Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from SouthWest Florida > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Monday, June 29 at 08:59 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Ninox scutulata

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" ] 17 Apr Sanibel Lighthouse and Lakes Park for migrants ["Charlie Ewell" ] 17 Apr floridahummingbirds.net ["Charlie Ewell" ] 16 Apr Wednesday, Apr 15 at Sanibel Lighthouse ["eastkingbird" ] 11 Apr Sanibel Lighthouse - 4/11 morning [Gayle Schmidt ] 10 Apr Sanibel Lighthouse [Vincent Mcgrath ] 10 Apr Big "O" Apr. 3-6 ["Margaret England" ] 10 Apr Big "O" Apr. 3-6 ["Margaret England" ] 10 Apr Sanibel Lighthouse - Sanibel Lighthouse [Gayle Schmidt ] 10 Apr additions to today's lighthouse list, April 9 ["mayhill10" ] 9 Apr Subscribe [Vincent Mcgrath ] 9 Apr Subscribe [Vincent Mcgrath ] 9 Apr One more bird to add... [Cheyenne Szydlo ] 9 Apr Re: adding to Cheyenne's list, plus today [] 09 Apr adding to Cheyenne's list, plus today ["mayhill10" ] 8 Apr RE: Add to Cheyenne's List ["Floyd, Chris" ] 8 Apr Add to Cheyenne's List ["Ruth Woodall" ] 8 Apr Sanibel Lighthouse, the migrant Mecca! [Cheyenne Szydlo ] 7 Apr Lakes Park birds [Cheyenne Szydlo ] 04 Apr correction ["mayhill10" ] 04 Apr Sanibel lighthouse ["mayhill10" ] 26 Mar Bird Patrol tour of Estero Lagoon Preserve ["Charlie Ewell" ] 25 Mar Big O Birding Festival ["Margaret England" ] 24 Mar Bird Patrol tour of Estero Lagoon Preserve this Saturday ["Charlie Ewell" ] 21 Mar FW: Bird Patrol at Bunche Beach tomorrow ["Charlie Ewell" ] 2 Mar Fwd: Swallow-tail Kite near Lakes Park [] 2 Mar Swallow-tail Kite near Lakes Park [Cheyenne Szydlo ] 24 Feb SRQ Bird Alerts 24 February 2009 ["Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" ] 12 Feb 2009 Great Backyard Bird Count reminder ["Charlie Ewell" ] 10 Feb Reddish Egret White Morph ["Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" ] 9 Feb SRQ Bird Alerts 9 February 2009 ["Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" ] 5 Feb Ruff seen Wednesday 4 Feb ["Charlie Ewell" ] 4 Feb (unknown) [Bruce Makuk ] 3 Feb Purple Martin reports from SW FL ["Charlie Ewell" ] 31 Jan SRQ Bird NON Alert 31 January 2009 - Venice Audubon Canopy Lodge Trip - September 25 - October 4, 2009 ["Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" ] 29 Jan FW: The 2009 Great Backyard Bird Count is less than a month away! ["Charlie Ewell" ] 21 Jan RE: unknown hawk ["Floyd, Chris" ] 21 Jan unknown hawk ["Ron " ] 20 Jan Weekiwachee Preserve Sparrow Drive - ride needed ["Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" ] 19 Jan Weekiwachee Preserve Sparrow Drive ["Valeri Ponzo" ] 19 Jan STA5 1/17/09 ["Margaret England" ] 18 Jan Horned Grebe pics at Bunche Beach, Ft Myers, Lee County on Sunday 18 Jan 09 ["Charlie Ewell" ] 13 Jan Big Cypress Loop Road [Frank Murphy ] 10 Jan Turner River Road [Frank Murphy ] 10 Jan FW: Rookery counts - volunteers needed ["Charlie Ewell" ] 04 Jan Scissor-tailed Flycatcher ["F Murphy" ] 4 Jan FW: swfl birding fest ["Charlie Ewell" ] 1 Jan SRQ Bird Alerts 1 January 2009 - Ruff back at 2 PM Thursday ["Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" ] 1 Jan SRQ Bird Alerts 1 January 2009 - The Ruff is still at Myakka River SP ["Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" ] 31 Dec SRQ Bird Alerts 31 December 2008 - Ruff at Myakka River State Park ["Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" ] 31 Dec FW: [BRDBRAIN] request for Gulf Coast shorebird observations ["Charlie Ewell" ] 30 Dec Christmas Birding Week on Sanibel ["fenner7" ] 21 Dec FW: Pine Siskin in Alva ["Charlie Ewell" ] 20 Dec SWFL CBCs? ["Dany Sloan" ] 19 Dec Babcock Webb late report ["Jeff Bouton" ] 18 Dec CORRECTION: Bird Patrol tour this Saturday at Harnes Marsh ["Charlie Ewell" ] 18 Dec FW: Bird Patrol tour this Saturday at Harnes Marsh ["Charlie Ewell" ] 9 Dec RFI Black-bellied Plover bill size ["Valeri Ponzo" ] 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. Subject: Sanibel Lighthouse and Lakes Park for migrants From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:45:11 -0400 All, I've heard that the Sanibel Lighthouse has been very good since the front passed, with today being a little slower, but still many cool warblers like Blackburnian were still present. If you go, make sure you check the ficus tree that is adjacent to the small garage on the turn-around circle at the lighthouse itself. It has been fruiting and is a consistent location to find migrants. Lakes Park is another good spot to check for migrants in spring and fall, and I'll be leading a walk there at 11:00. The 25th Anniversary for the park is tomorrow, so they are having a little shindig. The event is free, but parking fees apply. Info at: http://lakesparkenrichmentfoundation.org/events.php 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: floridahummingbirds.net From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:27:06 -0400 See note below if you are a hummingbird enthusiast.. 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 Backes Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 4:49 PM To: BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Subject: [BRDBRAIN] floridahummingbirds.net I've recently acquired the domain "floridahummingbirds.net" for a very minimal fee. Floridahummingbirds.com is available but for $600. I originally acquired this site as photo storage for posting photos to various sites and forums. I also chose the name with other uses in mind. I'm not paying much for the site so I'm very restricted in what I can do with it. I am forced to use their barebones web building software that offers limited options. I've set up a quickly thought up site for improving communication on all aspects of Florida's Hummingbirds. The page can be found easily by searching "floridahummingbirds.net" or by going to the following address http://floridahummingbirds.net/ Please look at what I've set up and make comments on ideas for improvement. Feel free to make them on the site to test out its functionality or directly to my e-mail. I should add that the last thing I need right now is something else to take up my time. The current capabilities of this site may not work out in that aspect. If that is the case, I may need to pay a monthly fee. Hopefully, I can avoid that and find some way to make this work. I guess it depends on how much activity it draws and how much people want to wade through comments. Please let me know if you would use this site. Thanks, Steve Backes Valrico, FL backes1 AT verizon.net http://mysite.verizon.net/resu64md/yardhummers/ http://floridahummingbirds.net/ 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: Wednesday, Apr 15 at Sanibel Lighthouse From: "eastkingbird" <dot929mo2 AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:44:59 -0000 My brother and I birded yesterday at the lighthouse between 8:00 and 10:00 am. We met several other birders as well. List included: hooded warbler (male), blue grosbeak (male 1st sum, mat. male), rose-breasted grosbeak (male and female), scarlet tanager (male),orchard oriole (male 1st yr and female)indigo bunting (male), magnolia warbler (male), common yellowthroat (male),northern rough-winged swallow, house wren, red-eyed vireo, gray catbird, pileated. Dotty Morrison Shell Point, Ft. Myers Subject: Sanibel Lighthouse - 4/11 morning From: Gayle Schmidt <gayleschmidt AT mac.com> Date: Sat, 11 Apr 2009 10:14:25 -0400 I was there from 8 am - 9:15. In the area surrounding the restroom, saw: Hooded Warbler Prairie Warbler Magnolia Warbler Red-eyed Vireo In the fig that is densely foliaged on the edge of the lighthouse's parking lot, I saw: Yellow Warbler Indigo Bunting All of these birds are beautifully marked and actively feeding. The Screech Owl was seen, but not by me. Gayle Sheets Ft. Myers, Florida Subject: Sanibel Lighthouse From: Vincent Mcgrath <McAvian AT aol.com> Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:29:35 -0400 Snoozeville, except a male Hooded Warbler I suspect was following me, the e screech owl was snoozing at the entrance to the nest, 8 Cedar Waxwings and hordes of tourists. mcavian AT aol.com Vince McGrath Ft Myers Sent from my iPhone Subject: Big "O" Apr. 3-6 From: "Margaret England" <mlelighthouse AT embarqmail.com> Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:02:41 -0400 Re: Any additions or corrections? The Big "O" Birding Festival Trip Summary with locations compiled by Paul Gray for April 3-6 can be found at: http://www.hendrygladesaudubon.org Bicycles, buses, vans, cars, and boats visited Lake Okeechobee birding hotspots. A special thanks to trip leaders and guides: Paul and Laurie Gray, Mark and Selena Kiser, Kim Willis, Deen Mountain, Steve Buczynski, Karson Turner and Butch Wilson. All sites listed are open to the public except STA5 which has public access during escorted tours. The next STA5 escorted tour will be Saturday April 18th. For information contact: Margaret England sta5birding AT embarqmail.com http://www.orgsites.com/fl/hgaudubon/ Subject: Big "O" Apr. 3-6 From: "Margaret England" <mlelighthouse AT embarqmail.com> Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:06:55 -0400 Re: Any additions or corrections? The Big "O" Birding Festival Trip Summary with locations compiled by Paul Gray for April 3-6 is attached. Bicycles, buses, vans, cars, and boats visited Lake Okeechobee birding hotspots. A special thanks to trip leaders and guides: Paul and Laurie Gray, Mark and Selena Kiser, Kim Willis, Deen Mountain, Steve Buczynski, Karson Turner and Butch Wilson. All sites listed are open to the public except STA5 which has public access during escorted tours. The next STA5 escorted tour will be Saturday April 18th. For information contact: Margaret England sta5birding AT embarqmail.com http://www.orgsites.com/fl/hgaudubon/ BIG "O" BIRDING FESTIVAL APRIL 3-6, 2009 TRIP RESULTS Clewiston, FL-Hendry and Glades Counties Sties and species lists: Lists include birds seen driving to and from sites. Some sites are compilation of several tours (e.g., Lake Okeechobee boat ride). OK SLOUGH STATE FOREST AND WMA = OK South Florida Birding Trail Site included in FWC guides (also Prany 2005 Birders Guide to Florida) STORMWATER TREATMENT AREA 5 = STA 5 South Florida Birding Trail Site included in FWC guides and Pranty page 211 DINNER ISLAND RANCH WMA = DIR South Florida Birding Trail Site included in FWC guides FISHEATING CREEK WMA (MAIN STREET) = FEC see South Florida Birding Trail Site included in FWC guides LAKE OKEECHOBEE SCENIC TRAIL = LOST includes riding the Hoover Dike from Clewiston to Uncle Joe's Fish Camp LAKE OKEECHOBEE = LO includes pontoon boat ride out Clewiston channel and along canal to the west of the main channel, also the outer spit islands of the waterway AH-TAH-THI-KI MUSEUM ON BIG CYPRESS SEMINOLE RESERVATION = ATTK http://www.ahtahthiki.com/ HENDRY COUNTY = HC includes non-field trip observations in the region VENUS LOOP = VL from Pranty page 165 and including Detjens Dairy Road (SR17) HARNEY POND AND FT. CENTER WMA = HPFC Includes the observation towers along Harney Pond Canal and the Ft. Center trail and native American mound sites South Florida Birding Trail Site and Pranty page 168. OK STA5 DIR FEC LOST LO ATTK HC VL HPFC Black-bellied Whistling duck X Fulvous Whistling-Duck X X Muscovy Duck X Wood Duck X Mottled Duck X X X X X Blue-winged Teal X X X X Northern Shoveler X X X Ring-necked Duck X Lesser Scaup X Red-breasted Merganser X Wild Turkey X X X X X X Northern Bobwhite X X X Pied-billed Grebe X American White Pelican X X Brown Pelican X X Double-crested Cormorant X X X X X Anhinga X X X X X American Bittern X X Least Bittern X Great Blue Heron X X X X X X X X Great White Heron (White Morph Great Blue) X OK STA5 DIR FEC LOST LO ATTK HC VL HPFC Great Egret X X X X X X X Snowy Egret X X X X X Little Blue Heron X X X X X X Tricolored Heron X X X X Cattle Egret X X X X X X X X Green Heron X X X X X Black-crowned Night-Heron X Yellow-crowned Night-Heron X X X White Ibis X X X X X Glossy Ibis X X X X Roseate Spoonbill X X X Wood Stork X X X X X X X X X Black Vulture X X X X X X X X X Turkey Vulture X X X X X X X X X Osprey X X X X X Swallow-tailed Kite X X X X X X X White-tailed Kite X Snail Kite X Bald Eagle X X X X Nest Northern Harrier X X X X Cooper's Hawk X Red-shouldered Hawk X X X X Nest w/ 2 young X Nest w/ young X X nest X Short-tailed Hawk X X Red-tailed Hawk X Crested Caracara X X Nest on tower X X X X American Kestrel X X X X X X Peregrine Falcon X X King Rail X Sora X X OK STA5 DIR FEC LOST LO ATTK HC VL HPFC Purple Gallinule X X Purple Swamphen X Common Moorhen X X X X X American Coot X X X X Limpkin X X X Sandhill Crane X X X 2 colts X X nest Killdeer X X X X Black-necked Stilt X X X X American Avocet X X Spotted Sandpiper X Solitary Sandpiper X Greater Yellowlegs X X X Lesser Yellowlegs X X X X Ruddy Turnstone X Least Sandpiper X Long-billed Dowitcher X Wilson's Snipe X X Laughing Gull X X X Ring-billed Gull X X X Herring Gull X Caspian Tern X X X X Forster's Tern X Royal Tern X Black Skimmer X Rock Pigeon X X X Eurasian Collared-Dove X X X X X White-winged Dove X X Mourning Dove X X X X X X X X X Common Ground-Dove X X X X X Barn Owl X (Palm Beach County) OK STA5 DIR FEC LOST LO ATTK HC VL HPFC Barred Owl X X X nest Whip-poor-will X Chimney Swift X Ruby-throated Hummingbird X Belted Kingfisher X X X X X X X X Red-bellied Woodpecker X X X X X X X Yellow-bellied Sapsucker X Downy Woodpecker X X Pileated Woodpecker X Great Crested Flycatcher X X X X X Western Kingbird X Eastern Kingbird X X Scissor-tailed Flycatcher X X X Loggerhead Shrike X X X X White-eyed Vireo X X X X Blue-headed Vireo X Blue Jay X X X X Florida Scrub-Jay X American Crow X X X X X Fish Crow X X Purple Martin X X X X Tree Swallow X X X X X X Northern Rough-winged Swallow X X X X Barn Swallow X Tufted Titmouse X X X Carolina Wren X X X X X X Marsh Wren X X X X Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X X X Eastern Bluebird X OK STA5 DIR FEC LOST LO ATTK HC VL HPFC Gray Catbird X X X X Northern Mockingbird X X X X X X Brown Thrasher X X Common Myna X McD's and BK X European Starling X X X Northern Parula X X X X Magnolia Warbler X Yellow-rumped Warbler X Prairie Warbler X Palm Warbler X X X X X X X Black-and-white Warbler X X American Redstart X Common Yellowthroat X X X X X X X X Eastern Towhee X X Grasshopper Sparrow X Savannah Sparrow X X X Swamp Sparrow X Northern Cardinal X X X X X X Indigo Bunting X Red-winged Blackbird X X X X X X Eastern Meadowlark X X X Common Grackle X X X X Boat-tailed Grackle X X X X X X X Brown-headed Cowbird X House Sparrow X X X Mammals: 2 otters Rainey Slough Subject: Sanibel Lighthouse - Sanibel Lighthouse From: Gayle Schmidt <gayleschmidt AT mac.com> Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:47:06 -0400 I was there from 8 am until 9:45. Seemed quiet overall, but I saw these standouts: Orchard Orioles (male and female) flying back and forth across the road between Lighthouse Point condos and the park. Lots of singing and scolding from these two. Magnolia Warbler male busily feeding in a low-lying bush right beside and to the east of the men's restroom entrance. Indigo Bunting high in a ficus tree to the southeast of the restroom and just off the lighthouse parking lot. Reports from others present of a yellow warbler and prothonotary seen this morning, but not by me. Gayle Schmidt Ft. Myers, Fl Subject: additions to today's lighthouse list, April 9 From: "mayhill10" <mayhill10 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:32:42 -0000 Adding to Charlie's and Cheyenne's warblers, we had prothonotary, prairies, and hooded warblers at the lighthouse. Other migrants were a hummingbird, and most of the vireos. Julie Long Subject: Subscribe From: Vincent Mcgrath <McAvian AT aol.com> Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 22:16:35 -0400 Mcavian AT aol.com Vince McGrath Ft Myers, Fl Sent from my iPhone Subject: Subscribe From: Vincent Mcgrath <McAvian AT aol.com> Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 22:15:38 -0400 Sent from my iPhone Subject: One more bird to add... From: Cheyenne Szydlo <cheyenne.szydlo AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 10:37:06 -0700 (PDT) I had a Palm Warbler today too, in addition to those already listed. Subject: Re: adding to Cheyenne's list, plus today From: anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 17:06:30 +0000 To add to today's (Thursday) list of migrants: Northern Parula Yellow Warbler Worm-eating Warbler Black-and-white Warbler Indigo Bunting Painted Bunting Orchard Oriole Charlie Ewell Cape Coral Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T -----Original Message----- From: "mayhill10" Date: Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:40:38 To: Subject: [SWFLBirdline] adding to Cheyenne's list, plus today Additional birds that I saw yesterday were two ruby throated hummingbirds, red eyed and blue headed vireos, N. waterthrush, blue grosbeak, pileated and red bellied woodpeckers. I have also seen a screech owl several of the last few days in the dead palm, from the boardwalk near the restrooms but can't remember exactly which days, this morning for sure. The species and numbers of birds were considerably less today than the last two days but several painted buntings made an appearance with the many indigo buntings. A worm eating warbler was seen by many today. Searches were on for the swainsons warbler. Julie Long, St Charles, Ill. Subject: adding to Cheyenne's list, plus today From: "mayhill10" <mayhill10 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:40:38 -0000 Additional birds that I saw yesterday were two ruby throated hummingbirds, red eyed and blue headed vireos, N. waterthrush, blue grosbeak, pileated and red bellied woodpeckers. I have also seen a screech owl several of the last few days in the dead palm, from the boardwalk near the restrooms but can't remember exactly which days, this morning for sure. The species and numbers of birds were considerably less today than the last two days but several painted buntings made an appearance with the many indigo buntings. A worm eating warbler was seen by many today. Searches were on for the swainsons warbler. Julie Long, St Charles, Ill. Subject: RE: Add to Cheyenne's List From: "Floyd, Chris" <chrisf AT mitre.org> Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 17:22:48 -0400 To Cheyenne's and Ruth's lists I can add: Prairie Warbler (morning) Gray Kingbird (afternoon, on the boardwalk to the Restrooms) Chris Floyd Visiting from Lexington, MA From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ruth Woodall Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 4:41 PM To: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Add to Cheyenne's List I was lucky enough to see 3 female and 2 male Orioles in the same treetop and watched the Swainson's Warbler for some time. Add to Cheyenne's list: Yellow Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Palm Warbler Black-and-White Warbler Ruth Woodall [cid:image001.gif AT 01C9B86E.A0CAAC00] Subject: Add to Cheyenne's List From: "Ruth Woodall" <ruewoodall AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 16:40:40 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time) I was lucky enough to see 3 female and 2 male Orioles in the same treetop and watched the Swainson's Warbler for some time. Add to Cheyenne's list: Yellow Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Palm Warbler Black-and-White Warbler Ruth Woodall Subject: Sanibel Lighthouse, the migrant Mecca! From: Cheyenne Szydlo <cheyenne.szydlo AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 11:06:05 -0700 (PDT) What an epic birding morning!  I wish I could have gotten the names of everyone I met, but there was no time with so many birds!  I would love it if others would post what they saw so we can gather a complete list of what was seen.    New birds for my lifelist that I saw:  Prothonotary Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, and Yellow-throated Vireo.    Others I saw were:  Ovenbird, Indigo Bunting, Swallow-tailed Kite, Hooded Warbler, Northern Parula, White-eyed Vireo (and of course) Gray Catbird, Northern Cardinal, Fish Crow, Osprey, Royal Tern, Mourning Dove, Common Grackle.   I never did find the Orchard Orioles or the Swainson's Warblers that others were lucky enough to see!   If anyone saw other birds at Lighthouse this morning that aren't on this list, I would love to know what they saw....   Happy birding!  My two-year old daughter and I will be there again tomorrow morning. Her lifelist is pretty diverse, but she is WAY more into butterflies.   -Cheyenne Subject: Lakes Park birds From: Cheyenne Szydlo <cheyenne.szydlo AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 7 Apr 2009 18:45:02 -0700 (PDT) I went birding this morning at Lakes Park despite the cold, windy weather. I was hoping to see the Worm-eating Warbler, but no luck. On the wildlife loop I saw some of the birds previously posted:  1 male Hooded Warbler,  4 Black-and-White Warblers, Blue-headed Vireo, Prairies and Palms.  I also saw a flock of 15 Cedar Waxwings perched on a tall snag on a melaleuca island out in the large pond.   -Cheyenne Subject: correction From: "mayhill10" <mayhill10 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:11:31 -0000 Sorry-it should be yellow throated vireo not yellow headed. Maybe the heat got to me!! Julie Long Subject: Sanibel lighthouse From: "mayhill10" <mayhill10 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 04 Apr 2009 17:46:32 -0000 There were a few new birds this morning at the lighthouse. Magnolia, yellow throated and hooded warblers, blue headed, yellow headed and white eyed vireos, gray kingbirds, indigo buntings, and barn swallows all made appearances. Julie Long, St Charles, Il Subject: Bird Patrol tour of Estero Lagoon Preserve From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 22:14:19 -0400 _____ Subject: Bird Patrol tour of Estero Lagoon Preserve * March 28, Saturday 8AM Estero Lagoon Preserve Guides: Charlie Ewell and Walt Winton. The site is located in Ft Myers Beach. Meet in the NW corner of Santini Plaza parking lot 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. Contact: Charlie Ewell 542-6007 or email anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com 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: Big O Birding Festival From: "Margaret England" <mlelighthouse AT embarqmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:04:53 -0400 Tours leave Clewiston: Birds, Bats and more. http://www.bigobirdingfestival.com Big O Birding Festival Apr. 3-6th Information attached. Subject: Bird Patrol tour of Estero Lagoon Preserve this Saturday From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:31:31 -0400 March 28, Saturday 8AM Estero Lagoon Preserve Guide: Charlie Ewell. The site is located in Ft Myers Beach. Meet in the NW corner of Santini Plaza parking lot 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. Contact: Charlie Ewell 542-6007 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: FW: Bird Patrol at Bunche Beach tomorrow From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:48:23 -0400 FYI for tomorrow, Sunday March 22nd. 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: Saturday, March 21, 2009 12:14 PM To: BirdPatrol AT birdpatrol.org Subject: Bird Patrol at Bunche Beach tomorrow Bunche Beach tour tomorrow with Charlie Ewell and Walt Winton. * March 22, Sunday 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 Subject: Fwd: Swallow-tail Kite near Lakes Park From: wnancyanddon AT aol.com Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2009 17:02:26 EST They have also been flying over Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary since February 16th, their annual date of return! Don Williams Subject: Swallow-tail Kite near Lakes Park From: Cheyenne Szydlo <cheyenne.szydlo AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2009 13:16:25 -0800 (PST) This morning I saw a Swallow-tail Kite flying overhead near the intersection of Gladiolus and the turn-in to Lakes Park. Good to see them back!   Happy Birding --   Cheyenne Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 24 February 2009 From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:18:09 -0500 24 February - I saw the whooping cranes today (Monday) soaring high near I-75 & Jacaranda Blvd. (near Venice, FL). Beautiful they are. Sue Guarasci sguarasc AT tampabay.rr.com (Note: Three whooping cranes were seen about five miles north of this spot on Sunday, 2/22). _______________________________________ Peter Rice Subject: 2009 Great Backyard Bird Count reminder From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:45:09 -0500 FYI (reminder) If you need any assistance with the data input let me know. I am a regional reviewer for our area, so I can probably help out. 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/ _____ From: Great Backyard Bird Count [mailto:citizenscience=audubon.org AT mcsv17.net] On Behalf Of Great Backyard Bird Count Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 11:55 AM To: anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Subject: The 2009 Great Backyard Bird Count is less than a month away! Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Unsubscribe from this list. Great Backyard Bird Count MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 12th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count February 13 - 16, 2009 COUNT FOR FUN! COUNT FOR THE FUTURE! Dear Great Backyard Bird Count participant, The twelfth annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is fast approaching-February 13 is less than a month away! Plan to join tens of thousands of other bird watchers across North America as we tally the birds over these four days. Count on your own or with family, friends, and neighbors to make this the biggest, best GBBC ever! If you know someone who might be interested in joining the GBBC for the first time, please pass along our website: www.birdcount.org ! _____ New and Updated Features * Think you've got "Eagle Eyes"? As you countdown to GBBC weekend, test your bird watching skills through our interactive game. Click here to play this year's Eagle Eyes. Be sure to forward the link to a friend! * Great prizes! Everyone who submits a bird checklist during the GBBC is automatically entered in our drawing for bird-related items donated by Wild Birds Unlimited, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Droll Yankees. Visit http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/2009prizes to see the selection. * GBBC events are taking place around the continent. Discover what's going on in your area on the GBBC website's Local Events page: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/events . If you're hosting an event, email Pat Leonard at pel27 AT cornell.edu and we will post information. * If you have young people at home, consider decorating a tree with treats for birds. Download a brochure with recipes for making feeders and treats for the birds from GBBC sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited: http://www.wbu.com/education/decorateatree.html _____ Why Your Participation Matters We have the opportunity to gather real data from people like you to help us understand where the birds are and how their populations are changing over time. Last year, participants counted over nine million birds and reported 12 species never before reported during the GBBC! Let's see how many we can count this year, and find out together how bird populations may be changing. _____ If you have any questions, please contact us at citizenscience AT audubon.org or cornellbirds AT cornell.edu. Remember, count for fun, count for the future! We can't wait to see what you discover this year. Sincerely, Janis Dickinson, Director of Citizen Science, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Rob Fergus, Senior Scientist, National Audubon Society Great Backyard Bird Count Copyright (C) 2008 National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology All rights reserved. Forward this email to a friend Update your contact information Subject: Reddish Egret White Morph From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:41:45 -0500 This note is to Peter Rice for posting on the SWFL bird list. On Monday, February 9, 2009, we along with many others saw an adult white morph Reddish Egret at Ding Darling NWR on Sanibel Island. It was previously reported and listed on the recently seen board at the visitor center but I have not seen mention on the listserve and wonder if it is known. It was seen with white ibis and rosette spoonbills, among others, in the pool at the tower feeding with the above birds. There is a small white egret rookery in that area and the the white morph was seen about 100 yards to the left of that location. See Sibley page 62, lower left for drawing. Jerry & Marilyn Finke visiting St. James City, Pine Island for the winter Madison SD and Kansas City, MO Scrubbs1 AT aol.com Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 9 February 2009 From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2009 17:07:26 -0500 9 February - Today Stu, Wendy and I heard a male Bachman's sparrow singing in Myakka State Forest pine flatwoods, northern section, just west of the campground on the Myakka River . This is the first of the season for us. While subsequently canoeing across the river north of the campsite, we saw two clapper rails walking along the edge of the mud (see photo). They were fairly calm about our presence, but one ran away instantly when it heard a killdeer flush and give its warning call. One of the clappers was feeding next to a killdeer. The extensive marshes here in the Myakkahatchee Section of MSF, and the adjacent Sarasota county-owned preserve (MPI or Myakka Island Point) often have clappers calling. But to see them it is necessary to take a kayak or canoe on the river at low tide. Myakka State Forest may be one of the very few places on earth where one can hear/see a Bachman's sparrow and clapper rails in adjacent habitat. Bill Dunson Englewood mkdunson AT comcast.net _______________________________________ Peter Rice Subject: Ruff seen Wednesday 4 Feb From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2009 08:39:00 -0500 All, Visiting birder Darlene Sillick reported that she and other birders saw the Ruff yesterday (Wed 4 Feb) at Myakka SP. See below for directions.. 1/30/09--Adult basic-plumaged Ruff, Sarasota County, Myakka River State Park. Observer: M.ob. Directions: from I-75, take exit 205 (Rt. 72), head East 9 mi to park entrance on north side of road. (DeLORME pg. 97) Ruff in water close to first bridge after park entrance. Usually with yellowlegs and several dowitchers on right side of road, sometimes in shallows by tree line. Best time for viewing seems to be around 10AM. **************************************************************************** ************* Non-subscribers and subscribers: to report a rare bird, send pertinent details of observation to FLARBA AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU. If no email access, call 716/225-8055 to leave a message. To unsubscribe: send a message "SIGNOFF FLARBA" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU. To set to no mail: send a message "SET FLARBA NOMAIL" to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU. To reach the FLARBA Archives go to http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/flarba.html 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/ Subject: (unknown) From: Bruce Makuk <brucemakuk AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2009 15:42:21 -0800 (PST) Hi, I want to start sending and receiving messages from your group. thanks. Sincerely, Bruce Makuk Subject: Purple Martin reports from SW FL From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 09:01:35 -0500 All, Darlene Sillick, presently visiting from Ohio, passed word on the Purple Martin sighting in the email below. I also saw 2 males and a female at a Martin house located in the Verandah gated community east of Ft Myers on 25 Jan 09. 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/ -----Original Message----- Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 8:35 PM To: Charlie Ewell Hi Charlie, This morning (2 Feb 09) about 10am while looking toward the PUMA house at Pelican Preserve in Ft Myers, I heard then saw two Purple Martins. They circled the pond near the house then headed northwest. A nice Feb. surprise indeed. Lets hope they stay down south. Darlene Sillick visiting SW FL from Powell, Ohio Subject: SRQ Bird NON Alert 31 January 2009 - Venice Audubon Canopy Lodge Trip - September 25 - October 4, 2009 From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:03:31 -0500 Perhaps of interest, Peter Rice Would you place the VAAS Panama trip on SRQ for all birders to take advantage of this trip. Thank you. Charlie Sample CSample41 AT aol.com Venice Audubon Canopy Lodge Trip - September 25 - October 4, 2009 Experience a trip of a lifetime, 10 days and 9 nights at a charming ecolodge built next to a mountain stream encircled by lush green foliage. Wake up to the riotous sounds of birds in the cloud forest inches from your bedroom. Enjoy the excellent cuisine on a veranda surrounded by hummingbirds and tanagers. Seek out hundreds of tropical bird species assisted by expert guides, with two trips per day. Soar through the rain forest treetops on a zip line. These are just a few of the things that await you at the Canopy Lodge in El Valle-the latest creation of Raul Arias de Para (of Canopy Tower fame). Approximetely 300 birds for the keen observer. Join VAAS trip leaders Carolyn Edmunds and Charlie Sample for this fabulous Panamanian adventure. We have reserved 6 double and 4 single rooms at the Canopy Lodge for 16 interested birders. A $300.00 deposit (non-refundable) for each participant is due upon registration. The total cost for Canopy Lodge, 10 days-9 nights is: $2150.00 (double room per person) or $2150.00 (single room per person) with bathroom. In addition, the roundtrip airfare from Miami International is $635.70 per person (group rate). Group transportation to Miami and return is $115.00 per person (based on 16 participants). Total cost per person: $3,000.00. (discounted rate) There are 2 double rooms and 2 single rooms available to accommodate 6 participants. The trip cost includes a tax deductible contribution to Venice Audubon. Join us, Sign-up Now to reserve your place for this fabulous trip. Contact Charlie Sample, 941 497-6463, for additional information and/or registration. _______________________________________ Peter Rice Subject: FW: The 2009 Great Backyard Bird Count is less than a month away! From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:05:46 -0500 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/ _____ From: Great Backyard Bird Count [mailto:citizenscience=audubon.org AT mcsv17.net] On Behalf Of Great Backyard Bird Count Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 11:55 AM To: anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com Subject: The 2009 Great Backyard Bird Count is less than a month away! Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Unsubscribe from this list. Great Backyard Bird Count MARK YOUR CALENDARS! 12th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count February 13 - 16, 2009 COUNT FOR FUN! COUNT FOR THE FUTURE! Dear Great Backyard Bird Count participant, The twelfth annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is fast approaching-February 13 is less than a month away! Plan to join tens of thousands of other bird watchers across North America as we tally the birds over these four days. Count on your own or with family, friends, and neighbors to make this the biggest, best GBBC ever! If you know someone who might be interested in joining the GBBC for the first time, please pass along our website: www.birdcount.org ! _____ New and Updated Features * Think you've got "Eagle Eyes"? As you countdown to GBBC weekend, test your bird watching skills through our interactive game. Click here to play this year's Eagle Eyes. Be sure to forward the link to a friend! * Great prizes! Everyone who submits a bird checklist during the GBBC is automatically entered in our drawing for bird-related items donated by Wild Birds Unlimited, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Droll Yankees. Visit http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/2009prizes to see the selection. * GBBC events are taking place around the continent. Discover what's going on in your area on the GBBC website's Local Events page: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/events . If you're hosting an event, email Pat Leonard at pel27 AT cornell.edu and we will post information. * If you have young people at home, consider decorating a tree with treats for birds. Download a brochure with recipes for making feeders and treats for the birds from GBBC sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited: http://www.wbu.com/education/decorateatree.html _____ Why Your Participation Matters We have the opportunity to gather real data from people like you to help us understand where the birds are and how their populations are changing over time. Last year, participants counted over nine million birds and reported 12 species never before reported during the GBBC! Let's see how many we can count this year, and find out together how bird populations may be changing. _____ If you have any questions, please contact us at citizenscience AT audubon.org or cornellbirds AT cornell.edu. Remember, count for fun, count for the future! We can't wait to see what you discover this year. Sincerely, Janis Dickinson, Director of Citizen Science, Cornell Lab of Ornithology Rob Fergus, Senior Scientist, National Audubon Society Great Backyard Bird Count Copyright (C) 2008 National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology All rights reserved. Forward this email to a friend Update your contact information Subject: RE: unknown hawk From: "Floyd, Chris" <chrisf AT mitre.org> Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:52:47 -0500 Cooper's Hawk, immature. Points to note: long tail, with a shorter outer rectrix evident (gives the COHA tail rounding), whitish superciliary, relatively fine dark streaks on whitish breast, relatively bigger head (comparisons to Sharp-shinned Hawk). Similar species to compare and eliminate are Sharp-shinned Hawk and Red-shouldered Hawk immatures. Chris Floyd Lexington, MA (state being visited currently by TWO ADULT Ivory Gulls, in Gloucester and Plymouth) chrisf AT mitre.org From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ron Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 9:23 AM To: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [SWFLBirdline] unknown hawk In the photo section, under albums, by ginetmat, unknown birds is a pic of a hawk I cannot identify. Anyone know. This hawk was hunting sparrows. Thanks Subject: unknown hawk From: "Ron " <talon AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:22:38 -0000 In the photo section, under albums, by ginetmat, unknown birds is a pic of a hawk I cannot identify. Anyone know. This hawk was hunting sparrows. Thanks Subject: Weekiwachee Preserve Sparrow Drive - ride needed From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:43:36 -0500 Not an alert - please contact her directly at vponzo AT comcast.net or 941-350-2782 Help needed! Is anyone from the Sarasota area or further south participating in the Jan 24 sparrow drive at Weekiwachee Preserve? I am having car problems and am looking for someone who would be willing to pick me up. I can pay for gas and food. I would hate to have to cancel, as last year I wasn't able to volunteer due to a birding injury. If you can help, please let me know ASAP. Thank you, Valeri Ponzo Sarasota, FL vponzo AT comcast.net 941-350-2782 Subject: Weekiwachee Preserve Sparrow Drive From: "Valeri Ponzo" <vponzo AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:09:30 -0500 Help needed! Is anyone from the Sarasota area or further south participating in the Jan 24 sparrow drive at Weekiwachee Preserve? I am having car problems and am looking for someone who would be willing to pick me up. I can pay for gas and food. I would hate to have to cancel, as last year I wasn't able to volunteer due to a birding injury. If you can help, please let me know ASAP. Thank you, Valeri Ponzo Sarasota, FL vponzo AT comcast.net 941-350-2782 Subject: STA5 1/17/09 From: "Margaret England" <mlelighthouse AT embarqmail.com> Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:10:39 -0500 Here's yesterday's STA5 combined list. The next escorted tours will be on Saturday Jan. 31st.. Annual Early start for photographers (Jan. 31st only) will be between 6:45 and 8:00 a.m. Birders and other photographers meet at the STA5 gate at 8:30 a.m. February dates are Feb. 14, 15, 16, and 28th. Two tours are scheduled for Feb. 14th: 8:30 a.m. and late afternoon. For information about the upcoming STA5 tours or to make reservations contact: Margaret England LaBelle HGAS, Secretary sta5birding AT embarqmail.com Hendry-Glades Audubon Society Website: http://www.orgsites.com/fl/hgaudubon/ The Big O Birding Festival will be April 3-6th Check out the new Website for updates: http://www.bigobirdingfestival.com Location: Stormwater Treatment Area 5 Observation date: 1/17/09 Number of species: 82 Participants: 88+ GADWALL x2 EURASIAN WIGEON x1 (Thanks to Jean Iron and Ron Pittaway!) American Wigeon Mottled Duck Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler Green-winged Teal CANVASBACK x1 (female) Ring-necked Duck HOODED MERGANSER x1 (female) Ruddy Duck Pied-billed Grebe American White Pelican >400 Double-crested Cormorant Anhinga American Bittern x1 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 >100 Wood Stork Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Osprey Snail Kite >5 Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Crested Caracara American Kestrel MERLIN x1 Peregrine Falcon x2 Sora x2 Purple Swamphen >10 Purple Gallinule >8 Common Moorhen American Coot Limpkin Black-bellied Plover Killdeer Black-necked Stilt >30 Spotted Sandpiper Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Least Sandpiper DUNLIN >3 STILT SANDPIPER >6 Long-billed Dowitcher Wilson's Snipe Ring-billed Gull Caspian Tern Black Skimmer >75 Mourning Dove Common Ground-Dove Belted Kingfisher Loggerhead Shrike White-eyed Vireo Tree Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) Palm Warbler Common Yellowthroat Eastern Towhee Savannah Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Northern Cardinal Painted Bunting Red-winged Blackbird Eastern Meadowlark Boat-tailed Grackle Subject: Horned Grebe pics at Bunche Beach, Ft Myers, Lee County on Sunday 18 Jan 09 From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2009 21:21:12 -0500 All, While leading a trip to Bunche Beach for the SWFL Birding Festival out of Rookery Bay, a birder from outside the group let us know they were looking at what they believed to be a Red-necked Grebe. At the time, I couldn't take any pictures, but with my scope felt the grebe was most likely a Horned, but the bird was too far out for me to be certain. I returned after the trip was over, and waded out to get some pics (attached). As you can see in the photos the grebe has a red eye, which knocks out Red-necked and makes it a Horned or Eared. The head structure, bill size, white tip at the end of the bill, and the pattern of white on cheek all confirm it as a Horned Grebe. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org http://www.rookerybay.org/Bird-Festival-2009.html Subject: Big Cypress Loop Road From: Frank Murphy <fmurtry AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:58:03 -0800 (PST) Big Cypress National Preserve Loop Road; Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve along Rte 41 (southeastern Collier County) Sunday 1/11/09 I visited the Loop Road for the first time from Rte 41, south and east to Rte 41 again. Once again I was impressed with the spectacular wilderness out there. The dirt road was tree lined - and gator lined - and beautiful, but very different from Turner Road which was wide open. Good area for land birds. At the east end I met a couple of avid expert butterflyers (?) who were most gracious in pointing out all the beautiful species in one small area. Nice looks at Brazilian Skippers, Soldier, Cloudless Sulfur, Blue Cassious, and many more. For a while there they almost had me converted, but I continued on in pursuit of birds. Nothing rare or unusual, but a good day with lots of activity. Highlights were the flock of White Pelicans, a small mixed flock of warblers, and a single Purple Martin over Connors Park in Naples at dusk. Blue-winged Teal 3 American White Pelican 26 Double-crested Cormorant Anhinga Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Little Blue Heron Tricolored Heron Cattle Egret 1 Green Heron 1 White Ibis Wood Stork Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle 2 Northern Harrier 1 Red-shouldered Hawk Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Kestrel 1 Barred Owl 1 Laughing Gull Belted Kingfisher Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Great Crested Flycatcher 2 Loggerhead Shrike 1 American Crow Purple Martin - 1 Tufted Titmouse 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Gray Catbird 3 Northern Mockingbird 1 White-eyed Vireo Yellow-rumped Warbler Pine Warbler 1 Prairie Warbler 1 Magnolia Warbler 1 Palm Warbler Black-and-white Warbler 1 Common Yellowthroat Northern Cardinal Common Grackle Boat-tailed Grackle Purple Martin This report was partly generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Frank Murphy Naples, FL Subject: Turner River Road From: Frank Murphy <fmurtry AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:50:30 -0800 (PST) Big Cypress National Preserve - Turner River Road (Southeast Collier County) Friday, January 9, 2009, 11 AM - 3:30 PM This was my first visit to this area, and man, was I impressed. I was surprised to see such vast wilderness, filled with birds all along the 20-mile road. It's a photographers dream, not that I am one. I'm sure I missed a lot, so I'll be going back a few times in the near future. Hundreds of gators and one raccoon, making this hiking unfriendly, especially for my dog. Driving up the road at mid-day is good because the sun is at the right angle for viewing the birds along the east side (along the canal) Pied-billed Grebe 10 Double-crested Cormorant (one was banded) Anhinga Great Blue Heron Great Egret Snowy Egret Little Blue Heron Tricolored Heron Green Heron 1 Black-crowned Night-Heron 6 White Ibis Glossy Ibis 3 Wood Stork 4 Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle 1 (1st year) Cooper's Hawk 2 Red-shouldered Hawk Purple Gallinule 3 Common Moorhen American Coot 1 Belted Kingfisher Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 American Crow 5 Tree Swallow 100 Carolina Wren 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Eastern Bluebird 2 Gray Catbird 3 Northern Mockingbird 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler Pine Warbler (seen singing) Palm Warbler Common Yellowthroat 6 Savannah Sparrow 2 Swamp Sparrow 1 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Frank Murphy Naples, FL Subject: FW: Rookery counts - volunteers needed From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:06:56 -0500 FYI Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org http://www.rookerybay.org/Bird-Festival-2009.html _____ From: Gayle Schmidt [mailto:gayleschmidt AT mac.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 8:01 AM Subject: Rookery counts - volunteers needed The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has a need for volunteers to assist with nest counts on rookery islands in Charlotte Harbor and/or Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve. If you are interested, please see the attached flyers for information & contact Rebecca Jenkins at the FDEP at the email & phone number below. The dates span from March through September and note that training is offered on March 17: Subject: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher From: "F Murphy" <fmurtry AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:59:49 -0000 January 4, 2009 There was a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (male I think) at the intersection of Route 41 (Tamiami Trail E) and Sandpiper Dr in Naples, a few miles west of Collier Seminole State Park. It was on the southeast corner of this intersection, perched on a utility wire then a guy wire. A few miles east there were several Roseate Spoonbills feeding with a bunch of egrets along the south side of Rte 41. Other recent sightings include a Short-tailed Hawk at Clam Pass County Park on Dec 27 during the CBC; and two male Painted Buntings coming daily to a feeder in Bonita Springs. Happy New Year, Frank Murphy Snowbirder Naples, FL Subject: FW: swfl birding fest From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sun, 4 Jan 2009 13:43:03 -0500 FYI reminder: http://www.rookerybay.org/Bird-Fest-Field-Trip-09.html Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org http://www.rookerybay.org/Bird-Festival-2009.html Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 1 January 2009 - Ruff back at 2 PM Thursday From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 1 Jan 2009 20:40:20 -0500 1 January - The Ruff returned about 2:00 pm this afternoon and was still there when I left about three pm. It was hanging around the spit of land on the right side before the bridge (at Myakka River State Park). We were able to scope and photograph it by walking down the right side of the river about 100 yards opposite the bird which was still hanging around with a greater and a lesser yellowlegs and a long billed dowitcher. Owen Comora Ocomora AT aol.com _______________________________________ Peter Rice Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 1 January 2009 - The Ruff is still at Myakka River SP From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 1 Jan 2009 14:35:41 -0500 1 January 2009 - The photograph attached and further below is of some of the many bird watchers who showed up New Year's Day between 10 AM and 11:30 AM to see the Ruff at Myakka River State Park. About 11 AM the Ruff ended its photo opportunity for the morning. The bridge is about 1/3rd of a mile into the park from the south entrance (on SR 72). We saw the Ruff on the east side of the bridge. On the west side were some black necked stilts. Considering that the Ruff has been seen in this location for four mornings, I suspect that it will be there longer. More reports follow below. Happy New Years 2009. Peter and Frances Rice 12/29/08-1/1/09--Adult basic-plumaged Ruff, Sarasota County, Myakka River State Park. Observer: Rick Greenspun. Directions: from I-75, take exit 205 (Rt. 72), head East 9 mi to park entrance on north side of road. (DeLORME pg. 97) Ruff in water just before first bridge after park entrance. Usually with yellowlegs and several dowitchers on right side of road, sometimes in shallows by tree line. Best time for viewing seems to be around 10 AM. (Happy New Year) 1 January 2009 - Myakka River State Park- At 10 AM the Ruff (Reeve) appeared in the first pool on the right side of the first bridge for 5 seconds (Yogi saw and indentified it) and it flew past the river into the last pool (north) on the right side of the bridge. We believed him and over 20 birders went to the mud flat on the north side of the northern most pool where we all got to see the Ruff (Reeve) from 10 AM until 11:30 AM. 1 January 2009 - If you saw the Ruff (Reeve) last year 2008, and would like to put it on your 2009 list...its still there. Birders from as far as Tampa and Ft. Myers were there to see it today, tomorrow it could draw an even bigger crowd. The front gate has been raking in the cash from this rare sighting. Today it was in the middle of a triangle made by a Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Long-billed Dowitcher. It was a lifer for many people including myself. I did not have any luck finding it yesterday afternoon 12/31/08 from 4-5:30 PM in the same location. Thanks for the reports where to look.Happy New Year! Barry Rossheim SAS, MCAS, VAAS nethoppers AT msn.com 1 January 2009 - The Ruff was present this morning just to the south of the first bridge at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County. It seems to hang around a small flock of shorebirds that include: 1 Greater Yellowlegs, 2 Lesser Yellowlegs, 1 Long-billed Dowitcher, a few Dunlin and many Least Sandpipers. 1 January 2009 - The Ruff was not found today till around 10 AM and from what I heard that was about the same time it showed up yesterday too, so if you make the trip to try for the bird there is no need to be there real early. Brian Ahern Tampa Bay, FL BrianAhern AT aol.com _______________________________________ 1 January 2009 - I don't know if it's helpful for the count, but there are five or six white pelicans in the ICW 1/4 milw south of Blackburn Point Bridge. They've been there for a couple of days. They're easily seen from Lookout Point in Southbay; that's on the south side of the channel leading into the marina. It's private but nobody will bother you. Also there's a screech owl(s?) in the tree next to our house. I've heard them often enough in the spring and fall, but this is the first one I remember hearing at this time of year. He tunes up around 5:30 and is reasonably reliable. If it's useful, let me know and I'll try to be awake. Bob Thomas robltom AT comcast.net _______________________________________ Peter Rice Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 31 December 2008 - Ruff at Myakka River State Park From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:43:01 -0500 31 December - Saw the Ruff (Reeve) today with J. Dubi and Kathryn Young at Myakka River State Park this morning between 9-11 am. If you go in the South Gate on SR72, its the first bridge on the right hand side. The bird is seen feeding with a group of Dowitchers and a few yellow legs. They switch between that location and the river just over the bridge on the same side. Good Luck and Happy New Year. Rick Greenspun birddoggie1 AT gmail.com _______________________________________ Peter Rice Subject: FW: [BRDBRAIN] request for Gulf Coast shorebird observations From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:30:21 -0500 FYI Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org http://www.rookerybay.org/Bird-Festival-2009.html -----Original Message----- From: Birdbrains - Florida Birds/Natural History [mailto:BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU] On Behalf Of Julie Brashears Wraithmell Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 9:42 AM To: BRDBRAIN AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU Subject: [BRDBRAIN] request for Gulf Coast shorebird observations Hi, folks! Forwarding this for Janell Brush of the FWC. If you're going to be out birding on the Gulf Coast in today, tomorrow or Friday, see below for an opportunity to help provide ground count comparisons for an aerial shorebird survey. Details follow. All the best in 2009! Julie Wraithmell, Audubon of Florida, Tallahassee ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- Happy Holidays! Stephen Brown (Director of Shorebird Science at Manomet) and Shiloh Schulte (NC State) will be conducting aerial surveys of concentrations of shorebirds on the Gulf Coast of Florida this week. They are especially interested in flocks of American oystercatchers, but will be documenting all species. They know this is short notice, but it would be great to have some ground counts for some of the larger concentrations of shorebirds for comparison. They appreciate any help they can get anywhere between Naples and Port St. Joe. Here is their current survey schedule (subject to change): Wednesday, December 31: Naples to Honeymoon Island Thursday, January 1: North of Honeymoon Island to Cedar Key Area Friday, January 2: Cedar Key to Port St. Joe Survey Information: - Surveys are conducted within 2 hours of the peak flood tide (4 hour time window). - Record start time and location - For each shorebird flock observed along the survey route: 1) Take a gps point (nearby) or a record detailed survey location 2) If AMOY are present, count/estimate the total number 3) Estimate the total flock size including all shorebirds 4) If possible, estimate the number or proportion of each shorebird species in the flock (this may not be possible for larger flocks) - At the end of the survey window record the end time and location. - If a map of the area is easily generated (via Google earth, Google maps, or e-bird) include that as well - Send this information via e-mail or fax to Janell.Brush AT MyFWC.com We appreciate any information we receive during this effort! Thank you! Janell M. Brush Avian Research Biologist Wildlife Research Lab - FWRI Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission 1105 SW Williston Road Gainesville, FL 32601 352-955-2081 x111 352-258-6463 (cell) 352-955-2183 (fax) Janell.Brush AT MyFWC.com 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: Christmas Birding Week on Sanibel From: "fenner7" <phf AT mchsi.com> Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:42:47 -0000 Greetings SW FL Birders, I am a birder and Audubon member from Illinois and had the good fortune to spend Christmas week birding Sanibel and surrounding areas (while my friends were freezing and iced over back here). There was outstanding birding there - you all are very lucky to get to enjoy it for more than just a week. I saw 73 species on Sanibel and 27 more in the surrounding areas (including Bunche Beach, Corkscrew and Babcock Webb). I thought I would share my list in case anyone is interested in any of the sightings in particular or has any questions or commments. Happy New Year! Pete Fenner East Peoria, IL P.S. It looked like Snowy Plovers have been missed recently and they were present daily on the beach near the Sanibel Arms Condos. SPECIES SEEN From 12/20/2008 to 12/27/2008 ~ in Sanibel ~ 73 seen GREBES Pied-billed Grebe PELICANS American White Pelican Brown Pelican CORMORANTS Double-crested Cormorant ANHINGAS Anhinga FRIGATEBIRDS Magnificent Frigatebird HERONS, EGRETS AND BITTERNS Great Blue Heron Great Egret Reddish Egret Tricolored Heron Little Blue Heron Snowy Egret Yellow-crowned Night-Heron STORKS Wood Stork IBIS AND SPOONBILLS White Ibis Roseate Spoonbill DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS Mottled Duck Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser NEW WORLD VULTURES Turkey Vulture OSPREY Osprey HAWKS, EAGLES AND KITES Red-shouldered Hawk FALCONS AND CARACARAS American Kestrel Peregrine Falcon RAILS, GALLINULES AND COOTS Common Moorhen PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS Black-bellied Plover Semipalmated Plover Killdeer Piping Plover Snowy Plover SANDPIPERS Short-billed Dowitcher Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Willet Ruddy Turnstone Red Knot Sanderling Least Sandpiper Dunlin GULLS Ring-billed Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull American Herring Gull Laughing Gull TERNS Sandwich Tern Royal Tern Common Tern Forster's Tern PIGEONS AND DOVES Eurasian Collared-Dove Mourning Dove White-winged Dove OWLS Eastern Screech-Owl KINGFISHERS Belted Kingfisher WOODPECKERS Red-bellied Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Downy Woodpecker Pileated Woodpecker TYRANT FLYCATCHERS Eastern Phoebe SWALLOWS Tree Swallow WRENS House Wren MOCKINGBIRDS AND THRASHERS Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird GNATCATCHERS Blue-gray Gnatcatcher CROWS AND JAYS Fish Crow STARLINGS European Starling OLD WORLD SPARROWS House Sparrow VIREOS AND ALLIES Blue-headed Vireo FINCHES, SISKINS,CROSSBILLS American Goldfinch WOOD WARBLERS Yellow-rumped Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Palm Warbler Black-and-white Warbler SALTATORS, CARDINALS AND ALLIES Northern Cardinal BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, GRACKLES, ETC. Common Grackle --------- STATISTICS --------- Species seen - 73 Subject: FW: Pine Siskin in Alva From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 13:14:24 -0500 FYI Attached pics show a nice comparison of Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org http://www.rookerybay.org/Bird-Festival-2009.html Subject: Pine Siskin in Alva All, Today several of us went to the White's home (a delightful couple in Alva with a front yard full of feeders). They are very kind about people visiting their feeders, and there is now a Pine Siskin visiting (see photos taken by Gail Campbell). Here is how to get there: Go 12 miles east on Hwy 80 from Exit 141 off I-75. There will be a sign that says Alva. At the blinking stoplight, turn left, go over the bridge, and turn left again at the first street (Pearl St). The Whites live in the second house (21281). You can park at the post office across the street. Please respect the White's and their neighbor's properties if you stop by. Address if you mapquest: 21281 Pearl St Alva, FL 33920 Also visiting the feeders were Goldfinches, Indigo and Painted Buntings, and a hummingbird seen briefly that we did not have a chance to identify to species. Subject: SWFL CBCs? From: "Dany Sloan" <danymsloan AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 21:51:34 -0800 I will be in the Naples area until January 2nd and I am looking for a CBC to participate in. Are there any going on within a reasonable distance (an hour or less)? Cheers, Dany Sloan LA, CA / Bonita Springs, FL Subject: Babcock Webb late report From: "Jeff Bouton" <jbouton2 AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:15:29 -0500 About a week late folks, my apologies for the lateness of the report. Last Saturday I was able to assist on the Peace River (Charlotte County) CBC after a long hiatus and birded the Babcock Webb WMA area. At first light I accompanied others on a shot out to the woodpecker roost along Oilwell Grade. We met at the gate near 6:30 and arrived at the cluster just under 3 miles away a bit before 7 AM. It was overcast so we didn't hear the Red-cockaded woodpeckers until about 7:15 AM. Before they left their roost I was able to find a single Bachman's Sparrow near as quiet and shy as ever about 20' off the road at the "RCW" sign buried in a small Palmetto clump. As is typical in winter it gave a few chip notes and I could hear palmetto fronds crunching but that's as close as I got to actually SEEING a Bachman's unfortunately. Eastern Bluebirds streamed overhead with handfuls of Pine Warblers, Yellow-rumpeds, and Palm Warblers in tow. Robins and Goldfinches flew over on high, and two Brown Headed Nuthatches squeaked in the treetops hear before the Red-cockadeds finally made themselves known. After a brief period with the woodpecker pair hear I was REALLY amazed to hear a Screech Owl singing! It was now ~ 7:30 AM very light (by Screech-Owl standards) and I had NEVER seen or heard one in such wide open habitat as this before. Given the lack of suitable snags and wide open habitat it only took a few minutes to find one of the two birds counter-singing here. Check the pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/16435490 AT N00/3115398347/ or you can read my blog hosted on the Bird Watcher's Digest website here: www.birdwatchersdigest.com/leica Good news bad news for those hoping to see a Screech-Owl this bird was still in the same hole two nights ago and as I said easily found if calling. Bad news - the hole is ~20 foot up so not good for standard photography this shot was taken through the spotting scope at real high magnification (equivalent to ~3500 mm lens!). Clearly in the range of a digiscoper but a bit distant for say your typical 400 mm lens! :( After having the pinewoods grand slam with bonus birds to include the screech, Eastern Meadowlarks, Bluebirds, "Florida" Eastern Towhees (light-eyed race), etc. I made my way back out to my proper area where I was able to add Bobwhite, King Rail, Sora, Wilson's Snipe, Sedge Wren, and other goodies to the day list. In all my day list was at about 75 species including some birds seen in other areas that weren't counted and NOT including many waterbirds. I haven't heard what the overall count tally was for the entire count. I look forward to hearing. Any birders wanting specifics on any bird mentioned can feel free to contact me. And for those who can't get enough of my ramblings I'll have another blog post with images posted as well soon! Good birding and happy holidays all! Best, Jeff Bouton Leica Sport Optics Port Charlotte, FL jbouton2 AT earthlink.net Subject: CORRECTION: Bird Patrol tour this Saturday at Harnes Marsh From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:04:04 -0500 Correction needed! I was NOT CORRECT in mentioning we will be accessing the area by vehicle! We will be walking in on the road along the embankment this trip! Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org http://www.rookerybay.org/Bird-Festival-2009.html oops, Les did it again _____ From: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Charlie Ewell Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 7:59 AM To: SWFLBirdline AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [SWFLBirdline] FW: Bird Patrol tour this Saturday at Harnes Marsh All, Below is an opportunity to access Harnes Marsh in Lehigh Acres by vehicle. It is normally closed to vehicle access, but you can walk the impoundment any day. It is a great location to see species like Limpkin, Snail Kite, and other water birds. Details and directions below. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmai l.com http://www.birdpatr ol.org http://www.rookeryb ay.org/Bird-Festival-2009.html _____ From: Gayle Schmidt [mailto:gayleschmidt AT mac.com] Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 5:47 PM Subject: Bird Patrol tour this Saturday * December 20, Saturday 8AM Harnes Marsh A great place to find snail kites, limpkin and many other species, both rare and common. Walk along the path and view the marsh with Charlie Ewell, Gayle Schmidt, and Georgia Nef. 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. No restrooms. . Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org http://www.rookerybay.org/Bird-Festival-2009.html oops, Les did it again Subject: FW: Bird Patrol tour this Saturday at Harnes Marsh From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:58:38 -0500 All, Below is an opportunity to access Harnes Marsh in Lehigh Acres by vehicle. It is normally closed to vehicle access, but you can walk the impoundment any day. It is a great location to see species like Limpkin, Snail Kite, and other water birds. Details and directions below. Charlie Ewell Cape Coral, FL anhinga42 AT embarqmail.com http://www.birdpatrol.org http://www.rookerybay.org/Bird-Festival-2009.html _____ From: Gayle Schmidt [mailto:gayleschmidt AT mac.com] Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 5:47 PM Subject: Bird Patrol tour this Saturday * December 20, Saturday 8AM Harnes Marsh A great place to find snail kites, limpkin and many other species, both rare and common. Walk along the path and view the marsh with Charlie Ewell, Gayle Schmidt, and Georgia Nef. 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. No restrooms. Subject: RFI Black-bellied Plover bill size From: "Valeri Ponzo" <vponzo AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 20:52:00 -0500 I am currently studying Black-bellied Plovers and am looking for information on range of variation of bill size, epecially in comparison with American Golden-plovers. Does anyone know of any good sources, studies, etc? Valeri Ponzo Sarasota, FL vponzo AT comcast.net