Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Virginia Birding > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Thursday, September 2 at 11:52 AM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Peregrine Falcon,©Mimi Hoppe Wolf

2 Sep Update - Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, Augusta Co ["Brenda Tekin" ] 02 Sep HSR: Harvey's Knob (01 Sep 2010) 7 Raptors [] 2 Sep Fwd: Kiptopeke Closure [] 2 Sep just a reminder [Patti Reum ] 02 Sep HSR: Mendota Fire Tower (01 Sep 2010) 7 Raptors [] 1 Sep A Warbler Invasion ["Roger Mayhorn" ] 1 Sep gobble gobble gobble ["Gerco" ] 1 Sep Injured Hawk at Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax Co. ["David Boltz" ] 1 Sep Re: Extralimital: Mississippi miscellany ["Janice Frye" ] 1 Sep Correction to my post (Visit To Wilna Tract Rap River Valley NWR Aug 23) [Les Brooks ] 1 Sep Extralimital: Mississippi miscellany [Donald Sweig ] 01 Sep HSR: Kiptopeke Hawkwatch (01 Sep 2010) 61 Raptors [] 1 Sep A gentle reminder from your moderator [David Spears ] 01 Sep My earlier comment on the laser pointer discussion [David Davis ] 01 Sep Laser Pointers --Enough Already! [David Davis ] 1 Sep Beginning Bird Banding class, October 9-16, Warrenton [David Spears ] 01 Sep Hog Island, Surry, VA [Barbara Houston ] 31 Aug Back Bay NWR, 8/31/10 [nicholas flanders ] 31 Aug Early Migrants - Mecklenburg Co. [Paul Glass ] 31 Aug Warbler ID question - yellow eye rings [Stephen Johnson ] 31 Aug Fwd: Claude Moore Park (Loudoun County) 31 August [Stephen Johnson ] 31 Aug Re: Use of laser pointers [Eileen ] 31 Aug Osprey and Bald Eagle in Powhatan, 8/31/10 [Wendy Ealding ] 31 Aug No. VA. Bird Club/ No. VA. Audubon joint Swift/Nighthawk walk (belated) ["Joanna Taylor" ] 31 Aug Re: Use of laser pointers [Michael Bowen ] 31 Aug HSR: Snickers Gap (31 Aug 2010) 2 Raptors [] 31 Aug Rosebreasted Grosbeak - Botetourt County ["Nancy Young" ] 31 Aug Re: Hummingbirds in Decent Numbers ["Val Kitchens" ] 31 Aug Voice: Greater Washington Area, Aug 31 ["Joe Coleman" ] 31 Aug Re: Use of Laser Pointers ["Marshall Faintich" ] 31 Aug Laser Pointers [Gail Mackiernan ] 31 Aug Wilson's Warbler - Buchanan County ["Roger Mayhorn" ] 31 Aug Hummingbirds in Decent Numbers [Craig Zalk ] 31 Aug Re: Use of laser pointers [William Leigh ] 30 Aug Re: Use of laser pointers [Maddog ] 30 Aug Late Report on Chincoteaue & VA EasternShore, Sun., Aug. 22-24 ["Val Kitchens" ] 30 Aug NVBC Bird Walk at Fort C.F. Smith Park, Arlington, Saturday, Aug. 28 ["Val Kitchens" ] 30 Aug Re: Use of laser pointers [] 30 Aug 13 Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Hog Island [Karen Kearney ] 30 Aug Nighthawks Highland Co. [Sandy Hevener ] 30 Aug Posing Warblers ["Roger Mayhorn" ] 30 Aug Re: Nutmeg Mannikins in Loudoun Co [Christine Huffman ] 30 Aug Bird activity in Powhatan 8/30/10 [Wendy Ealding ] 30 Aug Re: Use of laser pointers [] 30 Aug HSR: Snickers Gap (30 Aug 2010) 1 Raptors [] 30 Aug Nutmeg Mannikins in Loudoun Co ["Joe Coleman" ] 30 Aug Re: Use of laser pointers [] 30 Aug HSR: Harvey's Knob (30 Aug 2010) 2 Raptors [] 30 Aug Re: Use of laser pointers ["WILLIAM Brown" ] 30 Aug Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk [Harry Glasgow ] 30 Aug Warblers, Egret - Nelson/Amherst Counties [G D ] 30 Aug buff-breasted, bairds sandpipers, soras, warblers in NNK [Frederick Atwood ] 30 Aug August 27- 28 Culpeper County - southwestern end of Route 628 ["Caroline Heald" ] 30 Aug 6 species of Warblers plus Veery at Monticello park 28 Aug - 29 Aug ["Albright, Tom (USMS)" ] 30 Aug COOPER"S HAWK AND SWIFTS ["Ziegenfus, Charles - ziegencw" ] 29 Aug Great Falls National Park [VA] on 8/29/10 [mnr2 ] 29 Aug Dyke Marsh mudflats this eve. [Richard Rieger ] 29 Aug Augusta County Warblers ["Allen & Pat" ] 29 Aug HSR: Harvey's Knob (29 Aug 2010) 11 Raptors [] 29 Aug Blue Winged and Hooded Warbler, Campbell County [] 29 Aug HSR: Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch (29 Aug 2010) 18 Raptors [] 29 Aug Harrier/Long Island [Mary Foster ] 29 Aug Snickers Gap Hawkwatch [] 29 Aug HSR: Snickers Gap (29 Aug 2010) 20 Raptors [] 29 Aug Hog Island WMA, Surry Co. , 8/29/10 [Arun Bose ] 29 Aug Birds in Northern Loudoun County [Gerco H ] 29 Aug Sunday Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh, Alexandria ["david.boltz" ] 29 Aug Beaverdam Park - North Entrance [G B Harris ] 29 Aug Leesylvnia State Park, 12 warbler species ["MARC RIBAUDO" ] 29 Aug HSR: Harvey's Knob (28 Aug 2010) 4 Raptors [] 29 Aug Immature Mourning Warbler, western Albemarle [] 29 Aug Eastern Shore / Buff-breasted and Upland Sandpipers, American Golden-Plovers [Ned Brinkley ] 28 Aug Nighthawks and Warblers - Buchanan County ["Roger Mayhorn" ] 28 Aug Possible Mississippi Kite in Shenandoah County [Kirk Andrews ] 28 Aug early Northern Waterthrush [] 28 Aug Re: Pictures from Sunken Meadow, Hog island. [Barbara Houston ] Subject: Update - Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, Augusta Co From: "Brenda Tekin" <brenda AT birdsofvirginia.com> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 12:52:04 -0400 We are currently working on logistics in storing and accessing our "brown case" that contains materials for our volunteer counters for the hawk watch. Co-coordinator Vic Laubach stopped by the Inn at Afton late yesterday afternoon to retrieve the tally sheets from past several days only to find the main door locked. The establishment has not officially closed but due to staffing shortage, the owner was inside catching a few Zzzzz's with the reservation phone nearby and because he looked SOooo comfortable, Vic did not have the heart to wake him. We're hoping to collect the tally sheets to enter the data from past several days and come up with an alternative solution for storing and retrieving the tally sheets for data entry into HawkCount database. Weekday coverage is sporadic and our volunteer counters are reminded to update the web-based calendar in a timely manner. Brenda Brenda Tekin, Co-coordinator Vic Laubach, Co-Coordinator Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, VA Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, VA http://www.rockfishgaphawkwatch.org http://www.rockfishgaphawkwatch.org brenda AT birdsofvirginia.com / (434) 962-4936 "Leave behind what you find; if you must take something, take pictures." _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: HSR: Harvey's Knob (01 Sep 2010) 7 Raptors From: reports AT hawkcount.org Date: 02 Sep 2010 12:09:00 -0400 Harvey's Knob Roanoke, Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 01, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 0 9 Bald Eagle 1 1 9 Northern Harrier 1 1 3 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 2 4 Cooper's Hawk 1 1 2 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 1 1 4 Red-tailed Hawk 1 1 12 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 0 0 Merlin 0 0 1 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 7 7 45 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 08:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 7.5 hours Official Counter: Bill Grant Observers: Baron Gibson Visitors: Richard Evans, an old musician friend of mine visted until the noontime hour. Mike Wallace from down in the valley and Randy Doss from Martinsville also viisted for a few hours. A couple from Ontario, Canada stopped for about half an hour an chatted about the hawkwatch and I gave them several brouchures about the hawkwatch. Again a lot of motorcycle traffic. Four cars plus two motorcycles at various times of the day from Ontario as well as one RV. Cars from Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, and Texas. Weather: Nice day with temps from 21.3-27.6 C, light winds from the NW early stopping completely from 11-1 and commencing from the E at 1:00. Clear with haze developing in the valley which obscured the fartherest mountain range from 10:00 on with a mainly cloudless sky until 1:00 and then only a few clouds to the North and West. For most of the day there was also hazy conditions up high in the sky. Raptor Observations: Four TV's, the three amigos (3 BV's) plus they had a friend with them this time. Non-raptor Observations: Both Heckel and Jeckel our two resident Ravens made appearances once moving North and late in the day returning to the South. 18 Monarch butterflies, lot of other butterflies to numerous to count or keep track of species. Many more than last week with all of those species being present and maybe a few new ones. Predictions: Clear, sunny, winds from the NE, light and variable should produce some count although it might still be low. After no birds last week on Wednesday today things began to move a little. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bill Grant (clarinetman AT earthlink.net) Harvey's Knob Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://bijame.googlepages.com/home _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Fwd: Kiptopeke Closure From: Taberzz AT aol.com Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 10:16:37 EDT ____________________________________ From: Taberzz AT aol.com To: va-bird-owner AT listserve.com Sent: 9/2/2010 8:55:12 A.M. Eastern Standard Time Subj: Kiptopeke Closure As of yesterday afternoon, Kiptopeke State Park planned to close today at 4 p.m. due to the approaching storm, Brian Taber Coastal VA Wildlife Observatory _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: just a reminder From: Patti Reum <pareum AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 10:10:50 -0400 Hi everyone, Now that the hawk migration is getting started, just a reminder to look for bands on both Bald and Golden Eagles. There are quite a few banded birds and it would be great to have some visuals on them. Thanks, Patti -- Patti Reum _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: HSR: Mendota Fire Tower (01 Sep 2010) 7 Raptors From: reports AT hawkcount.org Date: 02 Sep 2010 07:09:12 -0400 Mendota Fire Tower Mendota, VA, Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 01, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 1 1 2 Bald Eagle 2 2 4 Northern Harrier 0 0 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 0 0 Cooper's Hawk 0 0 2 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 4 4 11 Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 0 0 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 7 7 19 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 10:00:00 Observation end time: 15:30:00 Total observation time: 5.5 hours Official Counter: Thomas O. Hunter Observers: Mike Sanders Visitors: Mike Sanders Weather: Hot and hazy again. Very little wind. Raptor Observations: A pair of Bald Eagles came through at about 12:30. Both adults and apparently a mated pair as they were flying wing tip to wing tip. The most interesting sighting was an immature Red-shouldered Hawk. It is probably a local as he passed by the tower on 3 different occasions. There is also a Sharp-shinned Hawk who really does not like Black Vultures as he would buzz every one that came near his patch of woods. He did not bother the Turkey Vultures. Non-raptor Observations: Over 25 Monarch Butterflies passed the tower and we had a close visit from a Red-breasted Nuthatch. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Thomas O. Hunter (opiehunter AT yahoo.com) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: A Warbler Invasion From: "Roger Mayhorn" <rmayhorn AT hughes.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 23:18:48 -0400 Late this afternoon a flock of 12 warbler species and other migrants descended on my yard stream. The action was fast and furious for about half an hour. The warblers were BLACK-AND-WHITE, BLACKBURNIAN, BAY-BREASTED, BLACK-THROATED BLUE, BLACK-THROATED GREEN, CHESTNUT-SIDED, KENTUCKY, MAGNOLIA, NORTHERN PARULA, TENNESSEE, WORM-EATING AND YELLOW-THROATED. It was fantastic. I managed to get photos of all of them. They can be seen at http://www.pbase.com/mayhorn/migrants_sept_1_10 At one time I thought I saw smoke rising from my camera :) Roger Mayhorn Compton Mt Buchanan County _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: gobble gobble gobble From: "Gerco" <drgerco AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 22:28:45 -0400 Wild Turkeys are on the move. This morning I saw a flock of at least 29 birds north of Waterford along Loyalty Rd. This is by far the largest group I have seen on the east coast. While watching the turkeys a sub-adult Bald Eagle was spotted in a tree. This was the second Eagle in two days. Yesterday I had a adult bald Eagle along the road. These birds are most definitely migrants. Happy birding Gerco Leesburg, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Injured Hawk at Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax Co. From: "David Boltz" <david.boltz AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 22:25:51 -0400 I took my camera down to Huntley Meadows this evening despite the heat (still over 90 degrees at 7 p.m.). Right beside the main entrance to the Visitors' Center building I saw a Red-tailed Hawk on the ground, near the edge of the woods. I assumed it had caught something and so I took a few pics from a distance. I got a bit closer and it did not move, so I took some more pics. Only then did I notice the flies swarmed on it. It let me get within 5 feet and only flicked its head occasionally to shoo the flies and I could see a wound behind the beak, apparently a run-in with something nearby. I made a couple of calls and was set to capture it with the help of my good buddy Dave Engelen and we were going to take it to the raptor rehabber in our area. While waiting for Dave someone else called Fairfax Co. Animal Control. The bird offered little resistance and seemed very weak. The bird was in transit to the rehabber by about 7:50 p.m. I hope good news is the final outcome of this e ncounter. The first 3 pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/28499865 AT N07/ are of the injured bird. Best viewed by clicking on the first picture, clicking the magnifying lens with the +, end then clicking "older" to see the others. Dave Boltz _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Extralimital: Mississippi miscellany From: "Janice Frye" <jjfdc AT clearwire.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 22:10:15 -0400 Sweet! -----Original Message----- From: Donald Sweig [mailto:skybirds.d AT gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 9:52 PM To: va-bird AT listserve.com Subject: [Va-bird] Extralimital: Mississippi miscellany Today's count of migrating Mississippi kites at Veracruz Mexico was 5,593 for a monthly total of 143,547. -- Donald Sweig Falls Church, Va. _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Correction to my post (Visit To Wilna Tract Rap River Valley NWR Aug 23) From: Les Brooks <ubrooks AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 19:05:30 -0700 (PDT) Hi Everyone, I had the ID wrong on my 2 Warbler images and will change the Willow to Flycatcher. I thought the Warbler was a Black-Throathed Green Warbler but it turned out to be a Prairie Warbler. My thanks to Frederick Atwood and others for bringing this to my attention. I just returned from trips to PA, DE and Bombay Hook NWR. No birding in PA, Mom's 90th birthday party, but some at Bombay Hook NWR. As this is out of our area, I will not make a posting here. Please just send me an email if you would like to know what was seen (nothing odd or out of the ordinary). Images from the trip will be posted on my website on Sunday 5, 2010. Stay safe and best birding! Les Brooks Glen Allen http://www.natures-finest-photography.com _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Extralimital: Mississippi miscellany From: Donald Sweig <skybirds.d AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 21:51:33 -0400 Today's count of migrating Mississippi kites at Veracruz Mexico was 5,593 for a monthly total of 143,547. -- Donald Sweig Falls Church, Va. _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: HSR: Kiptopeke Hawkwatch (01 Sep 2010) 61 Raptors From: reports AT hawkcount.org Date: 01 Sep 2010 20:09:22 -0400 Kiptopeke Hawkwatch Tip of Virginia's Eastern Shore, Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Sep 01, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 44 44 44 Bald Eagle 8 8 8 Northern Harrier 1 1 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 3 3 Cooper's Hawk 0 0 0 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk 0 0 0 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 5 5 5 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 61 61 61 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 06:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 10 hours Official Counter: Brian Taber, Zak Poulton Observers: Brian Taber, Calvin Brennan Visitors: Brain Taber was on hand today and Calvin Brennan came out for the evening flight. Weather: Clear blue skies with a high of 33 degrees Celsius. Light winds started from the North East and switched to South East by two o'clock. Raptor Observations: A slow start to the day and season. The day started with a flight down the bay side. By the end of the day the numbers increased, thanks to a southerly movement down the middle of the peninsula. Osprey took the lead today with a total of 44. Non-raptor Observations: It's great to be back at Kiptopeke. The morning started with a great look at a Great Crested Flycatcher and a Baltimore Oriole. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds were around the platform all day. There were also a few Purple Martins flying over the platform today. The evening ended with a Summer Tanager and a White-eyed Vireo. Predictions: The numbers are only going to pick up, although migration might have to wait until Hurricane Early moves up the Eastern Seaboard. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Brian Taber (Taberzz AT aol.com) Kiptopeke State Park information may be found at: www.cvwo.org _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: A gentle reminder from your moderator From: David Spears <merlin2752 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 11:34:43 -0700 (PDT) Ladies and gentlemen, Please, the main thing is to remain kind to your fellow list participants.  While the primary purpose of Va-Bird is to share bird sightings, rational civil discourse on other subjects of interest to birders will be allowed as long as it remains rational and civil, and as long as it doesn't overwhelm the list by its volume.  The list is monitored and moderated as unobtrusively as the stream of content will allow.  When something gets out of hand, you will hear from your moderator.   If you would like to comment on this policy, please reply to me directly, not to the entire list.  Thank you.   David Spears Va-Bird List Administrator and Acting Moderator for the Virginia Society of Ornithology _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: My earlier comment on the laser pointer discussion From: David Davis <daviszepp AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:48:29 -0400 I have already received one critical note (and will likely receive others) for my earlier comment on this thread. I intended "Enough already" to be a flip suggestion to wind down the thread, but it was perceived by one fellow birder as rude. And one is one too many. So, I apologize for the imprudent manner in which I expressed myself; it was never my intention to offend or insult anyone. Sometimes discussions of this nature just seem to go on forever and, at least for me, begin to make Va-bird seem more like a blog than a bulletin board for posting observations about birds. But, it's not mine to decide. So, again, sorry for the perceived rudeness of my remarks. Dave Davis _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Laser Pointers --Enough Already! From: David Davis <daviszepp AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:38:18 -0400 Thank you. Dave Davis _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Beginning Bird Banding class, October 9-16, Warrenton From: David Spears <merlin2752 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 05:17:15 -0700 (PDT) Environmental Studies on the Piedmont in Warrenton, VA is hosting a Beginning Bird Banding class October 9 - 16 taught by an instructor with the Institute for Bird Populations. If you are interested or you know of anyone who might be interested, please contact Bev Smith, Occoquan Bay NWR bander and Environmental Studies lead bander, at catbirds AT verizon.net. All the details of the class are on the Environmental Studies website (www.envstudies.org). Please note that Environmental Studies offers overnight accomodations on site for $15.00/night. Feel free to contact Bev if you have questions or would like more information.   Bev Smith _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Hog Island, Surry, VA From: Barbara Houston <rinksyd AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:46:59 -0400 Lynda and I went over to Hog Island yesterday afternoon hoping to get some better pictures of the plover and see the buff-breasted sandpipers. We were quite disappointed to find a sign closing off the area where I had seen them earlier last week. The area closed is directly across from the viewing platform at the far end. There was a ton of activity in the field including 100's of Killdeer. I did see one plover, but it was too far out to photograph. Most all of the birds were once again on the far side of the ponds. We did see a Harrier, female turkey, and a very large 10 pt deer. The sign that is now hanging is on the gate for the path that cut between the two fields at the platform. The sign reads something like 'waterfowl resting area, no trespassing' or something similar. The bird activity level through there was quite high. Barbara Houston New Kent _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Back Bay NWR, 8/31/10 From: nicholas flanders <flicknanders AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:48:28 -0400 Hey all, I spent the better part of this afternoon at Back Bay NWR and ran across a couple of active spots. I started by walking the East Dike down to the "Dog Leg" corner about 1.5 miles south of visitor's center; this stretch was pretty quiet but I found a Pied-billed Grebe and a pair of Wood Ducks in Back Bay and the swallow show was impressive: 505 Tree Swallows, 72 Barn Swallows, 133 Purple Martins, and 6 Bank Swallows. A Baltimore Oriole and Northern Harrier also made appearances on this hike. The wet spot at the Dog Leg held virtually all the shorebirds I saw today, with the highlight being 3 Wilson's Snipe in the open for nice views. Alot of swallows here, and one flock of Bobolinks decided to land and pose in the top of some Phrag. A couple of Cattle Egrets, possible family groups of Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks, and Eastern Kingbirds, plus blackbird flocks etc. made for alot to look at. On the trip back north up the dike I saw a few more Snipe flying by plus a flock of 25 Cattle Egret by the observation blind. I walked the stretch of beach between the Dune Trail and Seaside Trail, where the highlights included a couple of Black-bellied Plovers, Sandwich, Common, and Caspian Terns, and some Lesser Black-backed Gulls. I ended the day at dusk on the Bay Trail, where a SEDGE WREN was heard singing near the west end from 7:15-7:30 pm. A Marsh Wren was also in that vicinity, and at the extreme west end a King Rail called once and I flushed 1 Spotted Sandpiper and 1 Solitary Sandpiper each. I finally found some warblers on my way out: a couple of Am. Redstarts, an ad. male Black-throated Blue, and a Northern Waterthrush. Before I got back to the parking lot I saw a couple more Snipe flying south and watched a Sora rail land in the marsh. Full list below, take care, Nick Flanders. Newport News. Location: Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Observation date: 8/31/10 Number of species: 67 Wood Duck 2 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Brown Pelican 33 Double-crested Cormorant 2 Great Blue Heron 3 Great Egret 4 Little Blue Heron 17 Cattle Egret 28 Osprey 6 Northern Harrier 1 King Rail 1 Sora 1 Black-bellied Plover 3 Semipalmated Plover 6 Killdeer 1 Spotted Sandpiper 1 Solitary Sandpiper 1 Greater Yellowlegs 1 Willet 8 Lesser Yellowlegs 5 Sanderling 60 Semipalmated Sandpiper 2 Least Sandpiper 21 Short-billed Dowitcher 3 Wilson's Snipe 7 Laughing Gull 25 Ring-billed Gull 11 Lesser Black-backed Gull 5 Great Black-backed Gull 15 Caspian Tern 2 Common Tern 8 Royal Tern 29 Sandwich Tern 7 Mourning Dove 10 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3 Belted Kingfisher 1 Eastern Kingbird 5 American Crow 3 Purple Martin 133 Tree Swallow 505 Bank Swallow 6 Barn Swallow 72 Carolina Chickadee 1 Carolina Wren 18 Sedge Wren 1 Marsh Wren 1 American Robin 14 Gray Catbird 7 Northern Mockingbird 12 Brown Thrasher 5 Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 American Redstart 2 Northern Waterthrush 1 Common Yellowthroat 5 Eastern Towhee 10 Field Sparrow 3 Song Sparrow 1 Northern Cardinal 9 Blue Grosbeak 7 Indigo Bunting 8 Bobolink 30 Red-winged Blackbird 152 Common Grackle 2 Boat-tailed Grackle 8 Brown-headed Cowbird 1 Orchard Oriole 3 Baltimore Oriole 1 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Early Migrants - Mecklenburg Co. From: Paul Glass <Pag AT GCRCompany.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:33:50 -0400 This afternoon, while working near Clarksville, I ran across a nice flock foraging in a large oak tree: 1 Black-throated Blue (adult male) 1 Blue-headed Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 2 Gnatcatcher 1 Empid sp. 2+ Titmice 3+ Chickadee There was one other bird that I believe was a Yellow-throated Vireo, but I never got a good enough look to be confident. It would have been cool to have 3 Vireos in the same tree. The BTBW gave a me a great look. It came down to only a few feet away at just above eye level. Probably the best look I've ever had. Paul Glass South Boston, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Warbler ID question - yellow eye rings From: Stephen Johnson <stevejohnson2 AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:09:20 -0400 This morning I got good looks at a pair of warblers at Claude Moore Park. They behaved like a pair, chasing each other in circles between foraging. They looked like your basic “confusing fall warbler”, uniform yellow beneath, uniform tawny above. No wing markings, no stripes or streaks. Yellow throats, no hood like a Mourning or Connecticut. What really struck me on both was a conspicuous yellow eye ring between the tawny head color and the black eye. The eye rings seemed wider than my field guides’ depictions of most warblers’ eye rings. And they were distinctly yellow, not white like the drawings I’ve seen of Mourning, Connecticut, and Nashville. Any thoughts about yellow eye rings on warblers, anyone? Thanks!! - Steve Johnson Fairfax, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Fwd: Claude Moore Park (Loudoun County) 31 August From: Stephen Johnson <stevejohnson2 AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:07:34 -0400 I spent 90 minutes this morning in the north portions of Claude Moore Park in Loudoun County. Not an exceptional day for species diversity, but several gems. I had 3 migrating warbler species, 5 Wild Turkeys, and a pair of Cooper’s Hawks. The Cooper’s acted very much like a couple or an adult/child pair, flying and perching together back and forth between the two adjacent ponds near the visitor’s center. The Prairie and Worm-Eating were in a mixed flock in the woods near the west end of Cedar Grove Trail, near the southeast corner of the mown yard adjoining the visitor center. Great Blue Heron – 1 Green Heron – 3 Duck sp. (probably Mallards, all females) Cooper’s Hawk – 2 (pair) Wild Turkey – 5 Mourning Dove Downy Woodpecker Eastern Phoebe Empidonax sp. Blue Jay Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Carolina Wren Blue-gray Gnatcatcher – 2 Eastern Bluebird – 4 Gray Catbird Unidentified Warbler sp. (pair) Prairie Warbler – 1 Worm-eating Warbler – 1 Common Yellowthroat – 2 Song Sparrow Northern Cardinal House Finch American Goldfinch - Steve Johnson Fairfax, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Use of laser pointers From: Eileen <juniperus AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:10:17 -0400 This discussion really, really needs the input of experts. Unfortunately, it won't be a trivial task, because it's going to mean synthesizing findings from an unusually broad array of disciplines -- ornithologists, herpetologists, medical researchers, and engineers.. Such a synthesis is itself going to require some expertise and resources. My very uneducated guess is that this isn't a big deal. Emphasis on the uneducated. And the guessing. But I'm well aware that it's too easy to go with one's first gut reaction and dismiss something like this, as I did when I first saw this thread. Lasers have, incredibly, come to seem a ho-hum everyday thing, but the reality is that, like tape recorders, it's a major new technology in birding, so deserves a serious look. The ABA should feel obligated for ensuring this assessment happens. Cornell should get involved. And both should issue best-guess guidelines in the interim while we're gathering more information, to see if they want to invoke an interim precautionary principle. I'm out of the power circles these days, but I'd like to urge any of you reading this with a bit of clout to contact these institutions and let them know that this is a significant discussion taking place in Virginia that's in need of their input. Thanks. Eileen R. Charlottesville, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Osprey and Bald Eagle in Powhatan, 8/31/10 From: Wendy Ealding <wealding AT aol.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:59:17 -0400 While we were eating lunch today, we noticed an Osprey being harassed by an immature Bald Eagle. The Osprey was carrying a fish and was able to out-maneuver the Eagle, which finally gave up and flew away empty-taloned! Wendy Ealding Powhatan County _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: No. VA. Bird Club/ No. VA. Audubon joint Swift/Nighthawk walk (belated) From: "Joanna Taylor" <jandrtaylor AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:51:49 -0400 The joint No. Va. Bird Club/No. Va. Audubon swift nighthawk watch was held Sunday, Aug. 29. We gathered at the chimney near the Walter Reed Recreation Center in South Arlington and watched about 600 swifts funnel down. We were a pretty good size group (about 18 all told) and were augmented by a number of intrigued neighbors who had been unaware of the presence of the swifts. A great PR opportunity. After the swifts did their thing we moved on to the Air Force Memorial to look for nighthawks. Eventually four of them showed up, but they were pretty high up. Don Sweig has told me that the east front of the Capitol is a much more productive site for the nighthawks. He reports seeing about 40 of them there. Joanna B. Taylor Arlington, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Use of laser pointers From: Michael Bowen <dhmbowen AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:28:29 -0400 All: I don't believe that the ABA has any rule or guidance on this specific subject. However, the use of laser pointers would logically be covered under the well known ABA Code of Ethics, which says that the welfare of the bird is paramount. Personally, I think that use of the green laser pointer by a responsible field trip leader is perfectly acceptable. Such a leader uses the pointer to help direct birders to the approximate location of the target bird, and never, ever, points the beam at the bird. A personal view only. Michael Bowen Montgomery Bird Club Bethesda, MD At 09:26 AM 8/31/2010, you wrote: >All, >Seems to me that the risks outweigh the advantages here....but I >can't claim to be an expert on this issue. Does the ABA have a >position on this? Seems like something they should have a point of view on. > >best, > > > >William Leigh leightern AT msn.com > > > > > From: maddogobrien AT gmail.com > > Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:55:25 -0700 > > To: BLBressler AT aol.com > > CC: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com; delandjoyce AT peoplepc.com; va-bird AT listserve.com > > Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Use of laser pointers > > > > To all: > > > > Most common lasers we see as pointers or leveling devices are red > lasers and have a short distance especially in daylight and > outdoors but can harm the eyes if direct and or prolonged. They are > pretty low cost, often a few dollars and mostly a novelty. > > > > Some of those "guides" in South America and elsewhere are using > green lasers. These are much more expensive. $80 to $100s and up as > power increases. These work in broad daylight and at considerable distance. > > > > The cheaper red lasers put a only a small dot or other image on > the aimed at point. The ones you buy at staples for presentation do > okay in a meeting room buy are not much good in even the average > yard in daylight especially if sunny. > > > > The stronger greens (and others, maybe yellow) show the beam all > the way to the target unless it is really far. But they reach far. > People have lit up cockpits on airliners with them. Apparently this > has occurred with stronger red lasers too. People into astronomy > use them at night to point out stars, asterisms and other objects. > These do not travel all the way to planet type objects in the sky > in actuality but appear to and you can follow the beam display > including from the hand to a bird. > > > > I have read articles about guides "only" putting the beam on a > birds back, wing or chest area. Pretty risky in my opinion. I > remember one comment like well, they have one eye left if it hits > one "accidentally." Unless the bird is in close, only really > powerful reds will show up and then only the dot at the point the > light reaches something to shine on. With the greens and similar > you can follow the beam all the way so they are the ones of choice > to paying customers who want to list the birds. > > > > Mike OBrien > > Fairfield, PA > > > > Sent from my Phone > > > > On Aug 30, 2010, at 6:18 PM, BLBressler AT aol.com wrote: > > > > > > > > Hello, > > > > > > I agree entirely with Marlene's comments. She emphasizes possible > > > detrimental effects on wildlife. I want to emphasize possible > detrimental effects > > > on birders. > > > > > > Note that a beam from a laser also could enter the eye of a birder (or a > > > bystander) accidentally during the excitement of finding an interesting > > > bird. Familiarity with dangerous gadgets can lead to > carelessness. Past studies > > > have shown that even milliwatt lasers can cause permanent > retinal damage. > > > I could not comfortably accompany a group in which a laser > pointer was used. > > > > > > A laser is an amazing product of quantum physics. Like television, cell > > > phones, and personal computers, lasers are useful tools that > are applied very > > > often for trivial purposes. Birding can open us to experiences that show > > > us how technology can insulate us from the natural environment > in which we > > > evolved. Birding cannot do this when it relies unnecessarily on too much > > > technology. > > > > > > When I was a boy, I could not afford even cheap binoculars. I > compensated > > > by developing the skill of approaching birds closely, and the > patience for > > > allowing them to approach me, as well as the ability to locate a bird > > > quickly in dense foliage. Unfortunately, I since have largely > lost those skills. > > > While I still had them, I observed things that I would have missed with > > > binoculars. Gadgets give, and they take away. > > > > > > These days, so many birders seem to regard birding as a > competitive sport, > > > in which gadgets are helpful for building lists quickly and efficiently. > > > For everything that is gained in this way, much is lost. I > suggest leaving > > > the fancy (and often expensive) gadgets to serious scientists > who have good > > > reasons for using such devices. Be satisfied with your binoculars, and > > > perhaps a camera or other recorder. Both binoculars and cameras > are ordinarily > > > passive devices when they depend on natural illumination. > > > > > > Remember, a laser is not a toy. > > > > > > Sincerely, > > > Barry Bressler > > > > > > > > > In a message dated 8/30/2010 6:25:04 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > > > MARLENECONDON AT aol.com writes: > > > > > > Hi, > > > > > > My laser pointer came in a box with the following warning: > > > > > > "Direct eye contact with laser beam may cause severe eye injury. THIS IS > > > NOT A TOY!" > > > > > > Birds are not the only fauna in the canopy, especially in a jungle. > > > Right > > > here in Virginia, for example, we have tree frogs (amphibians) > among those > > > > > > leaves and on those branches where birds are hopping around up high. > > > Closer to the ground, Five-lined Skinks (reptiles) climb up shrubs and > > > partway > > > up trees to search for insects. Squirrels and raccoons (mammals) are in > > > the trees. These animals are usually more difficult to spot than the > > > brightly colored birds. Therefore your laser pointer could very well be > > > beaming > > > into the eyes of these critters, unbeknownst to you. > > > > > > Eco-tours are supposed to be about caring for our wildlife rather than > > > bringing harm to it. What's needed for participants to see birds are > > > leaders > > > who know how to give excellent directions. This is a skill that can be > > > learned. > > > > > > I've seen tapes overused and birds disturbed far too often. Now laser > > > pointers are being used as if no organism exists out there except birds. > > > Birds don't live in a vacuum. Perhaps birding has become too insular. > > > > > > Sincerely, > > > Marlene > > > > > > > > > > > > In a message dated 8/30/2010 5:46:06 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > > > ecj100 AT aol.com writes: > > > > > > > > > > > > I was just at Chan Chich Lodge, in Belize, where the guides use laser > > > pointers to show guests where birds are located that are otherwise hard > > > to find > > > in the jungle. They will point to a general area in the tree, moving the > > > > > > pointer in a circle, and say something like, it is about a foot > above and > > > to the right of the light. It worked well, and did not appear to bother > > > the > > > birds. > > > > > > Eric Jeffrey > > > Falls Church, VA > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > From: WILLIAM Brown > > > To: va-bird AT listserve.com; DELON SARGENT > > > Sent: Mon, Aug 30, 2010 5:10 pm > > > Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Use of laser pointers > > > > > > > > > Del, I've been on walks with a leader who quite effectively > uses a "laser > > > ointer" to point to a tree in which a particular bird is located. > > > Birders > > > on > > > is walks generally appreciate the speed with which the light can direct > > > their > > > ttention to the bird's location. He never directs the light onto the > > > bird > > > tself and I've never seen any indication that the light > disturbs birds in > > > any > > > ay. > > > Bill Brown > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: DELON SARGENT > > > To: va-bird AT listserve.com > > > Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 9:41 PM > > > Subject: [Va-bird] Use of laser pointers > > > > > > This is not a listing, but a question. What are the rules about using > > > laser > > > ointers when leading bird walks? I hear people trying to describe the > > > tree, > > > ranch and etc. when trying to locate a bird, often will little success. > > > A > > > aser pointer, while not aimed at the bird, but in the general region > > > should be > > > good aid. > > > Del Sargent, Purcellville > > > _______________________________________________ > > > va-bird mailing list > > > > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > tserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird> > > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia > Society of > > > > > > rnithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > > > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ > > > ______________________________________________ > > > a-bird mailing list > > > ttp://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society > > > of > > > > > > rnithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > > > ttp://www.virginiabirds.net/ > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > va-bird mailing list > > > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > > > > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society > > > of > > > Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > > > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > va-bird mailing list > > > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > > > > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia > Society of > > > Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > > > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > va-bird mailing list > > > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > > > > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia > Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > > > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ > > _______________________________________________ > > va-bird mailing list > > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia > Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ > >_______________________________________________ >va-bird mailing list >http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > >Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia >Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. >http://www.virginiabirds.net/ D.H.Michael Bowen 8609 Ewing Drive Bethesda, MD 20817-3845 Telephone: (301) 530-5764 e-mail: dhmbowenATyahooDOTcom _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: HSR: Snickers Gap (31 Aug 2010) 2 Raptors From: reports AT hawkcount.org Date: 31 Aug 2010 14:08:13 -0400 Snickers Gap 20 Miles West of Leesburg, Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 31, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 11 11 Bald Eagle 0 8 8 Northern Harrier 1 1 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 6 6 Cooper's Hawk 0 2 2 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 1 Broad-winged Hawk 0 24 24 Red-tailed Hawk 0 2 2 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 4 4 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 2 60 60 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 13:00:00 Total observation time: 4 hours Official Counter: BJ Little Observers: Bev Leeuwenburg Weather: Brutal, hazy, blue sky. Temps 23-30 C. Light west winds until 11:30, then light east winds. A small cloud formed on those east winds. Raptor Observations: Glad August is over. Two birds! Non-raptor Observations: Predictions: The old eight ball says "Ian. Get your fine self up to the gap. Broadwings are acoming." ======================================================================== Report submitted by BJ Little (bluejay88 AT adelphia.net) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Rosebreasted Grosbeak - Botetourt County From: "Nancy Young" <nanjyoung AT juno.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:07:31 -0400 Around noon today I saw a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak pecking around on the ground below the feeders. It's the first RB Grosbeak I've seen this season. That's about 2 weeks earlier than usual. Nancy Young Botetourt County _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Hummingbirds in Decent Numbers From: "Val Kitchens" <vbkitchens AT aol.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:33:48 -0400 Craig & Other VA Birders with Hummer Feeders, Just a reminder to all, especially those with multiple feeders & hummers, to keep a lookout for other species of hummingbirds, which usually appear after our Ruby-throats have left, but can arrive anytime now. Good luck! Oh, and one more thing: if you find a rare hummer, please at least give the city or county in which you live &/or found it--which I thought we all were supposed to do with our postings on VA Bird, but which, unfortunately, many people do not do. Good birding, Val Kitchens Arlington, VA -------------------------------------------------- From: "Craig Zalk" Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 9:50 AM To: Subject: [Va-bird] Hummingbirds in Decent Numbers > For the last several weeks, I have had a "decent" quantity of hummingbirds > in my yard in (south) Reston. The numbers appear to be in the 10 to 20 > bird > range, perhaps more. This is the best migratory season since moving into > this house four seasons ago. (Spring numbers of hummers have remained > tiny, > and do not seem to increase annually.) From past experience, it takes a > while for a yard to get recognized by migrants, and then their numbers > start > to build with passing years. > In any event, the numbers have been holding and I have had to put out more > and more feeders to thwart the efforts of the territorial Ruby-throats. I > have roughly 10 feeders out now, spread around the property. > > Craig Zalk, Fairfax County, Reston, VA > _______________________________________________ > va-bird mailing list > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of > Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ > _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Voice: Greater Washington Area, Aug 31 From: "Joe Coleman" <joecoleman AT rstarmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:20:38 -0400 FYI. This report is for sightings from Aug 24 through Aug 30 and was compiled by John Bjerke & transcribed by Steve Cordle. Joe Coleman Hotline: Voice of the Naturalist Date: 8/31/2010 Coverage: MD/DC/VA/DE Telephone: 301-652-1088 option 1 Reports (voice): 301-652-1088 option 2 (email): voice AT AudubonNaturalist.org Compiler: John Bjerke Sponsor: Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States (independent of NAS!) Transcriber: Steve Cordle Please consider joining ANS, especially if you are a regular user of the Voice (Individual $40; Family $50; Nature Steward $75; Audubon Advocate $150). The membership number is 301-652-9188, option 12; the address is 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815; and the web site is http://www.AudubonNaturalist.org. This is the Voice of the Naturalist, a service of the Audubon Naturalist Society. This report was completed Tuesday, August 31, at 7 am. Top bird this week is RED-NECKED PHALAROPE in MD and DE. Other birds of interest include WHITE IBIS, PEREGRINE FALCON, shorebirds, BLACK-HEADED GULL, CHIMNEY SWIFT, OLIVE-SIDED, YELLOW-BELLIED, ALDER and LEAST FLYCATCHERS, PHILADELPHIA VIREO, and warblers. A RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was found in Shearness Pool at Bombay Hook NWR, Kent Co, DE on Aug 24. The bird moved to Bear Swamp at Bombay Hook later in the week with sightings on Aug 28. Another RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was at the Boonsboro sewage treatment ponds, Washington Co, MD on Aug 28 and 29. An immature WHITE IBIS flew over the impoundments at McKee-Beshers WMA, Montgomery Co, MD on Aug 27. A female PEREGRINE FALCON was seen in Bailey's Crossroads, Fairfax Co, VA on Aug 26. Shorebird migration continues in full swing as it nears the end of its second month. An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was on the Patton turf farm in Montgomery Co, MD on Aug 25. Two AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS were at Hog Island WMA, Surry Co, VA on Aug 25, 29, and 30 and two were on Arlington Rd, Northampton Co, VA on Aug 29. Another AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was in Raymond Pool, Bombay Hook NWR on Aug 24. Two PIPING PLOVERS were found at Lighthouse Point, Cape Henlopen SP, Sussex Co, DE on Aug 29. UPLAND SANDPIPERS were seen in several spots. Two were in the plowed potato fields on Rt 9 outside Bombay Hook NWR on Aug 26. Another UPLAND was on the Central Sod Farm, John Brown Rd, Queen Annes Co, MD on Aug 28 and 29. One UPLAND was seen on the former Yaros Sod Farm, Northampton Co, VA on Aug 29 and one was at Hog Island WMA on Aug 29. One MARBLED GODWIT was seen in Raymond Pool, Bombay Hook NWR on Aug 26 and 28. Two MARBLED GODWITS were spotted on Skimmer Island, Ocean City, Worcester Co, MD on Aug 29. Single BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS were on the Central Sod Farm on Aug 28 and 29. Two BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS were in the King Georges Ponds, King George Co, VA on Aug 29. BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER sightings include a single at Hog Island WMA on Aug 25, seven on Aug 29 and 13 on Aug 30. Two BUFF-BREASTEDS were along Horner's Mill Rd near Leedstown, Westmoreland Co, VA on Aug 29, and two birds were along Arlington Rd, Northampton Co, VA on Aug 29. One BUFF-BREASTED was on the Central Sod Farm on Aug 27 and 30, and one was at Fowler Beach, Sussex Co, DE on Aug 27. A BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen at Bombay Hook's Shearness Pool during the week with latest report from Aug 28. Four SANDWICH TERNS were spotted on Skimmer Island on Aug 29. Migrating COMMON NIGHTHAWKS garnered attention throughout the area. Perhaps as many as 4000 CHIMNEY SWIFTS were swirling in the skies near the corner of Connecticut Av and Porter St NW, Washington DC on Aug 28. An OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was seen on the Blue Mash trail, Montgomery Co, MD on Aug 28. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHERS were seen throughout the area including the Maintenance Yard, Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC on Aug 27, Rockburn, Howard Co, MD on Aug 27, Ferry Neck, Dorchester Co, MD on Aug 27, the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area, Howard Co, MD on Aug 29, Taylor's Island, Dorchester Co, MD on Aug 29, and Turkey Point, Elk Neck SP, Cecil Co, MD on Aug 28. An ALDER FLYCATCHER was at the Rock Run Mill section of Susquehanna SP, Harford Co, MD on Aug 25. LEAST FLYCATCHERS were seen at Ferry Neck on Aug 27, Taylor's Island on Aug 29, Turkey Point on Aug 28, Leesylvania SP, Prince William Co, VA on Aug 28, and Dyke Marsh, Alexandria, VA on Aug 29. A PHILADELPHIA VIREO was found Aug 27 at Rockburn. Another was in Wheaton Regional Park, Montgomery Co, MD on Aug 28. Migrating warblers in good variety were enjoyed throughout the area. A GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER was seen at Turkey Point on Aug 27. Another was found at Patuxent Ponds Park, Anne Arundel Co, MD on Aug 27. A GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER was spotted along Black Bottom Rd near Millington WMA, Kent Co, MD on Aug 29. A CERULEAN WARBLER was seen in Rock Creek Park in Washington on Aug 26. A female MOURNING WARBLER was flushed along Elbon Rd, Kent Co, MD on Aug 30. Very good spots for warblers this week included Rock Creek Park in DC, Turkey Point, Leesylvania SP, and the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship in Loudoun Co, VA. Five NUTMEG MANNIKINS were found in Claude Moore Park, Loudoun Co, VA on Aug 29. This species is established only in certain sections of Los Angeles; these birds are certainly released or escaped. Some of this week's reports have been gleaned from the MDOsprey, VA-Bird, and DE-Birds list servers. The Audubon Sanctuary Shop (301-652-3606, http://www.audubonnaturalist.org/default.asp?page=511) is an excellent source for guidebooks and many other nature-related titles. To report bird sightings, e-mail your report to voice AT AudubonNaturalist.org or call 301-652-1088 and select menu option 2. Please post reports before midnight Monday, identify the county as well as state, and include your name and a Tuesday morning contact, either e-mail or phone. Thank you for calling, and GOOD BIRDING. *Of interest to the records committee _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Use of Laser Pointers From: "Marshall Faintich" <mfaintich AT theworddoctor.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:58:19 -0400 Although I am not an expert of lasers, I did take a short course on laser safety a few years ago. 1. Green laser pointers are 60 to 70x more powerful than the red ones, and can easily do eye damage to a person (or wildlife). Even reflected green laser light can be dangerous. 2. If someone is hit in the eye with a green laser beam, seek immediate medical attention, but DO NOT lay the person down. Keep the person's head upright. Bleeding in the eye permanently damages the retina when it comes in contact with blood. Better to pool the blood at the bottom of the eye and lose part of the retina, rather than laying the person down and covering the entire retina with blood. 3. I used to give astronomy constellation lessons, and a bright flashlight worked well to point out stars. Obviously this will not work for birds in the daytime, but some of the new high-power LED flashlights might work to some degree early or late in the day. My best advice is to stay away from the green lasers. ****************************** Marshall Faintich, Ph.D. mfaintich AT theworddoctor.com mfaintich AT cyberwind.net www.symbolicmessengers.com In real life, the shortest distance between two points is never a straight line, so you might as well enjoy the journey ! ****************************** >Most common lasers we see as pointers or leveling devices are red lasers and have a short distance especially in daylight and outdoors but can harm the eyes if direct and or prolonged. They are pretty low cost, often a few dollars and mostly a novelty. Some of those "guides" in South America and elsewhere are using green lasers. These are much more expensive. $80 to $100s and up as power increases. These work in broad daylight and at considerable distance. The cheaper red lasers put a only a small dot or other image on the aimed at point. The ones you buy at staples for presentation do okay in a meeting room buy are not much good in even the average yard in daylight especially if sunny. The stronger greens (and others, maybe yellow) show the beam all the way to the target unless it is really far. But they reach far. People have lit up cockpits on airliners with them. Apparently this has occurred with stronger red lasers too. People into astronomy use them at night to point out stars, asterisms and other objects. These do not travel all the way to planet type objects in the sky in actuality but appear to and you can follow the beam display including from the hand to a bird. I have read articles about guides "only" putting the beam on a birds back, wing or chest area. Pretty risky in my opinion. I remember one comment like well, they have one eye left if it hits one "accidentally." Unless the bird is in close, only really powerful reds will show up and then only the dot at the point the light reaches something to shine on. With the greens and similar you can follow the beam all the way so they are the ones of choice to paying customers who want to list the birds. Mike OBrien Fairfield, PA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Laser Pointers From: Gail Mackiernan <katahdinss AT comcast.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:54:53 -0400 Hi -- I do not think you are going to stop guides (especially those who have largish groups in dense forests) from using these green laser pointers. It is frankly almost impossible to get everyone onto a bird under these conditions, especially if you have a few folks in the group whose eyes are not what they used to be! Having just returned from a trip to Sulawesi which had some folks along who needed this sort of help, I really came to appreciate the advantages from the use of these pointers. HOWEVER, having said this, there has to be some common sense. In Sulawesi, our guide world first put the pointer on some close object, asking "do you see the green dot"?" If the answer was "yes" then he would slowly move the dot to the tree in question, up the tree -- making sure all were following the dot, and then put it perhaps a meter above, to the side or below the bird and say " the bird is one meter to the left of the dot, on a thin gray twig." Sometimes a large circle was slowly made with the dot, with the bird in the center. The dot was NEVER put on the bird or even very near it. But some bird guides are not so careful. Some are totally clueless and put the dot on the bird. Even putting the dot too near can frighten the bird or worse, even attract it -- with risk of eye injury. (I have seen insectivorous birds actually "go for" the green dot -- which must look like a flitting juicy meal!) Some guides wave the dot quickly around the bird in a tight circle, which is almost guaranteed to scare it as well. These lasers are tools -- which, like iPods -- must be used judiciously and with caution. It might be good for some guidelines to be suggested. Also, if you are in a group and someone is using the pointer in a reckless manner, speak up. But I think they are here to stay... Gail Mackiernan Colesville, MD _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Wilson's Warbler - Buchanan County From: "Roger Mayhorn" <rmayhorn AT hughes.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:28:00 -0400 This morning a Wilson's Warbler dropped down to drink and bathe in our yard stream here on the mountain. I thought I saw a Wilson's yesterday, but didn't get a good enough look to make a positive ID. This is probably the same bird that hung around overnight. The lighting wasn't great but I did manage to capture it on (film? disc?) whatever. Here is the link http://www.pbase.com/mayhorn/wilsons_aug_2010 This is only the second sighting of this species on our property and the third record for Buchanan County. Roger Mayhorn Compton Mt Buchanan County _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Hummingbirds in Decent Numbers From: Craig Zalk <craig.zalk AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:50:02 -0400 For the last several weeks, I have had a "decent" quantity of hummingbirds in my yard in (south) Reston. The numbers appear to be in the 10 to 20 bird range, perhaps more. This is the best migratory season since moving into this house four seasons ago. (Spring numbers of hummers have remained tiny, and do not seem to increase annually.) From past experience, it takes a while for a yard to get recognized by migrants, and then their numbers start to build with passing years. In any event, the numbers have been holding and I have had to put out more and more feeders to thwart the efforts of the territorial Ruby-throats. I have roughly 10 feeders out now, spread around the property. Craig Zalk, Fairfax County, Reston, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Use of laser pointers From: William Leigh <leightern AT msn.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:26:02 +0000 All, Seems to me that the risks outweigh the advantages here....but I can't claim to be an expert on this issue. Does the ABA have a position on this? Seems like something they should have a point of view on. best, William Leigh leightern AT msn.com > From: maddogobrien AT gmail.com > Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:55:25 -0700 > To: BLBressler AT aol.com > CC: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com; delandjoyce AT peoplepc.com; va-bird AT listserve.com > Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Use of laser pointers > > To all: > > Most common lasers we see as pointers or leveling devices are red lasers and have a short distance especially in daylight and outdoors but can harm the eyes if direct and or prolonged. They are pretty low cost, often a few dollars and mostly a novelty. > > Some of those "guides" in South America and elsewhere are using green lasers. These are much more expensive. $80 to $100s and up as power increases. These work in broad daylight and at considerable distance. > > The cheaper red lasers put a only a small dot or other image on the aimed at point. The ones you buy at staples for presentation do okay in a meeting room buy are not much good in even the average yard in daylight especially if sunny. > > The stronger greens (and others, maybe yellow) show the beam all the way to the target unless it is really far. But they reach far. People have lit up cockpits on airliners with them. Apparently this has occurred with stronger red lasers too. People into astronomy use them at night to point out stars, asterisms and other objects. These do not travel all the way to planet type objects in the sky in actuality but appear to and you can follow the beam display including from the hand to a bird. > > I have read articles about guides "only" putting the beam on a birds back, wing or chest area. Pretty risky in my opinion. I remember one comment like well, they have one eye left if it hits one "accidentally." Unless the bird is in close, only really powerful reds will show up and then only the dot at the point the light reaches something to shine on. With the greens and similar you can follow the beam all the way so they are the ones of choice to paying customers who want to list the birds. > > Mike OBrien > Fairfield, PA > > Sent from my Phone > > On Aug 30, 2010, at 6:18 PM, BLBressler AT aol.com wrote: > > > > > Hello, > > > > I agree entirely with Marlene's comments. She emphasizes possible > > detrimental effects on wildlife. I want to emphasize possible detrimental effects > > on birders. > > > > Note that a beam from a laser also could enter the eye of a birder (or a > > bystander) accidentally during the excitement of finding an interesting > > bird. Familiarity with dangerous gadgets can lead to carelessness. Past studies > > have shown that even milliwatt lasers can cause permanent retinal damage. > > I could not comfortably accompany a group in which a laser pointer was used. > > > > A laser is an amazing product of quantum physics. Like television, cell > > phones, and personal computers, lasers are useful tools that are applied very > > often for trivial purposes. Birding can open us to experiences that show > > us how technology can insulate us from the natural environment in which we > > evolved. Birding cannot do this when it relies unnecessarily on too much > > technology. > > > > When I was a boy, I could not afford even cheap binoculars. I compensated > > by developing the skill of approaching birds closely, and the patience for > > allowing them to approach me, as well as the ability to locate a bird > > quickly in dense foliage. Unfortunately, I since have largely lost those skills. > > While I still had them, I observed things that I would have missed with > > binoculars. Gadgets give, and they take away. > > > > These days, so many birders seem to regard birding as a competitive sport, > > in which gadgets are helpful for building lists quickly and efficiently. > > For everything that is gained in this way, much is lost. I suggest leaving > > the fancy (and often expensive) gadgets to serious scientists who have good > > reasons for using such devices. Be satisfied with your binoculars, and > > perhaps a camera or other recorder. Both binoculars and cameras are ordinarily > > passive devices when they depend on natural illumination. > > > > Remember, a laser is not a toy. > > > > Sincerely, > > Barry Bressler > > > > > > In a message dated 8/30/2010 6:25:04 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > > MARLENECONDON AT aol.com writes: > > > > Hi, > > > > My laser pointer came in a box with the following warning: > > > > "Direct eye contact with laser beam may cause severe eye injury. THIS IS > > NOT A TOY!" > > > > Birds are not the only fauna in the canopy, especially in a jungle. > > Right > > here in Virginia, for example, we have tree frogs (amphibians) among those > > > > leaves and on those branches where birds are hopping around up high. > > Closer to the ground, Five-lined Skinks (reptiles) climb up shrubs and > > partway > > up trees to search for insects. Squirrels and raccoons (mammals) are in > > the trees. These animals are usually more difficult to spot than the > > brightly colored birds. Therefore your laser pointer could very well be > > beaming > > into the eyes of these critters, unbeknownst to you. > > > > Eco-tours are supposed to be about caring for our wildlife rather than > > bringing harm to it. What's needed for participants to see birds are > > leaders > > who know how to give excellent directions. This is a skill that can be > > learned. > > > > I've seen tapes overused and birds disturbed far too often. Now laser > > pointers are being used as if no organism exists out there except birds. > > Birds don't live in a vacuum. Perhaps birding has become too insular. > > > > Sincerely, > > Marlene > > > > > > > > In a message dated 8/30/2010 5:46:06 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > > ecj100 AT aol.com writes: > > > > > > > > I was just at Chan Chich Lodge, in Belize, where the guides use laser > > pointers to show guests where birds are located that are otherwise hard > > to find > > in the jungle. They will point to a general area in the tree, moving the > > > > pointer in a circle, and say something like, it is about a foot above and > > to the right of the light. It worked well, and did not appear to bother > > the > > birds. > > > > Eric Jeffrey > > Falls Church, VA > > > > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: WILLIAM Brown > > To: va-bird AT listserve.com; DELON SARGENT > > Sent: Mon, Aug 30, 2010 5:10 pm > > Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Use of laser pointers > > > > > > Del, I've been on walks with a leader who quite effectively uses a "laser > > ointer" to point to a tree in which a particular bird is located. > > Birders > > on > > is walks generally appreciate the speed with which the light can direct > > their > > ttention to the bird's location. He never directs the light onto the > > bird > > tself and I've never seen any indication that the light disturbs birds in > > any > > ay. > > Bill Brown > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: DELON SARGENT > > To: va-bird AT listserve.com > > Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 9:41 PM > > Subject: [Va-bird] Use of laser pointers > > > > This is not a listing, but a question. What are the rules about using > > laser > > ointers when leading bird walks? I hear people trying to describe the > > tree, > > ranch and etc. when trying to locate a bird, often will little success. > > A > > aser pointer, while not aimed at the bird, but in the general region > > should be > > good aid. > > Del Sargent, Purcellville > > _______________________________________________ > > va-bird mailing list > > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > tserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird> > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of > > > > rnithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ > > ______________________________________________ > > a-bird mailing list > > ttp://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society > > of > > > > rnithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > > ttp://www.virginiabirds.net/ > > > > _______________________________________________ > > va-bird mailing list > > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society > > of > > Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ > > > > _______________________________________________ > > va-bird mailing list > > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of > > Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > va-bird mailing list > > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ > _______________________________________________ > va-bird mailing list > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Use of laser pointers From: Maddog <maddogobrien AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:55:25 -0700 To all: Most common lasers we see as pointers or leveling devices are red lasers and have a short distance especially in daylight and outdoors but can harm the eyes if direct and or prolonged. They are pretty low cost, often a few dollars and mostly a novelty. Some of those "guides" in South America and elsewhere are using green lasers. These are much more expensive. $80 to $100s and up as power increases. These work in broad daylight and at considerable distance. The cheaper red lasers put a only a small dot or other image on the aimed at point. The ones you buy at staples for presentation do okay in a meeting room buy are not much good in even the average yard in daylight especially if sunny. The stronger greens (and others, maybe yellow) show the beam all the way to the target unless it is really far. But they reach far. People have lit up cockpits on airliners with them. Apparently this has occurred with stronger red lasers too. People into astronomy use them at night to point out stars, asterisms and other objects. These do not travel all the way to planet type objects in the sky in actuality but appear to and you can follow the beam display including from the hand to a bird. I have read articles about guides "only" putting the beam on a birds back, wing or chest area. Pretty risky in my opinion. I remember one comment like well, they have one eye left if it hits one "accidentally." Unless the bird is in close, only really powerful reds will show up and then only the dot at the point the light reaches something to shine on. With the greens and similar you can follow the beam all the way so they are the ones of choice to paying customers who want to list the birds. Mike OBrien Fairfield, PA Sent from my Phone On Aug 30, 2010, at 6:18 PM, BLBressler AT aol.com wrote: > > Hello, > > I agree entirely with Marlene's comments. She emphasizes possible > detrimental effects on wildlife. I want to emphasize possible detrimental effects > on birders. > > Note that a beam from a laser also could enter the eye of a birder (or a > bystander) accidentally during the excitement of finding an interesting > bird. Familiarity with dangerous gadgets can lead to carelessness. Past studies > have shown that even milliwatt lasers can cause permanent retinal damage. > I could not comfortably accompany a group in which a laser pointer was used. > > A laser is an amazing product of quantum physics. Like television, cell > phones, and personal computers, lasers are useful tools that are applied very > often for trivial purposes. Birding can open us to experiences that show > us how technology can insulate us from the natural environment in which we > evolved. Birding cannot do this when it relies unnecessarily on too much > technology. > > When I was a boy, I could not afford even cheap binoculars. I compensated > by developing the skill of approaching birds closely, and the patience for > allowing them to approach me, as well as the ability to locate a bird > quickly in dense foliage. Unfortunately, I since have largely lost those skills. > While I still had them, I observed things that I would have missed with > binoculars. Gadgets give, and they take away. > > These days, so many birders seem to regard birding as a competitive sport, > in which gadgets are helpful for building lists quickly and efficiently. > For everything that is gained in this way, much is lost. I suggest leaving > the fancy (and often expensive) gadgets to serious scientists who have good > reasons for using such devices. Be satisfied with your binoculars, and > perhaps a camera or other recorder. Both binoculars and cameras are ordinarily > passive devices when they depend on natural illumination. > > Remember, a laser is not a toy. > > Sincerely, > Barry Bressler > > > In a message dated 8/30/2010 6:25:04 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > MARLENECONDON AT aol.com writes: > > Hi, > > My laser pointer came in a box with the following warning: > > "Direct eye contact with laser beam may cause severe eye injury. THIS IS > NOT A TOY!" > > Birds are not the only fauna in the canopy, especially in a jungle. > Right > here in Virginia, for example, we have tree frogs (amphibians) among those > > leaves and on those branches where birds are hopping around up high. > Closer to the ground, Five-lined Skinks (reptiles) climb up shrubs and > partway > up trees to search for insects. Squirrels and raccoons (mammals) are in > the trees. These animals are usually more difficult to spot than the > brightly colored birds. Therefore your laser pointer could very well be > beaming > into the eyes of these critters, unbeknownst to you. > > Eco-tours are supposed to be about caring for our wildlife rather than > bringing harm to it. What's needed for participants to see birds are > leaders > who know how to give excellent directions. This is a skill that can be > learned. > > I've seen tapes overused and birds disturbed far too often. Now laser > pointers are being used as if no organism exists out there except birds. > Birds don't live in a vacuum. Perhaps birding has become too insular. > > Sincerely, > Marlene > > > > In a message dated 8/30/2010 5:46:06 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > ecj100 AT aol.com writes: > > > > I was just at Chan Chich Lodge, in Belize, where the guides use laser > pointers to show guests where birds are located that are otherwise hard > to find > in the jungle. They will point to a general area in the tree, moving the > > pointer in a circle, and say something like, it is about a foot above and > to the right of the light. It worked well, and did not appear to bother > the > birds. > > Eric Jeffrey > Falls Church, VA > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: WILLIAM Brown > To: va-bird AT listserve.com; DELON SARGENT > Sent: Mon, Aug 30, 2010 5:10 pm > Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Use of laser pointers > > > Del, I've been on walks with a leader who quite effectively uses a "laser > ointer" to point to a tree in which a particular bird is located. > Birders > on > is walks generally appreciate the speed with which the light can direct > their > ttention to the bird's location. He never directs the light onto the > bird > tself and I've never seen any indication that the light disturbs birds in > any > ay. > Bill Brown > ----- Original Message ----- > From: DELON SARGENT > To: va-bird AT listserve.com > Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 9:41 PM > Subject: [Va-bird] Use of laser pointers > > This is not a listing, but a question. What are the rules about using > laser > ointers when leading bird walks? I hear people trying to describe the > tree, > ranch and etc. when trying to locate a bird, often will little success. > A > aser pointer, while not aimed at the bird, but in the general region > should be > good aid. > Del Sargent, Purcellville > _______________________________________________ > va-bird mailing list > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird tserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird> > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of > > rnithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ > ______________________________________________ > a-bird mailing list > ttp://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society > of > > rnithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > ttp://www.virginiabirds.net/ > > _______________________________________________ > va-bird mailing list > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society > of > Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ > > _______________________________________________ > va-bird mailing list > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of > Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ > > > > _______________________________________________ > va-bird mailing list > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Late Report on Chincoteaue & VA EasternShore, Sun., Aug. 22-24 From: "Val Kitchens" <vbkitchens AT aol.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:22:35 -0400 VA Birders, I went to Chincoteague on Sunday, Aug. 22, to look for several birds I had missed in the spring. I arrived about 5:00 pm to find water everywhere. I learned that at 3:00 pm, when I had hoped to arrive, a huge thunderstorm hit the area. Marv Rubin, 1 of our NVBC birders who has a house in Chincoteague, said he had 5 inches of rain in his rain gage when he arrived back there the next day. I was sure glad I wasn't driving on the Causeway when that storm hit!!! I drove out to the beach after checking into the Best Western Chincoteague Island Motel (where our bird club stays on its trips) for a 2-night stay. Practically all of Swan Cove was under water, but I found my first target bird, a Caspian Tern, with a group of gulls and terns across from the Assateague Visitor Center in the only place they could stand in Swan Cove. Monday morning, I drove out to the beach about 8:00 am, before breakfast and before the crowd of tourists took it over, and I found a nice group of gulls and terns on the beach. Among them were several Sandwich Terns, my second target bird, as well as Royal and Common Terns, and quite a few Black Skimmers. That afternoon, Marv Rubin and I birded the Wildlife Drive, where we had great, close-up looks at 2 Black Terns (target bird #3) in Snow Goose Pool. It had a nice layer of water after the storm, which should attract a lot of shorebirds. We also had 11 Black-necked Stilts there. On the back side of Snow Goose Pool, we took the boardwalk out to the viewing platform (thru a crowd of hungry mosquitoes!), and were rewarded with a group of 3 Pectoral Sandpipers (target bird #4), which were the first either of us had seen in a couple of years. On Tuesday morning, I headed south on Rt. 13. I stopped at Willis Wharf and Eastern Shore of VA NWR, but found very few birds at either location. My final stop was on Island #1, where I found my 5th and last target bird of the trip on the island's rocky tip, an immature Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. I tried out the new restaurant there, which wasn't bad, and which has great views of the Bay from its window seats. Then I drove up to Tappahannock on the Northern Neck, where I spent Tuesday night. Wednesday, I stopped at Washington's Birthplace in Westmoreland Co., where my best bird was a female or immature Summer Tanager, which I glimpsed briefly in the picnic area, and at Garner's Produce stand, also in Westmoreland Co., where they sell McCutcheon's Preserves, made with all natural ingredients (unlike most jams in grocery stores), at a reasonable price, as well as fresh tomatoes and other produce. Garner's is about 6 miles west of Warsaw on Rt. 3. Good birding, Val Kitchens Arlington, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: NVBC Bird Walk at Fort C.F. Smith Park, Arlington, Saturday, Aug. 28 From: "Val Kitchens" <vbkitchens AT aol.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:08:29 -0400 VA Birders, The 15 birders who took part in our NVBC Bird Walk at Fort C. F. Smith Park, Arlington Co., on Sat., Aug. 28, found 38 species of birds. Highlights included 6 Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, 1 Great Crested Flycatcher, 1 Red-eyed Vireo, 4 species of warblers: 1 each of Magnolia, Prairie, and Canada Warblers, and 2 Am. Redstarts, and 1 Orchard and 4 Baltimore Orioles. Good birding, Val Kitchens Arlington, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Use of laser pointers From: BLBressler AT aol.com Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:18:42 EDT Hello, I agree entirely with Marlene's comments. She emphasizes possible detrimental effects on wildlife. I want to emphasize possible detrimental effects on birders. Note that a beam from a laser also could enter the eye of a birder (or a bystander) accidentally during the excitement of finding an interesting bird. Familiarity with dangerous gadgets can lead to carelessness. Past studies have shown that even milliwatt lasers can cause permanent retinal damage. I could not comfortably accompany a group in which a laser pointer was used. A laser is an amazing product of quantum physics. Like television, cell phones, and personal computers, lasers are useful tools that are applied very often for trivial purposes. Birding can open us to experiences that show us how technology can insulate us from the natural environment in which we evolved. Birding cannot do this when it relies unnecessarily on too much technology. When I was a boy, I could not afford even cheap binoculars. I compensated by developing the skill of approaching birds closely, and the patience for allowing them to approach me, as well as the ability to locate a bird quickly in dense foliage. Unfortunately, I since have largely lost those skills. While I still had them, I observed things that I would have missed with binoculars. Gadgets give, and they take away. These days, so many birders seem to regard birding as a competitive sport, in which gadgets are helpful for building lists quickly and efficiently. For everything that is gained in this way, much is lost. I suggest leaving the fancy (and often expensive) gadgets to serious scientists who have good reasons for using such devices. Be satisfied with your binoculars, and perhaps a camera or other recorder. Both binoculars and cameras are ordinarily passive devices when they depend on natural illumination. Remember, a laser is not a toy. Sincerely, Barry Bressler In a message dated 8/30/2010 6:25:04 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, MARLENECONDON AT aol.com writes: Hi, My laser pointer came in a box with the following warning: "Direct eye contact with laser beam may cause severe eye injury. THIS IS NOT A TOY!" Birds are not the only fauna in the canopy, especially in a jungle. Right here in Virginia, for example, we have tree frogs (amphibians) among those leaves and on those branches where birds are hopping around up high. Closer to the ground, Five-lined Skinks (reptiles) climb up shrubs and partway up trees to search for insects. Squirrels and raccoons (mammals) are in the trees. These animals are usually more difficult to spot than the brightly colored birds. Therefore your laser pointer could very well be beaming into the eyes of these critters, unbeknownst to you. Eco-tours are supposed to be about caring for our wildlife rather than bringing harm to it. What's needed for participants to see birds are leaders who know how to give excellent directions. This is a skill that can be learned. I've seen tapes overused and birds disturbed far too often. Now laser pointers are being used as if no organism exists out there except birds. Birds don't live in a vacuum. Perhaps birding has become too insular. Sincerely, Marlene In a message dated 8/30/2010 5:46:06 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, ecj100 AT aol.com writes: I was just at Chan Chich Lodge, in Belize, where the guides use laser pointers to show guests where birds are located that are otherwise hard to find in the jungle. They will point to a general area in the tree, moving the pointer in a circle, and say something like, it is about a foot above and to the right of the light. It worked well, and did not appear to bother the birds. Eric Jeffrey Falls Church, VA -----Original Message----- From: WILLIAM Brown To: va-bird AT listserve.com; DELON SARGENT Sent: Mon, Aug 30, 2010 5:10 pm Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Use of laser pointers Del, I've been on walks with a leader who quite effectively uses a "laser ointer" to point to a tree in which a particular bird is located. Birders on is walks generally appreciate the speed with which the light can direct their ttention to the bird's location. He never directs the light onto the bird tself and I've never seen any indication that the light disturbs birds in any ay. Bill Brown ----- Original Message ----- From: DELON SARGENT To: va-bird AT listserve.com Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 9:41 PM Subject: [Va-bird] Use of laser pointers This is not a listing, but a question. What are the rules about using laser ointers when leading bird walks? I hear people trying to describe the tree, ranch and etc. when trying to locate a bird, often will little success. A aser pointer, while not aimed at the bird, but in the general region should be good aid. Del Sargent, Purcellville _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of rnithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ ______________________________________________ a-bird mailing list ttp://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of rnithology. Please consider joining the VSO. ttp://www.virginiabirds.net/ _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: 13 Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Hog Island From: Karen Kearney <birdingva AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:06:31 -0700 (PDT) I stopped at Hog Island today, late morning. It didn't take me long to find 2 American Golden Plovers and the 7 Buff-breasted Sandpipers that were reported yesterday. I wandered about for another hour or so, and when I returned, the 7 Buffies had grown to a group of 13! I did not find an Upland Sandpiper today. I've posted a few pictures at www.flickr.com/birdingva All birds were seen at the far north end of the "island," in the fields across the road from the viewing platform.   Karen Kearney Chesapeake _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Nighthawks Highland Co. From: Sandy Hevener <hevener AT htcnet.org> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:04:43 -0400 Monday August 30 7:15-7:35 p.m. group of about 30 nighthawks swooped low over a freshly mowed hayfield and dove into clouds of small bugs in western most part of Highland County for about 20 minutes before drifting south. This was in the Blue Grass Valley 2.4 miles north of US 250. Quite a show in the fading orange sunlight. Sandy Hevener Blue Grass, VA S _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Posing Warblers From: "Roger Mayhorn" <rmayhorn AT hughes.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:15:08 -0400 This evening four warblers (three species) and a Scarlet Tanager got together in my yard stream for a photo. This is the result http://www.pbase.com/mayhorn/image/127975735 Roger Mayhorn Compton Mt Buchanan County _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Nutmeg Mannikins in Loudoun Co From: Christine Huffman <crhuff55 AT aol.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:22:02 -0400 they are sold as spice finches in all the petsmarts and petcos around here so i am sure someone just let them go sat the park - christie huffman On Aug 30, 2010, at 5:56 PM, Joe Coleman wrote: > John Keith found a small flock of five NUTMEG MANNIKINS at Claude Moore Park, Loudoun Co, VA yesterday. When he ret'd today he found two feeding on the ground on the east side of the lower pond which let him approach to within about 5'. They are probably recently released or escaped birds. The only sustainable population I am aware of in the continental US is in the LA area but wouldn't be surprised if they were also in Florida. > Joe Coleman > _______________________________________________ > va-bird mailing list > http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird > > Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. > http://www.virginiabirds.net/ _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Bird activity in Powhatan 8/30/10 From: Wendy Ealding <wealding AT aol.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:19:39 -0400 I refilled the bird bath this afternoon and around 5 PM we had a flurry of activity. The bluebirds tried to monopolize it at first, then the Chipping Sparrows joined in. Finally, in short order, there was a female Baltimore Oriole, a male Pine Warbler, and two female Summer Tanagers. Just shows how critical even a little water is in the hot weather. Wendy Ealding Powhatan County _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Use of laser pointers From: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:24:35 EDT Hi, My laser pointer came in a box with the following warning: "Direct eye contact with laser beam may cause severe eye injury. THIS IS NOT A TOY!" Birds are not the only fauna in the canopy, especially in a jungle. Right here in Virginia, for example, we have tree frogs (amphibians) among those leaves and on those branches where birds are hopping around up high. Closer to the ground, Five-lined Skinks (reptiles) climb up shrubs and partway up trees to search for insects. Squirrels and raccoons (mammals) are in the trees. These animals are usually more difficult to spot than the brightly colored birds. Therefore your laser pointer could very well be beaming into the eyes of these critters, unbeknownst to you. Eco-tours are supposed to be about caring for our wildlife rather than bringing harm to it. What's needed for participants to see birds are leaders who know how to give excellent directions. This is a skill that can be learned. I've seen tapes overused and birds disturbed far too often. Now laser pointers are being used as if no organism exists out there except birds. Birds don't live in a vacuum. Perhaps birding has become too insular. Sincerely, Marlene In a message dated 8/30/2010 5:46:06 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, ecj100 AT aol.com writes: I was just at Chan Chich Lodge, in Belize, where the guides use laser pointers to show guests where birds are located that are otherwise hard to find in the jungle. They will point to a general area in the tree, moving the pointer in a circle, and say something like, it is about a foot above and to the right of the light. It worked well, and did not appear to bother the birds. Eric Jeffrey Falls Church, VA -----Original Message----- From: WILLIAM Brown To: va-bird AT listserve.com; DELON SARGENT Sent: Mon, Aug 30, 2010 5:10 pm Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Use of laser pointers Del, I've been on walks with a leader who quite effectively uses a "laser ointer" to point to a tree in which a particular bird is located. Birders on is walks generally appreciate the speed with which the light can direct their ttention to the bird's location. He never directs the light onto the bird tself and I've never seen any indication that the light disturbs birds in any ay. Bill Brown ----- Original Message ----- From: DELON SARGENT To: va-bird AT listserve.com Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 9:41 PM Subject: [Va-bird] Use of laser pointers This is not a listing, but a question. What are the rules about using laser ointers when leading bird walks? I hear people trying to describe the tree, ranch and etc. when trying to locate a bird, often will little success. A aser pointer, while not aimed at the bird, but in the general region should be good aid. Del Sargent, Purcellville _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of rnithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ ______________________________________________ a-bird mailing list ttp://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of rnithology. Please consider joining the VSO. ttp://www.virginiabirds.net/ _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: HSR: Snickers Gap (30 Aug 2010) 1 Raptors From: reports AT hawkcount.org Date: 30 Aug 2010 18:08:20 -0400 Snickers Gap 20 Miles West of Leesburg, Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 30, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 0 11 11 Bald Eagle 0 8 8 Northern Harrier 0 0 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 5 5 Cooper's Hawk 0 2 2 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 1 1 Broad-winged Hawk 0 24 24 Red-tailed Hawk 0 2 2 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 4 4 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 1 58 58 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 6 hours Official Counter: Wes Hetrick Observers: Visitors: Peter Deahl over his lunch hour. Weather: Sky clear but smoky, temps in the 80s, light & shifting breeze. Raptor Observations: Local RT, OS, active in the area but not migrating. Non-raptor Observations: Big day for butterflies. Predictions: If stagnant air mass & impossible blue/grey skies continue it will be a difficult week. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Wes Hetrick (weshetrick AT live.com) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Nutmeg Mannikins in Loudoun Co From: "Joe Coleman" <joecoleman AT rstarmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:56:33 -0400 John Keith found a small flock of five NUTMEG MANNIKINS at Claude Moore Park, Loudoun Co, VA yesterday. When he ret'd today he found two feeding on the ground on the east side of the lower pond which let him approach to within about 5'. They are probably recently released or escaped birds. The only sustainable population I am aware of in the continental US is in the LA area but wouldn't be surprised if they were also in Florida. Joe Coleman _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Use of laser pointers From: ecj100 AT aol.com Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:45:30 -0400 I was just at Chan Chich Lodge, in Belize, where the guides use laser pointers to show guests where birds are located that are otherwise hard to find in the jungle. They will point to a general area in the tree, moving the pointer in a circle, and say something like, it is about a foot above and to the right of the light. It worked well, and did not appear to bother the birds. Eric Jeffrey Falls Church, VA -----Original Message----- From: WILLIAM Brown To: va-bird AT listserve.com; DELON SARGENT Sent: Mon, Aug 30, 2010 5:10 pm Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Use of laser pointers Del, I've been on walks with a leader who quite effectively uses a "laser ointer" to point to a tree in which a particular bird is located. Birders on is walks generally appreciate the speed with which the light can direct their ttention to the bird's location. He never directs the light onto the bird tself and I've never seen any indication that the light disturbs birds in any ay. Bill Brown ----- Original Message ----- From: DELON SARGENT To: va-bird AT listserve.com Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 9:41 PM Subject: [Va-bird] Use of laser pointers This is not a listing, but a question. What are the rules about using laser ointers when leading bird walks? I hear people trying to describe the tree, ranch and etc. when trying to locate a bird, often will little success. A aser pointer, while not aimed at the bird, but in the general region should be good aid. Del Sargent, Purcellville _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of rnithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ ______________________________________________ a-bird mailing list ttp://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of rnithology. Please consider joining the VSO. ttp://www.virginiabirds.net/ _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: HSR: Harvey's Knob (30 Aug 2010) 2 Raptors From: reports AT hawkcount.org Date: 30 Aug 2010 18:08:12 -0400 Harvey's Knob Roanoke, Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 30, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 2 9 9 Bald Eagle 0 8 8 Northern Harrier 0 2 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 2 2 Cooper's Hawk 0 1 1 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 3 3 Red-tailed Hawk 0 11 11 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 0 0 Merlin 0 1 1 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 2 38 38 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 12:45:00 Observation end time: 15:00:00 Total observation time: 2.25 hours Official Counter: Bill James Observers: Visitors: Light traffic. Parkway folks sprucing up the road (cutting trees) for the 75th celebration. Weather: Light and variable winds, and hot. Vultures had plenty of lift, but then disappeared. Empty blue skies ruled the short day. There was a low, dark haze over the valleys reminiscent of the floor of the Gulf of Mexico. Raptor Observations: Two Ospreys was it. I pray You pray We all pray for Osprey. Non-raptor Observations: This was Gnational Eat-a-Hawkwatcher Day. I've never seen so many..... There was a TV with what appeared to be a white balloon attached to his legs. The other Vultures seemed interested as did a pair of ravens. He looked a little like a Bald Eagle with a slipped tail. Don't forget to take your scissors up tomorrow Baron. Predictions: Hotter still. Maybe wind? ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bill James (bijam AT aol.com) Harvey's Knob Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://bijame.googlepages.com/home _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Use of laser pointers From: "WILLIAM Brown" <billbr50 AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:10:18 -0400 Del, I've been on walks with a leader who quite effectively uses a "laser pointer" to point to a tree in which a particular bird is located. Birders on his walks generally appreciate the speed with which the light can direct their attention to the bird's location. He never directs the light onto the bird itself and I've never seen any indication that the light disturbs birds in any way. Bill Brown ----- Original Message ----- From: DELON SARGENT To: va-bird AT listserve.com Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2010 9:41 PM Subject: [Va-bird] Use of laser pointers This is not a listing, but a question. What are the rules about using laser pointers when leading bird walks? I hear people trying to describe the tree, branch and etc. when trying to locate a bird, often will little success. A laser pointer, while not aimed at the bird, but in the general region should be a good aid. Del Sargent, Purcellville _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk From: Harry Glasgow <harry.glasgow AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:28:28 -0700 (PDT) As one of the lightest outings in memory, this morning's Huntley Meadows Monday Morning Birdwalk's 12 birders were only able to eke out 33 species.    Of note was that there were no Canada Geese, and only 1 Red-winged Blackbird;  no swallows, and only 3 Wood ducks.  However, the best sighting was a Northern Waterthrush near the east end of the boardwalk.  And for regulars at the tally sessions at Denny's, note that Mo is back. Wood Duck    3 Great Blue Heron    2 Great Egret    3 Green Heron    1 Osprey    1 Cooper's Hawk    1 Lesser Yellowlegs    2 Mourning Dove    1 Chimney Swift    1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird    3 Red-bellied Woodpecker    2 Downy Woodpecker    1 Northern Flicker    2 Pileated Woodpecker    1 Eastern Wood-Pewee    1 Eastern Phoebe    2 White-eyed Vireo    1 Blue Jay    1 Carolina Chickadee    2 Tufted Titmouse    1 White-breasted Nuthatch    2 Carolina Wren    1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher    3 Eastern Bluebird    3 American Robin    8 Gray Catbird    5 Brown Thrasher    2 Northern Waterthrush    1 Common Yellowthroat    4 Song Sparrow    2 Northern Cardinal    7 Red-winged Blackbird    1 American Goldfinch    5 The Monday Morning birdwalk has been a weekly event at Huntley Meadows since 1985.  It takes place every week, rain or shine, at 7AM, is free of charge, requires no reservation, and is open to all.  Birders meet in the parking lot at the Park's entrance at 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA.   Questions should be directed to Park staff during normal business hours at (703) 768-2525.   Harry Glasgow Friends of Huntley Meadows Park _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Warblers, Egret - Nelson/Amherst Counties From: G D <chasingflow AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:07:21 -0400 Last weekend, in addition to the BLACKBURNIAN mentioned in an earlier post, we had a CANADA WARBLER in Nelson County, near Nellysford (Brents Mountain area). Today there was a GREAT EGRET in the Tye River along Rt. 56, east of Rt. 151 (Mac's Market). BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO persist in the area, calling daily. There were BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLERs, SCARLET TANAGER, BALTIMORE ORIOLE along the North Fork Buffalo trail in Amherst County. G Dalton Nellysford, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: buff-breasted, bairds sandpipers, soras, warblers in NNK From: Frederick Atwood <fredatwood AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:30:07 -0700 (PDT) Hi Ya'llIt's good to be back.After sleeping in to recover from my trip to Svalbard Norway and enjoying an early church service, I got off to a late start, not arriving in King George County until noon where I explored the ponds along route 3 near Sealston and also Cleve Rd in Dogue. From there I went to Leedstown in Westmoreland County. I have not yet entered the birds into eBird so i don't have totals but I wanted to let you now about the highlights just in case any of you want to get out there.  PLease remember that all of the areas visited are private property so any viewing should be done from the paved roads. There were lots of warblers in both areas with Yellows, Pines, Yellowthroats, Cape Mays and Prairies being the most numerous.  Also found Parula, Magnolia, Black-throated Blue, Ovenbird, Prothonotary, Yellow-throated, Waterthrush sp, and Bay-breasted.  Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were more abundant than usual. And there were dozens of all species of swallows except no martins and cliff swallows.  Blue Grosbeaks and Indigo Buntings were still all over the place and I saw both species of Tanagers displaying a mix of breeding and winter plumage. The 2 Bairds Sandpipers were in the King George Ponds along with several Least, Semipalmated, Spotted Sandpipers, and Killdeer as well as a Semipalmated Plover. Lots of Mallards around too and several immature Bald Eagles. Only a few dozen laughing gulls.In Leedstown the farm field along Horner's Mill Rd was particularly productive with 2 Buff-breasted Sandpipers, 85 Killdeer, a dozen Semipalmated PLovers, dozens of least sandpipers, several semipalmated sandpipers, and single Pectoral Sandpiper and Lesser yellowlegs.  Also in Leedstown were at least 7 soras calling from Drake Marsh at dusk.  The marsh is huge so I can only imagine how many other Soras were out there beyond my hearing. Four Solitary Sandpipers were also here. Two Bobwhites called back and forth.School starts this week. Got to get ready!All the bestFred Frederick D. Atwood fredatwood AT yahoo.com Flint Hill School, 10409 Academic Dr, Oakton, VA 22124 703-242-1675 http://www.agpix.com/fredatwood http://www.flinthill.org http://tea.armadaproject.org/tea_atwoodfrontpage.html _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: August 27- 28 Culpeper County - southwestern end of Route 628 From: "Caroline Heald" <cemmetheald AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:54:42 -0400 As usual at this "edge" location (woods, meadows mowed and unmowed, stream, wetland, pond) a relatively wide spectrum of species. Highlights were an osprey, a black-billed cuckoo, and two daylight sightings of a resident barred owl in the woods. Great blue heron (1) Green heron (1) Red-tailed hawk Osprey (1) Black vulture Barred owl (1) Mourning dove - abundant Black-billed cuckoo (1) Ruby-throated hummingbird - abundant Common yellow-shafted flicker Eastern phoebe - abundant Eastern pewee - abundant American crow Blue jay Carolina chickadee - abundant Tufted titmouse Blue-gray gnatcatcher Red-eyed vireo Northern cardinal American goldfinch - abundant _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: 6 species of Warblers plus Veery at Monticello park 28 Aug - 29 Aug From: "Albright, Tom (USMS)" <Tom.Albright2 AT usdoj.gov> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:53:57 -0400 Six species of Warblers were spotted at Monticello park on Saturday and Sunday (2) Yellowstarts (1) Canada Warbler (2) CS Warbler (3) B&W Warblers (1) N Waterthrush (5) Magnolia Warblers other migrants of note seen over the weekend: Veery AC Flycatcher YB Cuckoo RE Vireo _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: COOPER"S HAWK AND SWIFTS From: "Ziegenfus, Charles - ziegencw" <ziegencw AT jmu.edu> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:34:09 +0000 For the past 40+ years, we have enjoyed the Chimney Swift migration at our house and our neighbor's house. At times we have had as many as 400+ in both chimneys. Last evening as one of our friends had taken there young boy(5) to watch them circle and descend into the chimney, they called us and said 'quick come and see what is on the chimney'. Well, it was an adult Cooper's hawk feasting on a swift. This is the first time ever that I have seen or heard of this. Several years ago, I tried to get the local newspaper to come by and catch a fantastic picture of a cat sitting on the adjacent building at the peak of the roof and wantonly eyeing the swifts as they circled about. The cat even made some hopeless pawing at them. I only had a point and shoot camera at that time and the light was poor. Zig >-- The juncos and white-throats are gone!!! >PHONE:(540) 568-6563 or 6408 or 2326 >FAX: (540) 568-6857 Professor Emeritus of Mathematics Adjunct Professor of Biology >Ziegenfus, Charles W >ziegencw AT jmu.edu _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Great Falls National Park [VA] on 8/29/10 From: mnr2 <mnr2 AT aol.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:24:36 -0400 Our group of ten identified 41 species.  Highlights of the day included a merlin at the canal locks and a catbird which is seldom seen on our walk.  We were surprised to find a palm warbler at one of the overlooks.  We had good views of a number of black and white warblers, scarlet tanager, orchard oriole and yellow billed cuckoo.   Green herons were a welcome sight on the river above the falls.    This Sunday walk meets at 8:00am int he visitors center courtyard  and all are welcome. -- Marshall Rawson, McLean VA Canada Goose 25 Wood Duck 2 Mallard 12 Double-crested Cormorant 8 Great Blue Heron 6 Green Heron 3 Black Vulture 2 Turkey Vulture 18 Merlin 1 Mourning Dove 1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3 Chimney Swift 125 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 Belted Kingfisher 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 3 Downy Woodpecker 5 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 6 Great Crested Flycatcher 1 Warbling Vireo 1 Red-eyed Vireo 1 Blue Jay 12 American Crow 6 Tree Swallow 1 Carolina Chickadee 8 Tufted Titmouse 24 White-breasted Nuthatch 8 Carolina Wren 4 House Wren 1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 Eastern Bluebird 1 Gray Catbird 1 Northern Parula 1 Palm Warbler 1 Black-and-white Warbler 5 Canada Warbler 1 Scarlet Tanager 1 Northern Cardinal 8 Orchard Oriole 1 American Goldfinch 3 _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Dyke Marsh mudflats this eve. From: Richard Rieger <appleadayonsite AT aol.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:20:58 -0400 Added a few more sp. that were not seen on a.m. walk as I stood on the stone bridge over Hunting Creek and scanned the mudflats from 7p until the sun went down. Saw one imm eagle and one Osprey. Wood duck - 1 Gadwall - 5 Killdeer - 10 Lesser Yellowlegs - 20 Semi P Sandpiper - 24 Spotted Sandpiper - 1 Dowitcher sp. - 1 Laughing Gulls ~ 750 _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Augusta County Warblers From: "Allen & Pat" <larnersky AT mindspring.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:09:59 -0400 Hello all This morning I went out early to the Big Levels area as well as along Rt.610 & the Blue Ridge Parkway . I was looking for early migrating Warblers & other birds of interest . As I was driving along the roads & when I heard a Chickadee or Titmouse call out I would stop & see if any migrating birds were hanging out with them . Below is a small list of birds found today . Wood Pewee - 4 Blue - headed Vireo --5 Red - eyed Vireo -- 37 + Carolina Chickadee -- 40 + Black - capped Chickadee -- 1 near Ravens Roost B R Parkway Titmouse -- 53 + W B Nuthatch --7 Blue Gray Gnatcatcher -- 2 Tennessee Warbler -- 1 Nashville -- 1 Early Date Chestnut - sided --3 Magnolia --5 Black - throated Green --2 Blackburnian --1 Pine --12 Black & White -- 5 Worm -- eating -- 1 Hooded -- 9 Scarlet Tanager --7 Towhee -- 4 Dark -- eyed Junco -- 3 Rose - breasted Grosbeak -- 2 Indigo Bunting -- 3 Allen Larner Staunton _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: HSR: Harvey's Knob (29 Aug 2010) 11 Raptors From: reports AT hawkcount.org Date: 29 Aug 2010 21:08:50 -0400 Harvey's Knob Roanoke, Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 29, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 2 7 7 Bald Eagle 3 8 8 Northern Harrier 1 2 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 2 2 Cooper's Hawk 0 1 1 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 2 3 3 Red-tailed Hawk 2 11 11 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 0 0 Merlin 0 1 1 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 11 36 36 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 11:00:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours Official Counter: Bill James Observers: Barry Kinzie, Bill Adams, Dillard Childress, Katie James Visitors: Jim and Sandra from Lynchburg. Phillip was by, the Kinzie's and more. Weather: Variable winds early, primarily from the West, turning to East and Southeast later in the day. Very hazy with clouds throughout the day increasing then decreasing. Raptor Observations: ABE at 11:19, IBE at 11:24. Later an ABE at 3:22 then another IBE at 3:24 who went NE. An Osprey who was low and went up over the knob high and, as he exited, disappeared in the hazy clouds. Non-raptor Observations: Ranger Kathy was by getting ready for the BRP'way celebration, but distracted by a motorcycle wreck with an absent motorcyclist. Dillard was in rare form - ask him about the monkey fight or the invisible glass Amos and Andy episode. Predictions: Open date. Go up! ======================================================================== Report submitted by Bill James (bijam AT aol.com) Harvey's Knob Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://bijame.googlepages.com/home _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Blue Winged and Hooded Warbler, Campbell County From: Pepherup AT aol.com Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:20:30 EDT Mark Johnson and I birded State Route 737 just west of Concord, Va. There was little activity at 7 a.m. when we arrived but by 7:45 or so, birds began to appear. Highlights were a blue winged warbler, hooded warbler, 4 red headed woodpeckers, (3 adult, 1 juvenile) , and singing white eyed vireo. We had a total of 35 species, all found on route 737 between about 7:45 and 10:00 a.m. After that we saw or heard nothing. Complete list of species follows: Red Tailed hawk (on way to 737 but not on that road) American kestrel Chimney swifts Ruby-throated hummingbirds Red headed woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Eastern wood peewee Great crested flycatcher White eyed vireo Red eyed vireo American crow Carolina Chickadee tufted titmouse White breasted nuthatch Carolina wren Blue-gray gnatcatchers American robin Northern mockingbird Cedar waxwings Blue winged warbler Pine warbler Prairie warbler Palm warbler American redstart Ovenbird Common yellowthroat Hooded warbler Eastern towhee Field sparrow Northern cardinal blue grosbeak Indigo bunting American goldfinch Peggy Lyons Concord, VA Campbell County _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: HSR: Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch (29 Aug 2010) 18 Raptors From: reports AT hawkcount.org Date: 29 Aug 2010 20:08:31 -0400 Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch Waynesboro, Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 29, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 4 20 20 Bald Eagle 3 12 12 Northern Harrier 0 1 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 3 14 14 Cooper's Hawk 2 4 4 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 6 34 34 Red-tailed Hawk 0 8 8 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 5 5 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Accipiter 0 1 1 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 3 3 Total: 18 102 102 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:30:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 4.5 hours Official Counter: Multiple Counters Observers: Allen Larner, Brenda Tekin, Vic Laubach Visitors: Marshall Faitinch Weather: Another nice day starting out with brisk SW winds 20-22km/h diminishing to 1-5km/h and turning more variable. Temp: 23c>26.5c in the shade; Humidity: 75%<67%; Bar.Pressure steady at 1020; Not the hint of a cloud for first hour and then a few puffs increased by mid-morning providing a backdrop to spot the few high sailing broad-wings. Thick haze persists on both sides of the ridge. Raptor Observations: A slow day but boy, oh boy, we had killer looks at a close in BALD EAGLE, an adult that slowly sailed overhead at 9:54 a.m. EST. As several of us watched it go by, Vic Laubach was talking about THE bald eagle still coming right at us. Now wait a minute. The eagle we had just seen had already flown over the building maybe 6 seconds earlier. Looking over to my right, Vic, with binoculars to his eyes, was looking in a different part of the sky. Sure enough, there was a second BAEA, another adult. The third BAEA of the day, another adult, flew over at 10:21 a.m. Later in the morning, two Osprey flew by within a few seconds of each other, obviously migrating together. A low Cooper's Hawk, slowly glided past directly in front of the observers, a definite "WOW" moment. We reached the triple-digit for total species to date this season, with 20 OSPREY and 12 BALD EAGLE. As noted by Allen Larner, during those early years, the sighting of a Bald Eagle as well as Osprey were too few and far between and to have 12 BAEA in one season was unheard of at Rockfish Gap. Non-raptor Observations: At one point, the sky seemed to magically fill with dragonflies, so many in fact, it made it somewhat difficult to scan through them to spot a distant raptor. They included Black Saddlebags, Swamp Darner, Twelve-spotted Skimmer, Eastern Pondhawk. Cloudless Sulpher, Orange Sulpher, Cabbage White, Pipevine Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (including black), Spicebush Swallowtail, Cloudywing sps, Tawny Emperor, and Monarch Butterfly (11). A hairy white w/black caterpillar was hitching a ride and luckily it was discovered before transporting to the vehicle. Images taken seem to match up to Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillar. Ruby-throated Hummingbird-5 ======================================================================== Report submitted by Brenda Tekin (brenda AT birdsofvirginia.com) Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, VA information may be found at: http://www.rockfishgaphawkwatch.org _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Harrier/Long Island From: Mary Foster <chathambirds08 AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:28:28 -0500 Saw my first Harrier today at Long Island next to the 'bulls for sale' sign! Mary Foster Dry Fork _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Snickers Gap Hawkwatch From: icepeep AT aol.com Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:26:17 -0400 Snickers Gap Hawkwatch (50 minutes west of D.C.) officially started its count this weekend. The count, so far, includes a modest number of Broad-winged Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks and Ospreys, among others. Broad-winged Hawks, up to the thousands per day, during a brief period in mid-September, will be the focus of an Audubon Naturalist Society and Montgomery Bird Club field trip on September 18th, the traditional best day for Broad-wings at Snickers. As always the group is looking for counters to assist with the fall count. Beginners are welcome. Call Joan or Bob at 703/734-1238, email: icepeep AT aol.com. _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: HSR: Snickers Gap (29 Aug 2010) 20 Raptors From: reports AT hawkcount.org Date: 29 Aug 2010 19:08:59 -0400 Snickers Gap 20 Miles West of Leesburg, Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 29, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 2 11 11 Bald Eagle 1 8 8 Northern Harrier 0 0 0 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 4 4 Cooper's Hawk 1 2 2 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 1 1 Broad-winged Hawk 13 24 24 Red-tailed Hawk 0 2 2 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 4 4 Merlin 0 0 0 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 20 57 57 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:00:00 Observation end time: 14:00:00 Total observation time: 5 hours Official Counter: Joan Boudreau and Bob Abrams Observers: Bev Leeuwenburg, Matt Orsie, The Littles, Wes Hetrick Visitors: Only a few stalwart AT hikers today. They're probably all at home waiting for the weather to break some time in September (we hope). Weather: Light breeze from the W then turning SW. Clear and hazy. Raptor Observations: Most birds moving through casually. Non-raptor Observations: Glad to be back and see some of the regulars! Looking forward to seeing the others soon. ======================================================================== Report submitted by Joan and Bob (icepeep AT aol.com) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Hog Island WMA, Surry Co. , 8/29/10 From: Arun Bose <arun1bose AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:18:09 -0400 Hello VA Birders, Inspired by previous reports from Hog Island this past week I made a visit this morning arriving at about 6:30 and left around noon thirty. Adam D'Onofrio, Mike and Vicky Iwanik, Elisa Enders, Nick Flanders, and Peggy (sorry I didn't remember your last name), arrived later, and stayed longer. Highlights included at least 7 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, 2 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER and 1 UPLAND SANDPIPER. Numbers of CASPIAN TERN have dropped off, but remain in good numbers (250). My list is below. Additional species seen by Adam - House Wren, Black + White Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, American Wigeon, and Western Sandpiper. A few images from today. Buff-breasted Sandpiper http://flic.kr/p/8wtErQ American Golden-Plover http://flic.kr/p/8wtDYG Upland Sandpiper (awful record shot) http://flic.kr/p/8wtEHo Location:     Hog Island WMA - CSW04 Observation date:     8/29/10 Number of species:     51 Canada Goose     45 Green-winged Teal (American)     2 Double-crested Cormorant     4 Great Blue Heron     10 Great Egret     130 Snowy Egret     20 Cattle Egret     1 Glossy Ibis     2 Turkey Vulture     X Osprey     1 Bald Eagle 1 Black-bellied Plover     1 American Golden-Plover     2 Semipalmated Plover     15 Killdeer     50 Spotted Sandpiper     3 Greater Yellowlegs     2 Lesser Yellowlegs     20 Upland Sandpiper     1 Ruddy Turnstone     1 Semipalmated Sandpiper     40 Least Sandpiper     150 White-rumped Sandpiper     3 Pectoral Sandpiper     7 Buff-breasted Sandpiper     7 Short-billed Dowitcher     5 Wilson's Snipe     1 Laughing Gull     30 Caspian Tern     250 Forster's Tern     10 Royal Tern     5 Mourning Dove     10 Ruby-throated Hummingbird     1 Red-headed Woodpecker     1 Hairy Woodpecker     1 Eastern Wood-Pewee     1 Red-eyed Vireo     1 Fish Crow     1 Barn Swallow     5 Carolina Chickadee     3 Brown-headed Nuthatch     5 Carolina Wren     2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     2 Yellow-throated Warbler     2 Pine Warbler     8 Common Yellowthroat     2 Song Sparrow     2 Summer Tanager     2 Northern Cardinal     4 Bobolink     6 Red-winged Blackbird     5 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/VA) Arun Bose Richmond _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Birds in Northern Loudoun County From: Gerco H <drgerco AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:40:16 -0400 After the heat wave of the past weeks, bird activity has increased in the northern most part of the State. The first signs of fall migration are visible. In the last week we had Scarlet Tanager and the first-of-yard Baltimore Orioles visiting our property and the first Common Nighthawks of the fall were seen. Catoctin Creek near Taylortown has been very interesting too. A flock of turkeys was seen as well as a peacock. It was very funny to see the big turkeys moving around in the tree canopy. They just don't belong there. Last Saturday I saw a great egret flying along the creek. This was a first for this part of the creek. I have seen plenty of Great Blue Herons and a few Green Herons but not a great egret this far up the creek. Way cool. Gerco Leesburg, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Sunday Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh, Alexandria From: "david.boltz" <david.boltz AT cox.net> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 16:35:12 -0400 7 birders joined me and Larry Meade for the weekly Sunday morning bird walk at Dyke Marsh on the Potomac River in Alexandria. Noticeable evidence of fall migration was the presence of only 2 Osprey and only one Swallow, a single Northern Rough-winged, plus no Vireo species. 3 warbler species spotted were B&W, Chestnut-sided, and Yellow. The 2 American Coots which have been seen regularly were still present. A Least Flycatcher also afforded good views. Great Egrets were abundant, with 57 counted just from the picnic area at the beginning of the walk (tide was still pretty low). Good news for those concerned about the lack of House Sparrows at the marina; we saw 8 this morning. Not satisfied to be 1 bird short of 50 species, Larry & I went back to the river after compiling the list to find a Pie-billed Grebe and a Great Black-backed Gull to bring the day's total to 51. Many thanks also to Larry for identifying most of the butterflies and flying insects we encountered. The highlight of that part of the morning was a large black & yellow garden spider catching and eating a butterfly. Photos available as soon as I post them to my Flickr account at http://www.flickr.com/photos/28499865 AT N07/ in a short while. The Sunday morning walks are sponsored by the Friends of Dyke Marsh and occur weekly at 8:00 a.m., meeting in the vicinity of the south parking lot. Dave Boltz > Location: Dyke Marsh > Observation date: 8/29/10 > Number of species: 51 > > Canada Goose 147 > Mallard 45 > Pied-billed Grebe 1 > Double-crested Cormorant 12 > Great Blue Heron 17 > Great Egret 65 > Green Heron 1 > Turkey Vulture 1 > Osprey 2 > Bald Eagle 8 > Cooper's Hawk 1 > Red-tailed Hawk 1 > American Coot 2 > Greater Yellowlegs 6 > Laughing Gull X > Ring-billed Gull X > Herring Gull 1 > Great Black-backed Gull 1 > Caspian Tern 2 > Forster's Tern 20 > Mourning Dove 3 > Chimney Swift 8 > Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 > Belted Kingfisher 1 > Red-bellied Woodpecker 4 > Downy Woodpecker 4 > Northern Flicker 1 > Pileated Woodpecker 2 > Least Flycatcher 1 > Eastern Phoebe 1 > Blue Jay X > American Crow 1 > Fish Crow 6 > Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 > Carolina Chickadee 12 > Tufted Titmouse 11 > Carolina Wren 8 > Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3 > American Robin 9 > Gray Catbird 4 > Northern Mockingbird 1 > European Starling X > Yellow Warbler 3 > Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 > Black-and-white Warbler 1 > Song Sparrow 1 > Northern Cardinal 12 > Red-winged Blackbird X > Common Grackle X > American Goldfinch 11 > House Sparrow 8 > Peep Sp. 1 > This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/VA) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Beaverdam Park - North Entrance From: G B Harris <gbhrlh AT cox.net> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 12:08:04 -0400 BIRDERS: Beautiful morning to be out birding and the birds cooperated! Started birding at 0730 and birded until 1030. > > > Location: Beaverdam Park - North Entrance (Fary's Mill Road, Gloucester) > Observation date: 8/29/10 > Notes: George & Rosemarie Harris. "Best" bird: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher with close views. > Number of species: 47 > > Wood Duck 4 > Mallard 10 > Great Blue Heron 2 > Great Egret 2 > Little Blue Heron 5 ......(4 white phase, 1 dark phase) > Green Heron 2 > Turkey Vulture 1 > Red-shouldered Hawk 1 > Red-tailed Hawk (Eastern) 1 > Laughing Gull 33 > Mourning Dove 2 > Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 > Eastern Screech-Owl 2 > Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 > Belted Kingfisher 2 > Downy Woodpecker 3 > Pileated Woodpecker 2 > Eastern Wood-Pewee 2 > Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 1 > Great Crested Flycatcher 2 > White-eyed Vireo 5 > Red-eyed Vireo 2 > Blue Jay 2 > American Crow 5 > Barn Swallow 1 > Carolina Chickadee 3 > Tufted Titmouse 6 > White-breasted Nuthatch 4 > Carolina Wren 4 > Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5 > Brown Thrasher 1 > Chestnut-sided Warbler 1 > Black-throated Green Warbler 1 > American Redstart 3 > Prothonotary Warbler 4 > Worm-eating Warbler 1 > Northern Waterthrush 1 > Common Yellowthroat 1 > Hooded Warbler 5 > Eastern Towhee 3 > Chipping Sparrow 4 > Summer Tanager 2 > Scarlet Tanager 2 > Northern Cardinal 6 > Indigo Bunting 2 > House Finch 1 > American Goldfinch 3 > > This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org/VA) _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Leesylvnia State Park, 12 warbler species From: "MARC RIBAUDO" <moribaudo AT verizon.net> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:51:08 -0400 A beautiful morning at Leesylvania. I focused on the trail from Brushy Point to the small wetland at the end of the boardwalk trail. Not a lot of activity, but enough diversity to make it interesting. At Brushy Point some imitation screech owl whistling enticed a beautiful male hooded warbler, worm-eating warbler, yellow warbler and yellow-breasted chat to reveal themselves. A least flycatcher was also present. Along the boardwalk were a magnolia warbler and a northern waterthrush, which was chasing a great-crested flycather(!). The most activity was at the small wetland near the road. Present were a blue-winged warbler, chestnut-sided warbler, 2 yellow warblers, 2 black-and white warblers, 2 northern parulas, an American redstart, a common yellowthroat, a summer tanager, a yellow-billed cuckoo, an orchard oriole, and a family of indigo buntings. Marc Ribaudo Woodbridge _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: HSR: Harvey's Knob (28 Aug 2010) 4 Raptors From: reports AT hawkcount.org Date: 29 Aug 2010 12:08:48 -0400 Harvey's Knob Roanoke, Virginia, USA Daily Raptor Counts: Aug 28, 2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Species Day's Count Month Total Season Total ------------------ ----------- -------------- -------------- Black Vulture 0 0 0 Turkey Vulture 0 0 0 Osprey 2 5 5 Bald Eagle 1 5 5 Northern Harrier 0 1 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 0 1 1 Cooper's Hawk 0 1 1 Northern Goshawk 0 0 0 Red-shouldered Hawk 0 0 0 Broad-winged Hawk 0 1 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 9 9 Rough-legged Hawk 0 0 0 Golden Eagle 0 0 0 American Kestrel 0 0 0 Merlin 0 1 1 Peregrine Falcon 0 1 1 Unknown Accipiter 0 0 0 Unknown Buteo 0 0 0 Unknown Falcon 0 0 0 Unknown Eagle 0 0 0 Unknown Raptor 0 0 0 Total: 4 25 25 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Observation start time: 09:15:00 Observation end time: 16:00:00 Total observation time: 6.75 hours Official Counter: Baron Gibson Observers: Dillard Childress, Goffs, Hudgins, phillip ferguson Visitors: A lot of motorcyle's out enjoying the nice weather and beautiful views from the Parkway. Weather: Mostly cloudy all day with warm temps Raptor Observations: Local RT's & accipiters seen. Great looks at an adult BE. When turning the white head & tail was so bright. What an amazing raptor. Non-raptor Observations: Dragon flies & Monarchs moving through along with seeing a few small groups of Cedar Waxwings. Predictions: Clear skies, warm temps, another Eagle or two along with Ospreys ======================================================================== Report submitted by Baron Gibson (Hawkwatcher AT netscape.com) Harvey's Knob Hawk Watch information may be found at: http://bijame.googlepages.com/home _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Immature Mourning Warbler, western Albemarle From: MARLENECONDON AT aol.com Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:24:19 EDT About an hour ago I had my first Mourning Warbler ever in my yard in western Albemarle County--an immature. Sincerely, Marlene _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Eastern Shore / Buff-breasted and Upland Sandpipers, American Golden-Plovers From: Ned Brinkley <23cahow AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:20:32 -0400 Location: Arlington, Northampton County, VA, US Observation date: 8/29/10 Notes: Checking harvested potato fields for shorebirds. Upland Sandpiper was at former Yaros Sod Farm. Buff-breasted Sandpipers (juveniles) were across and American Golden-Plovers visible from Sherwood Gate on Arlington Road. Important to get all the way off the road here to let two-way traffic pass. Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias 1 Great Egret - Ardea alba 1 Black Vulture - Coragyps atratus 5 Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura 23 Osprey - Pandion haliaetus 1 Black-bellied Plover - Pluvialis squatarola 8 American Golden-Plover - Pluvialis dominica 2 Semipalmated Plover - Charadrius semipalmatus 654 Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus 2 Upland Sandpiper - Bartramia longicauda 1 Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpres 1 Semipalmated Sandpiper - Calidris pusilla 1 Western Sandpiper - Calidris mauri 6 Least Sandpiper - Calidris minutilla 550 White-rumped Sandpiper - Calidris fuscicollis 1 Buff-breasted Sandpiper - Tryngites subruficollis 2 Laughing Gull - Leucophaeus atricilla 900 Herring Gull - Larus argentatus 23 Rock Pigeon - Columba livia 60 Eastern Kingbird - Tyrannus tyrannus 2 American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 4 Fish Crow - Corvus ossifragus 12 Horned Lark - Eremophila alpestris 6 Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica 10 Carolina Wren - Thryothorus ludovicianus 5 Eastern Bluebird - Sialia sialis 1 European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris 90 Field Sparrow - Spizella pusilla 1 Grasshopper Sparrow - Ammodramus savannarum 1 Northern Cardinal - Cardinalis cardinalis 5 Blue Grosbeak - Passerina caerulea 2 Indigo Bunting - Passerina cyanea 3 Bobolink - Dolichonyx oryzivorus 400 Common Grackle (Purple) - Quiscalus quiscula quiscula/stonei 4 Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater 10 House Finch - Carpodacus mexicanus 20 American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 1 This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) Ned Brinkley Cape Charles, VA _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Nighthawks and Warblers - Buchanan County From: "Roger Mayhorn" <rmayhorn AT hughes.net> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 23:15:44 -0400 This evening a short while before sunset I was doing some yard work and looked up to see a small flock (16) of COMMON NIGHTHAWKS feeding over the neighbors pasture. These are the first ones for me this season. Earlier in the day I had 34 species in the yard including 6 warbler species - 2 BLACK-THROATED GREENS, 1 CHESTNUT-SIDED, 2 (FOS) MAGNOLIAS, 6 TENNESSEES, 1 WORM-EATING and 1 YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER. Other birds of interest were 1 YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, 6 SCARLET TANAGERS in fall plumage, 1 WHITE-EYED VIREO and 4 RED-EYED VIREOS, 2 ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS, 2 PILEATED WOODPECKERS, and 6 INDIGO BUNTINGS. Roger Mayhorn Compton Mt Buchanan County _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Possible Mississippi Kite in Shenandoah County From: Kirk Andrews <kirkaandrews AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 20:06:44 -0700 (PDT) I was walking Friday night at Shenandoah County Park (MFR12) and got two separate looks at the bird through my binoculars from a distance of about 150-200 yards as it first passed over the park heading south and later passed over heading north. Due to the lighting, I was only able to observe the bird's silhouette. The main factors that lead me to a conclusion of MIKI are: 1. Falcon-like shape 2. Deep, fluid wing-beats between periods of soaring 3. Altered flight pattern to catch a large insect on the fly 4. Gut Feeling - as soon as I spotted the bird, my initial impression was that this was not a common raptor for the area I'd love to hear any other suggestions of what this bird may have been so that I can see how they might fit into the fact pattern of what I observed. Thanks, Kirk _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: early Northern Waterthrush From: mountainbirds AT email.com Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:46:57 -0400 Today, 8-28, I picked up a Northern Waterthrush that had hit a store window. It was in the Lebanon, VA shopping centerthat has the Japanese restaurant. It was an after hatching year bird. This was early for this migrant. Richard Lewis Bristol,TN _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/ Subject: Re: Pictures from Sunken Meadow, Hog island. From: Barbara Houston <rinksyd AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:25:50 -0400 All, Based on the number of replies I have gotten, it seems the bird in question is an American Golden Plover. Thanks for the feedback. Barbara Barbara Houston wrote: > I finally got the pics processed... > > Pictures 53-59 and 86-88 are a yet to be identified fellow...I have a > few feelers out to get some help on them. > > http://public.fotki.com/bhouston/miscellaneous/nature_pics/20100827-sunken-mea/ > > > Barbara > _______________________________________________ va-bird mailing list http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird Thank you for subscribing to Va-bird, a service of the Virginia Society of Ornithology. Please consider joining the VSO. http://www.virginiabirds.net/