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2 Sep Re: Blue-winged Warbler ["Jim Stevenson" ] 2 Sep Blue-winged Warbler [Carol Miller ] 02 Sep Anna's Hummingbird W. Lake Talquin ["drcorinnej" ] 01 Sep Oriole ID ["glendajoyce6009" ] 1 Sep Re: FOS Baltimore Orioles [Fran Rutkovsky ] 01 Sep FOS Baltimore Orioles ["glendajoyce6009" ] 31 Aug Wood Storks and Spoonbills [judy cooke ] 29 Aug Re: kingbird fallout ["Jim Stevenson" ] 29 Aug Re: Warbler ID [Glenda Simmons ] 29 Aug Re: Warbler ID ["Jim Stevenson" ] 30 Aug Warbler ID ["glendajoyce6009" ] 29 Aug Lark sparrow/Alligator Pt [John Murphy ] 28 Aug St. Marks Saturday morning ["Don Morrow" ] 28 Aug Franklin Co/Saturday [John Murphy ] 28 Aug Bald Point Blackburnian Warbler ["Cavanagh, Jim" ] 27 Aug kingbird fallout [Harry Hooper ] 26 Aug Bald Pt/Thursday evening [John Murphy ] 24 Aug Spoonbills at St Marks [] 22 Aug Alligator Pt birds [John Murphy ] 22 Aug From sunny [Ray ] 21 Aug Rufous hummingbird in Tallahassee [Fred Dietrich ] 21 Aug Bottoms Road Spoonbills [judy cooke ] 21 Aug Rufous ["Janeen Langley" ] 20 Aug Re: best places for early migrants ["Jim Stevenson" ] 20 Aug best places for early migrants ["Fire Woman" ] 19 Aug RE: 1st Winter Black Tern on Wacissa River Aug. 18 ["Grayal Farr" ] 19 Aug Re: 1st Winter Black Tern on Wacissa River Aug. 18 ["Jim Stevenson" ] 19 Aug 1st Winter Black Tern on Wacissa River Aug. 18 ["jdfwc" ] 14 Aug Chickadee Oddity [Kathleen Carr ] 13 Aug Re: Kinglets and heros [Robert Lengacher ] 13 Aug Re: Kinglets and heros [Ray ] 13 Aug Kinglets and heros ["Jim Stevenson" ] 13 Aug Re: Kinglets [Ray ] 12 Aug Long-billed Curlew ["White, Eddie" ] 11 Aug St Marks, Wednesday [] 9 Aug RE: Long-billed Curlew - Mashes Sands ["Grayal Farr" ] 8 Aug Long-billed Curlew - Mashes Sands ["Tracee Strohman" ] 7 Aug Kinglet [Carol Miller ] 5 Aug Kinglet ["Carol Miller" ] 4 Aug birds SW of Tallahassee ["Jim Stevenson" ] 4 Aug URGENT, Carol ["Jim Stevenson" ] 4 Aug Kinglets [Carol Miller ] 2 Aug St. George Island ["White, Eddie" ] 02 Aug Uncommon Eastern Bluebird Behavior ["glendajoyce6009" ] 31 Jul Oops...Correct link to ugly hummingbird picture ["John" ] 31 Jul Uglyliest Hummingbird ever ["John" ] 30 Jul Hooded Warbler in TLH [Dean and Sally Jue ] 30 Jul Apologies! ["Maggie" ] 30 Jul Bald Pt/Friday [John Murphy ] 29 Jul Three-toed woodpecker ["strick2010" ] 29 Jul Bird Workshop, Native Nurseries, Saturday [Fran Rutkovsky ] 22 Jul Help report Banded birds ["griffoneboggy" ] 21 Jul Kingbirds have arrived ["Erich" ] 21 Jul My Bluebirds on Cornell Nest Watch ["glendajoyce6009" ] 20 Jul Mississippi kites ["Beth W. Grant" ] 19 Jul Robins & Catbird [Fran Rutkovsky ] 19 Jul SGI Terns etc: [CK Borg ] 18 Jul Re: Wren ["Jim Stevenson" ] 18 Jul Wren [Carol Miller ] 15 Jul American Avocets ["Lesley Royce" ] 08 Jul Hummingbird Article in July 9 Tallahassee Democrat [Kathleen Carr ] 8 Jul sorry for the scam [bessinger janice ] 8 Jul 2 juve eagle sitings today - Tallahassee, Fl [] 7 Jul WARNING RE: Urgent help needed...... please respond !! ["Beth W. Grant" ] 6 Jul Re: owl playing with ball ["Beth W. Grant" ] 6 Jul Fw: 7 pictures for you ["Beth W. Grant" ] 05 Jul hawk and bluebird ["phf" ] 5 Jul Kingfisher at Lake Killarney [] 02 Jul Re: FLORIDA ANNOUNCES IMPROVED OILED BIRD RECOVERY PLAN ["steve_holzman" ] 01 Jul FLORIDA ANNOUNCES IMPROVED OILED BIRD RECOVERY PLAN ["Kathleen" ] 30 Jun RE: Hummingbird Recaptured in Alaska ["Cavanagh, Jim" ] 28 Jun Hummingbird Recaptured in Alaska [Fred Dietrich ] 27 Jun Bald Pt/Weekend sightings [John Murphy ] 27 Jun Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks at Lake Lafayette Heritage Trail Park 6-26-2010 ["markkiser9" ] 26 Jun RE: Bluebirds Fledging ["Becky Pritchard" ] 25 Jun Mississippi Kite ["pmct32308" ] Subject: Re: Blue-winged Warbler From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 11:01:29 -0500 Entirely possible. Curious thing, a large number of Florida BWs actually have some yellow in the wing - leftovers from an ancestor that mated with Golden-winged. If you asked me, it improves their genetic stock. Jim From: Carol Miller Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010 8:44 AM To: nflbirds group Subject: [nflbirds] Blue-winged Warbler I saw a bird flitting in one of our hardwoods that was bright yellow on the bottom, darker on top, and had a short, thin, black eyeline. I didn't get a good look at the wings to see if there were wing-bars. I can't find anything that looks like that other than the Blue-winged Warbler. Input? Carol Miller Monticello Sent from my iPhone [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Blue-winged Warbler From: Carol Miller <miller_c6 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 09:44:24 -0400 I saw a bird flitting in one of our hardwoods that was bright yellow on the bottom, darker on top, and had a short, thin, black eyeline. I didn't get a good look at the wings to see if there were wing-bars. I can't find anything that looks like that other than the Blue-winged Warbler. Input? Carol Miller Monticello Sent from my iPhone Subject: Anna's Hummingbird W. Lake Talquin From: "drcorinnej" <corinnejorgensen1 AT mac.com> Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:02:26 -0000 I have had an Anna's Hummingbird at my feeder here for about a week. Didn't see it today though, so not sure if it is still around. You never know what will show up out here for a brief stop or a few days! cheers, Corinne Subject: Oriole ID From: "glendajoyce6009" <glendajoyce6009 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:18:05 -0000 It appears the immature Baltimore Orioles I saw in my yard, yesterday, had an identity crisis and did not realize that they are actually Orchard Orioles. Fortunately, John Murphy set them straight. :) It had crossed my mind, and I studied both birds in my field guides before giving them the wrong ID. Since John, and now Fran R. were the only ones to question the ID, that makes me feel a bit better. I'm really trying to learn this stuff! These female birds and juveniles really do look alot alike. The picture of the two species at Cornell's All About Birds of their female Orchard, I think is a closer match to the picture I took. So, now I can add a new yard bird, to the list that I do not have, but intend to start :) Thanks John and Fran, and I will send a couple more pictures to John tonight to also compare. Glenda Simmons Eastside Tallahassee Subject: Re: FOS Baltimore Orioles From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:22:24 +0000 (UTC) Glenda, Did you consider that these may be two immature male/female Orchard Orioles rather than Baltimores? Orchards nest around here. The female/imm. males are greener than their Baltimore cousins. Just a thought. -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: FOS Baltimore Orioles From: "glendajoyce6009" <glendajoyce6009 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:40:26 -0000 I had two immature Baltimore orioles foraging in my Abelia shrub in my back yard, this evening. At first a bright flash of yellow caught my eye, and I thought it was a Yellow Warbler. I then saw it from a side view and saw the wing bars. Then I saw there were two! Grabbed my camera and got a couple of pictures. They are not as good as the Prairie Warbler, as they were taken through my kitchen window, but was very happy to get a picture for documentation of date. I don't get too many Orioles in my yard. This was certainly the earliest. No complaints! :)Has anyone else seen them in their yards? I'm still seeing red X in place of thumbnails, which I cannot figure out why. But perhaps you can still see the pictures. Or you can see them in my picasa link. http://picasaweb.google.com/glendajoyce6009/FOSImmatureBaltimoreOrioles20100831?authkey=Gv1sRgCMqS4M_PobSV-gE# Glenda Simmons Eastside Tallahassee Subject: Wood Storks and Spoonbills From: judy cooke <dellabirdie AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:22:09 -0700 (PDT) I'd say the Wood Storks have returned to Bottoms Road in Panacea and they brought a few  more Spoonbills with them.  Yesterday around noon, I counted at least 60 Wood Storks - many of them fuzzy-headed juvies.  Along with the 4 Spoonbills I saw last week, three more came with the storks making 7 spoonbills - possibly more.  The birds stretched around a bend that limited my vision.   Welcome back, dudes!   Judy - Panacea [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: kingbird fallout From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:23:45 -0500 That sounds like a great sight! Many years ago, one of the most unbelievable ornithological events took place in August. Down in SW Florida, a flock of these same Eastern Kingbirds were seen by many, and estimated to be in excess of a quarter million. (a no "fly" zone?) If you miss the good 'ol days of birding, let me tell you it's far, far worse missing all the snakes we used to have. Jim From: Harry Hooper Sent: Friday, August 27, 2010 7:34 PM To: nflbirds Subject: [nflbirds] kingbird fallout Evening nflbirders, Lynn and I made a short late afternoon trip to St. Marks NWR today. As we approached East River Pool, several small flocks of Eastern Kingbirds were observed flying south eventually landing in the marsh at the south end of the pool and in the large hardwoods by the road. We enjoyed observing several aerial skirmishes amongst individual birds as these flocks approached and landed. Overall, 27 birds were counted though with all the activity, there were probably additional birds present. Migration of this species appears to be in progress. (On August 23, last year, Lynn and her mom recorded 30 Eastern Kingbirds scattered between East River Pool and the lighthouse. Ten in one group were observed at the pool.) During the two hours at the refuge, we also observed a pair of juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-herons foraging in the marsh grasses east of the lighthouse and an adult Black-crowned at Headquarters Pool. Other highlights included four Purple Gallinules, one adult and three juveniles at Headquarters Pool. A quiet but beautiful and moody evening at the refuge. Harry Hooper Tallahassee, Florida [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Warbler ID From: Glenda Simmons <glendajoyce6009 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:37:17 -0700 (PDT) Thank You very much!  Prairie Warber, it is :)  there is hope for me, yet.   Glenda --- On Sun, 8/29/10, Jim Stevenson wrote: From: Jim Stevenson Subject: Re: [nflbirds] Warbler ID To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "glendajoyce6009" Date: Sunday, August 29, 2010, 10:50 PM You are quite right in your identification; it's a nice male Prairie. They are a very eastern species, as are Palms, but they migrate very early.   Jim From: glendajoyce6009 Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2010 9:28 PM To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [nflbirds] Warbler ID   This morning, I went to Bald Point, Otter Lake and Bottoms Road, in search of the recent reports of Warblers and Spponbills. I was not disappointed. At Bald point, I saw a Kingbird, Kingfisher, Osprey, toting lunch, various shore birds Black-crowned Night Heron trying to seclude himself in a tree off the parking lot, a Blue-grey Gnatcatcher and several warblers, gleaning their breakfasts in the trees, also by the parking lot. Warblers seen, were a male and female Redstart, and I am fairly sure, a Prairie Warbler. Fortunately my photography skills are often better than my birding skills, which helps me tremendously in identifying birds. I would appreciate having confirmation that the pretty bird I captured with my camera, was a Prairie Warbler. It certainly would not be the first time I was wrong. I tried several times, uploading two pictures to this yahoo site, unsussessfully. It shows the album was made but the pictures are not there, so I put them in a picasa album. I believe you should be able to see them without any problem, by clicking on the link, I will copy. Otter lake was very quiet, other than a pair of very verbal Osprey, at their nest. I did get to watch one Spoonbill feeding at Bottoms Road. Glenda Simmons Eastside Tallahassee http://picasaweb.google.com/glendajoyce6009/2010829BaldPointWarbler?authkey=Gv1sRgCJHQy_Xc-pi4-wE# [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Warbler ID From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:50:14 -0500 You are quite right in your identification; it's a nice male Prairie. They are a very eastern species, as are Palms, but they migrate very early. Jim From: glendajoyce6009 Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2010 9:28 PM To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [nflbirds] Warbler ID This morning, I went to Bald Point, Otter Lake and Bottoms Road, in search of the recent reports of Warblers and Spponbills. I was not disappointed. At Bald point, I saw a Kingbird, Kingfisher, Osprey, toting lunch, various shore birds Black-crowned Night Heron trying to seclude himself in a tree off the parking lot, a Blue-grey Gnatcatcher and several warblers, gleaning their breakfasts in the trees, also by the parking lot. Warblers seen, were a male and female Redstart, and I am fairly sure, a Prairie Warbler. Fortunately my photography skills are often better than my birding skills, which helps me tremendously in identifying birds. I would appreciate having confirmation that the pretty bird I captured with my camera, was a Prairie Warbler. It certainly would not be the first time I was wrong. I tried several times, uploading two pictures to this yahoo site, unsussessfully. It shows the album was made but the pictures are not there, so I put them in a picasa album. I believe you should be able to see them without any problem, by clicking on the link, I will copy. Otter lake was very quiet, other than a pair of very verbal Osprey, at their nest. I did get to watch one Spoonbill feeding at Bottoms Road. Glenda Simmons Eastside Tallahassee http://picasaweb.google.com/glendajoyce6009/2010829BaldPointWarbler?authkey=Gv1sRgCJHQy_Xc-pi4-wE# [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Warbler ID From: "glendajoyce6009" <glendajoyce6009 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 02:28:39 -0000 This morning, I went to Bald Point, Otter Lake and Bottoms Road, in search of the recent reports of Warblers and Spponbills. I was not disappointed. At Bald point, I saw a Kingbird, Kingfisher, Osprey, toting lunch, various shore birds Black-crowned Night Heron trying to seclude himself in a tree off the parking lot, a Blue-grey Gnatcatcher and several warblers, gleaning their breakfasts in the trees, also by the parking lot. Warblers seen, were a male and female Redstart, and I am fairly sure, a Prairie Warbler. Fortunately my photography skills are often better than my birding skills, which helps me tremendously in identifying birds. I would appreciate having confirmation that the pretty bird I captured with my camera, was a Prairie Warbler. It certainly would not be the first time I was wrong. I tried several times, uploading two pictures to this yahoo site, unsussessfully. It shows the album was made but the pictures are not there, so I put them in a picasa album. I believe you should be able to see them without any problem, by clicking on the link, I will copy. Otter lake was very quiet, other than a pair of very verbal Osprey, at their nest. I did get to watch one Spoonbill feeding at Bottoms Road. Glenda Simmons Eastside Tallahassee http://picasaweb.google.com/glendajoyce6009/2010829BaldPointWarbler?authkey=Gv1sRgCJHQy_Xc-pi4-wE# Subject: Lark sparrow/Alligator Pt From: John Murphy <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:12:03 -0500 (CDT) I saw my first-of-season Lark sparrow this morning on Alligator Pt.  Somewhat surprising given the stiff east winds we've had the past couple of days. John Murphy Alligator Pt, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: St. Marks Saturday morning From: "Don Morrow" <don.morrow AT tpl.org> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:09:54 -0700 On a drizzly Saturday morning, I checked out the lighthouse flats and Mounds Pool Trail. Lighthouse Flats Black Skimmer ~50 Royal Tern 2 Sandwich Tern 3 Forester's Tern 2 Black-bellied Plover several Semipalmated Plover several Mounds Pool Trail Forester's Tern 1 Least Sandpiper 1 Black-bellied Plover 2 Greater Yellowlegs 15 Yellow-throated Warbler Yellow Warbler B&W Warbler Prairie Warbler Cerulean Warbler Hooded Warbler Red-eyed Vireo many All of the warblers, except for the YT were in the scrub pines North of the pond. I heard a report of Redstart at the double bridges. There were innumerable deer flies on the Mounds Pool Trail. I have heard that bug spray works, but they fly around much too fast to make this a practical technique. The St. Marks Winter Wildlife tours start on November 13th. Call the refuge at 850.925.6121 to register for a spot. The Trust for Public Land - conservation news and success stories free to your email box. www.tpl.org/newsletters ---------- BEGIN:VCARD VERSION:2.1 X-GWTYPE:USER FN:Don Morrow TEL;WORK:850-222-7911 ext 22 ORG:The Trust for Public Land;SERO - Projects TEL;PREF;FAX:850-222-3133 EMAIL;WORK;PREF;NGW:Don.Morrow AT tpl.org N:Morrow;Don TITLE:Division Transaction Director ADR;DOM;WORK;PARCEL;POSTAL:;;306 North Monroe Street;Tallahassee;Florida;32301 LABEL;DOM;WORK;PARCEL;POSTAL;ENCODING=QUOTED-PRINTABLE:Don Morrow=0A= 306 North Monroe Street=0A= Tallahassee, Florida 32301 TEL;PREF;CELL:850.591.7645 END:VCARD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Franklin Co/Saturday From: John Murphy <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:33:58 -0500 (CDT) Ed Woodruff & I birded St George Island and Apalachicola today.  Species numbers were low, but we had a few good finds... Blue-winged teal - 11 AT SGI; 30 AT Apalach Chuck-will's-widow - 1, SGI E wood-pewee - 2, SGI Bank swallow - 2, Apalach Kentucky warbler - 1, SGI Yellow-breasted chat - 1, SGI John Murphy Alligator Pt, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bald Point Blackburnian Warbler From: "Cavanagh, Jim" <jim.cavanagh AT med.fsu.edu> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:36:07 -0400 Inspired by John Murphy's warbler list at Bald Point on Thursday I spent a few hours there this morning amid raindrops and found A Blackburnian Warbler in the Oak Tree next to the Howdy Rental Structure. I believe it was an adult female based on a plain orange throat, white wing bars and prominent black back stripes. Also found 4 Eastern Wood-Pewees and a Yellow Warbler. There were still 2 colorful Roseate Spoonbills on Bottoms Road in Panacea in a creek on the left just beyond the bridge (noon). Jim Cavanagh Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: kingbird fallout From: Harry Hooper <sn_egret AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:34:14 -0700 (PDT) Evening nflbirders,   Lynn and I made a short late afternoon trip to St. Marks NWR today.  As we approached East River Pool, several small flocks of Eastern Kingbirds were observed flying south eventually landing in the marsh at the south end of the pool and in the large hardwoods by the road. We enjoyed observing several aerial skirmishes amongst individual birds as these flocks approached and landed.  Overall, 27 birds were counted though with all the activity, there were probably additional birds present.   Migration of this species appears to be in progress.   (On August 23, last year, Lynn and her mom recorded 30 Eastern Kingbirds scattered between East River Pool and the lighthouse.  Ten in one group were observed at the pool.)   During the two hours at the refuge, we also observed a pair of juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-herons foraging in the marsh grasses east of the lighthouse and an adult Black-crowned at Headquarters Pool.  Other highlights included four Purple Gallinules, one adult and three juveniles at Headquarters Pool.    A quiet but beautiful and moody evening at the refuge.   Harry Hooper Tallahassee, Florida       [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bald Pt/Thursday evening From: John Murphy <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:09:25 -0500 (CDT) A late afternoon visit to Bald Pt State Park produced the following: E. wood-pewee - 2 Golden-winged warbler - ad male Yellow warbler - 10 Chestnut-sided warbler - 2 Cerulean warbler - ad female Black & white warbler - 3 Am redstart Kentucky warbler - ad female Hooded warbler - 3 John Murphy Alligator Pt, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Spoonbills at St Marks From: wmjphelan AT comcast.net Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:03:01 +0000 (UTC) Today at Tower Pond: 3 spoonbills, one pink, two white (juv) 1 Marbled Godwit 2 Solitary sandpipers (an oxymoron) L and G Yellowlegs Lots of skimmers  At lighthouse salt flats: Terns:  Forsters, sandwich, Royal, Caspian?, Least Eastern diamondback rattlesnake crossing Lighthouse Road, south of the restrooms Small raccoon in a tree near restrooms, eating grapes Bugs weren't too bad. Bill Phelan, Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Alligator Pt birds From: John Murphy <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 19:04:05 -0500 (CDT) This morning as I was filling my feeders in the pre-dawn, I had a Whip-poor-will singing nearby.  On Saturday I saw a Kentucky warbler in a residential area of Bald Pt.  Both were first-of-season birds for me. John Murphy Alligator Pt, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: From sunny From: Ray <raybieber AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 12:02:36 -0400 There have been a pair of summer tanagers at my bird bath and lunch table with meal worms served daily. Take care, Sunny Subject: Rufous hummingbird in Tallahassee From: Fred Dietrich <fdietrich AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 11:40:48 -0700 (PDT) This morning I got an email from Janeen Langley who had seen a young male rufous at her feeder at 7:00. I went to her house around 12:30 and at 1:00 the bird flew into my trap and she was exactly right, a hatching year male rufous. This is the earliest date for anything but an adult male rufous in this area. Most of these early arrivals do not stay around but move on to wherever their wintering grounds may be. Hopefully if he moves on he will be spotted and we can learn more about their migration patterns. Ruby-throated numbers should be increasing at your homes from now until early October when the last of the migrating birds move on for the winter. Keep a feeder out and watch out for any birds with rufous in their tails, you just might find one of the western species as they move through. Fred Dietrich Tallahassee, FL 850 591-7430 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bottoms Road Spoonbills From: judy cooke <dellabirdie AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 10:25:40 -0700 (PDT) The Bottoms Road Spoonbills have returned.  I've been watching for them for a couple of weeks now.  I saw the first 2 on Tuesday evening, Thursday evening, there were 4 and this morning there were 5.  Still not many Wood Storks - only 3-4 all week.   Nice to have the Pink Ones back! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rufous From: "Janeen Langley" <jelangley AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 07:21:32 -0400 This morning at 7:00, I had a rufous hummingbird at the feeder. It appears to be a young male. He is still in the front yard, going between the feeder and the firebush. This is the earlier I've seen one in my yard. Janeen Langley Northeast Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: best places for early migrants From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:50:42 -0500 Autumn and others, You are named for a great season for birding! Songbirds and many others migrate in a loop, from their more northern nesting grounds to the Tropics, and in fall, this loop takes them through eastern locations like Florida in great numbers*. The two locations you mentioned may be teeming with migrant birds at the right time, as well as other coastal locations. *More birds travel farther west in spring, such as through Texas. Many birds are circum-Gulf migrants, so when they go south and hit the upper Gulf coast, such as in Alabama or the Florida panhandle, they turn left and head east, following the coastline around the Gulf. Therefore, from your location, all the way to the Florida Keys, you can see species like Eastern Kingbirds, Barn Swallows and Palm Warblers flying diurnally east (and then south) around the Gulf (especially in the morning). Many other species are trans-Gulf migrants, simply arriving at the Gulf, spending a little time feeding and resting, and striking out across the expanse for the Tropics. Most warblers, for instance, are in this group. While the m.o. is very different for these two migration strategies, the days to see them remains the same. Of course, we may not have a lot of choice if we work, so maybe we hope they are there on weekends. But if you have a choice, I have two suggestions: 1) The migration of Neotropcs builds toward late September, and tails off around mid-October. After that, it's mostly winter arrivals like phoebes, yellow-rumps, etc. So try to maximize your efforts from mid-Sept to mid-Oct, if you can. You can certainly see stuff earlier than that, but it's not nearly as productive. [unless you're into mosquitoes and heat] FYI, curiously, here on the Western Gulf (Texas), our migration is quite productive earlier, such as around Labor Day. Go figger. 2) If there is a way to be in the field, on the coast, as a cold front arrives (don't be too late), you may be treated to an amazing display of avian movement. The air will be full of circum-Gulf migrants, and the canopies will look like Christmas trees with the trans-Gulf species. And often it's a one-day wonder, as they move on quickly, so don't be late! I used to teach for many years at Leon High School in Tallahassee, and never missed school sick. But every fall, I'd take off 2-3 days individually, each at the onset of an approaching cool front in late Sept or early Oct. The adm jokingly called it "barometric flu." I would go to St. George Island, where I had earlier done my graduate research in bird migration, but any place along the coast can be quite good. Life can seem pretty boring and meaningless sometimes, but if you ever find yourself in the middle of a passing front, with hundreds of birds everywhere, it will re-write your book on fantasy and excitement. Jim Galveston From: Fire Woman Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2010 11:09 PM To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [nflbirds] best places for early migrants I've been just itchin' to get out and go birding for several months now. I've noticed from the list (emails) that some early migrants are starting to come through the area. I live in Pensacola and would love it if anyone could offer some suggested sites to go to in the next few weeks, and any recommendations into the fall through winter. I love Dauphin Island and have seen many birds there. I just don't know if it is too soon to make that drive and not see anything. I've been to Fort Morgan, but the AOS was out there banding (in April) and didn't get to see many birds. Maybe worth the drive now???? I've seen someone has reported warblers in the Salter Lake (Century. FL) area (don't know where this is). Is this public land where one can park and walk around? I appreciate any and all suggestions of where to go birding. Have a GPS, too. Thanks in advance. Autumn McDonald Pensacola, FL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3082 - Release Date: 08/19/10 13:35:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: best places for early migrants From: "Fire Woman" <belleindixie AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:09:09 -0000 I've been just itchin' to get out and go birding for several months now. I've noticed from the list (emails) that some early migrants are starting to come through the area. I live in Pensacola and would love it if anyone could offer some suggested sites to go to in the next few weeks, and any recommendations into the fall through winter. I love Dauphin Island and have seen many birds there. I just don't know if it is too soon to make that drive and not see anything. I've been to Fort Morgan, but the AOS was out there banding (in April) and didn't get to see many birds. Maybe worth the drive now???? I've seen someone has reported warblers in the Salter Lake (Century. FL) area (don't know where this is). Is this public land where one can park and walk around? I appreciate any and all suggestions of where to go birding. Have a GPS, too. Thanks in advance. Autumn McDonald Pensacola, FL Subject: RE: 1st Winter Black Tern on Wacissa River Aug. 18 From: "Grayal Farr" <grayal AT nettally.com> Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:39:32 -0400 There was one at the SMNWR on Saturday the 7th. Just east of the lighthouse. From: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jim Stevenson Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2010 7:39 PM To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com; jdfwc Subject: Re: [nflbirds] 1st Winter Black Tern on Wacissa River Aug. 18 Joe, et al, Right now, most terns are already in basic plumage, and the fact that it's August is part of the reason the names of the plumages were changed from "winter" and "summer." I'm sure you're also seeing that most Laughing Gulls are in basic plumage as well. Plumage wise, "fall" doesn't really begin at the Autumnal Equinox, September 22, but almost immediately after the young fledge, in many, many species. Therefore, gobs of August birds have shed their breeding plumages. Black Terns also have young of the year, which are somewhat similar to basic plumage, to add confusion. And yes, this species is far more insectivorous than most terns, or since they snatch a lot of shrimp off the surface, perhaps we should say "arthropodivorous." [not a word, of course] This is not unprecedented in terns, as Gull-bills eat a lot of dragonflies, fiddler crabs and even occasional grasshoppers. The former has a more slender bill for hawking for insects, and the latter has a thick (gull) bill for crunching crustaceans like crabs (which are all arthropods). That sounds like a great place to visit! Jim Galveston From: jdfwc Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2010 12:23 PM To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [nflbirds] 1st Winter Black Tern on Wacissa River Aug. 18 We saw a 1st Winter Plumage Black Tern during our annual wading bird survey of Aucilla WMA yesterday. First time seen on the area. Bird was swooping for bugs over the river between the headwaters and Calico Hill Canoe landing. Lots of Spotted Sandpipers too. This is the best stretch of the river for herons, Purple Gallinules, etc. Wood Duck numbers are highest we've seen in the last few years. Cheers, Joe Davis FWC Aucilla WMA ---------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3080 - Release Date: 08/18/10 13:35:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: 1st Winter Black Tern on Wacissa River Aug. 18 From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:39:16 -0500 Joe, et al, Right now, most terns are already in basic plumage, and the fact that it's August is part of the reason the names of the plumages were changed from "winter" and "summer." I'm sure you're also seeing that most Laughing Gulls are in basic plumage as well. Plumage wise, "fall" doesn't really begin at the Autumnal Equinox, September 22, but almost immediately after the young fledge, in many, many species. Therefore, gobs of August birds have shed their breeding plumages. Black Terns also have young of the year, which are somewhat similar to basic plumage, to add confusion. And yes, this species is far more insectivorous than most terns, or since they snatch a lot of shrimp off the surface, perhaps we should say "arthropodivorous." [not a word, of course] This is not unprecedented in terns, as Gull-bills eat a lot of dragonflies, fiddler crabs and even occasional grasshoppers. The former has a more slender bill for hawking for insects, and the latter has a thick (gull) bill for crunching crustaceans like crabs (which are all arthropods). That sounds like a great place to visit! Jim Galveston From: jdfwc Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2010 12:23 PM To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [nflbirds] 1st Winter Black Tern on Wacissa River Aug. 18 We saw a 1st Winter Plumage Black Tern during our annual wading bird survey of Aucilla WMA yesterday. First time seen on the area. Bird was swooping for bugs over the river between the headwaters and Calico Hill Canoe landing. Lots of Spotted Sandpipers too. This is the best stretch of the river for herons, Purple Gallinules, etc. Wood Duck numbers are highest we've seen in the last few years. Cheers, Joe Davis FWC Aucilla WMA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3080 - Release Date: 08/18/10 13:35:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: 1st Winter Black Tern on Wacissa River Aug. 18 From: "jdfwc" <jdfwc AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:23:07 -0000 We saw a 1st Winter Plumage Black Tern during our annual wading bird survey of Aucilla WMA yesterday. First time seen on the area. Bird was swooping for bugs over the river between the headwaters and Calico Hill Canoe landing. Lots of Spotted Sandpipers too. This is the best stretch of the river for herons, Purple Gallinules, etc. Wood Duck numbers are highest we've seen in the last few years. Cheers, Joe Davis FWC Aucilla WMA Subject: Chickadee Oddity From: Kathleen Carr <kcarr AT nasw.org> Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 09:25:19 -0400 One Chickadee visitor to our feeder has been catching my eye the past few weeks. Thought I was seeing white where there normally isn't any. Finally got a good look at him with binoculars yesterday, and there was no question about it. This bird is leucistic. Got some pictures of him this morning. Here's a link to my Facebook album. It's public, you don't need to be a member to view it. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=39633&id=1622825922&l=54de26e934 -Kathleen Subject: Re: Kinglets and heros From: Robert Lengacher <rlengach AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:49:13 -0400 Jim's comments are spot on. My first post as a pre-birding newbie was a claim that I saw a Vermilion Flycatcher near my apartment. Gail Menk took the time to call me, ask probing questions about the bird and he helped me identify the bird as a House Finch. That experience did not sour me on birding and the birding community; rather, it ignited a curiosity about the natural world - and birds in particular - that I never had before. Gail helped me as a beginning birdwatcher, and I have continued to enjoy the healthy and helpful skepticism that fellow birders provide. My many mistakes and misidentifications have strengthened my ability to observe the natural world around me and helped me be a little more honest about myself too. Keep looking up! Rob Lengacher Tallahassee, FL On Fri, Aug 13, 2010 at 12:26 PM, Jim Stevenson wrote: > > > The matter of Carol's possible kinglets has been rolling around in my head, > and I wanted to offer a little perspective. > > First, the importance of the fact that Carol observed these little birds > and reported them cannot be overstated. I know of zillions of instances > where people have NOT reported things, and much was lost by their inaction. > Yes, it seems that the kinglets might well have been White-eyed Vireos, but > so what? Look how much was learned (by many of you), and extralimital birds > are never recorded if we always assume something is the common or expected > species. Carol's courage is to be commended, as well as her pleasant ego > about the claim. [I could tell you stories about ordeals my dad went through > as regional editor of American Birds. OMG.] > > Second, another lady contacted me privately with a possible Purple Finch > female at her feeder (which would be months before one should be down here > for the winter). She was also very pleasant and accepted my "scientific > skepticism" with the same goodness I sent it. We are waiting a possible > photo. > > And third, kudos to John Murphy, who is now in charge of local birds > records. This is a thankless job, but I'm gonna publicly thank him anyway. > This keeps the science in birding, and ensures that the data base for the > future reflects accurate observations and identifications. If you are ever > questioned by John (or anyone else) about a record, please show the same > decency as the two ladies mentioned above! > > We birders love having all this literature, from field guides to > periodicals, at our disposal. But that information was bought and paid for > through a scientific procedure like what has played here on this list. How > nice that we function as a group with good people. > > Jim > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nflbirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nflbirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: nflbirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com nflbirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: nflbirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: Kinglets and heros From: Ray <raybieber AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:28:16 -0400 Ditto. Applaud! Take care, Sunny On Aug 13, 2010, at 12:26 PM, "Jim Stevenson" wrote: > The matter of Carol's possible kinglets has been rolling around in > my head, and I wanted to offer a little perspective. > > First, the importance of the fact that Carol observed these little > birds and reported them cannot be overstated. I know of zillions of > instances where people have NOT reported things, and much was lost > by their inaction. Yes, it seems that the kinglets might well have > been White-eyed Vireos, but so what? Look how much was learned (by > many of you), and extralimital birds are never recorded if we always > assume something is the common or expected species. Carol's courage > is to be commended, as well as her pleasant ego about the claim. [I > could tell you stories about ordeals my dad went through as regional > editor of American Birds. OMG.] > > Second, another lady contacted me privately with a possible Purple > Finch female at her feeder (which would be months before one should > be down here for the winter). She was also very pleasant and > accepted my "scientific skepticism" with the same goodness I sent > it. We are waiting a possible photo. > > And third, kudos to John Murphy, who is now in charge of local birds > records. This is a thankless job, but I'm gonna publicly thank him > anyway. This keeps the science in birding, and ensures that the data > base for the future reflects accurate observations and > identifications. If you are ever questioned by John (or anyone else) > about a record, please show the same decency as the two ladies > mentioned above! > > We birders love having all this literature, from field guides to > periodicals, at our disposal. But that information was bought and > paid for through a scientific procedure like what has played here on > this list. How nice that we function as a group with good people. > > Jim > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Kinglets and heros From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:26:54 -0500 The matter of Carol's possible kinglets has been rolling around in my head, and I wanted to offer a little perspective. First, the importance of the fact that Carol observed these little birds and reported them cannot be overstated. I know of zillions of instances where people have NOT reported things, and much was lost by their inaction. Yes, it seems that the kinglets might well have been White-eyed Vireos, but so what? Look how much was learned (by many of you), and extralimital birds are never recorded if we always assume something is the common or expected species. Carol's courage is to be commended, as well as her pleasant ego about the claim. [I could tell you stories about ordeals my dad went through as regional editor of American Birds. OMG.] Second, another lady contacted me privately with a possible Purple Finch female at her feeder (which would be months before one should be down here for the winter). She was also very pleasant and accepted my "scientific skepticism" with the same goodness I sent it. We are waiting a possible photo. And third, kudos to John Murphy, who is now in charge of local birds records. This is a thankless job, but I'm gonna publicly thank him anyway. This keeps the science in birding, and ensures that the data base for the future reflects accurate observations and identifications. If you are ever questioned by John (or anyone else) about a record, please show the same decency as the two ladies mentioned above! We birders love having all this literature, from field guides to periodicals, at our disposal. But that information was bought and paid for through a scientific procedure like what has played here on this list. How nice that we function as a group with good people. Jim [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Kinglets From: Ray <raybieber AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 07:41:30 -0400 I would be happy to help photo the kinglets with you. Take care, Sunny On Aug 4, 2010, at 5:09 PM, Carol Miller wrote: > Isn't it early for Kinglets? I've had one flitting around my holly > and singing his little heart out the past two days. > > Carol Miller > Monticello > > Sent from my iPhone > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Long-billed Curlew From: "White, Eddie" <Eddie.White AT MyFWC.com> Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:05:03 -0400 Anita Foder called to report the Long-billed Curlew is still present at Mashes Sands Road as of 2:30 this afternoon. At the greenways park across from the boat ramp. take the stairs next to the fishing pier down to the shore and followed it east toward the bay. It was feeding in the exposed shoreline. Tide is rising, rain increasing and it had moved close to shore and was loafing with it's head under wing when she left. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: St Marks, Wednesday From: wmjphelan AT comcast.net Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:54:47 +0000 (UTC) At St Marks this AM.  Not too hot, quite breezy, few bugs and low tide. Not much going on in the uplands. At Tower Pond, some highlights: 1 Marbled Godwit 1 reddish egret--I haven't seen many this year yet 6-8 Greater Yellowlegs Western, semi-palmated and least sandpipers. 1 Skimmer At the lighthouse salt marshes: Terns:  Forsters, Least, Royal I think there were some Common Terns, but the wind made ID difficult Bill Phelan, Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Long-billed Curlew - Mashes Sands From: "Grayal Farr" <grayal AT nettally.com> Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 06:18:20 -0400 Three of them. Ca 1100 on Saturday. Around on the river side. From: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Tracee Strohman Sent: Sunday, August 08, 2010 9:16 PM To: NFLBirds Subject: [nflbirds] Long-billed Curlew - Mashes Sands There is still a Long-billed Curlew at Mashes Sands. It was preening, observed from the end of new'ish pier. Tracee Strohman Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Long-billed Curlew - Mashes Sands From: "Tracee Strohman" <tracee11 AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2010 21:16:03 -0400 There is still a Long-billed Curlew at Mashes Sands. It was preening, observed from the end of new'ish pier. Tracee Strohman Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Kinglet From: Carol Miller <miller_c6 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2010 07:00:45 -0400 Probable solution: I followed a couple of little flitty birds around the yard yesterday afternoon. I was pretty sure they were white-eyed vireos because of the "chick" at the end of the song. I got pictures of a juvenile that had a light eye-ring but no yellow yet, which looks similar to the kinglet. I didn't hear the "chick" from the bird I watched Monday and Tuesday, but that doesn't mean it couldn't have been the vireo. Carol Miller Monticello Sent from my iPhone Subject: Kinglet From: "Carol Miller" <miller_c6 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 08:56:40 -0400 I sat on the back steps this morning as long as I could. I thought I heard the bird up in the oak trees but he never dropped down into the holly where I had seen him the past two days. I'll try again tomorrow. Carol Miller Monticello [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: birds SW of Tallahassee From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 18:23:55 -0500 Today, I went birding (etc.) with my friend Richard Perry, and we saw a few birds that might be worthy of comment. First, through the national forest (I believe road 305), we heard many Acadian Flycatchers still singing, a chipping Hooded Warbler that is likely a migrant (there), and an Eastern Wood-pewee on a wire. Many other species, like Prothonotaries, were quiet (unlike the towhees). The very first slough contained hundreds of calling Bronzed Frogs, one of the most amazing herpetological experiences of my life. The "gunk" sound, like a guitar being plucked, was in every direction, loud, and surreal. Near there we moved a beautiful Corn Snake out of the road. Along the coast near Lanark, we found a Swallow-tailed Kite apparently migrating west. I'm curious if others have seen them moving west along the coast in early fall, rather than down the Peninsula. We snorkeled St. Joe Bay, through the manatee and turtle grass for marine invertebrates (how fun is that!) and saw gaudy Black-bellied Plovers, having returned from their Arctic breeding grounds (along with Least Sandpipers who breed in subarctic areas.) Overhead were young Sandwich Terns moving their buns, Forster's Terns already in basic plumage and one Least Tern. The Royals we saw were down along the Gulf beach - typical for that species. Likely songbird migrants included an Orchard Oriole along the highway near Cape San Blas, some Barn Swallows downed by the rain, and a pod of martins basically doing the same thing. I was surprised to see two young Ospreys still in their nest on the north side of 98, on the east side of Apatheticola Bay. Isn't this kinda late? I know we're all glad to see the leak stopped, but you can bet your BP I'll be selective where I buy my gas. Jim, visiting in Tallahassee: Mother's fine. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: URGENT, Carol From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 18:06:50 -0500 Carol, It is URGENT that you somehow document this unbelievably early record for kinglet (of either species)! They are seldom seen before the last week of September, and this would be absolutely the bizarrest of records. PLEEEEEEEASE get a film or snapshot of it! I can promise you that the record will never be accepted without documentation, which is in NO WAY questioning your skills. They wouldn't David Sibley's record of a kinglet at the beginning of August here without "evidence", nor should they. It was very astute of you to recognize that this was very early. Now I urge you in the strongest possible language to "finish the job" and get the documentation. Jim From: Carol Miller Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 4:09 PM To: nflbirds group Subject: [nflbirds] Kinglets Isn't it early for Kinglets? I've had one flitting around my holly and singing his little heart out the past two days. Carol Miller Monticello Sent from my iPhone -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.851 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3049 - Release Date: 08/03/10 09:22:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Kinglets From: Carol Miller <miller_c6 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 17:09:25 -0400 Isn't it early for Kinglets? I've had one flitting around my holly and singing his little heart out the past two days. Carol Miller Monticello Sent from my iPhone Subject: St. George Island From: "White, Eddie" <Eddie.White AT MyFWC.com> Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 08:27:52 -0400 Visited some friends on Land Street on the bay side of St. George Island Saturday July 31. Had an immature reddish egret come in for a landing in their back yard and stick around for 10 minutes. Had several spotted sandpipers flying in and around the rock wrap that protects the shore behind the houses. Gray Kingbird on the power line in from of the home. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Uncommon Eastern Bluebird Behavior From: "glendajoyce6009" <glendajoyce6009 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:47:49 -0000 Good Evening, I have been excited to witness rare behavior of the Eastern Bluebird. I have a juvenile that is helping his parents feed his younger siblings. I first saw this bluebird, thought to be a male, on July 21, take a mealworm from a close by feeding dish, fly to and cling to the outside of the nesting box, looking around for about thirty seconds, then put his head into the entrance hole, and pop it back out, without the mealworm. I have been watching for this behavior, for years, as I had read, that it occasionally, occurs. This just happened to occur at the nesting box, very close to my house, and I had binoculars in hand, so I saw the behavior, very clearly. Of course, I was then hoping to see him do it again, and be lucky enough to get a picture for documentaion. The next evening, after work, I had my camera ready, when I put some mealworms out, but did not see the juvenile make an attempt. The following day, I was off work, and was setting my camera up, before putting any mealworms out, when the juvenile landed on top of the nesting box. He already had a little spider in it's beak and proceeded to feed a sibling without hesitation. I was really excited, because he had to intentionally hunt for that spider and share it, it was not a convenient mealworm. This bluebird, fledged from this same nesting box, just six weeks prior, and while hunting on his own, still will occasionally beg his parents to feed him. I believe he is the only one of the five that survived after their first week post fledging. That story and pictures are currently featured on the Cornell Nest Watch, web site. Since that first week, after fledging, I have seen him with his parents, almost daily, but never saw the others. After his Mom started incubating her second clutch, the juvenile would often just perch on top of the nesting box, while Mom was inside, with Dad sometimes joining him. I continued to watch the juvenile feeding his siblings, at the nesting box, until they fledged, five days later, and since then, to the present, almost another week, he continues to help them feed them, up in a large oak tree in my yard. I sent the information to Cornell Nest Watch, and immediately got a reply from the project assistant. As it turns out, this behavior is more rare, than I had thought. I will copy and paste that email response, I received from Cornell. At 5, in 5,000, that's one special little Bluebird, I have. :) I also had three bluebird pair nesting in my 2 acre yard, for the first time, this season, a territory size, generally required for one pair. Twenty-Seven was my final fledge count! Plus Six chickadees, and my first time, nest box, residents, four Great-crested Flycatchers, fledged. :) It has been one heck of a busy, nesting season, with all kinds of firsts! I don't know about the birds, but I'm kind of tired. lol I'll also include links to view the pictures and short video clip, of the juvenile's behavior. Glenda Simmons Eastside Tallahassee http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKxRMwUsihY http://picasaweb.google.com/glendajoyce6009/2010JuvenileEasternBluebirdFeedingSiblings?authkey=Gv1sRgCP295dW7v724Xg# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Glenda, That is quite an amazing behavior to watch, especially in Eastern Bluebirds. I'm very glad that you were able to capture a short video of the event as well. Typically, this species is not known for the juveniles assisting in the breeding process. However, they do have cousins that are very active in this assistance. Western Bluebirds often have helpers at the nest. These helpers are either adult males or the fledglings of previous nest attempts. There have been many studies as to the results of helping. Typically, the pair that is helped can feed the chicks less often, have an increased fledge rate, and often tend to live longer. As for the helpers themselves, the do not seem to be as well off as the non-helpers. It is thought that this trend is either caused by lack of partners in the area or through the potential of inheriting the nest site in the future. Though Eastern Bluebird helpers rarely happen, they do occasionally occur. Typically the rate is about 5 in 5,000 nests, with most of these helpers being fledgling from nests earlier in the season. So, this is something quite rare that you have. As for the other fledglings, they might have been just as successful as the one that you continue to see. However, they have probably gone their own way by now. Enjoy the end of this nest attempt! Sincerely, Kenyon Stratton NestWatch Project Assistant Subject: Oops...Correct link to ugly hummingbird picture From: "John" <mmarmstrong112024 AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 22:17:03 -0000 Link to ugly hummingbird picture Here is the correct link: [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Uglyliest Hummingbird ever From: "John" <mmarmstrong112024 AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 22:07:59 -0000 see the picture of this male ruby throat in full moult click here for picture John Armstrong Indian Head Acres [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hooded Warbler in TLH From: Dean and Sally Jue <dsjue AT embarqmail.com> Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:38:38 -0400 (EDT) Yesterday, July 29th (Thursday), we had our first Hooded Warbler of the season in our northern Tallahassee yard near Lake Jackson. It was an adult male. Best, Dean and Sally Jue [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Apologies! From: "Maggie" <gallinasviejas AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:48:25 -0000 Yikes. I'm sorry if I caused anyone to think there was a three-toed woodpecker in my backyard here in Tallahassee. It was in MAINE. I'll try not to make that mistake again. Subject: Bald Pt/Friday From: John Murphy <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com> Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:44:46 -0500 (CDT) This morning I had an adult Sooty tern fly in and land on a sand bar at the north end of Bald Pt SP.  It preened for about 10 minutes then set off towards Mashes Sand with 3 agitated Sandwich terns in pursuit. Other species of note: Gull-billed tern - 2,  juvenile begging an adult Yellow-billed cuckoo - 1 Red-eyed vireo - 1 Prairie warbler - 15 Blue grosbeak - 2 Orchard oriole - 1 John Murphy Alligator Pt, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Three-toed woodpecker From: "strick2010" <gallinasviejas AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:38:18 -0000 Just a quick note to report the remaining species that I enjoyed seeing and/or hearing during the last couple of weeks that we were in Maine. I put up a tray feeder in addition to two hanging ones and was tickled to observe a purple finch parent bringing his demanding little fledgling down. Next was a female rose-breasted grosbeak, who carried bits up into a tall white pine for her fledglings. A couple of additional birds which I did not see on our property were bobolinks in a nearby meadow and a belted kingfisher on Brann's Mill Pond. During our final few days, I noticed a new woodpecker in the yard. I had to study the Sibley's for a few minutes and study the bird some more, but I finally decided it was a three-toed woodpecker. I did not see any yellow coloring on the crown, so I assume it was a female. It had the requisite narrow white stripes on the head and was darker than the similar species. I was pretty excited and wished I could have had another birder to confirm it, but I don't really know any birders in the area there yet. Maybe next year! Subject: Bird Workshop, Native Nurseries, Saturday From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:09:08 +0000 (UTC) Summer Bird Workshop with Jody Walthall Saturday July 31st 10am Free Jody will cover a variety of topics related to the feeding and nesting habits of birds that frequent our yards in summer. He will discuss hummingbirds, how to outfox squirrels, nesting birds, birdbaths, planting for birds and the seasonal rhythms of bird appearances in our yards. 1661 Centerville Rd. Tallahassee, Florida 32308 386-8882 -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Help report Banded birds From: "griffoneboggy" <jgriffin36 AT cox.net> Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:58:44 -0000 With large numbers of birds being rescued, treated, and relocated in the Gulf States as a result of the BP oil spill, people seeing banded birds are asked to report sightings. A large percentage of captured birds are being successfully treated and released back into the wild. These birds are being fitted with leg bands that provide identifying information to assist Federal scientists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey and other organizations in studying these birds after release. Birds from the BP oil spill are banded with metal federal leg bands with a unique ID number. In addition, brown pelicans also receive a large color leg band. Three colors of leg bands are being used: · Orange bands with no identification numbers or letters. · Red bands with identifying numbers and letters. · Pink bands with identifying numbers and letters. People who see the birds are asked to report sightings to the National Bird Banding Lab online: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/default.htm Reporting the band number and the bird's location will help biologists understand the movements and survival of the birds after their release. Follow this link for more detailed information: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/791335/ Subject: Kingbirds have arrived From: "Erich" <erich_brough AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:32:07 -0000 Just yesterday, we started seeing a few eastern kingbirds in the yard (NE from Lloyd). At first, I thought I was seeing mockingbirds, but then I saw the black cap and whiter(er) underparts (also, no tail flicking behavior). There's still only a few, and not too noisy yet. They should get a bit bolder (and more numerous) soon. Subject: My Bluebirds on Cornell Nest Watch From: "glendajoyce6009" <glendajoyce6009 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:54:50 -0000 Cornell's Nest Watch web site is featuring a little account of a recent Bluebird fledging experience, I witnessed, with some pictures, if anyone is interested in viewing. http://watch.birds.cornell.edu/nest/home/index With the current oil spill, monitoring nests for this project will be even more vital to Cornell. Check it out and see if you might be interested in participating next season. Glenda Simmons Eastside Tallahassee Subject: Mississippi kites From: "Beth W. Grant" <bethgrant AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:43:39 -0400 The tall pines in my yard and the sky above were graced this morning with two adult and one juvenile Mississippi kites! Of course, they had all of the other birds stirred up, too. The juvenile and one of the parents landed briefly in the trees. They didn't carry anything off. High in the sky, the juvenile was swooping away from and back close to one of the parents. What a treat! I've seen adults above my house before, and nest-building near Jerger school, where there are a lot of longleaf pines and other mature trees. Beth Grant ---------- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.839 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3017 - Release Date: 07/20/10 02:36:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Robins & Catbird From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:25:34 +0000 (UTC) Yesterday when I was working in the yard at our rental house off Pensacola near Chapel Drive, I heard Robins constantly singing from the trees and a Catbird mewing. One of our tenants said he saw Robins in the birdbath this summer. I also heard a Rubythroat there last week. Since we moved from there in 1996, some of the tenants have kept up with bird feeders and a birdbath, but not consistently. -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: SGI Terns etc: From: CK Borg <ckborg AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:40:57 +0000 I've been birding St. George Island State Park (from the last beach house east to the Dog Island cut) regularly this summer... nearshore seabirds have been particularly enjoyable including notables such as several Common Terns and a handful of Black Terns this past Saturday. Low tide is best as the birds will be concentrated around their roosts. You will have to walk quite a ways. Specialty shorebirds present have included Wilson's and Snowy Plovers and American Oystercatcher. -CB TTRS _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail is redefining busy with tools for the New Busy. Get more from your inbox. http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_2 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Wren From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 11:37:39 -0500 To my knowledge, Carolina Wrens have eight discernable songs, but not all sing every song, and some (like the teakettle) are heard much more than others. It is also not uncommon for various species to have local dialects, like the people in Boston. Jim Anchorage, currently From: Carol Miller Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2010 7:33 AM To: nflbirds group Subject: [nflbirds] Wren I have Carolina Wrens that are actually singing a warbling song similar, but not as long and complex, as the Winter Wren. Is this unusual? None of my recorded wren songs do this. Carol Miller Monticello Sent from my iPhone -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.839 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3012 - Release Date: 07/17/10 13:35:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Wren From: Carol Miller <miller_c6 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 08:33:14 -0400 I have Carolina Wrens that are actually singing a warbling song similar, but not as long and complex, as the Winter Wren. Is this unusual? None of my recorded wren songs do this. Carol Miller Monticello Sent from my iPhone Subject: American Avocets From: "Lesley Royce" <ljroyce AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:13:25 -0400 Migration has brought two bird species back to Huguenot Memorial Park. While conducting the weekly shorebird survey this morning at this park, we spotted two american avocets at the family beach area. Spotted one whimbrel in the cove area inside the temporary car-free zone. Lesley Royce Jacksonville, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hummingbird Article in July 9 Tallahassee Democrat From: Kathleen Carr <kcarr AT nasw.org> Date: Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:12:31 -0400 Today¹s Democrat has a wonderful article by Pam Flynn about the Rufous Hummingbird that was banded in Alaska, with details about the Alaska bander ‹ a Florida native. If anybody wants a PDF of the article, email me privately and I¹ll be happy to send you a copy. (kcarr AT nasw.org) -Kathleen [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: sorry for the scam From: bessinger janice <janmelb AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2010 03:03:35 -0700 (PDT) A bug found its way in to my email contacts. Sorry for any inconvenience. Subject: 2 juve eagle sitings today - Tallahassee, Fl From: raybieber AT comcast.net Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2010 00:29:50 +0000 (UTC) I saw one this morning at 9am being harrassed by mockingbirds - Southwood off Shumard Oak Blvd. and the second one on 15th hole, Hilaman Golf course at 7pm. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: WARNING RE: Urgent help needed...... please respond !! From: "Beth W. Grant" <bethgrant AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2010 14:26:31 -0400 We've been conned. This happened to a friend recently, with almost the identical message. A message went out with her email address claiming it was her sending it. ---------- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.830 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2987 - Release Date: 07/07/10 02:36:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: owl playing with ball From: "Beth W. Grant" <bethgrant AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2010 15:19:20 -0400 People are telling me that the pictures didn't come through. They are at the bottom of the message and attached on the email I sent - sorry they didn't get through. Don't know how to correct this. Thanks anyway, Beth ---------- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.830 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2985 - Release Date: 07/06/10 02:36:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fw: 7 pictures for you From: "Beth W. Grant" <bethgrant AT bellsouth.net> Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2010 14:30:05 -0400 Any opinions? Looks like a juvenile (great horned owl?) playing to me. Beth ----- Original Message ----- From: linda heffron To: bethgrant AT bellsouth.net Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2010 1:55 PM Subject: Fwd: 7 pictures for you Here is something to cheer you. Cornell never answered my questions in spite of several emails I sent them. I would like your opinion about the behavior of this owl. We are pretty sure it was young, feathers still fluffy. For all the world, it looked like it was playing. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: linda heffron Date: Thu, May 13, 2010 at 1:14 PM Subject: 7 pictures for you To: cornellbirds AT cornell.edu When I first saw this charmer, he kicked the ball, stood back, and then kicked it again. Wow! A soccer playing bird. Next, he jumped on top of it and bounced a bit. He nipped it with his beak and it deflated. He played with the flat red rubber, tossing it in the air several times, until my grandson opened the door to the deck, letting out both dogs who caused the owl to fly away. It was so amusing and I was totally amazed. Kathleen Brady (at Birdsong Nature Center) suggested that I write to Cornell with the story and pictures. I was so anxious to get pictures that all I did was snap away so the quality is not great, but the event was documented. The pictures were taken shortyly after 7pm in a backyard in Thomasville, GA. There are many trees and a small stream behind the owl. I would love to hear your thoughts about this bird's behavior. Linda Heffron ---------- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.830 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2985 - Release Date: 07/06/10 02:36:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: hawk and bluebird From: "phf" <phhomann AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:51:34 -0000 Glenda's story about bluebird fledglings facing the "harsh reality of nature" prompts me to write about the (presumed) fate of the bluebirds born in my yard. Four young were still in the box sixteen days after hatching, but on the morning of the seventeenth day I saw one actually falling out of the entrance hole – incapable of sustained flight. Eventually it disappeared under shrubbery. An hour later great commotion as a jay repeatedly tried to approach a shrub near the box but is chased by the parent bluebirds that are joined later by House Finches. I suspected a snake, but could not locate one. Things had calmed down anyway. But then, 10 min or so later there was a Red-shouldered Hawk sitting on a branch above the box, obviously waiting for bluebird fledglings to leave. The nest, however, turned out to be empty. Because we have not seen or heard any young since, and no adult birds the next day, we assume that the hawk has picked off the fledglings one by one – easy prey! Probably the watchful jay, but not my wife and I from a window, had detected the hawk on one of its previous visits. Peter Homann Tallahassee Subject: Kingfisher at Lake Killarney From: Edwwjr AT aol.com Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2010 07:02:35 EDT While waiting for the fireworks at Lake Killarney to begin last night I had a belted kingfisher fly by. This is the first I have seen at the lake recently. Ed Woodruff Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: FLORIDA ANNOUNCES IMPROVED OILED BIRD RECOVERY PLAN From: "steve_holzman" <steve_holzman AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:25:26 -0000 This is good, but I think folks need to understand the difficulty involved. I spent 2 weeks in the Mobile sector doing GIS mapping to support the field crews searching for oiled birds. The hotline system in place (calls go to Houston, then to Mobile, then to USFWS dispatch in Mobile, then to the closest crew) leaves something to be desired, but even so, the bird reported may only be slightly oiled, and when they arrive on site, the bird is capable of unrestricted flight and continually flies out of reach. It's only when they are severely oiled that they are easier to capture. They are doing the best they can, but it's extremely difficult if not near impossible to capture a fully flighted gull, tern or pelican. Most crews are 2 person crews, but there is usually someone else on-site to help corral the bird. I know rehabbing oiled birds is controversial, but we as an agency or even as a society can't just let them die without trying, and all the oiled bird capture costs are or will be borne by BP. At the same time as we do this, we should also stress protection of nesting birds on beaches (sometimes from the very crews that are cleaning the beaches), and in the future we should really try to keep the beaches free of free-roaming cats. Sadly, they kill more birds on a yearly basis than ANY oil spill. Steve Holzman North High Shoals, GA --- In nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Kathleen" wrote: > > > FYI. DEP just sent this out this afternoon. Here's a link to the PDF. > Text version is below. > > http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/070110_oiled_bird_plan\ > .pdf > n.pdf> > Subject: FLORIDA ANNOUNCES IMPROVED OILED BIRD RECOVERY PLAN From: "Kathleen" <kcarr AT nasw.org> Date: Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:40:24 -0000 FYI. DEP just sent this out this afternoon. Here's a link to the PDF. Text version is below. http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/070110_oiled_bird_plan\ .pdf For immediate release: JULY 1, 2010 Contact: PUBLIC INFORMATION ESF14 ¨C 850-921-0217 FLORIDA ANNOUNCES IMPROVED OILED BIRD RECOVERY PLAN ~New response plan ensures quick recovery of oiled birds~ TALLAHASSEE ¨C The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) together with federal partners today announced the creation of an oiled bird recovery plan for rapid response to distressed birds. The recovery plan was created and approved by the Incident Command Sector Mobile, with assistance from impacted states, to ensure oiled birds are recovered within 60 minutes of their initial report. Under the plan, a Florida Panhandle Group will be established in Panama City to coordinate the rapid recovery and rescue of injured wildlife on Florida¡¯s shores. ¡°It is critical that trained personnel respond rapidly to reports of wildlife in distress due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill,¡± said FWC Executive Director Nick Wiley. ¡°We are hopeful that this new plan created in coordination with our federal partners will better protect Florida¡¯s precious wildlife.¡± The Florida Panhandle Group will consist of three task forces, covering two to three counties each throughout Northwest Florida. The Group is made up of 150 field personnel including biologists, wildlife rehabilitators and Vessels of Opportunity captains. When an oiled bird is reported to the Oiled Wildlife Hotline, the corresponding task force in that region will be notified and the nearest trained wildlife experts will quickly respond. FWC, in coordination with the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), would also like to remind Floridians and visitors to report any sightings of wildlife oiled or injured as a result of Deepwater Horizon oil spill by calling the Oiled Wildlife Hotline number at 1©\866©\557©\1401. The hotline operator will contact the nearest response team and dispatch it to attempt to rescue the animal. People naturally want to help injured animals. However, untrained rescuers may cause more harm than good. The public should not touch, approach or try to rescue the animal. Handling oiled wildlife may pose a serious health and safety risk to both would-be rescuers and the animal they are trying to rescue. The chemicals in oil are toxic and only trained personnel with appropriate protective gear and equipment should handle and treat oiled animals. Such rescues require hazardous-material training, permits and animal-handling skills to ensure human safety and the best interests of the animal. The Oiled Wildlife Hotline number is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, please visit http://myfwc.com/OilSpill/OilSpill_FAQs.htm or http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/deepwater_horizon/Public_Flyer_Marine_Wildl\ ife_Response_Action_Plan.pdf For the latest information regarding Florida¡¯s response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, visit www.deepwaterhorizonflorida.com or follow www.Twitter.com/FLDEPalert . -30- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Hummingbird Recaptured in Alaska From: "Cavanagh, Jim" <jim.cavanagh AT med.fsu.edu> Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:18:58 -0400 Awesome! From: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Fred Dietrich Sent: Monday, June 28, 2010 10:13 PM To: nfl birds Subject: [nflbirds] Hummingbird Recaptured in Alaska I just got some wonderful news this afternoon. A female rufous hummingbird that I banded on January 13, 2010 at Pam Flynn's house in Tallahassee was recaptured today in Chenega Bay, Alaska, nearly 4,000 miles away. When I examined the bird I checked its bill and found that about 50% of it contained striations, indicating that this bird was born last summer. Instead of migrating south to Mexico like most rufous, it came east and spent the winter here. This recapture is by far the greatest distance between banding site and breeding grounds. One of the previous long distances was a bird recaptured here after being banded in west Texas, about 980 miles. That one really pales compared to this bird. I'm not sure what the previous record was but I think this may be 1,200 miles longer. One reason is that there are few banders in Alaska to band and recapture birds in the NW end of their territory. I have posted some photos of this bird that I took when I banded it, at http://upload.pbase.com/edit_gallery/fdietrich/alaska. The last page is a record of the data that I collected and reported to the Bird Banding Laboratory in Maryland, the repository of all data that is collected through bird banding. While it has long been believed that the birds that winter in the SE states may have come from as far away as Alaska, this is the first time that we have been able to document it on both ends of the migration route. Without banding hummingbirds, we would have no idea of their migration habits. Obviously there was no harm done to this bird during banding and carrying the band didn't affect its ability to fly. The weight of the band is less than .02% of its body weight, many times more than the relative weight of a person wearing a wrist watch, and since the bird tucks its legs up into its body feathers when it flies, there is no increased aerodynamic drag caused by the band. I will be banding at a few homes this summer but our main research project continues to be banding wintering hummers, those that are here between November 15th and March 1st. Keep your feeders out and I'll be waiting to hear from you this winter, and especially to see if this long range migrant returns to Pam's house. Fred Dietrich Tallahassee, FL 850 591-7430 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Hummingbird Recaptured in Alaska From: Fred Dietrich <fdietrich AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:12:30 -0700 (PDT) I just got some wonderful news this afternoon. A female rufous hummingbird that I banded on January 13, 2010 at Pam Flynn's house in Tallahassee was recaptured today in Chenega Bay, Alaska, nearly 4,000 miles away. When I examined the bird I checked its bill and found that about 50% of it contained striations, indicating that this bird was born last summer. Instead of migrating south to Mexico like most rufous, it came east and spent the winter here. This recapture is by far the greatest distance between banding site and breeding grounds. One of the previous long distances was a bird recaptured here after being banded in west Texas, about 980 miles. That one really pales compared to this bird. I'm not sure what the previous record was but I think this may be 1,200 miles longer. One reason is that there are few banders in Alaska to band and recapture birds in the NW end of their territory. I have posted some photos of this bird that I took when I banded it, at http://upload.pbase.com/edit_gallery/fdietrich/alaska. The last page is a record of the data that I collected and reported to the Bird Banding Laboratory in Maryland, the repository of all data that is collected through bird banding. While it has long been believed that the birds that winter in the SE states may have come from as far away as Alaska, this is the first time that we have been able to document it on both ends of the migration route. Without banding hummingbirds, we would have no idea of their migration habits. Obviously there was no harm done to this bird during banding and carrying the band didn't affect its ability to fly. The weight of the band is less than .02% of its body weight, many times more than the relative weight of a person wearing a wrist watch, and since the bird tucks its legs up into its body feathers when it flies, there is no increased aerodynamic drag caused by the band. I will be banding at a few homes this summer but our main research project continues to be banding wintering hummers, those that are here between November 15th and March 1st. Keep your feeders out and I'll be waiting to hear from you this winter, and especially to see if this long range migrant returns to Pam's house. Fred Dietrich Tallahassee, FL 850 591-7430 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bald Pt/Weekend sightings From: John Murphy <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com> Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2010 19:24:17 -0500 (CDT) On Saturday I went offshore primarily for fishing, but also found the following : Common loon - 1 Magnificent frigatebird - 1 ad female Pomarine jaeger - 1, ad light morph, basic plumage; very cooperative as it sat on water 50' from the boat Sunday, BP state park: Common tern - 31, various plumages Belted kingfisher - 1, first return of the season John Murphy Alligator Pt, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks at Lake Lafayette Heritage Trail Park 6-26-2010 From: "markkiser9" <mark.kiser AT myfwc.com> Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:12:20 -0000 Yesterday evening, three BB Whistling-Ducks flew west over the dam on Lake Piney Z. Other highlights: Cooper's Hawk chasing prey Orchard Oriole 3 at dam, 1 male singing male Summer Tanager singing--trail family of 4 Ospreys, two young still in nest in cypress tree, at dam family of 7 Purple Gallinules--5 "puffball" chicks, at dam family of Common Moorhen--2 "puffball" chicks, at dam Gray Fox in subdivision Cheers, Mark and Selena Kiser Tallahassee batboxblues AT netscape.net Subject: RE: Bluebirds Fledging From: "Becky Pritchard" <beckypritchard AT cox.net> Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2010 08:11:52 -0500 Great pics and story Glenda. They put a smile on my face this morning - quite the opposite of the news coverage of the oil mess - so THANK YOU! From: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of glendajoyce6009 Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 6:41 PM To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [nflbirds] Bluebirds Fledging I'm sharing my account of the activities I witnessed of one of my many bluebird's fledging experience from this season. This was posted to an online photography web site with a photo. Instead of uploading the one picture, on this site, I am including the link that should take you to my picasa album, that I made of these birds. You do not have to sign in to view the pictures. If you have problems seeing the pictures, let me know. At the end of their nesting season, I'll post a summery of this incredible season. The Bluebirds in my yard, obviously did not read the guidlines outlining their territory requirements! Hope you enjoy the little story and pictures. Glend Simmons Eastside Tallahassee Picture link: http://picasaweb.google.com/glendajoyce6009/20100610BluebirdsJustFledged?aut hkey=Gv1sRgCJCb5uuNzKawLA# --------------------------------------------------------- One week ago, after arriving home from my work day, I watched a couple of Eastern Bluebirds peeking out the entrance hole to their nesting box, that the two shared with three other siblings. I monitor the bluebirds in my yard, closely, and knew they would fledge at any time. I went inside the house to get my camera gear, hoping to witness the big event. As I walked toward my front door, I saw a flash of blue on my front porch, through window. Opening the door, was like entering a three-ring circus! The "flash of blue" made a very wobbly, low and slow flight back toward his nesting box, a short distance away, landing on the trunk of a small, tree next to the box. He held tight, clinging to the bark. Out of my peripheral vision, I saw movement in the shrubbery grass, next to my porch, and spotted the second fledgling. It was hopping and trying to escape what must have seemed like a jungle to him. I then saw movement about six feet up a Crape Myrtle tree, just over the head of the fledgling, below. This was the only fledgling that figured out how to get up in the tree, rather than on the ground below the trees. Mom and Dad were swooping down, with constant chatter, trying to get these grounded birds to follow them in flight. It did not work! Also, it appeared to be a community effort, as several House Finches and Cardinals landed on the ground next to the fledglings in what appeared to be a joint effort to get these birds airbourne. In the meantime, I watched another fledgling, observing all the commotion from the safety of it's nesting box. (which still leaves one unaccounted for, likely, also, inside the box) For the next hour, I observed from a distance, the fledglings hopping about my yard, taking short flights, a couple feet off the ground, and preening, like they did not have a care in the world. Their parents, obviously, were very concerned. I put mealworms out and the parents quickly fed everyone, which seemed to help calm them all. Then the fledgling, pictured, took off, again, this time hopping across the street, into my neighbors yard, that has cats and dogs. I made a big loop behind it, and herded it back into my yard. Again, it tried to fly, and flew (still very asynchronous and low to the ground) into another neighbor's yard. This neighbor, also has a cat and a dog, and would probably have gladly hand fed this fledgling to her animals, as a payback for me recently giving her cat a free ride to the pound. Again, I tried to herd it back on my property, but this time was able to actually pick him up, and escorted him, to my yard. I placed him in a low branch of the tree, he was previously under, but the second I released him, he blasted off. At least he was getting some much needed flight practice. He just could not seem to pick up altitude, or was very directionally challenged! By this time, it was almost dark and I had lost track of the other fledglings, trying to keep up with this one. He finally climbed a foot off the ground, up the trunk of a tree, to a knothole, which was a snug fit, but at least kept him out of plain view of predators. At this point, I felt this was the best place this little guy could be, since he could not get to the treetop. This knothole is where I am certain, this fledgling spent his first night, out in the big world, alone, and quite the opposite of it's cozy nesting box. The next morning, I immediately went looking for the fledgling. Not seeing the bird in the knothole, I turned and walked toward my house, and spotted him, just sitting on this brick next to my house. He looked pooped and grumpy, but I was relieved he had survived. Note the one little feather protruding from the right side of his head. I thought it was a cute reminder of his first day in the wild. I then spotted another fledgling, napping, low in a tree, close by, and saw one flitting about, fairly high in a tree, where the others should be. The parents were both close by, so I left them to figure out their strategy plans. Later in the day, I found, what I assumed to be these two, a little higher up in a different tree, and none on the ground. Yeah! I can only hope they all made it, but reminded of the harsh reality of nature, that fledging day, is the most dangerous day of any bird's life. Another interesting fact to pass along. SEVENTEEN bluebirds have now fledged my yard, this season, from three pairs, in a territory generally required for one pair! That's another story in itself, a first time occurrence in my yard. I have nestlings that just hatched in another box, and Mom incubating eggs in another. And nesting season is not over!! I'm tired just thinking about it. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.830 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2963 - Release Date: 06/25/10 13:35:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Mississippi Kite From: "pmct32308" <mct AT nettally.com> Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:22:33 -0000 I saw a kite soaring over the golf course at the Jefferson County Country Club this morning. There are lots of birds on the course--red-headed woodpeckers, red-bellieds,jays,E. kingbirds, and numberous others. Also see other hawks, herons and egrets flying overhead. Great fun. Pat McTarsney Tallahassee