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18 Mar Banded Pigeon [Bill Adams ] 18 Mar Guthrie GBHs [Jeffrey Eugene Calhoun ] 18 Mar Re: Hawk ID [Larry Mays ] 19 Mar Re: Hawk ID [John Ault ] 18 Mar Fwd: Hawk ID [Lindell Dillon ] 18 Mar Fwd: Hawk ID [Lindell Dillon ] 18 Mar Hawk ID [Lindell Dillon ] 18 Mar Re: Warbler Split? [Bill Carrell ] 18 Mar Re: Warbler Split? [Steve Schafer ] 18 Mar Re: Warbler Split? [Laura Erickson ] 18 Mar Warbler Split? [Bill Carrell ] 18 Mar West Side Fish Crows [Bill Carrell ] 18 Mar Belted Kingfisher in Bricktown [Joe Hawkins ] 18 Mar Re: Norman area and Lake Hefner, Saturday [Bill Diffin ] 18 Mar Least Flycatcher?? [CJ Metcalf ] 18 Mar Re: Norman / Inca Doves [Bill Diffin ] 17 Mar Re: Norman / Inca Doves [Bill Diffin ] 17 Mar Hackberry Flat 3/17/10 [ml2x ] 17 Mar Norman--South Jenkins FOS [Richard Gunn ] 17 Mar Finally...back to Moffett [Sandy Berger ] 17 Mar "Peeps" on Lake Texoma [RENANNE BAKER ] 17 Mar Norman / Inca Doves [matthew jung ] 17 Mar Ferruginous Hk and Mtn Bluebird photos, Minco area [Bill Diffin ] 17 Mar Rose Lake, Stinchcomb WRW, Lake Overholser, Tuesday [Bill Diffin ] 17 Mar Re: return of the kestrels [Mark Cromwell ] 16 Mar Northern Shovelers at Cypress Lake [CJ Metcalf ] 16 Mar Red Slough Bird Survey - March 16 [David Arbour ] 16 Mar return of the kestrels [RENANNE BAKER ] 16 Mar Date on Orioles [Rebecca John ] 16 Mar Re: new member [Dorothy Cooney ] 16 Mar "Where the Cimarron Roams" [Eric Beck ] 16 Mar Re: Date on Orioles ["S. Donnell" ] 16 Mar Date on Orioles [Frank Boston ] 16 Mar Fw: eBird Report - Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge , 3/4/10 [Rebecca Wolff ] 16 Mar Fw: eBird Report - Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge , 3/10/10 [Rebecca Wolff ] 16 Mar Re: new mwmber [Frank Boston ] 16 Mar YB Loon/Hefner [Jimmy Woodard ] 16 Mar Re: cedar waxwings [John Kennington ] 15 Mar Re: ID help please. [John Hansen ] 15 Mar new mwmber [Dorothy Cooney ] 15 Mar Red Slough today [David Arbour ] 15 Mar Tulsa Area [Terry Mitchell ] 15 Mar March PCAS newsletter posted [Timothy O'Connell ] 15 Mar Hackberry and area photos 3-14 [Larry Hancock ] 15 Mar Lake Hefner [matthew jung ] 15 Mar Re: Purple finch [John Shackford ] 15 Mar Re: Purple Finch [Diane Trisdale ] 15 Mar Bixby Sod Farms [Bill Carrell ] 15 Mar OCAS Meeting Tonight [Bill Diffin ] 15 Mar Horned v. Eared Grebes [CJOM ] 15 Mar Re: Rejected posting to OKBIRDS@LISTS.OU.EDU [JOS GRZYBOWSKI ] 15 Mar Re: Bridgestone preserve info [Jan Dolph ] 15 Mar Re: Purple Finch [oprakitas ] 15 Mar Barn Swallows [Bill Adams ] 15 Mar Re: ID help please. [Jennifer Kidney ] 15 Mar ID help please. [LindaC ] 15 Mar Re: Purple Finch [RENANNE BAKER ] 14 Mar Re: Purple Finch [Brenda Carroll ] 14 Mar Hackberry Flat 3/14/10 [ml2x ] 14 Mar Re: Purple Finch [Berlin Heck ] 14 Mar Re: Purple Finch [Antoinette Verne ] 14 Mar Purple Finch [matthew jung ] 14 Mar contact info [Sue selman ] 14 Mar Oxley Saturday [Bill Carrell ] 14 Mar contact [Sue selman ] 13 Mar Tulsa Area [Terry Mitchell ] 13 Mar Sooner Lake, Tuesday, 3/9 [Bill Diffin ] 13 Mar Norman [matthew jung ] 13 Mar off list contact for Debby Kaspari [Dora Webb ] 13 Mar Fwd: Mt. Bluebirds / Grady County [Bill Diffin ] 12 Mar Re: Bridgestone preserve info [hanenhark ] 12 Mar Re: cedar waxwings [Berlin Heck ] 12 Mar Re: NEW RED SLOUGH PHOTO GALLERIES NOW ONLINE! [e-womack ] 12 Mar Re: cedar waxwings [Steve Schafer ] 12 Mar Examiner Article - Lesser Prairie Chicken Fence Marking Weekend in Oklahoma [TR Ryan ] 12 Mar cedar waxwings [Susanne Lutze ] Subject: Banded Pigeon From: Bill Adams <ba1980 AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:03:03 -0700 While out at Humphrey Lake (Duncan, OK) today I came across a Pigeon that had been banded.  Saw most of the common birds.  Highlights were the banded Pigeon, Brown Creeper, and at least 4 Tree Swallows. Pictures can be seen here: Tree Swallow Banded Pigeon Side 1 Banded Pigeon Side 2 On side 1 it has 7350 while on side 2 it has: AU 2009 ARPU After doing some digging on the ARPU site, I see it belongs to the AMERICAN RACING PIGEON UNION Club out of OK City. Went back to the lake this afternoon and did not see it.  Bill Adams Tishomingo, OK www.southernokphotography.com Subject: Guthrie GBHs From: Jeffrey Eugene Calhoun <jecalhoun AT WICHITA.EDU> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:58:09 -0500 A few of my buddies and I spent the morning and afternoon in Oklahoma City today. I enjoyed the Great Blue Heron colony about 10 miles north of Guthrie just west of I-35 (I think off of Clear Creek?). It had herons sitting at all of the nests as this morning was dawning and again as the evening light was fading while on the way home… pretty cool! I noted a few seemingly out of place birds in Bricktown, OKC, as well including 6 Cedar Waxwings and 1 singing Northern Mockingbird.   Jeff Calhoun Wichita, KS Subject: Re: Hawk ID From: Larry Mays <retrix AT ATLINKWIFI.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:12:57 -0500 Could be falconer's bird, but Harris's Hawks are seen ocasionally in Oklahoma. ----- Original Message ----- From: John Ault To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 7:39 PM Subject: Re: Hawk ID Yes a Harris's Hawk. Question might be raised about it being a falconer's bird. John Ault Lake City, FL ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Lindell Dillon Date: Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 7:22 PM Subject: Hawk ID To: okbirds Took a walk around Sutton Wilderness this sun-soaked spring afternoon and saw a hawk I've never seen. Perusing my Sibley's it looks more like a Harris Hawk than any of the others, but would be unusual to see one here. Take a look and see what you think. http://picasaweb.google.com/okierednek/SuttonWilderness#slideshow/5450130555825082578 Also saw a female Red-shafted Flicker. Lots of Cedar Waxwings on the north side of the lake. Other items of interest. Two vagrant camp sites. LD Norman Subject: Re: Hawk ID From: John Ault <jwault3 AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:39:55 +0000 Yes a Harris's Hawk.  Question might be raised about it being a falconer's bird. John Ault Lake City, FL ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Lindell Dillon < reddirtbird AT gmail.com > Date: Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 7:22 PM Subject: Hawk ID To: okbirds < OKBIRDS AT lists.ou.edu > Took a walk around Sutton Wilderness this sun-soaked spring afternoon and saw a hawk I've never seen. Perusing my Sibley's it looks more like a Harris Hawk than any of the others, but would be unusual to see one here. Take a look and see what you think. http://picasaweb.google.com/okierednek/SuttonWilderness#slideshow/5450130555825082578 Also saw a female Red-shafted Flicker. Lots of Cedar Waxwings on the north side of the lake. Other items of interest. Two vagrant camp sites. LD Norman   Subject: Fwd: Hawk ID From: Lindell Dillon <reddirtbird AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:41:01 -0500 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Lindell Dillon Date: Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 7:22 PM Subject: Hawk ID To: okbirds Took a walk around Sutton Wilderness this sun-soaked spring afternoon and saw a hawk I've never seen. Perusing my Sibley's it looks more like a Harris Hawk than any of the others, but would be unusual to see one here. Take a look and see what you think. http://picasaweb.google.com/okierednek/SuttonWilderness#slideshow/5450130555825082578 Also saw a female Red-shafted Flicker. Lots of Cedar Waxwings on the north side of the lake. Other items of interest. Two vagrant camp sites. LD Norman * * Subject: Fwd: Hawk ID From: Lindell Dillon <reddirtbird AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:26:10 -0500 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Lindell Dillon Date: Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 7:22 PM Subject: Hawk ID To: okbirds Took a walk around Sutton Wilderness this sun-soaked spring afternoon and saw a hawk I've never seen. Perusing my Sibley's it looks more like a Harris Hawk than any of the others, but would be unusual to see one here. Take a look and see what you think. http://picasaweb.google.com/okierednek/SuttonWilderness#slideshow/5450130555825082578 Also saw a female Red-shafted Flicker. Lots of Cedar Waxwings on the north side of the lake. Other items of interest. Two vagrant camp sites. LD Norman * * Subject: Hawk ID From: Lindell Dillon <reddirtbird AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:22:34 -0500 Took a walk around Sutton Wilderness this sun-soaked spring afternoon and saw a hawk I've never seen. Perusing my Sibley's it looks more like a Harris Hawk than any of the others, but would be unusual to see one here. Take a look and see what you think. http://picasaweb.google.com/okierednek/SuttonWilderness#slideshow/5450130555825082578 Also saw a female Red-shafted Flicker. Lots of Cedar Waxwings on the north side of the lake. Other items of interest. Two vagrant camp sites. LD Norman * * Subject: Re: Warbler Split? From: Bill Carrell <okdragonhunter AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:21:08 -0700 To be more specific, there has been no word (or buzz) from the AOU about any pending action.                                              Bill --- On Thu, 3/18/10, Steve Schafer wrote: From: Steve Schafer Subject: Re: Warbler Split? To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Date: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 3:49 PM On Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:21:41 -0700, you wrote: >The AOU has not yet signed off on this, and there's no buzz going >around about it yet, so don't hold your breath. I "buzzed" about it in October of last year, on this very list: >And, in case you're keeping score, there's new evidence that suggests >that they ought to be considered separate species. As with >Baltimore/Bullock's Orioles, while there is some interbreeding, there >are also clear indications of an isolation mechanism at the genetic >level. So look forward to a split sometime in the next few years. >And, if you're _really_ keeping score, the two resident forms in Mexico >("Goldman's" [_goldmani_] Warbler and "Black-fronted" [_nigrifrons_] >Warbler) will likely be split at the same time. -Steve Subject: Re: Warbler Split? From: Steve Schafer <steve AT FENESTRA.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:49:46 -0400 On Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:21:41 -0700, you wrote: >The AOU has not yet signed off on this, and there's no buzz going >around about it yet, so don't hold your breath. I "buzzed" about it in October of last year, on this very list: >And, in case you're keeping score, there's new evidence that suggests >that they ought to be considered separate species. As with >Baltimore/Bullock's Orioles, while there is some interbreeding, there >are also clear indications of an isolation mechanism at the genetic >level. So look forward to a split sometime in the next few years. >And, if you're _really_ keeping score, the two resident forms in Mexico >("Goldman's" [_goldmani_] Warbler and "Black-fronted" [_nigrifrons_] >Warbler) will likely be split at the same time. -Steve Subject: Re: Warbler Split? From: Laura Erickson <chickadee AT LAURAERICKSON.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:30:28 -0400 A little bird told me that there has been at least a little buzz about this. Best, Laura Erickson (shhhh!) Ithaca, NY On Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 4:21 PM, Bill Carrell wrote: > Hello All, > > Well, there's a possibility that all of my speculation about > which bird will be my 500th lifer *may* be rendered irrelevant. Follow > this link- > http://www.worldbirdnames.org/documents/TheYellow-rumpedWarblerspeciesgroup.html > -which I found on the Santa Barbara CA list regarding splitting > Yellow-Rumped Warbler into four species; two non-migratory species found > south of the border, along with Myrtle and Audubon's in North America. The > AOU has not yet signed off on this, and there's no buzz going around about > it yet, so don't hold your breath. If it does happen, #500 will default to > Roadside Hawk at Falcon State Park in February. Plus, a new OK state bird, > Tulsa County bird, Mohawk Park.....well, you get the idea. > > Good > Birding, > > Bill Carrell > Tulsa, OK > > > -- -- Laura Erickson Science Editor Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road Ithaca, NY 14850 607-254-1114 If you've found this information useful, I hope you'll consider supporting our work on behalf of birds and other wildlife. In addition to knowing that you'll be making a difference for conservation, you'll receive our award-winning Living Bird magazine and informative BirdScope newsletter four times a year. We invite you to join our "force for nature." To sign up or watch our video about membership, visit http://www.birds.cornell.edu/NetCommunity/membership or call us at 1-800-843-2473. For the love, understanding, and protection of birds There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of birds. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature--the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter. --Rachel Carson Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. Subject: Warbler Split? From: Bill Carrell <okdragonhunter AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:21:41 -0700 Hello All,                 Well, there's a possibility that all of my speculation about which bird will be my 500th lifer may be rendered irrelevant. Follow this link- http://www.worldbirdnames.org/documents/TheYellow-rumpedWarblerspeciesgroup.html -which I found on the Santa Barbara CA list regarding splitting Yellow-Rumped Warbler into four species; two non-migratory species found south of the border, along with Myrtle and Audubon's in North America. The AOU has not yet signed off on this, and there's no buzz going around about it yet, so don't hold your breath. If it does happen, #500 will default to Roadside Hawk at Falcon State Park in February. Plus, a new OK state bird, Tulsa County bird, Mohawk Park.....well, you get the idea.                                                                  Good Birding,                                                                  Bill Carrell                                                                Tulsa, OK Subject: West Side Fish Crows From: Bill Carrell <okdragonhunter AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:37:52 -0700 Hello All,               As I was walking out of warehouse market this morning, I saw a Crow sitting on the light pole. As I continued on, he regaled me with a "waak" rather than a "caw". A second crow showed up, smaller (presumably a female), and the first flew down to the parking lot, picked up a rather decrepit looking french frie, and fed it to the second bird, who was doing begging calls. I had Fish Crows in this area for the first time last year, but I have yet to locate a nest. Corvids are usually pretty good at hiding those, however.                                                                Good Birding,                                                                Bill Carrell                                                              Tulsa, OK Subject: Belted Kingfisher in Bricktown From: Joe Hawkins <joehanselhawkins AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:05:29 -0500 I was showing my Texas granddaughter the sights of Oklahoma City and was surprised to find a Belted Kingfisher fishing the stream that runs through the parking lot of the Bass Pro Shop. It was a new life bird for her. Sent from my iPhone --------------------------- Subject: Re: Norman area and Lake Hefner, Saturday From: Bill Diffin <WilliamDiffin AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:48:18 EDT You're welcome. He was quite a character as I just wrote to Ben. Sometime you and Ben will have to explain to me what method of time travel you use to get around to so many places in SW Oklahoma in one day. Just kidding. I understand from Dick that a 5:15 am start is one component. Club events are difficult to get going that early. Bill Subject: Least Flycatcher?? From: CJ Metcalf <cjobraymetcalf AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:25:53 -0500 Dear OK Birders: Would it be completely outside the realm of likelihood to sight a Least Flycatcher here (Norman OK) this week? http://picasaweb.google.com/cjobray/ReeceLakeRoad17march2010?authkey=Gv1sRgCOC1pK-fqKeANA&feat=directlink CJ eMail: cj.metcalf AT coldwellbanker.com Subject: Re: Norman / Inca Doves From: Bill Diffin <WilliamDiffin AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:59 EDT Sorry folks. That was meant for Matt alone. Subject: Re: Norman / Inca Doves From: Bill Diffin <WilliamDiffin AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:59:09 EDT Matt, Thanks for the cookies. They were perfect. You should patent the recipe and the amount of cooking. I like mine a little browner than most say is just right. I suspect others are the same. Bill Subject: Hackberry Flat 3/17/10 From: ml2x <ml2x AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:11:00 -0500 Hello Everyone, Mary and I birded Hackberry Flat today from 9am to noon. It was chilly but not real windy so it was goodest. We had 10 shorebird species today along with 3 drake Cinnamon Teal, a King Rail, a Merlin and a Rough-legged Hawk. Shorebirds of interest: 2 Snowy Plovers 382 Long-billed Dowitchers 109 Least Sandpipers 1 Semi-palmated Sandpiper 2 Baird's Sandpiper 3 Dunlin 1 Am. Avocet 52 G. Yellowlegs 7 L. Yellowlegs Yes Killdeer ~40 UnID Shorebirds which was down from ~75 on Sunday...LOL We also had numerous Marsh Wrens and N. Harriers but no Short-eared Owls. Goodest Birding, Mary and Lou Truex ml2x AT sbcglobal.net Lawton Subject: Norman--South Jenkins FOS From: Richard Gunn <rgunn1 AT COX.NET> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:11:00 -0500 We had a single Blue-wingeed Teal last week and a bunch more on Walt's Pond this morning.. Also, this afternoon a Vesper Sparrow. D. Subject: Finally...back to Moffett From: Sandy Berger <fsbirdlady AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:48:27 -0700 I managed to get to Moffett only a couple of times this winter. That's a pity since I only live about 10 minutes away. But the wait was worth it. There was a good number of species there today. I had 25 species in just an hours time. Notable birds included: Rusty Blackbirds - flock of 80+ birds robins - hundreds Bald Eagle on nest Snipe LB Dowitchers Killdeer Golden Plover Barn Swallow Phoebe Green-winged Teal Blue-winged Teal Hooded Merganser Mallard Gadwall Yellow-rumped Warblers - in the mud with the rusties and robins pipits Sandy B. FS, AR Subject: "Peeps" on Lake Texoma From: RENANNE BAKER <rabbit12 AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:47:31 -0700 Sat. afternoon found Bairds sandpipers on Aylesworth Flats between Bridgeview Resort and Cuberland in Marshall county. Late today there were 5 Least sandpipers! Spring,I love it! Nan Baker Little City Subject: Norman / Inca Doves From: matthew jung <mpjung5125 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:57:30 -0700 Between 5:30 & 5:45 we had 5 Inca Doves in my daughter's yard.  Matt Jung, OKC Subject: Ferruginous Hk and Mtn Bluebird photos, Minco area From: Bill Diffin <WilliamDiffin AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:48:48 EDT A Texas birder, Paul Sunby, was in Oklahoma last week and saw Mountain Bluebirds and a Ferruginous Hawk southwest of Minco as reported last week. Here are links to photos he generously provided, Mountain Bluebird, _http://www.flickr.com/photos/wp_dfn/4440906435/_ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wp_dfn/4440906435/) Ferruginous Hawk, _http://www.flickr.com/photos/wp_dfn/4441684578/_ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wp_dfn/4441684578/) Bill Diffin, OKC Subject: Rose Lake, Stinchcomb WRW, Lake Overholser, Tuesday From: Bill Diffin <WilliamDiffin AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:03:29 EDT OKC Audubon Tuesday Birders, Carla Brueggen, Matt Jung, Doug Eide, Charles Douglas and Bill Diffin surveyed Rose Lake, Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge West and Lake Overholser. The day was planned around a goal of seeing ten duck species. 14 species were seen. At Rose Lake, the most numerous ducks were Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Blue-winged Teal and Lesser Scaup. There were lesser numbers of Ring-necked Duck, Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal. Flocks of Blue-winged Teal flew around the lake showing off their blue coverts. Two flocks of Cackling Geese took off from the east ponds and flew west. The Canada Geese stayed in place. North of 63rd St a Northern Harrier was flying over the trees, and a Wood Duck in the east pond joined two others on the bank. There were Meadowlarks and Killdeer in the fields along Morgan Rd. At the Stinchcomb WR West side entrance a Red-shouldered Hawk was flying and calling in front of the woods across the cattail swamp. In the trees along the trail to the river were Northern Cardinals, Harris's Sparrows and a flock of Dark-eyed Juncos. Carolina Wrens were singing and calling in the woods. At the river, a Tufted Titmouse and a flock of Cedar Waxwings perched in the tree tops. Along the trail running west from the river, Yellow-rumped Warblers were flying around in the dead weeds and tall grass near the big pond. A Downy Woodpecker pecked on the trees. Harris's Sparrows were noisy in some shrubbery. A couple of juvenile White-crowned Sparrows stayed close to the flock of Harris's. Two male Spotted Towhees hopped up with the sparrows and sat for many minutes while we watched from 15 feet. At least one Song Sparrow came into view off and on. As we walked beside the pond, Mallards flushed from cover near the shore. Lesser numbers of Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Northern Shovelers and Northern Pintails also took flight. Out in the pond were many of the same ducks with Ring-neckeds, Redheads, Blue-winged Teal, a pair of Bufflehead and American Coots. Near the second nest box, a pair of Wood Ducks floated near the shore. American Wigeon were whistling beyond the trees to the west. Soon the first of several groups of Wigeon started flying across the pond, showing their white wing coverts. The walk back produced nothing new until near the entrance gate a Western Meadowlark was heard singing in the neighboring field. At Lake Overholser, a Marsh Wren vocalized in the swamp south of the cofferdam. A Song Sparrow, a Carolina Chickadee and a Northern Cardinal were seen in the cattails along with Red-winged Blackbirds. From the parking area northwest of the lake we could see a long raft of Red-breasted Mergansers about 150 yards from shore. In front of those were several rafts of Ruddy Ducks. A few Redheads were mixed in with the mergansers. Double-crested Cormorants cruised in groups almost anywhere on the lake one chose to look. In the trees and shrubbery along the bank were Yellow-rumped Warblers, a Blue Jay and a Downy Woodpecker. In the grass were more YR Warblers, Dark-eyed Juncos, a House Finch and two Common Grackles. Strangely, the grackles were extremely colorful in the gray light. The deep blue heads graded through green and reddish green around the upper sides and back to the reddish wings. A flock of American White Pelicans was dispersed north of the fishing pier. A small raft of American Wigeon was swimming southwest. More pelicans and cormorants were cruising near the dam. Still more Cormorants were roosting on the emergent snags near the river inlet. In the little space of open water downstream of the inlet spillway, Northern Shovelers, Green-winged Teal and Blue-winged Teal were dabbling along the cattails. Some unidentified swallows were flying over the lake. Canada Goose (RL) Cackling Goose (RL) Wood Duck (RL, SWR) Mallard (RL, SWR, LO) Gadwall (RL, SWR) Northern Pintail (RL, SWR) American Wigeon (SWR) Northern Shoveler (RL, SWR, LO) Blue-winged Teal (RL, SWR, LO) Green-winged Teal (RL, SWR, LO) Ring-necked Duck (RL, SWR) Lesser Scaup (RL, SWR) Redhead (SWR, LO) Bufflehead (SWR) Red-breasted Merganser (LO) Ruddy Duck (LO) American White Pelican (LO) Double-crested Cormorant (LO) Great Blue Heron (LO) American Coot (RL, SWR, LO) Northern Harrier (RL) Red-shouldered Hawk (SWR) Red-tailed Hawk (SWR) Ring-billed Gull (LO) Killdeer (RL, MR) Mourning Dove (SWR) Downy Woodpecker (SWR, LO) Red-bellied Woodpecker (SWR) Northern Flicker (SWR) American Robin (SWR, LO) Carolina Wren vocals (RL, SWR) Marsh Wren vocals (LO) Cedar Waxwing (SWR) Carolina Chickadee (SWR, LO) Tufted Titmouse (SWR) Blue Jay (LO) American Crow (RL, SWR, LO) Yellow-rumped Warbler (SWR, LO) Northern Cardinal (SWR, LO) Spotted Towhee (SWR) Song Sparrow (SWR, LO) Harris's Sparrow (SWR) White-crowned Sparrow (SWR) Dark-eyed Junco (SWR, LO) Western Meadowlark (SWR) Meadowlark sp. (MR) Red-winged Blackbird (RL, SWR, LO) Common Grackle (LO) House Finch (LO) MR -- Morgan Rd between NW 50th and 63rd. Bill Diffin, OKC Subject: Re: return of the kestrels From: Mark Cromwell <mark.cromwell01 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:08:56 -0500 No Purple Martins yet at Perkins either. Mark Cromwell Enid/Perkins On Tue, Mar 16, 2010 at 5:17 PM, RENANNE BAKER wrote: > Yesterdy afternoon, on 106,aka Little Glasses resort road, we counted 10 > kestrels on the lines. > This afternoon, a roadrunner crossed the road in front of us at the east > edge of Little City. No purple martins yet tho. > 2 purple finches under feeder this a.m. > Nan Baker > Little City,OK > Marshal county > Subject: Northern Shovelers at Cypress Lake From: CJ Metcalf <cjobraymetcalf AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:56:14 -0500 Caught a small group of what looks like Northern Shovelers at Cypress Lake in Norman today. Not great photos (they wouldn't let me get very close) but good enough to ID with. Couldn't tell for sure if they had any females with them because there were a number of mallards close by (but if there were shoveler females, they were pretty stand-offish from the males). Pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/cjobray/NorthernShovelersAtCypressLake16march2010?authkey=Gv1sRgCOfz7rys3PLjDg&feat=directlink CJ eMail: cj.metcalf AT coldwellbanker.com Subject: Red Slough Bird Survey - March 16 From: David Arbour <arbour AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:19:01 -0500 Berlin Heck and I surveyed birds at Red Slough today and found 68 species. We ran into a couple birders (Chad Fitzmorris & Catherine Temple) from NE Oklahoma and invited them to join us. A drawdown in unit 44 has created shallow water mudflats which has attracted hundreds of shorebirds and waterfowl. This in turn has attracted a Peregrine Falcon which we saw twice today at this unit. It caught a bird this morning (probably a yellowlegs) and by evening it or another one was back swooping on the birds in this unit. Unit 30 also has some mudflats and is attracting hundreds of shorebirds and ducks also. Other highlights today included an adult male Cinnamon Teal in unit 44 and a Neotropic Cormorant on Otter Lake. Here is a list of all found today: Greater White-fronted Goose - 36 Canada Goose - 6 Wood Duck - 15 Gadwall - 525 Mallard - 32 Blue-winged Teal - 145 Cinnamon Teal - 1 male (unit 44) Northern Shoveler - 123 Northern Pintail - 7 Green-winged Teal - 321 Ring-necked Duck - 70 Common Goldeneye - 1 Hooded Merganser - 6 Pied-billed Grebe - 41 Eared Grebe - 1 (Lotus Lake) American White Pelican - 25 Neotropic Cormorant - 1 (Otter Lake) Double-crested Cormorant - 110 American Bittern - 1 Great Blue Heron - 19 Black Vulture - 2 Turkey Vulture - 50 Bald Eagle - 3 Northern Harrier - 6 Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 Red-tailed Hawk - 5 Peregrine Falcon - 1 (Unit 44) Virginia Rail - 1 American Coot - 1300 Killdeer - 8 Greater Yellowlegs - 177 Lesser Yellowlegs - 1 Least Sandpiper - 29 Pectoral Sandpiper - 40 Dunlin - 5 Long-billed Dowitcher - 40 Wilson's Snipe - 118 Barred Owl - 1 Belted Kingfisher - 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1 Downy Woodpecker - 1 Northern Flicker - 5 Eastern Phoebe - 8 Loggerhead Shrike - 3 Blue Jay - 2 American Crow - 10 Fish Crow - 1 Purple Martin - 2 Tree Swallow - 14 Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 1 Carolina Chickadee - 3 Tufted Titmouse - 1 Carolina Wren - 2 Bewick's Wren - 1 Marsh Wren - 2 American Robin - 41 American Pipit - 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 20 Pine Warbler - 1 Common Yellowthroat - 1 Savannah Sparrow - 9 Song Sparrow - 1 Swamp Sparrow - 4 White-crowned Sparrow - 8 Northern Cardinal - 6 Red-winged Blackbird - 140 Eastern Meadowlark - 4 American Goldfinch - 1 Odonates: Fragile Forktail Herps: American Alligator Red-eared Slider Eastern Gray Treefrog Southern Leopard Frog Good birding! David Arbour De Queen, Arkansas Visit the new Red Slough Photo Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/red_slough_wma Subject: return of the kestrels From: RENANNE BAKER <rabbit12 AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:17:41 -0700 Yesterdy afternoon, on 106,aka Little Glasses resort road, we counted 10 kestrels on the lines. This afternoon, a roadrunner crossed the road in front of us at the east edge of Little City. No purple martins yet tho. 2 purple finches under feeder this a.m. Nan Baker Little City,OK Marshal county Subject: Date on Orioles From: Rebecca John <becajohn_50 AT MSN.COM> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:24:10 -0500 2009 Northern Oriole April 22 Orchard Oriole April 26 2008 Northern Oriole April 22 Orchard Oriole April 25 North Tulsa County Subject: Re: new member From: Dorothy Cooney <songbird.0514 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:31:23 -0700 Thank so much for the info! Dorothy Cooney Wickes, AR ________________________________ From: Frank Boston To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Sent: Tue, March 16, 2010 7:46:53 AM Subject: Re: new mwmber Welcome Dorothy, nice to have you here. At the bottom of this page http://www.birdsofoklahoma.net/Hotspotsbirding.htm#Southeast is a list of birding hotspots, for the SE region of Oklahoma. I doubt you too far from a good one, or two... it's a nice region down there. Take Care ---- Dorothy Cooney wrote: > Hi everyone, I just joined and want to say hi. I live in Arkansas very close to the Oklahoma line and am interested in birding sites near here. I'm near Broken Bow and not too far from Poteau. Any advice, suggestions, or whatever would be appreciated. Thanks! > > > Dorothy Cooney > Wickes, AR Subject: "Where the Cimarron Roams" From: Eric Beck <oklahomaiba AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:16:56 -0500 Hello All, Just wanted to share some thoughts on an article I just read written by Gary Lantz for Outdoor Oklahoma. It was a wonderful story about the Cimarron River and the two properties recently purchased by ODWC for the LEPC. I just wanted to note that he described both sites in managnificent form, and if you don't subscribe to this magazine I would suggest doing so. As you you know I have a certain place in my heart for the NW region in Oklahoma and was proud to know that the birding/conservation community just spent a glorious weekend at Cimarron Bluff WMA impacting this property for the betterment of the land and its wildlife. You can read about the weekend at www.afieldinoklahoma.blogspot.com or you can view the beautiful sunset photography captured by our very own Timothy Ryan http://www.trryan.com/2010/03/sunset-at-selman-ranch.html or read an article about the weekend at http://www.examiner.com/x-27505-Oklahoma-City-Outdoor-Travel-Examiner~y2010m3d10-Volunteers-gather-from-across-state-to-save-threatened-prairie-icon also done by the talented Mr. Ryan. Great story Gary and thanks for highlighting such a beautiful place in our state. -- Eric Beck State Coordinator Oklahoma Important Bird Areas Program ebeck AT audubon.org oklahomaIBA AT gmail.com Subject: Re: Date on Orioles From: "S. Donnell" <sheran AT TOMDONNELL.COM> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:08:22 -0700 Subject: Date on Orioles From: Frank Boston <thebostons2 AT COX.NET> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:17:48 -0400 If anyone in the Tulsa area has a date for their first Oriole (Baltimore, Orchard, any of 'em!) last spring I'd love to know. They were certainly the highlight of my backyard migration bananza last year, and I'm ready to get hyped up about them again. The only record I have is by my first photograph taken, and it was on May 5th. Thanks Frank Owasso Subject: Fw: eBird Report - Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge , 3/4/10 From: Rebecca Wolff <Rebecca_Wolff AT FWS.GOV> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:22:28 -0600 Subject: Fw: eBird Report - Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge , 3/10/10 From: Rebecca Wolff <Rebecca_Wolff AT FWS.GOV> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:21:55 -0600 Subject: Re: new mwmber From: Frank Boston <thebostons2 AT COX.NET> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:46:53 -0400 Welcome Dorothy, nice to have you here. At the bottom of this page http://www.birdsofoklahoma.net/Hotspotsbirding.htm#Southeast is a list of birding hotspots, for the SE region of Oklahoma. I doubt you too far from a good one, or two... it's a nice region down there. Take Care ---- Dorothy Cooney wrote: > Hi everyone, I just joined and want to say hi. I live in Arkansas very close to the Oklahoma line and am interested in birding sites near here. I'm near Broken Bow and not too far from Poteau. Any advice, suggestions, or whatever would be appreciated. Thanks! > > > Dorothy Cooney > Wickes, AR Subject: YB Loon/Hefner From: Jimmy Woodard <Jimmy.Woodard AT UNIVARUSA.COM> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:59:48 -0700 I went by Lake Hefner yesterday evening on my way to the OKC Audubon meeting. I found the Yellow-billed Loon near the north end of the lake along the dam. It was very close to the rip rap. I'd say no more than 50 yards out most of the time. It was diving sporadically. There was several rafts of ducks of various species. I would estimate around 2000 birds. I also saw 10 Common Loons at various places. I also went by Overholser and there were several rafts of pelicans, cormorants and ducks out in the middle of the lake. Thanks, Jimmy Woodard Univar---Oklahoma City Subject: Re: cedar waxwings From: John Kennington <johnkennington AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:30:08 -0500 I have no written record of this so the date is not specific, but sometime in the winter of 1982/83 I was at the Wichita Mountains NWR and saw a great wildlife spectacle. On Hwy 115, north of the Cache entrance, along the tree line on the west side of the road, was a huge flock of birds, at least a quarter-mile long. Putting my scope on them, it turned out they were all Cedar Waxwings. At the time I did not attempt to estimate the size, but conservatively it was at least 100,000 birds, and most likely much higher than that! John Kennington Bixby, OK On Fri, Mar 12, 2010 at 7:34 PM, Berlin Heck wrote: > Sue--I wrote an article about Cedar Waxwings for the Spring 2008 > "Scissortail", and here is part of what I wrote, in case you missed it: > > The "cedar" in the common name obviously comes from one of its preferred > foods in winter, the fruit of the red cedar. The "waxwing" comes from the > red, waxy spots on the tips of 6 to 9 of the primary feathers on some > wintering birds--a red which resembles red sealing wax (used in days of yore > to seal letters". This "wax" has a function: Alexander Wilson (1832) said > that these appendages "are intended for preserving the ends of the vanes > from being broken and worn away by the almost continual fluttering of the > bird among thick branches of the red cedar. The feathers of those birds > which are without these appendages are uniformly found ragged on the edges, > but smooth and perfect in those on whom the marks are full and numerous." > > Berlin Heck > Broken Bow > > *No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings* > * * > * William Blake* > > > On Mar 12, 2010, at 4:46 PM, Susanne Lutze wrote: > > I usually delight in groups of 8 to 10 Cedar Waxwings but I just spent an > hour watching a flock of about 250 - 300 of them in my back yard feeding on > berries on the ground under trimmed up Red Cedar trees. The high winds kept > the flock in the air more than on the ground as they startled easily but > with binoculars I was able to get a close up look the butter yellow tail > tips and the red bar on the wings. My question is this: > Many did not have the red wing bar but were not the striped markings of > juveniles in my Peterson's Guide?? In every way, including size, they looked > like adults but they didn't have any red on them? > > A Tuttle birder > Sue > > bslutze AT pldi.net > > > Subject: Re: ID help please. From: John Hansen <majorhart AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:32:00 -0600 Looks like a Redwing Blackbird to me. We have a few of them in the early spring. John Hansen Saint Joseph MO majorhart AT sbcglobal.net ----- Original Message ----- From: LindaC To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 7:25 AM Subject: ID help please. http://www..flickr.com/photos/73023902 AT N00/4435400866/ my first thought was Starling with different markings but then I am not sure. It stayed on the feeder a long time. thanks much, LindaC/Okemah E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (7.0.0.514) Database version: 6.14530 http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor-antivirus/ E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (7.0.0.514) Database version: 6.14530 http://www.pctools.com/en/spyware-doctor-antivirus/ Subject: new mwmber From: Dorothy Cooney <songbird.0514 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:52:24 -0700 Hi everyone, I just joined and want to say hi. I live in Arkansas very close to the Oklahoma line and am interested in birding sites near here. I'm near Broken Bow and not too far from Poteau. Any advice, suggestions, or whatever would be appreciated. Thanks! Dorothy Cooney Wickes, AR Subject: Red Slough today From: David Arbour <arbour AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:59:46 -0500 While working at Red Slough today, saw and heard a flock of 65 Sandhill Cranes migrating over heading NW then turning west, apparently following the Red River. Also heard an American Bittern calling from the marsh in the middle of Bittern Lake. David Arbour De Queen, Arkansas New Red Slough Photo Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/red_slough_wma Personal Photo Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/sloughbirder Subject: Tulsa Area From: Terry Mitchell <terry AT PECOT.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:42:36 -0500 This Evening at Yahola I had 1-Canvas Back, 30-Lesser Scaup, 2-Ruddy Ducks, 20-Red Breasted Mergansers, 6-Horned Grebes, 15-Bonaparts Gulls and 2 Franklins Gulls. Terry. Subject: March PCAS newsletter posted From: Timothy O'Connell <tim.oconnell AT OKSTATE.EDU> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:43:57 -0500 Dear friends and supporters of the Payne County Audubon Society, I'm a bit late with this month's reminder to check out the March issues of FEATHERS and PINFEATHERS on the PCAS website: http://www.paynecountyaudubon.com/. Many thanks go to Editor, Webmistress, and PCAS President Susan Walker for getting our terrific newsletter posted on schedule by the first of each month. Included in this month's issue . . . The PCAS welcomes Dani Thompson as out new Nature Programs Director, an update of our 1st annual community garage sale fundraiser, and a report on Iris McPherson's recent birding tour of northern Peru. Congratulations are in order to all who participated in the 2010 Great Backyard Bird Count (http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/). THere were 97,209 checklists submitted over the four days of the Count, and Stillwater again made the best showing for the state with 86 species on 119 checklists! Please mark your calendars for our next evening program on April 1st at 7pm in room 119 of the Stillwater Public Library. We'll hear presentations from the 2009 winners of the Helen Miller Research Award (Jay Burtka) and the Edwin Glover Research Award (Adrian Monroe), as well as meet the 2010 winners, Andy Crosby and Will Jessie. There are many events and activities coming up in April; be sure to check the website for details (http://www.paynecountyaudubon.com/). Good birding, ~Tim O'Connell PCAS Secretary Subject: Hackberry and area photos 3-14 From: Larry Hancock <ihanturn AT CABLEONE.NET> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:43:31 -0500 Sunday I made a trip out Hackberry way to see what might have changed with wishful thinking for the light always at my back and plenty of good birds willing to pose. The sun Sunday was almost always in my face and only a few birds close to pose. I did have a couple of interesting birds, a red-tail hawk and male bufflehead. First I found a red-tail on a roadkill rabbit. I slowed and reached for my camera with hopes of a flight shot of the hawk with the rabbit in its claws, it almost happened but the hawk failed to clear the fence with the rabbit. The hawk immediately pivoted back toward me as the rabbit fell and landed on the post above the rabbit allowing me to get a couple of up close shots of him approaching the fence, good thing the camera can focus quickly without me having to do it. He kept sitting on the fence looking down at the rabbit, ignoring me, like he was thinking how did that happen. Later in the afternoon I had a male bufflehead keep flying close to my car, land for a few minutes, fly away and return again. I finally got some shots of the take off from water. There wasn't much new out except the dowitchers and bairds sandpipers the Truex's mentioned in their report. The link to the pictures is below. http://www.avianfocus.com/sw_ok_3-14-10/index.html Larry Hancock Ardmore, OK __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4947 (20100315) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com Subject: Lake Hefner From: matthew jung <mpjung5125 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:22:08 -0700 I spent a little time this morning checking the lake for the reported YB Loon and W. Grebe - no & no.  I did find 2 Horned Grebes and 2 PB Grebes.  There were at least 1000 DC Cormorants on the lake with more flying in from the east.  Ducks seen were Mallard, N. Shoveler, Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup and Ruddy Duck.  The Mute Swan was hanging out with the Goose - lots of A. Coot and 3 GB Herons. Matt Jung, OKC Subject: Re: Purple finch From: John Shackford <Johnsshack AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:44:40 EDT We had at least 5 female and 4 male Purple Finches at our feeder today (3-15-2010) in southern Logan County, the most we have seen so far this winter. John Shackford Edmond Subject: Re: Purple Finch From: Diane Trisdale <dianetrisdale AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:42:57 -0700 I had one male Purple Finch feeding on the sunflower seeds under a couple of my feeders Sunday afternoon.  Monday morning I had a male and a female Purple Finch on the sunflower feeders for just a short time.  What a treat as I have House Finches but seldom see Purple Finches any more.   Diane Trisdale Cumberland, Marshall Co., OK (A couple of miles as the crow flies from Nan Baker's home) --- On Mon, 3/15/10, RENANNE BAKER wrote: From: RENANNE BAKER Subject: Re: Purple Finch To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Date: Monday, March 15, 2010, 8:12 AM This is the " Year of the Purple Finches" at my feeder. I had 3 pair this winter and still have at least one pair feeding regularily. Nan Baker Little City Marshal county,Ok --- On Sun, 3/14/10, Brenda Carroll wrote: From: Brenda Carroll Subject: Re: Purple Finch To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 10:52 PM Thanks Berlin for the info.  I just got back from visiting my mother in Tahlequah where I was able to photograph Purple Finches at her feeders today - male and female.  There were at least 2 of each.  Strange I never see them in my yard in Bixby. --- On Sun, 3/14/10, Berlin Heck wrote: From: Berlin Heck Subject: Re: Purple Finch To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 9:21 PM Note that the new date guide requests reports on Purple Finches be sent to OBRC due to their decline (the Finches, I think). Berlin Heck Broken Bow On Mar 14, 2010, at 8:30 PM, Antoinette Verne wrote: I have been having 2 male purple finches & 2 female purple finches off and on for quite sometime.   Fort Gibson Antoinette Verne From: matthew jung To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Sent: Sun, March 14, 2010 3:29:15 PM Subject: Purple Finch Last evening I had the female Purple Finch back in my daughter's yard.  This time is was on the ground under one of the seed feeders.   I checked Lake Overholser this AM and found a nice raft of Red-brested Mergansers, a single pair of Hooder Mergansers, some AW Pelican, A. Coot, many RB Gulls and GB Heron.    At Rose Lake were N. Shoveler, N. Pintail, C. Goldeneye, Mallard, Hooded Merganser and Redhead plus a Song Sparrow.   Matt Jung, OKC Subject: Bixby Sod Farms From: Bill Carrell <okdragonhunter AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:38:26 -0700 Hello All,                    Late Sunday evening, I saw one American Golden Plover and one Upland Sandpiper with a mob of Killdeer near 141st and Garnett.                                                                        Good Birding,                                                                        Bill Carrell                                                                      Tulsa, OK Subject: OCAS Meeting Tonight From: Bill Diffin <WilliamDiffin AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:43:30 EDT Just a reminder to any "lurkers" that there will be an Oklahoma City Audubon Society Meeting at 7 pm tonight in the Will Rogers Park Garden Center. The meeting place is accessed most easily from NW 36th St. The Garden Center is on the northeast corner of the park. The program tonight is on eBird and is being given by John Kennington, president of the Tulsa Audubon Society. There is more information available at _www.okc-audubon.org_ (http://www.okc-audubon.org) . Please come and enjoy our company. Bill Diffin President OKC-Audubon Subject: Horned v. Eared Grebes From: CJOM <cjobraymetcalf AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:54:38 -0500 Wow, Joe! Thank you!!! CJ Phone: 405.701.8338 Reply to: cjmetcalf AT cox.net Sent from my mobile On Mar 15, 2010, at 11:28, JOS GRZYBOWSKI wrote: > Howdy, > Single picture ID's can be tricky, as you have one perspective, > and all the impressions from that perspective that another photo > from a different angle might change. > But I think the second bird in the set to be a Horned Grebe, not > an Eared. It is a winter-plumaged Horned beginning to change into > spring plumage. > > The bill seems a bit on the thin side for a Horned, but I think > it is the angle facing away in the picture giving it such an > impression. The (lower) mandible is not angled up towards the tip, > and the culmen actually arches down (so more a blunt-tipped bill (as > in Horned) than a pointy-tipped bill [maxilla or upper mandible > fitting into lower mandible) > Also, in Eared Grebes, the forehead rises to a high point (like a > frontal shield) in almost all pictures (you can find exceptions). > In this bird, the top of the head flattens out like one would expect > in a Horned. The appearance of a rise in forehead probably comes > from the angle of view. Birds can change this by raising or > compressing feathers, but in Eared, the forehead usually rises up at > an almost 60 degree angle (on most pictures) > In addition, the white at the backof the head is pretty > prominent, and the white from each side comes pretty close. Even > well-whited Eareds in this area in winter plumage shouldn't be that > prominently white or as large a patch of white. > Also, another name for the Eared Grebe used in Europe is Black- > necked Grebe. This bird changing into breedig plumage is showing > some rufous tones from feathering coming into the neck. This > could be a lighting issue, but if real, automatically kicks out > Eared Grebe--but consistent with Horned. > > The Oklahoma Bird Records Committee in its recent edition of the > Date Guide (2009) actually kicked back the dates of spring arrival > for Eared Gree from March 14 (in previous editions) to Mar 29 > (current edition). While some are now wintering in SW OK routinely > (as at Lake Lawtonka) and might appear in other places on occasion, > I had earlier wondered why others were recording them (even in > groups) at places such at Lake Hefner during March several weeks > ahead of when I found my first (usually around Mar 31 or later), or > creating a mid-March record base for their arrival. I came to > appreciate that identifications of Eared Grebes actually coincided > with molt in Horned Grebes, not their actual arrival. The Eared > Grebes being reported were actually misidentified Horned Grebes > molting from winter to breeding plumage (intermediates like this > bird here). For several years, I asked observers reporting early > and mid March records how they identified their Eared Grebes. Found > they were being identified as such by their scufty plumage (and > presumption--others were being reported), not by upturned bill or > highly angled frontal shield peaking on mid-top of head. > > We are entering that window of Horned Grebe molt again, and many > might be anxious to tick up their year lists. Be patient--should > see Eareds by Apr 1, or see rafts of Eareds during April. If you > see one early, please document. They are tricky, as this photo > discloses. > CHEERS, JOE Grzybowski > > From: CJ Metcalf > To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU > Sent: Mon, March 8, 2010 12:12:43 PM > Subject: Re: Rejected posting to OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU > > Thanks for all the helpful input. I have responses from several that > the larger bird is an eared grebe. Cool. Another one for my life > list! > > The bill definitely seemed too small to me to qualify as a loon, but > I couldn't find anything else that fit ('cuz I was looking at photos > of the wrong kinds of birds). Now that I compare my photo with > these (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eared_Grebe/id), it's very > clear. > > I love this listserv! :-) > > CJ > > cj.metcalf AT coldwellbanker.com > > CJ > > Phone: 405.701.8338 > eMail: cj.metcalf AT coldwellbanker.com > > > > On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 07:46, Brian Davis wrote: > CJ, > > You're right about the Pied-billed Grebe, but the other is an Eared > Grebe- nice find! Differs from the much more common (around here) > Horned Grebe by the steeply-sloping forehead, very thin bill, and dark > ear (Horned Grebes have a more or less all white face with black > restricted to the cap). > > Brian > > On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 3:52 AM, CJ Metcalf > wrote: > > Berlin, et al: > > > > While I was at Lake Hefner a week ago, I saw the western grebe in > precisely > > the place you described. Tried repeatedly to get a photo, but was > > unsuccessful (s/he seemed to know what I was trying to do, and > kept ducking > > under the water everytime I would raise my camera, only to pop up > again far > > enough away that I would have to re-focus; quite a funny game if > you're a > > grebe). > > > > Also saw the two birds whose photos are posted here: > > http://picasaweb.google.com/cjobraymetcalf/LakeHefnerWaterBirds27feb2010?feat=directlink > . They're > > not good photos - the birds were too far away to get clearer > images, but I > > believe the smaller one is a pied-billed grebe, very similar to > one that > > visits Cypress Lake in Norman every year in transit to summer > housing. The > > larger one is more of a mystery - the neck is too short to be a > larger > > grebe, the bird is too big to be a PBG. Plumage suggests a Pacific > Loon in > > winter garb. Can anyone verify / clarify? > > CJ > > eMail: cj.metcalf AT coldwellbanker.com > > > > > > > > > > On Sun, Mar 7, 2010 at 18:56, Berlin Heck > wrote: > >> > >> On Friday, while en-route to Selman Ranch to mess with fences > that attack > >> Lesser Prairie Chickens, I drove by Lake Hefner in faint hope > that I might > >> see the Western Grebe and the Yellow-billed Loon. When I got > there in > >> gale-force winds, I could have surfed on the waves (had I known > how). > >> Neither bird seen. I then went to Selman Ranch for a full, long > day of > >> torture, pulling staples from old fences in the Cimarron WMA and > then > >> rolling them up. Of course this involved a mechanical fence > roller, but the > >> job was intensive for this young man, with much walking. Today I > returned > >> home, but stopped en-route (once again) at Lake Hefner under more > civilized > >> conditions and still failed to see the Grebe. BUT, I found the > Loon fairly > >> close. Describe the place? Go to the second drive in entrance > to the shore > >> road, just before you start over the dam. Drive down to the > shore about 100 > >> yards, and when you reach the first pull-off, it was in that > area. I also > >> note that the new bird checklists do not include this bird which > it should, > >> in my opinion, because at least one, and in some years two, have > been seen > >> each year since at least 2003. So, like every other year in the > past, I had > >> to write in the Yellow-billed Loon sighting. > >> From the Frontier > >> Berlin Heck > >> Broken Bow > >> I think we consider too much > >> the good luck of the early bird, > >> and not enough the bad luck > >> of the early worm. > >> Franklin Roosevelt > > > > > > > > > > -- > _________________________________________ > > Brian M. Davis > Department of Zoology and > Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History > University of Oklahoma > 2401 Chautauqua Ave. > Norman, OK 73072 > (405) 325-4772 > bmdavi AT ou.edu > Subject: Re: Rejected posting to OKBIRDS@LISTS.OU.EDU From: JOS GRZYBOWSKI <j_grzybowski AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:28:28 -0700 Howdy,    Single picture ID's can be tricky, as you have one perspective, and all the impressions from that perspective that another photo from a different angle might change.    But I think the second bird in the set to be a Horned Grebe, not an Eared.  It is a winter-plumaged Horned beginning to change into spring plumage.    The bill seems a bit on the thin side for a Horned, but I think it is the angle facing away in the picture giving it such an impression.  The (lower) mandible is not angled up towards the tip, and the culmen actually arches down (so more a blunt-tipped bill (as in Horned) than a pointy-tipped bill [maxilla or upper mandible fitting into lower mandible)       Also, in Eared Grebes, the forehead rises to a high point (like a frontal shield) in almost all pictures (you can find exceptions).  In this bird, the top of the head flattens out like one would expect in a Horned.  The appearance of a rise in forehead probably comes from the angle of view.  Birds can change this by raising or compressing feathers, but in Eared, the forehead usually rises up at an almost 60 degree angle (on most pictures)    In addition, the white at the backof the head is pretty prominent, and the white from each side comes pretty close.  Even well-whited Eareds in this area in winter plumage shouldn't be that prominently white or as large a patch of white.    Also, another name for the Eared Grebe used in Europe is Black-necked Grebe.  This bird changing into breedig plumage is showing some rufous tones from feathering coming into the neck.    This could be a lighting issue, but if real, automatically kicks out Eared Grebe--but consistent with Horned.   The Oklahoma Bird Records Committee in its recent edition of the Date Guide (2009) actually kicked back the dates of spring arrival for Eared Gree from March 14 (in previous editions) to Mar 29 (current edition).  While some are now wintering in SW OK routinely (as at Lake Lawtonka) and might appear in other places on occasion, I had earlier wondered why others were recording them (even in groups) at places such at Lake Hefner during March several weeks ahead of when I found my first (usually around Mar 31 or later), or creating a mid-March record base for their arrival.  I came to appreciate that identifications of Eared Grebes actually coincided with molt in Horned Grebes, not their actual arrival.  The Eared Grebes being reported were actually misidentified Horned Grebes molting from winter to breeding plumage (intermediates like this bird here).  For several years, I asked observers reporting early and mid March records how they identified their Eared Grebes.  Found they were being identified as such by their scufty plumage (and presumption--others were being reported), not by upturned bill or highly angled frontal shield peaking on mid-top of head.    We are entering that window of Horned Grebe molt again, and many might be anxious to tick up their year lists.  Be patient--should see Eareds by Apr 1, or see rafts of Eareds during April.  If you see one early, please document. They are tricky, as this photo discloses.    CHEERS,             JOE Grzybowski ________________________________ From: CJ Metcalf To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Sent: Mon, March 8, 2010 12:12:43 PM Subject: Re: Rejected posting to OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Thanks for all the helpful input. I have responses from several that the larger bird is an eared grebe.  Cool.  Another one for my life list!  The bill definitely seemed too small to me to qualify as a loon, but I couldn't find anything else that fit ('cuz I was looking at photos of the wrong kinds of birds).  Now that I compare my photo with these (http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eared_Grebe/id), it's very clear.  I love this listserv!  :-) CJ cj.metcalf AT coldwellbanker.com   CJ Phone: 405.701.8338 eMail: cj.metcalf AT coldwellbanker.com   On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 07:46, Brian Davis wrote: CJ, > >You're right about the Pied-billed Grebe, but the other is an Eared >Grebe- nice find!  Differs from the much more common (around here) >Horned Grebe by the steeply-sloping forehead, very thin bill, and dark >ear (Horned Grebes have a more or less all white face with black >restricted to the cap). > >Brian > > >On Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 3:52 AM, CJ Metcalf wrote: >> Berlin, et al: >> >> While I was at Lake Hefner a week ago, I saw the western grebe in precisely >> the place you described.  Tried repeatedly to get a photo, but was >> unsuccessful (s/he seemed to know what I was trying to do, and kept ducking >> under the water everytime I would raise my camera, only to pop up again far >> enough away that I would have to re-focus; quite a funny game if you're a >> grebe). >> >> Also saw the two birds whose photos are posted here: >> http://picasaweb.google.com/cjobraymetcalf/LakeHefnerWaterBirds27feb2010?feat=directlink. They're >> not good photos - the birds were too far away to get clearer images, but I >> believe the smaller one is a pied-billed grebe, very similar to one that >> visits Cypress Lake in Norman every year in transit to summer housing.  The >> larger one is more of a mystery - the neck is too short to be a larger >> grebe, the bird is too big to be a PBG. Plumage suggests a Pacific Loon in >> winter garb.  Can anyone verify / clarify? >> CJ >> eMail: cj.metcalf AT coldwellbanker.com >> >> >> >> >> On Sun, Mar 7, 2010 at 18:56, Berlin Heck wrote: >>> >>> On Friday, while en-route to Selman Ranch to mess with fences that attack >>> Lesser Prairie Chickens, I drove by Lake Hefner in faint hope that I might >>> see the Western Grebe and the Yellow-billed Loon.  When I got there in >>> gale-force winds, I could have surfed on the waves (had I known how). >>>  Neither bird seen.  I then went to Selman Ranch for a full, long day of >>> torture, pulling staples from old fences in the Cimarron WMA and then >>> rolling them up.  Of course this involved a mechanical fence roller, but the >>> job was intensive for this young man, with much walking.  Today I returned >>> home, but stopped en-route (once again) at Lake Hefner under more civilized >>> conditions and still failed to see the Grebe.  BUT, I found the Loon fairly >>> close.  Describe the place?  Go to the second drive in entrance to the shore >>> road, just before you start over the dam.  Drive down to the shore about 100 >>> yards, and when you reach the first pull-off, it was in that area.  I also >>> note that the new bird checklists do not include this bird which it should, >>> in my opinion, because at least one, and in some years two, have been seen >>> each year since at least 2003.  So, like every other year in the past, I had >>> to write in the Yellow-billed Loon sighting. >>> From the Frontier >>> Berlin Heck >>> Broken Bow >>> I think we consider too much >>> the good luck of the early bird, >>> and not enough the bad luck >>> of the early worm. >>>      Franklin Roosevelt >> >> >> > > > >-- >_________________________________________ > >Brian M. Davis >Department of Zoology and >Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History >University of Oklahoma >2401 Chautauqua Ave. >Norman, OK 73072 >(405) 325-4772 >bmdavi AT ou.edu > Subject: Re: Bridgestone preserve info From: Jan Dolph <OKGreenjays AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:47:37 EDT March 16 I am on the Western Heights Bridgestone Preserve Committee to improve the area. First, I have talked to Joe Kitchens, superiendent of Western Heights School District. Joe wants the area to be opened to birders. You can enter the area on Council Road. You can park by the picnic table at the front. You can see the white and red picnic table from Council Road. I had a long conversation with Joe on what different areas, like the Rio Grande, in Texas have done for birders. Joe is all for improving the wildbird enviroment. We talked about how Council Road area is a hot spot for birds during migration. To make this short, I gave Joe, Jane Cunningham's phone number and the ball is now rolling a little faster. Jane will be meeting with Joe shortly. To clear up the fence issue. The fence was put up to help keep the trash from blowing into the area. It has been a constant battle for the district. Since the fence has gone up, we have not seen any dogs in the last three or four months. I know that was a concern for many of us. The dogs could be there. But, we have not seen them. The road construction on 15th Street will be finished soon, we have been told. The school district had nothing to do with the construction. That part of the land is owned by the city. It is a little shocking when you drive by. I agree. When the city project is completed, we have talked about placing bluebird boxes along the fence line and making the area a wild flower meadow. We have talked about having some type of running water feature, too. Hopefully, we can get donations from businesses, community, and birders. We will gladly do the work that is needed. If anyone would like to donate benches to be used along the trails, picnic tables, bird feeders, large trash barrels, sunflower seed, wood, metal posts, etc. I would gladly come get whatever you would like to donate. The school does not have a budget for any improvements. I can arrange for a pickup and help on anything you would like to donate. People have donated the following: fence railing, a deer feeder, and wood siding that we plan to use. Would you please E-mail me your bird sightings and the dates, too? We would like to keep a bird list. This information will help when it is time to make bird signs along the trails and state bird counts. If you see any animal prints please send that to me, also. Please E-mail me off the OKBIRDS list. This could be a really good place for birders if we can all work together. We have lost so many places that were easy to bird in the past. This could be more than a dream some of us had! Happy birding, Jan Dolph Oklahoma City, OK _OKGreenjays AT AOL.com_ (mailto:OKGreenjays AT AOL.com) In a message dated 3/12/10 7:39:19 PM Central Standard Time, hanenhark AT SBCGLOBAL.NET writes: About this 40 acre preserve....... I will be meeting with the school Superintendent very soon to discuss turning the trail into a great educational wildlife trail for the schools there. That is what they want to do. The area is owned by Western Heights Independent School District and you can definitely still go in. They want to preserve the area!!!! There is a polluted pond and maybe a stream that we need to clean up in a sustainable way to make it safe for wildlife and children permanently. We have received a grant to do this, so stay tuned for more info on this project. (I was told that the city had put that fence in.) Jane Cunningham Audubon Society of Central Oklahoma ----- Original Message ----- From: _Jimmy Woodard_ (mailto:Jimmy.Woodard AT UNIVARUSA.COM) To: _OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU_ (mailto:OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU) Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 11:38 AM Subject: Bridgestone preserve info I’ve noticed that recently a couple of fences have been put up at the entrance to the Bridgestone preserve at SW15th and Council. There are two fences. one at the parking area along SW 15th is short and just goes for about fifty yards but it blocks you from parking a car in the lot, although the metal gate here is usually closed anyway. The second fence is about an 1/8th of a mile south of the intersection and runs perpendicular to the road. The fence goes as far as I can see to the east thru the field and trees and toward the east boundary fence near the giant landfill mound. I can’t see that far but I would guess it goes all the way to the east side of the preserve. This may be the south boundary of the preserve. I believe the plan is to build a new Western Heights school here on the property between the preserve and the old Bridgestone/Dayton Tire Plant further south. There is still walking access into the preserve around the fence and there are no signs precluding entry. I will attempt to try and find a contact person at the city to inquire further about continued access, if I can. One additional note, there is construction at the east end of SW 15th near the landfill entrance. There is lots of heavy equipment so I wouldn’t try and drive to the east end of the preserve at this time. Thanks, Jimmy Woodard Univar---Oklahoma City Subject: Re: Purple Finch From: oprakitas <oprakitas AT BRIGHTOK.NET> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:03:44 -0500 I live southeast of Jay and have had a dozen pairs at least all winter. Still have a few. _____ From: okbirds [mailto:OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU] On Behalf Of Brenda Carroll Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2010 10:53 PM To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Subject: Re: Purple Finch Thanks Berlin for the info. I just got back from visiting my mother in Tahlequah where I was able to photograph Purple Finches at her feeders today - male and female. There were at least 2 of each. Strange I never see them in my yard in Bixby. --- On Sun, 3/14/10, Berlin Heck wrote: From: Berlin Heck Subject: Re: Purple Finch To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 9:21 PM Note that the new date guide requests reports on Purple Finches be sent to OBRC due to their decline (the Finches, I think). Berlin Heck Broken Bow On Mar 14, 2010, at 8:30 PM, Antoinette Verne wrote: I have been having 2 male purple finches & 2 female purple finches off and on for quite sometime. Fort Gibson Antoinette Verne _____ From: matthew jung > To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Sent: Sun, March 14, 2010 3:29:15 PM Subject: Purple Finch Last evening I had the female Purple Finch back in my daughter's yard. This time is was on the ground under one of the seed feeders. I checked Lake Overholser this AM and found a nice raft of Red-brested Mergansers, a single pair of Hooder Mergansers, some AW Pelican, A. Coot, many RB Gulls and GB Heron. At Rose Lake were N. Shoveler, N. Pintail, C. Goldeneye, Mallard, Hooded Merganser and Redhead plus a Song Sparrow. Matt Jung, OKC Subject: Barn Swallows From: Bill Adams <ba1980 AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:46:21 -0700 Had 2 Barn Swallows sitting on the Murray State College campus this morning. Bill Adams Tishomingo, OK www.southernokphotography.com Subject: Re: ID help please. From: Jennifer Kidney <jenlkidney AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:28:57 -0500 Female red-winged blackbird. Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:25:40 -0500 From: lindac1 AT HUGHES.NET Subject: ID help please. To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU http://www.flickr.com/photos/73023902 AT N00/4435400866/ my first thought was Starling with different markings but then I am not sure. It stayed on the feeder a long time. thanks much, LindaC/Okemah _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/210850553/direct/01/ Subject: ID help please. From: LindaC <lindac1 AT HUGHES.NET> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:25:40 -0500 http://www.flickr.com/photos/73023902 AT N00/4435400866/ my first thought was Starling with different markings but then I am not sure. It stayed on the feeder a long time. thanks much, LindaC/Okemah Subject: Re: Purple Finch From: RENANNE BAKER <rabbit12 AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:12:36 -0700 This is the " Year of the Purple Finches" at my feeder. I had 3 pair this winter and still have at least one pair feeding regularily. Nan Baker Little City Marshal county,Ok --- On Sun, 3/14/10, Brenda Carroll wrote: From: Brenda Carroll Subject: Re: Purple Finch To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 10:52 PM Thanks Berlin for the info.  I just got back from visiting my mother in Tahlequah where I was able to photograph Purple Finches at her feeders today - male and female.  There were at least 2 of each.  Strange I never see them in my yard in Bixby. --- On Sun, 3/14/10, Berlin Heck wrote: From: Berlin Heck Subject: Re: Purple Finch To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 9:21 PM Note that the new date guide requests reports on Purple Finches be sent to OBRC due to their decline (the Finches, I think). Berlin Heck Broken Bow On Mar 14, 2010, at 8:30 PM, Antoinette Verne wrote: I have been having 2 male purple finches & 2 female purple finches off and on for quite sometime.   Fort Gibson Antoinette Verne From: matthew jung To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Sent: Sun, March 14, 2010 3:29:15 PM Subject: Purple Finch Last evening I had the female Purple Finch back in my daughter's yard.  This time is was on the ground under one of the seed feeders.   I checked Lake Overholser this AM and found a nice raft of Red-brested Mergansers, a single pair of Hooder Mergansers, some AW Pelican, A. Coot, many RB Gulls and GB Heron.    At Rose Lake were N. Shoveler, N. Pintail, C. Goldeneye, Mallard, Hooded Merganser and Redhead plus a Song Sparrow.   Matt Jung, OKC Subject: Re: Purple Finch From: Brenda Carroll <bcarroll47 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:52:46 -0700 Thanks Berlin for the info.  I just got back from visiting my mother in Tahlequah where I was able to photograph Purple Finches at her feeders today - male and female.  There were at least 2 of each.  Strange I never see them in my yard in Bixby. --- On Sun, 3/14/10, Berlin Heck wrote: From: Berlin Heck Subject: Re: Purple Finch To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 9:21 PM Note that the new date guide requests reports on Purple Finches be sent to OBRC due to their decline (the Finches, I think). Berlin Heck Broken Bow On Mar 14, 2010, at 8:30 PM, Antoinette Verne wrote: I have been having 2 male purple finches & 2 female purple finches off and on for quite sometime.   Fort Gibson Antoinette Verne From: matthew jung To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Sent: Sun, March 14, 2010 3:29:15 PM Subject: Purple Finch Last evening I had the female Purple Finch back in my daughter's yard.  This time is was on the ground under one of the seed feeders.   I checked Lake Overholser this AM and found a nice raft of Red-brested Mergansers, a single pair of Hooder Mergansers, some AW Pelican, A. Coot, many RB Gulls and GB Heron.    At Rose Lake were N. Shoveler, N. Pintail, C. Goldeneye, Mallard, Hooded Merganser and Redhead plus a Song Sparrow.   Matt Jung, OKC Subject: Hackberry Flat 3/14/10 From: ml2x <ml2x AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:32:42 -0500 Hello Everyone, Mary and I birded Hackberry Flat today finding 7 shorebird species. It was really windy and there is mucho water so we should be setting up for a good migration season. We had 1 Neotropic Cormorant in the trees on the lake. Birds of interest: 236 Long-billed Dowitchers 34 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Lesser Yellowlegs 1 Snowy Plover 1 Am Avocet 4 Baird's Sandpipers Yes Killdeer The killdeer were really coming in. There were several BW Teal but we didn't find a Cinnamon.....maybe later this week. We went to the Prairie Dog town NW of Davidson and the landowner had run a disc through the area. We did not see any Burrowing Owls nor have we seen any there since early December. Goodest Birding, Mary and Lou Truex ml2x AT sbcglobal.net Lawton Subject: Re: Purple Finch From: Berlin Heck <baheck AT PINE-NET.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:21:18 -0500 Note that the new date guide requests reports on Purple Finches be sent to OBRC due to their decline (the Finches, I think). Berlin Heck Broken Bow On Mar 14, 2010, at 8:30 PM, Antoinette Verne wrote: > I have been having 2 male purple finches & 2 female purple finches > off and on for quite sometime. > > Fort Gibson > Antoinette Verne > > From: matthew jung > To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU > Sent: Sun, March 14, 2010 3:29:15 PM > Subject: Purple Finch > > Last evening I had the female Purple Finch back in my daughter's > yard. This time is was on the ground under one of the seed feeders. > > I checked Lake Overholser this AM and found a nice raft of Red- > brested Mergansers, a single pair of Hooder Mergansers, some AW > Pelican, A. Coot, many RB Gulls and GB Heron. > > At Rose Lake were N. Shoveler, N. Pintail, C. Goldeneye, Mallard, > Hooded Merganser and Redhead plus a Song Sparrow. > > Matt Jung, OKC > > Subject: Re: Purple Finch From: Antoinette Verne <antoinetteverne AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:30:59 -0700 I have been having 2 male purple finches & 2 female purple finches off and on for quite sometime. Fort Gibson Antoinette Verne ________________________________ From: matthew jung To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Sent: Sun, March 14, 2010 3:29:15 PM Subject: Purple Finch Last evening I had the female Purple Finch back in my daughter's yard.  This time is was on the ground under one of the seed feeders. I checked Lake Overholser this AM and found a nice raft of Red-brested Mergansers, a single pair of Hooder Mergansers, some AW Pelican, A. Coot, many RB Gulls and GB Heron.  At Rose Lake were N. Shoveler, N. Pintail, C. Goldeneye, Mallard, Hooded Merganser and Redhead plus a Song Sparrow. Matt Jung, OKC Subject: Purple Finch From: matthew jung <mpjung5125 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:29:15 -0700 Last evening I had the female Purple Finch back in my daughter's yard.  This time is was on the ground under one of the seed feeders.   I checked Lake Overholser this AM and found a nice raft of Red-brested Mergansers, a single pair of Hooder Mergansers, some AW Pelican, A. Coot, many RB Gulls and GB Heron.    At Rose Lake were N. Shoveler, N. Pintail, C. Goldeneye, Mallard, Hooded Merganser and Redhead plus a Song Sparrow.   Matt Jung, OKC Subject: contact info From: Sue selman <selmanranch AT WILDBLUE.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:18:18 -0500 If there is any confusion I am would like for Larry Hancock from Ardmore to contact me off line. Larry was at my ranch with the fence marking group. Sue Selman Subject: Oxley Saturday From: Bill Carrell <okdragonhunter AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 11:50:40 -0700 Hello All,              Mid-morning on Lake Sherry, saw 16 Tree Swallows, 2 Barn Swallows, 1 Rough-Winged Swallow and 8 Pintails. At home, observed an Eastern Phoebe doing a territorial/courtship display. He would fly above tree-top level, alternately flapping and gliding with wings uptilted, doing chip and "da-dit" calls before landing on a high perch and doing "phoebe" calls reapeatedly.                                                                   Good Birding,                                                                   Bill Carrell                                                                 Tulsa, Ok Subject: contact From: Sue selman <selmanranch AT WILDBLUE.NET> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 08:38:48 -0500 Hi Larry would you please contact me on my personal email. Sue Selman selmanranch AT wildblue.net Subject: Tulsa Area From: Terry Mitchell <terry AT PECOT.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:57:18 -0600 I had 1 lonely Bairds Sandpiper at Yahola this evening. Terry. Subject: Sooner Lake, Tuesday, 3/9 From: Bill Diffin <WilliamDiffin AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:34:06 EST OKC Audubon Tuesday Birders Terri Underhill, Charles Douglas and Bill Diffin arrived at Sooner Lake just before 8:30 am. We first tried the area southwest of the lake for the White-tailed Kite, but didn't find it. After seeing several Northern Harriers, we were surprised by a Rough-legged Hawk gliding low over the grassland. It climbed higher and soared over the road showing us the black belly and dark wing spots characteristic of a light morph. 27 Ring-necked Ducks and a couple of American Coots were in a little farm pond. American Crows, Eastern Meadowlarks and Red-tailed Hawks made the first of their many appearances around the lake. Checking the road north of 412 didn't produce the kite. But we were kept busy by a couple of Red-shafted Flickers, three Eastern Bluebirds, a Northern Mockingbird and an Eastern Phoebe. We thought there should be snipe in at least one of the marshy low spots, but we didn't find any. Going north on CR210 took us through a little wetland and wooded stream bottom near Ranch Rd. The first Loggerhead Shrike of the day flew away from the road to the woods. The little pond had three Ring-necked Ducks and two Gadwall looking perfect in the morning sun. Three Eastern Phoebes were around the creek and nearby farm buildings. The road north parallels a stream to the east with the next crossing near Tumbleweed Rd. Around the crossing we saw eight Slate-colored Juncos, 30 American Robins, two Eastern Bluebirds, four Carolina Chickadees, a Northern Cardinal, Downy WP, Red-bellied WP and Northern Flicker. The wren singing in the undergrowth never showed itself. East on Tumbleweed Rd, 30 Gadwall and two Mallards were on a farm pond. A Field Sparrow played hide and seek with us in the shrubbery. Going south on 177, 75 American Coots were in a tight raft close to the lakeshore, and five Double-crested Cormorants were roosting on some snags. Four Red-winged Blackbirds and 15 Great-tailed Grackles perched in trees nearby. At the southwest public access point, three Savannah Sparrows were seen along the fence. Four Killdeer and a Brown-headed Cowbird were scouring the ground with six Meadowlarks and a Great-tailed Grackle. Most of three dozen Red-winged Blackbirds perched in a couple of trees, but a few were on the ground with the other birds. Several groups of American Coots were scattered around the inlet. Proceeding east on 15, we observed Yellow-rumped Warblers in shrubbery both north and south of the road. At the bridge over the big inlet, 33 Bufflehead and seven Common Goldeneye were in the lake to the north. Other birds in the area were an Eastern Phoebe, an American Kestrel and a Turkey Vulture. Turning north on the first county road, N3360, east of the lake, we proceeded to the gate at road's end. On the lake were a Common Loon, thirteen Common Goldeneye, 2 Lesser Scaup and a Bufflehead. We returned to 15 and traveled east a half mile to the old school house where the new Eaglecam nest is visible. A Bald Eagle was sitting on the nest. As we were taking pictures, four more eagles gathered over the field to the east and engaged in some close proximity aerial maneuvers. Eastern Bluebirds kept appearing on the fences and utility wires. Three Northern Harriers were seen hunting the grassland. Two birders from out of state, Rick and Linda, joined us while we watched the eagles. They were visiting from Wyoming on a search for Smith's Longspurs. We gave them our best advice on where to find them including spots around the lake and the field in Norman. We ate a picnic lunch, courtesy of Terri Underhill, at the public access point southeast of the lake. Then we went back to the southwest of the lake to recheck for the kite. In the same area we saw one Rough-legged Hawk hunting in the morning, there were now two. They were very similar looking light morphs, presumably the two photographed by Davis, Arterburn and Vamraak. When they left to the south, they traveled together. Again no kite. We traveled back to the lake on Ranch Rd to cover some new ground. South of the road there was a varied collection of waterfowl in a farmer's field dotted with puddles and a pond -- 20 Canada and Cackling Geese, 70 Mallards, 15 Green-winged Teal, four Northern Shovelers, two Northern Pintail and two Bufflehead. Three Ring-necked Pheasants (m+2f) ran or flew across the road. A pond north had six Ring-necked Ducks and four Gadwall. We went north on 177 to Windmill Rd and traversed east along the north side of the lake all the way to the bridge across Red Rock Creek. Across the bridge, Charles and Bill hiked a little way along the road into the woods in search of Rusty Blackbirds but didn't come up with any. The short walk was made worthwhile by a Red-bellied WP, four Northern Flickers, a Blue Jay and twelve Mourning Doves. Terri watched a Belted Kingfisher along the creek. We traveled south and east to the sand plant area northeast of the lake. Along the way we saw a soaring Red-shouldered Hawk, Eastern Phoebe and Loggerhead Shrike. A Bald Eagle was sitting on the nest in the big cottonwoods below the dam. At the sand plant, four FOS Forster's Terns were flying around the pit. 28 Sandhill Cranes flew over, and a Turkey Vulture soared over the hills to the east. Traveling south on the NS county road east of the dam, we encountered a mixed flock of sparrows at the top of the rise defining the south bank of the outfall creek basin. Among the skittish flock, we were able to identify 15 White-crowned, three Harris's, two Song, and four American Tree Sparrows and four DE Juncos. A couple of Eastern Phoebes liked the spot as well. A little farther south, two Ring-necked Pheasant cocks were walking the roadside fence line, occasionally coming into plain view. Their reddish gold body feathers had a blue-green sheen on the back and breast. They looked very large when they flew across the road just in front of us. On the way home, we made one more pass by the area southwest of the lake, but didn't see the kite. Our last bird of the day was a single Brewer's Blackbird sitting on the barbed wire beside CR170 south of Quail Rd. Bill Diffin, OKC Subject: Norman From: matthew jung <mpjung5125 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:24:36 -0800 Today along S. Jenkins were Wood Duck, Mallard, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck and Northern Shoveler.  I also found one juv. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, two Pileated Woodpeckers and lots of the expected species.  The Marsh Wren has moved south, all the way to where the creek meets the river.  Saw my first Mourning Dove of the year along S. Jenkins.   The Winter Wren was singing yesterday by the 'arches' and I had two Fox Sparrows in the tangle at the south side of the woods.  My daughter's yard held WT Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Inca Dove, Mourning Dove, Sharp-shinned Hawk, OC Warbler, YR Warbler along with the common yard birds.   Found a small flock of WC Sparrows near the red shed both days.   Matt Jung         Subject: off list contact for Debby Kaspari From: Dora Webb <owl112 AT COX.NET> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:35:52 -0600 Hello Debby Kaspari, Would you please contact me off list. Dora Webb Edmond, OK owl112 AT cox.net Subject: Fwd: Mt. Bluebirds / Grady County From: Bill Diffin <WilliamDiffin AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:16:32 EST I received the note below from a non-member of the list who wanted to inform us of Mt. Bluebirds and a Ferruginous Hawk west of Minco and south of Buggy Creek. Bill Diffin, OKCBill, Hello there. I was in Oklahoma this week for work and saw some Mountain Bluebirds in Grady County on Wednesday the 10th. Seems like a good winter for them so maybe not of interest, but wanted to get word out in case it was. I didn't know who I should send this to and just picked your name off the Oklahoma bird listserve as you seem to be an active birder in the general OKC area. If interested, I had a flock of about 10 (mostly female) along CS 2810 immediately south of CR 1210, and a flock of 6 along CS 2790 about a half mile south of CR 1180. Both locations are southwest of the Town of Minco in northwest Grady County. Also had an adult Ferruginous Hawk along CS 2800 north of CR 1190. While driving back yesterday I stopped at Hackberry Flats. One flock of geese (mostly Snow and White-fronted with some Ross's and Cackling) and what I imagine are the standard ducks, with not a whole lot else. One female Common Goldeneye was a nice surprise for me. I hope you are well and enjoy the weekend. Best regards, Paul Sunby Austin, Texas Subject: Re: Bridgestone preserve info From: hanenhark <hanenhark AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:38:47 -0600 About this 40 acre preserve....... I will be meeting with the school Superintendent very soon to discuss turning the trail into a great educational wildlife trail for the schools there. That is what they want to do. The area is owned by Western Heights Independent School District and you can definitely still go in. They want to preserve the area!!!! There is a polluted pond and maybe a stream that we need to clean up in a sustainable way to make it safe for wildlife and children permanently. We have received a grant to do this, so stay tuned for more info on this project. (I was told that the city had put that fence in.) Jane Cunningham Audubon Society of Central Oklahoma ----- Original Message ----- From: Jimmy Woodard To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Sent: Friday, March 12, 2010 11:38 AM Subject: Bridgestone preserve info I've noticed that recently a couple of fences have been put up at the entrance to the Bridgestone preserve at SW15th and Council. There are two fences. one at the parking area along SW 15th is short and just goes for about fifty yards but it blocks you from parking a car in the lot, although the metal gate here is usually closed anyway. The second fence is about an 1/8th of a mile south of the intersection and runs perpendicular to the road. The fence goes as far as I can see to the east thru the field and trees and toward the east boundary fence near the giant landfill mound. I can't see that far but I would guess it goes all the way to the east side of the preserve. This may be the south boundary of the preserve. I believe the plan is to build a new Western Heights school here on the property between the preserve and the old Bridgestone/Dayton Tire Plant further south. There is still walking access into the preserve around the fence and there are no signs precluding entry. I will attempt to try and find a contact person at the city to inquire further about continued access, if I can. One additional note, there is construction at the east end of SW 15th near the landfill entrance. There is lots of heavy equipment so I wouldn't try and drive to the east end of the preserve at this time. Thanks, Jimmy Woodard Univar---Oklahoma City Subject: Re: cedar waxwings From: Berlin Heck <baheck AT PINE-NET.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:34:41 -0600 Sue--I wrote an article about Cedar Waxwings for the Spring 2008 "Scissortail", and here is part of what I wrote, in case you missed it: The "cedar" in the common name obviously comes from one of its preferred foods in winter, the fruit of the red cedar. The "waxwing" comes from the red, waxy spots on the tips of 6 to 9 of the primary feathers on some wintering birds--a red which resembles red sealing wax (used in days of yore to seal letters". This "wax" has a function: Alexander Wilson (1832) said that these appendages "are intended for preserving the ends of the vanes from being broken and worn away by the almost continual fluttering of the bird among thick branches of the red cedar. The feathers of those birds which are without these appendages are uniformly found ragged on the edges, but smooth and perfect in those on whom the marks are full and numerous." Berlin Heck Broken Bow No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings William Blake On Mar 12, 2010, at 4:46 PM, Susanne Lutze wrote: > I usually delight in groups of 8 to 10 Cedar Waxwings but I just > spent an hour watching a flock of about 250 - 300 of them in my > back yard feeding on berries on the ground under trimmed up Red > Cedar trees. The high winds kept the flock in the air more than on > the ground as they startled easily but with binoculars I was able > to get a close up look the butter yellow tail tips and the red bar > on the wings. My question is this: > Many did not have the red wing bar but were not the striped > markings of juveniles in my Peterson's Guide?? In every way, > including size, they looked like adults but they didn't have any > red on them? > > A Tuttle birder > Sue > > bslutze AT pldi.net Subject: Re: NEW RED SLOUGH PHOTO GALLERIES NOW ONLINE! From: e-womack <e-womack AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:28:20 -0600 Wow - Excellent. Many thanks! Ellie Womack Grove, OK Subject: Re: cedar waxwings From: Steve Schafer <steve AT FENESTRA.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:55:40 -0500 On Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:46:24 -0600, you wrote: >Many did not have the red wing bar but were not the striped markings of >juveniles in my Peterson's Guide?? In every way, including size, they >looked like adults but they didn't have any red on them? In most birds, the first molt involves only the replacement of body feathers, not flight feathers. So the birds that you see without "wax" tips on their secondaries are birds that were born last year (i.e., they're a little less than a year old). They've molted into their "first basic" plumage, which is much like the "definitive basic" plumage of adults, but because they still have their original flight feathers, there's no wax. Even in adults, there's a lot of individual variation in the amount of "wax" on the feather tips. It's not clear whether the variation is genetic, related to diet, etc. -Steve Subject: Examiner Article - Lesser Prairie Chicken Fence Marking Weekend in Oklahoma From: TR Ryan <trryan AT AOL.COM> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:49:56 -0600 Here is a link to the article that appeared in the Examiner this week detailing last weekend¹s fence marking event coordinated by Eric Beck in partnership with the ODWC, Sutton Center, Oklahoma Audubon Society and Selman Ranch. At the bottom of the article is a photo gallery with highlights of the weekend including that very impressive sunset at Selman Ranch Saturday evening. http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-27505-Oklahoma-City-Outdoor-Travel-Examin er~y2010m3d10-Volunteers-gather-from-across-state-to-save-threatened-prairie -icon > > Subject: cedar waxwings From: Susanne Lutze <bslutze AT PLDI.NET> Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:46:24 -0600 I usually delight in groups of 8 to 10 Cedar Waxwings but I just spent an hour watching a flock of about 250 - 300 of them in my back yard feeding on berries on the ground under trimmed up Red Cedar trees. The high winds kept the flock in the air more than on the ground as they startled easily but with binoculars I was able to get a close up look the butter yellow tail tips and the red bar on the wings. My question is this: Many did not have the red wing bar but were not the striped markings of juveniles in my Peterson's Guide?? In every way, including size, they looked like adults but they didn't have any red on them? A Tuttle birder Sue bslutze AT pldi.net