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2 Sep NHBC Sept meeting ["Gene " ] 1 Sep Fall Meeting Call for Papers ["Swanson, David" ] 1 Sep FT PIERRE ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 31 Aug Makoce Washte ["Mick Zerr" ] 30 Aug Citizen Science ["Joe & Shari Kosel \(home\)" ] 29 Aug Aug 28th NHBC Field Trip Report [DON BALYEAT ] 29 Aug Rufous hummingbird [KENNY MILLER ] 29 Aug FT PIERRE ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 28 Aug bathers/RC [Caroline Stafford ] 27 Aug Shorebirds etc. 8/27 [douglas chapman ] 27 Aug Sevey's Lake - Meade County [Richard Latuchie ] 27 Aug RE: OBNT Last seen 8/19/10 ["Stevan Hawkins" ] 26 Aug OBNT Last seen 8/19/10 [Jennifer Fowler ] 26 Aug Summer Season Reports ["Palmer, Jeff" ] 26 Aug Bird Notes [douglas chapman ] 26 Aug Fwd: [mou-net] [NEBirds] Martin Roost Still Going Strong 8/23 [douglas chapman ] 25 Aug Fw: Message Search Issues ["Addison Ball" ] 24 Aug Fall SDOU Meeting ["Swanson, David" ] 23 Aug Migrants ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 23 Aug Gift of SD Bird Notes, Vols. 1-8 [douglas chapman ] 23 Aug FW: Field Trip August 28 [DON BALYEAT ] 22 Aug OBNT was found 8/20/10 [Jennifer Fowler ] 22 Aug Ft Pierre ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 22 Aug First Migrant Warbler ["R&M Mabie" ] 22 Aug sandhill cranes ["4th place winner" ] 22 Aug OBNT Not Found Fri or Sat [Jennifer Fowler ] 21 Aug PENNINGTON COUNTY: Yellow-billed Cuckoo, etc. ["Jocelyn Baker" ] 21 Aug FT PIERRE ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 21 Aug Trip on Aug 21 [douglas chapman ] 21 Aug Re: Honk if You Like Birds! [douglas chapman ] 20 Aug Honk if You Like Birds! ["m. melius" ] 20 Aug SDOU SD checklist [douglas chapman ] 20 Aug Barn Owl owlet - Philip ["Nancy Drilling" ] 20 Aug Red Lake ["Nancy Drilling" ] 19 Aug 8/18/10 OBNT Report [Jennifer Fowler ] 19 Aug Catron Pond (Pennington County) [Richard Latuchie ] 19 Aug Ibis ["sdredstone" ] 18 Aug RE: Franklin's Gull behavior and photos [] 18 Aug Franklin's Gull behavior and photos [] 18 Aug Wednesday 8/18/20 OBNT Still Present But... [Jennifer Fowler ] 18 Aug Hummingbirds [Rose Husted ] 17 Aug Yellow-billed Cuckoo [] 15 Aug Sunday 8/15/10 OBNT report...Still Present! [Jennifer Fowler ] 15 Aug Keyhole Res. ["Jean" ] 15 Aug Wilson's warbler ["Chris Anderson" ] 14 Aug August 14 field trip ["Mick Zerr" ] 14 Aug Pierre ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 14 Aug Mottled Duck ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 14 Aug Re: Migrants, I think ["m. melius" ] 13 Aug Weekend OBNT reports needed [Jennifer Fowler ] 13 Aug (unknown) [Cheryl Wormstadt ] 13 Aug Migrants, I think ["Caroline Stafford" ] 13 Aug Fwd: eBird Story in Nature [] 13 Aug OBNT this morning [Danny Akers ] 12 Aug Wednesday 8/11/10 OBNT Still Present [Jennifer Fowler ] 10 Aug OBNT trip ["Ross Lagasse" ] 9 Aug Re: Writer at Large in The New Yorker [Jennifer Fowler ] 9 Aug Writer at Large in The New Yorker [douglas chapman ] 8 Aug Buffalo County: White-faced Ibises [Mike Keppen ] 8 Aug OBNT Report 8/7/10 Still Present [Jennifer Fowler ] 8 Aug Mottled Duck ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 7 Aug possible 'sd-birds' and 'NHBC' outages on Monday, August 9 ["Addison Ball" ] 7 Aug Mottled Duck Present on Friday ["Mark Otnes" ] 6 Aug Osprey in Canyon Lake area (Rapid City) ["Jocelyn Baker" ] 5 Aug OBNT Report 8/5/10 Still Present [Jennifer Fowler ] 5 Aug OBNT report needed. [Jennifer Fowler ] 5 Aug Mottled Duck Comment ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 5 Aug September Bird Notes Deadline [douglas chapman ] 4 Aug Fw: [ND-BIRDS] NDBS Fall Field Trip ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 4 Aug Trip to South Pacific [douglas chapman ] 4 Aug YC Night Heron ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 3 Aug AUG 3, OBNT semper fi... ["m. melius" ] 3 Aug Pierre ["Ricky D. Olson" ] 3 Aug Marshall County Trip ["Jensen, Kent" ] 2 Aug OBNT 8/2/10 Report: Still Present [Jennifer Fowler ] 2 Aug BROWN MARSHALL ["Ricky D. Olson" ] Subject: NHBC Sept meeting From: "Gene " <gene AT neopaleo.net> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 07:06:16 -0600 Hi Just a quick reminder that the Sept meeting will be at 6 p.m. this evening. The meeting is a picnic (byo food & drink) at Woodle Park, Sturgis. Look for us at one of the picnic pavilions. There will be a brief business meeting to discuss upcoming field trips. I apologize for the late notice...it's been hectic here this past week. Gene K. Hess, NHBC Rapid City, SD 605-791-0630 Subject: Fall Meeting Call for Papers From: "Swanson, David" <David.Swanson AT usd.edu> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 17:38:05 -0500 Hi everyone, The fall SDOU meeting is coming up October 8-10 in Vermillion, so it is time to start arranging the program of talks for the morning and afternoon paper sessions. If you have a talk that you would like to present at the SDOU meeting this fall, please contact David Swanson soon at david.swanson AT usd.edu so that we can get the paper sessions organized. Thanks and I hope to see you in Vermillion. Dave David Swanson Department of Biology University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD 57069 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: FT PIERRE From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 09:59:11 -0500 Today I had a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird in my yard- I rarely get males. I have had a several females this week. I had a couple Wilson's Warblers also this morning. This weeks highlights: Swainson's Thrush, Blue-headed Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat, 1 Black & White Warbler, 1- Ovenbird, 1- Canada Warbler and a Mourning Warbler. Shorebirds still good - good variety and good numbers- no rarities. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Makoce Washte From: "Mick Zerr" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:28:09 -0500 I had two hours free today so I checked out Makoce Washte Native Prairie just north of Wall Lake. Birds at the Prairie include: W. Meadowlark, RN Pheasant, Franklin's Gulls, RB Gulls, Song Sparrow, BW Teal, Mallards, RW Blackbirds, and Killdeer. Other gems included: N. Leopard Frog, and a Garter Snake. I was hoping to find one of the rare Regal Fritillary butterflies, as they seemed to have disappeared after the six inch deluge two weeks ago. The following were found: A fall Skipper (Tawny Edged), a Gray Hairstreak, a Viceroy, Monarchs, Wood Nymphs, and a nice female Regal Frit. They were not wiped out after all! Also, for you flower folks, the rare Downy Gentians are in full bloom, a wee bit earlier than usual. Dewey Gevik nature area had Franklin's and Ring Billed Gulls, a nice adult Green Heron, Mallards, Coot, PB Grebe, BW Teal, and Barn Swallows. Makoce Washte photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/siouxfalls/sets/72157624853305490/show/ Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Citizen Science From: "Joe & Shari Kosel \(home\)" <jskosel AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:06:53 -0600 Citizen Science Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:00:00 -0500 eggs in a nest Volunteers help scientists understand birds and changing habitats Full story at http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/science_nation/citizenscience.jsp?WT .mc_id=USNSF_51 This is an NSF News item. This e-mail update was generated automatically based on your subscription to the category listed above. Some updates may belong to more than one category, resulting in duplicate messages. NSF logo Subscriber Services: Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe | Help | Contact NSF Follow NSF: Follow us on YouTube Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Follow us on RSS Follow us on email Science360 News Service Science Nation Online Magazine GovDelivery, Inc. sending on behalf of the National Science Foundation . 4201 Wilson Boulevard . Arlington, VA 22230 . 703-292-5111 Powered by GovDelivery [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Aug 28th NHBC Field Trip Report From: DON BALYEAT <balyhi3 AT msn.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 10:25:31 -0600 Six members and one guest enjoyed a morning field trip along Iron Creek off Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway (stop at the turnoff at the bridge with the "Iron Creek" sign). There was no sign of the Orange-billed Nightengale Thrush that had been seen near the bridge over Iron Creek. Participants walked the up trail along the creek for over an hour. Bird activity was very light and what birds were there were hard to identify because of the heavy summer foliage. However, excellent views of two American Dippers, both in the water in and in flight, were obtained. At the beginning of the trail there were good views of a male American Redstart (and a glimpse of what may have been the female), three Townsends Solitaires, Turkey Vultures and a Red-Tailed Hawk. Swallows and Junkos were also spotted in the area. A brief stop was made at the Long Valley Picnic area where a Kingfisher was spotted. Bird activity here was very low. Although only nine species were positively identified on this trip, the Iron Creek canyon area was worthwhile to visit because of the great nature beauty. Experienced birders who can sit and wait a while for birds to come to them would probably be rewarded with views of what may be different warbler species. Also, the group leader found a great deal of bird activity while scouting up the trail about a mile a week earlier. Mountain lion scat was seen on the trail so keep in mind it is better to hike this area with company especially in the dawn and dusk hours. Lauren BalyeatSturgis, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Rufous hummingbird From: KENNY MILLER <littlebend AT q.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:45:56 +0000 Had a female (immature) Rufous Hummingbird in my yard yesterday and she is back again today. Also, a couple of ruby-throated that sneak into the feeder once in awhile when the rufous will let them. Kenny Miller Pierre [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: FT PIERRE From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 09:06:04 -0500 Migration in full swing several species of Vireos many Orioles and Catbirds coming through my yard. A few warblers Wilson's, Redstarts,Yellow and Common Yellow-throat. Lots of gulls mainly Franklin's and Ring-billed. I did see a Bonaparte's Gull yesterday. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: bathers/RC From: Caroline Stafford <carolinestafford AT rocketmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:58:17 -0700 (PDT) After several very hot (102 yesterday) and dry days, I needed to help out some plants that had gotten crunchy in the heat. I turned on small sprinkler that was also getting on chokecherry and honeysuckle leaves besides my monarda. Within minutes I had leaf bathers and shower bathers in the water. At one time there was a pair of yellow warblers, a chickadee, a wb nuthatch, a male goldfinch and a couple of robins. They looked as happy as kids in a sprinkler on a hot day. Caroline Stafford AT 44N 103W [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Shorebirds etc. 8/27 From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:44:24 -0500 Hi, Mick Zerr and I went out south of Sioux Falls for a short time today in the wild wind and found a few groups of Lesser Yellowlegs, many, many Killdeer, 3-4 Pectoral Sandpipers and one White-rumped Sandpiper. There were lots of ducks (BW teal and mallards) and a couple flocks of Canada Geese. 2 Western KIngbirds were seen, but no Eastern. Very few other birds were seen or heard anywhere. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD Subject: Sevey's Lake - Meade County From: Richard Latuchie <rlatuchie AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 07:13:34 -0600 I went out to Sevey's Lake late yesterday. Waterfowl diversity was fairly low - lots of Coots, Mallards, Shovelers, Blue and Green-winged Teal, and a few Pied-billed and Eared Grebes. But shorebird activity has started to pick up. There was an immature White-faced Ibis, along with Lesser Yellowlegs, and Baird's, Lesser, and Pectoral Sandpipers. Dick Latuchie Rapid City [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: OBNT Last seen 8/19/10 From: "Stevan Hawkins" <shawkins4 AT satx.rr.com> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 05:30:04 -0500 Jen: So, how long was the OBNT there? For a Category 5 species, http://www.aba.org/checklist/abachecklist.pdf page 9, this bird's stay has to be one of the longer ones. Thanks! Steve Stevan Hawkins San Antonio TX From: sd-birds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:sd-birds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jennifer Fowler Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2010 5:20 PM To: sd-birds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [sd-birds] OBNT Last seen 8/19/10 Hello thrushers! I would like to offer a correction to a previous message I posted. Based on reports I've received, the Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush in Iron Creek Canyon, was last seen on Thursday, August 19th, 2010. (Not Friday 8/20 as previously mentioned) ~Jen Fowler Pactola Lake, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: OBNT Last seen 8/19/10 From: Jennifer Fowler <waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:20:26 -0700 (PDT) Hello thrushers! I would like to offer a correction to a previous message I posted.  Based on reports I've received, the Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush in Iron Creek Canyon, was last seen on Thursday, August 19th, 2010.  (Not Friday 8/20 as previously mentioned) ~Jen Fowler Pactola Lake, SD Subject: Summer Season Reports From: "Palmer, Jeff" <Jeff.Palmer AT dsu.edu> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:31:28 -0500 Dear South Dakota Birders, If you have not done so already (most of you have I know) please post your Summer Season sightings (01 June - 31 July) to the online database located at http://homepages.dsu.edu/palmerj/sdousbor/ I will be downloading the report sometime during the day on 01 September. As always, if you have misplaced your Observer ID and/or Password just drop me a note and I can refresh your memory. New contributors are always welcome and can request an account by clicking on the Observer Entry link and following the directions for new observers. Any and all sightings are most certainly welcome but for those who would like some guidance I would like (at a minimum) to have * 1st sighting of each species between 01 June and 30 June * Last sighting of each species between 01 June and 30 June * 1st sighting of each species between 01 July and 31 July * Last sighting of each species between 01 July and 31 July Thanks again to all of our contributors J Jeffrey S. Palmer College of Arts & Sciences Dakota State University Madison, SD 57042 (605) 256-5190 jeff.palmer AT dsu.edu http://www.homepages.dsu.edu/palmer/ sola fide, sola gratia, sola scriptura [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bird Notes From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:47:54 -0500 Hi, The SEP 10 issue of Bird Notes has been sent to the printer. We have all worked as expeditiously as possible to get this issue out quickly, but please be advised: Re: David Swanson's post that the rooms at the Prairie Inn in Vermillion, where 12 rooms have been blocked for us for the SDOU Meeting, will be held until ONLY the 8th of September. Please be aware of this and make plans accordingly. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD Subject: Fwd: [mou-net] [NEBirds] Martin Roost Still Going Strong 8/23 From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:34:50 -0500 This is for informational purposes, in case any of you are headed to Omaha. It must be an astonishing sight! Douglas Chapman Sioux Falls, SD Begin forwarded message: > From: Sid Stivland > Date: August 26, 2010 9:29:52 AM CDT > To: MOU-NET AT LISTS.UMN.EDU > Subject: [mou-net] [NEBirds] Martin Roost Still Going Strong 8/23 > Reply-To: Sid Stivland > > Not MN birding but if anyone happens to have Omaha on their itinerary, this is a most spectacular sight! > > Sid Stivland > Plymouth, MN > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Justin Rink > To: nebirds AT yahoogroups.com > Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 1:04 PM > Subject: [NEBirds] Martin Roost Still Going Strong 8/23 > > > > Numbers of birds at the Martin Roost (44th and Farnam) are beginning to border on insane. On Monday 8/23 the general concensus was 60,000 PURPLE MARTINS. However yesterday 8/24, after the front went through, we changed our numbers to a high count of an estimated 70,000+ birds. The MARTINS lined up along the edge of the buildings, with some even clinging to bricks on the side; Chimney Swift style. A large COOPER'S HAWK also flew in and sat on a structure across Farnam St. for a few minutes. > > The Martin Roost is located at 44th and Farnam in Midtown Omaha, > "Showtime" is between 7:30 and 8:40pm. > > Good birding. > > Justin Rink > Midtown Omaha, Douglas Co., NE > spindalis79 AT yahoo.com > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > ---- > Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net > Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fw: Message Search Issues From: "Addison Ball" <AddisonB AT enetis.net> Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:07:28 -0600 Folks -- I don't know if this is affecting 'sd-birds' or 'NHBC'. Addison From: Layla Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 11:22 PM To: moderatorcentral AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [moderatorcentral] Message Search Issues Hello everyone: As some of you have noticed and communicated with us, over the weekend we experienced some server issues that impacted about 1/8 of our groups. These issues included: *Messages that were queued up but not delivered *Message search was still not working for a few of our groups Our team has been working hard over the weekend and all of today to eliminate issues related to message delays-but they have not been able to completely eliminate the message search problems. Our sincere apologies for the inconvenience - sometimes servers have minds of their own! Our team is has continued to put this on the top of our priority list. Thank you for your continuous support, understanding, and feedback in this process. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Fall SDOU Meeting From: "Swanson, David" <David.Swanson AT usd.edu> Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:08:43 -0500 Hi Everyone, Below is a tentative schedule for the fall SDOU meeting set for 8-10 October in Vermillion. This information will also be included, along with a registration form, in the September Bird Notes, but I wanted to make the housing information available since the block of rooms will only be held until September 8. All events will take place in Sletwold Hall in the W.H. Over State Museum. I have reserved a block of 12 rooms at the Prairie Inn Motel in Vermillion (which is close to the W.H. Over Museum) for the nights of October 8 and 9. The room rate is $64.99 for either a single (king bed) or double (two queen beds). If more than 3 people will be sharing a room there is an additional $ 5 per person fee. The block of rooms will be held until September 8, 2010. The phone number for making reservations is 605-624-2824 (make sure to mention that you are with SDOU when making your reservation). Other motel options in town include: Super 8 Motel (605) 624-8005 Holiday Inn Express (605) 624-7600 - This motel is also close to the W.H. Over Museum Comfort Inn (605) 624-8333 Westside Inn (Budget Host) (605) 624-2601 There is also camping in Vermillion at the Lion's Park, across from Hy-Vee and Pamida. These have electric hook-ups. Camping is also available at the recently renovated Clay County Park, about three miles west of town along the Missouri River. Field trips on Saturday and Sunday will travel to Spirit Mound Historic Prairie and/or Union Grove State Park. Sparrow migration, including Le Conte's Sparrows, should be in full force at that time, and Spirit Mound is a great place to see them. I hope to see you all in Vermillion in October. Dave Swanson South Dakota Ornithologists' Union 2010 Fall Meeting Tentative Schedule W.H. Over Museum ... Vermillion, SD ... 8-10 October Friday, 8 October (all events in the Sletwold Hall, W.H. Over Museum) 7:00-9:00 pm Registration 7:00-8:00 pm Social Hour 8:00-9:00 pm Friday Evening Program Saturday, 9 October 7:00-10:00 am Early Bird Field Trip (meet in the parking lot to the west of the Over Museum) 9:00-10:00 am Registration 10:00 am-12:00 pm Morning Paper Session 12:00-1:00 pm Lunch (on your own) 1:00-3:30 pm Afternoon Paper Session 3:30-4:30 pm General Membership Meeting 4:30-5:30 pm Board of Directors Meeting 6:30-8:30 pm Banquet/Program - Dr. Mark Dixon (Department of Biology, University of South Dakota) - Historical Changes and Future Projections for Cottonwood Forests of the Missouri River Floodplain and Their Impacts on Bird Populations Sunday, 10 October 7:00 am-12:00 pm Field Trip - meet in the parking lot to the west of the Over Museum 1:00-3:30 pm Rare Bird Records Committee Meeting (180 Churchill-Haines, USD Campus) David Swanson Department of Biology University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD 57069 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Migrants From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:53:32 -0500 Today in my yard I had a male Blackburnian and a male Wilson's Warblers. Other warblers Yellow, Redstart and Common Yellowthroat. I also had many Red-eyed and a few Warbling Vireo's. I have at least 2 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Gift of SD Bird Notes, Vols. 1-8 From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:51:06 -0500 Hello SD Birders, Several weeks ago (probably May or early June) I received an e-mail from a woman named Sharon Thorson. Her mail was a very sweet, touching tribute to her father, which follows: Dear Mr. Chapman: "My father, Dr. Thomas B. Thorson (Univ. of Nebr.- LIncoln) taught in the SDSU Zoology Dept. (SDSC at that time) from 1954-56. He died in 1999 and left a stack of early South Dakota Bird Notes, from the first issue in 1949 through Volume 8 (1956.) Is this something that the Bird Notes archives or maybe an individual member of the SDOU could use? I would be happy to pay postage to get them to someone who would appreciate them." By immediate return reply I accepted her (and her brother's) kind offer, as graciously as I knew how to. I was gone for 6 weeks, as you know, but today a very elegant package arrived with a hand-written, engraved card saying the following: "Long before our father, Dr. Thomas B. Thorson, became well-known in the field of elasmobranchs. [Elasmobranch is the name of the class of fishes that includes sharks and rays.] he had an early and abiding love for birds. My brother and I are very pleased to be sending his first eight-volume collection of Bird Notes back to South Dakota. We both have idyllic memories of spending two years of our childhoods in Brookings. We pedaled past tall tree stands of purple lilacs in the spring, skated on the collected water under the town water tower in the winter, and ate 5-cent scoops of ice cream from the SDSC dairy in the summer. I also remember having picnics with Gerald Spahn and his family. So many good memories, and good thoughts of the people of South Dakota. Sincerely, Sharon Thorson, Joel Thorson, Tualatin, Oregon" The card was attached to a beautifully ribbon-tied small package of early Bird Notes. I will contemplate what to do with them. My first thought is to include them as a prized item in the next SDOU Silent Auction. (To see more about this very important man in shark studies go to: <> Scroll down to his death notice.) Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: FW: Field Trip August 28 From: DON BALYEAT <balyhi3 AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:30:02 -0600 From: balyhi3 AT msn.com To: sd-birds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: Field Trip August 28 Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:12:10 -0600 From: balyhi3 AT msn.com To: sd-birds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Field Trip August 28 Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:09:21 -0600 The Northern Hills Bird Club will conduct a field trip in the Spearfish Canyon area on Saturday, August 28, 2010. Participants will meet at the Iron Creek turnoff on Spearfish Canyon highway at 7:30 am. A light jacket, water and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Contact Lauren Balyeat at (605) 347-2830 or email balyhi3 AT msn.com From: balyhi3 AT msn.com To: sd-birds-subscribe AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:28:22 -0600 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: OBNT was found 8/20/10 From: Jennifer Fowler <waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 21:06:33 -0700 (PDT) Today, I rec'd a report that a Colorado couple did see the OBNT Friday morning with decent looks.  The bird is being very secretive and not very vocal.  (Thanks, Justin)  Back when the bird was sitting still and singing regularly deep in the vegetation, many of us imagined how hard it would be to find it when sitting still and not moving!  I returned home from a 10 day adventure to find inquiries about the bird on my home phone.  Sorry about that, but I did do the best I could to keep folks posted via the internet.  I will have no more time to make it up to Iron Creek to check in on the bird. What a small world!  One of my favorite days of my adventure was meeting up with fellow OBNT watchers on a pelagic trip!  That's another story... ~Jen Fowler Finally back in SD! Subject: Ft Pierre From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 19:55:05 -0500 I saw my first Ruby-throated Hummingbird of the season in my yard today. Oahe tailrace very busy, nothing new- many Black Terns tonite. I see MT had 4 Parasitic Jaegers this week so I will be looking. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: First Migrant Warbler From: "R&M Mabie" <rmmabie AT hcinet.net> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 17:42:21 -0500 I observed a Blackburnian Warbler below Pickstown yesterday morning. Ron Mabie Pickstown, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: sandhill cranes From: "4th place winner" <pintail AT abe.midco.net> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 16:30:39 -0000 This morning I came across 3 sandhill cranes feeding in a wheat field approximately 10 miles north of Aberdeen. Could someone comment on whether this is an unusually early sighting or if these birds have been in the area all summer? I would appreciate any feedback. Barry Parkin Aberdeen Subject: OBNT Not Found Fri or Sat From: Jennifer Fowler <waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 00:04:07 -0700 (PDT) Based on reports from the field, the OBNT has not been heard or seen Friday or Saturday (Aug 20th and 21st) Please continue to post your search results to SD Birds or I will post them for you!  Birders are still coming in from a distance to hopefully hear and see the bird, so current info is greatly appreciated! ~Jen Fowler Subject: PENNINGTON COUNTY: Yellow-billed Cuckoo, etc. From: "Jocelyn Baker" <osprey AT hills.net> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 20:49:43 -0600 Richard Latuchie and I birded in the Wasta-Wall-Cedar Butte area of eastern Pennington County today, August 21, observing approximately 60 species. Highlights of the trip were: 11 shorebird species including Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Semi-palmated, Least, Bairds and Pectoral Sandpiper, and Long-billed Dowitcher; Black Tern; YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, observed in a thicket along Base-line Road near Wasta; also Red-headed Woodpecker and Great-crested Flycatcher in the same area; Bell's Vireo; Eastern Bluebird; 5-6 Blue Grosbeak, both male and female; and, a good number of Bobolinks, all in fall plumage. The cuckoo was a new species for Dick who had considered driving to Pierre to see the one recently observed there. Jocie Baker JOCELYN LEE BAKER RAPID CITY, S.D. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: FT PIERRE From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:44:52 -0500 Shorebirded in the heat today. Best sighting's 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers near Agar SD. Several common species and 5 Black-bellied Plovers. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Trip on Aug 21 From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:05:15 -0500 Hi, Mick Zerr and I planned to attend the Nature Conservancy morning at Makoce Washte to look for plants, butterflies, birds and other life on the "real" prairie. Just after the light at the Tea-Ellis Rd/41st St. corner, we (I) gave up. It was so foggy it seemed unsafe to travel. So we birded around the Outdoor Campus and areas around town until about 10 AM when the fog lifted and in the tropical humidity we went to Makoce. We saw the group at Dewey Gevik Natural Area. They were headed to Wall Lake, where we had just been so we headed to Makoce and then points west and north a bit. Biding was slow--but we saw 35 species. Highlights were a Great-crested Flycatcher at Leif Erickson Camp, a Swainson's Hawk flying over the turn-off to Dewey Gevik and a couple beautiful Red-headed Woodpeckers. We also saw a Red-tailed Hawk or 2 who were calling, in between Blue Jays doing their best Red-tailed Hawks scream. It was not difficult telling the difference. Shorebirds include Least, Semi-palmated and Baird's sandpiper. Rosemary Draeger called to tell me she saw a Red-necked Grebe on a small pond right off the bike trail North of Maple Street Parking Area (about a mile or a little more north on the bike path.) Good birding. Doug Chapman SIoux Falls, SD Subject: Re: Honk if You Like Birds! From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sat, 21 Aug 2010 06:51:34 -0500 Maybe a short blurb in Bird Notes? Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD On Aug 20, 2010, at 10:50 PM, m. melius wrote: > A friend came out to visit last evening. (I'm in NE Custer Co.) He said he thought he might have hit six birds along Lower Spring Creek Rd. I imagine they were probably sparrow family birds, or doves--the road, esp. the gravel parts, becomes one long flock of birds in spring and fall. After scolding him for driving too fast, I asked if he ever used his horn. He asked, "Do birds respond to that?" > > Folks, I would really like to start an educational campaign to get people to use their horns when they see birds on the road. It really does work to scare up the birds before you're upon them. They do respond to the sound of a blaring horn. It's something they apparently don't need to be taught, they just react to the sudden loud sound by fleeing. On the other hand, most birds will never learn by sight that a vehicle can move 100 feet a second. It looks small and distant for the longest time then suddenly, before they know it, the car's right on top of them. And they fly too late. > > Last week near Faulkton I saw a Conservation Officer drive by on the highway then heard their siren, just briefly, used a couple times to warn off pheasants. That's what I'm talking about! > > I hope you will help me spread the word on this, by talking it up to other birders, writing about it, urging public and private conservation groups to promote the idea...hopefully the idea can spread through media freely without too much work...how to make it viral? > > "I Honk for Birds" or some such bumper sticker would be apropos, eh? > > It's simple but effective, and since apparently many people don't even think of using their horns, it's needed. It won't save all the birds--some will never learn and some will always jump out of the ditch at the last second. And not everyone will care. But most people do care, I believe, and will be glad to make a habit of honking when they see birds on the road ahead of them. > > Michael Melius > Hermosa > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sd-birds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sd-birds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: sd-birds-digest AT yahoogroups.com sd-birds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: sd-birds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Honk if You Like Birds! From: "m. melius" <mmelius AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 23:50:09 -0400 (EDT) A friend came out to visit last evening. (I'm in NE Custer Co.) He said he thought he might have hit six birds along Lower Spring Creek Rd. I imagine they were probably sparrow family birds, or doves--the road, esp. the gravel parts, becomes one long flock of birds in spring and fall. After scolding him for driving too fast, I asked if he ever used his horn. He asked, "Do birds respond to that?" Folks, I would really like to start an educational campaign to get people to use their horns when they see birds on the road. It really does work to scare up the birds before you're upon them. They do respond to the sound of a blaring horn. It's something they apparently don't need to be taught, they just react to the sudden loud sound by fleeing. On the other hand, most birds will never learn by sight that a vehicle can move 100 feet a second. It looks small and distant for the longest time then suddenly, before they know it, the car's right on top of them. And they fly too late. Last week near Faulkton I saw a Conservation Officer drive by on the highway then heard their siren, just briefly, used a couple times to warn off pheasants. That's what I'm talking about! I hope you will help me spread the word on this, by talking it up to other birders, writing about it, urging public and private conservation groups to promote the idea...hopefully the idea can spread through media freely without too much work...how to make it viral? "I Honk for Birds" or some such bumper sticker would be apropos, eh? It's simple but effective, and since apparently many people don't even think of using their horns, it's needed. It won't save all the birds--some will never learn and some will always jump out of the ditch at the last second. And not everyone will care. But most people do care, I believe, and will be glad to make a habit of honking when they see birds on the road ahead of them. Michael Melius Hermosa Subject: SDOU SD checklist From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:22:20 -0500 Hi, I just finished (in anticipation to be sure--and I saved the original, just in case) updating the SD checklist to include the 4 new species we have encountered the last 2 months: Pacific Wren (split), Orange-billed Nightingale Thrush, Black Rail, and Mottled Duck. It was tight, but is accomplished. So when the time comes, the new list will reflect SD up-to-date. But if we get many more new birds here, I'll have to re-design the list!! How's that for a problem? Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD Subject: Barn Owl owlet - Philip From: "Nancy Drilling" <nancy.drilling AT rmbo.org> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:27:27 -0600 Friday I checked in on the Barn Owl at Lake Wagonner near Philip. Previously I had only seen one bird there. After a few minutes of watching on Friday, a second head appeared. It was the second adult. The two adults took turns standing by the entrance of the burrow, digging and kicking dirt out, and they did a little allopreening - preening each other's face and head. At the height of the digging, a third, tiny head popped up - a youngster! Confirmed! It appeared to about about half the adult size and had a dirty smudgy face. In the 40 minutes that I stayed and watched, there was always one adult in view, the second adult was in view for about 10 minutes and the owlet was in view for about 15 seconds. The weather was relatively cloudy and cool and no boats or other human activity was happening in the area. If conditions had been different, the birds may have been less active. Barn owls incubate their eggs for about 30 days and the chicks are in the nest for about 45 days. So when I visited the site around July 20th, this pair may still have been incubating or the chick(s) were very small. When I discovered them in early June, they possibly were still laying eggs or not even to that stage. For me, this has been a big thrill to watch Barn Owls without disturbing them. If you go, you can see the birds a bit with binoculars but you will need a scope to see details of family activities. Nancy South Dakota Breeding Bird Atlas Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory www.rmbo.org/SDBBA2 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Red Lake From: "Nancy Drilling" <nancy.drilling AT rmbo.org> Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:16:49 -0600 Wednesday I visited Red Lake, just east of Chamberlain, because sometimes its a very good spot for shorebirds. Not this year. Water is so high that even the reed beds were under water. There were a few species still breeding and that will be added to the Breeding Bird Atlas database. The most common bird was Western Grebe. Most of their broods were full-sized but a few were younger. One Northern Shoveler hen was escorting a brood of tiny bright yellow ducklings, indicating that they hatched within the previous three or four days. At the tree rookery, two Great Blue Heron nests and 20 cormorant nests still had young - almost all ready to leave the nest. Nancy South Dakota Breeding Bird Atlas Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory www.rmbo.org/SDBBA2 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: 8/18/10 OBNT Report From: Jennifer Fowler <waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:48:27 -0700 (PDT) The following is a posting I rec'd from Scott Atkinson regarding the OBNT.  ~Jen Fowler Lucked out and had just the time to look for the bird, which conveniently was near Mt. Rushmore (part of a long-planned family vacation).  Yesterday (August 18) there were nine of us seeking bird.  Just before sunrise, the ORANGE-BILLED NIGHTINGALE-THRUSH sang once clearly at the edge of the parking area in a tall pine.  It flew over the small stream (Iron Creek) subsequently and two of the team had fleeting views.  Later, after a long period of silence, the bird could be heard calling from tall pines on the hillside immediately adjacent to the stream about 7:30 a.m. (this is just uphill of the parking area).  Son Garrett and I had fleeting views twice of the bird, on one occasion it flew up from shrubbery and took a medium-height perch next to the trunk of one of the pines.   The bird is thus singing far less apparently than previously and people should listen carefully for the quiet, high-pitched descending whistle-call (similar to Robin).  We heard it 4-5 times just before 8 a.m.  Other birds of note in the area include a number of passage migrants, such as TENNESSEE WARBLER (1-2), NASHVILLE WARBLER, and VEERY.  The common migrant warbler here was AM. REDSTART.   Scott Atkinson Lake Stevens, WA (45 miles north of Seattle) mail to:  scottratkinson AT hotmail.com  Subject: Catron Pond (Pennington County) From: Richard Latuchie <rlatuchie AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:14:24 -0600 I've been away for a couple of weeks in Alaska - amazing wildlife and scenary - and visited Catron pond briefly this morning. Aside from the usal Red-wing Blackbirds, Killdeer, Coots, Barn Swallows, and Mallards, there were 2 Wilson's Snipe, 2 Lesser Yellowlegs, and a Wilson's Phalarope. I believe it was my first sighting of Snipe at this location. Dick Latuchie Rapid City [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ibis From: "sdredstone" <sdredstone AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:01:01 -0000 Saw what I think were 8 white-faced ibises near Oldham on Monday. I have never seen so many together at once. Wade Subject: RE: Franklin's Gull behavior and photos From: <dougback AT wildphotosphotography.com> Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:36:48 -0500 I hear some folks are having trouble with that link, it got cut off by Yahoo. Here's a shorter one: http://www.wildphotosphotography.com/WildPhotos/birds2/gull.htm Doug Backlund Pierre, SD www.wildphotosphotography.com _____ From: sd-birds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:sd-birds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of dougback AT wildphotosphotography.com Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 2:56 PM To: sd-birds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [sd-birds] Franklin's Gull behavior and photos Hundreds of gulls are in the Oahe Dam tailrace feeding on the abundant smelt and gizzard shad. I've been watching the young Franklin's Gulls and seeing some interesting behavior. Sometimes they will pick up a dead fish and then drop it and pick it up again, over and over. At first I thought they were going for a better position to swallow the fish, but they do this repeatedly with the same fish. Playing, practicing, just burning excess energy??? Seems like only the juveniles do this, so far I haven't seen any adults do it. Also, it seems like this would set them up to be robbed by other gulls, but I've only seen ring-bills fighting over food. Usually they are too far out for a good photo but this morning one did this close to me and I got some shots. http://wildphotosphotography.com/WildPhotos/birds2/Franklin's_gull3.htm Doug Backlund Pierre, SD www.wildphotosphotography.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Franklin's Gull behavior and photos From: <dougback AT wildphotosphotography.com> Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:55:50 -0500 Hundreds of gulls are in the Oahe Dam tailrace feeding on the abundant smelt and gizzard shad. I've been watching the young Franklin's Gulls and seeing some interesting behavior. Sometimes they will pick up a dead fish and then drop it and pick it up again, over and over. At first I thought they were going for a better position to swallow the fish, but they do this repeatedly with the same fish. Playing, practicing, just burning excess energy??? Seems like only the juveniles do this, so far I haven't seen any adults do it. Also, it seems like this would set them up to be robbed by other gulls, but I've only seen ring-bills fighting over food. Usually they are too far out for a good photo but this morning one did this close to me and I got some shots. http://wildphotosphotography.com/WildPhotos/birds2/Franklin's_gull3.htm Doug Backlund Pierre, SD www.wildphotosphotography.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Wednesday 8/18/20 OBNT Still Present But... From: Jennifer Fowler <waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:48:32 -0700 (PDT) I have rec'd several reports over the past two days regarding the Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush.  It was still present Tues and Wed morning but it singing MUCH less now.  I hear that the temps in the northern Hills have been cooler the past few days.  If you are planning on going to hear and try to see this bird, I'd go soon!  Several groups of people planning to see it only were able to hear it. ~Jen Fowler (Somewhere on the Pacific Coast!) Subject: Hummingbirds From: Rose Husted <grandmaroses6 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:05:38 -0700 (PDT) Hi Everyone,    The Hummingbirds are back in the Huron area.  Had them at my feeders this AM for the first time.   Hope they stick around a few days.   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yellow-billed Cuckoo From: <dougback AT wildphotosphotography.com> Date: Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:22:53 -0500 Yesterday, Charlie and I were hiking the Farm Island trails when we flushed a bird from a small Russian Olive tree next to the trail. We could see it was a cuckoo but couldn't verify the species. There was a nest with 3 blue-green eggs in the tree. I went back this morning and found a yellow-billed cuckoo on the nest. The nest is only a few feet off the trail, but luckily for the cuckoo, this trail receives light traffic, so she might pull this off. During the last SD Breeding Bird atlas no Yellow-billed Cuckoo nests were found and there were only two confirmed breeding records. I'm surprised to find them nesting this late, but there are other records of late breeding for this species, including a Sept. 12 (1960) of an adult feeding full grown young in Beadle County. I put some photos at the link: http://wildphotosphotography.com/WildPhotos/birds5/yb_cuckoo_nest.htm Doug Backlund Pierre, SD www.wildphotosphotography.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sunday 8/15/10 OBNT report...Still Present! From: Jennifer Fowler <waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 21:05:02 -0700 (PDT) I rec'd several reports that the Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush was present throughout the day today.  (Sunday Aug 15th.)  Thanks to those helping to keep others informed! ~Jen Fowler Pactola Lake, SD Subject: Keyhole Res. From: "Jean" <jgwindsong AT rangeweb.net> Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 16:40:51 -0700 the reports of Shorebirds told me i had better get to Keyhole today. weather was great no wind and plenty of birds. for the first time in years the Peeps would wade right up to me. I am a shorebird fanatic so I spent hours studying them. What a treat. Not many species but seeing them so close was great. Semipalimated Plover-1, Willet-1, Lesser Yellowlegs-lots, Semipalmated sandpiper-lots, Least sandpiper-1, Baird's-lots,. Other birds seen were: Canada goose, Am wigeon, Mallard, W. Pelican-lots, Great Blue Heron lots, Turkey Vulture, Red-Tailed Hawk, A. Kestrel, Coot-only 2, Ring-billed and Hering Gulls, Barn swallow, Mt. Bluebird, Brewer's, Vesper, Sage, Grasshopper Sparrows, Lark Bunting, W. Meadowlark, Crow, and A. goldfinch. Jean, Sundance, Wy. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Wilson's warbler From: "Chris Anderson" <canderson1 AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 11:42:59 -0500 Went for a brief walk at the Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls this morning. Mostly the usual suspects, but nearly the first bird out of the car was a Wilson's warbler near the west parking lot. Also saw a spotted sandpiper foraging around the pond. Chris Anderson Sioux Falls [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: August 14 field trip From: "Mick Zerr" <zerrm AT sio.midco.net> Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:13:52 -0500 Here is the photo journal of the Saturday SFBC field trip to look for early shore bird migrants. Todd will post a complete species list later. http://www.flickr.com/photos/siouxfalls/sets/72157624600868261/show/ Mick SFBC [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Pierre From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 16:43:15 -0500 A few shorebirds in Sully County today. Only saw one Black-bellied Plover & Sanderling's this season- no Golden Plovers or Buff-breasted Sandpipers. I did forgot to mention last weekend saw for the third time in this area a large kettle of immature Swainson's Hawks show up in late summer. This kettle was only around 100 birds the kettles in previous years were larger. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Mottled Duck From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 09:30:56 -0500 Jeff Palmer just called and said the Mottled Duck was present this morning at the location where Kenny and I had found it.The location is just east of 418th Ave along HWY 10 on the north side of the road. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Migrants, I think From: "m. melius" <mmelius AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 06:00:59 -0700 (GMT-07:00) Perhaps the birds Caroline and Jonalyn heard during the meteor shower were Upland Sandpipers? I was hearing them over my place in NE Custer Co. Some of the ones here may have been local birds just flying around. They give their three note call, "woo-ta-loo" while flying at night. I often hear them at night early in fall migration (through Sept.), and I have heard them from high in the Black Hills. Michael Melius Hermosa Subject: Weekend OBNT reports needed From: Jennifer Fowler <waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:59:16 -0700 (PDT) Hello Thrushers! I am still receiving multiple RFI's daily regarding the OBNT.  There are several groups of people on their way depending on this coming weekend's reports.  If you are in Iron Creek Canyon the 14th or 15th, please post to SD Birds or forward your report to me and I will post for you. ~Jen Fowler Pactola Lake, SD Subject: (unknown) From: Cheryl Wormstadt <cmlgworm AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:39:44 -0700 (PDT) I also was out watching the meteor shower last night and also heard  birds up in the night sky. I wondered what I was hearing,  I didn't stop to think they might be migrants until Caroline posted.  Cheryl, in Spearfish [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Migrants, I think From: "Caroline Stafford" <carolinestafford AT rocketmail.com> Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 22:03:55 -0000 Thursday night, my daughter and I were out watching Perseid meteor shower well after dark. I think there might have been migrants passing overhead at the time. I have heard similar call notes during spring migration in the early morning hours. These all sounded alike, so I suspect what ever was flying was the same species, we heard the call note at least a dozen times over the course of about 90 minutes. I have no idea as to ID, but I am sure that was what was going on. I've seen reports that those confusing fall warblers are moving, may have been one of that tribe. Any thoughts ? Caroline Stafford 44N 103W (The eastern foothills of the Black Hills). Subject: Fwd: eBird Story in Nature From: brdfsd AT sio.midco.net Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:31:05 -0500 > Subject: Fwd: eBird Story in Nature > > Gregg Johnson sent me this link to a story that discusses ebird and > shows how computer data will lead to simulations that powerfully > point out migration patterns and other information useful for > monitoring, understanding, and perhaps ultimately protecting species. > How very cool technology sometimes is. > At the link don't miss the maps showing the migration pattern of the > Indigo Bunting. > Rosemary Draeger > > From Gregg: >> This is a story appearing on-line in Nature that makes reference to >> the eBird database that we heard about at the Spring SDOU meeting: >> >> http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100810/full/news.2010.395.html > > brdfsd AT sio.midco.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: OBNT this morning From: Danny Akers <birdmandan1231 AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 13 Aug 2010 09:43:46 -0500 The Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush was still present this AM (Fri the 13th). The bird initially sang a handful of times around 520 AM. I was joined by a pair of birders from Arizona shortly after and we heard the bird from about 655 through 710 AM. Shortly after their departure, the bird presented itself just across the creek from the parking area at about 725 AM. Fairly quiet in the immediate area otherwise. Danny Akers Ankeny, Iowa (currently in Spearfish, SD) BirdManDan1231 AT hotmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Wednesday 8/11/10 OBNT Still Present From: Jennifer Fowler <waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 07:28:43 -0700 (PDT) I just rec'd a message that the Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush was still present Wednesday morning in Iron Creek Canyon.  Apparently it was cooperating well!  (Thanks, Gene) To the many folks making the trip out to see the bird, keep in mind the morotcycle rally is in full swing!  Hotel/motel rates are very high, and the Black Hills and surrounding areas are CROWDED with bikes!!! ~Jen Fowler Subject: OBNT trip From: "Ross Lagasse" <rjlbirding AT gmx.com> Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:49:25 -0400 Took my first SD birding trip this past weekend. Down to the Black Hills to see the OBNT early Sat morning, which followed it's normal routine, heard many times from about 5:15 thru the next 45 mins or so and got a few decent looks thru the glasses as well! Also got a Dipper and Cordilleran Flycatcher as lifers while I was there. On the way back, I drove thru NE SD on Sunday, found one Common Moorhen in the previously described location, an adult Little Blue Heron was also present in the same vacinity. Was lucky enought to find the possible Mottled Duck in it's usual location at around 5:30pm, watched it thru the scope for about 20 minutes before I lost it and it either stayed well hidden or flew off. 1200 miles, one once-in-a-lifetime bird and 4 lifers later, had a memorable first foray into birding South Dakota!! Thanks to all for the great reports and directions that made this trip possible. Good Birding, Ross Lagasse Grand Forks, ND [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Writer at Large in The New Yorker From: Jennifer Fowler <waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 13:59:08 -0700 (PDT) Here is the link Doug is referring to.  I wonder how many people here in U.S. pay attention to European bird populations since they are not part of our major migration flyways?  (aside from keeping a checklist on a birding trip) http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/07/26/100726fa_fact_franzen ~Jen ________________________________ From: douglas chapman To: sd-birds listserve Sent: Mon, August 9, 2010 10:15:16 AM Subject: [sd-birds] Writer at Large in The New Yorker   For those who do not read the New Yorker magazine regularly, be sure to read the A Writer at Large column in the July 26th issue. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Writer at Large in The New Yorker From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2010 11:15:16 -0500 For those who do not read the New Yorker magazine regularly, be sure to read the A Writer at Large column in the July 26th issue. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD Subject: Buffalo County: White-faced Ibises From: Mike Keppen <mkeppen AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2010 20:01:27 -0700 (PDT) Seen from SD highway 34 in eastern Buffalo County about 3/4 mile west of the junction with highway SD 45 were a dozen white-faced ibises feeding in a flooded pasture about 30 feet fron the road. Mike Keppen [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: OBNT Report 8/7/10 Still Present From: Jennifer Fowler <waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2010 07:39:04 -0700 (PDT) The Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush seems to be following the same routine of singing from ~5:15 am throughout the morning.  Keep in mind that some of it's time is spent across the hwy by the house, so listen in that direction if you don't find it in Iron Creek Canyon.  I had no reports for the afternoon/evening times, but I will assume that the bird continues to be more quiet in the afternoons and picks back up again in the evening.  (Thanks for the report, Tim!) ~Jen Fowler Pactola Lake, SD Subject: Mottled Duck From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2010 08:58:11 -0500 The I guess I should say apparent Mottled Duck until accepted or rejected by the Rare Bird Records Committee was at the normal location early yesterday, but flew away early in the AM. After looking for hours Kenny & I found it about 2:00 PM just easy of 418th St along Hwy 10 about 4 miles as the duck flies from normal location. There is a big marsh there where a few hundred mallards were loafing. There is very little shoulder and just one approach there, so scanning the ducks aren't easy. But when the duck isn't at the normal location, this might be a good place to look for it. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: possible 'sd-birds' and 'NHBC' outages on Monday, August 9 From: "Addison Ball" <AddisonB AT enetis.net> Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2010 13:02:26 -0600 FYI ... Regards, Addison _______________________________________________________________ From: moderatorcentral-owner AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, August 06, 2010 10:30 PM To: moderatorcentral AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [moderatorcentral] BCP Testings on Monday August 9th Hello, everyone: I wanted to give you a heads-up. On Monday, August 9 from 2-5pm Pacific Standard time, (22:00 - 01:00 GMT) Yahoo! Groups will conduct some tests to comply with our annual Business Continuity Planning Certification (BCP). BCP ensures that, should we suffer a major technical outage, we can minimize the impact on your groups by quickly switching to a fully operational copy of the site in another location. Please note there may be a brief period of errors on your group's homepage. Some groups might also experience message-posting delays for up to 2-3 hours. There is a possibility that messages in a few groups will be queued up and delivered at a later time, but don't worry our team is working hard to decrease this possibility. We truly appreciate your patience in this process. Have a fantastic weekend Layla & The Yahoo! Groups Team [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Mottled Duck Present on Friday From: "Mark Otnes" <markotnes AT cableone.net> Date: Sat, 7 Aug 2010 09:20:41 -0500 The Mottled Duck was present shortly before 7:00 AM on Friday August 6th in the same area where Kent Jensen had seen it earlier in the week. The Common Moorhens (adults and juveniles) were also present on the north side of the road (104th) about 1 ½ miles east of Hecla at about 8:00 and 11:30 AM. In the moorhen area there was an immature Little Blue Heron from about 11:30 until noon. At around noon and adult Little Blue Heron joined immature. Mark Otnes Fargo ND 701-241-4194 markotnes AT cableone.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Osprey in Canyon Lake area (Rapid City) From: "Jocelyn Baker" <osprey AT hills.net> Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 16:05:38 -0600 Any birders who have observed Osprey in the Canyon Lake area (Rapid City) this summer please e-mail me. Jocie Baker JOCELYN LEE BAKER RAPID CITY, S.D. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: OBNT Report 8/5/10 Still Present From: Jennifer Fowler <waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 15:12:23 -0700 (PDT) Hello there:  I rec'd a report that the Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush was still present in Iron Creek Canyon last night and this morning.  (Thanks, Linda!) ~Jen Fowler Subject: OBNT report needed. From: Jennifer Fowler <waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 12:44:39 -0700 (PDT) If you or anyone you know has been in Iron Creek Canyon for the Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush on Tuesday, Wed or Today, please either post a report to the listserve or sent it directly to me and I will gladly post for you.  I have rec'd many e-mails from people with bags packed and wondering if the bird is still present! FYI:  The motorcycles are trickling into the area for the Sturgis Rally... area establishments will be full so plan accordingly! Thanks in advance! ~Jen Fowler The Black Hills of SD! Subject: Mottled Duck Comment From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 11:04:32 -0500 Just a comment. The Mottled Duck appears to be from the Texas population which is closer in coloration to the Black Duck.. The Florida population is lighter colored etc. If you Google images of the Mottled Duck you will see the differences between the populations. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: September Bird Notes Deadline From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 08:39:02 -0500 Dear SD-birders, August 15th is the deadline for submissions to the September Bird Notes. Please send in as early as you can though. If all of you send in at the last minute, the log-jam is difficult. Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD Subject: Fw: [ND-BIRDS] NDBS Fall Field Trip From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 19:13:01 -0500 In case anybody is interested. ----- Original Message ----- From: Corey Ellingson To: ND-BIRDS AT LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010 6:41 PM Subject: [ND-BIRDS] NDBS Fall Field Trip Greetings ND-Birders: A reminder that this upcoming weekend is the annual Fall NDBS trip and meeting based in Oakes ND. Anyone is welcome to join us. (SD birders too if you like!) We will meet as a group Saturday morning at 6:30am in the parking lot of the Travel Inn. Looking at the internet, the location is west Main (88th St SE), 3 blocks west of Hwy 1 as it passes through Oakes. The phone number there is (701) 742-3403. Dinner has been arranged at Donna Diner at 5:30pm Saturday evening Aug 7th, with a business meeting following. I am told there is a separate meeting room available which I secured. Location for this establishment is 2 blocks east of Travel Inn, or 1 block west of Hwy 1 along Main St (88th St SE). It sounds like there will be 16 or so (that sent an RSVP), so should be a busy weekend! Good Birding, Corey Ellingson Bismarck, ND (701) 400-5891 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Trip to South Pacific From: douglas chapman <foodrev AT sio.midco.net> Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 13:23:00 -0500 Hi, I am back from my 6-week trip to the South Pacific--Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji (incl. Taveuni & Kandavu), and New Caledonia (incl. Ouvea & Lifou). It was indescribable. So I won't waste words trying. Exhausted, but bird-happy, Doug Chapman Sioux Falls, SD Subject: YC Night Heron From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2010 08:57:04 -0500 Scott Stolz wanted me to report that yesterday he observed a juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron and Nelson's Sparrow at Blue Blanket Lake in Walworth County. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: AUG 3, OBNT semper fi... From: "m. melius" <mmelius AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 13:28:14 -0600 (GMT-06:00) The Orange-billed Nightingale Thrush, or one just like it, was found this morning, as before at the mouth of Iron Creek. It was just as Jennifer Fowler reported--the bird started singing around 5 am and was silent by 6 am. It was the first species heard, and started with nearly full songs. It was still too dark to see at 5, although the bird was briefly right in front of a group of birders. We just had glimpses over the next hour. It was also heard and seen late on Aug. 2. Michael Melius Hermosa Subject: Pierre From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 12:31:09 -0500 The Corp is running a lot of water bringing a good food supply thru the turbines. Several hundred gulls- California,Ring-billed and Franklin's. Caspian, Foresters, Common, Black and occasional Least Tern. Some Swallow Species and Kingbirds seem to be bunching for migration. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Marshall County Trip From: "Jensen, Kent" <kent.jensen AT sdstate.edu> Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 00:54:48 -0500 After a meeting in Aberdeen this afternoon, I wandered over to Marshall County to look for the Mottled Duck and BN Stilts that were previously sighted. It was a great day! I first went to the Black-necked Stilt / Glossy Ibis site just north of the intersection of 415th and 121st - this site has an amazing array of waterbirds, including impressive numbers of waders. There is good birding for about 2.5 miles from this intersection and to the north. 4-wheel drive is advised. Among birds seen: Black-necked Stilts - 4 American Avocet - 25+ Cattle Egret - 14 Snowy Egret - 32 Great Egret - 41 Black-crowned Night Heron - 9 Western Grebe - 43 Clark's Grebe - 6 Pied-billed Grebe - 50+ American Coot - 1500+ Glossy Ibis - 7 White-faced Ibis - 34 Willet - 5 Marbled Godwit - 1 Spotted Sandpiper - 13 Semipalmated Sandpiper - 100+ Pectoral Sandpiper - 13 Least Sandpiper - 4 Long-billed Dowitcher - 8 Forster's Tern - 9 Black Tern - 17 Killdeer - 100+ Hundreds (probably thousands) of ducks Blue-winged teal Green-winged Teal Mallard N. Shoveler N. Pintail Gadwall Redhead Ruddy Duck Canada Goose Peregrine Falcon - about 2.5 miles N of the Intersection - was perching on a roadside rock - and flew into a large cottonwood snag as I approached. It was definitely worth the trip just for this section of road! I also saw the mottled duck on the wetland at the intersection of 416th and 106th . It took me a while to find the bird - I arrived there about 6 PM - and it was still very hot. I found the bird on the N end of the wetland loafing in the shade in a bare rootball created by a tipped-over tree on the west side of the wetland. It was loafing with 2 mallard drakes. I watched the bird for an hour through my scope. It did not move off the loafing spot (nice shade - and the occasional shower created by nearby bathing blackbirds!) I feel certain this is a mottled duck. I saw it preen and stretch legs & wings several times in the hour I watched. I could plainly see the thin light-colored fringe on the trailing edge of the secondaries. Based on the apparent condition of the flight feathers (they appeared to be brand new feathers) - I am surmising that this bird found its way to SD as part of a molt migration. Molt migration is a common phenomena in waterfowl, where failed breeders, non-breeders, and males of ducks congregate in large numbers on secure wetlands to undergo the annual wing molt. Waterfowl, unlike most other birds have a simultaneous wing molt that renders them flightless for a period of time (approx 3 weeks + -), so they look for places with abundant food resources and good cover availability to reduce predation probabilities. It will be interesting to see how long it sticks around. A great day! kc K. C. Jensen, Ph.D. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences SPB 138D, Box 2140B South Dakota State University Brookings, SD 57007 (605)688-4781 (office) (605)690-6104 (cell) (605)688-4515 (FAX) wfs.sdstate.edu/wfsdept/faculty/kcjensen.htm 100% of the shots you don't take don't go in - Wayne Gretzky [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: OBNT 8/2/10 Report: Still Present From: Jennifer Fowler <waterfowlerlover AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 19:08:40 -0700 (PDT) Today, 8/2/10, the Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush gave good views between 5:20 am and 7:30 am.  Thanks, Robin, for the report!  I have not heard about the afternoon or evening in the canyon. ~Jen Fowler Subject: BROWN MARSHALL From: "Ricky D. Olson" <tatanka40 AT pie.midco.net> Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2010 08:14:01 -0500 II would like to thank Bill Unzen for sharing the Mottled Duck. Thanks to Bill we also found the Black-necked Stilt in Marshall County. Other highlights were at Hecla were Clark's Grebe's with young, a Glossy Ibis-they seem to be everywhere this year . We also saw an immature Peregrine Falcon feeding on a young coot at a marsh in Marshall County. Sharing is half the fun of birding. Ricky D. Olson Fort Pierre, SD [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]