Date: 7/25/26 1:16 pm From: Brian Pendergraft (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: FOS - American Redstart
71 degrees on July 25th and I am looking at a female American Redstart in the backyard here at Falls Lake. Not the first ever in July here but I see more when the calendar turns over to
early August.
Makes me want fall quicker.
Date: 7/24/26 8:07 am From: Becky Bateman (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: 2026 Gray-cheeked Thrush Program - Falls Lake, NC
Well, I can only do the 10th and I see that is full. Guess I am just out of
luck.
On Fri, Jul 24, 2026, 7:40 AM Brian Pendergraft <carolinabirds...>
wrote:
> Good morning.
>
> The response has been really really special, and I can't thank everyone
> enough for continuing to participate in this little program. It's Ryan and
> Tony for sure.
>
> We're getting full on a couple of days (Oct 3rd, 4th, and 10th are full)
> but the other dates have room if anyone else wants to attend.
>
> Again the program is from Oct 3-10, and I would like to keep it to 10-12
> per day. Let me know quickly to reserve your spot. This will be the last
> announcement.
>
> 7:00am start time till whenever you get tired, and we do expect to see
> some brown thrushes, as well as a few warblers and other stuff. This is
> driveway birding! Come join us.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Brian Pendergraft
> Falls Lake, NC
>
Date: 7/24/26 7:39 am From: \<hilton...>\ (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Hilton Pond North (1 Jul 2026) Bats In Our Trees, Not In A Belfry
Thirty-two tiny teeth, paper-thin wings, and a life spent among the leaves—meet the Eastern Red Bat in Installment #42 of “This Week At Hilton Pond North.” We also offer photos of a Hooded Warbler, nestling Eastern Bluebirds, and a beetle whose wing covers resemble a Turkish rug, as well as our latest banding results (including hummingbirds). Please take a look at https://www.hiltonpondnorth.org/twahpn-20260701.html Enjoy!
(There are also links to our nature livestream and latest “Deep Dive” 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: 7/24/26 4:41 am From: Brian Pendergraft (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: 2026 Gray-cheeked Thrush Program - Falls Lake, NC
Good morning.
The response has been really really special, and I can't thank everyone enough for continuing to participate in this little program. It's Ryan and Tony for sure.
We're getting full on a couple of days (Oct 3rd, 4th, and 10th are full) but the other dates have room if anyone else wants to attend.
Again the program is from Oct 3-10, and I would like to keep it to 10-12 per day. Let me know quickly to reserve your spot. This will be the last announcement.
7:00am start time till whenever you get tired, and we do expect to see some brown thrushes, as well as a few warblers and other stuff. This is driveway birding! Come join us.
Date: 7/22/26 12:26 pm From: Brian Pendergraft (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: 2026 Falls Lake Gray-Cheeked Thrush Program
Hey everyone.
It's almost August, and it's been a long and hot summer up here in northern Wake County. I'm ready for cooler temps and fall migration! Mid-August starts the migration up here typically, but I can get a roaming parula, redstart, or black and white previous to then, so I'll start spending more time outside.
But this program is also about those brown guys....the thrushes that I love so much. Ryan, Tony, and yours truly are opening up the property again this year if the interest is there. This would be year 13 I think?
I'm going on vacation the week of August 11th, so I'm hoping to have everyone signed up before I leave. This year's program is October 3-10th, so please let me know via email or text if you want to reserve a spot. Please try and stay away from both Saturday's because I do let the New Hope and Burlington folks schedule these days. (Lee let's discuss the Franklin County folks as well, if there is interest.)
For folks who want more information about the program, please reach out to me off-line, and I'll be happy to provide the information you need. Please reach out to friends/family who might not be on this listserv. I'll put out a Facebook blurb, but I won't do much more than that. We have been getting right at 100 folks every year, so hopefully we will see some folks again this year. *PLEASE NOTE: I'm going to limit it this year to 10 or so birders per day this year, to reduce the number of cars, as well as keep the groups a bit smaller so everyone can get on all the birds. So please reach out quickly, so you don't lose a spot.*
The dogwood berry crop is good again, and the magnolia has numerous pods already. We've seen the Gray-cheeked here since the program started, and my history with the bird goes back to 2005. October is the best month here in my part of Wake County, so I expect to see thrushes, warblers, and probably a few grosbeaks and tanagers.
I look forward to your responses, and I will get to all of you pretty quickly to reserve your spot.
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.
