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CarolinaBirds for Tuesday, April 18, 2006
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Subject:
From: "Frederick Houk Jr" <woodthrush2263(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 18 Apr 2006 1:03am
Anybody else still have a junco or two? We have one that just won't
leave...but she's quite lonely at the moment, and this can't be good for her
social life.
Ditto a couple of Butter Butts...but they're not as "late" leaving.
Turned on my "bird magnet" (patent pending, Wood Thrush Enterprises, all
rights reserved)...that is, my water mister thingy...and immediately drew in
about a hundred various birds, including Scarlet Tanagers.
Pileated Woodpecker is drumming outside like a rock and roll drummer.
The two dozen cowbirds seem to be mysteriously dying off (cough)....
Fred Houk
Chatham County
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re:
From: James Coman <hillshepherd(AT)skybest.com>
Date: 18 Apr 2006 6:34am
Fred and all:
There are still dozens of Juncos here in Alleghany County at 2800'. They do
not breed here, so they have not yet left for higher or more northern
locations.
James Coman
Executive Director
Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust
P. O. Box 2557
Boone, N. C. 28607
828-263-8776
info(AT)brrlt.org
www.brrlt.org
Farm Office:
9124 NC Hwy 93
Piney Creek, N. C. 28663
336-359-2909
Fax 336-359-8643
hillshepherd(AT)skybest.com
On 4/18/06 1:03 AM, "Frederick Houk Jr" <woodthrush2263(AT)hotmail.com> wrote:
> Anybody else still have a junco or two? We have one that just won't
> leave...but she's quite lonely at the moment, and this can't be good for her
> social life.
>
> Ditto a couple of Butter Butts...but they're not as "late" leaving.
>
> Turned on my "bird magnet" (patent pending, Wood Thrush Enterprises, all
> rights reserved)...that is, my water mister thingy...and immediately drew in
> about a hundred various birds, including Scarlet Tanagers.
>
> Pileated Woodpecker is drumming outside like a rock and roll drummer.
>
> The two dozen cowbirds seem to be mysteriously dying off (cough)....
>
> Fred Houk
> Chatham County
>
>
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Juncos
From: "Frederick Houk Jr" <woodthrush2263(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 18 Apr 2006 7:50am
They don't breed in the higher elevations of NC? I have seen a lot of them
on the BRPW in July and August, so I assumed they were year-round (breeding)
birds.
Fred Houk
Chatham County
>From: James Coman <hillshepherd(AT)skybest.com>
>To: Frederick Houk Jr <woodthrush2263(AT)hotmail.com>, carolinabirds(AT)duke.edu
>Subject: Re:
>Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2006 06:33:41 -0400
>
>Fred and all:
>
>There are still dozens of Juncos here in Alleghany County at 2800'. They do
>not breed here, so they have not yet left for higher or more northern
>locations.
>
>James Coman
>Executive Director
>Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust
>P. O. Box 2557
>Boone, N. C. 28607
>828-263-8776
>info(AT)brrlt.org
>www.brrlt.org
>
>Farm Office:
>9124 NC Hwy 93
>Piney Creek, N. C. 28663
>336-359-2909
>Fax 336-359-8643
>hillshepherd(AT)skybest.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>On 4/18/06 1:03 AM, "Frederick Houk Jr" <woodthrush2263(AT)hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Anybody else still have a junco or two? We have one that just won't
> > leave...but she's quite lonely at the moment, and this can't be good for
>her
> > social life.
> >
> > Ditto a couple of Butter Butts...but they're not as "late" leaving.
> >
> > Turned on my "bird magnet" (patent pending, Wood Thrush Enterprises, all
> > rights reserved)...that is, my water mister thingy...and immediately
>drew in
> > about a hundred various birds, including Scarlet Tanagers.
> >
> > Pileated Woodpecker is drumming outside like a rock and roll drummer.
> >
> > The two dozen cowbirds seem to be mysteriously dying off (cough)....
> >
> > Fred Houk
> > Chatham County
> >
> >
>
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Bird magnet (cough)
From: "Frederick Houk Jr" <woodthrush2263(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 18 Apr 2006 7:48am
I am absolutely NOT trying to market it...lol.
I have mentioned a few (OK...a few dozen)) times about the amazing ability
of a fine mist, when sprayed onto lower branches of trees near your favorite
viewing location, to "magically" draw in birds that otherwise are very hard
to see, and certainly for greatly extended lengths of time than normal.
What I do is simply use a garden hose, and a spray attachment that you can
buy at any Home Depot/Lowes/wherever you buy garden type supplies. Wild
Bird Centers of America sell such things, too, as do, I would guess, most
bird stores. I prop the end of the hose in one tree, and spray water in a
fine mist, and in a large arc, so that it falls gently on a sourwood tree
about ten feet away (the bird particularly like sourwoods, and they are the
easiest trees to see birds "taking a shower" on, in my experience, but any
tree will do). The disadvantage of some trees is that their branches and
leaves are too thick, and you won't see as many birds, nor for as long as
you can with a fairly "open" tree like a sourwood.
Just do it. Trust me.
Enjoy!
Fred Houk
Chatham County
>From: "liz lathrop" <lizbirder(AT)cconnect.net>
>To: "Frederick Houk Jr" <woodthrush2263(AT)hotmail.com>
>Subject: Re: Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2006 05:48:24 -0400
>
>Is the water mist thing something you plan to market? I don't recall the
>post describing it.
>Cheers,
>Liz Lathrop
>Oriental, NC
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Frederick Houk Jr"
><woodthrush2263(AT)hotmail.com>
>To: <carolinabirds(AT)duke.edu>
>Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2006 1:03 AM
>
>
>>Anybody else still have a junco or two? We have one that just won't
>>leave...but she's quite lonely at the moment, and this can't be good for
>>her social life.
>>
>>Ditto a couple of Butter Butts...but they're not as "late" leaving.
>>
>>Turned on my "bird magnet" (patent pending, Wood Thrush Enterprises, all
>>rights reserved)...that is, my water mister thingy...and immediately drew
>>in about a hundred various birds, including Scarlet Tanagers.
>>
>>Pileated Woodpecker is drumming outside like a rock and roll drummer.
>>
>>The two dozen cowbirds seem to be mysteriously dying off (cough)....
>>
>>Fred Houk
>>Chatham County
>>
>>
>>
>
>
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: RE: Bird magnet (cough)
From: "Diana Davis" <deqdavis(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 18 Apr 2006 8:13am
While I do appreciate the ability of a mist to draw birds (and
butterflies to the damp earth below) birders need to remember that some
areas of the Carolinas are in a pretty severe drought already this year. I
have been getting some surprising birds coming to my still water bird baths
this spring - including some warblers that I have only seen in the treetops
before. If you want to use a mister system the water wise way to do so
would be to only turn it on when you are watching the birds.
Birder and Conservationist
Diana Davis
Durham, NC
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Subject: Mysterious cardinal behavior
From: Carol Williamson <cncbrdr(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 18 Apr 2006 9:23am
My son called me from Ramseur (NC) this morning as he
was watching a young male cardinal repeatedly
attacking a dead cardinal on the ground. He described
it flying over and over from various branches down to
the dead bird pecking at its head and neck, even
pulling out feathers.
Any ideas???
Thx,
Carol Williamson
Durham, NC
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Subject: Nonpareil, Mulberry, Martins, Swifts.
From: Nate Dias <offshorebirder(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 18 Apr 2006 9:45am
Spring is definitely here.
A Nonpareil (male Painted Bunting) is spending his
second day in the yard; this morning he was scarfing
millet and driving off a House Finch from the feeder.
Purple Martins have settled in to the Martin House.
A Ruby-throated Hummingbird is guarding the Coral
Woodbine flowers from Chickadees and Cardinals.
The Red Mulberry out back is in full fruit - much to
the delight of the Waxwings, Grackles, Fish Crows and
a wide variety of other birds. If only the Grackles
would quit dipping Mulberries in the bird baths....
Chimney Swifts have made a few forays into the
chimney.
Speaking of Swifts: every birder in the Carolinas who
owns a brick fireplace/chimney should leave it
uncapped. Just in the last 10 years, Chimney Swift
numbers have plummeted and I fear they will disappear
from many areas soon. 10-15 years ago, in St. Andrews
Parish neighborhoods I would look skyward in May and
see 30-40 Chimney Swifts, flying in large formations.
Now I see scattered singles or the occasional group of
3-4.
Unless it's ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, please please please
uncap your brick chimneys. Close the chimney flue -
this way if a young swift falls out of the nest
(happens about one nesting in ten), the parents will
come down and feed it until it climbs up or fledges.
There are ways to keep Raccoons and other critters out
without capping one's chimney. Aluminum flashing
around the chimney and other methods prevent animal
claws from gaining purchase.
Please do the right thing and also help spread the
word to your friends, relatives and neighbors.
Good birding (and bird conservation),
Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC
__________________________________________________
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: RE: Juncos
From: mjwestphal <mjwestphal(AT)unca.edu>
Date: 18 Apr 2006 9:43am
I don't think most folks here in the mountains would consider 2800' high
elevation, although it might qualify as middle elevation if you are in the
northern part of the mountains in NC. Around here we'd consider that pretty
low elevation. However, juncos do breed down to suprisingly low elevations in
the mountains on cold, north-facing slopes.
Marilyn
>===== Original Message From Frederick Houk Jr <woodthrush2263(AT)hotmail.com>
=====
>They don't breed in the higher elevations of NC? I have seen a lot of them
>on the BRPW in July and August, so I assumed they were year-round (breeding)
>birds.
>
>Fred Houk
>Chatham County
>
>
>>From: James Coman <hillshepherd(AT)skybest.com>
>>To: Frederick Houk Jr <woodthrush2263(AT)hotmail.com>, carolinabirds(AT)duke.edu
>>Subject: Re:
>>Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2006 06:33:41 -0400
>>
>>Fred and all:
>>
>>There are still dozens of Juncos here in Alleghany County at 2800'. They do
>>not breed here, so they have not yet left for higher or more northern
>>locations.
>>
>>James Coman
>>Executive Director
>>Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust
>>P. O. Box 2557
>>Boone, N. C. 28607
>>828-263-8776
>>info(AT)brrlt.org
>>www.brrlt.org
>>
>>Farm Office:
>>9124 NC Hwy 93
>>Piney Creek, N. C. 28663
>>336-359-2909
>>Fax 336-359-8643
>>hillshepherd(AT)skybest.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>On 4/18/06 1:03 AM, "Frederick Houk Jr" <woodthrush2263(AT)hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> > Anybody else still have a junco or two? We have one that just won't
>> > leave...but she's quite lonely at the moment, and this can't be good for
>>her
>> > social life.
>> >
>> > Ditto a couple of Butter Butts...but they're not as "late" leaving.
>> >
>> > Turned on my "bird magnet" (patent pending, Wood Thrush Enterprises, all
>> > rights reserved)...that is, my water mister thingy...and immediately
>>drew in
>> > about a hundred various birds, including Scarlet Tanagers.
>> >
>> > Pileated Woodpecker is drumming outside like a rock and roll drummer.
>> >
>> > The two dozen cowbirds seem to be mysteriously dying off (cough)....
>> >
>> > Fred Houk
>> > Chatham County
>> >
>> >
>>
Marilyn Westphal
Environmental Quality Institute
University of North Carolina-Asheville
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804
828/251-6823
mjwestphal(AT)unca.edu
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Buncombe County spring migration count
From: mjwestphal <mjwestphal(AT)unca.edu>
Date: 18 Apr 2006 10:02am
Last call for participants for the Buncombe County spring migration count on
Sunday, May 7th. If you haven't already contacted me, please do so now. I
need to get this nailed down now because the next two weeks are going to be
very busy and I won't have much time.
Marilyn
Marilyn Westphal
Environmental Quality Institute
University of North Carolina-Asheville
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804
828/251-6823
mjwestphal(AT)unca.edu
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: return of the regulars
From: "Louise Barden" <louise(AT)lbarden.com>
Date: 18 Apr 2006 12:35pm
After our first sighting of a male ruby-throat at our feeders over a week
ago, we have not seen hummers until today. This morning a male repeatedly
came to one of the feeders, and I began to hope he was settling in for the
season.
A few minutes ago, I looked up at the window beside my computer, where a
feeder hung from a chain last year. There was a female circling and
circling the empty chain. She knew it was supposed to be there and I had
fallen down on the job! She finally gave up and went to the feeder beside
the patio.
I now have the hummer feeder hanging from the chain, awaiting her return.
Louise Barden
Charlotte, NC
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Mockingbird call
From: jrgrego(AT)mindspring.com
Date: 18 Apr 2006 12:40pm
I was walking on campus today and heard a car alarm up in a tree--it was a
mockingbird doing a very nice imitation thereof. I don't usually hear them
mimicking anthropogenic sounds like that.
John Grego
Columbia, SC
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: First female hummer
From: <welchd(AT)peoplepc.com>
Date: 18 Apr 2006 5:17pm
Today I noticed the first female ruby-throated hummingbird at our
feeder. A confirmed second male had arrived last week, in addition to
the first male which arrived on April 8.
Shelia Welch
Campobello, SC
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Birders needed for ACE Basin Bird Quest
From: "Jeff Mollenhauer" <MollenhauerJ(AT)dnr.sc.gov>
Date: 18 Apr 2006 6:35pm
Hi all,
I am looking for any birders who would be willing to lead teams
of novice bird watchers in the first ever ACE Basin Bird Quest (in
Colleton County, SC) on Saturday, May 13th. The goal of this event is
to help teach people, who have never or rarely been birding before,
about birds. This is a great chance to get some new people hooked on
birds! If you are unfamiliar with birding locations in the ACE Basin, I
will be doing a training session/field trip on Saturday, May 6th to go
over some of the best areas to take your team. If you are interested in
leading a team for the ACE Basin Bird Quest, please contact me by email
MollenhauerJ(AT)dnr.sc.gov or by phone (843) 953-9809. For more
information on the event please read the flier below:
WHAT is the ACE Basin Bird Quest?
* A way to discover and explore natural areas in the ACE Basin
* A way to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day and discover the
unique birds that migrate through the ACE Basin
* A chance to learn how to identify birds by sight, sound, behavior and
habitat
* A chance to have fun with friends and colleagues
* A light-hearted competition
WHO can participate?
* People of all ages may form teams: families, friends, Scout groups,
school groups, etc.
HOW does it work?
* Team size ranges from 4 to 6 people. One or more persons should be
able to identify some birds by sight/sound. At least half of the team
should be novices: people interested in learning. If your team is in
need of someone who can confidently identify birds by sight/sound, we
have several guides available that would love to help lead your team.
* Teams have 5 hours on Saturday, May 13 (7:00 am to 12:00 pm) to visit
sites of their choice in the ACE Basin. A list of public sites will be
provided to each team. Birds are identified by sight and/or sound. The
goal is to find as many different species as possible. At 12:30 pm, all
teams gather at the Edisto State Park Interpretive Center to report
results, determine the winning team, and eat lunch.
Thanks,
Jeff
Jeff Mollenhauer
SCDNR - MRD
217 Fort Johnson Rd.
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 953-9809
MollenhauerJ(AT)dnr.sc.gov
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Ten indigos and a grosbeak
From: edabbs(AT)FTC-I.NET
Date: 18 Apr 2006 7:43pm
This morning we had ten male indigo buntings and a blue grosbeak on our
platform feeder at one time! Yesterday we had a painted bunting. What nice
treats!
Good birding!
Evelyn Dabbs
Eastern Sumter Co.
Mayesville, SC
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Lower Saluda River 04/18
From: "Jason Giovannone" <buteo2808(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 18 Apr 2006 9:24pm
Walked the Lexington side of the river today. Saw a female Ruby-throat
gathering nesting material. Thrushes are getting started. At one point on
the woodland walk, I had 3 Hermit Thrushes & a Wood Thrush on the trail
together. I had a few more of each scattered along the way. I added a new
bird to my zoo list with wonderful looks at a male Cape May Warbler. After a
strange start to migration around the zoo, I'm hoping things keep coming.
Good Birding!
Jason Giovannone
Columbia, SC
Full List
Canada Goose
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Chimney Swift
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
White-eyed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Winter Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
American Robin
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
Northern Parula
Cape May Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Pine Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Eastern Towhee
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Common Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
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Subject: Old State Road, Lexington, SC 04/18
From: "Jason Giovannone" <buteo2808(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 18 Apr 2006 9:43pm
I had a ~1/2 hour to kill this evening, so I took a drive down Old State
from 6:30 to about 7:10. I started around Congaree Creek HP & drove out to
the power line right of ways. I made a few stops along the way. FOTS male
Orchard Oriole in full song was a nice treat. Swainson's and Prothonotary
Warblers seemed to be on territory near the right of ways. Good Birding!
Jason Giovannone
Columbia, SC
Full List
Wood Duck
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-tailed Hawk
Mourning Dove
Barred Owl
Chimney Swift
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
Blue Jay
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Hermit Thrush
Northern Mockingbird
Cedar Waxwing
Northern Parula
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Palm Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Swainson's Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Summer Tanager
Eastern Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Orchard Oriole
House Finch
American Goldfinch
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Subject: American White Pelican in Asheboro, NC
From: "Robin Carter" <rcarter(AT)sc.rr.com>
Date: 18 Apr 2006 9:48pm
Hi C-Birders,
Stan Alford, at the NC Zoo in Asheboro, sent me this about seeing a white
pelican over the zoo.
Robin Carter
Columbia, SC USA
mailto:rcarter(AT)sc.rr.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Stan Alford [mailto:Stan.Alford(AT)ncmail.net]
Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2006 8:08 AM
To: Todd Pusser; Jeff Beane; Ron Morris; Robin Carter; Angelo Capparella;
Lou Kiessler; Ken Reininger
Subject: a good sighting
Yesterday (17 April), immediately following a severe thunderstorm that
passed over the Zoo, I saw an adult American white pelican circling the
man-made lake at the entrance to the Africa region. I watched the bird for
several minutes as it made increasingly wider circles around the lake. A
common crow flew up and began harassing the bird. I went into a building to
phone Curator of Birds Ken Reininger, and when I went back outside I
couldn't locate the bird.
I'm familiar with white pelicans from seeing them along the Gulf coast and
in South Carolina.
Stan
E-mail correspondence to and from this sender may be subject to the North
Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Dawn chorus walk at Congaree National Park, 20 May 2006
From: "Robin Carter" <rcarter(AT)sc.rr.com>
Date: 18 Apr 2006 10:58pm
Hi C-Birders,
Anyone who can be in the Columbia, SC area on Saturday, 20 May 2006 should
consider getting up early and joining the Second Annual Dawn Chorus Walk at
Congaree National Park. This event is sponsored by Friends of Congaree Swamp
and is registered as an event of the International Dawn Chorus organization.
The walk begins at the Visitors' Center of Congaree National Park at 5:00 AM
(ouch!) on Saturday, 20 May 2006. Last year we had a great bird and frog
chorus. Since this year is so dry there may not be so many frogs, but the
breeding birds will be making quite a ruckus.
If you plan to attend please send me an email as soon as you can. Friends of
Congaree Swamp will be providing breakfast after the walk, and we need an
approximate head count.
There is primitive camping at the park and a full selection of motels about
15 miles from the park. If you live in the Columbia area just set your alarm
clock and get down to the park before first light.
Robin Carter
Columbia, SC USA
mailto:rcarter(AT)sc.rr.com
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