"I received a text from Capt. Charles Foreman of the Country Girl that a
Red-footed Booby rode a friend's fishing boat back towards Oregon Inlet in
North Carolina today. His [sic] wrote:
“He said it rode in with him from the 70 degree tower to the 65 degree
tower. Doing 21 knots and he just sat on the bow.”
---------------
Harry LeGrand
On Fri, Jul 11, 2025 at 5:51 PM Derb Carter <dcarter...> wrote:
> According to the link it is the Stolat charter boat out of Wanchese.
>
> Get Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> > ------------------------------
> *From:* <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...>
> on behalf of Harry LeGrand <carolinabirds...>
> *Sent:* Friday, July 11, 2025 5:34:12 PM
> *To:* carolinabirds listserve <carolinabirds...>; Harry LeGrand <
> <hlegrandjr...>
> *Subject:* Red-footed Booby photo from today on the CBC Photo Gallery
>
> I just now perused the Carolina Bird Club Photo Gallery, and I see this
> bird:
>
> https://www.carolinabirdclub.org/gallery/Lesiewicz/rfbo.html >
> So, yes, it appears to be a dark/buffy phase Red-footed Booby, and yes, it
> is in an appropriate habitat -- on a railing of a boat offshore. The
> locale simply says "Atlantic Ocean, NC" -- so this would be a third NC
> record. And the date is 11 July 2025 -- today. However, we all hope to
> see an eBird report or some other report on the bird, especially how far
> offshore, off what part of the state, etc., the bird was seen and
> photographed.
>
> If anyone sees another post somewhere, such as on a Facebook group,
> iNaturalist, etc., let us know. It does not show yet on the CBC Sightings
> page.
>
> Harry LeGrand
> Birds of North Carolina website editor
>
So, yes, it appears to be a dark/buffy phase Red-footed Booby, and yes, it is in an appropriate habitat -- on a railing of a boat offshore. The locale simply says "Atlantic Ocean, NC" -- so this would be a third NC record. And the date is 11 July 2025 -- today. However, we all hope to see an eBird report or some other report on the bird, especially how far offshore, off what part of the state, etc., the bird was seen and photographed.
If anyone sees another post somewhere, such as on a Facebook group, iNaturalist, etc., let us know. It does not show yet on the CBC Sightings page.
Harry LeGrand Birds of North Carolina website editor
Date: 7/11/25 10:55 am From: Valerie Shrader <valerievshrader...> Subject: Re: Binocular Problem
Interesting; I also have Zeiss Conquest binoculars. While I haven’t had the diopter issue, I have had to replace an eyecup, and the replacement eyecup has not performed as it’s supposed to; it will not extend to the farthest position without the whole eyecup unscrewing. If you do a search, you’ll see that is a common issue, and I wasn’t terribly impressed with the customer service I got, so I hope you will have better luck. (I did drop the binoculars so I screwed up the original eyecup myself.)
In case anyone is considering these binoculars, I’ll add some more information. While the optics are phenomenal, the lens cap is awful…it fits very poorly and is "held on" by a flimsy cord. Customer service sent me a second cap which fit no better than the first one, so I just bought a pair of generic caps.
Last thing: I wanted a pair of compact binoculars (8 x 32) and got the Nikon Monarch M7. These are superb! I first bought the cheaper Celestron Trailseeker and sent them back the next day—super stiff focusing wheel.
Happy birding,
Valerie
> On Jul 11, 2025, at 11:51 AM, Harold Donnelly (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
> Thank you I am having the same problem
>
> Get BlueMail for Desktop
>
> C A" (via carolinabirds Mailing List) wrote:
>
>
>> I have a pair of Conquest as well. I’ve had mine for a similar amount of time and haven’t had that issue. On the other hand I can say when I had issues with the eyecups, I called Zeiss and their customer support was great. The gentlemen tried to talk me through a self repair over the phone and when that didn’t work he mailed me new eyecups for free. No receipt or anything else was asked for. He took my address and I got them about a week later. Mailing them in for repair is obviously more involved but after my experience I would feel confident about them doing right by their customers one way or another. Definitely give them a call. Hope you get your issue resolved.
>>
>> - Chad
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Jul 11, 2025, at 10:12 AM, jim.capel <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>>> I have a pair of Zeiss Conquest binoculars purchased three years ago. Lately, I have to adjust the diopter every time out to sync the vision of my two eyes. Then, when I look at something that's at a significantly different distance from the distance I used for adjusting, after focusing, I find that my vision is out of sync for my two eyes. It's as if the focusing knob isn't functioning properly to keep the two eyes in sync.
>>> I'm just wondering if others have had this problem with binoculars in the past, and also, what experience people may have had with Zeiss doing repairs.
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>> Jim Capel
>
Date: 7/11/25 8:52 am From: Harold Donnelly (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Binocular Problem
Thank you I am having the same problem
Get BlueMail <https://bluemail.me/> for Desktop
C A" (via carolinabirds Mailing List) wrote:
I have a pair of Conquest as well. I’ve had mine for a similar amount of time and haven’t had that issue. On the other hand I can say when I had issues with the eyecups, I called Zeiss and their customer support was great. The gentlemen tried to talk me through a self repair over the phone and when that didn’t work he mailed me new eyecups for free. No receipt or anything else was asked for. He took my address and I got them about a week later. Mailing them in for repair is obviously more involved but after my experience I would feel confident about them doing right by their customers one way or another. Definitely give them a call. Hope you get your issue resolved.
- Chad
On Jul 11, 2025, at 10:12 AM, jim.capel <carolinabirds...> wrote:
I have a pair of Zeiss Conquest binoculars purchased three years ago. Lately, I have to adjust the diopter every time out to sync the vision of my two eyes. Then, when I look at something that's at a significantly different distance from the distance I used for adjusting, after focusing, I find that my vision is out of sync for my two eyes. It's as if the focusing knob isn't functioning properly to keep the two eyes in sync.
I'm just wondering if others have had this problem with binoculars in the past, and also, what experience people may have had with Zeiss doing repairs.
Thanks,
Jim Capel
Date: 7/11/25 7:32 am From: C A (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Binocular Problem
I have a pair of Conquest as well. I’ve had mine for a similar amount of time and haven’t had that issue. On the other hand I can say when I had issues with the eyecups, I called Zeiss and their customer support was great. The gentlemen tried to talk me through a self repair over the phone and when that didn’t work he mailed me new eyecups for free. No receipt or anything else was asked for. He took my address and I got them about a week later. Mailing them in for repair is obviously more involved but after my experience I would feel confident about them doing right by their customers one way or another. Definitely give them a call. Hope you get your issue resolved.
- Chad
> On Jul 11, 2025, at 10:12 AM, jim.capel <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
> I have a pair of Zeiss Conquest binoculars purchased three years ago. Lately, I have to adjust the diopter every time out to sync the vision of my two eyes. Then, when I look at something that's at a significantly different distance from the distance I used for adjusting, after focusing, I find that my vision is out of sync for my two eyes. It's as if the focusing knob isn't functioning properly to keep the two eyes in sync.
>
> I'm just wondering if others have had this problem with binoculars in the past, and also, what experience people may have had with Zeiss doing repairs.
>
> Thanks,
> Jim Capel
Date: 7/11/25 7:12 am From: jim.capel (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Binocular Problem
I have a pair of Zeiss Conquest binoculars purchased three years ago. Lately, I have to adjust the diopter every time out to sync the vision of my two eyes. Then, when I look at something that's at a significantly different distance from the distance I used for adjusting, after focusing, I find that my vision is out of sync for my two eyes. It's as if the focusing knob isn't functioning properly to keep the two eyes in sync.
I'm just wondering if others have had this problem with binoculars in the past, and also, what experience people may have had with Zeiss doing repairs.
Date: 7/8/25 6:16 am From: Dwayne Martin (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Sad passing of Edith Tatum
I met Edith back in the late 90's when I first started attending Carolina
Bird Club meetings. She was always so nice and helpful. On what was likely
her last Carolina Bird Club meeting, I drove her around during one of the
field trips that I was leading. Her health was fading then, but she still
had the drive to get out there and look for birds. I will miss seeing her
at the meetings.
Dwayne
*************
J. Dwayne Martin
Hickory, NC
<redxbill...>
On Tue, Jul 8, 2025 at 8:59 AM Scott Hartley <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> Isabel,
>
> Sad news indeed.
>
> I met Edith in 1989 when I worked at Eno River State Park.
> Edith was the first person I met at the first bird walk I led there. She
> was an enthusiastic and observant birder. I am a fast walker and early in
> my birding years not very patient. Edith on many occasions would find or
> hear a bird as I was already moving on. Edith taught me to slow down! She
> introduced me to other birders and got me involved in the Durham Bird
> counts. I enjoyed many counts and walks with her and though I moved on I
> would keep up with her and her birding travels thru social media.
>
> I am grateful to have known her.
>
> Scott Hartley
>
> On Mon, Jul 7, 2025, 11:51 AM Isabel Reddy <isabel...>
> wrote:
>
>> Dear fellow birders,
>>
>>
>>
>> Sadly, our beloved friend and devoted birder, Edith Tatum, Durham, NC,
>> passed early this morning, July 7, 2025
>>
>>
>>
>> Edith was one of the sunniest people I’ve ever known, and she left big
>> shoes to fill in the birding world, not only because of her wealth of
>> knowledge, which was extensive and valuable, but because of her willingness
>> to share this knowledge with inexperienced birders.
>>
>>
>>
>> For over 20 years, she volunteered at the Eno River State Park, leading
>> her Birding 101 Saturday morning walks. She always had extra binoculars,
>> and in the winter, hand warmers for the participants. I am one, as is Peggy
>> Maslow, who credit Edith for introducing us to the world of birding. She
>> began these walks by saying, “I am the rarest bird in the park, because I’m
>> an Orange County native.”
>>
>>
>>
>> Edith served on the Board of the Chapel Hill Bird Club, and every year
>> participated in the Christmas and Spring Bird Counts. In addition, she
>> traveled the world on birding trips, making numerous trips to places like
>> Alaska, and Panama, and all over the U.S.
>>
>>
>>
>> Although I am sad to lose this dear friend, I am lucky to have known her.
>>
>>
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>>
>>
>> Isabel Reddy
>>
>> Chapel Hill, NC
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *From: *<carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...>
>> on behalf of KEN LIPSHY <carolinabirds...>
>> *Date: *Sunday, July 6, 2025 at 11:25 AM
>> *To: *<carolinabirds...> <carolinabirds...>
>> *Cc: *KEN LIPSHY <wuzupdoc12...>
>> *Subject: *Meadowlark behavior
>>
>> I witnessed a new behavior from our next door meadowlark. Wondered if
>> this is usual.
>>
>> He was flying overhead in circles in Killdeer fashion for over 15
>> minutes.
>>
>> Then land in a tree and then started circling overhead again. Definitely
>> i have never witnessed this before!
>>
>> (Also yesterday our neighborhood turkey pair came out w their 8 chicks)
>>
>>
>>
>> https://ebird.org/atlasnc/checklist/S257440727 >>
>> https://ebird.org/atlasnc/checklist/S257089695 >>
>
Date: 7/8/25 5:59 am From: Scott Hartley (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Sad passing of Edith Tatum
Isabel,
Sad news indeed.
I met Edith in 1989 when I worked at Eno River State Park.
Edith was the first person I met at the first bird walk I led there. She
was an enthusiastic and observant birder. I am a fast walker and early in
my birding years not very patient. Edith on many occasions would find or
hear a bird as I was already moving on. Edith taught me to slow down! She
introduced me to other birders and got me involved in the Durham Bird
counts. I enjoyed many counts and walks with her and though I moved on I
would keep up with her and her birding travels thru social media.
I am grateful to have known her.
Scott Hartley
On Mon, Jul 7, 2025, 11:51 AM Isabel Reddy <isabel...> wrote:
> Dear fellow birders,
>
>
>
> Sadly, our beloved friend and devoted birder, Edith Tatum, Durham, NC,
> passed early this morning, July 7, 2025
>
>
>
> Edith was one of the sunniest people I’ve ever known, and she left big
> shoes to fill in the birding world, not only because of her wealth of
> knowledge, which was extensive and valuable, but because of her willingness
> to share this knowledge with inexperienced birders.
>
>
>
> For over 20 years, she volunteered at the Eno River State Park, leading
> her Birding 101 Saturday morning walks. She always had extra binoculars,
> and in the winter, hand warmers for the participants. I am one, as is Peggy
> Maslow, who credit Edith for introducing us to the world of birding. She
> began these walks by saying, “I am the rarest bird in the park, because I’m
> an Orange County native.”
>
>
>
> Edith served on the Board of the Chapel Hill Bird Club, and every year
> participated in the Christmas and Spring Bird Counts. In addition, she
> traveled the world on birding trips, making numerous trips to places like
> Alaska, and Panama, and all over the U.S.
>
>
>
> Although I am sad to lose this dear friend, I am lucky to have known her.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> Isabel Reddy
>
> Chapel Hill, NC
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From: *<carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...>
> on behalf of KEN LIPSHY <carolinabirds...>
> *Date: *Sunday, July 6, 2025 at 11:25 AM
> *To: *<carolinabirds...> <carolinabirds...>
> *Cc: *KEN LIPSHY <wuzupdoc12...>
> *Subject: *Meadowlark behavior
>
> I witnessed a new behavior from our next door meadowlark. Wondered if this
> is usual.
>
> He was flying overhead in circles in Killdeer fashion for over 15 minutes.
>
> Then land in a tree and then started circling overhead again. Definitely i
> have never witnessed this before!
>
> (Also yesterday our neighborhood turkey pair came out w their 8 chicks)
>
>
>
> https://ebird.org/atlasnc/checklist/S257440727 >
> https://ebird.org/atlasnc/checklist/S257089695 >
Date: 7/7/25 7:26 pm From: JOHN FREDERICK (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Sad passing of Edith Tatum
She was a wonderful person! I was fortunate to bird at the Eno many times with her. I was a beginner and she introduced me to many common birds and as I got a little better I spotted and heard a Blackburnian and Blue-winged Warbler that she was able to officially identify for the group. She was so excited to see on a low hanging branch a Yellow-billed Cuckoo that all my group could easily
I D. Most of my first warblers seen and heard was because of Edith.
What a blessing she was!
John Frederick
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jul 7, 2025, at 7:21 PM, Isabel Reddy <isabel...> wrote:
>
>
> Dear fellow birders,
>
> Sadly, our beloved friend and devoted birder, Edith Tatum, Durham, NC, passed early this morning, July 7, 2025
>
> Edith was one of the sunniest people I’ve ever known, and she left big shoes to fill in the birding world, not only because of her wealth of knowledge, which was extensive and valuable, but because of her willingness to share this knowledge with inexperienced birders.
>
> For over 20 years, she volunteered at the Eno River State Park, leading her Birding 101 Saturday morning walks. She always had extra binoculars, and in the winter, hand warmers for the participants. I am one, as is Peggy Maslow, who credit Edith for introducing us to the world of birding. She began these walks by saying, “I am the rarest bird in the park, because I’m an Orange County native.”
>
> Edith served on the Board of the Chapel Hill Bird Club, and every year participated in the Christmas and Spring Bird Counts. In addition, she traveled the world on birding trips, making numerous trips to places like Alaska, and Panama, and all over the U.S.
>
> Although I am sad to lose this dear friend, I am lucky to have known her.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Isabel Reddy
> Chapel Hill, NC
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of KEN LIPSHY <carolinabirds...>
> Date: Sunday, July 6, 2025 at 11:25 AM
> To: <carolinabirds...> <carolinabirds...>
> Cc: KEN LIPSHY <wuzupdoc12...>
> Subject: Meadowlark behavior
>
> I witnessed a new behavior from our next door meadowlark. Wondered if this is usual.
> He was flying overhead in circles in Killdeer fashion for over 15 minutes.
> Then land in a tree and then started circling overhead again. Definitely i have never witnessed this before!
> (Also yesterday our neighborhood turkey pair came out w their 8 chicks)
>
> https://ebird.org/atlasnc/checklist/S257440727 > https://ebird.org/atlasnc/checklist/S257089695
Date: 7/7/25 8:51 am From: Isabel Reddy <isabel...> Subject: Re: Sad passing of Edith Tatum
Dear fellow birders,
Sadly, our beloved friend and devoted birder, Edith Tatum, Durham, NC, passed early this morning, July 7, 2025
Edith was one of the sunniest people I’ve ever known, and she left big shoes to fill in the birding world, not only because of her wealth of knowledge, which was extensive and valuable, but because of her willingness to share this knowledge with inexperienced birders.
For over 20 years, she volunteered at the Eno River State Park, leading her Birding 101 Saturday morning walks. She always had extra binoculars, and in the winter, hand warmers for the participants. I am one, as is Peggy Maslow, who credit Edith for introducing us to the world of birding. She began these walks by saying, “I am the rarest bird in the park, because I’m an Orange County native.”
Edith served on the Board of the Chapel Hill Bird Club, and every year participated in the Christmas and Spring Bird Counts. In addition, she traveled the world on birding trips, making numerous trips to places like Alaska, and Panama, and all over the U.S.
Although I am sad to lose this dear friend, I am lucky to have known her.
Sincerely,
Isabel Reddy
Chapel Hill, NC
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of KEN LIPSHY <carolinabirds...>
Date: Sunday, July 6, 2025 at 11:25 AM
To: <carolinabirds...> <carolinabirds...>
Cc: KEN LIPSHY <wuzupdoc12...>
Subject: Meadowlark behavior
I witnessed a new behavior from our next door meadowlark. Wondered if this is usual.
He was flying overhead in circles in Killdeer fashion for over 15 minutes.
Then land in a tree and then started circling overhead again. Definitely i have never witnessed this before!
(Also yesterday our neighborhood turkey pair came out w their 8 chicks)
Date: 7/6/25 8:25 am From: KEN LIPSHY (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Meadowlark behavior
I witnessed a new behavior from our next door meadowlark. Wondered if this is usual.
He was flying overhead in circles in Killdeer fashion for over 15 minutes.
Then land in a tree and then started circling overhead again. Definitely i have never witnessed this before!
(Also yesterday our neighborhood turkey pair came out w their 8 chicks)
Date: 7/4/25 11:40 am From: Wayne Hoffman (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Kite concentration
This morning, about 9:45 I found a feeding concentration of kites along Rte 210 at the intersection of Brinson Rd. in NW Pender County. This is about 2 miles SE of Moores Creek National Battlefield.
At the peak I had about 15 Swallow-tailed Kites and 8 Mississippi Kites overhead together. They were catching small, compact flying insects - small enough that I could not see them when clutched in the kites' feet. (when kites eat dragonflies, for example, they are easy to see in the feet).
"These days I prefer to hunt with a camera. A good photograph demands more
skill from the hunter, better nerves and more patience than the rifle
shot." -- Bror Blixen
On Sun, Jun 29, 2025 at 8:40 AM KEN LIPSHY <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> While birding Lee Hutaff Island this weekend
> I watched a pair of skimmers flying over the Breeding enclosure in what
> appeared to be a straffing maneuver looking for chicks to pick off. The
> first two times i thought it was a fluke but after several times it
> appeared purposefully.
> I also watched a teen chasing a pair of Piping plovers away from their
> chicks. At first that looked to be a fluke as well but after a while that
> two seemed to be purposeful.
> Was all this just a coincidence?
> Pic on the EBird link
> https://ebird.org/atlasnc/checklist/S254664949 >
>
________________________________
From: KEN LIPSHY <wuzupdoc12...>
Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2025 3:51:42 PM
To: <carolinabirds...> <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Re: Lea Hutaff Island birding ? Tern and Skimmer presentation of Piping plovers?
I made it back today. One of the chicks was gone! I was surprised to see there are only 245 Ebird piping plover audio files according to the EBird sitr and only 36000 photos!
I have more photos and a couple of audio files.
________________________________
From: KEN LIPSHY <wuzupdoc12...>
Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2025 8:39:43 AM
To: <carolinabirds...> <carolinabirds...>
Cc: KEN LIPSHY <wuzupdoc12...>
Subject: Lea Hutaff Island birding ? Tern and Skimmer presentation of Piping plovers?
While birding Lee Hutaff Island this weekend
I watched a pair of skimmers flying over the Breeding enclosure in what appeared to be a straffing maneuver looking for chicks to pick off. The first two times i thought it was a fluke but after several times it appeared purposefully.
I also watched a teen chasing a pair of Piping plovers away from their chicks. At first that looked to be a fluke as well but after a while that two seemed to be purposeful.
Was all this just a coincidence?
Pic on the EBird link
https://ebird.org/atlasnc/checklist/S254664949
I saw this and thought it might be of interest. My few attempts at seeing these beauties while at the coast have failed and hope something can be done to stabilize and increase their population.
Date: 6/29/25 12:52 pm From: KEN LIPSHY (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Lea Hutaff Island birding ? Tern and Skimmer presentation of Piping plovers?
I made it back today. One of the chicks was gone! I was surprised to see there are only 245 Ebird piping plover audio files according to the EBird sitr and only 36000 photos!
I have more photos and a couple of audio files.
________________________________
From: KEN LIPSHY <wuzupdoc12...>
Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2025 8:39:43 AM
To: <carolinabirds...> <carolinabirds...>
Cc: KEN LIPSHY <wuzupdoc12...>
Subject: Lea Hutaff Island birding ? Tern and Skimmer presentation of Piping plovers?
While birding Lee Hutaff Island this weekend
I watched a pair of skimmers flying over the Breeding enclosure in what appeared to be a straffing maneuver looking for chicks to pick off. The first two times i thought it was a fluke but after several times it appeared purposefully.
I also watched a teen chasing a pair of Piping plovers away from their chicks. At first that looked to be a fluke as well but after a while that two seemed to be purposeful.
Was all this just a coincidence?
Pic on the EBird link
https://ebird.org/atlasnc/checklist/S254664949
Date: 6/29/25 5:40 am From: KEN LIPSHY (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Lea Hutaff Island birding ? Tern and Skimmer presentation of Piping plovers?
While birding Lee Hutaff Island this weekend
I watched a pair of skimmers flying over the Breeding enclosure in what appeared to be a straffing maneuver looking for chicks to pick off. The first two times i thought it was a fluke but after several times it appeared purposefully.
I also watched a teen chasing a pair of Piping plovers away from their chicks. At first that looked to be a fluke as well but after a while that two seemed to be purposeful.
Was all this just a coincidence?
Pic on the EBird link
https://ebird.org/atlasnc/checklist/S254664949
Date: 6/26/25 10:22 am From: <sshultz...> Subject: Heat, hummingbirds, and "fall migration"
How many times has someone mentioned how hot it is outside over the last few days? If you are like me, many. And yes, it is the Carolinas in late June. It is supposed to be hot… and it is! But that first heat wave of the year still feels icky.
Birds probably don’t feel the heat the same way that we do, but it does make their lives a bit more challenging. Food is pretty abundant, and a lot of folks who feed birds stop in the summer, but water can get scarce. So if you feed birds/don’t feed birds/feed them only in the winter, at this time of year consider putting out a source of fresh water for the feathered folk. This morning has been a constant parade of bathers and drinkers at the simple water features we have outside. A shallow pan of fresh water is all you need. Just be sure to clean it out regularly.
You can spend as much or as little as you want to go beyond “the pan”. Some folks landscape beautiful water features specifically for birds. But you may not have the space, or money, to go fancy. An expensive, but effective, way to supply water is to get one of the several “cat waterers” from that big A company or your preferred vendor for such things. These plug in and provide not only a shallow source of water, but feature small fountains that tend to attract birds beyond what a still pan will do. They are inexpensive, fairly durable, and plug in to regular receptacles. They are also shallow enough to prevent most issues, while also making the gurgly sound that birds like. Be sure to use a waterproof connection if you plug into an extension cord.
Here is an example (it says indoor but works fine outside if you note the above): Amazon.com : Cat Water Fountain: Cat Fountain - Water Fountains for Cats Indoor - 67oz/2L Cat Fountains for Drinking - Pet Water Fountain - Ultra Silent - Cat Drinking Fountain for Small Dogs - AONBOY : Pet Supplies
Enough about the heat 😊
One thing we hear often at this time of year is “where are all the hummingbirds?” or “I only seem to have one, and not all that regularly”. Well folks, things are about to change. It is completely normal to have little to light feeder visitation in early to mid-June. Birds are nesting, focused on protein, and not as obvious on the landscape. But by the end of June, little ones are out of the nest and on the landscape. Mom and baby daddy might be trying again with another clutch, but we start to see a significant uptick in hummer activity about right now. And in fact, we have seen a pretty good increase in feeder visits just over the past couple of days. This will happen again toward the first of August when the 2nd brood is out and about, and we are getting increased numbers of northerly birds heading south.
And wait… migrant hummers at the beginning of August? Yep. In fact, fall migration has already started! Shorebirds are again on the wing. Generally considered failed breeders or successful early breeders, adults of some species can already be found heading back south (sometimes the earliest southbound birds “pass” the latest northbound birds!) So even though it might not feel like fall, and probably won’t for a while, migration has begun!!
Date: 6/25/25 9:24 am From: Will Cook <cwcook...> Subject: Tom Krakauer obituary
Tom Krakauer, long time birder, butterflier, and member of the Carolinabirds and Carolinaleps communities, passed away last week. He came to Durham in 1985 to lead the Museum of Life and Science; I'll remember him whenever I take my kids there, especially when strolling through the butterfly house.
Date: 6/23/25 6:02 am From: Peter Stangel (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: New Protection for SC's 2nd Largest Least Tern Colony
Thanks to great work by the staff at the Coastal Birds Project of the SC Department of Natural Resources, the state's second largest Least Tern Colony has received protection. The colony is at the southern tip of South Litchfield, just across the inlet from the north end of Pawleys Island, and about five miles south of the tern colony at Huntington Beach State Park. This spring, DNR, with an assist from S.C.U.T.E. Sea Turtle Volunteers and Huntington Beach State Park interns, installed symbolic fencing and education signage. Volunteers from the Audubon South Carolina Shorebird Stewards program are helping monitor the site, which is heavily used by beach- and dog-walkers. Recent surveys revealed about 113 Least Tern nests and 3 Wilson's Plovers (no nest detected).
Noteworthy: A local birder alerted DNR staff to the presence of this colony. DNR responded quickly, and now, for the first time, the terns here have protection. Birders, working with public conservation agencies and private conservation groups, can make a big difference for our birds and their habitats.
I vacationed at Litchfield last week and visited the colony twice a day. Recently fledged Least Terns were everywhere. I noted many beach walkers reading the signs and did not see anyone go past the fencing. As education work continues here the results for the terns and plovers should get better and better. Thanks to DNR and Audubon South Carolina for this outstanding achievement.
Date: 6/20/25 3:19 pm From: Nate Dias (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Least Terns, Wilson’s Plover Huntington Beach State Park, SC
Wow Brad - that is great news about the Least Tern colony. Kudos to park
staff and management for prioritizing the tern colony restoration and
protection (including electric fencing).
"These days I prefer to hunt with a camera. A good photograph demands more
skill from the hunter, better nerves and more patience than the rifle
shot." -- Bror Blixen
On Wed, Jun 18, 2025 at 6:37 AM Bradley Dalton <carolinabirds...>
wrote:
> Yesterday at Huntington Beach State Park I was impressed to see what was
> likely well over one hundred Least Terns on the front beach at the jetty
> and back along the breeding grounds.
>
> In addition, there was a pair of immature Wilson’s Plovers on the beach
> near the shell tree that has broken in half.
>
> There was also a late Horned Grebe in the inlet, to my surprise.
>
> Good birding,
>
> Brad Dalton
> Williamston, SC
Date: 6/18/25 3:37 am From: Bradley Dalton (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Least Terns, Wilson’s Plover Huntington Beach State Park, SC
Yesterday at Huntington Beach State Park I was impressed to see what was likely well over one hundred Least Terns on the front beach at the jetty and back along the breeding grounds.
In addition, there was a pair of immature Wilson’s Plovers on the beach near the shell tree that has broken in half.
There was also a late Horned Grebe in the inlet, to my surprise.
Date: 6/16/25 7:51 am From: Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Need to review and accept NC pelagic bird records for May for eBird
Folks, and eBird review staff,
No one has been reviewing, vetting, and accepting any eBird rarities seen off NC this spring, at least in May. This "reviewing hole" means that there are no records on the species maps for Bermuda Petrel, Trindade Petrel, and other rarities on Brian Patteson's many May pelagic trips off Hatteras Inlet. All rarities were photographed, so there is no issue with identification.
Can the review staff please correct this? Some of these rarities were photographed in early and mid-May. I caught this as I was working on the Spring Briefs for The Chat.
On Mon, Jun 9, 2025 at 2:26 PM Michael Fogleman <fogleman...> wrote:
> Hello friends,
>
> I recently discovered a Chuck-will's-widow nest on the Harris Lake Game
> Lands in New Hill, NC with the use of a thermal scope. I first determined
> where the male was singing at dusk to figure out roughly where to look. I
> also did some research on their habitat preferences. Still, it took
> multiple days of methodical searching with the scope to find anything. But
> I ultimately found two separate nesting pairs in different areas. I also
> found one of the males roosting on a few occasions. One nesting pair was a
> couple weeks ahead of the other in terms of development. The first was
> still incubating when I found it while the second had fairly large
> nestlings by the time I found them. I tried the same thing last year with
> an Eastern Whip-poor-will but had no success.
>
> The most exciting part was capturing video of nestlings when they became
> active at dusk. Lots of interesting behavior. So I wanted to share this
> video.
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1htsf__yZF8 >
> I believe the nestlings are just a day or two old in this video. I
> captured the video from behind camo cover, using a 135mm f/1.8 lens for a
> good balance between focal length and light-gathering abilities. I have
> lots of photos to share too, perhaps I'll add them to an eBird checklist
> soon.
>
> I'm often asked what my favorite bird is. I think I finally have an answer!
>
> Happy birding!
>
> Michael Fogleman
> Cary, NC
>
>
