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7 Nov Bald Point Fri [Melissa Forehand ] 7 Nov Friday birding at Lake Miccosukee [] 06 Nov Chippers ["dellabirdie" ] 06 Nov Lots of Great Egret and more ["pmct32308" ] 06 Nov Bird Call ["jwinforde" ] 5 Nov Chippies [Joseph Asarisi ] 3 Nov AAS Field Trip to San Blas, Nov. 7 [Fran Rutkovsky ] 3 Nov White-winged Dove - Wakulla [] 02 Nov White-throated Sparrow ["pmct32308" ] 2 Nov Monday birding at Southwood and Southeast Farm Tallahassee [] 2 Nov Return of the Sparrow [] 02 Nov Trip to Tennessee ["Candy" ] 02 Nov Traveling through Tenn and N.C. in the Smokey's ["Candy" ] 02 Nov Traveling through Tenn and N.C. in the Smokey's ["Candy" ] 02 Nov Trip to Tennessee ["Candy" ] 31 Oct New Yard Birds ["ShelleyCarpenter" ] 31 Oct Franklin's gull/Alligator Pt ["John Murphy" ] 30 Oct Birding Basics at Birdsong, Sat. [Fran Rutkovsky ] 30 Oct Harrier and Peregrine, Bald Point [] 29 Oct Winter Wren [Fran Rutkovsky ] 29 Oct Wilson's Warbler @ Phipps Park [Robert Bowman ] 29 Oct Hummer ["Janeen Langley" ] 29 Oct Yesterday's Yard Birds ["Janeen Langley" ] 28 Oct Late October Hummingbids in Tallahassee ["armstrong_j" ] 28 Oct Winter Wren at Black Swamp [Fran Rutkovsky ] 28 Oct Looking for Ruby-throats all year [Fran Rutkovsky ] 27 Oct thrush [Fran Rutkovsky ] 27 Oct AAS field trip, St Marks, Sat. [Fran Rutkovsky ] 25 Oct spectacular sight [Harry Hooper ] 25 Oct Lake Elberta and Longleaf Road ["pmct32308" ] 25 Oct Warblers ["griffoneboggy" ] 24 Oct Bald Point SP + Alligator Point, 10/24 [Robert Bowman ] 22 Oct Need some identification help. ["pmct32308" ] 22 Oct warbler [Fran Rutkovsky ] 21 Oct Crane Cam [Fran Rutkovsky ] 20 Oct Author Olivia Gentile at Wild Birds Unlimited ["listen2mockingbird" ] 19 Oct Re: {Disarmed} Audubon potluck/meeting, Thurs. [Harvey/Judy Goldman ] 19 Oct Audubon potluck/meeting, Thurs. [Fran Rutkovsky ] 19 Oct Butter Butt ["Janeen Langley" ] 19 Oct Return of the Phoebe [] 18 Oct Torreya State Park Sat Oct 17 2009 ["markkiser9" ] 17 Oct Neotropic Cormorant ["Jim Stevenson" ] 17 Oct Neotropic Cormorant [Dean and Sally Jue ] 17 Oct St George Is & Bald Pt/Saturday ["John Murphy" ] 16 Oct Cornerstone Learning Center and Birdsong Nature Center - A Gail Menk Posting ["Marvin Collins" ] 16 Oct Re: Request for help [Raybieber ] 15 Oct Re: Request for help ["Jim Stevenson" ] 15 Oct Request for help ["pmct32308" ] 15 Oct Chimney Swifts in Jax [Pam Flynn ] 15 Oct SMNWR Tue Oct 13th [Luke DeGroote ] 14 Oct Re: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher ["Jim Stevenson" ] 14 Oct Yellow-bellied Flycatcher [Dean and Sally Jue ] 13 Oct St. Marks NWR Big Sit! Oct 11 2009 ["markkiser9" ] 12 Oct Rose Breasted Grosbeak ["sheilary" ] 11 Oct East River Pool SMNWR [Harry Hooper ] 12 Oct Rose Breasted Grosbeak ["sheilary" ] 11 Oct St George Is/Sunday ["John Murphy" ] 11 Oct Vermilion Flycatcher in Fort Walton Beach ["kwagoner21" ] 10 Oct Northern Pintails on Wakulla River [Robert Lengacher ] 10 Oct yard activity (finally!) [Dean and Sally Jue ] 10 Oct Male Rufous!!! [Pam Flynn ] 10 Oct Lk Overstreet 10/10 ["Tracee Strohman" ] 9 Oct migrant bathers [Fran Rutkovsky ] 8 Oct Maclay Gardens SP et als [Andy Wraithmell ] 8 Oct RE: Golden-winged warbler [Fran Rutkovsky ] 8 Oct Hooded Warbler [Joseph Asarisi ] 6 Oct Kayak birding field trip (Audubon) [Fran Rutkovsky ] 5 Oct St George Island Youth Camp today ["Cavanagh, Jim" ] 5 Oct Olivia Gentile Oct 21 [Pam Flynn ] 5 Oct Warblers [Bendy Scott ] 4 Oct Re: Sunday St Marks ["Tracee Strohman" ] 04 Oct St George Is/Sunday ["John Murphy" ] 4 Oct Re: Golden-winged warbler [Robert Bowman ] 4 Oct Golden-winged warbler [Fran Rutkovsky ] 4 Oct Saturday at St. Marks [Robert Bowman ] 4 Oct Sunday St Marks [Pam Flynn ] Subject: Bald Point Fri From: Melissa Forehand <birdingtreefrog AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 11:13:18 -0500 Lots of migrants both warblers and birds of prey saw 5 n. harriers at one time one a male brown headed nuthatch mourning dove e. towhee a. kestrel barn swallow tree swallow lots of yellow rumped warbler pine warbler red shouldered hawk red headed woodpecker merlin blue gray gnatcatcher palm warbler ruby crowned kinglet catbird black throated green savannah sparrow a sparrow with an eye ring and light head markings orange crowned warbler female common yellowthroat Also went to Mashes Sands and had killer views of a marsh wren Melissa Forehand Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Friday birding at Lake Miccosukee From: Edwwjr AT aol.com Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 04:57:44 EST Carolyn Smith and I birded at Reeves Landing, Lake Miccosukee, Friday morning. The coots were present in large numbers. Best birds were a northern harrier, 2 Wilson's snipe, and 7 ruddy ducks. Other species seen were: eastern meadowlark (2) cattle egret (1) greater yellowlegs (2) least sandpiper (7) moorhen great egret great blue heron blue jay killdeer eastern phoebe ruby-crowned kinglet American crow turkey vulture If you go to Reeves Landing, remember the area is private property and you must ask permission at the store before birding. Ed Woodruff Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Chippers From: "dellabirdie" <dellabirdie AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:19:04 -0000 The number of my Chippers exploded overnight. For the last week or so, the most I've had on the feeders at one time was 8. This morning there were 36. Also had 22 male Red-winged Blackbirds this morning. Judy-Panacea Subject: Lots of Great Egret and more From: "pmct32308" <mct AT nettally.com> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:07:26 -0000 Today I was on Blairstone just off Capital Circle and when I went by the Wednesday Road pond I saw a lot of great egrets. On my return trip I stopped and counted 47. The most I've seen in one spot for a long time. Also saw a Red-tailed Hawk soaring over intersection of Philips and Mahan. Yesterday I went to Southwood and saw 22 species. There was nothing unusual, but I saw my FOS Hooded Mergansers and 4 Wood Ducks. The list is below: Blue jays Hooded mergansers Pied-billed grebes Mockingbirds Mourning doves Turkey vultures Amer. Crows Osprey Cardinal Great egrets Coots Moorhens Phoebes Wood ducks Downy woodpecker Red-winged blackbirds Blue-winged teal Common yellow-throat Canada geese Great blue heron Red-shouldered hawk Bluebirds Subject: Bird Call From: "jwinforde" <jwinforde AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:06:18 -0000 This call is after/during sunset and comes from ground-low level. Sounds like a rubberband, at 1 second intervals. boink...boink.....boink.. low frequency. I thought it was a catbird at first. Too cool for amphibians. Too low pitched for a woodcock. Any ideas? John In Tally Subject: Chippies From: Joseph Asarisi <joseph_asarisi2001 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:53:31 -0800 (PST) Our fist Chippies showed up at 1:30 today; straight to the feeder and then to the birdbath. The Eastern Phoebee has been here a few days and his mealworms came yesterday. Alice and joe McAlpin, Suwanee County Subject: AAS Field Trip to San Blas, Nov. 7 From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 17:23:11 -0500 Apalachee Audubon Society http://www.apalchee.org Saturday, November 7, 2009 ---------- Field Trip to Cape San Blas hawk watch with Chris Borg Where: Cape San Blas/St Joseph Peninsula State Park Time: 10:00 AM EST Entry to the state park will cost $5 per car; no cost for pass holders. Chris Borg will lead a trip to the Cape San Blas/St Joseph Peninsula State Park on Saturday, November 7, 2009. Important note: Those planning to attend must inform Chris prior to 4:00 p. m. on Friday, November 6th. His email is bikingforbirds AT hotmail.com Meet at the Wachovia Bank on South Monroe at 7:30 for carpooling or meet Chris at the boat launch parking lot at the St. Joseph State Park at 10:00 EDT, 9:00 CDT. We anticipate returning to Tallahassee by late afternoon. We expect to see hawks and other late migrants. Possible species include sharp-shinned hawk, coopers hawk, Swainson's Hawk, Broadwinged Hawk, Merlin, Peregine Falcon, and American Kestrel. Chris is a conservation biologist with Tall Timbers Land Conservancy and has been birding for over 20 years. We will not be walking much, but rather sitting and watching for hawks. Participants should bring binoculars, hat, sunscreen, insect repellant, water, snacks and lunch. They will also need a folding chair and/or something to put on the ground. To confirm your attendance and also to learn about probable weather conditions relating to the appearance of hawks, send an email to Chris at bikingforbirds AT hotmail.com by 4:00 p.m. Write 'Apalachee Audubon field trip' in the subject line. Chris will email each participant with information about the trip later in the evening. If you have questions or concerns, or if you did not email Chris before the Friday afternoon deadline, please contact Elizabeth Platt at 850-284-0963 or ejplatt AT embarqmail.com . She will also be reachable at that number on Saturday morning. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: White-winged Dove - Wakulla From: swamphen AT heirborn.net Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:32:20 -0500 Had a White-winged Dove at the boat ramp at Mashes Sands County Park on Ochlockonee Bay this morning. Also swarms of swallows - estimated a 75-to-1 ratio Tree:Barn, with at least one Cliff Swallow in the mix. -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USA Subject: White-throated Sparrow From: "pmct32308" <mct AT nettally.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:58:44 -0000 Two weeks ago I saw the first catbirds at my bird bath,last week I saw my first Chipping Sparrow, yesterday I had my first flock of Yellow-rumps, and at 3:35 today I saw my first of the season White-throated Sparrow. These were seen in my back yard. Pat McTarsney North-east,Tallahassee Subject: Monday birding at Southwood and Southeast Farm Tallahassee From: Edwwjr AT aol.com Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:25:37 EST Carolyn Smith and I spent a breezy two hours birding at Southwood Plantation and the Southeast Farm. In Southwood along the east fence line we had 3 loggerhead shrikes. In the small lake we had our first of the fall male hooded merganser and a Forster's tern. At the Florida High holding pond and along the fence surrounding the school there were bluebirds, house finches, 3 female blue-winged teal, a little blue heron, and a great egret. At the Southeast Farm (Tram Road) we had yellow-rumped warblers, tree and barn swallows, and a flock of 31 least sandpipers. When we arrived there was a second flock of sandpipers which appeared to be a mix of western and semipalmated sandpipers but it did not stay around to make sure there were late season semipalmated in the flock. Ed Woodruff Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Return of the Sparrow From: swamphen AT heirborn.net Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 10:23:37 -0500 Just after I clicked 'send' on my last message, I heard a familar cheep outside my open window on this chilly morning, and looked out to see the first Chipping Sparrow of the season atop the birdfeeder. -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USA Subject: Trip to Tennessee From: "Candy" <ralph_candypfau AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:07:42 -0000 I saw this pretty little sparrow around Lake Tellico in Vonore Tenn. today. We are travelng through the smokies to see Fall leaves and look for a summer home. I will have to look him up in my bird book. He was living in the rushes and wetland around the lake. Hope I see some more birds that I do not recognize. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3897897&id=589812194 Candy Pfau Palatka, Fl 32148 Subject: Traveling through Tenn and N.C. in the Smokey's From: "Candy" <ralph_candypfau AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:06:55 -0000 Just saw regular woodpeckers and blue birds in Tellico Plains Tenn. But today on Lake Tellico I saw this sparrow in the rushes around the lake. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3897897&id=589812194 http://www.flickr.com/photos/66013135 AT N00/4065915635/ Subject: Traveling through Tenn and N.C. in the Smokey's From: "Candy" <ralph_candypfau AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:07:30 -0000 Just saw regular woodpeckers and blue birds in Tellico Plains Tenn. But today on Lake Tellico I saw this sparrow in the rushes around the lake. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3897897&id=589812194 http://www.flickr.com/photos/66013135 AT N00/4065915635/ Subject: Trip to Tennessee From: "Candy" <ralph_candypfau AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:04:08 -0000 I saw this pretty little sparrow around Lake Tellico in Vonore Tenn. today. We are travelng through the smokies to see Fall leaves and look for a summer home. I will have to look him up in my bird book. He was living in the rushes and wetland around the lake. Hope I see some more birds that I do not recognize. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3897897&id=589812194 Candy Pfau Palatka, Fl 32148 Subject: New Yard Birds From: "ShelleyCarpenter" <shelleycarpenter AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:37:15 -0400 This afternoon, shortly after the rain passed, I had 3 white-winged doves gorging themselves on sunflower seeds at the platform feeders (they sure don't peck like mourning doves, they gulp) and at least 2 eastern phoebes. The phoebes were taking turns sitting on the bird bath but not bathing. I have not had either of these in the yard before. Crawfordville - close to Wal-Mart. Shelley [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Franklin's gull/Alligator Pt From: "John Murphy" <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:10:31 +0000 This morning I saw a single first-cycle Franklin's gull on the water near the rock revetment along Alligator Drive. It was with a group of Laughing gulls. John Murphy Alligator Pt, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Birding Basics at Birdsong, Sat. From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:50:16 -0400 BIRDING BASICS Birdsong Nature Center 2106 Meridian Rd, just over the GA line Saturday, October 31 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. Birdwatching has become one of the nation's most popular pastimes. If you are a novice birder, this program will help you learn the basics of bird identification, including the use of binoculars and field guides. We will take a short walk to look for birds in various habitats and then spend time at the Bird Window. Bring water and wear field clothes and walking shoes. If you have them, bring binoculars and field guides. If not, we have a few pair to share and plenty of guides. Note: This program is geared toward beginning birders but everyone is welcome. $4 Friends, $8 non-members, children half-price birdsong AT birdsongnaturecenter.org or via phone at 1-800-953-2473 Birdsong Nature Center 2106 Meridian Rd about 18 miles north of I-10 -4 miles past the "Grady County" (GA) sign ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FL Subject: Harrier and Peregrine, Bald Point From: swamphen AT heirborn.net Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:53:11 -0400 A quick check of Sunset Beach on Bald Point this morning produced a Peregrine Falcon and my first of fall Northern Harrier, along with a female Indigo Bunting in back of the dunes. -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USA Subject: Winter Wren From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:48:12 -0400 I just watched a first-of-season Winter Wren taking a bath for about 5 minutes in the birdbath--right on schedule. Some years the wren is very vocal upon arriving, but this one was silent. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FL Subject: Wilson's Warbler @ Phipps Park From: Robert Bowman <bbpictures AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:51:47 -0700 (PDT) Interesting afternoon of birding. On Sunday at Phipps Park I got a glimpse of what I thought might be a male Wilson's Warbler, so I went back this afternoon to see if I could relocate it, never really expecting to find it. Boy, was I surprised! He was within fifty feet of where he was Sunday, and not only did I get good looks at the black cap, but I got to hear his call (which Sibley describes as "tilk"). This would be at least five days that he's been there, so maybe he'll stick around for awhile. Also had a Prairie Warbler not far from the Wilson's, and at the Lake Jackson boat ramp at the end of Miller Landing Rd, I found a female Magnolia. I'm thinking both of these seem a little late in the season (perhaps later for the Prairie than the Magnolia). Directions: to get to the area where the Wilson's was spotted, go to the park's Gate B entrance on Millers Landing Rd. It was seen on the grassy, equestrian trail within 150-200 feet of trail marker "4". Park maps are available at the parking area. Good Birding, Robert Bowman Subject: Hummer From: "Janeen Langley" <jelangley AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:48:33 -0400 There is a female Rufous hummer in the flower garden this morning. Janeen Langley Northeast Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yesterday's Yard Birds From: "Janeen Langley" <jelangley AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:26:58 -0400 Seen in my back yard yesterday, October 28: RC Kinglet at the suet feeder First fall male Baltimore Oriole Small flock of Chipping Sparrows at millet Several YR warblers in the wax myrtles Ruby-throated hummer at the cardinal guard Flicker calling RW Blackbirds at feeder The other usual visitors Janeen Langley Northeast Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Late October Hummingbids in Tallahassee From: "armstrong_j" <mmarmstrong112024 AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:31:24 -0000 Most of my summer Ruby Throats left about 2 weeks ago -- followed by a few drop-ins. I now have one scraggly female who by the looks of her feathers came from a far piece north. I was hoping she was one of the 6 Rubys Fred B and Fred D banded last winter in my Indian Head yard but no band. Hope I have some Rufus this year, none stopped by last winter for tbe first time in many years. I did have a female Black Chined though. I hope to see some western hummingbirds in about 2 week (about the time they usually show up). I have had them show as early as August John Armstrong Subject: Winter Wren at Black Swamp From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:02:50 -0400 Gail Menk called to report a Winter Wren at Black Swamp Nature Preserve today. He also had a female Rose- breasted Grosbeak. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FL Subject: Looking for Ruby-throats all year From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:52:44 +0000 (UTC) Posted on behalf of Doreen Cubie Looking for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds in FL, GA From: "doreencubie tds.net" I'm a hummingbird bander, part of the Hummer/Bird Study Group, and I'm looking for yards   that have Ruby-throated Hummingbirds during most months of the year. I'm already banding Rubies every month of the year at one home near Charleston, SC, where I live. I'd like to find a couple of other homes where I can band several times a year, preferably in Florida or somewhere on the Georgia coast. One of the things we are trying to learn by banding both summer and winter Ruby-throated Hummingbirds at the same places is whether the birds are year-round residents, or whether the breeding birds migrate and are replaced  in the winter by hummers from further north. I'd love to hear from you if you'd like to participate in this research project. And you don't need to have large numbers of Rubythroats. The most important thing is to have hummingbirds in the summer and the winter. Thanks, Doreen Cubie Awendaw, SC 843-991-1054 doreencubie AT tds.net P.S. from Fran:  Doreen says she will be working on this project with Fred Bassett and Fred Dietrich, our "regular" winter hummingbird banders. -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: thrush From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:42:56 -0400 A first of season Hermit Thrush is eating American Beautyberries today in the ravine. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FL Subject: AAS field trip, St Marks, Sat. From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:34:51 +0000 (UTC) Apalachee Audubon Society Field trip to St. Marks with George Weymouth St Marks National Wildlife Refuge Saturday, Oct. 31 8:30 a.m.-noon  EST http://www. apalachee.org George Weymouth will lead a trip on the the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge on Oct 31.   We expect to see water fowl wintering, a few late migrants, gators, and butterflies. - behavior and calls, stories.   George has lived in Florida most of his adult life, and his career has revolved around many areas of wildlife. He is a local artist who frequents many festivals selling his art work, and he has written articles for Sanibel Sightings and the Wakulla Newspaper. Meet to begin the trip or activity at the Wachovia Bank parking lot on South Monroe at 7:45 (to carpool) or at 8:30 at the refuge headquarters parking lot. The trip will begin at 8:30 and end at approximately 11:30 unless there is interest in continuing. The anticipated level of physical difficulty or skill is easy. There is no cost for your trip or activity, although there is an entry fee for the refuge. Bring binoculars, water, insect repellent, snack You may contact George at 850-962-9092 -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: spectacular sight From: Harry Hooper <sn_egret AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:48:45 -0700 (PDT) Evening nflbirders, � I along with several other Apalachee Audubon chapter volunteers set up and managed the chapter's display table at Picnic Pond�yesterday as part of the St.�Marks National Wildlife Refuge Monarch Butterfly Festival.� As I was taking a short lunch break under one of the oaks at Picnic Pond, a moving kaleidoscope of shadows appeared amongst the shadows created by the large oak.� Glancing upward through the branches revealed an amazing sight which became even more amazing once I was in the open and looking eastward out over the pond.� High up and a good half mile away�was a soaring, rotating flock of white pelicans, not just a�flock, but a huge flock.� My initial estimate was 400 plus birds.� But within a minute, I upped it to over 500 as another flock merged with the first.� Then other festival�participants spotted two additional large flocks to the southeast heading toward this massive avian spectacle.� New estimates were now set at around 700 birds.�A spectacular sight indeed.�� And as other�visitors returned from the�monarch banding at the lighthouse, we discovered that many more visitors at the lighthouse also had the opportunity to enjoy�the wondrous display of these large and beautiful birds.� � � Harry Hooper Tallahassee, Florida � � [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lake Elberta and Longleaf Road From: "pmct32308" <mct AT nettally.com> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:40:01 -0000 I went birding the is morning and saw 19 species at Lake Elbertba Park(Churches Fried Chicken). The most interesting was a sedge wren. There were lots of web worms in the pecan trees and I kept looking for a cuckoo but no luck. I went to the end of Longleaf Road, walked to the lake, and added 6 species. Lake Elberta Park Mockingbird Phoebe Great egret D.C. cormorant Sedge wren (I saw it briefly, but it was singing) Killdeer Kingfisher Lesser yellowlegs Greater yellowlegs Great blue heron Forster's tern Palm Warbler Red-tailed hawk (overhead) Snowy Egret Red-bellied woodpecker Red-shouldered hawk (sitting and he was a beauty) Sparrow (not enough of a look to identify) Blue jay Cardinal Longleaf Road Pied-billed grebe Carolina wren A. Crow C. Chickadee Blue-gray gnatcatcher Downy woodpecker Subject: Warblers From: "griffoneboggy" <jgriffin36 AT cox.net> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:46:49 -0000 We had Hooded Warblers in my yard day before yesterday. Kept an eye out for them yesterday as I had never seen one before that, but they did not return. Just passing through I guess. Subject: Bald Point SP + Alligator Point, 10/24 From: Robert Bowman <bbpictures AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:37:59 -0700 (PDT) Luke DeGroote and I made the trip to Bald Point SP this morning to see what we could find. We had a probable Western Kingbird fly-by, but were unable to relocate the bird. Surprisingly, only warblers were a single Blackpoll and too many Palms to count. But the Hawk-watching was great as we had the following: Turkey Vulture (75+) Osprey Bald Eagle (juvenile and adult) Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper's Hawk Red-shouldered (multiple) Red-tailed Kestrel (at the end of the road in Alligator Point) Merlin Peregrine Falcon As for shorebirds, we saw numerous Black-bellied Plovers, fewer Semipalmated Plovers, a couple of Piping Plovers, and a Snowy Plover. Also Oystercatchers, 8 Avocets (same number that has been seen at St. Marks NWR recently), Willets, Ruddy Turnstones, Sanderlings, a Least Sandpiper, and a Dunlin. On the boardwalk we had Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Phoebe, House Wren, and our only sparrow of the day: a White-crowned at the end of the boardwalk. We also drove the road through Alligator Point and near the end of Alligator Drive, we had a White-winged Dove in someone's yard. Good birding, Robert Bowman Tallahassee Subject: Need some identification help. From: "pmct32308" <mct AT nettally.com> Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:25:36 -0000 Yesterday I went to Piney Z and found a bird that I did not recognize. It was flycatcher, head had a slight crest, gray with wing bars, black billand not as large as a gray kingbirds, grayish white throat and upper belly, and pale yellow lower belly. It was quite vocal, but of course, I had neither a camera nor a tape recorder. It was not a phoebe, nor was it like any gray kingbird I ever heard. It seemed to be between the sizes of those two. Its bill was black . I came home and listened to the ashthroated flycatcher on the computer. It was not the same but it was coarse like the ashthroated. It was in the dike at the end of the lake near the first bench. It was in the same location where I saw the vermilion flycatcher about 3 years ago. I'm hoping someone else will be able to go look for it. I would really like it if someone else could see it. I saw a total of twenty-five species, but nothing else unusual. There were over 20 wood storks there. Pat McTarsney Tallahassee Subject: warbler From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:26:06 -0400 Just saw a beautiful adult male Black-throated green warbler taking a bath at the mister. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FL Subject: Crane Cam From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:22:40 +0000 (UTC)  From the Apalachee Audubon Society web site, about the Whooping Cranes that are training now to fly south: (http://www.apalachee.org) Crane Cam The CraneCam will deliver views of the Class of 2009 in their travel     pen at the conclusion of each migration flight leg. On completion of     the migration, the CraneCam will be set up at Florida’s St. Mark’s     National Wildlife Refuge to provide an unprecedented opportunity to     watch the young Whooping cranes as they mature over the winter. The     CraneCam will offer online viewers a ringside seat to witness their     “soft release” into the wild. The video that is running now is at the West Training Site located on     the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Central Wisconsin. Through the     CraneCam, you will be able to view Cohort Two go through their     aircraft conditioning and training as they prepare for their first     ever southward migration this coming Autumn.  This is the link to the     live cam: http://www.operationmigration.org/crane-cam.html -------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL franrutkovsky AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Author Olivia Gentile at Wild Birds Unlimited From: "listen2mockingbird" <listen2mockingbird AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:39:07 -0000 Olivia Gentile, author of "Life List: A Woman's Quest for the World's Most Amazing Birds" will be at Wild Birds Unlimited in Tallahassee on October 21 at 7pm. Olivia is a natural storyteller who paints a powerful portrait of Phoebe Snetsinger, one of the best known birders of the modern age. "Life List" is on sale at Wild Birds Unlimited at 20% off the publisher's price in honor of Olivia's visit with us! Subject: Re: {Disarmed} Audubon potluck/meeting, Thurs. From: Harvey/Judy Goldman <goldman AT hep.fsu.edu> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:20:13 -0400 (EDT) Fran, I love getting these local bird reports and it is great that you put this announcement about Auduon mtg on. Thanks, Judy -- _\\|//_ ( . . ) -----------------------ooO-(_)-Ooo------------------------------------ Harvey & Judy Rice Goldman Goldman AT hep.fsu.edu -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. Subject: Audubon potluck/meeting, Thurs. From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:59:11 -0400 Apalachee Audubon Society Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 http://www.apalachee.org/ Update on 2009 Whooping Crane Class and Land Acquisition at St. Marks NWR Where: Amtrak Passenger Station, 918 Railroad Ave, Tallahassee Time: 6:30 PM EST Potluck dinner preceeds program. Bring a dish to share or pay $5.00. Terry Peacock, Saint Marks National Wildlife Mnaager, will present the status of the new class of whooping cranes that will be coming to Saint Marks next January and give an update on last year's group of cranes. She recently attended a meeting in Wisconsin on the crane program. Terry will also present maps and information for a proposed Land Acquisition Plan for the Saint Marks NWR. She will be requesting your comments on the plan. Terry has been the Refuge Manager at Saint Marks NWR since 2005. Her extensive experience on NWRs includes work at the Eufaula NWR in Alabams, the Saint Vincent NWR in Apalachicola FL, the Washita and Optima NWRs in Oklahoma. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FL Subject: Butter Butt From: "Janeen Langley" <jelangley AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:30:50 -0400 I had a first of the season Yellow-rumped Warbler in the yard yesterday afternoon. Janeen Langley Northeast Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Return of the Phoebe From: swamphen AT heirborn.net Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:13:10 -0400 Just heard my first-of-fall Eastern Phoebe calling away outside my window here. -Sean P. McCool Wakulla County, Florida, USA Subject: Torreya State Park Sat Oct 17 2009 From: "markkiser9" <mark.kiser AT myfwc.com> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:44:32 -0000 Had a great day of hiking at Torreya State Park 10/17/09, birding was slow however. Highlights were 6 woodpecker species, incl. 7 Red-headed and 2 first of fall Y B Sapsuckers. Also found 2 Eastern Wood-Pewees, 1 Scarlet Tanager, 3 Gray Catbirds, 1 N. Parula, 2 N. Rough-winged Swallows. Sitting at the Gregory House overlooking the Apalachicola River, we had a Bald Eagle and small squadrons of Tree Swallows cruising right over the water. Happy trails, Mark and Selena Kiser Tallahassee batboxblues AT netscape.net Subject: Neotropic Cormorant From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:10:31 -0500 It's great that Dean and Sally saw the cormorant, which is clearly an outstanding fall visitor this year. My hypothesis, for what it's worth, is that several tropical species are moving further out of the Mexico area and spreading east, north and/or west, and this species certainly has! When I first moved to Texas after 43 years in North Florida, telling Neotrops from DCs at a glance wasn't that easy, as much of what distinguishes them is jizz. However, as is always the case with the unfamiliar, field marks must come first. Their e-mail certainly outlined some excellent field marks. Here are some other types of information. Neotrops are a more slender bird that appears to have a longer tail, and a more "Anhinga-like" profile. DCs show off their orange gular pouch much more, and the back of the pouch is vertical, not slanted like Sally correctly reported. The bill of the Neotrop is thinner, and they don't have the pot-bellied look that I get after eating seafood. The white line Sally reported is an interesting feature, as well as an excellent field mark. It actually shows the beginning of the breeding season for them, as gonads grow. This may seem odd, but not really. First, as they evolved in the New World Tropics, wintertime to us might be summertime to them, historically. But more over, and the likely reason they haven't switched breeding seasons, is that wintertime has far lower tides, making feeding in shallower water much easier than the deeper waters of summertime. If you are feeding a hungry nest of picivores, every advantage helps. [Many factors cause lower tides in winter, like the presence of cold fronts, but the principle reason is that the sun is on the south side of the Equator.] And a quick look at the ecology of Neotrops adds to this likely explanation. Throughout its range, they live and feed in ditches, shallows, small ponds and the like. Here in Texas, where they co-exist (more/less) with DCs (at least from Oct-March), DCs are out in the open bays and Gulf far more, seldom really competing with Neopolitan Cormorants. Er go, there is REALLY a big difference between the water level in low bays, canals and such from winter to summer (as anyone who launches boats knows). Since the bird is approaching breeding plumage, it's obviously an adult (see what being a biologist can do for you?). Given that, you can't see the best field mark of Neotrops - the brownish chest of the immatures, as compared to the whitish chest of DCs. I say that coz it's far more likely in most species to see extralimital young birds than adults, as they tend to be inexperienced, and wander off-course more. Remember when we were young? To my friends who may have further questions, I leave tomorrow for South Africa to run a couple of tours, so my e-mails will only be occasional, and my cell phone nada. Please be patient, and I'm not lion. Jim Galveston, Texas [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Neotropic Cormorant From: Dean and Sally Jue <dsjue AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:47:49 -0400 (EDT) Today, Dean and I went down to St. Marks NWR to look for the Neotropic Cormorant that has been reported off and on the past few weeks. We were not disappointed. When we first arrived at the lighthouse around 11:00 AM, there were no cormorants sitting on the pilings just off shore. But as the tide came in, a few came in to roost, and within a half hour we spotted a cormorant that was smaller than the others with less orange on the face. With our scope, we could see that the throat pouch had a light border and extended to a sharp point behind the bill. We watched the bird for about two hours, during which time it flew off and returned a couple times, always tending to perch on the shortest pilings just above the water. Dean took some digiscoped pictures of the Neotropic with Double-cresteds. Thanks to Chris and Bonnie who first found the bird and reported it! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: St George Is & Bald Pt/Saturday From: "John Murphy" <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:01:19 +0000 Quite a fallout at St George Is SP of the mammalian persuasion...over 300 boy scouts had commandeered the youth camp. Their activity greatly limited the area suitable for birding but I managed to find the following... Y-B cuckoo - 2 Chuck-will's-widow G-C thrush Tennessee w N parula - 3 Chestnut-sided w Magnolia w - 4 Yellow-rumped warbler Black-throated green w - 4 Blackburnian w Yellow-throated w Palm w - 100+ Black & white w - 3 Am redstart - 2 Summer tanager Scarlet tanager - 2 Rose-breasted grosbeak Blue grosbeak Indigo bunting - 4 At Bald Pt SP I saw most of the same species but also added a few new ones... Blue-headed vireo Black-throated blue w Bay-breasted warbler John Murphy Alligator Pt, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Cornerstone Learning Center and Birdsong Nature Center - A Gail Menk Posting From: "Marvin Collins" <mcollins AT nettally.com> Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:22:06 -0400 Birding at Cornerstone, Field Trip to Birdsong and Related matters On Thursday October 1 I birded briefly at Tallahassee's Cornerstone Learning Community and listed a Gray Catbird and a Red-eyed Vireo (likely migrants) prior to accompanying as invited guest a bus load of CLC 4th-graders to Birdsong Nature Center in Grady County, Georgia, where said students undertook field activities under the tutelage of naturalist Matt Morris. It was nice to touch shoulders once more with Birdsong's Kathleen Brady who informed me that, interestingly, the Gray Catbird had yet to be listed there as a nesting species despite its southward spread as year-round resident into North Florida as of 1978. First student project was to help uproot invasive "rattlesnake roots" (Florida Botany, Stachys floridana) crowding out a certain bed of blue-flowering hummingbird-attracting plants which reminded me that I had the day before observed a hummer sipping from the blue flowers of the Pickerel weed. The tuber of the rattlesnake plant does suggest the segmented tail of a rattler and is reportedly edible as radish-tasting "without the hot taste" - good for salads, pickling, snacks, etc; hence one good way to eradicate the plants is to dig up their roots and eat them (according to Florida's Incredible Wild Edibles by R. Deuerling and P. Lantz, copy of which I recently purchased at Tallahassee's Native Nurseries). Next Mr. Matt lead the students into the nearby forest where he lectured concerning the interesting ecology of the prized longleaf pine, including how the sap of the species serves as a conduit for lightning strikes which tend to ignite fires and burn off the forest understory which otherwise crowd out or eliminate the more valued pine saplings. He next drew attention to a tent caterpillar-infested persimmon tree and explained the related whys and ways of photosynthesis-how it relates to natures food chain. This fall I have especially noticed that the caterpillars have been steadily denuding at least a dozen tree species in the Big Bend. The Yellow-billed cuckoo feeds on such worms and one wonders if it's pending southbound migration will be delayed well into November by such abundant food supply. A third project seining and identification of vertebrates, invertebrates, whatever, taken from a brooklet along the way. No telling what resides in or near such ecological niches - cicadas, wolf spiders, other critters, many of which were collected for further study. Again I noted well how plant life varies markedly with the various elevations of a given forest path (therein lies another field study), and on October 1 I was especially impressed by a spectacularly large growth of purplish colored American beauty berry, a valuable food source for certain of the larger song birds. A morning well spent. And thank you Mr. Matt, chaperone Marie, bus driver, Keith, and you delightful CLC fourth-graders. I learned a lot. Gail E. Menk [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Request for help From: Raybieber <raybieber AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:00:15 -0400 My late husband Ray Bieber lived in McAllen and volunteered with Santa Anna and valley nature center. My friend and Ray's friend is the innkeeper at the Alamo inn. If u want an introduction please let me know. I have stayed at their inn and loved it! Keith is a birder, photographer and involved with local birding and ecological efforts. - Sunny On Oct 15, 2009, at 6:51 PM, "Jim Stevenson" wrote: > There is an amazing place to stay in nearby Alamo, Texas, run by a > birding expert, with all kinds of helpful things there for birders, > including the latest advice and rare birds. I run annual trips there > as a bird guide, and I always want to stay there! It's called the > Alamo Inn. > > I looked up their number, and it's 956-782-9912. Good birding! > > Jim > Galveston, Texas > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: pmct32308 > To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com > Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 5:46 PM > Subject: [nflbirds] Request for help > > Have a group of 8 or 9 going to the McAllen or Harlingen area in > March,2009. Does anyone have info about places to stay. Would prefer a > 4 bedroom house, are open to B&Bs. Would prefer not to stay in motel > but will if necessary. > > I would appreciate any information. > > Pat McTarsney > mct AT nettally.com > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.421 / Virus Database: 270.14.13/2432 - Release Date: > 10/13/09 06:35:00 > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Request for help From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:51:09 -0500 There is an amazing place to stay in nearby Alamo, Texas, run by a birding expert, with all kinds of helpful things there for birders, including the latest advice and rare birds. I run annual trips there as a bird guide, and I always want to stay there! It's called the Alamo Inn. I looked up their number, and it's 956-782-9912. Good birding! Jim Galveston, Texas ----- Original Message ----- From: pmct32308 To: nflbirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 5:46 PM Subject: [nflbirds] Request for help Have a group of 8 or 9 going to the McAllen or Harlingen area in March,2009. Does anyone have info about places to stay. Would prefer a 4 bedroom house, are open to B&Bs. Would prefer not to stay in motel but will if necessary. I would appreciate any information. Pat McTarsney mct AT nettally.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.421 / Virus Database: 270.14.13/2432 - Release Date: 10/13/09 06:35:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Request for help From: "pmct32308" <mct AT nettally.com> Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:46:24 -0000 Have a group of 8 or 9 going to the McAllen or Harlingen area in March,2009. Does anyone have info about places to stay. Would prefer a 4 bedroom house, are open to B&Bs. Would prefer not to stay in motel but will if necessary. I would appreciate any information. Pat McTarsney mct AT nettally.com Subject: Chimney Swifts in Jax From: Pam Flynn <tallypfly57 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:52:48 -0700 (PDT) The chimney swifts are back at�Riverside Avenue Christian Church (2841 Riverside Ave) in Jacksonville, between 7:00 and 7:20 they all flew down the chimney!There are thousands of �them again over there this year.�If you happen to be in Jax the next few days, don't miss it!� Pam Flynn [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: SMNWR Tue Oct 13th From: Luke DeGroote <degroote.1 AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:52:21 -0400 I was able to stop by St. Marks NWR Tuesday morning for about 2 hours. Stoney Bayou 1 has been drawn down and is great for shorebirds (particularly during high tide). The usual were present in good numbers but there was also 1 stilt sandpiper, 1 American white pelican, and 9 American Avocets. There still seems to be a good number of yellow warblers in the scrub around lighthouse pond and palm warbler numbers are increasing. Luke DeGroote Quincy, FL Subject: Re: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher From: "Jim Stevenson" <galornsoc AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:19:03 -0500 Way to go to Sally! I believe YBFL are easily overlooked in the eastern half of the Deep South for several reasons. First, Leasts and "Traill's" are brown on the back, obviously not being Acadian. YB is ~the same color on back and underneath (despite the name), and much of the differences between them are more jizz than hard field marks. They also tend to stay underneath canopies, either hidden or hard to get looks at. In these shady places, it's often tough to tell whether an eyering is yellow or white, and other colors are affected as well. All the more reason to learn the calls! Jim Galveston ----- Original Message ----- From: Dean and Sally Jue To: North Florida Birds Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 5:59 PM Subject: [nflbirds] Yellow-bellied Flycatcher This morning, I heard a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher calling on our street. Its two-note rising call was very distinctive. We have had this species before in our yard in the fall, but I haven't noticed one in a few years. I have also been hearing warblers "chipping" as I walk the neighborhood. Wood Thrushes and Hooded Warblers have been conspicuous around the mister. Sally Jue Tallahassee, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.421 / Virus Database: 270.14.13/2432 - Release Date: 10/13/09 06:35:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher From: Dean and Sally Jue <dsjue AT embarqmail.com> Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:59:08 -0400 (EDT) This morning, I heard a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher calling on our street. Its two-note rising call was very distinctive. We have had this species before in our yard in the fall, but I haven't noticed one in a few years. I have also been hearing warblers "chipping" as I walk the neighborhood. Wood Thrushes and Hooded Warblers have been conspicuous around the mister. Sally Jue Tallahassee, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: St. Marks NWR Big Sit! Oct 11 2009 From: "markkiser9" <mark.kiser AT myfwc.com> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:26:02 -0000 From 7 AM to 1:30 PM we participated in the Big Sit! at St. Marks NWR, atop the observatin platform right by the lighthouse. It was more like summer than fall. Shorebirds and ducks were scarce, the marsh on the east side of the lighthouse was quite dry. Afterwards we did find 8 American Avocets and 2 Black-necked Stilts at Stoney Bayou 1. Below is our count list, a bit disappointing, but still fun. Happy Trails, Mark and Selena Kiser Tallahassee batboxblues AT netscape.net Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis Double-crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus Great Egret Ardea alba Great Bl ue Heron Ardea herodias Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor Snowy Egret Egretta thula Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis White Ibis Eudocimus albus Wood Stork Mycteria americana Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura Blue-winged Teal Anas discors Osprey Pandion haliaetus Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus Clapper Rail Rallus longirostris Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus American Coot Fulica americana Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Dunlin Calidris alpina Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus Laughing Gull Larus atricilla Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis Royal Tern Sterna maxima Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri Black Skimmer Rynchops niger Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum European Starling Sturnus vulgaris Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow Ammodramus nelsoni Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis Red-winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus Boat-tailed Grackle Quiscalus major Subject: Rose Breasted Grosbeak From: "sheilary" <2celts AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:43:45 -0000 The female Rose Breasted Grosbeak was sharing the seed feeder with a few Mourning Doves this morning, 10/12. Sheila Ryan Subject: East River Pool SMNWR From: Harry Hooper <sn_egret AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:58:30 -0700 (PDT) Evening�nflbirders, � Lynn and I lead a kayak birding paddle on the East River Pool at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge for Apalachee Audubon yesterday, Saturday, October 10th.�Checking local radar early that morning, storms west of Tally that were moving north of east�gave the impression that they� would miss St. Marks and we decided to take�the chance to paddle and bird this beautiful man-made wetland.� Arriving at our launch site before 8 am, we scanned the north end of�the adjacent Stoney Bayou Pool #1 and discovered 11 preening Avocets in basic plumage mixed in with yellowlegs, willets and peeps on the exposed flats at the north end of the pool.� � On the water of East River Pool by 8:30 we paddled gently northward toward the canal paralleling the west side of the pool.�The water level was quite high and not conducive for shorebirds and waders.� With the hopes of glassing either Least or American bitterns in the canal, our luck was just not with us for these quiet and illusive avian wonders were no where to be seen.� Several passerine species skipped around in the dike vegetation while fish crows kept tabs on a couple of ospreys perched on a snag.� Weather was the one thing on our side early this morning, mostly clear skies with a light easterly breeze, though quite warm.� The pond's surface was the texture of glass.� � Scanning the lily pad meadow at the north end of the pond, we discovered two young purple gallinule tip toeing over the pads flashing their white undertail feathers and magically disappearing in plain site as their greenish buff coloration blended in with their watery surroundings.� With the water high, we attempted a�shortcut through flooded thickets to the East River, a shortcut that did not work quite as planned.��Our bushwacking did flush a couple of blue-winged teal and several moorhens.�With the exception of a few moorhens and a couple of fairly large gators, the East River Pool was quiet all the way to the vegetative blockade.� � The weather began to�appear�a little iffy as darker clouds against a deep blue sky began producing rain showers to the southwest.� So began�our slow paddle back to the ramp.� And a wondrous sight beheld us as we approached the ramp.� Attempting to drop from beneath a large dark cloud was a waterspout that afforded a couple of reasonably good photographs.� The waterspout apparently could not�get its act together and appeared to only reach halfway to the water until it disappeared after approximately 20 minutes.� � Back on dry land and as we loaded our boats onto our vehicles in a light drizzle, an adult bald eagle approached and circled 40 feet up over the north corner of Stoney Bayou Pool #1 before extending its talons and dropping to the water's surface and emerging with a nice fish for its efforts.� Of course, the camera was not in hand, and what a photo that would have made!.� � In all we observed 20 species of birds on East River Pool. 8:30 am to 11 am * Blue-winged Teal: 2 * Double-crested Cormorant:�7 * Anhinga: 5 male and female * Great Blue Heron: 2 * Great Egret: 1 * Cattle Egret: 31 * Turkey Vulture: 1 * Osprey: 5 * Purple Gallinule: 2 juveniles * Common Moorhen: 10 adults and juvs * Belted Kingfisher: 2 males, 1 female * Downy Woodpecker: 1 * Fish Crow: 15+ * Barn Swallow: 1 * Gray Catbird: 1 * Northern Mockingbird: 3 * Pine Warbler: 1 * Northern Cardinal: 1 male * Red-winged Blackbird: 100+ * Boat-tailed Grackle: 6 � Birds observed at Stoney Bayou Pool #1 from the East River Pool landing: 8 to 8:15 am and 11 to 1130 am * Great Egret: 7 * Snowy Egret: 18 * Little Blue Heron: 2 adults * Tricolored Heron: 1 * Glossy Ibis: 4 * Bald Eagle: 1 adult * Black-necked Stilt: 1 * American Avocet: 11 * Greater yellowlegs: 2 * Yellowlegs (sp): 1 * Willet: 10 * Forster's Tern: 1 * Belted Kingfisher: 3 � A beautiful day to be on the water even without the large number of birds that would normally be observed on the pool with lower water levels. � Harry Hooper Tallahassee, Florida � � [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rose Breasted Grosbeak From: "sheilary" <2celts AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:54:47 -0000 At last a new bird, other than the Red Shouldered Hawk hanging out above the bird feeders trying to pick up a late afternoon snack last week. The Red Breasted Grosbeak enjoyed a prolonged snack of seeds this afternoon at our backyard feeder. We are a bit northwest of Godby High School. When the bird, which we thought was a female, turned and showed it's muted red breast it was most likely a male experiencing his first fall. What a treat! Sheila Ryan Subject: St George Is/Sunday From: "John Murphy" <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com> Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:08:55 +0000 Given that it's the second week of October, the birding this morning at St George Is SP was quieter than I would have expected. On the plus side, the mosquitoes were uncharacteristically docile. E wood-pewee - 3 E phoebe - 2 E kingbird W kingbird R-E vireo Y-T vireo Swainson's thrush - 4 N parula - 2 Tennessee w - 12 Chestnut-sided w - 2 Magnolia w - 7 Black-throated green w Prairie w - 3 Palm w - 5 B&W w - 4 Am redstart - 6 Hooded w - 4 Summer tanager - 3 Scarlet tanager - 5 Blue grosbeak Indigo bunting - 4 Painted bunting Baltimore oriole - 3 John Murphy Alligator Pt, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Vermilion Flycatcher in Fort Walton Beach From: "kwagoner21" <kwagoner21 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 02:28:05 -0000 I did a spontaneous trip to the Land fill and saw the Vermilion Flycather again. Stunning and breathtaking every time I see it. Subject: Northern Pintails on Wakulla River From: Robert Lengacher <rlengach AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:44:19 -0400 Today we paddled the Wakulla River and I found a pair of Northern Pintails in eclipse plumage just north of the lower bridge. I also heard Prothonotary Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and I saw a waterthrush species (couldn't ID it because I was without bins) Still have lots of tanagers, vireos, thrushes, and some warblers at home. Today I had a FOTS Wood Thrush and Blue-winged Warbler. Not a bad day after all. Rob Lengacher Tallahassee, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: yard activity (finally!) From: Dean and Sally Jue <dsjue AT embarqmail.com> Date: Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:23:28 -0400 (EDT) I was home yesterday around lunch time, and, at Fran Rutkovsky's suggestion, I turned on the mister and watched for migrants. During the next hour, I observed the following: Chestnut-sided Warbler - at least five ( three at one time in the mister dish!) Tennessee Warbler - 2 Amercian Redstart - 2 Hooded Warbler - 2 Black-and-White Warbler - 1 Scarlet Tanager - 2 White-eyed Vireo - 1 Wood Thrush (heard) Today, Dean was home and saw most of the same species, plus Swainson's Thrush. Magnolia Warblers were foraging in the oaks. It was heartening to finally see a variety of warblers and other migrants in our yard. I guess we should stay home more often! Sally Jue Tallahassee, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Male Rufous!!! From: Pam Flynn <tallypfly57 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:25:50 -0700 (PDT) I have an adult male rufous hummer in all his glory sitting on my feeder right this minute.�YEA>>>>>it's winter time!!�Pam FlynnTallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Lk Overstreet 10/10 From: "Tracee Strohman" <tracee11 AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:12:55 -0400 Pedaled around Lk Overstreet at Maclay State Park this morning hoping for some thrushes but had no luck. I did hear N Flicker, Acadian Flycatcher and my FOS E Phoebe. Watched 2 mature Bald Eagles fly in from the east, too! Tracee Strohman Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: migrant bathers From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2009 21:24:42 -0400 A female Golden-winged warbler was around today for the 6th day, mostly at the birdbath. She came to bathe several times, but, alas, not when anyone else was here but me to see her. I first saw her about 11:30. Around 2:30 the Golden-winged was sharing a bath with the male Summer Tanager, while a Magnolia warbler perched above them. The female Black and white warbler had already bathed, as had a Swainson's thrush. Catbirds were in the ravine. A Scarlet Tanager dropped by around noon, and a male Hooded warbler came to bathe around 6 pm. I've been hearing a Wood Thrush in the ravine, but it has yet to make an appearance. I've also been hearing a Flicker. I forgot to post ahead of time about the Science Friday show today on NPR radio that was about bird migration. Luckily, Elizabeth Platt called to tell me about it just as it started. If you missed it, you can go to the web site http://www.sciencefriday.com/ to read about it and watch some video. The show was live from Cornell Lab of Ornithology. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FL Subject: Maclay Gardens SP et als From: Andy Wraithmell <bosoxxfan58 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2009 18:57:01 -0700 (PDT) Thirteen folk showed up for the bird walk in the Maclay Gardens this morning and I had a good time showing them a few birds and talking about bird ecology, history etc etc. The undoubted highlight was a very showy Yellow-billed Cuckoo that was dining on caterpillars in a live oak tree. We also had 3 Scarlet Tanagers, 1 Chesnut-sided and 3 Prairie Warbler as well as many Gray Catbirds. I think we had close to 40 species in 2 hours in the 28 acre gardens. Yesterday I had a Yellow Warbler at the park and on monday Will Burnett and I enjoyed watching 2 gobblers and 6 jake turkeys on the powerline feeding on grubs. Steve Harley and myself stumbled across a huge gobbler on Tuesday on one of the park's service roads; his beard was almost touching the ground as he walked slowly into the woods. At least 3 Great Horned Owls are singing around Lake Hall on a nightly basis as well as a single Eastern Screech-owl singing in the gardens. This evening I went kayak fishing on Lake Carr which is close to Meridian Rd north of Ox Bottom. I had a small flock of Tree Swallows coming into roost as well as a Pectoral Sandpiper calling overhead. 2 Great Horned Owls, 2 Glossy Ibis and over 30 Wood Ducks were also present. Andy Wraithmell Tallahassee [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Golden-winged warbler From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2009 16:27:31 -0400 For the fifth day, a female Golden-winged warbler has come down to bathe at the birdbath/mister. I never know when she's going to pop out. Today it was a little after 4 pm; some days it has been 5 or later. Jim Cavanagh and I had nice looks today at a Swainson's Thrush (first of season for my yard) who came to bathe. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FL Subject: Hooded Warbler From: Joseph Asarisi <joseph_asarisi2001 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2009 07:12:29 -0700 (PDT) One nice male Hooded Warbler stopped by the birdbath and a female Scarlet Tanager the day before. Both new yardbirds. Alic and joe mcAlpin, Suwannee County Subject: Kayak birding field trip (Audubon) From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2009 11:34:20 -0400 Apalachee Audubon Society Kayak Birding Field Trip Saturday, Oct. 10, 8 a.m.-noon http://www.apalachee.org Harry Hooper and Lynn Reynolds will lead a kayak birding trip on the East River Pool at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge on October 10th. Meet at the pool boat ramp at 8 am. We will be off the water around noon or 1 pm. The location is the first pool on the right after entering the refuge. Everyone is to bring their own boats and equipment. Wearing life jackets will be mandatory to participate in the paddle. Bring binocs, water, food, sunglasses, bug spray, sun repellent, cameras, and what else you deem necessary. Weather will dictate if we paddle or not. Maximum number or participants will be 8 (in addition to Lynn and Harry). The level of difficulty is "easy". Prospective participants can contact Harry at 668-0498 (evenings) to sign up for the paddle. Three spots are still available, as of Monday night. This is open to the public as well as members. sn_egret AT yahoo.com (Harry Hooper) ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FL Subject: St George Island Youth Camp today From: "Cavanagh, Jim" <jim.cavanagh AT med.fsu.edu> Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2009 23:17:01 -0400 Between rainstorms at 83-88 degrees and a 5-15 K SW wind the following were noted between 8:15 and noon: Peregrine 2 Swainson's Thrush 6 Catbird 5 E. Wood-Pewee 2 Warblers: Palm, Prairie 2, Pine 3, Blackburnian, Hooded, Redstart 4, Wilson's . Vireos: Red-eyed 1, White-eyed 2. Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager, Summer Tanager 3. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Olivia Gentile Oct 21 From: Pam Flynn <tallypfly57 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2009 12:01:47 -0700 (PDT) Wednesday, October 21, 2009Event Title: Book signing "Life List: A Woman's Quest for the World's Most Amazing Birds," a biography of Phoebe SnetsingerWednesday, October 21, 2009Import this event into your Outlook calendarI, Olivia Gentile, am the author of the new book "Life List: A Woman's Quest for the World's Most Amazing Birds," a biography of Phoebe Snetsinger. As you may know, Phoebe was a housewife, cancer survivor, and birder who ended up seeing more species than anyone in history. You can find out much more about Phoebe, the book, and me at�www.oliviagentile.com . I'm really excited to report that I'll be giving a talk on Phoebe at Wild Birds Unlimited in Tallahassee on Wednesday, October 21, at 7 pm. I'll also be answering questions and signing books.� [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Warblers From: Bendy Scott <bendy32309 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2009 07:28:35 -0700 (PDT) Yesterday in the bird bath, I had a female redstart, a female chestnut sided warbler, and a northern parula.� 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: Re: Sunday St Marks From: "Tracee Strohman" <tracee11 AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 23:25:20 -0400 and one Ovenbird not alive on the side of the road... ----- Original Message ----- From: Pam Flynn To: NFlBirds Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2009 1:56 PM Subject: [nflbirds] Sunday St Marks Melissa Forehand just called me to post the neotropical cormorant at St Marks at the Lighthouse pier right NOW....Also a flock of 132 willets. Tracee Strohman and I were down there this morning for a little while. Pretty quiet.Of note:Summer and Scarlet tanager -femalesRedstartPrairie warblerblack necked stiltsLots of kingfishersPlenty of mosquitoes still behind the bathrooms. Ruby throats are still buzzing and chasing around my yard. The Baltimore orioles are finishing up the first jar of jelly for the season. Pam Flynn [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.420 / Virus Database: 270.14.3/2414 - Release Date: 10/04/09 18:42:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: St George Is/Sunday From: "John Murphy" <southmoonunder AT mchsi.com> Date: Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:33:49 +0000 Migrant activity at St George Is SP wasn't what it was on Tuesday, but still respectable... Y-B cuckoo - 2 E wood-pewee - 4 Wood thrush - 2 Swainson's thrush - 8 Tennessee w. Magnolia w. - 5 Blackburnian w. - 4 Prairie w. - 6 Palm w. - 12 B & W w. - 2 Am redstart - 10 Hooded w. - 2 Y-B chat Summer tanager - 3 Scarlet tanager - 5 Indigo bunting Clay-colored sparrow John Murphy Alligator Pt, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Golden-winged warbler From: Robert Bowman <bbpictures AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 15:58:13 -0700 (PDT) I, too, had a Golden-winged Warbler this evening at AJ Henry Park at 5:30.� Got good looks at it for about 30 seconds and then was unable to relocate it.� Also a couple of Wood Thrushes, a Redstart, and a Black-and-White Warbler. � � Good birding, Robert Bowman � � --- On Sun, 10/4/09, Fran Rutkovsky wrote: From: Fran Rutkovsky Subject: [nflbirds] Golden-winged warbler To: "NFLBirds NFLBirds" Date: Sunday, October 4, 2009, 5:26 PM � Hi all: This has been a very quiet fall in the yard and ravine. Except for that mixed flock I had in early Sept., I've just seen one or two of this and that, and they usually haven'st stayed around. Today around 2 p.m. a female Golden-winged warbler joined a female Black and white warbler and 2 Chickadees at the birdbath and mister. She took a bath for several minutes, then left. I saw her again briefly about 5:15. Also had a first of season Am. Robin in the ravine. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FL [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Golden-winged warbler From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 17:26:13 -0400 Hi all: This has been a very quiet fall in the yard and ravine. Except for that mixed flock I had in early Sept., I've just seen one or two of this and that, and they usually haven'st stayed around. Today around 2 p.m. a female Golden-winged warbler joined a female Black and white warbler and 2 Chickadees at the birdbath and mister. She took a bath for several minutes, then left. I saw her again briefly about 5:15. Also had a first of season Am. Robin in the ravine. ----- Fran Rutkovsky franrutkovsky AT comcast.net Tallahassee, FL Subject: Saturday at St. Marks From: Robert Bowman <bbpictures AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 11:20:02 -0700 (PDT) Seen by Luke DeGroote and myslf on Saturday: � Eastern Phoebe (FOS) Catbirds (3 - FOS) Yellow-billed Cuckoo Summer Tanager White-eyed Vireos Gnatcatchers � Warblers included: American Redstarts (3) Yellow Warb (a lot) Prairie Warb Magnolia Warb (2) Palm (Western, FOS) Yellow-Throated Warb Northern Parula Pine Warb Common Yellowthroat � Shorebirds included: Willets, Ruddy Turnstone, Black-bellied Plovers, Dunlin, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and�Spotted, Least, and�Western Sandpipers.��Also saw 2 Black-necked Stilts and 6 Avocets. � � Good birding, Robert Bowman � [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sunday St Marks From: Pam Flynn <tallypfly57 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 10:56:58 -0700 (PDT) Melissa Forehand just called me to post the neotropical cormorant at St Marks at the Lighthouse pier right NOW....Also a flock of 132 willets.� Tracee Strohman and I were down there this morning for a little while. Pretty quiet.Of note:Summer and Scarlet�tanager -femalesRedstartPrairie warblerblack necked stiltsLots of kingfishersPlenty of mosquitoes still behind the bathrooms.� Ruby throats are still buzzing and chasing around my yard. The Baltimore orioles are finishing up the first jar of jelly for the season.� � Pam Flynn [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]