Have a look at the list of recent rare bird sightings in Michigan as reported on ebird.
Deaver D. Armstrong
<ddarm...>
Let's go birding......
A New Field Ornithology Class will start in APRIL of 2019
To register or learn more please go to
http://www.miavianexperience.org/ Enter site, then go to Programs via the menu, then select Field Classes
Date: 2/20/19 8:49 am From: 'Mike Sefton' via Birders <birders...> Subject: [birders] Tonight: Hummingbirds is free Washtenaw Audubon program, Wednesday, Feb. 20, Ann Arbor, all invited
Birders and friends,
Please join us tonight for the free Washtenaw Audubon program described below. You don’t need to be a Washtenaw Audubon member to attend.
Wednesday, February 20, 7:30pm
Michigan Hummingbirds
Join Allen Chartier for a program on his study of hummingbirds in Michigan and the Great Lakes area. Allen founded the Great Lakes HummerNet in 2001. Sightings of these birds are reported to Allen by volunteers, and Allen also catches and bands birds. Besides Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, the 15 vagrant hummingbird species are also studied. Learn how you can participate in this study, and how to attract and feed hummingbirds. Allen birds all over the world, and conducts seasonal bird banding at various sites in Michigan.
This program is free and open to the public. Membership is not required, though we would welcome your membership to help with our environmental and educational activities. Washtenaw Audubon programs are held at the U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 North Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor. In addition to the program, hear news of the latest critter sightings and field trips, and enjoy tasty snacks following the program. For more information on free Washtenaw Audubon programs and field trips, go to
www.washtenawaudubon.org
________________________________
From: Roger Kuhlman <rkuhlman...>
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2019 1:37 AM
To: Alice Elliott
Subject: Re: [birders] OT: Climate Strike 3/15
Talking about Climate action without doing anything about Human Population is just idlily posturing the right way but not doing anything of substance. Population control is not necessarily tied in any way with eugenics. That is a false defamatory argument against our species responsibly controlling its reproductive actions to be in line with ecological restraints of the World.
Sincerely,
Roger Kuhlman
Ann Arbor
________________________________
From: Alice Elliott <alelliot...>
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2019 12:02 AM
To: Fred Kaluza
Cc: Marta Manildi; Curt Hofer; Roger Kuhlman
Subject: Re: [birders] OT: Climate Strike 3/15
Hey all,
I appreciate this conversation but I did not intend for my post on an upcoming climate action to derail into a discussion about population control. That's not what the action is about, in large part because population control is often tied to eugenics.
I am happy to talk with people off-list about human population issues, but I would prefer that people use this thread for questions about the strike/rally, but that's it. (Apologies to Bruce Bowman if I am stepping on his toes at all, I just didn't want this thread to derail any further.)
Thanks!
On Tue, Feb 19, 2019, 11:07 PM Fred Kaluza <fkaluza...><mailto:<fkaluza...>> wrote:
Better change the definition of “safari” to what you can see under a microscope because anything larger than a flea is bound to be on someone’s plate over there going forward. Very sad and disrespectful to all the other life on Earth.
On Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 18:57, 'Marta Manildi' via Birders <birders...><mailto:<birders...>> wrote:
The largest burgeoning population is in Sub-Saharan Africa - Niger, Angola, Mali, Burundi, Somalia, and more, with birth rates from about 5 to 6.5! Some of those governments are seriously trying to bring birth rates down. The single biggest factor seems to be improved education for girls. I am not aware that the US government is providing much meaningful support for these efforts.
Marta
It appears the women of America are heeding your advice. Per CNN...
Overall, the total fertility rate for the United States in 2017 was 1,765.5 per 1,000 women, which was 16% below what is considered the level needed for a population to replace itself: 2,100 births per 1,000 women, according to the report.
-- Curt Hofer
-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Kuhlman
Sent: Feb 18, 2019 2:08 PM
To: Alice Elliott , Birders UM
Subject: Re: [birders] OT: Climate Strike 3/15
And of course not a single word will be spoken here about Human Overpopulation and its crucial role in giving us both Global Warming and the destruction of the World's biodiversity and native ecosystems. So naïve. So ignorant.
Date: 2/19/19 10:51 pm From: Roger Kuhlman <rkuhlman...> Subject: [birders] Re: Re. First Red-winged Blackbird of the year seen in our yard
But is also true that Red-winged Blackbirds often overwinter in small number in our region and I have regularly seen them in January in habitats along Lake Erie. It is easier to say which butterflies are the harbingers of Spring--the Morning Cloak and the Eastern Comma and formerly Milbert's Tortoise Shell.
Roger Kuhlman
________________________________
From: Bruce Bowman <brucebowman99...>
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2019 5:12 AM
To: Roger Kuhlman; birders
Subject: Re. First Red-winged Blackbird of the year seen in our yard
Killdeer and American Woodcock are both good choices. However, Killdeer are sometimes seen (or heard) in winter. Small numbers overwinter here in southern lower Michigan. I have never heard of American Woodcock overwintering. They show up dependably in early to mid March.
So I would choose American Woodcock over Killdeer as the first spring bird.. On the otherhand, woodcock don't announce their arrival widely. You have to go find them. Red-winged Blackbirds are seen and heard everywhere soon after the first ones show up, so Red-winged Blackbird might be a better choice than woodcock if what we are looking for is the bird that tells us that spring is here (or almost).
Bruce
On February 18, 2019 3:41:17 PM Roger Kuhlman <rkuhlman...> wrote:
I go with the Killdeer or the American Woodcock as a better first bird of Spring than the RWB.
Roger
________________________________
From: Ron Gamble <rongamble...>
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2019 10:08 AM
To: <birders...>
Subject: [birders] First Red-winged Blackbird of year seen in our yard, 17Feb2019
On suet/seed block, mature male.
I like it as first sign of spring; but I think you’re pushing the season buddy…
Hey all,
I appreciate this conversation but I did not intend for my post on an
upcoming climate action to turn into a discussion about population control.
That's not what the strike is about, in large part because population
control is often tied to eugenics.
I am happy to talk with people off-list about human population issues, but
I would prefer that people use this thread for questions about the
strike/rally, but that's it. (Apologies to Bruce Bowman if I am stepping on
his toes at all, I just didn't want this thread to derail any further.)
Thanks!
On Wed, Feb 20, 2019, 12:02 AM Alice Elliott <alelliot...> wrote:
> Hey all,
> I appreciate this conversation but I did not intend for my post on an
> upcoming climate action to derail into a discussion about population
> control. That's not what the action is about, in large part because
> population control is often tied to eugenics.
>
> I am happy to talk with people off-list about human population issues, but
> I would prefer that people use this thread for questions about the
> strike/rally, but that's it. (Apologies to Bruce Bowman if I am stepping on
> his toes at all, I just didn't want this thread to derail any further.)
>
> Thanks!
>
> On Tue, Feb 19, 2019, 11:07 PM Fred Kaluza <fkaluza...> wrote:
>
>> Better change the definition of “safari” to what you can see under a
>> microscope because anything larger than a flea is bound to be on someone’s
>> plate over there going forward. Very sad and disrespectful to all the
>> other life on Earth.
>>
>>
>> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
>> <https://overview.mail.yahoo.com/?.src=iOS> >>
>> On Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 18:57, 'Marta Manildi' via Birders <
>> <birders...> wrote:
>>
>> The largest burgeoning population is in Sub-Saharan Africa - Niger,
>> Angola, Mali, Burundi, Somalia, and more, with birth rates from about 5 to
>> 6.5! Some of those governments are seriously trying to bring birth rates
>> down. The single biggest factor seems to be improved education for girls. I
>> am not aware that the US government is providing much meaningful support
>> for these efforts.
>> Marta
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Feb 19, 2019, at 1:01 PM, Curt Hofer <curthofer...> wrote:
>>
>> Roger,
>>
>> It appears the women of America are heeding your advice. Per CNN...
>>
>> Overall, the total fertility rate for the United States in 2017 was
>> 1,765.5 per 1,000 women, which was 16% below what is considered the level
>> needed for a population to replace itself: 2,100 births per 1,000 women,
>> according to the report.
>>
>> -- Curt Hofer
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Roger Kuhlman
>> Sent: Feb 18, 2019 2:08 PM
>> To: Alice Elliott , Birders UM
>> Subject: Re: [birders] OT: Climate Strike 3/15
>>
>> And of course not a single word will be spoken here about Human
>> Overpopulation and its crucial role in giving us both Global Warming and
>> the destruction of the World's biodiversity and native ecosystems. So
>> naïve. So ignorant.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>> Roger Kuhlman
>> Ann Arbor
>>
>> --
>> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at
>> www.glc.org
>> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Birders" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
>> email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
>> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
>> Visit this group at
>> https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
>> To view this discussion on the web visit
>> https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<724340612.8826.1550599272111...> >> <https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<724340612.8826.1550599272111...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>> For more options, visit
>> https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
>>
>> --
>> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at
>> www.glc.org
>> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Birders" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
>> email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
>> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
>> Visit this group at
>> https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
>> To view this discussion on the web visit
>> https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<076C7FCF-D457-4849-B715-3F490F9CC7B5...> >> <https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<076C7FCF-D457-4849-B715-3F490F9CC7B5...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> .
>> For more options, visit
>> https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
>>
>>
Date: 2/19/19 7:15 pm From: Sherri Smith <grackle...> Subject: [birders] Fwd: birding in AA
Can some of you who are out there birding please reply to her?
Thanks,
Sherri
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: judy koenig <judyboulder...>
> Subject: birding in AA
> Date: February 19, 2019 at 5:48:28 PM EST
> To: <grackle...>
>
> Hi!
> I currently live in Boulder, CO and will be visiting Ann Arbor this weekend
> I’m a Wolverine from many years ago and we are returning for the basketball game as my son played in the late 80s
> I’m curious as to some tips for winter birding sites in the area.
> Any suggestions you can offer would be much appreciated
> Thanks,
> Judy
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Judith Koenig
> 4665 Pawnee Place
> Boulder, CO 80303-3918
> (303) 494-7475
> (303) 903-6453 (cell)
>
Date: 2/19/19 6:01 pm From: 'Mike Sefton' via Birders <birders...> Subject: [birders] Hummingbirds is free Washtenaw Audubon program, Wednesday, Feb. 20, Ann Arbor, all invited
Birders and friends,
Please join us for the free Washtenaw Audubon program described below. You don’t need to be a Washtenaw Audubon member to attend.
Wednesday, February 20, 7:30pm
Michigan Hummingbirds
Join Allen Chartier for a program on his study of hummingbirds in Michigan and the Great Lakes area. Allen founded the Great Lakes HummerNet in 2001. Sightings of these birds are reported to Allen by volunteers, and Allen also catches and bands birds. Besides Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, the 15 vagrant hummingbird species are also studied. Learn how you can participate in this study, and how to attract and feed hummingbirds. Allen birds all over the world, and conducts seasonal bird banding at various sites in Michigan.
This program is free and open to the public. Membership is not required, though we would welcome your membership to help with our environmental and educational activities. Washtenaw Audubon programs are held at the U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 1800 North Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor. In addition to the program, hear news of the latest critter sightings and field trips, and enjoy tasty snacks following the program. For more information on free Washtenaw Audubon programs and field trips, go to
www.washtenawaudubon.org <http://www.washtenawaudubon.org/>
The largest burgeoning population is in Sub-Saharan Africa - Niger, Angola, Mali, Burundi, Somalia, and more, with birth rates from about 5 to 6.5! Some of those governments are seriously trying to bring birth rates down. The single biggest factor seems to be improved education for girls. I am not aware that the US government is providing much meaningful support for these efforts.
Marta
Sent from my iPhone
> On Feb 19, 2019, at 1:01 PM, Curt Hofer <curthofer...> wrote:
>
> Roger,
>
> It appears the women of America are heeding your advice. Per CNN...
>
> Overall, the total fertility rate for the United States in 2017 was 1,765.5 per 1,000 women, which was 16% below what is considered the level needed for a population to replace itself: 2,100 births per 1,000 women, according to the report.
>
> -- Curt Hofer
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Roger Kuhlman
> Sent: Feb 18, 2019 2:08 PM
> To: Alice Elliott , Birders UM
> Subject: Re: [birders] OT: Climate Strike 3/15
>
> And of course not a single word will be spoken here about Human Overpopulation and its crucial role in giving us both Global Warming and the destruction of the World's biodiversity and native ecosystems. So naïve. So ignorant.
>
> Sincerely,
> Roger Kuhlman
> Ann Arbor
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<724340612.8826.1550599272111...> > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
What does it matter? We'll all be dead in twelve years.
Eat, drink, bird, and sleep.
John Parker
Waterford, MI
> On February 19, 2019 at 1:37 PM Fred Kaluza <fkaluza...> wrote:
>
> Maybe that’s the same as saying the average woman needs to crank out 2.1 children instead of the present 1.765 for ZPG. Well, despite the best efforts of American women (and men), the total population here seems to be (magically) rising nonetheless. Hmmmm.
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone https://overview.mail.yahoo.com/?.src=iOS >
>
>
> On Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 13:01, Curt Hofer <curthofer...> wrote:
>
> > > Roger,
> >
> > It appears the women of America are heeding your advice. Per CNN...
> >
> > Overall, the total fertility rate for the United States in 2017 was 1,765.5 per 1,000 women, which was 16% below what is considered the level needed for a population to replace itself: 2,100 births per 1,000 women, according to the report.
> >
> > -- Curt Hofer
> >
> > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Roger Kuhlman
> > > Sent: Feb 18, 2019 2:08 PM
> > > To: Alice Elliott , Birders UM
> > > Subject: Re: [birders] OT: Climate Strike 3/15
> > >
> > > And of course not a single word will be spoken here about Human Overpopulation and its crucial role in giving us both Global Warming and the destruction of the World's biodiversity and native ecosystems. So naïve. So ignorant.
> > >
> > > Sincerely,
> > > Roger Kuhlman
> > > Ann Arbor
> > >
> > > > >
> > --
> > Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
> > ---
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
> > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to birders+<unsubscribe...> mailto:birders+<unsubscribe...> .
> > To post to this group, send email to <birders...> mailto:<birders...> .
> > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
> > To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<724340612.8826.1550599272111...>https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<724340612.8826.1550599272111...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer .
> > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
> >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > >
Date: 2/19/19 10:59 am From: Phil Bugosh <peb729...> Subject: [birders] Oakland Audubon Society Field Trip, Saturday, February 23, Shiawassee NWR
Saturday, February 23, 2019. 3:00 - 6:30 PM - Short-eared Owl field trip - Shiawassee NWR. Leader: Don Burlett (<baikalteal13...>) We'll meet in the parking lot off Curtis Road at Shiawassee NWR. We'll try birding a few spots before watching over the fields to the south of the Reserve. This has been unkind to us the past two years but SEOW's have been seen there recently. The weather forecast is for mild temps but be prepared. Plan to do a little walking on the Ferguson Bayou trail before dusk. Dinner afterwards at Cracker Barrel for those interested. I look forward to seeing the brave-at-heart there.
Please see our website (http://www.oaklandaudubon.org) for details about upcoming field trips, meetings and the Young Birder's Club. You do not have to be a member to participate. Everyone is welcome.
Date: 2/19/19 10:38 am From: Fred Kaluza <fkaluza...> Subject: Re: [birders] OT: Climate Strike 3/15
Maybe that’s the same as saying the average woman needs to crank out 2.1 children instead of the present 1.765 for ZPG. Well, despite the best efforts of American women (and men), the total population here seems to be (magically) rising nonetheless. Hmmmm.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
On Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 13:01, Curt Hofer <curthofer...> wrote:
<!--#yiv1463424613 DIV {margin:0px;}-->Roger,
It appears the women of America are heeding your advice. Per CNN...
Overall, the total fertility rate for the United States in 2017 was 1,765.5 per 1,000 women, which was 16% below what is considered the level needed for a population to replace itself: 2,100 births per 1,000 women, according to the report.
-- Curt Hofer
-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Kuhlman
Sent: Feb 18, 2019 2:08 PM
To: Alice Elliott , Birders UM
Subject: Re: [birders] OT: Climate Strike 3/15
#yiv1463424613 P {margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;}And of course not a single word will be spoken here about Human Overpopulation and its crucial role in giving us both Global Warming and the destruction of the World's biodiversity and native ecosystems. So naïve. So ignorant.
Sincerely,Roger KuhlmanAnn Arbor
Roger, It appears the women of America are heeding your advice. Per CNN... Overall, the total fertility rate for the United States in 2017 was 1,765.5 per 1,000 women, which was 16% below what is considered the level needed for a population to replace itself: 2,100 births per 1,000 women, according to the report.
-- Curt Hofer
-----Original Message----- From: Roger Kuhlman Sent: Feb 18, 2019 2:08 PM To: Alice Elliott , Birders UM Subject: Re: [birders] OT: Climate Strike 3/15
And of course not a single word will be spoken here about Human Overpopulation and its crucial role in giving us both Global Warming and the destruction of the World's biodiversity and native ecosystems. So naïve. So ignorant. Sincerely,Roger KuhlmanAnn Arbor
Date: 2/19/19 2:13 am From: Bruce Bowman <brucebowman99...> Subject: [birders] Re. First Red-winged Blackbird of the year seen in our yard
Killdeer and American Woodcock are both good choices. However, Killdeer are
sometimes seen (or heard) in winter. Small numbers overwinter here in
southern lower Michigan. I have never heard of American Woodcock
overwintering. They show up dependably in early to mid March.
So I would choose American Woodcock over Killdeer as the first spring
bird.. On the otherhand, woodcock don't announce their arrival widely.
You have to go find them. Red-winged Blackbirds are seen and heard
everywhere soon after the first ones show up, so Red-winged Blackbird might
be a better choice than woodcock if what we are looking for is the bird
that tells us that spring is here (or almost).
Bruce
On February 18, 2019 3:41:17 PM Roger Kuhlman <rkuhlman...> wrote:
>
> I go with the Killdeer or the American Woodcock as a better first bird of
> Spring than the RWB.
>
> Roger
> From: Ron Gamble <rongamble...>
> Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2019 10:08 AM
> To: <birders...>
> Subject: [birders] First Red-winged Blackbird of year seen in our yard,
> 17Feb2019
>
> On suet/seed block, mature male.
>
> I like it as first sign of spring; but I think you’re pushing the season
> buddy…
>
> Ron G.
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Birders" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
> To view this discussion on the web visit
> https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/000c01d4c6d2%24aeb2eb20%240c18c160%24%40net.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Birders" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
> To view this discussion on the web visit
> https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<DM6PR14MB27770F663082B3C4C8FC77C9C5630...> > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
Date: 2/18/19 12:41 pm From: Roger Kuhlman <rkuhlman...> Subject: Re: [birders] First Red-winged Blackbird of year seen in our yard, 17Feb2019
I go with the Killdeer or the American Woodcock as a better first bird of Spring than the RWB.
Roger
________________________________
From: Ron Gamble <rongamble...>
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2019 10:08 AM
To: <birders...>
Subject: [birders] First Red-winged Blackbird of year seen in our yard, 17Feb2019
On suet/seed block, mature male.
I like it as first sign of spring; but I think you’re pushing the season buddy…
Date: 2/18/19 11:08 am From: Roger Kuhlman <rkuhlman...> Subject: Re: [birders] OT: Climate Strike 3/15
And of course not a single word will be spoken here about Human Overpopulation and its crucial role in giving us both Global Warming and the destruction of the World's biodiversity and native ecosystems. So naïve. So ignorant.
Sincerely,
Roger Kuhlman
Ann Arbor
________________________________
From: Alice Elliott <alelliot...>
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2019 11:09 AM
To: <birders...>
Subject: [birders] OT: Climate Strike 3/15
Good morning, friends,
This isn't directly related to birds, but it is related to climate change-- which, of course, does directly impact birds.
A coalition of activists and groups have decided to join Greta Thunberg’s movement and take action. Students and workers around the world are striking on March 15th. Join Washtenaw County residents as we walk out from our schools and jobs on 11:11-- the number of years we have left to mitigate climate change.
Business as usual is no longer sustainable; we cannot continue to work and learn when the fate of our world is at stake. We are in the midst of a sixth mass extinction; the past few years were some of the warmest on record, and ecological collapse is imminent. We urge you to walk out with us, and to join us on the Diag at noon to hear from students and other speakers about why they are striking for climate action. RSVP to our Facebook event here!<https://www.facebook.com/events/557913254722538/>
Date: 2/18/19 10:55 am From: Bob Bethune <bobbethune...> Subject: Re: [birders] Red Winged Blackbirds
eBird records show that red-wing blackbirds are resident, at least in small numbers, year-round in southern lower Michigan. There is no month of the year without at least some sightings.
On Sunday, February 17, 2019, Scott R Smith <painless...> wrote:
> While driving towards the Ohio line Friday I saw a flock of about 50 Red > Wings. Very early I thought. > > *Sent from my Verizon Motorola Smartphone* > > -- > Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at > www.glc.org > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Birders" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to birders+<unsubscribe...> > To post to this group, send email to <birders...> > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/ > great-lakes.net/group/birders/. > To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/ > great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/20190217221056. > <CF35585A3532...> > <https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<20190217221056.CF35585A3532...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/ > great-lakes.net/d/optout. >
Date: 2/18/19 8:09 am From: Alice Elliott <alelliot...> Subject: [birders] OT: Climate Strike 3/15
Good morning, friends,
This isn't directly related to birds, but it *is *related to climate
change-- which, of course, does directly impact birds.
A coalition of activists and groups have decided to join Greta Thunberg’s
movement and take action. Students and workers around the world are
striking on *March 15th.* Join Washtenaw County residents as we walk out
from our schools and jobs on *11:11*-- the number of years we have left to
mitigate climate change.
Business as usual is no longer sustainable; we cannot continue to work and
learn when the fate of our world is at stake. We are in the midst of a
sixth mass extinction; the past few years were some of the warmest on
record, and ecological collapse is imminent. We urge you to walk out with
us, and to join us on the *Diag at noon* to hear from students and other
speakers about why they are striking for climate action. RSVP to our
Facebook event here! <https://www.facebook.com/events/557913254722538/>
Date: 2/18/19 7:06 am From: Pamela Moyer <silvereagle...> Subject: RE: [birders] Red Winged Blackbirds
I had a female RWB on my deck on Friday in northern lapeer county!!! I thought I heard a robin also but have not officially seen a robin. I think it is early also considering the very bitterly cold weather and much snow we have in this area!
Pam in Northern Lapeer County, MI
From: Scott R Smith <painless...>
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2019 5:11 PM
To: <birders...>
Subject: [birders] Red Winged Blackbirds
While driving towards the Ohio line Friday I saw a flock of about 50 Red Wings. Very early I thought.
Date: 2/17/19 12:42 pm From: Curt Hofer <curthofer...> Subject: Re: [birders] Dark Morph Red-Tailed Hawk on M14
Perhaps the two bird theory applies in this case but we observed a Red-Shouldered Hawk in that location last weekend.
Curt Hofer via iPhone
> On Feb 17, 2019, at 2:51 PM, Curt Powell <curt.curtp...> wrote:
>
> Hi
>
> Sorry, keep forgetting to mention that I saw this on Thursday. Cool bird for my MI 70 mph list. Can't say as I studied it in detail, but it was perched in a tree right along the highway. Pretty sure the id is correct (ie., not a rough-legged), by shape and that the tail looked un-banded. The bird was quite black. It was about 1.5 mi East of Gotfredson Rd on the North side of the road - definitely worth keeping an eye out for if you're driving on M14.
>
> Curt
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
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> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/CAHHuTjeX3wuefSC0doORSAmLU0bDHj2Z%<2B9eBP9DrJtYWi-7aBA...> > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
Date: 2/17/19 11:52 am From: Curt Powell <curt.curtp...> Subject: [birders] Dark Morph Red-Tailed Hawk on M14
Hi
Sorry, keep forgetting to mention that I saw this on Thursday. Cool bird for my MI 70 mph list. Can't say as I studied it in detail, but it was perched in a tree right along the highway. Pretty sure the id is correct (ie., not a rough-legged), by shape and that the tail looked un-banded. The bird was quite black. It was about 1.5 mi East of Gotfredson Rd on the North side of the road - definitely worth keeping an eye out for if you're driving on M14.
Date: 2/17/19 7:42 am From: Allen Chartier <amazilia3...> Subject: Re: [birders] First Red-winged Blackbird of year seen in our yard, 17Feb2019
I had a male Red-winged Blackbird in my backyard yesterday, singing (sort
of), and I too consider them a better sign of spring than some others. I
see robins fly over all winter long, for example, and there aren't any
bluebirds here in my mostly urban environment. The groundhog in my backyard
didn't even come out of his burrow on Groundhog Day. He doesn't care when
winter ends :-). But I think this is close to the earliest I've had a
Red-wing too. February 25-28 is about the normal first arrival for them.
Date: 2/17/19 7:35 am From: Terry Hoenle <terry_hoenle...> Subject: Re: [birders] First Red-winged Blackbird of year seen in our yard, 17Feb2019
Would love to have those RWBBs for my GBBC!!
Is this an indication of the future that we will be seeing them year round like the flocks of Robins??
Terry H
On Feb 17, 2019 10:17 AM, Marie Schatz <marieschatz...> wrote:
Saw one at my feeders a few weeks ago, around the cold spell. What?
Checked ebird and there were a few other sightings, 20 miles away spread
over time. Don't know if this one bird has been flying around Jackson and
Calhoun county or if there are more than one crazy RWBB out there!
Marie, Calhoun/Jackson county line
On 2/17/2019 10:08 AM, Ron Gamble wrote:
On suet/seed block, mature male.
I like it as first sign of spring; but I think you’re pushing the season buddy…
Date: 2/17/19 7:18 am From: Marie Schatz <marieschatz...> Subject: Re: [birders] First Red-winged Blackbird of year seen in our yard, 17Feb2019
Saw one at my feeders a few weeks ago, around the cold spell. What?
Checked ebird and there were a few other sightings, 20 miles away spread
over time. Don't know if this one bird has been flying around Jackson and
Calhoun county or if there are more than one crazy RWBB out there!
Date: 2/16/19 6:27 am From: 'Bill Rapai' via Birders <birders...> Subject: [birders] Off topic - Obit for the man who saved the Peregrine Falcon
Birders:
There's an obituary for Tom Cade in today's New York Times. Tom is credited with being the leader of the effort to save the Peregrine Falcon from extinction because of DDT.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/obituaries/tom-cade-dead.html In a 1980 interview with the Times, Cade gave his explanation for his mission to save the peregrine: "No one who sees a peregrine falcon fly can ever forget the beauty and thrill of that flight."
Bill RapaiGrosse Pointe
Date: 2/15/19 5:41 am From: Phil Bugosh <peb729...> Subject: [birders] OAS Field Trip Saturday February 16
Saturday, February 16, 2019 8:30am-11:30am. Great Backyard Bird Count. Leader: Kathleen Dougherty (<kad8186...>) This event is intended for Young Birders as well as adults. The Great Backyard Bird Count is one of the largest bird counts in the world. In 2017, 100 countries participated, and more than 180,000 checklists were submitted. Start at the E.L. Johnson Nature Center observing birds at their feeders and on the trails. After that we will go to Beaudette Park (786 Orchard Lake Rd., Pontiac, MI 48341) along the Clinton River Trail to search for waterfowl and other urban birds. Dress for the weather and bring your binoculars. Meet at the E.L. Johnson Nature Center, 3325 Franklin Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302.
Please see our website (http://www.oaklandaudubon.org) for details about upcoming field trips, meetings and the Young Birder's Club. You do not have to be a member to participate. Everyone is welcome.
Date: 2/14/19 1:59 pm From: Chipperatl10 <chipperatl10...> Subject: Re: [birders] Junco wing-bar and 3+ white tail probability
Thanks for the response Allen. I have tried to get pics of it near others. I wouldn’t say I can look at the group and point it out by naked eye. I was hoping I could find some pics showing one in a mixed flock, but no luck yet. I know how improbable it would be. It seems to fall on that overlap area of the two, at least based on these two characteristics. I would definitely need to show a size difference before I’d even try to justify as a White-winged. Maybe it will stick around still this weekend and I can observe it some more.
Gordon Green
Sent from my iPhone
> On Feb 14, 2019, at 10:11 AM, Allen Chartier <amazilia3...> wrote:
>
> Gordon,
>
> Interesting bird. I have been banding juncos mainly in my yard (sometimes I catch them other places) for the past 15 years, and have been taking bill measurements and assessing percentages of white in each of the tail feathers, precisely because we don't know much about how these characters relate to the age and sex of them. In my experience, the number of juncos with the white dots on the secondary coverts, like the bird in your photo, is maybe 5-10%. I think that most of them that I have banded have been young birds, in their first winter, and that it is likely individuals retaining their juvenile coverts. Check out this photo of a juvenile; the spots on the coverts look just like those on the ones I have seen, and looks a lot like your bird too.
>
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/56509109@N04/5861596125 >
> Regarding white in the tail, juncos have 12 tail feathers and in our Slate-colored Juncos, numbered from the central pair outward, and there is white on the outer 3. Almost all of them I have banded have 100% white on the outermost (r6), and many have most or all white (90-100%) on the next one (r5). The greatest variation is in the amount of white on r4, which can range from a maximum of 60% in what I think are adult males, and some adult females, to 0% in young of both sexes (or unknown sex). Your bird has a lot more white on r4 than I've seen...it may be dark at the base so could be 80% white or more. And, I can't remember seeing any white on r3 on those I've banded, as on your bird, which I would estimate as 20% white on the right r3, and 10% white on the left r3. Off the top of my head, I know that other subspecies of junco have white on r3, and it may not be just White-winged that shows this. I would not use this single character, though, to indicate anything.
>
> White-winged is the largest subspecies of junco, and a "pure" one (there are many intergrades) should be easy to distinguish if it is with Slate-colored, by size. Also, White-winged have more extensive white tips (not dots) on the greater secondary coverts AND on the median secondary coverts. According to the "Pyle Guide", which is used by bird banders as well as birders, the wing chord of White-winged is 78-88 in females and 82-92 in males. Slate-colored (hyemalis ssp) wing cords are 69-77 in females and 73-82 in males. So, there is some overlap depending on the sex of the bird.
>
> Pyle, Peter. 1997. Identification Guide to North American Birds. Part 1 (Columbidae to Ploceidae). Slate Creek Press. Bolinas, CA.
>
>
> Allen T. Chartier
> Inkster, Michigan
> Email: <amazilia3...>
> Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mihummingbirdguy/collections/ > Website: www.amazilia.net
> Blog: http://mihummingbirdguy.blogspot.com/ >
>
>
>> On Thu, Feb 14, 2019 at 9:30 AM Chipperatl10 <chipperatl10...> wrote:
>> Can anyone speak to probability of Slate-colored Junco with faint white wing-bars and 3+ white tail feathers? I know the wing-bar percentage is between 1-2%, but cannot find anything related to extent of white in retrices. I can’t find much showing real-life side by side comparison of size, bill or color between slate and white-winged.
>>
>> I assumed, last week, this was a slate-colored with wing-bars but the 3 solid white tail feathers and 4th with 10-25% white at least lead me to ask for further expertise. Thank you in advance.
>>
>> https://www.balancethechaos.com/birding/interesting-junco-ssp-popping-up-at-the-feeder >>
>> Gordon Green
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> --
>> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
>> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
>> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
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>> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<A2257674-4B58-4D59-887F-F19C1E4B9F06...> >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
Date: 2/14/19 11:17 am From: Jack Smiley <jackrsmiley...> Subject: [birders] Pileated Woodpecker - Plymouth Township, Wayne County
I saw a Pileated Woodpecker the other day near the corner of Ridge Road and Ann Arbor Road in Plymouth Township. I know that they've been reported at other areas in Wayne County, but this was the first one that I have seen in Wayne County.
> On Feb 14, 2019, at 10:45 AM, Kristina Harris <khiceland...> wrote:
>
> I heard a cardinal singing his beautiful song in Plymouth township today!
> Happy Valentine’s Day!
>
> Kristina Harris
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
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> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<F475F584-4A20-4EAF-871F-8C31E56FD48B...> > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
Date: 2/14/19 7:11 am From: Allen Chartier <amazilia3...> Subject: Re: [birders] Junco wing-bar and 3+ white tail probability
Gordon,
Interesting bird. I have been banding juncos mainly in my yard (sometimes I
catch them other places) for the past 15 years, and have been taking bill
measurements and assessing percentages of white in each of the tail
feathers, precisely because we don't know much about how these characters
relate to the age and sex of them. In my experience, the number of juncos
with the white dots on the secondary coverts, like the bird in your photo,
is maybe 5-10%. I think that most of them that I have banded have been
young birds, in their first winter, and that it is likely individuals
retaining their juvenile coverts. Check out this photo of a juvenile; the
spots on the coverts look just like those on the ones I have seen, and
looks a lot like your bird too.
Regarding white in the tail, juncos have 12 tail feathers and in our
Slate-colored Juncos, numbered from the central pair outward, and there is
white on the outer 3. Almost all of them I have banded have 100% white on
the outermost (r6), and many have most or all white (90-100%) on the next
one (r5). The greatest variation is in the amount of white on r4, which can
range from a maximum of 60% in what I think are adult males, and some adult
females, to 0% in young of both sexes (or unknown sex). Your bird has a lot
more white on r4 than I've seen...it may be dark at the base so could be
80% white or more. And, I can't remember seeing any white on r3 on those
I've banded, as on your bird, which I would estimate as 20% white on the
right r3, and 10% white on the left r3. Off the top of my head, I know that
other subspecies of junco have white on r3, and it may not be just
White-winged that shows this. I would not use this single character,
though, to indicate anything.
White-winged is the largest subspecies of junco, and a "pure" one (there
are many intergrades) should be easy to distinguish if it is with
Slate-colored, by size. Also, White-winged have more extensive white tips
(not dots) on the greater secondary coverts AND on the median secondary
coverts. According to the "Pyle Guide", which is used by bird banders as
well as birders, the wing chord of White-winged is 78-88 in females and
82-92 in males. Slate-colored (hyemalis ssp) wing cords are 69-77 in
females and 73-82 in males. So, there is some overlap depending on the sex
of the bird.
Pyle, Peter. 1997. Identification Guide to North American Birds. Part 1
(Columbidae to Ploceidae). Slate Creek Press. Bolinas, CA.
Date: 2/14/19 6:30 am From: Chipperatl10 <chipperatl10...> Subject: [birders] Junco wing-bar and 3+ white tail probability
Can anyone speak to probability of Slate-colored Junco with faint white wing-bars and 3+ white tail feathers? I know the wing-bar percentage is between 1-2%, but cannot find anything related to extent of white in retrices. I can’t find much showing real-life side by side comparison of size, bill or color between slate and white-winged.
I assumed, last week, this was a slate-colored with wing-bars but the 3 solid white tail feathers and 4th with 10-25% white at least lead me to ask for further expertise. Thank you in advance.
EBird’s most recent rare bird alert is below.
And if you need more birding skills (or know someone who would like to improve), send them the information link for our Field Ornithology class that starts in April!
http://www.miavianexperience.org/ You may have to copy and paste this link.
Or mail me with any questions.
Dea
Deaver D. Armstrong
<ddarm...>
Let's go birding......
A New Field Ornithology Class will start in APRIL of 2019
To learn more please go to
http://www.miavianexperience.org/ Enter site, then go to Programs, then Field Classes
Date: 2/12/19 7:06 am From: Phil Bugosh <peb729...> Subject: [birders] Oakland Audubon Society Meeting/Program will still take place tonight at 7:00 PM
It is supposed to warm up above freezing this afternoon and evening so we do plan to meet tonight. The church will be open. Please take your time and drive carefully.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 - 7:00 P.M. Join us for the Oakland Audubon Society's monthly meeting and a program titled "A Passage to South India" presented by Dorothy McLeer. When Dorothy McLeer visited South India she saw some marvelous wildlife - and also the result of a tsunami that had hit the area a few days earlier. Join us for an unusual presentation. Meetings are held at the First United Methodist Church, 1589 West Maple Road, Birmingham, MI 48009. Enter the building from the rear main entrance. Everyone is welcome to attend this free program. Refreshments will be served.
Please see our website (http://www.oaklandaudubon.org) for details about upcoming field trips, meetings and the Young Birder's Club. You do not have to be a member to participate. Everyone is welcome.
Date: 2/11/19 1:23 pm From: birds891357 via Birders <birders...> Subject: Re: [birders] "feeding" the birds - bald eagle over our yard (a bit north of Dexter)
I saw a Cooper’s hawk get a young Norway rat.
Mark O’Keefe
Sent from Windows Mail
From: Fred Kaluza
Sent: Saturday, February 9, 2019 1:42 PM
To: Tait, Mag, Faye Stoner
Cc: birders
Since Norwsy are not part of our native ecosystems here in the US, does anyone know if they are regularly preyed on? Being mostly night creatures, I’m thinking that owls should be interested but...wouldn’t they be quite a bit larger than normal Owl prey? Even House Cats normally take things smaller than rats. I can see where poisoned rats laying out in the open would attract anything that eats squirrels or musk rats but Norway Rats at night? Maybe Great Horned Owls looking for skunks or house cats? I don’t know.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
On Saturday, February 9, 2019, 13:12, Tait, Mag <mtait...> wrote:
Quite a story. Thank you for sharing. My daughter in Seattle has a pair of barred owls that frequent her yard. They also have many rats. She has seriously considered mounting a platform with seeds as an owl feeder, reasoning the rats would feed on it and be prime targets for the owls.
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 9, 2019, at 12:24 PM, Faye Stoner <faye.stoner...> wrote:
External Email - Use Caution
Birders,
Sherri Smith has written about feeding mice to the crows in her neighborhood. Our neighborhood crows often visit our compost pile to search for food and in snowy weather, they look for food we put out closer to our house, like skin from salmon we had for dinner.
This year we put out something much more. We had a deer die in our yard this past October, after getting hit by a car we assume. We did get the needed DNR permit, we harvested some meat for ourselves and then I also put parts of the deer in the big freezer to feed to the crows and other critters later in winter.
I put out a deer leg during that deep cold spell we had recently; that was the second leg I had put out. We have had crows come often to the legs, once 5 visiting at one time, We have had two red-tails come several times, and once we had 3 red-tails out there at one time.
Last week we had a bald eagle visit our yard. When we saw the mature eagle, it was flying already and we watched it land in a large tree just north of our property. With my scope I watched it eat what it had carried to the tree. It stayed put for several minutes........ much of the time a red-tail sat several feet above it in the same tree.
What we did not see, but we learned later our neighbors had, was that the bald eagle and a red-tail had had an aerial skirmish. Our neighbor saw the hawk and eagle "fighting" in the air, not many yards away from the deer leg. That must have happened seconds before Ron saw the eagle flying over our yard.
So, we can't say with certainty that the eagle was actually eating something from our "bird feeding" area, since we didn't actually see it at the deer leg, but even without knowing that for sure, the eagle's presence made for an exciting and fun afternoon.
This experience made me wonder how many interesting things we humans might miss seeing at our homes, either because we aren't home or we just aren't looking!
**********************************************************
Electronic Mail is not secure, may not be read every day, and should not be used for urgent or sensitive issues
Date: 2/11/19 11:29 am From: Sherri Smith <grackle...> Subject: [birders] owl food
From my rehab experience, Rats might be too big for barred owls, Great horned owls would eat them right up. They would eat the barred owls too if possible. If I were in her situation, I would try it. I had eight pigeons feeding on my platform when a chipmunk climbed to it. When he poked his head over the rim, the pigeons departed in a panic, like a bunch of victorian ladies.
Sherri Smith
Date: 2/11/19 10:08 am From: Phil Bugosh <peb729...> Subject: [birders] Reminder: OAS Meeting/Program Tuesday, February 12 at 7:00 PM
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 - 7:00 P.M. Join us for the Oakland Audubon Society's monthly meeting and a program titled "A Passage to South India" presented by Dorothy McLeer. When Dorothy McLeer visited South India she saw some marvelous wildlife - and also the result of a tsunami that had hit the area a few days earlier. Join us for an unusual presentation. Meetings are held at the First United Methodist Church, 1589 West Maple Road, Birmingham, MI 48009. Enter the building from the rear main entrance. Everyone is welcome to attend this free program. Refreshments will be served.
Please see our website (http://www.oaklandaudubon.org) for details about upcoming field trips, meetings and the Young Birder's Club. You do not have to be a member to participate. Everyone is welcome.
Date: 2/11/19 6:39 am From: Daniel Blower <dfblower...> Subject: [birders] Ross's goose at Ford Lake bridge dam
At the risk of excessive scrupulosity, let me correct the record slightly. I may have been the initial reporter of the bird, but it was pointed out to me by another birder. I think I now know her name, but I'll let her speak for herself.
It took me a while to accept that goose as a Ross's. When I first saw it from the bank of the river, I thought Snow goose. Checked the bill but didn't see much in the way of bluish, though the first time it was at some distance. There was a hint of blue through my binocs, but this would be a lifer for me and I always fear my wishes will color my vision. I went up on the road on the dam, where there was a woman scoping the waterfowl. There were some redheads and canvasbacks in the river, and I wanted to confirm my identification of those birds with her, since she had a scope. At that point, she asked me if I had seen the Ross's goose, mentioning that she had seen some bluish at the base of the bill.
I thought, damn. Possibly too hasty. The goose had drifted closer to the riverside walkway at Hydro Park, so I hotfooted it back down there. The bird drifted back toward the other bank, (naturally) but I glassed it and took some pictures with my inadequate camera. After I got home, I went through my bird books and some online photos, and persuaded myself that it was indeed a Ross's, based mostly on the size & shape of the bill, lack of grin patch (now I'm thinking grrr patch is more like it), and the blush of bluish at the base of the bill. In many of the photos I checked online, that color is not all that well-marked.
So, actual credit for finding the bird goes to the unknown birder.
At around 2pm, I had a Pileated Woodpecker fly over Wagner Road and land in a tree on the west side of the road just south of Miller Road in Ann Arbor. —mike
Date: 2/10/19 10:57 am From: Tait, Mag <mtait...> Subject: FW: [birders] "feeding" the birds - barred owls....
From my daughter in response to rats maybe being too large for regular barred owl food.
;o)
From: Leah Tait <leah.tait...>
Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2019 1:42 PM
To: Tait, Mag <mtait...>
Subject: Re: [birders] "feeding" the birds - bald eagle over our yard (a bit north of Dexter)
External Email - Use Caution
So it’s inconclusive! I am thinking of this photo of a barred owl:
[image1.jpeg]
On Feb 10, 2019, at 4:26 AM, Tait, Mag <mtait...><mailto:<mtait...>> wrote:
Gotta love birders.
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: "'George Hammond' via Birders" <birders...><mailto:<birders...>> Date: February 10, 2019 at 12:18:36 AM EST
To: birders <birders...><mailto:<birders...>> Subject: Re: [birders] "feeding" the birds - bald eagle over our yard (a bit north of Dexter)
Reply-To: George Hammond <worldsmith...><mailto:<worldsmith...>> External Email - Use Caution
I took a look in Birds of North America:
Barred owls eat all kinds of small animals (even reported to wade in water after crayfish) but mostly things smaller than an adult rat. They do eat lots of small mammals, and take birds as a large as ruffed grouse though…
Great Horned Owls are generalists, and tend to feed most on the prey that is most abundant. Rabbits and large rodents make up most of their diet in most places, so Rattus norvegicus (now generally called brown rats, since they never had anything to do with Norway) would fit well within their prey size range. They’re your best bet for an owl predator of Rattus in North America.
Barn owls mainly eat voles and other mammals that size or smaller. Adult brown rats would be a bit big. Juveniles they could, and do, manage, but the studies cited in BNA found Rattus to be a pretty small part of their diet. This might be a function of study location rather than particular owl preference.
Short-eared owls and long-eared owls have both been reported to take juvenile Rattus, but not often. They mostly eat smaller mammals.
Great gray owls look bigger than great horned owls, but that’s just plumage, they actually weigh a little less, and tend to take smaller prey than GHOs. No mention of them taking Rattus
Spotted owls of the west mostly eat flying squirrels, and in the southern part of their range, native woodrats (Neotoma), which are at least as big as juvenile brown rats, but maybe not as big as adults. No mention of them preying on Rattus. Like great grays, this may be a function of non-overlapping habitat preferences.
cheers,
George
On Feb 9, 2019, at 1:42 PM, Fred Kaluza <fkaluza...><mailto:<fkaluza...>> wrote:
Since Norwsy are not part of our native ecosystems here in the US, does anyone know if they are regularly preyed on? Being mostly night creatures, I’m thinking that owls should be interested but...wouldn’t they be quite a bit larger than normal Owl prey? Even House Cats normally take things smaller than rats. I can see where poisoned rats laying out in the open would attract anything that eats squirrels or musk rats but Norway Rats at night? Maybe Great Horned Owls looking for skunks or house cats? I don’t know.
On Saturday, February 9, 2019, 13:12, Tait, Mag <mtait...><mailto:<mtait...>> wrote:
Quite a story. Thank you for sharing. My daughter in Seattle has a pair of barred owls that frequent her yard. They also have many rats. She has seriously considered mounting a platform with seeds as an owl feeder, reasoning the rats would feed on it and be prime targets for the owls.
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 9, 2019, at 12:24 PM, Faye Stoner <faye.stoner...><mailto:<faye.stoner...>> wrote:
Birders,
Sherri Smith has written about feeding mice to the crows in her neighborhood. Our neighborhood crows often visit our compost pile to search for food and in snowy weather, they look for food we put out closer to our house, like skin from salmon we had for dinner.
This year we put out something much more. We had a deer die in our yard this past October, after getting hit by a car we assume. We did get the needed DNR permit, we harvested some meat for ourselves and then I also put parts of the deer in the big freezer to feed to the crows and other critters later in winter.
I put out a deer leg during that deep cold spell we had recently; that was the second leg I had put out. We have had crows come often to the legs, once 5 visiting at one time, We have had two red-tails come several times, and once we had 3 red-tails out there at one time.
Last week we had a bald eagle visit our yard. When we saw the mature eagle, it was flying already and we watched it land in a large tree just north of our property. With my scope I watched it eat what it had carried to the tree. It stayed put for several minutes........ much of the time a red-tail sat several feet above it in the same tree.
What we did not see, but we learned later our neighbors had, was that the bald eagle and a red-tail had had an aerial skirmish. Our neighbor saw the hawk and eagle "fighting" in the air, not many yards away from the deer leg. That must have happened seconds before Ron saw the eagle flying over our yard.
So, we can't say with certainty that the eagle was actually eating something from our "bird feeding" area, since we didn't actually see it at the deer leg, but even without knowing that for sure, the eagle's presence made for an exciting and fun afternoon.
This experience made me wonder how many interesting things we humans might miss seeing at our homes, either because we aren't home or we just aren't looking!
**********************************************************
Electronic Mail is not secure, may not be read every day, and should not be used for urgent or sensitive issues
**********************************************************
Electronic Mail is not secure, may not be read every day, and should not be used for urgent or sensitive issues
Date: 2/9/19 9:18 pm From: 'George Hammond' via Birders <birders...> Subject: Re: [birders] "feeding" the birds - bald eagle over our yard (a bit north of Dexter)
I took a look in Birds of North America:
Barred owls eat all kinds of small animals (even reported to wade in water after crayfish) but mostly things smaller than an adult rat. They do eat lots of small mammals, and take birds as a large as ruffed grouse though…
Great Horned Owls are generalists, and tend to feed most on the prey that is most abundant. Rabbits and large rodents make up most of their diet in most places, so Rattus norvegicus (now generally called brown rats, since they never had anything to do with Norway) would fit well within their prey size range. They’re your best bet for an owl predator of Rattus in North America.
Barn owls mainly eat voles and other mammals that size or smaller. Adult brown rats would be a bit big. Juveniles they could, and do, manage, but the studies cited in BNA found Rattus to be a pretty small part of their diet. This might be a function of study location rather than particular owl preference.
Short-eared owls and long-eared owls have both been reported to take juvenile Rattus, but not often. They mostly eat smaller mammals.
Great gray owls look bigger than great horned owls, but that’s just plumage, they actually weigh a little less, and tend to take smaller prey than GHOs. No mention of them taking Rattus
Spotted owls of the west mostly eat flying squirrels, and in the southern part of their range, native woodrats (Neotoma), which are at least as big as juvenile brown rats, but maybe not as big as adults. No mention of them preying on Rattus. Like great grays, this may be a function of non-overlapping habitat preferences.
cheers,
George
> On Feb 9, 2019, at 1:42 PM, Fred Kaluza <fkaluza...> wrote:
>
> Since Norwsy are not part of our native ecosystems here in the US, does anyone know if they are regularly preyed on? Being mostly night creatures, I’m thinking that owls should be interested but...wouldn’t they be quite a bit larger than normal Owl prey? Even House Cats normally take things smaller than rats. I can see where poisoned rats laying out in the open would attract anything that eats squirrels or musk rats but Norway Rats at night? Maybe Great Horned Owls looking for skunks or house cats? I don’t know.
>
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone <https://overview.mail.yahoo.com/?.src=iOS> >
> On Saturday, February 9, 2019, 13:12, Tait, Mag <mtait...> wrote:
>
> Quite a story. Thank you for sharing. My daughter in Seattle has a pair of barred owls that frequent her yard. They also have many rats. She has seriously considered mounting a platform with seeds as an owl feeder, reasoning the rats would feed on it and be prime targets for the owls.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Feb 9, 2019, at 12:24 PM, Faye Stoner <faye.stoner...> <mailto:<faye.stoner...>> wrote:
>
>> Birders,
>>
>> Sherri Smith has written about feeding mice to the crows in her neighborhood. Our neighborhood crows often visit our compost pile to search for food and in snowy weather, they look for food we put out closer to our house, like skin from salmon we had for dinner.
>>
>> This year we put out something much more. We had a deer die in our yard this past October, after getting hit by a car we assume. We did get the needed DNR permit, we harvested some meat for ourselves and then I also put parts of the deer in the big freezer to feed to the crows and other critters later in winter.
>>
>> I put out a deer leg during that deep cold spell we had recently; that was the second leg I had put out. We have had crows come often to the legs, once 5 visiting at one time, We have had two red-tails come several times, and once we had 3 red-tails out there at one time.
>>
>> Last week we had a bald eagle visit our yard. When we saw the mature eagle, it was flying already and we watched it land in a large tree just north of our property. With my scope I watched it eat what it had carried to the tree. It stayed put for several minutes........ much of the time a red-tail sat several feet above it in the same tree.
>>
>> What we did not see, but we learned later our neighbors had, was that the bald eagle and a red-tail had had an aerial skirmish. Our neighbor saw the hawk and eagle "fighting" in the air, not many yards away from the deer leg. That must have happened seconds before Ron saw the eagle flying over our yard.
>>
>> So, we can't say with certainty that the eagle was actually eating something from our "bird feeding" area, since we didn't actually see it at the deer leg, but even without knowing that for sure, the eagle's presence made for an exciting and fun afternoon.
>>
>> This experience made me wonder how many interesting things we humans might miss seeing at our homes, either because we aren't home or we just aren't looking!
>>
>> Faye Stoner/Ron Gamble
The behavior you describe of solitary diving also coincides with the goldeneyes I have seen in my cove near Metro Beach. We had 4 females a few weeks ago before the lake froze but they didn’t feed close together, followed by a few males at a later date, who also didn’t flock. Sometimes it would just be one bird all day.
I keep meaning to post the photos I took. The females usually have just a white line on the wings (sometimes just on one wing) rather than the males’ white and black pattern.
Penny
> On Feb 9, 2019, at 2:58 PM, Robert Lyons <boblyons...> wrote:
>
> Y’know, Ron, the more I think about it, the more likely it seems to me that you are correct. Most of the observed markings fit the female Common Goldeneye. The only real problem was my perception of the black-and-white blocking on it’s back. In fact, I found some pictures online that showed female CG’s with stark white markings on their backs, against brown, and the harsh lighting may have made the contrast seem more pronounced to me. Everything else fits - wing pattern, belly color, head color (including white neck ring), head shape, bill color, eye color. I think you got it. Thanks!
>
> - Bob
>
>
>
>> On Feb 9, 2019, at 2:44 PM, Robert Lyons <boblyons...> wrote:
>>
>> Yeah, I looked at that, especially since I had seen (my first!) Common Goldeneye earlier today. However, the black-and-white on my mystery bird was much more stark, and the white belly came well up on the sides. Probably not a female Common Goldeneye. Maybe a juvie of some sort?
>>
>> - Bob
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Feb 9, 2019, at 2:41 PM, Ron Gamble <rongamble...> wrote:
>>>
>>> How about female goldeneye...?
>>> Ron G.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Robert Lyons [mailto:<boblyons...>]
>>> Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2019 2:38 PM
>>> To: <birders...>
>>> Subject: [birders] Identification help, please
>>>
>>> Hi, Y’all -
>>>
>>> I spotted a duck on the Huron River today near Superior Road (Superior Twp) that has me baffled. I suspect I’m missing something obvious, but at least this isn’t one of the common denizens of this stretch of river. The lighting was harsh, with full sunlight reflecting off the river, so a photo was not attempted, and good visualization was difficult.
>>>
>>> Description:
>>>
>>> Smallish diving duck, solitary, avoids the throngs of Redheads Brown head to mid-neck, then white (neck ring? not sure).
>>> The head was rounded, with a small duck’s bill (i.e. not a Merganser) White belly clearly visible when s/he rolled over.
>>> Black and white blocking on top, but I couldn’t tell whether wings or back.
>>> I think I saw light-colored eyes. Yellow?
>>> I think I saw a dark bill with perhaps a lighter tip or maybe a tip-ring.
>>> When it flew, the outer half of the wing was dark - probably black - while the inner wing flashed white.
>>>
>>> The combination of brown head and black-and-white back in a diving duck seems to preclude most ID’s I could come up with. It was not, for example, a Redhead, or Canvasback or Scaup or Merganser.
>>>
>>> Suggestions?
>>>
>>> - Bob
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Robert Lyons, Ph.D.
>>> Retired Director, UM DNA Sequencing Core
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
>>> ---
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
>>> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
>>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
>>> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<3BA38163-6498-490C-B9A9-3DE8A586B0E7...> >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
>>>
>>
>>
>> Robert Lyons, Ph.D.
>> Retired Director, UM DNA Sequencing Core
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> Robert Lyons, Ph.D.
> Retired Director, UM DNA Sequencing Core
>
>
>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<B237DE04-E7CD-41E4-A670-7C240AAC1A52...> > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
Date: 2/9/19 11:58 am From: Robert Lyons <boblyons...> Subject: Re: [birders] Identification help, please
Y’know, Ron, the more I think about it, the more likely it seems to me that you are correct. Most of the observed markings fit the female Common Goldeneye. The only real problem was my perception of the black-and-white blocking on it’s back. In fact, I found some pictures online that showed female CG’s with stark white markings on their backs, against brown, and the harsh lighting may have made the contrast seem more pronounced to me. Everything else fits - wing pattern, belly color, head color (including white neck ring), head shape, bill color, eye color. I think you got it. Thanks!
- Bob
> On Feb 9, 2019, at 2:44 PM, Robert Lyons <boblyons...> wrote:
>
> Yeah, I looked at that, especially since I had seen (my first!) Common Goldeneye earlier today. However, the black-and-white on my mystery bird was much more stark, and the white belly came well up on the sides. Probably not a female Common Goldeneye. Maybe a juvie of some sort?
>
> - Bob
>
>
>
>> On Feb 9, 2019, at 2:41 PM, Ron Gamble <rongamble...> wrote:
>>
>> How about female goldeneye...?
>> Ron G.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Robert Lyons [mailto:<boblyons...>]
>> Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2019 2:38 PM
>> To: <birders...>
>> Subject: [birders] Identification help, please
>>
>> Hi, Y’all -
>>
>> I spotted a duck on the Huron River today near Superior Road (Superior Twp) that has me baffled. I suspect I’m missing something obvious, but at least this isn’t one of the common denizens of this stretch of river. The lighting was harsh, with full sunlight reflecting off the river, so a photo was not attempted, and good visualization was difficult.
>>
>> Description:
>>
>> Smallish diving duck, solitary, avoids the throngs of Redheads Brown head to mid-neck, then white (neck ring? not sure).
>> The head was rounded, with a small duck’s bill (i.e. not a Merganser) White belly clearly visible when s/he rolled over.
>> Black and white blocking on top, but I couldn’t tell whether wings or back.
>> I think I saw light-colored eyes. Yellow?
>> I think I saw a dark bill with perhaps a lighter tip or maybe a tip-ring.
>> When it flew, the outer half of the wing was dark - probably black - while the inner wing flashed white.
>>
>> The combination of brown head and black-and-white back in a diving duck seems to preclude most ID’s I could come up with. It was not, for example, a Redhead, or Canvasback or Scaup or Merganser.
>>
>> Suggestions?
>>
>> - Bob
>>
>>
>>
>> Robert Lyons, Ph.D.
>> Retired Director, UM DNA Sequencing Core
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
>> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
>> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
>> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<3BA38163-6498-490C-B9A9-3DE8A586B0E7...> >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
>>
>
>
> Robert Lyons, Ph.D.
> Retired Director, UM DNA Sequencing Core
>
>
>
Robert Lyons, Ph.D.
Retired Director, UM DNA Sequencing Core
Date: 2/9/19 11:44 am From: Robert Lyons <boblyons...> Subject: Re: [birders] Identification help, please
Yeah, I looked at that, especially since I had seen (my first!) Common Goldeneye earlier today. However, the black-and-white on my mystery bird was much more stark, and the white belly came well up on the sides. Probably not a female Common Goldeneye. Maybe a juvie of some sort?
- Bob
> On Feb 9, 2019, at 2:41 PM, Ron Gamble <rongamble...> wrote:
>
> How about female goldeneye...?
> Ron G.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robert Lyons [mailto:<boblyons...>]
> Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2019 2:38 PM
> To: <birders...>
> Subject: [birders] Identification help, please
>
> Hi, Y’all -
>
> I spotted a duck on the Huron River today near Superior Road (Superior Twp) that has me baffled. I suspect I’m missing something obvious, but at least this isn’t one of the common denizens of this stretch of river. The lighting was harsh, with full sunlight reflecting off the river, so a photo was not attempted, and good visualization was difficult.
>
> Description:
>
> Smallish diving duck, solitary, avoids the throngs of Redheads Brown head to mid-neck, then white (neck ring? not sure).
> The head was rounded, with a small duck’s bill (i.e. not a Merganser) White belly clearly visible when s/he rolled over.
> Black and white blocking on top, but I couldn’t tell whether wings or back.
> I think I saw light-colored eyes. Yellow?
> I think I saw a dark bill with perhaps a lighter tip or maybe a tip-ring.
> When it flew, the outer half of the wing was dark - probably black - while the inner wing flashed white.
>
> The combination of brown head and black-and-white back in a diving duck seems to preclude most ID’s I could come up with. It was not, for example, a Redhead, or Canvasback or Scaup or Merganser.
>
> Suggestions?
>
> - Bob
>
>
>
> Robert Lyons, Ph.D.
> Retired Director, UM DNA Sequencing Core
>
>
>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<3BA38163-6498-490C-B9A9-3DE8A586B0E7...> > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
>
Robert Lyons, Ph.D.
Retired Director, UM DNA Sequencing Core
Date: 2/9/19 11:38 am From: Robert Lyons <boblyons...> Subject: [birders] Identification help, please
Hi, Y’all -
I spotted a duck on the Huron River today near Superior Road (Superior Twp) that has me baffled. I suspect I’m missing something obvious, but at least this isn’t one of the common denizens of this stretch of river. The lighting was harsh, with full sunlight reflecting off the river, so a photo was not attempted, and good visualization was difficult.
Description:
Smallish diving duck, solitary, avoids the throngs of Redheads
Brown head to mid-neck, then white (neck ring? not sure).
The head was rounded, with a small duck’s bill (i.e. not a Merganser)
White belly clearly visible when s/he rolled over.
Black and white blocking on top, but I couldn’t tell whether wings or back.
I think I saw light-colored eyes. Yellow?
I think I saw a dark bill with perhaps a lighter tip or maybe a tip-ring.
When it flew, the outer half of the wing was dark - probably black - while the inner wing flashed white.
The combination of brown head and black-and-white back in a diving duck seems to preclude most ID’s I could come up with. It was not, for example, a Redhead, or Canvasback or Scaup or Merganser.
Suggestions?
- Bob
Robert Lyons, Ph.D.
Retired Director, UM DNA Sequencing Core
Date: 2/9/19 11:21 am From: Tait, Mag <mtait...> Subject: Re: [birders] "feeding" the birds - bald eagle over our yard (a bit north of Dexter)
I don’t know, either, but her chickens aren’t native and the owls are certainly interested in them! If she tries it, I will definitely let you know how it goes.
It’s interesting that she uses the Cayanne pepper suet cakes because the squirrels were eating them and avoid those. She has sent me several pictures of rats happily munching on those suet cakes.
Mag
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 9, 2019, at 1:42 PM, Fred Kaluza <fkaluza...><mailto:<fkaluza...>> wrote:
External Email - Use Caution
Since Norwsy are not part of our native ecosystems here in the US, does anyone know if they are regularly preyed on? Being mostly night creatures, I’m thinking that owls should be interested but...wouldn’t they be quite a bit larger than normal Owl prey? Even House Cats normally take things smaller than rats. I can see where poisoned rats laying out in the open would attract anything that eats squirrels or musk rats but Norway Rats at night? Maybe Great Horned Owls looking for skunks or house cats? I don’t know.
On Saturday, February 9, 2019, 13:12, Tait, Mag <mtait...><mailto:<mtait...>> wrote:
Quite a story. Thank you for sharing. My daughter in Seattle has a pair of barred owls that frequent her yard. They also have many rats. She has seriously considered mounting a platform with seeds as an owl feeder, reasoning the rats would feed on it and be prime targets for the owls.
External Email - Use Caution
Birders,
Sherri Smith has written about feeding mice to the crows in her neighborhood. Our neighborhood crows often visit our compost pile to search for food and in snowy weather, they look for food we put out closer to our house, like skin from salmon we had for dinner.
This year we put out something much more. We had a deer die in our yard this past October, after getting hit by a car we assume. We did get the needed DNR permit, we harvested some meat for ourselves and then I also put parts of the deer in the big freezer to feed to the crows and other critters later in winter.
I put out a deer leg during that deep cold spell we had recently; that was the second leg I had put out. We have had crows come often to the legs, once 5 visiting at one time, We have had two red-tails come several times, and once we had 3 red-tails out there at one time.
Last week we had a bald eagle visit our yard. When we saw the mature eagle, it was flying already and we watched it land in a large tree just north of our property. With my scope I watched it eat what it had carried to the tree. It stayed put for several minutes........ much of the time a red-tail sat several feet above it in the same tree.
What we did not see, but we learned later our neighbors had, was that the bald eagle and a red-tail had had an aerial skirmish. Our neighbor saw the hawk and eagle "fighting" in the air, not many yards away from the deer leg. That must have happened seconds before Ron saw the eagle flying over our yard.
So, we can't say with certainty that the eagle was actually eating something from our "bird feeding" area, since we didn't actually see it at the deer leg, but even without knowing that for sure, the eagle's presence made for an exciting and fun afternoon.
This experience made me wonder how many interesting things we humans might miss seeing at our homes, either because we aren't home or we just aren't looking!
**********************************************************
Electronic Mail is not secure, may not be read every day, and should not be used for urgent or sensitive issues
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
**********************************************************
Electronic Mail is not secure, may not be read every day, and should not be used for urgent or sensitive issues
Date: 2/9/19 10:42 am From: Fred Kaluza <fkaluza...> Subject: Re: [birders] "feeding" the birds - bald eagle over our yard (a bit north of Dexter)
Since Norwsy are not part of our native ecosystems here in the US, does anyone know if they are regularly preyed on? Being mostly night creatures, I’m thinking that owls should be interested but...wouldn’t they be quite a bit larger than normal Owl prey? Even House Cats normally take things smaller than rats. I can see where poisoned rats laying out in the open would attract anything that eats squirrels or musk rats but Norway Rats at night? Maybe Great Horned Owls looking for skunks or house cats? I don’t know.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
On Saturday, February 9, 2019, 13:12, Tait, Mag <mtait...> wrote:
Quite a story. Thank you for sharing. My daughter in Seattle has a pair of barred owls that frequent her yard. They also have many rats. She has seriously considered mounting a platform with seeds as an owl feeder, reasoning the rats would feed on it and be prime targets for the owls.
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 9, 2019, at 12:24 PM, Faye Stoner <faye.stoner...> wrote:
External Email - Use Caution
Birders,Sherri Smith has written about feeding mice to the crows in her neighborhood. Our neighborhood crows often visit our compost pile to search for food and in snowy weather, they look for food we put out closer to our house, like skin from salmon we had for dinner.
This year we put out something much more. We had a deer die in our yard this past October, after getting hit by a car we assume. We did get the needed DNR permit, we harvested some meat for ourselves and then I also put parts of the deer in the big freezer to feed to the crows and other critters later in winter.
I put out a deer leg during that deep cold spell we had recently; that was the second leg I had put out. We have had crows come often to the legs, once 5 visiting at one time, We have had two red-tails come several times, and once we had 3 red-tails out there at one time.
Last week we had a bald eagle visit our yard. When we saw the mature eagle, it was flying already and we watched it land in a large tree just north of our property. With my scope I watched it eat what it had carried to the tree. It stayed put for several minutes........ much of the time a red-tail sat several feet above it in the same tree.
What we did not see, but we learned later our neighbors had, was that the bald eagle and a red-tail had had an aerial skirmish. Our neighbor saw the hawk and eagle "fighting" in the air, not many yards away from the deer leg. That must have happened seconds before Ron saw the eagle flying over our yard.
So, we can't say with certainty that the eagle was actually eating something from our "bird feeding" area, since we didn't actually see it at the deer leg, but even without knowing that for sure, the eagle's presence made for an exciting and fun afternoon.
This experience made me wonder how many interesting things we humans might miss seeing at our homes, either because we aren't home or we just aren't looking!
Faye Stoner/Ron Gamble
**********************************************************
Electronic Mail is not secure, may not be read every day, and should not be used for urgent or sensitive issues
Date: 2/9/19 10:42 am From: Josh Haas <josh...> Subject: [birders] Taft and Woodbridge Rds. Raptors???
Anyone been up north of Saint Johns after Short-eared Owls or any diurnal raptors lately? eBird looks pretty void of sightings this season but curious if anyone has ventured over there recently.
Date: 2/9/19 10:38 am From: Phil Bugosh <peb729...> Subject: [birders] Oakland Audubon Society Upcoming Meeting/Program and Field Trips
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 - 7:00 P.M. Join us for the Oakland Audubon Society's monthly meeting and a program titled "A Passage to South India" presented by Dorothy McLeer. When Dorothy McLeer visited South India she saw some marvelous wildlife - and also the result of a tsunami that had hit the area a few days earlier. Join us for an unusual presentation. Meetings are held at the First United Methodist Church, 1589 West Maple Road, Birmingham, MI 48009. Enter the building from the rear main entrance. Everyone is welcome to attend this free program. Refreshments will be served.
Saturday, February 16, 2019 8:00am-12:00pm. Great Backyard Bird Count. Leader: Kathleen Dougherty (<kad8186...>) This event is intended for Young Birders as well as adults. The Great Backyard Bird Count is one of the largest bird counts in the world. In 2017, 100 countries participated, and more than 180,000 checklists were submitted. Start at the E.L. Johnson Nature Center observing birds at their feeders and on the trails. After that we will go to Beaudette Park (786 Orchard Lake Rd., Pontiac, MI 48341) along the Clinton River Trail to search for waterfowl and other urban birds. Nature Center staff will host the first stop and the Friends of the Clinton River Trail will host the second stop celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Trail. Dress for the weather and bring your binoculars. Meet at the E.L. Johnson Nature Center, 3325 Franklin Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302.
Saturday, February 23, 2019 3:00pm-6:00pm. Short-eared Owls. Leader: Don Burlett (<baikalteal13...>) The exact location of this trip will be determined during the week before the trip (from scouting several locations). Watch for more details, including meeting location.
Please see our website (http://www.oaklandaudubon.org) for details about upcoming field trips, meetings and the Young Birder's Club. You do not have to be a member to participate. Everyone is welcome.
Date: 2/9/19 10:12 am From: Tait, Mag <mtait...> Subject: Re: [birders] "feeding" the birds - bald eagle over our yard (a bit north of Dexter)
Quite a story. Thank you for sharing. My daughter in Seattle has a pair of barred owls that frequent her yard. They also have many rats. She has seriously considered mounting a platform with seeds as an owl feeder, reasoning the rats would feed on it and be prime targets for the owls.
External Email - Use Caution
Birders,
Sherri Smith has written about feeding mice to the crows in her neighborhood. Our neighborhood crows often visit our compost pile to search for food and in snowy weather, they look for food we put out closer to our house, like skin from salmon we had for dinner.
This year we put out something much more. We had a deer die in our yard this past October, after getting hit by a car we assume. We did get the needed DNR permit, we harvested some meat for ourselves and then I also put parts of the deer in the big freezer to feed to the crows and other critters later in winter.
I put out a deer leg during that deep cold spell we had recently; that was the second leg I had put out. We have had crows come often to the legs, once 5 visiting at one time, We have had two red-tails come several times, and once we had 3 red-tails out there at one time.
Last week we had a bald eagle visit our yard. When we saw the mature eagle, it was flying already and we watched it land in a large tree just north of our property. With my scope I watched it eat what it had carried to the tree. It stayed put for several minutes........ much of the time a red-tail sat several feet above it in the same tree.
What we did not see, but we learned later our neighbors had, was that the bald eagle and a red-tail had had an aerial skirmish. Our neighbor saw the hawk and eagle "fighting" in the air, not many yards away from the deer leg. That must have happened seconds before Ron saw the eagle flying over our yard.
So, we can't say with certainty that the eagle was actually eating something from our "bird feeding" area, since we didn't actually see it at the deer leg, but even without knowing that for sure, the eagle's presence made for an exciting and fun afternoon.
This experience made me wonder how many interesting things we humans might miss seeing at our homes, either because we aren't home or we just aren't looking!
Date: 2/9/19 9:24 am From: Faye Stoner <faye.stoner...> Subject: [birders] "feeding" the birds - bald eagle over our yard (a bit north of Dexter)
Birders, Sherri Smith has written about feeding mice to the crows in her neighborhood. Our neighborhood crows often visit our compost pile to search for food and in snowy weather, they look for food we put out closer to our house, like skin from salmon we had for dinner.
This year we put out something much more. We had a deer die in our yard this past October, after getting hit by a car we assume. We did get the needed DNR permit, we harvested some meat for ourselves and then I also put parts of the deer in the big freezer to feed to the crows and other critters later in winter.
I put out a deer leg during that deep cold spell we had recently; that was the second leg I had put out. We have had crows come often to the legs, once 5 visiting at one time, We have had two red-tails come several times, and once we had 3 red-tails out there at one time.
Last week we had a bald eagle visit our yard. When we saw the mature eagle, it was flying already and we watched it land in a large tree just north of our property. With my scope I watched it eat what it had carried to the tree. It stayed put for several minutes........ much of the time a red-tail sat several feet above it in the same tree.
What we did not see, but we learned later our neighbors had, was that the bald eagle and a red-tail had had an aerial skirmish. Our neighbor saw the hawk and eagle "fighting" in the air, not many yards away from the deer leg. That must have happened seconds before Ron saw the eagle flying over our yard.
So, we can't say with certainty that the eagle was actually eating something from our "bird feeding" area, since we didn't actually see it at the deer leg, but even without knowing that for sure, the eagle's presence made for an exciting and fun afternoon.
This experience made me wonder how many interesting things we humans might miss seeing at our homes, either because we aren't home or we just aren't looking!
Date: 2/9/19 8:50 am From: 'Suzanne (Moses) Vedder' via Birders <birders...> Subject: [birders] From the hand
I filled my bird feeders this morning. I took a suet cake out with me to one set of feeders. I stopped about 4 feet away and held out my hand with the suet cake. Within a minute a male Downy was eating from my hand. Then numerous Chickadees in and out, a female Downy and a male Red-bellied - I could even see the reddish tint in his eye. Such a great experience, even having banded birds. Made my day!
Suzanne in Big Rapids
On Sat, Feb 9, 2019 at 10:19 AM Tait, Mag <mtait...> wrote:
> Leah saw a female taking lint out of her dryer vent last week. It seems
> likely that was for a nest building.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Feb 9, 2019, at 10:17 AM, Allen Chartier <amazilia3...> wrote:
>
> *External Email - Use Caution*
> Mag,
>
> Thanks. Seattle is definitely not the northernmost outpost for permanent
> resident Anna's Hummingbirds these days. I remember the first Anna's I ever
> saw, in 1982, when the species was almost entirely restricted to California
> with some post-breeding dispersal to the southeast to Arizona. So, in 40
> years or so, they have perhaps doubled their breeding range (they are
> breeding in the Alaska panhandle). And a bander in Texas just sent out
> photos of the 4th nesting record of Anna's for the state, in Big Bend NP.
> In southern California, Anna's start nesting in February and March, with
> young fledged by May. I'm curious if they keep to such an early schedule in
> Seattle...
>
> Allen T. Chartier
> Inkster, Michigan
> Email: <amazilia3...>
> Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mihummingbirdguy/collections/ > Website: www.amazilia.net
> Blog: http://mihummingbirdguy.blogspot.com/ >
>
>
>
> On Sat, Feb 9, 2019 at 10:04 AM Tait, Mag <mtait...> wrote:
>
>> My daughter lives in Lake Forest Park just above Seattle. She has been
>> diligently keeping her hummingbird feeder’s thawed and full for the
>> overwintering hummingbirds.
>> Allen, the FAQ on your website really gave her comfort that they were
>> winter hardy down to the teens.
>>
>> **********************************************************
>> Electronic Mail is not secure, may not be read every day, and should not
>> be used for urgent or sensitive issues
>>
>> --
>> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at
>> www.glc.org
>> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
>> "Birders" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
>> email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
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>> To view this discussion on the web visit
>> https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<32993185-C822-434D-B0AD-D8C28B3CD697...> >> .
>> For more options, visit
>> https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
>>
> **********************************************************
> Electronic Mail is not secure, may not be read every day, and should not
> be used for urgent or sensitive issues
>
Date: 2/9/19 7:19 am From: Tait, Mag <mtait...> Subject: Re: [birders] OT Anna’s Hummingbirds in Seattle
Leah saw a female taking lint out of her dryer vent last week. It seems likely that was for a nest building.
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 9, 2019, at 10:17 AM, Allen Chartier <amazilia3...><mailto:<amazilia3...>> wrote:
External Email - Use Caution
Mag,
Thanks. Seattle is definitely not the northernmost outpost for permanent resident Anna's Hummingbirds these days. I remember the first Anna's I ever saw, in 1982, when the species was almost entirely restricted to California with some post-breeding dispersal to the southeast to Arizona. So, in 40 years or so, they have perhaps doubled their breeding range (they are breeding in the Alaska panhandle). And a bander in Texas just sent out photos of the 4th nesting record of Anna's for the state, in Big Bend NP. In southern California, Anna's start nesting in February and March, with young fledged by May. I'm curious if they keep to such an early schedule in Seattle...
On Sat, Feb 9, 2019 at 10:04 AM Tait, Mag <mtait...><mailto:<mtait...>> wrote:
My daughter lives in Lake Forest Park just above Seattle. She has been diligently keeping her hummingbird feeder’s thawed and full for the overwintering hummingbirds.
Allen, the FAQ on your website really gave her comfort that they were winter hardy down to the teens.
**********************************************************
Electronic Mail is not secure, may not be read every day, and should not be used for urgent or sensitive issues
Date: 2/9/19 7:17 am From: Allen Chartier <amazilia3...> Subject: Re: [birders] OT Anna’s Hummingbirds in Seattle
Mag,
Thanks. Seattle is definitely not the northernmost outpost for permanent
resident Anna's Hummingbirds these days. I remember the first Anna's I ever
saw, in 1982, when the species was almost entirely restricted to California
with some post-breeding dispersal to the southeast to Arizona. So, in 40
years or so, they have perhaps doubled their breeding range (they are
breeding in the Alaska panhandle). And a bander in Texas just sent out
photos of the 4th nesting record of Anna's for the state, in Big Bend NP.
In southern California, Anna's start nesting in February and March, with
young fledged by May. I'm curious if they keep to such an early schedule in
Seattle...
On Sat, Feb 9, 2019 at 10:04 AM Tait, Mag <mtait...> wrote:
> My daughter lives in Lake Forest Park just above Seattle. She has been
> diligently keeping her hummingbird feeder’s thawed and full for the
> overwintering hummingbirds.
> Allen, the FAQ on your website really gave her comfort that they were
> winter hardy down to the teens.
>
> **********************************************************
> Electronic Mail is not secure, may not be read every day, and should not
> be used for urgent or sensitive issues
>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at
> www.glc.org
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Birders" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
> Visit this group at
> https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
> To view this discussion on the web visit
> https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<32993185-C822-434D-B0AD-D8C28B3CD697...> > .
> For more options, visit
> https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
>
Date: 2/9/19 7:04 am From: Tait, Mag <mtait...> Subject: [birders] OT Anna’s Hummingbirds in Seattle
My daughter lives in Lake Forest Park just above Seattle. She has been diligently keeping her hummingbird feeder’s thawed and full for the overwintering hummingbirds.
Allen, the FAQ on your website really gave her comfort that they were winter hardy down to the teens.
**********************************************************
Electronic Mail is not secure, may not be read every day, and should not be used for urgent or sensitive issues
Date: 2/9/19 4:27 am From: 'Marta Manildi' via Birders <birders...> Subject: Re: [birders] Crows
Lovely. May birds and a sense of humor save us all! 😄
Sent from my iPhone
> On Feb 8, 2019, at 11:15 AM, Patricia Burden <tallerpat526...> wrote:
>
> I am currently in New Jersey, spending time with family in advance of funeral services for my cousin's wife who recently died of early onset Alzheimers. The wake is today and the funeral is tomorrow. Yesterday was my recently widowed cousin's birthday so there were 14 of us gathered at his home, having dinner together. Included in this group were his two adult daughters. The conversation was getting political - not a good thing when there were many diverse opinions at the table that had been reinforced by quite a bit of wine drinking. So I piped up and said "wait, I have to read this to you. And I read the "crow joke." As I went along, and mentioned the study, someone said "oh I wonder how many taxpayer dollars went to that" and there were other muttered remarks. I just kept going. They all know me to be the one in the family serious about her birds. So when I got to the punchline, the table erupted in laughter. I was anointed the best storyteller of the night. And with that, the heatedness of the political discussions was over, we all got up and cleared the table and other jokes were told.
> So thanks, Fred.
> And guess what - I love crows too. But it was a joke.
> Pat Burden
> Melvin & Yale, MI
>
>
>> On Wed, Feb 6, 2019 at 12:43 PM Fred Kaluza <fkaluza...> wrote:
>> It’s been slow...
>>
>>
>> Crows
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Nobody made you keep reading. 🙂
>>
>>
>> --
>> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
>> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
>> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
>> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<641661698.4093076.1549474979562...> >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/CAD76NUHKwLNJaNk0nE2jgPSW%2Bx%<3Dw0KFhZv_Ejvie3XTTrsw23g...> > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
See the most recent eBird rare bird alert below
Have fun!
D
Deaver D. Armstrong
<ddarm...>
Let's go birding......
A New Field Ornithology Class will start in APRIL of 2019
To register or learn more please go to
http://www.miavianexperience.org/ Enter site, then go to Programs via the menu, then select Field Classes
I am currently in New Jersey, spending time with family in advance of
funeral services for my cousin's wife who recently died of early onset
Alzheimers. The wake is today and the funeral is tomorrow. Yesterday was my
recently widowed cousin's birthday so there were 14 of us gathered at his
home, having dinner together. Included in this group were his two adult
daughters. The conversation was getting political - not a good thing when
there were many diverse opinions at the table that had been reinforced by
quite a bit of wine drinking. So I piped up and said "wait, I have to read
this to you. And I read the "crow joke." As I went along, and mentioned the
study, someone said "oh I wonder how many taxpayer dollars went to that"
and there were other muttered remarks. I just kept going. They all know me
to be the one in the family serious about her birds. So when I got to the
punchline, the table erupted in laughter. I was anointed the best
storyteller of the night. And with that, the heatedness of the political
discussions was over, we all got up and cleared the table and other jokes
were told.
So thanks, Fred.
And guess what - I love crows too. But it was a joke.
Pat Burden
Melvin & Yale, MI
On Wed, Feb 6, 2019 at 12:43 PM Fred Kaluza <fkaluza...> wrote:
Date: 2/6/19 10:39 am From: Fred Kaluza <fkaluza...> Subject: Re: [birders] Crows
I like Crows too and yes...the photos may be disturbing to some but...life goes on. Don’t get too tweaked. I’m sorry if you took it as hurtful as it’s not meant to be.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
On Wednesday, February 6, 2019, 12:49, Jeannine Morrison <meadowlark1949...> wrote:
I love crows. I don't find this the least bit funny.
On Wed, Feb 6, 2019 at 12:43 PM Fred Kaluza <fkaluza...> wrote:
Date: 2/5/19 6:09 pm From: John Lowry <jlowry...> Subject: Re: [birders] hawk id
Ah, it’s not a hawk at all, it’s a falcon! Peregrine Falcon!
John Lowry
Sent from iPhone
> On Feb 5, 2019, at 8:41 PM, Dr. Shannan McNair <mcnair...> wrote:
>
> what kind of hawk is this?
>
> --
> Shannan McNair
> Associate Professor
> Human Development and Child Studies
> 425E Pawley Hall
> Oakland University
> Rochester, MI 48309-4401
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/CAHxBA6M%3DmD%<3DNEEX_OyW-j75raA7NF17cz1-Prdt601vqQ5E8Aw...> > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
> <Screen Shot 2019-02-05 at 8.33.15 PM.png>
Date: 2/5/19 4:46 pm From: avianscout via Birders <birders...> Subject: Re: Re: [birders] Huron River at Strawberry Lake outlet 1/31/19 Livingston Co.
Hi. I’m glad you were able to visit.Unfortunately not everyone responds to the birds as we do.A man from down river has been paddle boarding up river and scaring all the waterfowl away, daily as of the last 4 days.You’d think the guy(jerk in my vocabulary) might consider what the place means to the wildlife.It’s absolutely maddening!Dan
-----Original Message-----
From: madxofaa <madxofaa...>
To: Dan Thiry <avianscout...>
Sent: Tue, Feb 5, 2019 06:38 PM
Subject: Re: [birders] Huron River at Strawberry Lake outlet 1/31/19 Livingston Co.
Dan, I finally made it to Strawberry Lake today. I parked at those rocks and observed from my car. Much quieter today, but still a pleasant view.Thanks,..Bob
On Fri, Feb 1, 2019 at 10:16 PM madxofaa <madxofaa...> wrote:
Wow, thank you very much. I'll try to get over there...Bob
On Fri, Feb 1, 2019 at 8:22 PM Dan Thiry <avianscout...> wrote:
Hi,my folks address is 4859 Gallagher, down the hill to the end. If you pull up to the large rocks on the left at the driveway entrance to my folks you will be sitting right at the edge of the river, and you'll have a great view from your vehicle.Hope that helps.Enjoy,Dan
On Feb 1, 2019, at 10:20 AM, madxofaa wrote:
Hello Dan, is there public access or a place to park and walk to where the birds are?..Bob Maddox
On Thu, Jan 31, 2019 at 8:28 PM 'Dan Thiry' via Birders <birders...> wrote:
This cold weather has created quite the waterfowl gathering here. The current is strong and keeps quite a bit of the river open, enough to draw lots of birds when other areas are frozen over. And there is still lots of shallow areas for feeding and roosting.
This morning there were -
Sandhill Crane- 68
(the most I have seen here, multiple cranes had fairly large ice balls hanging on there wing tips, and unable to fly. They are roosting in water deeper than normal, I assume to keep their legs out of the frigid air, the water is warmer so they're going deep, but their tail and back wingtips are touching the water.)
Trumpeter Swan- 20
(looks like 4 groups 3 with young of last season, 9, 6, 3, and a pair)
Mute Swan- 43
(boo!)
Canada Geese- 251
Mallard- 198
American Black duck- 15
Common Goldeneye- 32
Redhead-39
Common Merganser- 5
Bald Eagle- 1
(I spent an hour watching this first year bird repeatedly fly low over the birds in the water scattering the ducks and making the rest nervous. I was waiting for it to go for a crane that was heavy with ice but that didn't happen.)
Also at feeders-
Flicker-2
Red-bellied WP
Red-headed WP
(consistently here daily at suet, we've had 4 at once earlier in december.)
Blue birds- 5
(at neighbors feeder full of mealworms)
and all the other usuals, have not seen 1 Tree Sparrow though, usually many during the winter.
That’s what happened with me when I put up a flicker box. First the starlings and then the squirrels took it over.
The added height doesn’t make it easy to get up there.
Penny
> On Feb 5, 2019, at 5:03 PM, Marie Schatz <marieschatz...> wrote:
>
> Unearthed my best bins and went outside. Leaves!!!! Dang squirrels!!!
> Not sure I can get back up there to unstuff.
>
> Sorry.
>
> Marie, Calhoun County
>
>
>> On 2/5/2019 4:43 PM, Marie Schatz wrote:
>> Woo hoo, there is a first time screech owl in the box I put up this fall. (noticed around 415)
>>
>> Not so woo hoo I know it wasn't there earlier today because I check all the time and the reason
>>
>> I checked with binoculars when I did was I saw a "smudge or something" below the hole. Well its a big long feather.
>>
>> The face is at the hole but sort of back in the shadow, not out a bit like you sometimes see in pictures.
>>
>> Its not sunny so maybe that's why I don't know.
>>
>> Anyway, I was initially excited but then......why would it show up at this time of day + the long feather
>>
>> maybe equals something wrong? IDK. What do I look for? How do I determine?
>>
>> Marie, Calhoun County
>>
>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
> --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
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> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<cd264bb7-163f-dc4b-eaa0-fb6be8b1e7b9...> > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
Date: 2/5/19 2:03 pm From: Marie Schatz <marieschatz...> Subject: Re: [birders] Screech owl in box - injured? False Alarm!!
Unearthed my best bins and went outside. Leaves!!!! Dang squirrels!!!
Not sure I can get back up there to unstuff.
Sorry.
Marie, Calhoun County
On 2/5/2019 4:43 PM, Marie Schatz wrote:
> Woo hoo, there is a first time screech owl in the box I put up this
> fall. (noticed around 415)
>
> Not so woo hoo I know it wasn't there earlier today because I check
> all the time and the reason
>
> I checked with binoculars when I did was I saw a "smudge or
> something" below the hole. Well its a big long feather.
>
> The face is at the hole but sort of back in the shadow, not out a bit
> like you sometimes see in pictures.
>
> Its not sunny so maybe that's why I don't know.
>
> Anyway, I was initially excited but then......why would it show up at
> this time of day + the long feather
>
> maybe equals something wrong? IDK. What do I look for? How do I
> determine?
>
> Marie, Calhoun County
>
Date: 2/5/19 11:33 am From: Daniel Blower <dfblower...> Subject: [birders] OT: Mink seen from Furstenburg
While birding along the Huron River at Furstenberg Park, I saw a mink across the river exploring on a patch of snow. I was almost to the benches along the river at Furstenberg, starting from Gallup. My lucky day!
The good fowl there included common mergansers, hooded mergansers, bufflehead, goldeneye, and trumpeter swans. A pair of the mallards were doing the head-bobbing thing and one goldeneye was doing his call to the female nearby.
Date: 2/4/19 5:13 pm From: 'Maryse Brouwers' via Birders <birders...> Subject: [birders] Watch a Black Heron Fool Fish by Turning Into an Umbrella | Audubon
Date: 2/3/19 7:55 am From: thewdata_sa via Birders <birders...> Subject: [birders] harbingers of spring
There is still much winter to be endured, but at least a few birds are contemplating spring. Friday, Feb 1 I heard an abbreviated chorus from a Northern Cardinal and the jumbled notes of a House Finch the following day. Tentative and welcome changes from the winter silence.
Go check out these rare birds..... and perhaps you know someone who would like to take our field ornithology class that begins in April. Info for that is below as well.
Dea
Deaver D. Armstrong
<ddarm...>
Let's go birding......
A New Field Ornithology Class will start in APRIL of 2019
To register or learn more please go to
http://www.miavianexperience.org Enter site, then go to Programs via the menu, then select Field Classes
Date: 2/2/19 5:27 pm From: Phil Bugosh <peb729...> Subject: [birders] OAS Field Trip Participants, St. Clair River, Sunday February 3
For those who are attending tomorrow's field trip along the St Clair River please bring walkie-talkies if you have them. We will be driving along the St Clair River. Everyone is welcome.
Date: 2/2/19 2:30 am From: Phil Bugosh <peb729...> Subject: [birders] Reminder: OAS Field Trip, St. Clair River, Sunday February 3
Sunday, February 3, 2019, 8:00am-12:00pm. Leader: Don Burlett (
<baikalteal13...>)
We will meet in the parking lot of the Nature Center at Lake St. Clair
Metropark. After a quick owl check, we’ll carpool north along the St. Clair
River looking for ducks and other birds. We will conclude in a couple of
parks in Port Huron. An optional lunch will then take place before heading
back to the Metropark to pickup cars and disburse. There will be stops
along the way for breaks. Scopes are useful but optional. A Metropark
annual pass or daily fee is required.
Please see our website (http://www.oaklandaudubon.org) for details about
upcoming field trips, meetings and the Young Birder's Club. You do not have
to be a member to participate. Everyone is welcome.
Date: 2/1/19 10:34 pm From: Elliot Nelson <elliotkarlnelson...> Subject: [birders] EUP Winter Birding Round Up: January
Hello All,
Well January came in like a roaring lion and went out like a frigid ice
cold lion.
So once again I am sending out another Eastern UP winter bird happenings
email. This updates is what I gather from personal birding trips, info from
other birders and locals up here, facebook and ebird. This is both a
personal interest of mine, and a service that I provide on behalf of
Michigan Sea Grant, a program of MSU Extension and the University of
Michigan. A reminder, most locations mentioned are found on the EUP Winter
Birding Map at www.northhuronbirding.com.
As a side note, before we dive in, I have been notified that there have
been some issues with litter and trash on Basnau Road, or the area more
commonly known as Hulbert bog. Please note leaving any sort of feeding
station on state lands requires a permit, and leaving plastics and other
non-biodegradables is known as littering. I myself stopped by there and
picked up suet netting bags and plastic string that was left behind.
Please don’t leave any plastic netting, bird feeders, or non-biodigradables
behind.
A number of Owls and Raptors continue to delight across the region.
However, two of the rarities found in early January seem to have become
much more difficult to find.
The *Northern Hawk Owl *that has been present since late December continues
to be consistently seen. The last confirmed siting was on 1/31 at 1pm, and
it has been seen by almost everyone who searches for it. The bird is
located on Mackinac Trail near the Chippewa Animal Control center. This is
about .7 miles south of the roundabout on 3mile/I-75 Business spur. You can
park in the Animal Control center parking lot and view the bird from near
the dog park there. Staff have been very kind and accommodating, but please
park wisely and don't block any other cars in the lot. The bird has been
seen on various trees around the large gravel pit to the west of the animal
control center, and sometimes along the powerlines and telephone poles
directly on Mackinac Trail. It is typically very active, and it can
sometimes take a while to track it down given it moves frequently.
*Snowy Owls *continue to be abundant being found throughout Rudyard and
Pickford, with reports coming in of 10-40 birds being found in a days trip.
The density of Snowy Owls is truly remarkable this year, with almost
nowhere else in the lower 48 US states having such high numbers. Daryl
Bernard even photographed 3 SNOW all on the same barn, something nearly
unheard of in the deep winter months when the birds tend to be territorial.
The usual haunts like the Rudyard Loop (Centerline and Hantz and 48),
Rudyard Flats (Around Tilson Rd), The Pickford Loop (Hancock and 22 Mile
Rd) and Pennington Road near the Munuscong Potholes are all locations they
have been found. Unlike the last few winters, there also appear to be a
number of Snowy Owls in the Soo Township fields just south of Sault Ste.
Marie. 15 were recorded on the Sault CBC far more than any previous years,
and I found 3 birds on Riverside drive between 8 and 3 mile roads just
yesterday (1/31). The number of Snowies in this area is truly remarkable.
A juvenile* Northern Goshawk *has been buzzing the private feeders on
Kinross Rd near Mackinac Trail throughout this month. Again check
www.northhuronbirding.com winter birding map for the location. While a
quick stop might not reveal this bird, walking around for a while you may
see this bird fly over the feeders behind the house, and if you are luck
you may see it land where it can be easily viewed.
*Rough-legged Hawk* light and intermediate morphs continue to be regularly
seen along the Rudyard Loop, south of Pickford on M48 East between M129 and
Pennington Rd, and most commonly on Riverside Drive between 13 mile road
and 11 mile road.
For a brief period of time, a *Great Gray Owl *excited a number of birders
between 1/5-1/12, being sited on 13 mile road, just .5 mile east of
Riverside Drive. Despite extensive searching, this bird has not been seen
since, with no confirmed sightings since 1/12. However, know that these
birds are extremely elusive. Unlike Hawk and Snowy owls, these birds do not
stick out like a sore thumb on top of prominent perches. They move around
extensively in thicker forest habitat, and are extremely adapt at blending
into the bark of the trees they perch on. They also tend to be nocturnal in
general, and cover large territories. All that to say that to say, don’t
expect to show up and just find these birds, and also search beyond the
single point where someone else saw them. eBird shows that there have been
January sightings somewhere near Sugar and Neebish Islands, as well as the
area between Pickford and Detour somewhere along M48 east or Gogomain road.
A *Gyrfalcon *was also seen on 1/12 and again briefly on 1/13 on Riverside
between 13 mile road and 8 mile road. It was not seen again, although I did
receive two unconfirmed second had reports. One was from 1/17 of the bird
being seen on 1/17 at the Sugar Island ferry dock in a tree across from the
golf course. The other was a possible bird on Mackinac trail near 6 mile
road on 1/20. This species roams even farther the Great Gray Owls, so know
it can be tough to find.
*Bald Eagles *are numerous in the area, and there around well over 25 birds
at the Dafter Landfill. Beware 3rd year birds that can sometimes have
nearly all white bellies and oddly colored patterns such as bright white
superciliums and brown bibs.
*WINTER FINCHES AND WAXWINGS: *
It's a good one this year! *Pine Grosbeaks *are being found in small flocks
almost everywhere throughout Chippewa and Mackinac Counties. Most feeders
and forests with some conifers have a few birds flying around. A feeder on
Riverside Drive at the intersection of 20 Mile Rd had a nice flock of
around 20, and the Dafter Post Office has had around 20 birds as well.
Downtown Pickford is also a consistent location. *Bohemian Waxwings *aren't
quite as common, and have been moving around quite a bit this month. There
are often 2-10 birds at the Dafter Post Office. There have also been 1-10
birds in downtown Pickford. In addition a flock of 80 was recently on the
campus of Lake Superior State University, with 11 birds being seen on 2/1
near the Administration building. The intersection of Maple and Elm Street
in Sault Ste Marie has also housed a flock of around 40 birds this
month. *Common
Redpolls *are a bit more sparse this year than last, but small flocks are
being seen at various feeders across the area. The downtown Pickford area
has had a small flock, as has the Dunbar forest. *A Hoary Redpoll *was seen
in mid January at the Kinross Road feeders, and one was also seen briefly
in downtown Pickford. *Evening Grosbeaks *are of course irrupting this
year. They appeared to have moved through the EUP in good numbers in
November, with many of those birds obviously moving on and popping up in
southern states. A few flocks still remain in the area, but are quite
nomadic and infrequent. Check the downtown and residential areas of
Pickford and Rudyard, with Pickford being the most consistent of late. Also
20 mile road and Riverside has had a sizable flock of late. As expected *Red
Crossbill *have been around the Paradise and Tahquamenon Falls area on M123
as well as Farm Truck Trail and Vermillion Road, but in no large flocks to
date. Otherwise Crossbill sightings are sparse with no White-winged
Crossbill records this month.
*GROUSE: Sharp-tailed Grouse *have been a bit more dispersed then normal,
and may be fewer in numbers then past winters. Birds have been seen most
often on Riverside Drive near 9 mile and 8 mile roads. Also some have been
seen at the Dafter Post Office, and on Kinross Road south of 10 mile
road. *Ruffed
Grouse *are frequently flushed in young early succession forests throughout
the area, and at the Dunbar feeders you can often find one in the small
patch of pine between the feeders and the boat launch. No Spruce Grouse
reports as of yet, but as always check Farm Truck Trail in the early
morning hours as well as Dick Rd in Raco. Ring-necked Pheasant have been
seen regularly at the Munuscong Potholes and a few other areas, but these
birds are most likely captive raised birds and not part of a wild
population as this is considered too far north to sustain a wild
population. However the reports are interesting and it will be interesting
to see what will happen over time.
*GULLS: *The Dafter Landfill is open for gull viewing from 8:30-4, Mon-Fri.
However as of last week (1/31) there was not a single gull at the landfill.
This was my first experience ever not seeing a single gull species there.
This may be due to the extreme cold freezing up their roosting grounds and
pushing the birds farther south.
*WATERFOWL: * Almost all open water is now frozen. The power cannel in
Sault Ste. Marie along with a small amount of water near the Coverland
power plant and the Sugar Island ferry is open. Only a few Common
Goldeneyes and Common Mergansers along with small flock of mallards are
sticking out the cold. Who know though what other rarities might get pushed
into these open waters as the big lakes freeze over.
*OTHER NOTABLES: *
*Northern Shrike *have been numerous this winter, seen in many locations
with young aspen or woody shrubs*. *Munuscong Potholes in Pickford is one
of the most reliable places.* Snow Bunting *have been present on M48 near
the I-75 bridge in Rudyard (Rudyard Loop)*. *I have not heard any reports
of Canada Jay (Gray Jay) at Hulbert Bog this year. Try checking the Soo
Junction Road (Luce County) just west of there if you strike out.
Well that's all for now folks. Expect another report near the end of the
month. Updates and sightings are always appreciated. Report them to eBird
if you are so inclined, but always feel free to reach out to me directly as
well. If you are planning a trip up here and need any extra advice on
lodging, food, or birding just give me a shout out via email or phone.
Bird on!
--
*Elliot Nelson*
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
906-322-0353
<elliotne...>
Date: 2/1/19 5:23 am From: Marie Schatz <marieschatz...> Subject: Re: [birders] Vortex bins: Razors?
Are we talking 8 x 32s? I have a Dec 2010 Birders digest with a mid
size binocular round up.
Top to bottom
Swarovski
Zeiss
Leica
Nikon EDG
Meopta Meostar with a 4.44
Vortex Viper 4.37
Alpen Ranier
Vortex Fury
Leopold Yosemite
Date: 1/31/19 5:28 pm From: 'Dan Thiry' via Birders <birders...> Subject: [birders] Huron River at Strawberry Lake outlet 1/31/19 Livingston Co.
This cold weather has created quite the waterfowl gathering here. The current is strong and keeps quite a bit of the river open, enough to draw lots of birds when other areas are frozen over. And there is still lots of shallow areas for feeding and roosting.
This morning there were -
Sandhill Crane- 68
(the most I have seen here, multiple cranes had fairly large ice balls hanging on there wing tips, and unable to fly. They are roosting in water deeper than normal, I assume to keep their legs out of the frigid air, the water is warmer so they're going deep, but their tail and back wingtips are touching the water.)
Trumpeter Swan- 20
(looks like 4 groups 3 with young of last season, 9, 6, 3, and a pair)
Mute Swan- 43
(boo!)
Canada Geese- 251
Mallard- 198
American Black duck- 15
Common Goldeneye- 32
Redhead-39
Common Merganser- 5
Bald Eagle- 1
(I spent an hour watching this first year bird repeatedly fly low over the birds in the water scattering the ducks and making the rest nervous. I was waiting for it to go for a crane that was heavy with ice but that didn't happen.)
Also at feeders-
Flicker-2
Red-bellied WP
Red-headed WP
(consistently here daily at suet, we've had 4 at once earlier in december.)
Blue birds- 5
(at neighbors feeder full of mealworms)
and all the other usuals, have not seen 1 Tree Sparrow though, usually many during the winter.
Date: 1/31/19 7:57 am From: 'P. swanson' via Birders <birders...> Subject: Re: [birders] Vortex bins: Razors?
Hi Lisa . Weight is also a consideration for me. I have 10 X 42 Zeiss and they get heavy after staring out the window after a short time.
Penny
> On Jan 30, 2019, at 10:23 PM, Anna <awmtngal...> wrote:
>
> Hi Lisa,
> Yes I can tell a difference with the Razor - more detail and better in low light. But this does not take away from how good a binocular the Viper is for the money. You cannot go wrong with either one. I also never keep my binoculars in a case - I wear them on every walk and put them through a lot. They never let me down.
> Good luck and happy birding.
> Anna
> Hartland
>
>> On Jan 30, 2019, at 8:37 PM, Bob Bethune <bobbethune...> wrote:
>>
>> We picked Vortex Razor after spending quite some time comparing high-end binoculars. We liked the sharpness, contrast and color fidelity and we found that our aging eyes didn’t benefit from the more expensive brands such as Leica or Swaroski. In particular, we spent time peering into shadowy corners. Any good binocular will do well in good light. Bad light is the teal test.
>>
>>
>>> On Wednesday, January 30, 2019, lisalk lisalk <lisalk...> wrote:
>>> Hi, Birders,
>>>
>>> I'm in search of another pair of bins, this time for me. Since you were so helpful in my recent search of bins for my partner, I'm again asking for your thoughts and suggestions. For many years I've used a pair of Eagle Optics 8x42 Rangers. I don't keep the lens caps on nor do I keep them in their case. I want to be able to whip them out when I see a bird!
>>>
>>> That's important info. before you recommend a pair to me.
>>>
>>> Now I'm looking to upgrade to a better pair. A strong recommendation has been made for Vortex, either Viper or Razor. Another very experienced birder has recommended Nikon.
>>>
>>> What sayeth you all? Sure would appreciate your thoughts.
>>>
>>> Many thanks,
>>> Lisa Lava-Kellar
>>> Ann Arbor
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
>>> ---
>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
>>> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
>>> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
>>> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/CAKTXQU9fwk7GUppeM4tQ0Ep%3D0KYDeGDwm-RdNn4W_C%<2B87sroDQ...> >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
>> ---
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>> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/CAHsrc%2Bmrn%2Bi-yCQaVzrRySwTN90ypXu%<2B-pkmKoGaJMChf7eOag...> >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
> ---
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I have had a heater in my birdbath in the winter for 25+ years. I have never seen a bird take a bath in it when the weather is very cold. It gets constant use for drinking though. It is a typical cement birdbath. I do have some large rocks in it, but most of the time, the birds (all kinds from the woodpeckers to the goldfinch) sit on the edge and drink. I think we have to give the birds the benefit of the doubt when it comes to providing water for them. It is better they have water than have them eat snow. I think removing their drinking water source is more dangerous than some wet feathers. Pat Burden Melvin & Yale, MI
Hi Lisa,
Yes I can tell a difference with the Razor - more detail and better in low light. But this does not take away from how good a binocular the Viper is for the money. You cannot go wrong with either one. I also never keep my binoculars in a case - I wear them on every walk and put them through a lot. They never let me down.
Good luck and happy birding.
Anna
Hartland
We picked Vortex Razor after spending quite some time comparing high-end
binoculars. We liked the sharpness, contrast and color fidelity and we
found that our aging eyes didn’t benefit from the more expensive brands
such as Leica or Swaroski. In particular, we spent time peering into
shadowy corners. Any good binocular will do well in good light. Bad light
is the teal test.
On Wednesday, January 30, 2019, lisalk lisalk <lisalk...> wrote:
> Hi, Birders,
>
> I'm in search of another pair of bins, this time for me. Since you were
> so helpful in my recent search of bins for my partner, I'm again asking for
> your thoughts and suggestions. For many years I've used a pair of Eagle
> Optics 8x42 Rangers. I don't keep the lens caps on nor do I keep them in
> their case. I want to be able to whip them out when I see a bird!
>
> That's important info. before you recommend a pair to me.
>
> Now I'm looking to upgrade to a better pair. A strong recommendation has
> been made for Vortex, either Viper or Razor. Another very experienced
> birder has recommended Nikon.
>
> What sayeth you all? Sure would appreciate your thoughts.
>
> Many thanks,
> Lisa Lava-Kellar
> Ann Arbor
>
>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at
> www.glc.org
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Birders" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/ > great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/ > great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/CAKTXQU9fwk7GUppeM4tQ0Ep%
> 3D0KYDeGDwm-RdNn4W_C%<2B87sroDQ...>
> <https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/CAKTXQU9fwk7GUppeM4tQ0Ep%3D0KYDeGDwm-RdNn4W_C%<2B87sroDQ...>?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > .
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/ > great-lakes.net/d/optout.
>
My wife has a pair of Zeiss Conquests, which are in the same price range as the Razors. We are happy with them.
I tried the Razors in a store a few years ago, and they seemed good.
One of the things that matters is how they fit in your hands, and no-one else can tell you that.
Wayne
> On Jan 30, 2019, at 2:56 PM, lisalk lisalk <lisalk...> wrote:
>
> Hi, Birders,
>
> I'm in search of another pair of bins, this time for me. Since you were so helpful in my recent search of bins for my partner, I'm again asking for your thoughts and suggestions. For many years I've used a pair of Eagle Optics 8x42 Rangers. I don't keep the lens caps on nor do I keep them in their case. I want to be able to whip them out when I see a bird!
>
> That's important info. before you recommend a pair to me.
>
> Now I'm looking to upgrade to a better pair. A strong recommendation has been made for Vortex, either Viper or Razor. Another very experienced birder has recommended Nikon.
>
> What sayeth you all? Sure would appreciate your thoughts.
>
> Many thanks,
> Lisa Lava-Kellar
> Ann Arbor
>
>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
> To post to this group, send email to <birders...>
> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/group/birders/.
> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/CAKTXQU9fwk7GUppeM4tQ0Ep%3D0KYDeGDwm-RdNn4W_C%<2B87sroDQ...> > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/optout.
I'm in search of another pair of bins, this time for me. Since you were so helpful in my recent search of bins for my partner, I'm again asking for your thoughts and suggestions. For many years I've used a pair of Eagle Optics 8x42 Rangers. I don't keep the lens caps on nor do I keep them in their case. I want to be able to whip them out when I see a bird!
That's important info. before you recommend a pair to me.
Now I'm looking to upgrade to a better pair. A strong recommendation has been made for Vortex, either Viper or Razor. Another very experienced birder has recommended Nikon.
What sayeth you all? Sure would appreciate your thoughts.
A New Field Ornithology Class will start in APRIL of 2019
To register or learn more please go to
http://www.miavianexperience.org Enter site, then go to Programs via the menu, then select Field Classes
Date: 1/30/19 8:10 am From: Elizabeth Riggs <elizabethriggs.a2...> Subject: Re: [birders] Water. /And juncoS?
Thank you for sharing this information. We've kept our heated birdbath on
during the cold because we want the birds and small mammals to have an easy
hydration source. I had not considered the dangers of how the extreme cold
could impact them.
On Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 1:54:45 PM UTC-5, A. W. wrote:
>
> I’ve put my heated birdbath away for now - I read that in extreme cold, if
> feathers touch the water and freeze, it will cause real problems for the
> birds. One solution was putting large rocks in the heated birdbath so the
> birds could perch on the rocks and reach down to the water. But the next
> few days I decided to play it safe and put the birdbath away.
> Anna
> Hartland
>
> On Jan 29, 2019, at 11:08 AM, Carol Furtado <carolf......>
> <javascript:>> wrote:
>
> I wonder if I took it off it’s
> stand and put it on my porch so the birds wouldn’t have to Perch on the
> rim but could stand on the deck would that make it safer for them not
> getting their feathers in the water. The doves have already gotten their
> feathers in the water When they turned around to take off.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jan 29, 2019, at 9:17 AM, Marta Manildi <mama......> <javascript:>>
> wrote:
>
> I got a heated birdbath last winter because the Audubon society
> recommended it, saying it helped the birds save energy they would spend
> looking for accesible water. Mind has a built in heater and I use an
> outdoor rated extension cord - I got it at Wild Birds Unlimited, 2208 S.
> Main, Ann Arbor.
> Marta
>
>
>
>
>
> On Jan 29, 2019, at 7:35 AM, Carol Furtado <carolf......>
> <javascript:>> wrote:
>
> Hello
> I have a heated birdbath and I am wondering if there is any danger to the
> birds using that in this upcoming cold weather.
> I did not have Juncos for a while But now they are back but I do remember
> in the past having so many more. I think I had a little flock at one point
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at
> www.glc.org
> ---
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> To view this discussion on the web visit
> https://groups.google.com/a/great-lakes.net/d/msgid/birders/<461D4D33-FBA1-4E35-A4B0-21011C92D9E4...> > .
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>
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> For more options, visit
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>
>
>
Date: 1/30/19 7:45 am From: Allen Chartier <amazilia3...> Subject: [birders] 2018 Peru birding trip - one last post
Everyone,
After finally getting through reviewing all my photos, and having time to work on some unresolved identifications (mainly of insects), I have posted some of these identifications to my blog. Visit my blog here:
Lol, thanks for the best autocorrect/voice-correct glitches I've read since someone reported 2 Longbilled Dowagers and a Least Sandpaper from Berrien County...
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sherri Smith" <grackle...>
To: "Birders UM" <birders...>
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 1:27:57 PM
Subject: [birders] GHO Hoots
Allen,
Actually the email Owls have high sissy hoots compared to the males, in spite of their greater size. It’s supposed to be the case that the females repeat they calls more than the males, say 7 times rather than five. You should hear the difference in Eurasian Eagle out hoots by sex!
Sherri Smith
Date: 1/29/19 12:17 pm From: Phil Bugosh <peb729...> Subject: [birders] Oakland Audubon Society Field Trip, St. Clair River, Sunday February 3
Sunday, February 3, 2019, 8:00am-12:00pm. Leader: Don Burlett (
<baikalteal13...>)
We will meet at the parking lot of the Nature Center at Lake St. Clair
Metropark. After a quick owl check, we’ll carpool north along the St. Clair
River looking for ducks and other birds. We will conclude in a couple of
parks in Port Huron. An optional lunch will then take place before heading
back to the Metropark to pickup cars and disburse. There will be stops
along the way for breaks. Scopes are useful but optional.
Please see our website (http://www.oaklandaudubon.org) for details about
upcoming field trips, meetings and the Young Birder's Club. You do not have
to be a member to participate. Everyone is welcome.
Date: 1/29/19 10:54 am From: Anna <awmtngal...> Subject: Re: [birders] Water. /And juncoS?
I’ve put my heated birdbath away for now - I read that in extreme cold, if feathers touch the water and freeze, it will cause real problems for the birds. One solution was putting large rocks in the heated birdbath so the birds could perch on the rocks and reach down to the water. But the next few days I decided to play it safe and put the birdbath away.
Anna
Hartland
Date: 1/29/19 10:28 am From: Sherri Smith <grackle...> Subject: [birders] GHO Hoots
Allen,
Actually the email Owls have high sissy hoots compared to the males, in spite of their greater size. It’s supposed to be the case that the females repeat they calls more than the males, say 7 times rather than five. You should hear the difference in Eurasian Eagle out hoots by sex!
Sherri Smith
Date: 1/29/19 10:21 am From: Su Clift <coffeebeansu...> Subject: Re: [birders] More cold-weather Questions
I think those are good things to do. If they haven’t found the new stash of food in protected areas, I’d make a path of seed from the old reliable place to the new places to help them discover them
Su in Adrian
> On Jan 29, 2019, at 9:49 AM, Pamela Moyer <silvereagle...> wrote:
>
> Was wondering same. Anyone?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Carol Furtado <carolfurtado2...>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 7:39 AM
> To: Birders UM <birders...>
> Subject: [birders] More cold-weather Questions
>
> I have been sprinkling seeds in protected areas around my house and putting out extra suet I wonder if anyone has ideas that will help the birds through these next few days.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
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Date: 1/29/19 8:08 am From: Carol Furtado <carolfurtado2...> Subject: Re: [birders] Water. /And juncoS?
I wonder if I took it off it’s
stand and put it on my porch so the birds wouldn’t have to Perch on the rim but could stand on the deck would that make it safer for them not getting their feathers in the water. The doves have already gotten their feathers in the water When they turned around to take off.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jan 29, 2019, at 9:17 AM, Marta Manildi <mamanildi...> wrote:
>
> I got a heated birdbath last winter because the Audubon society recommended it, saying it helped the birds save energy they would spend looking for accesible water. Mind has a built in heater and I use an outdoor rated extension cord - I got it at Wild Birds Unlimited, 2208 S. Main, Ann Arbor.
> Marta
>
>
>
>
>
> On Jan 29, 2019, at 7:35 AM, Carol Furtado <carolfurtado2...> wrote:
>
> Hello
> I have a heated birdbath and I am wondering if there is any danger to the birds using that in this upcoming cold weather.
> I did not have Juncos for a while But now they are back but I do remember in the past having so many more. I think I had a little flock at one point
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
> ---
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>
Date: 1/29/19 6:49 am From: Pamela Moyer <silvereagle...> Subject: RE: [birders] More cold-weather Questions
Was wondering same. Anyone?
-----Original Message----- From: Carol Furtado <carolfurtado2...> Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 7:39 AM To: Birders UM <birders...> Subject: [birders] More cold-weather Questions
I have been sprinkling seeds in protected areas around my house and putting out extra suet I wonder if anyone has ideas that will help the birds through these next few days.
Date: 1/29/19 6:18 am From: 'Marta Manildi' via Birders <birders...> Subject: Re: [birders] Water. /And juncoS?
I got a heated birdbath last winter because the Audubon society recommended it, saying it helped the birds save energy they would spend looking for accesible water. Mind has a built in heater and I use an outdoor rated extension cord - I got it at Wild Birds Unlimited, 2208 S. Main, Ann Arbor.
Marta
On Jan 29, 2019, at 7:35 AM, Carol Furtado <carolfurtado2...> wrote:
Hello
I have a heated birdbath and I am wondering if there is any danger to the birds using that in this upcoming cold weather.
I did not have Juncos for a while But now they are back but I do remember in the past having so many more. I think I had a little flock at one point
Date: 1/29/19 6:13 am From: 'P. swanson' via Birders <birders...> Subject: Re: [birders] Water. /And juncoS?
The heater was the shiny flat kind, not the birdbath!
> On Jan 29, 2019, at 8:48 AM, P. swanson <jumpthroughhoops...> wrote:
>
> I used to have a low plastic birdbath (about 2 inches high) that I kept on the ground of my cement patio. It was the shiny flat kind with a cord that was kept out of the water. It drew all types of birds. I never had a problem with it, having replaced it over the years when necessary. I just had to scrape the algae off it sometime during the season of use. I remember robins lining up to wait their turn to use it, with sometimes 2 at a time in the bath. The biggest problem was trying to keep it filled. Definitely worth having.
>
>> On Jan 29, 2019, at 7:35 AM, Carol Furtado <carolfurtado2...> wrote:
>>
>> Hello
>> I have a heated birdbath and I am wondering if there is any danger to the birds using that in this upcoming cold weather.
>> I did not have Juncos for a while But now they are back but I do remember in the past having so many more. I think I had a little flock at one point
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> --
>> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
>> ---
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to birders+<unsubscribe...>
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>
Our heated birdbath that sits on our deck railing draws a lot of birds. In the winter, bluebirds are probably the most prevalent.
I also have started putting dried mealworms in with the sunflower seeds which brings the bluebirds in.
Dody
Manchester
On Jan 29, 2019, at 8:48 AM, 'P. swanson' via Birders <birders...> wrote:
I used to have a low plastic birdbath (about 2 inches high) that I kept on the ground of my cement patio. It was the shiny flat kind with a cord that was kept out of the water. It drew all types of birds. I never had a problem with it, having replaced it over the years when necessary. I just had to scrape the algae off it sometime during the season of use. I remember robins lining up to wait their turn to use it, with sometimes 2 at a time in the bath. The biggest problem was trying to keep it filled. Definitely worth having.
> On Jan 29, 2019, at 7:35 AM, Carol Furtado <carolfurtado2...> wrote:
>
> Hello
> I have a heated birdbath and I am wondering if there is any danger to the birds using that in this upcoming cold weather.
> I did not have Juncos for a while But now they are back but I do remember in the past having so many more. I think I had a little flock at one point
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
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Date: 1/29/19 5:48 am From: 'P. swanson' via Birders <birders...> Subject: Re: [birders] Water. /And juncoS?
I used to have a low plastic birdbath (about 2 inches high) that I kept on the ground of my cement patio. It was the shiny flat kind with a cord that was kept out of the water. It drew all types of birds. I never had a problem with it, having replaced it over the years when necessary. I just had to scrape the algae off it sometime during the season of use. I remember robins lining up to wait their turn to use it, with sometimes 2 at a time in the bath. The biggest problem was trying to keep it filled. Definitely worth having.
> On Jan 29, 2019, at 7:35 AM, Carol Furtado <carolfurtado2...> wrote:
>
> Hello
> I have a heated birdbath and I am wondering if there is any danger to the birds using that in this upcoming cold weather.
> I did not have Juncos for a while But now they are back but I do remember in the past having so many more. I think I had a little flock at one point
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Birders" group.
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Date: 1/29/19 4:38 am From: Carol Furtado <carolfurtado2...> Subject: [birders] More cold-weather Questions
I have been sprinkling seeds in protected areas around my house and putting out extra suet I wonder if anyone has ideas that will help the birds through these next few days.
Date: 1/29/19 4:35 am From: Carol Furtado <carolfurtado2...> Subject: [birders] Water. /And juncoS?
Hello I have a heated birdbath and I am wondering if there is any danger to the birds using that in this upcoming cold weather. I did not have Juncos for a while But now they are back but I do remember in the past having so many more. I think I had a little flock at one point
Me too. It was in the pumpkin field east of Zeeb and south of Dexter. I was surprised how many there were.
> On Jan 28, 2019, at 3:34 PM, John Grucelski <john.grucelski...> wrote:
>
>
> I have seen up to six turkey vultures at a time, over the last week or so, feeding on a deer carcass at that location.
>
> John Grucelski
>
>
>> On Jan 28, 2019, at 3:02 PM, Sherri Smith <grackle...> wrote:
>>
>> Yesterday I saw 4 turkey vultures eating probably a road killed deer on Miller Road east of Zeeb. Washtenaw County. they weren’t pleased to see me so close.
>> Sherri Smith
>>
>> --
>> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
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>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
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Date: 1/28/19 2:01 pm From: Ron Gamble <rongamble...> Subject: RE: [birders] Turkey vultures - there last week too
I saw three turkey vultures there on Friday of last week, just as you described the location Sherri, and then two more flying nearby. Thanks Sherri, for reminder, I forgot to ebird them.
I drive that route often and yes, your guess of road killed deer is correct.
Faye Stoner
-----Original Message-----
From: Sherri Smith [mailto:<grackle...>]
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2019 3:03 PM
To: Birders UM
Subject: [birders] Turkey vultures
Yesterday I saw 4 turkey vultures eating probably a road killed deer on Miller Road east of Zeeb. Washtenaw County. they weren’t pleased to see me so close.
Sherri Smith
> On Jan 28, 2019, at 13:32, Jack Smiley <jackrsmiley...> wrote:
>
> I've had two White-throated Sparrows showing up at my feeders every day for the past couple of weeks. I'm in Superior Township, Washtenaw County.
>
> Jack
>
>> On Sat, Jan 26, 2019 at 9:08 AM Marie Schatz <marieschatz...> wrote:
>> I left the state in 2004 so its my first winter here in awhile. I have some Junco's, a couple of American Tree Sparrows. Even had a couple of Pine Siskins for a few days awhile back. But no White Throated Sparrows. I think I heard one a couple of days ago but haven't seen any. I checked ebird and recent sightings seem thin. But that may be normal, there seem more in Ohio. Is that normal anyone know? Do they typically winter a little further south in bigger numbers?
>> Calhoun County,
>>
>> Marie
>>
>>
>> --
>> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
>> ---
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>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
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I have seen up to six turkey vultures at a time, over the last week or so, feeding on a deer carcass at that location.
John Grucelski
> On Jan 28, 2019, at 3:02 PM, Sherri Smith <grackle...> wrote:
>
> Yesterday I saw 4 turkey vultures eating probably a road killed deer on Miller Road east of Zeeb. Washtenaw County. they weren’t pleased to see me so close.
> Sherri Smith
>
> --
> Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
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We had one American Tree Sparrow at our feeder this morning along with numerous House Finches.
Dody Wyman
between Manchester & Clinton
On Jan 28, 2019, at 3:02 PM, Sherri Smith <grackle...> wrote:
Yesterday I saw 4 turkey vultures eating probably a road killed deer on Miller Road east of Zeeb. Washtenaw County. they weren’t pleased to see me so close.
Sherri Smith
Yesterday I saw 4 turkey vultures eating probably a road killed deer on Miller Road east of Zeeb. Washtenaw County. they weren’t pleased to see me so close.
Sherri Smith
Date: 1/28/19 10:07 am From: JOHN PARKER <parkerj15...> Subject: Re: [birders] Great Horned Owl calling...
There is a breeding pair of Great Horned Owls behind my house annually. I can hear the calls with windows closed, even if the television is playing. Sometimes it seems as if the windows are reverberating, especially with the lower-pitched call of the pair.
First noted adult call this season was December 18, and the last time I noted a juvenile calling was the next day. The first day I noted adult male and female exchanging calls was January 16.
Date: 1/28/19 7:53 am From: Allen Chartier <amazilia3...> Subject: [birders] 2018 banding reports available
Birders and banders,
I have caught up and finally finished my spring and fall bird banding reports for 2018 at Lake St. Clair Metropark, Macomb Co., Michigan. I have posted them to a new page on my blog, where PDF versions can be viewed and downloaded. Hopefully, I have done everything right and the links work properly, but if not, please let me know and I'll fix it. Here is the link:
Date: 1/28/19 7:46 am From: Allen Chartier <amazilia3...> Subject: [birders] Great Horned Owl calling...
Last night, round 8:30 p.m. and continuing until at least 11:00 p.m., there was a Great Horned Owl calling from the ravine in front of our house here in Inkster (Wayne Co.). Despite the very cold temperatures right now, it is time for them to begin courtship and nesting, as they typically lay eggs in February. I was surprised to hear this owl, though, since we have not had one very often in the 35 years we've been here (screech-owls are heard almost annually), and also that I could hear it from inside the house with all the windows and doors closed. To me, it sounded like a female as it was giving lower-pitched hoots.
Date: 1/28/19 7:17 am From: 'bill butler' via Birders <birders...> Subject: Re: [birders] White throated sparrows
This past weekend brought an influx to our feeders here in Lapeer County along with the season's 1st American Tree Sparrow. I suspect the snow and colder temps are a factor.
Happy shoveling. Bill -------------------------------------------- On Sat, 1/26/19, Marie Schatz <marieschatz...> wrote:
Subject: [birders] White throated sparrows To: <birders...> Date: Saturday, January 26, 2019, 2:08 PM
I left the state in 2004 so its my first winter here in awhile. I have some Junco's, a couple of American Tree Sparrows. Even had a couple of Pine Siskins for a few days awhile back. But no White Throated Sparrows. I think I heard one a couple of days ago but haven't seen any. I checked ebird and recent sightings seem thin. But that may be normal, there seem more in Ohio. Is that normal anyone know? Do they typically winter a little further south in bigger numbers?
Calhoun County,
Marie
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Date: 1/28/19 5:53 am From: 'John Gannon' via Birders <birders...> Subject: Re: [birders] OT Increase in Accipitor hawks at bird feeders
FYI, an interesting article on the increase in sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks at bird feeders. Another example of citizen science monitoring providing useful data to the scientific community. Curiously, the article includes a photo of a red-shouldered hawk that is mostly a mammal predator.JohnDexter Twp. https://blog.nature.org/science/2018/12/31/why-youre-seeing-more-hawks-at-your-birdfeeder/
A New Field Ornithology Class will start in APRIL of 2019
To register or learn more please go to
http://www.miavianexperience.org Enter site, then go to Programs via the menu, then select Field Classes
Date: 1/26/19 10:47 am From: Jeannine Morrison <meadowlark1949...> Subject: Re: [birders] White throated sparrows
I've been pleased to see one or two white-throated sparrows this winter, but only at dusk. They join the cardinals for some bedtime snacks. I haven't seen any tree sparrows for several years. The juncos are much less numerous than they were in the past. In past years I've had lots of goldfinches at the niger feeder, but not this year. I wonder where they went? I saw some pine siskins late in the fall, but not recently. But the red-breasted nuthatches are back, after being gone for a few years. For a three week period in December/January, all of a sudden my feeders were deserted. I figured that the hawk I saw in the area was the reason. This week, numbers of birds have picked up, so perhaps the hawk has moved on. Jeannine in northeast Ann Arbor
On Sat, Jan 26, 2019 at 10:15 AM Tait, Mag <mtait...> wrote:
Date: 1/26/19 7:15 am From: Tait, Mag <mtait...> Subject: Re: [birders] White throated sparrows
I have three or so juncos this year. I normally have at least a dozen. One Pine Siskin, an occasional tree sparrow and two Red Breasted Nuthatches here in Hamburg Township.
External Email - Use Caution
I left the state in 2004 so its my first winter here in awhile. I have some Junco's, a couple of American Tree Sparrows. Even had a couple of Pine Siskins for a few days awhile back. But no White Throated Sparrows. I think I heard one a couple of days ago but haven't seen any. I checked ebird and recent sightings seem thin. But that may be normal, there seem more in Ohio. Is that normal anyone know? Do they typically winter a little further south in bigger numbers?
Calhoun County,
Marie
Date: 1/26/19 6:08 am From: Marie Schatz <marieschatz...> Subject: [birders] White throated sparrows
I left the state in 2004 so its my first winter here in awhile. I have some Junco's, a couple of American Tree Sparrows. Even had a couple of Pine Siskins for a few days awhile back. But no White Throated Sparrows. I think I heard one a couple of days ago but haven't seen any. I checked ebird and recent sightings seem thin. But that may be normal, there seem more in Ohio. Is that normal anyone know? Do they typically winter a little further south in bigger numbers? Calhoun County, Marie
Date: 1/25/19 10:03 am From: Karen Markey <ylime...> Subject: [birders] Swainson’s Thrush verified in the Arb on 1/24
Kudos to Dominic Fenech who verified the Swainson’s Thrush in the Arb
on 1/24 with stunning photos posted on eBird. I assume the Thrush is
still being seen along the stream that meanders through the central
strip of vegetation that borders the two main north-south roads that
stretchfrom the Huron River to Geddes Rd. Before the snowfall and
deep freeze, I saw it on the far south end of the boardwalk that opens
into the green (or white snowy) valley. Where the boardwalk ends on
this south end, turn to your left or east and there can be open water.
This is where I saw the Thrush and it’s where birds gather to drink
and forage.
Date: 1/25/19 4:18 am From: Susan Falcone <sfalcone...> Subject: Re: [birders] dead mouse
Years ago I did watch blue jays snacking off a colony of escaped white mice that were on a vine-covered chimney...
*********
Susan Falcone
Studies from Nature
Ann Arbor MI 48105
studio 734-995-1681
<sfalcone...>
susan.falcone on Facebook
*********
> On Jan 24, 2019, at 9:48 PM, Sherri Smith <grackle...> wrote:
>
> Lisa,
> that mouse was long dead, and thawed for my crows or a hawk. The jay didn’t kill it, but being frozen doesn’t often make a mouse prettier.
> Sherri smith
>
> --
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Date: 1/24/19 6:48 pm From: Sherri Smith <grackle...> Subject: [birders] dead mouse
Lisa,
that mouse was long dead, and thawed for my crows or a hawk. The jay didn’t kill it, but being frozen doesn’t often make a mouse prettier.
Sherri smith
Date: 1/23/19 3:00 pm From: 'Suzanne (Moses) Vedder' via Birders <birders...> Subject: Re: [birders] Blue Jay w Mouse
Maybe that Jay is just a Shrike Wannabe! 😉
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Wed, Jan 23, 2019 at 4:29 PM, lisalk lisalk<lisalk...> wrote: Beverly, that is an amazing photo! It actually looks as if the mouse is crying out in pain, pardon the anthropomorphizing. I, too, find it odd. I consider bluejays the ones who eat seeds, eggs, baby birds...okay, so maybe it isn't so odd.
Lisa Lava-KellarAnn Arbor
On Mon, Jan 21, 2019 at 10:53 PM Beverly Wolf <Bev_Wolf...> wrote:
I shot this a couple of years ago in Sherri Smith’s backyard. I came across it tonight, and still find it odd that a Blue Jay is taking and eating a mouse.
Date: 1/23/19 1:29 pm From: lisalk lisalk <lisalk...> Subject: Re: [birders] Blue Jay w Mouse
Beverly, that is an amazing photo! It actually looks as if the mouse is
crying out in pain, pardon the anthropomorphizing. I, too, find it odd. I
consider bluejays the ones who eat seeds, eggs, baby birds...okay, so maybe
it isn't so odd.
Lisa Lava-Kellar
Ann Arbor
On Mon, Jan 21, 2019 at 10:53 PM Beverly Wolf <Bev_Wolf...> wrote:
Date: 1/22/19 12:54 pm From: Allen Chartier <amazilia3...> Subject: [birders] Lens cap found at Rufous Hummingbird
Birders,
Sorry for the off-topic message The homeowners who were hosting the Rufous Hummingbird near Howell (now gone) have found a lens cap in one of their flower barrels, for a Nikon (LC-CP29). Carol will be happy to mail it to whoever lost it. Contact me and I'll put you in touch with her. Thanks.
Date: 1/22/19 12:31 pm From: John Farmer <ajf-jlf...> Subject: RE: [birders] Blue Jay w Mouse
Thanks Beverly for pointing out the oversight!
A senior moment is to blame for that omission. It was a Gray Squirrel (Black morph) that carried off and stashed the Goldfinch. BTW, I'd welcome an authoritative explanation of the current use of "morph," "phase," "form," and related terms in reference to variants among different classes of vertebrates. http://www.wildlifewindow.com/A_Naturalist_s_Words.html offers an extensive discussion of historical and current use of terminology that is applicable to birds, in particular, but I'm curious as to which term the mammalogists are using now for cases like Gray Squirrel color morphs.
JF
From: Beverly Wolf <Bev_Wolf...>
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2019 1:40 PM
To: 'John Farmer' <ajf-jlf...>
Subject: RE: [birders] Blue Jay w Mouse
Did you see what took it to the tree?
From: John Farmer <ajf-jlf...> <mailto:<ajf-jlf...> >
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2019 12:13 PM
To: 'Beverly Wolf' <Bev_Wolf...> <mailto:<Bev_Wolf...> >; 'birders list' <birders...> <mailto:<birders...> >
Subject: RE: [birders] Blue Jay w Mouse
And in the same vein as Ann Hancock's report of a rodent/dead bird interaction, I've attached my photo of a dead American Goldfinch (apparent victim of a window strike) that I saw taken from the ground and stashed in the tree. I never saw the ultimate disposal of the carcass.
John Farmer
Milan, MI
From: Beverly Wolf <Bev_Wolf...> <mailto:<Bev_Wolf...> >
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2019 10:53 PM
To: birders list <birders...> <mailto:<birders...> >
Subject: [birders] Blue Jay w Mouse
I shot this a couple of years ago in Sherri Smith’s backyard. I came across it tonight, and still find it odd that a Blue Jay is taking and eating a mouse.
Date: 1/22/19 9:13 am From: John Farmer <ajf-jlf...> Subject: RE: [birders] Blue Jay w Mouse
And in the same vein as Ann Hancock's report of a rodent/dead bird interaction, I've attached my photo of a dead American Goldfinch (apparent victim of a window strike) that I saw taken from the ground and stashed in the tree. I never saw the ultimate disposal of the carcass.
John Farmer
Milan, MI
From: Beverly Wolf <Bev_Wolf...>
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2019 10:53 PM
To: birders list <birders...>
Subject: [birders] Blue Jay w Mouse
I shot this a couple of years ago in Sherri Smith’s backyard. I came across it tonight, and still find it odd that a Blue Jay is taking and eating a mouse.
Date: 1/22/19 7:09 am From: Ann Hancock <annhancock9...> Subject: Re: [birders] Blue Jay w Mouse
To add to the list of stories of who eats what: last year my sister in law saw a chickadee hit the window. She ran outside to try to help it, and got there just as a chipmunk grabbed the chickadee and ran off with it.
A Hancock
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jan 22, 2019, at 9:17 AM, "<fkaluza...>" <fkaluza...> wrote:
>
> Why so odd? Not much of a leap from eating insects to spiders to worms to reptiles. Maybe the strangeness is when we think of mammals being eaten by non mammals? Generally, I suspect we feel the only thing that should be eating mammals is other mammals. Spider eating mouse...creepy. Yes...there seems to be an "acceptable order" in terms of what eats what "at the macro level anyway". An interesting topic of discussion.
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
>
> On Mon, Jan 21, 2019 at 11:39 PM, G M ARCHAMBAULT
> <gm72125...> wrote:
>
> I've seen Northern Mockingbird catching and pecking a small mouse once. For what it's worth. -Ken Archambault, Birmingham, Alabama
>
> On Monday, January 21, 2019, 9:53:31 PM CST, Beverly Wolf <Bev_Wolf...> wrote:
>
>
> I shot this a couple of years ago in Sherri Smith’s backyard. I came across it tonight, and still find it odd that a Blue Jay is taking and eating a mouse.
>
> Bev Wolf
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Date: 1/22/19 6:17 am From: <fkaluza...> <fkaluza...> Subject: Re: [birders] Blue Jay w Mouse
Why so odd? Not much of a leap from eating insects to spiders to worms to reptiles. Maybe the strangeness is when we think of mammals being eaten by non mammals? Generally, I suspect we feel the only thing that should be eating mammals is other mammals. Spider eating mouse...creepy. Yes...there seems to be an "acceptable order" in terms of what eats what "at the macro level anyway". An interesting topic of discussion.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Mon, Jan 21, 2019 at 11:39 PM, G M ARCHAMBAULT<gm72125...> wrote:
I've seen Northern Mockingbird catching and pecking a small mouse once. For what it's worth. -Ken Archambault, Birmingham, Alabama
On Monday, January 21, 2019, 9:53:31 PM CST, Beverly Wolf <Bev_Wolf...> wrote:
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I shot this a couple of years ago in Sherri Smith’s backyard. I came across it tonight, and still find it odd that a Blue Jay is taking and eating a mouse.
--
Birders is a service of the Great Lakes Commission. Visit us at www.glc.org
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