Date: 3/18/26 8:20 am From: Tim Lewis (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Scope search
Carolina Birders,
I'm interesting in acquiring a scope - used, if that works out. Premium scopes are out of range but something closer to "better" would work.
Also, is there a significant difference in the older scope with the small focus knobs and the newer ones with focus on the barrel? Is it just cheaper to produce or is the small knob just more vulnerable to damage?
Since there are thousands on this list please send PM off list. The CBC meeting is coming up soon so maybe we can meet there. In any case, I can be patient.
Date: 3/18/26 7:46 am From: \<hilton...>\ (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Hilton Ppnd North (03/01/26)
Despite the calendar, “This Week at Hilton Pond North” on warm early March days we found insects out and about, from bees to beetles to butterflies. The pond finally thawed enough for Wood Frogs to lay eggs that fast-hatched into millions of tadpoles. American Goldfinches continued to mob our feeders, and we highlight a locally scarce Field Sparrow and share some Downy Woodpecker secrets. All this and banding results are part of photo essay #33 at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260301.html P.S. At the end there's also a link to our new 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.
When I had an Oriole in my yard I put out an Oriole sugar water feeder, he really liked the no melt Orange suet from Pine Tree Farms and mealworms.
Grape jelly never was touched, though a chickadee got it’s feet stuck when the temp was just right, Helped free it.
and no more grape jelly…
Shelley
Chatham County, NC
> On Mar 12, 2026, at 10:39 AM, Inge Parker (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
> My Orioles love mealworms, live and dried and grape jelly. they do like shelled peanuts when it's colder - also grapes. They don't seem to be interested in oranges at all!
> Inge Parker
> New Bern
>
> On Thu, Mar 12, 2026 at 8:29 AM Susan Campbell <susan...> <mailto:<susan...>> wrote:
>> Betsy and All,
>>
>> I use lard in my suet “recipe.” It works very well. Do not generate much beef fat here.
>>
>> I used to be able to get actual suet (beef fat found around kidneys)from pur local Winn Dixie meat counter. I never rendered it but cut it into small pieces and set it out during cold weather. However, that was years ago.
>>
>> Susan Campbell
>> Apex, NC
>>
>> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> >> From: Betsy Kane <oldurbanist...> <mailto:<oldurbanist...>> >> Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 9:38:15 PM
>> To: Ann Brice <ann.brice...> <mailto:<ann.brice...>> >> Cc: Susan Campbell <susan...> <mailto:<susan...>>; Herbert, Teri Lynn <herbertl...> <mailto:<herbertl...>>; Carolinabirds <carolinabirds...> <mailto:<carolinabirds...>> >> Subject: Re: bees on Oriole Jelly feeder
>>
>> Orioles will eat raw shelled peanuts. A lot of birds that like suet or insects will eat raw shelled peanuts. Fatty and nutritious.
>>
>> I like the recipe that Ann offers from her neighbor, although I'd change out bacon grease and use beef suet. When I have made "suet cakes" with bacon grease, they are fatty, messy, and greasy - a nasty mess. Beef fat (like from frying hamburger) much neater to work with.
>>
>> I think, too, we are advised not to use Crisco to feed birds, as it is full of artificially weirded stuff like hydrogenated oils that birds may not be adapted to eat.
>>
>> Suet is a natural food that many birds would eat in the wild (finding animal fat on carcasses in winter, for example) but today it too is "weirded" - since cows are fed some very odd things in feedlots, and as a result the chemical composition of animal fat from industrial livestock operations is quite altered from what human and avian bodies are adapted to.
>>
>> And if you just aren't fond of what industrial animal production does to the animals or the environment, a decent substitute is good old peanuts (also produced at industrial scale with industrial processes, but still far less impactful than any kind of animal agriculture).
>>
>> Betsy Kane
>> Washington, NC
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 11, 2026 at 4:36 PM Ann Brice <carolinabirds...> <mailto:<carolinabirds...>> wrote:
>> My neighbor in Wilson, NC, Fred Hite, has successfully used this suet recipe to feed orioles for years (and his mother before him.) Maybe this would work for you. I don't think the bees would swarm this. (I haven't used the recipe because I have cats in my yard, but he has had as many as 22 orioles in his yard.)
>>
>> Baltimore Oriole Suet
>> 2 cups sugar
>> 2 cups water
>> 1 cup Crisco or bacon grease
>> 1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
>> corn meal (Tender Bake self-rising yellow)
>>
>> Combine sugar, water, grease and peanut butter and bring to a boil. Add corn meal until you get a semi-solid mixture. Fill holes in feeder.
>>
>> He has feeders that he has made from a 2"x2" x 8" block of wood that he drills holes in about 1" in diameter. He inserts pegs for perches under the holes.
>>
>> On Tue, Mar 10, 2026 at 8:29 PM Susan Campbell <susan...> <mailto:<susan...>> wrote:
>> Teri and All,
>>
>> Nope. There is no way to dissuade the bees given the open feeding scenario. And yes— bees are sure hungry right now! Cold weather will pull them back into their hives next week for sure.
>>
>> Do you have a sugar water feeder for the orioles? Maybe just use that for now…..
>>
>> Susan Campbell
>> Apex, NC
>>
>> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> >> From: <carolinabirds-request...> <mailto:<carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> <mailto:<carolinabirds-request...>> on behalf of "Herbert, Teri Lynn" <carolinabirds...> <mailto:<carolinabirds...>> >> Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 7:55:41 PM
>> To: carolinabirds listserve <carolinabirds...> <mailto:<carolinabirds...>> >> Subject: bees on Oriole Jelly feeder
>>
>> Does anyone have any way to discourage bees on the jelly feeders? The orioles won’t come near it with all the bees on it. I know, the bees don’t have any flowers right now, so they need it, but neighbor is worried about the orioles not having a chance at the jelly. Thanks for any ideas! Teri Lynn
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Ann Brice
>>
>> First Wilson Properties, Real Estate Broker, GRI http://www.firstwilsonproperties.com/ <http://www.firstwilsonproperties.com/> >>
>> <ann.brice...> <mailto:<ann.brice...> >> cell: 252 373-0326
>> office: 252 237-9900
>> fax: 252 243-9600
>>
>>
Date: 3/13/26 9:11 am From: Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Reminder: A call for Winter Reports for the Briefs for the Files
Fellow birders,
Now that the Winter Season is over (December - February), as *The Chat'*s Briefs for the Files editor, I would like to hear from *any of you who have not posted important records for the season already on eBird. * The great majority of the Briefs over the past decade have come from the editor perusing the eBird database, species by species, and picking out the most signficant reports. This is tedious (looking at over 400 Species Maps!), but I need to wait for a few more days to start so that any and all rarity sightings (as seen on the Carolina Bird Club Sightings page) have hopefully been approved as valid. But, *a few of you might have some important records that were not on eBird, so please let me know what notable birds you saw*.
We had a VERY cold winter -- a record cold season of three months for some places -- with many snow and ice events. Thus, we had a much better influx of waterfowl onto inland lakes this season, as bodies of water farther northward froze over. And the very cold condition did provide some exciting seabirds along and off the coast, especially later in January and in February. So, you might want to comment on such winter trends of waterbirds and other species.
What I also want to hear from folks is their observations, or more likely their LACK of observations/records, of "winter finches". It was a very disappointing winter for semi-recurring winter finches -- Pine Siskins, Evening Grosbeaks, and Red Crossbills (away from the mountains), as well as Red-breasted Nuthatches. [We did have a fairly good flight into the Carolinas for Purple Finches.]. Note that I did not see or even hear any of these four species in NC this winter, and few folks that I know did either, at least in the Triangle area of NC.
I'd like to hear from folks by* March 25*, if possible. Again, *almost all of you submit eBird reports, so those data are already available to me on the website, and thus a big "Thank You" for posting results.*
Harry LeGrand, Brief for the Files editor (for *The Chat*) Raleigh
PS -- One person has already reported to me a species that was squelched (for secrecy purposes) by the eBird program, so that exciting report will appear in The Chat Briefs (Spring 2026 issue).
Date: 3/12/26 7:42 am From: Inge Parker (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: bees on Oriole Jelly feeder
My Orioles love mealworms, live and dried and grape jelly. they do like
shelled peanuts when it's colder - also grapes. They don't seem to be
interested in oranges at all!
Inge Parker
New Bern
On Thu, Mar 12, 2026 at 8:29 AM Susan Campbell <susan...> wrote:
> Betsy and All,
>
> I use lard in my suet “recipe.” It works very well. Do not generate much
> beef fat here.
>
> I used to be able to get actual suet (beef fat found around kidneys)from
> pur local Winn Dixie meat counter. I never rendered it but cut it into
> small pieces and set it out during cold weather. However, that was years
> ago.
>
> Susan Campbell
> Apex, NC
>
> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> > ------------------------------
> *From:* Betsy Kane <oldurbanist...>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, March 11, 2026 9:38:15 PM
> *To:* Ann Brice <ann.brice...>
> *Cc:* Susan Campbell <susan...>; Herbert, Teri Lynn <
> <herbertl...>; Carolinabirds <carolinabirds...>
> *Subject:* Re: bees on Oriole Jelly feeder
>
> Orioles will eat raw shelled peanuts. A lot of birds that like suet or
> insects will eat raw shelled peanuts. Fatty and nutritious.
>
> I like the recipe that Ann offers from her neighbor, although I'd change
> out bacon grease and use beef suet. When I have made "suet cakes" with
> bacon grease, they are fatty, messy, and greasy - a nasty mess. Beef fat
> (like from frying hamburger) much neater to work with.
>
> I think, too, we are advised not to use Crisco to feed birds, as it is
> full of artificially weirded stuff like hydrogenated oils that birds may
> not be adapted to eat.
>
> Suet is a natural food that many birds would eat in the wild (finding
> animal fat on carcasses in winter, for example) but today it too is
> "weirded" - since cows are fed some very odd things in feedlots, and as a
> result the chemical composition of animal fat from industrial livestock
> operations is quite altered from what human and avian bodies are adapted
> to.
>
> And if you just aren't fond of what industrial animal production does to
> the animals or the environment, a decent substitute is good old peanuts
> (also produced at industrial scale with industrial processes, but still far
> less impactful than any kind of animal agriculture).
>
> Betsy Kane
> Washington, NC
>
>
> On Wed, Mar 11, 2026 at 4:36 PM Ann Brice <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
> My neighbor in Wilson, NC, Fred Hite, has successfully used this suet
> recipe to feed orioles for years (and his mother before him.) Maybe this
> would work for you. I don't think the bees would swarm this. (I haven't
> used the recipe because I have cats in my yard, but he has had as many as
> 22 orioles in his yard.)
>
> Baltimore Oriole Suet
> 2 cups sugar
> 2 cups water
> 1 cup Crisco or bacon grease
> 1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
> corn meal (Tender Bake self-rising yellow)
>
> Combine sugar, water, grease and peanut butter and bring to a boil. Add
> corn meal until you get a semi-solid mixture. Fill holes in feeder.
>
> He has feeders that he has made from a 2"x2" x 8" block of wood that he
> drills holes in about 1" in diameter. He inserts pegs for perches under
> the holes.
>
> On Tue, Mar 10, 2026 at 8:29 PM Susan Campbell <susan...> wrote:
>
> Teri and All,
>
> Nope. There is no way to dissuade the bees given the open feeding
> scenario. And yes— bees are sure hungry right now! Cold weather will pull
> them back into their hives next week for sure.
>
> Do you have a sugar water feeder for the orioles? Maybe just use that for
> now…..
>
> Susan Campbell
> Apex, NC
>
> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> > ------------------------------
> *From:* <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...>
> on behalf of "Herbert, Teri Lynn" <carolinabirds...>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 10, 2026 7:55:41 PM
> *To:* carolinabirds listserve <carolinabirds...>
> *Subject:* bees on Oriole Jelly feeder
>
>
> Does anyone have any way to discourage bees on the jelly feeders? The
> orioles won’t come near it with all the bees on it. I know, the bees don’t
> have any flowers right now, so they need it, but neighbor is worried about
> the orioles not having a chance at the jelly. Thanks for any ideas! Teri
> Lynn
>
>
>
> --
> Ann Brice
>
> *First Wilson Properties, Real Estate Broker, GRI
> http://www.firstwilsonproperties.com/ <http://www.firstwilsonproperties.com/>* >
> <ann.brice...>
> cell: 252 373-0326
> office: 252 237-9900
> fax: 252 243-9600
>
>
>
Date: 3/12/26 5:29 am From: Susan Campbell <susan...> Subject: Re: bees on Oriole Jelly feeder
Betsy and All,
I use lard in my suet “recipe.” It works very well. Do not generate much beef fat here.
I used to be able to get actual suet (beef fat found around kidneys)from pur local Winn Dixie meat counter. I never rendered it but cut it into small pieces and set it out during cold weather. However, that was years ago.
Susan Campbell
Apex, NC
Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
From: Betsy Kane <oldurbanist...>
Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 9:38:15 PM
To: Ann Brice <ann.brice...>
Cc: Susan Campbell <susan...>; Herbert, Teri Lynn <herbertl...>; Carolinabirds <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Re: bees on Oriole Jelly feeder
Orioles will eat raw shelled peanuts. A lot of birds that like suet or insects will eat raw shelled peanuts. Fatty and nutritious.
I like the recipe that Ann offers from her neighbor, although I'd change out bacon grease and use beef suet. When I have made "suet cakes" with bacon grease, they are fatty, messy, and greasy - a nasty mess. Beef fat (like from frying hamburger) much neater to work with.
I think, too, we are advised not to use Crisco to feed birds, as it is full of artificially weirded stuff like hydrogenated oils that birds may not be adapted to eat.
Suet is a natural food that many birds would eat in the wild (finding animal fat on carcasses in winter, for example) but today it too is "weirded" - since cows are fed some very odd things in feedlots, and as a result the chemical composition of animal fat from industrial livestock operations is quite altered from what human and avian bodies are adapted to.
And if you just aren't fond of what industrial animal production does to the animals or the environment, a decent substitute is good old peanuts (also produced at industrial scale with industrial processes, but still far less impactful than any kind of animal agriculture).
Betsy Kane
Washington, NC
On Wed, Mar 11, 2026 at 4:36 PM Ann Brice <carolinabirds...><mailto:<carolinabirds...>> wrote:
My neighbor in Wilson, NC, Fred Hite, has successfully used this suet recipe to feed orioles for years (and his mother before him.) Maybe this would work for you. I don't think the bees would swarm this. (I haven't used the recipe because I have cats in my yard, but he has had as many as 22 orioles in his yard.)
Baltimore Oriole Suet
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 cup Crisco or bacon grease
1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
corn meal (Tender Bake self-rising yellow)
Combine sugar, water, grease and peanut butter and bring to a boil. Add corn meal until you get a semi-solid mixture. Fill holes in feeder.
He has feeders that he has made from a 2"x2" x 8" block of wood that he drills holes in about 1" in diameter. He inserts pegs for perches under the holes.
On Tue, Mar 10, 2026 at 8:29 PM Susan Campbell <susan...><mailto:<susan...>> wrote:
Teri and All,
Nope. There is no way to dissuade the bees given the open feeding scenario. And yes— bees are sure hungry right now! Cold weather will pull them back into their hives next week for sure.
Do you have a sugar water feeder for the orioles? Maybe just use that for now…..
Does anyone have any way to discourage bees on the jelly feeders? The orioles won’t come near it with all the bees on it. I know, the bees don’t have any flowers right now, so they need it, but neighbor is worried about the orioles not having a chance at the jelly. Thanks for any ideas! Teri Lynn
Date: 3/11/26 6:40 pm From: Betsy Kane (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: bees on Oriole Jelly feeder
Orioles will eat raw shelled peanuts. A lot of birds that like suet or
insects will eat raw shelled peanuts. Fatty and nutritious.
I like the recipe that Ann offers from her neighbor, although I'd change
out bacon grease and use beef suet. When I have made "suet cakes" with
bacon grease, they are fatty, messy, and greasy - a nasty mess. Beef fat
(like from frying hamburger) much neater to work with.
I think, too, we are advised not to use Crisco to feed birds, as it is full
of artificially weirded stuff like hydrogenated oils that birds may not be
adapted to eat.
Suet is a natural food that many birds would eat in the wild (finding
animal fat on carcasses in winter, for example) but today it too is
"weirded" - since cows are fed some very odd things in feedlots, and as a
result the chemical composition of animal fat from industrial livestock
operations is quite altered from what human and avian bodies are adapted
to.
And if you just aren't fond of what industrial animal production does to
the animals or the environment, a decent substitute is good old peanuts
(also produced at industrial scale with industrial processes, but still far
less impactful than any kind of animal agriculture).
Betsy Kane
Washington, NC
On Wed, Mar 11, 2026 at 4:36 PM Ann Brice <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> My neighbor in Wilson, NC, Fred Hite, has successfully used this suet
> recipe to feed orioles for years (and his mother before him.) Maybe this
> would work for you. I don't think the bees would swarm this. (I haven't
> used the recipe because I have cats in my yard, but he has had as many as
> 22 orioles in his yard.)
>
> Baltimore Oriole Suet
> 2 cups sugar
> 2 cups water
> 1 cup Crisco or bacon grease
> 1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
> corn meal (Tender Bake self-rising yellow)
>
> Combine sugar, water, grease and peanut butter and bring to a boil. Add
> corn meal until you get a semi-solid mixture. Fill holes in feeder.
>
> He has feeders that he has made from a 2"x2" x 8" block of wood that he
> drills holes in about 1" in diameter. He inserts pegs for perches under
> the holes.
>
> On Tue, Mar 10, 2026 at 8:29 PM Susan Campbell <susan...> wrote:
>
>> Teri and All,
>>
>> Nope. There is no way to dissuade the bees given the open feeding
>> scenario. And yes— bees are sure hungry right now! Cold weather will pull
>> them back into their hives next week for sure.
>>
>> Do you have a sugar water feeder for the orioles? Maybe just use that for
>> now…..
>>
>> Susan Campbell
>> Apex, NC
>>
>> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> >> ------------------------------
>> *From:* <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...>
>> on behalf of "Herbert, Teri Lynn" <carolinabirds...>
>> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 10, 2026 7:55:41 PM
>> *To:* carolinabirds listserve <carolinabirds...>
>> *Subject:* bees on Oriole Jelly feeder
>>
>>
>> Does anyone have any way to discourage bees on the jelly feeders? The
>> orioles won’t come near it with all the bees on it. I know, the bees don’t
>> have any flowers right now, so they need it, but neighbor is worried about
>> the orioles not having a chance at the jelly. Thanks for any ideas! Teri
>> Lynn
>>
>>
>
> --
> Ann Brice
>
> *First Wilson Properties, Real Estate Broker, GRI
> http://www.firstwilsonproperties.com/ <http://www.firstwilsonproperties.com/>* >
> <ann.brice...>
> cell: 252 373-0326
> office: 252 237-9900
> fax: 252 243-9600
>
>
>
Date: 3/11/26 1:36 pm From: Ann Brice (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: bees on Oriole Jelly feeder
My neighbor in Wilson, NC, Fred Hite, has successfully used this suet
recipe to feed orioles for years (and his mother before him.) Maybe this
would work for you. I don't think the bees would swarm this. (I haven't
used the recipe because I have cats in my yard, but he has had as many as
22 orioles in his yard.)
Baltimore Oriole Suet
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 cup Crisco or bacon grease
1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
corn meal (Tender Bake self-rising yellow)
Combine sugar, water, grease and peanut butter and bring to a boil. Add
corn meal until you get a semi-solid mixture. Fill holes in feeder.
He has feeders that he has made from a 2"x2" x 8" block of wood that he
drills holes in about 1" in diameter. He inserts pegs for perches under
the holes.
On Tue, Mar 10, 2026 at 8:29 PM Susan Campbell <susan...> wrote:
> Teri and All,
>
> Nope. There is no way to dissuade the bees given the open feeding
> scenario. And yes— bees are sure hungry right now! Cold weather will pull
> them back into their hives next week for sure.
>
> Do you have a sugar water feeder for the orioles? Maybe just use that for
> now…..
>
> Susan Campbell
> Apex, NC
>
> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> > ------------------------------
> *From:* <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...>
> on behalf of "Herbert, Teri Lynn" <carolinabirds...>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 10, 2026 7:55:41 PM
> *To:* carolinabirds listserve <carolinabirds...>
> *Subject:* bees on Oriole Jelly feeder
>
>
> Does anyone have any way to discourage bees on the jelly feeders? The
> orioles won’t come near it with all the bees on it. I know, the bees don’t
> have any flowers right now, so they need it, but neighbor is worried about
> the orioles not having a chance at the jelly. Thanks for any ideas! Teri
> Lynn
>
>
Date: 3/10/26 5:29 pm From: Susan Campbell <susan...> Subject: Re: bees on Oriole Jelly feeder
Teri and All,
Nope. There is no way to dissuade the bees given the open feeding scenario. And yes bees are sure hungry right now! Cold weather will pull them back into their hives next week for sure.
Do you have a sugar water feeder for the orioles? Maybe just use that for now..
Susan Campbell
Apex, NC
Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of "Herbert, Teri Lynn" <carolinabirds...>
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 7:55:41 PM
To: carolinabirds listserve <carolinabirds...>
Subject: bees on Oriole Jelly feeder
Does anyone have any way to discourage bees on the jelly feeders? The orioles wont come near it with all the bees on it. I know, the bees dont have any flowers right now, so they need it, but neighbor is worried about the orioles not having a chance at the jelly. Thanks for any ideas! Teri Lynn
Date: 3/10/26 4:56 pm From: \Herbert, Teri Lynn\ (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: bees on Oriole Jelly feeder
Does anyone have any way to discourage bees on the jelly feeders? The orioles won’t come near it with all the bees on it. I know, the bees don’t have any flowers right now, so they need it, but neighbor is worried about the orioles not having a chance at the jelly. Thanks for any ideas! Teri Lynn
Date: 3/9/26 5:19 am From: Helen Kalevas (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Louisiana Waterthrush
Heard my first singing Louisiana Waterthrush this morning. Heard my first one singing at the same place on this same date last year. Have also been watching a Carolina Wren building a nest in a ceramic nest "box" outside my office window. On the Little River near Hillsborough, NC. Spring is here! Helen
Date: 3/5/26 6:59 am From: Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Comments on "Rules for eBird acceptance of a rare species"
Jamie,
Your first two sentences are correct. I'll agree with them. The third is
incorrect. Weeks and months go by without even a one sentence description
provided for nearly all of his rare sightings. I know this when I review
eBird rarity reports on that website a month or two later, and still there
is no description or photos added. Essentially everyone else provides a
written description of the rare birds, when they submit the report, so that
an eBird reviewer can judge if the report is correct. As they say -- "no
one is above the law", or better -- "no one should be above the law".
To make a point -- Ron Martin is a very busy birder, going all over much of
NC daily. He was at Johnnie Mercer's Pier this morning, and still had time
to spend 30 seconds or a minute to describe two rare birds that are
probably "continuing" -- Red-necked Grebe and Pacific Loon:
On Thu, Mar 5, 2026 at 8:59 AM Jamie Adams <jadamsbirds...> wrote:
> If there is one thing Danny is, it’s not being lazy. He’s busy finding
> more rare birds. Just wait a minute and he will get the information in.
>
> Jamie Adams
> Wilmington NC
>
> On Tue, Mar 3, 2026 at 10:23 PM gchays23 <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
>> Couldn’t agree more.
>>
>> The blossoming eBird culture of short-changing the descriptive
>> justification of a rare bird sighting is concerning, both from the reporter
>> and the reviewer’s point-of-view.
>>
>> In short, we as birders have become at best…lazy…or worse…more interested
>> in the “tick” over showing we understand what we’re seeing.
>>
>> The issue is most often encountered when there is a lingering rarity. We
>> resort to writing “Continuing”. Or “well -documented by others”. Or
>> “photos available” yet never attached. Or “the bird was seen to the left of
>> the large pine tree at the tip of the peninsula”.
>>
>> None of these descriptions give credibility the bird was seen or properly
>> id’d.
>>
>> I’ll end with a reminder that eBird was created by Cornell University to
>> use the power of citizen science to capture bird distribution and breeding
>> evidence. Only confirmed sightings are included in the official database
>> for research support.
>>
>> Let’s all be committed to helping Cornell achieve its objective!
>>
>> Greg Hays
>> Charlotte, NC
>>
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Mar 3, 2026, at 9:39 PM, Harry LeGrand <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> As a follow-up to my previous eBird posting, in regard to a report of a
>> Western Grebe along the NC coast a few days ago, where there is no
>> description, nor photos, posted yet --
>>
>> that on March 15, 2003, I was birding with Ricky Davis and Derb Carter at
>> the former site of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse at Buxton. Ricky spotted a
>> large grebe in the inshore ocean that he felt was a *Clark's Grebe*, and
>> Derb and I immediately got onto the bird. Indeed, it had an orange-yellow
>> bill and the white on the face came above the eye. We all agreed on
>> Clark's, a first and still the only report for the state. Derb got some
>> video, but ultimately the NC Bird Records Committee did accept our detailed
>> description (putting the species on the Provisional List) but felt that the
>> video was not quite clear enough to separate Clark's from the similar
>> Western (such that it did not go on the Official List). There were a good
>> handful of Western Grebe records for NC at the time, and now there are
>> about 20 Coastal records -- still a very rare bird. We wrote a General
>> Field Note for *The Chat*, published in Chat 72:102-103. If you go to
>> the species page on the Birds of North Carolina website, you can click on
>> the active link and read the report.
>>
>> The point is -- was Clark's Grebe ruled out of the 2026 report? Without
>> the information on the eBird report, we don't know. It takes less than a
>> minute for someone to enter a description of a rare bird in Comments, and I
>> encourage the reporter of the grebe to go back into the report and add a
>> description so that Clark's can be ruled out. Any of us can go back into
>> one of our eBird reports and add more description, add a photo or two,
>> etc., to further provide the necessary documentation for acceptance.
>>
>> Harry LeGrand
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Mar 3, 2026 at 9:04 PM Harry LeGrand <hlegrandjr...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Folks,
>>>
>>> Several times a day many of us look at the Carolina Bird Club Sightings
>>> page to see what rarities have been reported in NC and in SC. I was a bit
>>> surprised over the past few days to see one or several rare bird sightings
>>> that have been accepted by a reviewer with no documentation, or some still
>>> with much documentation, not yet accepted by a reviewer. Here is what I
>>> found when I Googled "Rules for eBird acceptance of a rare species" (the
>>> blue is in Google, not mine):
>>>
>>> eBird requires rigorous documentation for rare species to be accepted
>>> into its public database, usually involving detailed written descriptions,
>>> photos, or audio recordings. A volunteer regional reviewer evaluates
>>> this evidence to rule out similar species and confirm identification, or
>>> the record remains unconfirmed and private
>>>
>>> Key rules for submitting rare species include:
>>>
>>> - *Documentation:* Provide detailed notes on field marks, behavior,
>>> and vocalizations, rather than just stating "seen well" or "seen with
>>> expert".
>>> - *Media:* Upload photos or audio recordings, even if not high
>>> quality, as they are essential for verification.
>>> - *Rule out similar species:* Specifically explain how you ruled out
>>> more common, similar-looking species.
>>> - *Age and Sex:* Note the age and sex if possible, as this aids in
>>> identification.
>>> - *Location and Date:* Ensure accurate location plotting; for
>>> sensitive species, consider delaying reports.
>>>
>>> ----------------
>>>
>>> So, this is a reminder for reporters of eBird list "write-ins" -- make
>>> sure that you provide the necessary information in Comments for a reviewer
>>> to be able to accept your report. And a reminder for eBird reviewers --
>>> make sure that you have the necessary information in Comments to be able to
>>> evaluate a report, acceptance or not.
>>>
>>> NOTE: I tried to post this same material about 30 minutes ago to the
>>> GroupMe NC Rare Bird Alert page, but the moderator deleted this important
>>> reminder. We all want to abide by eBird rules about reporting and then
>>> accepting records into the eBird database.
>>>
>>> As the CBC Briefs for the Files editor, I go through the eBird
>>> database four times a year and collect the most significant reports that
>>> have been accepted, going species by species for a given season. Thus, it
>>> is very important that these sightings be documented in the eBird database
>>> before they appear in print in *The Chat.*
>>>
>>> Thanks for your attention.
>>>
>>> Harry LeGrand
>>> Raleigh
>>>
>>>
>>>
Date: 3/5/26 5:59 am From: Jamie Adams (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Comments on "Rules for eBird acceptance of a rare species"
If there is one thing Danny is, it’s not being lazy. He’s busy finding more
rare birds. Just wait a minute and he will get the information in.
Jamie Adams
Wilmington NC
On Tue, Mar 3, 2026 at 10:23 PM gchays23 <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> Couldn’t agree more.
>
> The blossoming eBird culture of short-changing the descriptive
> justification of a rare bird sighting is concerning, both from the reporter
> and the reviewer’s point-of-view.
>
> In short, we as birders have become at best…lazy…or worse…more interested
> in the “tick” over showing we understand what we’re seeing.
>
> The issue is most often encountered when there is a lingering rarity. We
> resort to writing “Continuing”. Or “well -documented by others”. Or
> “photos available” yet never attached. Or “the bird was seen to the left of
> the large pine tree at the tip of the peninsula”.
>
> None of these descriptions give credibility the bird was seen or properly
> id’d.
>
> I’ll end with a reminder that eBird was created by Cornell University to
> use the power of citizen science to capture bird distribution and breeding
> evidence. Only confirmed sightings are included in the official database
> for research support.
>
> Let’s all be committed to helping Cornell achieve its objective!
>
> Greg Hays
> Charlotte, NC
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Mar 3, 2026, at 9:39 PM, Harry LeGrand <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
>
>
> As a follow-up to my previous eBird posting, in regard to a report of a
> Western Grebe along the NC coast a few days ago, where there is no
> description, nor photos, posted yet --
>
> that on March 15, 2003, I was birding with Ricky Davis and Derb Carter at
> the former site of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse at Buxton. Ricky spotted a
> large grebe in the inshore ocean that he felt was a *Clark's Grebe*, and
> Derb and I immediately got onto the bird. Indeed, it had an orange-yellow
> bill and the white on the face came above the eye. We all agreed on
> Clark's, a first and still the only report for the state. Derb got some
> video, but ultimately the NC Bird Records Committee did accept our detailed
> description (putting the species on the Provisional List) but felt that the
> video was not quite clear enough to separate Clark's from the similar
> Western (such that it did not go on the Official List). There were a good
> handful of Western Grebe records for NC at the time, and now there are
> about 20 Coastal records -- still a very rare bird. We wrote a General
> Field Note for *The Chat*, published in Chat 72:102-103. If you go to the
> species page on the Birds of North Carolina website, you can click on the
> active link and read the report.
>
> The point is -- was Clark's Grebe ruled out of the 2026 report? Without
> the information on the eBird report, we don't know. It takes less than a
> minute for someone to enter a description of a rare bird in Comments, and I
> encourage the reporter of the grebe to go back into the report and add a
> description so that Clark's can be ruled out. Any of us can go back into
> one of our eBird reports and add more description, add a photo or two,
> etc., to further provide the necessary documentation for acceptance.
>
> Harry LeGrand
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Mar 3, 2026 at 9:04 PM Harry LeGrand <hlegrandjr...> wrote:
>
>> Folks,
>>
>> Several times a day many of us look at the Carolina Bird Club Sightings
>> page to see what rarities have been reported in NC and in SC. I was a bit
>> surprised over the past few days to see one or several rare bird sightings
>> that have been accepted by a reviewer with no documentation, or some still
>> with much documentation, not yet accepted by a reviewer. Here is what I
>> found when I Googled "Rules for eBird acceptance of a rare species" (the
>> blue is in Google, not mine):
>>
>> eBird requires rigorous documentation for rare species to be accepted
>> into its public database, usually involving detailed written descriptions,
>> photos, or audio recordings. A volunteer regional reviewer evaluates
>> this evidence to rule out similar species and confirm identification, or
>> the record remains unconfirmed and private
>>
>> Key rules for submitting rare species include:
>>
>> - *Documentation:* Provide detailed notes on field marks, behavior,
>> and vocalizations, rather than just stating "seen well" or "seen with
>> expert".
>> - *Media:* Upload photos or audio recordings, even if not high
>> quality, as they are essential for verification.
>> - *Rule out similar species:* Specifically explain how you ruled out
>> more common, similar-looking species.
>> - *Age and Sex:* Note the age and sex if possible, as this aids in
>> identification.
>> - *Location and Date:* Ensure accurate location plotting; for
>> sensitive species, consider delaying reports.
>>
>> ----------------
>>
>> So, this is a reminder for reporters of eBird list "write-ins" -- make
>> sure that you provide the necessary information in Comments for a reviewer
>> to be able to accept your report. And a reminder for eBird reviewers --
>> make sure that you have the necessary information in Comments to be able to
>> evaluate a report, acceptance or not.
>>
>> NOTE: I tried to post this same material about 30 minutes ago to the
>> GroupMe NC Rare Bird Alert page, but the moderator deleted this important
>> reminder. We all want to abide by eBird rules about reporting and then
>> accepting records into the eBird database.
>>
>> As the CBC Briefs for the Files editor, I go through the eBird
>> database four times a year and collect the most significant reports that
>> have been accepted, going species by species for a given season. Thus, it
>> is very important that these sightings be documented in the eBird database
>> before they appear in print in *The Chat.*
>>
>> Thanks for your attention.
>>
>> Harry LeGrand
>> Raleigh
>>
>>
>>
Date: 3/4/26 5:24 am From: <mike...> Subject: Golden Eagle on High Rock Lake in Rowan County, NC
On Sunday March 1, by neighbor Karen Brown spotted a golden eagle being escorted by two bald eagle over High Rock Lake about a mile above Swearing Creek. I then saw the Golden Eagle flying in the same. area. Appeared to be a new adult.
Date: 3/3/26 6:39 pm From: Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Comments on "Rules for eBird acceptance of a rare species"
As a follow-up to my previous eBird posting, in regard to a report of a
Western Grebe along the NC coast a few days ago, where there is no
description, nor photos, posted yet --
that on March 15, 2003, I was birding with Ricky Davis and Derb Carter at
the former site of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse at Buxton. Ricky spotted a
large grebe in the inshore ocean that he felt was a *Clark's Grebe*, and
Derb and I immediately got onto the bird. Indeed, it had an orange-yellow
bill and the white on the face came above the eye. We all agreed on
Clark's, a first and still the only report for the state. Derb got some
video, but ultimately the NC Bird Records Committee did accept our detailed
description (putting the species on the Provisional List) but felt that the
video was not quite clear enough to separate Clark's from the similar
Western (such that it did not go on the Official List). There were a good
handful of Western Grebe records for NC at the time, and now there are
about 20 Coastal records -- still a very rare bird. We wrote a General
Field Note for *The Chat*, published in Chat 72:102-103. If you go to the
species page on the Birds of North Carolina website, you can click on the
active link and read the report.
The point is -- was Clark's Grebe ruled out of the 2026 report? Without
the information on the eBird report, we don't know. It takes less than a
minute for someone to enter a description of a rare bird in Comments, and I
encourage the reporter of the grebe to go back into the report and add a
description so that Clark's can be ruled out. Any of us can go back into
one of our eBird reports and add more description, add a photo or two,
etc., to further provide the necessary documentation for acceptance.
Harry LeGrand
On Tue, Mar 3, 2026 at 9:04 PM Harry LeGrand <hlegrandjr...> wrote:
> Folks,
>
> Several times a day many of us look at the Carolina Bird Club Sightings
> page to see what rarities have been reported in NC and in SC. I was a bit
> surprised over the past few days to see one or several rare bird sightings
> that have been accepted by a reviewer with no documentation, or some still
> with much documentation, not yet accepted by a reviewer. Here is what I
> found when I Googled "Rules for eBird acceptance of a rare species" (the
> blue is in Google, not mine):
>
> eBird requires rigorous documentation for rare species to be accepted
> into its public database, usually involving detailed written descriptions,
> photos, or audio recordings. A volunteer regional reviewer evaluates this
> evidence to rule out similar species and confirm identification, or the
> record remains unconfirmed and private
>
> Key rules for submitting rare species include:
>
> - *Documentation:* Provide detailed notes on field marks, behavior,
> and vocalizations, rather than just stating "seen well" or "seen with
> expert".
> - *Media:* Upload photos or audio recordings, even if not high
> quality, as they are essential for verification.
> - *Rule out similar species:* Specifically explain how you ruled out
> more common, similar-looking species.
> - *Age and Sex:* Note the age and sex if possible, as this aids in
> identification.
> - *Location and Date:* Ensure accurate location plotting; for
> sensitive species, consider delaying reports.
>
> ----------------
>
> So, this is a reminder for reporters of eBird list "write-ins" -- make
> sure that you provide the necessary information in Comments for a reviewer
> to be able to accept your report. And a reminder for eBird reviewers --
> make sure that you have the necessary information in Comments to be able to
> evaluate a report, acceptance or not.
>
> NOTE: I tried to post this same material about 30 minutes ago to the
> GroupMe NC Rare Bird Alert page, but the moderator deleted this important
> reminder. We all want to abide by eBird rules about reporting and then
> accepting records into the eBird database.
>
> As the CBC Briefs for the Files editor, I go through the eBird
> database four times a year and collect the most significant reports that
> have been accepted, going species by species for a given season. Thus, it
> is very important that these sightings be documented in the eBird database
> before they appear in print in *The Chat.*
>
> Thanks for your attention.
>
> Harry LeGrand
> Raleigh
>
>
>
Date: 3/3/26 6:05 pm From: Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Comments on "Rules for eBird acceptance of a rare species"
Folks,
Several times a day many of us look at the Carolina Bird Club Sightings page to see what rarities have been reported in NC and in SC. I was a bit surprised over the past few days to see one or several rare bird sightings that have been accepted by a reviewer with no documentation, or some still with much documentation, not yet accepted by a reviewer. Here is what I found when I Googled "Rules for eBird acceptance of a rare species" (the blue is in Google, not mine):
eBird requires rigorous documentation for rare species to be accepted into its public database, usually involving detailed written descriptions, photos, or audio recordings. A volunteer regional reviewer evaluates this evidence to rule out similar species and confirm identification, or the record remains unconfirmed and private
Key rules for submitting rare species include:
- *Documentation:* Provide detailed notes on field marks, behavior, and vocalizations, rather than just stating "seen well" or "seen with expert". - *Media:* Upload photos or audio recordings, even if not high quality, as they are essential for verification. - *Rule out similar species:* Specifically explain how you ruled out more common, similar-looking species. - *Age and Sex:* Note the age and sex if possible, as this aids in identification. - *Location and Date:* Ensure accurate location plotting; for sensitive species, consider delaying reports.
----------------
So, this is a reminder for reporters of eBird list "write-ins" -- make sure that you provide the necessary information in Comments for a reviewer to be able to accept your report. And a reminder for eBird reviewers -- make sure that you have the necessary information in Comments to be able to evaluate a report, acceptance or not.
NOTE: I tried to post this same material about 30 minutes ago to the GroupMe NC Rare Bird Alert page, but the moderator deleted this important reminder. We all want to abide by eBird rules about reporting and then accepting records into the eBird database.
As the CBC Briefs for the Files editor, I go through the eBird database four times a year and collect the most significant reports that have been accepted, going species by species for a given season. Thus, it is very important that these sightings be documented in the eBird database before they appear in print in *The Chat.*
Date: 3/2/26 5:28 pm From: \<hilton...>\ (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Hilton Pond North (02/15/26) The Sharpie: Little Blue Darter
When birds at your feeder scatter for no apparent reason, it's possible a Sharp-shinned Hawk has entered the vicinity. Installment #32 of "This Week at Hilton Pond North" focuses on this little raptor AND unveils our latest venture: A brand-new Podcast series to complement our photo essays. We add some informative videos of Wild Turkeys, a feeder thief, and a nocturnal scenario at the pond. All this and some interesting captures and recaptures from our banding site are found at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260215.html
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: 2/28/26 6:50 pm From: Lynn Erla Beegle (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: NCBA is over! Please turn off your NCBA project on your eBird app
NC Bird Atlas is over! Please turn off your NCBA project on your eBird app
Today, February 28, is the last day to submit EBird checklists for the North Carolina Bird Atlas. The NCBA is a great project, running from 03/01/2021 to 02/28/2026, collecting breeding data and winter data for five years.
Please check your EBird app and confirm it is NOT on the NCBA project at this point. (The app should say " Choose projects" on the "Start checklist" page; it should not say " North Carolina Bird Atlas"). My understanding is that checklists sent in as NCBA lists after February 28 will be filtered out.
(Very long address -- I hope it works for you, as you can see all confirmed breeding locations for any bird species in the Priority Blocks across the state).
Thanks to the many volunteers and technicians who made this NC Bird Atlas project a success. I had a blast birding with many of you!
Date: 2/25/26 6:35 am From: Rob G (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Carrboro Waxwings
Was happy to finally see a nice flock (50+) of Cedar Waxwings in my Carrboro apt. complex this morning... Some winters I see them pretty regularly (every week), but this winter hadn't spied any before this morning. -- Rob Gluck.... Carrboro, NC......
Date: 2/21/26 10:05 am From: <scompton1251...> Subject: RFI Glacier NP June 13-16
Birders, Please reply to my address below as this is not a Carolinas question.Richard Hayes and I plan to visit the Glacier NP area june 13-16. I am discovering that park entry requires reservaqtions, etc. Is there an easy way to bird the area, perhaps outside the NP itself? Our primary target is Spruce Grouse. Thanks,Steve <Comptonscompton1251...>
Date: 2/20/26 8:13 am From: hilton (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Hilton Pond North (3-14 Feb 2026) A White-tailed Buck Loses It
While we were snowbound "This Week at Hilton Pond North," life went on for wildlife in frigid mountain woods as the cycle of nature had an impact on a particular White-tailed Deer buck. Hundreds of birds from Mourning Doves to Eastern Towhees to American Goldfinches mobbed our feeding station and our pond stayed frozen solid to the exclusion of Wood Frogs, on standby for early breeding. All this and our usual tallies of birds banded or recaptured are at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260203.html. Please take a look.
Happy Nature Watching!
BILL
=========
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: 2/17/26 12:05 pm From: Kent Fiala (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Blue gray gnatcatcher FOY
It's about a month early for the main wave of migrants, but individuals sometimes overwinter.
Kent Fiala
On 2/17/2026 2:30 PM, Isabel Reddy wrote: > Hello, > > I’m pretty sure I saw a Blue gray gnatcatcher today. FOY. > > Is this early for them? > > > Chapel Hill, NC > > *From: *<carolinabirds-request...> > <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Norman Budnitz > <carolinabirds...> > *Date: *Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 4:28 PM > *To: *Christopher Hill <chill...> > *Cc: *carolinabirds listserve <carolinabirds...> > *Subject: *Re: bird box squirrel preventer > > We use these for our bluebird nest boxes. These are 1.5 inch diameter. > There are also 1.125 inch versions. There may be other sizes available. > > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09295PMPV?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_0&th=1 > <https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09295PMPV?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_0&th=1> > > Norm > > On Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 12:47 PM Christopher Hill > <carolinabirds...> wrote: > > Hi all, > > I have a box that Great Crested Flycatchers nest in every spring > and summer. In the winter some squirrel always makes it their > personal project to enlarge the hole and turn it into a squirrel > nest. I would like to install a metal guard with 1 5/8" hole (or > whatever, I'd have to go back and check the proper diameter) to > prevent a third re-occurrence when I reclaim the box for > flycatchers this spring. Just a piece of sheet metal with a hole > and no sharp edges or burrs (so I don't want to try freehanding > with tin snips, for example). Googling doesnm't work for any > combination of words I have come up with - infinite places wanting > to sell you baffles for a pole, but no metal hole guards. Anybody > have an idea or a source? > > CH > > Chris Hill, Ph.D. > Professor > Biology Department > Coastal Carolina University > Office: Douglas 207H > (843) 349-2567 > email: <chill...> > > > > -- > Norm Budnitz > Chapel Hill > North Carolina
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Nate Dias <carolinabirds...>
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 3:07 PM
To: CarolinaBirds <carolinabirds...>
Cc: Chris Hill <chill...>
Subject: Re: bird box squirrel preventer
Chris, a company called Coveside Conservation Products makes squirrel/predator guards for nest boxes. The slate guards keep things (including woodpeckers) from enlarging the holes. They use defective / discarded slate roofing tiles to make them. I think a flycatcher box uses a 2.5” hole and they seem to have those in stock.
On Sunday, February 8, 2026, Christopher Hill <carolinabirds...><mailto:<carolinabirds...>> wrote:
Hi all,
I have a box that Great Crested Flycatchers nest in every spring and summer. In the winter some squirrel always makes it their personal project to enlarge the hole and turn it into a squirrel nest. I would like to install a metal guard with 1 5/8" hole (or whatever, I'd have to go back and check the proper diameter) to prevent a third re-occurrence when I reclaim the box for flycatchers this spring. Just a piece of sheet metal with a hole and no sharp edges or burrs (so I don't want to try freehanding with tin snips, for example). Googling doesnm't work for any combination of words I have come up with - infinite places wanting to sell you baffles for a pole, but no metal hole guards. Anybody have an idea or a source?
CH
Chris Hill, Ph.D.
Professor
Biology Department
Coastal Carolina University
Office: Douglas 207H
(843) 349-2567
email: <chill...><mailto:<chill...>
"These days I prefer to hunt with a camera. A good photograph demands more skill from the hunter, better nerves and more patience than the rifle shot." -- Bror Blixen
Date: 2/17/26 11:31 am From: Isabel Reddy <isabel...> Subject: Re: Blue gray gnatcatcher FOY
Hello,
I’m pretty sure I saw a Blue gray gnatcatcher today. FOY.
Is this early for them?
Chapel Hill, NC
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Norman Budnitz <carolinabirds...>
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 4:28 PM
To: Christopher Hill <chill...>
Cc: carolinabirds listserve <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Re: bird box squirrel preventer
We use these for our bluebird nest boxes. These are 1.5 inch diameter. There are also 1.125 inch versions. There may be other sizes available.
On Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 12:47 PM Christopher Hill <carolinabirds...><mailto:<carolinabirds...>> wrote:
Hi all,
I have a box that Great Crested Flycatchers nest in every spring and summer. In the winter some squirrel always makes it their personal project to enlarge the hole and turn it into a squirrel nest. I would like to install a metal guard with 1 5/8" hole (or whatever, I'd have to go back and check the proper diameter) to prevent a third re-occurrence when I reclaim the box for flycatchers this spring. Just a piece of sheet metal with a hole and no sharp edges or burrs (so I don't want to try freehanding with tin snips, for example). Googling doesnm't work for any combination of words I have come up with - infinite places wanting to sell you baffles for a pole, but no metal hole guards. Anybody have an idea or a source?
CH
Chris Hill, Ph.D.
Professor
Biology Department
Coastal Carolina University
Office: Douglas 207H
(843) 349-2567
email: <chill...><mailto:<chill...>
Date: 2/17/26 9:33 am From: Matt Lawing (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Worst wife ever :-)
Everybody has a spark bird. That's a good one.
On Tue, Feb 17, 2026 at 11:33 AM Katie Slawitschek <carolinabirds...>
wrote:
> Too funny!
>
> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> > ------------------------------
> *From:* <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...>
> on behalf of Kevin Hudson <carolinabirds...>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, February 17, 2026 10:32:16 AM
> *To:* <carolinabirds...> <carolinabirds...>
> *Subject:* Worst wife ever :-)
>
>
> so my wife has spent a better part of twenty years making fun of me and my
> love of birding
>
> Right now she's on safari with her father at krueger national park, and
> has asked me to log onto ebird & start her life list with a crowned lapwing
>
Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Kevin Hudson <carolinabirds...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 10:32:16 AM
To: <carolinabirds...> <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Worst wife ever :-)
so my wife has spent a better part of twenty years making fun of me and my love of birding
Right now she's on safari with her father at krueger national park, and has asked me to log onto ebird & start her life list with a crowned lapwing
