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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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 :] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 :] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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"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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 - YESFrom: 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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------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. ------------------------------------ |