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CarolinaBirds for Monday, May 22, 2006
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Black-billed Cuckoo and Canada Warbler at Cedar Island, NC
From: "John Fussell" <jfuss(AT)clis.com>
Date: 22 May 2006 7:30am
On Sunday morning, Jack Fennell and I birded at Cedar Island.
The south end of the island, at and near the refuge headquarters office,
was the most productive. There we had a Black-billed Cuckoo and a
Canada Warbler (it took us 45 minutes to see this bird!).
Other migrants there were 4 Blackpoll Warblers, 1 Northern Waterthrush,
and a redstart. There was also a singing Black-throated Green Warbler
there. A few years ago, I would have automatically considered a bird of
this species in that area to have been a breeder, but, the number of
breeding birds in our region has declined so much, it is perhaps just as
likely, or more likely, that it was a migrant, especially considering
the habitat it was in.
Also heard a Swainson's Warbler behind the refuge office.
At the ferry terminal pond, there were numerous shorebirds, including 2
White-rumped Sandpipers.
John Fussell
Morehead City, NC
jfuss(AT)clis.com
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Swainson's Warblers in eastern Piedmont NC
From: Harry LeGrand <harry.legrand(AT)ncmail.net>
Date: 22 May 2006 8:13am
Folks:
As I recall, Swainson's Warblers have been seen/heard in Richmond
County, NC, near the Pee Dee River in previous years (Bruce Sorrie?).
Sure enough, I heard two birds singing from bottomland hardwoods along
the Pee Dee yesterday (May 21), west of Rockingham. There is much cane,
and the canopy had been thinned years ago, helping out the cane and
other shrubs. This is in the eastern edge of the Piedmont, by only a few
miles.
Other warblers of interest there included several Kentucky Warblers and
a Prothonotary Warbler. I was hoping to see Mississippi Kite, which has
been found here in late summer in previous years. Alas, only
Red-shouldereds and Red-taileds, among the many Turkey Vultures. I'm not
sure if kites actually nest along the river in NC or were just
post-breeding birds moving slightly upriver from SC nesting areas. I hit
another tract farther down the river, only a few miles from SC, and also
had no luck with kites.
--
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: Nightjar Picture Link
From: Robert Biller <merlin42(AT)charter.net>
Date: 22 May 2006 10:00am
Hell Carolinabirders,
I mistakenly sent this email already just to the Carolina-digest subscribers
only. Here is the message again and I guess the message will be archived twice
in the digest. Sorry.
Nightjar picture link:
The following link will take you to my sorely outdated bird journal (except for
today ;)). There I have the NIGHTJAR pictures from today (with Tom McNeil) at
Valle Crucis Community Park in Watagua County, NC. Any help confirming this ID
as a Chuck-will's-widow (which we believe it is) would be appreciated.
Likewise, any comments on why it is not would be equally appreciated. The
pictures are linked to my gallery page where you can click on the pictures and
get better looks. Unless this warrants a discussion on Carolina Birds, then
you may email me personally at merlin42(AT)charter.net, Tom at
tsmcneil(AT)earthlink.net, or leave a comment at the journal site or the gallery
site. Thank you for you time and help with this identification. I hope the
pictures are good enough for the ID. Valle Crucis was a big, BIG surprise for
me and I hope to get back there as soon as possible (probably next Sunday unless
something unexpected arises).
Here is the link:
http://technobohemia.com/technoblog/etnbirdjournal.php
Rob Biller
Ellizabethton, TN
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Tardy migrants
From: mjwestphal <mjwestphal(AT)unca.edu>
Date: 22 May 2006 10:19am
Those Johnny-come-latelys are still coming through. On my excursion around
this morning picking up some water samples I heard 8 Blackpolls and 2
Swainson's Thrushes singing. One of the Swainson's Thrushes was here on
campus. There were also Blackpolls, Yellow-rumps, and Bay-breasted on the
Balsam Mts count on Saturday. More about that count later.
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: Listing question about that Frigatebird, OBX
From: Sandy Cash <lcashjr(AT)nc.rr.com>
Date: 22 May 2006 1:57pm
Hi all,
If you hate really silly emails about listing etiquette, delete this one
NOW.
I was one of the individuals present on Brian's 5/20 trip out of
Hatteras - and I, too, saw the MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD that morning on
my way to the docks. The problem is, and I am cursing myself for this,
that I didn't stop to id the bird. Something in me said, "your mind is
playing tricks, it's not as big as it looks, that black and white thing
is an Osprey." I knew the bird was too big, I saw the white breast
clearly, but I ignored what my senses were telling me - I forced reality
to match my mental model, rather than the other way around, sadly
enough. It's one of the cardinal mistakes in birding, IMHO.
Here's the silly question part: do I list this thing, or not? I know in
my heart I saw one, and I'm quite sure I'd be able to ID it correctly if
I stopped - but I didn't and I didn't. It'd be a lifer/state/year/etc.
bird for me. (And yes, I know it's an individual question, I'm looking
partly to assuage any guilt if I pull the trigger, I'll concede - but
I'm also curious.)
Other birds of note:
Red Knot (6, 4 in breeding plumage, 2 not yet there)
Piping Plover (2 at Oregon Inlet - the ranger at Cape Point said they
have one nest active and 6 birds present)
Gull-billed Tern (1 foraging over New Field at PINWR)
Good Birding,
-Sandy
--
Sandy Cash
Durham, NC
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Listing question about that Frigatebird, OBX
From: Ric Carter <ricc(AT)mindspring.com>
Date: 22 May 2006 2:15pm
Opinion: It's your list, you list what you like.
You just won't be able to play with the list nazis.
Some bird for fun first, and science second.
Ric Carter
Garner & Little Washington
On May 22, 2006, at 1:57 PM, Sandy Cash wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> If you hate really silly emails about listing etiquette, delete
> this one NOW.
>
> I was one of the individuals present on Brian's 5/20 trip out of
> Hatteras - and I, too, saw the MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD that morning
> on my way to the docks. The problem is, and I am cursing myself
> for this, that I didn't stop to id the bird. Something in me said,
> "your mind is playing tricks, it's not as big as it looks, that
> black and white thing is an Osprey." I knew the bird was too big,
> I saw the white breast clearly, but I ignored what my senses were
> telling me - I forced reality to match my mental model, rather than
> the other way around, sadly enough. It's one of the cardinal
> mistakes in birding, IMHO.
>
> Here's the silly question part: do I list this thing, or not? I
> know in my heart I saw one, and I'm quite sure I'd be able to ID it
> correctly if I stopped - but I didn't and I didn't. It'd be a
> lifer/state/year/etc. bird for me. (And yes, I know it's an
> individual question, I'm looking partly to assuage any guilt if I
> pull the trigger, I'll concede - but I'm also curious.)
>
> Other birds of note:
>
> Red Knot (6, 4 in breeding plumage, 2 not yet there)
> Piping Plover (2 at Oregon Inlet - the ranger at Cape Point said
> they have one nest active and 6 birds present)
> Gull-billed Tern (1 foraging over New Field at PINWR)
>
> Good Birding,
>
> -Sandy
>
> --
> Sandy Cash
> Durham, NC
>
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Red Knots, Myrtle Beach
From: alan kneidel <mylittledemon(AT)earthlink.net>
Date: 22 May 2006 2:28pm
On 5/18, walking north along Myrtle Beach, I came across a flock of 122
RED KNOTS. Nothing else of note, other than the typical terns and
shorebirds. 1 EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was in the town of Myrtle Beach.
Alan Kneidel
Charlotte, NC
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Listing question about that Frigatebird, OBX
From: Helmut Mueller <hmuelle(AT)earthlink.net>
Date: 22 May 2006 2:57pm
Since when is "listing" a science?
Helmut Mueller
Chapel Hill
On May 22, 2006, at 2:15 PM, Ric Carter wrote:
> Opinion: It's your list, you list what you like.
>
> You just won't be able to play with the list nazis.
>
> Some bird for fun first, and science second.
>
> Ric Carter
> Garner & Little Washington
>
>
> On May 22, 2006, at 1:57 PM, Sandy Cash wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> If you hate really silly emails about listing etiquette, delete this
>> one NOW.
>>
>> I was one of the individuals present on Brian's 5/20 trip out of
>> Hatteras - and I, too, saw the MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD that morning
>> on my way to the docks. The problem is, and I am cursing myself for
>> this, that I didn't stop to id the bird. Something in me said, "your
>> mind is playing tricks, it's not as big as it looks, that black and
>> white thing is an Osprey." I knew the bird was too big, I saw the
>> white breast clearly, but I ignored what my senses were telling me -
>> I forced reality to match my mental model, rather than the other way
>> around, sadly enough. It's one of the cardinal mistakes in birding,
>> IMHO.
>>
>> Here's the silly question part: do I list this thing, or not? I know
>> in my heart I saw one, and I'm quite sure I'd be able to ID it
>> correctly if I stopped - but I didn't and I didn't. It'd be a
>> lifer/state/year/etc. bird for me. (And yes, I know it's an
>> individual question, I'm looking partly to assuage any guilt if I
>> pull the trigger, I'll concede - but I'm also curious.)
>>
>> Other birds of note:
>>
>> Red Knot (6, 4 in breeding plumage, 2 not yet there)
>> Piping Plover (2 at Oregon Inlet - the ranger at Cape Point said they
>> have one nest active and 6 birds present)
>> Gull-billed Tern (1 foraging over New Field at PINWR)
>>
>> Good Birding,
>>
>> -Sandy
>>
>> --
>> Sandy Cash
>> Durham, NC
>>
>
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Late Ruddy duck and Inland Whimbrel
From: David Lenat <lenatbks(AT)mindspring.com>
Date: 22 May 2006 3:44pm
A Ruddy Duck in full breeding plumage was seen today in the "Dairy Pond"
off Lake Wheeler Road (in the Agricultural Research complex), Raleigh.
Bright rufous body and turquoise bill!
Two Whimbrel were seen in the headwater of Lake Wheeler from the Penny
Road bridge (Raleigh). A few other shore birds were also present, but
too far away for a reliable ID. Whimbrels are rarely seen this far inland.
I have pictures of both.
Dave Lenat, Raleigh
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: RE: Swainson's Warblers in eastern Piedmont NC
From: "Robin Carter" <rcarter(AT)sc.rr.com>
Date: 22 May 2006 5:30pm
Harry,
When I lived in Durham in the early 1970's I used to go down to the Pee Dee
in late summer to see Mississippi Kites in North Carolina. I remember
finding a couple of Mississippi Kites and a singing Swainson's Warbler along
the Pee Dee River in Anson County (Old Ferry Road), just north of the South
Carolina border. So Swainson's Warblers have been using this portion of the
Pee Dee for some time now.
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 Harry LeGrand
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 8:17 AM
To: carolinabirds; Bruce Sorrie
Subject: Swainson's Warblers in eastern Piedmont NC
Folks:
As I recall, Swainson's Warblers have been seen/heard in Richmond
County, NC, near the Pee Dee River in previous years (Bruce Sorrie?).
Sure enough, I heard two birds singing from bottomland hardwoods along
the Pee Dee yesterday (May 21), west of Rockingham. There is much cane,
and the canopy had been thinned years ago, helping out the cane and
other shrubs. This is in the eastern edge of the Piedmont, by only a few
miles.
Other warblers of interest there included several Kentucky Warblers and
a Prothonotary Warbler. I was hoping to see Mississippi Kite, which has
been found here in late summer in previous years. Alas, only
Red-shouldereds and Red-taileds, among the many Turkey Vultures. I'm not
sure if kites actually nest along the river in NC or were just
post-breeding birds moving slightly upriver from SC nesting areas. I hit
another tract farther down the river, only a few miles from SC, and also
had no luck with kites.
--
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: Another Triangle Raven sighting
From: "Steven Shultz" <SSHULTZ(AT)nc.rr.com>
Date: 22 May 2006 7:27pm
Add another sighting of Common Raven in the Triangle. I spotted two of this
not-so-unusual anymore species soaring over the intersection of I40 and I540
in RTP this afternoon.
Yesterday along Mid-Pines Road and the NCSU Farms area still noted some
through migrants with a good number of Yellow Warblers, mainly female, in
the willows at the creek crossing on Mid Pines. The regenerating clear-cut
harbored several singing Blackpoll Warblers, and the dairy farm pond had
Solitary and Least Sandpipers. Also had Great-crested Flycatcher, lots of
Indigo Buntings, Blue Grosbeaks, Orchard Oriole, Cedar Waxwings and Eastern
Kingbirds. Note that any birding on the Farm that is not from Inwood or
Mid-Pines Rd requires a permit from NCSU, this permit can be obtained from
the field office on Lake Wheeler Road.
The pair of WHIMBREL noted earlier today by Dave Lenat were still present on
the sand bar at the northwest end of Lake Wheeler as of about six this
evening. I believe the other shorebirds on the bar are Least Sandpipers,
but as Dave mentioned, the distance makes peep identification difficult.
Best,
Steve Shultz
Apex, NC
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Advice and help needed
From: "Olwen Jarvis" <olwen(AT)coastalnet.com>
Date: 22 May 2006 8:19pm
Hi Carolina Birders,
About an hour ago a neighbor called and said she had a strange owl on her
bird feeder! By the time I got there the bird was on a branch, clearly
visible. It was a red phase Eastern Screech owl. We got good photos. Several
local birders were able to observe the owl. Then one person notice a small
ball of fluff, about 4 inches square, on the ground close to the trunk of a
tree a short distance from the adult. Again more photos.
What to do with the owlet, leave it for predators? I put it into a small
cavity close to the adult. As we moved away, a second adult was seen, this
time a gray phase.
Will the adults attend to the owlet? Should it be left on the ground? I will
go early tomorrow morning and see what has happened overnight.
I hope to be able to post photos tomorrow.
Olwen Jarvis. New Bern Craven Co.NC
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Some great Mecklenburg County Birds (Cabarrus too)
From: PiephoffT(AT)aol.com
Date: 22 May 2006 8:22pm
Birders,
Today at Six Mile Creek greenway in extreme southern Mecklenburg County (NC)
I had an extended encounter with a singing MOURNING WARBLER. The bird gave
only brief looks as it skulked in a blackberry thicket before crossing the creek
and moving away, singing all the while. Earlier in the day BLACK-BILLED
CUCKOO and OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER were seen at the same site. I hear photos
were
taken of the flycatcher.
The big news from Mecklenburg however has to be the appearance of at least 3
singing SWAINSON'S WARBLERS at 2 sites in the county. At Six Mile Creek at
least 2 birds are present and seeable. I suspect there are females present and
nesting is underway. The third bird was found yesterday and enjoyed by seven
birders at McAlpine Creek Greenway and relocated by three birders later. I
understand it was missed today. I suspected it was an unmated bird that would
move
on anytime. Both sites are floodplain hardwood forest with extremely thick
undergrowth of privet and some cane.
The WARBLING VIREOS are still present near Concord Mills in Cabarrus County,
and I heard today that Alan Kneidel found another singing WARBLING VIREO at
McMullen Creek Greenway in southern Mecklenburg County.
WILLOW FLYCATCHERS have returned to a traditional nesting site at the north
end of Coddle Creek Reservoir in Cabarrus County.
Less exciting but enjoyable were migrant MAGNOLIA WARBLER, GREY-CHEEKED
THRUSH, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, BLACKPOLLS, and AM. REDSTARTS seen yesterday at
McAlpine
Creek Greenway.
Taylor Piephoff
Charlotte, NC
PiephoffT(AT)aol.com
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Advice and help needed
From: "liz lathrop" <lizbirder(AT)cconnect.net>
Date: 22 May 2006 8:58pm
Olwen .... I have observed owlets leaving the nest ... now is the time.
They cannot fly but they can climb and they will climb the tree and sit
on a limb.. They don't have flight feathers yet. Yes, the parent
birds will attend to them.
Liz Lathrop
Oriental, NC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Olwen Jarvis" <olwen(AT)coastalnet.com>
To: "CBC" <carolinabirds(AT)duke.edu>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 8:19 PM
Subject: Advice and help needed
> Hi Carolina Birders,
> About an hour ago a neighbor called and said she had a strange owl on
> her bird feeder! By the time I got there the bird was on a branch,
> clearly visible. It was a red phase Eastern Screech owl. We got good
> photos. Several local birders were able to observe the owl. Then one
> person notice a small ball of fluff, about 4 inches square, on the
> ground close to the trunk of a tree a short distance from the adult.
> Again more photos.
> What to do with the owlet, leave it for predators? I put it into a
> small cavity close to the adult. As we moved away, a second adult was
> seen, this time a gray phase.
> Will the adults attend to the owlet? Should it be left on the ground?
> I will go early tomorrow morning and see what has happened overnight.
> I hope to be able to post photos tomorrow.
> Olwen Jarvis. New Bern Craven Co.NC
>
>
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Tardy Migrants
From: Scott Hartley <picoides(AT)alltel.net>
Date: 22 May 2006 9:29pm
Hi - I had a couple of folks point out to me, and rightly so, that
differentiating gray cheeked from Bicknell's thrush without the bird
singing is probably impossible.
We catch quite a few gray cheeks and swainsons thrushes in the fall when
we set out our mist nets, (also caught a Bicknell's a few years ago).
I suppose I'm still use to there just being gray cheek and swainsons to
worry with or it could be because I posted it around midnight after
having consumed a few Blue Moons, or perhaps it was one of those pre
pre-senior moments I seem to be having more frequently lately :)
.
So the bird I reported was a gray cheeked or Bicknell's - thanks for
keeping me straight.
The scissor tail flycatcher was still here today 5-22.
Scott Hartley
Weymouth Woods - SNP
Southern Pines, NC
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Buncombe County migration count
From: mjwestphal <mjwestphal(AT)unca.edu>
Date: 22 May 2006 10:28pm
It was a cool day for the Buncombe County migration count held on Sunday, May
14th with 19 participants. A total of 115 species and 4,879 individuals were
found, which was about average for the Buncombe count. The count circle is a
mix of forest and open country at a wide range of elevations. Most species
were at average numbers, but many of the woodland birds showed somewhat lower
numbers than usual, particularly several warbler, vireo, and woodpecker
species. Red-bellied and Hairy Woodpecker and Northern Flicker numbers were
at all time lows. Also unusually low numbers of Blue-headed (48) and Red-eyed
Vireo (86), Chestnut-sided (25), Black-throated Blue (54), Black-throated
Green (50), Blackburnian (27), Ovenbird (64-record low), and Hooded Warblers
(54) were found. Record high numbers of Wild Turkey (24), Northern Bobwhite
(10, including one at over 5000 foot elevation), Brown-headed Nuthatch (10),
Veery (20), American Robin (320), Warbling Vireo (7), House Finch (102), and,
unfortunately, Brown-headed Cowbird (40) were found.
For the first time Canada Warblers led the list in warbler numbers with 70.
A record number of 11 Hermit Thrushes were found, 10 of them between Craggy
Visitors Center and Balsam Gap. Although some of these may have been
transients, several were probably breeding birds. Also unusual for the count
was a Virginia Rail at over 5000 feet in Craggy Gardens sitting in a laurel
thicket. Other unusual finds were a Black-billed Cuckoo, also at Craggy
Gardens, 2 Sedge Wrens at Warren-Wilson College, and a Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker, probably a breeding bird, north of Bull Creek Valley overlook on
the Blue Ridge Parkway. Complete results will be on the Elisha Mitchell
Audubon Society web site hopefully by later this week. That's
www.main.nc.us/emas/
As usual the participants were enthusiastic and the count was tons of fun.
Many thanks to everyone who helped out.
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: Swainson's W., Anhingas, etc., nw. Johnston Co., NC
From: "Karen Bearden" <chickadeebirders(AT)earthlink.net>
Date: 22 May 2006 10:30pm
Howdy!
We were serenaded by a singing Wood Thrush and enjoyed the calls of
Summer and Scarlet Tanagers as we enjoyed our Chapel Hill Bird Club
picnic tonight a the UNC Botanical Gardens.
Erik Thomas is temporarily off Carolinabirds since he's in the middle of
moving and asked me to forward this along. It's a great spot for
birding!
Happy birding! Karen Bearden
Raleigh, NC
chickadeebirders(AT)earthlink.net
Birding has been good at the Middle Creek Bottomlands II in northwestern
Johnston County, North Carolina, lately. The most exciting news is that
there are at least three and maybe four Swainson's Warblers holding
territories there. This is one of the closest locations to Raleigh that
harbors Swainson's. I have yet to see one there, but I've been hearing
a lot of their "Neil, Neil, Neil, catch the girl" this spring. If
anybody's interested in mounting an expedition to find them, let me know
and we should be able to arrange something.
Twice this spring (the more recent time last weekend), I've seen two
Anhingas soaring over the tract. I don't know how regular they are in
the Triangle, but they're certainly not an everyday bird that far inland
and north.
The tract also has its own Great Blue Heron rookery. The rookery's
hard to get to, but when I was out to it a few weeks ago, I counted six
nests.
The Prothonotary Warblers and other regulars are out in full force
now, too. This is an easy place to see a Prothonotary. They can be
heard and seen readily along the road that bisects the tract.
The Middle Cr. Bottomlands II is in nw. Johnston Co. To get to it,
take I-40 East 17 miles from the Beltline, get off at exit 319 (St. Rt.
210), turn left=east, drive four miles to Smith Rd. (there's a sign at
the corner that reads "Dodd's Pro Body Shop"), and drive down the hill
to the bridge over Middle Creek. Tract is the big swampy area on the
north side of Middle Creek. It's owned by the Triangle Land
Conservancy.
Erik Thomas
Johnston Co., NC (but soon moving to Raleigh)
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