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11 May Mother's Day Walk ["Sharon Dewart-Hansen" ] 12 May National Bison Range - and more!! (#132-136) ["Joshua Covill" ] 11 May Missoula area birds May 11th. [] 11 May May 11 ["Lisa Lister" ] 11 May WTanager, Chippies, GCSparrow ["Jim Greaves" ] 11 May Yesterday's birds ["Bob & Mo Rost" ] 11 May Re: Golden-crowned Sparrow, Thompson Falls ["Chuck Carlson" ] 11 May Re: Golden-crowned Sparrow, Thompson Falls ["Jim Greaves" ] 11 May Saturday at Freezout Lake [Michael Schwitters ] 11 May Golden-crowned Sparrow, Thompson Falls ["Jim Greaves" ] 11 May May 10 [Arla Eckert ] 11 May Hooting Owls ["Heidi Zielinski" ] 11 May Helena area birds ["Chad Adams" ] 11 May Great Egret ["Dave Ellis" ] 11 May Firsts ["Lisa Lister" ] 10 May Yellow warbler, Harris' sparrow, female Rufous humbird ["Jim Greaves" ] 10 May National Bison Range ["Gary Swant" ] 10 May gGreat Egret ["Dave Ellis" ] 10 May Hudsonian Photo [Michael Schwitters ] 9 May Western Kingbirds ["Sharon Dewart-Hansen" ] 9 May Ft. Peck sightings ["Chuck Carlson" ] 10 May Harris' day 3, female Calliopes, odd Carpodacus ["Jim Greaves" ] 10 May Flathead Valley Birds ["Ben Young" ] 09 May International Migratory Bird Day ["Katie LaSalle-Lowery" ] 09 May Red-necked Phalarope ["Dan Casey" ] 09 May A wild day [Arla Eckert ] 10 May Black Rosy Finches and Cooney ["Barb Jaquith" ] 09 May Two new arrivals ["Jim Rogers" ] 8 May Ft. Peck sightings ["Chuck Carlson" ] 8 May Re: Amazing Experience ["Don Jones" ] 08 May Amazing Experience ["Cheri Seli" ] 8 May Clark's grebes [] 8 May Baird's sparrow [] 08 May Grebes and Loons--Ennis Lake ["Jesse DeVoe" ] 08 May trumpeter swan shot ["Wendy Dodson" ] 08 May Harris sparrow continues ["Jim Greaves" ] 08 May Troy Birds ["Donald M. Jones" ] 08 May Plates [Arla Eckert ] 08 May Database entries ["Patrick Toomey" ] 7 May Hudsonian Godwit ["Sharon Dewart-Hansen" ] 7 May Ft. Peck sightings ["Chuck Carlson" ] 07 May sparrows ["Lisa Lister" ] 07 May Harris' sparrow, Thompson Falls ["Jim Greaves" ] 7 May Re: Swift in Sidney ["Chuck Carlson" ] 07 May Swift in Sidney ["Maureen O'Mara" ] 07 May Return of the lesser goldfinch [Liz Larcom ] 07 May Hudsonian Godwit-Freezout Lake-Yes [Michael Schwitters ] 07 May Poplar firsts ["Lisa Lister" ] 7 May Poll results for MOB-Montana [] 07 May more new arrivals ["Jim Rogers" ] 6 May Re: Re: Alberta Smew ["John Carlson" ] 06 May Hudsonian Godwit-Freezout Lake WMA [Michael Schwitters ] Subject: Mother's Day Walk From: "Sharon Dewart-Hansen" <smdhansen AT bresnan.net> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 18:45:30 -0600 Hello Fellow Birder's,
Doug & I went for a walk to our nearby, mini, prairie potholes. Seen today in
this microcosm:
American Coots
Redheads
Canvasbacks
Lesser Scaups
Gadwalls
Mallards
Ruddy Ducks
Killdeer
Yellow-headed Blackbirds
Red-winged Blackbirds
Canada Geese
California Gulls
Eared Grebes
American Robins
Savannah Sparrow
House Sparrows
And newer observed arrivals:
Black-necked Stilts
Wilson Phalaropes
White-crowned Sparrows
Common Yellowthroat
Black-crowned Night Heron
Forester Terns
And yesterday we had 2 Swainson's Hawks fly right over our house. I guess we
don't have to go far to see
a lot of variety of bird life. Will try to keep an eye on the evolution of this
area.
Sharon & Doug Hansen
Great Falls, MT
Subject: National Bison Range - and more!! (#132-136)From: "Joshua Covill" <birdbrainjwc AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 01:44:45 -0000 On May 10th, Leslie Kehoe, and her sister Lyn(spelling?), and I went down the the Bison Range for International Migratory Bird Day. First, there were some really amazing birds right at Leslie's house. I spotted a DUSKY FLYCATCHER(number 132 for the county, 08') And while studying the bird, a NASHVILLE WARBLER(133) flew into view. That was really great. Not a whole lot at the Bison Range, but some birds are still arriving. Highlights were: Cooper's Hawk Gray partridge Hairy Woodpecker Hammond's Flycatcher (+1 Empid species-no good looks & it never sang) Cassin's Vireo House Wren Ruby-crowned Kinglet Orange-crowned Warbler Yellow Warbler Yellow-rumped Warbler Western Tanager Chipping Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Vesper Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Lazuli Bunting At Ninepipes, we saw the usual plus... Western Kingbird Caspian Tern Common Tern Blue-winged Teal It was a good day Today, the 11th, I had a good day of yard birding Saw a Dusky Flycatcher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, cowbirds, and Ruby-crowned Kinglets. The Dusky was the best non-year bird. I got CHIPPING SPARROW(134), CASSIN'S FINCH(135), and WESTERN TANAGER(136). I was really hoping for a new warbler species. I did hear an song that sounded like an Orange-crowned, but it didn't sing again, and I never found it. Good Luck Birding JoshSubject: Missoula area birds May 11th. From: tertop AT aol.com Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 21:10:26 EDT The Mother's Day field trip to the Smurfit-Stone Plant west of Missoula had a total of 87 species for the day. Highlights included a Whimbrel (Whimbrel was the star), a Black Tern, Franklin's and Bonaparte's Gulls, Baird's, Least, and Spotted Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs, American Avocets, and 3 Black-necked Stilts. Today, Ted and Matthew Nordhagen found a Tennessee Warbler and a Bullock's Oriole on Sleven's Island at Fort Missoula. Terry Toppins tertop AT aol.com Missoula **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)Subject: May 11 From: "Lisa Lister" <lister39 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 21:24:55 -0000 Couple more new birds today were a pair of Cliff Swallows at Tule Creek and Rte 2 - they nest there. Also had an American Goldfinch at my feeders. Lisa Lister PoplarSubject: WTanager, Chippies, GCSparrow From: "Jim Greaves" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 21:12:33 -0000 Just after Dennis and Kathy Roberts arrived to try to see the Golden- crowned Sparrow [#107 Year/County], a CHIPPING SPARROW [#108] and at least 2 male WESTERN TANAGERS [#109] flew into the yard (CHSP to seed, WETA to trees only, then on westerly). And just before the wind picked up and rain spit down, the Golden-crown Sparrow showed up, and fed on the ground next to their car for a few minutes, then went back over to the Mayor's yard with his WCSP buddies ( AT 2:45) when the wind or nearby noises spooked everything upwards - Jim GreavesSubject: Yesterday's birds From: "Bob & Mo Rost" <mobob AT cyberport.net> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 14:31:16 -0600 Hi MOB: On the 10th, Mo and I birded along the dam at Pablo Reservoir. We saw Bonaparte's Gulls in breeding and non-breeding plumage, Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, Wilson's Phalaropes, Least Sandpipers, Marbled Godwits, Red-necked Phalaropes and 5 gorgeous Black-bellied Plovers, a few Killdeer plus the grebes, ducks and coots. Today we saw zilch! Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers. Bob Rost - Ronan MT (406) 676-4545Subject: Re: Golden-crowned Sparrow, Thompson Falls From: "Chuck Carlson" <chuckcmt AT nemontel.net> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 12:59:50 -0600 Jim Golden-crowned Sparrow is on the Review List of the Montana Bird Records Committee. You can find this list at mtaudubon.org/birds/mbrc.html . Then click on Review Species Chuck Carlson chuckcmt AT nemont.net Ft. Peck MT ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim Greaves To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2008 10:21 AM Subject: [MOB-Montana] Golden-crowned Sparrow, Thompson Falls Not content with the Zonotrichias so far (haven't seen White-throated since 2004), a GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was in our Mayor's yard this morning (Mother's Day) 11 May 2008 in Thompson Falls. I've posted the only ID photo in case I do not see it again (a very LOUSY focus, but a very diagnostic one). Do I need to write a Rare Bird Report for this one? It shows as italicized in the checklist... - Jim GreavesSubject: Re: Golden-crowned Sparrow, Thompson Falls From: "Jim Greaves" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 17:14:21 -0000 I replaced the crummy photo referenced earlier with a better one, made of the bird after it flew into our feeding area with flock of WCSP, but just after a car going down the alley scattered the birds - from its perch atop a fake water tower, it and WCSP flew across Preston to tree line between Preston and the RR line. Hopefully, it'll be back; I'll post if it is still around later - Jim Greaves --- In MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com, "Jim Greaves"Subject: Saturday at Freezout Lake From: Michael Schwitters <schwit AT 3rivers.net> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 11:10:22 -0600 MOBsters, Migration and breeding activities continue at Freezout. The first of season Upland Sandpiper was on a fence post along the highway north of Priest Butte. Other FOS species were Chipping Sparrow, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Red-necked Phalarope. In a single tree east of Pond 5 there were 60 swallows, including five of our six Montana species (no Violet-Green). There were good numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers and hundreds of Long-billed Dowitchers and Wilson's Phalaropes on the Area The Hudsonian Godwit could not be found and a Lewis's Woodpecker found yesterday west of Priest Butte by Tim Barksdale was also not found. The Great Horned Owls nesting on the Area have three young--mom no longer fits on the nest. And the Golden Eagle nesting south of town has at least one downy white youngster--happy Mothers' Day. Off to Alaska again Tuesday--who can refuse two weeks in the outer Aleutians the last half of May. Good Montana birding, Mike Schwitters Choteau MTSubject: Golden-crowned Sparrow, Thompson Falls From: "Jim Greaves" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 16:21:05 -0000 Not content with the Zonotrichias so far (haven't seen White-throated since 2004), a GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was in our Mayor's yard this morning (Mother's Day) 11 May 2008 in Thompson Falls. I've posted the only ID photo in case I do not see it again (a very LOUSY focus, but a very diagnostic one). Do I need to write a Rare Bird Report for this one? It shows as italicized in the checklist... - Jim GreavesSubject: May 10 From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 08:32:39 -0600 May 10 Found some of the birds I missed the other day at Giant Springs plus a few that just came in. 1. American White Pelican, I just missed this one the other day 2. Great Horned Owl, today got to see both owlets, on list other day 3. Downy Woodpecker 4. Northern Flicker 5. Red-breasted Nuthatch 6. House Wren 7. Ruby-crowned Kinglet 8. Orange-crowned Warbler lots of them! On list other day 9. Yellow Warbler 1 very fast view 10. Song Sparrows sings lots 11. Chipping Sparrow 3 12. Dark-eyed Junco 13. Spotted Towhee just came in So the other day I found 71 birds, and today added in 11 that I missed that day so that gives 82 that may be found right around this area and Benton Lake. Interesting, and I am still missing some that I know are here. Arla Eckert Great FallsSubject: Hooting Owls From: "Heidi Zielinski" <heidiz AT zielinskis.net> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 06:13:54 -0000 Last night around 10:00pm I listened to a couple of Great Horned Owls hooting back and forth in my backyard. I heard the first owl over the TV as it was quite loud. I could see the silhouette of it in a cottonwood snag. After almost 10 minutes a second owl started hooting back, but the smallish moon and partial clouds didn't allow me to locate that one. They continued their conversation for at least 10 more minutes and then I saw one fly off and they were heard no more. Heidi Zielinski StevensvilleSubject: Helena area birds From: "Chad Adams" <candjbirds AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 05:20:34 -0000 I hiked a bit this morning in the Helena area before hitting the spring cleaning and found a few birds. I saw a FOY western kingbird near the Lake Helena causeway. Several savannah sparrows near Lake Helena, also one what I am guessing is vesper's sparrow (but I admittedly don't know my sparrows well, photo posted for confirmation). Common loons still at Hauser Reservoir eating crayfish, many yellow rumped warblers, cliff and violet and green swallows and one pygmy nuthatch, a single bald eagle and spotted sandpiper. Great horned owl adult and young near Missouri River. Helena Regulating Reservoir had red breasted merganser, buffleheads, red necked grebe, Canada Geese with goslings, tree and barn swallows.Subject: Great Egret From: "Dave Ellis" <daveandmaribeth AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 01:30:13 -0000 For those that may be interested, the Great Egret has hung around all day, and is still here as of 7:30 this evening. I'm guessing it will be here in the am feeding with the great blue herons. Dave Ellis Bluewater State Fish Hatchery, east of BridgerSubject: Firsts From: "Lisa Lister" <lister39 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 01:07:17 -0000 Had a couple of new birds today as I was running to Wolf Point for some errands - saw 4 different Upland Sandpipers perched on the very tops of the utility poles, 2 Willets by someone's pond, and a Barn Swallow just outside of Wolf Point, all along highway 2. Lisa Lister Poplar, MTSubject: Yellow warbler, Harris' sparrow, female Rufous humbird From: "Jim Greaves" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 22:54:27 -0000 Saturday 10 May 2008, Thompson Falls, Sanders Co: One or more singing YELLOW WARBLER [#106 county-year] greeted the day across the street, and one sang throughout the day nearby. HARRIS' sparrow continued in yard with large flock of White-crowns (day 4). A female RUFOUS hummingbird joined growing throng, including 2 male RUHU, and 2 of each sex of CALLIOPE at our feeders. Female RED CROSSBILL returned to feeding area, but flew off, probably intimidated after seeing the swarm of Evening grosbeaks, Cassin's finches and siskins. A possible Pink-sided junco was present long enough to get some photos that show dark lores, but it doesn't look "quite right" compared to the stylized "type" in Sibley or NatGeog, so... Jim and LarkSubject: National Bison Range From: "Gary Swant" <Birdmontana AT rfwave.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 21:55:44 -0000 Birders, I took my five-year-old grandson from Polson to the Bison Range today. There was a little snow on the top along the road, but the road is in good shape. Birds seen were: Spotted Towhee - many Orange-crowned Warbler Bullock's Oriole Pileated Woodpecker House Wren Song Sparrow Sora Mallard Red-winged Blackbird Yellow-headed blackbird Black-billed Magpie Turkey Vulture Red-tailed Hawk Northern Harrier Brewer's Blackbird Northern flicker American Coot Canada Goose Cooper's Hawk American Robin We practiced pishing, but I found out that a 5-year-old would rather just make noise. Gary Swant Deer LodgeSubject: gGreat Egret From: "Dave Ellis" <daveandmaribeth AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 15:46:44 -0000 Thismorning, for the last three hours, I have had a Great Egret at the hatchery. Barb Jaquith and Stan Heath have come to positively ID it, as well. It had been feeding on our rainbow trout along with the usual Great Blue Herons. This is at the Bluewater State Fish Hatchery, 9 miles east of Bridger. Dave Ellis 668-7549Subject: Hudsonian Photo From: Michael Schwitters <schwit AT 3rivers.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 06:44:17 -0600 All, I have added a distant digiscope to my photo album of the Hudsonian Godwit that John Nordrum found at the tip of the thumb of the Main Lake on 7 May. Note the dark rufous mottling on the breast back to the flank, the white undertail (just visible), the white supercilium and mostly straight bill. The bird was noticeably smaller than nearby Marbled Godwits (not visible in photo). Good birding, Mike Schwitters Choteau MTSubject: Western Kingbirds From: "Sharon Dewart-Hansen" <smdhansen AT bresnan.net> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 19:12:12 -0600 Nature Just stepped outside to clean off my shoes from Wed. and I heard & then saw our resident Western Kingbirds back for another year of raising another noisy youngster. Spring is definitely evolving. Sharon Dewart-Hansen Great Falls, MTSubject: Ft. Peck sightings From: "Chuck Carlson" <chuckcmt AT nemontel.net> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 22:18:16 -0600 Mobsters There were three new arrivals here at Ft. Peck today. A Brown thrasher was first heard singing at the Dredge Cuts FAS and then seen at the tip of a willow bush. At the river viewing site near the powerplants was a single male Lark Bunting, and a Bank Swallow was found at the Winter Harbor Pond. The rain all day put a damper on bird activity for the most part, but hundreds of swallows were foraging over the river and dredge cuts. Chuck Carlson chuckcmt AT nemont.net Ft. Peck MTSubject: Harris' day 3, female Calliopes, odd Carpodacus From: "Jim Greaves" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 03:47:28 -0000 Thompson Falls, 09 May 2008: Harris' sparrow day 3 [likely longer, based on behavior and no change in White-crown composition for several weeks, other than ME noticing a dark-lored [dark lord?] form among them... HASP was feeding on lawn with a dozen WCSP at 2130 hrs, still easily seen. Today we finally got some female humbirds: 2 female CALLIOPE feeding at bottles with 2 males, all driving "the" Rufous owner crazy...he finally waited while 3 CAHU fed together, and then picked on one at a time when they were sated. There is at least one other Rufous around as well. A female RED CROSSBILL was on one of the hanging sunflower seed feeders, our FOY for the yard, first ever for feeder. Cowbirds continue calling throughout the day; a male was at feeder around noon. Yesterday, an "Audubon's" warbler was in maple briefly, like the last one not long enough to get the camera... NO other warblers yet! There was an odd Carpodacus finch female (?) yesterday, photo of which I'll post shortly -- its culmen was extemely curved (a la Purple), but otherwise I'd call it Cassin's, left leg was broken and it was not present today... I'd appreciate feed-back, knowing how rare PUFI are in northern Rockies... - Jim, T. FallsSubject: Flathead Valley Birds From: "Ben Young" <bennywayne AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 02:11:22 -0000 My wife and I birded the Lower Valley area south of Kalispell today from 1730-1945 hrs. Highlights included: Split Pond (North Somers Rd.): * 15 BLACK-NECKED STILT * 6 WILSON'S PHALAROPE * 1 RED-NECKED PHALAROPE * 7 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER * 2 LEAST SANDPIPER * BANK SWALLOWS (several--FOY) * 1 SANDHILL CRANE Wiley Dike Rd.: * BLUE-WINGED TEAL (FOY) * CINNAMON TEAL * VIRGINIA RAIL Farm Rd.: * 9 AMERICAN AVOCET * 4 WILSON'S PHALAROPE A great evening to be out. Ben Young Kalispell, MTSubject: International Migratory Bird Day From: "Katie LaSalle-Lowery" <katie AT bigskycountry.net> Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 23:25:33 GMT Hello MOB-sters, Does anyone have the particulars for the activities at the Bison Range tomorrow for International Migratory Bird Day? There's a pdf linked off the NBR site listing what, but not when. In particular, I'd like to know when Kate Davis will be doing her thing. I think my son would enjoy seeing the raptors up close. Thanks,Katie LaSalle-Lowery katie AT bigskycountry.net www.bigskycountry.net - Updated Mar 15, 2008Subject: Red-necked Phalarope From: "Dan Casey" <caseys4 AT centurytel.net> Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 17:18:47 -0000 MOB-sters: One Red-necked Phalarope joined the small group of Wilson's on the Split Pond north of Somers this morning. Dan Casey SomersSubject: A wild day From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 10:37:43 -0600 A wild day May 8, 08 of birding in the Great Falls area made up of birding along the river and a run to Benton Lake. Did not bird from West Bank Park but from the E. side so missed some birds that I most likely would have gotten from the backwaters behind the island. * 1. Horned Grebe B.L. * 2. Eared Grebe river & B. L. * 3. White-faced ibis B.L. * 4. Canada Goose river & B.L. * 5. Gadwall river & B.L * 6. American Wigeon river & B.L. * 7. Mallard river & B.L. * 8. Blue-winged Teal B.L. * 9. Cinnamon Teal B.L. *10. Northern Shoveler river & B.L. *11. Northern Pintail river & B.L. *12. Redhead river & B.L. *13. Ring-necked Duck river *14. Lesser scaup both * 15. Bufflehead on river lots of F. very few M. B.L. also *16. Common Goldeneye F. only on river *17. Ruddy Duck both *18. Bald Eagle on nest, on bank & flying along river *19. Northern Harrier B.L. *20. Swainsonıs Hawk river & near B.L. *21. Red-tailed Hawk 2 flying over river *22. American Kestrel B. L. *23. Peregrine Falcon seen from Heritage State Park, looking out over grassland area and saw this thing coming at me, what is it? 4 legs, It had just grabbed a black bird, which it then reached down with its beak and did in, at that point I got a great view of the black face markings and knew what I had, it then saw me and turned, flew off with itıs dinner-WOW!!!! Made my day! *24. Ring-necked Pheasant B.L. *25. American Coot both *26. Black-necked Stilt both *27. American Avocet both *28. Solitary Sandpiper river this one was way up on the hillside in Giant Springs Park, got good photos, I have been seeing these along the river for a few years in the spring but this is the first time was able to get photos *29. Willet B.L. *30. Spotted Sandpiper B.L. * 31. Upland Sandpiper B.L. *32. Long-billed Curlew B.L. *33. Marbled Godwit B.L. *34. Wilsonıs Phalarope B.L. *35. Franklinıs Gull both *36. Ring-billed Gull river *37. California Gull river *38. Caspian Tern river *39. Common Tern both *40. Forsterıs Tern B.L. *41. Rock Pigeon river *42. Mourning Dove river & near B.L. *43. Great Horned Owl river *44. Loggerhead Shrike B.L. *45. Black-billed Magpie both *46. American Crow both *47. Horned Lark B.L. *48. Tree Swallow both places and showing great interest in the bird houses along the river *49. Violet-green Swallow river *50. Northern Rough-winged Swallow small group of them over the river below G.S. *51. Cliff Swallow one over river *52. Barn Swallow B.L. sat and let me get photos *53. Black-capped Chickadee river *54. Marsh Wren B.L. *55. American Robin both *56. European Starling river *57. Cedar Waxwing river G.S. in evergreen tree, small group of them *58. Orange-crowned Warbler G.S. 1 *59. Yellow-rumped Warbler both kinds river 1 at B.L. *60. Lark Bunting 2 at G.S. both F. one up by 1st. overlook, 2nd one between walkway & windrow photos not real good but id ones. Not a normal bird for here! What a heavy looking bill! *61. Savannah Sparrow B.L. *62. White-crowned Sparrow river *63. Chestnut-collared Longspur B.L. *64. Red-winged Blackbirds both *65. Western Meadowlark both *66. Yellow-headed Blackbird B.L. *67. Brewerıs Blackbird river *68. Common Grackle river *69. Brown-headed Cowbird river *70. House Finch river *71. House Sparrow riverSubject: Black Rosy Finches and Cooney From: "Barb Jaquith" <bj3429 AT cablemt.net> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 07:43:21 -0600 Greetings The Black Rosys have been coming to our feeder every day this past week. The heaviest use has been in the morning. At the moment there is a conservative estimate of 1000. A few (maybe 35 or so) have been there frequently throughout the day. They are an unbelievable sight!!!! We had 69 species at Cooney Reservoir this past Wednesday. Today should be good there, as well. May have to brave the elements, but, what's new? The count included new warblers and sparrows, a nice study of Franklin's and Bonaparte's Gulls, and a mixed flock of Caspian, Forester's and Common Terns. The first Cooney Osprey was harassed by a Bald Eagle until he finally dropped his fish. The Bald missed it, so neither won that show.....nor did the fish, I am sure. The weather was only for ducks and "crazies", so we nearly had the place to ourselves. An umbrella was the tool of the day. The car heater felt pretty good and the soup in the thermos was wonderful!! Barb Jaquith Red LodgeSubject: Two new arrivals From: "Jim Rogers" <jimrogers2007 AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 09 May 2008 04:22:15 -0000 Hi folks, A pair of Brown-headed cowbirds and a flock of at least a dozen Pine siskins appeared for the first time this year. Cheers, Jim Rogers Jette Lake (Polson)Subject: Ft. Peck sightings From: "Chuck Carlson" <chuckcmt AT nemontel.net> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 21:53:02 -0600 Mobsters Two new birds for the year today were a Brown Thrasher singing away down at the Dredge Cuts FAS and several Lark Sparrows near the Ft. Peck Sewage Ponds. I posted a couple of American White Pelican photos that you might enjoy Chuck Carlson chuckcmt AT nemont.net Ft. Peck MTSubject: Re: Amazing Experience From: "Don Jones" <gr8gray AT frontiernet.net> Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 18:54:53 -0600 Cheri, Nice job on the Condors!! It always been something I've wanted to do, and I will do it one of these days. Glad to see that you got some new gear coming. Don Jones Troy ----- Original Message ----- From: Cheri Seli To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 5:56 PM Subject: [MOB-Montana] Amazing Experience While I never anticipated putting any photos up for you MOBsters, the trip my husband and I just took changed my mind. Not that I fancy myself much of a nature photographer, but having finally achieved a long-time dream, I thought it worth any potential embarrassment over my bird photography skills to share it. Enough for the disclaimers: We went to an area in NW Arizona where I was able to observe (finally!) California Condors ~ WOW. They put on quite a show for me; there were at least four at all times, and as many as six, during the evening I was there, soaring no more than 30 feet over my head, "playing" together, dipping and diving. It was undoubtedly the most amazing birding experience of my life. Other lifers I obtained on this trip pale in comparison to this one afternoon. I was shooting my "antique" film camera since I had every bit of camera gear I owned stolen a couple of months ago, as well as my binoculars. I have managed to replace the binocs and most of the camera gear now, but the new camera arrived too late for the trip, as did my long lens. So if any of you care to check out my pix, I have created a new album "Cheri"; posted there are 5 of the better shots I got. Cheri Seli Plains, MTSubject: Amazing Experience From: "Cheri Seli" <montanabirder AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 23:56:22 -0000 While I never anticipated putting any photos up for you MOBsters, the trip my husband and I just took changed my mind. Not that I fancy myself much of a nature photographer, but having finally achieved a long-time dream, I thought it worth any potential embarrassment over my bird photography skills to share it. Enough for the disclaimers: We went to an area in NW Arizona where I was able to observe (finally!) California Condors ~ WOW. They put on quite a show for me; there were at least four at all times, and as many as six, during the evening I was there, soaring no more than 30 feet over my head, "playing" together, dipping and diving. It was undoubtedly the most amazing birding experience of my life. Other lifers I obtained on this trip pale in comparison to this one afternoon. I was shooting my "antique" film camera since I had every bit of camera gear I owned stolen a couple of months ago, as well as my binoculars. I have managed to replace the binocs and most of the camera gear now, but the new camera arrived too late for the trip, as did my long lens. So if any of you care to check out my pix, I have created a new album "Cheri"; posted there are 5 of the better shots I got. Cheri Seli Plains, MTSubject: Clark's grebes From: elizabeth_madden AT fws.gov Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 14:20:03 -0600 Also, the Wantulocs from Bozeman saw 2 Clark's grebes on Hwy 16 at the Refuge bridge on Medicine Lake on May 1st. Beth Madden Medicine Lake NWRSubject: Baird's sparrow From: elizabeth_madden AT fws.gov Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 14:00:34 -0600 Had my FOY Baird's sparrow singing in some nice private pastureland south of the Refuge, in the sandhills. Also several pairs of long-billed curlews and Sprague's pipits. Beth Madden Medicine LakeSubject: Grebes and Loons--Ennis Lake From: "Jesse DeVoe" <jessedevoe AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 18:31:38 -0000 On a drive around Ennis Lake yesterday (May 7), some birds of interest: eared grebes horned grebe red-throated grebe Common loons red-breasted mergansers and all the usuals....Subject: trumpeter swan shot From: "Wendy Dodson" <webedod0453 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 18:04:08 -0000 While trying to find the video footage of the trumpeter swans release in the Blackfoot on the Missoulian's website I found the following under breaking news today. "Trumpeter swan shot near Choteau; FWP looking for culprit Posted on May 8 By the Associated Press GREAT FALLS - A state game warden says someone shot a trumpeter swan southwest of Choteau. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Warden Rod Duty says the federally protected swan was shot over the weekend. He says a state fisheries biologist found the carcass in a pothole area southwest of the Pishkun Reservoir. Trumpeter swans are protected under federal law. Anyone convicted of killing one could be fined up to $5,000 and face time in prison. On Sunday and Monday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released 10 young trumpeter swans near Ovando in Montana's Blackfoot Valley. Those swans are unable to fly because their wings were clipped. But they will be able to fly in July after they molt.Subject: Harris sparrow continues From: "Jim Greaves" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 18:01:50 -0000 HASP continues at our feeders today (08 May 2008), as of nearly noon, as do Calliope and Rufous humbirds. Harris' is more skittish than the White-crowns with which it hangs, but generally comes to feeder when more than 4 or 5 WCSP show up, filtering over the wooden fence along the alley. Can't guarantee timing if anyone wants to attempt to see it - and all are welcome [406-827-7413]. Hit or miss - I have some windows or doorways that one can sit within... 6 times so far today 7 am to noon... The bird seems to be "2nd year" (last year it was an egg) - it shows several brown with tan edges feathers in crown, face, nape, and the black is mottled on body and neck [probably all features noticeable in the photo I posted] - Jim in TFallsSubject: Troy Birds From: "Donald M. Jones" <gr8gray AT frontiernet.net> Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 15:43:55 -0000 Good Morning MOBsters, Warbler numbers are building. I've been seeing increasing numbers of Nashville and Townsends. Saw my first female warbler today, Yellow- rumped. Surprise of the day was a FOY female WESTERN TANGER. It flew into my cherry tree while I was photographing Evening Grosbeaks so I was able to get some pretty full frame images of her. I also had a FOY WESTERN KINGBIRD yesterday, something I only see about once a year here in Troy. Have a great one! Don Jones TroySubject: Plates From: Arla Eckert <turtle AT mt.net> Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 07:35:01 -0600 For those who may be looking for my red van replacement-it is a blue Wind Star with the lower sides being silver. I now have the plates on it. They are Audubon plates with AFB 172. Hope to see some of you out there birding. Arla Eckert Great FallsSubject: Database entries From: "Patrick Toomey" <PToomey AT bigfoot.com> Date: Thu, 08 May 2008 04:22:11 -0000 MOBsters, Has everyone been making appropriate entries into the database for the various birds seen? Seems like at least a couple are missing; i.e. Swamp Sparrow? Are any others missing? Thanks, PatrickSubject: Hudsonian Godwit From: "Sharon Dewart-Hansen" <smdhansen AT bresnan.net> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 20:18:41 -0600 Nature Doug & I decided to go and see if we could find the Hudsonian Godwit, since this would be lifer for both of us. First off we found Mike, thanks Mike. He showed us where to look & set up his scope. We got a brief, long-distance look but that wasn't quite gonna make it. Doug suggested walking out on the dike and Mike agreed. The three of us trudged off on the dike and then some increasing muck but it was worth it. We got much closer views (although still through the scope). This view clinched the ID. Saw wing patterns, white rump patch, and more of the not quite changed breeding plumage. A great sight!!! Thanks again Mike!!!!! Sharon & Doug Hansen Great Falls. MTSubject: Ft. Peck sightings From: "Chuck Carlson" <chuckcmt AT nemontel.net> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 20:42:42 -0600 Mobsters Yesterday (Tuesday) there were three new firsts for the year in our yard. They were House Wren, Yellow Warbler and Harris's Sparrow. Today we found the first Gray-cheeked Thrush of the year. We counted 21 species today. These included White-crowned Sparrows (about 15 or so), White-crowned Sparrow (2), the Harris's Sparrow and Lincoln's Sparrow (4); Yellow, Yellow-rumped and Orange-crowned warblers; and two female Purple Finches. Chuck Carlson chuckcmt AT nemont.net Ft. Peck MTSubject: sparrows From: "Lisa Lister" <lister39 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 07 May 2008 22:07:17 -0000 Sparrow numbers in my yard swelled as the day went on, adding White-crowned, Vesper, Savannah, and a lone, late American Tree Sparrow to the ones I listed earlier. Lisa Lister Poplar, MTSubject: Harris' sparrow, Thompson Falls From: "Jim Greaves" <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Wed, 07 May 2008 18:43:49 -0000 Must be wheel-barrows [bow to Dan Casey] ;-) While washing a window in garage, a large bird zipped past my head from field east of fence. A minute later, I saw a few White-crowns feeding on seed I'd spilled out of nearby wheelbarrow. In the group of 5 was a HARRIS SPARROW [#105 for us for Sanders Co 2008]. Photo in my folder. A male CALLIOPE hummingbird was [again] at feeder, chased a couple times by Rufous, but seemingly more interested in our feeders than the one-time visit few days ago - Jim and Lark, T. FallsSubject: Re: Swift in Sidney From: "Chuck Carlson" <chuckcmt AT nemontel.net> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 10:31:26 -0600 MO and Mobsters There is a web site www.chimneyswifts,org that keeps track of Chimney Swift migration. They map the progress of the birds through the country. If anyone cares to contribute data, go the site and click on Chimney Swift Sightings. It's interesting to look at the progression of the migration. I think the earliest I've had one here at Ft. Peck was on Apr. 27, that was in 1978. They've shown up here on May 7th in 1988 and 2001 and on May 8th in 2000. Most of my arrivals have been between Apr. 10 and 19. Chuck Carlson chuckcmt AT nemont.net Ft. Peck MT ----- Original Message ----- From: Maureen O'Mara To: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 9:57 AM Subject: [MOB-Montana] Swift in Sidney What joy to hear a CHIMNEY SWIFT call as I stepped out my front entry this morning. Just one so far. If they keep with their pattern a couple more will follow in the next day or two. CHIPPING, WHITE-THROATED AND CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS continue to forage and call. I hear a YELLOW-RUMP WARBLER on occasion, usually I have more than that show up. Mo Sidney, MTSubject: Swift in Sidney From: "Maureen O'Mara" <mo1_omara AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 07 May 2008 15:57:41 -0000 What joy to hear a CHIMNEY SWIFT call as I stepped out my front entry this morning. Just one so far. If they keep with their pattern a couple more will follow in the next day or two. CHIPPING, WHITE-THROATED AND CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS continue to forage and call. I hear a YELLOW-RUMP WARBLER on occasion, usually I have more than that show up. Mo Sidney, MTSubject: Return of the lesser goldfinch From: Liz Larcom <birder AT sofast.net> Date: Wed, 07 May 2008 09:53:07 -0600 Hello birders, Jim Burman reports that a lesser goldfinch appeared in his yard in Hardy this morning. He also had a lesser goldfinch last year, which stayed for weeks. Liz Larcom Great Falls, MTSubject: Hudsonian Godwit-Freezout Lake-Yes From: Michael Schwitters <schwit AT 3rivers.net> Date: Wed, 07 May 2008 09:25:38 -0600 MOB, I visited Freezout Lake WMA this morning looking for John's Hudsonian Godwit. I found the bird close to where he had found it yesterday. I parked near the small tree that is near the shore (point B on the birding guide) and scanned with the spotting scope. There were about 15 Marbled Godwits feeding out in the water across the Thumb of the Main Lake. I picked out a small godwit that was up to its belly in the water. It fed differently than the Marbleds keeping its bill under water longer and not lifting it as high as the larger Marbled Godwits. The plumage was darker though it was a long way from achieving breeding plumage. The under-rump was white and barred with black. It never lifted its wings to show off its distinctive dark and white patterns. The range was long, but the spotting scope was sufficient to study the bird. Good birding, Mike Schwitters Choteau MTSubject: Poplar firsts From: "Lisa Lister" <lister39 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 07 May 2008 15:02:36 -0000 Yesterday I picked up a few county firsts when I made my run into Wolf Point and back - 11 Eared Grebes at River Park in Wolf Point and a Northern Shoveler in a wet pothole like area beside route 2. At our house I had my first Pine Siskin at my thistle feeder and a Say's Phoebe. A walk down the end of our road, yielded a large flock of White-crowned Sparrows and a pair of Blue Jays. Today, I woke up to a large mixed flock of sparrows in the front yard - mostly Chipping Sparrows, come Clay-colored, and two Lark Sparrows, brilliantly colored. Lisa Lister Poplar, MTSubject: Poll results for MOB-Montana From: MOB-Montana AT yahoogroups.com Date: 7 May 2008 07:47:23 -0000 The following MOB-Montana poll is now closed. Here are the final results: POLL QUESTION: The April 2008 Photo Contest closed to entries at midnight, April 30. You will have until May 6 to vote for your choice. There are 12 choices this month, so vote early. Good luck to the photo entries. CHOICES AND RESULTS - Yellow-headed Blackbird, 3 votes, 6.25% - American Avocet, 4 votes, 8.33% - American Wigeon, 1 votes, 2.08% - Black-necked Stilt, 1 votes, 2.08% - Eared Grebe, 3 votes, 6.25% - Greater Scaup, 0 votes, 0.00% - Northern Flicker, 4 votes, 8.33% - Prairie Falcon, 1 votes, 2.08% - Snow Geese, 7 votes, 14.58% - Varied Thrush, 22 votes, 45.83% - Western Screech-Owl, 1 votes, 2.08% - Wilson's Snipe, 1 votes, 2.08% For more information about this group, please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MOB-Montana For help with Yahoo! Groups, please visit http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.htmlSubject: more new arrivals From: "Jim Rogers" <jimrogers2007 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 07 May 2008 04:15:21 -0000 Mobsters, Chipping sparrows arrived on Monday, 5 May, as did a brightly colored male Rufous hummingbird. And today, Tuesday, we observed a very handsome White-crowned sparrow- the first of its kind this year. Both the hummingbird and the white-crowned are simply passing through. Cheers, Jim Rogers Jette Lake (Polson)Subject: Re: Re: Alberta Smew From: "John Carlson" <jccarlson AT surfbirder.com> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 17:23:55 -0700 Hi Chad, It is a male smew. It was firt reported on the 19th of April and has been observed off and on since then. One set of observers mentioned that it flushed once and flew south! Apparently it is on a rather large body of water that isn't totally visible from the road. John Carlson Fort Peck, MT jccarlson AT surfbirder.com www.prairieice.blogspot.com --- candjbirds AT yahoo.com wrote: From: "Chad Adams"Subject: Hudsonian Godwit-Freezout Lake WMA From: Michael Schwitters <schwit AT 3rivers.net> Date: Tue, 06 May 2008 18:08:01 -0600 MOBsters, John Nordrum found an Hudsonian Godwit today at Freezout. The bird was a long way from the road system. It was on the shore of the west side of the Thumb of the Main Lake. He studied it by spotting scope from the east side of the thumb (about point B on the new birding guide). good bird John. Good birding, Mike Schwitters Choteau MT |