Date: 12/12/25 6:44 pm From: John Romano via groups.io <birderjuan...> Subject: Re: [labird] Rough-legged hawk?
Michael - I birded in Wisconsin for decades and Rough-legged hawks were fairly common in winter. What really jumps out at you is the vivid contrasts of black and white in both light and dark phases. Had you seen a Rough-legged, I would think the black and white would have been the first thing you would have noticed.
John Romano
Lafayette
> On Dec 10, 2025, at 6:08 PM, Michael Cavanaugh via groups.io <michaelcav...> wrote:
>
> Friends, What is the likelihood that I saw a rough-legged hawk today soaring not far south of LSU in Baton Rouge? White rump like a Northern Harrier but a very short tail and definitely not tree-top high; much higher. Google says they get all the way to the coast, but that seems pretty rare I'm guessing?
> I had my phone with me and was too stupid to take a picture. I realize red-tails are variable, but I don't think it was a red-tail. Could a broad-winged hawk have that white patch? Thanks,Michael Cavanaugh
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 12/10/25 5:20 pm From: John Dillon via groups.io <kisforkryptonite...> Subject: Re: [labird] Rough-legged hawk?
Would need solid documentation. I believe we’ve had only five accepted records in the state in the last 25 years.
JD
> On Dec 10, 2025, at 6:08 PM, Michael Cavanaugh via groups.io <michaelcav...> wrote:
>
> Friends, What is the likelihood that I saw a rough-legged hawk today soaring not far south of LSU in Baton Rouge? White rump like a Northern Harrier but a very short tail and definitely not tree-top high; much higher. Google says they get all the way to the coast, but that seems pretty rare I'm guessing?
> I had my phone with me and was too stupid to take a picture. I realize red-tails are variable, but I don't think it was a red-tail. Could a broad-winged hawk have that white patch? Thanks,Michael Cavanaugh
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 12/10/25 4:08 pm From: Michael Cavanaugh via groups.io <michaelcav...> Subject: [labird] Rough-legged hawk?
Friends, What is the likelihood that I saw a rough-legged hawk today soaring not far south of LSU in Baton Rouge? White rump like a Northern Harrier but a very short tail and definitely not tree-top high; much higher. Google says they get all the way to the coast, but that seems pretty rare I'm guessing?
I had my phone with me and was too stupid to take a picture. I realize red-tails are variable, but I don't think it was a red-tail. Could a broad-winged hawk have that white patch? Thanks,Michael Cavanaugh
Date: 12/3/25 12:42 pm From: Erik Johnson via groups.io <cassowary43...> Subject: [labird] Louisiana Winter Hummingbird Report #1
LAbirders,
Sorry for being somewhat quiet on the hummingbird front. I have been keeping track of records that come in to me via email and through Facebook. If you have additional birds you would like to report, please feel free to email me at cassowary AT gmail DOT com and share the following information:
- Your name - Your address (town only is acceptable) - First observed (FO) date (or, if discovered while banding or marking other birds, the date it was observed) - Species - Age (Adult, immature, unknown) - Sex (Male, female, unknown) - Whether banded, when and by whom.
If additional information is learned through further observation or banding, please report those updates and I'll make the changes.
Also, please report the last observed (LO) date, if possible, when the bird leaves. This you can do more easily when the hummer has been banded and marked.
Happy hummingbirding! Erik Johnson Sunset, LA
This is the FIRST Louisiana Western Winter Hummingbird Report for the 2025-2026 season!
1. Nature Center, New Orleans, LA #1 Archilochus sp. F OBS 11/30/2025
Vermilion Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Judge and Elizabeth Edwards, Abbeville, LA #1 Archilochus sp. OBS 11/12/2025
BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD
Assumption Parish: 3 reports 1 site
1. Jared and Lona Collins, Labadieville, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird Ad M FO 10/7/2025 #2 Black-chinned Hummingbird Ad F FO 10/7/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos) #3 Black-chinned Hummingbird Ad M OBS 11/15/2025
Cameron Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Cynthia Sellers, Cameron, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird OBS 11/21/2025
East Baton Rouge Parish: 6 reports 6 sites
1. Annette Daughdrill, Baton Rouge, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird F FO 11/25/2025 (ID/sex confirmed with photos)
2. Maria Bernard Bellue, Central, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird Im M FO 11/6/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
3. Kelly Moore, Baton Rouge, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird Im M FO 10/30/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
4. Lindsay Seely, Baton Rouge, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird Ad M OBS 11/18/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
5. John Hartgerink, Baton Rouge, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird FO 11/25/2025 (ID confirmed with photos)
6. Susan Leake, Baton Rouge, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird OBS 12/2/2025 (ID confirmed with photos)
Lafayette Parish: 2 reports 2 sites
1. Katie Barnes, Lafayette, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird FO 11/24/2025
2. Adena Meaux Knight, Lafayette, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird F OBS 12/3/2025 (ID/sex confirmed with photos)
Lafourche Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Mike and Jessica Glaspell, Lockport, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird Ad M OBS 11/16/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
Rapides Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Jim Johnson, Lecompte, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird F FO 11/9/2025 (ID/sex confirmed with photos)
St. Landry Parish: 2 reports 1 site
1. Erik and Ceci Johnson, Sunset, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird Ad F OBS 11/8/2025 (Banded, probable returnee; probably sneaking around for a few days before she was verified) #2 Black-chinned Hummingbird F OBS 11/30/2025
Tangipahoa Parish: 2 reports 2 sites
1. Dan McGehee, Pontchatoula, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird Ad M OBS 12/1/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
2. Jane Patterson, Ponchatoula, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird Im M FO 11/17/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
Terrebonne Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Diana Meterjean Coupel Bailly, Shriever, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird Ad M FO 10/20/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
Vermilion Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Judge and Elizabeth Edwards, Abbeville, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird FO 11/9/2025
West Baton Rouge Parish: 2 reports 2 sites
1. Nancy and Matt Welborn, Port Allen, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird Ad M OBS 11/28/2025
2. Christine Navarre, Port Allen, LA #1 Black-chinned Hummingbird Ad M OBS 11/15/2025
1. Van Remsen, St. Gabriel, LA #1 Broad-tailed Hummingbird FO 10/17/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
St. Tammany Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Laura Luquet, Slidell, LA #1 Broad-tailed Hummingbird OBS 11/17/2025 (ID confirmed with photos)
BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD
Assumption Parish: 2 reports 1 site
1. Jared and Lona Collins, Labadieville, LA #1 Buff-bellied Hummingbird Ad FO 10/22/2025 (Banded returnee) #2 Buff-bellied Hummingbird FO 10/30/2025
Calcasieu Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Kirsten Livingston, Lake Charles, LA #1 Buff-bellied Hummingbird FO 11/3/2025 (ID confirmed with photos)
Iberia Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Malcolm Crochet, Loreauville, LA #1 Buff-bellied Hummingbird OBS 10/21/2025
Jefferson Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Nancy Newfield, Metairie, LA #1 Buff-bellied Hummingbird FO 11/17/2025
Lafayette Parish: 2 reports 2 sites
1. Toddy Guidry, Lafayette, LA #1 Buff-bellied Hummingbird FO 11/10/2025 (ID confirmed with photos)
2. Elaine Bourque, Milton, LA #1 Buff-bellied Hummingbird FO 9/23/2025
Lafourche Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Mike and Jessica Glaspell, Lockport, LA #1 Buff-bellied Hummingbird FO 11/16/2025 (ID confirmed with photos)
Livingston Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Jimmy Lawrence, , LA #1 Buff-bellied Hummingbird FO 11/18/2025 (ID confirmed with photos)
St. Tammany Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. John and Margaret Owens, Covington, LA #1 Buff-bellied Hummingbird OBS 10/6/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
Tangipahoa Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Jane Patterson, Ponchatoula, LA #1 Buff-bellied Hummingbird FO 11/15/2025 (ID confirmed with photos) CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD
East Baton Rouge Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Dennis Demcheck, Baton Rouge, LA #1 Calliope Hummingbird FO 11/18/2025 (ID confirmed with photos)
St. Tammany Parish: 2 reports 2 sites
1. Glenn Ousset, Abita Springs, LA #1 Calliope Hummingbird M FO 11/14/2025 LO 11/14/2025
2. Jenny Alvarado, Madisonville, LA #1 Calliope Hummingbird OBS 12/2/2025 (ID confirmed with photos) RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD
Assumption Parish: 7 reports 1 site
1. Jared and Lona Collins, Labadieville, LA #1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Ad M FO 9/28/2025 (Banded returnee) #2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird F OBS 11/10/2025 (Banded, probable returnee) #3 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Ad M OBS 11/15/2025 (Banded, probable returnee) #4 Ruby-throated Hummingbird F OBS 11/15/2025 #5 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Im M OBS 11/15/2025 #6 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Im M OBS 11/15/2025 #7 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Im M OBS 11/15/2025
Calcasieu Parish: 2 reports 2 sites
1. Kirsten Livingston, Lake Charles, LA #1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird OBS 11/26/2025 (ID confirmed with photos)
2. Jessica Watson, Lake Charles, LA #1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird F OBS 11/28/2025 (ID/sex confirmed with photos)
East Baton Rouge Parish: 2 reports 2 sites
1. Gail Suberbielle, Baton Rouge, LA #1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird F FO 12/1/2025 (ID/sex confirmed with photos)
2. Kelly Moore, Baton Rouge, LA #1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Im M FO 11/21/2025
Lafayette Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Katie Barnes, Lafayette, LA #1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird FO 12/1/2025
Lafourche Parish: 2 reports 2 sites
1. Tom and Rita Shaddock, Thibodaux, LA #1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird F OBS 11/2/2025 (Banded, probable returnee)
2. Mike and Jessica Glaspell, Lockport, LA #1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Im M OBS 11/22/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
St. Landry Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Erik and Ceci Johnson, Sunset, LA #1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Im M FO 11/8/2025
St. Tammany Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Wes Plaisance, Covington, LA #1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Ad M OBS 11/19/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
Tangipahoa Parish: 2 reports 2 sites
1. Dan McGehee, Pontchatoula, LA #1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird F OBS 11/30/2025 (ID/sex confirmed with photos)
2. Janie Braud, Springfield, LA #1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird Im M OBS 11/25/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos. Bill injury.)
Vermilion Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Audubon Rainey Sanctuary, , LA #1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird F FO 11/17/2025 (ID/sex confirmed with photos) SELASPHORUS RUFOUS/ALLENS
Acadia Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Claire and Tom Hanson, Crowley, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im M FO 8/26/2025 OBS 8/29/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos - good candidate for Allens)
Ascension Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Maria (BF) Bernard Bellue, Prairieville, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) FO 9/13/2025 LO 9/15/2025 (ID confirmed with photos. Strange bird with a female tail and imm-male-like throat. Notch in r2.)
Assumption Parish: 6 reports 1 site
1. Jared and Lona Collins, Labadieville, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad M OBS 9/17/2025 (Banded returnee first banded 1/26/2024) #2 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad M OBS 11/10/2025 (Banded, probable returnee) #3 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Ad M OBS 11/10/2025 #4 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Ad F OBS 11/15/2025 #5 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im OBS 11/15/2025 #6 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im OBS 11/15/2025
Calcasieu Parish: 2 reports 2 sites
1. Jessica Watson, Lake Charles, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens F OBS 11/1/2025 (ID/sex confirmed with photos)
2. Michael Thibodeaux, N. Sulphur, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im M OBS 10/30/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
East Baton Rouge Parish: 8 reports 7 sites
1. Annette Daughdrill, Baton Rouge, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad M FO 8/8/2025
2. Gail Suberbielle, Baton Rouge, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Ad F FO 8/26/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
3. Maria Bernard Bellue, Central, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im M FO 9/13/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
4. Kelly Moore, Baton Rouge, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens FO 10/14/2025 (ID confirmed with video)
5. Ellen Case, Baton Rouge, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad M OBS 8/30/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos) #2 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im M FO 9/22/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
6. Ronny and Pam Dougherty, Zachary, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens OBS 11/19/2025 (ID confirmed with photos)
7. Ronny and Pam Doming, Zachary, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im M OBS 11/21/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
Lafayette Parish: 4 reports 2 sites
1. Paul & Ashleigh Conover, Lafayette, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad F FO 9/6/2025 (Banded returnee)
2. Katie Barnes, Lafayette, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad M FO 8/8/2025 #2 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im M FO 11/22/2025 #3 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im F FO 12/1/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
Lafourche Parish: 11 reports 3 sites
1. Tom and Rita Shaddock, Thibodaux, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad M FO 8/17/2025 LO 8/24/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos) #2 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad F FO 9/5/2025 (Banded returnee from 2023-24) #3 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Im M OBS 11/2/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos) #4 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Ad F OBS 11/2/2025 (Banded, probably returnee) #5 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im F FO 11/4/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos) #6 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im F OBS 11/16/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
2. Delaina LeBlanc & Jed Pitre, Thibodaux, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad F FO 8/9/2025 (Banded, probable returnee) #2 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad M FO 11/13/2025
3. Mike and Jessica Glaspell, Lockport, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens F OBS 11/11/2025 (ID/sex confirmed with photos) #2 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens F OBS 11/11/2025 (ID/sex confirmed with photos) #3 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im M OBS 11/16/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
Orleans Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Joan Garvey, New Orleans, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Ad M FO 9/3/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
Rapides Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Becky Townley, Melder, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens FO 10/21/2025 (ID confirmed with photos)
St. Landry Parish: 8 reports 2 sites
1. Erik and Ceci Johnson, Sunset, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad M FO 9/14/2025 (Banded, probable returnee) #2 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad M OBS 10/17/2025 (Banded 10/18/2025 by EIJ) #3 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im M OBS 11/1/2025 #4 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Ad F OBS 11/16/2025 #5 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im F FO 11/22/2025
2. Pete and Phyllis Griffard, Sunset, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad M FO 8/6/2025 #2 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad M OBS 11/13/2025 (Caught and banded 11/15/2025 by EIJ) #3 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Im M OBS 11/15/2025 (Caught and banded 11/15/2025 by EIJ)
St. Tammany Parish: 7 reports 5 sites
1. Noel Venezia, Slidell, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad M FO 11/24/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
2. Claire Thomas, Mandeville, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad M FO 9/6/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos) #2 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad F FO 10/21/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
3. Glenn Ousset, Abita Springs, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens F FO 11/15/2025 #2 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens F FO 11/21/2025
4. Nancy Ellington, Pearl River, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens FO 11/17/2025 (ID confirmed with photos)
5. Wes Plaisance, Covington, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im M OBS 11/15/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
Tangipahoa Parish: 3 reports 1 site
1. Jane Patterson, Ponchatoula, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad M FO 10/12/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos) #2 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Im F FO 10/20/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos) #3 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens F FO 11/10/2025 (ID/sex confirmed with photos)
Terrebonne Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Diana Meterjean Coupel Bailly, Shriever, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad F FO 8/22/2025 (Banded, probable returnee)
Vermilion Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Judge and Elizabeth Edwards, Abbeville, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im M FO 11/1/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
West Baton Rouge Parish: 5 reports 3 sites
1. Nancy and Matt Welborn, Port Allen, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad M FO 8/5/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos) #2 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Im M OBS 11/28/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos) #3 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im M OBS 11/28/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
2. Christine Navarre, Port Allen, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens F OBS 8/20/2025 (ID/sex confirmed with photos)
3. Jeanne Mire, Port Allen, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens (Rufous) Ad M OBS 9/3/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
West Carroll Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Roselie Overby, Oak Grove, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im M FO 9/5/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
Winn Parish: 1 report 1 site
1. Mahlon Ayme, Saline Lake, LA #1 Selasphorus Rufous/Allens Im M FO 10/11/2025 (ID/age/sex confirmed with photos)
Date: 11/30/25 8:30 am From: Jane Patterson via groups.io <seejanebird...> Subject: [labird] Upcoming activities to add to your calendar!
Hello Baton Rouge Audubon members and birding friends!
A few activities to add to your upcoming calendar:
Dec 3 6:30 pm Main Library rm 101 Baton Rouge *Winter Hummingbirds* with Jane Patterson
Dec 6 7:00 am Bluebonnet Swamp nature center *Monthly bird walk* led by Maddi Cowen
Dec 9 6:30 pm Pelican Park Castine Center Mandeville *Winter Hummingbirds* with Jane Patterson
Dec 10 6:00 pm Hilltop Arboretum Baton Rouge *Holiday potluck and "Birding Down Under"* program by Katherine Gividen and Jane Patterson
Jan 3, 2026 Baton Rouge *Christmas Bird Count* send email to compiler <katiepercy...> to volunteer to participate (Please note the monthly bird walk at BBSwamp on Jan 3 will be part of CBC)
Good winter birding and happy holidays!
--Jane (please send any questions to me <seejanebird...> rather than replying to the list)
Date: 11/24/25 7:04 pm From: Erik Johnson via groups.io <cassowary43...> Subject: Re: [labird] Fewer birds?
All - remember that bird flu is primarily a disease passed among highly
congregatory birds, notably farm poultry, wild waterfowl, and the raptors
that feed on them. Not songbirds, even those that visit feeders in decent
numbers. House Sparrows are a minor exception as they intersect some with
poultry, but for most of us, our House Sparrows are not moving between
farms and our feeders.
As others have noted, feeder activity this time of year is almost entirely
dependent on the availability of wild foods.
On Mon, Nov 24, 2025 at 7:54 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
<lusfiber.net...> wrote:
> Sandra, all,
>
> A number of the possibilities floated in responses could be true.
> Typically, the conventional wisdom is as John says, that food supplies
> and warmer weather are allowing birds to live off the land away from our
> yards. June and July were pretty wet, and from what I saw around
> Lafayette, that translated into good berry and nut supplies. In my yard,
> vines and shrubs produced bumper crops of bird food, and I'm sure the
> same plants out in the wild did as well.
>
> Another important point to remember is the record cold of last
> winter. At my house it got down to 4 degrees F with 9 inches of snow.
> That snap probably resulted in heavy mortality, and birds from species
> with high site fidelity that might have returned to the same yard every
> winter might not have survived to do so this year, leaving vacancies
> that it might take more than one year to fill. I typically host several
> R-c. Kinglets and Orange-crowned Warblers every winter, but this year I
> think I only have one of each. On the other hand, some species are more
> nomadic by nature, so they might show up just about anywhere in typical
> numbers.
>
> In my yard thus far, I'm seeing very little bird activity, but
> it's a bit nuanced. Birds like chickadees still make appearances, but
> much more sporadically than in some winters. That could mean that the
> population is smaller and more thinly spread, that the birds are finding
> better food elsewhere, or some other option that's beyond me.
>
> In terms of whether the birds have arrived yet or not due to
> weather, there may be something to that as well. In the past few days
> I've been seeing a lot more birds in the field than I did a week ago.
> The woods were pretty dead last week, but yesterday in CENLA I saw large
> flocks of robins overhead, and today in SWLA I got incredible response
> to screech owl calls, especially from large groups of 20-50 Myrtle
> Warblers per stop where I only saw a few last week.
>
>
> Paul Conover
>
> Lafayette
>
>
> On 11/23/2025 6:00 PM, Sandra Barbier via groups.io wrote:
> > Someone I know in Crowley says he has not seen any birds in his yard
> > recently. I think he means migrants and locals. Has anyone else noticed
> > this and if so, do you know why it may be? I am thinking drought, maybe.
> > Found this recent map of drought Louisiana Drought Deepens: 43% of State
> > Now Affected — Louisiana Farm Bureau News
> > <
> https://lafarmbureaunews.com/news/2025/11/20/louisiana-drought-deepens-43-of-state-now-affected > >
> > that
> > shows he is in an area marked "severe drought." Thanks.--
> >
> > Sandra Barbier
> > LaPlace, LA
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 11/24/25 6:19 pm From: Jay V Huner via groups.io <jay.huner1...> Subject: [labird] Birds - Disappeared?
I have been feeding birds daily at least 20 years adjacent to Cotile Lake in Rapides Parish - Central Louisiana. I can barely keep sunflower seeds in my feeders, cheap red sorghum dominated feed cast on a driveway, and peanut butter based suet blocks in the mid-July to early September period. No matter how dry or wet the summer, the birds "disappear" from feeders starting in mid-September and return in December when preferred food becomes scarce.
Date: 11/24/25 5:54 pm From: Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux...> Subject: Re: [labird] Fewer birds?
Sandra, all,
A number of the possibilities floated in responses could be true.
Typically, the conventional wisdom is as John says, that food supplies
and warmer weather are allowing birds to live off the land away from our
yards. June and July were pretty wet, and from what I saw around
Lafayette, that translated into good berry and nut supplies. In my yard,
vines and shrubs produced bumper crops of bird food, and I'm sure the
same plants out in the wild did as well.
Another important point to remember is the record cold of last
winter. At my house it got down to 4 degrees F with 9 inches of snow.
That snap probably resulted in heavy mortality, and birds from species
with high site fidelity that might have returned to the same yard every
winter might not have survived to do so this year, leaving vacancies
that it might take more than one year to fill. I typically host several
R-c. Kinglets and Orange-crowned Warblers every winter, but this year I
think I only have one of each. On the other hand, some species are more
nomadic by nature, so they might show up just about anywhere in typical
numbers.
In my yard thus far, I'm seeing very little bird activity, but
it's a bit nuanced. Birds like chickadees still make appearances, but
much more sporadically than in some winters. That could mean that the
population is smaller and more thinly spread, that the birds are finding
better food elsewhere, or some other option that's beyond me.
In terms of whether the birds have arrived yet or not due to
weather, there may be something to that as well. In the past few days
I've been seeing a lot more birds in the field than I did a week ago.
The woods were pretty dead last week, but yesterday in CENLA I saw large
flocks of robins overhead, and today in SWLA I got incredible response
to screech owl calls, especially from large groups of 20-50 Myrtle
Warblers per stop where I only saw a few last week.
Paul Conover
Lafayette
On 11/23/2025 6:00 PM, Sandra Barbier via groups.io wrote:
> Someone I know in Crowley says he has not seen any birds in his yard
> recently. I think he means migrants and locals. Has anyone else noticed
> this and if so, do you know why it may be? I am thinking drought, maybe.
> Found this recent map of drought Louisiana Drought Deepens: 43% of State
> Now Affected — Louisiana Farm Bureau News
> <https://lafarmbureaunews.com/news/2025/11/20/louisiana-drought-deepens-43-of-state-now-affected> > that
> shows he is in an area marked "severe drought." Thanks.--
>
> Sandra Barbier
> LaPlace, LA
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 11/24/25 2:04 pm From: Michael Cavanaugh via groups.io <michaelcav...> Subject: Re: [labird] Fewer birds?
Friends, It would seem that one problem with this theory (plenty of resources outside our yards) is the paucity in Nancy's yard. She said the general environment nearby in Metairie was much degraded, and of course her yard is very attractive to birds. So it would seem that in her yard, at least, there would be MORE birds. If I am not mistaken, she is not simply relying on feeders, but also natural foods and needs.
Or do you think the birds are avoiding Metairie altogether? I suppose they could do that, but it doesn't seem likely. All that said, I don't have a theory. I do remind us that when DDT was the problem it took awhile to figure it out. And there is always the problem of things SEEMING to be true that aren't, though those of you like Nancy who have careful notes would seem to disprove that option. I also seem to have fewer racoons and possums and even armadillos lately, though I have not monitored closely. I also cannot blame cats, as I haven't seen any of them either. Just a thought,Michael
In a message dated 11/24/2025 3:52:43 PM Central Standard Time, <sandabar10...> writes:
Could that make this an exceptionally good year for food availability in
the wild, causing a more spectacular absence of birds in yards? If so, I
wonder if someone knows the conditions out there. That could be answer.
On Mon, Nov 24, 2025 at 9:05 AM John Dillon <kisforkryptonite...>
wrote:
> All,
>
> Keep in mind that declines at feeders this time of year are normal while
> birds take advantage of natural fall food supplies and while serious cold
> fronts have yet to occur.
>
> JD
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Nov 24, 2025, at 8:11 AM, Nancy L Newfield via groups.io <nancy=
> <casacolibri.net...> wrote:
> >
> > Sandra,
> >
> > I doubt that bird flu is the answer, or not entirely. Bird flu would
> > affect different types of birds differently. Birds that flock closely
> > together would spread it and we would be finding dead birds in our yards
> or
> > see them dead around the neighborhood. Hummingbirds should not be
> affected
> > because they are so anti-social. I had 2 sightings of a Buff-bellied
> last
> > week in spite of having a really good hummer garden this year. My last
> > southwardly migrating Ruby-throated was 19 October. Usually, I continue
> to
> > attract some tardy migrants into late October, if not November.
> >
> > NLN
> >
> >> On Mon, Nov 24, 2025 at 6:58 AM Sandra Barbier <sandabar10...>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> Thanks for answering. Flu may be it. I also read a little on the net and
> >> it said birds don't use feeders as much when there is plentiful food in
> the
> >> wild, which led me to think about our lack of hurricanes this year, and
> >> whether that left more food for them in forests, etc., but we didn't
> have
> >> any hurricanes last year, either, in southeast or southwest Louisiana
> and I
> >> don't think you are affected by hurricanes very often in Shreveport.
> Also,
> >> would that explain their near total absence from yards as a whole? I was
> >> moved to ask the question because the man in Crowley notices his birds
> and
> >> is conscientious about feeding them, and he was concerned. The feeders
> >> aren't touched and he has found a couple of dead birds. He has frozen
> them
> >> but he doesn't know how or where to send them. His opinion is they don't
> >> use the rice fields so they are not being poisoned there. I haven't fed
> or
> >> watched birds in my yard for months, so I can't say for certain if they
> are
> >> here or not. I put out seed for squirrels. Could they be a problem?
> When I
> >> do look out late in the day there may be the mockingbird and a dove or
> once
> >> in a while a cardinal, wren or blue jay. I sometimes see a house
> sparrow. I
> >> did see a phoebe a couple of times just in the past two weeks. And Nan,
> I
> >> did see two hummingbirds in late October when I had some Turk's cap. My
> >> yard here in LaPlace has never been very birdy, not like it was in
> Marrero,
> >> except for goldfinches in winter five-ten years ago. I also used to have
> >> dogs, but now occasionally a cat wanders through or skulks awhile. For
> me,
> >> what's missing are small flocks of doves, chickadees, house finches,
> black
> >> birds and lots of grackles.
> >>
> >> On Sun, Nov 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM Nancy L Newfield <nancy...>
> >
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Sandra et al,
> >>>
> >>> I'm glad you brought this up. Here in suburban Metairie, the showing
> of
> >>> birds has been the worst I've ever seen. Since moving to the New
> Orleans
> >>> area in 1970, I've kept mostly regular handwritten notes on the avian
> >>> activity that I experience. There are about 45 notebooks, plus 4
> looseleaf
> >>> binders and more recently just checklists that I have created for
> daily use
> >>> and different ones for banding trips. The quality of the notes
> varies, but
> >>> I've aspired to be as accurate as possible, following guidelines that I
> >>> learned from a couple of birding courses that I took years ago, and
> from a
> >>> paper that Van Remsen published way back when.
> >>>
> >>> Now that we have eBird, I've worked at transcribing much of those notes
> >>> into eBird and have noticed a few other times when avian traffic was
> really
> >>> slow, but nothing like the dearth of birds at this time. Today, I've
> >>> counted 35 individual birds of 8 species. There was 1 small flock of 8
> >>> American Robins, the first I've seen here since November 2023. The
> >>> demographics and housing have changed a few times over my tenure at
> this
> >>> location, and never for the better, but we do still have some nice
> trees
> >>> and my hummer garden has been '*primo*', with only 1 recent hummer that
> >>> I saw twice.
> >>>
> >>> The birds are not here.
> >>>
> >>> NLN
> >>>
> >>> On Sun, Nov 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM Sandra Barbier via groups.io
> <sandabar10=
> >>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Someone I know in Crowley says he has not seen any birds in his yard
> >>>> recently. I think he means migrants and locals. Has anyone else
> noticed
> >>>> this and if so, do you know why it may be? I am thinking drought,
> maybe.
> >>>> Found this recent map of drought Louisiana Drought Deepens: 43% of
> State
> >>>> Now Affected — Louisiana Farm Bureau News
> >>>> <
> >>>>
> https://lafarmbureaunews.com/news/2025/11/20/louisiana-drought-deepens-43-of-state-now-affected > >>>>>
> >>>> that
> >>>> shows he is in an area marked "severe drought." Thanks.--
> >>>>
> >>>> Sandra Barbier
> >>>> LaPlace, LA
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> >>> Nancy L Newfield
> >>> Casa Colibrí
> >>> Metairie, Louisiana USA
> >>> <nancy...>
> >>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Sandra Barbier
> >> LaPlace, LA
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> > --
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > Nancy L Newfield
> > Casa Colibrí
> > Metairie, Louisiana USA
> > <nancy...>
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
Could that make this an exceptionally good year for food availability in
the wild, causing a more spectacular absence of birds in yards? If so, I
wonder if someone knows the conditions out there. That could be answer.
On Mon, Nov 24, 2025 at 9:05 AM John Dillon <kisforkryptonite...>
wrote:
> All,
>
> Keep in mind that declines at feeders this time of year are normal while
> birds take advantage of natural fall food supplies and while serious cold
> fronts have yet to occur.
>
> JD
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Nov 24, 2025, at 8:11 AM, Nancy L Newfield via groups.io <nancy=
> <casacolibri.net...> wrote:
> >
> > Sandra,
> >
> > I doubt that bird flu is the answer, or not entirely. Bird flu would
> > affect different types of birds differently. Birds that flock closely
> > together would spread it and we would be finding dead birds in our yards
> or
> > see them dead around the neighborhood. Hummingbirds should not be
> affected
> > because they are so anti-social. I had 2 sightings of a Buff-bellied
> last
> > week in spite of having a really good hummer garden this year. My last
> > southwardly migrating Ruby-throated was 19 October. Usually, I continue
> to
> > attract some tardy migrants into late October, if not November.
> >
> > NLN
> >
> >> On Mon, Nov 24, 2025 at 6:58 AM Sandra Barbier <sandabar10...>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> Thanks for answering. Flu may be it. I also read a little on the net and
> >> it said birds don't use feeders as much when there is plentiful food in
> the
> >> wild, which led me to think about our lack of hurricanes this year, and
> >> whether that left more food for them in forests, etc., but we didn't
> have
> >> any hurricanes last year, either, in southeast or southwest Louisiana
> and I
> >> don't think you are affected by hurricanes very often in Shreveport.
> Also,
> >> would that explain their near total absence from yards as a whole? I was
> >> moved to ask the question because the man in Crowley notices his birds
> and
> >> is conscientious about feeding them, and he was concerned. The feeders
> >> aren't touched and he has found a couple of dead birds. He has frozen
> them
> >> but he doesn't know how or where to send them. His opinion is they don't
> >> use the rice fields so they are not being poisoned there. I haven't fed
> or
> >> watched birds in my yard for months, so I can't say for certain if they
> are
> >> here or not. I put out seed for squirrels. Could they be a problem?
> When I
> >> do look out late in the day there may be the mockingbird and a dove or
> once
> >> in a while a cardinal, wren or blue jay. I sometimes see a house
> sparrow. I
> >> did see a phoebe a couple of times just in the past two weeks. And Nan,
> I
> >> did see two hummingbirds in late October when I had some Turk's cap. My
> >> yard here in LaPlace has never been very birdy, not like it was in
> Marrero,
> >> except for goldfinches in winter five-ten years ago. I also used to have
> >> dogs, but now occasionally a cat wanders through or skulks awhile. For
> me,
> >> what's missing are small flocks of doves, chickadees, house finches,
> black
> >> birds and lots of grackles.
> >>
> >> On Sun, Nov 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM Nancy L Newfield <nancy...>
> >
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Sandra et al,
> >>>
> >>> I'm glad you brought this up. Here in suburban Metairie, the showing
> of
> >>> birds has been the worst I've ever seen. Since moving to the New
> Orleans
> >>> area in 1970, I've kept mostly regular handwritten notes on the avian
> >>> activity that I experience. There are about 45 notebooks, plus 4
> looseleaf
> >>> binders and more recently just checklists that I have created for
> daily use
> >>> and different ones for banding trips. The quality of the notes
> varies, but
> >>> I've aspired to be as accurate as possible, following guidelines that I
> >>> learned from a couple of birding courses that I took years ago, and
> from a
> >>> paper that Van Remsen published way back when.
> >>>
> >>> Now that we have eBird, I've worked at transcribing much of those notes
> >>> into eBird and have noticed a few other times when avian traffic was
> really
> >>> slow, but nothing like the dearth of birds at this time. Today, I've
> >>> counted 35 individual birds of 8 species. There was 1 small flock of 8
> >>> American Robins, the first I've seen here since November 2023. The
> >>> demographics and housing have changed a few times over my tenure at
> this
> >>> location, and never for the better, but we do still have some nice
> trees
> >>> and my hummer garden has been '*primo*', with only 1 recent hummer that
> >>> I saw twice.
> >>>
> >>> The birds are not here.
> >>>
> >>> NLN
> >>>
> >>> On Sun, Nov 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM Sandra Barbier via groups.io
> <sandabar10=
> >>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Someone I know in Crowley says he has not seen any birds in his yard
> >>>> recently. I think he means migrants and locals. Has anyone else
> noticed
> >>>> this and if so, do you know why it may be? I am thinking drought,
> maybe.
> >>>> Found this recent map of drought Louisiana Drought Deepens: 43% of
> State
> >>>> Now Affected — Louisiana Farm Bureau News
> >>>> <
> >>>>
> https://lafarmbureaunews.com/news/2025/11/20/louisiana-drought-deepens-43-of-state-now-affected > >>>>>
> >>>> that
> >>>> shows he is in an area marked "severe drought." Thanks.--
> >>>>
> >>>> Sandra Barbier
> >>>> LaPlace, LA
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> >>> Nancy L Newfield
> >>> Casa Colibrí
> >>> Metairie, Louisiana USA
> >>> <nancy...>
> >>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Sandra Barbier
> >> LaPlace, LA
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> > --
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> > Nancy L Newfield
> > Casa Colibrí
> > Metairie, Louisiana USA
> > <nancy...>
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
Date: 11/24/25 7:05 am From: John Dillon via groups.io <kisforkryptonite...> Subject: Re: [labird] Fewer birds?
All,
Keep in mind that declines at feeders this time of year are normal while birds take advantage of natural fall food supplies and while serious cold fronts have yet to occur.
JD
> On Nov 24, 2025, at 8:11 AM, Nancy L Newfield via groups.io <nancy...> wrote:
>
> Sandra,
>
> I doubt that bird flu is the answer, or not entirely. Bird flu would
> affect different types of birds differently. Birds that flock closely
> together would spread it and we would be finding dead birds in our yards or
> see them dead around the neighborhood. Hummingbirds should not be affected
> because they are so anti-social. I had 2 sightings of a Buff-bellied last
> week in spite of having a really good hummer garden this year. My last
> southwardly migrating Ruby-throated was 19 October. Usually, I continue to
> attract some tardy migrants into late October, if not November.
>
> NLN
>
>> On Mon, Nov 24, 2025 at 6:58 AM Sandra Barbier <sandabar10...> wrote:
>>
>> Thanks for answering. Flu may be it. I also read a little on the net and
>> it said birds don't use feeders as much when there is plentiful food in the
>> wild, which led me to think about our lack of hurricanes this year, and
>> whether that left more food for them in forests, etc., but we didn't have
>> any hurricanes last year, either, in southeast or southwest Louisiana and I
>> don't think you are affected by hurricanes very often in Shreveport. Also,
>> would that explain their near total absence from yards as a whole? I was
>> moved to ask the question because the man in Crowley notices his birds and
>> is conscientious about feeding them, and he was concerned. The feeders
>> aren't touched and he has found a couple of dead birds. He has frozen them
>> but he doesn't know how or where to send them. His opinion is they don't
>> use the rice fields so they are not being poisoned there. I haven't fed or
>> watched birds in my yard for months, so I can't say for certain if they are
>> here or not. I put out seed for squirrels. Could they be a problem? When I
>> do look out late in the day there may be the mockingbird and a dove or once
>> in a while a cardinal, wren or blue jay. I sometimes see a house sparrow. I
>> did see a phoebe a couple of times just in the past two weeks. And Nan, I
>> did see two hummingbirds in late October when I had some Turk's cap. My
>> yard here in LaPlace has never been very birdy, not like it was in Marrero,
>> except for goldfinches in winter five-ten years ago. I also used to have
>> dogs, but now occasionally a cat wanders through or skulks awhile. For me,
>> what's missing are small flocks of doves, chickadees, house finches, black
>> birds and lots of grackles.
>>
>> On Sun, Nov 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM Nancy L Newfield <nancy...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Sandra et al,
>>>
>>> I'm glad you brought this up. Here in suburban Metairie, the showing of
>>> birds has been the worst I've ever seen. Since moving to the New Orleans
>>> area in 1970, I've kept mostly regular handwritten notes on the avian
>>> activity that I experience. There are about 45 notebooks, plus 4 looseleaf
>>> binders and more recently just checklists that I have created for daily use
>>> and different ones for banding trips. The quality of the notes varies, but
>>> I've aspired to be as accurate as possible, following guidelines that I
>>> learned from a couple of birding courses that I took years ago, and from a
>>> paper that Van Remsen published way back when.
>>>
>>> Now that we have eBird, I've worked at transcribing much of those notes
>>> into eBird and have noticed a few other times when avian traffic was really
>>> slow, but nothing like the dearth of birds at this time. Today, I've
>>> counted 35 individual birds of 8 species. There was 1 small flock of 8
>>> American Robins, the first I've seen here since November 2023. The
>>> demographics and housing have changed a few times over my tenure at this
>>> location, and never for the better, but we do still have some nice trees
>>> and my hummer garden has been '*primo*', with only 1 recent hummer that
>>> I saw twice.
>>>
>>> The birds are not here.
>>>
>>> NLN
>>>
>>> On Sun, Nov 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM Sandra Barbier via groups.io <sandabar10=
>>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Someone I know in Crowley says he has not seen any birds in his yard
>>>> recently. I think he means migrants and locals. Has anyone else noticed
>>>> this and if so, do you know why it may be? I am thinking drought, maybe.
>>>> Found this recent map of drought Louisiana Drought Deepens: 43% of State
>>>> Now Affected — Louisiana Farm Bureau News
>>>> <
>>>> https://lafarmbureaunews.com/news/2025/11/20/louisiana-drought-deepens-43-of-state-now-affected >>>>>
>>>> that
>>>> shows he is in an area marked "severe drought." Thanks.--
>>>>
>>>> Sandra Barbier
>>>> LaPlace, LA
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>> Nancy L Newfield
>>> Casa Colibrí
>>> Metairie, Louisiana USA
>>> <nancy...>
>>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Sandra Barbier
>> LaPlace, LA
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Nancy L Newfield
> Casa Colibrí
> Metairie, Louisiana USA
> <nancy...>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 11/24/25 6:11 am From: Nancy L Newfield via groups.io <nancy...> Subject: Re: [labird] Fewer birds?
Sandra,
I doubt that bird flu is the answer, or not entirely. Bird flu would
affect different types of birds differently. Birds that flock closely
together would spread it and we would be finding dead birds in our yards or
see them dead around the neighborhood. Hummingbirds should not be affected
because they are so anti-social. I had 2 sightings of a Buff-bellied last
week in spite of having a really good hummer garden this year. My last
southwardly migrating Ruby-throated was 19 October. Usually, I continue to
attract some tardy migrants into late October, if not November.
NLN
On Mon, Nov 24, 2025 at 6:58 AM Sandra Barbier <sandabar10...> wrote:
> Thanks for answering. Flu may be it. I also read a little on the net and
> it said birds don't use feeders as much when there is plentiful food in the
> wild, which led me to think about our lack of hurricanes this year, and
> whether that left more food for them in forests, etc., but we didn't have
> any hurricanes last year, either, in southeast or southwest Louisiana and I
> don't think you are affected by hurricanes very often in Shreveport. Also,
> would that explain their near total absence from yards as a whole? I was
> moved to ask the question because the man in Crowley notices his birds and
> is conscientious about feeding them, and he was concerned. The feeders
> aren't touched and he has found a couple of dead birds. He has frozen them
> but he doesn't know how or where to send them. His opinion is they don't
> use the rice fields so they are not being poisoned there. I haven't fed or
> watched birds in my yard for months, so I can't say for certain if they are
> here or not. I put out seed for squirrels. Could they be a problem? When I
> do look out late in the day there may be the mockingbird and a dove or once
> in a while a cardinal, wren or blue jay. I sometimes see a house sparrow. I
> did see a phoebe a couple of times just in the past two weeks. And Nan, I
> did see two hummingbirds in late October when I had some Turk's cap. My
> yard here in LaPlace has never been very birdy, not like it was in Marrero,
> except for goldfinches in winter five-ten years ago. I also used to have
> dogs, but now occasionally a cat wanders through or skulks awhile. For me,
> what's missing are small flocks of doves, chickadees, house finches, black
> birds and lots of grackles.
>
> On Sun, Nov 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM Nancy L Newfield <nancy...>
> wrote:
>
>> Sandra et al,
>>
>> I'm glad you brought this up. Here in suburban Metairie, the showing of
>> birds has been the worst I've ever seen. Since moving to the New Orleans
>> area in 1970, I've kept mostly regular handwritten notes on the avian
>> activity that I experience. There are about 45 notebooks, plus 4 looseleaf
>> binders and more recently just checklists that I have created for daily use
>> and different ones for banding trips. The quality of the notes varies, but
>> I've aspired to be as accurate as possible, following guidelines that I
>> learned from a couple of birding courses that I took years ago, and from a
>> paper that Van Remsen published way back when.
>>
>> Now that we have eBird, I've worked at transcribing much of those notes
>> into eBird and have noticed a few other times when avian traffic was really
>> slow, but nothing like the dearth of birds at this time. Today, I've
>> counted 35 individual birds of 8 species. There was 1 small flock of 8
>> American Robins, the first I've seen here since November 2023. The
>> demographics and housing have changed a few times over my tenure at this
>> location, and never for the better, but we do still have some nice trees
>> and my hummer garden has been '*primo*', with only 1 recent hummer that
>> I saw twice.
>>
>> The birds are not here.
>>
>> NLN
>>
>> On Sun, Nov 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM Sandra Barbier via groups.io <sandabar10=
>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>>
>>> Someone I know in Crowley says he has not seen any birds in his yard
>>> recently. I think he means migrants and locals. Has anyone else noticed
>>> this and if so, do you know why it may be? I am thinking drought, maybe.
>>> Found this recent map of drought Louisiana Drought Deepens: 43% of State
>>> Now Affected — Louisiana Farm Bureau News
>>> <
>>> https://lafarmbureaunews.com/news/2025/11/20/louisiana-drought-deepens-43-of-state-now-affected >>> >
>>> that
>>> shows he is in an area marked "severe drought." Thanks.--
>>>
>>> Sandra Barbier
>>> LaPlace, LA
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> --
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>> Nancy L Newfield
>> Casa Colibrí
>> Metairie, Louisiana USA
>> <nancy...>
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>
>
>
> --
> Sandra Barbier
> LaPlace, LA
>
>
>
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nancy L Newfield
Casa Colibrí
Metairie, Louisiana USA
<nancy...>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Date: 11/24/25 4:58 am From: Sandra Barbier via groups.io <sandabar10...> Subject: Re: [labird] Fewer birds?
Thanks for answering. Flu may be it. I also read a little on the net and it
said birds don't use feeders as much when there is plentiful food in the
wild, which led me to think about our lack of hurricanes this year, and
whether that left more food for them in forests, etc., but we didn't have
any hurricanes last year, either, in southeast or southwest Louisiana and I
don't think you are affected by hurricanes very often in Shreveport. Also,
would that explain their near total absence from yards as a whole? I was
moved to ask the question because the man in Crowley notices his birds and
is conscientious about feeding them, and he was concerned. The feeders
aren't touched and he has found a couple of dead birds. He has frozen them
but he doesn't know how or where to send them. His opinion is they don't
use the rice fields so they are not being poisoned there. I haven't fed or
watched birds in my yard for months, so I can't say for certain if they are
here or not. I put out seed for squirrels. Could they be a problem? When I
do look out late in the day there may be the mockingbird and a dove or once
in a while a cardinal, wren or blue jay. I sometimes see a house sparrow. I
did see a phoebe a couple of times just in the past two weeks. And Nan, I
did see two hummingbirds in late October when I had some Turk's cap. My
yard here in LaPlace has never been very birdy, not like it was in Marrero,
except for goldfinches in winter five-ten years ago. I also used to have
dogs, but now occasionally a cat wanders through or skulks awhile. For me,
what's missing are small flocks of doves, chickadees, house finches, black
birds and lots of grackles.
On Sun, Nov 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM Nancy L Newfield <nancy...>
wrote:
> Sandra et al,
>
> I'm glad you brought this up. Here in suburban Metairie, the showing of
> birds has been the worst I've ever seen. Since moving to the New Orleans
> area in 1970, I've kept mostly regular handwritten notes on the avian
> activity that I experience. There are about 45 notebooks, plus 4 looseleaf
> binders and more recently just checklists that I have created for daily use
> and different ones for banding trips. The quality of the notes varies, but
> I've aspired to be as accurate as possible, following guidelines that I
> learned from a couple of birding courses that I took years ago, and from a
> paper that Van Remsen published way back when.
>
> Now that we have eBird, I've worked at transcribing much of those notes
> into eBird and have noticed a few other times when avian traffic was really
> slow, but nothing like the dearth of birds at this time. Today, I've
> counted 35 individual birds of 8 species. There was 1 small flock of 8
> American Robins, the first I've seen here since November 2023. The
> demographics and housing have changed a few times over my tenure at this
> location, and never for the better, but we do still have some nice trees
> and my hummer garden has been '*primo*', with only 1 recent hummer that I
> saw twice.
>
> The birds are not here.
>
> NLN
>
> On Sun, Nov 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM Sandra Barbier via groups.io <sandabar10=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> Someone I know in Crowley says he has not seen any birds in his yard
>> recently. I think he means migrants and locals. Has anyone else noticed
>> this and if so, do you know why it may be? I am thinking drought, maybe.
>> Found this recent map of drought Louisiana Drought Deepens: 43% of State
>> Now Affected — Louisiana Farm Bureau News
>> <
>> https://lafarmbureaunews.com/news/2025/11/20/louisiana-drought-deepens-43-of-state-now-affected >> >
>> that
>> shows he is in an area marked "severe drought." Thanks.--
>>
>> Sandra Barbier
>> LaPlace, LA
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Nancy L Newfield
> Casa Colibrí
> Metairie, Louisiana USA
> <nancy...>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
Date: 11/23/25 6:04 pm From: Nancy L Newfield via groups.io <nancy...> Subject: Re: [labird] Fewer birds?
Sandra et al,
I'm glad you brought this up. Here in suburban Metairie, the showing of
birds has been the worst I've ever seen. Since moving to the New Orleans
area in 1970, I've kept mostly regular handwritten notes on the avian
activity that I experience. There are about 45 notebooks, plus 4 looseleaf
binders and more recently just checklists that I have created for daily use
and different ones for banding trips. The quality of the notes varies, but
I've aspired to be as accurate as possible, following guidelines that I
learned from a couple of birding courses that I took years ago, and from a
paper that Van Remsen published way back when.
Now that we have eBird, I've worked at transcribing much of those notes
into eBird and have noticed a few other times when avian traffic was really
slow, but nothing like the dearth of birds at this time. Today, I've
counted 35 individual birds of 8 species. There was 1 small flock of 8
American Robins, the first I've seen here since November 2023. The
demographics and housing have changed a few times over my tenure at this
location, and never for the better, but we do still have some nice trees
and my hummer garden has been '*primo*', with only 1 recent hummer that I
saw twice.
The birds are not here.
NLN
On Sun, Nov 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM Sandra Barbier via groups.io <sandabar10=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Someone I know in Crowley says he has not seen any birds in his yard
> recently. I think he means migrants and locals. Has anyone else noticed
> this and if so, do you know why it may be? I am thinking drought, maybe.
> Found this recent map of drought Louisiana Drought Deepens: 43% of State
> Now Affected — Louisiana Farm Bureau News
> <
> https://lafarmbureaunews.com/news/2025/11/20/louisiana-drought-deepens-43-of-state-now-affected > >
> that
> shows he is in an area marked "severe drought." Thanks.--
>
> Sandra Barbier
> LaPlace, LA
>
>
>
>
>
>
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nancy L Newfield
Casa Colibrí
Metairie, Louisiana USA
<nancy...>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have been recording birds in my backyard in Shreveport daily for more than six years, and I have never before seen so few birds at my feeders.
In mid-September this year, I started noticing that the house finches had almost completely disappeared. Other species, such as mourning doves, cardinals, Carolina wrens, Carolina chickadees - were still present in normal numbers. However, for about the past month, there are many days when I see no birds at all, and then, perhaps one mourning dove in a day, or one Carolina wren. I am very worried about this trend because I've always had lots of birds in my backyard, every day. I have not changed the bird food mix I provide, or the feeders I use. Or, anything else that I know about.
I don't think we are in a drought here, so maybe this change is due to bird flu?
Any other ideas?
Thanks
Sandy
Sandra C. Roerig
Phone: 318-686-9481
On 11/23/25, 6:01 PM, "<labird...> on behalf of Sandra Barbier via groups.io" <labird...> on behalf of <sandabar10...> wrote:
CAUTION: THIS EMAIL ORIGINATED OUTSIDE OF LSUHS. For protection: verify sender first, and NEVER input usernames or passwords. Use the "PHISH ALERT" button to report questionable emails or contact IT Helpdesk (<SHVHelp...>).
Someone I know in Crowley says he has not seen any birds in his yard
recently. I think he means migrants and locals. Has anyone else noticed
this and if so, do you know why it may be? I am thinking drought, maybe.
Found this recent map of drought Louisiana Drought Deepens: 43% of State
Now Affected — Louisiana Farm Bureau News
<https://lafarmbureaunews.com/news/2025/11/20/louisiana-drought-deepens-43-of-state-now-affected> that
shows he is in an area marked "severe drought." Thanks.--
Someone I know in Crowley says he has not seen any birds in his yard
recently. I think he means migrants and locals. Has anyone else noticed
this and if so, do you know why it may be? I am thinking drought, maybe.
Found this recent map of drought Louisiana Drought Deepens: 43% of State
Now Affected — Louisiana Farm Bureau News
<https://lafarmbureaunews.com/news/2025/11/20/louisiana-drought-deepens-43-of-state-now-affected> that
shows he is in an area marked "severe drought." Thanks.--
Date: 11/23/25 7:42 am From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: Re: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed: Louisiana Edition”
Thanks Debra.
This is a more complex meeting than LOS typically arranges. LSU-Shreveport
has been a tremendous partner. We are sponsored by the Department of Arts
and Sciences, which has resulted in a tremendously reduced fee for renting
facilities. It has not been publicly announced yet, but LSUS faculty,
staff, and students may attend the evening presentations without charge.
The LSUS Bookstore has also been very helpful in arranging the book
signing. The campus is excited to have Kenn Kaufman present and is willing
to assist us in promoting the talk, including airing announcements on its
NPR station to reach local birders and anyone else within the range of its
signal.
This is obviously more "commercial," for lack of a better term, than
anything LOS has attempted in recent years. Kaufman represents a unique
opportunity to expand LOS's reach and inform more people about the joys of
birdwatching. The LOS Board has thought carefully about and worked hard to
balance LOS's traditions with the need to reach additional potential
members. It has not been without controversy, but know that your board has
soberly weighed a number of competing interests in reaching its
conclusions. Some of them are outlined in prior posts. Criticism is
inevitable, and welcome, but we only ask that persons disappointed in our
conclusions make themselves aware of all the facts.
On Sun, Nov 23, 2025, 8:47 AM <debra.b...> <debra.b...> wrote:
> Mark,
>
> I think it's a nice gesture to let people attend a portion of the winter
> meeting, at a reduced price.
>
> A friend of mine attended a single talk at a meeting several years ago and
> I think he paid $10. The speaker was an ornithology student.
>
> ---Debra
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* <labird...> <labird...> on behalf of William Brown
> via groups.io <joanhbrown47...>
> *Sent:* Sunday, November 23, 2025 7:50 AM
> *To:* Mark Pethke <mdpethke...>
> *Cc:* LABIRD NEW <labird...>
> *Subject:* Re: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed:
> Louisiana Edition”
>
> Mark,
> The $10 fee doesn't bother me. I'm paying to attend this meeting.....more
> than $10. I pay to attend other meetings where books are sometimes sold. I
> agree that free tickets could overload the capacity of the room. Anyone who
> wants to hear Ken Kaufmann shouldn't mind paying a small fee, especially
> since it is going to the Dittman/Cardiff scholorship fund. Just my
> thoughts.
>
> On Sat, Nov 22, 2025, 2:45 PM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> > Charging a nominal fee is, among other things, a matter of managing
> demand,
> > as the theater has a capacity of 438 persons, and I have spent the
> morning
> > sending notices to birding organizations all across Arkansas and Texas.
> We
> > have discovered in BRAS that free tickets tend to be too easy to not use,
> > which means that you think people will attend who opt out, meaning other
> > people who would have attended are disappointed. There is no perfect
> > solution, but I think it's a stretch to label this one in the manner
> > described.
> >
> > On Sat, Nov 22, 2025, 2:19 PM Rosemary Seidler <rseidler...>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > Charging $10 for the event is not a great recruiting tool. Having the
> > > event free and open to the public is a great idea. Charging for it
> lacks
> > > class.
> > >
> > > Rosemary Seidler
> > > Shreveport
> > > ------------------------------
> > > *From:* <labird...> <labird...> on behalf of Paul Klerks
> via
> > > groups.io <paul.klerks...>
> > > *Sent:* Saturday, November 22, 2025 9:50 AM
> > > *To:* <budogmacm...> <budogmacm...>
> > > *Cc:* <mdpethke...> <mdpethke...>; <labird...> <
> > > <labird...>
> > > *Subject:* Re: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed:
> > > Louisiana Edition”
> > >
> > > [You don't often get email from <paul.klerks...> Learn
> > > why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification > ]
> > >
> > > CAUTION: This email originates from an external email address. DO NOT
> > > click links or provide personal information. Verify the sender by other
> > > means before taking action.
> > >
> > > On the other hand, Mac, allowing a wider audience to come to the talk
> is
> > > likely to bring in new LOS members
> > >
> > > Paul
> > >
> > > On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 5:49 PM Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm=
> > > <gmail.com...> wrote:
> > >
> > > > I have to say that I am thoroughly repulsed by this. I have nothing
> > > > against Kenn Kaufmann, but the LOS should not be involved in, dare I
> > say,
> > > > "pimping" for his books, to the extent of selling tickets to his
> > > > presentation. I realize I may be a dinosaur, but this is simply
> > > disgusting.
> > > > We have plenty of interesting and knowledgeable people who are
> willing
> > to
> > > > present to LOS meetings, and we should pay their costs at least, and
> if
> > > > they have books, certainly they can mention/promote them. That is a
> far
> > > cry
> > > > from this blatant commercialism.
> > > >
> > > > Mac, admitted cormudgeon
> > > >
> > > > <
> > > >
> > >
> >
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > > > > >
> > > > Virus-free.www.avast.com
> > > > <
> > > >
> > >
> >
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > > > > >
> > > > <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
> > > >
> > > > On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
> > > > <gmail.com...> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Kenn Kaufman will speak at the Louisiana Ornithological Society
> > Winter
> > > > > Meeting on the evening of Saturday ,January 24, 2026, at the
> > > > LSU-Shreveport
> > > > > University Center Theater. Kenn will talk about his recent book,
> The
> > > > Birds
> > > > > that Audubon Missed, with a particular emphasis on his time in
> > > Louisiana.
> > > > > Members of the general public are invited to purchase tickets for
> the
> > > > event
> > > > > beginning tomorrow for $10.00 plus taxes and fees at Eventbrite.
> > > > >
> > > > > This link is for the general public only.
> > > > >
> > > > > LOS members who have registered for the Winter Meeting DO NOT have
> to
> > > > also
> > > > > register at Eventbrite to hear Kaufman.
> > > > >
> > > > > There will be a book signing from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, followed by
> the
> > > > > presentation in the University Center Theater at 7:00 pm.
> > > > >
> > > > > https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975134021026?aff=oddtdtcreator > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 11/23/25 6:47 am From: Debra Babin via groups.io <Debra.b...> Subject: Re: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed: Louisiana Edition”
Mark,
I think it's a nice gesture to let people attend a portion of the winter meeting, at a reduced price.
A friend of mine attended a single talk at a meeting several years ago and I think he paid $10. The speaker was an ornithology student.
---Debra
________________________________
From: <labird...> <labird...> on behalf of William Brown via groups.io <joanhbrown47...>
Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2025 7:50 AM
To: Mark Pethke <mdpethke...>
Cc: LABIRD NEW <labird...>
Subject: Re: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed: Louisiana Edition”
Mark,
The $10 fee doesn't bother me. I'm paying to attend this meeting.....more
than $10. I pay to attend other meetings where books are sometimes sold. I
agree that free tickets could overload the capacity of the room. Anyone who
wants to hear Ken Kaufmann shouldn't mind paying a small fee, especially
since it is going to the Dittman/Cardiff scholorship fund. Just my thoughts.
On Sat, Nov 22, 2025, 2:45 PM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Charging a nominal fee is, among other things, a matter of managing demand,
> as the theater has a capacity of 438 persons, and I have spent the morning
> sending notices to birding organizations all across Arkansas and Texas. We
> have discovered in BRAS that free tickets tend to be too easy to not use,
> which means that you think people will attend who opt out, meaning other
> people who would have attended are disappointed. There is no perfect
> solution, but I think it's a stretch to label this one in the manner
> described.
>
> On Sat, Nov 22, 2025, 2:19 PM Rosemary Seidler <rseidler...>
> wrote:
>
> > Charging $10 for the event is not a great recruiting tool. Having the
> > event free and open to the public is a great idea. Charging for it lacks
> > class.
> >
> > Rosemary Seidler
> > Shreveport
> > ------------------------------
> > *From:* <labird...> <labird...> on behalf of Paul Klerks via
> > groups.io <paul.klerks...>
> > *Sent:* Saturday, November 22, 2025 9:50 AM
> > *To:* <budogmacm...> <budogmacm...>
> > *Cc:* <mdpethke...> <mdpethke...>; <labird...> <
> > <labird...>
> > *Subject:* Re: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed:
> > Louisiana Edition”
> >
> > [You don't often get email from <paul.klerks...> Learn
> > why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
> >
> > CAUTION: This email originates from an external email address. DO NOT
> > click links or provide personal information. Verify the sender by other
> > means before taking action.
> >
> > On the other hand, Mac, allowing a wider audience to come to the talk is
> > likely to bring in new LOS members
> >
> > Paul
> >
> > On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 5:49 PM Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm=
> > <gmail.com...> wrote:
> >
> > > I have to say that I am thoroughly repulsed by this. I have nothing
> > > against Kenn Kaufmann, but the LOS should not be involved in, dare I
> say,
> > > "pimping" for his books, to the extent of selling tickets to his
> > > presentation. I realize I may be a dinosaur, but this is simply
> > disgusting.
> > > We have plenty of interesting and knowledgeable people who are willing
> to
> > > present to LOS meetings, and we should pay their costs at least, and if
> > > they have books, certainly they can mention/promote them. That is a far
> > cry
> > > from this blatant commercialism.
> > >
> > > Mac, admitted cormudgeon
> > >
> > > <
> > >
> >
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > > > >
> > > Virus-free.www.avast.com
> > > <
> > >
> >
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > > > >
> > > <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
> > >
> > > On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
> > > <gmail.com...> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Kenn Kaufman will speak at the Louisiana Ornithological Society
> Winter
> > > > Meeting on the evening of Saturday ,January 24, 2026, at the
> > > LSU-Shreveport
> > > > University Center Theater. Kenn will talk about his recent book, The
> > > Birds
> > > > that Audubon Missed, with a particular emphasis on his time in
> > Louisiana.
> > > > Members of the general public are invited to purchase tickets for the
> > > event
> > > > beginning tomorrow for $10.00 plus taxes and fees at Eventbrite.
> > > >
> > > > This link is for the general public only.
> > > >
> > > > LOS members who have registered for the Winter Meeting DO NOT have to
> > > also
> > > > register at Eventbrite to hear Kaufman.
> > > >
> > > > There will be a book signing from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, followed by the
> > > > presentation in the University Center Theater at 7:00 pm.
> > > >
> > > > https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975134021026?aff=oddtdtcreator > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 11/23/25 5:50 am From: William Brown via groups.io <joanhbrown47...> Subject: Re: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed: Louisiana Edition”
Mark,
The $10 fee doesn't bother me. I'm paying to attend this meeting.....more
than $10. I pay to attend other meetings where books are sometimes sold. I
agree that free tickets could overload the capacity of the room. Anyone who
wants to hear Ken Kaufmann shouldn't mind paying a small fee, especially
since it is going to the Dittman/Cardiff scholorship fund. Just my thoughts.
On Sat, Nov 22, 2025, 2:45 PM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Charging a nominal fee is, among other things, a matter of managing demand,
> as the theater has a capacity of 438 persons, and I have spent the morning
> sending notices to birding organizations all across Arkansas and Texas. We
> have discovered in BRAS that free tickets tend to be too easy to not use,
> which means that you think people will attend who opt out, meaning other
> people who would have attended are disappointed. There is no perfect
> solution, but I think it's a stretch to label this one in the manner
> described.
>
> On Sat, Nov 22, 2025, 2:19 PM Rosemary Seidler <rseidler...>
> wrote:
>
> > Charging $10 for the event is not a great recruiting tool. Having the
> > event free and open to the public is a great idea. Charging for it lacks
> > class.
> >
> > Rosemary Seidler
> > Shreveport
> > ------------------------------
> > *From:* <labird...> <labird...> on behalf of Paul Klerks via
> > groups.io <paul.klerks...>
> > *Sent:* Saturday, November 22, 2025 9:50 AM
> > *To:* <budogmacm...> <budogmacm...>
> > *Cc:* <mdpethke...> <mdpethke...>; <labird...> <
> > <labird...>
> > *Subject:* Re: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed:
> > Louisiana Edition”
> >
> > [You don't often get email from <paul.klerks...> Learn
> > why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
> >
> > CAUTION: This email originates from an external email address. DO NOT
> > click links or provide personal information. Verify the sender by other
> > means before taking action.
> >
> > On the other hand, Mac, allowing a wider audience to come to the talk is
> > likely to bring in new LOS members
> >
> > Paul
> >
> > On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 5:49 PM Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm=
> > <gmail.com...> wrote:
> >
> > > I have to say that I am thoroughly repulsed by this. I have nothing
> > > against Kenn Kaufmann, but the LOS should not be involved in, dare I
> say,
> > > "pimping" for his books, to the extent of selling tickets to his
> > > presentation. I realize I may be a dinosaur, but this is simply
> > disgusting.
> > > We have plenty of interesting and knowledgeable people who are willing
> to
> > > present to LOS meetings, and we should pay their costs at least, and if
> > > they have books, certainly they can mention/promote them. That is a far
> > cry
> > > from this blatant commercialism.
> > >
> > > Mac, admitted cormudgeon
> > >
> > > <
> > >
> >
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > > > >
> > > Virus-free.www.avast.com
> > > <
> > >
> >
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > > > >
> > > <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
> > >
> > > On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
> > > <gmail.com...> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Kenn Kaufman will speak at the Louisiana Ornithological Society
> Winter
> > > > Meeting on the evening of Saturday ,January 24, 2026, at the
> > > LSU-Shreveport
> > > > University Center Theater. Kenn will talk about his recent book, The
> > > Birds
> > > > that Audubon Missed, with a particular emphasis on his time in
> > Louisiana.
> > > > Members of the general public are invited to purchase tickets for the
> > > event
> > > > beginning tomorrow for $10.00 plus taxes and fees at Eventbrite.
> > > >
> > > > This link is for the general public only.
> > > >
> > > > LOS members who have registered for the Winter Meeting DO NOT have to
> > > also
> > > > register at Eventbrite to hear Kaufman.
> > > >
> > > > There will be a book signing from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, followed by the
> > > > presentation in the University Center Theater at 7:00 pm.
> > > >
> > > > https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975134021026?aff=oddtdtcreator > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 11/22/25 12:45 pm From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: Re: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed: Louisiana Edition”
Charging a nominal fee is, among other things, a matter of managing demand,
as the theater has a capacity of 438 persons, and I have spent the morning
sending notices to birding organizations all across Arkansas and Texas. We
have discovered in BRAS that free tickets tend to be too easy to not use,
which means that you think people will attend who opt out, meaning other
people who would have attended are disappointed. There is no perfect
solution, but I think it's a stretch to label this one in the manner
described.
On Sat, Nov 22, 2025, 2:19 PM Rosemary Seidler <rseidler...>
wrote:
> Charging $10 for the event is not a great recruiting tool. Having the
> event free and open to the public is a great idea. Charging for it lacks
> class.
>
> Rosemary Seidler
> Shreveport
> ------------------------------
> *From:* <labird...> <labird...> on behalf of Paul Klerks via
> groups.io <paul.klerks...>
> *Sent:* Saturday, November 22, 2025 9:50 AM
> *To:* <budogmacm...> <budogmacm...>
> *Cc:* <mdpethke...> <mdpethke...>; <labird...> <
> <labird...>
> *Subject:* Re: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed:
> Louisiana Edition”
>
> [You don't often get email from <paul.klerks...> Learn
> why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
>
> CAUTION: This email originates from an external email address. DO NOT
> click links or provide personal information. Verify the sender by other
> means before taking action.
>
> On the other hand, Mac, allowing a wider audience to come to the talk is
> likely to bring in new LOS members
>
> Paul
>
> On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 5:49 PM Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> > I have to say that I am thoroughly repulsed by this. I have nothing
> > against Kenn Kaufmann, but the LOS should not be involved in, dare I say,
> > "pimping" for his books, to the extent of selling tickets to his
> > presentation. I realize I may be a dinosaur, but this is simply
> disgusting.
> > We have plenty of interesting and knowledgeable people who are willing to
> > present to LOS meetings, and we should pay their costs at least, and if
> > they have books, certainly they can mention/promote them. That is a far
> cry
> > from this blatant commercialism.
> >
> > Mac, admitted cormudgeon
> >
> > <
> >
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > > >
> > Virus-free.www.avast.com
> > <
> >
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > > >
> > <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
> >
> > On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
> > <gmail.com...> wrote:
> >
> > > Kenn Kaufman will speak at the Louisiana Ornithological Society Winter
> > > Meeting on the evening of Saturday ,January 24, 2026, at the
> > LSU-Shreveport
> > > University Center Theater. Kenn will talk about his recent book, The
> > Birds
> > > that Audubon Missed, with a particular emphasis on his time in
> Louisiana.
> > > Members of the general public are invited to purchase tickets for the
> > event
> > > beginning tomorrow for $10.00 plus taxes and fees at Eventbrite.
> > >
> > > This link is for the general public only.
> > >
> > > LOS members who have registered for the Winter Meeting DO NOT have to
> > also
> > > register at Eventbrite to hear Kaufman.
> > >
> > > There will be a book signing from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, followed by the
> > > presentation in the University Center Theater at 7:00 pm.
> > >
> > > https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975134021026?aff=oddtdtcreator > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 11/22/25 12:19 pm From: Rosemary Seidler via groups.io <rseidler...> Subject: Re: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed: Louisiana Edition”
Charging $10 for the event is not a great recruiting tool. Having the event free and open to the public is a great idea. Charging for it lacks class.
Rosemary Seidler
Shreveport
________________________________
From: <labird...> <labird...> on behalf of Paul Klerks via groups.io <paul.klerks...>
Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2025 9:50 AM
To: <budogmacm...> <budogmacm...>
Cc: <mdpethke...> <mdpethke...>; <labird...> <labird...>
Subject: Re: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed: Louisiana Edition”
CAUTION: This email originates from an external email address. DO NOT click links or provide personal information. Verify the sender by other means before taking action.
On the other hand, Mac, allowing a wider audience to come to the talk is
likely to bring in new LOS members
Paul
On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 5:49 PM Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> I have to say that I am thoroughly repulsed by this. I have nothing
> against Kenn Kaufmann, but the LOS should not be involved in, dare I say,
> "pimping" for his books, to the extent of selling tickets to his
> presentation. I realize I may be a dinosaur, but this is simply disgusting.
> We have plenty of interesting and knowledgeable people who are willing to
> present to LOS meetings, and we should pay their costs at least, and if
> they have books, certainly they can mention/promote them. That is a far cry
> from this blatant commercialism.
>
> Mac, admitted cormudgeon
>
> <
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > >
> Virus-free.www.avast.com
> <
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > >
> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>
> On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> > Kenn Kaufman will speak at the Louisiana Ornithological Society Winter
> > Meeting on the evening of Saturday ,January 24, 2026, at the
> LSU-Shreveport
> > University Center Theater. Kenn will talk about his recent book, The
> Birds
> > that Audubon Missed, with a particular emphasis on his time in Louisiana.
> > Members of the general public are invited to purchase tickets for the
> event
> > beginning tomorrow for $10.00 plus taxes and fees at Eventbrite.
> >
> > This link is for the general public only.
> >
> > LOS members who have registered for the Winter Meeting DO NOT have to
> also
> > register at Eventbrite to hear Kaufman.
> >
> > There will be a book signing from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, followed by the
> > presentation in the University Center Theater at 7:00 pm.
> >
> > https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975134021026?aff=oddtdtcreator > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 11/22/25 7:59 am From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: Re: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed: Louisiana Edition”
We are hoping that once you see what LOS is about, you'll be hooked.
On Sat, Nov 22, 2025, 9:50 AM Paul Klerks <paul.klerks...> wrote:
> On the other hand, Mac, allowing a wider audience to come to the talk is
> likely to bring in new LOS members
>
> Paul
>
> On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 5:49 PM Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> I have to say that I am thoroughly repulsed by this. I have nothing
>> against Kenn Kaufmann, but the LOS should not be involved in, dare I say,
>> "pimping" for his books, to the extent of selling tickets to his
>> presentation. I realize I may be a dinosaur, but this is simply
>> disgusting.
>> We have plenty of interesting and knowledgeable people who are willing to
>> present to LOS meetings, and we should pay their costs at least, and if
>> they have books, certainly they can mention/promote them. That is a far
>> cry
>> from this blatant commercialism.
>>
>> Mac, admitted cormudgeon
>>
>> <
>> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail >> >
>> Virus-free.www.avast.com
>> <
>> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail >> >
>> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>>
>> On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>>
>> > Kenn Kaufman will speak at the Louisiana Ornithological Society Winter
>> > Meeting on the evening of Saturday ,January 24, 2026, at the
>> LSU-Shreveport
>> > University Center Theater. Kenn will talk about his recent book, The
>> Birds
>> > that Audubon Missed, with a particular emphasis on his time in
>> Louisiana.
>> > Members of the general public are invited to purchase tickets for the
>> event
>> > beginning tomorrow for $10.00 plus taxes and fees at Eventbrite.
>> >
>> > This link is for the general public only.
>> >
>> > LOS members who have registered for the Winter Meeting DO NOT have to
>> also
>> > register at Eventbrite to hear Kaufman.
>> >
>> > There will be a book signing from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, followed by the
>> > presentation in the University Center Theater at 7:00 pm.
>> >
>> > https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975134021026?aff=oddtdtcreator >> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
Date: 11/22/25 7:50 am From: Paul Klerks via groups.io <paul.klerks...> Subject: Re: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed: Louisiana Edition”
On the other hand, Mac, allowing a wider audience to come to the talk is
likely to bring in new LOS members
Paul
On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 5:49 PM Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> I have to say that I am thoroughly repulsed by this. I have nothing
> against Kenn Kaufmann, but the LOS should not be involved in, dare I say,
> "pimping" for his books, to the extent of selling tickets to his
> presentation. I realize I may be a dinosaur, but this is simply disgusting.
> We have plenty of interesting and knowledgeable people who are willing to
> present to LOS meetings, and we should pay their costs at least, and if
> they have books, certainly they can mention/promote them. That is a far cry
> from this blatant commercialism.
>
> Mac, admitted cormudgeon
>
> <
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > >
> Virus-free.www.avast.com
> <
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > >
> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>
> On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> > Kenn Kaufman will speak at the Louisiana Ornithological Society Winter
> > Meeting on the evening of Saturday ,January 24, 2026, at the
> LSU-Shreveport
> > University Center Theater. Kenn will talk about his recent book, The
> Birds
> > that Audubon Missed, with a particular emphasis on his time in Louisiana.
> > Members of the general public are invited to purchase tickets for the
> event
> > beginning tomorrow for $10.00 plus taxes and fees at Eventbrite.
> >
> > This link is for the general public only.
> >
> > LOS members who have registered for the Winter Meeting DO NOT have to
> also
> > register at Eventbrite to hear Kaufman.
> >
> > There will be a book signing from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, followed by the
> > presentation in the University Center Theater at 7:00 pm.
> >
> > https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975134021026?aff=oddtdtcreator > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 11/21/25 4:17 pm From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: Re: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed: Louisiana Edition”
Mac:
The ticket proceeds are for the Cardiff/Dittmann Scholarship. Presenters
have brought their books to meetings before, albeit none were as prolific
as Kenn Kaufman. Should we penalize success?
Yours in curmudgeonhood,
Mark
On Fri, Nov 21, 2025, 5:49 PM Mac Myers <budogmacm...> wrote:
> I have to say that I am thoroughly repulsed by this. I have nothing
> against Kenn Kaufmann, but the LOS should not be involved in, dare I say,
> "pimping" for his books, to the extent of selling tickets to his
> presentation. I realize I may be a dinosaur, but this is simply disgusting.
> We have plenty of interesting and knowledgeable people who are willing to
> present to LOS meetings, and we should pay their costs at least, and if
> they have books, certainly they can mention/promote them. That is a far cry
> from this blatant commercialism.
>
> Mac, admitted cormudgeon
>
>
> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail> > Virus-free.www.avast.com
> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail> > <#m_-983140536099325502_m_-2264585848446385687_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>
> On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
>> Kenn Kaufman will speak at the Louisiana Ornithological Society Winter
>> Meeting on the evening of Saturday ,January 24, 2026, at the LSU-Shreveport
>> University Center Theater. Kenn will talk about his recent book, The Birds
>> that Audubon Missed, with a particular emphasis on his time in Louisiana.
>> Members of the general public are invited to purchase tickets for the event
>> beginning tomorrow for $10.00 plus taxes and fees at Eventbrite.
>>
>> This link is for the general public only.
>>
>> LOS members who have registered for the Winter Meeting DO NOT have to
>> also register at Eventbrite to hear Kaufman.
>>
>> There will be a book signing from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, followed by the
>> presentation in the University Center Theater at 7:00 pm.
>>
>> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975134021026?aff=oddtdtcreator >>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
Date: 11/21/25 3:49 pm From: Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm...> Subject: Re: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed: Louisiana Edition”
I have to say that I am thoroughly repulsed by this. I have nothing
against Kenn Kaufmann, but the LOS should not be involved in, dare I say,
"pimping" for his books, to the extent of selling tickets to his
presentation. I realize I may be a dinosaur, but this is simply disgusting.
We have plenty of interesting and knowledgeable people who are willing to
present to LOS meetings, and we should pay their costs at least, and if
they have books, certainly they can mention/promote them. That is a far cry
from this blatant commercialism.
On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Kenn Kaufman will speak at the Louisiana Ornithological Society Winter
> Meeting on the evening of Saturday ,January 24, 2026, at the LSU-Shreveport
> University Center Theater. Kenn will talk about his recent book, The Birds
> that Audubon Missed, with a particular emphasis on his time in Louisiana.
> Members of the general public are invited to purchase tickets for the event
> beginning tomorrow for $10.00 plus taxes and fees at Eventbrite.
>
> This link is for the general public only.
>
> LOS members who have registered for the Winter Meeting DO NOT have to also
> register at Eventbrite to hear Kaufman.
>
> There will be a book signing from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, followed by the
> presentation in the University Center Theater at 7:00 pm.
>
> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975134021026?aff=oddtdtcreator >
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 11/21/25 2:25 pm From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: [labird] Kenn Kaufman “The Birds that Audubon Missed: Louisiana Edition”
Kenn Kaufman will speak at the Louisiana Ornithological Society Winter Meeting on the evening of Saturday ,January 24, 2026, at the LSU-Shreveport University Center Theater. Kenn will talk about his recent book, The Birds that Audubon Missed, with a particular emphasis on his time in Louisiana. Members of the general public are invited to purchase tickets for the event beginning tomorrow for $10.00 plus taxes and fees at Eventbrite.
This link is for the general public only.
LOS members who have registered for the Winter Meeting DO NOT have to also register at Eventbrite to hear Kaufman.
There will be a book signing from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, followed by the presentation in the University Center Theater at 7:00 pm.
Date: 11/21/25 1:41 pm From: Evelyn Cooper via groups.io <emcooper34...> Subject: Re: [labird] Bluebird winter behavior
Bluebirds check their nestboxes in the fall just like they do in the
spring. Several times, I have found a mini-nest started in the fall. In
fact, some of my boxes I drive by year round and I see a pair sitting there
year round. Many years ago, I was involved in a study with the North
American Bluebird Society and had to check the boxes weekly and keep
records. Believe me, that is where I learned plenty about bluebirds.
Evelyn Cooper
Delhi, LA
On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 11:48 AM Michael Cavanaugh via groups.io
<michaelcav...> wrote:
> Friends, We've only had bluebirds in our yard a few years, but of course
> we love them. They have nested in the box we built for them for the last 3
> years.
> But this year they exhibit some behavior I am curious about. After
> fledging they disappeared for a month or so (probably they were feeding
> with other bluebirds we saw in a large mowed field nearby), but then they
> started coming back. It may be anthropologizing them, but it SEEMS they
> are checking on their nest-box. Anytime a large collection of birds
> appears (for example when our watering system is on), the bluebirds appear
> too, and drive off anyone who lands on their nest-box just as if it were
> nesting season. From my reading in ethology, I suspect this is an "innate
> releasing mechanism" that is an independent variable from actual nesting
> behavior. See rival on box = attack rival on box. But I'd love to have
> this suspicion challenged, and the real reason explained. Even if the real
> dynamic is my projection of what I'm seeing onto a template that can't be
> supported scientifically. Yours,
> Michael Cavanaugha mile and a half south of LSU
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 11/21/25 9:48 am From: Michael Cavanaugh via groups.io <michaelcav...> Subject: [labird] Bluebird winter behavior
Friends, We've only had bluebirds in our yard a few years, but of course we love them. They have nested in the box we built for them for the last 3 years.
But this year they exhibit some behavior I am curious about. After fledging they disappeared for a month or so (probably they were feeding with other bluebirds we saw in a large mowed field nearby), but then they started coming back. It may be anthropologizing them, but it SEEMS they are checking on their nest-box. Anytime a large collection of birds appears (for example when our watering system is on), the bluebirds appear too, and drive off anyone who lands on their nest-box just as if it were nesting season. From my reading in ethology, I suspect this is an "innate releasing mechanism" that is an independent variable from actual nesting behavior. See rival on box = attack rival on box. But I'd love to have this suspicion challenged, and the real reason explained. Even if the real dynamic is my projection of what I'm seeing onto a template that can't be supported scientifically. Yours,
Michael Cavanaugha mile and a half south of LSU
