Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Florida/Bahamas > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Sunday, May 11 at 10:17 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Cuban Trogon,©Jan Wilczur

12 May RE: Warning to all who visits Canaveral National Seashore ["Roy Halpin" ] 11 May RE: Warning to all who visits Canaveral National Seashore ["Bob Swain" ] 11 May Re: Warning to all who visits Canaveral National Seashore ["Harry+Laurie" ] 11 May Re: Warning to all who visits Canaveral National Seashore [] 11 May Scrub jays [] 11 May Re: Warning to all who visits Canaveral National Seashore [] 11 May Warning to all who visits Canaveral National Seashore ["Roy Halpin" ] 9 May Brevard Co. Yellow-breasted Chat [paul marvin ] 6 May Connecticut Warbler ["Murray Gardler" ] 06 May Golden Eagles ["vnjb63" ] 5 May Puschock addition ["dotrobbins AT juno.com" ] 05 May Golden Eagle ["vnjb63" ] 28 Apr Grand Bahama Birding Spots? ["Nate Stuart" ] 27 Apr STA-5 Tour Results 04/26/2008 [Vincent Lucas ] 27 Apr Rate Birds at Dry Tortugas [Bev Hansen ] 24 Apr Ruff ["gafcity47" ] 23 Apr Yellow-green Vireo at Stock Island [Bev Hansen ] 20 Apr Collier County Audubon + Hendy-Glades Audubon Fieldtrip 04/19/2008 Results [Vincent Lucas ] 20 Apr Fw: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Press Release - Night Hike ["Betty Salter" ] 19 Apr Red Knots vs. Red Necks - Huguenot Park (Jax, FL) ["kedailey" ] 17 Apr Ft. Desoto ["gafcity47" ] 15 Apr Scissor-tailed Flycatcher ["Murray Gardler" ] 13 Apr Eared Grebe ["Murray Gardler" ] 13 Apr Oops! I Forgot. . . . [Vincent Lucas ] 13 Apr STA-5 Tour Results For 04/12/2008 [Vincent Lucas ] 12 Apr Dry Tortugas ["Murray Gardler" ] 10 Apr Double Brain Problem [Wes Biggs ] 10 Apr Brain problems [Wes Biggs ] 09 Apr FOS Meeting [Wes Biggs ] 7 Apr Fort Zachary Taylor; (Key West) ["Murray Gardler" ] 6 Apr Key West warbler correction ["Murray Gardler" ] 3 Apr Re: Bird id, please [] 3 Apr Bird id please? [] 3 Apr Fw: Pictures ["Murray Gardler" ] 31 Mar FW: My experience with Bird Brains ["Roy Halpin" ] 31 Mar RE: Re: The end of FlaBirding as we know it ["Connor, Larry" ] 31 Mar Re: The end of FlaBirding as we know it ["Joan Chasan" ] 30 Mar Last Beginning Birding Tour for the season ["Betty Salter" ] 31 Mar Re: The end of FlaBirding as we know it ["Sus" ] 28 Mar Dunedin Causeway, Hammock & Palm Harbor WTP ["Murray Gardler" ] 28 Mar RE: The end of FlaBirding as we know it [John Puschock ] 28 Mar Snow Goose still @ Cutler Wetlands - 03/28/08 [Paul Bithorn ] 28 Mar Re: The end of FlaBirding as we know it [Tom Rodriguez ] 28 Mar Re:The end of FlaBirding as we know it [] 28 Mar Bermuda Petrel (NOT SEEN!) article and video ["dotrobbins AT juno.com" ] 27 Mar The end of FlaBirding as we know it [John Puschock ] 27 Mar April 9-12, 2008 Dry Tortugas Tour [Larry Manfredi ] 25 Mar Bystre Lake (Hernando County) ["Murray Gardler" ] 25 Mar Burrowing Owl, Western Kingbird ["Murray Gardler" ] 23 Mar Chuck-wills-widow [] 22 Mar Re: Brevard Birdathon [] 21 Mar Parrots, Red-whiskered Bulbul and more [Paul Bithorn ] Subject: RE: Warning to all who visits Canaveral National Seashore From: "Roy Halpin" <royhalpin AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 03:16:48 -0000 Let me clarify some things. You may call me ignorant and up until Friday I was about feeding Scrub Jays on Federal property. I was asked would I have given peanuts to the Jays if I knew it was illegal the answer is no especially in front of a Federal Officer, that would not be ignorant that would be stupid. To my points. Respect: I give it and I expect it. The ticketing officer was about to my daughter's age. My children were allowed to say anything they wanted to me but they had to be careful how it was said. My daughter would not dare disrespect a person in such a manner. My Daughter was raised properly. This is a FEDERAL OFFICER not a street cop for the slums. Tickets: if you break the rules expect to get a ticket. I didn't know that I broke the rules but I did but that will be covered in my next point. Fifty dollars would have been acceptable, $175 is cruel and unusual esp. when I was told she wished she could had made it for more. I have two witness that heard her verbatim. This is what I want to come from this. SIGNS at the nesting area "DO NOT FEED the BIRDS or ANY WILDLIFE at Canaveral National Seashore". Posted as you come in to the pay station and every parking area. This is what I told Tom; What would happen if a family from the UK would go there with their children and a child would throw part of a sandwich to a Scrub Jay for the bird to eat. All us kids like feeding animals. How would that family feel if it happened to them about our country, our area and the federal wildlife officer's arrogance; not to mention an unreasonable fine? If just three people that were born and raised in Florida didn't know how is a visitor to know? PS: Every National Park that I visited in the Rockies have signs at every parking area "Do Not Feed the Wildlife" but not Canaveral National Sea Shore. Why? Westerns that come to Canaveral to visit will think it's OK to feed the birds, there is no sign. For those of you that think I want your sympathy, take a hike. We should all sympathize for those unsuspecting visitors with a Federal Game Officer watching through darkened glass in her gas guzzling truck waiting for for that peanut to be thrown to the ground in view of a Scrub Jay. Call for back up...May be the only action they see. Let's all write someone and get the signs posted. Roy Halpin Subject: RE: Warning to all who visits Canaveral National Seashore From: "Bob Swain" <exeter AT tampabay.rr.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 19:51:34 -0400 A couple of thoughts, One, the poster did not understand, rightly or wrongly that it was illegal to feed (or bait as you say) birds in a NWS. I did not see this on the Canaveral website, but there are many references on the web. Perhaps there should be (or was and was missed) some sort of signage at the entrance and some easily accessible information on the website that a luddite like me can not miss. Part of the issue, which is not acknowledged in the post below, was the lack of information regarding the prohibition on feeding (or harassing as you suggest). Not all of us are long in the tooth birders that know all the rules which may differ between jurisdictions. I looked for some statutory authority and was not quickly able to find it. Given the vast number of individuals who feed birds at County parks, I think that this is not a particularly well known provision of the law, at least where it is not posted. I am just curious whether it will arise to the level of statute in every occasion, or regulation or just a local park rule? However, Somehow it seems to me that 3 fully armed wildlife officers is a little much to respond to a birder armed with a bag of peanuts. If the poster is to be believed, the ticketing officer was a real snot too. I thought these were Federal Officers. Does our Legislature have anything to do with funding them? Maybe if it takes 3 to respond to a ticketing, they may be over staffed. I wonder what was going on elsewhere in the area during the hour these folks were out of service. Bob Swain St. Petersburg _____ From: FlaBirding AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:FlaBirding AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of BrianAhern AT aol.com Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 7:14 PM To: FlaBirding AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [FlaBirding] Warning to all who visits Canaveral National Seashore Hi Roy & All, Is your complaint about getting a ticket for baiting a federally threatened species on government owned/managed land just to get some close-up photos or that the officer in question had a problem with you doing this in an area they patrol daily & take some pride in protecting while the current trend of the legislature is to reduce their funding & cut their job force? It is always a violation to feed or harass wildlife on any federal, state or county lands. Especially for imperiled species. I have heard of people being ticketed in other states for knocking on trees with Red-cockaded Woodpecker cavities just to try and see the bird or photograph it. I'm sorry that this is not my usual type of post but I would like people to see another perspective on this subject. Personally I too have fed Scrub-Jays peanuts, just not on any public or government managed lands. Best, Brian Ahern Tampa Bay, Florida BrianAhern AT aol. com Photos: _www.pbase.com/brianahern_ (http://www.pbase. com/brianahern) In a message dated 5/11/2008 5:44:04 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, royhalpin AT earthlink .net writes: ------------------------------------ FlaBirding - Florida and Bahama Birding website: http://groups. yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/ Unsubscribe, mail to: FlaBirding-unsubscr ibe AT yahoogroups.com Nomail, mail to: FlaBirding-nomail AT yahoogroups.com Resume from Nomail, mail to: FlaBirding-normal AT yahoogroups.comYahoo! Groups Links **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food. aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Warning to all who visits Canaveral National Seashore From: "Harry+Laurie" <Slaunnett AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 20:35:59 -0400 It's about more than whether you're on federal, state or county lands when you choose to feed the Scrub Jays, Brian. Your rebuttal chastises Roy for feeding the scrub jays, but kinda only because he was foolish enough to do so in a place where he would face a penalty if caught. While I think we can all sympathize with the overkill actions that Roy and his group were subjected to, the fact is, none of us for any reason should be feeding the scrub jays. Period. I'm from Canada, near Montreal and a couple of years ago, we had an invasion of Great Gray Owls. Birders by the dozens descended on their temporary and thusly fragile territory and baited them with dead mice on strings, etc. to get the perfect shot. They chased them from tree to tree in gang-like fashion and generally made bum-openings of themselves... to what end? To have the best picture on the internet and hopefully sell a few pictures to calendar companies? These actions and those people are not birders as was the original concept. These are obsessive check-list tickers and people that aren't going to make it at football or baseball and so they're trying to gain fame by exaggerating birding into some sort of extreme sport. Looking forward to my 5th trip to Florida this fall. Still haven't seen a Scrub Jay despite trying. BTW, I'm allergic to peanuts and so wouldn't be caught dead carrying them ;-) Harry ----- Original Message ----- From: BrianAhern AT aol.com To: FlaBirding AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 7:13 PM Subject: Re: [FlaBirding] Warning to all who visits Canaveral National Seashore Hi Roy & All, Is your complaint about getting a ticket for baiting a federally threatened species on government owned/managed land just to get some close-up photos or that the officer in question had a problem with you doing this in an area they patrol daily & take some pride in protecting while the current trend of the legislature is to reduce their funding & cut their job force? It is always a violation to feed or harass wildlife on any federal, state or county lands. Especially for imperiled species. I have heard of people being ticketed in other states for knocking on trees with Red-cockaded Woodpecker cavities just to try and see the bird or photograph it. I'm sorry that this is not my usual type of post but I would like people to see another perspective on this subject. Personally I too have fed Scrub-Jays peanuts, just not on any public or government managed lands. Best, Brian Ahern Tampa Bay, Florida BrianAhern AT aol.com Photos: _www.pbase.com/brianahern_ (http://www.pbase.com/brianahern) In a message dated 5/11/2008 5:44:04 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, royhalpin AT earthlink.net writes: There are no signs but feeding Scrub Jays can cost you $175.00. I had two guests from out of town who wanted to photograph the Florida Scrub Jay. A ranger truck pulled in behind us and waited for me to open a small bag of raw unsalted peanuts and throw 3 on the ground so close photos could be taken. A Officer got out of her truck and asked if I knew that it was illegal to feed the Scrub Jays I said no and the she said she was going to write me a ticket. I asked her does she think I would feed the birds in front of her if I know it was illegal, where are the signs. She became very condescending and insulting. She stated that she hated people that fed wildlife and I should know better being a birder. She made many other comments trying to provoke me. I was not rude and maintained composure. She went to her truck with the engine running and spent almost an hour there. She called for back up. Two other officers came in their fuel guzzling truck and they had a pow wow, all with the engines running. I never said a word. See my Flickr link for photos one of my guest took them: http://www.flickr.com/photos/royhalpin/2483390741/ She brought me the ticket to sign and I said that is a lot of money $175.00 and she said, "I wish I could have made it more". My two guest heard the entire conversation and are witness to these statements. Her last name is Whaley badge number 4267. The ticket was for Disturbing the Wildlife. I think she was afraid that I would over react about the price of the ticket and that is the reason for the back up. If she would have given me a warning or a ticket for $50 I would have mark it up to a mistake. I am not alone feeding those Jays. If every advanced birder that I knew that fed a Scrub Jay a peanut sent me a dollar I would receive much more that the cost of that ticket. With the attitude of the offices of the Canaveral Sea Shore we need to campaign to have signs posted do not feed the Scrub Jays. I have been a Florida Resident all my life and I have been to the Sea Shore many times and for many years. And I had no idea that practice was illegal until Friday. My guest were from North Florida all there lives and they didn't know. We need to protect visitors from demeaning and provoking federal officers. Ms Whaley and her male counter part in the photo are surely not good representative of our federal government. Roy Halpin Orlando ------------------------------------ FlaBirding - Florida and Bahama Birding website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/ Unsubscribe, mail to: FlaBirding-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Nomail, mail to: FlaBirding-nomail AT yahoogroups.com Resume from Nomail, mail to: FlaBirding-normal AT yahoogroups.comYahoo! Groups Links **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Warning to all who visits Canaveral National Seashore From: woundedmallard67 AT aol.com Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 20:11:44 EDT Roy, I feel for ya buddy, that's a hefty slap on the wrist. Chiming in with Brian on this one though. It's common knowledge, or should be, that feeding or handling wildlife on Federal (and I believe State) property is illegal. They've been cracking down particularly on the Scrub-jay situation of late. The family groups on Scrub Ridge Trail have become increasingly friendly due to this practice, whereas a year ago they were relatively skittish. Don't get me wrong, I've taken advantage of it at times. Even though I work with Scrub-jays, I sometimes forget to empty my pockets after work and have tossed a few peanuts elsewhere when hitting the Refuge after work. Perhaps not any more though! ;-) While I can understand your argument as it does seem a bit steep considering the lack of signage, I feel pretty good about Officer Whaley's presence out there because she has the best interest of both patrons and the wildlife. Bad budgeting by Mr. Bush has kept law enforcement from adequately covering much of the Refuge properties throughout the system so perhaps leniency has not been as effective a tool and alternate measures are now in effect. I'll gladly send you a buck towards your fine, send me your address. It's worth at least that much to see your circumstance posted on here. I can only hope that it does more to deter those incidents rather than promote caution. Thanks for sharing your experience. Tom Dunkerton Titusville, Florida In a message dated 5/11/2008 5:43:54 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, royhalpin AT earthlink.net writes: There are no signs but feeding Scrub Jays can cost you $175.00. I had two guests from out of town who wanted to photograph the Florida Scrub Jay. A ranger truck pulled in behind us and waited for me to open a small bag of raw unsalted peanuts and throw 3 on the ground so close photos could be taken. A Officer got out of her truck and asked if I knew that it was illegal to feed the Scrub Jays I said no and the she said she was going to write me a ticket. I asked her does she think I would feed the birds in front of her if I know it was illegal, where are the signs. She became very condescending and insulting. She stated that she hated people that fed wildlife and I should know better being a birder. She made many other comments trying to provoke me. I was not rude and maintained composure. She went to her truck with the engine running and spent almost an hour there. She called for back up. Two other officers came in their fuel guzzling truck and they had a pow wow, all with the engines running. I never said a word. See my Flickr link for photos one of my guest took them: _http://www.flickr.http://www.http://wwwhttp://www._ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/royhalpin/2483390741/) She brought me the ticket to sign and I said that is a lot of money $175.00 and she said, "I wish I could have made it more". My two guest heard the entire conversation and are witness to these statements. Her last name is Whaley badge number 4267. The ticket was for Disturbing the Wildlife. I think she was afraid that I would over react about the price of the ticket and that is the reason for the back up. If she would have given me a warning or a ticket for $50 I would have mark it up to a mistake. I am not alone feeding those Jays. If every advanced birder that I knew that fed a Scrub Jay a peanut sent me a dollar I would receive much more that the cost of that ticket. With the attitude of the offices of the Canaveral Sea Shore we need to campaign to have signs posted do not feed the Scrub Jays. I have been a Florida Resident all my life and I have been to the Sea Shore many times and for many years. And I had no idea that practice was illegal until Friday. My guest were from North Florida all there lives and they didn't know. We need to protect visitors from demeaning and provoking federal officers. Ms Whaley and her male counter part in the photo are surely not good representative of our federal government. Roy Halpin Orlando **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Scrub jays From: cyclist2 AT strato.net Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 19:22:26 -0400 Anyone who wants to get good, close-up photos of scrubbies could volunteer for Jay Watch. I've done this for 6 years and always get good closeups, Training started yesterday. There are several more training sessions. They encourage photos.We have volunteers from all over the state and need more. If interested contact: jaywatch AT tnc.org Anne Bellenger Volunteer, Jay Watch, TNC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Warning to all who visits Canaveral National Seashore From: BrianAhern AT aol.com Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 19:13:37 EDT Hi Roy & All, Is your complaint about getting a ticket for baiting a federally threatened species on government owned/managed land just to get some close-up photos or that the officer in question had a problem with you doing this in an area they patrol daily & take some pride in protecting while the current trend of the legislature is to reduce their funding & cut their job force? It is always a violation to feed or harass wildlife on any federal, state or county lands. Especially for imperiled species. I have heard of people being ticketed in other states for knocking on trees with Red-cockaded Woodpecker cavities just to try and see the bird or photograph it. I'm sorry that this is not my usual type of post but I would like people to see another perspective on this subject. Personally I too have fed Scrub-Jays peanuts, just not on any public or government managed lands. Best, Brian Ahern Tampa Bay, Florida BrianAhern AT aol.com Photos: _www.pbase.com/brianahern_ (http://www.pbase.com/brianahern) In a message dated 5/11/2008 5:44:04 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, royhalpin AT earthlink.net writes: There are no signs but feeding Scrub Jays can cost you $175.00. I had two guests from out of town who wanted to photograph the Florida Scrub Jay. A ranger truck pulled in behind us and waited for me to open a small bag of raw unsalted peanuts and throw 3 on the ground so close photos could be taken. A Officer got out of her truck and asked if I knew that it was illegal to feed the Scrub Jays I said no and the she said she was going to write me a ticket. I asked her does she think I would feed the birds in front of her if I know it was illegal, where are the signs. She became very condescending and insulting. She stated that she hated people that fed wildlife and I should know better being a birder. She made many other comments trying to provoke me. I was not rude and maintained composure. She went to her truck with the engine running and spent almost an hour there. She called for back up. Two other officers came in their fuel guzzling truck and they had a pow wow, all with the engines running. I never said a word. See my Flickr link for photos one of my guest took them: http://www.flickr.com/photos/royhalpin/2483390741/ She brought me the ticket to sign and I said that is a lot of money $175.00 and she said, "I wish I could have made it more". My two guest heard the entire conversation and are witness to these statements. Her last name is Whaley badge number 4267. The ticket was for Disturbing the Wildlife. I think she was afraid that I would over react about the price of the ticket and that is the reason for the back up. If she would have given me a warning or a ticket for $50 I would have mark it up to a mistake. I am not alone feeding those Jays. If every advanced birder that I knew that fed a Scrub Jay a peanut sent me a dollar I would receive much more that the cost of that ticket. With the attitude of the offices of the Canaveral Sea Shore we need to campaign to have signs posted do not feed the Scrub Jays. I have been a Florida Resident all my life and I have been to the Sea Shore many times and for many years. And I had no idea that practice was illegal until Friday. My guest were from North Florida all there lives and they didn't know. We need to protect visitors from demeaning and provoking federal officers. Ms Whaley and her male counter part in the photo are surely not good representative of our federal government. Roy Halpin Orlando ------------------------------------ FlaBirding - Florida and Bahama Birding website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/ Unsubscribe, mail to: FlaBirding-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Nomail, mail to: FlaBirding-nomail AT yahoogroups.com Resume from Nomail, mail to: FlaBirding-normal AT yahoogroups.comYahoo! Groups Links **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Warning to all who visits Canaveral National Seashore From: "Roy Halpin" <royhalpin AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 21:43:38 -0000 There are no signs but feeding Scrub Jays can cost you $175.00. I had two guests from out of town who wanted to photograph the Florida Scrub Jay. A ranger truck pulled in behind us and waited for me to open a small bag of raw unsalted peanuts and throw 3 on the ground so close photos could be taken. A Officer got out of her truck and asked if I knew that it was illegal to feed the Scrub Jays I said no and the she said she was going to write me a ticket. I asked her does she think I would feed the birds in front of her if I know it was illegal, where are the signs. She became very condescending and insulting. She stated that she hated people that fed wildlife and I should know better being a birder. She made many other comments trying to provoke me. I was not rude and maintained composure. She went to her truck with the engine running and spent almost an hour there. She called for back up. Two other officers came in their fuel guzzling truck and they had a pow wow, all with the engines running. I never said a word. See my Flickr link for photos one of my guest took them: http://www.flickr.com/photos/royhalpin/2483390741/ She brought me the ticket to sign and I said that is a lot of money $175.00 and she said, "I wish I could have made it more". My two guest heard the entire conversation and are witness to these statements. Her last name is Whaley badge number 4267. The ticket was for Disturbing the Wildlife. I think she was afraid that I would over react about the price of the ticket and that is the reason for the back up. If she would have given me a warning or a ticket for $50 I would have mark it up to a mistake. I am not alone feeding those Jays. If every advanced birder that I knew that fed a Scrub Jay a peanut sent me a dollar I would receive much more that the cost of that ticket. With the attitude of the offices of the Canaveral Sea Shore we need to campaign to have signs posted do not feed the Scrub Jays. I have been a Florida Resident all my life and I have been to the Sea Shore many times and for many years. And I had no idea that practice was illegal until Friday. My guest were from North Florida all there lives and they didn't know. We need to protect visitors from demeaning and provoking federal officers. Ms Whaley and her male counter part in the photo are surely not good representative of our federal government. Roy Halpin Orlando Subject: Brevard Co. Yellow-breasted Chat From: paul marvin <pm299fl AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 10:16:04 -0400 Yesterday, May 8, and today I got a Yellow-breasted Chat at the west end of Providence Road, west of Cocoa, Brevard County. It sang almost non-stop on both of my visits. I was able to see it well today just a little after sunrise. It was a little ways from the road, so a scope would help, but is not necessary. To reach the site, go west on Hwy 520 from I-95. Immediately turn left (south) on Tucker Rd, which parallels the freeway. Go several miles until Tucker Road becomes dirt. Turn right here on Providence Rd. Follow Providence Road to the end to where it becomes dirt. The Chat is to the right (north) of the dirt portion of Providence Road. Paul Marvin Cocoa _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live SkyDrive lets you share files with faraway friends. http://www.windowslive.com/skydrive/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_skydrive_052008 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Connecticut Warbler From: "Murray Gardler" <mangrovefirst AT tampabay.rr.com> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 19:10:40 -0400 Carl Goodrich's last day in Key West until fall ended at Fort Zachary Taylor with 17 species of warblers including the subject warbler. Murray Gardler Brooksville, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Golden Eagles From: "vnjb63" <vnjb63 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 01:24:21 -0000 Thanks to everyone for their input. I do believe you are all right about it being a juvenile Bald Eagle. It is really exciting to know this, as I have never even seen a Bald Eagle. I never thought it would have been a juvenile Bald Eagle, which I have never seen an adult or juvenile ever. We were in the car and were viewing it from the ground so it was difficult to identify many markings. It was sitting on the top of the tree above our heads. I can tell you it was ALL brown and beautiful. Vicki Ft. Myers Subject: Puschock addition From: "dotrobbins AT juno.com" <dotrobbins@juno.com> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 02:14:08 GMT I will let John Puschock say it in his own descriptive, detailed, flowery prose: Yes, the kid's here, and it's a boy. Congratulations, Catherine and John! Dotty Robbins High Springs _____________________________________________________________ Click here to find single Christians that want to meet you today. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2121/fc/Ioyw6i3ngh5Ub0XN2EpUcDzSZASHMMj18DjMeZdZMZ1mkrGplBxXr6/?count=1234567890 ------------------------------------ FlaBirding - Florida and Bahama Birding website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/ Unsubscribe, mail to: FlaBirding-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Nomail, mail to: FlaBirding-nomail AT yahoogroups.com Resume from Nomail, mail to: FlaBirding-normal AT yahoogroups.comYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:FlaBirding-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:FlaBirding-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: FlaBirding-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Golden Eagle From: "vnjb63" <vnjb63 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 05 May 2008 01:30:40 -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 too. 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: Grand Bahama Birding Spots? From: "Nate Stuart" <stuartnate AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:37:07 -0400 Hello all, I am taking a trip to Freeport on Grand Bahama Island next week for a couple days, and am looking for local birding spots. Any help would be appreciated. Nate Stuartstuartnate AT gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: STA-5 Tour Results 04/26/2008 From: Vincent Lucas <vplucas AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 20:49:26 -0400 All: A picture-perfect day at STA-5, south of Clewiston in Hendry Co. on Saturday, April 26, 2008, saw some 23 folks out enjoying the birds and other wildlife. There were a few avian surprises to be had like the late Red-breasted Merganser flyover as well as a Lesser Scaup seen in one of the impoundments. The 150+ American White Pelicans were not expected for so late in the season and the Northern Bobwhite perched on a telephone line along Blumberg Rd. was a real treat. Belted Kingfishers (several), Western Kingbird (2) and a lone Northern Harrier were the last of their kind remaining from the winter season. However, the most spectacular sighting had to be the nearly 2000 Bobolinks foraging within a hundred feet of one of the dike roads. We watched them for well over 15 minutes. The "din" of their calls was awesome! I would estimate that 98-99% of this flock were males. Several other species seen were in high breeding plumage like the Forster's Tern that coursed through one of the impoundments and the 25+ Long-billed Dowitchers and two Stilt-Sandpipers that were encountered. Nesting was evident everywhere, especially for Boat- tailed Grackles, Black-necked Stilts, Killdeer and a few waders. Alan Murray found a Green Heron sitting on a nest and everyone got to see it. Way cool. Thanks Alan! On the trip out from Naples to STA-5 as well as the return trip back to Naples, Alan and I found our "usual" birds. Highlights were, in no particular order: Snail Kite (four at the Farm 8 Wetlands just north of the Ocean Boy Shrimp Farm on CR835); Limpkin -- as many as 8 at the same location as well as several other locales along CR833 & CR835; 3-4 Spotted Sandpipers, a dozen or so Least Sandpipers and two Long-billed Dowitchers also at the Farm 8 Wetlands; 3-4 Swallow- tailed Kites near the Collier/Hendry County line; Crested Caracara (CR846, CR833 & CR835); Sandhill Crane family along CR833; Burrowing Owls (CR833); American White Pelican (6 or so along CR833); Wild Turkey (one individual along CR833); Eastern Meadowlarks -- mostly along CR835; Western Kingbird (2 along CR858 near the Hendry County Correctional Facility in Collier County) and calling Bobwhites in a few places that I neglected to note. Before I forget, there was an "irruption" of one species of Odonate (dragonfly) at STA-5 in numbers that were simply astounding. The species is the Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata). They apparently emerged "en masse" to take advantage of the millions of little midges (I think that's what they were) that were highly annoying to us humans at STA-5. Here's the list of species seen at STA-5 on Saturday, April 26, 2008. The current checklist total is 159 species. Thanks Margaret! Fulvous Whistling-Duck 10+ Mottled Duck Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler 2-3 Ring-necked Duck 2-3 Lesser Scaup 1 Red-breasted Merganser 1 (Late(?) inland spring record) Northern Bobwhite (Several seen and heard along Blumberg Rd. as well as STA-5 proper) Pied-billed Grebe American White Pelican >150!! Double-crested Cormorant Anhinga Least Bittern 7-8 Great Blue Heron Great Blue Heron (white morph aka Great White Heron) 1 Great Egret Snowy Egret Little Blue Heron Tricolored Heron Cattle Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron >10 White Ibis Glossy Ibis Roseate Spoonbill 20+ Wood Stork Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Osprey Swallow-tailed Kite 2-3 Bald Eagle 2 Northern Harrier 1 Red-shouldered Hawk Crested Caracara 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 Sora (several heard) Purple Swamphen 6-7 Purple Gallinule 4-5 Common Moorhen American Coot Limpkin Black-bellied Plover Killdeer Black-necked Stilt Spotted Sandpiper 4-5 Solitary Sandpiper 1 Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Least Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper 2 in breeding plumage Long-billed Dowitcher >25 -- all in breeding plumage Caspian Tern 2 Forster's Tern 2 Black Skimmer >75 Mourning Dove Common Ground-Dove Barn Owl 1 Common Nighthawk 4-5 Belted Kingfisher 2 Western Kingbird 2 Loggerhead Shrike Tree Swallow Barn Swallow 3-4 Northern Mockingbird European Starling Common Yellowthroat Eastern Towhee Northern Cardinal Bobolink >2000!!!! with 99% males. Red-winged Blackbird Eastern Meadowlark Common Grackle Boat-tailed Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird 2 Cheers. Vince Subject: Rate Birds at Dry Tortugas From: Bev Hansen <bevalhansen AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:51:47 -0400 Murray Gardler called in this report from the Dry Tortugas a few minutes ago: 2 Black Noddies at Garden Key 1 immature dark phase Red-footed Booby at Long Key 1 alternate plumage Baird's Sandpiper at Loggerhead Key Bev Hansen Spring Hill, FL bevalhansen AT earthlink.net Subject: Ruff From: "gafcity47" <gafcity47 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:28:32 -0000 Howdy All, For anyone that hasn't seen the Ruff on Peacock's Pocket Road (Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge). I have posted several pictures of it on my site. I don't know if it's still there, because I haven't seen any recent post. Hopefully the wind has kept it feeding for a few more days before it continues on. A very nice bird indeed. www.flickr.com/photos/mudhen Danny Bales Titusville, Florida Subject: Yellow-green Vireo at Stock Island From: Bev Hansen <bevalhansen AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:34:00 -0400 The following is a message from Murray Gardler and Carl Goodrich: At 2:15 this afternoon at the Botanical Gardens on Stock Island (Key West), we observed a Yellow-green Vireo eating in a fig tree next to the walkway closest to the golf course. We went back again at 4 p.m. and spent an hour trying to relocate the bird, but were unsuccessful. Bev Hansen Spring Hill, FL bevalhansen AT earthlink.net Subject: Collier County Audubon + Hendy-Glades Audubon Fieldtrip 04/19/2008 Results From: Vincent Lucas <vplucas AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:17:53 -0400 All: Yesterday, under the leadership of Alan Murray, about a dozen or so Collier Audubon Society + Hendry-Glades Audubon Society members spent the day looking for migrants and other birds in parts of Hendry & Glades Counties. Margaret England, as usual, did the groundwork for the outing. Thanks Margaret! We didn't see anything earth-shattering, but we did see (and hear) some nice birds totaling some 60 species, and I, for one, added some new birds to both of my lists for those two counties. Everyone seemed to have a good time despite the near 90 degree heat. Before I forget, on the way out to LaBelle, several of us stopped off at the White's residence in Alva (Lee County) to check- out their feeders and to see if the Lazuli Bunting was still around. The White's have returned North but there is still bird seed in the feeders, for how long, I don't know. We didn't see the Lazuli, which was still being seen as of last week per Lois White. However, we did see several Indigo Buntings, (Painted Buntings seem to have left), White-winged Doves, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Parula (singing) and a few other common birds in our 15 minutes there. Anyway, here's our day list: Areas visited -- Hendry County (HC): Margaret England's backyard (situated on an old oxbow along the Caloosahatchee in LaBelle) + the Historic Hendry House LaBelle Nature Park Barron Park Bob Mason Park Areas visited -- Glades County (GC): Passive Recreation Park Areas along S.R. 78 east to Ortona Wetherspoon Wetlands Ortona Lock Muse and surrounding areas Birds seen: Mottled Duck (GC) Mallard (HC) Northern Bobwhite (GC -- heard only) Double-crested Cormorant (GC) Anhinga (HC) Great Blue Heron (HC) Great Egret (HC & GC) Snowy Egret (GC) Little Blue Heron (GC) Tricolored Heron (HC) Cattle Egret (HC & GC) Green Heron (HC & GC) White Ibis (GC) Glossy Ibis (GC) Black Vulture (HC & GC) Turkey Vulture (HC & GC) Swallow-tailed Kite (HC & GC) Red-shouldered Hawk (HC & GC) Red-tailed Hawk (seen along S.R. 78 in Lee County) Crested Caracara (GC) Purple Gallinule (GC) Common Moorhen (GC) Killdeer (HC & GC where we saw an active nest) Spoted Sandpiper (GC) Eurasian Collared-Dove (HC & GC) White-winged Dove (HC & GC) Mourning Dove (HC & GC) Common Ground-Dove (GC) Chimney Swift (HC) Red-bellied Woodpecker (HC & GC) Downy Woodpecker (HC) Pileated Woodpecker (HC) Great Crested Flycatcher HC & GC) Loggerhead Shrike (GC) White-eyed Vireo (GC) Blue-headed Vireo (HC) Blue Jay (HC & GC) American Crow (GC) Purple Martin (GC) Tree Swallow (GC) Northern Rough-winged Swallow (GC -- nesting in pipes along weir at Ortona Lock) Tufted Titmouse (HC) Carolina Wren (HC) Gray Catbird (HC & GC) Northern Mockingbird (HC & GC) Brown Thrasher (HC & GC) European Starling (HC & GC) Northern Parula (HC) Black-throated Blue Warbler (HC) Pine Warbler (GC -- heard only) Black-and-White Warbler (HC) Eastern Towhee (GC) Savannah Sparrow (GC) Northern Cardinal (HC & GC) Indigo Bunting (HC) Red-winged Blackbird (GC) Eastern Meadowlark (GC) Common Grackle (HC & GC) Boat-tailed Grackle (HC & GC) House Sparrow (HC) If I omitted anything or any errors are found, those in attendance at yesterday's fieldtrip can bring the necessary corrections to my attention. Thanks to all for a good day of birding in the interior counties of Florida! Oh yeah, almost forgot. . . . Added a beautiful male Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps) to my Odonate list. It was seen at Ortona Lock (Glades County) on the Calooshatchee. Cheers. Vince Vincent Lucas Naples, FL vplucas AT comcast.net http://www.flickr.com/photos/leppyone/ http://www.caloosabirdclub.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fw: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Press Release - Night Hike From: "Betty Salter" <bettysalter AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2008 09:56:58 -0400 FYI Betty Salter MINWR Volunteer ----- Original Message ----- From: Nancy_Corona AT fws.gov To: undisclosed-recipients: Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 4:12 PM Subject: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Press Release - Night Hike 1 NEWS RELEASE U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Nancy Corona DATE: 4/19/08 OFFICE PHONE: 321-861- 5601 Night Hike at Oak Hammock Join Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer, Jim Stahl, for a night hike along the 1/4- mile Oak Hammock Trail on Saturday, April 26, at 7:30 pm. Learn about the hammock habitat and its nocturnal wildlife by attending a photo presentation at the Refuge Visitor Center, followed by the guided hike along Oak Hammock Trail. Please contact, Refuge Ranger, Nancy Corona, to make reservations and for additional information at 321-861-5601. Please bring water and insect repellant. Long pants and closed shoes are recommended. The Visitor Center is located on SR 402, 5 miles east of U.S.1 in Titusville. *** On March 14, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed an Executive Order creating Pelican Island as the country’s first national wildlife refuge. Roosevelt went on to establish an additional 54 national wildlife refuges during his two terms and set historic conservation values for America. These values have grown into a system, which today, consists of 546 National Wildlife Refuges on more than 95 million acres of America’s most important wildlife habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 546 national wildlife refuges and over 3000 “mini-refuges” called Waterfowl Production Areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological Services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. X X X -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.2/1387 - Release Date: 4/19/2008 11:31 AM [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Red Knots vs. Red Necks - Huguenot Park (Jax, FL) From: "kedailey" <kedailey AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:08:08 -0000 Hi all, This afternoon I headed out to Huguenot park in Jacksonville. After scoping shorebirds (including 4 Whimbrel) and a few Gull Billed Terns, I headed out to the north point of Huguenot to look for lingering Piping Plover and Red Knot. (see FlaBirding photo gallery!! - "Huguenot 04/18/08") I found the Red Knot alright - foraging on a sandbar at incoming tide; the sandbar also happened to have two rednecks stuck out there and quickly losing a hopeless battle. The Knots were within 100 yards of these two trucks desperately trying to free their vehicles from the sand. I called my wife and she made it up to the A1A side of Ft. George Inlet with the camera in time to get the pictures you can find in the FlaBirding gallery. Needless to say, both vehicles were lost and the scene drew quite a crowd. Not only are the vehicles now entrenched with countless others at the mouth of the inlet, but at least two gas cans floated out of the bed headed for the estuary of the Timucuan Preserve. So, I got my 'FOS' GB Tern today along with two 'FOS' Redneck Vehicles Lost At Sea. Perhaps someone with more political clout that I can use these pics next time the City of Jacksonville wonders if they should strengthen their management plan for this critical area. I couldn't help but appreciate the incessant mocking 'laughter' of the hundreds of circling Laughing Gulls during the 2 hrs I watched the rednecks panicking to get their vehicles out. They seemed to be as amused as most of the human onlookers. The whole experience was as funny as it was sad. Oh yeah, the shorebirds are in beautiful plumage out there - even the Ruddy Turnstones are striking! Kevin Dailey Jax, FL Subject: Ft. Desoto From: "gafcity47" <gafcity47 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2008 01:35:17 -0000 I went to Ft. Desoto on the 14th and 15th of this month. Some birds have started coming in, but believe they will leave on the next light south southeast wind in a few days. I also would like to appoligise for for offending anyone in the past. I'm new at this, and I do make mistakes. I've learned from them, and I'm trying to learn the do's and don't's out there in the field. I do respect the enviornment, and try to preserve it when I'm in the field. Sometimes I can make mistakes, but it's not intentional. If I've done anything or said anything to anyone out there in a negative way I stand appoligetic (sp?). Danny Bales Titusville, Fla. Subject: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher From: "Murray Gardler" <mangrovefirst AT tampabay.rr.com> Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:36:04 -0400 About noon today, about 1 mile north of the intersection of us 19 & 50, (Hernando County) on the east side of us 19 the subject bird was sitting on telephone wires. Murray Gardler Brooksville, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Eared Grebe From: "Murray Gardler" <mangrovefirst AT tampabay.rr.com> Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:37:33 -0400 At Ft Island (Citrus County) today we had a pre-alternate plumage Eared Grebe. Judy B (sorry Judy cannot remember how to spell your name) found it while we we looking at Seaside Sparrows. That was just to the left of the beach as you face the beach. Actually Tom Palmer found it Friday but was not sure, told Andy Bankart and myself about it that afternoon. Andy and I looked but with poor lighting condition and the bird not being very close at that time we were not sure. A scheduled Florida Ornithological Society trip on Saturday morning failed to turn it up. Today was another scheduled trip where the bird turned up. Thank you Tom and Judy for such a nice find. To Murray Gardler Brooksville, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Oops! I Forgot. . . . From: Vincent Lucas <vplucas AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:48:28 -0400 All: Sorry. . . . I forgot to mention that on CR835 near the Deer Fence Canal (of Cassin's Kingbird fame), on the way back to Naples after the STA-5 tour, we saw a (FOTS) Gray Kingbird sitting next to a Western Kingbird on a telephone line. Gray Kingbirds aren't exactly common in Hendry County and to see one perched right next to a Western Kingbird was special. . . . Cheers. Vince Vincent Lucas Naples, FL vplucas AT comcast.net http://www.flickr.com/photos/leppyone/ http://www.caloosabirdclub.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: STA-5 Tour Results For 04/12/2008 From: Vincent Lucas <vplucas AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:41:14 -0400 All: Twenty-one birders and seven photographers came out to STA-5 yesterday, April 12, 2008 for the semi-monthly birding tour. There were birders there from as far away as New York and in-state birders from the Tampa and Miami area. It was another great day at STA-5 (as usual). We added yet another new species to the ever-expanding checklist for this location when I saw a Blue Jay (yeah!!) fly across one of the open impoundments into a Carolina Willow. It was VERY uncharacteristically secretive and was only lured out into the open for a brief view by aid of a Birdjam/Birdpod. Strange bird to see in this habitat. I think this might be #167 on the STA-5 checklist but Margaret England will have to verify this info. Margaret had to leave the tour early so the herculean task of coordinating attendees was left up to the inimitable Steve "You Da Man" Buczynski. Steve did an outstanding job, even finding a nice flock of about 25 FOTS Bobolinks that were migrating through for the rest of us. The breeding plumaged males were a thrill to see again and everyone still tagging along with the group got to see them. Nice! Other highlights were FOTS Common Nighthawk; Great White Heron (white morph of Great Blue Heron); 19 Fulvous and 6 Black-bellied Whistling Ducks hanging out together in a group on an exposed open area in one of the "marshes" -- something we've not seen before at STA-5; latish American Wigeon, Ring-necked Ducks and Northern Shoveler; lingering flocks of Northern Rough-winged Swallows as well as five Western Kingbirds; nesting Black-necked Stilts; a lone Spotted Sandpiper in high breeding plumage picking off midges or some other insects on one of the impoundment roads, totally oblivious to our group and allowing for close-up photos -- see my Flickr site below for the photo; a lone Solitary Sandpiper; one Stilt Sandpiper as well as lingering Norther Harriers, Belted Kingfishers and Palm Warblers. Here's the full list of birds seen at STA-5 including Blumberg Road on 04/12/2008: Black-Bellied Whistling-Duck (19) Fulvous Whistling-Duck (6) American Wigeon (1) Mottled Duck Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler (1) Ring-necked Duck (2) Northern Bobwhite (heard only) Pied-billed Grebe American White Pelican >25 Double-crested Cormorant Anhinga American Bittern (heard only) (1) Least Bittern (4) Great Blue Heron Great White Heron (white morph of Great Blue Heron) (1) Great Egret Snowy Egret Little Blue Heron Tricolored Heron Cattle Egret Green Heron Black-crowned Night-Heron >25 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (1) White Ibis Glossy Ibis Woodstork Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Osprey Northern Harrier (6) Cooper's Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Crested Caracara Peregrine Falcon (3) Purple Swamphen (3) Purple Gallinule (8) Common Moorehen American Coot Limpkin Sandhill Crane Killdeer Black-necked Stilt (nesting) Solitary Sandpiper (1) Spotted Sandpiper (1 in breeding plumage -- See my Flickr link below for photo) Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Least Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper (1) Long-billed Dowitcher >25 Wilson's Snipe Caspian Tern (1) Black Skimmer >20 Eurasian Collared-Dove (uncommon at STA-5) (1) Mourning Dove Common Ground-Dove Common Nighthawk (FOTS) (1) Belted Kingfisher Western Kingbird (5) Loggerhead Shrike White-eyed Vireo (heard only) Blue Jay (New for STA-5) (1) Tree Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow >25 Northern Mockingbird European Starling Palm Warbler (few remaining) Common Yellowthroat Eastern Towhee (heard only on Blumberg Road) Savannah Sparrow Northern Cardinal Bobolink (25) (FOTS) Red-winged Blackbird Eastern Meadowlark Boat-tailed Grackle On the trip out to STA-5 from Naples the "usual" birds were seen by Alan Murray along with his visiting sister and brother-in-law and me. These included Limpkin, one Snail Kite, one Roseate Spoonbill, one Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, 6 Swallow-tailed Kites, a pair of Sandhill Cranes (still tending a nest), White Pelicans, one Wild Turkey, Wood Stork, Eastern Meadowlark, Common Ground-Dove, Northern Bobwhite (heard) and a few others. After leaving STA-5, several folks followed us back along CR835 to CR833 for a few miles to see Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (one seen); Snail Kite (one seen); Roseate Spoonbill (one seen); nesting Sandhill Crane; Burrowing Owls (3-4 seen) and Limpkin among other birds. All-in-all, it was another fantastic day of birding out in the interior portion of Florida south of Lake Okeechobee. Thanks to all who helped make it a memorable day. Cheers. Vince Vincent Lucas Naples, FL vplucas AT comcast.net http://www.flickr.com/photos/leppyone/ http://www.caloosabirdclub.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Dry Tortugas From: "Murray Gardler" <mangrovefirst AT tampabay.rr.com> Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:02:02 -0400 Larry Manfredi just called me with some highlights of his first trip; Black Noddy 1 imm Roseate Tern 35 Brown & Masked Booby Short-eared Owl 1 Warblers 12 species including Swainsons. Murray Gardler Brooksville, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Double Brain Problem From: Wes Biggs <birdsatfnt AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:19:02 -0400 Hi All, Apologies for my almost blank last email. I had started to correct my post from last night & accidentally hit the send button. Last fall's FOS meeting was in Sebring, not Lake Placid. Wes Biggs Orlando Subject: Brain problems From: Wes Biggs <birdsatfnt AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:09:23 -0400 Brain Subject: FOS Meeting From: Wes Biggs <birdsatfnt AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:54:46 -0400 Hi All, My Swallow-tailed Kites, Great-crested Flycatchers & Chucks finally came home the other day. All were a couple of weeks later than in the past. The Florida Ornithological Society spring meeting is in Crystal River, (the town not the river) this week end. If anyone is heading over there from or going through the greater Orlando area on Friday morning & would like to share a ride, please give me a call. If you did not know about the meeting and or don't know about the society, & would like to go or learn about it please give me a call. I was one of the founding members 35 years ago & know more than a little about it. Please check out our web site: http://www.fosbirds.org/ If you're interested in birds & you live in Florida you should belong to FOS! The fall meeting in Lake Placid, (the town not the lake) was lots of fun. We all learned a great deal at the scientific paper session, & had a good time birding & getting together with old & new friends. This week end promises to be just as much fun. Wes Biggs Orlando 407/384-9766 H 407/376-6967 C Subject: Fort Zachary Taylor; (Key West) From: "Murray Gardler" <mangrovefirst AT tampabay.rr.com> Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2008 14:16:25 -0400 Carl Goodrich called again today; more migrants;highlights Warblers; Palm 20 Prairie 10 Worm-eating 10+ Prothonotary 3 Hooded 8 Kentucky 1 Ovenbird 6 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 20 Summer Tanagers Baltimore Orioles Grasshopper Sparrow 1 Cave Swallow 3 Bank Swallow 1 Purple Gallinule 1 Wilson's Snipe 1 White-eyed Vireos Red-eyed Vireos Murray Gardler Brooksville, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Key West warbler correction From: "Murray Gardler" <mangrovefirst AT tampabay.rr.com> Date: Sun, 6 Apr 2008 15:31:00 -0400 I should have said "palm warbler, all western not "yellow palm all western" Murray Gardler Brooksville, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Bird id, please From: luvdaocean AT aol.com Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2008 16:01:42 EDT Some have responded and told me the photo did not come through. I placed it in the body of the email but, I had had to scan it from a photo. Maybe that is the problem. sorry. Pat Harden Gainesville,FL **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides. (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bird id please? From: luvdaocean AT aol.com Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2008 15:18:19 EDT Can someone please id this bird? The picture was taken in Atlanta by a friend on Feb. 28. Thanks, Pat Harden Gainesville, FL **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides. (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fw: Pictures From: "Murray Gardler" <mangrovefirst AT tampabay.rr.com> Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2008 07:12:15 -0400 Dick Blewett's Son Asked me to send this information out. Murray Gardler Brooksville, FL ----- Original Message ----- From: Charlie Blewett To: Emily Casey Cc: chipper_t AT embarqmail.com ; mangrovefirst AT tampabay.rr.com Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 9:51 AM Subject: RE: Pictures Emily, The services for dad are as follows: Visitation: Friday, April 4, 2008 5 PM to 8 PM Wilder Funeral Home 4890 S. Suncoast Blvd. Homosassa, FL 34447 (352) 628-3344 Funeral Services: Saturday, April 5, 2008 11 AM St Thomas The Apostle Catholic Address: 7040 S Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa, FL 34446 Phone: (352) 628-7000 I would greatly appreciate if you could pass this info onto Dad's friends. Peace, Charley Blewett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: FW: My experience with Bird Brains From: "Roy Halpin" <royhalpin AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:48:39 -0400 My apologies to all at Florida Birds, sorry I broke the rules, I intended this post to be directed to Florida Birding where we can speak freely. Florida Birding needs to stay up. Roy Halpin PS my last sentence should have said "Let's keep Florida Birding together" We need Florida Birds too. -----Original Message----- From: Roy Halpin [mailto:royhalpin AT earthlink.net] Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 10:16 AM To: FLORIDABIRDS-L AT LISTS. UFL. EDU (FLORIDABIRDS-L AT LISTS.UFL.EDU) Subject: My experience with Bird Brains If Bird Brains were the last opportunity I had to find birding information in the state of Florida I will do without. I have been kicked off twice and will not go through that humiliation again. The first time a person asked the question why does the government allow duck hunting on the MIWR. I answered the question truthfully, no BS. I was kicked off for entering in a political discussion but the person that asked the question did not even get a reprimand. I begged and I got back on, a mistake. The second time was when a friend asked me to post an important bird photo on Bird Brains and I did. He did not know at the time he was kicked off nor did I. For posting a photo from another I was kicked off again. These folks do not communicate. I have heard others make statement that the owners of Bird Brains think they own the birding communication of Florida and one of the owners has been heard making the statement that Ft Desoto is HER island. I am a native of Florida and too old to put up with arrogant, tight pant birders. Let's keep Florida Birds together. Roy Halpin - OPF Orlando, Florida royhalpin AT earthlink.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Re: The end of FlaBirding as we know it From: "Connor, Larry" <larry.connor AT myfwc.com> Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:21:09 -0400 Birdbrains is very active. I got at least 6 messages yesterday and at least 8 Saturday. I say at least because I may have deleted some of them already. Larry Connor Eustis, FL ________________________________ From: FlaBirding AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:FlaBirding AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Joan Chasan Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 8:49 AM To: Subject: [FlaBirding] Re: The end of FlaBirding as we know it Is bird brains even active?. signed up days ago and have not received any e-mail. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: The end of FlaBirding as we know it From: "Joan Chasan" <jec56 AT rcn.com> Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:48:42 -0400 Is bird brains even active?. signed up days ago and have not received any e-mail. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Last Beginning Birding Tour for the season From: "Betty Salter" <bettysalter AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2008 22:34:52 -0400 WE always enjoy these tours and today was another wonderful tour. The end of the season means fewer birds to see, but that doesn't mean that the tour is anything less than tours when there are so many winter species present. In truth I love the summer birds as much or even more than those that visit during the winter. Have you ever watched a Black-necked stilt chick as it left the nest? We started the tour with views of an adult bald eagle on a tower near the entrance to the VIC as we went to the beach area of Parish Park. At Parrish Park we saw Ring-billed, Laughing and immature Herring gulls as well as black skimmers swirling about and Ruddy turnstones who were turning the flotsome over looking for food. The Red-shouldered hawk was visible on CR 402 as well as American kestrels and other usual birds. Scrubjays were where we expected to see them on SR 3, anhingas and others were visible on 406 as we headed toward Black Point Wildlife Drive. The group got to see two horned owl chicks in the abandoned eagles nest at the beginning of the drive. Our list of species seen is not all that long, after all it is just a three-four hour tour for beginners; but the sightings were wonderful and the enthusiasm of the group was marvelous! Here is our list for todays tour... Pied-billed Grebe Double-crested Cormorant Anhinga Great Blue Heron Green Heron Little Blue Heron Reddish Egret Great Egret Snowy Egret Tri-colored Heron Glossy Ibis White Ibis Roseate Spoonbill Green-winged Teal Blue-winged Teal Northern Shoveler Lesser Scaup Red-breasted Merganser Turkey Vulture Black Vulture Kriders Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Bald Eagle Osprey American Kestrel Clapper Rail Sora Common Moorhen American Coot Killdeer Ruddy Turnstone Willet Greater Yellowlegs Lesser Yellowlegs Least Sandpiper Dunlin Stilt Sandpiper Sanderling Black-necked Stilt Herring Gull Ring-billed Gull Laughing Gull Black Skimmer Mourning Dove Great Horned Owl Belted Kingfisher Red-bellied Woodpecker Purple Martin(at the VIC) Scrub Jay Fish Crow Carolina wren(heard at the VIC) Northern Mockingbird Common Yellowthroat Red-winged Blackbird Boat-tailed Grackle Common Grackle Nothern Cardinal It was great day and an excellent way to end the season. I am looking forward to the coming cummer with the birds that rear their young here. Happy Birding, Betty Salter MINWR Volunteer [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: The end of FlaBirding as we know it From: "Sus" <flphotos AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 01:04:02 -0000 I have never posted to this group, but read it religiously. I found this because of the rudeness of the Bird Brains a number of years ago. I do hope that this group will continue - it is truly a good resource. Susan Subject: Dunedin Causeway, Hammock & Palm Harbor WTP From: "Murray Gardler" <mangrovefirst AT tampabay.rr.com> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:17:47 -0400 Causeway Highlights; Marbled Godwit 7 Red Knot 1 (pre-alternate plumage,1st one I have observed on the causeway this winter) Dunlin 250 (some with black bellies) Western Sandpiper 15 (many in pre-alternate plumage) Short-billed Dowitcher 1500 Black-hooded Parakeet 3 Chuck-wills-widow 2-3 (calling from the islands west of the causeway) Hammock Highlights; Hermit Thrush 1 Blue-headed Vireo 2-3 (singing) Northern Parula 2-3 (singing) Yellow-throated Warbler 1 Northern Waterthrush 1 Palm Harbor Water Treatment Plant; Bufflehead 1 (female or immature male, kept diving so much it made sexing difficult) Murray Gardler Brooksville, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: The end of FlaBirding as we know it From: John Puschock <g_g_allin AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:50:43 +0000 Howdy again, I've been getting a bit of a negative reaction on the change to the group. Apparently there's a small but not insignificant group of you who are refugees from other listservs and have nowhere else to go. While there are benefits to listserv consolidation and while I still encourage members to join BirdBrains, perhaps it would be better to maintain FlaBirding more or less 'as-is'. Unfortunately, there's no perfect solution at this point. Either we have duplication among the lists or a bunch of people get kicked to the curb. If FlaBirding is to be kept in it's original format, I would like someone else to take over management of the list. Neither Chris nor I will probably have the time to actively manage the list in the near future. And yes, Tom, you should share your favorite Wes stories here. In fact, we should all share our appreciation of Wes being an ass while he's still here to receive our love. Toodles, John P. _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live Hotmail is giving away Zunes. http://www.windowslive-hotmail.com/ZuneADay/?locale=en-US&ocid=TXT_TAGLM_Mobile_Zune_V3 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Snow Goose still @ Cutler Wetlands - 03/28/08 From: Paul Bithorn <pblifeisgood AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:12:56 -0400 Serendipitously, I finally saw the Snow Goose at Cutler Wetlands - thanks to Roxanne Featherly. Roxanne had her scope focused on the elusive goose, while looking west from the berm on the east side of S.W. 97th Avenue.- just south of the "No Dumping" sign. The bird was there from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Other good birds in the wetlands were Roseate Spoonbills, Wood Storks, White Pelicans, Blue-winged and Green-Winged Teal, Cave and Barn Swallows, keeking Long-billed Dowitchers and Stilt Sandpipers with their sewing machine-like feeding behavior. Life is good..........seeing a new Miami-Dade County bird. I will quaff a Snow Goose Winter Ale that I have been holding in abeyance for this momentous occasion - which was not easy - as my celebratory libation. Paul Bithorn pblifeisgood AT hotmail.com pbithorn AT plumbers519.com Virginia Gardens, Florida Miami-Dade County _________________________________________________________________ How well do you know your celebrity gossip? http://originals.msn.com/thebigdebate?ocid=T002MSN03N0707A [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: The end of FlaBirding as we know it From: Tom Rodriguez <rodrigueztom AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:30:03 -0400 [JP wrote] -(for example, discussing that Wes is an ass) should still be sent to FlaBirding. Does this mean we should share our favorite stories? Tom Rodriguez Orlando [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re:The end of FlaBirding as we know it From: Bradmartin321 AT aol.com Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 07:43:19 -0400 It is unfortunate that some sites have to be so strict on business affiliations. Especially because many birding related businesses are more hobby then profit and provide a service to the birding and scientific community. I regularly receive correspondence from university professors about the circumstances of my offshore bird or insect photos. Should I take out the reference to the fact that the interested parties may contact me if interested in purchasing a file? There is no link to my stock agency but I was going to put one in. Are business affiliations really that different then professional affiliations.?Maybe I should get not-for-profit status and get a better write off on my equipment and travel. Maybe the Universities should get out of this activity if they do not want to?allow so much important information such as pelagic trips, rare bird photos etc. Thanks John for putting up this site. Brad Martin Cocoa, FL Bradmartin321 AT aol.com www.Bradmartinphotos.com www.istockphoto.com?name =bradfordmartin When in Pelee Island Ontario please stop in the Pelee Island Winey and buy the wine with the Least Sandpiper photo on the label that says "Photo by Brad Martin" [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bermuda Petrel (NOT SEEN!) article and video From: "dotrobbins AT juno.com" <dotrobbins@juno.com> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:49:08 GMT Here's an interesting article about a much sought-after bird, the Bermuda Petrel. The SurfBirds article includes a short video. This came to me as part of "Audubon in the News". Dotty Robbins High Springs ------------------------------------------------------ INTERNATIONAL NEWS FROM AUDUBON'S BIRDLIFE PARTNERS Bermuda Petrel Returns to Nonsuch Island (Bermuda) after 400 years (Story about successful translocation of a species once thought to be extinct; David Wege, BirdLife International's Caribbean Programme Manager, is quoted) http://www.surfbirds.com/sbirdsnews/archives/2008/03/bermuda_petrel.html _____________________________________________________________ Become a Veterinary and earn up to $150/hour. Click now. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2121/fc/Ioyw6i3oKD2grfP8MFAht6gUxg34YuzCOieXyPsx5VVZchZHVbSj9W/ ------------------------------------ FlaBirding - Florida and Bahama Birding website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/ Unsubscribe, mail to: FlaBirding-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Nomail, mail to: FlaBirding-nomail AT yahoogroups.com Resume from Nomail, mail to: FlaBirding-normal AT yahoogroups.comYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:FlaBirding-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:FlaBirding-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: FlaBirding-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: The end of FlaBirding as we know it From: John Puschock <g_g_allin AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:28:49 +0000 FlaBirding as we know it is coming to an end, or at least that�s my hope. It will require your cooperation. I began FlaBirding to provide a forum for subjects that aren�t permitted on other listservs, and in that regard, I think this group has been a success. However, with two other birding listservs also covering the state of Florida, there has been a lot of duplication of postings (though if you�re subscribed to only one, an argument can be made that there has not been enough duplication). To cut down on duplication and facilitate communication throughout the state, postings about bird sightings and related topics should no longer be sent to FlaBirding. INSTEAD, ALL MEMBERS OF FlaBirding SHOULD SUBSCRIBE TO BirdBrains AND SEND THOSE MESSAGES TO THAT LISTSERV. FlaBirding will become a �sister� group to BirdBrains. All postings prohibited on BirdBrains � such as messages of a political or commercial nature, controversial topics, and non-controversial topics that are still unsuitable for BirdBrains (for example, discussing that Wes is an ass) � should still be sent to FlaBirding. For those of you not subscribed to BirdBrains, here are instructions for subscribing: Either go to: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/listserv/wa.exe?SUBED1=brdbrain&A=1 and fill out the form on that page or send an e-mail to LISTSERV AT LISTSERV.ADMIN.USF.EDU with the following in the body of the message:subscribe brdbrain your name With either method, you will receive an e-mail to which you�ll need to respond to confirm your subscription. PLEASE keep in mind that BirdBrains, as a listserv sponsored by a public university, has more rules than FlaBirding! Here is a synopsis of the rules from the welcome message you get when subscribing: �Required: end all posts with your real name (first and last), town, state, and email address. Not Allowed: (1)advertising that benefits financially a subscriber or other entity, other than a non-profit organization. This includes the showcasing of photos with a link to a website offering the sale of photos, links to web sites which offer equipment or services for sale, and signatures which include business references with links to any for-profit organization. (2) Controversial topics of discussion: politics, conservation, environmentalism, etc. This includes topics of dogs, cats, hunters.(3)Derogatory remarks or other comments of an offensive or personal nature.� As I said, to make this change successful, I will need the help of the group members. I have no plans to actively moderate the group to enforce this change though I may have to do that in the future. For those not already subscribed to BirdBrains, I strongly encourage you to join. In my opinion, it is the best forum for Florida birding information. Thanks, John Puschock FlaBirding owner and co-moderator g_g_allin AT hotmail.com _________________________________________________________________ Test your Star IQ http://club.live.com/red_carpet_reveal.aspx?icid=redcarpet_HMTAGMAR [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ FlaBirding - Florida and Bahama Birding website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/ Unsubscribe, mail to: FlaBirding-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Nomail, mail to: FlaBirding-nomail AT yahoogroups.com Resume from Nomail, mail to: FlaBirding-normal AT yahoogroups.comYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaBirding/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:FlaBirding-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:FlaBirding-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: FlaBirding-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: April 9-12, 2008 Dry Tortugas Tour From: Larry Manfredi <birderlm AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:42:03 -0400 If anyone is interested I have space on my April 9-12 Dry Tortugas Tour. I will be giving discounts on this tour, if you have never been to the Dry Tortugas this is the best way to go at the best price. The Loggerhead Kingbird was seen yesterday, perhaps it will stick around until this tour. This is always an exciting trip with lots and lots of birds, migrants as well as breeding seabirds. This is also an excellent trip for all of you photographers out there, you can spend the entire day taking beautiful bird pictures or scenic shots of old Fort Jefferson! It is also an excellent trip for those that have spouses or friends who are not birders, you can snorkel, fish, kick back on the beach or explore the fort! The boat has excellent accommodations as well as an excellent crew and food. What more could you ask for?? Please contact me if you are interested. Thanks, Larry Manfredi Homestead, FL. E-mail: birderlm AT bellsouth.net http://www.southfloridabirding.com Subject: Bystre Lake (Hernando County) From: "Murray Gardler" <mangrovefirst AT tampabay.rr.com> Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:28:49 -0400 Highlights, White Pelican down to 2 Bald Eagle 2 adults American Avocet 5 Black Necked Stilt 1 Murray Gardler Brooksville, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Burrowing Owl, Western Kingbird From: "Murray Gardler" <mangrovefirst AT tampabay.rr.com> Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:25:06 -0400 Today on Powerline Road (Hernando County) both were observed. The owl was on the field adjacent to the sand pit; kingbird was on barbed wire fence just after you turn onto Powerline from Kettering. Murray Gardler Brooksville, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Chuck-wills-widow From: cyclist2 AT strato.net Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:06:13 -0400 For the last week I've heard a chuck-wills-widow in the woods across from my house in Avon Park Lakes. This is the 4th year that I've heard it. Starts around 9PM. Anne Bellenger Ph.D. Volunteer, FL Scrub Jay Monitoring Program Highlands County Audubon [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Brevard Birdathon From: woundedmallard67 AT aol.com Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:04:02 EDT Hey Everybirdy, Wasn't the most pleasant of conditions for a birdathon but it sure could have been worse! 4 teams participated. The contest was from 6 a.m. til noon. The winning team scoured the county for 101 species, consisting of Don Margeson, Jeff Miller and Doug Stuckey- dubbed the Pinellas Peregrines. The other teams followed with 99, 72 and 71 species. One team lost 2 species for showing up 2 minutes late, they shall remain nameless....tsk, tsk, tsk! ;-) To their credit, an accomplishment worth mentioning, Dee Fairbanks Simpson, Leslie Pernas-Gaz and Betty McKeown- dubbed the Pish Free team, got all of their species (71)without any pishing or call tapes or any artificial means to attract birds. This was not a condition of the contest but an impressive accomplishment with the strictest (?) of etiquette. Nice going ladies! Oh yeah, and they also raised $850 in pledges too! :-O All told, with 13 participants, $1,576 in pledges were raised for this event! OUTSTANDING!!!! Thanks, on behalf of SpaceCoast Audubon Chapter, to everyone who participated, all who donated gifts and especially to all who so kindly pledged to these hard working and charitable birders! Looking forward to next years event already! Congratulations again to the Pinellas Peregrines! See you out there! Tom Dunkerton Titusville, Florida **************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home. (http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15?ncid=aolhom00030000000001) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Parrots, Red-whiskered Bulbul and more From: Paul Bithorn <pblifeisgood AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:28:23 -0400 Today, I had the distinct pleasure of birding with Milton Plaugher from Winter Park from 2:00 p.m. till dusk. We met at the Fair Havens Nursing Home in Miami Springs and located our first psittacid within minutes - an Orange-winged Parrot. We zipped over to Kings Creek Condominium south of Kendall and just west of SR 826 and found a Black Olive tree full of Mitred Parakeets. Next stop - the residential area north of Baptist Hospital- where Red-whiskered Bulbul and Loggerhead Shrikes were the highlights. A quick stop in South Miami produced White-crowned Pigeons and Common Peafowl. We finished up back in Miami Springs, where Monk Parakeets, Yellow-chevroned Parakeets, Mitred, Red-masked, Red-fronted, Crimson-fronted, White-eyed and Green Parakeets and Orange-winged (10) and Yellow-crowned (1) Parrots were in their usual haunts.Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks, Wood Stork, White-winged Dove,Purple Martins and Spot-breasted Oriole were also in the hood. Blackened Dolphin and Yuengling at Woody's Tavern finished off a great afternoon of birding. Life is good....................... Paul Bithorn pblifeisgood AT hotmail.com pbithorn AT plumbers519.com Virginia Gardens, FL Miami-Dade County _________________________________________________________________ In a rush? Get real-time answers with Windows Live Messenger. http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_realtime_042008 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]