS-L Listserv mailing list information: > Member photos I: http://bkpass.tripod.com/floridabirds.htm > For archives: http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/floridabirds-l.html > To set nomail: listserv AT lists.ufl.edu Message: set floridabirds-l > nomail > > To reset mail: listserv AT lists.ufl.edu Message: set floridabirds-l > mail > > To unsubscribe: listserv AT lists.ufl.edu Message: unsub floridabirds-l > > Jack Dozier memorial: http://tinyurl.com/6adm2m Subject: Gray Kingbirds From: "Bob" <rihargrave AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 18:39:57 -0000 Sunday, 24 May. I watched 2 Gray Kingbirds while stopped at traffic light turning right off of Fowler to go east on Colonial (long light!). The 2 kingbirds were flycatching pretty successfully (grasshoppers?) around the wires and utility poles. In past years Gray Kingbirds have been observed around downtown Ft. Myers and in Centennial Park. Bob Subject: sleeping dove pics From: "Valeri" <vponzo AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 8 May 2009 00:09:08 -0400 I am looking for pictures of doves (any type) sleeping with their head under their wing for a carving project I am working on. If anyone has any to share, please email them to me. Valeri Ponzo Sarasota, FL vponzo AT comcast.net Subject: STA5 Schedule through Dec. 2010 From: "Margaret England" <mlelighthouse AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 5 May 2009 18:28:43 -0400 STA5 BIRD-WATCHING TOURS (South Florida Birding Trail Site) Through a partnership with Hendry-Glades Audubon, the South Florida Water Management District will offer to the public escorted birding tours at the South Florida Birding Trail Stormwater Treatment Area 5 (STA-5) south of Clewiston in eastern Hendry County. Tours are open to anyone, but participants must register to reserve a space on the trips. Meet at the STA5 gate at 8:30 a.m. To sign up for the STA-5 Birding Tour: Send an e-mail to Margaret England, at sta5birding AT embarqmail.com with your name and contact information including an emergency cell number for the tour day, the date you want to go, and the number in your party. You may also leave a message at (863) 674-0695 or (863) 517-0202. Website: http://www.orgsites.com/fl/hgaudubon/ Ride sharing is encouraged in order to limit the number of cars driving on the STA5 levee during tours. Please bring completed release form with you to tour. A suggested donation of $1 per person helps defray HGAS expenses to provide tours. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Walkie-Talkies are suggested. STA5 is 20 miles from the nearest gas station. 2009 Schedule June 20 July 11 August 15 September 19 October 17 Nov. 14 Nov.28 December 12 December 26 2010 Jan. 2 (Christmas Bird Count Teams) Jan. 16 Jan. 30 February 13, 14, 15 Great Backyard Bird Count February 20 March 6 March 27 & 28 : Big "O" Birding Festival April 10 April 24 May 8 Spring North American Migration Count May 22 June 19 July 17 August 21 Sept. 18 Fall North American Migration Count October 16 Nov. 13 Nov. 27 Dec. 4 Dec. 18 Christmas Bird Count Hendry-Glades Audubon Society Website: http://www.orgsites.com/fl/hgaudubon/ Subject: RW Blackbirds on Sanibel From: anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Date: Tue, 5 May 2009 17:58:30 +0000 Hi All, Does anyone know of any current breeding areas for Red-winged Blackbirds on Sanibel? Thanks! Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL Anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T Subject: Seen in my oak tree From: Gayle Schmidt <gayleschmidt AT mac.com> Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:03:31 -0400 Either I haven't noticed before, or this is a special year, because this is what I've seen just stepping outside and looking into my oak tree. These birds have all been feeding vigorously on what appear to be small insects. We live in a community near the Cape Coral bridge on the Ft. Myers side: 4/27 2:30 pm Male Redstart Blackpoll Warbler 5:30 pm Blackpoll 4/28 7:30 am Blackpoll 4/29 4:30 pm Female Redstart Gayle Schmidt www.birdpatrol.org Ft. Myers, Fl Subject: Painted Buntings [1 Attachment] From: F Stevens <mybuntings AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:30:56 -0700 (PDT) It's official my  Painted Buntings are on their annual trip North. Although someone told me it's not unusual here to have Buntings visit my feeder I still feel pretty darn lucky that for the past 10 years I've received their annual visit from mid October to mid of April, yes they stay in my yard all this time. This year I observed a decline and only saw a total of 3 males and 2 females. My neighbor had 5 females late in the winter and rarely any males. She commented today that the females stayed a little longer than the males, probably because they got stuck doing all the packing !   I'm in a subdivion behind Perkins at corner of 41 and Bonita Beach road Bunting heaven !   I saw 2 pairs of Sand Hill Cranes nesting at Harns Marsh last March, can anyone tell me if the little ones are born yet ? Subject: Red Knots NATURE episode on PBS From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sun, 26 Apr 2009 12:20:02 -0400 All, PBS is re-running its critically acclaimed Nature episode that deals with the population decline of the Red Knot and how it is related to Delaware Bay and the spawning of Horseshoe Crabs. It is on my Comcast in Cape Coral at 8:00 PM tonight (Sunday Apr 26), but check your local listings. The web site is: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/crash-a-tale-of-two-species/introduc tion/592/ Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org Burrowing Owl Festival (Feb 21 2009) info at: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ FL Ornithological Society info http://fosbirds.org Subject: STA5 5/18/09 (20 miles South of Clewiston) From: "Margaret England" <mlelighthouse AT embarqmail.com> Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 06:41:56 -0400 Subject: STA5 5/18/09 (20 miles South of Clewiston) Sorry for the late posting of last Saturday's trip to STA5. Our next trip will be May 9th for our first spring North American Migration Count. Help is needed for part or the whole day. Contact: Margaret England LaBelle HGAS, Secretary http://www.orgsites.com/fl/hgaudubon/ Combined list for STA5 and Blumberg Road 4/18/09 Location: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 Observation date: 4/18/09 Notes: Black bellied whistling ducks, roseate spoonbills, white pelicans and american avocets (in breeding plumage) near construction trailers in compartment C south of the southeast STA5 cell. Number of species: 73 Participants: 41 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 115 Fulvous Whistling-Duck 60 Wood Duck 4 Mottled Duck Blue-winged Teal Ring-necked Duck Ruddy Duck Pied-billed Grebe American White Pelican 100 Double-crested Cormorant Anhinga Least Bittern Great Blue Heron Great Blue Heron (White form) 2 Great Egret Snowy Egret Little Blue Heron Tricolored Heron Cattle Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Yellow-crowned Night-Heron White Ibis Glossy Ibis Roseate Spoonbill 70 Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Osprey Swallow-tailed Kite Snail Kite Northern Harrier Peregrine Falcon Purple Swamphen Purple Gallinule Common Moorhen American Coot Limpkin Semipalmated Plover Killdeer Black-necked Stilt American Avocet 10 Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Least Sandpiper Dunlin Stilt Sandpiper Long-billed Dowitcher Caspian Tern Mourning Dove Common Ground-Dove Barn Owl Belted Kingfisher Loggerhead Shrike White-eyed Vireo Tree Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Barn Swallow Marsh Wren Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird European Starling Palm Warbler Northern Waterthrush Common Yellowthroat Eastern Towhee Savannah Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Eastern Meadowlark Common Grackle Boat-tailed Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird Subject: FW: Snowy and Piping Plovers- request for observations From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:57:56 -0400 FYI below Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org Burrowing Owl Festival (Feb 21 2009) info at: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ FL Ornithological Society info http://fosbirds.org _____ From: Burney, Chris [mailto:Chris.Burney AT MyFWC.com] Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 1:48 PM Subject: Snowy and Piping Plovers- request for observations Piping Plovers. Severe flooding in the Midwest, particularly along the Missouri River, may significantly reduce any habitat available for nesting Piping Plovers along reservoirs, alkali lakes, and rivers this year. Consequently, birds may forego nesting and return to Florida early, or disperse to other potential nesting areas further north. Please let us know if you observe Piping Plovers between May 15- July 15, send reports to shorebird AT myfwc.com. Snowy Plovers. Excellent information was collected this last non-breeding season thanks to the many reports submitted by the birding community. The birds are now back on their breeding territories, and a significant percentage of the banded birds have been accounted for. Please help us track down the remaining individuals- numerous fledges were banded last year and understanding how far they disperse during their first year is critical information for Snowy Plover conservation. Additional information, data sheets, and instructions on submitting reports can be found on the Florida Bird Conservation Initiative website using the following link: http://www.floridaconservation.org/docs/Conservation/FBCI_SNPLBandReports.pd f If you have difficulty with this link, google "Florida Bird Conservation Initiative"; select "Conservation Plans and Initiatives" from the right-hand menu; select "State" from the drop-down menu; and open "Reporting Color-banded Snowy Plovers" under the Florida Shorebird Alliance (FSA) heading. If you have any questions, contact Chris Burney (email: chris.burney AT myfwc.com; phone: 863-648-3200). Subject: Sanibel Lighthouse 4/21 From: Cheyenne Szydlo <cheyenne.szydlo AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:47:05 -0700 (PDT) It was pretty slow this morning but there were still some good birds around if you looked hard:   I saw:   Cape May Warbler (male) Magnolia Warbler Blackpoll Warbler (two females) Indigo Bunting   others saw:   Chestnut-sided Warbler Hooded Warbler Common Yellowthroat   -Cheyenne   Subject: Sanibel Lighthouse - April 19 From: Gayle Schmidt <gayleschmidt AT mac.com> Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:36:01 -0400 I'm sorry not to have posted this before. I was at the Sanibel Lighthouse yesterday, Sunday, April 19, from 8:30 to 10:00. My list: Blackpoll Black and White Warbler Hooded Warbler (both male and female) Ovenbird Yellow-throated Vireo Blue-headed Vireo Yellow-rumped Warbler These were seen by others, but not by me: Chestnut-sided Warbler Magnolia Warbler Gayle Sheets Ft. Myers, Florida Subject: FW: Harns Marsh this Saturday From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:06:11 -0400 I will also be co-leading a Harns Marsh trip before the Lakes Park walk. The Snail Kites have not been as easy to see there lately, as they are most likely involved in the nesting process somewhere in the Lehigh area, if not Harns itself. It has been drying down, and waders and shorebirds have been present. This will not be a driving tour. We will walk in for the first mile or so. See below for details.. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org Burrowing Owl Festival (Feb 21 2009) info at: http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/ FL Ornithological Society info http://fosbirds.org _____ From: Bird Patrol [mailto:birdpatrol AT mac.com] Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 12:29 PM To: BirdPatrol AT birdpatrol.org Subject: Harns Marsh this Saturday This Saturday, April 18, Bird Patrol will be at Harns Marsh from 8 - 10 am with scopes, and we may walk some of the area. Here are directions: From I-75, take Exit 136 (Lee Blvd) east to Sunshine Blvd in Lehigh Acres. Turn left on Sunshine Blvd and drive north past the Able Canal. Just beyond the canal, the road curves and 31st St. is on the left. Turn left on 31st and make an immediate right onto Ruth Av. Drive north on Ruth Av to 38th St. Turn left on 38th and drive to the parking area at the end of the road. Snail Kites, Limpkins, wading birds, hawks, warblers. No restrooms. Bring binoculars and your love of nature. 482-6250 The following information on Harns Marsh is from an October, 2008 posting on the East County Water Control District web site: Harns Marsh Lehigh Acres' best kept secret is nestled between Sunshine Blvd. and Buckingham Air Park. A ghost trail still tells a tale of where the Orange River once meandered through a 59-acre cypress head. This is just a fraction of Lehigh Acres' best kept secret, otherwise known as Harns Marsh. The 578-acre preserve is one of the area's major stormwater retention/detention facilities. ECWCD and Lee County have slated Harns Marsh as a regional park. It is projected that the passive park with trails, boardwalks, fishing etc. will be built in 2011. Designed, in 1981, by East County Water Control District (ECWCD), the intent of Harns Marsh, said Dave Lindsay, ECWCD District Manager, is to eliminate or at very least reduce flooding of our downstream neighbors along the Orange River during a major storm. When the construction was finished in 1985, approximately 478 had been excavated to provide Lehigh with increased capability of stormwater storage, said Lindsay. For many years this storage area was wet year round - which prevented maintenance. "The drought of 2007 created an opportunity for the rehabilitation of Harns Marsh just like it did for Lake Okeechobee," said Lindsay. "District crews were able to clean 182 acres of the North Marsh creating an additional 59-million gallons of storage within the marsh." The removal of silt, sediment, dead trees and invasive plants improves water quality and enhances storage. A major goal of the District is to improve Harns Marsh into a better stormwater facility with improved water quality. Harns Marsh is split into two areas: the North and South Marsh. The North Marsh is the first stage in the flood control process and is used routinely in the wet season, while the South Marsh is only used in a major rain event The first phase of Harns Marsh improvement involves the replacement of the inflow and outflow weirs on the South Marsh and the outflow weir from the North Marsh. The second phase will consist of replacing the two main inflow weirs to the marsh. Construction of phase one should break ground in the winter of 2009 and the second phase in 2010.