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CarolinaBirds for Wednesday, May 17, 2006
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Subject: RE: World Series of Birding - South Carolina Team
From: "Robin Carter" <rcarter(AT)sc.rr.com>
Date: 17 May 2006 6:56am
Hi Craig,
In 1987 and 1988 Dennis Forsythe and I did the World Series of Birding,
sponsored by Bob Odear's birding company. The third members were Bob Odear
(1987) and Jim McConnell (1988). I was the captain, and both years we ran a
route that encompassed the entire state of New Jersey. This was before the
days of the Cape May County only option. We came in somewhere in the middle
of the pack, but had great birding. The WSB is very intense.
As for South Carolina Big Days I continue to do them on a regular basis, at
least one a year. I believe that Nathan Dias tried to get a Charleston
County Big Day contest organized at least once. I could not participate and
I do not know how that one came out.
I think it would be fun to have a single-county Big Day contest sometime in
SC. Charleston County might work. Or we could have an ACE Basin contest. The
ACE Basin is in several counties, but it is a well-defined area and has lots
of great birding at any time of year.
The other premier Big Day contest in the county, in my opinion, is the
week-long Texas Birding Classic. This event covers the entire Texas coast,
from Louisiana to the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The birding in Texas is
awesome! I organized a team in 1997 (the first year of the Classic), with
Bob Duncan and Phil Tetlow (both from Florida). Our team, the Gray
Kingbirds, won the prize for best out-of-state team.
If anyone wants to get up a team for the Texas Birding Classic one of these
years, let me know. I know the contest area fairly well, and I know the
Lower Rio Grande birds fairly well, as well as the eastern birds. It would
be a fantastic week of birding on the Texas Coast.
Robin Carter
Columbia, SC USA
mailto:rcarter(AT)sc.rr.com
-----Original Message-----
From: carolinabirds-owner(AT)acpub.duke.edu
[mailto:carolinabirds-owner(AT)acpub.duke.edu]On Behalf Of Craigjen(AT)aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2006 10:14 PM
To: carolinabirds(AT)duke.edu
Subject: World Series of Birding - South Carolina Team
This past Saturday my team "Birders on the Run" participated in the 2006
World Series of Birding (WSB) in Cape May, New Jersey. I believe we are
the
only team captained by a South Carolina resident (please correct me if I'm
wrong). We also have one other team member who is a South Carolina
resident, my
wife. This was our second year in the WSB. We had 158 birds in Cape May
County and came in fourth place. That was a big improvement for us from
last
year (+15 birds) and we are excited to try again next year to break into
the top
three. The winning team in the county had 179 birds. Our best birds were
Western Grebe, Roseate Tern, and Winter Wren (late for the county:) Our
biggest misses were Green Heron and Scarlet Tanager:( Our team "sponsor"
is the
Cape Romain Bird Observatory. I really enjoy these big day type events;
are
there any others in the Carolinas, I'm not aware of any. Please e-mail me
directly if you are interested in doing something like this in September in
South Carolina, with a Charleston County only category also. If I see
enough
interest I will arrange a charitable birdathon in September along the line
of
the WSB. See the njaudubon page for info on that event.
Craig Richard
Mount Pleasant, SC
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: The End of the Vesper Sparrow?
From: "John Ennis" <swampwolf(AT)thebusinessbirder.com>
Date: 17 May 2006 7:25am
I do not know Harry.but certainly know of his reputation of being the
preeminent bird ID expert in the Carolinas and chairman of the NC records
committee.
Also, I appreciate his help with correcting ID of a scaup photo a few months
ago.one I had miss-identified as a Lesser.
So how can someone like me who is a slightly-better-than-average birder (on
my better days) disagree with Harry? Well, I cannot disagree with him;
however, at this point I cannot agree with him either.I need to know why I
am right or wrong.
I do not keep state lists so being right means nothing since I usually see
Vespers in more than one state each year.yesterday I added NE and before had
OK, KS, CO, and maybe TX.and maybe I'll see one sitting with the Baird's
Sparrow I hope to find in ND today. I just need to know why I am right or
wrong.
Concerning my posts, Harry's right.I should spare you additional
discussion.when I am finished, I will post only a web address for those who
wish to review my findings and see pictures of the OK & KS Vespers.
John Ennis
Leland, NC
910-371-9729
-----Original Message-----
From: carolinabirds-owner(AT)acpub.duke.edu
[mailto:carolinabirds-owner(AT)acpub.duke.edu] On Behalf Of Harry LeGrand
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2006 8:36 AM
Cc: carolinabirds(AT)duke.edu
Subject: The End of the "Vesper" Sparrow
John,
You are beating a dead horse. Your bird is a Savannah Sparrow, as many
of us have mentioned a month or two ago. Also, your good friend in
Gainesville, who is pro-Savannah, knows what he is talking about.
Move on with your life. Spare carolinabirds readers more of this.
Harry LeGrand
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: More Piedmont Swainson's Thrush
From: "Katherine Higgins" <kathwrens(AT)earthlink.net>
Date: 17 May 2006 8:47am
I have had a pair of Swainson's Thrushes singing for 8 days here in
Winston-Salem, NC (off of Polo Road near Reynolda Road).
It seems unusual that these should stay for so long during migration. Any
comments? Thanks.
Katherine Higgins
kathwrens(AT)earthlink.net
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: BLACK BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS - IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, NC !!
From: "Alan D. Meijer" <alan_meijer(AT)ncsu.edu>
Date: 17 May 2006 9:20am
Yeserday, Curtis Dykstra received a call from a landowner of Beaufort County
saying that he had a strange duck in his field. The landowner knew enough
about birds that these were a different sort, in fact knew that it was a
tree duck and was thinking they were Fulvous Whistling Ducks. Curtis was
working so he called me and told me to check with this resident, since I
knew him. John Register met me there.
We went to the site and immediately found the birds. Definitely
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS. There were 11 of them, watching us intently.
A link to pictures will be provided. Curtis Dykstra also witnessed them
later that afternoon. Each of us, plus the landowner and some of his family
counted 11 birds.
********The birds were seen on private property that is not accessible to
the general public. If this status changes or the landowner wants to allow
birders on his property, I'll update you.
LINK: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/plymouth/staff/ameijer/bird/index.html
-------------
John Register checked the archives and said "I've reviewed Carolinabirds and
found references to sightings of this species in May and June, 2004 and Feb.
and July, 2005 both in North but mostly South Carolina. The North Carolina
report was
5/21/2004 in Tyrell County, off Route 64, five birds."
_______________________________________
Alan D. Meijer
Beaufort County
alan_meijer(AT)ncsu.edu
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: RE: World Series of Birding - South Carolina Team
From: Nate Dias <offshorebirder(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 17 May 2006 9:38am
That was actually Bob Wood's idea as part of the
Carolina Bird Club 2005 Fall meeting...
It was a good idea, but everyone ended up choosing the
regular field trips instead of the Friday big day
event...
Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC
--- Robin Carter <rcarter(AT)sc.rr.com> wrote:
>...
>I believe that Nathan Dias tried to get a Charleston
>County Big Day contest organized at least once. I
could >not participate and I do not know how that one
came out.
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Black-bellied Whistling Ducks update
From: "Alan D. Meijer" <alan_meijer(AT)ncsu.edu>
Date: 17 May 2006 10:09am
The report from the landowner this morning is that the ducks are gone - at
least having vacated the immediate area. (Note: A different family member
reports seeing the birds last week, but didn't think anything about it. The
person who reported the birds obviously realized they were something
special.)
_______________________________________
Alan D. Meijer
Beaufort Co., NC
alan_meijer(AT)ncsu.edu
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No virus found in this outgoing message.
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: More Piedmont Swainson's Thrush
From: Norman Budnitz <norman.budnitz(AT)duke.edu>
Date: 17 May 2006 10:12am
I had two Swainson's Thrushes singing this morning in my backyard in
Orange County (NC). It has been my experience that Swainson's usually
show up in my yard at about this time (mid-May) every year. This in
spite of the fact that I read reports of and even see Swainson's in
other local places well before this time.
As for your "pair," they could be the same two birds, but they could
also be new birds coming in and replacing ones that have moved on. Good
habitat for one thrush is good habitat for another. The amount of time
a particular bird hangs around may have to do with weather (cloudy skies
at night, for example), but may also have to do with energy stores. If
a bird has used up a lot of energy on a particular leg of its journey
(fighting a storm, perhaps), it may just be refueling.
Norm
Katherine Higgins wrote:
> I have had a pair of Swainson's Thrushes singing for 8 days here in
> Winston-Salem, NC (off of Polo Road near Reynolda Road).
> It seems unusual that these should stay for so long during migration.
> Any comments? Thanks.
> Katherine Higgins
> kathwrens(AT)earthlink.net
--
Norman Budnitz
NTH-M2451
2512 S. TriCenter Blvd.
Durham NC 27713
919-315-4768 (CIBL/TASC main line)
919-483-9889 (direct line)
919-315-4796 (fax)
norman.budnitz(AT)duke.edu
http://www.ciblearning.org
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Onslow County Spring Count
From: "JAMES ODONNELL" <ODJLJL(AT)charter.net>
Date: 17 May 2006 12:47pm
We held the Onslow County (coastal southeast NC) Spring Count this past
Saturday the 13th. Had great weather and some good birding. Not all the
worksheets are in yet but it looks like we had 155 species.
We had three new species for this count, Snipe, Peregrine Falcon and a Black
Scoter. So for the second Sat in May during the last eleven years, Onslow
has a total of 209 species.
Other birds of note for this year: Broad-winged Hawk, Stilt Sandpiper,
White-rumped Sandpiper, at least three Bald Eagles.
We had a few late species: Black-throated Blue Warbler, Redstart, &
Blue-headed Vireo.
Thanks to everyone who participated.
Jim O'Donnell
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject:
From: "Robert C. Perkins" <rperkins(AT)infionline.net>
Date: 17 May 2006 1:03pm
This morning on the River Trail in Fayetteville, my partner and
I heard, but did not see, a Kentucky warbler and saw a foraging
Swainson's warbler.
Bob
--
Bob Perkins
Historian and general outdoorsman
Fayetteville, North Carolina
rperkins(AT)infionline.net
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: BLACK BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS - IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, NC
!!
From: Harry LeGrand <harry.legrand(AT)ncmail.net>
Date: 17 May 2006 1:31pm
All:
NC does have one accepted sight record for BBWD, the one listed below
for Tyrrell County. The Records Committee considered Questionable Origin
for a flock in the Calabash area of Brunswick County a year or two ago,
because of a waterfowl breeder not far away in the Myrtle Beach, SC,
area. (The NC birds certainly could have been wild, however, as the site
is a suitable place for wild birds to appear.) One or two other NC
reports also had QO verdicts because of concerns for being escaped from
captivity. I believe there is a breeder with BBWD at Scotland Neck,
possibly in coastal VA, and maybe elsewhere.
On the positive side, BBWD has been appearing in increasing numbers over
much of the Eastern US in recent years, most often in spring or early
summer. The species is apparently now on the Accepted/Official lists for
many states. So, these Beaufort County birds could represent legitimate
strays -- from TX or maybe an established FL population.
The best course of action is the wait-and-see one. If folks know of
local breeders that have BBWD, we'd like to know. Were any of the 11
birds banded? Any signs of tameness, etc.? Was the behavior wary, or at
least consistent of wild birds? Will the birds show up again at this
property? It's good that the birds only were there for a few days, as a
long stay might suggest escaped birds.
The NC Bird Records Committee will vote on this report later, assuming
there is not 100% confirmation that the birds are escapes. And, as there
are now photos, acceptance as valid -- including acceptance to species
of the photos -- would place the species on the Official List.
Let's all hope that these birds, or others, will show up elsewhere in NC
soon so that they can be viewed on or from public land.
Harry LeGrand
Chair, NC Bird Records Committee
Alan D. Meijer wrote:
> Yeserday, Curtis Dykstra received a call from a landowner of Beaufort County
> saying that he had a strange duck in his field. The landowner knew enough
> about birds that these were a different sort, in fact knew that it was a
> tree duck and was thinking they were Fulvous Whistling Ducks. Curtis was
> working so he called me and told me to check with this resident, since I
> knew him. John Register met me there.
>
> We went to the site and immediately found the birds. Definitely
> BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS. There were 11 of them, watching us intently.
> A link to pictures will be provided. Curtis Dykstra also witnessed them
> later that afternoon. Each of us, plus the landowner and some of his family
> counted 11 birds.
>
> ********The birds were seen on private property that is not accessible to
> the general public. If this status changes or the landowner wants to allow
> birders on his property, I'll update you.
>
> LINK: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/plymouth/staff/ameijer/bird/index.html
>
> -------------
> John Register checked the archives and said "I've reviewed Carolinabirds and
> found references to sightings of this species in May and June, 2004 and Feb.
> and July, 2005 both in North but mostly South Carolina. The North Carolina
> report was
> 5/21/2004 in Tyrell County, off Route 64, five birds."
>
> _______________________________________
> Alan D. Meijer
> Beaufort County
> alan_meijer(AT)ncsu.edu
>
--
Harry LeGrand
NC Natural Heritage Program
DENR Office of Conservation and Community Affairs
1601 MSC
Raleigh, NC 27699-1601
(919) 715-8697 (work)
FAX: 919-715-3085
e-mail: harry.legrand(AT)ncmail.net
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: BLACK BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS - IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, NC
!!
From: "John Register" <jregister4(AT)cox.net>
Date: 17 May 2006 3:09pm
Harry...
As one fortunate enought to see the BBWDs yesterday afternoon, I'll
add to Alan's report. I looked specifically for bands, but saw none,
although some of the birds were standing in corn plants, their legs
obscured. We were careful not to disturb the birds or to "spook" them as
the property owner seemed anxious to have them stay, and so we did not
test their wariness, although they were well aware of us looking at
them.
The Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Center in Scotland Neck, NC, has the
species on display. I have e-mailed the manager, Mr. Mike Lubbock, if he
has lost or released any BBWDs recently, or if he knows of any other
breeders who might have. When I get a reply, I'll be glad to pass it
along.
John Register
Washington, NC
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: BLACK BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS - IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, NC
!!
From: Nate Dias <offshorebirder(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 17 May 2006 3:29pm
--- Harry LeGrand <harry.legrand(AT)ncmail.net> wrote:
> ...
> So, these Beaufort County birds could represent
> legitimate strays -- from TX or maybe an established
> FL population.
Actually, legitimate/wild birds in NC could have
originated from much closer than FL or TX.
Wild birds have been bouncing around coastal SC since
the mid-1990s. And BBWD have been breeding in SC
since at least 2003...
The Summer 2004 CHAT has an article on wild + breeding
BBWD in the ACE Basin in SC. The past few summers
there have been 100+ BBWD on public and private lands
in Colleton County, SC.
See:
http://www.carolinabirdclub.org/chat/issues/2004/v68n3bbwd.pdf
for more information, including a group photo of 16
birds.
I have also seen BBWD on Bull's Island and at the
Santee Coastal Reserve in the past 2 years, so they
are occuring in SC well north of the ACE Basin...
Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: McCormick County SC migratory day count
From: "Irvin Pitts" <ipitts(AT)scprt.com>
Date: 17 May 2006 4:09pm
Bob,
Below are results from my participation on the migratory day count on
May 13, 2006 in McCormick County, South Carolina. I found nothing
unusual but enjoyed the day. 68 species and 595 individuals
Observer: Irvin Pitts
Time: 7:10 am - 2:40 pm
64 miles by car; 2.5 miles by foot; 2.0 hours by car, 5.5 hours by foot
Location; McCormick County South Carolina (including Stevens Creek
Heritage Preserve, Hamilton Branch State Park, Baker Creek State Park,
Hickory Knob State Park and the towns of McCormick, Modoc, Parksville,
Plum Branch and the Lake Thurmond Dam area). Driving route included
sections of SC Highway 23, SC 28 and US Hwy. 378.
Weather: Partly cloudy- low temperature of 49 F.
Species:
Great Blue Heron - 4
Green Heron - 3
Black Vulture - 9
Turkey Vulture - 28
Canada Goose - 31
Osprey - 1
Bald Eagle - 1
Broad-winged Hawk - 1
Red-tailed Hawk - 1
Killdeer - 1
Spotted Sandpiper - 1
Mourning Dove - 6
Rock Pigeon - 4
Yellow-billed Cuckoo - 5
Chimney Swift - 16
Belted Kingfisher - 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 7
Downy Woodpecker - 6
Hairy Woodpecker - 1
Northern Flicker - 4
Pileated Woodpecker - 4
Eastern Wood-pewee - 4
Acadian Flycatcher - 3
Eastern Phoebe - 6
Great Crested Flycatcher - 27
Eastern Kingbird - 9
White-eyed Vireo - 1
Blue-headed Vireo - 3
Yellow-throated Vireo - 1
Red-eyed Vireo - 29
Blue Jay - 20
Fish Crow - 7
American Crow - 20
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - 8
Barn Swallow - 20
Cliff Swallow - 2
Carolina Chickadee - 21
Tufted Titmouse - 31
Brown-headed Nuthatch - 15
Carolina Wren - 24
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher - 4
Eastern Bluebird - 8
American Robin - 3
Northern Mockingbird - 20
Brown Thrasher - 7
Cedar Waxwing - 8
Northern Parula - 2
Black-throated Blue Warbler - 1
Yellow-throated Warbler - 1
Pine Warbler - 72
Prairie Warbler - 1
Blackpoll Warbler - 3
Black-and-white Warbler - 6
American Redstart - 2
Ovenbird - 1
Hooded Warbler - 1
Scarlet Tanager - 2
Summer Tanager - 4
Eastern Towhee - 8
Chipping Sparrow - 2
Northern Cardinal - 15
Blue Grosbeak - 1
Indigo Bunting - 4
Red-winged Blackbird - 3
Common Grackle - 20
Orchard Oriole - 4
House Finch - 2
American Goldfinch - 3
Irvin Pitts
221 Mooring Lane
Lexington, SC 29072
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: BLACK BELLIED WHISTLING DUCKS - IN BEAUFORT COUNTY, NC
!!
From: "John Register" <jregister4(AT)cox.net>
Date: 17 May 2006 5:57pm
Harry....
Sylvan Heights Waterfowl manager has replied that they have not lost
or released any BBWDs recently. They did concede they'd lost some birds
ten years ago during a tornado, but that most of the birds were
recovered. They are not aware of any other breeders releasing or losing
any BBWDs. .
John Register
Washington, NC
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Good Birding Spots near Emerald Isle, NC
From: sfantony20(AT)aol.com
Date: 17 May 2006 11:29pm
Fort Macon Park, which is on the other end of the island from Emerald
Isle, is a great place to bird.
Tammy Lester
Atlantic Beach, NC
-----Original Message-----
From: Adam Efird <adamefird(AT)yahoo.com>
To: carolinabirds(AT)duke.edu
Sent: Sat, 13 May 2006 17:17:50 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Good Birding Spots near Emerald Isle, NC
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
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