Date: 7/17/26 5:34 pm From: Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: What is going on with the CBC Sightings and the eBird listings? Error messages the last three days
Thanks for working on this mess and getting it fixed. Even though this is a
slow time of the year for rarities in the Carolinas, the weekend is
coming up and more folks will brave the heat to try to find some truly
red-letter birds.
Harry LeGrand
On Fri, Jul 17, 2026 at 7:34 PM Derb Carter <dcarter...> wrote:
> I just asked AI how to correct the problem with the CBC sightings page and
> it said ask Kent Fiala.
>
>
>
> Derb Carter
>
>
>
> *From:* <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> *On
> Behalf Of *Kent Fiala
> *Sent:* Friday, July 17, 2026 7:27 PM
> *To:* Harry LeGrand <hlegrandjr...>; carolinabirds listserve <
> <carolinabirds...>
> *Subject:* Re: What is going on with the CBC Sightings and the eBird
> listings? Error messages the last three days
>
>
>
> The sightings page is working again. There are some other places that have
> the same problem and I'll track them down as I can.
>
> Kent Fiala
>
> On 7/17/2026 6:22 PM, Kent Fiala wrote:
>
> Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I've been uncharacteristically
> remiss about keeping software up to date, and we've reached a state where
> Cornell has switched to new software that won't talk to my old software.
> It's not an easy fix, but I'm on it.
>
> For the record, I would never have figured this out without AI. I'm a
> believer.
>
> Kent Fiala
>
> On 7/17/2026 4:29 PM, Harry LeGrand wrote:
>
> Many or most of us are probably seeing the error notice on Carolina Bird
> Club Sightings -- off and on - for a few days now - saying this:
>
> -----------
>
> Sorry, an error occurred while connecting to eBird: Peer's Certificate
> issuer is not recognized. (Error 60). eBird may be down.
>
> No reports
>
> -------------------------
>
> Sometimes JUST NC reports are blocked out, and sometimes SC are blocked;
> sometimes BOTH are blocked out, and sometimes both show! Sometimes it
> shows JUST on our iPhone, but more worrisome, they often show on our
> computers -- when *every other* CBC website link is fine and all other of
> my website links are fine. So, the error is not with my equipment. A friend
> posted the same thing to me this morning.
>
> I Googled "Peer's Certificate" and it is certainly there with a lot of
> detailed info about it. Over my head!
>
> Is this an eBird error? A Carolina Bird Club program error? Kent -- any
> ideas, and when this might be resolved? Often, things SEEM to be OK the
> next hour, but then the error message comes back.
>
> Harry LeGrand
>
> Raleigh
>
>
>
>
Date: 7/17/26 4:34 pm From: Derb Carter (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: RE: What is going on with the CBC Sightings and the eBird listings? Error messages the last three days
I just asked AI how to correct the problem with the CBC sightings page and it said ask Kent Fiala.
Derb Carter
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> On Behalf Of Kent Fiala
Sent: Friday, July 17, 2026 7:27 PM
To: Harry LeGrand <hlegrandjr...>; carolinabirds listserve <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Re: What is going on with the CBC Sightings and the eBird listings? Error messages the last three days
The sightings page is working again. There are some other places that have the same problem and I'll track them down as I can.
Kent Fiala
On 7/17/2026 6:22 PM, Kent Fiala wrote:
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I've been uncharacteristically remiss about keeping software up to date, and we've reached a state where Cornell has switched to new software that won't talk to my old software. It's not an easy fix, but I'm on it.
For the record, I would never have figured this out without AI. I'm a believer.
Kent Fiala
On 7/17/2026 4:29 PM, Harry LeGrand wrote:
Many or most of us are probably seeing the error notice on Carolina Bird Club Sightings -- off and on - for a few days now - saying this:
-----------
Sorry, an error occurred while connecting to eBird: Peer's Certificate issuer is not recognized. (Error 60). eBird may be down.
No reports
-------------------------
Sometimes JUST NC reports are blocked out, and sometimes SC are blocked; sometimes BOTH are blocked out, and sometimes both show! Sometimes it shows JUST on our iPhone, but more worrisome, they often show on our computers -- when every other CBC website link is fine and all other of my website links are fine. So, the error is not with my equipment. A friend posted the same thing to me this morning.
I Googled "Peer's Certificate" and it is certainly there with a lot of detailed info about it. Over my head!
Is this an eBird error? A Carolina Bird Club program error? Kent -- any ideas, and when this might be resolved? Often, things SEEM to be OK the next hour, but then the error message comes back.
Date: 7/17/26 4:27 pm From: Kent Fiala (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: What is going on with the CBC Sightings and the eBird listings? Error messages the last three days
The sightings page is working again. There are some other places that have the same problem and I'll track them down as I can.
Kent Fiala
On 7/17/2026 6:22 PM, Kent Fiala wrote: > > Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I've been > uncharacteristically remiss about keeping software up to date, and > we've reached a state where Cornell has switched to new software that > won't talk to my old software. It's not an easy fix, but I'm on it. > > For the record, I would never have figured this out without AI. I'm a > believer. > > Kent Fiala > On 7/17/2026 4:29 PM, Harry LeGrand wrote: >> Many or most of us are probably seeing the error notice on Carolina >> Bird Club Sightings -- off and on - for a few days now - saying this: >> ----------- >> >> Sorry, an error occurred while connecting to eBird: Peer's >> Certificate issuer is not recognized. (Error 60). eBird may be down. >> >> No reports >> >> ------------------------- >> >> Sometimes JUST NC reports are blocked out, and sometimes SC are >> blocked; sometimes BOTH are blocked out, and sometimes both show! >> Sometimes it shows JUST on our iPhone, but more worrisome, they often >> show on our computers -- when _every other_ CBC website link is fine >> and all other of my website links are fine. So, the error is not with >> my equipment. A friend posted the same thing to me this morning. >> >> I Googled "Peer's Certificate" and it is certainly there with a lot >> of detailed info about it. Over my head! >> >> Is this an eBird error? A Carolina Bird Club program error? Kent -- >> any ideas, and when this might be resolved? Often, things SEEM to >> be OK the next hour, but then the error message comes back. >> >> Harry LeGrand >> >> Raleigh >> >>
Date: 7/17/26 3:23 pm From: Kent Fiala (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: What is going on with the CBC Sightings and the eBird listings? Error messages the last three days
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I've been uncharacteristically remiss about keeping software up to date, and we've reached a state where Cornell has switched to new software that won't talk to my old software. It's not an easy fix, but I'm on it.
For the record, I would never have figured this out without AI. I'm a believer.
Kent Fiala
On 7/17/2026 4:29 PM, Harry LeGrand wrote: > Many or most of us are probably seeing the error notice on Carolina > Bird Club Sightings -- off and on - for a few days now - saying this: > ----------- > > Sorry, an error occurred while connecting to eBird: Peer's Certificate > issuer is not recognized. (Error 60). eBird may be down. > > No reports > > ------------------------- > > Sometimes JUST NC reports are blocked out, and sometimes SC are > blocked; sometimes BOTH are blocked out, and sometimes both show! > Sometimes it shows JUST on our iPhone, but more worrisome, they often > show on our computers -- when _every other_ CBC website link is fine > and all other of my website links are fine. So, the error is not with > my equipment. A friend posted the same thing to me this morning. > > I Googled "Peer's Certificate" and it is certainly there with a lot of > detailed info about it. Over my head! > > Is this an eBird error? A Carolina Bird Club program error? Kent -- > any ideas, and when this might be resolved? Often, things SEEM to be > OK the next hour, but then the error message comes back. > > Harry LeGrand > > Raleigh > >
Date: 7/17/26 1:30 pm From: Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: What is going on with the CBC Sightings and the eBird listings? Error messages the last three days
Many or most of us are probably seeing the error notice on Carolina Bird Club Sightings -- off and on - for a few days now - saying this: -----------
Sorry, an error occurred while connecting to eBird: Peer's Certificate issuer is not recognized. (Error 60). eBird may be down.
No reports
-------------------------
Sometimes JUST NC reports are blocked out, and sometimes SC are blocked; sometimes BOTH are blocked out, and sometimes both show! Sometimes it shows JUST on our iPhone, but more worrisome, they often show on our computers -- when *every other* CBC website link is fine and all other of my website links are fine. So, the error is not with my equipment. A friend posted the same thing to me this morning.
I Googled "Peer's Certificate" and it is certainly there with a lot of detailed info about it. Over my head!
Is this an eBird error? A Carolina Bird Club program error? Kent -- any ideas, and when this might be resolved? Often, things SEEM to be OK the next hour, but then the error message comes back.
Date: 7/15/26 8:54 am From: Peter Vankevich (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Birds on Ocracoke
Karen Rhodes and Matt Janson have made significant contributions to our
knowledge of the birds on Ocracoke over the past couple of years. They have
written a 160-page coffee table book. More than 300 photos of the island’s
birds taken by Karen. Matt has written a lively and informative narrative.
Date: 7/14/26 7:58 am From: JOHN ECKSTINE (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Profusion of R-T Hummingbirds
In Hanahan, we see the hummers all summer long. We see them less frequently when momma is tending to her offspring, keeping them safe. Just our observation and opinion. Waiting to see the offspring together briefly when they see saw each other at a feeder. We tend to think they will have a second brood. Thanks Frank for your observations. I never thought about migration south starting already traveling through here!
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
On Monday, July 13, 2026, 9:48 PM, Katie Slawitschek (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> wrote:
I had a feeder out for April and May and only saw 3 visits. Took my feeder in for a few weeks end of June and just put some back up yesterday. I have one juvenile who has claimed one feeder and have seen one male and another, most likely a female, being chased around so put up another feeder.
GetOutlook for iOSFrom: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Frank Hamilton <carolinabirds...>
Sent: Monday, 13 July 2026 14:43:27
To: Carolinabirds <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Profusion of R-T Hummingbirds During the northern migration I see hummers at my feeders for a few weeks then they disappear. Normally, the last ones in my suburban area are seen in May. I usually take the feeders down until late July when the first of the southbound migrants appear. This year I had to keep my feeders out because I am seeing them in late June and now in July. Today, I saw three hummers approach the feeder outside my kitchen window simultaneously. They were then chased off by a fourth bird. Has anyone seen any unusual number of birds so far this summer?
Frank HamiltonCharleston, SC(West Ashely)
I had a feeder out for April and May and only saw 3 visits. Took my feeder in for a few weeks end of June and just put some back up yesterday. I have one juvenile who has claimed one feeder and have seen one male and another, most likely a female, being chased around so put up another feeder.
Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Frank Hamilton <carolinabirds...>
Sent: Monday, 13 July 2026 14:43:27
To: Carolinabirds <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Profusion of R-T Hummingbirds
During the northern migration I see hummers at my feeders for a few weeks then they disappear. Normally, the last ones in my suburban area are seen in May. I usually take the feeders down until late July when the first of the southbound migrants appear. This year I had to keep my feeders out because I am seeing them in late June and now in July. Today, I saw three hummers approach the feeder outside my kitchen window simultaneously. They were then chased off by a fourth bird. Has anyone seen any unusual number of birds so far this summer?
Date: 7/13/26 11:48 am From: \Herbert, Teri Lynn\ (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: hummingbird feeders
My hummer feeders are being destroyed by squirrels – they are pulling the little flowers off and (I think, haha) bathing in the sugar water. They have chewed off the yellow plastic flowers on the bigger feeders and somehow taken them away – I can’t find them anywhere near the feeders! HOW can I prevent this damage? All suggestions welcomed! Thanks. Teri Lynn, Charleston SC
Date: 7/13/26 11:43 am From: Frank Hamilton (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Profusion of R-T Hummingbirds
During the northern migration I see hummers at my feeders for a few weeks then they disappear. Normally, the last ones in my suburban area are seen in May. I usually take the feeders down until late July when the first of the southbound migrants appear. This year I had to keep my feeders out because I am seeing them in late June and now in July. Today, I saw three hummers approach the feeder outside my kitchen window simultaneously. They were then chased off by a fourth bird. Has anyone seen any unusual number of birds so far this summer?
Frank HamiltonCharleston, SC(West Ashely)
Date: 7/13/26 8:28 am From: ncsealord (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Do you Know a Conservation Hero?
Cox (yes, that same company that recently partnered to conserve a significant parcel of wetlands and upland habitat in the ACE Basin area of South Carolina) is casting a net for conservation "heroes" and offering grants of up to $30,000 to further those efforts.
"Cox Conserves Heroes recognized those who are protecting land, water and natural habitats in their communities."
Nomination categories include adults, youth, and organizations.
Note that I have no affiliation with Cox Enterprises, I am simply forwarding this information in case we have opportunities to direct some of the available funds to Carolina-based conservation efforts.
Date: 7/10/26 2:26 pm From: Rob G (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: a dark day for endangered birds and animals
60 years ago when I was a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed teenager, and the world was my oyster, my grandfather would read the newspaper each day and proclaim "the world is going to hell in a handbasket!"... and I would think to myself I will NEVER become the negative, cynical person he'd turned into with age. I was wrong! My country and the world look to be such sad, sorry places for the foreseeable term, and it's almost baffling how we ever let it get to this point :((Good luck on the legal challenges....
-- Rob Gluck.... Carrboro, NC....
On Friday, July 10, 2026 at 03:43:40 PM EDT, Derb Carter (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> wrote:
Since its enactment 53 years ago, the Endangered Species Act has protected the habitat of endangered birds and other animals from destruction that would harm the animals dependent on that habitat for survival. Protection of habitat for endangered animals is based on both the science that these species need the habitat to survive and avoid extinction, and that congress enacted the law not only to prevent extinction but also restore the ecosystems species need to recover. Protection of habitat under the Act has undoubtedly prevented the extinction of numerous species and enabled an increasing number to recover from the risk of extinction. Habitat loss is the primary factor for listing 76 of the 79 bird species currently endangered or threatened in the US.
Protections of essential habitat for endangered animals have stood for over fifty years under Republican and Democratic Presidents and Republican and Democratic Congresses. Thirty years ago, the US Supreme Court upheld the longstanding rules of the Fish and Wildlife Service protecting the habitat of endangered animals under the Endangered Species Act. But today, the lawless Trump Administration announced the repeal the rule providing protection to habitat for endangered animals. and that it will beginning next week no longer protect the habitat these species need to survive. It is a very dark day for endangered birds and animals. There will be legal challenges. Of the many – and there are many – horrendous things the Trump Administration has done to destroy our environment and natural resources this has to be one of the worst.
Date: 7/10/26 2:17 pm From: Derb Carter (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: RE: a dark day for endangered birds and animals
The repeal of habitat protection for endangered birds and animals was proposed for public comment over a year ago. There were over 220,000 comments with over 90% opposed. But the oil industry supports it and that is all that really matters to the Trump Administration if you read their announcement today. Endangered species habitat is no longer protected because “it burdens business.” The most laughable statement in the release is from the Fish and Wildlife Service Director who says the “Trump administration is committed to protecting wildlife using gold standard science.”
Yes, there will be immediate legal challenges.
Derb Carter
From: sheryl mcnair <sammcnair...>
Sent: Friday, July 10, 2026 4:42 PM
To: Harry LeGrand <hlegrandjr...>
Cc: Derb Carter <dcarter...>; <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Re: a dark day for endangered birds and animals
Does anyone know if Sierra Club or someone like that is appealing this change?
Warmly,
Sheryl
On Jul 10, 2026, at 4:03 PM, Harry LeGrand <carolinabirds...><mailto:<carolinabirds...>> wrote:
Just so that folks have something more official to read, here is the official commentary from the Center for Biological Diversity, dated today, July 10:
On Fri, Jul 10, 2026 at 3:43 PM Derb Carter <carolinabirds...><mailto:<carolinabirds...>> wrote:
Since its enactment 53 years ago, the Endangered Species Act has protected the habitat of endangered birds and other animals from destruction that would harm the animals dependent on that habitat for survival. Protection of habitat for endangered animals is based on both the science that these species need the habitat to survive and avoid extinction, and that congress enacted the law not only to prevent extinction but also restore the ecosystems species need to recover. Protection of habitat under the Act has undoubtedly prevented the extinction of numerous species and enabled an increasing number to recover from the risk of extinction. Habitat loss is the primary factor for listing 76 of the 79 bird species currently endangered or threatened in the US.
Protections of essential habitat for endangered animals have stood for over fifty years under Republican and Democratic Presidents and Republican and Democratic Congresses. Thirty years ago, the US Supreme Court upheld the longstanding rules of the Fish and Wildlife Service protecting the habitat of endangered animals under the Endangered Species Act. But today, the lawless Trump Administration announced the repeal the rule providing protection to habitat for endangered animals. and that it will beginning next week no longer protect the habitat these species need to survive. It is a very dark day for endangered birds and animals. There will be legal challenges. Of the many – and there are many – horrendous things the Trump Administration has done to destroy our environment and natural resources this has to be one of the worst.
Date: 7/10/26 1:03 pm From: Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: a dark day for endangered birds and animals
Just so that folks have something more official to read, here is the
official commentary from the Center for Biological Diversity, dated today,
July 10:
On Fri, Jul 10, 2026 at 3:43 PM Derb Carter <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> Since its enactment 53 years ago, the Endangered Species Act has protected
> the habitat of endangered birds and other animals from destruction that
> would harm the animals dependent on that habitat for survival. Protection
> of habitat for endangered animals is based on both the science that these
> species need the habitat to survive and avoid extinction, and that congress
> enacted the law not only to prevent extinction but also restore the
> ecosystems species need to recover. Protection of habitat under the Act has
> undoubtedly prevented the extinction of numerous species and enabled an
> increasing number to recover from the risk of extinction. Habitat loss is
> the primary factor for listing 76 of the 79 bird species currently
> endangered or threatened in the US.
>
>
>
> Protections of essential habitat for endangered animals have stood for
> over fifty years under Republican and Democratic Presidents and Republican
> and Democratic Congresses. Thirty years ago, the US Supreme Court upheld
> the longstanding rules of the Fish and Wildlife Service protecting the
> habitat of endangered animals under the Endangered Species Act. But today,
> the lawless Trump Administration announced the repeal the rule providing
> protection to habitat for endangered animals. and that it will beginning
> next week no longer protect the habitat these species need to survive. It
> is a very dark day for endangered birds and animals. There will be legal
> challenges. Of the many – and there are many – horrendous things the Trump
> Administration has done to destroy our environment and natural resources
> this has to be one of the worst.
>
>
>
> Derb Carter
>
>
>
Date: 7/10/26 12:43 pm From: Derb Carter (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: a dark day for endangered birds and animals
Since its enactment 53 years ago, the Endangered Species Act has protected the habitat of endangered birds and other animals from destruction that would harm the animals dependent on that habitat for survival. Protection of habitat for endangered animals is based on both the science that these species need the habitat to survive and avoid extinction, and that congress enacted the law not only to prevent extinction but also restore the ecosystems species need to recover. Protection of habitat under the Act has undoubtedly prevented the extinction of numerous species and enabled an increasing number to recover from the risk of extinction. Habitat loss is the primary factor for listing 76 of the 79 bird species currently endangered or threatened in the US.
Protections of essential habitat for endangered animals have stood for over fifty years under Republican and Democratic Presidents and Republican and Democratic Congresses. Thirty years ago, the US Supreme Court upheld the longstanding rules of the Fish and Wildlife Service protecting the habitat of endangered animals under the Endangered Species Act. But today, the lawless Trump Administration announced the repeal the rule providing protection to habitat for endangered animals. and that it will beginning next week no longer protect the habitat these species need to survive. It is a very dark day for endangered birds and animals. There will be legal challenges. Of the many - and there are many - horrendous things the Trump Administration has done to destroy our environment and natural resources this has to be one of the worst.
Date: 7/7/26 9:52 am From: Patricia Tice (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: no plastic feeders
I second that! They have paid for themselves with money saved from
squirrel damage and appetites!
Patty Tice
Raleigh
On Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 10:13 AM James Hancock <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> After using many different squirrel proof feeders that didn’t work, I
> started using the squirrel buster models from Brome.
> I ordered online. They’re almost entirely metal with a few plastic parts
> inside the shroud. I’ve used Brome feeders exclusively for 4 years now, and
> the feeders are still in great shape.
> I have 6 of them—sunflower/thistle, and peanut
> I’ve never had a squirrel get satisfaction from one of these feeders, and
> it’s hilarious watching them try.
> Brome often has sales on their website.
> Skip Hancock
> Coinjock NC
>
Date: 7/7/26 8:08 am From: \<hilton...>\ (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Hilton Pond North (16 Jun 2026) Bears? Yes, We Have Bears. Lots!
Thanks to trail cams and personal observations we concluded “This Week at Hilton Pond North” we’re hosting at least EIGHT American Black Bears on our 35-acre property! These big furry mammals are out and about day and night, as described in our latest photo essay #41 at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260616.html . We include information about our first fledgling hummingbird of the season (right on time!) and a Worm-eating Warbler, plus our usual bird banding tallies. After reading, check out our podcast, too.
Date: 7/7/26 7:12 am From: James Hancock (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: no plastic feeders
After using many different squirrel proof feeders that didn’t work, I started using the squirrel buster models from Brome.
I ordered online. They’re almost entirely metal with a few plastic parts inside the shroud. I’ve used Brome feeders exclusively for 4 years now, and the feeders are still in great shape.
I have 6 of them—sunflower/thistle, and peanut
I’ve never had a squirrel get satisfaction from one of these feeders, and it’s hilarious watching them try.
Brome often has sales on their website.
Skip Hancock
Coinjock NC
Date: 7/6/26 9:27 am From: Sophia Cox (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Tube Feeder with NO wood, plastic, or aluminum?
While it does use plastic, I am in love with the Squirrel Busters tube
feeders (both the large and small model). After years of watching squirrels
infiltrate and/or destroy nearly every other feeder I ever tried, we've now
been using this brand for years and in all that time the squirrels have
never once destroyed any of the parts or accessed the seed. Also, I'm
pretty sure the brand has a lifetime warranty: I called them once after our
smaller feeder became crooked, causing seed to get stuck such that the
birds couldn't access it from the ports, and they sent a replacement, no
questions asked.
On Mon, Jul 6, 2026 at 12:16 PM <badgerboy...> wrote:
> Having trouble getting information on actual materials used in the
> construction of bird feeders. None of the websites seem to include any
> detailed descriptions of the materials. What I really want is a tube
> feeder made ONLY of stainless steel and/or glass. In other words ZERO
> plastic, polycarbonate, mesh, wood, aluminum, etc. Also NO springs or
> other gismos that always break quickly. Because the squirrels and
> weather destroy plastic, wood, and aluminum pretty quick. I don't want
> to keep the squirrels off it, just prevent them from destroying it.
> Being in Boone, NC, there are no bird stores nearby that have models to
> examine in stock.
>
> Does anyone have firsthand knowledge of such a feeder? All info
> appreciated.
>
> Guy (McGrane, Boone NC)
>
>
Date: 7/6/26 9:16 am From: <badgerboy...> Subject: Tube Feeder with NO wood, plastic, or aluminum?
Having trouble getting information on actual materials used in the construction of bird feeders. None of the websites seem to include any detailed descriptions of the materials. What I really want is a tube feeder made ONLY of stainless steel and/or glass. In other words ZERO plastic, polycarbonate, mesh, wood, aluminum, etc. Also NO springs or other gismos that always break quickly. Because the squirrels and weather destroy plastic, wood, and aluminum pretty quick. I don't want to keep the squirrels off it, just prevent them from destroying it. Being in Boone, NC, there are no bird stores nearby that have models to examine in stock.
Does anyone have firsthand knowledge of such a feeder? All info appreciated.
Date: 6/30/26 7:06 pm From: Anita Huffman (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Hilton Pond north (6 May 2026) A Quintet of Warblers—Plus a Hummingbird Flower
net
On Mon, 25 May, 2026 at 7:43 AM, "<hilton...>" <carolinabirds...> wrote:
To: 00—carolinabirds
For a birder (or bird bander) hardly anything is more enjoyable than spotting the first warblers of a new spring season. “This Week At Hilton Pond North” we showcase five of these colorful creatures (an unusual Blue-winged Warbler shown here), plus a couple of other migrants. There’s an account of a much-overlooked native hummingbird flower you might plant, with our usual lists of all birds banded or recaptured during the period. To view photo essay #38, just click on https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260506.html.
(After reading, please check out our latest podcast.)
Dr. BILL HILTON JR.
"Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project”
℅ Hilton Pond North: Blue Ridge Birds & Nature
2918 Silas Creek Road
Lansing NC 28643
(803)684-5852
The mission of Hilton Pond North is "to conserve plants, animals, habitats, and other natural components of the Blue Ridge Region of the eastern United States through observation, scientific study, and education for students of all ages.
"Never trust a person too lazy to get up for sunrise or too busy to watch the sunset." BHjr.
Date: 6/26/26 9:43 am From: \<hilton...>\ (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Hilton Pond North (1-15 Jun 2026) Eastern Box Turtle: Mayapple's Designated Driver 🐦
Mayapple is a favorite native wildflower across the eastern U.S.; parts are highly toxic but its seeds are disseminated by box turtles. “This Week At Hilton Pond North” (Lansing NC) we discuss this complex relationship and talk about birds we’ve recently banded or recaptured, including Eastern Wood-Pewees and Gray Catbirds and returns of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
Dr. BILL HILTON JR.
"Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project”
℅ Hilton Pond North: Blue Ridge Birds & Nature
2918 Silas Creek Road
Lansing NC 28643
(803)684-5852
The mission of Hilton Pond North is "to conserve plants, animals, habitats, and other natural components of the Blue Ridge Region of the eastern United States through observation, scientific study, and education for students of all ages.
"Never trust a person too lazy to get up for sunrise or too busy to watch the sunset." BHjr.
Date: 6/24/26 12:07 pm From: Kent Fiala (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Merlin being giant data hog, but "data and documents" files not accessible - advice?
It used to be that Merlin automatically saved every recording. People who didn't realize that thus ended up with massive amounts of recording data on their phone. And if Merlin ever lost track of those files for some reason, then you'd have a situation like Betsy had. Several months ago a change was made so that now Merlin NEVER saves a recording unless you specifically tap the "Save" button after you stop the recording. This has caused some people to lose recordings that they expected to keep, until they caught onto the "Press save" thing, but at least you don't unwittingly have such a buildup of recordings.
The above is definitely true for Android. It seems like I've heard contradictory statements about whether iPhone is the same.
Kent Fiala
On 6/24/2026 1:14 PM, Betsy Kane (via carolinabirds Mailing List) wrote: > Thanks to everyone who responded to my question. If anyone is > wondering, I uninstalled Merlin and re-installed it. That freed up a > massive amount of storage. It was the consensus response too. > > One of the many helpful people who responded wrote "Deleting packs and > old recordings should clear them entirely but I think there’s a bug > where sometimes it only removes it from the user interface but doesn’t > clear the data from the app itself, so a hard restart is needed." > That seems like it happened with my app. It's been years since I've > been able to retrieve a recording once made. I can only replay them if > I am still actively using the session when the recording was made (or > if I think to save them as an audio file outside of Merlin which can > be done but which I rarely do). After that, they become unavailable > and don't load when I go to My Sound Recordings. Apparently they may > have been still in there, just unseen, and there must have been > hundreds, all using storage. > > Anyway, issue resolved - Happy birding > Betsy Kane > Washington, N.C. > > On Mon, Jun 22, 2026 at 10:09 PM Betsy Kane <oldurbanist...> wrote: > > Merlin is soaking up 200G of storage on my phone, of which most is > "data and documents". Only a very small fraction is the app > itself, per my phone's memory usage data. > > I go into Merlin to see my data and documents. Click on Sound > Recordings -- nothing comes up. (This isn't new -- I haven't been > able to access any sound recordings in Merlin in years) > > I would like to delete my "data and documents" for Merlin since I > can't access them anyway and really need the 200G of storage for > other things, like the operating system. > > This is on an iPhone. > > (I don't think it's a bunch of bird packs because I have already > offloaded the ones I'm not using. Only the Southeast pack shows > anyway) > > Appreciate any advice on how to shed 200 Gigs. > > Betsy Kane > Washington, N.C. >
Date: 6/24/26 10:14 am From: Betsy Kane (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Merlin being giant data hog, but "data and documents" files not accessible - advice?
Thanks to everyone who responded to my question. If anyone is wondering, I
uninstalled Merlin and re-installed it. That freed up a massive amount of
storage. It was the consensus response too.
One of the many helpful people who responded wrote "Deleting packs and old
recordings should clear them entirely but I think there’s a bug where
sometimes it only removes it from the user interface but doesn’t clear the
data from the app itself, so a hard restart is needed."
That seems like it happened with my app. It's been years since I've been
able to retrieve a recording once made. I can only replay them if I am
still actively using the session when the recording was made (or if I think
to save them as an audio file outside of Merlin which can be done but which
I rarely do). After that, they become unavailable and don't load when I go
to My Sound Recordings. Apparently they may have been still in there,
just unseen, and there must have been hundreds, all using storage.
Anyway, issue resolved - Happy birding
Betsy Kane
Washington, N.C.
On Mon, Jun 22, 2026 at 10:09 PM Betsy Kane <oldurbanist...> wrote:
> Merlin is soaking up 200G of storage on my phone, of which most is "data
> and documents". Only a very small fraction is the app itself, per my
> phone's memory usage data.
>
> I go into Merlin to see my data and documents. Click on Sound Recordings
> -- nothing comes up. (This isn't new -- I haven't been able to access any
> sound recordings in Merlin in years)
>
> I would like to delete my "data and documents" for Merlin since I can't
> access them anyway and really need the 200G of storage for other things,
> like the operating system.
>
> This is on an iPhone.
>
> (I don't think it's a bunch of bird packs because I have already offloaded
> the ones I'm not using. Only the Southeast pack shows anyway)
>
> Appreciate any advice on how to shed 200 Gigs.
>
> Betsy Kane
> Washington, N.C.
>
Date: 6/23/26 6:19 pm From: Steve Patterson (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Merlin being giant data hog, but "data and documents" files not accessible - advice?
Betsy, my Merlin app doesn't a lot of storage, but a few days ago it suddenly changed from English to Russian (or some Cyrillic language. Unable to find a way to to fix it, I had to uninstall the app and reobtain it.
Steve PattersonHilton Head Island, SC
On Monday, June 22, 2026 at 10:09:24 PM EDT, Betsy Kane (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> wrote:
Merlin is soaking up 200G of storage on my phone, of which most is "data and documents". Only a very small fraction is the app itself, per my phone's memory usage data.
I go into Merlin to see my data and documents. Click on Sound Recordings -- nothing comes up. (This isn't new -- I haven't been able to access any sound recordings in Merlin in years)
I would like to delete my "data and documents" for Merlin since I can't access them anyway and really need the 200G of storage for other things, like the operating system.
This is on an iPhone.
(I don't think it's a bunch of bird packs because I have already offloaded the ones I'm not using. Only the Southeast pack shows anyway)
Appreciate any advice on how to shed 200 Gigs.
Betsy KaneWashington, N.C.
Date: 6/23/26 3:33 am From: Robert McLean (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Merlin being giant data hog, but "data and documents" files not accessible - advice?
Hi Betsy,
Just a possible suggestion:
Remove the app altogether. If given the option click YES to remove all data. It is probably corrupt. Install it again. (I would wait a couple of days before installing although that’s probably not necessary)
Good birding!
Taylor McLean
Baltimore, MD
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jun 22, 2026, at 10:09 PM, Betsy Kane <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
>
> Merlin is soaking up 200G of storage on my phone, of which most is "data and documents". Only a very small fraction is the app itself, per my phone's memory usage data.
>
> I go into Merlin to see my data and documents. Click on Sound Recordings -- nothing comes up. (This isn't new -- I haven't been able to access any sound recordings in Merlin in years)
>
> I would like to delete my "data and documents" for Merlin since I can't access them anyway and really need the 200G of storage for other things, like the operating system.
>
> This is on an iPhone.
>
> (I don't think it's a bunch of bird packs because I have already offloaded the ones I'm not using. Only the Southeast pack shows anyway)
>
> Appreciate any advice on how to shed 200 Gigs.
>
> Betsy Kane
> Washington, N.C.
Date: 6/22/26 7:09 pm From: Betsy Kane (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Merlin being giant data hog, but "data and documents" files not accessible - advice?
Merlin is soaking up 200G of storage on my phone, of which most is "data and documents". Only a very small fraction is the app itself, per my phone's memory usage data.
I go into Merlin to see my data and documents. Click on Sound Recordings -- nothing comes up. (This isn't new -- I haven't been able to access any sound recordings in Merlin in years)
I would like to delete my "data and documents" for Merlin since I can't access them anyway and really need the 200G of storage for other things, like the operating system.
This is on an iPhone.
(I don't think it's a bunch of bird packs because I have already offloaded the ones I'm not using. Only the Southeast pack shows anyway)
