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09 Feb Falcons [] 09 Feb Re: Snowy Owls ["Debbie" ] 09 Feb Re: RW blackbird, Crossbill, Siskins - oops ["vireoman2004" ] 09 Feb RW blackbird, Crossbill, Siskins ["vireoman2004" ] 08 Feb Re: FWP Comments on Peregrine Falcon Take ["vireoman2004" ] 8 Feb FWP Comments on Peregrine Falcon Take [Beth Hill ] 08 Feb Re: Poll results for MOB-Montana ["vireoman2004" ] 8 Feb Poll results for MOB-Montana [] 08 Feb Re: Re: Snowy Owls [Scott Heppel ] 8 Feb Re: Snowy Owls [Len Newton ] 08 Feb New link question ["vireoman2004" ] 8 Feb New file uploaded to MOB-Montana [] 8 Feb Re: Montana Bird Distribution Database and Montana Bird Distribution Partnership ["Jeff Marks" ] 8 Feb New file uploaded to MOB-Montana [] 8 Feb about those (that?) cardinals (cardinal?), take II ["Jeff Marks" ] 8 Feb Montana Bird Distribution Database and Montana Bird Distribution Partnership [Bryce Maxell ] 8 Feb about those (that?) cardinals (cardinal?) ["Jeff Marks" ] 8 Feb Montana Bird Distribution Database and Montana Bird Distribution Partnership [2 Attachments] [Bryce Maxell ] 08 Feb Re: Snowy Owls [Scott Heppel ] 08 Feb Re: Snowy Owls [Scott Heppel ] 08 Feb Re: Re: Snowy Owls [Scott Heppel ] 08 Feb Re: Snowy Owls ["christinepaige" ] 8 Feb Re: Snowy Owls [Radd Icenoggle ] 8 Feb Re: Snowy Owls [Katie LaSalle-Lowery ] 08 Feb Snowy Owls [Scott Heppel ] 08 Feb Two Northern Goshawks at Warm Springs ["Nate Kohler" ] 08 Feb Fairfield Cardinal ["birder_bob" ] 07 Feb Benton Lake refuge ["vlfields2012" ] 07 Feb No Glaucous Gull on the Madison Monday ["Mike" ] 06 Feb Re: mob milestone ["Dan Casey" ] 6 Feb Re: Re: New poll for MOB-Montana ["John Carlson" ] 6 Feb Re: Great-tailed Grackle and Tracker 2 ["Jeff Marks" ] 6 Feb Re: Great-tailed Grackle and Tracker 2 [Byron Butler ] 5 Feb mob milestone ["Jeff Marks" ] 06 Feb Glaucous-winged Gull still present ["Dan Casey" ] 5 Feb Re: Great-tailed Grackle and Tracker 2 ["Jeff Marks" ] 06 Feb White-throated Sparrow in Bozeman ["Nate Kohler" ] 5 Feb Re: Great-tailed Grackle and Tracker 2 [Byron Butler ] 06 Feb FOY's Bitterroot Valley all 2/5 ["mvbmontana" ] 05 Feb Re: Great-tailed Grackle and Tracker 2 [Kristi DuBois ] 05 Feb Camera [Arla Eckert ] 5 Feb Great-tailed Grackle and Tracker 2 [Byron Butler ] 5 Feb Great-tailed Grackle and Tracker [Byron Butler ] 05 Feb Ebird reports for Feb. 3 Great Falls area [Arla Eckert ] 05 Feb Glaucous Gull Madison River below Bear-trap Canyon ["blinkey112" ] 05 Feb Common Loon, Thompson Falls ["vireoman2004" ] 05 Feb Re: Osprey, Ruffed Grouse - Sanders County ["vireoman2004" ] 05 Feb Re: pygmy nuthatches on 5th st Hamilton ["mvbmontana" ] 05 Feb Butler Creek Drainage and Lee Metcalf ["Thomas" ] 5 Feb RE: Great-tailed Grackle at the Mall [Andrew Guttenberg ] 05 Feb Re: Osprey, Ruffed Grouse - Sanders County ["Dan Casey" ] 04 Feb Great-tailed Grackle at the Mall [Sharon Hansen ] 04 Feb Double-crested Cormorant [Arla Eckert ] 04 Feb Re: pygmy nuthatches on 5th st Hamilton [Arla Eckert ] 4 Feb Re: Re: Query: what digital cameras do you use? [Jta66 ] 4 Feb Re: Osprey, Ruffed Grouse - Sanders County ["Jeff Marks" ] 4 Feb Re: 1 Snowy Owl & 5 Lapland Longspurs [Jta66 ] 04 Feb Re: New poll for MOB-Montana, another idea ["vireoman2004" ] 04 Feb Re: New poll for MOB-Montana ["vireoman2004" ] 4 Feb Bozeman Great-tailed Grackle [Byron Butler ] 04 Feb Re: Query: what digital cameras do you use? ["DonaldJ" ] 04 Feb Lewis' Woodpecker Missoula ["willyboy" ] 04 Feb pygmy nuthatches on 5th st Hamilton ["mvbmontana" ] 04 Feb Osprey, Ruffed Grouse - Sanders County ["vireoman2004" ] 04 Feb Re: Great-tailed Grackle in Bozeman ["vireoman2004" ] 03 Feb Snowy Owl in Liberty County [Liz Larcom ] 04 Feb Re: Great-tailed Grackle in Bozeman ["Nick Hajdukovich" ] 3 Feb Re: Great-tailed Grackle in Bozeman [] 3 Feb Re: Re: Great-tailed Grackle in Bozeman [Lou Ann Harris ] 04 Feb Re: Great-tailed Grackle in Bozeman ["SharonHansen" ] 3 Feb Re: Great-tailed Grackle in Bozeman [] 3 Feb Re: 1 Snowy Owl & 5 Lapland Longspurs [Beth Hill ] 3 Feb Re: 1 Snowy Owl & 5 Lapland Longspurs [Peggy Nygard ] 04 Feb Early Redwing Blackbirds in Hamilton ["mvbmontana" ] 03 Feb Spring Birding???? ["Jeannie" ] 03 Feb 1 Snowy Owl & 5 Lapland Longspurs [Arla Eckert ] Subject: Falcons From: bjhoy AT localnet.com Date: Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:13:07 -0500 Hi All, In December, our peer reviewed published study "Observations of Brachygnathia Superior in Wild Ruminants in Western Montana, USA", Wildl. Biol. Pract. 2011 was put on Google for all to access. Anyone with internet access can Google it and read it. The study should be of interest to anyone who likes wildlife (or little children) as all are being seriously affected by thyroid hormone disruption during development in the womb or egg. Someone mentioned DDT and its affects on the birds, especially raptors. Since 1995, something has been affecting the young birds during development in the egg, causing symptoms consistent with endocrine disruption, in particular thyroid hormone disruption. The prevalence of symptoms of thyroid hormone disruption in birds brought for rehab have increased dramatically since 2007. Brachygnathia Superior is underdevelopment of the upper facial bones. On birds the growth of the upper bill is disrupted, so the upper bill is shorter than the lower bill, opposite of normal. That affects the fledgling bird's ability to eat when it is no longer fed by the parents. Of 5 House Sparrow young I received for care last spring, 4 had underbite, as did the only European Collared Dove received. The birds were from 5 different towns, from Lolo to Hamilton, where people live in the Bitterroot Valley in Western Montana. The last two years, people have sent me photos of dozens of birds of multiple species with underbite from all over Montana. While our study concerned the measurements of the mouths of over a thousand animals, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, domestic calves and domestic goats, in the study, we discussed the same malformation on bird species and gave references to bird studies. Underdeveloped upper bill is just one of many developmental health problems wild bird rehabbers are seeing in fairly high prevalence in hatchling and fledgling birds. There were malformations on 23% of young birds of 59 young of the year birds brought to Ravalli County Rehabbers in 2011. The other most common problems being seen on birds, especially raptors is disrupted feather development of the wing and tail feathers, disrupted development of limb bones and throat and organ tumors. The tumors tested were cancerous. What does that have to do with collecting falcons from nests for falconry? On falcon species and other raptor species, the most common malformation on young brought for rehab is disrupted feather development, so the fledgling can not fly when it is time for it to fledge. It usually ends up on the ground where predators kill it or the youngster dies of starvation. Lately, two or three American Kestrels a year with disrupted feather growth are found on the ground and brought to rehabbers. Who knows how many are not found? Larger falcons do not usually nest where debilitated young would be found, so it is not known if other falcon species are being affected similarly to the American Kestrels. No large falcon fledglings were brought to Western Montana rehabbers in the last 5 years that I know of. Audubon recently reported an alarming decline in American Kestrels throughout North America. Populations of larger falcons were not mentioned, but may be harder to track. Falconers did save the Peregrine Falcons, but I am not certain it is wise to let many be removed from nests until the cause of the thyroid hormone problems in wild youngsters is found and like DDT banned from use. I know this is long and I likely broke every MOB rule in the book. Sorry if I did, but I think the endocrine disruption factor needs to be considered by everyone. That is, if we want birds left for bird watchers to watch and photograph! Judy Hoy, Wildlife Researcher and Rehabber Stevensville, MT ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Snowy Owls From: "Debbie" <sendtodebbie AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:27:03 -0000 Took a very quick drive-thru yesterday (Wednesday) and there were five together on one roof top. That's all I saw at that point in time, but enough to ensure they are still there. Debbie --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, Scott Heppel wrote: > > Len, > > Thanks very much for the report. We are very excited to have the opportunity to see and possibly photograph them. > > Scott > > > On Feb 8, 2012, at 1:29 PM, Len Newton wrote: > > > I was there on Sunday and saw 9; all on top of the water towers. A few flew back and forth to some of the adjacent houses but mostly just hunkered down on the towers (some perched on the ladders and attenna). People were walking right up underneath them for pictures and they didn't seem to mind. > ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: RW blackbird, Crossbill, Siskins - oops From: "vireoman2004" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:15:03 -0000 Oops. Forgot to mention male Crossbill at water yesterday - Jim --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "vireoman2004" wrote: > > Weather not changed that much, but siskins have descended in numbers (up to 15), a Red-winged blackbird male has been here for a couple of days, and Robins and Bohemian waxwings are everrywhere... Otherwise, winter, with lots of Goldeneyes [*Commons* mostly - 40+; 10+ Barrow's], "the" adult Trumpeter swan persists. Single Townsend's Solitaire and Steller's Jay still present (latter perched atop a Doug Fir and calling persistently at mid-day); Yellow-rumped warbler made an appearance for photos this afternoon -- Jim Greavesm, Thompson Falls > ------------------------------------ Subject: RW blackbird, Crossbill, Siskins From: "vireoman2004" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:13:45 -0000 Weather not changed that much, but siskins have descended in numbers (up to 15), a Red-winged blackbird male has been here for a couple of days, and Robins and Bohemian waxwings are everrywhere... Otherwise, winter, with lots of Goldeneyes [*Commons* mostly - 40+; 10+ Barrow's], "the" adult Trumpeter swan persists. Single Townsend's Solitaire and Steller's Jay still present (latter perched atop a Doug Fir and calling persistently at mid-day); Yellow-rumped warbler made an appearance for photos this afternoon -- Jim Greavesm, Thompson Falls ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: FWP Comments on Peregrine Falcon Take From: "vireoman2004" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:58:11 -0000 Beth -- Thank you for the link and summary. It is important to note that without falconers, it is possible Peregrine would be extirpated in much of its range, and/or extinct in the wild -- it was the pet of kings and other pretenders to greatness in the past... Of course, the DDT ban in the 1960's (at least in the USA) had a positive impact. But DDT is still used in many "third world" countries, including Mexico (sold to them by US companies, from what I understand, or at least used from stocks "pre-ban")... Jim Greaves, Thompson Falls --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, Beth Hill wrote: > > FWP is requesting public comment on proposed 2012-2013 Peregrine Falcon > Take (and other wildlife harvests, licenses) A few highlights of the > proposed take - 5 nestlings or fledglings in each year, not to exceed 10 > over 2 years. Montana residents only with a general or master falconer may > apply. Take is prohibited in certain areas as well and they cannot be > bartered, sold or exchanged. The comment period is open until February 20, > 2012. For full details read the "interested persons letter" at the top of > the same comment page. > > http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/opportunityForPublicComment/2012peregrineFalconTake.html > > (or go to FWP homepage, click "public comments" on the right, find > Peregrine Take under "hunting". > > Beth Hill > Great Falls > ------------------------------------ Subject: FWP Comments on Peregrine Falcon Take From: Beth Hill <grizhill AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 14:19:30 -0700 FWP is requesting public comment on proposed 2012-2013 Peregrine Falcon Take (and other wildlife harvests, licenses) A few highlights of the proposed take - 5 nestlings or fledglings in each year, not to exceed 10 over 2 years. Montana residents only with a general or master falconer may apply. Take is prohibited in certain areas as well and they cannot be bartered, sold or exchanged. The comment period is open until February 20, 2012. For full details read the "interested persons letter" at the top of the same comment page. http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/opportunityForPublicComment/2012peregrineFalconTake.html (or go to FWP homepage, click "public comments" on the right, find Peregrine Take under "hunting". Beth Hill Great Falls Subject: Re: Poll results for MOB-Montana From: "vireoman2004" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:32:51 -0000 70 votes in all. Is this a record, or what!? Congratulations Sharon. VERY well-deserved! - Jim --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com wrote: > > > The following MOB-Montana poll is now closed. Here are the > final results: > > > POLL QUESTION: Well it's finally time for the January photo contest and we have a good group of photos to choose from - maybe the most ever. I think that maybe next month we migh have a seperate owl photo contest to go along with our regular contest though! Please vote by midnight on Tuesday February 7th. Since we have so many photos we need lots of voters too. > > CHOICES AND RESULTS > - Snowy Owl (5), 6 votes, 8.57% > - Snowy Owl (6), 0 votes, 0.00% > - Common Goldeneye, 0 votes, 0.00% > - Pileated Woodpecker, 10 votes, 14.29% > - Green-tailed Towhee, 2 votes, 2.86% > - Northern Shrike, 3 votes, 4.29% > - Song Sparrow, 0 votes, 0.00% > - Mountain Chickadee, 3 votes, 4.29% > - Barn Owl, 8 votes, 11.43% > - Gyrfalcon, 1 votes, 1.43% > - Mourning Dove, 1 votes, 1.43% > - Northern Saw-whet Owl, 3 votes, 4.29% > - Short-eared Owl, 2 votes, 2.86% > - Snowy Owl (1), 22 votes, 31.43% > - Snowy Owl (2), 1 votes, 1.43% > - Snowy Owl (3), 1 votes, 1.43% > - Snowy Owl (4), 4 votes, 5.71% > - Yellow-rumped Warbler, 3 votes, 4.29% > > > > For more information about this group, please visit > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MOB-Montana > > For help with Subject: Poll results for MOB-Montana From: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Date: 8 Feb 2012 19:40:39 -0000 The following MOB-Montana poll is now closed. Here are the final results: POLL QUESTION: Well it's finally time for the January photo contest and we have a good group of photos to choose from - maybe the most ever. I think that maybe next month we migh have a seperate owl photo contest to go along with our regular contest though! Please vote by midnight on Tuesday February 7th. Since we have so many photos we need lots of voters too. CHOICES AND RESULTS - Snowy Owl (5), 6 votes, 8.57% - Snowy Owl (6), 0 votes, 0.00% - Common Goldeneye, 0 votes, 0.00% - Pileated Woodpecker, 10 votes, 14.29% - Green-tailed Towhee, 2 votes, 2.86% - Northern Shrike, 3 votes, 4.29% - Song Sparrow, 0 votes, 0.00% - Mountain Chickadee, 3 votes, 4.29% - Barn Owl, 8 votes, 11.43% - Gyrfalcon, 1 votes, 1.43% - Mourning Dove, 1 votes, 1.43% - Northern Saw-whet Owl, 3 votes, 4.29% - Short-eared Owl, 2 votes, 2.86% - Snowy Owl (1), 22 votes, 31.43% - Snowy Owl (2), 1 votes, 1.43% - Snowy Owl (3), 1 votes, 1.43% - Snowy Owl (4), 4 votes, 5.71% - Yellow-rumped Warbler, 3 votes, 4.29% For more information about this group, please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MOB-Montana For help with Subject: Re: Re: Snowy Owls From: Scott Heppel <scott.heppel AT me.com> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:39:26 -0600 Len, Thanks very much for the report. We are very excited to have the opportunity to see and possibly photograph them. Scott On Feb 8, 2012, at 1:29 PM, Len Newton wrote: I was there on Sunday and saw 9; all on top of the water towers. A few flew back and forth to some of the adjacent houses but mostly just hunkered down on the towers (some perched on the ladders and attenna). People were walking right up underneath them for pictures and they didn't seem to mind. Subject: Re: Snowy Owls From: Len Newton <newton_len AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 11:29:20 -0800 (PST) I was there on Sunday and saw 9; all on top of the water towers. A few flew back and forth to some of the adjacent houses but mostly just hunkered down on the towers (some perched on the ladders and attenna). People were walking right up underneath them for pictures and they didn't seem to mind. Subject: New link question From: "vireoman2004" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:38:49 -0000 Since I doubt anyone saves screen-shots of past Links folder, would it be possible to have date(s) attached so we know which is/are the New Link(s)? The Database folder does this. Thanks - Jim Greaves, Thompson Falls ------------------------------------ Subject: New file uploaded to MOB-Montana From: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Date: 8 Feb 2012 18:27:06 -0000 Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the MOB-Montana group. File : /MBD_MOU_2_28_07.pdf Uploaded by : mccownii Description : Montana Bird Distribution MOU You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MOB-Montana/files/MBD_MOU_2_28_07.pdf To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.html Regards, mccownii ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Montana Bird Distribution Database and Montana Bird Distribution Partnership From: "Jeff Marks" <jeff17_marks AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 10:26:08 -0800 Thank you Bryce and whomever else was involved for providing clarification on submitting bird sightings to Montana Bird Distribution, Tracker, eBird, and the Montana Bird Records Committee. A most helpful effort that I hope will be read carefully by anyone who wishes to submit their sightings for posterity. Jeff ******************* Jeff Marks 4241 SE Liebe Street Portland, OR 97206 503-774-4783 Birds of Montana Project http://mtaudubon.org/ ******************* ----- Original Message ----- From: Bryce Maxell To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 10:16 AM Subject: [MOB-Montana] Montana Bird Distribution Database and Montana Bird Distribution Partnership Hello MOB members, I just noticed that my message on the Montana Bird Distribution Database and Montana Bird Distribution Partnership has a variety of odd characters inserted in it and the map I inserted isn't showing up correctly either. This is probably because I composed the message in a word document and then pasted into the email. Note that I attached the entire email as a PDF document along with the Montana Bird Distribution Partnership MOU as a second PDF. So, the PDF may be a bit easier, and more meaningful, reading. -Bryce Bryce A. Maxell │ Senior Zoologist │ Montana Natural Heritage Program (<>http://mtnhp.org) │ P.O. Box 201800, 1515 East Sixth Ave., Helena, MT 59620-1800 │ (406)-444-3655 (office) │(406) 461-1279 (cell) │ (406) 444-0266 (fax) │ bmaxell AT mt.gov Subject: New file uploaded to MOB-Montana From: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Date: 8 Feb 2012 18:22:58 -0000 Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the MOB-Montana group. File : /Montana_Bird_Distribution_Database_Summary_020712.pdf Uploaded by : mccownii Description : Montana Bird Distribution Data Entry Overview You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MOB-Montana/files/Montana_Bird_Distribution_Database_Summary_020712.pdf To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.html Regards, mccownii ------------------------------------ Subject: about those (that?) cardinals (cardinal?), take II From: "Jeff Marks" <jeff17_marks AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 10:21:04 -0800 Upon careful reading of my previous post, I think I confused some ups and downs with regard to the Missouri and Sun rivers. Sorry about that. But you can get the gist of the situation without sweating the details of upriver versus down. Jeff ******************* Jeff Marks 4241 SE Liebe Street Portland, OR 97206 503-774-4783 Birds of Montana Project http://mtaudubon.org/ ****************** Subject: Montana Bird Distribution Database and Montana Bird Distribution Partnership From: Bryce Maxell <brycemaxell AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 11:16:41 -0700 Hello MOB members, I just noticed that my message on the Montana Bird Distribution Database and Montana Bird Distribution Partnership has a variety of odd characters inserted in it and the map I inserted isn't showing up correctly either. This is probably because I composed the message in a word document and then pasted into the email. Note that I attached the entire email as a PDF document along with the Montana Bird Distribution Partnership MOU as a second PDF. So, the PDF may be a bit easier, and more meaningful, reading. -Bryce Bryce A. Maxell │ Senior Zoologist │ Montana Natural Heritage Program ( http://mtnhp.org) │ P.O. Box 201800, 1515 East Sixth Ave., Helena, MT 59620-1800 │ (406)-444-3655 (office) │(406) 461-1279 (cell) │ (406) 444-0266 (fax) │ bmaxell AT mt.gov Subject: about those (that?) cardinals (cardinal?) From: "Jeff Marks" <jeff17_marks AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 09:58:59 -0800 Mobsters, Some of you have noticed the photo of a male Northern Cardinal recently posted by Peggy Nygard. The bird appeared at a feeder in her yard near Fort Shaw on 15 May 2011 and was not seen again. In 2010, a male cardinal attended a feeder at Sun River, a few miles east of Fort Shaw, from 1 June to 16 July. Now we have the male at Fairfield, which has been present since 11 December 2011. I'm wondering if this isn't the same bird, which has been wandering around the state and steadily working its way west, since at least 2010. We had a similar situation not far away in Great Falls, with a bird attending a feeder from October 2010 to April 2011 and then being seen at two different places near Ulm in June and July 2011. In fact, it's possible, although less likely, that ALL of these sightings are of the same male, in which case he would have gone from Sun River to Great Falls in 2010 (probably a return to GF from somewhere?), then up the Sun River to Fort Shaw in spring of 2011, then back down the Sun and Missouri rivers to Ulm and up the Smith River a ways in summer 2011, then back down the Smith and up the Missouri and Sun rivers to somehow wind up in Fairfield at the end of 2011. A stretch, I know, but who can say for sure? All of this, to my mind, is a good argument for catching and banding species like cardinals at feeders. Lots of good information could result. Are any licensed banders interested in contacting the homeowner in Fairfield for permission to band that bird? Jeff ******************* Jeff Marks 4241 SE Liebe Street Portland, OR 97206 503-774-4783 Birds of Montana Project http://mtaudubon.org/ ******************* Subject: Montana Bird Distribution Database and Montana Bird Distribution Partnership [2 Attachments] From: Bryce Maxell <brycemaxell AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 10:50:18 -0700 Hello MOB members, Since we are on the eve of producing the 7th Edition of P.D. Skaar’s Montana Bird Distribution book series (we are still on track for getting this out in time for the Montana Bird Festival in Kalispell), I wanted to give you some updates and a little background on the Montana Bird Distribution Database and Montana Bird Distribution Partnership and encourage you to report your bird observations. *Montana Bird Distribution Database* The Montana Bird Distribution database had its origins with Dr. Palmer David Skaar’s efforts to track bird observations in Bozeman, and across Montana, by degrees of longitude and latitude (latilongs). His amazing efforts at tracking observations with volumes of hand written notes organized in a huge system of hard copy files energized many people to contribute records and in 1975 the first edition of Montana Bird Distribution was published. Starting in 1991, observations were entered in an electronic database by the Montana Bird Distribution Partnership which is comprised of Montana Audubon, the Montana Bird Records Committee, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, and the Montana Natural Heritage Program. As of early February 2012, the Montana Bird Distribution Database which is currently housed at the Montana Natural Heritage Program in the Montana State Library in Helena, has more than 800,00 observation records for 427 bird species. These records have been submitted by casual birders that want to contribute unique observations, passionate individuals that are interested in contributing information on every bird they see, and state, federal, NGO, and tribal biologists that have conducted surveys using protocols standardized to detect certain species or suites of species. *Montana Bird Distribution Partnership* Management of the Montana Bird Distribution Database, the Montana Bird Distribution Book Series, and websites showing information from the database are all governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between members of the Montana Bird Distribution Partnership that was formalized in 2007, but had operated in an informal fashion along similar lines dating back to 1991. The main goal of the MBD partnership under this MOU is to track the distribution of all bird species in the state over time to promote the stewardship of bird species and their habitats. The partnership does this by working to: (1) facilitate the collection of high quality observation records by both professional and non-professional birders; (2) maintain records in a high quality, accurate, and comprehensive database, and (3) provide meaningful access to the information through products such as the hard copy Montana Bird Distribution book series, or online through the Montana Field Guide http://fieldguide.mt.gov/, Natural Heritage Tracker http://mtnhp.org/Tracker/NHTMap.aspx, Montana Audubon web pages http://mtaudubon.org/birds/distribution.html, and Montana Bird Record Committee web pages that are hosted by Montana Audubon http://mtaudubon.org/birds/mbrc.html. The primary roles of Montana Audubon, the Montana Bird Records Committee, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, and the Montana Natural Heritage Program are defined under the MOU which I have attached in case anyone is interested in those details or how they might contribute toward these efforts. *Importance of Reporting your Bird Observations* Reporting your bird records is extremely important to understanding the distribution and status of individual species over time. For example, these data have allowed us to track the expansion of Eurasian Collared Doves, the potential expansion of species like the Lesser Goldfinch, or range contractions in Greater Sage-Grouse and potential range contractions in Yellow-billed and Black-billed Cuckoos. Records with good spatial precision can be used to create models like the one in the attached map image for Long-billed Curlew that predict habitat suitability for species and are being used by a variety of agencies in regional planning efforts. Reporting early arrival dates for migratory species or overwintering records for a variety of species helps us understand how species are responding to climate change. Finally, reporting your observations not only allows other birders to enjoy seeing these species, but it actually helps out the state’s economy. Birders vacation Montana to bird and see our wonderful landscapes and spend quite a bit of money here at the same time. *How to Report Your Bird Observations* There are a variety of ways you can report your bird observations and we are working on providing more all the time. If you enter observation records via any of these formats we will eventually get the information into the Montana Bird Distribution database. Although there are some pluses and minuses to each of these methods, don’t stress out about which is the “best way”! Try them out and see which works best for you. Most of these methods of entering data can be found at the Montana Natural Heritage Program’s website at: http://mtnhp.org/observations.asp 1. *Simple web animal observation form*: http://mtnhp.org/observationform/ This can be used on a PC or Mac, on slower speed connections, and on all web browsers 1. *A Bird Sighting Excel Spreadsheet Form* which can also be downloaded from the Tracker application. This is the preferred method for receiving large numbers of bird observation records. 2. A link to the *“Rare Bird” reporting form* which is posted on the Montana Bird Records Committee website and is submitted directly to the Montana Bird Records Committee http://mtaudubon.org/birds/report.html A list of “Rare Birds” and areas where some species are not considered “Rare” can also be found at this link. Rare Bird records submitted to the Natural Heritage Program via other means will be forwarded to the Montana Bird Records Committee for review and approval. 3. *The Natural Heritage Tracker Website*: http://mtnhp.org/tracker/Under the Add Animal Observations tab you can enter observations by clicking on the map, via lists of birds observed in a Township-Range-Section or Quarter-Quarter-Latilong, or by downloading an excel spreadsheet. This application can also be used to view bird observation records via a dynamic map interface with multiple map layers and allows users to see tabular information associated with individual records. However, this website is only compatible with PCs and Internet Explorer and requires a high speed internet connection. Therefore, many people prefer to view the maps and charts that are available on the Montana Field Guide to more easily access this information (see the species account and clickable maps and charts for Long-billed Curlew as an example http://fieldguide.mt.gov/detail_ABNNF07070.aspx) 4. *Ebird *https://ebird.org Users can enter data by clicking on a map, entering a latitude/longitude value, for an entire city or county, or importing records from a spreadsheet or database. Ebird also has a variety of informative reports on the distribution of birds in Montana and across North America. *Ebird versus Various Montana-based Entry Options* In general, the most important thing you need to remember is that if you get your data entered via either Ebird or a Montana-based entry option, the Montana Bird Distribution Partnership will strive to make sure it is made available to promote the stewardship of bird species and their habitats in Montana as well as on a more national scale with Ebird. That is, if you enter records in Ebird, the Montana Natural Heritage Program will periodically download them and, if they meet the criteria for entry into the Montana Bird Distribution database, they will be added. Similarly, individuals that have entered, or want to continue to enter, their records in the Montana Bird Distribution database, but also see their records in Ebird can ask us to upload their observations to Ebird and we will do this. However, there are some important points to consider along these lines: (1) No matter how you enter your bird observation records, they will be more valuable for a variety of purposes if you include precise coordinates of your observation, a locality referencing a prominent map feature, information on the breeding status of the species when it was observed and any relevant comments on what the animals were doing or what habitats they were using. (2) The Montana Bird Distribution database is not meant for reporting of daily or even multiple entries of backyard bird lists within a season. Instead, this information should be collapsed to the highest type status (B, b, t, w, W) within the breeding or winter season for each species observed. If you are interested in entering this type of information then you should enter it in Ebird. (3) Similarly, if you are birding with a group, the Montana Bird Distribution database strives to document only a single record of a particular bird at a particular location on a particular day; especially important for “rare” species which we don’t want over represented in the database. That is, we generally try to avoid duplicate records and make efforts to collapse these reports into a single record with multiple observers. If multiple people within a group want to submit observations in order to increase their personal bird list, Ebird is the more appropriate venue for entering that information. (4) The Montana Bird Distribution database is focused on gathering observations that are spatially precise so that the information can be used for the widest variety of possible applications. Spatially precise records are most important for breeding records of species since these are often what management and conservation efforts are focused around. So, if you want your observations of breeding birds to have the ability to influence conservation of a species, it is especially important to precisely map those records rather than coalescing them on a single point where you report all observations for a large geographic feature such as Canyon Ferry Reservoir or Fort Peck Lake. Simlilarly, lists of bird species for large spatial areas like a car drive across a county would be more appropriately entered in Ebird and aren’t of much value to the Montana Bird Distribution database. Enjoy your birding and please report your observations in whatever manner suits you best! Please let me know if you have any questions. -Bryce Bryce A. Maxell │ Senior Zoologist │ Montana Natural Heritage Program ( http://mtnhp.org) │ P.O. Box 201800, 1515 East Sixth Ave., Helena, MT 59620-1800 │ (406)-444-3655 (office) │(406) 461-1279 (cell) │ (406) 444-0266 (fax) │ bmaxell AT mt.gov Subject: Re: Snowy Owls From: Scott Heppel <scott.heppel AT me.com> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:30:38 -0700 Katie, I appreciate your report. We will be staying at the Best Western in Polson on Thursday night. There will be 4 in our group. Scott Sent from my iPhone On Feb 8, 2012, at 6:55 AM, Katie LaSalle-Lowery wrote: > They were still there as of last Sunday -- at least four of them, anyway, maybe more. > > Katie LaSalle-Lowery > Lolo, MT > katie AT bigskycountry.net > http://www.bigskycountry.net > Blog: http://blog.bigskycountry.net > > > On Feb 7, 2012, at 11:29 PM, Scott Heppel wrote: > >> >> I have not noticed any recent reports on the Snowy Owls near Polson. Are they still there? We were planning to drive up from Bozeman on Thursday. Is there still a chance of seeing one there? >> >> Scotty Heppel > > Subject: Re: Snowy Owls From: Scott Heppel <scott.heppel AT me.com> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:27:44 -0700 Radd, Thanks much for your response. We will drive up on Thursday afternoon and be out looking on Friday morning. Scott Sent from my iPhone On Feb 8, 2012, at 8:04 AM, Radd Icenoggle wrote: > We had 7 on Sunday at dusk > > Sent while out and about > > On Feb 7, 2012, at 11:29 PM, Scott Heppel wrote: > >> >> I have not noticed any recent reports on the Snowy Owls near Polson. Are they still there? We were planning to drive up from Bozeman on Thursday. Is there still a chance of seeing one there? >> >> Scotty Heppel > > Subject: Re: Re: Snowy Owls From: Scott Heppel <scott.heppel AT me.com> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:25:08 -0700 Christine, Thanks very much for the update. None of us have ever seen a Snowy Owl, so it will be well worth the drive from Big Sky. My brother came all the way from Memphis in the hope of seeing one. Scott Sent from my iPhone On Feb 8, 2012, at 8:16 AM, christinepaige wrote: > We had a high count of 9 on Sunday Feb 5, midday, at the Polson Hill/Skyline Drive location. Lots of birders out, too. > > --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, Radd Icenoggle wrote: > > > > We had 7 on Sunday at dusk > > > > Sent while out and about > > > > On Feb 7, 2012, at 11:29 PM, Scott Heppel wrote: > > > > > I have not noticed any recent reports on the Snowy Owls near Polson. Are they still there? We were planning to drive up from Bozeman on Thursday. Is there still a chance of seeing one there? > > > > > > Scotty Heppel > > > > > > > Subject: Re: Snowy Owls From: "christinepaige" <chrispaige AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:16:53 -0000 We had a high count of 9 on Sunday Feb 5, midday, at the Polson Hill/Skyline Drive location. Lots of birders out, too. --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, Radd Icenoggle wrote: > > We had 7 on Sunday at dusk > > Sent while out and about > > On Feb 7, 2012, at 11:29 PM, Scott Heppel wrote: > > > I have not noticed any recent reports on the Snowy Owls near Polson. Are they still there? We were planning to drive up from Bozeman on Thursday. Is there still a chance of seeing one there? > > > > Scotty Heppel > > > ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Snowy Owls From: Radd Icenoggle <radd AT raddphotography.com> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 08:04:48 -0700 We had 7 on Sunday at dusk Sent while out and about On Feb 7, 2012, at 11:29 PM, Scott Heppel wrote: > I have not noticed any recent reports on the Snowy Owls near Polson. Are they still there? We were planning to drive up from Bozeman on Thursday. Is there still a chance of seeing one there? > > Scotty Heppel > Subject: Re: Snowy Owls From: Katie LaSalle-Lowery <katie AT bigskycountry.net> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 2012 06:55:17 -0700 They were still there as of last Sunday -- at least four of them, anyway, maybe more. Katie LaSalle-Lowery Lolo, MT katie AT bigskycountry.net http://www.bigskycountry.net Blog: http://blog.bigskycountry.net On Feb 7, 2012, at 11:29 PM, Scott Heppel wrote: > I have not noticed any recent reports on the Snowy Owls near Polson. Are they still there? We were planning to drive up from Bozeman on Thursday. Is there still a chance of seeing one there? > > Scotty Heppel > Subject: Snowy Owls From: Scott Heppel <scott.heppel AT me.com> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:29:21 -0600 I have not noticed any recent reports on the Snowy Owls near Polson. Are they still there? We were planning to drive up from Bozeman on Thursday. Is there still a chance of seeing one there? Scotty Heppel ------------------------------------ Subject: Two Northern Goshawks at Warm Springs From: "Nate Kohler" <nskohler AT bresnan.net> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:35:11 -0000 Hello All, A nice encounter with two adult goshawks today. While I was photographing the first bird seen, another adult goshawk rushed in. A short, but violent chase through the cottonwoods ensued. After running off the intruder, the victor perched, then cried out in triumph. I've not often heard goshawks vocalize - very cool! Sometime later I found the vanquished goshawk perched in a tree to the south. These birds were hanging out just west of Warm Springs near the Ducks Unlimited Ponds - no doubt preying upon the numerous pigeons living in the area. One digiscoped photo in Nate's Album. Nate Kohler Deer Lodge ------------------------------------ Subject: Fairfield Cardinal From: "birder_bob" <birder_bob AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:09:44 -0000 This bird made its presence know today about 1:45p at the same residence where sighted by others! Bob Martinka ------------------------------------ Subject: Benton Lake refuge From: "vlfields2012" <vlfields2012 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:38:59 -0000 Cold and quiet day on the refuge - only saw one rough-legged hawk. There have been recent sightings of snowy owls on the entrance road and auto tour route. ------------------------------------ Subject: No Glaucous Gull on the Madison Monday From: "Mike" <beckfarm AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:50:28 -0000 Hi Mobbers, Combed the river road from Beartrap Canyon to 2 m. below Black's Ford on the road to Grey Cliffs this afternoon (Mon) and found the lounging Canadian geese in the middle of the river in several spots but no big white gull among them--on this drab day he could not have got away! Several solitaires, a chirpy robin, and many rafts of Goldeneyes made the couple hours fun, however. At home was treated to a flock of redpolls at the feeders, at least 25 of them--better late than never this year. Now we need a large white owl down in this corner of the state. Saturday a quick trip to frozen Harrison Lake netted four rough-leggeds, a prairie falcon, and, on the ice with no water anywhere, three lumbering Trumpeter swans. Mike Becker, Harrison ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: mob milestone From: "Dan Casey" <danielcasey55 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:56:31 -0000 MOB-sters: And by my count, 42 people have posted in the last two weeks alone. The vast majority of those posts regarded bird sightings, requests for information, or recent photos, rather than criticisms of the government or of others in the Montana birding community. Thank you for that. Dan Casey Somers ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Re: New poll for MOB-Montana From: "John Carlson" <jccarlson AT surfbirder.com> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 07:05:23 -0800 Subject: Re: Great-tailed Grackle and Tracker 2 From: "Jeff Marks" <jeff17_marks AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 06:24:28 -0800 Byron, In a mob posting to you, Kristi DuBois asked me to explain when a rare bird report is required for a sighting of a review species that has been submitted to Tracker ("Perhaps Jeff or John can remind us about the process for that?"). You thanked Kristi in your next post to mob. Silly me. I took it all as a request for me to supply information. In response to Kristi's request, I sent a message to mob that reviewed the Montana Natural Heritage Program's policy for handling submissions of review species to Tracker. Not because it's my policy, or because I helped develop the policy, or because it's MBRC policy, but because I happen to be familiar with the policy, which was put in place long before I became a member of the records committee. I don't understand why my post offended you, let alone why you felt the need comment in your last paragraph on my "pretentious domination of the Montana birding community" (although it was gratifying to learn that you like the species accounts for Birds of Montana in that same paragraph. Thanks!). I could have sent my message to you and Kristi off list, but it seemed like a good idea to send it to mob so that everyone would be aware of the Heritage Program's policy on handling review species. I used the word "enter" automatically, because in the good old days of Montana Bird Distribution, we entered our records online, and they made their way into Tracker soon thereafter. Be it "enter," "submit," or whatever, it must have taken you time to prepare what you sent to Scott Blum ("I wound up writing a more comprehensive report"), it will take him time to read it and maybe discuss it with the likes of Coburn Currier, and it would have taken someone else time to delete the entry if it made it into Tracker. (And I know first hand that LOTS of these submissions have mistakenly made it into Tracker over the years.) I thought I was providing information to save everyone time, "everyone" being defined as observers who send info to Tracker (like you), Heritage staff who deal with that info (like Scott Blum and Coburn Currier), and users of the database who notice the duplicate records and then take the time to contact Heritage staff to delete the records (like me). Instead, apparently, my primary accomplishment was to give you a platform to express your frustration with me. Again, silly me! Jeff ******************* Jeff Marks 4241 SE Liebe Street Portland, OR 97206 503-774-4783 Birds of Montana Project http://mtaudubon.org/ ******************* ----- Original Message ----- From: Byron Butler To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, February 06, 2012 1:46 AM Subject: Re: [MOB-Montana] Great-tailed Grackle and Tracker 2 On Sun, Feb 5, 2012 at 9:52 PM, Jeff Marks > wrote: Byron, I appreciate your diligence about getting sightings into Tracker. So far as rare birds go, however, they should not be entered into Tracker before a rare bird report has been approved by the records committee (MBRC). We have a procedure in place that has worked quite well for the last 10 years or so. A rare bird is reported, we request a report from the original observer, and after the report has been accepted by the MBRC, the record is entered into Tracker. We do not want multiple records of the same rare bird submitted to Tracker (unlike eBird, if I understand eBird correctly, where multiple sightings are fine), nor do we want observers other than the person submitting a rare bird report to enter their observation of a rare bird in Tracker (except in unusual circumstances). I requested a report from Nick the day he reported the sighting, and he submitted a very detailed report shortly thereafter. All is well, and you can rest assured that his sighting will appear in Tracker after the committee has voted on the report. To others who have seen the grackle, please do not submit your sighting to Tracker. ----- The remainder of Jeff's original message has been deleted here. ----- To Jeff and All, You consistently use the word �enter� whereas I consistently used the word �submit.� I used the word �enter� only once when I stated I had not �entered� a range of dates in the �submission� of my report. You took it upon yourself to change the meaning of my statement buy inappropriately substituting a keyword. It is axiomatic that submissions are peer reviewed by the Montana Natural Heritage Program (MNHP) staff and that they will utilize any other inputs they chose in making their final determinations; should that be input from the MBRC it will be the staff�s choice, not yours. The MNHP alone should determine what is �entered.� What you are saying is that I am not permitted, by you, to make submissions to my state government database without your permission; that I should not trust the staff of the MNHP to determine the fate of certain submissions, that the MBRC will perform that function for them. Have you been empowered by the state with that authority or are your being presumptuous? I do not see your name among the staff members listed by the MNHP. I will interact with my government as I see fit. I will continue to submit whatever I wish whenever I wish to the MNHP and trust its staff to do their job properly. There is no need to go through the filters of independent entities like the MBRC first, especially since the MBRC operates under the aegis of Montana Audubon Society, which is a 501(c)(3) organization and is not part of our state government. Moreover, the stated �Overview� of the MBRC (http://mtaudubon.org/birds/mbrc.html#1) does not mention any official or unofficial connection of the Committee to the State of Montana; only that the stated purpose of the Committee is �to act as ambassadors for the role that scientifically rigorous review of bird records plays in maintaining a meaningful list of Montana birds, and of the important role that birders can play in furthering our understanding of bird distribution.� In short, the MBRC does not control the state database, nor should Montana residents permit it to do so. Many Montana birders are not affiliated with any Audubon society so should not feel compelled to go through any MAS, or other Audubon, nor any other non-government organization filter. Our service to the MBRC, and therefore to you, is completely voluntary on our part and we may legitimately bypass the Committee if we wish. Your service to the ornithology of Montana has been laudable. I have been very pleased with the species accounts you have written for the �Birds of Montana� book project, clearly you have the requisite skills for the job. These same skills, as well as others, qualify you for membership on the Montana Bird Records Committee, for which, again, your service has been laudable. However, I am less pleased with you as a moderator of MOB, therefore, I wish to see an end of the pretentious aspects of your domination of the Montana birding community. Montana birders should concern themselves less with what Jeff Marks wants for Montana and more with what they want for their own community. Byron K. Butler Bozeman Subject: Re: Great-tailed Grackle and Tracker 2 From: Byron Butler <byronkbutlermt AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2012 02:46:51 -0700 On Sun, Feb 5, 2012 at 9:52 PM, Jeff Marks wrote: > ** > Byron, > > I appreciate your diligence about getting sightings into Tracker. So far > as rare birds go, however, they should not be entered into Tracker before a > rare bird report has been approved by the records committee (MBRC). We > have a procedure in place that has worked quite well for the last 10 years > or so. A rare bird is reported, we request a report from the original > observer, and after the report has been accepted by the MBRC, the record is > entered into Tracker. We do not want multiple records of the same rare > bird submitted to Tracker (unlike eBird, if I understand eBird correctly, > where multiple sightings are fine), nor do we want observers other than the > person submitting a rare bird report to enter their observation of a rare > bird in Tracker (except in unusual circumstances). I requested a report > from Nick the day he reported the sighting, and he submitted a very > detailed report shortly thereafter. All is well, and you can rest assured > that his sighting will appear in Tracker after the committee has voted on > the report. To others who have seen the grackle, please do not submit your > sighting to Tracker. > > ----- The remainder of Jeff's original message has been deleted here. ----- To Jeff and All, You consistently use the word �enter� whereas I consistently used the word �submit.� I used the word �enter� only once when I stated I had not �entered� a range of dates in the �submission� of my report. You took it upon yourself to change the meaning of my statement buy inappropriately substituting a keyword. It is axiomatic that submissions are peer reviewed by the Montana Natural Heritage Program (MNHP) staff and that they will utilize any other inputs they chose in making their final determinations; should that be input from the MBRC it will be the staff�s choice, not yours. The MNHP alone should determine what is �entered.� What you are saying is that I am not permitted, by you, to make submissions to my state government database without your permission; that I should not trust the staff of the MNHP to determine the fate of certain submissions, that the MBRC will perform that function for them. Have you been empowered by the state with that authority or are your being presumptuous? I do not see your name among the staff members listed by the MNHP. I will interact with my government as I see fit. I will continue to submit whatever I wish whenever I wish to the MNHP and trust its staff to do their job properly. There is no need to go through the filters of independent entities like the MBRC first, especially since the MBRC operates under the aegis of Montana Audubon Society, which is a 501(c)(3) organization and is not part of our state government. Moreover, the stated �Overview� of the MBRC (http://mtaudubon.org/birds/mbrc.html#1) does not mention any official or unofficial connection of the Committee to the State of Montana; only that the stated purpose of the Committee is �to act as ambassadors for the role that scientifically rigorous review of bird records plays in maintaining a meaningful list of Montana birds, and of the important role that birders can play in furthering our understanding of bird distribution.� In short, the MBRC does not control the state database, nor should Montana residents permit it to do so. Many Montana birders are not affiliated with any Audubon society so should not feel compelled to go through any MAS, or other Audubon, nor any other non-government organization filter. Our service to the MBRC, and therefore to you, is completely voluntary on our part and we may legitimately bypass the Committee if we wish. Your service to the ornithology of Montana has been laudable. I have been very pleased with the species accounts you have written for the �Birds of Montana� book project, clearly you have the requisite skills for the job. These same skills, as well as others, qualify you for membership on the Montana Bird Records Committee, for which, again, your service has been laudable. However, I am less pleased with you as a moderator of MOB, therefore, I wish to see an end of the pretentious aspects of your domination of the Montana birding community. Montana birders should concern themselves less with what Jeff Marks wants for Montana and more with what they want for their own community. Byron K. Butler Bozeman Subject: mob milestone From: "Jeff Marks" <jeff17_marks AT msn.com> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 21:31:13 -0800 Mobsters, Some of you may have noticed that we reached a milestone of sorts: we now have 500 members signed up to mob (look toward bottom of left column of opening page). Some are temporary, joining because they are planning a visit, but the number of regular members has been growing steadily, which is a great thing. Jeff ******************* Jeff Marks 4241 SE Liebe Street Portland, OR 97206 503-774-4783 Birds of Montana Project http://mtaudubon.org/ ******************* Subject: Glaucous-winged Gull still present From: "Dan Casey" <danielcasey55 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:27 -0000 MOB-sters: The Glaucous-winged Gull was still present at the Flathead County landfill nw of Kalispell this morning, seen by Josh Covill and Paul Rossi. They also had four Glaucous Gulls among the 75 or so gulls present. Dan CaseySomers Subject: Re: Great-tailed Grackle and Tracker 2 From: "Jeff Marks" <jeff17_marks AT msn.com> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 20:52:31 -0800 Byron, I appreciate your diligence about getting sightings into Tracker. So far as rare birds go, however, they should not be entered into Tracker before a rare bird report has been approved by the records committee (MBRC). We have a procedure in place that has worked quite well for the last 10 years or so. A rare bird is reported, we request a report from the original observer, and after the report has been accepted by the MBRC, the record is entered into Tracker. We do not want multiple records of the same rare bird submitted to Tracker (unlike eBird, if I understand eBird correctly, where multiple sightings are fine), nor do we want observers other than the person submitting a rare bird report to enter their observation of a rare bird in Tracker (except in unusual circumstances). I requested a report from Nick the day he reported the sighting, and he submitted a very detailed report shortly thereafter. All is well, and you can rest assured that his sighting will appear in Tracker after the committee has voted on the report. To others who have seen the grackle, please do not submit your sighting to Tracker. A list of review (viz., rare) species is available on the MBRC Web pages (via the Montana Audubon site) at http://mtaudubon.org/birds/review.html. This same url has been a link on the mob site for some time, as has the url for MBRC's home page >. Last, I try and keep track of the last date that a rarity is seen, and I then make sure that the last date is added as a comment with the record in Tracker and as a note on the original rare bird report that's archived with the MBRC's work. Thus, I've been keeping tabs on the Red-bellied Woodpecker in Sidney (still there), the cardinal in Choteau (still there), and the Iceland Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gull at Fort Peck (last seen 17 January). I also will keep track of the grackle and appreciate people posting to Tracker when they do and do not find it (no need for more than one posting per day, however). Thanks, Jeff ******************* Jeff Marks 4241 SE Liebe Street Portland, OR 97206 503-774-4783 Birds of Montana Project http://mtaudubon.org/ ******************* ----- Original Message ----- From: Byron Butler To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2012 7:31 PM Subject: Re: [MOB-Montana] Great-tailed Grackle and Tracker 2 Kristi, Thank you. I wound up writing a more comprehensive report and sent it directly to Scott Blum. I expect to hear back from Scott this week and we will get the sighting submitted. I have credited Nick Hadjukovich with the discovery of the bird with its correct identification on 2/02/12. Tracker response times were frustratingly long today. Byron K. Butler Bozeman On Sun, Feb 5, 2012 at 7:32 PM, Kristi DuBois > wrote: Hi Byron, You may have to fill out a rare bird report as well. Perhaps Jeff or John can remind us about the process for that? I've had trouble with Tracker once in a while, probably because they are working on the Helena servers that hold it. Enjoy the grackle! Kristi At 05:22 PM 2/5/2012, you wrote: Mob, Ignore my previous message. I am having an unusally difficult time with Tracker today and had to reboot my computer and reenter Tracker to get any observation details for any species. When I did so I found the two previous sightings. Byron K. Butler Bozeman Subject: White-throated Sparrow in Bozeman From: "Nate Kohler" <nskohler AT bresnan.net> Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:21:56 -0000 Hello All, After viewing the "Taco Bell Grackle" at the Gallatin Valley Mall this morning, John and Tamie Parker were kind enough to show me around the valley for a few hours. At one point we visited the M Trailhead in hopes of finding the Green-tailed Towhee that's been reported there recently. No luck with the towhee, but we did manage to scare up a White-throated Sparrow in the brush near the trailhead. This is most likely the same bird that Ed Harper first found during the Bozeman CBC. Photos of the Great-tailed Grackle, and a Merlin (seen near Three Forks) are posted in Nate's Album. Nate Kohler Deer Lodge Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gyr/ ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Great-tailed Grackle and Tracker 2 From: Byron Butler <byronkbutlermt AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 20:31:10 -0700 Kristi, Thank you. I wound up writing a more comprehensive report and sent it directly to Scott Blum. I expect to hear back from Scott this week and we will get the sighting submitted. I have credited Nick Hadjukovich with the discovery of the bird with its correct identification on 2/02/12. Tracker response times were frustratingly long today. Byron K. Butler Bozeman On Sun, Feb 5, 2012 at 7:32 PM, Kristi DuBois wrote: > ** > > > Hi Byron, > > You may have to fill out a rare bird report as well. Perhaps Jeff or John > can remind us about the process for that? > > I've had trouble with Tracker once in a while, probably because they are > working on the Helena servers that hold it. > > Enjoy the grackle! > > Kristi > > > At 05:22 PM 2/5/2012, you wrote: > > > > Mob, > > Ignore my previous message. I am having an unusally difficult time with > Tracker today and had to reboot my computer and reenter Tracker to get any > observation details for any species. When I did so I found the two previous > sightings. > > Byron K. Butler > Bozeman > > > > > Subject: FOY's Bitterroot Valley all 2/5 From: "mvbmontana" <mvbmontana AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:03:24 -0000 FOY Townsend's Solitare 5th. ST. Hamilton FOY Starlings Hamilton FOY Robin East of Corvallis FOY Northern Shrike East of Corvallis Golden Eagle and Rough Legged Hawk also East of Corvallis interesting also rans of the day. Martin Bell Hamilton ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Great-tailed Grackle and Tracker 2 From: Kristi DuBois <kdubois AT montana.com> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:32:23 -0700 Subject: Camera From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:25:48 -0700 Well what I am using is a Sony DSC H2 Cyber-shot 6.0 mega pixels 12x. I love it because I can hand hold it. (in fact off and on I use it with only one hand.) It sits on my front seat of the van. I see a bird, I grab it and get the bird or critter. What hides in this one is a Carl Zeiss lens. It works fine in normal room light thus I do not have to use flash in folks faces. I wish I had gotten it in black not silver. The silver reflects in windows. My though had been that black would get hotter in the car etc. I do not think they are making this one any more. The other thing I love about it is it uses normal batteries. I have the rechargeable ones but if I run out of them I can get new batteries any where for it, unlike so many others that you are up the creek in the middle of no where looking for a new ones. . Been there, done that, not fun! Arla Eckert Great Falls ------------------------------------ Subject: Great-tailed Grackle and Tracker 2 From: Byron Butler <byronkbutlermt AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 17:22:46 -0700 Mob, Ignore my previous message. I am having an unusally difficult time with Tracker today and had to reboot my computer and reenter Tracker to get any observation details for any species. When I did so I found the two previous sightings. Byron K. Butler Bozeman Subject: Great-tailed Grackle and Tracker From: Byron Butler <byronkbutlermt AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 17:08:49 -0700 Mob, I checked Tracker today for Great-tailed Grackle data. I did not see any data for this species in Tracker, so I submitted a report for 2/04/12. I did not enter a range of dates due to the uncertainty of the Jan 26 grackle report to ebird. My understanding is that the current bird at the Gallatin Valley Mall is the 3rd GTGR sighting for Montana. I request that the other two sightings be submitted to Tracker, or send the data to me and I will submit it. Byron K. Butler Bozeman Subject: Ebird reports for Feb. 3 Great Falls area From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:35:16 -0700 6th St NW Vinyard Rd. GF, Cascade, US-MT Feb 3, 2012 11:25 AM - 12:10 PM Protocol: Traveling 12.0 mile(s) Comments: this is an area I have birded many times for the GBBC. Not sure how many miles. open grass land once you are out of the city, some of it is being farmed. I was not stopping to count Horned Larks like I do for the GBBC, I was more trying to find a Snowy Owl 5 species Canada Goose X many flying over head Northern Harrier 1 Rough-legged Hawk 1 Black-billed Magpie X Horned Lark X about 30 I would guest, I was not out to count them This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) Wilson Rd GF, Cascade, US-MT Feb 3, 2012 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM Protocol: Traveling 5.0 mile(s) Comments: A road I bird often, both for the GBBC and other times. Has been very good for game birds in the past. Farms, grassland, shelter belts, pond, part is along Benton Lake NWR 5 species Great Horned Owl 1 in low windrow Common Raven 1 Horned Lark X Lapland Longspur 5 5 sitting on the fence line, maybe more flying, photos taken and put on MOB for the MT reviewers-not sure yet how to do the photos for here House Sparrow 1 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) Benton Lake, Cascade, US-MT Feb 3, 2012 12:50 PM - 4:50 PM Protocol: Traveling 12.0 mile(s) Comments: This one may get done 2x because I was in the middle of it when the site when down and at this point it did not make it so it seems. Very little open water. 4 species Canada Goose 1 I think many of the flying ones I had seen before this day came from here Gray Partridge 8 Snowy Owl 1 white face, back very black barred, very shy bird Horned Lark X This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) Arla Eckert Great Falls ------------------------------------ Subject: Glaucous Gull Madison River below Bear-trap Canyon From: "blinkey112" <mattdresser AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:21:00 -0000 Today at about 1:30 a lone Glaucous Gull was seen on the Madison River along route 84 just to the NE or red mountain campground. This is to the NE of bear-trap canyon and NE of the "first" bridge that crosses the Madison. The bird was seen from the road about 1/2 mile NE of the campground. It was seen associating with a group of canada geese. It was a large gull that appeared completely white (white primary tips) with pink legs and a pink based bill with a black tip. I was able to see it in flight and the primaries were completely white as well. Maybe there is still time to see it today but hopefully it will stick around. I was also able to see the GTGR at the mall this morning at about 9:30 at Taco Bell. Matt Dresser Bozeman, MT ------------------------------------ Subject: Common Loon, Thompson Falls From: "vireoman2004" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:16:00 -0000 A COMMON LOON has been on lake at Thompson Falls (Superbowl Sunday) from this morning at least until 2 pm - too far to get decent photo AND terribly backlit (sparkling water glare). I made awful record shots from Goose Park, angled slightly to the west, but it was on opposite shore over 300 yards away... This is likely the same one that's been around since beginning of the year - though we had a frozen-over lake for a few days in mid January [lake now 90+ percent clear of ice]. Lots of Barrow's and Common goldeneyes, among several species of "expected" and/or "fairly common in winter" ducks. Yellow-rumped warbler continues in our neighborhood. Nothing else unusual, at the moment... -- Jim and Lark ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Osprey, Ruffed Grouse - Sanders County From: "vireoman2004" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:02:22 -0000 Dan -- Good point! It occurred to me that it might have been "the" Steller's Jay [seems to be only one in our part of town as only one has come to our feed area at a time...]- I heard it doing juvenile Bald Eagle the other day [during time a swarm of eagles was on a kill below our house], and while looking for an eagle in our tree, towards me flew the STJA, uttering its "usual" calls mixed with B.eagle's! As for the osprey, I was a few hundred yards from home at the time of the Osprey 'detection' - and it was heard by 3 people in disparate parts of town, but all within what I think would be a range that one bird [hawk or jay] could have been heard. Sticking with Osprey for now, but keeping open mind as I have not heard "our" jay do anything but flicker and eagle calls, so far, other than its own... - Those pesky corvids! -- Jim Greaves, Thompson Falls --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Dan Casey" wrote: > > Jim: > > I would also caution that our Blue Jays (who are year-round residents here)do spot on impersonations of both Osprey and Bald Eagle. > > Dan Casey > Somers > > --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Marks" wrote: > > > > Jim, > > > > Regarding your Osprey, did you actually see a large raptor overhead and hear an Osprey, or did you hear an Osprey but not see anything to suggest its presence? If the former, a very early arrival I guess, if not an overwintering bird. If the latter, my money is on starling. > > > > Jeff > > > > ******************* > > Jeff Marks > > 4241 SE Liebe Street > > Portland, OR 97206 > > 503-774-4783 > > Birds of Montana Project > > http://mtaudubon.org/ > > ******************* > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: vireoman2004 > > To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com > > Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2012 9:46 AM > > Subject: [MOB-Montana] Osprey, Ruffed Grouse - Sanders County > > > > > > > > Lark and another driver (semi-truck) had to dodge around a Ruffed Grouse that was "sitting" in the road about a mile east of Thompson River bridge (4 miles or so east of Thompson Falls) on Thursday. On Friday, Lark and another person (independently and different locations), and I (probably simultaneously) heard an Osprey calling for about a minute at mid-afternoon in town in vicinity the RR station in Thompson Falls. Glare in sky and gusty winds made it hard to see, so I never confirmed by sight (ears okay however!). FOY for us here -- Jim Greaves > > > ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: pygmy nuthatches on 5th st Hamilton From: "mvbmontana" <mvbmontana AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:01:58 -0000 Ahh yes, I forgot my name. Martin Bell. However, the location of 5th St. Hamilton is noted in subject line with species. Your concern in your public posting to me was not knowing which 5th St. and which river when actually I, the composer, was directing you to the species on a street in a town. Which I did. Again, see subject line. Concise as it gets. Technical writing at its finest. The river is implied and not the point, which is the Bitterroot. The body of the text reverts to a style that implies you read the subject line which is in bold and stands out clearly on the screen reminding you of location and species while you are reading the original short note. This acceptable option reduces redundancy as location and species have been introduced to the reader. I could have used the capitalized abbreviation but I suspect that can confuse the vast majority of casual birder/viewers of this site. I have just reviewed multiple emails from actual experts on this site and see they too have these tendencies, especially on quick notes of not necessarily remarkable encounters such as this. As you scroll down the site you will actually see some email subject lines are missing some of your criteria and some of the texts do so as well as written by the pro's. You will be mighty busy it seems. The reason for this wordy reply is to point out that after a year on here I think I see more interest from the giants of this site correcting and fighting each other and harping on us minnows over fine points than actually answering the occasional question about birds that I have. I have had a few questions that went unanswered but any shortcoming in the posting department always seems to merit a response. Montana Outdoor English Composition Site should perhaps be the title here... I had recently changed my email and in reapplying to be here on this site I had to submit a brief email on why I wanted to be on here. I wrote "to see the experts not getting along". Kinda my point........... Martin Bell 5th st. Hamilton Zero nuthatches today of any kind. --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "mvbmontana" wrote: > > First every pygmy flock on 5th st which is about 6 blocks from the river. Photos too. > ------------------------------------ Subject: Butler Creek Drainage and Lee Metcalf From: "Thomas" <tarnsnet AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:40:51 -0000 Mobsters, The excellent weather yesterday in Missoula and the Bitterroot made for some excellent birding! As we were about to leave for Lee Metcalf NWR a large flock of Pine Siskin descended on our feeders along with at least 3 Common Redpoll, it was quite nice to hear the cacophony! Another sighting of note was an adult Bald Eagle with 2 immatures,soaring together with 1 Common Raven. Butler Creek Drainage in Missoula 1 Rough-legged Hawk 4 Steller's Jay 4 Black-billed Magpie 4 Black-capped Chickadee 2 Mountain Chickadee 1 Red-breasted Nuthatch, at least 8 more heard. 1 Brown Creeper 3 Pine Grosbeak 3 Common Redpoll, 2 female, 1 male. 40+ Pine Siskin 3 Bald Eagle 2 Red-tailed Hawk, perched within a few feet of each other. 1 Common Raven Lee Metcalf NWR 53 Canada Goose 8 Gadwall 48 Mallard 32 Green-winged Teal 3 Ring-necked Duck 4 Common Goldeneye, 2 male, 2 female. 5 Barrow's Goldeneye, 3 male, 2 female. 1 Ring-necked Pheasant 2 Great Blue Heron 1 Northern Harrier 1 Rough-legged Hawk 1 American Kestrel 3 American Coot 4 Killdeer 3 Eurasian Collared-Dove Thomas Kallmeyer, Missoula ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Great-tailed Grackle at the Mall From: Andrew Guttenberg <afgutte AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2012 09:33:21 -0600 Sharon, I believe the white spots you observed in the tail are simply sunlight glinting off the upturned edges of the outer tail. Andrew GuttenbergBozeman To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com From: smdewarthansen AT optimum.net Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 18:56:12 -0700 Subject: [MOB-Montana] Great-tailed Grackle at the Mall Went down to Bozeman today, and it took all of 10-15 minutes to find the Grackle around the Taco Bell. Got some nice views. Met Nick, and then Byron came by. I did notice that this particular Great-tailed grackle had white spots on its tail. See posted photos. We, also, went to the �M�, and found a Green-tailed Towhee but it was not as cooperative for a photo. Maybe next time? Sharon Dewart-HansenDoug HansenHelena, MT Subject: Re: Osprey, Ruffed Grouse - Sanders County From: "Dan Casey" <danielcasey55 AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:46:49 -0000 Jim: I would also caution that our Blue Jays (who are year-round residents here)do spot on impersonations of both Osprey and Bald Eagle. Dan Casey Somers --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Marks" wrote: > > Jim, > > Regarding your Osprey, did you actually see a large raptor overhead and hear an Osprey, or did you hear an Osprey but not see anything to suggest its presence? If the former, a very early arrival I guess, if not an overwintering bird. If the latter, my money is on starling. > > Jeff > > ******************* > Jeff Marks > 4241 SE Liebe Street > Portland, OR 97206 > 503-774-4783 > Birds of Montana Project > http://mtaudubon.org/ > ******************* > ----- Original Message ----- > From: vireoman2004 > To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com > Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2012 9:46 AM > Subject: [MOB-Montana] Osprey, Ruffed Grouse - Sanders County > > > > Lark and another driver (semi-truck) had to dodge around a Ruffed Grouse that was "sitting" in the road about a mile east of Thompson River bridge (4 miles or so east of Thompson Falls) on Thursday. On Friday, Lark and another person (independently and different locations), and I (probably simultaneously) heard an Osprey calling for about a minute at mid-afternoon in town in vicinity the RR station in Thompson Falls. Glare in sky and gusty winds made it hard to see, so I never confirmed by sight (ears okay however!). FOY for us here -- Jim Greaves > ------------------------------------ Subject: Great-tailed Grackle at the Mall From: Sharon Hansen <smdewarthansen AT optimum.net> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:56:12 -0700 Went down to Bozeman today, and it took all of 10-15 minutes to find the Grackle around the Taco Bell. Got some nice views. Met Nick, and then Byron came by. I did notice that this particular Great-tailed grackle had white spots on its tail. See posted photos. We, also, went to the "M", and found a Green-tailed Towhee but it was not as cooperative for a photo. Maybe next time? Sharon Dewart-Hansen Doug Hansen Helena, MT Subject: Double-crested Cormorant From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:26:23 -0700 Double-crested Cormorant first year bird. I had it near the rail way cars on Jan. 7 and have not seen it since until today. Today it was below Giant Springs, standing on the rocks along the river on the far shore. I did get a photo if any one needs proof-it is not very good. It must be able to fly since it is now on the other side of a dam. This is not a normal winter bird for us. Arla Eckert Great Falls ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: pygmy nuthatches on 5th st Hamilton From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:10:30 -0700 Please put your name and where you are. There are a lot of rivers and 5th st. in MT. Arla Eckert Great Falls On 2/4/12 11:14 AM, "mvbmontana" wrote: > First every pygmy flock on 5th st which is about 6 blocks from the river. > Photos too. > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: Re: Query: what digital cameras do you use? From: Jta66 <jta66 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 15:55:20 -0700 I am using a Canon 40D, 300f4 and f2.8, 70-200 f4, all IS with 1.4x and 2x converters. I hope to see the 100-400 upgraded soon and buy a 500 before I retire, who knows. Jeff Albrecht http://www.flickr.com/photos/montanaimages/sets/72157620935345085/ On Feb 4, 2012, at 1:27 PM, "DonaldJ" wrote: > Hi Jim, > > I also am using the Canon system. I shoot with the Mark 3 and Mark 4 bodies with my principle bird lens being my 600 mm f4 lens (tripod only) and my 300mm f4 lens for birds in flight. I also own a 300mm f2.8 lens but it is heavier but sharper, in my opinion, but the 300 f4 is great and it also has image stabilazation. My new favorite lens is the 70-200mm f4 IS lens - very sharp and for large birds in flight it works rather well -- was jus shooting Frigatebirds full frame at a nesting colony this morning -- no I'm not in Troy right now, still in southern mexico :-) > > If you/or anyone reading this ever want to talk about canon equipment feel free to contact me off line at any time. I'll be back in the states this coming week. > > Don Jones > Troy > > --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Thomas" wrote: >> >> Jim, >> >> Currently I'm using 2 Canon camera/lens setups: >> >> Rebel t1/50D (15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor) with an EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM standard zoom for everything from super close-ups to panoramas. >> >> Rebel t3i/60D (18 megapixel CMOS sensor) with an EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom for birding. >> >> Shooting done in RAW format, editing done with Canon Digital Photo Professional and Photoshop CS5. >> >> I can't say enough about the t3i with the 100-400. Image stabilized (2 settings, still and panning for flight shots) and a very fast AF plus, as you suspected below, light enough to tote for 8 - 10 hours at a time without discomfort. I love this setup. I prefer shooting freehand so this works very well. >> >> We have a Vortex 85mm 20-60x scope, have not tried digiscoping but am interested if I can find the time. >> >> Thomas Kallmeyer, Missoula >> >> --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Dan Casey" wrote: >>> >>> >>> Jim: >>> >>> I am on my second digiscoping setup, with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS6 >>> camera. This 12 Mp, 12x optical/24x digital zoom with a Leica lens also >>> works well without the scope for close subjects. Costco. >>> >>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdmansomers/5371169473 >>> >>> >>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdmansomers/5371169477 >>> >>> >>> Dan Casey, Somers >>> >>> >>> --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "vireoman2004" wrote: >>>> >>>> Off line or on line, the answers will be of use to a great many of us >>> I am sure! I use OLD lens technology (film lenses mounted on digital >>> SLRs), and KNOW there is a wave of smaller, lighter, probably better >>> digital zooms out there that many now use (witness wonderful results we >>> see in photos folders here at MOB-Montana). So, I'd like to know what >>> others use, how they like them, what the camera "powers" are (zoom x), >>> and if they also use "old-fashioned" "digiscoping", wherein one uses a >>> low zoom-power point-and-shoot through a scope... Thanks! I hope the >>> answers are helpful to any and all who may get answers to my questions; >>> and I will post a result summary when/if I get enough sufficiently to >>> make it worthwhile - Jim Greaves, Thompson Falls >>>> >>> >> > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: Osprey, Ruffed Grouse - Sanders County From: "Jeff Marks" <jeff17_marks AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 13:53:53 -0800 Jim, Regarding your Osprey, did you actually see a large raptor overhead and hear an Osprey, or did you hear an Osprey but not see anything to suggest its presence? If the former, a very early arrival I guess, if not an overwintering bird. If the latter, my money is on starling. Jeff ******************* Jeff Marks 4241 SE Liebe Street Portland, OR 97206 503-774-4783 Birds of Montana Project http://mtaudubon.org/ ******************* ----- Original Message ----- From: vireoman2004 To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2012 9:46 AM Subject: [MOB-Montana] Osprey, Ruffed Grouse - Sanders County Lark and another driver (semi-truck) had to dodge around a Ruffed Grouse that was "sitting" in the road about a mile east of Thompson River bridge (4 miles or so east of Thompson Falls) on Thursday. On Friday, Lark and another person (independently and different locations), and I (probably simultaneously) heard an Osprey calling for about a minute at mid-afternoon in town in vicinity the RR station in Thompson Falls. Glare in sky and gusty winds made it hard to see, so I never confirmed by sight (ears okay however!). FOY for us here -- Jim Greaves Subject: Re: 1 Snowy Owl & 5 Lapland Longspurs From: Jta66 <jta66 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 14:36:17 -0700 I was out at Benton this morning and got a few photos of one on the first main pond. I went around the refuge on county roads and there was another about a mile north of the refuge entrance on Bootlegger Trail. I will try to post photos later. Jeff Albrecht On Feb 3, 2012, at 6:12 PM, Beth Hill wrote: > > > Welcome Peggy, > I have received a few reports of single sightings - but nothing had been found on follow-ups. There has been a report from First People's Buffalo Jump, Benton Lake, Square Butte area, another. Those were all November and December reports. We haven't had the consistency or crowds that Polson has experienced this year. > I have had to settle for a "herd" of pheasants in our yard (two roosters - imagine that). > Beth Hill > > > Subject: Re: New poll for MOB-Montana, another idea From: "vireoman2004" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:00:09 -0000 Or alternate each month. Raptors every even month, non-raptors other months/// Just a thought! Happy birding,whatever else you do! - Jim --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "vireoman2004" wrote: > > I agree with moderator controlling the poll question "bird of the month photo" contest, and was wondering if two "contests" could be offered each month (winners sharing spotlight on Home Page). 10 (11 counting the Shrike) of the 18 entrants this month are raptors, making it a bit more difficult for smaller bird afficianados - given also that there seems to be less fascination with smaller birds, as so many past winners have been selected of the killers of other birds (and mammals). I am not suggesting detraction from the excellent results that HAVE been selected of non-raptors in the past (Mountain Bluebird and Snow Bunting for example), just that I'd had the same thought wondering if there "could be two contests" each month so the less travelled could participate more "fairly" (feeder watchers, for example, are at a great disadvantage to those who travel and/or those who only record raptors in their quests - some of course being among the BEST we've seen of those grand species) -- Jim Greaves > > --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com wrote: > > > > > > Enter your vote today! A new poll has been created for the > > MOB-Montana group: > > > > Well it's finally time for the January photo contest and we have a good group of photos to choose from - maybe the most ever. I think that maybe next month we migh have a seperate owl photo contest to go along with our regular contest though! Please vote by midnight on Tuesday February 7th. Since we have so many photos we need lots of voters too. > > > > o Pileated Woodpecker > > o Northern Shrike > > o Mountain Chickadee > > o Barn Owl > > o Gyrfalcon > > o Mourning Dove > > o Northern Saw-whet Owl > > o Short-eared Owl > > o Yellow-rumped Warbler > > o Green-tailed Towhee > > o Song Sparrow > > o Snowy Owl (1) > > o Snowy Owl (2) > > o Snowy Owl (3) > > o Snowy Owl (4) > > o Snowy Owl (5) > > o Snowy Owl (6) > > o Common Goldeneye > > > > > > To vote, please visit the following web page: > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MOB-Montana/surveys?id=13122198 > > > > Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are > > not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Subject: Re: New poll for MOB-Montana From: "vireoman2004" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:57:36 -0000 I agree with moderator controlling the poll question "bird of the month photo" contest, and was wondering if two "contests" could be offered each month (winners sharing spotlight on Home Page). 10 (11 counting the Shrike) of the 18 entrants this month are raptors, making it a bit more difficult for smaller bird afficianados - given also that there seems to be less fascination with smaller birds, as so many past winners have been selected of the killers of other birds (and mammals). I am not suggesting detraction from the excellent results that HAVE been selected of non-raptors in the past (Mountain Bluebird and Snow Bunting for example), just that I'd had the same thought wondering if there "could be two contests" each month so the less travelled could participate more "fairly" (feeder watchers, for example, are at a great disadvantage to those who travel and/or those who only record raptors in their quests - some of course being among the BEST we've seen of those grand species) -- Jim Greaves --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com wrote: > > > Enter your vote today! A new poll has been created for the > MOB-Montana group: > > Well it's finally time for the January photo contest and we have a good group of photos to choose from - maybe the most ever. I think that maybe next month we migh have a seperate owl photo contest to go along with our regular contest though! Please vote by midnight on Tuesday February 7th. Since we have so many photos we need lots of voters too. > > o Pileated Woodpecker > o Northern Shrike > o Mountain Chickadee > o Barn Owl > o Gyrfalcon > o Mourning Dove > o Northern Saw-whet Owl > o Short-eared Owl > o Yellow-rumped Warbler > o Green-tailed Towhee > o Song Sparrow > o Snowy Owl (1) > o Snowy Owl (2) > o Snowy Owl (3) > o Snowy Owl (4) > o Snowy Owl (5) > o Snowy Owl (6) > o Common Goldeneye > > > To vote, please visit the following web page: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MOB-Montana/surveys?id=13122198 > > Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are > not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Subject: Bozeman Great-tailed Grackle From: Byron Butler <byronkbutlermt AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2012 13:56:38 -0700 The Great-tailed Grackle (a male) was seen today at the Gallatin Valley Mall by at least five birders. Maggie and I were there at 7 am but the bird did not show until 8:36 am, when it appeared at the Taco Bell (at the mall's entrance). We did not see from which direction it came in. It came in alone, appearing much later than crows, magpies and starlings. It tolerates the presence of crows and magpies, but did not appear to be associated with them while I was there. The grackle was frequently seen foraging alone well away from other birds. At one point the bird flew south and landed on a light structure over Huffine Road, then continued south to Kohl's. Within minutes it was back at Taco Bell. It was seen almost continuously to noon, when all birders present left the area. Maggie and I, using two vehicles, made a concentrated effort to find the grackle between 7-8:30 am all around the mall, Kohl's, and Rosauers (grocery), but were unable to locate it during that time. Crows arrived first, shortly after first light, then magpies after good light, then starlings, finally the grackle much later than the others. For any one wishing to come for the bird, it is easy to see, although it is aware that it is being looked at. When observed it will fly off a little distance. When ignored it will come within 20-30 feet of the observer. This response to observers is the same whether or not the observer remains in a vehicle or is out walking around. For a map and directions, simply google on: Gallatin Valley Mall. Byron K. Butler Bozeman Subject: Re: Query: what digital cameras do you use? From: "DonaldJ" <gr8gray AT frontiernet.net> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:27:44 -0000 Hi Jim, I also am using the Canon system. I shoot with the Mark 3 and Mark 4 bodies with my principle bird lens being my 600 mm f4 lens (tripod only) and my 300mm f4 lens for birds in flight. I also own a 300mm f2.8 lens but it is heavier but sharper, in my opinion, but the 300 f4 is great and it also has image stabilazation. My new favorite lens is the 70-200mm f4 IS lens - very sharp and for large birds in flight it works rather well -- was jus shooting Frigatebirds full frame at a nesting colony this morning -- no I'm not in Troy right now, still in southern mexico :-) If you/or anyone reading this ever want to talk about canon equipment feel free to contact me off line at any time. I'll be back in the states this coming week. Don Jones Troy --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Thomas" wrote: > > Jim, > > Currently I'm using 2 Canon camera/lens setups: > > Rebel t1/50D (15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor) with an EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM standard zoom for everything from super close-ups to panoramas. > > Rebel t3i/60D (18 megapixel CMOS sensor) with an EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom for birding. > > Shooting done in RAW format, editing done with Canon Digital Photo Professional and Photoshop CS5. > > I can't say enough about the t3i with the 100-400. Image stabilized (2 settings, still and panning for flight shots) and a very fast AF plus, as you suspected below, light enough to tote for 8 - 10 hours at a time without discomfort. I love this setup. I prefer shooting freehand so this works very well. > > We have a Vortex 85mm 20-60x scope, have not tried digiscoping but am interested if I can find the time. > > Thomas Kallmeyer, Missoula > > --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Dan Casey" wrote: > > > > > > Jim: > > > > I am on my second digiscoping setup, with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS6 > > camera. This 12 Mp, 12x optical/24x digital zoom with a Leica lens also > > works well without the scope for close subjects. Costco. > > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdmansomers/5371169473 > > > > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdmansomers/5371169477 > > > > > > Dan Casey, Somers > > > > > > --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "vireoman2004" wrote: > > > > > > Off line or on line, the answers will be of use to a great many of us > > I am sure! I use OLD lens technology (film lenses mounted on digital > > SLRs), and KNOW there is a wave of smaller, lighter, probably better > > digital zooms out there that many now use (witness wonderful results we > > see in photos folders here at MOB-Montana). So, I'd like to know what > > others use, how they like them, what the camera "powers" are (zoom x), > > and if they also use "old-fashioned" "digiscoping", wherein one uses a > > low zoom-power point-and-shoot through a scope... Thanks! I hope the > > answers are helpful to any and all who may get answers to my questions; > > and I will post a result summary when/if I get enough sufficiently to > > make it worthwhile - Jim Greaves, Thompson Falls > > > > > > ------------------------------------ Subject: Lewis' Woodpecker Missoula From: "willyboy" <willymcdowell AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:37:55 -0000 Surprised to see a Lewis' woodpecker fly across the road in front of my vehicle on Third St. West in Missoula yesterday (west of Tower St). Then I remembered there was one (or two?) reported as regular in that area earlier this winter including on the Missoula Christmas count. This species breeds regularly in my neighborhood (Kelly Island WMA), but I have never seen it before at this time of year. However, it seems that one or two have been seen on Christmas counts in Montana in at least 7 out of the last 10 years. Cheers,,,,,Will ------------------------------------ Subject: pygmy nuthatches on 5th st Hamilton From: "mvbmontana" <mvbmontana AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:14:08 -0000 First every pygmy flock on 5th st which is about 6 blocks from the river. Photos too. ------------------------------------ Subject: Osprey, Ruffed Grouse - Sanders County From: "vireoman2004" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:46:01 -0000 Lark and another driver (semi-truck) had to dodge around a Ruffed Grouse that was "sitting" in the road about a mile east of Thompson River bridge (4 miles or so east of Thompson Falls) on Thursday. On Friday, Lark and another person (independently and different locations), and I (probably simultaneously) heard an Osprey calling for about a minute at mid-afternoon in town in vicinity the RR station in Thompson Falls. Glare in sky and gusty winds made it hard to see, so I never confirmed by sight (ears okay however!). FOY for us here -- Jim Greaves ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Great-tailed Grackle in Bozeman From: "vireoman2004" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:40:47 -0000 All -- Don't be too happy about GTGR in Montana! About 1980, I found a female in Goleta California (Santa Barbara County) that birders around the state were "excited" about - now the species is a pest in many tule (cattail and/or reed) marshes, probably displacing Red-winged and Tri-colored blackbirds in some. Anyway, great when they're rare, but when they come in hundreds to a marsh near any of us, maybe not so great... -- Jim Greaves, Thompson Falls --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Nick Hajdukovich" wrote: > > Hey all, > > Today around 12:45PM I found a single Great-tailed Grackle in the parking lot of the Gallatin Valley Mall in Bozeman. After watching it for 10-15min and snapping some photos, I left for a class at 1PM. At 3PM I met up with Andrew Guttenberg, John Parker, and Lou Ann Harris and we all got great looks at the bird as it moved around a small area in front of the mall. It seemed to be loosely associated with Black-billed Magpies and American Crows and moved as far as 1-2 blocks away from the Taco Bell in front of the mall. We watched the bird continuously from 3PM-4:15PM and were always able to keep tabs on it as it fed in the parking lot and frequently perched in trees. As far as I am aware, no one had seen the bird until now, but an eBird report of a Common Grackle at the mall on 26 January could have potentially been the same bird. > > From what I've been told, this is the 3rd state record of Great-tailed Grackle for Montana. If anyone is interested in traveling to see this bird, let me know and I can try to keep tabs on it. I plan on returning afternoon in hopes of getting better light for photography. I have posted photos in the "Hajdukovich Photos" MOB album. Good birding, > > Nick Hajdukovich > Bozeman > ------------------------------------ Subject: Snowy Owl in Liberty County From: Liz Larcom <birder AT larcoms.com> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:07:59 -0700 Subject: Re: Great-tailed Grackle in Bozeman From: "Nick Hajdukovich" <upupa_epops200 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:04:23 -0000 Today Andrew Guttenberg and I watched the Great-tailed Grackle from 1:40PM-2:20PM. We immediately found the bird foraging in the middle of an empty parking lane upon our arrival and never lost sight of it the entire time we were there. The bird was again very tame and spent most of its time foraging in the eastern half of the parking lot at the mall. I plan on returning again tomorrow for more photos and I would be glad to help anyone find the bird. I imagine that I will be there around 9-10AM but I could go at a different time if someone wants to meet up. Send me an email if you want to set up another time. John Parker also saw the bird from 12:05PM-12:15PM but lost track of it after it flew south across Huffine Ln and over Rocky Mountain Bank. I think it routinely spends time along the first couple hundred meters of College St. For anyone who doesn't know where the Gallatin Valley Mall is, it is located just north of the intersection of College Street and Huffine Ln (Main St. turns into Huffine Ln as it proceeds west). The Taco Bell just north of the College/Huffine intersection has proven to be a good place to start your search. Nick Hajdukovich Bozeman --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, Lou Ann Harris wrote: > > The Great-tailed Grackle was seen this morning by Cheryl Farmer. The best exit to take is N. 19th/Springhill Rd. > > Lou Ann Harris > > On Feb 3, 2012, at 7:09 PM, SharonHansen wrote: > > > We would, also, be interested in knowing if it was sighted today. Plan on coming down tomorrow. Anyone willing to meet up? > > > > Sharon Dewart-Hansen > > Helena, MT > > > > --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, tertop AT wrote: > > > > > > Hello Nick, et al in Bozeman > > > > > > Did anyone see the Great-tailed Grackle today in Bozeman. I haven't been there for a while and i know it has all changed. > > > Which is the easiest exit to access the mall? Thanks for any info. > > > > > > Terry Toppins > > > tertop AT > > > Missoula > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > From: Nick Hajdukovich > > > To: MOB-Montana > > > Sent: Thu, Feb 2, 2012 7:41 pm > > > Subject: [MOB-Montana] Great-tailed Grackle in Bozeman > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hey all, > > > > > > Today around 12:45PM I found a single Great-tailed Grackle in the parking lot of the Gallatin Valley Mall in Bozeman. After watching it for 10-15min and snapping some photos, I left for a class at 1PM. At 3PM I met up with Andrew Guttenberg, John Parker, and Lou Ann Harris and we all got great looks at the bird as it moved around a small area in front of the mall. It seemed to be loosely associated with Black-billed Magpies and American Crows and moved as far as 1-2 blocks away from the Taco Bell in front of the mall. We watched the bird continuously from 3PM-4:15PM and were always able to keep tabs on it as it fed in the parking lot and frequently perched in trees. As far as I am aware, no one had seen the bird until now, but an eBird report of a Common Grackle at the mall on 26 January could have potentially been the same bird. > > > > > > From what I've been told, this is the 3rd state record of Great-tailed Grackle for Montana. If anyone is interested in traveling to see this bird, let me know and I can try to keep tabs on it. I plan on returning afternoon in hopes of getting better light for photography. I have posted photos in the "Hajdukovich Photos" MOB album. Good birding, > > > > > > Nick Hajdukovich > > > Bozeman > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Great-tailed Grackle in Bozeman From: neilmtrv AT aol.com Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 21:39:30 -0500 (EST) It's interesting that this bird was found in a parking lot. Here in Tucson, Arizona where I spend the winter that is where you can always find Great-tailed Grackles in the winter. Neil M. Travis Subject: Re: Re: Great-tailed Grackle in Bozeman From: Lou Ann Harris <montlou AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 19:23:53 -0700 The Great-tailed Grackle was seen this morning by Cheryl Farmer. The best exit to take is N. 19th/Springhill Rd. Lou Ann Harris On Feb 3, 2012, at 7:09 PM, SharonHansen wrote: > We would, also, be interested in knowing if it was sighted today. Plan on coming down tomorrow. Anyone willing to meet up? > > Sharon Dewart-Hansen > Helena, MT > > --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, tertop AT ... wrote: > > > > Hello Nick, et al in Bozeman > > > > Did anyone see the Great-tailed Grackle today in Bozeman. I haven't been there for a while and i know it has all changed. > > Which is the easiest exit to access the mall? Thanks for any info. > > > > Terry Toppins > > tertop AT ... > > Missoula > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Nick Hajdukovich > > To: MOB-Montana > > Sent: Thu, Feb 2, 2012 7:41 pm > > Subject: [MOB-Montana] Great-tailed Grackle in Bozeman > > > > > > > > > > > > Hey all, > > > > Today around 12:45PM I found a single Great-tailed Grackle in the parking lot of the Gallatin Valley Mall in Bozeman. After watching it for 10-15min and snapping some photos, I left for a class at 1PM. At 3PM I met up with Andrew Guttenberg, John Parker, and Lou Ann Harris and we all got great looks at the bird as it moved around a small area in front of the mall. It seemed to be loosely associated with Black-billed Magpies and American Crows and moved as far as 1-2 blocks away from the Taco Bell in front of the mall. We watched the bird continuously from 3PM-4:15PM and were always able to keep tabs on it as it fed in the parking lot and frequently perched in trees. As far as I am aware, no one had seen the bird until now, but an eBird report of a Common Grackle at the mall on 26 January could have potentially been the same bird. > > > > From what I've been told, this is the 3rd state record of Great-tailed Grackle for Montana. If anyone is interested in traveling to see this bird, let me know and I can try to keep tabs on it. I plan on returning afternoon in hopes of getting better light for photography. I have posted photos in the "Hajdukovich Photos" MOB album. Good birding, > > > > Nick Hajdukovich > > Bozeman > > > > Subject: Re: Great-tailed Grackle in Bozeman From: "SharonHansen" <smdewarthansen AT optimum.net> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:09:57 -0000 We would, also, be interested in knowing if it was sighted today. Plan on coming down tomorrow. Anyone willing to meet up? Sharon Dewart-Hansen Helena, MT --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, tertop AT ... wrote: > > Hello Nick, et al in Bozeman > > Did anyone see the Great-tailed Grackle today in Bozeman. I haven't been there for a while and i know it has all changed. > Which is the easiest exit to access the mall? Thanks for any info. > > Terry Toppins > tertop AT ... > Missoula > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Nick Hajdukovich > To: MOB-Montana > Sent: Thu, Feb 2, 2012 7:41 pm > Subject: [MOB-Montana] Great-tailed Grackle in Bozeman > > > > > > Hey all, > > Today around 12:45PM I found a single Great-tailed Grackle in the parking lot of the Gallatin Valley Mall in Bozeman. After watching it for 10-15min and snapping some photos, I left for a class at 1PM. At 3PM I met up with Andrew Guttenberg, John Parker, and Lou Ann Harris and we all got great looks at the bird as it moved around a small area in front of the mall. It seemed to be loosely associated with Black-billed Magpies and American Crows and moved as far as 1-2 blocks away from the Taco Bell in front of the mall. We watched the bird continuously from 3PM-4:15PM and were always able to keep tabs on it as it fed in the parking lot and frequently perched in trees. As far as I am aware, no one had seen the bird until now, but an eBird report of a Common Grackle at the mall on 26 January could have potentially been the same bird. > > From what I've been told, this is the 3rd state record of Great-tailed Grackle for Montana. If anyone is interested in traveling to see this bird, let me know and I can try to keep tabs on it. I plan on returning afternoon in hopes of getting better light for photography. I have posted photos in the "Hajdukovich Photos" MOB album. Good birding, > > Nick Hajdukovich > Bozeman > ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Great-tailed Grackle in Bozeman From: tertop AT aol.com Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 20:55:24 -0500 (EST) Hello Nick, et al in Bozeman Did anyone see the Great-tailed Grackle today in Bozeman. I haven't been there for a while and i know it has all changed. Which is the easiest exit to access the mall? Thanks for any info. Terry Toppins tertop AT aol.com Missoula -----Original Message----- From: Nick Hajdukovich To: MOB-Montana Sent: Thu, Feb 2, 2012 7:41 pm Subject: [MOB-Montana] Great-tailed Grackle in Bozeman Hey all, Today around 12:45PM I found a single Great-tailed Grackle in the parking lot of the Gallatin Valley Mall in Bozeman. After watching it for 10-15min and snapping some photos, I left for a class at 1PM. At 3PM I met up with Andrew Guttenberg, John Parker, and Lou Ann Harris and we all got great looks at the bird as it moved around a small area in front of the mall. It seemed to be loosely associated with Black-billed Magpies and American Crows and moved as far as 1-2 blocks away from the Taco Bell in front of the mall. We watched the bird continuously from 3PM-4:15PM and were always able to keep tabs on it as it fed in the parking lot and frequently perched in trees. As far as I am aware, no one had seen the bird until now, but an eBird report of a Common Grackle at the mall on 26 January could have potentially been the same bird. From what I've been told, this is the 3rd state record of Great-tailed Grackle for Montana. If anyone is interested in traveling to see this bird, let me know and I can try to keep tabs on it. I plan on returning afternoon in hopes of getting better light for photography. I have posted photos in the "Hajdukovich Photos" MOB album. Good birding, Nick Hajdukovich Bozeman Subject: Re: 1 Snowy Owl & 5 Lapland Longspurs From: Beth Hill <grizhill AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 18:12:17 -0700 Welcome Peggy, I have received a few reports of single sightings - but nothing had been found on follow-ups. There has been a report from First People's Buffalo Jump, Benton Lake, Square Butte area, another. Those were all November and December reports. We haven't had the consistency or crowds that Polson has experienced this year. I have had to settle for a "herd" of pheasants in our yard (two roosters - imagine that). Beth Hill Subject: Re: 1 Snowy Owl & 5 Lapland Longspurs From: Peggy Nygard <mariahyorkies AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 17:07:33 -0800 (PST) Thanks for posting this Arla.  I'm new to this list and from Fort Shaw.  25 west of Great Falls.  I've been wondering if anyone has seen a Snowy Owl over here.  I think we might take a ride out to Freezeout Lake tomorrow.  I've seen the Horned Owl out there hunting.  Maybe there will be a Snowy out there looking for dinner.  Has anyone else seen a Snowy Owl in the Great Falls area?  ..................  Peggy Nygard       ________________________________ From: Arla Eckert To: "MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com" Sent: Friday, February 3, 2012 4:24 PM Subject: [MOB-Montana] 1 Snowy Owl & 5 Lapland Longspurs > > >  > >Wow, a great day of birding. I headed to Benton Lake. Off the Wilson Road I >saw 5 Lapland Longspurs for sure. There may have been a few more flying. I >did get photos. Will post in a bit to MOB. Then at the Lake I saw 1 Snowy >Owl on the gate on the bridge. It took off and flew toward the walk way. Sat >on an island. I drove up the road. It took off back toward the other end of >the lake. It then sat on that island for ages. I drove around the rest of >the ponds and then back. It was still sitting on the island. This one seems >shy of vans and folks. It was or another one was seen yesterday by Hugh >Zackheim on the other pond near the blind. The one I saw was very dark with >barring. Only the face was white. I will post photos that are not very good >of it. One on the gate was taken thru the windshield and then the one on the >island was a very long ways off. Arla Eckert Great Falls > > > > > Subject: Early Redwing Blackbirds in Hamilton From: "mvbmontana" <mvbmontana AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:34:19 -0000 1 heard on 1/31. Dozen or so seen and photoed 2/1. All at Hironymous Park. Present through today. Well over 30 days earlier than last year. No finches at 5th st feeder since about November which is weird as they live in the' hood year round. Sharpie snacks almost weekly on the House Sparrows here. ------------------------------------ Subject: Spring Birding???? From: "Jeannie" <marcurejm AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:47:19 -0000 On a short afternoon drive through Lower Valley this afternoon Bill & I saw (and heard :)!!) a large flock of Red-winged Blackbirds. They were off Lower Valley Rd at the farm just behind the trap club. We also spotted a Great Blue Heron on Ashley Creek near the bridge on the same road. Here at the house today we had a large flock (30+) of Redpolls at our seed feeders. Also the Shelter Valley Eagle was in the cottonwoods w/o the mailboxes again today. Jeannie Marcure s/o Kalispell ------------------------------------ Subject: 1 Snowy Owl & 5 Lapland Longspurs From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:24:04 -0700 Wow, a great day of birding. I headed to Benton Lake. Off the Wilson Road I saw 5 Lapland Longspurs for sure. There may have been a few more flying. I did get photos. Will post in a bit to MOB. Then at the Lake I saw 1 Snowy Owl on the gate on the bridge. It took off and flew toward the walk way. Sat on an island. I drove up the road. It took off back toward the other end of the lake. It then sat on that island for ages. I drove around the rest of the ponds and then back. It was still sitting on the island. This one seems shy of vans and folks. It was or another one was seen yesterday by Hugh Zackheim on the other pond near the blind. The one I saw was very dark with barring. Only the face was white. I will post photos that are not very good of it. One on the gate was taken thru the windshield and then the one on the island was a very long ways off. Arla Eckert Great Falls ------------------------------------