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Updated on Thursday, February 2 at 12:00 PM EST
The most recently received Mail is at the top.


Wilsons Plover,©David Sibley

2 Feb Re: Eastern Meadowlarks - Miccosukee Greenway, Tallahassee ["Jim Stevenson" ]
2 Feb Eastern Meadowlarks - Miccosukee Greenway, Tallahassee ["Gary Griffin" ]
1 Feb Apalachee Audubon Birding Social, Feb. 4 [Fran Rutkovsky ]
30 Jan Broken egg mystery [Paige Graves ]
27 Jan new yard bird []
26 Jan Some Ruby Throated Hummingbirds choosing to stay along the gulf in N.C. ["Candy" ]
26 Jan Cedar Wax Wing ["SharonF" ]
25 Jan Grebes at USA Concrete/Weems Road Pond ["Gene" ]
25 Jan No Subject [Terri Baker ]
25 Jan Native Nurseries program on Sat. and message about "Gulf Crossing" [Fran Rutkovsky ]
25 Jan ibridpro2 [bessinger janice ]
24 Jan Audubon program, Thurs. Jan 26 [Fran Rutkovsky ]
24 Jan Albany, GA Audubon at St. Marks ["Roy" ]
23 Jan Apalachee Audubon Wildlife Friendly Backyards Tour - Feb 18 [Pam Flynn ]
22 Jan Audubon's 'Birds of America' books fetch $7.9 million at auction ["Gene" ]
20 Jan How do you get to band birds? ["Shawn" ]
20 Jan Calliope on the loose in Indian Head Acres ["John" ]
18 Jan AAS Birding Social at Lake Elberta, Sat. Jan 21 [Fran Rutkovsky ]
17 Jan Tram Rd common goldeneye Tallahassee []
17 Jan Hummingbird banding program, Native Nurseries this Saturday [Fran Rutkovsky ]
15 Jan Re: Le Conte's Sparrow St.Marks ["Jim Stevenson" ]
16 Jan Le Conte's Sparrow St.Marks [Bredband ]
14 Jan St Marks NWR-Saturday ["Don Morrow" ]
11 Jan 3 free program, Native Nurseries, Jan. 14 [Fran Rutkovsky ]
10 Jan Bald Eagle in St. Aug ["Shawn" ]
09 Jan Unusual Feeder Birds ["glendajoyce6009" ]
8 Jan Re: Golden Eagle at Piney Z? ["Jim Stevenson" ]
08 Jan Golden Eagle at Piney Z? ["Gene" ]
08 Jan Rusty Blackbird ["Robert W" ]
8 Jan Re: Not a rare bird but an unusual Bald Eagle sighting in Tallahassee [Kathleen Carr ]
08 Jan Not a rare bird but an unusual Bald Eagle sighting in Tallahassee ["dee" ]
8 Jan Re: Bird ID? ["Jim Stevenson" ]
8 Jan Bird ID? ["Judy" ]
07 Jan St Marks NWR-Saturday ["Don Morrow" ]
5 Jan Trip Advice Jacksonville/Orange Park FL [Ryan Carpenter ]
5 Jan Planting a Refuge for Wildlife, Native Nurseries [Fran Rutkovsky ]
05 Jan Volunteers Needed ["brooksrobert90" ]
3 Jan Birds of America [Suzette ]
2 Jan New Year's Day - Birding at St. Mark's NWR ["April Williford" ]
2 Jan Juvenile Golden Eagle - St. Marks ["Jeff O'Connell" ]
31 Dec Red-throated Loon - St. mark's - New years eve [Elliot Schunke ]
31 Dec Red Throated Loon [Bill Phelan ]
31 Dec R T Loon ["jwinforde" ]
31 Dec Outstanding AAS Outing In Wakulla!!!! ["Gene" ]
30 Dec rare birds and announcement ["Jim Stevenson" ]
30 Dec Lake Henrietta - Common Goldeneye - 30 Dec 2011 - plus St. Mark's belated [Elliot Schunke ]
29 Dec Cedar Key [Suzette ]
28 Dec Red-throated Loon at SML ["Jim Stevenson" ]
26 Dec Bald Eagle [Bendy Scott ]
26 Dec L Kirk Edwards ["jwinforde" ]
24 Dec Re: Rusty Blackbirds ["Jim Stevenson" ]
24 Dec Rusty Blackbirds ["jwinforde" ]
24 Dec Common Goldeneye ["Robert W" ]
23 Dec Baltimore Orioles ["glendajoyce6009" ]
23 Dec St. Marks Spoonbill ["Taylor" ]
21 Dec robins [Carol Magnusen ]
20 Dec Vermillion Flycatcher at St. Marks 12-19-11 ["Larry Gridley" ]
19 Dec Cinnamon Teal - YES; Vermilion Flycatcher - NO; St. Marks NWR, Sunday ["Roy" ]
18 Dec Brown creeper and GC Kinglet [ROC ]
18 Dec Observation Report - AAS Outing Bottoms Road ["Gene" ]
18 Dec Observation Report - Lake/field at Chaires Road and I-10, East Leon County ["Gene" ]
17 Dec Re: A first for my yard []
16 Dec A first for my yard ["Judy" ]
16 Dec Robins ["SharonF" ]
14 Dec Rufous in Indian Head Acres ["John" ]
13 Dec Jackson County CBC, Jan. 2 [Fran Rutkovsky ]
12 Dec Good Day at the St. Marks Ponds ["Gene" ]
11 Dec St. Mark's Cinnamon Teal and Vermilion Flycatcher 11 DEC 2011 - YES [Elliot Schunke ]
11 Dec downey woodpecker and brown headed nuthatches [eliza hawkins ]
11 Dec FOS Snail Kite newsletter request for articles/photos ["markkiser9" ]
10 Dec St Marks NWR-Saturday ["Don Morrow" ]
9 Dec Yard Birds in Clay Co [Judy Green ]
09 Dec St Marks NWR-Friday ["Don Morrow" ]
9 Dec Re: FOS goldfinch [Borrors ]
09 Dec FOS goldfinch ["glendajoyce6009" ]
08 Dec Long Billed Dowitcher ["Griff" ]

Subject: Re: Eastern Meadowlarks - Miccosukee Greenway, Tallahassee
From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net>
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:50:53 -0600
Eastern Meadowlarks are examples of a phenomenon called augmentation, where 
they are present in small numbers in the Deep South all year, but are joined by 
many more from the north, fall through spring. These birds you are seeing, 
Gary, may be EAMEs staging for their flight back to their breeding grounds. As 
the earth has warmed, winter residents are departing earlier and earlier, and 
some aren’t even bothering to come this far south. Good luck finding many 
ducks at the lighthouse by mid-March nowadays! 


Waxwings are another interesting story. They will leave the area by the end of 
March, be quite scarce in April, and suddenly appear in late April and early 
May again. WTH? Well, it seems our winter resident waxwings head north in late 
winter and early spring, but those wintering in places further south (chiefly 
the Yucatan) don’t leave there until late spring. Er go, they re-emerge long 
after our “regular” waxwings have left. In my masters work around 1980, it 
sure threw me for a loop! 


It was great seeing many of you in December!

Jim
Galveston



From: Gary Griffin 
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 10:42 AM
To: 'North FL Birds' 
Subject: [nflbirds] Eastern Meadowlarks - Miccosukee Greenway, Tallahassee

  
I don't know if this is a big deal to any of you but it was to me because I
grew up with these birds down in Homestead and I get to see them in mass so
infrequently these days, so .. when I encountered a flock of 15 Eastern
Meadowlarks while running at the Miccosukee Greenway up near I-10 this
morning, I was a happy camper. The Cedar Waxwings were having a nice morning
out there as well - hundreds of them.

Gary Griffin
Tallahassee

"... let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us." 
Hebrews 12:1


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Subject: Eastern Meadowlarks - Miccosukee Greenway, Tallahassee
From: "Gary Griffin" <runlong AT nettally.com>
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 11:42:26 -0500
I don't know if this is a big deal to any of you but it was to me because I
grew up with these birds down in Homestead and I get to see them in mass so
infrequently these days, so .. when I encountered a flock of 15 Eastern
Meadowlarks while running at the Miccosukee Greenway up near I-10 this
morning, I was a happy camper. The Cedar Waxwings were having a nice morning
out there as well - hundreds of them.
 
Gary Griffin
Tallahassee
 
"... let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us." 
Hebrews 12:1
 


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------------------------------------


Subject: Apalachee Audubon Birding Social, Feb. 4
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 21:33:30 +0000 (UTC)
Apalachee Audubon Monthly Birding Social 
Lake Elberta (next to what used to be Church's Chicken on Lake Bradford Road) 
Sat. Feb 4, 9 a.m.-noon 

Bring the kids and family, even dogs are welcome! and enjoy some birds and 
great company. A great crowd showed up last time and we saw some great birds 
including a hunting Bald Eagle, 8 species of duck and a pair of very photogenic 
Loggerhead Shrikes. There is limited parking in the park parking lot but plenty 
of room next door and across the street. 




-------- 
Fran Rutkovsky 
Tallahassee, FL 
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net 



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Subject: Broken egg mystery
From: Paige Graves <bakerpuzzlemaker AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:05:31 -0800 (PST)
Yesterday I noticed a small broken egg on the roof of my car. It was apparently 
dropped from above and, of course, broke and splattered. There are a few nests 
scattered in the tree above my car and it has been very windy the last few 
days. But I'm wondering...humm...isn't it too early/cold for birds to be 
nesting? I also wondered if maybe a squirrel or crow dropped it there. 


So my main question is...are birds already nesting in or near St. Johns County? 
Near St. Augustine? This morning I saw/heard a wren being loud and checking out 
a birdhouse so maybe they are. 


Thanks,
paige

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------------------------------------


Subject: new yard bird
From: tracee11 AT earthlink.net
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:59:43 -0500 (GMT-05:00)
This morning I glanced at my feeding station and my eyes were arrested at the 
sight of a small woodpecker on my bark butter feeder. It was still for a long 
spell before eating and my brain kept saying, "Downy - no - downy - no." It was 
a female Hairy Woodpecker. 

Tracee Strohman
Indianhead Acres
Tallahassee


------------------------------------


Subject: Some Ruby Throated Hummingbirds choosing to stay along the gulf in N.C.
From: "Candy" <ralph_candypfau AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:42:32 -0000
This article was written by Don Hendershot The Naturalist Corner About how some 
ruby throated hummingbirds are choosing to stay along the water in North 
Carolina in the winter. This could eventually change many bird migratory 
patterns if warmer winters continue. I mean why head south if things are good 
where you are at. I now live in Franklin North Carolina. I miss our migratory 
birds we would see down in Florida. But I have a young Eastern Screech Owl 
perching in my huge oak every night and I have already ordered a Looker Screech 
Owl house to put up. As the little screech owls will be looking for mates by 
February or March. Not even sure if they nest up here in the summer. 


Candy Pfau
Franklin, North Carolina  28734

http://thenaturalistscorner.com/?p=717



------------------------------------


Subject: Cedar Wax Wing
From: "SharonF" <dixieredhat AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:05:24 -0000
Just had 2 cedar wax wings in my birdbath with several dozen robins. Course 
they drained all three birdbaths in no time. Then they were on my rain barrels 
for awhile. 

sharon fronk
dixie county



------------------------------------


Subject: Grebes at USA Concrete/Weems Road Pond
From: "Gene" <will8239 AT msn.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:35:11 -0000
5:15 PM
2 large grebes I am not familiar with are at the pond on Weems Road next to USA 
Concrete. Larger than pie billed, and looked larger than horned to me, but I 
didn't have my regular optics with me and its that bad time of day for 
lighting. If you are in the neighborhood, please take a look and post if you 
can id these. 


Tons of other birds on site too.



------------------------------------


Subject: No Subject
From: Terri Baker <drtbaker AT hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:21:24 -0500
http://www.kiosfa.tk/friends.php?list128.html 

 		 	   		  

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Subject: Native Nurseries program on Sat. and message about "Gulf Crossing"
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:40:49 +0000 (UTC)



Identification of the Birds of North Florida with Jim Cox 

Saturday January 28 th 10am Free 

Learn how to identify the birds you are seeing in your yard and in the field as 
well. Jim is a biologist at Tall Timbers Research Station studying red-cockaded 
woodpeckers, brown headed nuthatches, Bachman’s sparrow and other songbirds. 






Native Nurseries 

1661 Centerville Rd., Tallahassee 

386-8882 




---------------------------------------- 




"Gulf Crossing" video info 




If any of you saw (or wanted to see) the terrific "Gulf Crossing" film about 
bird migration by former Tallahassean, Jackson Childs, you may be interested in 
this message from him. Having this online would be a great resource for birders 
and non-birders alike. This beautiful video was shown at last year's 
Tallahassee Film Festival. 





"I've started an online fundraiser to put Gulf Crossing online for free. This 
will make it much more accessible to anyone who wants to learn about birds or 
bird migration. If you’d like to learn more you can go to: 




http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/793941879/gulf-crossing-free-online " 




For more information contact Jackson at jchilds AT fas.harvard.edu 




-------- 
Fran Rutkovsky 
Tallahassee, FL 
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net 



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------------------------------------


Subject: ibridpro2
From: bessinger janice <janmelb AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:17:30 -0800 (PST)
Anyone using this on their Android or Kindle Fire?
janice bessinger, Macclenny, FL

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------------------------------------


Subject: Audubon program, Thurs. Jan 26
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:32:29 +0000 (UTC)
	

Apalachee Audubon Society 

http://apalachee.org 




Amtrak Passenger Station, 918 Railroad Ave, Tallahassee 




Social with refreshments begins at 7:00 pm 

Program at 7:30 pm 




Saving Wakulla Springs by Jim Stevenson 

Thursday, January 26, 2012 



	

Chief naturalist for Florida's State Park System for 20 years, Jim Stevenson 
will discuss the values of Wakulla Spring, the threats to those values and 
solutions to restore the ecology of this world class spring. Wakulla Springs is 
one of the largest in the world and the source of the Wakulla River. The spring 
is one of the foremost wildlife observation areas in Florida and attracts up to 
200,000 visitors per year. The crystal clear water of the spring was a popular 


set for filming movies from the 1940s to 1970s. The spring is threatened by 
nitrate pollution and pumping, most of which originates in Tallahassee and Leon 
County. We will learn of numerous projects that have been undertaken to restore 
the spring to its former natural condition. Tarzan would be proud of these 
accomplishments. 





In addition to his service with Florida State Parks, Jim is the former Chairman 
of the Florida Springs Task Force, Director of the Governor's Florida Springs 
Protection Initiative, and Coordinator of the Wakulla Spring Basin Working 
Group. When Jim retired in 2003, after 38 years with the Department of 
Environmental Protection, in recognition of his longstanding stewardship of 
Florida's public lands, the Governor and Cabinet dedicated the Department of 
Environmental Protection's highest award the "Jim Stevenson Resource Manager of 
the Year Award" that is given annually to the most deserving state lands 
manager. Jim continues his springs protection work by serving on the Florida 
Springs Task Force and coordinating the Wakulla Springs Basin and the 
Ichetucknee Springs Basin working groups. 



-------- 
Fran Rutkovsky 
Tallahassee, FL 
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net 



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------------------------------------


Subject: Albany, GA Audubon at St. Marks
From: "Roy" <roybrownphotography AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:31:18 -0000
A group led by Albany Audubon president Melissa Martin birded St. Marks on 
Saturday, 21 Jan. 


We had in excess of 80 species (many of the same species/locations recently 
reported by Don Morrow). 


Our favorite bird was probably the distantly perched Merlin, which looked 
terrific in the scope: 


http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbinv/6751919865/in/photostream

Our second favorite was probably the American Bittern which we flushed at very 
close range while looking for the Le Conte's reported on this list 15 Jan (we 
did not find the Le Conte's) 


Best,
Roy Brown, Albany, GA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbinv/collections/





------------------------------------


Subject: Apalachee Audubon Wildlife Friendly Backyards Tour - Feb 18
From: Pam Flynn <tallypfly57 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:13:53 -0500
It's that time of year again for the 5th Annual Wildlife-Friendly Yards
Tour sponsored by Apalachee Audubon. If you haven't done this tour before,
those that have will tell you it's one of the best $10 you can spend for an
activity here in Tallahassee. Each year we have chosen  hosts for their
environmentally friendly yards and the great ideas they have come up with
to attract local and migrant birds and wildlife. With this tour happening
in the middle of winter, it is not the ordinary style garden tour. It's a
chance to see the 'bones' of the yard and catch a glimpse of some fabulous
winter birds. Winter is planting time so you can take notes then go home
and start that yard project you've always wanted to do and to welcome the
birds of spring to nest in your yard.

This year our event takes place on Feb 18 from 10am - 4pm. Tickets are
available at Native Nurseries(Centerville Rd) and Wild Birds Unlimited
(Governors Sq Blvd) and will be available through the day of the tour. The
tour takes place rain or shine. Birds are very active when it's stormy so
don't let that stop you. This is a fundraiser for the local Audubon
Chapter.

Once you purchase your ticket, you will be given all the information you
need for the tour. The final slate of yard hosts include Kelly/Laurie
Dozier, Joan Morris, Warren/Rita May, Barbara/Frank Leonard Tammy Brown,
Amy and Alain Rodgers and  Elsie Burton. It's shaping up to be another
spectacular year not to be missed.

Spread the word and bring your friends. Help us make this tour the most
successful yet.

For additional information about the event, go to www.apalachee.org or
contact Pam Flynn at tallypfly57 AT yahoo.com or (850)322-6287.


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Subject: Audubon's 'Birds of America' books fetch $7.9 million at auction
From: "Gene" <will8239 AT msn.com>
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:03:03 -0000
See the story here:  http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/46073196#.TxttL6US2Ag



------------------------------------


Subject: How do you get to band birds?
From: "Shawn" <borrors AT comcast.net>
Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:54:03 -0000
I'm probably getting ahead of myself but wanted to know how you get involved in 
banding birds and how does that even happen. I looked at John's picture of the 
hummingbird and thought WOW - how does one 'catch' a hummingbird? 




------------------------------------


Subject: Calliope on the loose in Indian Head Acres
From: "John" <mmarmstrong112024 AT comcast.net>
Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:08:30 -0000
See the linked picture: Fred banded this guy in my yard on Jan 17th 2011. A 
Calliope hummingbird was a first for me. After a good exam by Fred this little 
2nd year male may not be back to my yard anytime soon so look for him at your 
feeders. The Calliope is said to be the smallest N.A. bird and this picture of 
a bird in the hand provides good proof of this. 



http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nflbirds/photos/album/1321973207/pic/153177348/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc 


John Armstrong



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Subject: AAS Birding Social at Lake Elberta, Sat. Jan 21
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:44:05 +0000 (UTC)

The next Apalachee Audubon birding social is this Saturday, Jan. 21, at Lake 
Elberta from 9am until noon. Lake Elberta used to be called Church's Chicken 
Pond and is located on the east side of Lake Bradford Rd between the football 
stadium and Orange Avenue. You do not have to register for this social, just 
show up. 




-------- 
Fran Rutkovsky 
Tallahassee, FL 
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net 



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Subject: Tram Rd common goldeneye Tallahassee
From: Edwwjr AT aol.com
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:18:31 -0500 (EST)
Made a quick stop at Tram Rd WTP today at lunch. A female common 
goldeneye was present along with 9 buffleheads.

Ed Woodruff
Tallahassee



------------------------------------


Subject: Hummingbird banding program, Native Nurseries this Saturday
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:02:02 +0000 (UTC)

Native Nurseries 

1661 Centerville Rd., Tallahassee 

386-8882 






Winter Hummingbirds and Banding 

Saturday January 21 st 10am Free 

Tallahassee’s own Fred Dietrich has been banding winter hummingbirds with 
Fred Bassett throughout the southeast for many years and now is a master bird 
bander himself. He will show slides and discuss winter hummingbirds as well as 
our springtime visitor - the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Call the nursery if you 
have a winter hummingbird so Fred can arrange to band it. 





-------- 
Fran Rutkovsky 
Tallahassee, FL 
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net 



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Subject: Re: Le Conte's Sparrow St.Marks
From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:05:03 -0600
Nice record, Hans.

This species is a winter resident originally of coastal bluestem in the Deep 
South, but they now seem to prefer broomsedge of disturbed soil, in the absence 
of large tracts of bluestem. They are more common in the Western Gulf’s 
coastal plain, while Henslow’s is more common in the Panhandle of Florida. 
The latter is especially regular underneath powerlines in treeless grassy areas 
around 3-4 feet tall. A third Ammodramus, the Grasshopper Sparrow, prefers 
areas with shorter grass and more open spots with bushes. 


Keep up the good work!

Jim
Galveston, Texas

From: Bredband 
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2012 9:52 PM
To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com 
Subject: [nflbirds] Le Conte's Sparrow St.Marks

  
I visited St. Marks NWR for the first time today. It was a really amazing site. 
I found a Le Conte's Sparrow along the first trail leading east from East River 
Pool. It was right beside the trail about 200 meters in on the Trail. 


I am not sure if it's a common bird here, but I guess that it can be of 
interest to someone anyway. 


Hans Bucht

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Subject: Le Conte's Sparrow St.Marks
From: Bredband <hans.bucht AT bredband.net>
Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:52:20 +0100
I visited St. Marks NWR for the first time today. It was a really amazing site. 
I found a Le Conte's Sparrow along the first trail leading east from East River 
Pool. It was right beside the trail about 200 meters in on the Trail. 


I am not sure if it's a common bird here, but I guess that it can be of 
interest to someone anyway. 


Hans Bucht




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Subject: St Marks NWR-Saturday
From: "Don Morrow" <don.morrow AT tpl.org>
Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:30:20 -0800
I led an Apalachee Audubon group on a chilly eight hour trip through the 
refuge. It was a good day of birding. My personal list was 95 species and I 
heard of at least three more species seen or heard by others on the trip. 

 
We logged fifteen waterfowl species and fourteen shorebirds. Some highlights 
included: 

 
East River Pool
Green-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
American Bittern (two fly-bys)
 
Headquarters Pond
Roseate Spoonbill
White-faced Ibis
Green-winged Teal
Blue-winged Teal
Northern shoveler
Gadwall
American wigeon
Redhead
Bufflehead
Black-necked Stilt
 
Mounds Pool III
Green-winged Teal
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Blue-winged Teal
American Wigeon
Redhead
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
American Avocet
 
Offshore
Common Loon (many)
Horned Grebe (many)
Common Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
American Oystercatcher
 
Most of the shorebirds are on Stony Bayou I, best at higher tides. Lighthouse 
Pond was quiet with few species and no shorebirds. 

 
 


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Subject: 3 free program, Native Nurseries, Jan. 14
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:19:07 +0000 (UTC)




Native Nurseries 

1661 Centerville Rd., Tallahassee 

386-8882 



Feeding Birds and Designing a Bird Garden 

Saturday January 14 th 10am Free 

Jody Walthall is combining two of his most popular classes into one for this 
special session. Learn how to attract more and varied birds to your feeders, 
how to squirrel-proof your feeder and what birds you are likely to attract this 
winter. In addition, he will teach you how to create a bird garden that goes a 
step beyond a mere feeding station, one that is both aesthetically pleasing and 
good for the birds. 




Owls with Sandy Beck of St. Francis Wildlife 

Saturday January 14 th 1pm Free 

There are approximately 222 species of owls on our planet - 37 in North 
America, five in Florida and four that live year-round in north Florida. Three 
native species – the Great Horned, Barred and Screech Owls — will help 
Sandy Beck, education director at the St. Francis Wildlife rehabilitation 
center, explain the unique adaptations that enable owls to be spectacular 
nocturnal hunters as well as specific actions we can take to help protect these 
fascinating birds. Sandy will start the program with a 10 minute DVD and then 
will take the owls out one by one as she talks and answers questions. 





Wildlife Greeting with St. Francis Wildlife and Tallahassee Museum (2pm – 
4pm) 


We moved this portion of the yearly event to the afternoon this year so it will 
be warmer for the wildlife. Drop in anytime between 2 and 4 to get up close to 
owls, hawks and other wildlife. Native Nurseries’ resident red rat snake will 
make an appearance. Hot cider will be served. Children can make pinecone/suet 
feeders and Vanessa and Anna will present several showings of their puppet 
show, ‘The Wide Mouthed Frog from Okefenokee Swamp’. 





Annual Birdseed Benefit for the Tallahassee Museum 

Thursday, January 12 – Wednesday, January 18 th 

ALL BIRDSEED 20% OFF 


-------- 
Fran Rutkovsky 
Tallahassee, FL 
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net 



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Subject: Bald Eagle in St. Aug
From: "Shawn" <borrors AT comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:29:18 -0000
I am still new to looking for birds outside of my yard. I went to the big 
church in St. Aug and looked around by the marsh and did not see many birds 
there actually but did get surprised by this guy who made stop on the cross. 



http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nflbirds/photos/album/1907771075/pic/1107590286/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc 




------------------------------------


Subject: Unusual Feeder Birds
From: "glendajoyce6009" <glendajoyce6009 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:38:42 -0000
Since Dec. 11, I have been seeing, intermittently, at my feeders, a Chipping 
Sparrow with a deformed bill. It appears minimal, but noticeably longer. It was 
reported to Cornell's Project Feeder Watch. I had a reply that the information 
and pictures were forwarded to a biologist in Alaska, that is doing research on 
this. 


This morning, I had a leucistic pied American Goldfinch at my feeders, which I 
just reported to PFW. A pretty little bird. Pictures of these birds can be seen 
at the link below. 


My six Baltimore Orioles, continue to entertain me. I think the latest jar of 
"Smuckers" will be finished in less than a week. 


Glenda Simmons
Eastside Tallahassee

http://glendasimmonsphotography.com/p680619377




------------------------------------


Subject: Re: Golden Eagle at Piney Z?
From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2012 14:37:56 -0600
By no means doubting your ID, I would just mention that there is virtually no 
difference between the size of Bald and Golden Eagles. There is far more 
difference between the size of the sexes. 


Jim
Galveston

From: Gene 
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2012 1:52 PM
To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com 
Subject: [nflbirds] Golden Eagle at Piney Z?

  
Today around noon I observed what appeared to be a Golden Eagle while hiking 
the Lake Heritage Trail. I was on the fourth or fifth arm of the lake, the bird 
flew from the wodds behind me and across the lake. It was a very heavily 
feathered, and overall a very bulky looking, enormous bird that, in every size 
respect, dwarfed an adult bald eagle that flew by a few minutes later. Primary 
color of wings dark brown, light golden tan colored head, clearly golden tan 
mixed in in upper wings, flew with legs hanging, legs feathered, and I could 
see lighter colors in its tail when it fanned and landed in a tree on the far 
bank then dropped out of sight. I did not see the underside of the bird 
sufficiently to report markings. If anyone has seen or sees this, please 
report! 






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------------------------------------


Subject: Golden Eagle at Piney Z?
From: "Gene" <will8239 AT msn.com>
Date: Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:52:44 -0000
Today around noon I observed what appeared to be a Golden Eagle while hiking 
the Lake Heritage Trail. I was on the fourth or fifth arm of the lake, the bird 
flew from the wodds behind me and across the lake. It was a very heavily 
feathered, and overall a very bulky looking, enormous bird that, in every size 
respect, dwarfed an adult bald eagle that flew by a few minutes later. Primary 
color of wings dark brown, light golden tan colored head, clearly golden tan 
mixed in in upper wings, flew with legs hanging, legs feathered, and I could 
see lighter colors in its tail when it fanned and landed in a tree on the far 
bank then dropped out of sight. I did not see the underside of the bird 
sufficiently to report markings. If anyone has seen or sees this, please 
report! 




------------------------------------


Subject: Rusty Blackbird
From: "Robert W" <kingfisher62649 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:27:04 -0000
There was a pair of Rusty Blackbirds in the cypress swamp at Lake Henrietta 
this morning. 


Rob Williams



------------------------------------


Subject: Re: Not a rare bird but an unusual Bald Eagle sighting in Tallahassee
From: Kathleen Carr <kathleencarr AT nettally.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2012 11:11:34 -0500
I saw a Bald Eagle soaring over Blair Stone and Governor's Square Blvd last 
Tuesday (1/3/2012). Same one maybe? 


Kathleen Carr

Sent from my iPhone

------------------------------------


Subject: Not a rare bird but an unusual Bald Eagle sighting in Tallahassee
From: "dee" <dwilder_32301 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:57:21 -0000
Greetings! I was strolling the pond at Winewood Office Complex off Blair Stone 
Road at 8am today - watching a Kingfisher fly back and forth through the thick 
fog -and observed a Bald Eagle. In the fifteen years I have visited this 
close-by pond (which is murky and typically draws few birds), I have never 
observed a Bald Eagle here! Since it is so small there is no need for 
directions - just find the wooden observation deck beyond the parking lot. Dee 
Wilder 




------------------------------------


Subject: Re: Bird ID?
From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2012 07:56:42 -0600
Nice pictures, Judy. 

Your bird is a Palm Warbler, one of the great tail-bobbers of the continent. 

Bobolinks are seen mostly in spring, uncommon in fall and never in winter. 

Keep up the good work!

Jim
Galveston



From: Judy 
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2012 7:39 AM
To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com 
Subject: [nflbirds] Bird ID?

  
I viewed this bird yesterday in Headquarters Pond from the road. I believe it 
is a female bobolink? It was bobbing. 


http://judyb.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v34/p324803282-5.jpg
http://judyb.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v38/p471393669-5.jpg
http://judyb.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v32/p477267831-4.jpg

Judy 

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------------------------------------


Subject: Bird ID?
From: "Judy" <judykb AT earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2012 08:39:28 -0500
I viewed this bird yesterday in Headquarters Pond from the road. I believe it 
is a female bobolink? It was bobbing. 


http://judyb.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v34/p324803282-5.jpg
http://judyb.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v38/p471393669-5.jpg
http://judyb.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v32/p477267831-4.jpg

Judy  

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------------------------------------


Subject: St Marks NWR-Saturday
From: "Don Morrow" <don.morrow AT tpl.org>
Date: Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:13:27 -0800
The January Wildlife tours took place on a clear, cool-to-pleasant, winter day. 
Birding was steady and productive. I logged 75 species without getting down to 
the coast. I heard reports of at least ten more species, including GC Kinglet 
in the woods behind the Visitors Center and Rusty Blackbird at the double 
bridges. Duck diversity was slightly down. I had only 13 species. There may 
have been 2,000 shorebirds on Stony Bayou I as the tide came in. 

 
Some highlights of the day included:
 
Stony Bayou I
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Willet
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Dunlin
Short-billed Dowitcher
 
Stony Bayou II
Yellow-crowned Night-heron
White-faced Ibis
GW Teal
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Vermillion Flycatcher (female working exposed perches along the inside edge of 
the Gulfside dike from the southeast corner to the last small oak on the dike) 

Three cooperative Otters
 
Mounds Pool I
Merlin (perching on exposed dead pines)
 
Mounds Pool III
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Redhead
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Bonapartes Gull


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------------------------------------


Subject: Trip Advice Jacksonville/Orange Park FL
From: Ryan Carpenter <carpenter_ryan80 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 18:35:32 -0800 (PST)
Hello Florida birders,
I'm a native Floridian who is coming back to the Jacksonville area for a 
long weekend to visit my folks and wanted to take the opportunity to do 
some birding while I'm down south. I grew up in Orange Park and in many 
ways regret my lack of interest in birding until moving out west. In an 
effort to see some of the birds I lived with throughout my childhood my 
wife and I plan on doing some birding while we are in Orange Park for the 
M.L.K. weekend. We will also venture down to 

St. Augustine for a day while we are in town. 

There are a few specific birds we are hopeful to observe and would 
really appreciate any advice or tips on locations that we might view or 
hear these birds. Our number one target bird that we are hopping to see 
is a barred owl. We looked in some swampy areas in Mandarin the last 
time we were in town but had no luck. Any locations or advice on this 
species would be very much appreciated. The other two birds that we are 
hoping to see is are pileated woodpeckers and a black skimmer. Again any likely 
locations or general advice would be greatly appreciated. We are most 
interested in just getting out and enjoying the warm weather and 

diverse avian opportunities that North Florida offers, but our trip 
would be even that much better if we were able to observe or hear any of these 
species. Thanks for all of your help. To reduce traffic on the 

list-serve please feel welcome to email me directly. 
Happy New year to you all. May you all have a great year with many amazing 
birding experiences! 


Ryan Carpenter
carpenter_ryan80 AT yahoo.com
Boulder, CO


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------------------------------------


Subject: Planting a Refuge for Wildlife, Native Nurseries
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 16:24:01 +0000 (UTC)



Planting a Refuge for Wildlife 

Saturday January 7 th 10am Free 

Donna Legare will show slides and explain how you can make changes in your yard 
to enhance its value for songbirds, butterflies and other wildlife. This can be 
a fun family project and is Donna’s favorite class to teach. 




Native Nurseries 

1661 Centerville Rd., Tallahassee 

386-8882 




-------- 
Fran Rutkovsky 
Tallahassee, FL 
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net 



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------------------------------------


Subject: Volunteers Needed
From: "brooksrobert90" <rabrooksjr AT hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:32:46 -0000
Dr. Paul Spitzer will be conducting a study the Loon migration departures from 
Apalachee Bay starting mid-March and is seeking volunteers to assist with the 
project based out of the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. This is a great opportunity 
for the local birding community to assist with this important research. Please 
contact Dr. Spitzer directly via email at spitzer_paul AT hotmail.com for 
additional information or to volunteer. 


Thank you.
R Brooks
Tallahassee    



------------------------------------


Subject: Birds of America
From: Suzette <tapple50 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2012 06:30:09 -0800 (PST)
I recently received John James Audubon's Birds of America. Yes! It's true!

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/birds-of-america-john-james-audubon/1100146849


My question is...Is there a list of the birds, with current names? In the back 
of the book there is a list, by plate number. It is very small text. You also 
have to keep flipping to the back of the book. 


I was hoping for something separate, with readable type, and that I can flip 
thru, while looking at the plates. 


S :]

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------------------------------------


Subject: New Year's Day - Birding at St. Mark's NWR
From: "April Williford" <awilliford AT comcast.net>
Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2012 12:20:48 -0500
My parents and I had a wonderful day of birding at St. Mark's NWR
yesterday with over 75 species. The most surprising and unusual for this
time of year was a Northern Parula! We got a good long look at it while
it was foraging in a Water Oak behind the Visitor Center. Other birds on
our list:
 
Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
White Pelican
Brown Pelican
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Glossy Ibis
White Ibis
Roseate Spoonbill
Green-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
American Wigeon
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Red-shouldered Hawk
American Kestrel
Clapper Rail
Common Moorhen
American Coot
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
Black-necked Stilt
American Avocet
Lesser Yellowlegs
Willet
Marbled Godwit
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Dunlin
Long-billed Dowitcher
Common Snip
Ring-billed Gull
Forster's Tern
Common Ground Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Norther Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Brown-headed Nuthatch
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Northern Parula
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Cardinal
Eastern Towhee
Swamp Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Boat-tailed Grackle
American Goldfinch
 
What a great way to start the year!!
 
April Williford
Tallahassee, FL


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------------------------------------


Subject: Juvenile Golden Eagle - St. Marks
From: "Jeff O'Connell" <jeff.m.oconnell AT gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2012 09:31:57 -0500
Hi All,

Just a quick note to say I found a juvenile Golden Eagle at St. Marks
yesterday afternoon. I found the bird along a section of trail traversing
the pine woods north of stony bayou II. I had been standing still for a
minute or so, listening to the smaller birds around, when it flew from a
tree nearby. Luckily it circled around above me a few times before taking
off, so I was able to grab my camera out of my bag and get a few pictures.
I have no idea if this is the same bird reported in November, but I imagine
it is likely.

Pictures here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/109551271363164672410/FastTimesAtStMarksNWR

Jeff O'Connell
jeff.m.oconnell AT gmail.com
Tallahassee


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------------------------------------


Subject: Red-throated Loon - St. mark's - New years eve
From: Elliot Schunke <ewschunke AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:35:05 -0500
The bird was still present today. Seen in the bay just beyond the long oyster 
bar west of the lighthouse. Tide was low so it may return to the boat ramp area 
when it comes back in? 


Also of note was a first-year Roseate Spoonbill in tower pond.

Elliot Schunke - Tallahassee

Sent from my iPad

------------------------------------


Subject: Red Throated Loon
From: Bill Phelan <wmjphelan AT comcast.net>
Date: Sat, 31 Dec 2011 19:09:01 +0000 (UTC)

I finally found the loon today, after two trips and several hours looking. 

It was off shore from Lighthouse Pond, just beyond the oyster bar at low 
tide.  It has less white on the face than Sibley's or Perterson's guides 
reveal.  But it is smaller than the C. Loons nearby, has a thinner upturned 
bill and speckles of white on the back. 


I looked repeatedly in the boat launch canal northwest (or w est) of Lighthouse 
Pond and saw no birds there on Friday, and found a very cooperative horned 
grebe there today.  I tried unsuccessfully to turn the grebe into a RT Loon, 
never having seen the loon before .  Nice bird. 


Thanks, Jim Stevenson, for the lifer. 

Bill Phelan 

Tallahassee

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------------------------------------


Subject: R T Loon
From: "jwinforde" <jwerick AT gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:43:38 -0000
The loon was very cooperative this Saturday morning. Right in the St Marks boat 
launch basin. 

 J Erickson



------------------------------------


Subject: Outstanding AAS Outing In Wakulla!!!!
From: "Gene" <will8239 AT msn.com>
Date: Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:03:13 -0000
Master ornithologist and professional birding guide Jim Stevenson and 
bride-to-be Liz led an AAS outing to Wakulla County yesterday that, by all 
accounts, was one of the best outings of the year! Jim is a walking compendium 
of interesting ornithological details, an expert at birding by ear, and a 
laugh-a-minute -- I can't imagine a better birding guide! We visited several 
different habitats, ended up at the St. Marks lighthouse, and saw and heard 
lots of cool stuff. 

 
I counted 56 good bird jokes and over 70 species and taxa of birds, including:
 
Blue-headed Vireo
Orange-crowned Warbler
Black and white Warbler
Yellow-rumped (d.c. coronata) Warbler
Palm Warbler
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-Throated Sparrow (heard) 
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Carolina Chickadee
Mockingbird
American Robin
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Pileated Woodpecker (h)
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker (h)
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Northern Flicker (h)
Killdeer
Boat Tailed Grackle
Sedge Wren
House Wren
Carolina Wren
Eastern Phoebe
Long-billed Dowitcher
Marbled Godwit
Lesser Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs
DB Cormorant
Pie Billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Western Willet
Dunlin
Avocet
American Coot
Brown Pelican
American Bittern
Common Loon
Red-throated Loan
White Egret
Snowy Egret
Tri-colored Heron
Great Blue Heron
Little Blue heron
White Ibis
Dark Ibis, sp. (probable white-faced at HQ pond)
Dove, sp. (possible white-winged) 
Royal Tern (including some really noisy young-uns)
Caspian Tern
Forster's Tern
Northern Shovelor
Canvasback
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Green-winged Teal
Bufflehead
American Widgeon
Ruddy Turnstone
Red-breasted Merganser
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Laughing Gull
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier (ad. f)
Red-tailed Hawk
Crow, sp
Least Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper 
Willet
 
We also heard Spring Peepers, Bird Voice Tree Frogs, uncovered a Slimy 
Salamander and saw a few monarchs and a couple of white-tailed deer. 

 
The main highlight of the day for me was the company. Birders are of such 
diverse backgrounds, and it seems that all of them are nice, interesting 
people, chock full of knowledge that's always fun to tap. Another highlight was 
the red-throated loon, which would dive and pop up 100' away. These birds of 
the Canadian Arctic Archipelago winter along the eastern seaboard, usually 
stopping around Jacksonville, but, fortunately for us, this little fellow was 
feeling his oats apparently and kept flying around the tip of Florida (or took 
a short cut across the peninsula) to settle in here. Unfortunately, according 
to Jim, loons are suceptible to a type of parasite -- lunatics (loon-a-ticks!). 

 
Jim, Liz and AAS Birders, thanks for making this such an outstanding day!



------------------------------------


Subject: rare birds and announcement
From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:02:54 -0600
First, the Red-throated Loon remained today in the canal on the north side of 
Lighthouse Pool. There were also two very tame Horned Grebes. 


Also, an "Anhinga" identified by a boat guide at Wakulla Springs State Park 
(Wednesday) was actually a Neotropic Cormorant. In his defense, the bird was 
slender and long-tailed, hardly like a Double-crested. 



Those of you wishing to learn about birds may wish to try out my bird picture 
list. It's free, 2-3 times/week and NOBODY gets your e-mail. You receive bird 
pictures on a PDF with commentary about them, usually North American species. 
If you wanna try it out, just e-mail me. George W, please e-mail me, OK? 


Jim, visiting in Tallahassee

P.S. I would be remiss if I didn’t say how much Liz and I enjoyed the company 
and hospitality of the Audubon group I dragged through Wakulla County today. 
How fun! 


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------------------------------------


Subject: Lake Henrietta - Common Goldeneye - 30 Dec 2011 - plus St. Mark's belated
From: Elliot Schunke <ewschunke AT hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:41:48 -0600
Hi All
This afternoon between 1:00 and 1:20 there was a Common Goldeneye in Lake 
Henrietta in Tallahassee. I first walked from the north tip of the lake to the 
south and had only one Bufflehead and a few Pied-billed Grebes but on the walk 
back north, there were a at least a dozen Bufflehead with one Common Goldeneye 
mixed in. The Goldeneye was still present when I left. 

Also, yesterday I visited the Lighthouse Unit at St. Mark's. The Vermilion 
Flycatcher and Snow Geese (2 blue) were still present in the previously 
described locations. I could not locate the Cinnamon Teal, though there was a 
large, tightly-packed teal raft in the area. 

Goldeneye pictures:http://www.pausetime.com/schunk/COGO1.jpg

http://www.pausetime.com/schunk/COGO2.jpg

Elliot Schunke - Tallahassee 		 	   		  

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------------------------------------


Subject: Cedar Key
From: Suzette <tapple50 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2011 06:28:22 -0800 (PST)
Am thinking about going birding down at Cedar Key. I want to camp.

Do any of you know the camping areas in that neck o' da woods?

S :]

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------------------------------------


Subject: Red-throated Loon at SML
From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net>
Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:16:30 -0600
Hi All,

Please forgive me if this bird is already known.

Liz and I discovered a Red-throated Loon in the boat launch canal on the 
north side of Lighthouse Pool, which was quite tame. Look for a thin, 
slightly upturned bill. It gave quite nice photos.

Good birding,

Jim 



------------------------------------


Subject: Bald Eagle
From: Bendy Scott <bendy32309 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2011 13:24:52 -0800 (PST)
Saw a Bald Eagle around Noon today (12/26/11) near Greenville, FL flying near 
Hwy. 90. 


Brenda S. Scott 
Tallahassee, FL 
bendy32309 AT yahoo.com

http://BENDY.shutterpoint.com 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE NOTE CARDS, BOOKMARKS, OR CALENDARS MADE FROM ANY OF MY 
PHOTOS, PLEASE EMAIL: 

bendy32309 AT yahoo.com

Photo Buyer Welcome Page 
http://www.shutterpoint.com/Buy-Photos.cfm?ai=8Z236B

ShutterPoint Front Page 
http://www.shutterpoint.com?ai=8Z236B 

Photographer Welcome Page 
http://www.shutterpoint.com/Home-Photographer.cfm?ai=8Z236B

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------------------------------------


Subject: L Kirk Edwards
From: "jwinforde" <jwinforde AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2011 13:52:05 -0000
The Rusties were at Chaires Cross rd and Capitola rd  Map =
http://myfwc.com/media/1394939/L-Kirk-Edwards.pdf
 Please do not email me at Yahoo.
jwerick AT gmail.com   John Erickson



------------------------------------


Subject: Re: Rusty Blackbirds
From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net>
Date: Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:41:27 -0600
As many of you know, the Rusty Blackbird is a disappearing bird (reason?) that 
likely split off with the Brewer’s from a superspecies a few thousand years 
ago. One enjoys the open country of the West and the Rusty prefers moist 
woodlands of the East, all the way to Alaska (this range is common, found in 
many species like YS Flicker, Myrtle Warbler, and many more. It is important to 
document these sightings so officials can assess how they are doing from year 
to year. If you are looking for them, look for a bird that has the colors of a 
Common Grackle with the body shape of a red-wing with a squared-off tail. One 
of their chips is quite like a robin’s chip, less similar to that of the 
Hairy Woodpecker. 


These years where drought has taken its toll further north force down birds of 
the damp forests and swamps, like rusties, Winter Wren, Hooded Merganser, 
woodcock and others. I had them in my Galveston yard for the first time a 
coupla weeks ago: Yard bird #316. 


Enjoy them while you have them and gather ye rose buds, oh never mind. 

Great seeing all you locals at my book signings at BAM and I look forward to 
leading the Audubon snake hunt Dec. 30. Or is it birds? 


   Jim
Christmassing in Roanoke, Alabama




From: jwinforde 
Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2011 9:21 AM
To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com 
Subject: [nflbirds] Rusty Blackbirds

  
L Kirk Edwards Road to the Lake has many Rusty blackbirds (50) and flickers. L. 
Lafayette is drying up fast! 

John Erickson Tallahassee





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------------------------------------


Subject: Rusty Blackbirds
From: "jwinforde" <jwinforde AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Dec 2011 15:21:09 -0000
L Kirk Edwards Road to the Lake has many Rusty blackbirds (50) and flickers. L. 
Lafayette is drying up fast! 

 John Erickson Tallahassee



------------------------------------


Subject: Common Goldeneye
From: "Robert W" <kingfisher62649 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Dec 2011 04:00:33 -0000
There were four Common Goldeneyes at the Tram Road Ponds this afternoon-- two 
males and two females, along with Lesser Scaup, Buffleheads, and Northern 
Shovelers. 


Merry Xmas!

Rob Williams



------------------------------------


Subject: Baltimore Orioles
From: "glendajoyce6009" <glendajoyce6009 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:38:55 -0000
I have at least six Baltimore Orioles in my yard, presently. Late yesterday 
afternoon, I watched four at the same time, which were all females or juvenils. 
Early this morning, when multiple orioles were taking turns at a couple of 
jelly feeders, rather cordially, I spotted two adult males, several feet apart. 
I have been seeing 1-3, at least weekly, since mid September. The adult males 
are much more aggressive, and let the others know that the jelly feeders belong 
to them, only. I'm putting up an additional jelly feeder, today, and will not 
complain about how much Smuckers I go through this winter. 


Glenda Simmons
Eastside Tallahassee



------------------------------------


Subject: St. Marks Spoonbill
From: "Taylor" <taylordellis AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:51:21 -0000
Hadn't seen this mentioned yet but maybe you knew... There was a Roseate 
Spoonbill at Headquarters pond (St. Marks NWR) yesterday afternoon, along with 
lots of other waders including BC Night herons and Glossy Ibis. 




------------------------------------


Subject: robins
From: Carol Magnusen <carolmagnusen AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:15:14 -0800 (PST)
Twenty-seven big, fat robins just landed in my back yard, the earliest I have 
ever seen them. A large flock (75-100) usually arrives in February or early 
April. Perhaps these are advance men. . . 


Carol Magnusen
Tallahassee, west


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------------------------------------


Subject: Vermillion Flycatcher at St. Marks 12-19-11
From: "Larry Gridley" <eelriver74 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:17:06 -0000
I went to St. Marks yesterday to find the Cinnamon Teal and Vermillion 
Flycatcher. Well, I found the Vermillion with ease halfway down Stony Bayou 2 
on the south side of the dike. But I had no luck though with the Cinnamon Teal. 
I looked at every duck but to no avail. Idid see Glossy and Wghite-faced Ibis 
in Stony 2, Widgeons, BW Teal, GW Teal, Shoveles and Bufflehead and many Coots. 
The first Ibis photo has both a White-faced and glossy in the same frame, the 
White-faced with the red eye and facial skin is in front. I also saw a Snow 
Goose at Stony 2. I saw many Horned Grebe and a Saltmarsh Sharptailed Sparrow 
at the lighthouse and many more ducks and Red-breasted and Hooded Mergansers 
there also. 

I then went to Mashes Point and Bottoms Rd and Alligator Pt and racked up on 
Wilson's Plovers, Am. Oystercatchers, more Horned Grebes and Mergansers. At the 
end of Bottoms Rd I also saw at a distance what I thought was a Common Loon but 
when I put the scope to it I noticed a thin bill of a grebe instead of the 
large thick bill of a loon. I think it might have been a Western Grebe but 
cannot be positive. It was way to far up the coast for the camera. Here are a 
few photos from yesterdays trip. 


Vermillion Flycatcher
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541719521/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541719613/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541719329/in/photostream

White-faced Ibis vs Glossy Ibis
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541718205/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541718937/in/photostream

Glossy Ibis
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541719051/in/photostream

Snow Goose (diagnostic photo from 300yards)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541719173/in/photostream

Wilsons Plover
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541720783/in/photostream

Short-billed Dowitcher
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541720585/in/photostream

Northern Pintail
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541718711/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541718585/in/photostream

Northern Shovelers (girls club)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541719821/in/photostream

Bufflehead female
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541718317/in/photostream

Greater Yellowlegs
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541718465/in/photostream

Green-winged Teal
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541720115/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541719977/in/photostream

American Widgeon
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541720257/in/photostream

Wood Stork
http://www.flickr.com/photos/grmann/6541720483/in/photostream

Bird on!!

Larry Gridley
Albany, Georgia
Dougherty County





------------------------------------


Subject: Cinnamon Teal - YES; Vermilion Flycatcher - NO; St. Marks NWR, Sunday
From: "Roy" <roybrownphotography AT gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:08:37 -0000
Greetings:

Intrepid Albany, GA birder Melissa Martin and I visited St. Marks NWR on 
Sunday, 18 December. 


The unmistakable male Cinnamon Teal was fairly easily located as previously 
described. This handsome fellow was in the southeast corner of Stony Bayou II 
in the company of BW Teal. 


We looked hard for the Vermillion Flycatcher in all the places (and more) as 
previously described on this list. She was not located. 


For those interested, we also located and photographed a male Sympetrum 
corruptum - Variegated Meadowhawk, somewhat east of this species usual range, 
though they are known to wander: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbinv/6539856907/in/photostream 


Best,
Roy (Profile: http://www.flickr.com/people/rbinv/ )




------------------------------------


Subject: Brown creeper and GC Kinglet
From: ROC <austrina1 AT aol.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2011 13:44:14 -0500 (EST)
Lydia and I found a Brown Creeper and a GC Kinglet in adjoining trees on the 
Bay County CBC, our group has been lucky and had the two highest section counts 
ever during the last two years. Other good/strange birds on the count included 
a Cassin's Kingbird (Tyndall), Western Kingbird (cw), and a Pomarine Jaeger. 



Rodney and Lydia Cassidy
Tallahassee, Florida   


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------------------------------------


Subject: Observation Report - AAS Outing Bottoms Road
From: "Gene" <will8239 AT msn.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2011 14:38:53 -0000
Yesterday 15 enthusiastic birders met up at Bottoms Road for some late 
afternoon/early evening birding led by Andy Wraithmell. 


The sighting of the day was a Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow - a beautifully 
marked male that put on quite a show right in front of us. These are a lot more 
colorful here than the Nelson's seen on Florida's east coast. Nice! 


The "what-the-heck-are-you-doing-here?" sighting of the day was a sandpiper 
located by Bill Phelan. At first we thought it was a Spotted, which you'd 
expect to see this time of year, but after closely observing the behavior and 
markings we realized we were looking at a Solitary Sandpiper who apparently has 
a different wintering plan than most of his colleagues. 


Some of the other things seen (counts and species vary because many in the 
group arrived early and birded different spots) 


Clapper Rail - 1 seen, lots more heard
Tree Swallows - 36
D.B. Cormorant - 20
Red-Winged Blackbird (m) leading a flock of 8 mixed gender grackles
Tri-Colored Heron - several
Great Blue Heron - 3
Little Blue Heron - 2
Great Egret
Snowy Egret - 3
Coopers Hawk
Marsh Wren (c. paulustris marions) - 1 or 2 seen, lots and lots heard
Laughing Gulls - a bunch
Herring Gull
Ring Billed Gulls - at least 30
Brown Pelicans - I counted 27
White Pelicans - 6
Lesser Scaup - flock of at least 30
Common Loon
Ruby-Crowned Kinglet
Greater Yellow Legs
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Mockingbirds - 2
Willets
Bufflehead - 4
Hooded Merganser (f) - 2
Horned Grebe - 5
Turkey Vultures - 11
Dunlin - 11
Black-bellied Plover - 3
Northern Harriers/Marsh Hawks - 3
Seaside Sparrow
Various flocks of ducks on the fast run from hunters
A bat
Black Rails - 15 (Oops! That's the number of birders who wanted to see one but 
didn't!) 


Birding at this location at sundown is a unique experience. The sunsets are 
beautiful, and just as the sun touches the horizen the marshes come alive with 
the calls of Virgina Rail, Clapper Rail and other marsh species. 


We didn't get to see any Short-earred Owls as hoped, but the experience was 
unique and the company was wonderful! Thanks, Andrew 




------------------------------------


Subject: Observation Report - Lake/field at Chaires Road and I-10, East Leon County
From: "Gene" <will8239 AT msn.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2011 13:24:18 -0000
A couple of months ago I reported on observations at the overgrown field 
located immediately south of the I-10 Chaires road overpass. At the time it was 
largely impenetrable, but clearly good insect- laden habitat for migratory 
warblers, sparrows and wrens. Since then the flora has died back and at spots 
is reasonably penetrable. Saturday I found a path that led down to the lake at 
the back of the field. Species located in a 20 minute span included: 


FOS Cedar Waxwing 26
Rock Pidgeon 14
House Wren 3
Sedge Wren 2
Carolina Wren 2
Eastern Towhee 2
N. Cardinal 8
Am. Crow 2
YR Warbler 15
Swamp Sparrow 5
Chipping Sparrow 2
Eastern Phoebe 2

Once again there were lots of small birds popping up and down in the foliage 
that I couldn't see long enough to identify. Warning: birding here might 
technically involve trespassing. 




------------------------------------


Subject: Re: A first for my yard
From: beckypritchard AT cox.net
Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2011 07:29:41 +0000
Wow, Judy - those in flight pics are gorgeous! How exciting!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: "Judy" 
Sender: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:07:23 
To: 
Subject: [nflbirds] A first for my yard

I wondered why the crows were squawking so loudly when I went into my front 
yard this afternoon. An adult bald eagle was in the tree and flew out and 
around and landed again in my yard. Then I saw turkey vultures so I figured 
something was dead and around the same time the neighbor’s cat came out from 
my bushes in the same area. It apparently killed a squirrel and that was the 
attraction. 


Here are some photos that I managed to get of the bald eagle. It was amazing 
how fast the bald eagle maneuvered in a relatively small area. 


http://judyb.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v29/p67293790-5.jpg
http://judyb.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v39/p335745509-5.jpg
http://judyb.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v39/p462123144-5.jpg

I live across from Maclay State Park.

Judy Lyle

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------------------------------------


Subject: A first for my yard
From: "Judy" <judykb AT earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:07:23 -0500
I wondered why the crows were squawking so loudly when I went into my front 
yard this afternoon. An adult bald eagle was in the tree and flew out and 
around and landed again in my yard. Then I saw turkey vultures so I figured 
something was dead and around the same time the neighbor’s cat came out from 
my bushes in the same area. It apparently killed a squirrel and that was the 
attraction. 


Here are some photos that I managed to get of the bald eagle. It was amazing 
how fast the bald eagle maneuvered in a relatively small area. 


http://judyb.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v29/p67293790-5.jpg
http://judyb.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v39/p335745509-5.jpg
http://judyb.zenfolio.com/img/s3/v39/p462123144-5.jpg

I live across from Maclay State Park.

Judy Lyle

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------------------------------------


Subject: Robins
From: "SharonF" <dixieredhat AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:50:47 -0000
Dixie County, north of the town of suwannee on Dixie Mainline. After you pass 
the high ugly fenced in property. the woods were alive with hundreds of Robins 
for about 1 1/2 miles. 

Sharon Fronk
Old Town



------------------------------------


Subject: Rufous in Indian Head Acres
From: "John" <mmarmstrong112024 AT comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:07:14 -0000
see the linked picture of the adult male rufous that showed up at my house in 
Indian Head Acres for the weekend. Looks like the cold front last week drove 
some of the birds south to Tallahassee. This bird and a green hummer of some 
type stayed for a few days but it looks like they moved on early Tues. just 
before Fred Dietrich arrived to try and band them... this makes at least the 
3rd rufous of the year for me. 


John Armstrong


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nflbirds/photos/album/416569630/pic/675809060/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc 






------------------------------------


Subject: Jackson County CBC, Jan. 2
From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:34:27 +0000 (UTC)

Posted on behalf of Andy Wraithmell: 




I have taken over the role of Jackson County CBC compiler replacing Andy 
Bankert who did a great job for 3 years. Andy is off birding around the US 
chasing Falcated Teal and such like! As nobody else seemed interested in 
keeping it going I contacted Bill Pranty and Bruce Anderson as it seemed a 
shame to let it go. 

The Jackson County CBC will be held on Monday, January 2nd, 2012. Birders and 
photographers of all skill levels are welcome. Participants will need to be 
prepared for the weather, bring their lunch, snacks, and water. If you want to 
be mentioned in Audubon's CBC report please bring $5, which is sent as a 
donation to Audubon. Most of us will be meeting at the Greenwood Supermarket in 
Greenwood at 6am, which is 10 miles north of Marianna. I will need volunteers 
to go owling during the wee hours. I will be! Click here for directions from 
Marianna. The post count gathering will be held from 6pm to 830pm at Beef 
O’Brady’s restaurant, which is located just north of I-10 at exit # 142. 
Directions from Marianna here . For more information on how to participate in 
this year’s count please contact: Andy Wraithmell aswraithmellATgmail.com 
850-459-4306 

Would the folk who acted as section leaders for previous Jackson Co. CBC's 
please email me off list if you are interested in continuing as section 
leaders. I have already heard from John Murphy and Harry Hooper. 


Hopefully we'll get a good turnout and count a lot of cool birds. 




Cheers 




Andy Wraithmell 

Tallahassee 





-------- 
Fran Rutkovsky 
Tallahassee, FL 
franrutkovsky AT comcast.net 



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------------------------------------


Subject: Good Day at the St. Marks Ponds
From: "Gene" <will8239 AT msn.com>
Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:16:50 -0000
After reading Don's and Ed's last reports I decided to head down to St. Marks 
Sunday morning to try my luck on the dikes, and met with fortune right away 
when I ran into Elliot Schunke on Stony Bayou I. There were a lot of birds in 
the southeast corner of the pool, including 


White Pelican 10
Great Blue Heron 5
Ring Billed Gull 30+
Horned Grebe 3
Forester's Tern 12
Red Breasted Merganser 25

But we were both after a Cinnamon and Vermillion fix so we quickly moved on to 
Stony Bayou II. Once we hiked to the very end of the southeast corner of SBII, 
we had little problem finding the Cinnamon Teal, a beautifully marked male that 
really stood out from the blue-wingeds and green-wingeds he was hanging around 
with. We hunted for the Vermillion Flycatcher for about 30 minutes, but just as 
we were about to give up - cha-ching! - Elliot spotted her on a tree-lined 
small dike that tees into the south side of the main dike. 1st year female, 
overall lighter colored than an Eastern, with a peachy colored 
underbelly/undertail, doing the typical flycatcher thing and making digiscoping 
a challenge. Then, I spotted a small dark rail (dare I say it?) cross a small 
watercourse on the south side of the dike. As I pointed out to Elliot the spot 
where the bird entered some foliage, out marched a bigger bird - a Virginia 
Rail! 


Overall there were a lot of birds at Stony Bayou II.  Finds included:

Cinammon Teal 1
Vermillion Flycatcher 1
Virginia Rail 1
Glossy Ibis 2
Eastern Meadowlark 1
Blue-winged Teal 24
Hooded Merganser 50+
Green-winged teal 6
Gadwall 17
Bufflehead 1
Group of RWBB - about 175
Black Crowned Night Heron 29-31
White Crowned Night Heron 1
Ruddy Duck 1
American Bittern 1
Belted Kingfisher 3
Killdeer 3 

At Mounds Pool III there were over 250 Northern Pintail, 2 Mallards, a Black 
Bellied Plover, a Bald Eagle, and a juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk. 


Other things seen on and around the T-Dike and pools:

A big male deer wading across a pond 
Sedge Wren
Savannah 5, Song 5, Chipping 2, Vesper 2 and Swamp 5 Sparrows
Downy WP
Red-bellied WP
Catbird
Carolina Chickadee
Yellow-rumped Warbler - a bunch
Bufflehead 8f
Northern Harrier 1f
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Red-shouldered Hawk
Merlin
Pie Billed Grebe 12
Snowy Egret 10
White Egret 10
Coots 50+
Little Blue Heron 2
LB Dowitcher 3
Kingfisher 6
NOMO 2
Killdeer 5
Greater Yellowlegs 6
L. Scaup 1 
Wood Stork 1
Wilson's Snipe 3
Eastern Phoebe 4
DB Cormorant 24
BT Grackle 1
Osprey 2
Black 2 and Turkey 5 Vultures

At the park entrance there were two female deer and a mixed flock of 500+ 
blackbirds. 

 
Thanks for the scope time, Elliot!  Post some of your digipics! 
  

               



------------------------------------


Subject: St. Mark's Cinnamon Teal and Vermilion Flycatcher 11 DEC 2011 - YES
From: Elliot Schunke <ewschunke AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 19:21:00 -0600
Hi all,
I ran into Gene Gandy today on the levees when we both happened to be looking 
for the Vermilion Flycatcher (ABA bird for me) and Cinnamon Teal (Florida bird 
for me). We were successful with both and they remained in the general location 
as what has been described. The adult male Cinnamon Teal showed nicely in the 
midst of Blue- and Green-winged Teal mixed flock. While the Vermilion 
Flycatcher was about half-way out on the far eastern "sub-levee" (see linked 
google map for detailed location). The bird was constantly sallying out and 
back from the top of one of the leafless bushes on the "sub-levee" being 
periodically harassed by a Northern Mockingbird. Linked below are two 
diagnostic photos of each and the mentioned google map. 

Cinnamon Teal:
1. http://www.pausetime.com/schunk/cite1.jpg
2. http://www.pausetime.com/schunk/cite2.jpg
Vermilion Flycatcher:
1. http://www.pausetime.com/schunk/vefl1.jpg
1. http://www.pausetime.com/schunk/vefl2.jpg
map:http://g.co/maps/7xxdm


Thanks,Elliot Schunke - Tallahassee

 		 	   		  

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------------------------------------


Subject: downey woodpecker and brown headed nuthatches
From: eliza hawkins <ehawkins AT yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:40:08 -0800 (PST)
took this funnyvideo yesterday down in shellpoint of a downey wp being 
harrassed by a couple of merciless brown headednuthatches. 


http://www.flickr.com/photos/9467770 AT N06/6492257921/

Eliza Hawkins
ehawkins AT yahoo.com

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------------------------------------


Subject: FOS Snail Kite newsletter request for articles/photos
From: "markkiser9" <mark.kiser AT myfwc.com>
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 01:29:40 -0000
Hi all,

I am putting out a request for articles and photos for the Florida 
Ornithological Society's Snail Kite newsletter. My goal is to have the next 
issue finished prior to the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival at the 
end of January. 


If you are interested, please email me, Selena Kiser, at beenebat AT 
netscape.net. The deadline for this issue is December 26. Please put "Snail 
Kite articles/photos" in the subject line so I don't miss your emails. 


I hope all of you have a Happy Holiday season!

Thanks so much!
Selena
FOS Snail Kite newsletter editor




------------------------------------


Subject: St Marks NWR-Saturday
From: "Don Morrow" <don.morrow AT tpl.org>
Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2011 16:10:27 -0800
The December Wildlife Tours took place on a cold winter day. There was 
wildlife, in the form of cooperative Bobcats and Otters, a few deer and the 
usual alligators. There were many birds. I logged 77 species including 
Vermillion Flycatcher and Cinnamon Teal. Some highlights were: 

 
Stony Bayou II
BC Night-heron
YC Night-heron
Merlin
Wood Duck
GW Teal
BW Teal
Cinnamon Teal ( adult male in SE corner associating with BW Teal
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Vermillion Flycatcher (look near the full-size Live Oak on the South dike, 
sometimes seen South of dike on dead branches) 

 
Mounds Pool III
GW Teal
American Black Duck
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Canvasback
Redhead
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
American Avocet
Marbled Godwit
 
On Friday and Saturday, combined I had 20 waterfowl species and a total of 101 
species and heard reports of another 5 species. 

 
Call the refuge at 850.925.6121 to sign up for the January 7th Wildlife Tour.
 
Good birding.
 
 


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------------------------------------


Subject: Yard Birds in Clay Co
From: Judy Green <birdergirl55 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2011 13:35:42 -0800 (PST)
It's the same here. There are birds in the trees beyond our backyard, but far 
away. 


Today we had Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Palm Warblers, two Red 
Bellied 

Woodpeckers and one dozen Mourning Doves. I did hear the Robins and a 
Pileated WP. Yesterday in the tree next door (branches hang over our yard) I
thought I saw a Ruby Crowned Kinglet.Small bird/quick flash of bright red on 
its head 

and by the time I got the binoculars it was gone on the other side of the tree 
in 

the neighbors yard. (The wing bars looked right.) 

Judy Green
Close to Lake Asbury
Clay Co. 

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------------------------------------


Subject: St Marks NWR-Friday
From: "Don Morrow" <don.morrow AT tpl.org>
Date: Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:28:57 -0800
I took the morning off to do a recon of St Marks with Ed woodruff in advance of 
tomorrow's Wildlife Tours. It was a cold gray morning with intermittent misting 
drizzle and lots of birds. We logged 91 species in 4 1/2 hours with 19 species 
of waterfowl, Vermillion Flycatcher and a White-winged Dove, which was sitting 
on the road near Headquarters Pond. Some highlights included: 

 
Stony Bayou II (mostly smaller numbers of waterfowl, but great diversity)
BC Night-heron
YC Night-heron
Wood Duck
Green-winged Teal
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup 
Lesser Scaup
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Vermillion Flycatcher (immature female, near the East end where the open water 
is, hawking from cattail and pigweed stalks) 

 
Mounds Pool III (large numbers of ducks can be seen from the Northern and 
Western dikes, a scope is helpful) 

Green-winged Teal (several hundred)
American Black Duck (7)
Mallard (about a hundred)
Northern Pintail (about two hundred)
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Canvasback
Redhead
Lesser Scaup
Hooded Merganser
American Avocet
 
Offshore
there was a raft of 750 ducks just offshore, 90% were Redheads, the rest were 
Lesser Scaup 

Common Loon
Horned Grebe (around twenty, easily found)
Bufflehead
 
One interesting sight was a small flock of scaup in a shallow depression along 
Mounds Pool III who suddenly took off when a Bobcat attacked. The cat leapt 
into the air in a vain attempt to get a duck dinner. 

 


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------------------------------------


Subject: Re: FOS goldfinch
From: Borrors <borrors AT comcast.net>
Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2011 15:31:46 -0500
All the good sightings are making me so envious! Happy for the Tally area but 
my wee yard has not been very active! The preserve behind me is busy but I can 
only make out silhouettes and it is too thick to see them clearly. 


Other than the morning doves, a random red bellied woodpecker. 

Hope we get some more interesting ones soon!



------------------------------------


Subject: FOS goldfinch
From: "glendajoyce6009" <glendajoyce6009 AT yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:51:55 -0000
Very busy at the feeders today. I saw my FOS goldfinch at the feeders, along 
with many of the other typical wintering guests. Still have at least one adult 
male Baltimore Oriole. And of course, always my bluebirds, four seen daily. No 
hummers, though. 


I also have seen some of the holes in my beds, recently, to indicate that the 
woodcock may be still hanging around, but I have not spotted it. 


Glenda Simmons
Eastside Tallahassee



------------------------------------


Subject: Long Billed Dowitcher
From: "Griff" <jgriffin36 AT cox.net>
Date: Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:31:40 -0000
Had the unpleasant task of removing a Long Billed from the sidewalk this 
morning at our new courthouse in Fort Walton Beach. It had flown into a window 
and broke its neck. Was still limp so it had just happened. Beautiful bird. 




------------------------------------