Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from SouthWest Florida > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Wednesday, September 3 at 04:46 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Cicinnurus regius

3 Sep RE: recent local sightings - more ["damsammy" ] 3 Sep recent local sightings ["Charlie Ewell" ] 11 Aug Sunday Evening at Bunche Beach ["Bob" ] 10 Aug NAMC Hendry Glades Sept. 20 ["Margaret" ] 5 Aug Red Knot (REKN) sightings ["Charlie Ewell" ] 03 Aug Help with Mallard Ducks ["bgunnels4" ] 29 Jul Bunche Beach (Ft Myers, Lee) update ["Charlie Ewell" ] 23 Jul STA5 July 19th ["Margaret" ] 22 Jul Bunch Beach shorebird walk tomorrow (Wed 23 July) ["Charlie Ewell" ] 17 Jul house finch [Thea Rhodes ] 5 Jul SRQ Bird Alerts 05 July 2008 - Pomarine Jaegar update ["SRQ Bird Alerts - Peter Rice" ] 4 Jul Re: Unknown gull? [] 4 Jul Re: Unknown gull? ["Mike" ] 4 Jul Unknown gull? ["Burt Finkelstein" ] 05 May Golden Eagle ["vnjb63" ] 2 May Connecticut Warbler at Lakes Park! ["Charlie Ewell" ] 26 Apr SRQ Bird Alerts 26 April 2008 ["SRQ Bird Alerts - Peter Rice" ] 25 Apr RE: Flycatcher, Eagles, and owls [Debbie Norris ] 25 Apr RE: Flycatcher ["Charlie Ewell" ] 25 Apr Flycatcher ["bsktrn" ] 25 Apr Flycatcher ["bsktrn" ] 23 Apr SRQ Bird Alerts 23 April 2008 - Whooping Crane at Myakka State Park ["SRQ Bird Alerts - Peter Rice" ] 19 Apr Radar birding! ["Charlie Ewell" ] 16 Apr Beach Nesting Birds article ["Charlie Ewell" ] 14 Apr SRQ Bird Alerts 14 April 2008 ["SRQ Bird Alerts - Peter Rice" ] 14 Apr Question Sternes ["georgeslachaine" ] 10 Apr bell's vireo at the Sanibel lighthouse ["mayhill10" ] 10 Apr bell's vireo at the Sanibel lighthouse ["mayhill10" ] 9 Apr FW: Saturday - Birding at Bunche Beach ["Charlie Ewell" ] 8 Apr RE: Spring migration presentation, Tuesday 8 April ["Charlie Ewell" ] 8 Apr RFI -- red-cockaded woodpeckers [Diana Pesek ] 4 Apr Spring migration presentation, Tuesday 8 April ["Charlie Ewell" ] 4 Apr FW: This Sat: Estero Lagoon tour ["Charlie Ewell" ] 4 Apr Nesting Cooper's Hawks in Naples ["Charlie Ewell" ] 1 Apr FW: This Sat: Estero Lagoon tour ["Charlie Ewell" ] 29 Mar SRQ Bird Alerts 29 Marchl 2008 ["SRQ Bird Alerts" ] 22 Mar Recent photos of uncommon Florida birds ["John Dougherty" ] 22 Mar Dancing bronzed cowbirds ["calidris55" ] 18 Mar Bunche Beach pictures ["Charlie Ewell" ] 18 Mar upcoming Bird Patrol tours ["Charlie Ewell" ] 16 Mar SRQ Bird Alerts 16 March 2008 - Ross's Goose location information ["SRQ Bird Alerts" ] 13 Mar Looking for Volunteers for a Shorebird Nesting Project [CharlotteCountyNatureAlert] ["Charlie Ewell" ] 11 Mar FW: CCFW Mangrove Gathering Eco Cafe ["Charlie Ewell" ] 08 Mar email address ["mrfilez" ] 08 Mar Ft Lauderdale and South Florida area ["mrfilez" ] 7 Mar local sightings ["Charlie Ewell" ] 4 Mar Bird Patrol's upcoming tours ["Charlie Ewell" ] 28 Feb greetings from the UK ["paul matthews" ] 28 Feb Long-billed Curlew ["Bob" ] 27 Feb FW: Thank you you for participating in this year's GBBC! ["Charlie Ewell" ] 27 Feb FW: NASA Project Threatens Birds, Bird Habitat and Birdwatching at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refu ["Charlie Ewell" ] 27 Feb FW: NASA Project Threatens Birds, Bird Habitat and Birdwatching at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refu ["Charlie Ewell" ] Subject: RE: recent local sightings - more From: "damsammy" <damsammy AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 17:45:53 -0400 Hi all, My husband and I were out driving around southern Florida on Saturday and saw a male snail kite (along US 41 by Collier-Seminole State Park) and a female snail kite (saw along SR 835 south of Lake Okeechobee and Clewiston). It looks like apple snail eggs on the fence post of the female snail kite. Birdon, Dave and Sue Miller _____ From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Charlie Ewell Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 5:34 PM To: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [SWFLBirdline] recent local sightings All, I've received some belated reports from the weekend to pass along: Lakes Park (northern end of path that follows the east side of the lakes and passes the high ride condo) had the following warblers present: Black-and-white, No. Parula, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Prairie. Bunche Beach had the Long-billed Curlew present to the left of the parking area, and a Gull-billed Tern foraging along the wrack line. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Subject: recent local sightings From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 17:34:12 -0400 All, I've received some belated reports from the weekend to pass along: Lakes Park (northern end of path that follows the east side of the lakes and passes the high ride condo) had the following warblers present: Black-and-white, No. Parula, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Prairie. Bunche Beach had the Long-billed Curlew present to the left of the parking area, and a Gull-billed Tern foraging along the wrack line. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Subject: Sunday Evening at Bunche Beach From: "Bob" <rihargrave AT embarqmail.com> Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 02:37:06 -0000 I figured it was time to get back on the beach and brush up on the shorebirds. When I arrived at 6:30 pm the tide was coming in but the birds were concentrated on the flats still exposed. It turned out to be a really great evening. Hundreds, maybe a thousand or more individuals and 2 dozen species. For Charlie -- 8 to 12 (depending on whether the 4 I saw at the west end flew to the east end) Red Knots with at least 2 having the lime green flags. I was unable to read the flags. And 1 Snowy Plover (probably, I'm still not confident telling Snowy from Piping) with bands on both legs -- left leg, yellow above green on the foot and a green flag above the ankle; right leg, red above green on the foot. Other highlights were 10 Marbled Godwit and hundreds of Dowitchers, probably mostly short-billed but I'm not confident with the dowitchers either. Also a lone Oystercatcher. And as usual the sunset was magnificent. Happy birding. Bob Subject: NAMC Hendry Glades Sept. 20 From: "Margaret" <mlelighthouse AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:05:35 -0000 Subject: NAMC 2008: 3rd Annual Glades Hendry NAMC Sept. 20th You are invited to participate in the 3rd annual Glades Hendry North American Migration Count to be held on Saturday September 20th. Drivers, hikers, expert birders, birding enthusiastic all ages and skill levels, and compilers are needed for various teams and home surveys in Hendry and Glades Counties. The North American Migration Count in Florida is sponsored by Florida Ornithological Society, and is supported by local Audubon Societies, local bird clubs, and other interested organizations. PURPOSE: The mission of the North American Migration Count (NAMC) is to: • Obtain a "snapshot" of the progress and "shape" of spring and fall Migration. • Obtain information on the abundance & distribution of each species. • Initiate more participation among birders within a state and between states. • Create challenges and goals among birders while collecting useful information. • Aid in organization and centralization of date. • HAVE FUN. AREA OF COUNT: The area of a count is not a circle, but the boundaries of a County. The idea is to have a contiguous interlocking set of non-overlapping counts across North America. It is desirable to get as much of each county surveyed as resources and time permits. Meeting locations and times are set by individual teams. Last year there were 8 Teams and 1 home survey. 1. STA5 and Blumberg 2. Glades Northwest (Highlands Team) 3. Harney Pond, Ft. Center (Fisheating Creek East), Curry Island 4. Rainey Slough, Moore Haven, Lakeport, Brighton 5. Big Cypress Reservation and 835 6. Fisheating Creek West (Palmdale) 7. Okaloacoochee (OK) Slough meets at 7 a.m. at the Keri Fire Tower 8. LaBelle, Ft. Denaud, Riverside Retreat, 78 W, Muse, Wetherspoon Wetland 9. Home Surveys Survey forms are e-mailed or mailed to teams and participants doing home. Please reply if you will be helping with this year's count. Please forward this request to others you think might be interested. Participants are invited to an informal dinner at the Clewiston Inn where the NAMC results will be tabulated. Looking forward to this year's NAMC. Margaret England Hendry and Glades County Contact/Compiler: mlelighthouse AT embarqmai.com sta5birding AT embarqmail.com Cell: 863-517-0202 Home: 863-674-0695 website: www.hendrygladesaudubon.org Subject: Red Knot (REKN) sightings From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2008 09:39:22 -0400 The first REKN for the season have arrived down in the Ft Myers area. On Wed 30 Jul at Little Estero Island CWA (aka Little Estero Lagoon, Ft Myers Beach) Chris Burney (FWC) and I had a small group of REKN (10 individuals, 7 post alternate molt, 3 basic) roosting with a large mixed flock of WILL (Western), MAGO, RUTU, SAND, and WESA. The lime flagged individuals are resightings for this area. Always very cool to find out! They were lime flag VP5 and AN5. Here is the info I received from Bill Pitts previously on each bird: DATE YEAR LOCATION FLOCK Band combo USFWS BAND BANDING INFO 24-Feb 2007 Sanibel Island 25? -/-:FL(VP5)/m 1172-98318 Sanibel Island, FL 1/1/07 5-Aug 2007 Little Estero Lagoon, Estero Island, Ft Myers Beach (Lee County) 24 -/-:FL(AN5)/m 1172-98092 Sanibel Island, FL 1/1/07 Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://birdpatrol.org Below is a note re: Red Knots from Chris Burney of the FWC Hello All, Shorebird migration is almost in full swing, and once again, we would really appreciate any sightings of red knot. Please include the following information with your sightings: 1. location (lat/ long if possible or detailed description including an address or cross street): 2. total flock size 3. species composition of the flock 4. time 5. number of banded knots 6. band colors and flag codes (3 character combination of letters or letters & number) (Please note on which leg the bands are located.) All sightings should be sent directly to Bill Pitts (William.Pitts AT dep.state.nj.us) History of the project: We are trying to develop a better understanding of Florida's wintering red knot population. Florida, and especially the west coast of Florida, is one of three important wintering areas for red knot. A team of biologist from around the world working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has surveyed and banded red knots throughout southwest Florida over the last three years. In that time, we have banded about 700 birds with lime green flags inscribed with unique alpha-numeric IDs that can be read at a distance with a spotting scope. The Florida project is part of a larger effort aimed at developing reliable estimates of the flyway-wide population of red knots and they're population status. Our work over the last several years suggests the possibility of declining wintering numbers. It is extremely important that we supplement our trapping/banding work with an intensive resighting effort. We would like to enlist your help in locating flocks of red knots, recording the size of the flocks, and resighting as many marked birds as is possible. These data will be used to help biologist develop new estimates of the red knot population. The ultimate goal of the project is to determine the size of the Red Knot wintering population in Florida and the habitats important for their survival. Chris Burney Shorebird Partnership Coordinator Species Conservation Planning Section Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Southwest Regional Office 3900 Drane Field Rd Lakeland, FL 33811 Phone: (863) 648-3200 Fax: (863) 701-1248 Email: chris.burney AT myfwc.com Subject: Help with Mallard Ducks From: "bgunnels4" <bgunnels4 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 03 Aug 2008 12:12:32 -0000 Howdy all, Would someone please tell me the location of a reliable population of mallard ducks in SW FL? Thanks, billY Gunnels Subject: Bunche Beach (Ft Myers, Lee) update From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:21:27 -0400 All, The Long-billed Curlew continues at Bunche Beach in south Ft Myers (Lee County) as of this past weekend (26-27 July). Hundreds of shorebirds are now present along the beach portion that you can walk, and thousands of shorebirds, larids, waders etc. are present beyond the two creeks that border each end of the beach. Species seen from the beach: Wilson's Plover Semipalmated Plover Black-bellied Plover Long-billed Curlew Willet Short-billed Dowitcher Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling (seen Wednesday) Western Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Spotted Sandpiper (seen Wednesday) Least Tern Royal Tern Sandwich Tern Black Skimmer Laughing Gull Roseate Spoonbill Wood Stork Great Egret Snowy Egret Tri-colored Heron Little Blue Heron Great Blue Heron White Ibis Magnificent Frigatebird Brown Pelican Double-crested Cormorant Osprey Turkey Vulture Mourning Dove Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Subject: STA5 July 19th From: "Margaret" <mlelighthouse AT embarqmail.com> Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:42:05 -0000 Here's Saturday's STA5 list. Looks like I missed a great day. The next tour is August 16th. The 3rd Annual Hendry Glades NAMC will be held Sept. 20th. Our post count event will be in Clewiston. Volunteers are needed to cover areas surveyed in 06 and '07 plus other areas at Fisheating Creek . To volunteer for the NAMC or Sign up for tours Contact: Margaret England sta5birding AT embarqmail.com website: www.hendrygladesaudubon.org LaBelle STA5 is 20 miles south of Clewiston in the EAA. STA5 July 19, 2008 Participants: 15+ Species: 59 Black-bellied Whistling-Duck -- 6 Fulvous Whistling-Duck -- 5 Wood Duck -- 5 American Wigeon -- 1 Mottled Duck Blue-winged Teal --1 Ring-necked Duck -- 2 Lesser Scaup --1 Northern Bobwhite Pied-billed Grebe American White Pelican -- 4 or 5 Double-crested Cormorant Anhinga Least Bittern -- >20 Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Little Blue Heron Tricolored Heron Cattle Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron Yellow-crowned Night-heron -- 2 (one immature and one adult) White Ibis Glossy Ibis Roseate Spoonbill -- 1 Wood Stork Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Osprey Swallow-tailed Kite -- 35+ (staging over the cell/impoundment that borders Chuck Oberon's Organic Farm). This is the largest number of SWKIs we've seen at STA-5. Red-shouldered Hawk Crested Caracara -- 2 Purple Swamphen -- >6 Purple Gallinule -- 2 or 3 Common Moorhen American Coot Limpkin Killdeer -- 1 Black-necked Stilt -- >10 Forster's Tern -- 2 Black Skimmer --2 Eurasian Collared-Dove -- 1 Mourning Dove Common Ground Dove Barn Owl -- 2 Common Nighthawk -- 35+ sitting on telephone lines along Blumberg Rd. plus a dozen or so others found elsewhere Gray Kingbird -- 1 (new addition to STA-5 checklist) Loggerhead Shrike Purple Martin -- 2 Barn Swallow -- 20+ Northern Mockingbird European Starling -- 20+ Common Yellowthroat Eastern Towhee -- 1 Northern Cardinal Red-winged Blackbird Eastern Meadowlark Boat-tailed Grackle Subject: Bunch Beach shorebird walk tomorrow (Wed 23 July) From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:56:09 -0400 All, Tomorrow morning at 8:00 Walt Winton and I will lead a shorebird walk at Bunche Beach for the Lee County Bird Patrol. No pre-registration is required, no charge for attending or parking, and all are welcome! The tide and weather look like they will be accommodating, so with the blessing of the birding gods we'll have an interesting go at it with plenty to look at. The post below to the Birdbrains list by Tom Obrock, along with some scouting by Walt (the Long-billed Curlew was present to the left of the parking area), indicates that the shorebirds are present in good numbers and variety. This time of year, many of the birds will have a fair amount of breeding plumage remaining as an extra bonus for braving the heat and humidity! Bunche Beach is located at the south end of John Morris Rd, off Summerlin Blvd in south Ft Myers, a couple miles before the Sanibel Causeway toll booth. Click the "Get Directions" link at: http://www.conservation2020.org/preservedetails.cfm?proj_no=155 Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://birdpatrol.org/ -----Original Message----- From: Birdbrains - Florida Birds/Natural History [mailto:BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU] On Behalf Of Tom Obrock Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2008 7:26 PM To: BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Subject: [BRDBRAIN] White-crowned Pigeons .....I have visited nearby Bunche Beach, near Ft Myers Beach, several times this week and have sighted least terns, royal terns, brown pelicans, wilson's plovers, piping plovers, short-billed dowitchers, long-billed curlew, marbled godwits, ruddy turnstones, semipalmated plovers, roseate spoonbills, a spotted sandpiper, red knots, black-bellied plovers, both willets, an American oystercatcher, and lesser yellowlegs. Subject: house finch From: Thea Rhodes <alfredosdaughter AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:10:44 -0700 (PDT) Just checking in to see if anyone out there has seen the house finches that have been frequenting my backyard feeders (Venice) since June. Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 05 July 2008 - Pomarine Jaegar update From: "SRQ Bird Alerts - Peter Rice" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 21:48:30 -0400 5 July - Don't go looking for the Pomarine Jaegar on Siesta Key. I saw it in a cage at the Wildlife Center in Venice today. It's a sick bird. Barry Rossheim SAS VAAS nethoppers AT msn.com _______________________________________ Peter Rice Subject: Re: Unknown gull? From: jbouton2 AT earthlink.net Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 20:03:32 +0000 Beat me to it! :) As suggested this is an adult jaeger in very worn plumage. I think Pomarine is likely a good guess as well. It seems somewhat slim but the bill is on the heavier side. Still this could still be within the range of variation (size wise) for a larger Parasitic Jaeger though. It's a bit unfortunate there isn't another bird in view for size comparison though. Neat find! Good birding, Jeff Bouton Port Charlotte, FL jbouton2 AT earthlink.net Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T -----Original Message----- From: "Mike" Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 19:12:42 To: ; SWFBirdline Subject: Re: [SWFLBirdline] Unknown gull? Hi Burt it's not a gull it is a skua (jaeger) and looks to me to be a Pomarine Best Regards Mike The Gloster Birder www.birder.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk Subject: Re: Unknown gull? From: "Mike" <birder AT blueyonder.co.uk> Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 19:12:42 +0100 Hi Burt it's not a gull it is a skua (jaeger) and looks to me to be a Pomarine Best Regards Mike The Gloster Birder www.birder.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk Subject: Unknown gull? From: "Burt Finkelstein" <bfinkelstein AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 13:36:44 -0400 I saw this bird this morning on Siesta Key Beach. I have never seen anything on the beach like it. Anyone have a clue? Thanks, Burt -- Burt Finkelstein 7156 Del Lago Dr Sarasota, FL 34238 bfinkelstein AT gmail.com (941) 735-9520 (Cell) (941) 932-8224 (Home) http://www.bfinkelstein.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Try VistaPrint: http://www.vistaprint.com/frf?frf=607503130358 This message is for the designated recipient only and may contain privileged, proprietary, or otherwise private information. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the original. Any other use of the email by you is prohibited. Subject: Golden Eagle From: "vnjb63" <vnjb63 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 05 May 2008 01:28:46 -0000 I'm fairly certain we saw a Golden Eagle in Sarasota on April 13, 2008. My husband, sister-in-law and her husband also saw it. I will try to find out where it was, as it was my sister-in-laws, girlfriends parents neighborhood. Has anyone else from Sarasota seen a Golden Eagle? I did some research on the internet and found on the Cornell website that they are primarily in the Western U.S to Mexico and North America, but are starting to appear in the Eastern part of the U.S. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Golden_Eagle.html Subject: Connecticut Warbler at Lakes Park! From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Fri, 2 May 2008 20:57:29 -0400 All, Walt Winton reported finding a Connecticut Warbler this afternoon at Lakes Park in south Ft Myers. He will be leading a walk there tomorrow morning at 8:00 for the Bird Patrol, so anyone interested should enter the park off Gladiolus Rd, turn right after entering the park at the first stop, and continue to the end of the road to the last parking area. The group will meet in a covered pavilion (A-7 I believe) very close to the parking lot. Don't forget to pay the parking fee at the pay station. The Connecticut was later relocated by Vince McGrath at the north end of the park, located just beyond the high rise condo (Riva del Lago) where the wooded habitat begins. There were a number of warblers present, including a male Chestnut-sided singing! Multiple male Redstarts, male and female Black-throated Blue, Black-and-white, Prothonotary, Palm, Common Yellowthroat, and multiple Blackpolls (seen in the AM by another birder). Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 26 April 2008 From: "SRQ Bird Alerts - Peter Rice" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:29:53 -0400 26 April 10 to 11 AM - Celery Fields (NE Sarasota County, Fruitville Road exit off of I-75, between Fruitville Road and Palmer Blvd to the south) - Seen in the yellowish reeds about 300 yards (or meters) or 2/10th of a mile west of the gazebo along the berm (opposite the second tall light pole west of the gazebo) we saw: Two least bitterns, purple gallinule, wood duck mother with six ducklings, bald eagle (flying overhead), anhinga, blue-winged teal, black-bellied whistling duck, red-winged blackbird, black-neck stilt, coot, moorhen, great-blue heron, great egret, eastern meadowlark, boat-tailed grackle, little blue heron, wood stork, turkey vulture, brown pelican, glossy ibis, and white ibis. Heard but not seen, African lions and Asian tigers*. Peter & Frances Rice * Residents of Big Cat Retirement Home (about 600 meters east of the gazebo) _______________________________________ Peter Rice Subject: RE: Flycatcher, Eagles, and owls From: Debbie Norris <basketdeb AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:09:41 -0400 Hi Charlie and all, Yes, this description fits my flycatcher exactly! "A treetop hunter of deciduous forests and suburban areas, the Great Crested Flycatcher is easier to hear than to see. The only eastern flycatcher that nests in cavities, it often includes snakeskin in the nest lining." I have searched for many minutes on several occasions to see this bird. I hear him, but can not see him. I just know that his voice is singing somewhere high in the trees of our back yard. We have a trunk of a King Sego Palm in our yard, with a large hole in the trunk, near the top. It is quite large, and I look often to see if there is a nest. Owls: a pair of Great Horned Owls have returned, we hear and see them often. The eagles: Now THEY are truely magnificant. The parents have 2 children, (excuse me for not) recalling what the fledglins are called (I am tired after 3-14 shifts in a row)!, but, they are growing fast, almost as tall as the parents. They have a molted white head, black tail feathers, and love to fly and talk! I could spend all day watching them. Thanks for your help with my flycatcher! Deb Debbie Norris Independent Longaberger Home Consultant® Shop with me on-line for Baskets, Pottery, Wrought Iron or Home Decor items 239-549-7009 Basketdeb AT hotmail.com or Longaberger.com/deborahnorris To: basketdeb AT hotmail.com; SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.comFrom: anhinga42 AT embarqmail.comDate: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:14:35 -0400Subject: RE: [SWFLBirdline] Flycatcher Hi Debbie and All, I would also check/compare the vocalization of Great Crested Flycatcher at the Cornell site, as that is the most likely (and very common this time of year through fall) flycatcher of Myiarchus genus (tyrant flycatcher family) in our area, and the descriptions you gave fit that bird as well. I would describe their calls as anything from a rolling, course weep, to wirp, to wip, (or the same sounds with a “kr” instead of a “w”, as Sibley’s guide describes it as krrreeep) with many variations mixed in while it is vocalizing. I have even heard/seen one that nested in my yard a few years back singing a low volume song much like a Catbird! It can be found in developed backyard habitats, as well as hardwood hammocks, gardens, mangroves, etc. Nutting’s is only known as a vagrant in the southwest US, as its range is from Mexico down into Central America. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Crested_Flycatcher.html Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of bsktrnSent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 11:52 PMTo: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.comSubject: [SWFLBirdline] Flycatcher I believe that I have a "Nuttings Flycatcher" in my back yard in Cape Coral. He has brown and cream on his back and tail feathers, gray neck {anterior}, vibrant yellow breast/belly. Song is several "whirp, whirp, whirp" like calls. He fits the description and calls that I found online at Cornell orthinology site. Yesterday he was sitting on the rail of my deck, then he came and perched on a chair and was looking at me in the dining room. He was very close to me, and oh so beautiful. Vibrant deep yellow color with the pale gray and browns. Debbie _________________________________________________________________ Spell a grand slam in this game where word skill meets World Series. Get in the game. http://club.live.com/word_slugger.aspx?icid=word_slugger_wlhm_admod_april08 Subject: RE: Flycatcher From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:14:35 -0400 Hi Debbie and All, I would also check/compare the vocalization of Great Crested Flycatcher at the Cornell site, as that is the most likely (and very common this time of year through fall) flycatcher of Myiarchus genus (tyrant flycatcher family) in our area, and the descriptions you gave fit that bird as well. I would describe their calls as anything from a rolling, course weep, to wirp, to wip, (or the same sounds with a "kr" instead of a "w", as Sibley's guide describes it as krrreeep) with many variations mixed in while it is vocalizing. I have even heard/seen one that nested in my yard a few years back singing a low volume song much like a Catbird! It can be found in developed backyard habitats, as well as hardwood hammocks, gardens, mangroves, etc. Nutting's is only known as a vagrant in the southwest US, as its range is from Mexico down into Central America. http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Crested_Flycatche r.html Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com _____ From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of bsktrn Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 11:52 PM To: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Flycatcher I believe that I have a "Nuttings Flycatcher" in my back yard in Cape Coral. He has brown and cream on his back and tail feathers, gray neck {anterior}, vibrant yellow breast/belly. Song is several "whirp, whirp, whirp" like calls. He fits the description and calls that I found online at Cornell orthinology site. Yesterday he was sitting on the rail of my deck, then he came and perched on a chair and was looking at me in the dining room. He was very close to me, and oh so beautiful. Vibrant deep yellow color with the pale gray and browns. Debbie Subject: Flycatcher From: "bsktrn" <basketdeb AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 03:51:43 -0000 I believe that I have a "Nuttings Flycatcher" in my back yard in Cape Coral. He has brown and cream on his back and tail feathers, gray neck {anterior}, vibrant yellow breast/belly. Song is several "whirp, whirp, whirp" like calls. He fits the description and calls that I found online at Cornell orthinology site. Yesterday he was sitting on the rail of my deck, then he came and perched on a chair and was looking at me in the dining room. He was very close to me, and oh so beautiful. Vibrant deep yellow color with the pale gray and browns. Debbie Subject: Flycatcher From: "bsktrn" <basketdeb AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 03:49:31 -0000 I believe that I have a "Nuttings Flycatcher" in my back yard in Cape Coral. He has brown and cream on his back and tail feathers, gray neck {anterior}, vibrant yellow breast/belly. Song is several "whirp, whirp, whirp" like calls. He fits the description and calls that I found online at Cornell orthinology site. Yesterday he was sitting on the rail of my deck, then he came and perched on a chair and was looking at me in the dining room. He was very close to me, and oh so beautiful. Vibrant deep yellow color with the pale gray and browns. Debbie Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 23 April 2008 - Whooping Crane at Myakka State Park From: "SRQ Bird Alerts - Peter Rice" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:25:18 -0400 23 April - This morning at 9 am we had a Whooping Crane at Myakka State Park. The crane was seen flying north above the trees at the burned out area on the right side of the main road, after the first bridge. We spoke to a ranger who said she saw one yesterday flying north over Clark Rd near the entrance to the park. Others have also reported Whooping Crane sightings at the Park over the past three months. We suspect the Whooper (s) are hanging out near Lower Myakka Lake. Rett & Priscilla Oren North Venice _______________________________________ Peter Rice Subject: Radar birding! From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:54:51 -0400 All, I can't get out today, but yesterday and this mornings radar shows large movements of birds out of Cuba, and with the southeast wind in the west coast's direction. I'll pass along any reports I may hear later today. Go to Badbirdz2 Reloaded to check out the radar: http://badbirdz2.wordpress.com/ Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Subject: Beach Nesting Birds article From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:34:44 -0400 FYI: Link to an article in the Naples Daily News about posting off nesting areas for beach nesting species: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/apr/15/authorities-rope--portions-marcos -beach-protect-sh/ Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 14 April 2008 From: "SRQ Bird Alerts - Peter Rice" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:41:01 -0400 14 April - Celery Fields (Fruitville Road exit off of I-75, 1/2 mile east of I-75 and 1/2 mile south of Fruitville Road. Early this morning Rick Greenspun and I saw 2 King Rails walking in front and slightly to the north of the pond close to the gazebo - they were out in the open for at least 15 min.'s. As we walked the path north and were making the turn to the left an American Bittern was up in the reeds and then flew back toward the Gazebo. Continuing on between the ponds we spotted a Least Bittern, then 15 feet farther up the path we saw another Least Bittern. Both males in breeding plumage. They each let us watch them for approximately 5 min.'s and were only 6 feet from us. I have never seen Least Bitterns this close. See attached picture. Also seen were two Purple Gallinules. Celery Fields looks beautiful with all the water, sedge plants and native grasses. Kathryn Young Sarasota 14 April - I saw a limpkin on the far edge of the pond behind our house on the second fairway of our golf course in the Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club (a limited access compound) located about three miles east of I-75 and 1/2 mile south of Bee Ridge Road. This the second time I have seen a limpkin in this location, the other was about one month ago. Those living in Misty Creek and Bent Tree might see it also, perhaps it may move about a bit further. Peter Rice 14 April - From time to time we continue to see one or two white-winged doves sitting on the wires along Bee Ridge Road Extension between the entrance to Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club and Coash Lane, in particular late in the afternoon. Peter Rice _______________________________________ Peter Rice Subject: Question Sternes From: "georgeslachaine" <georgeslachaine AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:50:47 -0000 Hi, I am just back from an ornithological trip in South-West Florida. My wife and I have appreciated all the sites we have visited. We saw 123 species and took a lot of pictures. Looking at them made us wandering about the identification of 3 Terns and we would appreciate your opinion on it. We put the photos in 3 different galeries of our pbase site. Here is the address: http://www.pbase.com/elainegeorges/nonident About the one who we think is a Sandwich Tern :- The black bill with pale tip and the black legs match the illustration in the Sibley book at page 231. But we are puzzled by the pink tone of the usual white parts. Question: Is this bird really a Sandwich Tern ? About the one who we think is a Roseate Tern :- We see that the bill is thick and long and it has red at the base unlike the illustration in the Sibley book at page 235. Question: Is this bird really a RoseateTern ? About the one who we think is a Forster's Tern :- What makes us feeling uncertain is that the nape is darker than the one on the illustration in the Sibley book at page 234. Are we right with our identification of a Forster's Tern ? Thanks for your help. Georges Lachaine, Montreal, Quebec Subject: bell's vireo at the Sanibel lighthouse From: "mayhill10" <mayhill10 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:48:00 -0000 Today, Thur., 4 of us identified a bell's vireo at the lighthouse about 9 am this morning. Could someone let me know if I need to document that bird, and if so, how do I do that here in florida? There were not many birds by way of numbers but we did also have a yellow billed cuckoo, blue headed vireo, 2 blue grosbeaks. Others saw a merlin and one person thought he either had a philadelphia or warbling vireo(in addition to the bell's). Hopefully migration is picking up since I leave Monday am. Julie Long, St Charles, Ill and Sanibel Subject: bell's vireo at the Sanibel lighthouse From: "mayhill10" <mayhill10 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:48:00 -0000 Today, Thur., 4 of us identified a bell's vireo at the lighthouse about 9 am this morning. Could someone let me know if I need to document that bird, and if so, how do I do that here in florida? There were not many birds by way of numbers but we did also have a yellow billed cuckoo, blue headed vireo, 2 blue grosbeaks. Others saw a merlin and one person thought he either had a philadelphia or warbling vireo(in addition to the bell's). Hopefully migration is picking up since I leave Monday am. Julie Long, St Charles, Ill and Sanibel Subject: FW: Saturday - Birding at Bunche Beach From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 16:13:38 -0400 FYI below. Wish I could attend because this is a pretty good time to catch shorebirds before they migrate out of FL, but will be out of town this weekend. A few species should be starting to show their breeding plumages adding to the pleasure of seeing them! Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com _____ From: Gayle Schmidt Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 10:41 AM Subject: Saturday - Birding at Bunche Beach * April 12, Saturday 8AM Bunche Beach Guides: Bill Saunders and Iver Brooks. 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. More information: Bill Saunders 454-1598. www.birdpatrol.org Subject: RE: Spring migration presentation, Tuesday 8 April From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2008 08:48:21 -0400 Reminder: Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com -----Original Message----- From: Charlie Ewell [mailto:anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com] Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 9:00 AM To: 'swflbirdline AT yahoogroups.com' Subject: Spring migration presentation, Tuesday 8 April All, Below is an announcement for a presentation I will be giving this Tuesday. All are welcome: Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife needs volunteers to help find and mark burrowing owls nests and gopher tortoise nests. If you have nests in your neighborhood that are over grown or new nests that need staking, please contact us at 239-980-2593. If you would like to try and attract a burrowing owl to your front yard, please call us or email us at www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org for information on how to construct a starter burrow. If you would like to learn how to preserve our wildlife on the Cape, please contact us or attend our general meeting at Rotary Park, Tuesday, April 8 at 7:00pm. Our speaker will be Charlie Ewell of the Lee County School District, who volunteers with Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife, Lee County Bird Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife, and Florida Ornithological Society.  His topic will deal with the dynamics of spring migration in SW FL, including pictures of some of the bird species involved. Rotary Park is located at the intersection of Pelican Blvd, Eldorado Pkwy, and Rose Garden Rd. Take Pelican Blvd south from Cape Coral Parkway. The park is located on the southeast corner of the 4-way stop at Eldorado Pkwy. For a map go to: http://maps.google.com/maps and type "Rotary Park, Cape Coral, FL" into the search box. If you need human delivered directions or have any questions, call me at 239-542-6007! Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://birdpatrol.org/ Subject: RFI -- red-cockaded woodpeckers From: Diana Pesek <keesiemom AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2008 04:17:22 -0700 (PDT) Hi all, I'll be traveling to Florida the first week of May for work, based out of Tampa. Have a couple of extra days for birding. One bird I'd love to see is the Red-cockaded Woodpecker. I am following the various Florida list-servs and have the 2005 edition of A Birder's Guide to Florida, but would still appreciate the most up-to-date information on these birds' current locations. Thanks much! Please respond offline to: keesiemom AT yahoo.com Diana Pesek Cedar Rapids, IA keesiemom AT yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com Subject: Spring migration presentation, Tuesday 8 April From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 08:59:36 -0400 All, Below is an announcement for a presentation I will be giving this Tuesday. All are welcome: Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife needs volunteers to help find and mark burrowing owls nests and gopher tortoise nests. If you have nests in your neighborhood that are over grown or new nests that need staking, please contact us at 239-980-2593. If you would like to try and attract a burrowing owl to your front yard, please call us or email us at www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org for information on how to construct a starter burrow. If you would like to learn how to preserve our wildlife on the Cape, please contact us or attend our general meeting at Rotary Park, Tuesday, April 8 at 7:00pm. Our speaker will be Charlie Ewell of the Lee County School District, who volunteers with Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife, Lee County Bird Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife, and Florida Ornithological Society.  His topic will deal with the dynamics of spring migration in SW FL, including pictures of some of the bird species involved. Rotary Park is located at the intersection of Pelican Blvd, Eldorado Pkwy, and Rose Garden Rd. Take Pelican Blvd south from Cape Coral Parkway. The park is located on the southeast corner of the 4-way stop at Eldorado Pkwy. For a map go to: http://maps.google.com/maps and type "Rotary Park, Cape Coral, FL" into the search box. If you need human delivered directions or have any questions, call me at 239-542-6007! Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://birdpatrol.org/ Subject: FW: This Sat: Estero Lagoon tour From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 08:28:53 -0400 Reminder below... Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com _____ From: Charlie Ewell [mailto:anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com] Subject: FW: This Sat: Estero Lagoon tour I will be leading a Bird Patrol sponsored walk (Open to anyone that shows up! No registration needed.) at Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area (aka Little Estero Lagoon) this Saturday morning. Some details are below, and please email or call (239-542-6007) with any questions. Here is some additional info on the area: http://www.ecotrail.com/little_estero_island.htm Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com _____ From: Bird Patrol [mailto:BirdPatrol AT birdpatrol.org] Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 10:46 AM To: BirdPatrol AT birdpatrol.org Subject: This Sat: Estero Lagoon tour * April 5, Saturday 8:00AM Estero Lagoon Preserve Guide: Charlie Ewell. Meet at Santini Plaza parking lot (in NW corner) just south of Holiday Inn on Ft Myers beach. Wear beach shoes for possible wading. Expect to walk 2 or 3 hours. Shorebirds, wading birds, gulls, terns, possible peregrine falcon. More information: Charlie Ewell 542-6007 Subject: Nesting Cooper's Hawks in Naples From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 08:24:19 -0400 All, Here is an article in the Naples Daily News about nesting Cooper's Hawks and a construction project. http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/apr/03/construction-downtown-parking-gar age-stopped-after/ Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Subject: FW: This Sat: Estero Lagoon tour From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 10:15:36 -0400 I will be leading a Bird Patrol sponsored walk (Open to anyone that shows up! No registration needed.) at Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area (aka Little Estero Lagoon) this Saturday morning. Some details are below, and please email or call (239-542-6007) with any questions. Here is some additional info on the area: http://www.ecotrail.com/little_estero_island.htm Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com _____ From: Bird Patrol [mailto:BirdPatrol AT birdpatrol.org] Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 10:46 AM To: BirdPatrol AT birdpatrol.org Subject: This Sat: Estero Lagoon tour * April 5, Saturday 8:00AM Estero Lagoon Preserve Guide: Charlie Ewell. Meet at Santini Plaza parking lot (in NW corner) just south of Holiday Inn on Ft Myers beach. Wear beach shoes for possible wading. Expect to walk 2 or 3 hours. Shorebirds, wading birds, gulls, terns, possible peregrine falcon. More information: Charlie Ewell 542-6007 Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 29 Marchl 2008 From: "SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:00:44 -0400 29 March - Returned to Celery Fields in Sarasota this AM for another attempt at seeing the rails. Much better luck today. Within 10 minutes of sunrise I had seen the sora rail. In the same stretch of weeds near the gazebo I found the king rail who eventually came out in the open for me. And eventually I also found a little virginia rail in the same area. Stopped at the Skyway Bridge on the way home and did not see one gannet this time. What a difference 2 weeks makes. Matt Paulson His two pictures of rails ought to be attached and/or below depending on what one permits to be loaded onto your computer. Note: The Celery Fields are in north-eastern Sarasota County immediately south of Fruitville Road, immediately east of I-75 (take the Fruitville Road exit), immediately north of Palmer Blvd, and immediately west of Center Road. Look for the gazebo along the north side of Palmer Blvd and park there. Below ought to be a proper link to Google maps for the Celery Fields area. As for the name, once celery was grown in this area. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Fruitville+Rd,+Sarasota,+FL,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=image _______________________________________ Peter Rice Subject: Recent photos of uncommon Florida birds From: "John Dougherty" <johndrty1 AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:09:18 -0000 I created a new photo album on this site today. It contains some of the uncommon birds in our area. All photos were taken during the past week. Canon 20D with 100-400 IS lens used. Some Photoshop processing. John Dougherty Fort Myers Beach Subject: Dancing bronzed cowbirds From: "calidris55" <calidris55 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:49:43 -0000 We watched the bronzed cowbirds at Naples Community Park (on 41 near/west of 951) for an hour. The attraction was the mating ritual of 2 of the males. A male would flutter up and hover several feet over one of the 4 females, then drop down almost bill to bill with the female where it would puff up most of its head and body feathers, all the while doing a slow "bounce," i.e., slowly sqatting to the ground and rising back up repeatedly. Quite entertaining and exotic, especially with the intense red eyes, although the females didn't seem to think so; we didn't observe any copulation.(They do not breed here, of course.) The birds were with a flock of b-t grackles along the fence opposite the gezebo. Of interest might be the 12 marbled godwits and 18 red knots in a mixed flock of others resting on the beach in the rain (no people) on the beach at Tigertail Beach on Marco at high tide. Has anyone seen whimbrels this winter? They are very conspicuous by their absence this year. Bill Jones Bonita Beach Subject: Bunche Beach pictures From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:25:48 -0400 All, I stumbled onto this set of pictures from Bunche Beach on the News-Press website. There are some spectacular spoonbill shots! http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=A4 &Date=20071003&Category=LIFESTYLES&ArtNo=710030801&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1 Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Subject: upcoming Bird Patrol tours From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:07:14 -0400 FYI on the upcoming Bird Patrol guided walks: March 22, Saturday 8 a.m. Estero Marsh Preserve Guide: Pat Gladstone. Meet north end of Publix shopping center corner of US 41 & Island Park Rd in San Carlos Park. No trails or restrooms, some wading. Hike about 2 hours through saw palmetto, scrub, and black needle rush. Recent renovation work completed on site. More information: Pat Gladstone (239)992-6968 - April 5, Saturday 8 a.m. Estero Lagoon Preserve Guide: Charlie Ewell. Meet at Santini Plaza parking lot (in NW corner) just south of Holiday Inn on Ft Myers beach. Wear beach shoes for possible wading. Expect to walk 2 or 3 hours. Shorebirds, wading birds, gulls, terns, possible peregrine falcon. More information: Charlie Ewell 542-6007 - April 12, Saturday 8 a.m. Bunche Beach Guides: Bill Saunders and Iver Brooks. 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. More information: Bill Saunders 454-1598. - April 19, Saturday 8 a.m. Charlotte Harbor Buffer Preserve Guide: Judy Harvey. The site is located in NW Cape Coral west of the intersection of Old Burnt Store Rd & Durden Pkwy. From US 41, take Colonial Blvd(SR884) over the Midpoint Memorial Bridge (pay toll) to Cape Coral. Colonial becomes Veteran's Pkwy over the bridge. Follow Veteran's Parkway about 8 miles as it turns north & becomes Burnt Store Rd(CR765). Proceed north about 9 miles to Durden Pkwy. Turn left & head west to the end where Durden & Old Burnt Store Rd intersect. Parking is on the side of the road where Judy will be waiting in her red Bird Patrol vest. Expect to walk about 2 miles in 2 1/2 hours on a rough trail that may be wet. Bald eagles, hawks, warblers, wading birds. More information: Judy Harvey (239) 218-3467 At the www.birdpatrol.org site you can learn more about Bird Patrol itself: Lee County volunteers dedicated to protect, monitor, observe and educate our public regarding the contribution that birds make to the delicate balance of our ecosystem in the Lee County parks and Conservation 20/20 acquisitions. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 16 March 2008 - Ross's Goose location information From: "SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:20:14 -0400 15 March - The Ross's Goose referred to in your email was seen in the Colony Cove Mobile Home Park. It was here between 4:30 pm and 7:00 pm feeding on cracked corn put out by a resident. It has not been seen here since. Chris Beaton Colony Cove Ellenton, FL Comment: As I understand, this location is along US-301 about 4/5th of a mile east of I-75 and the Ellenton Mall (Prime Outlets). This Ross's Goose was first seen in this area (with BBWDs) more than a month ago in a restricted access area. Those searching for this Ross's Goose might look through out the area east of the Ellenton Mall, in particular in grassy areas and near water. Also, one might be alert for a flock of BBWDs for the Ross's Goose may be near or with them. Peter Rice _______________________________________ Peter Rice To subscribe, please send an E-mail to SRQbirdAlerts-subscribe AT Yahoogroups.com To unsubscribe, please send an E-mail to SRQbirdAlerts-unsubscribe AT Yahoogroups.com Please send your input about rare and/or interesting bird sightings to: SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com To CHANGE your address, use your OLD E-mail address to send an E-mail to the UNsubscribe address above and use your NEW E-mail address to send an E-mail to the subscribe address above. Subject: Looking for Volunteers for a Shorebird Nesting Project [CharlotteCountyNatureAlert] From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:18:35 -0400 FYI re: Charlotte County volunteer opportunity. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com _____ From: CharlotteCountyNatureAlert AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:CharlotteCountyNatureAlert AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Christie, Missy Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 9:45 AM To: CharlotteCountyNatureAlert AT yahoogroups.com; Shackelford, Holly; thomas duch; Edwards, Kevin; Brenda Bossman; John Taylor Cc: Thomson, Jim; Stevens, Andy Subject: [CharlotteCountyNatureAlert] Looking for Volunteers for a Shorebird Nesting Project Do you enjoy taking a stroll along the beach, and interacting with other beachgoers? If so, we may be looking for you! Charlotte County Natural Resources, in cooperation with Florida Department of Environmental Protection Parks Services, is looking for volunteers to assist in a shorebird nesting project. The goal of the project is to provide information to the public on shorebirds that use our beaches for nesting. It would involve walking beaches in Charlotte County, distributing literature, and providing information. If this is something that may interest you, or if you would like more information, please contact Missy L. Christie, at Charlotte County Natural Resources Division, 941-764-4360 or email at missy.christie AT charlottefl.com Please pass this message along to others. Thank you Missy L. Christie Environmental Specialist Charlotte County Natural Resources Division Office: (941) 764-4360 Cell: (941) 456-0699 www.CharlotteCountyFL.com ecountyfl.com/> "To Exceed Expectations in the Delivery of Public Services" ***************************************************************** Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from officials regarding county business, are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure. ***************************************************************** Subject: FW: CCFW Mangrove Gathering Eco Cafe From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:06:41 -0400 FYI below…details attached in the pdf file. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com -------------- Forwarded Message: -------------- From: "Kiseda, John B." To: "Kiseda, John B." Subject: Mangrove Gathering Eco Cafe Date: Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:51:44 +0000 I hope you can join us this Friday, March 14th for the next Mangrove Gathering Eco Café. Attached is the flyer for your review and to pass along to others … THANKS! John Kiseda, CIG Environmental Education Program Coordinator Lee County Parks & Recreation Support Services Facility/Eco Living Center 6490 South Pointe Blvd Ft Myers, FL 33919 239-432-2163 office 239-229-0553 cell 239-432-2030 fax kisedajb AT leegov.com www.leeparks.org "The Natural Place to Play" Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from County Employees and Officials regarding County business are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail communication may be subject to public disclosure. Subject: email address From: "mrfilez" <itmanager AT bellmedicine.com> Date: Sat, 08 Mar 2008 20:15:51 -0000 I am not sure how this list works. Some lists do not show the e-mail address for other people. My e-mail address is itmanager AT bellmedicine.com Don Colley Jr Memphis, Tn Subject: Ft Lauderdale and South Florida area From: "mrfilez" <itmanager AT bellmedicine.com> Date: Sat, 08 Mar 2008 20:11:15 -0000 My wife and I will be in the Ft Lauderdale area in mid May. We are novice birders and are extremely interested in adding to our life lists. We may only have a day or two to bird. I was wondering if anyone could tell us where the best places to bird are located. I have read around the internet for places, but very little tells what season(s) the locations are good for. We are very interested in Wood Stork, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Snail Kite, Short-tailed Hawk, and any other species that are known in the area that would not likely be seen in West Tennessee or Texas. I am trying to keep up with the few lists I have been able to find, but any help about key locations to visit would be greatly appreciated. My wife is disabled and up until now, we have only been able to bird from our van. We may still have to bird from the van, as my wife is very adversely affected by the sun and heat. Don Colley Jr Subject: local sightings From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 06:43:36 -0500 All, Two sightings of note I've had in the Ft Myers area recently: A Northern Parula at the extreme northeast end of Lakes Park last weekend during a Birdfest walk I was leading with Walt Winton, and a Swallow-tailed Kite drifting north while passing over Colonial Blvd and Summerlin Blvd on Wednesday 5 March. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Subject: Bird Patrol's upcoming tours From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 09:58:41 -0500 All, At the Bird Patrol's website, you can find all the upcoming dates for the March/April tours that the Lee County Bird Patrol does annually for some of the county properties we monitor. This offers a guide (and in some cases the only public access) to sites other than Bunche Beach and Lakes Park (which have monthly tours). My next guided trip is 4/5/08 at Little Estero Island CWA (aka Little Estero Lagoon/Ft Myers Beach located behind the Holiday Inn). Go to the BP site and click the link to Site Tours at the top for the list and dates. http://www.birdpatrol.org/ Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Subject: greetings from the UK From: "paul matthews" <paul AT nutbags.co.uk> Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:33:34 -0000 Hi all in sunny Florida,I've made a number of postings over recent years usually regarding our regular vacations to Sanibel.This year we have decided to try somewhere new for a holiday,to be honest we have found the standard of the beaches at Sanibel to be quite poor recently with lots of smelly seaweed on the beach and in the water.We appreciate that this mostly washes in from the everglades but we don't remember this being as bad several years ago. Anyway,we've decided to try going a bit further up the coast this year so have booked holiday villas on longboat key for a week in May/June followed by a week in Homosassa. Does anyone have any recommendations for good bird locations in those areas?We particularly like family friendly reserves(like Ding Darling),where we can drive through and watch the wildlife,as I probably won't have enough time to go off "trekking" on my own. We stayed in Homosassa many years ago and this particular villa is beside a river with a nature reserve nearby so i'm particularly looking forward to that week.I'll definately hang some feeders up in the garden.What birds might I expect to use them,and what food will work best? Thanks in advance for any help and replies. paul Southampton UK www.nutbags.co.uk Subject: Long-billed Curlew From: "Bob" <rihargrave AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:43:58 -0000 I posted a picture (not that great) of the bird in the miscellaneous album. Thanks to Charlie for confirming the id and for hints on when to look for it. Bob Subject: FW: Thank you you for participating in this year's GBBC! From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:25:38 -0500 FYI Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com _____ From: citizenscience AT audubon.org [mailto:citizenscience AT audubon.org] Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 2:59 PM To: anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Subject: Thank you you for participating in this year's GBBC! Dear GBBC participant: Thank you for being a part of this great event! There are just a few more days left to enter tallies for the 11th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). And, thanks to your participation, we've just surpassed last year's record-breaking number of more than 80,000 checklists! If you haven't already sent us all your observations, please enter your GBBC checklists by this Saturday, March 1st at http://www.birdcount.org. It's been equally rewarding to see all the stunning images submitted for the photo contest. We've posted nearly 400 photos, twice as many as we did last year, so you can get a sense of the beauty and the variety of species observed across the continent. We'll be assembling judges from the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to review each of the thousands of images we received and choose winners in each category. It won't be easy an easy task! As soon we've received all checklists, we will also be choosing names from among all GBBC participants to give away the great gifts donated this year-including bird feeders, books, and free memberships in our two organizations. You can see the full list of prizes here: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/2008prizes. Scientists at the Lab and Audubon will be combing through data trends and changes. We'll report findings on the web site later in March. You can also explore the results yourself via the lists and maps provided in the Explore the Results section of the web site. In the Map Room you can compare year-to-year or choose multiple-year animations for a particular species and watch the shifting patterns of distribution. Most importantly, we want to thank you for taking the time to participate in this year's Great Backyard Bird Count. As more and more observations are submitted, we get a clearer picture of where the birds are and how their patterns of distribution and numbers may be changing over time. This information becomes increasingly valuable the longer the count continues. Thank you for joining this year's GBBC-and save the date for next year's Great Backyard Bird Count, scheduled for February 14-17, 2009! Your friends at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society Subject: FW: NASA Project Threatens Birds, Bird Habitat and Birdwatching at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refu From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:30:27 -0500 A correction has been sent on the site sizes potentially affected. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com _____ From: flconservation AT audubon.org [mailto:flconservation AT audubon.org] Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 1:10 PM To: Charles Ewell Jr Subject: NASA Project Threatens Birds, Bird Habitat and Birdwatching at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refu Dear Charles Ewell, Jr, We are sorry to be sending the same message a second time, but there existed a typographic error in the original that was significant enough that it warrants clarification. The size of each site is approximately 200 acres, not 2 acres. NASA is proposing two alternatives for a private spacecraft launch site which would result in significant habitat destruction on and near the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Canaveral National Seashore in Brevard County. At least one of the proposed sites could also cause closure of public access to cherished areas of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge that are some of the top birdwatching sites in the nation. Each site is approximately 200 acres in size. Both sites have the potential to cause serious impacts to both uplands and wetlands, and viable habitat utilized by over 310 species of birds, including federally threatened Florida Scrub-jays, Reddish Egrets (a state species of special concern), federally protected Bald Eagles, Roseate Spoonbills (a state species of special concern), federally endangered Woodstorks, Black Necked Stilts, White Pelicans and scores of others. The two proposed sites would cause significant habitat loss for federally imperiled and declining wildlife species, and Site 2 could result in the closure of public access to the world-renowned Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island NWR Visitor Center, Bio Lab Road, and Haulover Canal as well as the Cruikshank, Scrub Ridge, Oak Hammock, and Palm Hammock trails. These sites are international destinations for birdwatching, manatee viewing, angling and more. Florida is the only place in the world where federally threatened Florida Scrub-jays occur. Habitat for this rapidly declining species would be significantly impacted by the proposed launch sites currently under consideration by NASA. Read Florida Today's editorial on the proposal NASA is undertaking an "Environmental Assessment" under the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to evaluate the environmental impact of these alternative sites. However, Audubon's review of NASA's site selection effort reveals NASA has not adequately addressed (1) wildlife impacts of these proposals, (2) the devastating potential impacts to the local economy, and (3) other possible sites in the area. In fact, the evaluation appears to have arbitrarily and prematurely excluded already disturbed sites on adjacent Air Force property from consideration. Audubon considers both Sites 1 and 2 to be unacceptable and is calling on NASA to identify new alternatives from those prematurely excluded from consideration. These projects are on a very aggressive timeline; NASA needs to hear from you now! HOW YOU CAN HELP 1. Two Public meetings on this issue will be held on Thursday, February 28th at the New Smyrna Beach Public Library, 1001 Dixie Hwy (U.S. 1), New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 at 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Attend and voice your opposition to both proposed sites. 2. If you cannot attend the public meetings, email comments to NASA directly. 3. Sign Audubon's electronic petition to NASA opposing the selection of these inappropriate sites. 4. Visit Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and see these remarkable resources for yourself! Shorebirds on Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Roseate Spoonbills on BioLab Road, Florida Scrub-jays on posts and wires along refuge roads, and manatees in Haulover Canal are some of Audubon of Florida Executive Director David Anderson's recommendations for wildlife viewing at this world-class site refuge. _____ Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this. Tell-a-friend! If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for Audubon of Florida. This message was sent to anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com. Visit your subscription management page to modify your email communication preferences or update your personal profile. To stop ALL email from Audubon of Florida, click to remove yourself from our lists (or reply via email with "remove or unsubscribe" in the subject line). Subject: FW: NASA Project Threatens Birds, Bird Habitat and Birdwatching at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refu From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:26:00 -0500 All, Here is an issue that affects birders nationwide, not just in FL. This could potentially shut down Merritt Island NWR as we know it. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com _____ From: flconservation AT audubon.org [mailto:flconservation AT audubon.org] Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:51 AM To: Charles Ewell Jr Subject: NASA Project Threatens Birds, Bird Habitat and Birdwatching at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refu Dear Charles Ewell, Jr, NASA is proposing two alternatives for a private spacecraft launch site which would result in significant habitat destruction on and near the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Canaveral National Seashore in Brevard County. At least one of the proposed sites could also cause closure of public access to cherished areas of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge that are some of the top birdwatching sites in the nation. Each site is approximately 2 acres in size. Both sites have the potential to cause serious impacts to both uplands and wetlands, and viable habitat utilized by over 310 species of birds, including federally threatened Florida Scrub-jays, Reddish Egrets (a state species of special concern), federally protected Bald Eagles, Roseate Spoonbills (a state species of special concern), federally endangered Woodstorks, Black Necked Stilts, White Pelicans and scores of others. The two proposed sites would cause significant habitat loss for federally imperiled and declining wildlife species, and Site 2 could result in the closure of public access to the world-renowned Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island NWR Visitor Center, Bio Lab Road, and Haulover Canal as well as the Cruikshank, Scrub Ridge, Oak Hammock, and Palm Hammock trails. These sites are international destinations for birdwatching, manatee viewing, angling and more. Florida is the only place in the world where federally threatened Florida Scrub-jays occur. Habitat for this rapidly declining species would be significantly impacted by the proposed launch sites currently under consideration by NASA. Read Florida Today's editorial on the proposal NASA is undertaking an "Environmental Assessment" under the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to evaluate the environmental impact of these alternative sites. However, Audubon's review of NASA's site selection effort reveals NASA has not adequately addressed (1) wildlife impacts of these proposals, (2) the devastating potential impacts to the local economy, and (3) other possible sites in the area. In fact, the evaluation appears to have arbitrarily and prematurely excluded already disturbed sites on adjacent Air Force property from consideration. Audubon considers both Sites 1 and 2 to be unacceptable and is calling on NASA to identify new alternatives from those prematurely excluded from consideration. These projects are on a very aggressive timeline; NASA needs to hear from you now! HOW YOU CAN HELP 1. Two Public meetings on this issue will be held on Thursday, February 28th at the New Smyrna Beach Public Library, 1001 Dixie Hwy (U.S. 1), New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 at 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Attend and voice your opposition to both proposed sites. 2. If you cannot attend the public meetings, email comments to NASA directly. 3. Sign Audubon's electronic petition to NASA opposing the selection of these inappropriate sites. 4. Visit Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and see these remarkable resources for yourself! Shorebirds on Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Roseate Spoonbills on BioLab Road, Florida Scrub-jays on posts and wires along refuge roads, and manatees in Haulover Canal are some of Audubon of Florida Executive Director David Anderson's recommendations for wildlife viewing at this world-class site refuge. _____ Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this. Tell-a-friend! If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for Audubon of Florida. This message was sent to anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com. Visit your subscription management page to modify your email communication preferences or update your personal profile. To stop ALL email from Audubon of Florida, click to remove yourself from our lists (or reply via email with "remove or unsubscribe" in the subject line).