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CarolinaBirds for Saturday, May 13, 2006
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Subject: Jordan Reservoir Gamelands Heronry--Update #7
From: "J. M. Lynch" <jmlynch(AT)earthlink.net>
Date: 13 May 2006 11:03am
Carolinabirders:
Checked on the Great Blue Heronry located on Jordan Reservoir Gamelands in
eastern Chatham County this morning.
The Final nest tally: 74 (I believe almost all if not 100% are active).
Most of the nests have fully feathered young (I noted anywhere from 2-5 young
per nest). A few nests have adults apparently brooding small young although I
doubt there are any with unhatched eggs at this point. Some young are quite
large, nearly as large as the parents, and appear to be exercising their wings
in preparation for leaving the nest soon. No wind storms or other disturbances
that I can tell so if all holds for another month or so, it should be a very
good year for this colony.
No anhinga or pied-billed grebes today which was disappointing. Tree Swallows
still hanging around along with at least 6 Red-headed Woodpeckers. Saw two
migrant Northern Waterthrushes along the edge of the pond. The Osprey nest is
being attended but I could not see any young yet over the rim.
A beautiful day to be outside.
J. M. Lynch
Chatham County, North Carolina
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Painted Bunting Observer Team
From: "SHAHID, Ann" <ASHAHID(AT)audubon.org>
Date: 13 May 2006 12:06pm
If this is a duplicate posting, accept my apology. I thought some of you would
be interested in participating. This is taken from the SC Dept. of Nat.
Resourses website.
Painted Bunting Observer Team seeks help from citizen scientists
The Painted Bunting Observer Team at the University of North Carolina Wilmington
is seeking help from volunteer citizens to support a research study in South
Carolina and North Carolina to develop strategies to sustain and increase the
numbers of these brightly colored migratory birds.
To become a Painted Bunting Observer Team volunteer member or to learn more
about the project, contact: Dr. Jamie Rotenberg, University of North Carolina
Wilmington ornithologist, at pbot(AT)uncw.edu. Rotenberg can also be reached at
(910) 962-7675 in Wilmington, N.C.
Rotenberg and colleague Laurel Barnhill, bird conservation coordinator for the
S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will evaluate whether backyard bird
feeders help breeding buntings as compared to their cousins that only use
natural areas for their food supply, such as state parks and reserves. Barnhill
and Rotenberg hope that their efforts, along with the help of hundreds of
citizen scientists, will begin the foundations of recovery for one of our area's
most beautiful birds.
Sadly, the painted bunting population is declining in the coastal areas of South
Carolina and North Carolina, according to Rotenberg. Painted buntings arrive in
the Carolinas usually in April and stay throughout the summer, migrating south
during the month of August.
They live and breed in scrubby shrub areas mixed with trees. In North Carolina,
their breeding habitats are found only near salt water, in a narrow range along
coasts and waterways. In South Carolina, painted buntings also favor the coast,
but breed well inland in low country agricultural shrub. As coastal habitats
continue to be developed at unprecedented levels, and as more inland shrub is
cleared, these spectacular birds are losing their homes.
Breeding Bird Survey data reveal that Eastern painted bunting populations
declined at least 3.5 percent annually over a 30-year period from 1966 to 1995.
Scientists are especially concerned about painted buntings, so much so that the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently raised the painted bunting to "Focal
Species" status. The new status allows funding to develop means of bringing
painted bunting populations back up to healthy and sustainable levels.
Last spring, Rotenberg began a small, grass-roots citizen-science project to
examine distribution and feeding habits of painted buntings in North Carolina.
Since painted buntings readily visit backyard bird feeders, citizens, acting as
scientists, assisted Rotenberg in the collection of vital data. These Painted
Buntings Observer Team volunteers recorded bunting locations and monitored the
bird's use of their backyard bird feeders. The small pilot project grew to
include more than 65 volunteers from New Bern and Sneed's Ferry in the north to
Supply and Oak and Bald Head islands in the south.
Building on last year's work, the University of North Carolina Wilmington will
receive a $20,000 grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct a
pilot study to develop strategies for sustaining the painted bunting populations
in these areas. The volunteer Painted Bunting Observer Teams are a crucial part
of the study as citizen scientists monitor and collect behavioral data in the
field.
This year, Rotenberg would like to recruit volunteers covering an area as far
north as Morehead City, N.C., the northern-most breeding area for painted
buntings, and south throughout the coastal plain of South Carolina.
"Volunteer Painted Bunting Observer Teams are a crucial part of the study as
citizen scientists can help us monitor and collect behavioral data in the
field," said Rotenberg. "Our goal is to have hundreds of Painted Bunting
Observer Teams throughout the painted bunting breeding grounds in North and
South Carolina."
Ann Shahid, Education Director
Audubon Center at Beidler Forest
Important Bird Area Technical Committee Coordinator
Audubon South Carolina State Office
336 Sanctuary Rd.
Harleyville, SC 29448
843-462-2150 FAX: 843-462-2713
ashahid(AT)audubon.org
www.beidlerforest.com
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Subject: Concord Mills area birds 5/13
From: alan kneidel <mylittledemon(AT)earthlink.net>
Date: 13 May 2006 1:51pm
Went in search of the Warbling Vireos and other birds in and around the
wetland near Concord Mills Mall in Cabarrus County today. There were
still a total of 3 WARBLING VIREOS calling in various locations... two
could be heard from behind the jewelry store. The third was back along
the edge of the wetland adjacent to the open field. The GREAT BLUE
HERONS don't seem to have any hatched young yet. There were lots of
other birds as well:
In the storm-water retention mudflat behind Gregg, there were 5 SOLITARY
SANDPIPERS, 4 LEAST SANDPIPERS, and KILLDEER.
There were many RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS, as well as 3-4 singing ORCHARD
ORIOLES in the area.
In the field and continuous willow wetland behind the Mayflower
Restaurant, there were 2 singing GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS, 2 SAVANNAH
SPARROWS, 2 singing YELLOW WARBLERS, EASTERN KINGBIRDS, and COMMON
YELLOWTHROATS.
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER and AMERICAN REDSTART called from deep in the marsh.
Other birds included: Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barn
Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Phoebe,
Great Crested Flycatcher, Red-winged Blackbird, and Field Sparrow.
Can't wait to keep tabs on the vireos and yellow warblers.
Alan Kneidel
Charlotte, NC
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Subject: The Return of the Vesper Sparrow
From: "John Ennis" <swampwolf(AT)thebusinessbirder.com>
Date: 13 May 2006 2:39pm
An update...
In early March, I asked for ID help of a sparrow I photographed at Alligator
River NWR in mid-February...about the same time, we were having a discussion
on carolinabirds about the GISS and gestalt of birds...
When I first saw this bird, my mind said Lark Sparrow because it somehow
favored sub-adult Lark Sparrows...the only plumage I have seen in NC...I
have, however, seen many Lark Sparrows out west in adult and first-year
plumages...
When I flushed it, my sparrow flew 80-100 feet across to another small tree
and the other nearby sparrows flew down to the grass...
Gestalt said "Lark"...however, my brain wrote the sparrow off as a Savannah
until I started studying the images a few days later, at which point, I
started to believe "Vesper"...
After receiving input from many of you, the respondents favored Vesper by
approximately 60-40%, with multiple members of the combined NC/SC bird
committees on each side...because of its light coloration, one suggested
maybe "Ipswich" but we agreed it might be a little far from the coast. I
have only seen NC Ipswich Savannahs at Oregon Inlet....
I stopped the debate, saved all of the e-mail messages, and promised I would
get back to you once I had time to organize the responses I already had and
gather more evidence...
It will probably be mid-June before I post a summary of issues & answers
plus additional photos...I am trying first to rule out Vesper and then to
rule in Vesper and I have some new information that I am sifting through...
I have learned a fact that may eventually be very helpful - once Vespers
reach distinctive basic plumage, they molt only once a year and their
May-August plumage is a "worn" plumage...
Also, I have recently seen lots of sparrows on the TX coast in mid-April...I
think I have pictures of several Savannahs and at least one Vesper and one
Lark to study...
On a trip a week later, to the extreme SE corner of CO & OK & KS, I saw and
photographed dozens of sparrows, mainly Vesper and Lark Sparrows...I
literally observed over a hundred Vesper Sparrows and found it is very
difficult to see all 3 main field marks at the same time...and in late
April, the lesser coverts of some Vespers were rose colored instead of
chestnut...
Finally, a good friend of mine in Gainesville (he is pro-Savannah) sent me
photos he took of skins from the Florida museum collection, showing dorsal
and ventral views of 5 sparrows...a Vesper with 2 Savannahs on each side...
I am trying to develop a ratio for both species of overall length to another
feature of the skins and compare that ratio to the image of my flying
bird...very difficult for a number of reasons given live versus skin and
male versus female size differences...I would not use this ration to
conclude "Vesper" but it may be accurate enough allow me to rule out
"'Vesper"...
Incidentally, this guy circulated the picture among other Gainesville
birders and his responses ran 60-40% for Savannah....confirming it is a
difficult ID...
My bird and I will be back at you...
John Ennis
Leland, NC
910-371-9729
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Subject: Huntington Beach SP 5/13
From: Steve Thomas <stype(AT)sccoast.net>
Date: 13 May 2006 2:41pm
Hello,
We just returned from a morning walk at Huntington Beach State Park
where we saw some notable birds. Here's a list by area in the park.
Education building:
Painted Bunting (green)
Maxwell Observation Deck:
1 Solitary Sandpiper
2 Pectoral Sandpipers
3 Least Bitterns
Yellow Warbler
The Beach:
4 Red Knots (breeding plumage!, no bands)
Base of Jetty:
7 Spotted Sandpipers
2 Bobolinks (female)
Many Willets - very active
1 Black-bellied Plover (breeding plumage!)
1 Short-billed Dowitcher (breeding plumage!)
That's it,
Steve
--
Stephen Thomas
Aynor, SC
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Subject: Re: Common terns, mis-ID?
From: "kestrel" <kestrel(AT)valink.com>
Date: 13 May 2006 3:44pm
After reading Ricky's question below, it is probable that I mis-IDed the
Common tern reported yesterday. Since this is in hindsight, I'll just call
it a probable Forster's tern.
Still a first for me in Alleghany Co. and the New River.
Sorry 'bout that folks, and thanks Ricky.
Harrol Blevins
NC/VA border on the New River
kestrel(AT)valink.com
"
Ricky,
Thanks for the questions.
I did study the contrast in the primaries after reading the description of
the Common tern, and looked at the birds carefully. Unfortunately, I didn't
even think of Forster's. In hindsight, the Forster's is a much better fit,
light vs. dark primaries, than the Common. I didn't realize that the
Forster's was possible inland. So, it looks like a mis-ID. I wouldn't mind
if you left it out of the briefs, since there seems to be some doubt.
I'll post a correction to Carolina Birds.
----- Original Message -----
From: RJDNC(AT)aol.com
To: kestrel(AT)valink.com
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006 10:31 PM
Subject: Re: Common terns
Harrol
Thanks for the note on the New River Terns! What a wild sight that must have
been. Did you see them well enough to rule out Forster's Terns? You mention
forked tail and orange legs and bill, but those features alone do not rule
out Forster's. I may be wrong, but Forster's could be just as possible for
that location. Let me know if you saw the wing pattern, dark primaries
versus pale primaries, etc. Thanks, later, Ricky
Ricky Davis
Rocky Mount, NC
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Henderson County
From: "Wayne K. Forsythe" <wforsythe(AT)mchsi.com>
Date: 13 May 2006 4:25pm
Folks,
While conducting the Spring Migration count in Jackson Park this AM
I had a male CONNECTICUT WARBLER at the end of the trail that runs through
the pine woods, above and to the side of the Nature Trail. The bird was
walking in an area of pine needles, and about 6" high weeds and brush. I
got one quick diagnostic head view, clearly seeing the gray head, bold
white, complete eye ring and the olive back and about 3 side and back views
of the bird as he meandered through the under story.
Directions: Walk clock wise on the Nature Trail and go straight
ahead through the first hard right turn on the Nature Trail. Make your next
right (15-25 yards) onto a dirt trail. Follow this trail, staying left. I
had the bird just before you come back out of the woods to the picnic area
on the left side of the trail. This entire woods trail can be good for
Connecticut as well as Thrushes, etc. Good luck!
Wayne
Wayne K. Forsythe
Hendersonville, N. C.
828-697-6628
wforsythe AT mchsi dot com
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Piedmont Bobolinks and Snowy Egret
From: Chchuffs(AT)aol.com
Date: 13 May 2006 5:13pm
There was a flock of approximately 200 BOBOLINKS in a field in McConnells
(York County) SC yesterday. The windy conditions kept me from obtaining any
good photos but these active birds are cool to watch. Also present in the
area were GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS (singing), and HORNED LARKS (singing).
For a late posting from earlier in the week, I had a flock of 20-30
BOBOLINKS in a field in south Gaston County. Also present there were about 15
E.
Kingbirds and 2 LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES.
Also, this afternoon there was a SNOWY EGRET on a tributary that runs into
Lake Wylie. We have a lot of GREAT EGRETS here, a few actually spend winter
here, but this is the first Snowy I've seen since I moved here a few years
ago.
Chris Huffstickler
York County SC
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Subject: ultra-tame Sandhill Crane nabbed in New Bern, NC
From: "John Fussell" <jfuss(AT)clis.com>
Date: 13 May 2006 6:22pm
I got a call today about a strange Sandhill Crane in the New Bern area.
Yesterday, it was seen near New Bern, at a industrial plant area, and
was coming up to people for hand-outs. This morning, it had moved
further northward, toward Vanceboro, and was still coming up to people
for hand-outs. It was said to have tried to go in a convenience store.
Because of its obvious non-wild nature, a wildlife rehabber, with the
assistance of some very reluctant sheriff's deputies, captured it.
The wildlife rehabber has the bird now, and is wondering what to do
about it. She assumes the bird came from some sort of captive
situation.
John Fussell
Morehead City, NC
jfuss(AT)clis.com
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Strange Oriole...
From: ahaines(AT)ec.rr.com
Date: 13 May 2006 7:30pm
Hi all,
We were birding today down on Bald Head Island, and saw an oriole. It
sounded like a Baltimore Oriole, but was a bright yellow on the body,
with a black head and chest. I didn't see any of the bright orange
that I typically see on a baltimore oriole. Are there occasions when a
baltimore oriole would appear bright yellow, or could it have been
another species of oriole that sounded similar (we don't have our bird
songs disc with us down here)? Any insight you could provide would be
greatly appreciated! Thanks
Andy Haines
Morehead City, NC
P.S. The Painted Buntings are calling like crazy, and are very easy to
find right now down here.
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Good Birding Spots near Emerald Isle, NC
From: Adam Efird <adamefird(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 13 May 2006 8:19pm
Hi Carolina Birders,
This is my first post on this list, so greetings...my
name is Adam Efird. I am visiting Emerald Isle, NC for
a couple of days next week following graduation. I'm
looking for good marshy habitats, some good mudflats,
and any location where some decent birds may be
spotted in that area. If any of you frequently visit
that area or know some good birding spots around
there, I'd definitely like to find out where they are.
Regards,
Adam Efird
Raleigh, NC
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: South Island 5-13 - Ruff, White-rumped Sandpiper, Am. Avocet
From: "Cape Romain Bird Observatory" <crbo(AT)dmzs.com>
Date: 13 May 2006 9:38pm
This morning I performed a shorebird census on Cat Island and South Island as
part of the ISS (International Shorebird Survey). Richard Wyndham and Billy
Baldwin lent their bird ID skills to the effort. Conditions were prime - high
tide in the morning, nice water levels in the drawn-down impoundments and
plenty of shorebirds. Bob Joyner and company at the Yawkey Center really know
how to lay a table for shorebirds.
* Note: this ultimate wildlife sanctuary is not open to the general public -
only to DNR employees and people engaged in research projects. I am posting
this information for shorebird enthusiasts / researchers who may be interested
in things like peaking numbers of Semipalmated Sandpipers, for example. I
also think the string of RUFF encounters this spring in coastal SC is
unprecedented.
We encountered a dead ringer for the female Ruff (Reeve) we had on April 29
during the CRBO Shorebird Identification Workshop. This would not be
surprising, since we were only 6.25 miles northeast of that particular
impoundment at the Santee Coastal Reserve.
Other shorebird highlights included White-rumped Sandpiper, American Avocet
and the most Stilt Sandpipers I have ever seen in one day (nearly 400).
Semipalmated Sandpipers were far and away the most numerous bird of the day -
we had 7,500+ in one medium-sized impoundment. There was a lot of aggressive
behavior - Sandpipers were running around making threat gestures like mad,
with heads low and tails in the air like a Sora. One enraged Semipalmated
Sandpiper kept belly-bucking with a much larger Dunlin, who eventually left
the area.
Shorebirds:
Ruff (1)
White-rumped Sandpiper (1)
American Avocet (1 - wonder where the main flock was)
Black-necked Stilt (37)
American Oystercatcher (2)
Semipalmated Plover (2,859)
Killdeer (5)
Black-bellied Plover (23)
Stilt Sandpiper (395)
Short-billed Dowitcher (2,371)
Semipalmated Sandpiper (10,958)
Least Sandpiper (433)
Spotted Sandpiper (147)
Dunlin (1,267)
Willet (14)
Greater Yellowlegs (43)
Lesser Yellowlegs (229)
Solitary Sandpiper (4)
Pectoral Sandpiper (11)
Non-shorebird Highlights:
Anhinga
Least Bittern
Mottled Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Gull-billed Tern
Least Tern
Marsh Wren (Worthington's)
Bobolink
Seaside Sparrow
Orchard Oriole
Blue Grosbeak
Stilt Sandpipers in alternate plumage are such striking birds!
Nathan Dias
---
Executive Director
Cape Romain Bird Observatory
http://www.crbo.net/
crbo(AT)dmzs.com
P.O. Box 362
McClellanville, SC 29458
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: ultra-tame Sandhill Crane (and a Whooper note)
From: "Paul Champlin" <skua99(AT)hotmail.com>
Date: 13 May 2006 10:48pm
Having been to several places in FL during the last few winters, seeing
cranes wander through people's door yard, harass their pets (while they walk
them... ON LEASH!) and stroll up the typical shuffleboard player at random
asking for a handout, it would not surprise me at all if this bird was
(indeed this species) was on its way to Canada Goose migratory status.
About other cranes: I've neglected to point out the last year or two the
Kudos to FL and eastern states should get for partaking in the conservation
of Whoopers (i know, different species than the subject e-mail). Lots of
federal dollars previously went to Montana (et al.) western states for a
dozen years or more of attempted recovery, only to be thwarted by ranchers
and a few bad hunters... or good hunters with rather poor ethics, taking
many birds out. The bulk of the recovery program was shifted to the east (as
I understand it) because of the less hostile environment here.
Cheers
Paul
Paul Champlin
Seneca, SC
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