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ID-FRONTIERS for August 6-12, 2000
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Messages are displayed in the order they were received.
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| Subject | From | Date | Time |
| Gull at King's Lynn, UK | Brian Small | Sun, 6 Aug 2000 | 12:37am |
| Mystery tern | Joseph Morlan | Sun, 6 Aug 2000 | 6:12am |
| Re The possible Heuglini in England | Millington/BIS | Sun, 6 Aug 2000 | 12:56pm |
| Re: Re The possible Heuglini in
England | norman van swelm | Sun, 6 Aug 2000 | 2:36pm |
| Plegadis Ibis | kenny nichols | Sun, 6 Aug 2000 | 7:09pm |
| Chinese Crested Tern | Geoff Carey | Tue, 8 Aug 2000 | 3:21am |
| Humphrey & Parkes Plumage/Molt Terminology | Jean Iron | Tue, 8 Aug 2000 | 5:13pm |
| underwing of Larus cachinnans | Martin Reid | Wed, 9 Aug 2000 | 10:02pm |
| puzzling Oxyura duck | b1tkmn38 | Thu, 10 Aug 2000 | 10:22am |
| Albatross | Eric Preston | Thu, 10 Aug 2000 | 7:06pm |
| Re: Albatross | Ross Silcock | Thu, 10 Aug 2000 | 8:41pm |
| Re: Albatross | Phil Pickering | Thu, 10 Aug 2000 | 9:45pm |
| Possible Semipalmated Sandpiper in Denmark | Kent Olsen | Thu, 10 Aug 2000 | 11:45pm |
| Re: Albatross | Martin Reid | Fri, 11 Aug 2000 | 6:26am |
| RFI: hummingbird internet resources | Scott Spangenberg | Fri, 11 Aug 2000 | 6:31am |
| Re: RFI: hummingbird internet resources | Mike Patterson | Fri, 11 Aug 2000 | 8:10am |
| Re: RFI: hummingbird internet resources | Doug Von Gausig | Fri, 11 Aug 2000 | 9:10am |
| Re: Albatross | Alvaro Jaramillo | Fri, 11 Aug 2000 | 9:26am |
| Re: RFI: hummingbird internet resources | Scott Spangenberg | Fri, 11 Aug 2000 | 7:40pm |
| Little Stint Photos | Angus Wilson | Sat, 12 Aug 2000 | 12:18pm |
|
To use email addresses replace '(AT)' with '@'.
This is done to confuse the spam 'bots.
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Gull at King's Lynn, UK
From: Brian Small <BrianJSmall(AT)AOL.COM>
Date: 6 Aug 2000 12:37am
Rightly or wrongly, in my opinion the gull at King's Lynn, UK, is not a
hybrid nor a hybrid, but is a Caspian Gull. I have put my reasons (at length)
at www.surfbirds.com.
Please let me know your feelings.
Brian Small
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Mystery tern
From: Joseph Morlan <jmorlan(AT)CCSF.CC.CA.US>
Date: 6 Aug 2000 6:12am
ID Frontiers,
I would very much appreciate further commentary on the mystery tern
posted on my web site at:
http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/july00.htm
Discussion on the message board has been interesting but inconclusive.
For those interested only in gulls, here's one:
http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/aug00.htm
Enjoy!
--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA 94044: mailto:jmorlan(AT)ccsf.cc.ca.us
Fall Birding Classes begin Sept 5: http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/
California Bird Records Committee: http://www.wfo-cbrc.org/cbrc/
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re The possible Heuglini in England
From: Millington/BIS <sales(AT)birdingworld.co.uk>
Date: 6 Aug 2000 12:56pm
Hi
Yet more images of the controversial gull at King's Lynn, Norfolk, England
have been added to
http://www.martinreid.com/gullsp16.html
today. Some show the moult in more detail.
The extra photos are by Ian Leach and Phil Vines
Many thanks to Martin for hosting these pics.
cheers
Richard Millington
sales(AT)birdingworld.co.uk
(Birding World, Books for Birders & Birdline)
Bird Information Service, Stonerunner, Coast Road,
Cley next the Sea, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 7RZ, UK
(VAT Reg 676 8589 56)
Tel. 44 (0) 1263 741139 Fax. 741173
Website www.birdingworld.co.uk
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Re The possible Heuglini in
England
From: norman van swelm <Norman.vanswelm(AT)WXS.NL>
Date: 6 Aug 2000 2:36pm
>Yet more images of the controversial gull at King's Lynn, Norfolk, England
>have been added to
>http://www.martinreid.com/gullsp16.html
This gull is not a Heuglin's Gull nor is it, as has been suggested a
Mediterranean Yellow-legged Gull L.c.michahellis. Its long call says it all,
this gull is a L.c.cachinnans with various English names such as Black Sea
Herring Gull (my choice), Caspian Gull, Pontic Gull or Steppe Gull.
Norman van Swelm
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Plegadis Ibis
From: kenny nichols <kingbird(AT)ALLTEL.NET>
Date: 6 Aug 2000 7:09pm
Are the white throat markings, as illustrated in the new National
Geographic, diagnostic for Glossy Ibis?
Thanks,
--
Kenny Nichols
Pangburn,AR
kingbird(AT)alltel.net
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Chinese Crested Tern
From: Geoff Carey <gjcarey(AT)NETVIGATOR.COM>
Date: 8 Aug 2000 3:21am
For those of you interested, a newspaper clipping, including photo, of the
rediscovered Chinese Crested Tern, previously thought to be possibly extinct,
can be found at:
http://www.hkbws.org.hk/tempweb.html
A very good piece of news.
Geoff Carey
___________________________________________________
P.O. Box 393, Sha Tin Central Post Office, Hong Kong
Tel. (+852) 26081281
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Humphrey & Parkes Plumage/Molt Terminology
From: Jean Iron <jeaniron(AT)SYMPATICO.CA>
Date: 8 Aug 2000 5:13pm
We have just added Ron Pittaway's recent article on plumages and molts in
the April issue of Ontario Birds 18(1):27-43 to our web page. Click on my
signature below to access the web page of the Ontario Field Ornithologists.
This article fully explans how to use the terms juvenal, basic, alternate
and definitive. It also explains how to name molts. There are separate
lists of North American birds that molt once a year and twice a year. This
is followed by two separate charts comparing the Humphrey and Parkes
terminology with a general terminology for birds that molt once and twice a
year.
The Humphrey and Parkes terminology is a joy to use once mastered.
Jean Iron
President, Ontario Field Ornithologists
9 Lichen Place
Toronto, Ontario M3A 1X3
Canada
Phone: 416-445-9297
e-mail: jeaniron(AT)sympatico.ca
Web Page: www.interlog.com/~ofo
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: underwing of Larus cachinnans
From: Martin Reid <upupa(AT)AIRMAIL.NET>
Date: 9 Aug 2000 10:02pm
Dear all,
I've created a web page illustrating some observations on the pattern of
the underwing of First-basic/First-winter Caspian Gull:
http://www.martinreid.com/cachwing.html
- but my experience is limited, and I'm sure it could be greatly improved
upon with more-experienced input.
Cheers,
Martin
Martin Reid
upupa(AT)airmail.net
http://www.martinreid.com or http://www.cyberramp.net/~upupa
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: puzzling Oxyura duck
From: b1tkmn38 <vic.hide(AT)SYMPATICO.CA>
Date: 10 Aug 2000 10:22am
Hi All
I would appreciate some opinions on the identity of an unusual Oxyura
duck I recently found in the company of Ruddy Ducks in Antigua. The bird
had a black head and a slightly less dark body that at certain angles
showed itself to be a dingy, dark brown. It was frequently in the
company of a definitive alternative male Ruddy. The bird in question was
slightly bigger than the Ruddy, had a noticeable larger head and a large
dingy grey bill. At close range, (approx. 25 ft) the duck showed a thin
white horizontal crescent in the chin region. This feature was not
evident at greater distances. I had never seen an all dark Ruddy Duck
before and couldn`t find such a form in any of the guides I had with me.
When I got home, I checked Madge and Burn`s Waterfowl guide and found a
fit with the illustration of a female "Andean Duck" (illustration 150g).
I am aware that this would be quite a stretch; however, did notice that
Antigua is not exactly a prime site for waterfowl collections. I think I
must be missing something here - any suggestions??
Don Shanahan
Brighton, Ontario
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Albatross
From: Eric Preston <ewpreston(AT)MINDSPRING.COM>
Date: 10 Aug 2000 7:06pm
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
An albatross was seen and photographed off the Cordell Bank in Marin County
on 29 July 2000. The photos aren't great and we didn't see the bird for
long, so we don't have a positive ID yet. Any comments on the identification
of this bird are much appreciated. You can find a description and a couple
of photos I took at:
http://www.mindspring.com/~ewpreston/birds/shy_albatross.htm
I don't have anyone else's written description to help, and mine is very
limited.
Thanks.
Eric Preston
San Francisco
ewpreston(AT)mindspring.com
----DELETED text/html MIME SECTION----
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Albatross
From: Ross Silcock <silcock(AT)SIDNEY.HEARTLAND.NET>
Date: 10 Aug 2000 8:41pm
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
Hi all:
First, I think it is definitely a "Shy", based on "thumbprint", bill =
coloration, general solid appearance. A Buller's would seem daintier, =
and the front and rear black edges would be different in width, not =
similar as the photos. Other possibilities with this extensive a hood =
and a darkish bill would have extensively blackish underwings. Pity the =
photos don't show the underprimaries more clearly! =20
I think the presence of white areas on the head (especially those in the =
cheek and upper throat area) is enough to eliminate juv eremita (they =
have been recorded east almost to South America, though, and might come =
up the Humboldt Current). This leaves a dark-end cauta or a salvini. I =
don't think the photos allow differentiation of these based on underwing =
pattern (at least on my rather dark monitor). However, the hood is =
rather extensive, and the whisp of dark feathering passing to the rear =
of the thumbprint is intriguing and favors salvini over cauta (but is =
shared by eremita!).=20
My hunch is a pretty young juv salvini. If so, amazing!
Ross
Ross Silcock
Tabor, IA
silcock(AT)sidney.heartland.net
New Zealand Land and Pelagic Trips
<http://sidney.heartland.net/silcock>
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Eric Preston=20
To: BIRDWG01(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU=20
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2000 8:58 PM
Subject: [BIRDWG01] Albatross
An albatross was seen and photographed off the Cordell Bank in Marin =
County on 29 July 2000. The photos aren't great and we didn't see the =
bird for long, so we don't have a positive ID yet. Any comments on the =
identification of this bird are much appreciated. You can find a =
description and a couple of photos I took at:
=20
http://www.mindspring.com/~ewpreston/birds/shy_albatross.htm
=20
I don't have anyone else's written description to help, and mine is =
very limited.
=20
Thanks.
=20
Eric Preston
San Francisco
ewpreston(AT)mindspring.com
----DELETED text/html MIME SECTION----
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Albatross
From: Phil Pickering <philliplc(AT)HARBORSIDE.COM>
Date: 10 Aug 2000 9:45pm
For comparison, some excellent photos of Buller's Albatross are at:
http://www.zip.com.au/~palliser/albatros.html
Phil Pickering
philliplc(AT)harborside.com
>An albatross was seen and photographed off the Cordell Bank in Marin County
on 29 July 2000. The photos aren't great and we didn't see the bird for
long, so we don't have a positive ID yet. Any comments on the identification
of this bird are much appreciated. You can find a description and a couple
of photos I took at:
http://www.mindspring.com/~ewpreston/birds/shy_albatross.htm
I don't have anyone else's written description to help, and mine is very
limited.
Thanks.
Eric Preston
San Francisco
ewpreston(AT)mindspring.com
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Possible Semipalmated Sandpiper in Denmark
From: Kent Olsen <kent_olsen(AT)HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: 10 Aug 2000 11:45pm
Possible Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) in Denmark
On 25th juli 1999, I found a Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) at
the naturereserve Tipperne in W Jutland, where I work with the monitoring of
migrants and breeding birds. The bird I saw showed almost full summer
plumage, and had just recently started to moult some of the feathers on the
mantle. Because I have no previously experience with Semipalmated Sandpiper,
I was very careful with the identification, especial because I was afraid of
the possibility of an aberrant grey Little Stint (C. minuta).
Using my Leica APO Telescope with up to 60 times magnification, I was able
to watch the stint for more then an hour at distances down to 90 feet, while
it was feeding amongst a small party of Dunlins (C. alpina). Except for the
webbing between the toes and the call, I was able to register all the
visible characteristics of this particular species concerning the plumage,
the proportions of the bill and its jizz.
In order to rule out the possibility of an aberrant Little Stint there is a
few questions concerning the variation in the plumage showed by Little Stint
which I hope some of you might be able to comment on.
1: The upper scapulars made a homogeneous row of black feathers without
any pale or rusty-orange elements. The stint I watched for a long time
showed the same pattern as shown in “Collins Bird Guide” illustrated by Dan
Zetterström. Would it be possible for a Little Stint to show the exact same
pattern on the upper scapulars as seen on Semipalmated Sandpiper in summer
plumage?
2: The bird I saw showed a well defined breastband formed by thin black
stripes covering the whole chest, while Little Stint normaly show a less
marked band formed by only small spots where the band is not even closing
together on the central breast. Would it be possible for a Little Stint to
show the same pattern on the central breast as seen on Semipalmated
Sandpiper in summer plumage?
The tertials showed grey centres with thin pale fringes without any
rusty-orange elements along the outher web.
When the overall jizz totally fits a Semipalmated Sandpiper and the bird
showed all the above mentioned characteristics would it then be possibly and
also safe to rule out an aberrant Little Stint?
I am using this forum in order to reach birders from both Europe and USA to
get the most accurate comments. Please reply to kent_olsen(AT)hotmail.com if
you think the comments are of no use for others at this forum.
Kent Olsen
Universitetsparken
Koll. 4, 1. sal, vær. 161
DK-8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
e-mail: kent_olsen(AT)hotmail.com
mobil phone: (+45) 40 27 20 30
mobil phone's e-mail: 40272030(AT)sms.tdm.dk
________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Albatross
From: Martin Reid <upupa(AT)AIRMAIL.NET>
Date: 11 Aug 2000 6:26am
Dear Eric and IDers,
Just in case it helps, I have scanned my photos of Salvin's Albatross from
Chile and placed them on a web apge:
http://www.cyberramp.net/~upupa/salvalb.html
Note that in one of my photos, the thumb mark is not as obvious as on most
images of the cauta group, and matches one of your images quite well.
From the descriptions and photos you have/refer to, it looks like a fairly
straightforward Salvin's to me; Buller's would have a thicker dark leading
edge to the inner underwing, with no hint of a "thumb mark".
I also note that the two dorsal images of the Cordell bird show a small
dark "arrowhead" intrusion from the lower back into the white rump - just
as in the dorsal views of one of my birds from Chile; I can only find one
dorsal image of non-adult Bullers -
(http://www.zip.com.au/~palliser/img735m.html)
- and it lacks any dark intrusion - does anyone know if this may be a
useful ID feature?
Cheers,
Martin
Martin Reid
upupa(AT)airmail.net
http://www.martinreid.com or http://www.cyberramp.net/~upupa
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: RFI: hummingbird internet resources
From: Scott Spangenberg <scottspangenberg(AT)MINDSPRING.COM>
Date: 11 Aug 2000 6:31am
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
I am looking for some internet resources for 1) photos of females from =
front, back, and side; 2) recordings of call notes (or fight songs in =
this case); and 3) recordings of wing whir.
Are there any hummingbird bibles I should study in addition to =
Johnsgard's book?
Thanks,
Scott Spangenberg
Amherst, NH
----DELETED text/html MIME SECTION----
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: RFI: hummingbird internet resources
From: Mike Patterson <celata(AT)pacifier.com>
Date: 11 Aug 2000 8:10am
For hummingbird photos you can't beat
Tyrrell, E.Q. and R.A. Tyrrell. 1985. Hummingbirds: their life
and behavior.Crown Publishers, Inc. NY.
It's a big format book, so you probably won't be taking it out in the
field, but it has multiple photographs of males, females, hatch-year
birds, molting birds for most North American regulars.
> Scott Spangenberg wrote:
>
> I am looking for some internet resources for 1) photos of females from
> front, back, and side; 2) recordings of call notes (or fight songs in
> this case); and 3) recordings of wing whir.
>
> Are there any hummingbird bibles I should study in addition to
> Johnsgard's book?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Scott Spangenberg
> Amherst, NH
--
Mike Patterson Alas, to wear the mantle of Galileo,
Astoria, OR it is not enough to be persecuted
celata(AT)pacifier.com by an unkind establishment,
you must also be right.
---Robert Park
http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: RFI: hummingbird internet resources
From: Doug Von Gausig <dougvg(AT)SEDONA.NET>
Date: 11 Aug 2000 9:10am
----INCLUDING text/plain MIME SECTION----
At 05:51 AM 8/11/00, you wrote:
>I am looking for some internet resources for 1) photos of females from
>front, back, and side; 2) recordings of call notes (or fight songs in this
>case); and 3) recordings of wing whir.
>
>Are there any hummingbird bibles I should study in addition to Johnsgard's
>book?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Scott Spangenberg
>Amherst, NH
There are several examples of hummer songs and call notes as well as wing
sounds on my pages at http://www.naturesongs.com - look under
<http://www.naturesongs.com/birds.html>North American Birds and on the
<http://www.naturesongs.com/CRsounds.html>Costa Rican Sounds pages.
If I can help further, let me know.
Doug
*****************************************
Doug Von Gausig
http://www.naturesongs.com
Bird Sounds and More!
doug(AT)naturesongs.com
Clarkdale, Central Arizona, USA
*****************************************
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[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Albatross
From: Alvaro Jaramillo <alvaro(AT)SIRIUS.COM>
Date: 11 Aug 2000 9:26am
At 10:43 PM 8/10/00 -0500, Ross Silcock wrote:
>First, I think it is definitely a "Shy", based on "thumbprint", bill
coloration, general solid appearance. A Buller's would seem daintier, and
the front and rear black edges would be different in width, not similar as
the photos. Other possibilities with this extensive a hood and a darkish
bill would have extensively blackish underwings. Pity the photos don't show
the underprimaries more clearly!
>I think the presence of white areas on the head (especially those in the
cheek and upper throat area) is enough to eliminate juv eremita (they have
been recorded east almost to South America, though, and might come up the
Humboldt Current). This leaves a dark-end cauta or a salvini. I don't think
the photos allow differentiation of these based on underwing pattern (at
least on my rather dark monitor). However, the hood is rather extensive,
and the whisp of dark feathering passing to the rear of the thumbprint is
intriguing and favors salvini over cauta (but is shared by eremita!).
>My hunch is a pretty young juv salvini. If so, amazing!
>Ross Silcock Tabor, IA
Birders:
I agree, that the real problem is separating an immature Salvin's from a
dark immature cauta/steadi. The darkness of the head is right on for
Salvin's and would be on the extreme dark end for cauta/steadi, maybe even
beyond the normal range??. Usually a key mark to look for is the extent of
white on the underside of the primaries, which we can't see well in the
photos. I suggest that another mark to look for is the leading edge of the
underside of the outer wing. All individuals of the cauta complex have a
black triangle on the leading edge of the outer wing very near the "wrist"
joint. Immatures of salvini (and eremita????) have a dusky, or dark grey
triangular smudge just distal to the above mentioned black triangle,
roughly a quarter of the way out on the leading edge of the outer wing (see
photo 70, pg 37 in Harrison's photographic field guide to the seabirds).
This dusky smudge is wide and can reach nearly 1/3 of the way towards the
center of the wing, but more typically 1/4 of the way. It is lost in adult
salvins. Furthermore immature Salvin's may have dusky smudging along the
leading edge of the inner wing as well. The dark smudge is shown well by
Eric Preston's top photo of the California bird. Let me mention that this
mark is not field tested and corroborated by other observers, it came up
during the study of birds and photos for our field guide to the birds of
Chile which is in preparation.
I have never noticed the Laysan like extension of dark onto the center of
the lower back in Salvin's. If I had to guess, I would say that this may be
an effect of immaturity. Its intreaguing and makes you wonder if this could
also be an unknown field mark.
Also, Chatham Island Albatross (eremita) is known and photographed from
Chile and has been documented in Peru. It is the only member of the
complex, other than Salvin's, which is known from Chile. So far there has
not been a well documented report of cauta/steadi that I know of. If you
know of any, please let me know.
Alvaro Jaramillo
Senior Biologist
San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory
P.O. Box 247
Alviso, CA 95002
(408)-946-6548
http://www.sfbbo.org/
Home of the California Fall Challenge!!
alvaro(AT)sirius.com
Birds of Chile and
New World Blackbirds at : http://www.sirius.com/~alvaro
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: RFI: hummingbird internet resources
From: Scott Spangenberg <scottspangenberg(AT)MINDSPRING.COM>
Date: 11 Aug 2000 7:40pm
Thanks to all those who responded for the suggestions.
Scott Spangenberg
Amherst, NH
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Little Stint Photos
From: Angus Wilson <wilsoa02(AT)ENDEAVOR.MED.NYU.EDU>
Date: 12 Aug 2000 12:18pm
Shorebird fans might be interested in a series of photographs taken by Rex
Stanford of an alternate-plumaged Little Stint from Pike's Beach New York,
USA. Remarkably, this bird was present at the same location and time as an
alternate-plumaged Red-necked Stint!
Although the Little Stint is less exciting for readers in Europe, the
Middle East and Africa, direct comparsion with adult Semipalmated and Least
Sandpipers may be useful.
The Little Stint can be viewed at:
http://www.best.com/~petrel/NYLSST.html
The Red-necked Stint can be viewed at:
http://www.best.com/~petrel/RNS.NY.html
Cheers, Angus Wilson
***********************************
New York City, USA
tel: (212) 263-0206; Fax: (212) 263-8276
E-mail: wilsoa02(AT)med.nyu.edu
Bird ID Web Site: http://www.best.com/~petrel/index.html
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