IN-BIRD for Wednesday, January 30, 2002

Messages are displayed in the order they were received.  Subject  From  Time   Red-headed Woodpecker   Beth Misner and Barn   7:56am   forest birds in Indiana   Beth Misner and Barn   7:56am   Great Backyard Bird Count   Alicia Craig    8:42am   AMWO et al.   Jim Hengeveld    10:17am   seasons messed up?   Liz Day    2:09pm

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Subject: Red-headed Woodpecker
From: Beth Misner and Barny Dunning <misner1(AT)gte.net>
Date: 30 Jan 2002 7:56am

I varied my morning commute yesterday a little bit and was rewarded by a
fly-by Red-headed Woodpecker. I didn't see any red on the head so it could
have been an immature (although the light was not that great).

Barny
misner1(AT)gte.net


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Subject: forest birds in Indiana
From: Beth Misner and Barny Dunning <misner1(AT)gte.net>
Date: 30 Jan 2002 7:56am

I am reading Robert Askin's excellent book "Restoring North America's
Birds."  In the 4th chapter he makes an interesting statement:  he claims
that there are only 11 bird species whose breeding range is restricted to
the eastern forests.  His definition of "eastern forest" is a little vague,
but he specifically excludes species whose breeding range extends north and
westward through the Canadian boreal forest. He also does not include Texas
except for the pine forests of eastern Texas. So we are talking the eastern
United States and extreme southern Canada, westward to the Great Plains.

What caught my eye was that, of the 11 species listed as limited (endemic)
to the eastern forest, only 4 of the birds are found as regular breeders
here in Indiana. There is a 5th species on the list that just barely gets
into our state, but I don't really think of it as a "forest" bird.

So, your homework for today is: what are the 4 Indiana species that Askins
identifies as endemic to eastern forests?  Here is a hint - of the remaining
7 species, two are extinct.

Barny
misner1(AT)gte.net


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Subject: Great Backyard Bird Count
From: Alicia Craig <craiga(AT)WBU.COM>
Date: 30 Jan 2002 8:42am

A notice has already been posted about the Great Backyard Bird Count =
February 15-18th, 2002.=20

This count is very easy and fun. All level of birders can participate. =
If you know of folks that are interested, but maybe just don't think =
they can do the count, invite them to one (or both ) of the following =
talks:=20

Learn more about the Great Backyard Bird Count, a slide presentation =
about the GBBC and basic bird ID.=20

February 7th (Thursday night) 7-8 p.m. at the Glendale Library (at =
Glendale Mall)

February 9th (Saturday afternoon) 3-4 p.m. at the Nora Library.=20

Free, open to the public. GBBC materials available. Free sample of =
birdseed.

For more information about the count www.birdsource.org=20

Alicia Craig
Senior Manager, Nature Education
Wild Birds Unlimited, Inc.
11711 N. College Ave. #146
Carmel, IN 46032
317.571.7100
mailto:craiga(AT)wbu.com
http://www.wbu.com

Be a Citizen Scientist, visit http://birds.cornell.edu/citsci/

Watch BirdWatch on PBS, visit http://www.pbs.org/birdwatch


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Subject: AMWO et al.
From: Jim Hengeveld <jhengeve(AT)INDIANA.EDU>
Date: 30 Jan 2002 10:17am

Didn't get a chance to post yesterday but we heard a displaying
American Woodcock at Little Africa (east end of Lk. Lemon) yesterday
(Tuesday) morning at ~7:20.  A Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis) was flying
around in front of our house at the edge of the lake on Monday
evening (I have read that it is not unusual for Red Bats to forage in
the winter--even January--when temps go above 55 deg F).  Spring
Peepers (Hyla crucifer) were also calling on Monday evening.

....Jim & Susan
--
____________________
James D. Hengeveld              jhengeve(AT)indiana.edu
Department of Biology           812-855-5353
1001 East 3rd Street
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN 47405


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Subject: seasons messed up?
From: Liz Day <beebuzz(AT)KIVA.NET>
Date: 30 Jan 2002 2:09pm

Today I notice the winter honeysuckle *in bloom*.  This does not normally
happen until March or later.   Other plants their leaf and flower buds are
swelling.   Cranes are flying north.  Robins have already eaten the berries
they normally don't arrive at for another two months.   People on other
lists note bees out early - way too early.

This isn't normal - something is wrong - right?   What is going on?

Won't the birds be in trouble when it gets down to normal temperatures
again?   I picture those cranes trying to find food in a marsh frozen
solid.   (I already know what will happen to the plants.)

???

Liz Day
Indianapolis