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3 Feb Photos added to PBase site [Jim Arterburn ] 3 Feb re Thanks [Sue Selman ] 3 Feb Lake Hefner photos, 1-28 [Larry Hancock ] 2 Feb Re: Snowy Owl--Glenpool [Kathy Williams ] 2 Feb Re: Snowy Owl--Glenpool [Josh Engelbert ] 2 Feb Re: Snowy Owl--Glenpool [ ] 2 Feb Re: re festivals [David McNeely ] 2 Feb Re: Loggerheaded Shrike [John LaGroue ] 2 Feb Re: re festivals [Steve Schafer ] 2 Feb Re: pish [John Hansen ] 2 Feb Re: re festivals [David McNeely ] 2 Feb Re: pish [David McNeely ] 2 Feb Re: re festivals [Steve Schafer ] 2 Feb Re: pish [Steve Schafer ] 2 Feb pish [Dora Webb ] 2 Feb Carolina Wrens [Loyd Stephens ] 2 Feb FOS Clay-colored Sparrow [Cody ] 2 Feb Loggerheaded Shrike [Joe Blackford ] 2 Feb Re: re festivals [David McNeely ] 2 Feb Re: Snowy Owl--Glenpool [John Kennington ] 2 Feb Re: re festivals [Dan Reinking ] 2 Feb Re: re festivals [Berlin Heck ] 2 Feb re festivals [Sue Selman ] 2 Feb Re: Crested Caracara [Doug Wood ] 2 Feb Norman eagle [Lindell Dillon ] 2 Feb Your question. [Jerry Dodds ] 2 Feb Lake Murray kayaking photos from 1-11 [Larry Hancock ] 1 Feb Snowy Owl--Glenpool [Josh Engelbert ] 1 Feb Tallgrass Prairie Preserve [Torre Hovick ] 1 Feb Crested Caracara [Marilyn Loyd ] 1 Feb Recent Snowy Owl Sightings? [Alex James ] 1 Feb February Migration Report [Patricia Velte ] 1 Feb Great-horned Owl hunting question [] 1 Feb Re: LPC and endangered species legislation [John Shackford ] 1 Feb Re: Townsend's - Off Topic [Dan Reinking ] 1 Feb Re: Townsend's - Off Topic [John Fisher ] 1 Feb Re: LPC and endangered species legislation [Sue Selman ] 1 Feb Re: LPC and endangered species legislation [Doug Wood ] 1 Feb Re: LPC and endangered species legislation [Terry Mitchell ] 1 Feb Re: LPC and endangered species legislation [Doug Wood ] 1 Feb Re: LPC and endangered species legislation [David McNeely ] 1 Feb Re: Townsend's - Off Topic [Andy Feldt ] 1 Feb re legislation [Sue Selman ] 1 Feb Re: Townsend's - Off Topic [Cyndie Browning ] 1 Feb Re: LPC and endangered species legislation [Lisa Wiesbauer ] 1 Feb Re: Bird Pictures [Patrick and Tami Elder ] 31 Jan Re: Townsend's - Off Topic [Finger ] 1 Feb Re: Townsend's - Off Topic [Brian Davis ] 31 Jan Re: LPC and endangered species legislation [John Kennington ] 31 Jan Townsend's - Off Topic [Finger ] 31 Jan Bird Pictures [david mcgowen ] 31 Jan Re: Norman Townsend's Solitaire Update [Steve Davis ] 31 Jan Re: Norman Townsend's Solitaire Update [Andy Feldt ] 31 Jan Red Slough Bird Survey - Jan. 31 [David Arbour ] 31 Jan Lake Hefner [matthew jung ] 31 Jan LPC and endangered species legislation [Sue Selman ] 31 Jan Re: eBird Report - Durant State Fish Hatchery, Jan 30, 2012 [Doug Wood ] 31 Jan No Subject [Carol Berry ] 30 Jan Tulsa Area [Terry Mitchell ] 30 Jan Fwd: eBird Report - Couch Park, Jan 28, 2012 [Timothy O'Connell ] 30 Jan Re: eBird Report - Durant State Fish Hatchery, Jan 30, 2012 [Berlin Heck ] 30 Jan Re: Sparrow ID [Joe Blackford ] 30 Jan FW: eBird Report - Durant State Fish Hatchery, Jan 30, 2012 [Doug Wood ] 30 Jan Re: Sparow ID [John Kennington ] 30 Jan Re: Sparow ID [EUGENE YOUNG ] 30 Jan Re: Barred Owl House [Brenda Carroll ] 30 Jan "The Big Year" [Dora Webb ] 30 Jan Sparow ID [Joe Blackford ] 30 Jan Remove [Matt S ] 30 Jan Re: Recent Photos. [June Hunt ] 30 Jan Re: Woodcocks near Arcadia [Alicia Riddle ] 29 Jan Woodcock [Patti Muzny ] 29 Jan Re: Green-tailed Towhee and Says Phoebe Pictures [Bill Adams ] 29 Jan Recent Photos. [Terry Mitchell ] 29 Jan Re: Woodcocks near Arcadia [David McNeely ] 29 Jan Re: Norman Townsend's Solitaire Update [Lindell Dillon ] Subject: Photos added to PBase site From: Jim Arterburn <jimarterburn AT COX.NET> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 20:03:40 -0600 OKBirds, I have added new photos to my website. I have wanted for some time now to get photos of Purple Finches and I was finally able to get access to a backyard feeder that had 20-30 of them coming to their feeders. I also photographed most of the other feeder birds including Fox, Harris's, and White-throated Sparrows, Spotted Towhee and a couple of quick photos of a Lesser Goldfinch that had previously been at the feeders in December. I also have a few Red-tailed Hawk photos, Western Meadowlark, Eastern Bluebird and Field Sparrow from Okmulgee County. The photos can be seen at http://www.pbase.com/oklahomabirder/recentbirds Cheers, Jim Arterburn Tulsa, Oklahoma www.PBase.com/oklahomabirder Subject: re Thanks From: Sue Selman <selmanranch AT WILDBLUE.NET> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 18:53:16 -0600 Thanks for all the info you all sent. I am putting together and economic impact statement to post in the local paper and to send to the legislators. If anyone has any specific information on how many people participated in any of the festivals and how much money was brought to the community it would really help. We can go my past surveys to estimate how much an average birder spends at one of these festivals. Thanks Sue Selman Selman Subject: Lake Hefner photos, 1-28 From: Larry Hancock <ihanturn AT CABLEONE.NET> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:53:14 -0600 Thanks to Bill Diffin meeting me out at Lake Hefner last Saturday I got to see the long-tailed duck and herring gulls on the lake. I also saw the most red-breasted merganser and common goldeneye (common doesn't seem the right word to use for so many birds we have that are really beautiful) I have ever seen in one area before. The pictures include a gull at the beginning that has a very long upper bill that overhangs the lower a lot more that any I have seen and one goldeneye that is brown like a female but has the white spot by its bill. The were several boneparte's gull, one northern pintail, gadwall and a pair of hooded merganser. http://www.avianfocus.com/lake_hefner_1-28-2012/ Larry Hancock Ardmore, OK Subject: Re: Snowy Owl--Glenpool From: Kathy Williams <katwilla AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 18:00:50 -0800 Was not seen around 5:30 tonight when I sent over. We live approximately 1 mile from there. Kathy Williams Glenpool ________________________________ From: "jssingletary AT sbcglobal.net" To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Sent: Thu, February 2, 2012 7:32:01 PM Subject: Re: Snowy Owl--Glenpool I also looked for the owl this evening with no success. Jana Singletary Tulsa Sent from my HTC smartphone on the Now Network from Sprint! ----- Reply message ----- From: "John Kennington" To: Subject: [OKBIRDS] Snowy Owl--Glenpool Date: Thu, Feb 2, 2012 10:42 am Spent an hour searching the area this morning before work, didn't find the owl. There were a few other birders looking who also had not seen the bird at the time I Ieft. Lot's of big hay bales around, it could have been behind one of those. John Kennington Bixby, OK On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 10:00 PM, Josh Engelbert wrote: I was just told of a Snowy Owl that was spotted this evening in Glenpool. The individual used to live in Michigan and didn't realize how special they are down here. Anyway, her directions were as follows: "Headed north on Peoria, just past 141st on northeast side of road sitting on utility pole.". > >Josh Engelbert >Copan, OK > >Sent from my iPhone Subject: Re: Snowy Owl--Glenpool From: Josh Engelbert <okiebirder AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 19:58:59 -0600 Someone else said that there was one photographed near Broken Arrow 2 or 3 weeks ago. So maybe it's been buzzing all around the south and east Tulsa area. I'll keep everyone posted if my friends spot it again. Josh Engelbert Copan, OK Sent from my iPhone On Feb 2, 2012, at 7:32 PM, jssingletary AT sbcglobal.net wrote: > I also looked for the owl this evening with no success. > > Jana Singletary > Tulsa > > Sent from my HTC smartphone on the Now Network from Sprint! > > > ----- Reply message ----- > From: "John Kennington" > To: > Subject: [OKBIRDS] Snowy Owl--Glenpool > Date: Thu, Feb 2, 2012 10:42 am > > > Spent an hour searching the area this morning before work, didn't find the owl. There were a few other birders looking who also had not seen the bird at the time I Ieft. Lot's of big hay bales around, it could have been behind one of those. > > John Kennington > Bixby, OK > > On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 10:00 PM, Josh Engelbert wrote: > I was just told of a Snowy Owl that was spotted this evening in Glenpool. The individual used to live in Michigan and didn't realize how special they are down here. Anyway, her directions were as follows: "Headed north on Peoria, just past 141st on northeast side of road sitting on utility pole.". > > Josh Engelbert > Copan, OK > > Sent from my iPhone > Subject: Re: Snowy Owl--Glenpool From: jssingletary AT sbcglobal.net <jssingletary@SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 19:32:01 -0600 I also looked for the owl this evening with no success. Jana Singletary Tulsa Sent from my HTC smartphone on the Now Network from Sprint! ----- Reply message ----- From: "John Kennington" To: Subject: [OKBIRDS] Snowy Owl--Glenpool Date: Thu, Feb 2, 2012 10:42 am Spent an hour searching the area this morning before work, didn't find the owl. There were a few other birders looking who also had not seen the bird at the time I Ieft. Lot's of big hay bales around, it could have been behind one of those. John Kennington Bixby, OK On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 10:00 PM, Josh Engelbert wrote: I was just told of a Snowy Owl that was spotted this evening in Glenpool. The individual used to live in Michigan and didn't realize how special they are down here. Anyway, her directions were as follows: "Headed north on Peoria, just past 141st on northeast side of road sitting on utility pole.". Josh Engelbert Copan, OK Sent from my iPhone Subject: Re: re festivals From: David McNeely <mcneely4 AT COX.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 16:24:30 -0600 ---- Steve Schafer wrote: > On Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:36:08 -0600, you wrote: > > >Steve, can you provide more information? Any building of > >infrastructure, and any travel for whatever reason have environmental > >costs. Perhaps you would have wanted the locations highlighted by the > >World Birding Center to have remained (as some of them were) off limits > >to all except the proper "in group"? Dedicated birders have different > >intents than do members of the generally interested public, and so > >knowledge of "birding" may be less important to such efforts as > >development of the World Birding Center than knowledge of how the > >public might respond. There are probably no more dedicated birders > >visiting el Valle than prior to the World Birding Center development. > >However, a good many others may now know more about birds and other > >wildlife than before as a result. Education seems always to be a good > >thing. Though I am a member of this list, and though I make every > >effort to find birds when I am in a location, I have as many concerns > >with the changes from "birdwatching" to "birding" as I have with state > >wildlife programs and chambers of commerce seeing dollar signs. Just > >my tcw. > > I have no idea what you're trying to say in the above. Reread it. But, try this 1. Education is a good thing. A major goal of the World Birding Center, at least ostensibly, is education. I hope it is working. Whatever we have done generally has not worked over the years, as the public attitude about conservation and government's failures illustrate. 2. The change from the term "birdwatching" to "birding" was a part of the change from interested individuals trying to know as much as possible about the birds of a locale and sometimes broader regions to "listing." I only know how many species of birds I have seen overall and in any given location when I very rarely take the time to tote them up. I don't have lists in the birding sense, and don't care to. Whenever people talk about competitive birding and life lists and so on I get disinterested very quickly. > > Bottom line: Places like Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, etc., used to be > absolutely fantastic places to go birding. Anyone, novice to expert, > could go there and see all kinds of things, and learn all kinds of > things. And the birds loved it just as much as the human visitors did. > Yes, it was a bit rough around the edges. But that is PRECISELY why it > was such a great place for wildlife! > > With the inception of the World Birding Center, Bentsen-Rio Grande > basically became a birding theme park (it's gotten better since then). > And in the same way that riding the Matterhorn bobsled at Diseneyland > isn't quite the same thing as going to the real Matterhorn, Bentsen-Rio > Grande is just a shell of its former self. The biggest problem at Bentsen Rio Grande State Park and all the rest of el Valle is that Amistad and Falcon Reservoirs sit in the sun and evaporate, and irrigation sucks the river dry. There is no flooding, so that riparian woodlands that once were grand are now semi-desert scrub. The habitat formerly so important there is lost. Most of el Valle has been converted to urban and agricultural wastelands for birds and other habitat. I used to think the same way you do concerning parks and so on. When I visit parks I still spend little time in visitor's centers. I agree that most professionals and serious natural history avocationalists developed from exposure to nature. I lived in the RGV during the time the World Birding Center was being negotiated, was a faculty member at The University of Texas at Brownsville. I advocated that the institution participate in the planning and commit to an ornithological research and education program. Well, I didn't get far with that. How do we expose those whose proclivities don't take them into the wildlands without some public facility? You and I just went out in nature, that was who we were from an early age. How do we expose a kid who is growing up in cities today without facilities to which teachers, parents, interested adults will take them? Most of those adults don't know where to go without organized entities informing them. They will go to a World Birding Center. They won't ask a local landowner for permission. If such facilities are the only way we can get some information about birds, wildlife, and conservation across to the public, then I am for them. If we don't want to absolutely lose all of nature, we can't continue to keep it to ourselves. Sorry for the rant. mcneely > > During the early negotiations that led to the creation of the World > Birding Center, it was pretty clear that a large portion of the support > was from people who were only interested in cashing in on the ecotourism > bandwagon. The various cities in the LRGV were battling it out over who > got to host the headquarters, organizations like Frontera Audubon had to > remind people that the priority was supposed to be preserving habitat > and resources for wildlife, etc. > > I'm all for environmental education. But I want to see _real_ > environmental education, not a sanitized version that leaves out all of > the crucially important, if messy, details. People who support > "nature-oriented theme parks" always claim that they lead to a better > connection between people and nature, but frankly, I don't see it, and > when I'm at such a place, and I watch the other visitors, I can tell > that the great majority don't really "get" it. I've never seen concrete > statistics on whether or not the existence of those kinds of places has > any impact on environmental attitudes. In my various travels around the > world, I often talk to people about how they got interested in nature; > their response is invariably that they did it by going out and really > exploring nature on their own, not because of their sixth-grade field > trip to a zoo or whatever. > > -Steve -- David McNeely Subject: Re: Loggerheaded Shrike From: John LaGroue <birderjohn AT ME.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 14:34:06 -0600 I would love to see that bird! Oh please give a location. Sincerely, John LaGroue On Feb 2, 2012, at 11:49 AM, Joe Blackford wrote: > Loggerheaded Shrike Northern Tulsa County this morning! No Bands on legs! JoeB. Collinsville Subject: Re: re festivals From: Steve Schafer <steve AT FENESTRA.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:31:08 -0500 On Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:36:08 -0600, you wrote: >Steve, can you provide more information? Any building of >infrastructure, and any travel for whatever reason have environmental >costs. Perhaps you would have wanted the locations highlighted by the >World Birding Center to have remained (as some of them were) off limits >to all except the proper "in group"? Dedicated birders have different >intents than do members of the generally interested public, and so >knowledge of "birding" may be less important to such efforts as >development of the World Birding Center than knowledge of how the >public might respond. There are probably no more dedicated birders >visiting el Valle than prior to the World Birding Center development. >However, a good many others may now know more about birds and other >wildlife than before as a result. Education seems always to be a good >thing. Though I am a member of this list, and though I make every >effort to find birds when I am in a location, I have as many concerns >with the changes from "birdwatching" to "birding" as I have with state >wildlife programs and chambers of commerce seeing dollar signs. Just >my tcw. I have no idea what you're trying to say in the above. Bottom line: Places like Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, etc., used to be absolutely fantastic places to go birding. Anyone, novice to expert, could go there and see all kinds of things, and learn all kinds of things. And the birds loved it just as much as the human visitors did. Yes, it was a bit rough around the edges. But that is PRECISELY why it was such a great place for wildlife! With the inception of the World Birding Center, Bentsen-Rio Grande basically became a birding theme park (it's gotten better since then). And in the same way that riding the Matterhorn bobsled at Diseneyland isn't quite the same thing as going to the real Matterhorn, Bentsen-Rio Grande is just a shell of its former self. During the early negotiations that led to the creation of the World Birding Center, it was pretty clear that a large portion of the support was from people who were only interested in cashing in on the ecotourism bandwagon. The various cities in the LRGV were battling it out over who got to host the headquarters, organizations like Frontera Audubon had to remind people that the priority was supposed to be preserving habitat and resources for wildlife, etc. I'm all for environmental education. But I want to see _real_ environmental education, not a sanitized version that leaves out all of the crucially important, if messy, details. People who support "nature-oriented theme parks" always claim that they lead to a better connection between people and nature, but frankly, I don't see it, and when I'm at such a place, and I watch the other visitors, I can tell that the great majority don't really "get" it. I've never seen concrete statistics on whether or not the existence of those kinds of places has any impact on environmental attitudes. In my various travels around the world, I often talk to people about how they got interested in nature; their response is invariably that they did it by going out and really exploring nature on their own, not because of their sixth-grade field trip to a zoo or whatever. -Steve Subject: Re: pish From: John Hansen <majorhart AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 14:22:17 -0600 >A "pish" is what you do when you want to attract a bird. ;-) Which means that a "pishing scam" must be when you think there's a rare bird in that bush, and you pish, and out pops a Song Sparrow. That's hilaious Steve. Thanks John Hansen Saint Joseph MO majorhart AT sbcglobal.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Schafer" To: Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 12:27 PM Subject: Re: pish On Thu, 2 Feb 2012 12:18:29 -0600, you wrote: >The email from Jerry Dodds with the subject as "Your Question" is a pish. That's "phish." A "pish" is what you do when you want to attract a bird. ;-) Which means that a "pishing scam" must be when you think there's a rare bird in that bush, and you pish, and out pops a Song Sparrow. -Steve ======= Email scanned by PC Tools - No viruses or spyware found. (Email Guard: 9.0.0.898, Virus/Spyware Database: 6.19180) http://www.pctools.com/ ======= ======= Email scanned by PC Tools - No viruses or spyware found. (Email Guard: 9.0.0.898, Virus/Spyware Database: 6.19180) http://www.pctools.com/ ======= Subject: Re: re festivals From: David McNeely <mcneely4 AT COX.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:36:08 -0600 Steve, can you provide more information? Any building of infrastructure, and any travel for whatever reason have environmental costs. Perhaps you would have wanted the locations highlighted by the World Birding Center to have remained (as some of them were) off limits to all except the proper "in group"? Dedicated birders have different intents than do members of the generally interested public, and so knowledge of "birding" may be less important to such efforts as development of the World Birding Center than knowledge of how the public might respond. There are probably no more dedicated birders visiting el Valle than prior to the World Birding Center development. However, a good many others may now know more about birds and other wildlife than before as a result. Education seems always to be a good thing. Though I am a member of this list, and though I make every effort to find birds when I am in a location, I have as many concerns with the changes from "birdwatching" to "birding" as I have with state wildlife programs and chambers of commerce seeing dollar signs. Just my tcw. David McNeely ---- Steve Schafer wrote: > On Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:50:18 -0600, you wrote: > > >Interestingly, our neighbor to the south has organized through state > >effort important major festivals and year round activities, including > >building infrastructure to support them (World Birding Center, > >http://www.theworldbirdingcenter.com/ , for example). > > I don't know that I'd want to use the World Birding Center as a model. > It's an excellent teaching example of what happens when people who don't > know much about birding and/or environmental concerns see dollar > signs... > > -Steve -- David McNeely Subject: Re: pish From: David McNeely <mcneely4 AT COX.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:25:53 -0600 Either spelling, the intent of the p(h)isher is the same -- attract unknowing individuals. mcneely ---- Steve Schafer wrote: > On Thu, 2 Feb 2012 12:18:29 -0600, you wrote: > > >The email from Jerry Dodds with the subject as "Your Question" is a pish. > > That's "phish." > > A "pish" is what you do when you want to attract a bird. ;-) > > Which means that a "pishing scam" must be when you think there's a rare > bird in that bush, and you pish, and out pops a Song Sparrow. > > -Steve -- David McNeely Subject: Re: re festivals From: Steve Schafer <steve AT FENESTRA.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:33:30 -0500 On Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:50:18 -0600, you wrote: >Interestingly, our neighbor to the south has organized through state >effort important major festivals and year round activities, including >building infrastructure to support them (World Birding Center, >http://www.theworldbirdingcenter.com/ , for example). I don't know that I'd want to use the World Birding Center as a model. It's an excellent teaching example of what happens when people who don't know much about birding and/or environmental concerns see dollar signs... -Steve Subject: Re: pish From: Steve Schafer <steve AT FENESTRA.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:27:34 -0500 On Thu, 2 Feb 2012 12:18:29 -0600, you wrote: >The email from Jerry Dodds with the subject as "Your Question" is a pish. That's "phish." A "pish" is what you do when you want to attract a bird. ;-) Which means that a "pishing scam" must be when you think there's a rare bird in that bush, and you pish, and out pops a Song Sparrow. -Steve Subject: pish From: Dora Webb <owl112 AT COX.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 12:18:29 -0600 Hello Ok birders, The email from Jerry Dodds with the subject as "Your Question" is a pish. Carl clicked on the link and could not get off it. He had to do a hard close the internet window. He could not get out of the web page. He is now running a virus scan. Dora Webb Edmond, OK Subject: Carolina Wrens From: Loyd Stephens <songbirdacres AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:15:41 -0500 I just now saw and heard the first pair of Carolina Wrens I have seen on songbirdacres since the record freeze(-26 F) last winter. Sure was good to hear their song again. They were seen and heard consistently prior to that freeze. Loyd Stephens songbirdacres AT aol.com SE of Bartlesville Subject: FOS Clay-colored Sparrow From: Cody <codypg8818 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 11:56:18 -0600 Hey OK birders, Today I saw/heard 3 Clay-colored Sparrows southwest of the Oklahoma State Cross-Country track. -Cody Subject: Loggerheaded Shrike From: Joe Blackford <marjo1001 AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:49:04 -0800 Loggerheaded Shrike Northern Tulsa County this morning!  No Bands on legs! JoeB. Collinsville Subject: Re: re festivals From: David McNeely <mcneely4 AT COX.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:50:18 -0600 Sue, of course, you need to take into account the individual travel and purchase for bird watching activities, such things as Christmas Bird Counts and small group excursions like the regular and occasional field trips of bird watching organizations, and so on. Of course, we don't have a Rio Grande Valley or other national hot spot of that nature, but we do have important attractions like Great Salt Plains. Interestingly, our neighbor to the south has organized through state effort important major festivals and year round activities, including building infrastructure to support them (World Birding Center, http://www.theworldbirdingcenter.com/ , for example). Do they know something we don't? They are no less politically conservative than we are, yet they seem to have a more progressive state governmental approach to conservation and growing their economy through investment in conservation and ecotourism type matters. Good on them, and good on you for your efforts in this direction also. I suggest that rather than doing this economic impact work on your own, you make an effort to interest Chambers of Commerce, university business programs, university wildlife programs and so on. Such entities have the tools in place to do this kind of work. In fact, many of the data you seek may already be compiled. BTW, I note the efforts of Audubon to attract visitors from Europe for the Lesser Prairie Chicken Festival. I believe someone from Audubon mentioned on this list that they hope to have the first European visitor this year. I participated in the first Lesser Prairie Chicken Festival several years ago. One of my companions in the blind was a tall fellow from Germany. Sorry I do not remember his name, or whether he was living or visiting in the U.S. for other reasons at the time and came to the festival from his U.S. location. mcneely ---- Sue Selman wrote: > I am trying to put together information on the impact of birding and wildlife photography in Oklahoma. > I need to know about any festivals or other activities that would bring economic opportunities to our > state. Any help would be appreciated. > > Sue Selman > Selman -- David McNeely Subject: Re: Snowy Owl--Glenpool From: John Kennington <johnkennington AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:42:19 -0600 Spent an hour searching the area this morning before work, didn't find the owl. There were a few other birders looking who also had not seen the bird at the time I Ieft. Lot's of big hay bales around, it could have been behind one of those. John Kennington Bixby, OK On Wed, Feb 1, 2012 at 10:00 PM, Josh Engelbert wrote: > I was just told of a Snowy Owl that was spotted this evening in Glenpool. > The individual used to live in Michigan and didn't realize how special they > are down here. Anyway, her directions were as follows: "Headed north on > Peoria, just past 141st on northeast side of road sitting on utility pole.". > > Josh Engelbert > Copan, OK > > Sent from my iPhone Subject: Re: re festivals From: Dan Reinking <GMSARC AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 11:32:07 -0500 Sue, While it does not track individual festivals, one of the best sources for tracking the participation rates and economic impacts of various wildlife-related activities (including fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching, which are all treated separately) is the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation that is conducted every five years. I have included a link to the 2006 (and older) surveys below. The 2011 survey should be published later this year. Among the highlights from 2006 for Oklahoma, the number of "wildlife watchers" exceeded the number of hunters and anglers combined, and they yielded total expenditures of $328,660,000 for wildlife watching, which does not take into account standard economic multipliers for tourism that would be used to assess revenue generated from the travel portion of these expenditures. Scroll down to the Online Reports section, which includes links to the national report as well as individual reports for each state. _http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/fishing.html_ (http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/fishing.html) Another related report of interest is _Birding in the United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis Addendum to the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation_ (http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1163&context=usfwspubs) Dan Reinking Sutton Avian Research Center In a message dated 2/2/2012 9:48:30 A.M. Central Standard Time, selmanranch AT WILDBLUE.NET writes: I am trying to put together information on the impact of birding and wildlife photography in Oklahoma. I need to know about any festivals or other activities that would bring economic opportunities to our state. Any help would be appreciated. Sue Selman Selman= Subject: Re: re festivals From: Berlin Heck <baheck AT PINE-NET.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:22:08 -0600 Sue--I am looking forward to the Red Slough Birding Festival where people pay to be shown birds in this area. I guess that if a Bald Eagle flies over, I will have to tell them to all cover their eyes until this threat to my freedom flies out of sight. And at the McCurtain County Wilderness Area, where these folks are taken to encounter the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, they must not be allowed to look, but I believe that we can allow them to hear the birds without the guides being thrown into the slammer. Berlin Heck Broken Bow On Feb 2, 2012, at 9:47 AM, Sue Selman wrote: > I am trying to put together information on the impact of birding > and wildlife photography in Oklahoma. > I need to know about any festivals or other activities that would > bring economic opportunities to our > state. Any help would be appreciated. > > Sue Selman > Selman > Subject: re festivals From: Sue Selman <selmanranch AT WILDBLUE.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:47:25 -0600 I am trying to put together information on the impact of birding and wildlife photography in Oklahoma. I need to know about any festivals or other activities that would bring economic opportunities to our state. Any help would be appreciated. Sue Selman Selman Subject: Re: Crested Caracara From: Doug Wood <DWood AT SE.EDU> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 08:41:44 -0600 Jo, thanks for update. Glad you spotted the caracara. The Prairie Falcons are a nice bonus too. Doug. -----Original Message----- From: okbirds [mailto:OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU] On Behalf Of Marilyn Loyd Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 9:05 PM To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Subject: Crested Caracara Today Pat Seibert and I went to the area southeast of Achilles where this bird was observed last fall. A little after 8 a.m. We had close flyby and watched the bird land on a small rise a quarter mile away. We followed but were unable to relocate the bird. Other birds of interest were Bald Eagles, a Merlin, two Prairie Falcons (one was munching on a Meadowlark), a good number of Red-tailed Hawks, lots vultures both Turkey and Black, sparrows. Jo Loyd Sent from my iPod Subject: Norman eagle From: Lindell Dillon <reddirtbird AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 08:08:07 -0600 Those looking for the Townsend's Solitaire in SW Norman might keep their eyes open for a mature Bald Eagle. On the way to the Wichitas yesterday we saw one from the bridge over the Canadian River. It was sitting by the water, eating a fish. This is not far from the Cherry Creek trail to the river, as the eagle flies. Had an enjoyable day in the Wichitas, capped off with a sunset from Mt. Scott. We also saw a couple of eagles over there. Highlights were Mountain Bluebirds, Spotted Towees and a Canyon Wren. Met birders Carl and Dora Wood from Edmond at the Prairie Dog Town, and hopefully put them on the bluebirds. We've seen Mountain Bluebirds for the past 4 winters off Hiway 49 on the road to Lost Lake, just past the triangle in the road. LD Norman Subject: Your question. From: Jerry Dodds <doddsjnc AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 01:46:00 -0800 ive overcome my fair share of hardships there is nothing else like this out there all my options were fading fast! http://computertechnology.1000space.com/lastnews/56GeoffreyBailey/ im in this for the long run see what I mean for yourself Subject: Lake Murray kayaking photos from 1-11 From: Larry Hancock <ihanturn AT CABLEONE.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:01:20 -0600 I'm still playing catchup from days I've been out but here are more pictures from Lake Murray from the 11th of last month while out kayaking the lake most of the day. Eagle picture along with ducks and hooded merganser in flight. photos are here, http://www.avianfocus.com/lake_murray_1-11-2012/ Larry Hancock Ardmore, OK Subject: Snowy Owl--Glenpool From: Josh Engelbert <okiebirder AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 22:00:03 -0600 I was just told of a Snowy Owl that was spotted this evening in Glenpool. The individual used to live in Michigan and didn't realize how special they are down here. Anyway, her directions were as follows: "Headed north on Peoria, just past 141st on northeast side of road sitting on utility pole.". Josh Engelbert Copan, OK Sent from my iPhone Subject: Tallgrass Prairie Preserve From: Torre Hovick <torre.hovick AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 21:53:30 -0600 OK-birders, I was at the Tallgrass Preserve doing some work today. In addition to the common winter residents, I came across several interesting winter visitors. 9 Trumpeter Swans 1 Sprague's Pipit 1 Prairie Falcon 60+ Smith's Longspurs 7+ Red-headed Woodpeckers 2 drake Canvasbacks Good Birding, Torre Hovick Stillwater, OK -- *************** Torre J. Hovick Graduate Research Assistant Natural Resource Ecology and Management Oklahoma State University 008C Ag Hall Stillwater, OK 74078 Subject: Crested Caracara From: Marilyn Loyd <jo.loyd AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 21:05:15 -0600 Today Pat Seibert and I went to the area southeast of Achilles where this bird was observed last fall. A little after 8 a.m. We had close flyby and watched the bird land on a small rise a quarter mile away. We followed but were unable to relocate the bird. Other birds of interest were Bald Eagles, a Merlin, two Prairie Falcons (one was munching on a Meadowlark), a good number of Red-tailed Hawks, lots vultures both Turkey and Black, sparrows. Jo Loyd Sent from my iPod Subject: Recent Snowy Owl Sightings? From: Alex James <ivorybill15 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:06:39 -0800 Has the Marland owl been seen at all this week, and if so, where? I have not been to view it yet, and was planning to do so last weekend while in Stillwater but ran out of time (and gas.) I would like try it this weekend, but want to know which intersections it has been sighted near lately. Obviously it moves around a bit, but any tips or info would be greatly appreciated!   Thanks! Alex James Jenks, OK Subject: February Migration Report From: Patricia Velte <pvelte AT COX.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:51:30 -0600 Dear OKBirders, The February migration list is longer than January's -- but not by much! Both arrivals and departures are listed below. ARRIVALS Blue-winged Teal February 10 - NW,SW,C,SC,NE,SE Cinnamon Teal February 10 - NW,SW,C,SC,NE Turkey Vulture February 16 - PAN,NW,SW,C,NE Sandhill Crane February 22 - PAN,C,SC,NE Lesser Yellowlegs February 7 - NW,SW,C,SC,NE,SE Baird's Sandpiper February 26 - ALL Fish Crow February 15 - C,SC,NE,SE Purple Martin February 18 - NW,SW,C,SC,NE,SE Tree Swallow February 26 - SW,SC,NE,SE American Pipit February 26 - PAN,SW Sprague's Pipit February 28- ALL Great-tailed Grackle February 1 - PAN DEPARTURES Northern Goshawk February 26 - PAN, SW Yellow Rail February 1 - McCurtain Co. Snowy Owl February 1 - NW,C,NE The information presented here comes from The Oklahoma Bird Records Committee of the Oklahoma Ornithological Society, which publishes a Date Guide to the Occurrences of Birds in Oklahoma. This booklet divides Oklahoma into 7 geographic regions, and lists the normal dates of occurrence for each Oklahoma bird species within each region. Observers are urged to report unusual species, or birds out of date or out of normal range in Oklahoma, based on the information given in this publication. The Oklahoma Ornithological Society and Oklahoma Bird Records Committee web site, http://www.okbirds.org/, includes ordering information for the Date Guide to the Occurrences of Birds in Oklahoma, information on documenting significant records, documentation forms, instructions, and a searchable database for Oklahoma bird migration information. Birders are cordially invited to join the Oklahoma Ornithological Society. Happy birding! Pat Velte pvelte AT cox.net Oklahoma City, OK Subject: Great-horned Owl hunting question From: fsbirdlady AT YAHOO.COM Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 15:31:43 -0600 A friend of mine in St. Louis watched a squirrel fall out of a tree followed by a Great-horned Owl. The squirrel scampered off and the owl flew back into the tree. It sat there and watched my friend walk on. It was after that incident that my friend noticed all the squirrel nests in the area looked flattened and tore up. His question was do Great-horned Owls tear into nests to get to the squirrels? I think it could be a learned behavior. Anyone know? Sandy B. FS, AR Sent from my iPad Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation From: John Shackford <johnsshack AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 13:44:49 -0500 Another point is that such legislation would be a kick in the rear for Oklahoma tourism. Is this really the message legislators want to send out about our state? John Shackford Edmond -----Original Message----- From: Sue Selman To: OKBIRDS Sent: Wed, Feb 1, 2012 9:45 am Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation I was told to send comments also to Rep Phil Richardson who is the head of the wildlife committee. philrichardson AT okhouse.gov You can find your legislators on the home page for the Oklahoma legislation. Another interesting fact is Rep Blackwell has ask for $2 million to fund a program at Panhandle State to try to raise LPC's so this legislation would nix that. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. Sue Selman Selman On Feb 1, 2012, at 8:50 AM, Doug Wood wrote: Terry makes a good point. Emotions can run high on situations like this and you are more effective when the focus is on the bill/issue rather than emotions. Emotion can be conveyed, but keeping a cool demeanor is more effective in political situations. Just two more cents. Doug. From: okbirds [mailto:OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU] On Behalf Of Terry Mitchell Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 8:45 AM To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation I'm wondering if there is someway to get a petition online for people to sign or something along those lines. Some of us aren't very good at articulating our views, as a matter of fact on something like this I can get downright wound up and say things that do more harm than good. Terry. From: John Kennington Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 11:56 PM To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation This bill requires everyone's attention!!! Here is the actual text: The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation shall not enter into or approve a conservation easement or setback of any kind regarding wildlife that is more restrictive than those created pursuant to federal law. A. No person may exhibit endangered species in exchange for compensation. B. No person may guide or assist others in viewing endangered species in exchange for compensation. C. No person may promote or encourage the listing of a species as endangered if the person would benefit financially from the listing. This is almost certainly unconstitutional, but as we know whether or not something is constitutional is irrelevant to the Oklahoma legislature. This is clearly aimed at the Lesser Prairie-Chicken, and specifically Sue Selman and the Oklahoma Audubon Council's LPC Festival. But as Sue points out, it would impact zoos, museums, and anyone with a job studying a threatened or endangered species. The Sutton center would be a hub of illegal activity, since they have paid staff receiving compensation studying threatened and endangered species! That all sounds almost comical, but this is Oklahoma so it is not a joke. This legislation needs to be nipped in the bud. As Sue said, please contact your legislator and tell them how you feel. Thanks, John Kennington President, Tulsa Audubon Society p.s. Here is part of the press release we sent out last year about the economic impact of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival: November 1, 2011 The Oklahoma Audubon Council today released the economic impact of the 2011 Lek Treks & More Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival held annually in Woodward, Oklahoma. In the Spring of 2011 there were 131 visitors who traveled to Woodward to view Lesser Prairie-Chickens and other birds and wildlife in the area. Based on surveys filled out by festival participants, the average person spent $693 on their trip. Using a standard economic multiplier, that equates to a greater than $90,000 economic impact on Woodward and northwest Oklahoma. “The 131 visitors include people at the festival itself and people who visited private ranches in the area to view the chickens” said John Kennington, President of the Oklahoma Audubon Council and Festival Coordinator. “We know the actual figure is much higher, as other people travel to the Woodward area to look for the chickens on their own, and most will stay in the area for one or more nights. We don’t have a firm figure on how many people that is, but we know they come to enjoy northwest Oklahoma’s birds and wildlife.” In the first three years of the festival, from 2009-2011, there have been participants from 30 different states and Canadian provinces. “We are already international, with participants from three different Canadian provinces. But we are now promoting the festival in Europe, and hope to soon have our first visitor’s from across the Atlantic” said Kennington. On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 12:00 PM, Sue Selman wrote: Dear bird listers I would like to call your attention to Gus Blackwell's HB2607. If passed this would have many serious ramification for wildlife viewing, zoo's and possibly organizations that apply for grants and loans to study endangered species. This bill would prohibit exhibiting endangered species for compensation, such as festivals, zoo's museums and so on. no one would be able to assist others in viewing endangered species for compensation and so on. You can go to the Oklahoma Legislature home page and do a bill search to read the bill. After reading the bill if you agree with me that this bill needs to be stopped. Please contact your legislators and tell them how you feel. Thanks Sue Selman Selman Oklahoma Subject: Re: Townsend's - Off Topic From: Dan Reinking <GMSARC AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:53:40 -0500 Yes, I'm having a problem. Everyone involved please knock it off and let's get back to birds rather than baiting and personal attacks. Dan Reinking Sutton Avian Research Center Listowner, OKbirds In a message dated 2/1/2012 9:47:28 A.M. Central Standard Time, rgs455 AT COX.NET writes: John, Plese don't leave OKBirds just because someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed with a stick up their A-- . AFAIK, Dan hasn't delegated the "post police" job to anyone. If he has a problem, he'll let you know. John PS - To whom it may concern, this isn't TXbirds, MObirds, KS birds,, etc., it's OKbirds and we're doing just fine thank you.. Subject: Re: Townsend's - Off Topic From: John Fisher <rgs455 AT COX.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:47:21 -0500 John, Plese don't leave OKBirds just because someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed with a stick up their A-- . AFAIK, Dan hasn't delegated the "post police" job to anyone. If he has a problem, he'll let you know. John PS - To whom it may concern, this isn't TXbirds, MObirds, KS birds,, etc., it's OKbirds and we're doing just fine thank you.. Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation From: Sue Selman <selmanranch AT WILDBLUE.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 09:44:45 -0600 I was told to send comments also to Rep Phil Richardson who is the head of the wildlife committee. philrichardson AT okhouse.gov You can find your legislators on the home page for the Oklahoma legislation. Another interesting fact is Rep Blackwell has ask for $2 million to fund a program at Panhandle State to try to raise LPC's so this legislation would nix that. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. Sue Selman Selman On Feb 1, 2012, at 8:50 AM, Doug Wood wrote: > Terry makes a good point. Emotions can run high on situations like this and you are more effective when the focus is on the bill/issue rather than emotions. Emotion can be conveyed, but keeping a cool demeanor is more effective in political situations. Just two more cents. Doug. > > > From: okbirds [mailto:OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU] On Behalf Of Terry Mitchell > Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 8:45 AM > To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU > Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation > > I'm wondering if there is someway to get a petition online for people to sign or something along those lines. Some of us aren't very good at articulating our views, as a matter of fact on something like this I can get downright wound up and say things that do more harm than good. Terry. > > From: John Kennington > Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 11:56 PM > To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU > Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation > > This bill requires everyone's attention!!! > > Here is the actual text: > > The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation shall not enter into or approve a conservation easement or setback of any kind regarding wildlife that is more restrictive than those created pursuant to federal law. > A. No person may exhibit endangered species in exchange for compensation. > B. No person may guide or assist others in viewing endangered species in exchange for compensation. > C. No person may promote or encourage the listing of a species as endangered if the person would benefit financially from the listing. > > This is almost certainly unconstitutional, but as we know whether or not something is constitutional is irrelevant to the Oklahoma legislature. > > This is clearly aimed at the Lesser Prairie-Chicken, and specifically Sue Selman and the Oklahoma Audubon Council's LPC Festival. But as Sue points out, it would impact zoos, museums, and anyone with a job studying a threatened or endangered species. The Sutton center would be a hub of illegal activity, since they have paid staff receiving compensation studying threatened and endangered species! > > That all sounds almost comical, but this is Oklahoma so it is not a joke. This legislation needs to be nipped in the bud. As Sue said, please contact your legislator and tell them how you feel. > > Thanks, > > John Kennington > President, Tulsa Audubon Society > > > p.s. Here is part of the press release we sent out last year about the economic impact of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival: > > November 1, 2011 > > The Oklahoma Audubon Council today released the economic impact of the 2011 Lek Treks & More Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival held annually in Woodward, Oklahoma. In the Spring of 2011 there were 131 visitors who traveled to Woodward to view Lesser Prairie-Chickens and other birds and wildlife in the area. Based on surveys filled out by festival participants, the average person spent $693 on their trip. Using a standard economic multiplier, that equates to a greater than $90,000 economic impact on Woodward and northwest Oklahoma. > > “The 131 visitors include people at the festival itself and people who visited private ranches in the area to view the chickens” said John Kennington, President of the Oklahoma Audubon Council and Festival Coordinator. “We know the actual figure is much higher, as other people travel to the Woodward area to look for the chickens on their own, and most will stay in the area for one or more nights. We don’t have a firm figure on how many people that is, but we know they come to enjoy northwest Oklahoma’s birds and wildlife.” > > In the first three years of the festival, from 2009-2011, there have been participants from 30 different states and Canadian provinces. “We are already international, with participants from three different Canadian provinces. But we are now promoting the festival in Europe, and hope to soon have our first visitor’s from across the Atlantic” said Kennington. > > > > > > > On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 12:00 PM, Sue Selman wrote: > Dear bird listers > I would like to call your attention to Gus Blackwell's HB2607. > If passed this would have many serious ramification for wildlife > viewing, zoo's and possibly organizations that apply for grants > and loans to study endangered species. > > This bill would prohibit exhibiting endangered species for > compensation, such as festivals, zoo's museums and so on. > > no one would be able to assist others in viewing endangered > species for compensation and so on. > > You can go to the Oklahoma Legislature home page and do > a bill search to read the bill. > > After reading the bill if you agree with me that this bill needs > to be stopped. Please contact your legislators and tell them > how you feel. > > Thanks > Sue Selman > Selman Oklahoma > Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation From: Doug Wood <DWood AT SE.EDU> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 08:50:24 -0600 Terry makes a good point. Emotions can run high on situations like this and you are more effective when the focus is on the bill/issue rather than emotions. Emotion can be conveyed, but keeping a cool demeanor is more effective in political situations. Just two more cents. Doug. From: okbirds [mailto:OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU] On Behalf Of Terry Mitchell Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 8:45 AM To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation I'm wondering if there is someway to get a petition online for people to sign or something along those lines. Some of us aren't very good at articulating our views, as a matter of fact on something like this I can get downright wound up and say things that do more harm than good. Terry. From: John Kennington Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 11:56 PM To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation This bill requires everyone's attention!!! Here is the actual text: The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation shall not enter into or approve a conservation easement or setback of any kind regarding wildlife that is more restrictive than those created pursuant to federal law. A. No person may exhibit endangered species in exchange for compensation. B. No person may guide or assist others in viewing endangered species in exchange for compensation. C. No person may promote or encourage the listing of a species as endangered if the person would benefit financially from the listing. This is almost certainly unconstitutional, but as we know whether or not something is constitutional is irrelevant to the Oklahoma legislature. This is clearly aimed at the Lesser Prairie-Chicken, and specifically Sue Selman and the Oklahoma Audubon Council's LPC Festival. But as Sue points out, it would impact zoos, museums, and anyone with a job studying a threatened or endangered species. The Sutton center would be a hub of illegal activity, since they have paid staff receiving compensation studying threatened and endangered species! That all sounds almost comical, but this is Oklahoma so it is not a joke. This legislation needs to be nipped in the bud. As Sue said, please contact your legislator and tell them how you feel. Thanks, John Kennington President, Tulsa Audubon Society p.s. Here is part of the press release we sent out last year about the economic impact of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival: November 1, 2011 The Oklahoma Audubon Council today released the economic impact of the 2011 Lek Treks & More Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival held annually in Woodward, Oklahoma. In the Spring of 2011 there were 131 visitors who traveled to Woodward to view Lesser Prairie-Chickens and other birds and wildlife in the area. Based on surveys filled out by festival participants, the average person spent $693 on their trip. Using a standard economic multiplier, that equates to a greater than $90,000 economic impact on Woodward and northwest Oklahoma. "The 131 visitors include people at the festival itself and people who visited private ranches in the area to view the chickens" said John Kennington, President of the Oklahoma Audubon Council and Festival Coordinator. "We know the actual figure is much higher, as other people travel to the Woodward area to look for the chickens on their own, and most will stay in the area for one or more nights. We don't have a firm figure on how many people that is, but we know they come to enjoy northwest Oklahoma's birds and wildlife." In the first three years of the festival, from 2009-2011, there have been participants from 30 different states and Canadian provinces. "We are already international, with participants from three different Canadian provinces. But we are now promoting the festival in Europe, and hope to soon have our first visitor's from across the Atlantic" said Kennington. On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 12:00 PM, Sue Selman > wrote: Dear bird listers I would like to call your attention to Gus Blackwell's HB2607. If passed this would have many serious ramification for wildlife viewing, zoo's and possibly organizations that apply for grants and loans to study endangered species. This bill would prohibit exhibiting endangered species for compensation, such as festivals, zoo's museums and so on. no one would be able to assist others in viewing endangered species for compensation and so on. You can go to the Oklahoma Legislature home page and do a bill search to read the bill. After reading the bill if you agree with me that this bill needs to be stopped. Please contact your legislators and tell them how you feel. Thanks Sue Selman Selman Oklahoma Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation From: Terry Mitchell <terry AT PECOT.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 08:44:42 -0600 I'm wondering if there is someway to get a petition online for people to sign or something along those lines. Some of us aren't very good at articulating our views, as a matter of fact on something like this I can get downright wound up and say things that do more harm than good. Terry. From: John Kennington Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 11:56 PM To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation This bill requires everyone's attention!!! Here is the actual text: The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation shall not enter into or approve a conservation easement or setback of any kind regarding wildlife that is more restrictive than those created pursuant to federal law. A. No person may exhibit endangered species in exchange for compensation. B. No person may guide or assist others in viewing endangered species in exchange for compensation. C. No person may promote or encourage the listing of a species as endangered if the person would benefit financially from the listing. This is almost certainly unconstitutional, but as we know whether or not something is constitutional is irrelevant to the Oklahoma legislature. This is clearly aimed at the Lesser Prairie-Chicken, and specifically Sue Selman and the Oklahoma Audubon Council's LPC Festival. But as Sue points out, it would impact zoos, museums, and anyone with a job studying a threatened or endangered species. The Sutton center would be a hub of illegal activity, since they have paid staff receiving compensation studying threatened and endangered species! That all sounds almost comical, but this is Oklahoma so it is not a joke. This legislation needs to be nipped in the bud. As Sue said, please contact your legislator and tell them how you feel. Thanks, John Kennington President, Tulsa Audubon Society p.s. Here is part of the press release we sent out last year about the economic impact of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival: November 1, 2011 The Oklahoma Audubon Council today released the economic impact of the 2011 Lek Treks & More Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival held annually in Woodward, Oklahoma. In the Spring of 2011 there were 131 visitors who traveled to Woodward to view Lesser Prairie-Chickens and other birds and wildlife in the area. Based on surveys filled out by festival participants, the average person spent $693 on their trip. Using a standard economic multiplier, that equates to a greater than $90,000 economic impact on Woodward and northwest Oklahoma. “The 131 visitors include people at the festival itself and people who visited private ranches in the area to view the chickens” said John Kennington, President of the Oklahoma Audubon Council and Festival Coordinator. “We know the actual figure is much higher, as other people travel to the Woodward area to look for the chickens on their own, and most will stay in the area for one or more nights. We don’t have a firm figure on how many people that is, but we know they come to enjoy northwest Oklahoma’s birds and wildlife.” In the first three years of the festival, from 2009-2011, there have been participants from 30 different states and Canadian provinces. “We are already international, with participants from three different Canadian provinces. But we are now promoting the festival in Europe, and hope to soon have our first visitor’s from across the Atlantic” said Kennington. On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 12:00 PM, Sue Selman wrote: Dear bird listers I would like to call your attention to Gus Blackwell's HB2607. If passed this would have many serious ramification for wildlife viewing, zoo's and possibly organizations that apply for grants and loans to study endangered species. This bill would prohibit exhibiting endangered species for compensation, such as festivals, zoo's museums and so on. no one would be able to assist others in viewing endangered species for compensation and so on. You can go to the Oklahoma Legislature home page and do a bill search to read the bill. After reading the bill if you agree with me that this bill needs to be stopped. Please contact your legislators and tell them how you feel. Thanks Sue Selman Selman Oklahoma Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation From: Doug Wood <DWood AT SE.EDU> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 08:32:38 -0600 John, the OOS board will look at this at next week's board meeting too. Doug. From: okbirds [mailto:OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU] On Behalf Of John Kennington Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 11:56 PM To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation This bill requires everyone's attention!!! Here is the actual text: The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation shall not enter into or approve a conservation easement or setback of any kind regarding wildlife that is more restrictive than those created pursuant to federal law. A. No person may exhibit endangered species in exchange for compensation. B. No person may guide or assist others in viewing endangered species in exchange for compensation. C. No person may promote or encourage the listing of a species as endangered if the person would benefit financially from the listing. This is almost certainly unconstitutional, but as we know whether or not something is constitutional is irrelevant to the Oklahoma legislature. This is clearly aimed at the Lesser Prairie-Chicken, and specifically Sue Selman and the Oklahoma Audubon Council's LPC Festival. But as Sue points out, it would impact zoos, museums, and anyone with a job studying a threatened or endangered species. The Sutton center would be a hub of illegal activity, since they have paid staff receiving compensation studying threatened and endangered species! That all sounds almost comical, but this is Oklahoma so it is not a joke. This legislation needs to be nipped in the bud. As Sue said, please contact your legislator and tell them how you feel. Thanks, John Kennington President, Tulsa Audubon Society p.s. Here is part of the press release we sent out last year about the economic impact of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival: November 1, 2011 The Oklahoma Audubon Council today released the economic impact of the 2011 Lek Treks & More Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival held annually in Woodward, Oklahoma. In the Spring of 2011 there were 131 visitors who traveled to Woodward to view Lesser Prairie-Chickens and other birds and wildlife in the area. Based on surveys filled out by festival participants, the average person spent $693 on their trip. Using a standard economic multiplier, that equates to a greater than $90,000 economic impact on Woodward and northwest Oklahoma. "The 131 visitors include people at the festival itself and people who visited private ranches in the area to view the chickens" said John Kennington, President of the Oklahoma Audubon Council and Festival Coordinator. "We know the actual figure is much higher, as other people travel to the Woodward area to look for the chickens on their own, and most will stay in the area for one or more nights. We don't have a firm figure on how many people that is, but we know they come to enjoy northwest Oklahoma's birds and wildlife." In the first three years of the festival, from 2009-2011, there have been participants from 30 different states and Canadian provinces. "We are already international, with participants from three different Canadian provinces. But we are now promoting the festival in Europe, and hope to soon have our first visitor's from across the Atlantic" said Kennington. On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 12:00 PM, Sue Selman > wrote: Dear bird listers I would like to call your attention to Gus Blackwell's HB2607. If passed this would have many serious ramification for wildlife viewing, zoo's and possibly organizations that apply for grants and loans to study endangered species. This bill would prohibit exhibiting endangered species for compensation, such as festivals, zoo's museums and so on. no one would be able to assist others in viewing endangered species for compensation and so on. You can go to the Oklahoma Legislature home page and do a bill search to read the bill. After reading the bill if you agree with me that this bill needs to be stopped. Please contact your legislators and tell them how you feel. Thanks Sue Selman Selman Oklahoma Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation From: David McNeely <mcneely4 AT COX.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 08:17:50 -0600 Interesting that the text states that, "C. No person may promote or encourage the listing of a species as endangered if the person would benefit financially from the listing." What about all the lobbying to discourage the listing of a species specifically to reap financial gain because the species was not listed? Another provision would inhibit college instructors from taking students to the field to educate them regarding endangered species. Good grief! But then this is Oklahoma. I will let my legislators know that they should oppose the bill, and why, but I expect it to pass. mcneely ---- John Kennington wrote: > This bill requires everyone's attention!!! > > Here is the actual text: > > The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Oklahoma Department > of Wildlife Conservation shall not enter into or approve a conservation > easement or setback of any kind regarding wildlife that is more restrictive > than those created pursuant to federal law. > > A. No person may exhibit endangered species in exchange for compensation. > > B. No person may guide or assist others in viewing endangered species in > exchange for compensation. > > C. No person may promote or encourage the listing of a species as > endangered if the person would benefit financially from the listing. > > This is almost certainly unconstitutional, but as we know whether or not > something is constitutional is irrelevant to the Oklahoma legislature. > > This is clearly aimed at the Lesser Prairie-Chicken, and specifically Sue > Selman and the Oklahoma Audubon Council's LPC Festival. But as Sue points > out, it would impact zoos, museums, and anyone with a job studying a > threatened or endangered species. The Sutton center would be a hub of > illegal activity, since they have paid staff receiving compensation > studying threatened and endangered species! > > That all sounds almost comical, but this is Oklahoma so it is not a joke. > This legislation needs to be nipped in the bud. As Sue said, please contact > your legislator and tell them how you feel. > > Thanks, > > John Kennington > President, Tulsa Audubon Society > > > p.s. Here is part of the press release we sent out last year about the > economic impact of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival: > > November 1, 2011 > > The Oklahoma Audubon Council today released the economic impact of the 2011 > Lek Treks & More Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival held annually in Woodward, > Oklahoma. In the Spring of 2011 there were 131 visitors who traveled to > Woodward to view Lesser Prairie-Chickens and other birds and wildlife in > the area. Based on surveys filled out by festival participants, the average > person spent $693 on their trip. Using a standard economic multiplier, that > equates to a greater than $90,000 economic impact on Woodward and northwest > Oklahoma. > > “The 131 visitors include people at the festival itself and people who > visited private ranches in the area to view the chickens” said John > Kennington, President of the Oklahoma Audubon Council and Festival > Coordinator. “We know the actual figure is much higher, as other people > travel to the Woodward area to look for the chickens on their own, and most > will stay in the area for one or more nights. We don’t have a firm figure > on how many people that is, but we know they come to enjoy northwest > Oklahoma’s birds and wildlife.” > > In the first three years of the festival, from 2009-2011, there have been > participants from 30 different states and Canadian provinces. “We are > already international, with participants from three different Canadian > provinces. But we are now promoting the festival in Europe, and hope to > soon have our first visitor’s from across the Atlantic” said Kennington. > > > > > > On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 12:00 PM, Sue Selman wrote: > > > Dear bird listers > > I would like to call your attention to Gus Blackwell's HB2607. > > If passed this would have many serious ramification for wildlife > > viewing, zoo's and possibly organizations that apply for grants > > and loans to study endangered species. > > > > This bill would prohibit exhibiting endangered species for > > compensation, such as festivals, zoo's museums and so on. > > > > no one would be able to assist others in viewing endangered > > species for compensation and so on. > > > > You can go to the Oklahoma Legislature home page and do > > a bill search to read the bill. > > > > After reading the bill if you agree with me that this bill needs > > to be stopped. Please contact your legislators and tell them > > how you feel. > > > > Thanks > > Sue Selman > > Selman Oklahoma > > -- David McNeely Subject: Re: Townsend's - Off Topic From: Andy Feldt <feldt AT NHN.OU.EDU> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 07:39:35 -0600 John, That is, indeed, from my Nikon binocs! So, I am very happy to hear of this and appreciate your post! I am sorry to see that there is some opposition to this and hope it won't stop you from being public-minded in the future. I will e-mail you off-list to work out a way to collect the item. Thanks again! Andy Subject: re legislation From: Sue Selman <selmanranch AT WILDBLUE.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 07:37:36 -0600 Thank you John for your response to Blackwell's HB2607. Ironically there is an article in the new Oklahoma Living magazine on the LPC, the ranch and the festival. Also, in the near future there will be an article in the Oklahoma Today about the ranch, the chickens and me. The LPC issues are not just going to go away no matter how much the powers that be would like that. Sue Selman Selman Oklahoma Subject: Re: Townsend's - Off Topic From: Cyndie Browning <vermilion_flycatcher AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 05:31:56 -0800 Mr. Davis, if Mr. Cleal "baited his hook" with any "snarky" comments at all, then I would say that he reeled you in, hook, line, and sinker!!  To personally attack someone on OKbirds because you don't approve of what the other person posted, is NOT cool, especially when you oppress everyone else on the list with your self-important opinion (Mr. Davis could have sent his opinion directly to Mr. Cleal, but then that wouldn't have been as much fun for him, would it?).  I'm pretty sure that Mr. Davis wouldn't have liked it if _he_'d been the one posting the note about the found button and had received his own response from somebody else on the list.   Really, people, isn't there enough sand in the sandbox for all of us to play nicely together, without self-righteous, self-appointed e-mail police wading in and spoiling it for everyone else??  If you don't like what you're reading, then Delete it.    Cyndie Browning vermilion_flycatcher AT yahoo.com http://www.adimview.com/Tulsa_Birds_Firebird.html Tulsa, OK How do migrating birds know which one to follow? What if the lead bird just wants to be alone? -- Bill Bryson, "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir" (2006)   >________________________________ >From: Finger >To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU >Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 12:21 AM >Subject: Re: [OKBIRDS] Townsend's - Off Topic > > >Thanks Brian, you make a valid point > > > >Please rest easily - I shall retire permanently from this point on and trouble the greater readership no further with my garbage > > > >John Cleal > > >>________________________________ >>From: Brian Davis >>To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU >>Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 12:02 AM >>Subject: Re: Townsend's - Off Topic >> >>I would hope that the list moderator weighs in on this post.  Letting >>everyone know you found a piece of gear in a recently-birded area is a >>great use of the list, but the snarky comments which the reader has to >>wade through before getting to the actual point (and which are clearly >>intended as bait) should not be tolerated.  I am also a subscriber to >>a bird list for a neighboring state, one which includes a mix of rural >>and large metropolitan areas.  I have yet to witness anything other >>than cordial, informative posts- I suspect posts like this one quickly >>get folks kicked off.  This list is not a telephone pole or a bar >>restroom where speech is entirely free, and it should be respected as >>such.  Garbage sent out by the few impact the image of the list as a >>whole. >> >>Brian Davis >>Joplin/Norman >>_________________________________________ >> >>Brian M. Davis, Ph.D. >>Assistant Professor >>Department of Biology and Environmental Health >>Missouri Southern State University >>3950 Newman Rd. >>Joplin, MO 64801 >>(417) 625-3568 >>Davis-B AT mssu.edu >> >> >> >>On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 11:22 PM, Finger wrote: >>> Andy >>> >>> I'm John Cleal,  the bloke wearing a dress (and very subtle makeup) you >>> spoke to first in "Mary and Steve"  group you describe below.  The fourth >>> person was my very tolerant wife, Marion Homier. >>> >>> I'm hesitant to post here, and this is my first for a long time because a >>> way back I got my butt kicked very badly by some  inflexible people (in my >>> opinion) about a post  I made about proposals to put a highway through the >>> Serengeti. It was deemed off topic.  Since then, there have been a bunch of >>> "off topics" but I don't protest about those because frankly,  I welcome >>> them >>> >>> And here we again - and I expect the previous torrent of small mindedness to >>> descend upon me yet again.  Well, when it does, it's on my head and perhaps >>> more cause for amusement for the delightful Dick Gunn. . . . >>> >>> To the point - after speaking to you, I found on the trail a small threaded >>> plastic button, engraved "Nikon Monarch ATB".  I thought it may have fallen >>> from your camera or binocs, since it had not been trampled.  Message me >>> offline (to prevent the hounds of hell descending upon you) if it's yours, >>> to arrange it's return >>> >>> BTW - if it's not Andy's, anyone on the trail prior to 11am Tuesday should >>> check their gear and contact me (off line . . . .lol) >>> >>> John Cleal >>> >> > > Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation From: Lisa Wiesbauer <lisaszoo AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 05:41:31 -0600 Hi John, Do you have the addresses? Lisa Okemah Lake On Jan 31, 2012, at 23:56, John Kennington wrote: > This bill requires everyone's attention!!! > > Here is the actual text: > > The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation shall not enter into or approve a conservation easement or setback of any kind regarding wildlife that is more restrictive than those created pursuant to federal law. > > A. No person may exhibit endangered species in exchange for compensation. > > B. No person may guide or assist others in viewing endangered species in exchange for compensation. > > C. No person may promote or encourage the listing of a species as endangered if the person would benefit financially from the listing. > > > This is almost certainly unconstitutional, but as we know whether or not something is constitutional is irrelevant to the Oklahoma legislature. > > This is clearly aimed at the Lesser Prairie-Chicken, and specifically Sue Selman and the Oklahoma Audubon Council's LPC Festival. But as Sue points out, it would impact zoos, museums, and anyone with a job studying a threatened or endangered species. The Sutton center would be a hub of illegal activity, since they have paid staff receiving compensation studying threatened and endangered species! > > That all sounds almost comical, but this is Oklahoma so it is not a joke. This legislation needs to be nipped in the bud. As Sue said, please contact your legislator and tell them how you feel. > > Thanks, > > John Kennington > President, Tulsa Audubon Society > > > p.s. Here is part of the press release we sent out last year about the economic impact of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival: > > November 1, 2011 > > > The Oklahoma Audubon Council today released the economic impact of the 2011 Lek Treks & More Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival held annually in Woodward, Oklahoma. In the Spring of 2011 there were 131 visitors who traveled to Woodward to view Lesser Prairie-Chickens and other birds and wildlife in the area. Based on surveys filled out by festival participants, the average person spent $693 on their trip. Using a standard economic multiplier, that equates to a greater than $90,000 economic impact on Woodward and northwest Oklahoma. > > “The 131 visitors include people at the festival itself and people who visited private ranches in the area to view the chickens” said John Kennington, President of the Oklahoma Audubon Council and Festival Coordinator. “We know the actual figure is much higher, as other people travel to the Woodward area to look for the chickens on their own, and most will stay in the area for one or more nights. We don’t have a firm figure on how many people that is, but we know they come to enjoy northwest Oklahoma’s birds and wildlife.” > > In the first three years of the festival, from 2009-2011, there have been participants from 30 different states and Canadian provinces. “We are already international, with participants from three different Canadian provinces. But we are now promoting the festival in Europe, and hope to soon have our first visitor’s from across the Atlantic” said Kennington. > > > > > > > On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 12:00 PM, Sue Selman wrote: > Dear bird listers > I would like to call your attention to Gus Blackwell's HB2607. > If passed this would have many serious ramification for wildlife > viewing, zoo's and possibly organizations that apply for grants > and loans to study endangered species. > > This bill would prohibit exhibiting endangered species for > compensation, such as festivals, zoo's museums and so on. > > no one would be able to assist others in viewing endangered > species for compensation and so on. > > You can go to the Oklahoma Legislature home page and do > a bill search to read the bill. > > After reading the bill if you agree with me that this bill needs > to be stopped. Please contact your legislators and tell them > how you feel. > > Thanks > Sue Selman > Selman Oklahoma > Subject: Re: Bird Pictures From: Patrick and Tami Elder <elderokc AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 03:29:16 -0800 Nice pictures, David! --- On Tue, 1/31/12, david mcgowen wrote: From: david mcgowen Subject: Bird Pictures To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 10:52 PM I'm a VERY amatuer birdwatcher but frequent monitor of this list.  Since this photo update was exclusively birds I though I would share some recent shots:   http://www.dmcgowenphoto.com/NewPictures-1/New-Pictures/8617750_wSfDcp   Thanks for looking, Dave McGowen Subject: Re: Townsend's - Off Topic From: Finger <johncleal AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:21:09 -0800 Thanks Brian, you make a valid point Please rest easily - I shall retire permanently from this point on and trouble the greater readership no further with my garbage John Cleal >________________________________ > From: Brian Davis >To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU >Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 12:02 AM >Subject: Re: Townsend's - Off Topic > >I would hope that the list moderator weighs in on this post.  Letting >everyone know you found a piece of gear in a recently-birded area is a >great use of the list, but the snarky comments which the reader has to >wade through before getting to the actual point (and which are clearly >intended as bait) should not be tolerated.  I am also a subscriber to >a bird list for a neighboring state, one which includes a mix of rural >and large metropolitan areas.  I have yet to witness anything other >than cordial, informative posts- I suspect posts like this one quickly >get folks kicked off.  This list is not a telephone pole or a bar >restroom where speech is entirely free, and it should be respected as >such.  Garbage sent out by the few impact the image of the list as a >whole. > >Brian Davis >Joplin/Norman >_________________________________________ > >Brian M. Davis, Ph.D. >Assistant Professor >Department of Biology and Environmental Health >Missouri Southern State University >3950 Newman Rd. >Joplin, MO 64801 >(417) 625-3568 >Davis-B AT mssu.edu > > > >On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 11:22 PM, Finger wrote: >> Andy >> >> I'm John Cleal,  the bloke wearing a dress (and very subtle makeup) you >> spoke to first in "Mary and Steve"  group you describe below.  The fourth >> person was my very tolerant wife, Marion Homier. >> >> I'm hesitant to post here, and this is my first for a long time because a >> way back I got my butt kicked very badly by some  inflexible people (in my >> opinion) about a post  I made about proposals to put a highway through the >> Serengeti. It was deemed off topic.  Since then, there have been a bunch of >> "off topics" but I don't protest about those because frankly,  I welcome >> them >> >> And here we again - and I expect the previous torrent of small mindedness to >> descend upon me yet again.  Well, when it does, it's on my head and perhaps >> more cause for amusement for the delightful Dick Gunn. . . . >> >> To the point - after speaking to you, I found on the trail a small threaded >> plastic button, engraved "Nikon Monarch ATB".  I thought it may have fallen >> from your camera or binocs, since it had not been trampled.  Message me >> offline (to prevent the hounds of hell descending upon you) if it's yours, >> to arrange it's return >> >> BTW - if it's not Andy's, anyone on the trail prior to 11am Tuesday should >> check their gear and contact me (off line . . . .lol) >> >> John Cleal >> > Subject: Re: Townsend's - Off Topic From: Brian Davis <Davis-B AT MSSU.EDU> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:02:08 -0600 I would hope that the list moderator weighs in on this post. Letting everyone know you found a piece of gear in a recently-birded area is a great use of the list, but the snarky comments which the reader has to wade through before getting to the actual point (and which are clearly intended as bait) should not be tolerated. I am also a subscriber to a bird list for a neighboring state, one which includes a mix of rural and large metropolitan areas. I have yet to witness anything other than cordial, informative posts- I suspect posts like this one quickly get folks kicked off. This list is not a telephone pole or a bar restroom where speech is entirely free, and it should be respected as such. Garbage sent out by the few impact the image of the list as a whole. Brian Davis Joplin/Norman _________________________________________ Brian M. Davis, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Biology and Environmental Health Missouri Southern State University 3950 Newman Rd. Joplin, MO 64801 (417) 625-3568 Davis-B AT mssu.edu On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 11:22 PM, Finger wrote: > Andy > > I'm John Cleal,  the bloke wearing a dress (and very subtle makeup) you > spoke to first in "Mary and Steve"  group you describe below.  The fourth > person was my very tolerant wife, Marion Homier. > > I'm hesitant to post here, and this is my first for a long time because a > way back I got my butt kicked very badly by some  inflexible people (in my > opinion) about a post  I made about proposals to put a highway through the > Serengeti. It was deemed off topic.  Since then, there have been a bunch of > "off topics" but I don't protest about those because frankly,  I welcome > them > > And here we again - and I expect the previous torrent of small mindedness to > descend upon me yet again.  Well, when it does, it's on my head and perhaps > more cause for amusement for the delightful Dick Gunn. . . . > > To the point - after speaking to you, I found on the trail a small threaded > plastic button, engraved "Nikon Monarch ATB".  I thought it may have fallen > from your camera or binocs, since it had not been trampled.  Message me > offline (to prevent the hounds of hell descending upon you) if it's yours, > to arrange it's return > > BTW - if it's not Andy's, anyone on the trail prior to 11am Tuesday should > check their gear and contact me (off line . . . .lol) > > John Cleal > > ________________________________ > From: Steve Davis > To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU > Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 10:35 PM > Subject: Re: Norman Townsend's Solitaire Update > > Alas, John, Marion, Mary and I had no better luck, Andy.  The best spot of > the day was a pair of golden-crowned kinglets seen by John while he > patiently waited for the rest of us back at the park while we finished our > hike. > > After a great lunch at Thai Thai Asian Bistro on Main St, we walked around > Sutton Urban Wilderness Park and saw 26 gadwalls and 11 redheads on the > lake/pond there. > > Windy, but still a nice day. > > --steve d > > Sent from my iPad > > On Jan 31, 2012, at 8:21 PM, Andy Feldt wrote: > >> I've sought the Townsend's Solitaire the past three days without success. >> I did meet the Holbrooks (who also did not find it) today as well as Steve >> Davis, Mary Lane and another couple whose names, I am sorry to say, did not >> make it into my notes. I hope they had better luck as they began when I >> left.  As Lindell Dillon has already noted, the area is not very "birdy". >> However, I have seen/heard the following during my hikes in that area: >> >> Canada goose >> red-tailed hawk >> red-bellied woodpecker >> downy woodpecker >> blue jay >> American crow >> Carolina chickadee >> tufted titmouse >> Carolina wren >> eastern bluebird >> American robin >> European starling >> yellow-rumped warbler >> northern cardinal >> red-winged blackbird >> American goldfinch > > Subject: Re: LPC and endangered species legislation From: John Kennington <johnkennington AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:56:20 -0600 This bill requires everyone's attention!!! Here is the actual text: The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation shall not enter into or approve a conservation easement or setback of any kind regarding wildlife that is more restrictive than those created pursuant to federal law. A. No person may exhibit endangered species in exchange for compensation. B. No person may guide or assist others in viewing endangered species in exchange for compensation. C. No person may promote or encourage the listing of a species as endangered if the person would benefit financially from the listing. This is almost certainly unconstitutional, but as we know whether or not something is constitutional is irrelevant to the Oklahoma legislature. This is clearly aimed at the Lesser Prairie-Chicken, and specifically Sue Selman and the Oklahoma Audubon Council's LPC Festival. But as Sue points out, it would impact zoos, museums, and anyone with a job studying a threatened or endangered species. The Sutton center would be a hub of illegal activity, since they have paid staff receiving compensation studying threatened and endangered species! That all sounds almost comical, but this is Oklahoma so it is not a joke. This legislation needs to be nipped in the bud. As Sue said, please contact your legislator and tell them how you feel. Thanks, John Kennington President, Tulsa Audubon Society p.s. Here is part of the press release we sent out last year about the economic impact of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival: November 1, 2011 The Oklahoma Audubon Council today released the economic impact of the 2011 Lek Treks & More Lesser Prairie-Chicken Festival held annually in Woodward, Oklahoma. In the Spring of 2011 there were 131 visitors who traveled to Woodward to view Lesser Prairie-Chickens and other birds and wildlife in the area. Based on surveys filled out by festival participants, the average person spent $693 on their trip. Using a standard economic multiplier, that equates to a greater than $90,000 economic impact on Woodward and northwest Oklahoma. “The 131 visitors include people at the festival itself and people who visited private ranches in the area to view the chickens” said John Kennington, President of the Oklahoma Audubon Council and Festival Coordinator. “We know the actual figure is much higher, as other people travel to the Woodward area to look for the chickens on their own, and most will stay in the area for one or more nights. We don’t have a firm figure on how many people that is, but we know they come to enjoy northwest Oklahoma’s birds and wildlife.” In the first three years of the festival, from 2009-2011, there have been participants from 30 different states and Canadian provinces. “We are already international, with participants from three different Canadian provinces. But we are now promoting the festival in Europe, and hope to soon have our first visitor’s from across the Atlantic” said Kennington. On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 12:00 PM, Sue Selman wrote: > Dear bird listers > I would like to call your attention to Gus Blackwell's HB2607. > If passed this would have many serious ramification for wildlife > viewing, zoo's and possibly organizations that apply for grants > and loans to study endangered species. > > This bill would prohibit exhibiting endangered species for > compensation, such as festivals, zoo's museums and so on. > > no one would be able to assist others in viewing endangered > species for compensation and so on. > > You can go to the Oklahoma Legislature home page and do > a bill search to read the bill. > > After reading the bill if you agree with me that this bill needs > to be stopped. Please contact your legislators and tell them > how you feel. > > Thanks > Sue Selman > Selman Oklahoma > Subject: Townsend's - Off Topic From: Finger <johncleal AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:22:31 -0800 Andy I'm John Cleal,  the bloke wearing a dress (and very subtle makeup) you spoke to first in "Mary and Steve"  group you describe below.  The fourth person was my very tolerant wife, Marion Homier. I'm hesitant to post here, and this is my first for a long time because a way back I got my butt kicked very badly by some  inflexible people (in my opinion) about a post  I made about proposals to put a highway through the Serengeti. It was deemed off topic.  Since then, there have been a bunch of "off topics" but I don't protest about those because frankly,  I welcome them And here we again - and I expect the previous torrent of small mindedness to descend upon me yet again.  Well, when it does, it's on my head and perhaps more cause for amusement for the delightful Dick Gunn. . . .   To the point - after speaking to you, I found on the trail a small threaded plastic button, engraved "Nikon Monarch ATB".  I thought it may have fallen from your camera or binocs, since it had not been trampled.  Message me offline (to prevent the hounds of hell descending upon you) if it's yours, to arrange it's return BTW - if it's not Andy's, anyone on the trail prior to 11am Tuesday should check their gear and contact me (off line . . . .lol)   John Cleal >________________________________ > From: Steve Davis >To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU >Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 10:35 PM >Subject: Re: Norman Townsend's Solitaire Update > >Alas, John, Marion, Mary and I had no better luck, Andy.  The best spot of the day was a pair of golden-crowned kinglets seen by John while he patiently waited for the rest of us back at the park while we finished our hike.  > >After a great lunch at Thai Thai Asian Bistro on Main St, we walked around Sutton Urban Wilderness Park and saw 26 gadwalls and 11 redheads on the lake/pond there.  > >Windy, but still a nice day. > >--steve d > >Sent from my iPad > >On Jan 31, 2012, at 8:21 PM, Andy Feldt wrote: > >> I've sought the Townsend's Solitaire the past three days without success.  I did meet the Holbrooks (who also did not find it) today as well as Steve Davis, Mary Lane and another couple whose names, I am sorry to say, did not make it into my notes. I hope they had better luck as they began when I left.  As Lindell Dillon has already noted, the area is not very "birdy".  However, I have seen/heard the following during my hikes in that area: >> >> Canada goose >> red-tailed hawk >> red-bellied woodpecker >> downy woodpecker >> blue jay >> American crow >> Carolina chickadee >> tufted titmouse >> Carolina wren >> eastern bluebird >> American robin >> European starling >> yellow-rumped warbler >> northern cardinal >> red-winged blackbird >> American goldfinch > > > Subject: Bird Pictures From: david mcgowen <survey33 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:52:32 -0800 I'm a VERY amatuer birdwatcher but frequent monitor of this list.  Since this photo update was exclusively birds I though I would share some recent shots:   http://www.dmcgowenphoto.com/NewPictures-1/New-Pictures/8617750_wSfDcp   Thanks for looking, Dave McGowen Subject: Re: Norman Townsend's Solitaire Update From: Steve Davis <spd8109 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:35:49 -0600 Alas, John, Marion, Mary and I had no better luck, Andy. The best spot of the day was a pair of golden-crowned kinglets seen by John while he patiently waited for the rest of us back at the park while we finished our hike. After a great lunch at Thai Thai Asian Bistro on Main St, we walked around Sutton Urban Wilderness Park and saw 26 gadwalls and 11 redheads on the lake/pond there. Windy, but still a nice day. --steve d Sent from my iPad On Jan 31, 2012, at 8:21 PM, Andy Feldt wrote: > I've sought the Townsend's Solitaire the past three days without success. I did meet the Holbrooks (who also did not find it) today as well as Steve Davis, Mary Lane and another couple whose names, I am sorry to say, did not make it into my notes. I hope they had better luck as they began when I left. As Lindell Dillon has already noted, the area is not very "birdy". However, I have seen/heard the following during my hikes in that area: > > Canada goose > red-tailed hawk > red-bellied woodpecker > downy woodpecker > blue jay > American crow > Carolina chickadee > tufted titmouse > Carolina wren > eastern bluebird > American robin > European starling > yellow-rumped warbler > northern cardinal > red-winged blackbird > American goldfinch Subject: Re: Norman Townsend's Solitaire Update From: Andy Feldt <feldt AT NHN.OU.EDU> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:21:56 -0600 I've sought the Townsend's Solitaire the past three days without success. I did meet the Holbrooks (who also did not find it) today as well as Steve Davis, Mary Lane and another couple whose names, I am sorry to say, did not make it into my notes. I hope they had better luck as they began when I left. As Lindell Dillon has already noted, the area is not very "birdy". However, I have seen/heard the following during my hikes in that area: Canada goose red-tailed hawk red-bellied woodpecker downy woodpecker blue jay American crow Carolina chickadee tufted titmouse Carolina wren eastern bluebird American robin European starling yellow-rumped warbler northern cardinal red-winged blackbird American goldfinch Subject: Red Slough Bird Survey - Jan. 31 From: David Arbour <arbour AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:59:22 -0600 It was overcast, mild, and windy on the survey today. 66 species were found. The Trumpeter Swans continue at Ward Lake. I played calls of rails today but only got answered call backs from Virginia Rails. Here is my list for today: Greater White-fronted Goose - 2 Canada Goose - 2 Trumpeter Swan - 3 Gadwall - 564 American Wigeon - 1 Mallard - 440 Northern Shoveler - 77 Northern Pintail - 21 Green-winged Teal - 73 Ring-necked Duck - 124 Hooded Merganser - 13 Pied-billed Grebe - 9 American White Pelican - 26 Double-crested Cormorant - 24 Great Blue Heron - 22 Black Vulture - 3 Turkey Vulture - 12 Northern Harrier - 4 Red-shouldered Hawk - 2 Red-tailed Hawk - 3 American Kestrel - 3 Virginia Rail - 2 American Coot - 608 Killdeer - 1 Greater Yellowlegs - 1 Wilson's Snipe - 9 Eurasian Collared-Dove - 1 Mourning Dove - 3 Barred Owl - 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1 Hairy Woodpecker - 1 Northern Flicker - 21 Pileated Woodpecker - 2 Eastern Phoebe - 5 Loggerhead Shrike - 1 Blue Jay - 12 American Crow - 752 Fish Crow - 155 Carolina Chickadee - 1 Tufted Titmouse - 1 Carolina Wren - 3 Marsh Wren - 2 Eastern Bluebird - 8 American Robin - 40 Northern Mockingbird - 2 European Starling - 5 American Pipit - 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 4 Common Yellowthroat - 1 Field Sparrow - 5 Savannah Sparrow - 1 Le Conte's Sparrow - 1 Fox Sparrow - 2 Song Sparrow - 3 Swamp Sparrow - 1 White-throated Sparrow - 7 White-crowned Sparrow - 6 Dark-eyed Junco - 2 Northern Cardinal - 18 Red-winged Blackbird - 98 Eastern Meadowlark - 42 Western Meadowlark - 1 Brewer's Blackbird - 300 Brown-headed Cowbird - 3 American Goldfinch - 1 Odonates: Variegated Meadowhawk Herps: American Alligator Cajun Chorus Frog - lots calling Southern Leopard Frog - calling Good birding! David Arbour De Queen, AR Visit the Red Slough Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/red_slough_wma Subject: Lake Hefner From: matthew jung <mpjung5125 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:54:59 -0800 Around noon I found 4 Bonapate's Gulls (FOS for me) at Prairie Dog Point along with the usual Ring-billed and Herring Gulls.  There was one 2nd winter Thayer's Gull out there.  The Western Grebes were not seen but saw 2 Horned Grebes.  Still lots of Red-breasted Mergansers around.  Spotted one Common Loon and found a beautiful White-throated Sparrow.   Matt Jung, OKC Subject: LPC and endangered species legislation From: Sue Selman <selmanranch AT WILDBLUE.NET> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:33 -0600 Dear bird listers I would like to call your attention to Gus Blackwell's HB2607. If passed this would have many serious ramification for wildlife viewing, zoo's and possibly organizations that apply for grants and loans to study endangered species. This bill would prohibit exhibiting endangered species for compensation, such as festivals, zoo's museums and so on. no one would be able to assist others in viewing endangered species for compensation and so on. You can go to the Oklahoma Legislature home page and do a bill search to read the bill. After reading the bill if you agree with me that this bill needs to be stopped. Please contact your legislators and tell them how you feel. Thanks Sue Selman Selman Oklahoma Subject: Re: eBird Report - Durant State Fish Hatchery, Jan 30, 2012 From: Doug Wood <DWood AT SE.EDU> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:29:04 -0600 And make their distinctive mating call too.... -----Original Message----- From: okbirds [mailto:OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU] On Behalf Of Berlin Heck Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 6:09 PM To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Subject: Re: eBird Report - Durant State Fish Hatchery, Jan 30, 2012 Doug--everyone knows that the best time to find snipe is about midnight. Simply have the one who wants to see a snipe, place a bright flashlight into a paper bag and wait. Then your "friends" move through the woods to stir them up and the snipe will fly right into the bag. We used to show yankees those snipe now and then when I was a kid. I forgot to add; and wait, and wait, and wait, etc. Berlin Heck Broken Bow On Jan 30, 2012, at 5:19 PM, Doug Wood wrote: > Hi All. Took Zoology class to Durant State Fish Hatchery for > waterfowl/bird i.d. trip. Nice looks at adult Bald Eagle. Great > looks at most of the ducks including my favorite Hooded > Mergansers. No Wilson's Snipe; you can insert snipe hunt joke > now... Doug. > > -----Original Message----- > From: do-not-reply AT ebird.org [mailto:do-not-reply AT ebird.org] > Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 5:18 PM > To: Doug Wood > Subject: eBird Report - Durant State Fish Hatchery, Jan 30, 2012 > > Durant State Fish Hatchery, Bryan, US-OK > Jan 30, 2012 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM > Protocol: Traveling > 1.5 mile(s) > Comments: Zoology class field trip > 36 species (+1 other taxa) > > Canada Goose 23 > Muscovy Duck (Domestic type) 1 > Gadwall 12 > Mallard 8 > Northern Shoveler 6 > Northern Pintail 2 > Green-winged Teal 1 > Redhead 11 > Ring-necked Duck 3 > Lesser Scaup 26 > Bufflehead 10 > Common Goldeneye 1 > Hooded Merganser 6 > Pied-billed Grebe 2 > Double-crested Cormorant 12 > Great Blue Heron 2 > Black Vulture 3 > Turkey Vulture 9 > Bald Eagle 1 > Northern Harrier 1 > Red-tailed Hawk 3 > American Kestrel 1 > American Coot 85 > Killdeer 8 > Greater Yellowlegs 1 > Ring-billed Gull 4 > Belted Kingfisher 1 > Eastern Phoebe 2 > American Crow 5 > Carolina Wren 1 > European Starling 11 > Savannah Sparrow 20 > Song Sparrow 1 > Dark-eyed Junco 1 > Northern Cardinal 1 > Eastern Meadowlark 30 > Common Grackle 65 > > This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) > Subject: No Subject From: Carol Berry <seabreezecarol AT AOL.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:47:00 -0500 http://kimboys.com/gallery.old/g2data/zuik.php Subject: Tulsa Area From: Terry Mitchell <terry AT PECOT.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:50:09 -0600 Since it seems the Woodcocks are displaying already I figured I better go out. I went just south of Oxley’s Blackbird marsh on Coal Creek. At 6:08 I heard 1 peent, as I looked at the sound a Woodcock took off and flew just a few feet over my head and disappeared out of sight. I heard nor saw any others. Terry. Subject: Fwd: eBird Report - Couch Park, Jan 28, 2012 From: Timothy O'Connell <tim.oconnell AT OKSTATE.EDU> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:12:51 -0600 Dear OKbirders, Hey Doug, I actually had 4 snipe at Boomer Lake in Stillwater yesterday (Sunday) morning. At least 2 killdeer as well. The list below comes from a bird walk at Couch Park on Saturday. For a more detailed description of our field trip, some photos, and an homage to Babe Ruth, check out: http://eatmorecookies.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/birding-couch-park-an-homage-to-the-babe/ ~Tim Begin forwarded message: > From: "do-not-reply AT ebird.org" > Date: January 29, 2012 12:27:20 PM CST > To: "O Connell, Tim" > Subject: eBird Report - Couch Park, Jan 28, 2012 > > Couch Park, Payne, US-OK > Jan 28, 2012 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM > Protocol: Traveling > 1.0 mile(s) > 25 species > > Mallard 1 > Cooper's Hawk 1 > Red-shouldered Hawk 2 > Ring-billed Gull 1 > Mourning Dove 6 > Belted Kingfisher 1 > Red-bellied Woodpecker 2 > Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 > Downy Woodpecker 1 > Northern Flicker 6 > Blue Jay 5 > American Crow 1 > Carolina Chickadee 3 > Tufted Titmouse 4 > White-breasted Nuthatch 3 > Carolina Wren 7 > Eastern Bluebird 1 > American Robin 36 > Northern Mockingbird 1 > European Starling 6 > Yellow-rumped Warbler 6 > Dark-eyed Junco 44 > Northern Cardinal 7 > American Goldfinch 38 > House Sparrow 2 > > This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) Subject: Re: eBird Report - Durant State Fish Hatchery, Jan 30, 2012 From: Berlin Heck <baheck AT PINE-NET.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:09:28 -0600 Doug--everyone knows that the best time to find snipe is about midnight. Simply have the one who wants to see a snipe, place a bright flashlight into a paper bag and wait. Then your "friends" move through the woods to stir them up and the snipe will fly right into the bag. We used to show yankees those snipe now and then when I was a kid. I forgot to add; and wait, and wait, and wait, etc. Berlin Heck Broken Bow On Jan 30, 2012, at 5:19 PM, Doug Wood wrote: > Hi All. Took Zoology class to Durant State Fish Hatchery for > waterfowl/bird i.d. trip. Nice looks at adult Bald Eagle. Great > looks at most of the ducks including my favorite Hooded > Mergansers. No Wilson's Snipe; you can insert snipe hunt joke > now... Doug. > > -----Original Message----- > From: do-not-reply AT ebird.org [mailto:do-not-reply AT ebird.org] > Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 5:18 PM > To: Doug Wood > Subject: eBird Report - Durant State Fish Hatchery, Jan 30, 2012 > > Durant State Fish Hatchery, Bryan, US-OK > Jan 30, 2012 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM > Protocol: Traveling > 1.5 mile(s) > Comments: Zoology class field trip > 36 species (+1 other taxa) > > Canada Goose 23 > Muscovy Duck (Domestic type) 1 > Gadwall 12 > Mallard 8 > Northern Shoveler 6 > Northern Pintail 2 > Green-winged Teal 1 > Redhead 11 > Ring-necked Duck 3 > Lesser Scaup 26 > Bufflehead 10 > Common Goldeneye 1 > Hooded Merganser 6 > Pied-billed Grebe 2 > Double-crested Cormorant 12 > Great Blue Heron 2 > Black Vulture 3 > Turkey Vulture 9 > Bald Eagle 1 > Northern Harrier 1 > Red-tailed Hawk 3 > American Kestrel 1 > American Coot 85 > Killdeer 8 > Greater Yellowlegs 1 > Ring-billed Gull 4 > Belted Kingfisher 1 > Eastern Phoebe 2 > American Crow 5 > Carolina Wren 1 > European Starling 11 > Savannah Sparrow 20 > Song Sparrow 1 > Dark-eyed Junco 1 > Northern Cardinal 1 > Eastern Meadowlark 30 > Common Grackle 65 > > This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) > Subject: Re: Sparrow ID From: Joe Blackford <marjo1001 AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:35:29 -0800 Thanks to all that answered!  It appears that it was a song sparrow! Thank you again! JoeB. Subject: FW: eBird Report - Durant State Fish Hatchery, Jan 30, 2012 From: Doug Wood <DWood AT SE.EDU> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:19:43 -0600 Hi All. Took Zoology class to Durant State Fish Hatchery for waterfowl/bird i.d. trip. Nice looks at adult Bald Eagle. Great looks at most of the ducks including my favorite Hooded Mergansers. No Wilson's Snipe; you can insert snipe hunt joke now... Doug. -----Original Message----- From: do-not-reply AT ebird.org [mailto:do-not-reply AT ebird.org] Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 5:18 PM To: Doug Wood Subject: eBird Report - Durant State Fish Hatchery, Jan 30, 2012 Durant State Fish Hatchery, Bryan, US-OK Jan 30, 2012 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM Protocol: Traveling 1.5 mile(s) Comments: Zoology class field trip 36 species (+1 other taxa) Canada Goose 23 Muscovy Duck (Domestic type) 1 Gadwall 12 Mallard 8 Northern Shoveler 6 Northern Pintail 2 Green-winged Teal 1 Redhead 11 Ring-necked Duck 3 Lesser Scaup 26 Bufflehead 10 Common Goldeneye 1 Hooded Merganser 6 Pied-billed Grebe 2 Double-crested Cormorant 12 Great Blue Heron 2 Black Vulture 3 Turkey Vulture 9 Bald Eagle 1 Northern Harrier 1 Red-tailed Hawk 3 American Kestrel 1 American Coot 85 Killdeer 8 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Ring-billed Gull 4 Belted Kingfisher 1 Eastern Phoebe 2 American Crow 5 Carolina Wren 1 European Starling 11 Savannah Sparrow 20 Song Sparrow 1 Dark-eyed Junco 1 Northern Cardinal 1 Eastern Meadowlark 30 Common Grackle 65 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) Subject: Re: Sparow ID From: John Kennington <johnkennington AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:50:06 -0600 Joe, I'd like to suggest you load your pictures into a free service so everyone can benefit from your ID questions. Even if they are simple IDs of what turn out to be common birds there are birders of all levels on OKBirds who could benefit. And it would save everyone some time, including you, since you only need to upload them once and post the link it gives you, rather than send them out via email multiple times to everyone who asks. A good free site some OKBirders use is Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/ Another freebie is PhotoBucket http://photobucket.com/ A lot of folks on here use PBase, but you do have to pay a small yearly fee past the trial period. Picassa is another good freebie from Google, but I don't recommend it since it tries to scan for every picture on your computer. If that's what you want then its great, but I find it really hard to control what its doing. Anyone else have suggestions on good free and easy to use photo sharing sites? Thanks, John On Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 12:53 PM, Joe Blackford wrote: > Need a sparrow ID Pleas! JoeB. Collinsville > Subject: Re: Sparow ID From: EUGENE YOUNG <EUGENE.YOUNG AT NORTH-OK.EDU> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:26:17 +0000 Send away Eugene A. Young Northern Oklahoma College Agriculture and Life Sciences 1220 E. Grand, PO Box 310 Tonkawa, OK, 74653-0310 Phone: 580-628-6482 Fax: 580-628-6209 E-Mail: Eugene.Young AT north-ok.edu Website: www.north-ok.edu From: okbirds [mailto:OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU] On Behalf Of Joe Blackford Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 12:54 PM To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Subject: Sparow ID Need a sparrow ID Pleas! JoeB. Collinsville __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6840 (20120130) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com Subject: Re: Barred Owl House From: Brenda Carroll <bcarroll47 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:34:27 -0800 Jana, the family of Barred owls in my backyard used the same location year after year until the old dead knarly tree was brought down by a new property owner.  The owls nested in a cavity in an old dead cottonwood tree about 40-50 feet feet from the ground.  I'm not sure how you would do it but, from personal observation,  I think your barred owl house should be hung at least 40 feet from the ground.  That was one old spooky tree and I can still see a pair of owlets with their big black eyes peering out.    Brenda Carroll Bixby, Oklahoma Hope is the thing with feathers..... From: David McNeely To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 6:47 PM Subject: Re: Barred Owl House Sorry Jana.  I misremembered your target owl species. Since the owls had formerly used a nest tree that was lost, why not attach the box to a tree very near to that location?  Here is a way to avoid climbing a ladder with owl box in hand: http://owloasis.wordpress.com/2011/03/19/a-way-to-install-an-owl-box/ Though this web page's title refers to building a box, it also has very detailed instructions on installation, including selecting a location, hardware for installation, and the process of installation:  http://www.owlpages.com/download/Nest_Box_Plans_for_Barred_Owls_by_Michael_Cantwell.pdf Sorry I flubbed the first time.  mcneely ---- Jana Singletary wrote: > Thanks so much for your reply, but this website is about Barn Owls.  I found quite a few websites dedicated to Barn Owls, but relatively few about Barred Owl boxes.  The ones I found about Barred Owl boxes mainly gave instructions for building the box, NOT for putting it up.  I bought a pre-built box, so I just need to know how and where to install it.  Apparently not many people in Oklahoma have ever put up Barred Owl boxes because I haven't heard from anyone with personal experience.  I may just have to hire someone to put it up where I think would be best.  I really wanted to get it up because I've had Barred Owls nesting in the woods behind my house in years past until their nest tree came down in a storm.   I'm hoping to attract them back.  I still hear them every now and then, but it's not the same as being able to see them every night.  I really miss them! > > Jana Singletary > > --- On Sat, 1/28/12, David McNeely wrote: > > From: David McNeely > Subject: Re: [OKBIRDS] Barred Owl House > To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU > Date: Saturday, January 28, 2012, 3:45 PM > > Jana, and others who might be interested,  I googled owl box installation and found several sites with instruction.  This was one of the better ones:  http://fw.ky.gov/pdf/barnowlboxes2010.pdf        mcneely > ---- Jana Singletary wrote: > > Thanks for your reply, John.  However, I've checked their website, and unless I've just overlooked it, I can't find any information about owls or putting up owl boxes.  I thought I'd be able to google "how to...." and get lots of information, but that hasn't been the case. > > > > Jana Singletary > > > > --- On Sat, 1/28/12, John Fisher wrote: > > > > From: John Fisher > > Subject: Re: [OKBIRDS] Barred Owl House > > To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU > > Date: Saturday, January 28, 2012, 3:06 PM > > > > Try the ODWC website.  I think they have placement instructions for a number of species. > > > > John > > > > ---- Jana Singletary wrote: > > > I purchased a Barred Owl House.  It came with absolutely no instructions on putting it up or proper placement.  Does anyone have any experience with owl boxes?  Any help would be appreciated.  Owl nesting season is here and I don't have it up yet.  > > > > > > Thanks, > > > Jana Singletary > > > Tulsa > > -- > David McNeely -- David McNeely Subject: "The Big Year" From: Dora Webb <owl112 AT COX.NET> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:50:28 -0600 For those of us who did not see this at the theatre: "The Big Year" comes out tomorrow on DVD. Subject: Sparow ID From: Joe Blackford <marjo1001 AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:53:33 -0800 Need a sparrow ID Pleas!  JoeB. Collinsville Subject: Remove From: Matt S <716birds AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:59:30 -0500 Subject: Re: Recent Photos. From: June Hunt <jfrantzh AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:51:17 -0500 Beautiful photos....thanks for sharing them! -----Original Message----- From: Terry Mitchell To: OKBIRDS Sent: Sun, Jan 29, 2012 7:39 pm Subject: Recent Photos. Hardly any birds would let me take their photo this weekend except a few Ringbills and a Red Winged Blackbird. Here’s the link if you care to look.Terry. http://www.pbase.com/ttownvstrom/recent_photos Subject: Re: Woodcocks near Arcadia From: Alicia Riddle <aliciariddle AT AIROSURF.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:35:11 -0600 David asked for directions, so I sent them to him off-list. If anyone else wants directions please email me off-list. Thanks, Alicia Riddle Arcadia, OK Subject: Woodcock From: Patti Muzny <patti.muzny AT COX.NET> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:39:18 -0600 Our McClain County (Byars, OK) Woodcocks were buzzing and displaying at 6:10 PM this evening. We heard and saw three. In previous years when we had more moisture, we have heard them as early as January 1st, but it's been so dry this year until last week. Patti Muzny SW OKC and Byars, OK -----Original Message----- From: okbirds [mailto:OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU] On Behalf Of James Hubbell Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 9:31 PM To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Subject: Woodcock Just FYI. 610pm heard first buzz of a woodcock. This was at the Woodcock field at north end of Lake Stanely Draper. The first fly by was a few minutes later. Heard at least 3 saw 2. James NWOKC Sent from my iPhone= Subject: Re: Green-tailed Towhee and Says Phoebe Pictures From: Bill Adams <ba1980 AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:39:09 -0800 Here are the pictures of the two birds along with a few others. http://www.southernokphotography.com/p356401812  Bill --- On Sat, 1/28/12, Bill Adams wrote: From: Bill Adams Subject: Green-tailed Towhee and Says Phoebe - Tish NWR 01-28-12 To: OKBIRDS AT LISTS.OU.EDU Date: Saturday, January 28, 2012, 12:44 PM The Green-tailed Towhee and the Say's Phoebe are still at the Tishomingo NWR.  I saw the Green-tailed Towhee in the East Field between Sandy Creek and the Eagle Lookout Tower.   I think it was first seen during the Tishomingo CBC. The Say's Phoebe was hanging around the campground area. I will post pictures later. Bill Adams Subject: Recent Photos. From: Terry Mitchell <terry AT PECOT.COM> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:39:01 -0600 Hardly any birds would let me take their photo this weekend except a few Ringbills and a Red Winged Blackbird. Here’s the link if you care to look.Terry. http://www.pbase.com/ttownvstrom/recent_photos Subject: Re: Woodcocks near Arcadia From: David McNeely <mcneely4 AT COX.NET> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:11:01 -0600 Alicia, I live in Edmond. Is this field accessible to the public? If so, can you give directions? thanks, David McNeely ---- Alicia Riddle wrote: > After seeing several others on the list have already seen woodcocks this > year, I ran out Sunday evening to the field across the street from our house > and sure enough, they've started up here too. Early birds this year! > > > > Alicia Riddle > > Arcadia, OK > -- David McNeely Subject: Re: Norman Townsend's Solitaire Update From: Lindell Dillon <reddirtbird AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:10:07 -0600 My wife and I walked down the trail to the river today and saw very few birds. On the way back I spotted a lone solitaire not far from the park right along the trail. Gave us a good look then flew off. I played some solitaire tunes with my iPhone to no avail. Didn't find this trail a birdy spot, but a nice place to walk and the habitat has potential to see birds. We'll walk it again. LD Norman On Sun, Jan 29, 2012 at 4:59 PM, Andy Feldt wrote: > John, > > Do you have any more specific info about where to head after starting > at Cherry Creek Park? Satellite views show a road/trail which appears > to wind back from the park toward the river and my first guess is that > one would follow that, but actual instructions would be appreciated! > > Andy >