Date: 6/30/25 10:43 am From: Jack Rogers via groups.io <jack...> Subject: Re: [labird] Golden-cheeked Warblers overfly LA
Paul and all-
Notably, South Padre Island has 2 July records (07-06-2014, 07-17-2020).
Maybe something for Louisiana birders to target in an otherwise dreadfully
slow month for birding?
Jack
Jack Rogers
*Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A & M University of
Kingsville*
*Kingsville, TX/Mt Pleasant, SC*
On Mon, Jun 30, 2025 at 12:28 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
<lusfiber.net...> wrote:
> Peter, Labird,
>
> In addition to the FL record, there have been other reports SE
> of the breeding grounds, including Galveston. While I wouldn't put it in
> my Next Ten list, I've always wondered if it's a rare but regular
> migrant. Migration seems to start by late June when almost no birder is
> out there. Last summer, I think it was, Dave Patton's trail cam at
> Peveto picked up a tantalizing late June BT Green/Golden-cheeked type
> warbler coming into the water feature, but the images just eluded ID.
>
> Paul Conover
>
>
> On 6/29/2025 7:34 AM, Peter H Yaukey via groups.io wrote:
> > LABirders:
> > I read a (to me) shocking geolocator paper yesterday that reported that
> many Golden-cheeked Warblers travel far east from their nesting areas
> before turning south in fall, many apparently traversing Louisiana. The
> paper states that 20% of the birds in the study sample migrated across the
> Gulf in fall, including some going as far east as peninsular Florida. Here
> are the tracks of the c. 12 (of their total of 61 migrants tracked w
> geolocators) that went transgulf or through Florida.
> >
> > [cid:a9bc4c85-0d14-493e-947a-ed00063f054b]
> > They had another map that gives stopover points. One of these is on the
> Chandeleurs. Has the LBRC considered whether a geolocator observation
> could constitute a first state record? The lead authors of the study are
> actually at LSU- perhaps they could provide information on the amount of
> precision in that stopover observation or the flyover tracks?
> > This is crazy!
> >
> > [cid:2624d6e2-9708-4bd0-bcc2-9a578f417bf3]
> >
> > [cid:cac7bd43-7edd-4d8b-ab89-93ebac7375e8]
> >
> > NOTICE: This message, including all attachments transmitted with it, is
> intended solely for the use of the Addressee(s) and may contain information
> that is PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, and/or EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE under
> applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby
> notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the
> information contained herein is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you received this
> communication in error, please destroy all copies of the message, whether
> in electronic or hard copy format, as well as attachments and immediately
> contact the sender by replying to this email or contact the sender at the
> telephone numbers listed above. Thank you!
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/30/25 10:28 am From: Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux...> Subject: Re: [labird] Golden-cheeked Warblers overfly LA
Peter, Labird,
In addition to the FL record, there have been other reports SE
of the breeding grounds, including Galveston. While I wouldn't put it in
my Next Ten list, I've always wondered if it's a rare but regular
migrant. Migration seems to start by late June when almost no birder is
out there. Last summer, I think it was, Dave Patton's trail cam at
Peveto picked up a tantalizing late June BT Green/Golden-cheeked type
warbler coming into the water feature, but the images just eluded ID.
Paul Conover
On 6/29/2025 7:34 AM, Peter H Yaukey via groups.io wrote:
> LABirders:
> I read a (to me) shocking geolocator paper yesterday that reported that many Golden-cheeked Warblers travel far east from their nesting areas before turning south in fall, many apparently traversing Louisiana. The paper states that 20% of the birds in the study sample migrated across the Gulf in fall, including some going as far east as peninsular Florida. Here are the tracks of the c. 12 (of their total of 61 migrants tracked w geolocators) that went transgulf or through Florida.
>
> [cid:a9bc4c85-0d14-493e-947a-ed00063f054b]
> They had another map that gives stopover points. One of these is on the Chandeleurs. Has the LBRC considered whether a geolocator observation could constitute a first state record? The lead authors of the study are actually at LSU- perhaps they could provide information on the amount of precision in that stopover observation or the flyover tracks?
> This is crazy!
>
> [cid:2624d6e2-9708-4bd0-bcc2-9a578f417bf3]
>
> [cid:cac7bd43-7edd-4d8b-ab89-93ebac7375e8]
>
> NOTICE: This message, including all attachments transmitted with it, is intended solely for the use of the Addressee(s) and may contain information that is PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, and/or EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the information contained herein is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you received this communication in error, please destroy all copies of the message, whether in electronic or hard copy format, as well as attachments and immediately contact the sender by replying to this email or contact the sender at the telephone numbers listed above. Thank you!
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/30/25 9:43 am From: David P. Muth via groups.io <muthdp...> Subject: Re: [labird] Golden-cheeked Warblers overfly LA
Eric--
Thanks for the tutorial and the clarifications. The bottom line is that the
specimen and photos from the Tampa area prove that it does occasionally
happen, and there seems to be a real possibility that it happens more often
than I suppose any of us imagined.
Peter brought up this paper in a discussion about Bachman's Warbler. I used
to argue (30 or 40 years ago) that Bachman's could easily be holding out in
some undiscovered remote location in the very under-birded and
under-studied mid-south. Others argued that it would still be detected
somewhere in migration in Florida or on the Gulf coast. I used to resist
that argument, pointing out that much of the Gulf coast was also poorly
covered. As more and more birders armed with better and better resources,
including now digital cameras, surveyed more and more of the coast, year
after year, my optimism faded to a very low point. But if Golden-cheeked
Warblers can be slipping past us regularly (and that remains to be
verified, as you point out), then I'd revise my hope back upward, if only
slightly. I don't think sedentary, large, loud and conspicuous, easily
identified Ivory-billed Woodpeckers could possibly still be holding out,
but small, early migrant, obscurely-plumaged (except adult males), warblers
might just.
David Muth
New Orleans
On Sun, Jun 29, 2025 at 8:48 AM Johnson, Erik via groups.io <Erik.Johnson=
<audubon.org...> wrote:
> Hi Peter and LAbird,
>
> Thanks for sharing this. Very interesting. Having worked with light-level
> geolocator data, I can appreciate some of the uncertainties it generates,
> especially during migration. Latitude is notoriously harder to estimate
> with accuracy than longitude, and the difference between Louisiana and
> southern Mexico can be hard to distinguish with certainty, especially as
> the date approaches the equinox. To illustrate this point, I'm happy to
> share location data generated from light from a geolocator we recovered
> this spring from Amite River Wildlife Sanctuary. You should be able to
> click through the dates to see how locations and the precision changes
> depending on stopover duration and proximity to the equinox.
> https://rpubs.com/Erik_I_Johnson/1301031 >
> Back the Golden-cheeked Warbler paper. The figure with the 11 movement
> trajectories showing easterly fall migrations does not show the
> uncertainty, so it's hard to be sure how realistic these lines are. But
> interestingly, the date of the fall migrations reported in the paper
> spanned July 1 to September 3, which is a good bit before the equinox, and
> there are apparently some longer stopover durations (which helps improve
> accuracy), so it is a little harder to poke holes in the idea of an
> easterly movement in fall.
>
> Such a "loop migration" pattern is exhibited by a number of Neotropical
> migrants, although many of those tend to be more boreal. There are even two
> recent documented records in eBird from late August in the Tampa, FL area
> (and also a specimen from late August in 1964), and early to mid-August
> Houston/Galveston-area records, suggesting the geolocator data showing the
> occasional trans-Gulf migration may have some validity. But I'd be
> surprised if it were as common as the paper suggests, given the paucity of
> records from the northern Gulf.
>
> Golden-cheeked Warbler populations continue to decline, unlike the rapidly
> increasing Black-capped Vireo, which now has records from LA. Even so,
> there's no reason to think Golden-cheeked Warbler wouldn't show up from
> time to time, and I think this geolocator study helps reinforce that. This
> species would (will) be an amazing (and overdue) first state record, but
> I'd be hesitant to use light-level geolocator data to accept it as a first.
>
> Erik Johnson
> Sunset, LA
> Erik.Johnson AT audubon.org
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: <labird...> <labird...> On Behalf Of Peter H Yaukey via
> groups.io
> Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2025 7:35 AM
> To: LABIRD List <labird...>
> Subject: [labird] Golden-cheeked Warblers overfly LA
>
>
> LABirders:
> I read a (to me) shocking geolocator paper yesterday that reported that
> many Golden-cheeked Warblers travel far east from their nesting areas
> before turning south in fall, many apparently traversing Louisiana. The
> paper states that 20% of the birds in the study sample migrated across the
> Gulf in fall, including some going as far east as peninsular Florida. Here
> are the tracks of the c. 12 (of their total of 61 migrants tracked w
> geolocators) that went transgulf or through Florida.
>
> [cid:a9bc4c85-0d14-493e-947a-ed00063f054b]
> They had another map that gives stopover points. One of these is on the
> Chandeleurs. Has the LBRC considered whether a geolocator observation
> could constitute a first state record? The lead authors of the study are
> actually at LSU- perhaps they could provide information on the amount of
> precision in that stopover observation or the flyover tracks?
> This is crazy!
>
> [cid:2624d6e2-9708-4bd0-bcc2-9a578f417bf3]
>
> [cid:cac7bd43-7edd-4d8b-ab89-93ebac7375e8]
>
> NOTICE: This message, including all attachments transmitted with it, is
> intended solely for the use of the Addressee(s) and may contain information
> that is PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, and/or EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE under
> applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby
> notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the
> information contained herein is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you received this
> communication in error, please destroy all copies of the message, whether
> in electronic or hard copy format, as well as attachments and immediately
> contact the sender by replying to this email or contact the sender at the
> telephone numbers listed above. Thank you!
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/29/25 3:32 pm From: John Dillon via groups.io <kisforkryptonite...> Subject: [labird] LOS Fall News articles
If anyone would like to contribute an article to the fall LOS News, the deadline is August 1. Or if you have a suggestion about someone who’s knowledgeable who might write an article, please reach out.
Needs to be LOS newsworthy.
Current research in LA, LSUMNS stuff, rare bird stuff, pelagic stuff, hurricane birding, hummer migration or winter info, eBird info, bird banding stuff, birding location stuff, whatever.
Date: 6/29/25 6:48 am From: Johnson, Erik via groups.io <Erik.Johnson...> Subject: Re: [labird] Golden-cheeked Warblers overfly LA
Hi Peter and LAbird,
Thanks for sharing this. Very interesting. Having worked with light-level geolocator data, I can appreciate some of the uncertainties it generates, especially during migration. Latitude is notoriously harder to estimate with accuracy than longitude, and the difference between Louisiana and southern Mexico can be hard to distinguish with certainty, especially as the date approaches the equinox. To illustrate this point, I'm happy to share location data generated from light from a geolocator we recovered this spring from Amite River Wildlife Sanctuary. You should be able to click through the dates to see how locations and the precision changes depending on stopover duration and proximity to the equinox.
https://rpubs.com/Erik_I_Johnson/1301031
Back the Golden-cheeked Warbler paper. The figure with the 11 movement trajectories showing easterly fall migrations does not show the uncertainty, so it's hard to be sure how realistic these lines are. But interestingly, the date of the fall migrations reported in the paper spanned July 1 to September 3, which is a good bit before the equinox, and there are apparently some longer stopover durations (which helps improve accuracy), so it is a little harder to poke holes in the idea of an easterly movement in fall.
Such a "loop migration" pattern is exhibited by a number of Neotropical migrants, although many of those tend to be more boreal. There are even two recent documented records in eBird from late August in the Tampa, FL area (and also a specimen from late August in 1964), and early to mid-August Houston/Galveston-area records, suggesting the geolocator data showing the occasional trans-Gulf migration may have some validity. But I'd be surprised if it were as common as the paper suggests, given the paucity of records from the northern Gulf.
Golden-cheeked Warbler populations continue to decline, unlike the rapidly increasing Black-capped Vireo, which now has records from LA. Even so, there's no reason to think Golden-cheeked Warbler wouldn't show up from time to time, and I think this geolocator study helps reinforce that. This species would (will) be an amazing (and overdue) first state record, but I'd be hesitant to use light-level geolocator data to accept it as a first.
Erik Johnson
Sunset, LA
Erik.Johnson AT audubon.org
-----Original Message-----
From: <labird...> <labird...> On Behalf Of Peter H Yaukey via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2025 7:35 AM
To: LABIRD List <labird...>
Subject: [labird] Golden-cheeked Warblers overfly LA
LABirders:
I read a (to me) shocking geolocator paper yesterday that reported that many Golden-cheeked Warblers travel far east from their nesting areas before turning south in fall, many apparently traversing Louisiana. The paper states that 20% of the birds in the study sample migrated across the Gulf in fall, including some going as far east as peninsular Florida. Here are the tracks of the c. 12 (of their total of 61 migrants tracked w geolocators) that went transgulf or through Florida.
[cid:a9bc4c85-0d14-493e-947a-ed00063f054b]
They had another map that gives stopover points. One of these is on the Chandeleurs. Has the LBRC considered whether a geolocator observation could constitute a first state record? The lead authors of the study are actually at LSU- perhaps they could provide information on the amount of precision in that stopover observation or the flyover tracks?
This is crazy!
[cid:2624d6e2-9708-4bd0-bcc2-9a578f417bf3]
[cid:cac7bd43-7edd-4d8b-ab89-93ebac7375e8]
NOTICE: This message, including all attachments transmitted with it, is intended solely for the use of the Addressee(s) and may contain information that is PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, and/or EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the information contained herein is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you received this communication in error, please destroy all copies of the message, whether in electronic or hard copy format, as well as attachments and immediately contact the sender by replying to this email or contact the sender at the telephone numbers listed above. Thank you!
Date: 6/29/25 5:47 am From: Peter H Yaukey via groups.io <pyaukey...> Subject: Re: [labird] New Peveto Woods Sanctuary Manager
Thanks for your many years of service Dave! So many birders have benefited!
________________________________
From: <labird...> <labird...> on behalf of Kevin Colley via groups.io <Kcolley71...>
Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2025 5:02 PM
To: <budogmacm...> <budogmacm...>
Cc: <davepatton122...> <davepatton122...>; Labird <labird...>; list serve BRAS <main...>
Subject: Re: [labird] New Peveto Woods Sanctuary Manager
WARNING: This email originated outside of the University of New Orleans system. The sender of this email could not be validated and may not actually be the person in the “From” field. Do NOT click links or open attachments if the message seems suspicious in any way. Never provide your user ID or password.
I agree Mac. Hats off to Dave and welcome Charlotte!
NOTICE: This message, including all attachments transmitted with it, is intended solely for the use of the Addressee(s) and may contain information that is PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, and/or EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the information contained herein is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you received this communication in error, please destroy all copies of the message, whether in electronic or hard copy format, as well as attachments and immediately contact the sender by replying to this email or contact the sender at the telephone numbers listed above. Thank you!
Date: 6/29/25 5:35 am From: Peter H Yaukey via groups.io <pyaukey...> Subject: [labird] Golden-cheeked Warblers overfly LA
LABirders:
I read a (to me) shocking geolocator paper yesterday that reported that many Golden-cheeked Warblers travel far east from their nesting areas before turning south in fall, many apparently traversing Louisiana. The paper states that 20% of the birds in the study sample migrated across the Gulf in fall, including some going as far east as peninsular Florida. Here are the tracks of the c. 12 (of their total of 61 migrants tracked w geolocators) that went transgulf or through Florida.
[cid:a9bc4c85-0d14-493e-947a-ed00063f054b]
They had another map that gives stopover points. One of these is on the Chandeleurs. Has the LBRC considered whether a geolocator observation could constitute a first state record? The lead authors of the study are actually at LSU- perhaps they could provide information on the amount of precision in that stopover observation or the flyover tracks?
This is crazy!
[cid:2624d6e2-9708-4bd0-bcc2-9a578f417bf3]
[cid:cac7bd43-7edd-4d8b-ab89-93ebac7375e8]
NOTICE: This message, including all attachments transmitted with it, is intended solely for the use of the Addressee(s) and may contain information that is PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, and/or EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the information contained herein is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you received this communication in error, please destroy all copies of the message, whether in electronic or hard copy format, as well as attachments and immediately contact the sender by replying to this email or contact the sender at the telephone numbers listed above. Thank you!
Date: 6/28/25 3:02 pm From: Kevin Colley via groups.io <Kcolley71...> Subject: Re: [labird] New Peveto Woods Sanctuary Manager
I agree Mac. Hats off to Dave and welcome Charlotte!
Kevin
> On Jun 28, 2025, at 6:41 AM, Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm...> wrote:
>
> Dave, thanks for many years of doing a great job at the sanctuary.
>
> Charlotte, thank you for taking on the job, and I'm sure you'll do a great
> job, too.
>
> Mac
>
> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail> > Virus-free.www.avast.com
> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail> > <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>
>> On Fri, Jun 27, 2025 at 10:22 PM Dave Patton via groups.io <davepatton122=
>> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Birders,
>> There were some additions and repairs at Peveto Woods today, but they were
>> not my doing.
>> It is my pleasure to announce the passing of my Peveto Woods Sanctuary
>> duties along to the new manager, Charlotte Chehotsky. I officially handed
>> over the keys to the sanctuary (contribution box), and today, Charlotte and
>> volunteer, Dale Hamilton, were busy getting started. They completed a new
>> water hole viewing bench with a hiding wall, repainted the contribution
>> box, and lifted the old picnic table onto blocks to prevent and repair
>> rotting.
>> It has been my pleasure and honor to manage the sanctuary for the past 18
>> years. I now look forward to enjoying my visits and helping when needed.
>> Thank you Charlotte for taking over. I know the sanctuary is in good hands.
>>
>> Dave Patton
>> Past Manager
>> Peveto Woods Sanctuary
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
On Fri, Jun 27, 2025 at 10:22 PM Dave Patton via groups.io <davepatton122=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Dear Birders,
> There were some additions and repairs at Peveto Woods today, but they were
> not my doing.
> It is my pleasure to announce the passing of my Peveto Woods Sanctuary
> duties along to the new manager, Charlotte Chehotsky. I officially handed
> over the keys to the sanctuary (contribution box), and today, Charlotte and
> volunteer, Dale Hamilton, were busy getting started. They completed a new
> water hole viewing bench with a hiding wall, repainted the contribution
> box, and lifted the old picnic table onto blocks to prevent and repair
> rotting.
> It has been my pleasure and honor to manage the sanctuary for the past 18
> years. I now look forward to enjoying my visits and helping when needed.
> Thank you Charlotte for taking over. I know the sanctuary is in good hands.
>
> Dave Patton
> Past Manager
> Peveto Woods Sanctuary
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/27/25 8:22 pm From: Dave Patton via groups.io <davepatton122...> Subject: [labird] New Peveto Woods Sanctuary Manager
Dear Birders, There were some additions and repairs at Peveto Woods today, but they were not my doing. It is my pleasure to announce the passing of my Peveto Woods Sanctuary duties along to the new manager, Charlotte Chehotsky. I officially handed over the keys to the sanctuary (contribution box), and today, Charlotte and volunteer, Dale Hamilton, were busy getting started. They completed a new water hole viewing bench with a hiding wall, repainted the contribution box, and lifted the old picnic table onto blocks to prevent and repair rotting. It has been my pleasure and honor to manage the sanctuary for the past 18 years. I now look forward to enjoying my visits and helping when needed. Thank you Charlotte for taking over. I know the sanctuary is in good hands.
Date: 6/25/25 10:21 am From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: [labird] Governor Landry vetoes bill banning balloon releases
Governor Jeff Landry vetoed HB 581, banning the mass release of balloons, on June 20. I have located no veto message. If anybody knows why this important environmental provision did not pass muster with our fearless leader, please enlighten us.
Date: 6/22/25 11:37 am From: Jennifer Outlaw Coulson via groups.io <jenniferocoulson...> Subject: [labird] Some sad news about Joelle Finley
Dear LABIRD,
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of one of our
longtime members and leaders, Joelle Finley. On the morning of June 21,
Joelle passed away unexpectedly at her home with her loving husband, Ken
Harris, at her side. Joelle’s family is helping Ken, and he asks that we
all give him a few days before reaching out to him.
Joelle’s leadership in local environmental organizations was exemplary and
selfless. She served on Orleans Audubon’s Board for the past 19 years and
was the Vice-President for the past 17 years. She played many vital roles
in Orleans Audubon, coordinating our monthly programs and birding field
trips, and serving on the City Park and Sanctuary committees. Joelle also
helped organize local birding festivals and led many trips for the Grand
Isle Migratory Bird Celebration. She served as an advisor for the New
Orleans City Park’s Birding Corridor and was instrumental in its planning
and development. She and Ken also conducted bird monitoring surveys there
and elsewhere. On May 18th, 2021, OAS thanked and honored Joelle for her
long-time service to OAS and the environmental community by bestowing her
with the Swallow-tailed Kite Conservation Award.
Joelle was a longtime leader of the former Crescent Bird Club, running
field trips and handling membership. She was instrumental in orchestrating
its merger with OAS. She served many other leadership roles in the
environmental community, including Secretary of the Greater New Orleans
Chapter of the Louisiana Master Naturalists and Secretary for the Louisiana
Ornithological Society.
As a wildlife photographer, world traveler, and dynamic speaker, Joelle
shared her knowledge and talents by presenting lectures for OAS, LOS, CBC,
Northshore Bird Club, Sierra Club and the like. Her talks have taken us to
wonderfully exotic birding destinations such as Vietnam, Cuba, Brazil,
Madagascar, Thailand, Ghana and Indonesia. She and Ken had most recently
traveled to Uzbekistan and the Caribbean. Several of her recorded
presentations are available on the Orleans Audubon Society’s YouTube
channel.
Joelle was a true inspiration to countless people in the Greater New
Orleans Area as they were getting started in birding. Many have recounted
how Joelle generously shared her knowledge and also introduced them to
other birders. Joelle team taught many beginning birding classes for OAS.
She was featured and quoted in numerous articles about birds and birding,
articles which have appeared in birding magazines, local newspapers,
television spots and online blogs.
For many of us, myself included, Joelle was also a lifelong friend and
cherished birding companion. OAS will provide more information soon.
Date: 6/18/25 3:17 pm From: David P. Muth via groups.io <muthdp...> Subject: [labird] Beach-nesting Bird Colony Atlas for the Northern Gulf
Labird:
I am forwarding this link to a new atlas of beach nesting birds for the
northern Gulf of Mexico prepared for the Gulf Coast Joint Venture.
David
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Wilson, Barry <barry_wilson...>
Date: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Subject: Beach-nesting Bird Colony Atlas for the Northern Gulf
GCJV Board & Initiative Team Chairs,
[sent via BCC to a 150+ Bird Nesting Island Cooperative list]
************************
Barry C. Wilson
GCJV Coordinator (USFWS)
c/o USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
700 Cajundome Blvd
Lafayette, LA 70506
337-262-7015
<barry_wilson...>
www.gcjv.org
Date: 6/16/25 9:54 am From: Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux...> Subject: Re: [labird] LBRC website updates
Claire, Labird,
The Hammond's is in the round that we're currently finishing
up. That round has all of the records that are posted on the Pending
Reports page, for the most part records from last fall and winter. The
records that don't reach a decision in this round will go into the next
round, which will probably go out soon and be finished fairly quickly.
That process gets faster as the batch of records gets whittled down, and
I'm expecting to have the next Newsletter out by October or November.
In the meantime, the process isn't top secret, just a bit time
consuming because of the legwork and the review involved, but I'm always
happy to give updates. Feel free to write me, and I can definitely let
you know the current status of your record.
Thanks,
Paul Conover
LBRC Secretary
On 6/16/2025 8:57 AM, Claire Thomas wrote:
> How do we find out if our sighting is accepted? I had a Hammond’s
> flycatcher with photos but I don’t recall seeing it in the LRBC
> report. I may have overlooked it but I don’t think so. I’d like to
> know if it was accepted or not. Thanks
>
> Claire Thomas
> <claire...>
> 19170 Antenor St.
> Mandeville, LA 70471-6937
>
>
>
>> On Jun 12, 2025, at 3:04 PM, Paul Conover via groups.io
>> <zoiseaux...> wrote:
>>
>> Labird,
>>
>> A little clarification.
>>
>> When a record is Unaccepted, there's always a mention of it in a
>> report, such as the example below:
>>
>> *One male (2013-081)* on 6 October 2013, Cameron: Peveto Woods
>> Sanctuary. This was a brief observation of a bird seen only in flight.
>> The submitting observer, who is also a Committee Member and who is very
>> experienced with the species, submitted the report primarily so that it
>> would be archived. He ultimately voted against his own report stating
>> that, although he believed that the identification was likely correct,
>> he agreed with other Members that the brevity of the observation and
>> resulting limited detail did not warrant acceptance.
>>
>> However, because the Bylaws say, "Rejected records should also be
>> published with the above data, except that observers' names
>> should not be included," no name was included in this summary.
>>
>> In this case, I was the reporter, and even though I voted against my
>> record because I felt it lacked the needed evidence to prove the
>> sighting, I did want it archived. When a record is accepted, I post a
>> link to the report so people can study the report. However, because of
>> the Bylaws, putting an unaccepted record would be unacceptable unless I
>> had express permission or blacked out the observer's name. But to me the
>> name is pretty important, as that might tell me a lot.
>>
>> So what I would like to do is this (hopefully it transmits )
>>
>> *One male (2013-081 <http://www.losbird.org/lbrc/leni133conovera.htm>)* >> on 6 October 2013, Cameron: Peveto Woods Sanctuary. This was a brief
>> observation of a bird seen only in flight. The submitting observer, who
>> is also a Committee Member and who is very experienced with the species,
>> submitted the report primarily so that it would be archived. He
>> ultimately voted against his own report stating that, although he
>> believed that the identification was likely correct, he agreed with
>> other Members that the brevity of the observation and resulting limited
>> detail did not warrant acceptance.
>>
>> In this case, clicking on the link should take readers to
>> <http://www.losbird.org/lbrc/leni133conovera.htm> where they can see the
>> actual report.
>>
>> Sans such a link, the record is not really archived, but is hidden away
>> where no one can ever see it, which would defeat my intentions in
>> submitting it in the first place.
>>
>> Many reporters know they didn't quite get enough on a sighting, but know
>> as well that the sighting is "good" for certain purposes, would like
>> their sightings out in the open for all to see, and don't feel the need
>> to hide their name.
>>
>> That's where I was heading with this. Sorry if I wasn't clear, and I
>> hope this clarified it.
>>
>>
>> Merci,
>>
>> Paul
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 6/12/2025 2:13 PM, Paul Conover via groups.io wrote:
>>> Labird,
>>>
>>> With summer here, I've been able to spend some time working on
>>> LBRC stuff. Some of the updates are:
>>>
>>> All reviewed records have been added to the Photo and Record
>>> Gallery page. In other words, if you're wondering how many records of
>>> Eurasian Wigeon there are for the state, you can flip to that page and
>>> the records are up to date as of the 2024 Newsletter. A reminder that
>>> several species (Long-tailed Duck, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Sargasso
>>> Shearwater, Gray Kingbird, Black-whiskered Vireo) were removed from the
>>> Review List at the Spring Meeting.
>>>
>>> Also, thanks to the efforts of the LOS, I've had a new scanner
>>> to work with to scan older paper records. That job will be ongoing for a
>>> long time to come, but I've gotten a small start on it and established a
>>> routine that seems to work. Some of the records I've scanned were not
>>> accepted, which brings up the next topic:
>>>
>>> Should Unaccepted records be posted online? LBRC Bylaws say
>>> they shouldn't, but in my mind, even unaccepted records are valuable. In
>>> my experience, when records don't get accepted, it's because they didn't
>>> quite rise to the threshold, not because they were obviously wrong. Many
>>> of my records have failed to make the cut, but it's usually because I
>>> didn't get pictures, or see an important mark, or couldn't remove the
>>> possibility of a look-alike species, not because I made an
>>> embarrassingly bad ID. That's true of most unaccepted records; the
>>> records are totally plausible, but they don't remove plausible doubt.
>>>
>>> Many observers continue to have faith in their own records and
>>> would love their unaccepted reports to be visible where others can see
>>> them for themselves. I'm one of them. I don't think the committee "got
>>> them wrong." Instead, I think that some part of the report might be
>>> useful for others to see, whether it's the date, the fieldmarks, or
>>> whatever. And, importantly, some keen observer might note something that
>>> everyone else has missed, or might be aware of some new fieldmark that
>>> would cause a second look at the report.
>>>
>>> So, if you're good with having your unaccepted reports posted,
>>> or if you absolutely hate the idea, please let me know.
>>>
>>> In other news, I've also tried to clean up the LBRC website,
>>> including updating the homepage for continuity with the LOS homepage. If
>>> you notice any errors or display issues, please alert me asap so I can
>>> work on them.
>>>
>>>
>>> Merci,
>>>
>>> Paul Conover
>>>
>>> LBRC Secretary
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
Date: 6/16/25 6:57 am From: clairedthomas via groups.io <claire...> Subject: Re: [labird] LBRC website updates
How do we find out if our sighting is accepted? I had a Hammond’s flycatcher with photos but I don’t recall seeing it in the LRBC report. I may have overlooked it but I don’t think so. I’d like to know if it was accepted or not. Thanks
Claire Thomas
<claire...>
19170 Antenor St.
Mandeville, LA 70471-6937
On Jun 12, 2025, at 3:04 PM, Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux...> wrote:
Labird,
A little clarification.
When a record is Unaccepted, there's always a mention of it in a
report, such as the example below:
*One male (2013-081)* on 6 October 2013, Cameron: Peveto Woods
Sanctuary. This was a brief observation of a bird seen only in flight.
The submitting observer, who is also a Committee Member and who is very
experienced with the species, submitted the report primarily so that it
would be archived. He ultimately voted against his own report stating
that, although he believed that the identification was likely correct,
he agreed with other Members that the brevity of the observation and
resulting limited detail did not warrant acceptance.
However, because the Bylaws say, "Rejected records should also be
published with the above data, except that observers' names
should not be included," no name was included in this summary.
In this case, I was the reporter, and even though I voted against my
record because I felt it lacked the needed evidence to prove the
sighting, I did want it archived. When a record is accepted, I post a
link to the report so people can study the report. However, because of
the Bylaws, putting an unaccepted record would be unacceptable unless I
had express permission or blacked out the observer's name. But to me the
name is pretty important, as that might tell me a lot.
So what I would like to do is this (hopefully it transmits )
*One male (2013-081 <http://www.losbird.org/lbrc/leni133conovera.htm>)* on 6 October 2013, Cameron: Peveto Woods Sanctuary. This was a brief
observation of a bird seen only in flight. The submitting observer, who
is also a Committee Member and who is very experienced with the species,
submitted the report primarily so that it would be archived. He
ultimately voted against his own report stating that, although he
believed that the identification was likely correct, he agreed with
other Members that the brevity of the observation and resulting limited
detail did not warrant acceptance.
Sans such a link, the record is not really archived, but is hidden away
where no one can ever see it, which would defeat my intentions in
submitting it in the first place.
Many reporters know they didn't quite get enough on a sighting, but know
as well that the sighting is "good" for certain purposes, would like
their sightings out in the open for all to see, and don't feel the need
to hide their name.
That's where I was heading with this. Sorry if I wasn't clear, and I
hope this clarified it.
Merci,
Paul
On 6/12/2025 2:13 PM, Paul Conover via groups.io wrote:
Labird,
With summer here, I've been able to spend some time working on
LBRC stuff. Some of the updates are:
All reviewed records have been added to the Photo and Record
Gallery page. In other words, if you're wondering how many records of
Eurasian Wigeon there are for the state, you can flip to that page and
the records are up to date as of the 2024 Newsletter. A reminder that
several species (Long-tailed Duck, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Sargasso
Shearwater, Gray Kingbird, Black-whiskered Vireo) were removed from the
Review List at the Spring Meeting.
Also, thanks to the efforts of the LOS, I've had a new scanner
to work with to scan older paper records. That job will be ongoing for a
long time to come, but I've gotten a small start on it and established a
routine that seems to work. Some of the records I've scanned were not
accepted, which brings up the next topic:
Should Unaccepted records be posted online? LBRC Bylaws say
they shouldn't, but in my mind, even unaccepted records are valuable. In
my experience, when records don't get accepted, it's because they didn't
quite rise to the threshold, not because they were obviously wrong. Many
of my records have failed to make the cut, but it's usually because I
didn't get pictures, or see an important mark, or couldn't remove the
possibility of a look-alike species, not because I made an
embarrassingly bad ID. That's true of most unaccepted records; the
records are totally plausible, but they don't remove plausible doubt.
Many observers continue to have faith in their own records and
would love their unaccepted reports to be visible where others can see
them for themselves. I'm one of them. I don't think the committee "got
them wrong." Instead, I think that some part of the report might be
useful for others to see, whether it's the date, the fieldmarks, or
whatever. And, importantly, some keen observer might note something that
everyone else has missed, or might be aware of some new fieldmark that
would cause a second look at the report.
So, if you're good with having your unaccepted reports posted,
or if you absolutely hate the idea, please let me know.
In other news, I've also tried to clean up the LBRC website,
including updating the homepage for continuity with the LOS homepage. If
you notice any errors or display issues, please alert me asap so I can
work on them.
Date: 6/12/25 1:04 pm From: Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux...> Subject: Re: [labird] LBRC website updates
Labird,
A little clarification.
When a record is Unaccepted, there's always a mention of it in a
report, such as the example below:
*One male (2013-081)* on 6 October 2013, Cameron: Peveto Woods
Sanctuary. This was a brief observation of a bird seen only in flight.
The submitting observer, who is also a Committee Member and who is very
experienced with the species, submitted the report primarily so that it
would be archived. He ultimately voted against his own report stating
that, although he believed that the identification was likely correct,
he agreed with other Members that the brevity of the observation and
resulting limited detail did not warrant acceptance.
However, because the Bylaws say, "Rejected records should also be
published with the above data, except that observers' names
should not be included," no name was included in this summary.
In this case, I was the reporter, and even though I voted against my
record because I felt it lacked the needed evidence to prove the
sighting, I did want it archived. When a record is accepted, I post a
link to the report so people can study the report. However, because of
the Bylaws, putting an unaccepted record would be unacceptable unless I
had express permission or blacked out the observer's name. But to me the
name is pretty important, as that might tell me a lot.
So what I would like to do is this (hopefully it transmits )
*One male (2013-081 <http://www.losbird.org/lbrc/leni133conovera.htm>)* on 6 October 2013, Cameron: Peveto Woods Sanctuary. This was a brief
observation of a bird seen only in flight. The submitting observer, who
is also a Committee Member and who is very experienced with the species,
submitted the report primarily so that it would be archived. He
ultimately voted against his own report stating that, although he
believed that the identification was likely correct, he agreed with
other Members that the brevity of the observation and resulting limited
detail did not warrant acceptance.
Sans such a link, the record is not really archived, but is hidden away
where no one can ever see it, which would defeat my intentions in
submitting it in the first place.
Many reporters know they didn't quite get enough on a sighting, but know
as well that the sighting is "good" for certain purposes, would like
their sightings out in the open for all to see, and don't feel the need
to hide their name.
That's where I was heading with this. Sorry if I wasn't clear, and I
hope this clarified it.
Merci,
Paul
On 6/12/2025 2:13 PM, Paul Conover via groups.io wrote:
> Labird,
>
> With summer here, I've been able to spend some time working on
> LBRC stuff. Some of the updates are:
>
> All reviewed records have been added to the Photo and Record
> Gallery page. In other words, if you're wondering how many records of
> Eurasian Wigeon there are for the state, you can flip to that page and
> the records are up to date as of the 2024 Newsletter. A reminder that
> several species (Long-tailed Duck, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Sargasso
> Shearwater, Gray Kingbird, Black-whiskered Vireo) were removed from the
> Review List at the Spring Meeting.
>
> Also, thanks to the efforts of the LOS, I've had a new scanner
> to work with to scan older paper records. That job will be ongoing for a
> long time to come, but I've gotten a small start on it and established a
> routine that seems to work. Some of the records I've scanned were not
> accepted, which brings up the next topic:
>
> Should Unaccepted records be posted online? LBRC Bylaws say
> they shouldn't, but in my mind, even unaccepted records are valuable. In
> my experience, when records don't get accepted, it's because they didn't
> quite rise to the threshold, not because they were obviously wrong. Many
> of my records have failed to make the cut, but it's usually because I
> didn't get pictures, or see an important mark, or couldn't remove the
> possibility of a look-alike species, not because I made an
> embarrassingly bad ID. That's true of most unaccepted records; the
> records are totally plausible, but they don't remove plausible doubt.
>
> Many observers continue to have faith in their own records and
> would love their unaccepted reports to be visible where others can see
> them for themselves. I'm one of them. I don't think the committee "got
> them wrong." Instead, I think that some part of the report might be
> useful for others to see, whether it's the date, the fieldmarks, or
> whatever. And, importantly, some keen observer might note something that
> everyone else has missed, or might be aware of some new fieldmark that
> would cause a second look at the report.
>
> So, if you're good with having your unaccepted reports posted,
> or if you absolutely hate the idea, please let me know.
>
> In other news, I've also tried to clean up the LBRC website,
> including updating the homepage for continuity with the LOS homepage. If
> you notice any errors or display issues, please alert me asap so I can
> work on them.
>
>
> Merci,
>
> Paul Conover
>
> LBRC Secretary
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/12/25 12:13 pm From: Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux...> Subject: [labird] LBRC website updates
Labird,
With summer here, I've been able to spend some time working on
LBRC stuff. Some of the updates are:
All reviewed records have been added to the Photo and Record
Gallery page. In other words, if you're wondering how many records of
Eurasian Wigeon there are for the state, you can flip to that page and
the records are up to date as of the 2024 Newsletter. A reminder that
several species (Long-tailed Duck, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Sargasso
Shearwater, Gray Kingbird, Black-whiskered Vireo) were removed from the
Review List at the Spring Meeting.
Also, thanks to the efforts of the LOS, I've had a new scanner
to work with to scan older paper records. That job will be ongoing for a
long time to come, but I've gotten a small start on it and established a
routine that seems to work. Some of the records I've scanned were not
accepted, which brings up the next topic:
Should Unaccepted records be posted online? LBRC Bylaws say
they shouldn't, but in my mind, even unaccepted records are valuable. In
my experience, when records don't get accepted, it's because they didn't
quite rise to the threshold, not because they were obviously wrong. Many
of my records have failed to make the cut, but it's usually because I
didn't get pictures, or see an important mark, or couldn't remove the
possibility of a look-alike species, not because I made an
embarrassingly bad ID. That's true of most unaccepted records; the
records are totally plausible, but they don't remove plausible doubt.
Many observers continue to have faith in their own records and
would love their unaccepted reports to be visible where others can see
them for themselves. I'm one of them. I don't think the committee "got
them wrong." Instead, I think that some part of the report might be
useful for others to see, whether it's the date, the fieldmarks, or
whatever. And, importantly, some keen observer might note something that
everyone else has missed, or might be aware of some new fieldmark that
would cause a second look at the report.
So, if you're good with having your unaccepted reports posted,
or if you absolutely hate the idea, please let me know.
In other news, I've also tried to clean up the LBRC website,
including updating the homepage for continuity with the LOS homepage. If
you notice any errors or display issues, please alert me asap so I can
work on them.
Date: 6/10/25 12:14 pm From: Evelyn Cooper via groups.io <emcooper34...> Subject: Re: [labird] Balloon Release Ban on its way to Governor Landry for signature
Awesome news!
On Tue, Jun 10, 2025, 11:49 AM William Brown via groups.io <joanhbrown47=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Great news!
>
> On Mon, Jun 9, 2025, 11:33 AM Harriett Pooler via groups.io
> <harriett.pooler...> wrote:
>
> > That is awesome news! and great way to start the week. Thanks, Mark, for
> > keeping us updated.
> >
> > On Mon, Jun 9, 2025 at 11:17 AM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
> > <gmail.com...> wrote:
> >
> > > HB 581, banning balloon releases, passed the house 98-0 and is on its
> way
> > > to the Governor for his signature. Thanks to Rep. John Illg, Lt. Gov.
> > Billy
> > > Nungesser, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, and all who assisted us
> in
> > > contacting legislators to pass this important piece of environmental
> > > legislation.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/10/25 9:49 am From: William Brown via groups.io <joanhbrown47...> Subject: Re: [labird] Balloon Release Ban on its way to Governor Landry for signature
Great news!
On Mon, Jun 9, 2025, 11:33 AM Harriett Pooler via groups.io
<harriett.pooler...> wrote:
> That is awesome news! and great way to start the week. Thanks, Mark, for
> keeping us updated.
>
> On Mon, Jun 9, 2025 at 11:17 AM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> > HB 581, banning balloon releases, passed the house 98-0 and is on its way
> > to the Governor for his signature. Thanks to Rep. John Illg, Lt. Gov.
> Billy
> > Nungesser, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, and all who assisted us in
> > contacting legislators to pass this important piece of environmental
> > legislation.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/9/25 11:55 am From: Missy Bowen via groups.io <missybowen...> Subject: Re: [labird] Balloon Release Ban on its way to Governor Landry for signature
We will take the victory! Thank you so much for staying on top of this and
keeping us posted.
On Mon, Jun 9, 2025, 11:17 AM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> HB 581, banning balloon releases, passed the house 98-0 and is on its way
> to the Governor for his signature. Thanks to Rep. John Illg, Lt. Gov. Billy
> Nungesser, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, and all who assisted us in
> contacting legislators to pass this important piece of environmental
> legislation.
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/9/25 9:33 am From: Harriett Pooler via groups.io <harriett.pooler...> Subject: Re: [labird] Balloon Release Ban on its way to Governor Landry for signature
That is awesome news! and great way to start the week. Thanks, Mark, for
keeping us updated.
On Mon, Jun 9, 2025 at 11:17 AM mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> HB 581, banning balloon releases, passed the house 98-0 and is on its way
> to the Governor for his signature. Thanks to Rep. John Illg, Lt. Gov. Billy
> Nungesser, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, and all who assisted us in
> contacting legislators to pass this important piece of environmental
> legislation.
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/9/25 9:17 am From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: [labird] Balloon Release Ban on its way to Governor Landry for signature
HB 581, banning balloon releases, passed the house 98-0 and is on its way to the Governor for his signature. Thanks to Rep. John Illg, Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, and all who assisted us in contacting legislators to pass this important piece of environmental legislation.
Date: 6/8/25 7:55 am From: Bill Fontenot via groups.io <williamrodneyfontenot...> Subject: Re: [labird] "Fifty Years of Changes to Louisiana’s Birds" by David Muth
David —
Your years of writing regional bird records reports for the ABA have prepared you well for producing this piece. As important as it is to the LOS archives, it has also unleashed a flood of wonderful memories involving both birds and birding fellowship that accompanied each discovery. And yes, Lowery would freak out re: a glimpse of Louisiana’s present day avifauna. Many of us are pretty freaked out as well.
Thanks for putting in the time and effort to produce this piece!
Bill Fontenot
Lafayette, LA
> On Jun 7, 2025, at 2:50 PM, Sandra Barbier via groups.io <sandabar10...> wrote:
>
> Like Lowery, a very good read and a good thing for birds! Thanks.
> Sandy
>
>> On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
>> <lusfiber.net...> wrote:
>>
>> Labird,
>>
>> New on the LOS Website:
>>
>> Noted Louisiana birder and raconteur David Muth has keyboarded a
>> wonderful narrative covering the species that have been added to the
>> Louisiana Checklist since the publication of Lowery's final edition
>> (1974) of Louisiana Birds. It's a fascinating and easy flowing summary
>> that gives a brief history of each discovery and provides short general
>> discussions that place each addition into the broader perspective of
>> population trends, range expansions, introductions, weather events, or
>> the pure dumb serendipity of vagrancy, with a healthy dash of anecdotal
>> observations on the changes in birding, technology, and the Louisiana
>> birding landscape that have happened over that span.
>>
>> Highly recommended! If you like reading the species accounts in
>> Lowery, you'll find this a worthy addition. I'm looking forward to the
>> promised Part II of his project.
>>
>> Find it at: http://losbird.org/documents/OccPubs/50YearsMuth.pdf >>
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Paul Conover
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Sandra Barbier
> LaPlace, LA
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/7/25 12:50 pm From: Sandra Barbier via groups.io <sandabar10...> Subject: Re: [labird] "Fifty Years of Changes to Louisiana’s Birds" by David Muth
Like Lowery, a very good read and a good thing for birds! Thanks.
Sandy
On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
<lusfiber.net...> wrote:
> Labird,
>
> New on the LOS Website:
>
> Noted Louisiana birder and raconteur David Muth has keyboarded a
> wonderful narrative covering the species that have been added to the
> Louisiana Checklist since the publication of Lowery's final edition
> (1974) of Louisiana Birds. It's a fascinating and easy flowing summary
> that gives a brief history of each discovery and provides short general
> discussions that place each addition into the broader perspective of
> population trends, range expansions, introductions, weather events, or
> the pure dumb serendipity of vagrancy, with a healthy dash of anecdotal
> observations on the changes in birding, technology, and the Louisiana
> birding landscape that have happened over that span.
>
> Highly recommended! If you like reading the species accounts in
> Lowery, you'll find this a worthy addition. I'm looking forward to the
> promised Part II of his project.
>
> Find it at: http://losbird.org/documents/OccPubs/50YearsMuth.pdf >
>
> Thanks,
>
> Paul Conover
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/5/25 5:43 pm From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: [labird] HB 581, banning balloon releases, scheduled for senate vote Sunday, June 8
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
HB 581, banning balloon releases, is scheduled for a senate floor vote on Sunday, June 8. It needs 26 votes to pass. Contact your state senator and urge them to support this important environmental measure.
Date: 6/5/25 2:58 pm From: Jim Holmes via groups.io <jfholmes...> Subject: Re: [labird] For us dreamers ....
I would be interested in the coordinates.
235 miles SE of Venice is almost certainly within 200 nautical miles of South Pass (assuming Louisiana uses nauticul miles for bird records).
I have several times been over 200 miles from shore and thought I was outside the particular region only to discover I was still in the 200 nautical mile range.
Thanks,
Jim
James F. Holmes, MD, MPH
Professor and Executive Vice Chair
Department of Emergency Medicine
UC Davis School of Medicine
office (916) 734-1533
________________________________
From: <labird...> <labird...> on behalf of James V Remsen via groups.io <najames...>
Sent: Thursday, June 5, 2025 2:11 PM
To: LABIRD <labird...>
Subject: [labird] For us dreamers ....
LABIRD For those of us who like to fantasize about finding great birds . I just got an extremely reliable report of a Black-capped Petrel only" 235 miles SE of Venice. Hey, by Pterodroma standards, thats getting close.
===================
Dr. J. V. Remsen
Emeritus Prof. of Natural Science and Curator of Birds
Museum of Natural Science/Dept. Biological Sciences
LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
najames<at>LSU.edu
**CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE** This e-mail communication and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient and may contain information that is confidential and privileged under state and federal privacy laws. If you received this e-mail in error, be aware that any unauthorized use, disclosure, copying, or distribution is strictly prohibited. If you received this e-mail in error, please contact the sender immediately and destroy/delete all copies of this message.
Date: 6/5/25 2:11 pm From: James V Remsen via groups.io <najames...> Subject: [labird] For us dreamers ....
LABIRD — For those of us who like to fantasize about finding great birds …. I just got an extremely reliable report of a Black-capped Petrel “only" 235 miles SE of Venice. Hey, by Pterodroma standards, that’s getting “close”.
===================
Dr. J. V. Remsen
Emeritus Prof. of Natural Science and Curator of Birds
Museum of Natural Science/Dept. Biological Sciences
LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
najames<at>LSU.edu
Date: 6/5/25 9:17 am From: Nancy L Newfield via groups.io <nancy...> Subject: Re: [labird] "Fifty Years of Changes to Louisiana’s Birds" by David Muth
David,
Much needed and really wonderful!
NLN
On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
<lusfiber.net...> wrote:
> Labird,
>
> New on the LOS Website:
>
> Noted Louisiana birder and raconteur David Muth has keyboarded a
> wonderful narrative covering the species that have been added to the
> Louisiana Checklist since the publication of Lowery's final edition
> (1974) of Louisiana Birds. It's a fascinating and easy flowing summary
> that gives a brief history of each discovery and provides short general
> discussions that place each addition into the broader perspective of
> population trends, range expansions, introductions, weather events, or
> the pure dumb serendipity of vagrancy, with a healthy dash of anecdotal
> observations on the changes in birding, technology, and the Louisiana
> birding landscape that have happened over that span.
>
> Highly recommended! If you like reading the species accounts in
> Lowery, you'll find this a worthy addition. I'm looking forward to the
> promised Part II of his project.
>
> Find it at: http://losbird.org/documents/OccPubs/50YearsMuth.pdf >
>
> Thanks,
>
> Paul Conover
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nancy L Newfield
Casa Colibrí
Metairie, Louisiana USA
<nancy...>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Date: 6/5/25 7:46 am From: tadskelton via groups.io <tadskelton...> Subject: Re: [labird] "Fifty Years of Changes to Louisiana’s Birds" by David Muth
Wow, what an absolutely fantastic tome, David!
Thank you so much for this amazing piece.
Happy birding!
Terri Skelton
On Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 07:26:15 AM CDT, Jennifer Outlaw Coulson via groups.io <jenniferocoulson...> wrote:
Thank you Paul, and of course David!
I sent Paul's message and the LOS link to OAS's 724 email subscribers. I
know it will be a big hit!
Jennifer
Jennifer Coulson
President
Orleans Audubon Society
On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 8:15 PM James W. Beck via groups.io <loxosceles928=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Agreed. Shae Freeman forwarded this to the New Orleans area birding
> WhatsApp group. Dave is solid.
>
> James W. Beck
> Estelle, Louisiana
>
>
> On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 20:13 Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> > Paul, thanks for posting. David, mega-thanks for creating. I realize that
> > this platform does not have the reach it used to, and that is a terrible
> > shame. But, recognizing that, I'd suggest that any of you who frequent
> > other sites/platforms post this link there. It is an outstanding
> document,
> > and I think it would be of interest to anybody with more than the most
> > casual interest in Louisiana birds.
> >
> > David, you knocked it out of the park!
> >
> > A proud, and for sure biased, observer,
> >
> > Mac
> >
> > <
> >
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > > >
> > Virus-free.www.avast.com
> > <
> >
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > > >
> > <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
> >
> > On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
> > <lusfiber.net...> wrote:
> >
> > > Labird,
> > >
> > > New on the LOS Website:
> > >
> > > Noted Louisiana birder and raconteur David Muth has keyboarded
> a
> > > wonderful narrative covering the species that have been added to the
> > > Louisiana Checklist since the publication of Lowery's final edition
> > > (1974) of Louisiana Birds. It's a fascinating and easy flowing summary
> > > that gives a brief history of each discovery and provides short general
> > > discussions that place each addition into the broader perspective of
> > > population trends, range expansions, introductions, weather events, or
> > > the pure dumb serendipity of vagrancy, with a healthy dash of anecdotal
> > > observations on the changes in birding, technology, and the Louisiana
> > > birding landscape that have happened over that span.
> > >
> > > Highly recommended! If you like reading the species accounts
> in
> > > Lowery, you'll find this a worthy addition. I'm looking forward to the
> > > promised Part II of his project.
> > >
> > > Find it at:
> > http://losbird.org/documents/OccPubs/50YearsMuth.pdf > > >
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Paul Conover
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/5/25 5:26 am From: Jennifer Outlaw Coulson via groups.io <jenniferocoulson...> Subject: Re: [labird] "Fifty Years of Changes to Louisiana’s Birds" by David Muth
Thank you Paul, and of course David!
I sent Paul's message and the LOS link to OAS's 724 email subscribers. I
know it will be a big hit!
Jennifer
Jennifer Coulson
President
Orleans Audubon Society
On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 8:15 PM James W. Beck via groups.io <loxosceles928=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Agreed. Shae Freeman forwarded this to the New Orleans area birding
> WhatsApp group. Dave is solid.
>
> James W. Beck
> Estelle, Louisiana
>
>
> On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 20:13 Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm=
> <gmail.com...> wrote:
>
> > Paul, thanks for posting. David, mega-thanks for creating. I realize that
> > this platform does not have the reach it used to, and that is a terrible
> > shame. But, recognizing that, I'd suggest that any of you who frequent
> > other sites/platforms post this link there. It is an outstanding
> document,
> > and I think it would be of interest to anybody with more than the most
> > casual interest in Louisiana birds.
> >
> > David, you knocked it out of the park!
> >
> > A proud, and for sure biased, observer,
> >
> > Mac
> >
> > <
> >
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > > >
> > Virus-free.www.avast.com
> > <
> >
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > > >
> > <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
> >
> > On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
> > <lusfiber.net...> wrote:
> >
> > > Labird,
> > >
> > > New on the LOS Website:
> > >
> > > Noted Louisiana birder and raconteur David Muth has keyboarded
> a
> > > wonderful narrative covering the species that have been added to the
> > > Louisiana Checklist since the publication of Lowery's final edition
> > > (1974) of Louisiana Birds. It's a fascinating and easy flowing summary
> > > that gives a brief history of each discovery and provides short general
> > > discussions that place each addition into the broader perspective of
> > > population trends, range expansions, introductions, weather events, or
> > > the pure dumb serendipity of vagrancy, with a healthy dash of anecdotal
> > > observations on the changes in birding, technology, and the Louisiana
> > > birding landscape that have happened over that span.
> > >
> > > Highly recommended! If you like reading the species accounts
> in
> > > Lowery, you'll find this a worthy addition. I'm looking forward to the
> > > promised Part II of his project.
> > >
> > > Find it at:
> > http://losbird.org/documents/OccPubs/50YearsMuth.pdf > > >
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Paul Conover
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/4/25 6:15 pm From: James W. Beck via groups.io <loxosceles928...> Subject: Re: [labird] "Fifty Years of Changes to Louisiana’s Birds" by David Muth
Agreed. Shae Freeman forwarded this to the New Orleans area birding
WhatsApp group. Dave is solid.
James W. Beck
Estelle, Louisiana
On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 20:13 Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm=
<gmail.com...> wrote:
> Paul, thanks for posting. David, mega-thanks for creating. I realize that
> this platform does not have the reach it used to, and that is a terrible
> shame. But, recognizing that, I'd suggest that any of you who frequent
> other sites/platforms post this link there. It is an outstanding document,
> and I think it would be of interest to anybody with more than the most
> casual interest in Louisiana birds.
>
> David, you knocked it out of the park!
>
> A proud, and for sure biased, observer,
>
> Mac
>
> <
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > >
> Virus-free.www.avast.com
> <
> https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail > >
> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>
> On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
> <lusfiber.net...> wrote:
>
> > Labird,
> >
> > New on the LOS Website:
> >
> > Noted Louisiana birder and raconteur David Muth has keyboarded a
> > wonderful narrative covering the species that have been added to the
> > Louisiana Checklist since the publication of Lowery's final edition
> > (1974) of Louisiana Birds. It's a fascinating and easy flowing summary
> > that gives a brief history of each discovery and provides short general
> > discussions that place each addition into the broader perspective of
> > population trends, range expansions, introductions, weather events, or
> > the pure dumb serendipity of vagrancy, with a healthy dash of anecdotal
> > observations on the changes in birding, technology, and the Louisiana
> > birding landscape that have happened over that span.
> >
> > Highly recommended! If you like reading the species accounts in
> > Lowery, you'll find this a worthy addition. I'm looking forward to the
> > promised Part II of his project.
> >
> > Find it at:
> http://losbird.org/documents/OccPubs/50YearsMuth.pdf > >
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Paul Conover
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/4/25 6:13 pm From: Mac Myers via groups.io <budogmacm...> Subject: Re: [labird] "Fifty Years of Changes to Louisiana’s Birds" by David Muth
Paul, thanks for posting. David, mega-thanks for creating. I realize that
this platform does not have the reach it used to, and that is a terrible
shame. But, recognizing that, I'd suggest that any of you who frequent
other sites/platforms post this link there. It is an outstanding document,
and I think it would be of interest to anybody with more than the most
casual interest in Louisiana birds.
On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux=
<lusfiber.net...> wrote:
> Labird,
>
> New on the LOS Website:
>
> Noted Louisiana birder and raconteur David Muth has keyboarded a
> wonderful narrative covering the species that have been added to the
> Louisiana Checklist since the publication of Lowery's final edition
> (1974) of Louisiana Birds. It's a fascinating and easy flowing summary
> that gives a brief history of each discovery and provides short general
> discussions that place each addition into the broader perspective of
> population trends, range expansions, introductions, weather events, or
> the pure dumb serendipity of vagrancy, with a healthy dash of anecdotal
> observations on the changes in birding, technology, and the Louisiana
> birding landscape that have happened over that span.
>
> Highly recommended! If you like reading the species accounts in
> Lowery, you'll find this a worthy addition. I'm looking forward to the
> promised Part II of his project.
>
> Find it at: http://losbird.org/documents/OccPubs/50YearsMuth.pdf >
>
> Thanks,
>
> Paul Conover
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Date: 6/4/25 1:38 pm From: Paul Conover via groups.io <zoiseaux...> Subject: [labird] "Fifty Years of Changes to Louisiana’s Birds" by David Muth
Labird,
New on the LOS Website:
Noted Louisiana birder and raconteur David Muth has keyboarded a
wonderful narrative covering the species that have been added to the
Louisiana Checklist since the publication of Lowery's final edition
(1974) of Louisiana Birds. It's a fascinating and easy flowing summary
that gives a brief history of each discovery and provides short general
discussions that place each addition into the broader perspective of
population trends, range expansions, introductions, weather events, or
the pure dumb serendipity of vagrancy, with a healthy dash of anecdotal
observations on the changes in birding, technology, and the Louisiana
birding landscape that have happened over that span.
Highly recommended! If you like reading the species accounts in
Lowery, you'll find this a worthy addition. I'm looking forward to the
promised Part II of his project.
Date: 6/4/25 6:46 am From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: [labird] HB 581 to ban balloon releases headed for Senate floor vote
HB 581, banning balloon releases, was unanimously reported favorably out of the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality yesterday, with an amendment to exempt ham radio operators launching balloons for scientific and/or educational purposes. It now goes to the Senate floor. Then it must go back to the House for a vote to approve the new amendment. Nobody I spoke to at the Capitol thought this should be an impediment to final passage, but there is just over a week to secure passage before the legislature adjourns. The committee chairman, Eddie Lambert, mentioned that they had received a number of communications supporting the bill, so thanks to all who contacted their legislators. It matters.
Date: 6/2/25 4:39 pm From: mdpethke via groups.io <mdpethke...> Subject: [labird] HB 581, banning balloon releases, before the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality June 3
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
HB 581, banning balloon releases, is scheduled for hearing tomorrow, June 3, at 1:30 PM before the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality. The committee is chaired by Eddie Lambert of Gonzales, and has seven Republicans, including Patrick Connick, Jeremy Stine, Bob Hensgens, Brach Myers, Thomas Pressly, and Stewart Cathey, and one Democrat, Edward Price. The legislation is backed by Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, among others. If anybody knows any of these senators and wishes to advise them of the necessity of this legislation, a few pertinent facts to share:
1. Balloons negatively impact the environment by littering lakes, streams, and beaches. It is basically the same as intentionally throwing trash into the ocean or the ground.
2. Even balloons marketed as biodegradable or eco-friendly can still take years to disintegrate. This means that they are not better for the environment than standard balloons.
3. When balloons make their way into the water, their floating pieces and tattered ends can resemble jellyfish or other sea life that is consumed by marine animals like fish, sea turtles, and dolphins. When the pieces of latex or Mylar are mistaken for food and are ingested, they can get lodged in the digestive tract, inhibiting the animal's ability to eat, and it can cause a slow and painful death by starvation.
4. Wildlife can also fall victim to balloons and its strings when the pieces fall to the ground or onto bushes and trees. Birds have been found injured with ribbons wrapped around their wings or beaks, and have strangled themselves when they become entangled in strings that are attached to power lines and trees. And just like marine animals, they can succumb to a painful death after ingesting balloons.
5. Entergy Louisiana has raised alarms about Mylar balloons, which are metallic and can cause dangerous electrical surges or outages when they contact power lines or transformers. A high-profile outage occurred in New Orleans in August 2024, when a Mylar balloon caused a power flicker at a water treatment plant, leading to a boil water advisory for nearly 370,000 residents.
Date: 5/31/25 1:15 pm From: James V Remsen via groups.io <najames...> Subject: [labird] Venice pelagic trip Saturday 12 July
LABIRD: I have two open spots on the Venice pelagic birding trip on Saturday July 12. If anyone is interested, email me for details. Van Remsen
===================
Dr. J. V. Remsen
Emeritus Prof. of Natural Science and Curator of Birds
Museum of Natural Science/Dept. Biological Sciences
LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
najames<at>LSU.edu
