Date: 6/2/23 4:59 pm From: robert emond <robert.emond2015...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 1 Jun 23
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: June 2, 2023 at 7:21:45 PM EDT
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (1 Bibb)
> Black Scoter (1 Glynn)
> Plain Chachalaca (1 McIntosh)
> Northern Bobwhite (1 Elbert, 5 Jones, 1 Troup)
> Eastern Whip-poor-will (2 Laurens, 2 Richmond)
> Semipalmated Plover (2 Columbia, 1 Richmond)
> Western Sandpiper (2 Columbia, 3 Richmond)
> Spotted Sandpiper (2 Richmond)
> Bonaparte's Gull (1 Glynn)
> Laughing Gull (1 Hall)
> Ring-billed Gull (1 Hall)
> Lesser Black-backed Gull (1 Chatham)
> Black Tern (2 Glynn)
> Anhinga (1 Henry, 1 Stephens)
> Double-crested Cormorant (1 Towns)
> White Ibis (1 Rockdale)
> Mississippi Kite (1 DeKalb)
> Red-cockaded Woodpecker (2 Columbia, 4 Grady, 3 Jones)
> American Kestrel (Southeastern) (2 Richmond)
> American Kestrel (1 Oconee, 1 Rockdale)
> Willow Flycatcher (4 Rabun)
> Cedar Waxwing (1 Richmond)
> Red Crossbill (1 Murray)
> Bachman's Sparrow (2 Columbia)
> Dark-eyed Junco (1 Pickens)
> Boat-tailed Grackle (1 Stewart)
> Worm-eating Warbler (1 Cobb)
> Prothonotary Warbler (1 Stephens)
> Yellow Warbler (2 Rabun)
> Black-throated Blue Warbler (1 Clarke)
> Palm Warbler (1 Houston)
> Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1 Cobb)
> Dickcissel (1 Rabun)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Date: 6/1/23 5:04 am From: robert emond <robert.emond2015...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 30 May 23
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: May 31, 2023 at 2:04:42 PM EDT
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (1 McDuffie)
> Ring-necked Duck (2 Muscogee)
> Black Scoter (1 Glynn)
> Limpkin (1 Evans)
> Stilt Sandpiper (1 Camden)
> Red-necked Phalarope (3 Glynn)
> Parasitic Jaeger (1 Glynn)
> Least Tern (2 Grady)
> Black Tern (1 Glynn)
> Wilson's Storm-Petrel (3 Glynn)
> Cory's Shearwater (1 Glynn)
> Wood Stork (1 Muscogee)
> White Ibis (1 Rockdale)
> Red-cockaded Woodpecker (1 Thomas)
> American Kestrel (2 DeKalb, 1 Gordon, 1 Gwinnett, 2 Irwin, 1 Rockdale)
> Eastern Phoebe (1 Glynn)
> Loggerhead Shrike (1 Clarke)
> Gray-cheeked Thrush (1 DeKalb)
> Cedar Waxwing (1 DeKalb, 1 Fulton)
> Bachman's Sparrow (1 Camden)
> Eastern Towhee (Red-eyed) (1 Chatham)
> Bobolink (1 Camden)
> Northern Waterthrush (1 Muscogee)
> Magnolia Warbler (1 Henry)
> Blackpoll Warbler (1 DeKalb)
> Yellow-rumped Warbler (1 Chattahoochee)
> Dickcissel (1 Muscogee)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Date: 5/26/23 7:39 am From: robert emond <robert.emond2015...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 25 May 23
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: May 26, 2023 at 2:09:42 AM EDT
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Snow Goose (2 Houston)
> Ring-necked Duck (1 Paulding)
> Black Scoter (1 Glynn)
> Bufflehead (1 Paulding)
> Common Merganser (1 Rabun)
> King Rail (1 Muscogee)
> Sandhill Crane (3 Charlton)
> Black-necked Stilt (2 Dooly)
> Greater Yellowlegs (2 Charlton)
> Bonaparte's Gull (1 Glynn)
> Wood Stork (1 Muscogee)
> Anhinga (1 Greene)
> Double-crested Cormorant (1 Murray)
> Bald Eagle (1 Clarke, 1 Pickens)
> Red-cockaded Woodpecker (2 Charlton, 1 Thomas)
> American Kestrel (2 Rockdale)
> Bank Swallow (1 Dawson)
> Bobolink (1 McIntosh)
> Black-and-white Warbler (2 Laurens)
> Prothonotary Warbler (1 Murray)
> Magnolia Warbler (1 DeKalb)
> Blackpoll Warbler (1 Laurens)
> Palm Warbler (1 DeKalb)
> Dickcissel (2 Macon)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Date: 5/24/23 5:31 pm From: robert emond <robert.emond2015...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 23 May 23
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: May 23, 2023 at 9:29:45 PM EDT
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (1 Early)
> Ring-necked Duck (1 Bartow, 1 Paulding)
> Bufflehead (1 Paulding)
> Ruddy Duck (2 Muscogee)
> White-winged Dove (1 Miller)
> Eastern Whip-poor-will (1 Laurens)
> Semipalmated Sandpiper (1 Paulding)
> Bonaparte's Gull (1 Glynn)
> Wood Stork (1 McDuffie)
> Anhinga (1 McDuffie, 1 Stephens)
> Red-cockaded Woodpecker (1 Richmond)
> American Kestrel (1 Bartow, 1 Rockdale)
> Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (4 Richmond)
> Blue-headed Vireo (1 Richmond)
> Pine Siskin (1 Clarke)
> Lark Sparrow (1 Bartow)
> Black-and-white Warbler (3 Laurens)
> Prothonotary Warbler (1 Murray, 1 Stephens)
> American Redstart (1 Bryan)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Date: 5/22/23 6:15 pm From: robert emond <robert.emond2015...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 21 May 23
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: May 22, 2023 at 7:04:32 PM EDT
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Blue-winged Teal (3 Bartow, 3 Lumpkin)
> Northern Shoveler (1 Clayton, 1 Fulton)
> Ring-necked Duck (2 Bartow, 1 Clayton)
> Greater Scaup (1 Chatham)
> Greater Yellowlegs (1 Bartow)
> Lesser Yellowlegs (1 Bartow)
> Double-crested Cormorant (3 Lumpkin)
> Broad-winged Hawk (1 Chatham)
> Barn Owl (3 Hancock, 3 Taliaferro)
> American Kestrel (3 Bartow, 1 Floyd)
> Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (10 Richmond)
> Bank Swallow (1 Chatham)
> Veery (1 DeKalb)
> Swainson's Thrush (1 Cobb)
> Red Crossbill (1 Fannin)
> Lark Sparrow (5 Bartow, 2 Floyd)
> Bobolink (1 Richmond)
> Baltimore Oriole (1 Hall, 1 Murray, 1 Polk)
> Black-and-white Warbler (3 Laurens)
> Prothonotary Warbler (1 Murray)
> Swainson's Warbler (1 Murray)
> Magnolia Warbler (1 Clarke, 1 Murray)
> Yellow Warbler (1 Muscogee)
> Palm Warbler (1 Fulton)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Well, all I'll say is that this is a very interesting discussion.
Practically, methodologically, and philosophically. I'd hate to miss it but
I'm not on the other platform and I'm not going to be because
of well documented security issues.
On Mon, May 22, 2023, 8:23 PM Wes Hatch <whatch11...> wrote:
> Marlene,
>
> I am not saying this isn’t a great resource, I just think you will
> actually reach the audience that is using Merlin to report odd reporting
> through Facebook and not here. Facebook is great for these type of
> discussions and will reach a much larger audience with their 10 thousand
> subscribers.
>
> Wes Hatch
>
> > On May 22, 2023, at 8:52 AM, Stephen W. Ramsden <sramsden...>
> wrote:
> > I sent out 2 concise, perfectly phrased, grammatically correct
> responses to the Merlin sound ID post that would have made everyone with
> every opinion agree in a harmonious manner and also would have made
> everyone’s birding dreams come true.
> >
> > They were quite possibly the greatest posts ever sent on this listserve
> and included a link to get a free Unicorn and box of glitter.
> >
> > Alas, my list serve settings caused my 2 posts to get lost in the ether
> never to see the light of day.
> >
> > After reviewing them, I realized that no one really cares what my
> opinion is anyway so I will just say get out there and enjoy nature!!
> Wait!…is that a painted Bunting?…gotta go ya’ll
> >
> >
> > Stephen W. Ramsden
> > 404-543-7616
> > Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
> > Sunlit Earth!
> > Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
> > Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
> > http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines
> before posting.
> >
> > Send regular postings to <gabo-l...>
> >
> > To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to
> > https://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GABO-L > >
> > To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
>
> You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
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> before posting.
>
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>
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At approx. 11:15 this morning we heard then saw a Veery with a mixed flock mobbing a red shouldered hawk. It was observered while standing at the end of Muriel at the intersection with Harold (33.7704905560184, -84.3304840200654) and looking east into the forest. It heard again about 30 min later while we were walking through Frazer Forest.
Best,
Matt.
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I am not saying this isn’t a great resource, I just think you will actually reach the audience that is using Merlin to report odd reporting through Facebook and not here. Facebook is great for these type of discussions and will reach a much larger audience with their 10 thousand subscribers.
Wes Hatch
> On May 22, 2023, at 8:52 AM, Stephen W. Ramsden <sramsden...> wrote:
> I sent out 2 concise, perfectly phrased, grammatically correct responses to the Merlin sound ID post that would have made everyone with every opinion agree in a harmonious manner and also would have made everyone’s birding dreams come true.
>
> They were quite possibly the greatest posts ever sent on this listserve and included a link to get a free Unicorn and box of glitter.
>
> Alas, my list serve settings caused my 2 posts to get lost in the ether never to see the light of day.
>
> After reviewing them, I realized that no one really cares what my opinion is anyway so I will just say get out there and enjoy nature!! Wait!…is that a painted Bunting?…gotta go ya’ll
>
>
> Stephen W. Ramsden
> 404-543-7616
> Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
> Sunlit Earth!
> Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
>
>
>
>
>
> You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
> Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
> http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
>
> Send regular postings to <gabo-l...>
>
> To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to
> https://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GABO-L >
> To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
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Date: 5/22/23 1:44 pm From: Eric Bowles <eric.bowles...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Merlin Bird App and eBird
Like any tool, Merlin needs to be used and continually refined.
I recently returned from trip to West Virginia (New River Gorge, Babcock State Park, Hawksnest State Park, and Blackwater Falls) for the purpose of photography and birding photography. We had a terrific trip for migrating warblers and vireos. In general, Merlin was very accurate, and the combination of sound ID and photo identification allowed us to look for and find many birds high in the canopy or in brush. In many cases, photo confirmation was not possible due to the obstructions and fast movement of the subjects. Some of the birds such as a black throated green warbler were heard and observed often enough to immediately recognize their calls.
But we did run into issues and occasional Merlin errors. For example, we saw a number of red-eyed vireos (common in the area). In one particular location on consecutive days Merlin identified both Red-eyed Vireos and Philadelphia Vireos - the latter being rare for the specific location but normal during spring migration in the broader region of the state. In listening to the recording multiple times, we found that in each instance the Philadelphia Vireo was identified by Merlin, it also identified a red-eyed vireo in the same recording within a few seconds before or after. One day we had six separate occasions where a Philadelphia was identified by Merlin over several recordings more than an hour apart. The red-eyed vireo was photographed and confirmed several times while the Philadelphia was not seen. Apparently a "dialect" or variation of the red-eyed vireo call is very similar to the Philadelphia vireo, so this recorded call by Merlin was apparently a false report all six times. This Merlin error was only found in this single location out of more than a dozen locations with red-eyed vireos. I'm sure there are other cases of similar calls, unique variations, etc.
But in developing and using eBird, Cornell has to deal with these types of errors or misidentification. Having the data to assess frequency of errors as well as incorrect findings could be useful in further refining the database. Absent guidance from Cornell, we have each state or region developing their own approach to this issue which is not necessarily a good thing. I'd really like to see more information in Merlin and eBird to help identify subjects that need visual confirmation or similar calls that are prone to identification errors.
Eric Bowles
Dekalb County, Georgia
-----Original Message-----
From: Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L...> On Behalf Of Georgann Schmalz
Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2023 8:21 PM
To: <GABO-L...>
Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Merlin Bird App and eBird
In my recent workshops with biologists from DNR and US Forest Service, I have advised them of the best methods to use Merlin for learning songs. But I also finish with, “if Merlin identifies any song that you have not heard to confirm, don’t count it”.
Merlin is not perfect and does make mistakes most often when more than one geographic regional sets of birds are chosen for her. Best not to have the set of, say, Costa Rica birds available to Merlin when you are in the US southeast or she might grab a puff bird or antshrike. Of course, one might miss rarities or vagrants that way but….
GABO might advise birders to check their range maps before posting their Merlin heard only birds.
Merlin is a game changer and has a great ability to help us to learn songs if used correctly as a learning process, not an identification only. Not yet, at least!
Georgann
Sent from my iPad
Georgann Schmalz
Ornithologist
Dawson County, GA
www.birdingadventuresinc.com
VP Dawson County Woman’s Club
> On May 20, 2023, at 8:10 PM, Drew Whitelegg <drewwhitelegg1...> wrote:
>
> Sandy,
> Your email is well-timed. On the one hand I think it's great that
> Merlin is encouraging more people to pay attention to the sounds
> around them; on the other I feel it leads to the impression that bird
> identification is a lot easier than it actually is. I feel learning
> bird ID (especially by
> calls) is akin to learning a new language, something that is wholly
> experiential and where you never stop learning. Even this spring, I
> latched onto an unusual and unrecognized call only to find out it was
> a Carolina Chickadee.
>
> I think I'm more concerned that Merlin seems to provide a short cut
> and instantaneous "knowledge" for new birders that seems to
> circumvent 20 years in the field. But for ebird, I think we should be
> grateful for the dedicated work of the reviewers who (though it must
> get tiresome) are able to catch the more outlandish sightings so that
> they don't end up in the public record. I actually just ignore all "heard by Merlin" reports.
>
> I personally don't use any apps to ID birds, but I can see their benefit.
> As with any new technology, the words "judicious use" are always worth
> remembering.
>
> Cheers
> Drew Whitelegg
> DeKalb Co.
>
>
>
>
>
>> On Sat, May 20, 2023 at 7:29 PM Sandy Pangle <SPANGLE...> wrote:
>>
>> I see more and more eBird submissions listing birds that are only “heard”
>> by the Merlin app. This troubles me because I have seen Merlin
>> absolutely butcher some bird songs. Recently a friend of mine, who is
>> a new birder sent me a list of birds that were “going crazy” in her yard at 11:15 PM.
>>
>> These were: Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal, Summer Tanager,
>> Robin, Northern Flicker, Carolina Wren, Yellow Breasted Chat,
>> American Kestrel, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Bluebird.
>>
>> She also sent me a phone recording and as most of you already know,
>> it was simply a Mockingbird singing his night song. I feel that the
>> use of this app is contributing to bad bird identifications and
>> really hate to see it interfaced with eBird! Thoughts???
>>
>>
>> Sandy Pangle
>> Whitfield County
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
>> Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
>> http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines
>> before posting.
>>
>> Send regular postings to <gabo-l...>
>>
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>> https://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GABO-L >>
>> To contact a listowner, send message to
>> <GABO-L-request...>
>>
>
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>
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Date: 5/22/23 1:39 pm From: Eric Gibney <egibney...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Merlin Bird App and eBird
This is funny but has anyone tried to see how many birds they could mimic
and “fool” the app? I can get it to think I’m a mourning dove and a
Eurasian collared dove but that’s it so far. Maybe a few owl or crow sounds
but my family might think I’m losing it.
Good birding,
Eric
On Sun, May 21, 2023 at 6:30 PM Stephen W. Ramsden <sramsden...>
wrote:
> it is a very interesting discussion. I will put in my two cents again
> having just left my 131st George Audubon bird hike this past Saturday and
> taking countless new birders around the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve;
> Merlin sound ID is here to stay and is a very accurate tool. I have
> watched it become standard equipment for most beginning birders. In my
> experience, it has increased the accuracy significantly of beginning
> ebirders reports and drawn a lot of new people to the hobby.
> Sound ID has corrected my observations many, many times. Of course it
> makes errors just like every other way of identifying birds produces errors
> but what I have seen is that sound ID is way more accurate than the average
> 5 year or less birder and a fantastic learning tool.
> I would be interested in the opinion of Georgian Schmaltz on this topic.
>
> Stephen W. Ramsden
> 404-543-7616(tel:404-543-7616)
> Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
> Sunlit Earth!
> Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
>
>
> On May 21, 2023 at 9:59:43 AM, Marlene Koslowsky (
> <000006d228557fef-dmarc-request...>(mailto:
> <000006d228557fef-dmarc-request...>)) wrote:
>
> > I am enjoying this discussion very much. I recently finished the Master
> Birder course with Georgia Audubon. It helped me rethink so much, the whole
> life list concept included. I use Merlin all the time. But it's a tool to
> help me see or hear or both what I've experienced while out and aobut. I
> love birds, their colors and sounds and shapes and habits and all of it.
> I'm hooked on birds, not numbers. Early on, I wanted to build my list,
> which really is a part of the measure of my birding experience. At some
> point I felt a bit of a competitive spirit but at a later point I realized
> that wasn't the purpose at all.
> > The purpose of IDing birds is both personal learning and experience and
> for the greater birding community, which includes sharing with others
> what's been seen and/or heard, plus providing what eBird needs for their
> own scientific/statistical purposes. Giving the wrong ID messes with all
> that, though reporting a tufted titmouse who was heard only isn't a huge
> deal but a rare Wilson's warbler, say, would be.
> > The bottom line for me is to be as accurate as I can be for the sake of
> the above. But that can become muddled by incorrect use of tools, or just
> my own mistakes in my own observations. Reasonable and responsible
> perspective matters.
> > ~Marlene
> >
> >
> > On Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 07:07:35 AM EDT, Marion Dobbs <
> <catbird500...> wrote:
> >
> > In summary, I think of it as a tool, not an oracle.
> >
> > Marion Dobbs
> > Floyd County
> >
> > > On May 20, 2023, at 9:54 PM, Joshua Spence <
> <joshuastephenspence...> wrote:
> > >
> > > I'd like to thank Sandy for bringing up this important subject, as
> well as those who have replied. Great thoughts and discussion.
> > >
> > > I wanted to share a link that gives some insight from the National
> Audubon Society of the etiquette for using the Merlin app during a
> Christmas Bird Count. I think this can be applied to our daily birding
> efforts. I hope this is helpful:
> > >
> > > https://nationalaudubon.app.box.com/s/dhnlepks470dj6pyzj8bdwf41vybjhmi > > >
> > >
> > > Joshua Spence,
> > > Murray County
> > >
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Date: 5/22/23 11:01 am From: Vicki Williams <000002847ef88933-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Merlin/Bird sound apps
Hello...
I've been slowly teaching myself bird songs over the past 30 years. The easy (for me) backyard ones (cardinal, titmouse, hairy woodpecker, etc) because I can SEE the birds making the sounds. I also know at this time of year to listen and see if what I'm hearing is on repeat from a brown thrasher or a mockingbird! Merlin, etc has upped my learning because it will tell me so and so is singing. Then I know WHAT to look for harder.
Warbler songs to me are just high pitched trills but if I know what I'm looking for, I frequently can then find it/them.
Though this morning when we saw Merlin say American Redstart Victor and I both looked at each other and said, nah...we didn't hear a thing. I've also found that sometimes while I'm on a birding walk I'll be looking so hard I forget to listen and then I see that Merlin said blah, blah. Which reminds me to listen hard and what do you know, I hear the blue gray gnatcatcher myself.
I've always used Merlin/Bird Sounds with a grain of salt. But that's because I know enough to not believe until I see on unique sounds. Two of my sisters when they were seriously learning to bird in 2019 - 2021 wouldn't accept anyone's statement about what the bird was until they could actually see it. (ie Owls, Wood Thrush, sandhill cranes, etc).
It's all a matter of each individual's learning curve and teaching each new birder how to best use Merlin.
As for today's bird sightings, I didn't find the great-crested flycatcher that was calling but heard the hairy woodpecker and was able to find it and watch it feed a fledgling. Always fun.
Vicki Williams, west Cobb County
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Date: 5/22/23 5:52 am From: Stephen W. Ramsden <sramsden...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Merlin - Cornell Lab statement
I sent out 2 concise, perfectly phrased, grammatically correct responses to the Merlin sound ID post that would have made everyone with every opinion agree in a harmonious manner and also would have made everyone’s birding dreams come true.
They were quite possibly the greatest posts ever sent on this listserve and included a link to get a free Unicorn and box of glitter.
Alas, my list serve settings caused my 2 posts to get lost in the ether never to see the light of day.
After reviewing them, I realized that no one really cares what my opinion is anyway so I will just say get out there and enjoy nature!! Wait!…is that a painted Bunting?…gotta go ya’ll
Stephen W. Ramsden
404-543-7616
Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
Sunlit Earth!
Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
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In a thought I had to Wes’s comment about this discussion: we in GABO are influencers for birders In general and though the newer birders aren’t likely to be on this listserv we can be a friendly resource to newer birders we meet. So it’s a very useful reminder of that, from my point of view. This and the GOS Facebook page are both good for these shared thoughts. Just my 2cents.
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
On Monday, May 22, 2023, 8:35 AM, Wes Hatch <whatch11...> wrote:
I will throw my two cents in, Merlin is a fantastic tool, but should not be used as the only tool. I can’t stress enough looking at a field guide range maps to make sure Merlin is accurate.
I also think The listserv is the wrong place to be arguing this as majority of new birders who use Merlin are not on here and don’t see everyone’s two cents. This convo is best for GOS Facebook page which has a much larger reach.
But alas I have enjoyed seeing birds I have never heard of and looking them up. I am learning from their mistakes.
Wes Hatch
> On May 21, 2023, at 11:32 PM, Eran Tomer <erantomer...> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> From the Cornell Lab's own Merlin instructions:
>
> "The best bird ID tools are your own eyes and ears. Merlin’s suggestions
> are just a starting point. You should always independently verify each
> suggestion before reporting it... If you're not confident that Merlin's
> suggestion is correct, or if you have not considered it independently,
> don't report it to eBird. (Do not report whatever Merlin says without
> considering it first!)"
>
> More Merlin advice and best practices:
> https://support.ebird.org/en/support/solutions/articles/48001214056 >
> AI-automated sound ID is a nascent, evolving technology, hence the problems
> and need for caution. Perhaps Merlin was released prematurely. While on the
> subject -
>
> eBird requests details on birds flagged as rare. This is to document and
> describe the bird, and explain how / why the observer decided on the ID.
> Otherwise reviewers cannot assess the unlikely sighting's validity and
> accept it into the database. Anyone consulting eBird also needs to know the
> basis for the claim.
>
> However, many eBird rarity reports include only non-diagnostic details,
> e.g. "On powerlines", "Flew over", "At the feeder", "Three individuals",
> "Strange to see it here" etc. These don't describe the birds and explain
> how the IDs were made. So, please provide a detailed description of each
> rarity and note why it wasn't a commoner, expected species.
>
> Best regards,
>
> - Eran Tomer
> Atlanta, GA
>
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I will throw my two cents in, Merlin is a fantastic tool, but should not be used as the only tool. I can’t stress enough looking at a field guide range maps to make sure Merlin is accurate.
I also think The listserv is the wrong place to be arguing this as majority of new birders who use Merlin are not on here and don’t see everyone’s two cents. This convo is best for GOS Facebook page which has a much larger reach.
But alas I have enjoyed seeing birds I have never heard of and looking them up. I am learning from their mistakes.
Wes Hatch
> On May 21, 2023, at 11:32 PM, Eran Tomer <erantomer...> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> From the Cornell Lab's own Merlin instructions:
>
> "The best bird ID tools are your own eyes and ears. Merlin’s suggestions
> are just a starting point. You should always independently verify each
> suggestion before reporting it... If you're not confident that Merlin's
> suggestion is correct, or if you have not considered it independently,
> don't report it to eBird. (Do not report whatever Merlin says without
> considering it first!)"
>
> More Merlin advice and best practices:
> https://support.ebird.org/en/support/solutions/articles/48001214056 >
> AI-automated sound ID is a nascent, evolving technology, hence the problems
> and need for caution. Perhaps Merlin was released prematurely. While on the
> subject -
>
> eBird requests details on birds flagged as rare. This is to document and
> describe the bird, and explain how / why the observer decided on the ID.
> Otherwise reviewers cannot assess the unlikely sighting's validity and
> accept it into the database. Anyone consulting eBird also needs to know the
> basis for the claim.
>
> However, many eBird rarity reports include only non-diagnostic details,
> e.g. "On powerlines", "Flew over", "At the feeder", "Three individuals",
> "Strange to see it here" etc. These don't describe the birds and explain
> how the IDs were made. So, please provide a detailed description of each
> rarity and note why it wasn't a commoner, expected species.
>
> Best regards,
>
> - Eran Tomer
> Atlanta, GA
>
> You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
> Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
> http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
>
> Send regular postings to <gabo-l...>
>
> To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to
> https://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GABO-L >
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"The best bird ID tools are your own eyes and ears. Merlin’s suggestions
are just a starting point. You should always independently verify each
suggestion before reporting it... If you're not confident that Merlin's
suggestion is correct, or if you have not considered it independently,
don't report it to eBird. (Do not report whatever Merlin says without
considering it first!)"
AI-automated sound ID is a nascent, evolving technology, hence the problems
and need for caution. Perhaps Merlin was released prematurely. While on the
subject -
eBird requests details on birds flagged as rare. This is to document and
describe the bird, and explain how / why the observer decided on the ID.
Otherwise reviewers cannot assess the unlikely sighting's validity and
accept it into the database. Anyone consulting eBird also needs to know the
basis for the claim.
However, many eBird rarity reports include only non-diagnostic details,
e.g. "On powerlines", "Flew over", "At the feeder", "Three individuals",
"Strange to see it here" etc. These don't describe the birds and explain
how the IDs were made. So, please provide a detailed description of each
rarity and note why it wasn't a commoner, expected species.
Best regards,
- Eran Tomer
Atlanta, GA
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In my humble opinion, I believe that birders with excellent knowledge and ability to hear and identify every bird song around them, don’t really need nor depend on Merlin. And while we are quick to point our her failures, omissions, inclusions, etc., she is in her learning infancy and will, undoubtedly, get better and better. Although, I’m not sure that there is any point in her ‘hearing’ and identifying bird songs miles away. I don’t think Merlin was created to take the place of our trained ears. She is primarily a learning app and how wonderful is that?
As for identifying songs for beginners, she has taken on the role of one of my advisory points to new birders. That is, to try to go out with someone who knows their songs and doesn’t mind repeating over and over, “ That’s a Yellow Warbler, that’s also a Yellow Warbler, that’s another Yellow Warbler…’. Merlin doesn’t mind! She is very patient.
As many of you and Steve Patterson have pointed out, when reporting ‘heard only’ by Merlin, we should use caution and, unless confirmed, do not report them. We strive to keep our records as accurate as possible, so until Merlin is 100%, it’s a good rule to follow.
Have fun
Georgann
Sent from my iPad
Georgann Schmalz
Ornithologist
Dawson County, GA
www.birdingadventuresinc.com
VP Dawson County Woman’s Club
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Quoting Steve Patterson who says it best, " Merlin lists species that cannot be heard by human ear nor seen on the spectrogram, and it fails to list many species that human ears do hear close and clearly."
During the past six months I used Merlin to record songs of two rare birds which I recognized from experience. Merlin did not identify either of those species. I find Merlin is a very useful tool for recording bird songs. If I get a good recording of a particular song, I try to upload it into Ebird media. Because of my past experience with bird songs, I think Merlin mistakes can be very humorous. Merlin seems to be good with many common local bird songs.
My daughter says she is learning bird songs in her yard while using Merlin, so that's a really good thing. It's taken her years to become excited about finding a new yard bird. Some people are more visually challenged with binoculars than we care to recognize.
Tommie Rogers
From: "Steve Patterson" <000004af41619dde-dmarc-request...>
To: <GABO-L...>
Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2023 8:38:47 PM
Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Merlin Bird App and eBird
Sandy and others,
Thank you for your thoughts. While Merlin is a helpful tool, it is faulty enough that it should not be used as a "mechanical ear" in place of actual human detection of a bird. As an eBird reviewer, I do not accept "identified by Merlin" or similar notes as adequate to confirm any species. Merlin lists species that cannot be heard by human ear nor seen on the spectrogram, and it fails to list many species that human ears do hear close and clearly.
It is my stance that Merlin information alone is insufficient for documentation purposes, but it is a good tool for giving the human birder hints about what they might be missing. An eBird report is the record of what a human observer was able to both detect and identify.
Steve PattersonAnderson, SC
-----Original Message-----
From: Sandy Pangle <SPANGLE...>
To: <GABO-L...>
Sent: Sat, May 20, 2023 7:26 pm
Subject: [GABO-L] Merlin Bird App and eBird
I see more and more eBird submissions listing birds that are only “heard” by the Merlin app. This troubles me because I have seen Merlin absolutely butcher some bird songs. Recently a friend of mine, who is a new birder sent me a list of birds that were “going crazy” in her yard at 11:15 PM.
She also sent me a phone recording and as most of you already know, it was simply a Mockingbird singing his night song. I feel that the use of this app is contributing to bad bird identifications and really hate to see it interfaced with eBird! Thoughts???
Sandy Pangle
Whitfield County
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Date: 5/21/23 3:30 pm From: Stephen W. Ramsden <sramsden...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Merlin Bird App and eBird
it is a very interesting discussion. I will put in my two cents again having just left my 131st George Audubon bird hike this past Saturday and taking countless new birders around the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve; Merlin sound ID is here to stay and is a very accurate tool. I have watched it become standard equipment for most beginning birders. In my experience, it has increased the accuracy significantly of beginning ebirders reports and drawn a lot of new people to the hobby. Sound ID has corrected my observations many, many times. Of course it makes errors just like every other way of identifying birds produces errors but what I have seen is that sound ID is way more accurate than the average 5 year or less birder and a fantastic learning tool. I would be interested in the opinion of Georgian Schmaltz on this topic.
Stephen W. Ramsden 404-543-7616(tel:404-543-7616) Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project Sunlit Earth! Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
> I am enjoying this discussion very much. I recently finished the Master Birder course with Georgia Audubon. It helped me rethink so much, the whole life list concept included. I use Merlin all the time. But it's a tool to help me see or hear or both what I've experienced while out and aobut. I love birds, their colors and sounds and shapes and habits and all of it. I'm hooked on birds, not numbers. Early on, I wanted to build my list, which really is a part of the measure of my birding experience. At some point I felt a bit of a competitive spirit but at a later point I realized that wasn't the purpose at all. > The purpose of IDing birds is both personal learning and experience and for the greater birding community, which includes sharing with others what's been seen and/or heard, plus providing what eBird needs for their own scientific/statistical purposes. Giving the wrong ID messes with all that, though reporting a tufted titmouse who was heard only isn't a huge deal but a rare Wilson's warbler, say, would be. > The bottom line for me is to be as accurate as I can be for the sake of the above. But that can become muddled by incorrect use of tools, or just my own mistakes in my own observations. Reasonable and responsible perspective matters. > ~Marlene > > > On Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 07:07:35 AM EDT, Marion Dobbs <catbird500...> wrote: > > In summary, I think of it as a tool, not an oracle. > > Marion Dobbs > Floyd County > > > On May 20, 2023, at 9:54 PM, Joshua Spence <joshuastephenspence...> wrote: > > > > I'd like to thank Sandy for bringing up this important subject, as well as those who have replied. Great thoughts and discussion. > > > > I wanted to share a link that gives some insight from the National Audubon Society of the etiquette for using the Merlin app during a Christmas Bird Count. I think this can be applied to our daily birding efforts. I hope this is helpful: > > > > https://nationalaudubon.app.box.com/s/dhnlepks470dj6pyzj8bdwf41vybjhmi > > > > > > Joshua Spence, > > Murray County > > > > You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L. > > Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here: > > http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting. > > > > Send regular postings to <gabo-l...> > > > > To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to > > https://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GABO-L > > > > To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...> > > You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L. > Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here: > http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting. > > Send regular postings to <gabo-l...> > > To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to > https://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GABO-L > > To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...> > > > You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L. > Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here: > http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting. > > Send regular postings to <gabo-l...> > > To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to > https://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GABO-L > > To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
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Date: 5/21/23 7:03 am From: Marlene Koslowsky <000006d228557fef-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Merlin Bird App and eBird
I am enjoying this discussion very much. I recently finished the Master Birder course with Georgia Audubon. It helped me rethink so much, the whole life list concept included. I use Merlin all the time. But it's a tool to help me see or hear or both what I've experienced while out and aobut. I love birds, their colors and sounds and shapes and habits and all of it. I'm hooked on birds, not numbers. Early on, I wanted to build my list, which really is a part of the measure of my birding experience. At some point I felt a bit of a competitive spirit but at a later point I realized that wasn't the purpose at all.
The purpose of IDing birds is both personal learning and experience and for the greater birding community, which includes sharing with others what's been seen and/or heard, plus providing what eBird needs for their own scientific/statistical purposes. Giving the wrong ID messes with all that, though reporting a tufted titmouse who was heard only isn't a huge deal but a rare Wilson's warbler, say, would be.
The bottom line for me is to be as accurate as I can be for the sake of the above. But that can become muddled by incorrect use of tools, or just my own mistakes in my own observations. Reasonable and responsible perspective matters.
~Marlene
On Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 07:07:35 AM EDT, Marion Dobbs <catbird500...> wrote:
In summary, I think of it as a tool, not an oracle.
Marion Dobbs
Floyd County
> On May 20, 2023, at 9:54 PM, Joshua Spence <joshuastephenspence...> wrote:
>
> I'd like to thank Sandy for bringing up this important subject, as well as those who have replied. Great thoughts and discussion.
>
> I wanted to share a link that gives some insight from the National Audubon Society of the etiquette for using the Merlin app during a Christmas Bird Count. I think this can be applied to our daily birding efforts. I hope this is helpful:
>
> https://nationalaudubon.app.box.com/s/dhnlepks470dj6pyzj8bdwf41vybjhmi >
>
> Joshua Spence,
> Murray County
>
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>
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>
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Date: 5/21/23 4:07 am From: Marion Dobbs <catbird500...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Merlin Bird App and eBird
In summary, I think of it as a tool, not an oracle.
Marion Dobbs
Floyd County
> On May 20, 2023, at 9:54 PM, Joshua Spence <joshuastephenspence...> wrote:
>
> I'd like to thank Sandy for bringing up this important subject, as well as those who have replied. Great thoughts and discussion.
>
> I wanted to share a link that gives some insight from the National Audubon Society of the etiquette for using the Merlin app during a Christmas Bird Count. I think this can be applied to our daily birding efforts. I hope this is helpful:
>
> https://nationalaudubon.app.box.com/s/dhnlepks470dj6pyzj8bdwf41vybjhmi >
>
> Joshua Spence,
> Murray County
>
> You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
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>
> Send regular postings to <gabo-l...>
>
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I'd like to thank Sandy for bringing up this important subject, as well as those who have replied. Great thoughts and discussion.
I wanted to share a link that gives some insight from the National Audubon Society of the etiquette for using the Merlin app during a Christmas Bird Count. I think this can be applied to our daily birding efforts. I hope this is helpful:
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Date: 5/20/23 6:00 pm From: Personal gmail <johnmccandlish...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Merlin Bird App and eBird
As a fairly new birder (3 years), I agree with these comments. I love Merlin. But as stated, only using it as a learning tool. If Merlin gives me an identification, I then check to see how common it is in the area. Then, only if I then see the bird will I log in eBird.
My enjoyment of birding is about being in nature and learning more about each species; not simply using a smartphone app to add to a list.
My two cents.
Sent from my iPhone
> On May 20, 2023, at 8:22 PM, Georgann Schmalz <georgannschmalz...> wrote:
>
> In my recent workshops with biologists from DNR and US Forest Service, I have advised them of the best methods to use Merlin for learning songs. But I also finish with, “if Merlin identifies any song that you have not heard to confirm, don’t count it”.
>
> Merlin is not perfect and does make mistakes most often when more than one geographic regional sets of birds are chosen for her. Best not to have the set of, say, Costa Rica birds available to Merlin when you are in the US southeast or she might grab a puff bird or antshrike. Of course, one might miss rarities or vagrants that way but….
> GABO might advise birders to check their range maps before posting their Merlin heard only birds.
> Merlin is a game changer and has a great ability to help us to learn songs if used correctly as a learning process, not an identification only. Not yet, at least!
>
> Georgann
>
> Sent from my iPad
> Georgann Schmalz
> Ornithologist
> Dawson County, GA
> www.birdingadventuresinc.com
> VP Dawson County Woman’s Club
>
>
>> On May 20, 2023, at 8:10 PM, Drew Whitelegg <drewwhitelegg1...> wrote:
>>
>> Sandy,
>> Your email is well-timed. On the one hand I think it's great that Merlin
>> is encouraging more people to pay attention to the sounds around them; on
>> the other I feel it leads to the impression that bird identification is a
>> lot easier than it actually is. I feel learning bird ID (especially by
>> calls) is akin to learning a new language, something that is wholly
>> experiential and where you never stop learning. Even this spring, I latched
>> onto an unusual and unrecognized call only to find out it was a Carolina
>> Chickadee.
>>
>> I think I'm more concerned that Merlin seems to provide a short cut and
>> instantaneous "knowledge" for new birders that seems to circumvent 20
>> years in the field. But for ebird, I think we should be grateful for the
>> dedicated work of the reviewers who (though it must get tiresome) are able
>> to catch the more outlandish sightings so that they don't end up in the
>> public record. I actually just ignore all "heard by Merlin" reports.
>>
>> I personally don't use any apps to ID birds, but I can see their benefit.
>> As with any new technology, the words "judicious use" are always worth
>> remembering.
>>
>> Cheers
>> Drew Whitelegg
>> DeKalb Co.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>> On Sat, May 20, 2023 at 7:29 PM Sandy Pangle <SPANGLE...> wrote:
>>>
>>> I see more and more eBird submissions listing birds that are only “heard”
>>> by the Merlin app. This troubles me because I have seen Merlin absolutely
>>> butcher some bird songs. Recently a friend of mine, who is a new birder
>>> sent me a list of birds that were “going crazy” in her yard at 11:15 PM.
>>>
>>> These were: Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal, Summer Tanager,
>>> Robin, Northern Flicker, Carolina Wren, Yellow Breasted Chat, American
>>> Kestrel, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Bluebird.
>>>
>>> She also sent me a phone recording and as most of you already know, it was
>>> simply a Mockingbird singing his night song. I feel that the use of this
>>> app is contributing to bad bird identifications and really hate to see it
>>> interfaced with eBird! Thoughts???
>>>
>>>
>>> Sandy Pangle
>>> Whitfield County
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
>>> Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
>>> http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines
>>> before posting.
>>>
>>> Send regular postings to <gabo-l...>
>>>
>>> To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to
>>> https://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GABO-L >>>
>>> To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
>>>
>>
>> You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
>> Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
>> http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
>>
>> Send regular postings to <gabo-l...>
>>
>> To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to
>> https://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GABO-L >>
>> To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
>
> You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
> Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
> http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
>
> Send regular postings to <gabo-l...>
>
> To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to
> https://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GABO-L >
> To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
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Date: 5/20/23 5:50 pm From: Steve Patterson <000004af41619dde-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Merlin Bird App and eBird
Sandy and others,
Thank you for your thoughts. While Merlin is a helpful tool, it is faulty enough that it should not be used as a "mechanical ear" in place of actual human detection of a bird. As an eBird reviewer, I do not accept "identified by Merlin" or similar notes as adequate to confirm any species. Merlin lists species that cannot be heard by human ear nor seen on the spectrogram, and it fails to list many species that human ears do hear close and clearly.
It is my stance that Merlin information alone is insufficient for documentation purposes, but it is a good tool for giving the human birder hints about what they might be missing. An eBird report is the record of what a human observer was able to both detect and identify.
Steve PattersonAnderson, SC
-----Original Message-----
From: Sandy Pangle <SPANGLE...>
To: <GABO-L...>
Sent: Sat, May 20, 2023 7:26 pm
Subject: [GABO-L] Merlin Bird App and eBird
I see more and more eBird submissions listing birds that are only “heard” by the Merlin app. This troubles me because I have seen Merlin absolutely butcher some bird songs. Recently a friend of mine, who is a new birder sent me a list of birds that were “going crazy” in her yard at 11:15 PM.
She also sent me a phone recording and as most of you already know, it was simply a Mockingbird singing his night song. I feel that the use of this app is contributing to bad bird identifications and really hate to see it interfaced with eBird! Thoughts???
Sandy Pangle
Whitfield County
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Date: 5/20/23 5:50 pm From: Stephen W. Ramsden <sramsden...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Merlin Bird App and eBird
I would say that as far as beginning or low experienced birders go, Merlin Sound ID has greatly improved the accuracy of their reporting overall. Merlin uses AI and machine learning to increase it’s accuracy with each new recording so it is getting better all the time.
Like every method of identifying birds, it is wrong sometimes.
We have all been coerced into thinking we saw a bird because someone we thought was more experienced in birding told us it was xxx species. We have all
misidentified birds and convinced ourselves it was right.
Merlin sound ID is another tool in the kit to try making accurate reports.
Stephen W. Ramsden
404-543-7616(tel:404-543-7616)
Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
Sunlit Earth!
Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
On May 20, 2023 at 7:26:16 PM, Sandy Pangle (<spangle...>(mailto:<spangle...>)) wrote:
> I see more and more eBird submissions listing birds that are only “heard” by the Merlin app. This troubles me because I have seen Merlin absolutely butcher some bird songs. Recently a friend of mine, who is a new birder sent me a list of birds that were “going crazy” in her yard at 11:15 PM.
>
> These were: Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal, Summer Tanager, Robin, Northern Flicker, Carolina Wren, Yellow Breasted Chat, American Kestrel, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Bluebird.
>
> She also sent me a phone recording and as most of you already know, it was simply a Mockingbird singing his night song. I feel that the use of this app is contributing to bad bird identifications and really hate to see it interfaced with eBird! Thoughts???
>
>
> Sandy Pangle
> Whitfield County
>
>
>
>
>
> You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
> Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
> http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
>
> Send regular postings to <gabo-l...>
>
> To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to
> https://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GABO-L >
> To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
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In my recent workshops with biologists from DNR and US Forest Service, I have advised them of the best methods to use Merlin for learning songs. But I also finish with, “if Merlin identifies any song that you have not heard to confirm, don’t count it”.
Merlin is not perfect and does make mistakes most often when more than one geographic regional sets of birds are chosen for her. Best not to have the set of, say, Costa Rica birds available to Merlin when you are in the US southeast or she might grab a puff bird or antshrike. Of course, one might miss rarities or vagrants that way but….
GABO might advise birders to check their range maps before posting their Merlin heard only birds.
Merlin is a game changer and has a great ability to help us to learn songs if used correctly as a learning process, not an identification only. Not yet, at least!
Georgann
Sent from my iPad
Georgann Schmalz
Ornithologist
Dawson County, GA
www.birdingadventuresinc.com
VP Dawson County Woman’s Club
> On May 20, 2023, at 8:10 PM, Drew Whitelegg <drewwhitelegg1...> wrote:
>
> Sandy,
> Your email is well-timed. On the one hand I think it's great that Merlin
> is encouraging more people to pay attention to the sounds around them; on
> the other I feel it leads to the impression that bird identification is a
> lot easier than it actually is. I feel learning bird ID (especially by
> calls) is akin to learning a new language, something that is wholly
> experiential and where you never stop learning. Even this spring, I latched
> onto an unusual and unrecognized call only to find out it was a Carolina
> Chickadee.
>
> I think I'm more concerned that Merlin seems to provide a short cut and
> instantaneous "knowledge" for new birders that seems to circumvent 20
> years in the field. But for ebird, I think we should be grateful for the
> dedicated work of the reviewers who (though it must get tiresome) are able
> to catch the more outlandish sightings so that they don't end up in the
> public record. I actually just ignore all "heard by Merlin" reports.
>
> I personally don't use any apps to ID birds, but I can see their benefit.
> As with any new technology, the words "judicious use" are always worth
> remembering.
>
> Cheers
> Drew Whitelegg
> DeKalb Co.
>
>
>
>
>
>> On Sat, May 20, 2023 at 7:29 PM Sandy Pangle <SPANGLE...> wrote:
>>
>> I see more and more eBird submissions listing birds that are only “heard”
>> by the Merlin app. This troubles me because I have seen Merlin absolutely
>> butcher some bird songs. Recently a friend of mine, who is a new birder
>> sent me a list of birds that were “going crazy” in her yard at 11:15 PM.
>>
>> These were: Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal, Summer Tanager,
>> Robin, Northern Flicker, Carolina Wren, Yellow Breasted Chat, American
>> Kestrel, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Bluebird.
>>
>> She also sent me a phone recording and as most of you already know, it was
>> simply a Mockingbird singing his night song. I feel that the use of this
>> app is contributing to bad bird identifications and really hate to see it
>> interfaced with eBird! Thoughts???
>>
>>
>> Sandy Pangle
>> Whitfield County
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
>> Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
>> http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines
>> before posting.
>>
>> Send regular postings to <gabo-l...>
>>
>> To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to
>> https://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GABO-L >>
>> To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
>>
>
> You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
> Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
> http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
>
> Send regular postings to <gabo-l...>
>
> To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to
> https://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GABO-L >
> To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
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Sandy,
Your email is well-timed. On the one hand I think it's great that Merlin
is encouraging more people to pay attention to the sounds around them; on
the other I feel it leads to the impression that bird identification is a
lot easier than it actually is. I feel learning bird ID (especially by
calls) is akin to learning a new language, something that is wholly
experiential and where you never stop learning. Even this spring, I latched
onto an unusual and unrecognized call only to find out it was a Carolina
Chickadee.
I think I'm more concerned that Merlin seems to provide a short cut and
instantaneous "knowledge" for new birders that seems to circumvent 20
years in the field. But for ebird, I think we should be grateful for the
dedicated work of the reviewers who (though it must get tiresome) are able
to catch the more outlandish sightings so that they don't end up in the
public record. I actually just ignore all "heard by Merlin" reports.
I personally don't use any apps to ID birds, but I can see their benefit.
As with any new technology, the words "judicious use" are always worth
remembering.
Cheers
Drew Whitelegg
DeKalb Co.
On Sat, May 20, 2023 at 7:29 PM Sandy Pangle <SPANGLE...> wrote:
> I see more and more eBird submissions listing birds that are only “heard”
> by the Merlin app. This troubles me because I have seen Merlin absolutely
> butcher some bird songs. Recently a friend of mine, who is a new birder
> sent me a list of birds that were “going crazy” in her yard at 11:15 PM.
>
> These were: Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal, Summer Tanager,
> Robin, Northern Flicker, Carolina Wren, Yellow Breasted Chat, American
> Kestrel, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Bluebird.
>
> She also sent me a phone recording and as most of you already know, it was
> simply a Mockingbird singing his night song. I feel that the use of this
> app is contributing to bad bird identifications and really hate to see it
> interfaced with eBird! Thoughts???
>
>
> Sandy Pangle
> Whitfield County
>
>
>
>
>
> You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
> Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
> http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines
> before posting.
>
> Send regular postings to <gabo-l...>
>
> To search GABO-L archives or manage your subscription, go to
> https://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GABO-L >
> To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
>
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
I see more and more eBird submissions listing birds that are only “heard” by the Merlin app. This troubles me because I have seen Merlin absolutely butcher some bird songs. Recently a friend of mine, who is a new birder sent me a list of birds that were “going crazy” in her yard at 11:15 PM.
She also sent me a phone recording and as most of you already know, it was simply a Mockingbird singing his night song. I feel that the use of this app is contributing to bad bird identifications and really hate to see it interfaced with eBird! Thoughts???
Sandy Pangle
Whitfield County
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Date: 5/19/23 2:01 pm From: robert emond <robert.emond2015...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 18 May 23
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: May 19, 2023 at 11:46:52 AM EDT
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (10 Bartow, 1 Candler, 2 Houston)
> Blue-winged Teal (10 Bartow)
> Ring-necked Duck (10 Bartow)
> Black Scoter (1 Camden, 1 Glynn)
> Northern Bobwhite (1 Cherokee)
> King Rail (1 Decatur)
> King Rail (Northern) (1 Decatur)
> Purple Gallinule (2 Decatur)
> Limpkin (1 Decatur)
> Limpkin (Speckled) (1 Decatur)
> Piping Plover (1 Camden)
> Red-necked Phalarope (18 Bartow)
> Laughing Gull (2 Decatur)
> Caspian Tern (1 Murray)
> Black Tern (1 Bartow)
> Double-crested Cormorant (1 Murray)
> Tricolored Heron (1 Decatur)
> Sharp-shinned Hawk (1 Dade)
> Bald Eagle (1 Fulton)
> Red-cockaded Woodpecker (1 Appling)
> American Kestrel (2 Bartow, 1 Clarke, 1 Rockdale, 2 Taylor)
> Olive-sided Flycatcher (1 Floyd)
> Bank Swallow (4 Bartow)
> Purple Finch (1 Gwinnett)
> Lark Sparrow (10 Bartow)
> Bobolink (1 DeKalb)
> Baltimore Oriole (1 Henry)
> Black-and-white Warbler (1 Columbia)
> Prothonotary Warbler (1 Floyd)
> Palm Warbler (Western) (1 Cobb, 1 Fulton)
> Yellow-rumped Warbler (1 Clarke)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Date: 5/19/23 11:04 am From: Keyes, Tim <00001465b707cf13-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Wading Bird Survey
Hello GA Birders,
GA DNR is leading an effort to conduct a Coastal Plain wide wading bird colony survey next year. We know about a lot of historic and current colonies, but are trying to make sure we don't miss any.
If you know of active wading bird colonies, please visit the link below and fill out information about the site.
If you are willing to conduct a count there - even better.
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/738e7f9189b84eb99c694a56ff52c542
Thanks,
Tim Keyes
GA DNR
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It’s 8:50 PM and the bird is still “singing”. It the sound a mating call?
Jaynne Reichert
South Bryan County
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Date: 5/17/23 8:41 am From: robert emond <robert.emond2015...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 16 May 23
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: May 17, 2023 at 7:03:06 AM EDT
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (1 Bartow)
> Blue-winged Teal (1 Bartow)
> Ring-necked Duck (1 Bartow)
> Greater Scaup (2 Rabun)
> Bufflehead (1 Paulding)
> Chuck-will's-widow (1 Fulton)
> Eastern Whip-poor-will (1 Laurens, 1 Pulaski)
> Peacock Coquette (1 Clayton)
> King Rail (4 Decatur)
> Purple Gallinule (5 Decatur)
> Limpkin (4 Decatur, 3 Dougherty)
> White-rumped Sandpiper (1 Cook)
> Pectoral Sandpiper (1 Bartow)
> Greater Yellowlegs (1 Bartow)
> Laughing Gull (1 Clarke, 4 Decatur)
> Lesser Black-backed Gull (1 Chatham)
> Black Tern (1 Glynn)
> Brown Pelican (1 Grady)
> Little Blue Heron (1 Cobb)
> Tricolored Heron (4 Decatur)
> Glossy Ibis (1 Seminole)
> Roseate Spoonbill (1 Richmond)
> Mississippi Kite (1 Chattooga, 2 DeKalb)
> Bald Eagle (1 Fulton)
> Red-cockaded Woodpecker (1 Decatur)
> American Kestrel (1 Clarke, 1 Rockdale)
> Olive-sided Flycatcher (2 Cobb)
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1 Cobb, 1 Gwinnett)
> Lark Sparrow (1 Bartow)
> Savannah Sparrow (3 Catoosa, 1 Gilmer)
> Black-and-white Warbler (3 Laurens)
> Prothonotary Warbler (1 Murray)
> Connecticut Warbler (1 DeKalb)
> Mourning Warbler (1 Clarke)
> Palm Warbler (1 DeKalb, 1 Dougherty, 1 Monroe, 1 Rockdale)
> Palm Warbler (Western) (1 Bartow)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Date: 5/16/23 10:49 am From: Jensy Shell <00000a83e0eab57b-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA
The Pine Log WMA lease has been extended until June 15 as negotiations continue. 🤞
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Date: 5/16/23 9:28 am From: Jaynne Reichert <00000a4282075612-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Late Post
GABOers - this is late, but for the past week I have been hearing a chuck will’s widow in my forest for the past week! It is heard both in the AM (between 5-7), and also in the evening (7PM until I go to bed). This is a “lifer” for me (can it be a lifer if it is not seen?). It is a joy to hear.
Jaynne Reichert
South Bryan Co
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Date: 5/16/23 7:59 am From: Sargent, Bob <0000104ebc06b7b8-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Articles needed for the GOShawk
Dear Birders,
The next edition of the GOShawk, newsletter of the Georgia Ornithological Society, will be published in June. Do you have a favorite birding memory you'd like to share with the 500+ members of the society? If so, please consider sending it to me for possible inclusion in the newsletter. Here are some other writing ideas for you to consider:
1. Great books about birds
2. My favorite GA birding destination
3. Best bird photo of the quarter
4. News about a GOS member
5. Bird art
6. Photo tips
7. My birding mentor
8. How I contribute to conservation through citizen science
9. What got me into birding
10. Bird conservation issues
Please send articles to me at <bobsargent.ncs...> by June 9th.
Thank you,
Bob Sargent
Macon, GA
Bibb County
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Date: 5/15/23 6:30 pm From: Richard Hall <dr.richard.hall...> Subject: [GABO-L] Mourning Warbler, State Botanical Garden (Clarke) 15 May 23
Hi everyone
I found a singing Mourning Warbler along the river section of the White Trail close to the powerline cut this morning around 8:30AM, and the bird was re-encountered at 2:30PM and 4:30PM between the wooden bridge and the first bench overlooking the river. Photos and audio recording can be found in the eBird checklists linked below. Morning: https://ebird.org/checklist/S137834677 Afternoon: https://ebird.org/checklist/S137932206
Professor Jay Pitocchelli, who studies regional variation in Mourning Warbler song types, confirmed this bird has an eastern 'regiolect', and thus is part of the breeding population in the eastern US and Quebec, and distinct from breeders from the western US and Quebec. Nice to finally lay eyes on a spring male, and to share it with some local birders!
Richard Hall Athens GA
-- Richard Hall PhD Associate Professor Odum School of Ecology and Department of Infectious Diseases University of Georgia Athens, GA 30602-2202, USA Tel: +1 706 395 5350 Fax: +1 706 542 4819 http://halllab.ecology.uga.edu/ he/him
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Many of you know that my interest in birds arose when I began volunteering as a wildlife rehabilitator more than a decade ago. I continue to stay active in the rehab community, and I’m currently volunteering on the board of Wild Nest Bird Rehab, located at Legacy Park in Decatur, GA (DeKalb Co.). Last year Wild Nest took in more than 1500 injured or orphaned birds and handled thousands of phone inquiries.
Spring and summer are our busiest seasons, treating injured birds (pets, windows, etc.) as well as raising hundreds of orphans. In addition to more bird care volunteers, we are seeking a volunteer to fill a key board role, the Volunteer Committee Chair. A description of the position is pasted below. While the ideal candidate would work a weekly shift and be somewhat familiar with the bird care schedule/routine, a weekly shift is not required. Our board meets monthly on the second Tuesday evening of the month.
If you have time to give and want to make a hands-on difference for birds, please contact me or fill out the volunteer form on Wild Nest’s website: https://www.wildnestbirdrehab.org/volunteer. Thanks for considering!
For the birds,
Melanie
Volunteer Coordinator
The Chair of the Volunteer Committee is responsible for the recruitment, orientation, and retention of volunteers and maintaining schedules and calendars for volunteers engaged in bird care in collaboration with the volunteer committee:
*maintains the monthly calendar on Sign-up Genius and individual volunteer folders
*recruits new volunteers, developing schedules and facilitating orientations
*maintains a consistent and cohesive volunteer onboarding process, including ensuring waivers and contact information is up-to-date.
*schedules volunteer activities including training workshops and continuing education activities
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Date: 5/15/23 9:20 am From: robert emond <robert.emond2015...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 14 May 23
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: May 15, 2023 at 2:24:40 AM EDT
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (1 Quitman)
> Northern Shoveler (1 Murray)
> Northern Bobwhite (1 Troup)
> Eurasian Collared-Dove (1 Cobb)
> Chuck-will's-widow (1 Fulton)
> Eastern Whip-poor-will (1 Clay, 2 Laurens)
> Semipalmated Sandpiper (1 Fulton)
> Greater Yellowlegs (1 Brooks)
> Little Blue Heron (1 Meriwether, 1 Oglethorpe)
> Tricolored Heron (1 Brooks)
> Bald Eagle (1 Pickens)
> Broad-winged Hawk (2 Chatham, 1 McIntosh)
> Barn Owl (1 Madison, 1 Oglethorpe)
> Red-cockaded Woodpecker (1 Chattahoochee, 1 Decatur)
> American Kestrel (1 Gordon)
> Chestnut-backed Antbird (1 DeKalb)
> Olive-sided Flycatcher (5 Cobb)
> Western Wood-Pewee (1 DeKalb)
> Philadelphia Vireo (1 Cobb, 1 White)
> Hermit Thrush (1 White)
> Hawfinch (1 DeKalb)
> Red Crossbill (Appalachian or type 1) (1 Fannin)
> American Goldfinch (1 Chatham)
> Lark Sparrow (1 Bartow)
> Baltimore Oriole (1 Cobb, 1 Fulton, 1 Troup)
> Boat-tailed Grackle (1 Quitman)
> Black-and-white Warbler (1 Bibb, 2 Burke, 3 Laurens)
> Swainson's Warbler (1 Fulton)
> Cape May Warbler (1 Bibb, 1 Thomas)
> Black-throated Blue Warbler (1 Bibb, 1 Burke)
> Palm Warbler (Western) (1 Laurens)
> Scarlet Tanager (1 Camden)
> Dickcissel (2 Newton)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Date: 5/13/23 6:50 pm From: Chris O'Neal <chrisoneal2718...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Cinnamon Teal at George Pierce Park
Hello everyone!
Turns out I misspoke - I have been informed that the duck at GPP was in
fact just a female Mallard with an unusually dark bill. Sorry for the
misidentification - it happens to all of us. So my Gwinnett all time count
still hovers at 199!
Chris O’Neal
Fulton County
On Fri, May 12, 2023 at 7:42 PM, Chris O'Neal <chrisoneal2718...>
wrote:
> Gwinnett County Birders, start your engines... my mum Liza and I were at
> George Pierce Park earlier this afternoon and found what appears to be a
> male CINNAMON TEAL in eclipse plumage that hasn't yet worn off (thanks to
> Georgann for suggesting that when I showed her my photo!). The CITE is in
> the big wetlands near the viewing platform, and it was sleeping on a log in
> the water next to a male Wood Duck.
>
> Also of note were some Least Sandpipers, a Lesser Yellowlegs, and a
> Spotted Sandpiper. The Prothonotary Warblers are back in their usual spot
> by the same viewing platform.
>
> If anyone is at GPP tomorrow and finds the teal, please let all of us
> know. If confirmed, looks like this would be Gwinnett County's first record
> of a CITE!
>
> Chris O'Neal
> Fulton County
>
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> On May 11, 2023, at 15:12, James F Flynn Jr <jim.flynn...> wrote:
>
> Hi folks, I received an email from Marylyn Feaver today that included a link
> to her iNaturalist post with photos of an immature Snail Kite, taken on
> Tuesday, 9 May, from her kayak on the Flint River in Decatur Co., GA. The
> location (<GPS...>, -84.654748) is only reachable by boat/canoe/kayak &
> looks to be about 1.5 mis upstream from Faceville Landing Park (<GPS...>,
> -84.6662). [Disclaimer, I'm not sure of there is a closer landing/boat
> ramp.]
>
>
>
> Here is Marylyn's iNaturalist link:
>
>
>
> https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/160849374 >
>
>
> Take care, Jim
>
>
>
> Jim Flynn
>
> Forsyth Co., GA
>
> <http://gos.org/>http://gos.org/ >
> <https://www.georgiaaudubon.org/>https://www.georgiaaudubon.org/ >
>
>
>
> You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
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>
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>
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Date: 5/13/23 4:26 am From: Joshua Spence <joshuastephenspence...> Subject: [GABO-L] Least Tern @ Carters Lake (Murray Co,)
Hi all,
I wanted to report a LEAST TERN that I found at the Carters Lake reregulation pool in Murray County. I observed it from the Powerhouse Rd. boatramp. It was approximately 2500' across the lake near the exposed mudflat. It flew around and dove into the water several times, but stayed perched on a small exposed rock during most of the observation. This may be the first official record for this species in the north Georgia Mountain region. There are several records from the Piedmont. There was also a Caspian Tern. present.
Earlier in the morning I observed two RED CROSSBILLs at the Visitor Center.
Joshua Spence,
Murray County
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Date: 5/13/23 3:56 am From: robert emond <robert.emond2015...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 12 May 23
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: May 12, 2023 at 9:45:17 PM EDT
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (2 Tattnall)
> Cinnamon Teal (2 Gwinnett)
> Northern Shoveler (1 Paulding)
> Ring-necked Duck (1 Bartow)
> Greater Scaup (1 Rabun)
> Lesser Scaup (3 Murray)
> Bufflehead (1 Paulding)
> Common Merganser (1 Stephens)
> Northern Bobwhite (1 Jones)
> King Rail (1 Muscogee)
> Purple Gallinule (1 Chattahoochee, 1 Decatur, 2 Dougherty)
> Sanderling (1 Bartow)
> Western Sandpiper (1 Bartow)
> Long-billed Dowitcher (2 Glynn)
> Least Tern (3 Grady, 3 Murray)
> Caspian Tern (3 Murray)
> Forster's Tern (1 Muscogee)
> Glossy Ibis (3 Seminole)
> Red-cockaded Woodpecker (1 Decatur, 1 Jones)
> American Kestrel (1 Rockdale)
> Merlin (1 Union)
> Peregrine Falcon (1 Union)
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1 DeKalb)
> House Wren (1 Charlton)
> Marsh Wren (1 Rockdale)
> Veery (1 Bryan)
> Red Crossbill (1 Murray, 1 Towns)
> Grasshopper Sparrow (1 Gilmer, 2 Union)
> Lark Sparrow (3 Bartow)
> Dark-eyed Junco (1 Murray)
> White-crowned Sparrow (3 DeKalb)
> White-throated Sparrow (1 Towns)
> Savannah Sparrow (1 Bartow, 1 Muscogee)
> Song Sparrow (1 Bibb)
> Swamp Sparrow (1 Rockdale)
> Baltimore Oriole (1 Bulloch, 1 Cobb, 1 Gwinnett)
> Connecticut Warbler (1 DeKalb)
> Palm Warbler (1 DeKalb, 3 Seminole)
> Scarlet Tanager (1 McIntosh)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Date: 5/12/23 4:43 pm From: Chris O'Neal <chrisoneal2718...> Subject: [GABO-L] Cinnamon Teal at George Pierce Park
Gwinnett County Birders, start your engines... my mum Liza and I were at George Pierce Park earlier this afternoon and found what appears to be a male CINNAMON TEAL in eclipse plumage that hasn't yet worn off (thanks to Georgann for suggesting that when I showed her my photo!). The CITE is in the big wetlands near the viewing platform, and it was sleeping on a log in the water next to a male Wood Duck.
Also of note were some Least Sandpipers, a Lesser Yellowlegs, and a Spotted Sandpiper. The Prothonotary Warblers are back in their usual spot by the same viewing platform.
If anyone is at GPP tomorrow and finds the teal, please let all of us know. If confirmed, looks like this would be Gwinnett County's first record of a CITE!
Chris O'Neal Fulton County
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Date: 5/12/23 1:38 pm From: Daniel Roper <000003534f49532d-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA Update
GABO Ladies and Gents,
I spoke this afternoon with a person involved with some of the groups involved in the effort to preserve the Pine Log WMA. Private and public groups are actively negotiating with the property owners. It is an ongoing process that should take some time. They are jointly in the process of getting the property appraised at the moment, a step necessary to the negotiation process.
State DNR is seeking, at a minimum, to conserve as much as possible while also particularly targeting the most sensitive and special areas. Government or private entities may not be able to preserve all of it, but the objective is to preserve "as much as possible."
Steve Freedman, chief of real estate at Georgia Department of Natural Resources is the key person. He is already fully engaged in the process, so contacting him just to voice support might be counterproductive as he's busy. But if you are able to contribute in the way of meaningful monetary support, this would be a good time to act.
Funding will be the driving factor in whether the property is preserved, in whole or in part. This is in a very active mode right now, so your participation and contributions should be most welcome.
Good luck and best wishes to all, as our community comes together to help preserve as much Georgia wildlands as possible.
Sincerely,
Dan RoperGeorgia Backroads1-800-547-1625
-----Original Message-----
From: Pierre Howard <pierrehowardga...>
To: <GABO-L...>
Sent: Wed, May 10, 2023 7:00 pm
Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA
All of us who love Pine Log are concerned about its future. What I am sure of is that GA-DNR has their very best land negotiator on the case. As a former President of the Georgia Conservancy and former chair of the GA Nature Conservancy Board, I am sure that all negotiations will be done by DNR. In the past, the Nature Conservancy has advanced funds for the purchase of land to be owned by the State with the agreement that funds would be appropriated to repay the loan. All I know is that we have a good team working on preserving as much of Pine Log as possible. It will come down to money. Fingers crossed.
Pierre Howard
Sent from my iPhone
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Date: 5/11/23 9:34 pm From: Jared Teutsch <jared.teutsch...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA - ecological importance
Many of you have good thoughts and concerns about Pine Log WMA. Georgia
Audubon and the conservation community (including The Nature Conservancy)
have been working with GADNR to save Pine Log WMA. Georgia Audubon has,
indeed, been active in encouraging protection of this critical bird area.
In addition to submitting a letter in support of Pine Log to Mark WIlliams,
DNR Commissioner, we have also sent letters to Richard Osborne AICP, Zoning
Administrator and Steve Taylor, Bartow County Commissioner encouraging them
to protect Pine Log from the proposed development. We've also reached out
to Governor Kemp and urged him to use state GOSP funds to purchase Pine Log
WMA. In addition, in February 2023 when the Bartow County Commission was
holding two public hearings, we sent an action alert to our 10,000 email
subscribers encouraging them to attend or submit comments. We had several
Georgia Audubon staff, board and members in attendance at the hearing, and
we heard from several members letting us know that they would be submitting
comments to the commission.
Just last weekend, our Georgia Bird Fest field trip to look for nocturnal
birds at Pine Log WMA was a sell out event and remains one of our most
popular field trips. We remain hopeful that a compromise can be reached
that will allow the bulk of this land to be conserved for birds and other
wildlife by remaining a part of Pine Log WMA. We continue to follow this
issue and remain ready to send action alerts and encourage our membership
to make their voices heard regarding the importance of this area to birds
and birders alike.
On Wed, May 10, 2023 at 9:45 AM Mike Chapman <mikelchap...> wrote:
> The Nature Conservancy needs to be involved if they aren’t already. They
> have vast experience making deals to purchase private land and preserve it.
>
> Mike Chapman
> Brunswick, GA
>
>
> You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
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> before posting.
>
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Date: 5/11/23 9:34 pm From: Pierre Howard <pierrehowardga...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA
All of us who love Pine Log are concerned about its future. What I am sure of is that GA-DNR has their very best land negotiator on the case. As a former President of the Georgia Conservancy and former chair of the GA Nature Conservancy Board, I am sure that all negotiations will be done by DNR. In the past, the Nature Conservancy has advanced funds for the purchase of land to be owned by the State with the agreement that funds would be appropriated to repay the loan. All I know is that we have a good team working on preserving as much of Pine Log as possible. It will come down to money. Fingers crossed.
Pierre Howard
Sent from my iPhone
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On Wed, May 10, 2023 at 10:03 AM Terry Valentine <terryval...>
wrote:
> Or the state equivalent, the Georgia Conservancy - ?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L...> On Behalf Of Mike
> Chapman
> Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 8:54 AM
> To: <GABO-L...>
> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA - ecological importance
>
> The Nature Conservancy needs to be involved if they aren’t already. They
> have vast experience making deals to purchase private land and preserve it.
>
> Mike Chapman
> Brunswick, GA
>
>
> You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
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> before posting.
>
> Send regular postings to <gabo-l...>
>
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> https://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=GABO-L >
> To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
>
>
> --
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> www.avast.com
>
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--
mobile: 678-428-6753
<MeganLatimer...>
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Mary, I sent an email to Bartow Co. Thanks for the address. Edie Heine
Sent from my iPhone
> On May 9, 2023, at 9:30 PM, Daniel Roper <000003534f49532d-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> The zoning decision has already been made. Writing to voice objections (or support) wouldn't accomplish anything.
> The situations and equities are complex. A family has owned and stewarded this land for something like a century. Whether they did it altruistically or because they derived some tangible benefits or both, we can be thankful that it was preserved this long intact. It wouldn't seem really fair to tell them now, "Well, you've owned it a century, but you can't sell it because we don't want you to." That doesn't seem equitable.
> They've preserved it and now wish to explore the option of selling all or part at fair market value. That worries us that loves wildlands and wildlife but also creates the opportunity for the interested public (state and private) to work out a mutually beneficial way to preserve this land into perpetuity. It'll cost a lot because it is worth a lot. But thank goodness we have the opportunity, and we are indebted to the Neal family and the Aubrey company for that opportunity to get this done.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: MARY MEYER <cheshy...>
> To: <GABO-L...>
> Sent: Tue, May 9, 2023 7:49 pm
> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA - ecological importance
>
> Hi All ---Why don't we all write to <osborner...>
> and let this zoning person know what we think about the decision to zone Pine Log WMA for development.
>
> Mary Meyer, Acworth
>
>
>
> On Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 07:39:39 PM EDT, Eran Tomer <erantomer...> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
>
> As Dan Roper wrote, Pine Log's destiny isn't sealed and negotiations
> continue. The land hasn't been sold yet, either to the state (for
> conservation) or to developers. However, recently Bartow County has
> authorized rezoning it for development. I've read public access will be
> suspended May 15 as the situation evolves.
>
> Pine Log WMA is particularly important for birds since it encompasses a
> sizeable, relatively unfragmented habitat block. One of very few in
> Georgia. What's so special about these ?
>
> Breeding season is sensitive and crucial because it produces recruitment -
> surviving fledgelings - to offset a species' mortality rate. When
> recruitment is lower than mortality, a species starts declining towards
> extinction. And the more populations shrink, the faster the decline rate.
> Bird mortality rates are much higher now than historically due to
> anthropogenic causes, necessitating more surviving offspring for a species
> to persist. And this requires large habitat tracts.
>
> Nestlings are little eating machines and the parents make foraging &
> feeding trips day-long, plus nest sanitation trips. Flying is expensive
> energetically so all this activity requires the parents to eat more
> themselves. To secure all this food and reduce mates' infidelity - common
> in many species - birds defend territories from conspecifics, some species
> more so than others. Territorial defense requires even more time and
> energy, i.e. food. And birds compete for food with other species too, avian
> and not.
>
> Therefore a territory has to be large enough to supply sufficient food.
> Meaning, breeding birds need not only specific habitats but certain amounts
> thereof. Multiple studies have documented this, worldwide. Even if the
> habitat is proper, various birds won't breed there unless the habitat patch
> has a given, minimum size. The requisite dimensions vary with species and
> ecological factors (e.g. amount of food available). Hence fewer birds can
> pack into a given area during breeding season, and a population requires a
> sizeable habitat block.
>
> That's a fundamental problem with landscape fragmentation: habitats may
> persist but the fragments are too small to support many bird and other
> wildlife species.
>
> Small habitat patches also have proportionately more periphery / edge and
> less core / volume vs. large areas which changes the ecology therein,
> increases habitat degradation and exposes birds to more outside pressures.
> So shape matters too: thin, elongated areas are less suitable for birds and
> other wildlife than equally-sized chunky, rounded areas. Pine Log WMA has
> considerable core dimensions.
>
> Habitat fragmentation into small patches, as in developed settings, raises
> mortality and lowers recruitment otherwise too, e.g. window collisions and
> poisoning via foods containing herbicides, insecticides, heavy metals or
> other toxins. Some predators and nest-robbers are also more prevalent in
> fragmented landscapes providing them with extra food: Raccoons, Opossums,
> Blue Jays and Rat Snakes, among others, let alone cats and dogs. Ground-
> and low-nesters suffer most (including some warblers), followed by
> cup-nesters, then cavity-nesters. Mortality is appreciably lower in large,
> natural habitat blocks.
>
> Developed areas constitute breeding birds "black holes". Migrants need
> rest, shelter and food for just a brief stop, so they occur in small
> habitat patches like yards, parks and small woodlots. Wintering species
> need more resources for longer but birds are more habitat-flexible outside
> breeding season and need less food then (save in cold climates).
>
> That's why our cities and towns host many migrants and winterers,
> especially where fields and forest tracts occur. But in breeding season
> these smaller habitat fragments can't support a population or even a single
> pair of many species. Suburban breeders are mostly birds of so-called edge
> habitats, like thickets. Others are ecologically-hardy habitat generalists.
> Very few are ground nesters, many nest in cavities or sheltered places, and
> / or are multi-brooded which offsets the high mortality rates.
>
> Many bird species nest commonly in natural areas, uncommonly in rural areas
> and scarcely, if at all, in urban / suburban areas. The huge, sprawling
> Atlanta region has it worst in Georgia and Pine Log WMA is a rare breeding
> bird `island' in this landscape.
>
> Further, populations differ across a species' range. Some, typically
> larger, produce many offspring which maintain them and also disperse to
> other populations. These are called "source populations". Others, called
> "sink populations", don't produce enough surviving young to offset
> mortality but receive immigrants from source populations. This fills the
> balance and the populations persist. That's known technically as
> `metapopulation dynamics'.
>
> When a source population vanishes sink populations decline in its wake,
> sometimes to extinction. Pine Log WMA, being larger and relatively
> unfragmented, constitutes a source for many species, including
> regionally-rare breeders. And this in the state's most heavily-developed
> landscape. If it is destroyed or downsized, various species will decline
> across a large area and some populations may become extirpated. That's why
> this isn't just another development-imperiled site. It's essential the
> state purchases it for conservation.
>
> In Georgia we have but handful of such habitat blocks and these face
> persistent threats. Note the battles around the Okefenokee and continuing
> developments in the mountains. Public lands are uncommon, usually small
> (e.g. parks) and often inaccessible (e.g. in rural areas or barrier
> islands). State parks focus on camping & recreation, and Wildlife
> Management Areas on hunting. National Wildlife Refuges, Wilderness Areas
> and other federally-protected sites are scant and typically small. The
> Georgia government lacks a nature conservation mindset. Birds and wildlife
> suffer accordingly, as do birders and naturalists.
>
> Most of the calls I've seen to save Pine Log have come from concerned
> locals and hunters. I may be missing something but I haven't encountered a
> response from the birding / ornithology community. Are the Georgia
> Ornithological Society and Georgia Audubon acting on this issue, or
> planning to ? What about the DNR Nongame Division ? I am out of the loop.
>
> Best regards,
>
> - Eran Tomer
> Atlanta, GA
>
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Date: 5/11/23 9:24 pm From: Terry Valentine <terryval...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA - ecological importance
My webmail seems to have deleted the past 2-3 emails on this topic and I can't recover them; have there been any new developments?
-----Original Message-----
From: Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L...> On Behalf Of Terry Valentine
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 10:01 AM
To: <GABO-L...>
Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA - ecological importance
Or the state equivalent, the Georgia Conservancy - ?
-----Original Message-----
From: Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L...> On Behalf Of Mike Chapman
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 8:54 AM
To: <GABO-L...>
Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA - ecological importance
The Nature Conservancy needs to be involved if they aren’t already. They have vast experience making deals to purchase private land and preserve it.
Mike Chapman
Brunswick, GA
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Date: 5/11/23 4:18 pm From: robert emond <robert.emond2015...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 10 May 23
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: May 10, 2023 at 5:03:47 PM EDT
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Ring-necked Duck (1 Bartow)
> Surf Scoter (2 Glynn)
> Black Scoter (2 Glynn)
> White-winged Dove (1 Lowndes)
> Black-billed Cuckoo (1 DeKalb)
> Sora (2 Bartow)
> Purple Gallinule (1 Chattahoochee)
> Limpkin (1 Jenkins)
> Stilt Sandpiper (1 Glynn)
> White-rumped Sandpiper (1 Bartow, 2 Laurens)
> Pectoral Sandpiper (1 Bartow, 1 Murray)
> Semipalmated Sandpiper (1 Fulton)
> Short-billed Dowitcher (1 Bartow)
> Long-billed Dowitcher (1 Glynn)
> Wilson's Phalarope (1 Bartow, 1 Glynn)
> Willet (Eastern) (1 Fayette)
> Anhinga (1 Greene)
> American White Pelican (1 Elbert)
> American Bittern (1 Floyd)
> Mississippi Kite (3 Gordon)
> Northern Harrier (1 McIntosh)
> Sharp-shinned Hawk (1 Richmond)
> Red-cockaded Woodpecker (1 Chattahoochee, 1 Richmond, 1 Thomas)
> American Kestrel (1 Clarke)
> Merlin (1 Chatham)
> Olive-sided Flycatcher (1 Cobb)
> Bank Swallow (1 Laurens)
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1 DeKalb, 1 Fulton)
> House Wren (1 Brooks)
> Veery (1 Bibb)
> Hermit Thrush (1 Rabun)
> Lark Sparrow (3 Bartow)
> White-crowned Sparrow (1 Oconee)
> White-throated Sparrow (2 Union)
> Lincoln's Sparrow (1 Fulton)
> Swamp Sparrow (1 Fulton)
> Cape May Warbler (1 Glynn)
> Magnolia Warbler (1 Sumter)
> Black-throated Blue Warbler (1 Camden, 1 Chatham)
> Palm Warbler (1 Berrien, 2 Laurens, 1 Muscogee)
> Rose-breasted Grosbeak (1 Chattahoochee)
> Painted Bunting (1 Baldwin)
> Dickcissel (1 DeKalb)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Date: 5/11/23 12:12 pm From: James F Flynn Jr <jim.flynn...> Subject: [GABO-L] Snail Kite, Decatur Co.
Hi folks, I received an email from Marylyn Feaver today that included a link to her iNaturalist post with photos of an immature Snail Kite, taken on Tuesday, 9 May, from her kayak on the Flint River in Decatur Co., GA. The location (<GPS...>, -84.654748) is only reachable by boat/canoe/kayak & looks to be about 1.5 mis upstream from Faceville Landing Park (<GPS...>, -84.6662). [Disclaimer, I'm not sure of there is a closer landing/boat ramp.]
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Date: 5/10/23 7:03 am From: Terry Valentine <terryval...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA - ecological importance
Or the state equivalent, the Georgia Conservancy - ?
-----Original Message-----
From: Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L...> On Behalf Of Mike Chapman
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 8:54 AM
To: <GABO-L...>
Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA - ecological importance
The Nature Conservancy needs to be involved if they aren’t already. They have vast experience making deals to purchase private land and preserve it.
Mike Chapman
Brunswick, GA
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To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
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Date: 5/10/23 6:45 am From: Mike Chapman <mikelchap...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA - ecological importance
The Nature Conservancy needs to be involved if they aren’t already. They have vast experience making deals to purchase private land and preserve it.
Mike Chapman
Brunswick, GA
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Date: 5/9/23 6:30 pm From: Daniel Roper <000003534f49532d-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA - ecological importance
The zoning decision has already been made. Writing to voice objections (or support) wouldn't accomplish anything.
The situations and equities are complex. A family has owned and stewarded this land for something like a century. Whether they did it altruistically or because they derived some tangible benefits or both, we can be thankful that it was preserved this long intact. It wouldn't seem really fair to tell them now, "Well, you've owned it a century, but you can't sell it because we don't want you to." That doesn't seem equitable.
They've preserved it and now wish to explore the option of selling all or part at fair market value. That worries us that loves wildlands and wildlife but also creates the opportunity for the interested public (state and private) to work out a mutually beneficial way to preserve this land into perpetuity. It'll cost a lot because it is worth a lot. But thank goodness we have the opportunity, and we are indebted to the Neal family and the Aubrey company for that opportunity to get this done.
-----Original Message-----
From: MARY MEYER <cheshy...>
To: <GABO-L...>
Sent: Tue, May 9, 2023 7:49 pm
Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA - ecological importance
Hi All ---Why don't we all write to <osborner...>
and let this zoning person know what we think about the decision to zone Pine Log WMA for development.
Mary Meyer, Acworth
On Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 07:39:39 PM EDT, Eran Tomer <erantomer...> wrote:
Hi all,
As Dan Roper wrote, Pine Log's destiny isn't sealed and negotiations
continue. The land hasn't been sold yet, either to the state (for
conservation) or to developers. However, recently Bartow County has
authorized rezoning it for development. I've read public access will be
suspended May 15 as the situation evolves.
Pine Log WMA is particularly important for birds since it encompasses a
sizeable, relatively unfragmented habitat block. One of very few in
Georgia. What's so special about these ?
Breeding season is sensitive and crucial because it produces recruitment -
surviving fledgelings - to offset a species' mortality rate. When
recruitment is lower than mortality, a species starts declining towards
extinction. And the more populations shrink, the faster the decline rate.
Bird mortality rates are much higher now than historically due to
anthropogenic causes, necessitating more surviving offspring for a species
to persist. And this requires large habitat tracts.
Nestlings are little eating machines and the parents make foraging &
feeding trips day-long, plus nest sanitation trips. Flying is expensive
energetically so all this activity requires the parents to eat more
themselves. To secure all this food and reduce mates' infidelity - common
in many species - birds defend territories from conspecifics, some species
more so than others. Territorial defense requires even more time and
energy, i.e. food. And birds compete for food with other species too, avian
and not.
Therefore a territory has to be large enough to supply sufficient food.
Meaning, breeding birds need not only specific habitats but certain amounts
thereof. Multiple studies have documented this, worldwide. Even if the
habitat is proper, various birds won't breed there unless the habitat patch
has a given, minimum size. The requisite dimensions vary with species and
ecological factors (e.g. amount of food available). Hence fewer birds can
pack into a given area during breeding season, and a population requires a
sizeable habitat block.
That's a fundamental problem with landscape fragmentation: habitats may
persist but the fragments are too small to support many bird and other
wildlife species.
Small habitat patches also have proportionately more periphery / edge and
less core / volume vs. large areas which changes the ecology therein,
increases habitat degradation and exposes birds to more outside pressures.
So shape matters too: thin, elongated areas are less suitable for birds and
other wildlife than equally-sized chunky, rounded areas. Pine Log WMA has
considerable core dimensions.
Habitat fragmentation into small patches, as in developed settings, raises
mortality and lowers recruitment otherwise too, e.g. window collisions and
poisoning via foods containing herbicides, insecticides, heavy metals or
other toxins. Some predators and nest-robbers are also more prevalent in
fragmented landscapes providing them with extra food: Raccoons, Opossums,
Blue Jays and Rat Snakes, among others, let alone cats and dogs. Ground-
and low-nesters suffer most (including some warblers), followed by
cup-nesters, then cavity-nesters. Mortality is appreciably lower in large,
natural habitat blocks.
Developed areas constitute breeding birds "black holes". Migrants need
rest, shelter and food for just a brief stop, so they occur in small
habitat patches like yards, parks and small woodlots. Wintering species
need more resources for longer but birds are more habitat-flexible outside
breeding season and need less food then (save in cold climates).
That's why our cities and towns host many migrants and winterers,
especially where fields and forest tracts occur. But in breeding season
these smaller habitat fragments can't support a population or even a single
pair of many species. Suburban breeders are mostly birds of so-called edge
habitats, like thickets. Others are ecologically-hardy habitat generalists.
Very few are ground nesters, many nest in cavities or sheltered places, and
/ or are multi-brooded which offsets the high mortality rates.
Many bird species nest commonly in natural areas, uncommonly in rural areas
and scarcely, if at all, in urban / suburban areas. The huge, sprawling
Atlanta region has it worst in Georgia and Pine Log WMA is a rare breeding
bird `island' in this landscape.
Further, populations differ across a species' range. Some, typically
larger, produce many offspring which maintain them and also disperse to
other populations. These are called "source populations". Others, called
"sink populations", don't produce enough surviving young to offset
mortality but receive immigrants from source populations. This fills the
balance and the populations persist. That's known technically as
`metapopulation dynamics'.
When a source population vanishes sink populations decline in its wake,
sometimes to extinction. Pine Log WMA, being larger and relatively
unfragmented, constitutes a source for many species, including
regionally-rare breeders. And this in the state's most heavily-developed
landscape. If it is destroyed or downsized, various species will decline
across a large area and some populations may become extirpated. That's why
this isn't just another development-imperiled site. It's essential the
state purchases it for conservation.
In Georgia we have but handful of such habitat blocks and these face
persistent threats. Note the battles around the Okefenokee and continuing
developments in the mountains. Public lands are uncommon, usually small
(e.g. parks) and often inaccessible (e.g. in rural areas or barrier
islands). State parks focus on camping & recreation, and Wildlife
Management Areas on hunting. National Wildlife Refuges, Wilderness Areas
and other federally-protected sites are scant and typically small. The
Georgia government lacks a nature conservation mindset. Birds and wildlife
suffer accordingly, as do birders and naturalists.
Most of the calls I've seen to save Pine Log have come from concerned
locals and hunters. I may be missing something but I haven't encountered a
response from the birding / ornithology community. Are the Georgia
Ornithological Society and Georgia Audubon acting on this issue, or
planning to ? What about the DNR Nongame Division ? I am out of the loop.
Best regards,
- Eran Tomer
Atlanta, GA
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
Date: 5/9/23 4:52 pm From: MARY MEYER <cheshy...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA - ecological importance
Hi All ---Why don't we all write to <osborner...>
and let this zoning person know what we think about the decision to zone Pine Log WMA for development.
Mary Meyer, Acworth
On Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 07:39:39 PM EDT, Eran Tomer <erantomer...> wrote:
Hi all,
As Dan Roper wrote, Pine Log's destiny isn't sealed and negotiations
continue. The land hasn't been sold yet, either to the state (for
conservation) or to developers. However, recently Bartow County has
authorized rezoning it for development. I've read public access will be
suspended May 15 as the situation evolves.
Pine Log WMA is particularly important for birds since it encompasses a
sizeable, relatively unfragmented habitat block. One of very few in
Georgia. What's so special about these ?
Breeding season is sensitive and crucial because it produces recruitment -
surviving fledgelings - to offset a species' mortality rate. When
recruitment is lower than mortality, a species starts declining towards
extinction. And the more populations shrink, the faster the decline rate.
Bird mortality rates are much higher now than historically due to
anthropogenic causes, necessitating more surviving offspring for a species
to persist. And this requires large habitat tracts.
Nestlings are little eating machines and the parents make foraging &
feeding trips day-long, plus nest sanitation trips. Flying is expensive
energetically so all this activity requires the parents to eat more
themselves. To secure all this food and reduce mates' infidelity - common
in many species - birds defend territories from conspecifics, some species
more so than others. Territorial defense requires even more time and
energy, i.e. food. And birds compete for food with other species too, avian
and not.
Therefore a territory has to be large enough to supply sufficient food.
Meaning, breeding birds need not only specific habitats but certain amounts
thereof. Multiple studies have documented this, worldwide. Even if the
habitat is proper, various birds won't breed there unless the habitat patch
has a given, minimum size. The requisite dimensions vary with species and
ecological factors (e.g. amount of food available). Hence fewer birds can
pack into a given area during breeding season, and a population requires a
sizeable habitat block.
That's a fundamental problem with landscape fragmentation: habitats may
persist but the fragments are too small to support many bird and other
wildlife species.
Small habitat patches also have proportionately more periphery / edge and
less core / volume vs. large areas which changes the ecology therein,
increases habitat degradation and exposes birds to more outside pressures.
So shape matters too: thin, elongated areas are less suitable for birds and
other wildlife than equally-sized chunky, rounded areas. Pine Log WMA has
considerable core dimensions.
Habitat fragmentation into small patches, as in developed settings, raises
mortality and lowers recruitment otherwise too, e.g. window collisions and
poisoning via foods containing herbicides, insecticides, heavy metals or
other toxins. Some predators and nest-robbers are also more prevalent in
fragmented landscapes providing them with extra food: Raccoons, Opossums,
Blue Jays and Rat Snakes, among others, let alone cats and dogs. Ground-
and low-nesters suffer most (including some warblers), followed by
cup-nesters, then cavity-nesters. Mortality is appreciably lower in large,
natural habitat blocks.
Developed areas constitute breeding birds "black holes". Migrants need
rest, shelter and food for just a brief stop, so they occur in small
habitat patches like yards, parks and small woodlots. Wintering species
need more resources for longer but birds are more habitat-flexible outside
breeding season and need less food then (save in cold climates).
That's why our cities and towns host many migrants and winterers,
especially where fields and forest tracts occur. But in breeding season
these smaller habitat fragments can't support a population or even a single
pair of many species. Suburban breeders are mostly birds of so-called edge
habitats, like thickets. Others are ecologically-hardy habitat generalists.
Very few are ground nesters, many nest in cavities or sheltered places, and
/ or are multi-brooded which offsets the high mortality rates.
Many bird species nest commonly in natural areas, uncommonly in rural areas
and scarcely, if at all, in urban / suburban areas. The huge, sprawling
Atlanta region has it worst in Georgia and Pine Log WMA is a rare breeding
bird `island' in this landscape.
Further, populations differ across a species' range. Some, typically
larger, produce many offspring which maintain them and also disperse to
other populations. These are called "source populations". Others, called
"sink populations", don't produce enough surviving young to offset
mortality but receive immigrants from source populations. This fills the
balance and the populations persist. That's known technically as
`metapopulation dynamics'.
When a source population vanishes sink populations decline in its wake,
sometimes to extinction. Pine Log WMA, being larger and relatively
unfragmented, constitutes a source for many species, including
regionally-rare breeders. And this in the state's most heavily-developed
landscape. If it is destroyed or downsized, various species will decline
across a large area and some populations may become extirpated. That's why
this isn't just another development-imperiled site. It's essential the
state purchases it for conservation.
In Georgia we have but handful of such habitat blocks and these face
persistent threats. Note the battles around the Okefenokee and continuing
developments in the mountains. Public lands are uncommon, usually small
(e.g. parks) and often inaccessible (e.g. in rural areas or barrier
islands). State parks focus on camping & recreation, and Wildlife
Management Areas on hunting. National Wildlife Refuges, Wilderness Areas
and other federally-protected sites are scant and typically small. The
Georgia government lacks a nature conservation mindset. Birds and wildlife
suffer accordingly, as do birders and naturalists.
Most of the calls I've seen to save Pine Log have come from concerned
locals and hunters. I may be missing something but I haven't encountered a
response from the birding / ornithology community. Are the Georgia
Ornithological Society and Georgia Audubon acting on this issue, or
planning to ? What about the DNR Nongame Division ? I am out of the loop.
Best regards,
- Eran Tomer
Atlanta, GA
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
Date: 5/9/23 4:39 pm From: Eran Tomer <erantomer...> Subject: [GABO-L] Pine Log WMA - ecological importance
Hi all,
As Dan Roper wrote, Pine Log's destiny isn't sealed and negotiations continue. The land hasn't been sold yet, either to the state (for conservation) or to developers. However, recently Bartow County has authorized rezoning it for development. I've read public access will be suspended May 15 as the situation evolves.
Pine Log WMA is particularly important for birds since it encompasses a sizeable, relatively unfragmented habitat block. One of very few in Georgia. What's so special about these ?
Breeding season is sensitive and crucial because it produces recruitment - surviving fledgelings - to offset a species' mortality rate. When recruitment is lower than mortality, a species starts declining towards extinction. And the more populations shrink, the faster the decline rate. Bird mortality rates are much higher now than historically due to anthropogenic causes, necessitating more surviving offspring for a species to persist. And this requires large habitat tracts.
Nestlings are little eating machines and the parents make foraging & feeding trips day-long, plus nest sanitation trips. Flying is expensive energetically so all this activity requires the parents to eat more themselves. To secure all this food and reduce mates' infidelity - common in many species - birds defend territories from conspecifics, some species more so than others. Territorial defense requires even more time and energy, i.e. food. And birds compete for food with other species too, avian and not.
Therefore a territory has to be large enough to supply sufficient food. Meaning, breeding birds need not only specific habitats but certain amounts thereof. Multiple studies have documented this, worldwide. Even if the habitat is proper, various birds won't breed there unless the habitat patch has a given, minimum size. The requisite dimensions vary with species and ecological factors (e.g. amount of food available). Hence fewer birds can pack into a given area during breeding season, and a population requires a sizeable habitat block.
That's a fundamental problem with landscape fragmentation: habitats may persist but the fragments are too small to support many bird and other wildlife species.
Small habitat patches also have proportionately more periphery / edge and less core / volume vs. large areas which changes the ecology therein, increases habitat degradation and exposes birds to more outside pressures. So shape matters too: thin, elongated areas are less suitable for birds and other wildlife than equally-sized chunky, rounded areas. Pine Log WMA has considerable core dimensions.
Habitat fragmentation into small patches, as in developed settings, raises mortality and lowers recruitment otherwise too, e.g. window collisions and poisoning via foods containing herbicides, insecticides, heavy metals or other toxins. Some predators and nest-robbers are also more prevalent in fragmented landscapes providing them with extra food: Raccoons, Opossums, Blue Jays and Rat Snakes, among others, let alone cats and dogs. Ground- and low-nesters suffer most (including some warblers), followed by cup-nesters, then cavity-nesters. Mortality is appreciably lower in large, natural habitat blocks.
Developed areas constitute breeding birds "black holes". Migrants need rest, shelter and food for just a brief stop, so they occur in small habitat patches like yards, parks and small woodlots. Wintering species need more resources for longer but birds are more habitat-flexible outside breeding season and need less food then (save in cold climates).
That's why our cities and towns host many migrants and winterers, especially where fields and forest tracts occur. But in breeding season these smaller habitat fragments can't support a population or even a single pair of many species. Suburban breeders are mostly birds of so-called edge habitats, like thickets. Others are ecologically-hardy habitat generalists. Very few are ground nesters, many nest in cavities or sheltered places, and / or are multi-brooded which offsets the high mortality rates.
Many bird species nest commonly in natural areas, uncommonly in rural areas and scarcely, if at all, in urban / suburban areas. The huge, sprawling Atlanta region has it worst in Georgia and Pine Log WMA is a rare breeding bird `island' in this landscape.
Further, populations differ across a species' range. Some, typically larger, produce many offspring which maintain them and also disperse to other populations. These are called "source populations". Others, called "sink populations", don't produce enough surviving young to offset mortality but receive immigrants from source populations. This fills the balance and the populations persist. That's known technically as `metapopulation dynamics'.
When a source population vanishes sink populations decline in its wake, sometimes to extinction. Pine Log WMA, being larger and relatively unfragmented, constitutes a source for many species, including regionally-rare breeders. And this in the state's most heavily-developed landscape. If it is destroyed or downsized, various species will decline across a large area and some populations may become extirpated. That's why this isn't just another development-imperiled site. It's essential the state purchases it for conservation.
In Georgia we have but handful of such habitat blocks and these face persistent threats. Note the battles around the Okefenokee and continuing developments in the mountains. Public lands are uncommon, usually small (e.g. parks) and often inaccessible (e.g. in rural areas or barrier islands). State parks focus on camping & recreation, and Wildlife Management Areas on hunting. National Wildlife Refuges, Wilderness Areas and other federally-protected sites are scant and typically small. The Georgia government lacks a nature conservation mindset. Birds and wildlife suffer accordingly, as do birders and naturalists.
Most of the calls I've seen to save Pine Log have come from concerned locals and hunters. I may be missing something but I haven't encountered a response from the birding / ornithology community. Are the Georgia Ornithological Society and Georgia Audubon acting on this issue, or planning to ? What about the DNR Nongame Division ? I am out of the loop.
Best regards,
- Eran Tomer Atlanta, GA
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L. Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here: http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
Date: 5/8/23 5:47 pm From: Chris O'Neal <chrisoneal2718...> Subject: [GABO-L] Nighthawk in Buckhead
Good evening! While out walking my dog this evening, I suddenly heard the
unmistakable peent sound from above. Aha!, thought I, and immediately moved
my eyes to the skies. To my delight, a nighthawk flew over at 8:40 PM. This
might be the first time I’ve seen it over our neighbourhood on Old Ivy Road
in the spring as they usually come through in September here.
And right before I saw it, there was a red sky at night…sailor’s delight!
Chris O’Neal
Fulton County
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
Date: 5/8/23 4:06 pm From: robert emond <robert.emond2015...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 7 May 23
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: May 8, 2023 at 11:59:29 AM EDT
> To: <robert.emond2015...>
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Black-bellied Whistling-Duck (1 Wayne)
> Snow Goose (1 Muscogee)
> Northern Bobwhite (2 Carroll)
> Eurasian Collared-Dove (2 Cobb)
> Black-billed Cuckoo (3 DeKalb, 1 Union)
> Chuck-will's-widow (1 Fulton)
> Eastern Whip-poor-will (2 Laurens)
> Purple Gallinule (2 Chattahoochee)
> Limpkin (1 DeKalb, 1 Henry)
> White-rumped Sandpiper (1 Bartow)
> Pectoral Sandpiper (2 DeKalb)
> Semipalmated Sandpiper (1 Walton)
> Willet (2 Chattahoochee)
> Caspian Tern (3 Richmond)
> Snowy Egret (2 Carroll)
> Little Blue Heron (3 DeKalb)
> Cattle Egret (2 DeKalb)
> Roseate Spoonbill (1 Wayne)
> Mississippi Kite (2 Fulton)
> Bald Eagle (1 Cobb)
> Broad-winged Hawk (1 Chatham)
> Red-cockaded Woodpecker (2 Chattahoochee, 1 Jones, 1 Muscogee)
> Hairy Woodpecker (1 Chatham)
> Olive-sided Flycatcher (1 DeKalb)
> Ruby-crowned Kinglet (1 Bulloch, 3 Cobb, 1 Laurens, 2 Union)
> Sedge Wren (1 Fulton)
> Lark Sparrow (2 Bartow)
> Baird's Sparrow (3 Fulton)
> Swamp Sparrow (1 Cobb)
> Yellow-breasted Chat (virens) (1 Butts)
> Baltimore Oriole (1 Twiggs)
> Prothonotary Warbler (1 Murray)
> Swainson's Warbler (1 Whitfield)
> Mourning Warbler (1 White)
> Cape May Warbler (1 Glynn)
> Magnolia Warbler (1 Columbia)
> Palm Warbler (Western) (1 McIntosh)
> Yellow-rumped Warbler (2 Bibb, 1 Chatham, 1 McIntosh, 1 Richmond)
> Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) (3 Richmond)
> Wilson's Warbler (1 Whitfield)
> Western Tanager (1 Muscogee)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> Thank you for subscribing to the <daily> Georgia Rare Bird Alert. The report below shows observations of rare birds in Georgia. View or unsubscribe to this alert at https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35569 > NOTE: all sightings are UNCONFIRMED unless indicated.
>
> eBird encourages our users to bird safely, responsibly, and mindfully. Please follow the recommendations of your local health authorities and respect any active travel restrictions in your area. For more information visit: https://ebird.org/news/please-bird-mindfully
Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Date: 5/8/23 2:58 pm From: Daniel Roper <000003534f49532d-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] RFI Pine Log WMA
Dear Birders and Ginny,
I have no current info on access to Pine Log, but unless something has changed in the past six days, while I've been far away backpacking the AT, the campaign to preserve some or all of Pinelog is ongoing and vibrant and holds promise.
As an interested observer without inside info, I find it possible or even likely that a combination of private and public resources (state, nature conservancy, etc.) will find a way to buy this land, preserving it in its current state into perpetuity. Alot must be done for that to be accomplished but there is a great deal of public support and it is buliding.
In the end, we may have to thank the current landowners for preserving the land intact through so many decades, then creating enough of an incentive for the state and private conservation groups to move. Yes, there's a lot of money involved, but that's our current market in North Georgia. It's going to happen, I think.
My business, Georgia Backroads magazine, will publish a major article on the history of the Pine Log lands and people in the Autumn issue. The story is written by Donna Coffee Little, a professor at Reinhardt. By the time that story is published in late August, we may know much more about the fate of the WMA land, but more likely the process will take quite a bit of time for all the interested parties to gather the funds to make a major move.
Let's hope it works out that way, because wild lands aren't becoming more common.
Sincerely,
Dan RoperArmuchee (Floyd County), GA
-----Original Message-----
From: Ginny <ginnywood...>
To: <GABO-L...>
Sent: Mon, May 8, 2023 4:22 pm
Subject: [GABO-L] RFI Pine Log WMA
Am planning one last trip this weekend before it closes for ever and they pave it over: It is my understanding that it is still open, however, I have no idea how much is open. I'd intended to scout but overwork & fatigue have prevented it. So I ask:
Has anyone been up there this season? What gates are closed and locked this year? I am especially interested in getting in from East Valley Road and driving through to the Stamp Creek Road entrance. Is that doable this year?
What gates, if any, on the main road in are closed and locked?
Is the Oak Street entrance open?
TIA!
Ginny WoodCobb County (GA)
🙏 Sukhi Hotu -- May you be happy and well always!
@<Tarheel...>
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To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
Am planning one last trip this weekend before it closes for ever and they pave it over: It is my understanding that it is still open, however, I have no idea how much is open. I'd intended to scout but overwork & fatigue have prevented it. So I ask:
Has anyone been up there this season? What gates are closed and locked this year? I am especially interested in getting in from East Valley Road and driving through to the Stamp Creek Road entrance. Is that doable this year?
What gates, if any, on the main road in are closed and locked?
Is the Oak Street entrance open?
TIA!
Ginny WoodCobb County (GA)
🙏 Sukhi Hotu -- May you be happy and well always!
@<Tarheel...>
You must be a subscriber to post to GABO-L.
Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
http://www.gos.org/georgia-birders-online Please read the guidelines before posting.
Date: 5/6/23 6:24 am From: Jay Pitocchelli <jpitocch...> Subject: [GABO-L] Request for assistance – song recordings of migrating Mourning Warblers
Request for assistance – song recordings of migrating Mourning Warblers
I am posting my annual opportunity to participate in a Citizens Science
Project that involves recording migrating Mourning Warbler songs. I am
trying to determine the nature of migratory pathways taken by different
song populations of Mourning Warbler males during their spring migration. I
am continuing to collect your recordings and plot them on a map of North
America to determine if and where birds with different song types
(regiolects) separate from each other during spring migration. The most
current map of songs of migrants is at the web site below.
All you need is a Smartphone and a singing Mourning Warbler. You can send
the recordings to my e-mail address (jpitocch AT anselm.edu). The web page
link below describes the project and how to make recordings on your
Smartphone in more detail.
I would really appreciate your help and contributions to this Citizens
Science Project.
Dr. Jay Pitocchelli
Professor Emeritus
Biology Department
Saint Anselm College
Manchester, NH 03102
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