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IN-BIRD for Tuesday, January 1, 2002
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Subject: Harris's sparrow
From: Cloyce Hedge <chedge(AT)IN-MOTION.NET>
Date: 1 Jan 2002 9:16am
Yesterday, December 31, Roger Hedge, Cary Floyd and I saw the 1st winter
Harris's sparrow at the precise location provided by Don Gorney. (Thanks
to Don for an Indiana bird). The bird is indeed skittish as noted by
Don. The road is also very busy, at least at the time we were
there--4:30-5:30pm. We finally saw the bird at about 5:30 using a
spotting scope and the car as a "blind." Other birds in the flock:
house sparrow (several); song sparrow (1); tree sparrow (2); cardinal
(4); junco (2). There is still a bit of cracked corn remaining.
Cloyce Hedge
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Subject: 2002 Bird
From: Ellie Baker <EBaker1931(AT)AOL.COM>
Date: 1 Jan 2002 9:53am
First bird for 2002: Great Horned Owl at 2:45 a.m. in my yard.
Nice surprise!
Happy New Year and Great Birding to all.
Ellie Baker, Indianapolis
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Subject: First Bird of the Year
From: Ellie Baker <EBaker1931(AT)AOL.COM>
Date: 1 Jan 2002 11:21am
IN-BIRD told me to send this again because of an error. If you are getting
this terribly important message the second time, my apologies.
First bird for 2002: Great Horned Owl at 2:45 a.m. in my yard.
Nice surprise!
Happy New Year and Great Birding to all.
Ellie Baker, Indianapolis
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: A Conservation Challenge for 2002
From: Ron Weiss <chipperwoods(AT)WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Date: 1 Jan 2002 12:43pm
Fuelish Birding?
Ron Wess
Conservation Chair
Indiana Audubon Society
The controversy over the proposal to drill in the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge to meet the future fossil fuel needs of mankind makes it
clear that fuel conservation is a much needed option. What can we
birders do to lead the way? Take a moment to consider the following:
A survey, published in the Summer 1990 issue of American Birds,
discovered some interesting facts. Estimates were that the average
birder travels 2,700 miles each year to pursue the elusive feathered
quarry, and that some 43,000 birders participate in the annual bird
census in the USA. Furthermore, there may be as many as 61 million
birders in the USA alone!
A little arithmetic discloses a disturbing fact. Some 43,000 birders
traveling 2,700 miles each year collectively travel some 116,100,000
miles. At 25 miles per gallon, this adds up to a fuel consumption of
4,644,000 gallons! If all 61 million birders average 2,700 miles per
year, the total miles traveled is 164.7 billion miles with an annual
fuel consumption is a staggering 6.588 billion gallons!!!
Furthermore, an automobile that gets 25 miles per gallon and travels
2,700 miles, emits about a ton of carbon dioxide. That works out to a
little more than one ton of carbon dioxide per birder per year just in
pursuit of birds. In addition, the emitted nitrous oxides contribute
to the acid rain problem, and hydrocarbons spewed into the atmosphere
contribute to ozone, smog and damage to human health and other
organisms. These figures do not count the miles driven in routine day
to day activities, only the miles driven in pursuit of birds. Birders
must go where the birds are. This necessitates lots of travel, hence
lots of fuel consumed.
As our hobby continues to grow, and the roster of active birders
lengthens, those of us who are seasoned birders must be careful to set a
sound example of environmental stewardship regarding the use of finite
natural resources.
We birders and environmentalists find ourselves in a quandary. We
deplore the development of new oil fields in environmentally sensitive
areas, but we depend on the oil thus produced to enjoy our hobby. We
fret over the buildup of greenhouse gases in the world's atmosphere, but
contribute tons of noxious chemicals in pursuit of a “lifer.” Would a
thinking person accuse us of maintaining a double standard?
Many hobbies require fuel. Those of us in the environmentally related
hobbies, however, find ourselves in the spotlight. Should not we who
say we care for the environment set an example of environmental
stewardship?
Many years ago, a friend of mine challenged me to "Walk my talk before
I talk my walk!" Perhaps we birders should adopt a code of
environmental ethics for ourselves that minimizes the negative
environmental impact of our birding behavior.
Roger Troy Peterson pioneered a method of bird identification that did
away with the necessity to shoot a bird to identify and study it. The
change in behavior that resulted has saved many birds so that future
generations may enjoy them as well. Some call such fundamental changes
in behavior “Deep Ecology.”
Today, the depletion of natural resources and the buildup of greenhouse
gases in our world environment is approaching crisis levels. We who
enjoy the pursuit of birds must examine our own behavior. Does our
birding behavior contribute unnecessarily to the environmental decline
we are witnessing? If so, is another fundamental change in behavior
toward birding needed? Could we birders adopt an initial set of
personal behavior guidelines to minimize our own impact on the
environment?
As one who lives in a glass house, I must be careful when I take a
shower, so please bear with me if I seem to be pointing the accusing
finger. I have traveled many miles to add a bird to my life list. The
gut level gnawing realization that my travels have contributed more to
environmental damage than they have to the advancement of science or the
hobby has finally reached my fingertips as they type these words into my
computer.
Those of us who make a rare find in the field have a responsibility to
our fellow birders, to the scientific community, and to our
environment. A report of a rare sighting to a bird hotline or to a
local birding group precipitates travel by many others. Prior to making
a public report, should we be asking ourselves some probing questions?
1. What is our motive to report the bird?
2. Is our motive for reporting the sighting selfish in the sense that
we want to receive the credit for the find, or is our motive to document
the sighting for the scientific record?
4. Will the resulting travel to the site by numerous birders who want
to view the bird to add it to their life list contribute to the
scientific effort or to the advancement of the hobby?
5. Will additional visitors to the site trample the local environment
or disturb the species under observation?
6. Will publicizing the find result in needless travel and fuel
consumption by other birders?
7. Rather than make a general announcement of the sighting, could we
instead make a discrete contact with a recognized authority who could
view the sighting to authenticate it for the record?
These questions should cause us to think through our intent to report
the find. The pages of our favorite birding magazines are replete with
tales of travel that results from rare bird reports. Many birders are
willing to and in fact do travel hundreds, and in some cases, thousands
of miles to share in the sighting of a single bird. Can we justify this
travel with its resulting environmental impact?
Those of us who hear of a rare bird report have a similar responsibility
to evaluate our behavior. We too must ask ourselves some hard questions
before the mirror of self analysis.
1. What is our motive to add the bird to our life list? Is it so that
we will be revered by our peers, or is it to add to our knowledge of the
species? If the latter, did we take the time to read up on the ecology,
biology, distribution, habits, conservation status, etc. of the species
we are about to pursue? Or are we just going to tick it off on our life
list and do no more?
2. If we decide to travel, is our automobile well tuned, with tires
properly inflated and the vehicle otherwise prepared to make the trip so
as to minimize the fuel consumed and the input of gaseous wastes to our
atmosphere?
3. If we do make the trip, could we arrange to car pool with fellow
birders to reduce the consumption of natural resources?
4. Have we evaluated the probability of actually seeing the reported
species? Is the probability high enough to make the trip successful?
5. Will the trip set a good example of environmental stewardship for
those new to the hobby, and for our non-birding friends, family and
students?
6. Will we be traveling to a part of the country in the near future to
visit or vacation where this species normally occurs? Could we delay
adding it to our life list until that time?
Doubtless, other tests of environmental stewardship can be developed.
Should not each of us develop an environmental ethic for our hobby that
maximizes our birding enjoyment, and minimizes the negative impact on
the environment we cherish?
As new birders join the growing roster, and as youngsters begin to look
up and wonder at those feathered things that fly, let's be certain that
the love we instill in them for this hobby is balanced with an awareness
and a healthy stewardship of the fragile world that we call our
environment.
Who knows? Maybe our concerted efforts will conserve a few billion
gallons of fuel and help reduce or eliminate the clamor to develop that
oil field in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge!
Respectfully submitted
Ron Weiss
Conservation Chair
Indiana Audubon Society
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Subject: Harris's Sparrow
From: Beth Misner and Barny Dunning <misner1(AT)gte.net>
Date: 1 Jan 2002 1:52pm
I saw the Harris's Sparrow in Shelby County this morning from 9:45-10:30.
During that time the bird was present at the spot along CR 450 West for only
a few minutes. I saw it twice, each time for only a minute or so. Traffic
picked up after 10 AM, and each vehicle flushed the flock from the seed
piles along the road. Patience is the key. I stood about 25 yards away and
watched with binocs and scope. There are a LOT of sparrows and cardinals in
the area.
I replenished the seed with some general bird seed mix.
Also seen in the immediate vicinity was a Northern Mockingbird, a Cooper's
Hawk along US 74 before (west of) exit 109, and several Red-tailed Hawks.
One redtail perched along US 74 east of exit 113 had pure white underparts -
no hint of streaking.
For several years, my first bird of the new year has always been Horned
Larks singing as I went out to get the morning paper. Today I got up
earlier for the drive down to the Harris's Sparrow, so my first bird was an
American Crow on the drive down.
Thanks, Don, for excellent directions resulting in a lifer for me.
Barny
misner1(AT)gte.net
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Subject: Shelby County Birds 1/1/02
From: Don Gorney <dongorney(AT)YAHOO.COM>
Date: 1 Jan 2002 2:32pm
I ventured out briefly to Shelby County on January 1 to get the
Harris's Sparrow for my 2002 annual list. I arrived just before
11:30am and was immediately joined by a contingent of Eagle Creek
regulars and a little later by Gail and Carol from Hancock County. We
were there for about an hour and the Harris's Sparrow only made an
appearance once - at about noon. Clint Murray added some more corn to
the roadside for the flock.
We then we to 875W and Range Road and found the flock of pipits and
Horned Larks. The pipits were not terribly cooperative but I saw at
least 22 in one flock as they flew from nearby into a distant cornfield
on the northeast corner of the above intersection. No other "good"
birds were seen or heard in the short time we were here.
Good luck if you try for the Harris's Sparrow. I will not be making
any more trips to Shelby County so I wont have any further details
after this e-mail.
=====
Don Gorney
Indianapolis, IN
dongorney(AT)yahoo.com
www.dongorney.com
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Send your FREE holiday greetings online!
http://greetings.yahoo.com
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: A Conservation Challenge for 2002
From: Bill Poindexter <bpoindex(AT)SEIDATA.COM>
Date: 1 Jan 2002 3:17pm
And maybe if the human race wasn't in such a big hurry to destroy the land
for housing areas to fatten their pockets; or destroy the land to see who
can have the biggest house with the finest and greenest lawns; or build the
biggest shopping centers with the biggest parking lots; and build the widest
highways with the shortest distance to get from Point A to Point C, instead
of having to drive through point B first, maybe there would be more habitat
for the birds and other animals, and things of nature to live.
Ron Weiss wrote:
> Fuelish Birding?
> Ron Wess
> Conservation Chair
> Indiana Audubon Society
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Cooper's Hawk for 2002
From: Beverly Richardson <beverlybaynes(AT)WEBTV.NET>
Date: 1 Jan 2002 3:37pm
I've just spent the past 10 minutes enjoying my best sighting ever of a
Cooper's Hawk.
As I sit at my webtv keyboard, I can see the feeders in my front yard
through the picture window (through a lace curtain). About 10 minutes
ago, the many birds feasting on sunflower, thistle and suet all vanished
in a big flush of wings. And a large beautiful Cooper's Hawk perched on
the feeder pole.
He's been here before (and I truly don't know enough to differentiate
male from female, but size and tail shape tells me this was definitely a
Coop), and has perched on the feeder pole, but never for this long.
The feeder pole has two crossbars at the top, giving me 4 feeding
stations. He moved from the lower bar to the higher one two or three
times, carefully scanning the ground. He had flushed all the birds, but
the 3 squirrels feeding below weren't bothered by him at all. He then
dropped to the ground, which scared off one squirrel, but didn't faze
the other two. He approached one, who in turn approached the bird,
which provoked a really nice defense posture. Lucky me, to have the
bird facing me the whole time.
After a minute or two on the ground, he flew up into the nearby maple
tree and watched the feeders from there for perhaps two minutes before
flying back to perch on the feeder pole again. He kept cocking his head
from one side to the other, as if he was confused by the complete lack
of supper when the place had been SO busy just a few minutes ago! I
could also hear him utter some small cries the whole time -- probably in
frustration.
Perhaps 30 seconds later, he flew off, up the street. The neighbor two
doors up feeds in his back yard; perhaps he'll have better luck there.
This bird has been hanging out in the neighborhood for several months,
and there's a nest in a sycamore only a block away, although I don't
know if the two are connected.
But since I hadn't been paying close attention to today's feeder birds,
I think I'll count this Coop as my First Bird of 2002. WOW!
Happy Holidays to all.
Beverly Richardson
Fort Wayne
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Subject: Coop Follow-up
From: Beverly Richardson <beverlybaynes(AT)WEBTV.NET>
Date: 1 Jan 2002 3:39pm
And it has taken less than 10 minutes for finchs and sparrows to return
to the feeders, along with a beautiful male red-bellied woodpecker
chowing on the suet.
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Subject: New Year's Day birding in Dugger
From: Robert Kissel <bluesdoc(AT)BLUEMARBLE.NET>
Date: 1 Jan 2002 4:49pm
John Byers and Dan and Barbara Weber joined me today for 1st of the New Year
birding at the Dugger unit of the Greene-Sullivan SF, starting around 8:45am
to 11am. Skies were clear, minimal wind, and temp around 15. Most of the
water was frozen with some open areas on Long Lake and on the E side of Bass
lake. Many waterfowl were obscured on the East side of Bass lake due to
direct sun. We walked the fields on the slant Rd but found NO Leconte's
Sparrows. Our side trip to the Sullivan sewege plant was brief as all 3
ponds were ice-covered.
Highlights included:
Short eared Owl (1)
N Harrier (5, 1 M)
Red-tailed Hawk (14)
Rough-legged Hawk (3)
Kestrel (5)
Gadwall (10)
Black Duck (15)
Mallards (75)
N Shoveler (1)
Am Coot (90)
Canada Geese (800)
Pied-billed Grebe (15)
Crows
Rock Dove
Cardinal
Blue Jay
Goldfinch
Starling
Belted Kingfisher (1 @ Sullivan sewege)
AM Tree Sparrow (10)
House Sparrow
Bob Kissel
Solsberry
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Subject: Ft. Wayne terminal ponds; SACR
From: Jhawillet(AT)AOL.COM
Date: 1 Jan 2002 4:55pm
The easternmost terminal pond of the Fort Wayne sewage treatment plant
remains open through the winter, and often attracts interesting waterfowl
when other water freezes. That was the case this afternoon:
SANDHILL CRANE 10, flying south overhead
on the ponds and adjacent Maumee River:
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Canada Goose 100s
Gadwall 8
Am. Black Duck 10 or so
Mallard 100s
Mallard x Am. Black Duck 10 or so
Mallard x goodness knows what, 2
N. Shoveler 15
N. Pintail 2
Ring-necked Duck 3
Lesser Scaup 3
Common Goldeneye 14
Hooded Merganser 2
Ruddy Duck 1
Am. Coot 12
Herring Gull 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
The terminal ponds are on the north bank of the Maumee River, just west of
Coliseum Blvd (IN 930). Access is from the river greenway along the river
bank; climb the dike around the eastern pond and look through the chain-link
fence.
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Coop Follow-up
From: gmwilcox <gmwilcox(AT)MSN.COM>
Date: 1 Jan 2002 5:51pm
> And it has taken less than 10 minutes for finchs and sparrows to return
> to the feeders, along with a beautiful male red-bellied woodpecker
> chowing on the suet.
Sounds like our birds when the red shouldered, red tailed, and
Coopers show up. I can almost time them, they are so regular.
The funny thing is, they seem to know if the hawks are interested
in them or the rodents around here.
If the hawks are into mammalian dining, the birds happily munch
away. If the hawks are hoping for avian fare, they skeddadle the
heck out of dodge PDQ. Of course they just fly over to the small
patch of brush and trees (full of honey locust which is great for
hiding in, if you are small enough to avoid the nasty thorns).
I am not sure how they can tell, but it might be the placement of
the hawks themselves. Since rodents are all over the place, farm
country with plenty of brush piles to live in, it must be something
only birds can figure out.
I left my bluebird houses out and many of them are being used as
roosts. I went around and cleaned them out, just like I do after they
are nested in. The barn is being used as well since I left the east
facing door open a foot or so. It's kind of neat to see those little
blue heads peeking out of the holes in the morning.
Georgeanne Wilcox
Oldenburg SE IN
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Subject: Age of Harris's Sparrow
From: Don Gorney <dongorney(AT)YAHOO.COM>
Date: 1 Jan 2002 8:32pm
Although I have indicated the Harris's Sparrow in Shelby County is a
first year bird, I am not convinced. I have briefly looked at several
references including both sparrow books, Peter Pyle, and Birds of North
America. I also viewed photos of the species on the internet via
Google image search. It seems that there is sufficient variation in
plumage that borderline birds probably are best left unaged. As such,
I think it might be best to leave this bird unaged.
Since I have no experience with the species, I am at the mercy of the
reference sources for aging. Although the bird has a mostly blackish
throat, other features of the crown and lores point more to a first
year bird. And, the throat isn't all black as flecks of white were
noticed and there may be a patch of white right under the throat.
Birds of North America indicates or intimates that the black throat and
crown feathers are acquired through wear rather than moult. If so this
bird may be moulting into its adult plumage. Or it could be a dull
adult. Since the references indicate intermediate birds should be left
unaged, I thought I would pass my thoughts along.
=====
Don Gorney
Indianapolis, IN
dongorney(AT)yahoo.com
www.dongorney.com
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Send your FREE holiday greetings online!
http://greetings.yahoo.com
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