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CarolinaBirds for Thursday, April 27, 2006
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Subject: RE: NO HUMMERS
From: "Randy Dunson" <trdunson(AT)nc.rr.com>
Date: 27 Apr 2006 7:34am
Kate, et al,
Hopefully Bill Hilton or Susan Campbell will chime in about the lack of
hummers in your area. I responded to another query a few days ago from
someone on the NC coast who had not seen a hummer yet this year. At my home
outside of Hillsborough, I have a growing population. Using Bill Hilton's
technique of counting, I would estimate 10 so far.
I've seen quite a few reports regarding Catbirds as of late. It reminds me
of a continuing disagreement with one of my brothers over distinguishing
between a Catbird and a Mockingbird. :-) I hear 1 or 2 Mockingbirds around
our house. I have not seen them but their song is undeniable. I've yet to
see a Catbird though.
Regarding your raccoon problem, I wonder if the solution I use as a snake
deterrent around the base of trees on which my bluebird houses reside would
deter raccoons. It was suggested to me last year here on Carolinabirds. I
ring the trees with sand in a 3' circumference and keep lime on top between
rain events. It's worked as a snake deterrent thus far. Just a thought...
Regards,
Randy Dunson
Hillsborough, NC
-----Original Message-----
From: carolinabirds-owner(AT)acpub.duke.edu
[mailto:carolinabirds-owner(AT)acpub.duke.edu] On Behalf Of kaye fenlon
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 8:59 PM
To: carolinabirds(AT)duke.edu
Subject: NO HUMMERS
Hi Carolinabirders,
I have not seen a Ruby-throat for almost a week now. We had at least 3-4
males here and one female and my neighbors were seeing them too...now not
a one . Very strange that they all ( hopefully ) moved on. I don't think I
have ever been without hummers this long in the Spring.
Finally my Catbird is back and helped himself to the peanutbutter suet on my
deck right away. I love to hear him chattering in the hedge just off the
deck.
Unfortunately, a raccoon is raiding my birdhouses despite fencing and
baffles. He got the Bluebird eggs last night. I re-inforced the guards
tonite and hope they re-nest. The male was out there all day warbling!
Katie Fenlon
Clemson, SC
_________________________________________________________________
Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfeeR
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: NO HUMMERS
From: BILL HILTON JR The Piedmont Naturalist <hilton(AT)hiltonpond.org>
Date: 27 Apr 2006 8:27am
>I have not seen a Ruby-throat for almost a week now. We had at
>least 3-4 males here and one female and my neighbors were seeing
>them too...now not a one . Very strange that they all ( hopefully
>) moved on. I don't think I have ever been without hummers this long
>in the Spring.
>
>Katie Fenlon
>Clemson, SC
KATE . . .
I'm also having a relatively slow start in 2006, but every year is
different for Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Although it's likely your
initial arrivals were indeed migrants just passing through on their
way further north, it's also possible they're still somewhere in the
vicinity and feasting on flower nectar and other food
sources--including a neighbor's feeders. Early arriving females that
breed locally are probably on eggs by now and would be making
relatively few visits to any food sources.
Based on my banding work here and in Costa Rica (see
http://www.hiltonpond.org/CostaRicaAnnounceMain07.html) I'm beginning
to think there may be two "waves" of Ruby-throated Hummingbird
migrants, the first passing through the Carolinas in late March
through mid-April, and a later one in late May.
In any case, keep the feeders fresh and be patient; you'll
undoubtedly see numbers begin to grow in late June and hit a peak in
late August. :-)
Happy Hummingbird Watching!
BILL
--
BILL HILTON JR., Executive Director
Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History
1432 DeVinney Road, York, South Carolina 29745 USA
hilton(AT)hiltonpond.org, (803) 684-5852, eFax: (503) 218-0845
The mission of Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History is "to
conserve plants, animals, habitats, and other natural components of
the Piedmont Region of the eastern United States through observation,
scientific study, and education for students of all ages." Please
visit our web sites (courtesy of Comporium.net) at
http://www.hiltonpond.org and http://www.rubythroat.org ("Operation
RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project").
"Never trust a person too lazy to get up for sunrise or too busy to
watch the sunset." BHjr.
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Yates Mill Pond not yet open
From: John Connors <John.Connors(AT)ncmail.net>
Date: 27 Apr 2006 10:13am
Hi all. I've been asked to relay a message...Yates Mill Pond Park in
Raleigh is not officially open yet to the public...it will be soon, so
please be patient. NCSU owns the property and university personnel and
supervised students can access the site for research, but Wake County is
the site manager and they are putting the finishing touches on park
construction at the site at this time, so access is limited...it will
open later this year as a Wake County Park. Birders are asked to seek
permission before visiting the site until it officially opens...contact
Mike Smith 919-856-6675, or at above e-mail address.
Thanks, John Connors @ NC Museum of Natural Sciences
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Cowan's Ford Wildlife Refuge
From: JMCBLake(AT)aol.com
Date: 27 Apr 2006 10:30am
This may be a duplicate that I originally E-mailed on Wednesday, April 26.
Hi Carolina Birder's
I birded the area just inside the Cowan's Ford Wildlife Refuge
(Huntersville, NC) gate yesterday morning. This area on both sides of the road
has been
selectively cut to attract breeding Yellow-breasted Chat's and Prairie
Warbler's. Both birds were present yesterday which is just about the same time
as
they appeared for the last two years. There were at least 3 singing males for
both birds.
I also saw two Blue-gray Gnatcatcher's feeding their young in a nest in the
same area. Also had great looks at a White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo,
American Redstart, Indigo Bunting and a Yellow Warbler. Also flushed a pair of
American Woodcock's.
For the record, we have a Carolina Chickadee in a bluebird box at Cowan's
Ford with 9 eggs. I didn't know there was a fertility drug for birds.
John Bonestell
Cornelius, NC
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Clapper Rail
From: "Eric Dean" <wolfpackdeans(AT)earthlink.net>
Date: 27 Apr 2006 12:04pm
Hi all,
Seems like every year about this time I find Clapper Rail here in Wayne
Co, NC, proof of their migratory nature I'm sure. This years bird was found
dead near our post office, pretty much in the middle of town. Most of the
birds I find are dead. I'm guessing they strike wires or such while flying.
They must travel low! Maybe their non-agile flight prevents them from
hitting stuff at the last moment.
Eric & Celia Dean
112 Armstrong Dr
Goldsboro NC 27530
919-736-7264 (home)
919-920-1542 (cell)
wolfpackdeans(AT)earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~wolfpackdeans/
".... I realized that if I had to choose, I would rather have birds than
airplanes." Charles Lindbergh
.
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Killdeer
From: "KC Foggin" <KCFoggin(AT)sc.rr.com>
Date: 27 Apr 2006 5:20pm
This last week I have been hearing and watching Killdeer arrive and depart from
the flat roof of my office with some regularity. Is it possible they are
nesting up there or are they simply bathing in puddles? Too high for me to get
a good look.
KC Foggin
Socastee
Myrtle Beach SC
www.birdforum.net
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Goldfinch Invasion
From: "Randy Dunson" <trdunson(AT)nc.rr.com>
Date: 27 Apr 2006 5:35pm
Wow, I have an invasion of goldfinches today at my primary feeders, and even
at the window feeder on one of my Study windows! There have been so many the
poor RGBs can hardly find a plate at the table. :-) Actually, the traffic of
most yard birds has increased dramatically. I'm still waiting on the pair of
blue grosbeaks to return and am hopeful that a scarlet tanager, which seems
to be showing up in so many other yards, comes by for a visit.
Happy Birding!
Regards,
Randy Dunson
Hillsborough, NC
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Swainson's Thrush
From: "John M. Grego" <jrgrego(AT)mindspring.com>
Date: 27 Apr 2006 6:04pm
Just had a Swainson's Thrush in the backyard--it only stopped
briefly. I haven't been hearing reports of thrushes yet--I guess
they're here.
John Grego
Columbia, SC
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Bluebirds and Hummers
From: "kaye fenlon" <ktfenlon(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 27 Apr 2006 9:40pm
Hello Carolinabirders,
Thanks for all the responses to my lack of Hummers here in Clemson. Usually
I get a week about the middle of May where I see only a few Hummers around
when I think they are busy nesting...and the numbers seem to decrease, but I
never have gone a week without any sighted in the yard or my neighbors.
Very strange...but I'm keeping the feeders fresh and waiting.
The male Bluebird was on the empty nestbox warbling again most of the day
and even took two pieces of pine straw into the box and kept looking inside,
I did not see a female around the box at all. Yesterday, I did see a female
there and she was also checking out another empty nestbox on the other side
of the yard. I think it is a good sign he is warbling. I don't think he
would do so if she were not still around.
When I discovered the cleaned out nestbox, it had not been disturbed..the
nest was in tack, but the eggs were gone and so was the female... no sign of
broken eggs, no shells on the ground, no feathers??
Anyway, it is early in the season so it is likely they will re-nest. Last
year they had 2 broods and the year before 3 broods, but I am not sure if
they were the same pair.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I will try the sand, because I do know we
have a very large Black snake in the area as well as the raccoons. In the
past I have wraped several layers of bird netting around the base of the
pole and that seemed to keep the snakes at bay, but the sand would be safer
and easier.
Katie Fenlon
Clemson, SC
_________________________________________________________________
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Subject: Sumter, SC area birding
From: "Robin Carter" <rcarter(AT)sc.rr.com>
Date: 27 Apr 2006 10:06pm
Hi C-Birders,
Today I birded three areas a few miles northeast of the city of Sumter, SC
in preparation for the upcoming Carolina Bird Club extra weekend birding in
central South Carolina. I first checked out the farmlands just south of the
village of Mayesville, Sumter County. I birded from the roadside on three
paved but little used roads through the broad open fields -- Bethany Road,
Eastern School Road, and Mayes Open Road. I found most of the species common
to agricultural fields in central South Carolina. The best finds were
Grasshopper Sparrow (very local) and lots of migrating Bobolinks.
Next I spent a few hours birding one of my favorite spots in this part of
the state -- Longleaf Pine Heritage Preserve. I found most of the expected
species of longleaf pine savannas, including Red-cockaded Woodpecker and
Bachman's Sparrow. Unexpected were two migrant raptors -- Bald Eagle and
Osprey (not species you usually associate with the piney woods).
I finished my birding at another wonderful preserve, Lynchburg Savanna
Heritage Preserve, which is only 5 miles from Longleaf Pine Heritage
Preserve. I had a Bachman's Sparrow there as well. There were lots of
interesting flowering plants, including a pitcher plant and an orchid. (I
did not look either of them up.)
Here are my bird lists for these areas (from eBird):
OBSERVATION REPORT
Report Details
Location name: Mayesville
Observation date: 4/27/06
Duration: 0 hour(s) 0 minute(s)
# of people in birding party: 1
Are you reporting all the species you identified? Yes
Total # of species: 31
Observation type: Casual Observation
Start time: N/A
Distance covered: N/A
Area covered: N/A
Weather had a negative effect on my ability to collect birding information:
No
Checklist diary notes:
N/A
Species Details
Species Name Number Reported
Northern Bobwhite X
Turkey Vulture X
American Kestrel X
Killdeer X
Mourning Dove X
Great Crested Flycatcher X
Eastern Kingbird X
Loggerhead Shrike X
American Crow X
Horned Lark X
Barn Swallow X
Carolina Wren X
Northern Mockingbird X
Brown Thrasher X
European Starling X
Yellow-throated Warbler X
American Redstart X
Prothonotary Warbler X
Hooded Warbler X
Eastern Towhee X
Field Sparrow X
Savannah Sparrow X
Grasshopper Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Blue Grosbeak X
Indigo Bunting X
Bobolink X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Eastern Meadowlark X
Common Grackle X
Orchard Oriole X
OBSERVATION REPORT
Report Details
Location name: Longleaf Pine Heritage Preserve
Observation date: 4/27/06
Duration: 3 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
# of people in birding party: 1
Are you reporting all the species you identified? Yes
Total # of species: 45
Observation type: Casual Observation
Start time: 11:45 AM
Distance covered: 2.0 mile(s)
Area covered: N/A
Weather had a negative effect on my ability to collect birding information:
No
Checklist diary notes:
62 F to 70 F; windy
Species Details
Species Name Number Reported
Wild Turkey X
Great Blue Heron X
Turkey Vulture X
Osprey X
Bald Eagle X
Red-tailed Hawk X
Mourning Dove X
Yellow-billed Cuckoo X
Red-headed Woodpecker X
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Downy Woodpecker X
Red-cockaded Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker X
Pileated Woodpecker X
Eastern Wood-Pewee X
Great Crested Flycatcher X
Eastern Kingbird X
White-eyed Vireo X
Yellow-throated Vireo X
Red-eyed Vireo X
American Crow X
Carolina Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Brown-headed Nuthatch X
Carolina Wren X
Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X
Eastern Bluebird X
Wood Thrush X
Gray Catbird X
Brown Thrasher X
Northern Parula X
Pine Warbler X
Ovenbird X
Common Yellowthroat X
Yellow-breasted Chat X
Summer Tanager X
Eastern Towhee X
Bachman's Sparrow X
Chipping Sparrow X
Field Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Blue Grosbeak X
Indigo Bunting X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
OBSERVATION REPORT
Report Details
Location name: Lynchburg Savanna Heritage Preserve
Observation date: 4/27/06
Duration: 0 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
# of people in birding party: 1
Are you reporting all the species you identified? Yes
Total # of species: 20
Observation type: Casual Observation
Start time: 3:30 PM
Distance covered: 0.5 mile(s)
Area covered: N/A
Weather had a negative effect on my ability to collect birding information:
No
Checklist diary notes:
N/A
Species Details
Species Name Number Reported
Mourning Dove X
Downy Woodpecker X
Northern Flicker X
Eastern Wood-Pewee X
Great Crested Flycatcher X
Eastern Kingbird X
Blue Jay X
Tufted Titmouse X
Carolina Wren X
Eastern Bluebird X
Northern Mockingbird X
Brown Thrasher X
Common Yellowthroat X
Yellow-breasted Chat X
Eastern Towhee X
Bachman's Sparrow X
Chipping Sparrow X
Field Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Blue Grosbeak X
Robin Carter
Columbia, SC USA
mailto:rcarter(AT)sc.rr.com
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Crows etc.
From: Alex Netherton <danetherton(AT)charter.net>
Date: 27 Apr 2006 11:02pm
I was at Lake Julian in Buncombe County NC today, and would swear I
heard Fish Crows. Having heard them many times when working on the
coast, the sound is distinctive, but I do also know that juvenile crows
also sound rather hoarse like this. When one of them came down and
started foraging in the barbecue pit, I was almost convinced.
Anybody know if Fish Crows are expanding their range? What is this world
coming to?...
--
Alex Netherton, an Appalachian Naturalist
http://alexnetherton.com
danetherton charter dot net
Asheville, NC
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