Date: 4/23/18 3:06 am From: Sheila Willis <swjxw1...> Subject: [GABO-L] Clarification re: Senior Passes & WMA use (non-consumtive)
Hey folks,
Hope you are fine. Have had some interesting reading in reference to my last post dealing w/ all present & future Seniors (post 7/1952 birthdate) now paying a fee for GA Wildlife Management Areas access. However, I see that a clarification or two is needed for some items I mentioned. And a few new thoughts. Pardon any repetition.
I do grasp the plight of DNR in its annual budgetary struggle. I have bought the special non-game tags as well as made income tax donations via the Check-off when I had the finances to do so. Nothing wrong w/ those voluntary paths. They are a good way to record supporters of Non-game Wildlife (the state could also indicate types of use on each license itself very easily & enter this on computer when obtained). Unfortunately, I am no longer able to make these contributions & I know there are others in this same situation. FYI, my opinions would be these below no matter what.
So, to be clear, I was not advocating that non-hunters/fishermen "not" pay their fair share of support. We should have a combo of voluntary & mandatory, BUT still w/ special considerations as we have had in the historic past. For good reasons that still apply.
My focus in the post was on Seniors. Across society they are seen as having made a lifetime of contributions to our country, but it is often the Seniors who will be living on fixed incomes for the rest of their lives. Far too many, especially in GA, will also be living on a shoestring (no exaggeration). A case of "rob Peter to pay Paul".
So a choice between paying a bill or visiting a WMA, etc. when circumstances permit. Whether under the new system or actually, the old one too. If you have a reasonable income, then the cost of these licenses might well seem doable & so no big deal for a conservation duty. But please think again.
If just the traditional "free" Senior lifetime pass could still be in effect for those natural places, it really would mean a lot. Who doesn't know that conservationists, doctors, & religious leaders often tout the healing powers that nature has on the human body & soul? So think of these Senior natural area passes as "old age medicine", relief for depression, etc. Too bad they can't come under costs covered by Medicare!! (think outside the box for sources of health benefits).
Bluntly, politicians say they care about Seniors. A great way to show it would be by re-instating the "65+" free access (state AND federal). Our government doesn't need every single drop, especially w/ all they are known to waste. The Elders have paid their dues & then some. End of stump.
Replying, additionally, please see this is not a "we" (non-consumptive) vs "they (hunter/fishermen) situation. I grew up fishing locally but then the birding bug bit. Behind my mention of "non-consumptive" was simply that these types generally do not require the personnel & effort by DNR that the hunting & fishing seasons bring with them. I.e., checking limits, stopping poachers, debris clean-up, etc.
Glad someone mentioned that currently increased "non-consumptive use" of the WMAs involves travel on roads & trails there which would need to be maintained. So such users via their licenses would be contributing to their upkeep, etc. as we do in our taxes for city streets & such.
As to who all was paying for things in the past ("category wars"), as I mentioned briefly before, it might help to consider that many "non-consumptive users" have long donated their skills & time to aid biologists at these places as a sort of "pay-back" which then in turn benefits the hunters/fishermen due to better managed sites as a result. For example, I know that Coastal GA Audubon Society has had at times a volunteer effort to clear trails at Altamaha WMA.
See too the development of various state regional wildlife trails; the Breeding Bird Atlas; help in fund-raising events such as Weekend for Wildlife; donations & efforts involving conservation orgs & groups like the Okefenokee Bird Club that work w/ DNR; building awareness thru the past Coastal Birding & Nature Festival; river clean-ups; letters of support for DNR; etc.
None of this is "payment" via a typical license like hunters & fishermen have had, but it does have value if for nothing more than what it would cost the state to do all that by itself. A bargain by far!! Groups of birders, etc. have thus been paying as well "before" the recreation fee for their category was started.
Overall, I think that non-consumptive users of the non-Senior kind plus hunters & fishermen can give the state a level of financial support for the DNR WMAs without the need to eventually eliminate all free Senior passes. Because the care of our state's natural resources via funding from the top is still the responsibility of legislators & governor to do. Full DNR support should return as an expected part of the budget.
In closing, let me note that many years ago, I was one of the former Georgia Nature-based Tourism Association's presidents. Starting in South GA, we worked on forging a partnership between various government agencies, conservation organizations, & private nature-based tourism businesses. Some of these ideas eventually merged into aspects of the existing GA Department of Tourism. For many of our small, rural South GA areas, promoting nature-based tourism made so much sense for a number of reasons. Multiple WMAs are in those counties.
Anyone who has seen any recent statistics is aware that this segment of tourism is benefiting the state economy in numerous ways & only gets larger. As we know, the notice of a rare bird or hope of finding birds not native to one's home brings visitors from around the country & world. $$$. Hey, I think Patty McLean & Mark McShane have probably filled a few NBT coffers just by themselves!! (insert laugh).
Thus, if a politician only looks at future monetary benefits to determine worthiness, putting more state funds into the budget for DNR's WMAs & its non-game programs should be considered a very appropriate & sound financial thing to do. Thank heavens for those in politics who DO see the value!!
So, may all of our state's outdoor users come together on behalf of "Wild Georgia" & get reliable, regular funding in place for the DNR. And let's hope there is a workaround figured out some way, someday for Seniors born after 7/1952! Take care.
Sincerely, Sheila Willis Native American-Naturalist Talks & Tours Okefenokee Bird Club Waycross, WARE, GA
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Date: 4/22/18 8:54 pm From: Terry Valentine <terryval...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] A Different Perspective on the New License Requirements
One additional thought is that paying to use WMA's and other public land for birding purposes gives the authorities a way to gauge just how popular this activity is. If an entire user-group is coming and going with no fees, there's no real record of how the land is being used. A more accurate assessment of use by hunters/fisherman/birders/hikers, etc. could well inform policy on habitat conservation in the future.
While it should be recognized that birds and other wildlife are inherently valuable, money still talks; and our legislators are more inclined to spend money on what people confer value on - which in turn is measured in how citizens spend their own time and money.
My two cents.
Terry Valentine
Hoschton
-----Original Message-----
From: Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L...> On Behalf Of Ginny
Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2018 7:16 PM
To: <GABO-L...>
Subject: Re: [GABO-L] A Different Perspective on the New License Requirements
I was initially furious, seeing this as being about a loss of taxpayer funding for parks generally, but I like Clyde's points. Areas managed for game are managed for wildlife generally, birds are wildlife, so OK: I'm willing to pay my fair share. Put the way Clyde puts it, it only makes sense. And I do appreciate the discount for us older folk. Ginny Wood Cobb County
On Sunday, April 22, 2018 7:01 PM, Clyde Holler <clydeholler...> wrote:
I believe Shelia Willis has correctly reported the situation with the lifetime licenses.
As far as the argument that birding ought to be free because it is a "non-consumptive use" a little background might be in order.
For years, resident hunters paid to hunt WMAs. I think the fee was recently hiked, but twenty years ago, if I recall rightly, it was $18 annually.
Non-residents, of course, paid a heck of a lot more. That was on top of the regular license fee, which was also required to hunt these areas.
As I understand it, the GORP - Georgia Outdoor Recreational Permit - came into being because the hunters began asking why they were the only ones who paid. (Maybe if it wasn't for the unfortunate tendency of the hikers to disrespect the hunters, this wouldn't have happened.) The GORP is now gone, and the DNR is encouraging non-hunters/fisherpeople to buy some kind of hunting or fishing license, simply because of the matching federal funds.
If such people have an issue of conscience, there is an alternative available, but it is more expensive because of the loss of federal funds.
The fishing license is the cheapest.
Granted that these areas cost something to manage, I don't think it is a good idea for birders and others to argue that since their use is "non-consumptive," the hunters ought to foot the entire bill.
For one thing, it creates animosity with a population that we are beginning to recognize is an important and powerful ally in the fight to preserve public land. (For instance, the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
organization,) For another, I don't think it's true. The birders and hikers use the road system, which is the most expensive part. For another, the horse people and hikers, who often walk in groups, arguably do more ecological damage than the hunters. I think everyone ought to realize that we are lucky to have these areas, that they do cost money, and that we all ought to chip in.
The WMA closest to me, the Cohutta Wilderness Area, sees by far the heaviest usage by hunters in deer season, and the success rate is something like 3%. So I suppose the other 97% could be considered "non-consumptive users" :)
One effect that I think has been unnoticed is that with the WMA stamp going away - this is now included in the general license fee - the WMAs will likely see more use by hunters, simply because many were discouraged by the fee for the stamp, which was a lot more than for the license they also had to buy. I'm not sure I like that.
Obviously, I have a foot in both camps.
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Date: 4/22/18 4:17 pm From: Ginny <ginnywood...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] A Different Perspective on the New License Requirements
I was initially furious, seeing this as being about a loss of taxpayer funding for parks generally, but I like Clyde's points. Areas managed for game are managed for wildlife generally, birds are wildlife, so OK: I'm willing to pay my fair share. Put the way Clyde puts it, it only makes sense. And I do appreciate the discount for us older folk. Ginny Wood
Cobb County
On Sunday, April 22, 2018 7:01 PM, Clyde Holler <clydeholler...> wrote:
I believe Shelia Willis has correctly reported the situation with the
lifetime licenses.
As far as the argument that birding ought to be free because it is a
"non-consumptive use" a little background might be in order.
For years, resident hunters paid to hunt WMAs. I think the fee was recently
hiked, but twenty years ago, if I recall rightly, it was $18 annually.
Non-residents, of course, paid a heck of a lot more. That was on top of the
regular license fee, which was also required to hunt these areas.
As I understand it, the GORP - Georgia Outdoor Recreational Permit - came
into being because the hunters began asking why they were the only ones who
paid. (Maybe if it wasn't for the unfortunate tendency of the hikers to
disrespect the hunters, this wouldn't have happened.) The GORP is now gone,
and the DNR is encouraging non-hunters/fisherpeople to buy some kind of
hunting or fishing license, simply because of the matching federal funds.
If such people have an issue of conscience, there is an alternative
available, but it is more expensive because of the loss of federal funds.
The fishing license is the cheapest.
Granted that these areas cost something to manage, I don't think it is a
good idea for birders and others to argue that since their use is
"non-consumptive," the hunters ought to foot the entire bill.
For one thing, it creates animosity with a population that we are beginning
to recognize is an important and powerful ally in the fight to preserve
public land. (For instance, the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
organization,) For another, I don't think it's true. The birders and hikers
use the road system, which is the most expensive part. For another, the
horse people and hikers, who often walk in groups, arguably do more
ecological damage than the hunters. I think everyone ought to realize that
we are lucky to have these areas, that they do cost money, and that we all
ought to chip in.
The WMA closest to me, the Cohutta Wilderness Area, sees by far the
heaviest usage by hunters in deer season, and the success rate is something
like 3%. So I suppose the other 97% could be considered "non-consumptive
users" :)
One effect that I think has been unnoticed is that with the WMA stamp going
away - this is now included in the general license fee - the WMAs will
likely see more use by hunters, simply because many were discouraged by the
fee for the stamp, which was a lot more than for the license they also had
to buy. I'm not sure I like that.
Obviously, I have a foot in both camps.
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Instructions for subscribing (and the guidelines) are found here:
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Date: 4/22/18 4:00 pm From: Clyde Holler <clydeholler...> Subject: [GABO-L] A Different Perspective on the New License Requirements
I believe Shelia Willis has correctly reported the situation with the lifetime licenses.
As far as the argument that birding ought to be free because it is a "non-consumptive use" a little background might be in order.
For years, resident hunters paid to hunt WMAs. I think the fee was recently hiked, but twenty years ago, if I recall rightly, it was $18 annually. Non-residents, of course, paid a heck of a lot more. That was on top of the regular license fee, which was also required to hunt these areas.
As I understand it, the GORP - Georgia Outdoor Recreational Permit - came into being because the hunters began asking why they were the only ones who paid. (Maybe if it wasn't for the unfortunate tendency of the hikers to disrespect the hunters, this wouldn't have happened.) The GORP is now gone, and the DNR is encouraging non-hunters/fisherpeople to buy some kind of hunting or fishing license, simply because of the matching federal funds. If such people have an issue of conscience, there is an alternative available, but it is more expensive because of the loss of federal funds. The fishing license is the cheapest.
Granted that these areas cost something to manage, I don't think it is a good idea for birders and others to argue that since their use is "non-consumptive," the hunters ought to foot the entire bill.
For one thing, it creates animosity with a population that we are beginning to recognize is an important and powerful ally in the fight to preserve public land. (For instance, the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers organization,) For another, I don't think it's true. The birders and hikers use the road system, which is the most expensive part. For another, the horse people and hikers, who often walk in groups, arguably do more ecological damage than the hunters. I think everyone ought to realize that we are lucky to have these areas, that they do cost money, and that we all ought to chip in.
The WMA closest to me, the Cohutta Wilderness Area, sees by far the heaviest usage by hunters in deer season, and the success rate is something like 3%. So I suppose the other 97% could be considered "non-consumptive users" :)
One effect that I think has been unnoticed is that with the WMA stamp going away - this is now included in the general license fee - the WMAs will likely see more use by hunters, simply because many were discouraged by the fee for the stamp, which was a lot more than for the license they also had to buy. I'm not sure I like that.
Obviously, I have a foot in both camps.
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Date: 4/22/18 12:50 pm From: Keegan Corcoran <keegancorcoran...> Subject: [GABO-L] Caspian Terns :: Lake Lanier, Hall Co.
I fished the north end of the lake this morning from 5:15-10:15a.
Bonaparte’s gulls were not sighted, and only one COLO; spring is here.
Of note, 4 separate Caspian Terns were observed and photographed. 1 in Little River, 1 just upstream of the Gainesville Bridge, 1 at Gainesville Marina on breakwater and flying (easiest to be seen from shore) and 1 at the 42 marker. Will upload photos to eBird.
Also missing were the Forsters Terns that I had last weekend, but I didn’t visit the main lake today, so not sure what’s going on on the big part of the pond.
Also had a Chuck Wills Widow calling at 545am, always nice to hear.
Sent from my iPhone
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Date: 4/22/18 12:10 pm From: Sheila Willis <swjxw1...> Subject: [GABO-L] Correct WMA Access & seniors license info from DNR
Hey folks,
Hope you are fine.
In reference to the recent notes about the changes for free access to GA
Dept. of Natural Resources Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) for Seniors
(65+), I had asked my local (WARE) DNR office about that previously since
in Dec. 2017 I would turn 65. This staffer was the person charged w/
issuing licenses for DNR there.
She said that there was some confusion over the new requirements among even
those in DNR. Not everyone around the state in the local offices, etc. knew
exactly how it was to work. Even the DNR website at the time was not clear
& the printed instructions these DNR license issuers received did not have
everything. So she called the Regional DNR office & others to make sure she
had the latest correct rules.
***She said that for those born BEFORE July 1952 the Senior license would
be free but for those born AFTER July 1952 you would have to pay.
Example, my father, who will be 98 this year, would always get to have a
free license since he was born "before" 7/1952. My nephew, born in 1974,
"will" eventually have to buy his Senior license as he falls into the
"after" category.
Nothing was said about "every" Senior being able to print out a free
license or getting one free at sporting goods stores, which do sell
licenses. You can get them there but for some Seniors there will be a fee.
The clerks in those places have obviously misunderstood this situation,
even if they insist they know, if they say "all" Seniors can get it free.
The cheapest deal, esp. for those wanting to just visit the WMAs for
birding, would be getting a lifetime fishing license which you would have
to buy if you fell into the mid-1952 & after situation.
See next for what I have copied directly from the Wildlife Resources
Division website under license requirements for Seniors & the types
available. Pay special attention to those qualifiers for the Senior age
brackets & fees:
Seniors who turned 65 (and were born on or before June 30, 1952) are
eligible for a free lifetime license.
Here is the DNR WRD page which refers in more detail to Lifetime Licenses:
http://georgiawildlife.com/lifetimelicense Pasted from it is the
following:
Lifetime Sportsman’s Licenses—for people under 65—are only available for
purchase by downloading a Lifetime Sportsman's License application, filling
it out and mailing it along with the required documents to the address on
the form, or you can purchase in select offices
<http://georgiawildlife.com/about/contact#statewide>. *Lifetime Sportsman’s
Licenses are not available for purchase online or at retail agents*. Once
legally obtained, Georgia lifetime licenses remain valid even if a person
later becomes a resident of another state. Lifetime licenses are
full-privilege sportsman's licenses, and include all state paid
recreational hunting and fishing privileges (see below for additional
no-cost state licenses that may be required).
Georgia residents 65 and older can get a Senior Lifetime Sportsman’s
license online <https://www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com/>, by telephone
1-800-366-2661, or from license agent locations
<https://license.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com/Licensing/LocateAgent.aspx>. If you
were born before July 1, 1952, you are eligible to get a lifetime license
at no cost. If you were born after June 30, 1952 your lifetime license is
at a greatly discounted rate of $35–$70.
This includes hunting, fishing, & WMAs.
At the bottom of their chart on another page showing what privileges you
get, it says the following:
"65+ GA residents can purchase lifetime licenses via phone, online, mail,
or store. If born before July 1, 1952, it is free; if born after, there is
a fee"
Thus, by their own official words in many places on their official website
devoted to licenses, there IS a fee for any Senior born AFTER July 1952. No
matter how you obtain it.
When they made the change a while back, I wondered why they didn't just
make it free for those born in 1952 or before instead of splitting it
mid-year. Those like me who were born in the bottom half of that year are
no less deserving of those free benefits which those born in the first half
are getting. Also, why not say an age, such as "65" instead of this "born
before... & born after"" stuff that splits the birth year?
Thus (& here's the reason for the change I think), unless something
changes, eventually all those Seniors born pre-7/1952 would pass away. All
that would be left would be those born post-7/1952 & those who became/would
become Seniors in the future. And there would then be "no more free Senior
licenses" because of their "new" wording for the situation. Just like how
the Dept. of the Interior last year got rid of any new "free" lifetime
Senior passes to the national parks & refuges (the old Golden Age
Passports) & hugely hiked the remaining prices.
I think this relatively-recent regulation should be changed. And we should
return to a system that truly benefits ALL Seniors which uses only the
traditional accepted "age 65 or older" basis for issuing a FREE license.
Only the politicians can change this, but in reality, I don't think they
will, since they thought it up in the first place. They figured most folks
would not notice & realize the full meaning of this shift & thus there
would be no large protests.
Plus, I am sure that there are many citizens who just go to these WMAs w/o
any license, unaware or uncaring about needing a license. With the short
staff at these places, if the person is not obviously fishing/hunting, the
person has a chance to get away w/ not having a permit. And I am sure some
think that if one person in the car has a permit, then the others are
covered, but this is not true. For the WMAs, etc. "everyone" in the car has
to have a permit.
Also, obviously not everyone in GA, including within their own DNR Depts
(including those who would enforce it in the field) & those license outlets
understands this new ruling. So at least some in DNR/outlets are acting as
if the old system still applied.
For those who are low income (myself & many Seniors) this action by our
legislators w/ the approval of the Governor & DNR Director will cause us a
financial strain. Just so we can legally enjoy the non-consumptive use of
our state's forests & other natural state areas. Ironically, many of us
also contribute our time, etc. to reporting wildlife, etc. lists for the
wildlife resource managers & biologists at these sites & for the state
overall. That ought to be worth something.
Too bad the various nature & conservation organizations don't form a
coalition w/ AARP, etc. to protest this change for Seniors since it deals
w/ non-consumptive use of natural areas. Then try to get it modified to a
more "Senior-friendly" result.
Take care.
Sincerely,
Sheila Willis
Native American-Naturalist Talks & Tours
Okefenokee Bird Club
Waycross, WARE, GA
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Date: 4/22/18 11:27 am From: Jeff Madsen <bluewingjeff...> Subject: [GABO-L] American Bittern Murphey Candler Park DeKalb Co, Greater Yellowlegs Capital City Club
I did the loop around the lake at Murphey Candler this morning and flushed an American Bittern that I was unable to relocate. The bird flushed on the east side of the lake approx 200 yards north of the new bridge, basically adjacent to where the mudflat is along the eastern part of the lakeside trail. I was walking down to the edge of the lake to observe some sandpipers (that turned out to be 2 Solitary and 1 Spotted) and didn't see that there was a AMBI hunkered down on the edge of the lake about 5 feet away. The bird croaked and flew north into the wet, wooded edge of the lake and popped down into the vegetation. I spent a good 30 minutes looking for it, but was never able to see it again.
Also, on Wednesday 4/16/18 I had a business meeting at Capital City Club in Brookhaven. I always carry a pair of compact bins with me and wandered out to the dock on the lake before leaving and saw two shorebirds on the east side of the lake. I was able to determine that they were Yellowlegs, and then they flushed and flew to my side of the lake, calling and perching much closer to me, where I was able to make the determination that they were Greaters.
Jeff Madsen
Brookhaven, DeKalb Co.
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Date: 4/22/18 9:37 am From: plm108 <plm108...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Mark your calendars for the Spring Meeting!
You can also get a fishing and/or hunting license at a sporting goods store such as Dicks or REI. Free for 65 plus. Out of staters pay extra regardless of age.
Patty McLean Tucker GA
-------- Original message --------From: Mike Chapman <mikelchap...> Date: 4/22/18 11:26 AM (GMT-05:00) To: <GABO-L...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Mark your calendars for the Spring Meeting! I read the recent post about access to WMAs. If you are over 65 you can get a free lifetime hunting and fishing license at the DNR website and print out a copy. I talked to a DNR LE officer and he confirmed it covers everything including WMA access and trout stamp.
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Date: 4/22/18 8:58 am From: Mike Chapman <mikelchap...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Mark your calendars for the Spring Meeting!
I read the recent post about access to WMAs. If you are over 65 you can get a free lifetime hunting and fishing license at the DNR website and print out a copy. I talked to a DNR LE officer and he confirmed it covers everything including WMA access and trout stamp.
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Date: 4/21/18 11:43 am From: Nathan Farnau <natwan...> Subject: [GABO-L] Big Creek Greenway (Fulton County) 21 April 2018 - Good Migrants
Shannon Fair and I birded the Fulton County stretch of the Big Creek Greenway from Rock Mill Park to its southern terminus. We had 82 species in total and 20 species of warblers.
Highlights were an eye-level singing male CERULEAN WARBLER (my first ever spring Cerulean at BCG) as well as CANADA, BLUE-WINGED(2) and BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS.
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Date: 4/21/18 9:10 am From: Ginny <ginnywood...> Subject: [GABO-L] Pine Log and Other WMAs--Changes!
If some of you have been going up there since the WMA opened to vehicle traffic this Spring then you may already know this. But for the rest of you. . .
Almost all roads through the WMA are closed now: You can only bird the Oak Street entrance and the main entrance, which is birdable only as far as the first concrete bridge (unless you park and walk, of course). The East Valley entrance is closed and you can only drive Pine Log Road from the main entrance a mile or two in (from the first bridge) before you get to a new, locked gate.
Worse, we have to have permits to bird this and many other WMAs now. Literally, you cannot ride horseback in many WMAs, hike, bike, drive through, nothing without a pass. Worse still, from my POV, the free options for people over 65 are no longer available to folk born after June of 1952. We get a hefty discount, to be sure, but no more free passes.
News stories I found on this are flogging a "lands pass" but don't do it--the cheapest option is actually to get a fishing license, which is what I did. And don't pay for a plastic card if you get the lifetime pass--let your paper one wear out if it wants to because you can return to the website to reprint it whenever you like. I got a lifetime fishing license for basically the cost of a one-year lands pass.
I only noticed the new signs this morning, and tried to buy a license on my smartphone so I could continue with my plans. I could not figure a way to do it until I'd given up and come home but you can indeed buy on line. (The law is you have to have the pass on you, and I'm not sure a PDF on my phone would have met that criteria anyway.)
We will need them for many of the major birding spots that are WMAs--Arrowhead, Phinizy, Dawson Forest, and more. Here's the list: http://georgiawildlife.com/LandAccess
You can buy day/weekend passes but you still must do it ahead of time--there's nobody selling these at the gates. And know that it takes some time--each individual must have a pass and to get one each individual must have an on-line account. So to buy for yourself, your partner, and two kids you'd be logging in and out four times, re-entering your credit card each time, etc. Not something you want to be doing over coffee at 4 a.m. the morning of. Or in the parking lot on your iPhone.
If I'm the only one who didn't notice when this changed last year, I apologize for taking your time. But I figured there might be others who'd also get nasty surprises one morning soon if I didn't.
Good birding! Ginny Wood
Cobb County
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Hi all, have had 4 adult male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks and 2 adult females at the feeders for the past 3 days. Lynn Schlup Mockingbird Hill Wildlife Rehabilitation Oconee, Ga. Washington County
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Date: 4/20/18 12:58 pm From: Terry Valentine <terryval...> Subject: [GABO-L] For Gwinnett area birders
Hello Gwinnetians and close neighbors.I am looking for new birding binoculars, on par with Nikon Monarchs 5 or 7. Would someone in the Gwinnett/Hall/Barrow tri-county area with bins they would recommend be willing to meet with me in the next few days and let me check them out? Or are there any walks nearby planned for this weekend that I could attend?
Terry Valentine
Hoschton
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Date: 4/20/18 10:11 am From: Chris Skelton <skelton.chris...> Subject: [GABO-L] Kennesaw Mountain
Hello all- it was a breezy but fairly birdy morning at Kennesaw. I got a late start but immediately had Scarlet Tanager and two Hooded Warblers at the back corner of the field near the parking area. That basically set the tone has I had 6 scarlets, 1 summer, two unidentified singing tanagers, and 9 Hooded Warblers between the parking area and the top.. Most activity was just past the Little Kennesaw trail where waxwings, tanagers, and thrushes were feeding on bush honeysuckle berries (I think Lonicera fragrantissima, "sweet breath of spring"). At one point I had 3 scarlet's in one binocular view. Other warblers scarce. Possibly had Cerulean singing at "S-curve" about 1/4 mi. below Little Kennesaw trail.
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Date: 4/20/18 6:50 am From: robert emond <robert.emond2015...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 19 Apr 18
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: April 20, 2018 at 9:40:48 AM EDT
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Northern Shoveler (1 Muscogee)
> Common Goldeneye (1 Richmond)
> Snowy Egret (1 Bartow)
> Upland Sandpiper (1 Dooly)
> Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (1 Richmond)
> Swainson's Thrush (1 Camden)
> Swainson's Warbler (1 Floyd)
> Grasshopper Sparrow (1 Fulton)
> Vesper Sparrow (2 Forsyth)
> Song Sparrow (melodia/atlantica) (1 Muscogee)
> Song Sparrow (1 Richmond)
> Lincoln's Sparrow (2 Gwinnett)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> 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
>
> Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Today at Sosebee Cove I saw: 2 male redstarts, a male hooded warbler, a male blackburnian warbler, a black and white warbler, and a male black-throated blue warbler.
Lake at Vogle State Park-2 pair of blue-winged teal at the dam, rough winged swallows, barn swallows and a song sparrow.
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Date: 4/19/18 8:08 am From: Beth Roth <bethheron...> Subject: [GABO-L] Osprey news from Skidaway Island
For those of you that have followed the Saga of the nest cam on Skidaway Island, here is a good news update
You can see it by going on www.landsbirdcam.com <http://www.landsbirdcam.com/> Mary Lambright has been doing a great job monitoring the nest
Please check out the website which has the interesting history of this dying tree with different raptor species.
The Ospreys are back on the nest having laid 3 eggs this year as they did last year (which was unsuccessful).
Yesterday the second egg hatched and they’re pretty cute and appear to have very good attentive parents.
So check it out.
Good birding Y’all
Beth Roth
The Landings on Skidaway Island, Savannah
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Date: 4/19/18 7:04 am From: <000003b9473058ef-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] GA Big Day
I will be in Lawrenceville, GA around the middle of May. I would like to attempt a Georgia Big Day. I mean mountains to coast. Any ideas? I do one where I live every May VA ->MD->DE and I usually get 115+ species. One great year = 157. It doesn't have to be a round trip. I can start in the uplands early am and finish and spend the night on the coast. Have in-laws on St. Simons Is, but can go to Savannah if more practical.
Tom Beal Glenn Dale, MD
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Date: 4/19/18 6:54 am From: <000003b9473058ef-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] SET MAIL
SET MAIL
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Date: 4/18/18 4:17 pm From: Jack Wissner <jdwissner...> Subject: [GABO-L] Perigrines at Tallulah
Stella and I drove to Tallulah Gorge to see the Peregrines. Sad news. The ranger in the interpretive center said all the chicks were gone. He said there was one egg left and if it did not hatch today it was probably not going to.
We walked to overlook #9 to look across the gorge. By the time we got there the ranger was there with a scope. The remaining egg was gone. We could not see evidence of anything on the ledge.
We did not see the adult peregrines while we were there.
Jack
Jack Wissner <jdwissner...> (678) 576-1971
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Date: 4/18/18 2:53 pm From: Ed Maioriello <edm...> Subject: [GABO-L] ORAS Field Trips This Weekend
All,
The Oconee Rivers Audubon Society will be hosting 2 trips this weekend - and it looks like decent weather for both days!!! :-)
Ed Maioriello Athens-Clarke County
==========================
Field Trip To Kennesaw Mountain Event Date: Saturday, April 21, 2018 - 6:00am
The Oconee Rivers Audubon Society will be taking a field trip to Kennesaw Mountain. We will likely join up with an Atlanta Audubon trip going on there at the same time.
We will meet at the Shops of South Athens Shopping Center (behind the Waffle House) on South Milledge near the bypass ready to leave at 6:00AM. This means you will want to arrive at least 5-10 minutes before 6:00AM. We will car pool in as few cars as we can manage.
ORAS field trips and bird walks are open to the public and to birders of all ages and experience levels. You will want to bring binoculars, water, insect repellent and snacks if you so desire. You are encouraged to wear practical shoes and dress for the weather. While the walk consists of hiking up the road to the summit of the mountain and back down again, the pace is leisurely and not particularly strenuous.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Ed Maioriello at fieldtrip AT oconeeriversaudubon.org or at 706-296-5275.
Bird Walk At The State Botanical Garden Event Date: Sunday, April 22, 2018 - 8:00am
The Oconee Rivers Audubon Society will be hosting a bird walk at the State Botanical Garden. We will be meeting in the Day Chapel parking lot. From the main entrance just keep bearing left to find the Day Chapel lot. *This is a Sunday walk.*
Our bird walks are open to the public. We typically run 3-4 hours though birders may leave at their convenience. Easy to moderate walking. Please dress for the weather, wear practical shoes, bring insect repellent and snacks/water as desired.
If you have any questions please contact Ed Maioriello at <fieldtrip...> or 706-296-5275.
IMPORTANT NOTE: On occasion, field trips may have to be cancelled (bad weather, etc.) or important details may change (for example, the original meeting spot for a site may have to be changed if there is a trail closure or parking problem). If you plan to attend a birdwalk, ALWAYS check www.oconeeriversaudubon.org the night before for updates.
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Date: 4/17/18 5:11 pm From: Marlene Koslowsky <000006d228557fef-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Cape May Warbler - Fayette County
Hello all!
I am very much a novice at this birding thing, but learning, always. I always carry my camera and often ID one or two findings after I get home. Today, much to my delight I found I had a Cape May Warbler in my sights. I confess, I only vaguely knew such a bird existed.
I also managed to catch an osprey with a fish (not a great pic, but good enough).
My list is here, with photos from today.
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44669862
Cheers!
Marlene Koslowsky, Fayetteville
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This afternoon I found an American Bittern and Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Cochran Shoals. Both were feeding on the south side of the gravel trail through the beaver pond.
Rick Sellers Cobb County
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Date: 4/17/18 2:38 pm From: LINDA SHIPLEY <sharja...> Subject: [GABO-L] Rose-Breasted Grosbeak - Fulton County
I just had a male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak at my feeder near Chastain Park. Linda ShipleyFulton County
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Date: 4/16/18 5:56 pm From: Bob Braxton <rbraxton...> Subject: [GABO-L] Grosbeaks and buntings
Migration near the Atlanta airport: for the last two days, I have had two male Indigo Buntings, three male Rose-Breasted Grosbeaks and a couple of Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds at my feeders.
Bob Braxton
Hapeville
Fulton County
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Date: 4/16/18 12:53 pm From: Sandra Eileen Garber <sgarber...> Subject: [GABO-L] NEW ARRIVALS - CHEROKEE COUNTY
Yesterday's weather pattern gave us a lot of new arrivals - Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Buntings, and Grey Catbird. These, along with our many Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, bright Goldfinches, House Finches, Cardinals, and Bluebirds, must mean that spring is here. Now if it would just warm up and stay warm, I'd really appreciate it.
Sandra Garber
Canton, GA
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Date: 4/16/18 8:56 am From: Vicki Volpi <vvolpi...> Subject: [GABO-L] Spring Arrivals
The past two days I have had Chucks, Whips, Red-eyed Vireo, Indigo buntings, Hooded warblers, large flocks of Gold finches, and still a few Pine siskins. Also we have nesting Red shoulder hawks, Phoebe’s with eggs on the porch and blue birds inspecting new boxes. Spring has arrived here in Habersham Co.
Joel Volpi
Habersham Co., GA
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Date: 4/15/18 8:00 pm From: Mark McShane <mcshanebirder...> Subject: [GABO-L] Swallow-tailed Kite - McDaniel Farm Park, Gwinnett County - 4/15/2018
Hi All,
When I'm not at the Mexican restaurant in Lilburn looking for rails mostly I've been hoping for some not yet seen by me in Gwinnett County spring migrants to finally be seen by me in Gwinnett County, and so have been trying to maximize my efforts on weekends in Gwinnett this spring as much as possible.
McDaniel Farm Park is a great Gwinnett location to frequent when looking for spring migrants and so I thought that once the heavy weather from the west and the southwest finally moved through this afternoon that I would try there.
Finally I was able to start at 3:33 when the radar to the west/southwest looked clear and the rain finally stopped at McDaniel Farm, and was most of the way through my walk when I noticed another birder about 50 yards behind me intently looking at something.
It was John Deitsch, an excellent young birder and one of Gwinnett's finest! I was stopped just then looking at some first of the year/season birds, including a Cape May Warbler, and John came over and we talked and observed and then moved on.
In about 100 yards we came to one of the grassy lanes at McDaniel Farm that goes off of the side of the main walkway. These lanes can be quite productive birding areas. We were looking down the lane at some passerines, when one of the birds that John was watching flew up.
Well, the bird flew high enough that John, at about 5:25, picked up a Rare In Spring For The Georgia Piedmont SWALLOW-TAILED KITE With A NORTHERN HARRIER, over the treeline at the back of the lane! Both were orbiting around in a narrow visible airspace over the treeline about 50-100 yards beyond the end of the lane.
John, a bit haltingly right at first, finished exclaiming very quickly: SWALLOW-TAILED KITE!
I stopped watching the birds down low and immediately got on the kite and there it was...
A beautiful medium-sized raptor with buoyant floating flight, a white head, blackish/bluish upperparts, white body underparts, a very long deeply forked black tail, white underwing coverts and black flight feathers! A well-known, well-loved, and unmistakable sharply defined black and white plumage pattern!
John had also said NORTHERN HARRIER as well, but I was busy observing the kite and trying to get the phone camera up to the eyepiece of the scope. The birds orbited for some seconds but then quickly drifted out of the narrow airspace and out of sight behind the trees not to be seen again by us. We moved over to the nearby meadow where we would have bigger and better views of the sky hoping that the birds would come into sight again but they did not.
The kite with the harrier were roughly over Sweetwater Creek just west of Commerce Ave at
Decimal Degrees (WGS84) coordinates: 33.968911, -84.119981
GPS coordinates: N 33 58.135 W 84 07.199
Especially since Liza O'Neal reported seeing a spring Gwinnett Swallow-tailed Kite last year, on May 3rd, I have really wanted to see this species in the county, but Swallow-taileds anytime in Gwinnett would pretty much be just completely random.
Ok, so how many Spring Swallow-tailed Kites are in the Georgia Piedmont today, 1, 5, 10? Maybe 20? I seriously doubt 20, and I kind of doubt 10.
I don't know what the very latest numbers are but the whole Georgia (coastal/coastal plain) population is probably usually much less than 500 in the spring, if not 250 or less. There may be some migrants/vagrants north of Georgia in the spring but I don't think there are any inland state breeding populations north of us.
If 1, 3, or 5 then how did we get so lucky as to see one in such a very small viewing area for some seconds only? The Piedmont is a big region. Well, there's no answer except that we were out there, one happened by, and John picked it up! If we had gone to the spot a minute sooner or a minute later we probably wouldn't have seen this bird! This kind of rare birding stuff, where the tiny threads of the paths of birders cross with the tiny threads of the paths of rare birds in a huge region just amazes me.
Oh, forgot to warn you guys at the beginning of the post that Swallow-tailed Kite is my favorite bird.
Good Birding All!
Mark
Mark McShane
Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia
www.neargareport.com
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Date: 4/14/18 6:09 pm From: thegahobbs6 <thegahobbs6...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] AAS Bird Fest - Trip to Pole Bridge (DeKalb)
Sounds like a good day, and congrats to Michael Linz on some great photography. I love the Pileated!!!Milton HobbsBurke County -------- Original message --------From: plm108 <plm108...> Date: 4/14/18 8:45 PM (GMT-05:00) To: <GABO-L...> Subject: [GABO-L] AAS Bird Fest - Trip to Pole Bridge (DeKalb) Hi All. The Atlanta Bird Fest 2018 started today (Sat Apr 14) with multiple trips to various favorite birding areas in the metro. I signed up to lead the one to Pole Bridge Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility in South DeKalb County. This trip was originally planned for tomorrow but with the impending storms on their way, we decided to move it to today - and fortunately almost all the folks who signed up were able to make it.
I've attached our ebird list but also want to highlight a few species including Eastern Meadowlarks, Wild Turkeys (with a displaying male), an Osprey, an AMERICAN KESTREL eating a lizard (see ebird photo), White-eyed and Red-eyed Vireo, and several warblers including HOODED, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, PARULA, YELLOW-THROATED, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, PALM, PINE and YELLOW-RUMPED.
A nice group of people attended, many of whom I met for the first time, and I hope to see them again out on the trail in the near future!
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To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
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Date: 4/14/18 5:45 pm From: plm108 <plm108...> Subject: [GABO-L] AAS Bird Fest - Trip to Pole Bridge (DeKalb)
Hi All. The Atlanta Bird Fest 2018 started today (Sat Apr 14) with multiple trips to various favorite birding areas in the metro. I signed up to lead the one to Pole Bridge Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility in South DeKalb County. This trip was originally planned for tomorrow but with the impending storms on their way, we decided to move it to today - and fortunately almost all the folks who signed up were able to make it.
I've attached our ebird list but also want to highlight a few species including Eastern Meadowlarks, Wild Turkeys (with a displaying male), an Osprey, an AMERICAN KESTREL eating a lizard (see ebird photo), White-eyed and Red-eyed Vireo, and several warblers including HOODED, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, PARULA, YELLOW-THROATED, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, PALM, PINE and YELLOW-RUMPED.
A nice group of people attended, many of whom I met for the first time, and I hope to see them again out on the trail in the near future!
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Date: 4/14/18 3:53 pm From: A Betuel <ykcul88...> Subject: [GABO-L] Henslow's Sparrow at Chattahoochee Nature Center (Fulton County)
Evening everyone,
During the opening ceremony of Atlanta Audubon's 2018 Bird Fest, I stumbled upon a Hensow's Sparrow at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. The bird sat up nicely and gave multiple good views. The bird was located in between the southern pond and the fence running along Willeo road. It was about 10 feet in front of a pair of flowering azaleas (flame I think) in what is/used to be a bog garden. Like a good Ammodramus, the Henslow's stayed low and hidden and was best detected by the crunching of leaves. There a few cell phone pics in my eBird checklist:
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Date: 4/14/18 11:26 am From: Patrick Maurice <patrickmaurice1...> Subject: [GABO-L] 50+ species at the State Botanical Garden, Clarke County, 4/14/18
Hey all,
I couldn’t resist the urge to check out the botanical gardens and search for spring migrants.
It was a really nice morning to be outside, I didn’t find anything unusual, but I was able to find 54 species.
Highlights were:
My FOTY Scarlet and Summer Tanagers, Broad-winged Hawk, and Wood Thrush.
11 species of warblers:
Worm-eating Warbler
Louisiana Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded Warbler
American Redstart
Northern Parula
Pine Warbler
“Myrtle” Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Good birding all,
Patrick Maurice
Athens
P.S. Full eBird checklist is below:
State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Clarke, Georgia, US
Apr 14, 2018 8:46 AM - 12:00 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.84 mile(s)
Comments: Beautiful spring day, the neotropical migrants are back!
54 species
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 4
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk (lineatus Group) 2
Broad-winged Hawk 1 FOTY
Mourning Dove 5
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1 (33.9015976,-83.3869423)
Red-bellied Woodpecker 6
Downy Woodpecker (Eastern) 3
Hairy Woodpecker (Eastern) 2 (33.9026912,-83.3816084). Might be nesting in a small snag that’s about 15 feet up.
Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1
Eastern Phoebe 3 Surprised to see two fledglings at this time of year
Great Crested Flycatcher 2 Loudly calling
White-eyed Vireo 3 Along the river
Yellow-throated Vireo 1 Maybe two
Red-eyed Vireo 6
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 1
Fish Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 7
White-breasted Nuthatch (Eastern) 1
Brown-headed Nuthatch 1
House Wren 1 (33.9015976,-83.3869423)
Carolina Wren 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (caerulea) 6
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
Hermit Thrush (faxoni/crymophilus) 1
Wood Thrush 1 FOTY
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 1
Cedar Waxwing 10
Worm-eating Warbler 1 Flew across the trail and I got brief looks at eye level.
Louisiana Waterthrush 1
Black-and-white Warbler 3
Kentucky Warbler 1 Probably two birds, near the powerline cut on orange trail. Got brief, but good looks at one.
Common Yellowthroat 2 Usual spot where powerline cut and river meet.
Hooded Warbler 2 At least two, probably three.
American Redstart 1 Near the powerline cut on orange trail
Northern Parula 2 Near the powerline cut on orange trail
Pine Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 12 Still good numbers of them around, the males are in full breeding plumage
Yellow-throated Warbler (dominica/stoddardi) 4 Most along the river
Chipping Sparrow 8
White-throated Sparrow 9
Eastern Towhee 3
Summer Tanager 2 FOTY
Scarlet Tanager 1 FOTY, near day chapel lot
Northern Cardinal 12
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
House Finch 3
Pine Siskin 1
American Goldfinch 8
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Date: 4/13/18 10:30 pm From: Mark McShane <mcshanebirder...> Subject: [GABO-L] Virginia Rail - Taqueria Los Hermanos, Killian Hill Crossing shopping center, Lilburn, Gwinnett County - 4/13/2018 - Video Post (correct date)
Hi All,
I must be late night bleary-eyed and/or butter-fingered, the date on that last post should have been 4/13/2018, not 8/13/2018. Sorry.
Good Birding All!
Mark
Mark McShane
Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia
www.neargareport.com
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Date: 4/13/18 10:06 pm From: Mark McShane <mcshanebirder...> Subject: [GABO-L] Virginia Rail - Taqueria Los Hermanos, Killian Hill Crossing shopping center, Lilburn, Gwinnett County - 8/13/2018 - Video Post
Hi All,
My sister-in-law Nancy and my brother Michael and I were entering the wonderful Taqueria Los Hermanos (4 locations) Mexican restaurant in the Killian Hill Crossing shopping center in Lilburn in Gwinnett County Friday evening at about 8:40PM when I noticed that under the lone bench in front of the restaurant a seemingly bewildered VIRGINIA RAIL was taking refuge!
WOW! I couldn't quite believe that I was seeing my life Gwinnett County Virginia Rail completely surrounded by store fronts, concrete, and brick and asphalt, with no sign of Mother Nature anyway in the immediate area! Although I did quickly surmise that this might just as easily have been a Yell0w or a B1ack Rail instead... .. .
I couldn't quite believe that the bird had come into the shopping center from the nearby Lilburn Greenway, or the habitat just behind the shopping center, to hunt. Rather I thought that maybe a hawk had forced a migrating bird down into the shopping center, or some such, and now the perplexed rail could not figure out how to get out of the concrete jungle.
The bird looked and acted extremely healthy, although maybe just a bit tired. The rail was railly taking constant refuge under the bench, kind of like small fish will hover, taking cover, just under small flotsam at sea. I didn't really feel very good about the bird staying under that bench all night, or all day tomorrow too, and beyond, thinking that maybe a cat would take the bird, or it may stress and weaken and come to an otherwise untimely end there.
There was no traffic in the parking lot and so, while videoing the bird with the phone, I tried to gently coax it out to the parking lot hoping that once away from the building it would fly back to migration freedom. It didn't want much part of that and kept returning to under the bench, even while folks were sitting on it!
We then went in and had a great dinner, wondering about the well-being of the rail the whole time. I messaged a few Gwinnett County birders to see if anyone wanted to come over and see the bird before it was gone, but most were tucked in for the night, or couldn't be reached. John Deitsch said that he was in Tennessee or he would have come over right away.
When I came out of the restaurant at about 10:25 the bird was not under the bench, but about 30 feet out in the parking lot in the open, near parked cars, and so I gently approached it a bit and then it quickly took off at 10:28 and disappeared in flight into the night!
Mark McShane
Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia
www.neargareport.com
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Male just now at my feeder in Atlanta / Ansley Park. 4/13 2:15pm
Sylvia Attkisson Landscape Design 404-402-0584
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Date: 4/13/18 11:18 am From: laura.bihuniak <laura.bihuniak...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fayette County GA Rare Bird
One Male Rose Breasted Grosbeak 9:50 AM snacked on black oil sunflower seeds at a cylinder feeder with plate.
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Date: 4/13/18 11:03 am From: Ted Theus <ted...> Subject: [GABO-L] Pine Mountain Ridge (Harris) Cerulean
A quick check of Pine Mountain Ridge this morning yielded one singing male Cerulean Warbler. I made various stops along the ridge starting at the Country Store and ending at Dowdell's Knob. Other than the Cerulean, it was about what one would expect for this time of year---significant numbers of red-eyed and yellow-throated vireos, 4 Scarlet Tanagers, 1 Summer Tanager, 7 Black & White Warblers, 2 Worm-eating Warblers, 20 Yellow-rumped Warblers, 1 Palm Warbler and 1 Kentucky Warbler. I've had singing Prairie Warblers at multiple locations in Harris Co. during the past 10 days. Some nice migrants moving into GA's Piedmont!
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Date: 4/13/18 10:55 am From: Keegan Corcoran <keegancorcoran...> Subject: [GABO-L] Updated with pics :: Willet - Gainesville Marina - Hall Co
All,
The willet was on the breakwater directly in front of the gas dock, and flew to the breakwater in the back of the marina (south side of docks). Also had a spotted sandpiper wandering around on the breakwater.
Pics of the Willet in the attached eBird submission. The bird was definitely resting, but without a feeding area, I doubt it’ll stay for long. The lake is at full pool, so not many places to feed along the shoreline.
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Date: 4/13/18 8:31 am From: Jeff Madsen <bluewingjeff...> Subject: [GABO-L] Murphey Candler Park DeKalb quick walk April 13, 2018
Had about 45 minutes to kill this morning so made it about 1/2 the way around the lake. Recorded Tree, Northern Rough-winged and Barn Swallows feeding over the lake, as well as Chimney Swifts. There are a pair of Ring-necked Ducks there, male and female, almost in the center of the lake when I was there at 8:30 am. On the muddy area near the northern part of the lake there were four Solitary Sandpipers, as well as 20 Blue-winged Teal. I heard several Common Yellowthroats singing, as well as Ruby-crowned Kinglets singing and foraging along the bank of the lake. As I walked back to the car and the sun started to hit the trees, it became evident that the trees bordering the lake were infested with Palm Warblers. I stopped counting at 30, but there were easily more, several males in the group singing as they actively foraged along the bank. Wish I had more time, it seemed like it would be very birdy as the sun warmed things up!
Jeff Madsen
DeKalb Co, Brookhaven GA
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Date: 4/12/18 6:47 am From: charles saleeby <charlessaleeby...> Subject: [GABO-L] Lake Acworth Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
Keep your eyes open at Lake Acworth. Last week twice just before dusk I had an adult Yellow-crowned Night Heron fly out of the shallow end over my head and down the lake. Prothonotary Warbler among others were also on territory. I have also seen adult Bald Eagles several times in the Lake Acworth area the last 2 weeks. We did have 2 Caspian Terns and 2 Bonaparte's Gulls early last week on lake Allatoona between the dam and Iron Hill area. In Serenbe in south Fulton County I have had singing Yellow Throated Vireos, Red-Eyed Vireos, Yellow-Throated Warblers, Northern Parula, Blackburnian Warbler, Summer Tanager and calling Green Heron among others. Chuck SaleebyKennesaw, GACobb County
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Date: 4/12/18 6:31 am From: Cox Family <towhee7...> Subject: [GABO-L] Bright spring birds Burke County
For about a week we've had indigo & painted buntings at our feeders. Yesterday we observed a male blue grosbeak and this morning we observed a male summer tanager feeding on white millet. We've not observed a tanager at the feeders before but instead out in the pecan orchard. Such beautiful colors!
Karen Cox Burke County
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
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Jamie Vidich and I saw a male By the swinging Bridge in Morningside Nature Center, Atlanta this morning.
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Date: 4/11/18 7:33 pm From: A Betuel <ykcul88...> Subject: [GABO-L] Atlanta Audubon Bird Fest
Georgia Birders, This weekend is the start of Atlanta Audubon's Third Annual Bird Fest. We have a TON of field trips, speakers, and workshops available for bird enthusiasts of all levels. A few top trips that still have a spaces remaining include:
- Shorebird Weekend on the GA Coast - See 100+ species (20+ shorebird species) while exploring some of our coastal hotspots - Warbler Weekend - A weekend enjoying the wonderful warbler diversity found in the north GA mountains. - Migratory Birds and Coffee - Search for migrant songbirds in the Macon area before heading to a coffee roaster to learn about the strong connection between coffee farms and our returning passerines.
*Director of Conservation - Atlanta Audubon Society*
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Date: 4/11/18 3:46 pm From: Ed Maioriello <edm...> Subject: [GABO-L] ORAS Bird Walks This Weekend - Athens-Clarke County
We have two bird walks scheduled for this weekend again, and, again, we have the prospect of inclement weather. Please check out web site, www.oconeeriversaudubon.org the night before if you have concerns. I'll update the calendar with any changes or cancellations no later than 10PM the night before.
Ed Maioriello Athens-Clarke County
==================================
Bird Walk At Beech Haven Event Date: Saturday, April 14, 2018 - 8:00am
The Oconee Rivers Audubon Society and the Oconee River Land Trust will be hosting a birdwalk at 8am at the Beech Haven tract off West Broad Street in athens. Birders of all levels are invited to attend.
"Beech Haven is an ecological and archeological treasure hidden away in the middle of Athens. The Middle Oconee River, streams, hardwood forest, and several open areas provide diverse bird habitat. Evidence of the site as an early 1900's era family retreat abound in stone structures, an Arts and Crafts style house, and grown-over formal gardens. Slated for public use, the land is protected by Athens-Clarke County and the Oconee River Land Trust."
Parking is in the back of Beech Haven Baptist Church (2390 W Broad St, Athens, GA 30606). Plan to arrive on time, as it will be difficult to find the group once the walk begins. There are no facilities on-site.
Our bird walks are open to the public. We typically run 3-4 hours though birders may leave at their convenience. Easy to moderate walking. Please dress for the weather, wear practical shoes, bring insect repellent and snacks/water as desired.
If you have any questions please contact Ed Maioriello at <fieldtrip...> or 706-296-5275.
IMPORTANT NOTE: On occasion, field trips may have to be cancelled (bad weather, etc.) or important details may change (for example, the original meeting spot for a site may have to be changed if there is a trail closure or parking problem). If you plan to attend a birdwalk, ALWAYS check www.oconeeriversaudubon.org the night before for updates.
==================================
Bird Walk At Whitehall Forest Event Date: Sunday, April 15, 2018 - 8:00am
The Oconee Rivers Audubon Society will be hosting a bird walk at Whitehall Forest Saturday at 8:00AM. This is a special treat as Whitehall is not usually available to the public, and is a fantastic location for birding in the Athens-Clarke County area. Together with the other adjacent UGA properties including the State Botanical Garden, Whitehall Forest is a Georgia Important Bird Area (IBA). *This is a Sunday walk.*
We will meet along the side of the entrance road just inside the gate. Once we have all assembled we will caravan down to the parking area at Flinchum's Phoenix. After the gate is closed you will not be able to get in so please don't be late. The gate will automatically open from the inside so birders may leave any time they wish.
Our bird walks are open to the public. We typically run 3-4 hours though birders may leave at their convenience. Easy to moderate walking. Please dress for the weather, wear practical shoes, bring insect repellent and snacks/water as desired.
If you have any questions please contact Ed Maioriello at <fieldtrip...> or 706-296-5275.
Address for Google Maps: 650 Phoenix Rd., Athens, GA. GPS Coordinates: 33.878749,-83.351035
IMPORTANT NOTE: On occasion, field trips may have to be cancelled (bad weather, etc.) or important details may change (for example, the original meeting spot for a site may have to be changed if there is a trail closure or parking problem). If you plan to attend a birdwalk, ALWAYS check www.oconeeriversaudubon.org the night before for updates.
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Date: 4/11/18 12:00 pm From: Ann Stewart <annhstewart...> Subject: [GABO-L] Floyd County Birds
Finally got a chance to check my duck box today. Don’t know what day they hatched but am happy to report that all 13 eggs hatched. Hope I have more nest but the WOOD DUCK sighting have been slim this year. Something has changed for them but I don’t know what??????
I have 2 pair of TREE SWALLOWS around my gourds!
Past week I’ve been having at least 20+ PINE SISKINS at the morning feeders.
Only one RUBY THROATED HUMMINGBIRD so far!
Ann Stewart
Rome, Ga
Floyd County
Ann Stewart
Rome,Georgia
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Date: 4/11/18 9:23 am From: robert emond <robert.emond2015...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert 10 Apr 18
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: April 11, 2018 at 9:30:53 AM EDT
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Ross's Goose (1 Tift)
> Redhead (5 DeKalb)
> Great Cormorant (North Atlantic) (1 Columbia)
> American Golden-Plover (1 Lee)
> Stilt Sandpiper (1 Lee)
> Dunlin (1 Lee)
> Black-chinned Hummingbird (1 Chatham)
> Red-cockaded Woodpecker (1 Jones)
> Northern Waterthrush (1 DeKalb)
> Bachman's Sparrow (1 Jones)
> Baltimore Oriole (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
>
> Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Also, the birding group from Young Harris College had a good day on Monday, including over 120 common loons seen from the dam of Lake Chatuge.
Sue Peters-Ferree
Blairsville, Union Co.
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Date: 4/10/18 1:17 pm From: Mark McShane <mcshanebirder...> Subject: [GABO-L] Florida Gulf Coast Migration and Tropicbird Status Report - 4/10/2018
Hi All,
A great report of interest to Georgia birders wanting migration news comes from the Florida panhandle today reporting some migration fallout conditions there which may help to forecast migration status in Georgia in the coming week or so. Also, the report includes an update concerning the previously reported returning tropicbird, which is still being seen!
See below from Bob and Lucy Duncan in Gulf Breeze, Florida. Bob has for many years been very good with weather conditions as he is very experienced with the weather, many of his migration reports contain valuable current, forecast and weekly pertinent weather information affecting bird migration.
Thanks primarily to Bob and Lucy some great Near Georgia Gulf Coast migration news can be followed at Florida North on the ABA's Birding News:
http://birding.aba.org/maillist/FL04
Other lists for the Eastern U.S. can also be easily checked anytime at the ABA's Birding News at:
http://birding.aba.org/
Good Birding All!
Mark
Mark McShane
Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia
www.neargareport.com
---
Subject: The birding spectacle continues
Date: Tue Apr 10 2018 7:52 am
From: nflbirds-noreply AT yahoogroups.com
Hi folks,
Birding from St. George Island FL to the MS Gulf Coast has been the best in many Springs. For the past three days migrants have been accumulating at the traps with more coming in each day. We are witnessing what famous birding hot spots like High Island, Tx & Cameron Parish and Grand Isle, LA offer more frequently. The Bermuda High, which normally dominates weather in the Gulf in Spring, is far to the east of its normal position. Hence, a strong SE influence is not present to vector birds more to our west.
The southern Gulf has been clear, so birds are starting north, but winds out of the east & SE are not strong. Apparently this is good enough for birds to take off. But as they move north into the central Gulf, winds, both surface and upper level, have been light and variable due to a stationary front in mid-Gulf. So birds can move N right to our area instead of being drifted NW. Furthermore, the northern Gulf has had low cloud cover, which would not be the optimum condition for birds to fly through. These factors are causing them to put down at our traps and even to the mainland. Currently, there appear to be storms in the NE Gulf but I don't know how that may affect us.
With up to 22 species of warblers on the AL coast, and the Pensacola area's 18, bundled with large flocks of buntings and orioles, tanagers and grosbeaks, incoming herons and egrets, it has been spectacular. Here in Gulf Breeze, large flocks of indigos with seven painteds continue this morning feasting on white millet on the ground while rose-breasted grosbeaks and tanagers dig away at suet blocks and sunflower seeds. And did I mention the hummingbirds? They're everywhere on blooming native youpon, coreopsis, lyre-leaf sage, etc. The wind is currently northerly, but easing around to the east. Don't know how much longer they'll stay.
Meanwhile at Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze, the Red-billed Tropicbird is making occasional visits (no data on patterns).
Bob and Lucy Duncan
Gulf Breeze, FL
---
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Date: 4/10/18 9:50 am From: Marlene Koslowsky <000006d228557fef-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] And then there were more swallows!
Hi, again.
I thought I'd run out to Lake Horton early this morning and see if there were lots of swallows today, too.
I was not disappointed. I reported 2000 tree swallows. Of course, who can count when there are so many? Every section of the lake was swarming and the road running through the park was covered all across.
Here is the list from this morning, with a few pics.
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44426877
Marlene KoslowskyFayette County
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Date: 4/10/18 6:03 am From: Sue Peters-Ferree <Soupysue...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] LAKE BLUE RIDGE?
I don't know if the loons are still at Lake Blue Ridge. However, the birding group from Young Harris College was thrilled to see over 120 loons yesterday at late morning from the dam at Lake Chatuge. Pretty much all in breeding plumage. What a sight!
-----Original Message----- From: Ann Stewart Sent: Monday, April 09, 2018 8:11 PM To: <GABO-L...> Subject: [GABO-L] LAKE BLUE RIDGE?
Can anyone tell me if the Loons are still at Blue Ridge Lake today??
Ann Stewart Rome,Georgia
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To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
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Hello, All!
I took a quick run out to Lake Horton in Fayetteville, but instead stayed a bit longer than planned as everywhere I looked there were swallows. Numbers were a guess, but easily a couple hundred three swallows, a good number of purple martins, and our usual 60 or more (likely more) barn swallows. The only ones who stopped at all were the barn swallows who will nest here.
The numbers thinned a bit the longer I stayed, so they were off to some other place. It was a lot of fun to watch them flit everywhere.
We've also had better than a dozen great egrets lining the far shores. That is unusual.
My list is here: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44412214 Marlene KoslowskyFayette County
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Date: 4/9/18 5:12 pm From: Ann Stewart <annhstewart...> Subject: [GABO-L] LAKE BLUE RIDGE?
Can anyone tell me if the Loons are still at Blue Ridge Lake today??
Ann Stewart Rome,Georgia
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I walked down to Azalea Wileo Marsh for my lunch break to find hundreds of swallows flying around. Cliff, Barn and Northern Rough-wing made up the majority with a few Trees mixed in. Chimney Swift’s are coming down to water level giving amazing looks. Only other migrants seem to be Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Common Yellowthroats.
Wes Hatch
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Date: 4/9/18 2:04 pm From: LINDA SHIPLEY <sharja...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fw: Yellow-Crowned Night Heron @ Cochran Shoals
My husband spotted a Yellow-Crowned Night Heron today at the Beaver Pond at Cochran Shoals.
Linda ShipleyFulton County
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Date: 4/9/18 11:54 am From: David DesRochers <davidw.desrochers...> Subject: [GABO-L] Purple Gallinule in Jasper
A student emailed me to say she found an unusual bird at 1230 today in Jasper walking in the road and acting disoriented. The student picked it up and brought it to the side of the road and placed it in a tree. After 15 minutes the bird left and flew into the woods and appeared to be acting normal. It was near the Dollar General.
2351 Cove Rd, Jasper, GA 30143
The student also sent me a photo - easy to see blue, head shield and purple/bluish coloration of feathers. -- David DesRochers, Assoc. Professor Dept. of Natural Sciences Dalton State College 650 College Dr. Dalton, GA 30720 <DavidW.DesRochers...> 617-306-5367
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Date: 4/8/18 8:26 pm From: Mark McShane <mcshanebirder...> Subject: [GABO-L] BLACK-LEGGED KITTWAKE - Savannah Riverfront - 3/31/2018 - Video Post (and Rabun County Peregrine Falcon nesting update with 4/1 photos)
Hi All,
It seems that when I started birding, which was in Georgia, in 2007, that Black-legged Kittiwakes were then showing up at inland locations in our state maybe every 5 years or so. I longed to see one in Georgia for quite a while, as it's pretty much impossible to chase one reported at sea, unless you're maybe James Bird, uh, James Bond, and even then it could be quite an assignment to relocate one in Georgia out there! Listed below are the Georgia inland sightings by month and year that are currently in eBird for this gull.
Black-legged Kittiwake - Inland Georgia sightings currently in eBird:
Mar-Apr 2018 Savannah Riverfront
Sep 2017 West Point Lake
Jan-Feb 2011 West Point Lake
Nov 2006 Lake Hartwell
Jan-Mar 2002 West Point Lake
Apr 2001 West Point Lake
Nov 2000 West Point Lake
Nov 2000 Jekyll Island
Dec 1995 (2 birds) Walter F. George Dam
There may be more inland sightings in the Georgia Birders Online (GABO-L) Archives which may not yet be in eBird. There are also more reports listed in the Annotated Checklist of Georgia Birds (unofficial abbreviation ACOGB, Occasional Publication No. 14, Georgia Ornithological Society (GOS) 2003) the oldest of which I think dates back to 1937! The 2003 ACOGB, the last we have so far, has the kittiwake listed as a rare and irregular offshore visitor, and accidental on the coast and inland.
On 3/31 Jim Hanna and I headed east to see the GREAT CORMORANT first found by Milton Hobbs on 3/29 of this year on the Savannah River from the Augusta Canal Trail in Columbia County. Along with many others there that day we were successful, well lucky enough, to see the bird roosting on South Carolina Savannah River rocks and then swimming, fishing and foraging in both South Carolina and Georgia Savannah River waters during the same session!
Spotting scope recommended.
Our plan was to hopefully see the cormorant and then to go to Savannah to see the current kittiwake afterwards in the afternoon. Interesting, motivating, and pretty special, probably only for us of course, was that it would be just the second time each of us would see the cormorant in Georgia! We both saw the Great Cormorant found at the Walter F. George Dam in 2008 for our state bird and in multiple years too, since almost certainly the same adult individual found in 2008 returned to the site in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and then finally in 2013! We also both saw the Jan-Feb 2011 West Point Lake Black-legged Kittiwake which was my state bird, although Jim had seen the 2002 West Point bird as well for his state bird...
---
Well, enough rambling, we did get to see both birds on 3/31! As many have seen and noted the kittiwake has been, or is it now was, quite tame and even approachable in the company of the other gulls along the Savannah Riverfront! It might be that one hasn't been observed so closely for such extended periods ever in Georgia previously. I was able to get a few pretty good handheld phonescoped video clips of the kittiwake at extremely close range which some may enjoy.
Also, the next day on 4/1, I visited the Tallulah Gorge State Park South Rim Trail, Overlooks 9 and 10, in Rabun County to check on the Peregrine Falcon pair nest scrape there. The female was on the eggs at the nest scrape when I arrived and I waited patiently for a good while and observed the male come and perch nearby for a minute as well. It was great watching the mother falcon on the eggs, making many adjustments to the eggs, her positioning on the eggs, and even to the scrape itself.
Eventually I was able to get a pretty good video still frame of the 4 650-feet away eggs themselves which can be seen in the eBird checklist:
http://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44166197
Spotting scope highly recommended.
---
Good Birding All!
Mark
Mark McShane
Lawrenceville, Georgia
www.neargareport.com
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Date: 4/8/18 4:23 pm From: robert emond <robert.emond2015...> Subject: [GABO-L] FOTY Indigo Bunting & Blue Grosbeaks
Spotted 2 Male Blue Grosbeaks and a Male Indigo Bunting in Lowndes County. Prairie Warblers, Great Crested Flycatchers, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, and Eastern Kingbirds are out in numbers too.
Go birding!
Robert Emond Lowndes
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Date: 4/8/18 12:48 pm From: Vinod Babu <pavinodbabu...> Subject: [GABO-L] Broad-winged Hawk and other migrant and wintering bird activity, Lullwater Preserve, DeKalb Co.
Hello,
Gus Kaufman and I and a few other friends birded Lullwater Preserve this morning and had several FOTS birds, including a Broad-winged Hawk seen from the Clifton School parking lot, singing Prairie, Black-and-white, Hooded and Black-throated Green Warblers, Yellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos, rough-winged swallows and Chimney Swifts. A good variety of winter residents are also around, with high numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Cedar Waxwings. We saw active Brown-headed and White-breasted Nuthatch nest holes. Good birding!
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Date: 4/8/18 10:10 am From: Tom Striker <tastriker...> Subject: [GABO-L] Lingering Loons, Lake Blue Ridge - Fannin County
Yesterday (Saturday, April 7, 2018) was the big loon festival on Lake Blue Ridge. Brian Lupa reported approximately 300 Common Loons and 2 Red-throated Loons near the dam, along with Double-crested Cormorants, Blue-winged Teal and Ring-billed and Bonaparte's Gulls. Brian posted a photo on ebird and Nedra Sekera posted on GABO.
Today I observed 54 Common Loons and one Red-throated Loon from Morganton Point, along with a single cormorant, a few BW Teal and about a dozen scaup sp. Oh yeah, with an adult Bald Eagle flyover, just for fun. Ain't birding great??!!
The previous unofficial record loon count was Jim Flynn's count of 162 in October of 2005, I think. He caught a good day, and so did we this weekend!
Tom Striker
Blue Ridge - Fannin County, GA
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Date: 4/8/18 7:19 am From: Jeff Madsen <bluewingjeff...> Subject: [GABO-L] Red-billed Tropicbird not seen yesterday, Pine Siskins DeKalb, BWHA last week
Sorry for the late reports, but happened to be in Gulf Breeze last week and saw the reports of the red-billed tropicbird at Shoreline Park. I was fortunate enough to see it last year. I spent about 90 minutes in the intermittent rain and thunder at the park from about 8 am to 930 am on April 7th and did not see the bird. I hope it hangs out like it did last year, and would encourage anyone with interest to make the 5 hour drive to go see it. The park is very nice and has lots of other birds like Bald Eagles and Ospreys, and just over the bridge is Ft Pickens, which is great during April and May for migrants (check out Battery Langdon for sure).
Speaking of, I had my FOTY Broad-winged park at Kennessaw Mountain last week, Sunday, April 1. The bird was observed near the top of the mountain soaring around. Everything else was pretty slow, didn't see many migrants at all.
This morning while making coffee I heard and later saw my first Pine Siskins of the year at my home in Brookhaven, DeKalb Co. There are currently several in my yard!
Jeff Madsen
Brookhaven, DeKalb, Co
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Had two Solitary Sandpipers and two greater yellowlegs off the observation deck on the main pond at the corner of azalea and willeo. This is observation deck closest to the Willeo Rd entrance. These are the first sandpipers I’ve seen in there this spring, and always assumed I’d see more on that flat. Also had over 20 Palm Warblers feeding in a single group on the azalea end of the boardwalk. Common yellowthroats along the path and numerous yellow-rumps.
Photos of the Solitaries in my eBird link below. GPS tag in eBird is the entrance to the boardwalk, walk down the steps, and turn left, Head east to the observation platform. Both SOSA and both GYLE visible from the platform, as well as an accomodating Common Yellowthroat and a few Swamp Sparrows.
Sent from my iPhone
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Date: 4/7/18 6:21 pm From: lambertsewell <lambertsewell...> Subject: [GABO-L] Fwd: eBird - Gr Yellowlegs, Murphey Candler Park, Apr 7, 2018
Sent from my Galaxy Tab A -------- Original message --------From: <ebird-checklist...> Date: 4/7/18 2:08 PM (GMT-05:00) To: <lambertsewell...> Subject: eBird Report - Murphey Candler Park, Apr 7, 2018 Murphey Candler Park, DeKalb, Georgia, US Apr 7, 2018 9:40 AM - 11:00 AM Protocol: Traveling 0.3 mile(s) 41 species (+1 other taxa)
Canada Goose 16 Blue-winged Teal 32 Mallard (Domestic type) 8 Ring-necked Duck 1 Lesser Scaup 1 Bufflehead 1 Pied-billed Grebe 5 Double-crested Cormorant 4 Red-shouldered Hawk (lineatus Group) 1 American Coot 3 Spotted Sandpiper 1 Greater Yellowlegs 7 Mourning Dove 1 Belted Kingfisher 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker 1 Downy Woodpecker (Eastern) 1 Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted) 1 Eastern Phoebe 1 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 3 Fish Crow 4 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 20 Tree Swallow 3 Barn Swallow 1 Carolina Chickadee 2 Tufted Titmouse 2 Carolina Wren 4 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 Wood Thrush 1 American Robin 2 Cedar Waxwing 5 Common Yellowthroat 2 Pine Warbler 2 Chipping Sparrow 1 Song Sparrow 2 Eastern Towhee 2 Northern Cardinal 4 Red-winged Blackbird 1 Common Grackle 6 House Finch 2 American Goldfinch 2
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Jeff SewellDeKalb Co.
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Had two Solitary Sandpipers and two greater yellowlegs off the observation deck on the main pond at the corner of azalea and willeo. First sandpipers I’ve seen in there this spring, and always assumed I’d see more on that flat. Also had over 20 Palm Warblers feeding in a single group on the azalea end of the boardwalk. Common yellowthroats along the path and numerous yellow-rumps.
Sent from my iPhone
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Date: 4/7/18 10:46 am From: Mail <njs1500...> Subject: [GABO-L] 300+ Common Loons Lake Blue Ridge -Fannin
Brian Lupa called to say he had 300 plus Common Loons
at the Lake Blue Ridge Dam. By the time I got there a boat
had split the group and we observed the larger number of
them from the viewing platform at the Blue Ridge Marina.
By the time I left an hour ago I counted easily 210.
Also seen were two red-throated loons with one of them
showing a red spot down from the throat.
At the same time there were 50 plus Bonaparte’s gulls
4 double crested cormorants
3 ringed bill gulls
1 laughing gull in breeding plumage
30 coots
It was worth standing again in the icy cold wind to see
this spectacle. A hard freeze tonight and some snow tomorrow
is expected. It will be interesting to see if they are still here
tomorrow.
Nedra Sekera
Epworth GA
Fannin County - the top of Georgia
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Date: 4/7/18 6:44 am From: Ashley Kristen Lohr <ashley.lohr25...> Subject: [GABO-L] 2 Eurasian collared doves (Round Oak, Hwy 11)
For anyone who's interested, yesterday I observed a pair of Eur. collared doves next to the railroad tracks where Shoal Creek Rd. hits Old Hwy 11 in Round Oak (not sure of county). I even watched them copulate once.
I also got extremely close views of a red-headed woodpecker on Jackson Rd. (first left off of Old Hwy 11). There are extensive cow pastures along that road, and the woodpeckers sometimes perch on the wooden fence posts lining the road. I was able to pull my truck right next to one before it flew into a tree. Beautiful birds!
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Date: 4/6/18 4:43 pm From: Mark McShane <mcshanebirder...> Subject: [GABO-L] NEAR GEORGIA REPORT - RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD, Shoreline Park Area, Gulf Breeze, Santa Rosa County FL - 4/4/2018
Hi All,
AMAZINGLY IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN!!!
A very spectacular, newsworthy, and Very Near Georgia American Birding Association Checklist Code-3: Rare pelagic species can potentially be seen again From Shore and Possibly Within Mere Yards!
It seems that the same adult RED-BILLED TROPICBIRD that visited the Shoreline Park area in Gulf Breeze in Santa Rosa County Florida last year, practically daily, and at least between 4/7 and 6/19, has returned to the area! The tropicbird was first seen this week on 4/4, and has been seen again today as well!
This bird may stay a while and repeat its pattern of last year when it frequented the dock area at Shoreline Park almost daily, or even multiple times a day, and many folks were able to see the Red-billed within 20-50 feet even repeatedly! This may again prove to be a superb opportunity to see such an amazing and cool pelagic species extremely well from or at the shore!
---
My eBird checklist from last year with all of the details needed to try to see the tropicbird (if the bird holds to its 2017 pattern):
http://ebird.org/view/checklist/S36465392
Last year when I saw the Red-billed it passed by about 200 yards out off of the end of the park pier and then angled southeast out across the bay (English Navy Cove) and put down on the water for a while, others saw the tropicbird within 20 feet of the pier and some truly amazing photos and videos were taken! Be advised that the tropicbird sometimes was and is seen not just from the park, but around the bridge to the east, and in the general area as well.
---
You can always track the latest news and reports of the tropicbird via:
Mark McShane
Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia
www.neargareport.com
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Sharing that we've started up our live feed again but this time instead of Nuthatches we've focused on one of our busy Bluebird boxes. Since I opened Kennesaw Mountain Nature Preschool, I can really be around birds every day and share the joy among families with young children. This nest box cam is one way we can share with a larger community.
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> From: <ebird-alert...>
> Date: April 6, 2018 at 9:23:55 AM EDT
> Subject: [eBird Alert] Georgia Rare Bird Alert <daily>
>
> *** Species Summary:
>
> Ross's Goose (1 Tift)
> Northern Shoveler (1 Muscogee)
> Bufflehead (2 Union)
> Common Goldeneye (1 Richmond)
> Common Merganser (1 Cherokee)
> Great Cormorant (1 Columbia)
> American Bittern (6 DeKalb)
> Virginia Rail (1 Greene)
> Sora (1 Greene)
> Limpkin (Speckled) (1 Dougherty)
> American Golden-Plover (3 Bartow)
> Dunlin (1 Bartow)
> Semipalmated Sandpiper (1 Tift)
> Eastern Whip-poor-will (1 Fulton)
> Willow Flycatcher (1 Glynn)
> Marsh Wren (1 Fulton)
> Cape May Warbler (1 Lowndes)
> Bachman's Sparrow (1 Jackson)
> Boat-tailed Grackle (1 Tift)
>
> ---------------------------------------------
> 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
>
> Robert Emond
Lowndes
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Date: 4/6/18 11:05 am From: thegahobbs6 <thegahobbs6...> Subject: [GABO-L] Great Cormorant continues Augusta Georgia
Hello Birders,The Great Cormorant at the Augusta Canal Trail continues. Still perched on rocks out from the pedestrian bridge near the kayak rental shop. The location must suit.Milton HobbsBurke County
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Date: 4/6/18 7:33 am From: William Pixler <pillwixler...> Subject: [GABO-L] Singing Marsh Wren(s?) Big Haynes Nature Trail - Rockdale Co.
Good morning birders!
This morning I had at least one marsh wren singing at the Big Haynes Nature Trail in Conyers. The bird was singing in a clump of vegetation in the wetlands just off the first canoe launch near the parking lot. I'm also pretty confident that there was a second one singing elsewhere in the wetlands farther north along the trail. I'm 100% confident it was a marsh wren singing, but because of the way the trail bends away from the wetlands and then comes back in, I don't know how far I actually traveled so I'm not totally confident it was 2 separate birds.
Other birds of note was my FOY red-eyed vireo singing, some singing parulas, and a large flock of white-throated sparrows with a few beginning to sing as well. Blue-gray gnatcatchers are also back in force.
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Date: 4/5/18 8:31 am From: Carol Lambert or Jeff Sewell <lambertsewell...> Subject: [GABO-L] Indigo Bunting, DeKalb Co. 4/5/18
Jeff spotted our fots INBU, a male, in the yard today. Also still present, we have at least 1 Pine Siskin and Ruby-crowned Kinglet and White-throated Sparrow; with our fots Ruby-throated Hummingbird-1 female yesterday. It’s so good to see them coming in.
Carol Lambert & Jeff Sewell
Tucker, DeKalb Co.
<lambertsewell...>
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
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After finishing family obligations, I'm thinking of heading to Savannah. Has anyone seen the bird today? Thanks, Theresa Currently on Amelia Island
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Date: 4/4/18 2:03 pm From: Ed Maioriello <edm...> Subject: [GABO-L] ORAS Bird Walks this weekend - Athens-Clarke County
All,
The Oconee Rivers Audubon Society will be hosting two bird walks in Athens this weekend. We are keeping an eye on the weather for Saturday morning. In the event of severely inclement weather I will update our calendar, see links below, to indicate a cancellation. If there is just light rain we will go out.
Ed Maioriello ORAS Field Trip Chair Athens-Clarke County
Bird Walk At Lake Herrick/Oconee Forest Park Event Date: Saturday, April 7, 2018 - 8:00am
The Oconee Rivers Audubon Society will be hosting a birdwalk at Lake Herrick and Oconee Forest Park. Birders of all levels are invited to attend. We will be meeting at the entrance to Oconee Forest Park located behind the tennis courts toward the rear of the Intramural Fields. Please note that this is a popular park for dog walkers.
Our bird walks are open to the public. We typically run 3-4 hours though birders may leave at their convenience. Easy to moderate walking. Please dress for the weather, wear practical shoes, bring insect repellent and snacks/water as desired.
If you have any questions please contact Ed Maioriello at <fieldtrip...> or 706-296-5275.
IMPORTANT NOTE: On occasion, field trips may have to be cancelled (bad weather, etc.) or important details may change (for example, the original meeting spot for a site may have to be changed if there is a trail closure or parking problem). If you plan to attend a birdwalk, ALWAYS check www.oconeeriversaudubon.org the night before for updates.
Bird Walk At The Sandy Creek Nature Center Event Date: Sunday, April 8, 2018 - 8:00am
The Oconee Rivers Audubon Society will be hosting a bird walk at the Sandy Creek Nature Center at 8:00AM. We will meet in the Allen House Parking lot (the small lot to the left of the Ensat Building). *This is a Sunday Walk.*
Our bird walks are open to the public. We typically run 3-4 hours. Easy to moderate walking. Please dress for the weather, wear practical shoes, bring insect repellent and snacks/water as desired.
If you have any questions please contact Ed Maioriello at <fieldtrip...> or 706-296-5275.
IMPORTANT NOTE: On occasion, field trips may have to be cancelled (bad weather, etc.) or important details may change (for example, the original meeting spot for a site may have to be changed if there is a trail closure or parking problem). If you plan to attend a birdwalk, ALWAYS check www.oconeeriversaudubon.org the night before for updates.
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I heard my FOS prairie warbler and ovenbird today and yesterday, respectively, on Cedar Creek WMA (Putnam County and surrounding area).
I've also been hearing black-throated green warblers for over a week, and northern parulas more recently. And of course there are plenty of blue-grey gnatcatchers and black-and-white warblers singing.
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Date: 4/3/18 7:41 am From: John Mark Simmons <jmbirdingandphoto...> Subject: [GABO-L] KIttiwake YES 04/03
Flew by me at the Waving Girl Statue at 10:35.
Sent from my iPhone
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Date: 4/3/18 4:51 am From: plm108 <plm108...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pooler Western Tanager
Hi Vince. We think the tanager is now gone. Last sighting by homeowner was Mar 29. A few of us did a 1/2 day watch on Sun, Apr 1, with no luck. Patty McLean, Tucker GA Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message --------From: Vince Howard <000006469bc9e602-dmarc-request...> Date: 4/2/18 11:17 PM (GMT-05:00) To: <GABO-L...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pooler Western Tanager Meant to type “ Pooler Western Tanager “
Vince Howard 706.612.5253
> On Apr 2, 2018, at 11:14 PM, Vince Howard <rvince...> wrote: > > How does one contact the homeowner to seek permission to view the Western Tanager if it’s still around? > > Thanks > > Vince Howard > 706.612.5253 > >
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To contact a listowner, send message to <GABO-L-request...>
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Date: 4/3/18 3:32 am From: David DesRochers <davidw.desrochers...> Subject: [GABO-L] Dalton Migrants
Blue-gray Gnatcatchers appearing in multiple locations along with Tree Swallows. Chuck-Will's Widow calling last night and Northern Rough-winged Swallows at Dalton State.
-- David DesRochers, Assoc. Professor Dept. of Natural Sciences Dalton State College 650 College Dr. Dalton, GA 30720 <DavidW.DesRochers...> 617-306-5367
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Date: 4/2/18 8:18 pm From: Vince Howard <000006469bc9e602-dmarc-request...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Pooler Western Tanager
Meant to type “ Pooler Western Tanager “
Vince Howard
706.612.5253
> On Apr 2, 2018, at 11:14 PM, Vince Howard <rvince...> wrote:
>
> How does one contact the homeowner to seek permission to view the Western Tanager if it’s still around?
>
> Thanks
>
> Vince Howard
> 706.612.5253
>
>
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Date: 4/2/18 8:15 pm From: Vince Howard <000006469bc9e602-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Poorer Western Tanager
How does one contact the homeowner to seek permission to view the Western Tanager if it’s still around?
Thanks
Vince Howard
706.612.5253
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Perched behind Joe’s Crabshack at 10:00 am. Also seen by Leslie Curran, Jackie Heyda and Marianna Wilson.
Karen Osborne
Marietta GA
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Date: 4/1/18 12:02 pm From: John T. Brooks <John...> Subject: [GABO-L] FOS hummingbird Brookhaven, Dekalb County
Just saw our first of the Season male ruby-throated hummingbird. Brookhaven Georgia.
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Date: 4/1/18 6:27 am From: DeeAnne M <deeanne.mel...> Subject: [GABO-L] FOTS white-eyed vireo
Singing in the yard in DeKalb county right now!
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Looking at the bird now. In front of Waving Girl statue.
Buddy Campbell Ladys Island Beaufort SC
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Meghann McLeroy asked me to post that she is watching the Black-legged Kittiwake now at the River St market place. A tourist is feeding the gulls and the kittiwake is among them.
Good birding all,
Liam Wolff
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Date: 3/31/18 11:42 am From: thegahobbs6 <thegahobbs6...> Subject: [GABO-L] RE Great Cormorant continues, Augustal
Hi all,The Great Cormorant continues... Directly across the river from the canal suspension bridge.Milton HobbsBurke County
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Hi birders. We just had two Bonaparte's Gulls flying over the south end of Lake Chapman at Sandy Creek Park. On the lake now are 11 Ruddy Ducks, 2 Ring-necked Ducks, a Double-crested Cormorant and 3 Pied-billed Grebes.
-- Alison Huff
Northern Clarke County
(from my iPhone)
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Date: 3/31/18 8:17 am From: plm108 <plm108...> Subject: [GABO-L] Great Cormorant Continues Today
The GRCO is on a rock in the Savannah River straight out from the foot bridge at the kayak launch area at the Augusta Canal Trail where Milton Hobbs found it yesterday.
Patty McLean and Other Happy Birders Georgia and South Carolina
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Date: 3/30/18 12:16 pm From: Liam Wolff <0000018bba98c267-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] Kittiwake at River St, Savannah
The Black-legged Kittiwake continues now 15:13 3/30/18 at River St on a dock railing just west of the Waving Girl Statue.
Seen by myself and Lois Stacey.
Good birding all,
Liam Wolff
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Stood on River Street in the rain for about 1/2 hour at 9 am this morning. Shortly before 9:30, the Black-legged Kittiwake flew over my head as I stood in the parking lot near the Ferry Dock. Managed to get 2 not great photos as it flew upriver.
Cheers and good birding,
Diana
Sent from my iPad
Diana Churchill
Tybee Island, GA
<Dichurch...>
Www.dianachurchillbirds.com
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Date: 3/30/18 8:11 am From: thegahobbs6 <thegahobbs6...> Subject: [GABO-L] Great Cormorant continues Augusta Georgia
Georgia chasers,Currently looking at the great cormorant.It is located on the far side of the river directly across from the canal suspension bridge!Milton HobbsBurke County
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Date: 3/30/18 4:30 am From: Marshall Weber <mjweber478...> Subject: [GABO-L] Black-legged Kittiwake-YES-River Street
Hi All,
John Patten Moss and I just relocated the continuing BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE
just upriver of Joe’s Crab Shack by the ferry dock. Seen twice in the last
15 minutes.
Good Birding,
Marshall Weber
<mjweber478...>
DeKalb Co.
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Date: 3/29/18 7:11 pm From: Milton Hobbs <thegahobbs6...> Subject: [GABO-L] Great Cormorant, Augusta, GA
Hello Birders, Today at Columbia County Hotspot--Augusta Canal Trail--near the Savannah Rapids Pavilion I found a Great Cormorant. He is a big codger compared to the Double-crested. Lifer!!! And just a tad rare for the area. Ebird checklist with photos: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44074807 Milton Hobbs Burke County
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Date: 3/29/18 6:35 pm From: Mark McShane <mcshanebirder...> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] White-faced Ibis, 23 Glossy Ibis and other waders @ Bradley Unit - 3/29
Hi All,
Nice run indeed Guys!
Mark
Mark McShane
Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia
www.neargareport.com
> On Mar 29, 2018, at 2:10 PM, Walt Chambers <chambersw...> wrote:
>
> Ran into Andrew Dreelin at the Bradley this morning. Didn't have a lot of first-of-the-year stuff, but had a nice run anyway. As we turned the corner to walk east toward the silos from the NW portion of the south loop, we had 22 (what we believe to be all) Glossy Ibis fly past us heading NNE. This species as been here several times including the last 3 springs, breeding in 2016. While trying to track them down, we had 2 more plegadis ibis fly over us and land over in the shallow, grassy pond on the east side of the unit by the the other east-to-west berm. We actually found those 2 and one of them was an adult White-faced (Trying to post pics on FB). The other was an adult Glossy. Several White Ibis were present as well. This is the first record of WFIB here since 2002. As far as other notes, we did have about 70+ Little Blue Herons (most in the rookery by the south pump house), 2 Green Herons, and 3 Snowy Egrets. Andrew also saw an American Bittern landing near where the ibis were. Although we did hear 1-2 singing Yellow-throated Vireos, we didn't have too many new arrivals as mentioned. Andrew did have 1 Prairie Warbler singing and a Lesser Yellowlegs. The only non-Wood Duck waterfowl were Blue-winged Teal, maybe 2 dozen. 7 King Rail were heard.
>
>
> Walt Chambers
>
> Columbus
>
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Date: 3/29/18 6:12 pm From: Ann Stewart <annhstewart...> Subject: [GABO-L] Blue Bird/Tree Swallows-Floyd Co
My son made me 4 new Birdhouses for my birthday and I painted them yesterday as began putting them up. As I put them up I also used the opportunity to check my existing
boxes since I had my step stool with me!
I was surprised to find a couple nests already in a few boxes
and in one bluebird box I had 3 eggs. As I raised the lid of one box was surprised to see 3-4 babies several days old with small blue feathers but OH-
something was wrong with one of them - as I looked down I realized one baby had a giant
Worm 🐛 sticking out of its mouth and he was choking!!
Mama bird must not have realized that this worm was much too large for this baby’s mouth! The worm was sticking half way out of its mouth - no way in the world this baby could swallow it - not sure the adult even could ! I reached in pull the worm out! Hopefully the baby will be ok!
WHAT A RELIEF!!!
Another note-
For several years we’ve had an old tv antenna on metal pole attached to our garden house with 6 gourds handing in it. I’ve noticed several years bluebirds sitting on pole but never was sure if they were nesting. I’ve been wanting to move it for a long time and attach it to a pole that I have several gourds on I the middle of the pasture between the house and pond. This pole and gourds is where my TREE SWALLOWS nest each year. Well we got it down and I cleaned out the gourds. four were filled with pine straw but last two had pine straw and many many feathers . Now I’m thinking I’ve had TREE SWALLOWS nest in these gourds also without me knowing it. Bluebirds don’t put feathers in their nest but swallows do!
I was real excited to know that I might have had more tree swallows nesting than I knew.
Got new pole up next to old pole and new one is much higher/ hope I can attract some Purple Martins or more TREE SWALLOWS. Hope the two that have already arrived this year aren’t disturbed by the new pole!!!
Never a dull day on the old homestead!!
Nature is so fascinating!!
Ann Stewart
Rome,Georgia
Sent from my iPhone
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Date: 3/29/18 2:03 pm From: Sandra Eileen Garber <sgarber...> Subject: [GABO-L] Male Ruby-throated hummingbird, Cherokee County
Put out hummingbird feeder (early for us) based on reports at 3:00 pm today. At 5:00 we saw a male Ruby-Throated Hummingbird on the feeder. Wow! Didn't expect one so soon.
Sandra Garber
Canton, GA
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Date: 3/29/18 1:55 pm From: Marlene Koslowsky <000006d228557fef-dmarc-request...> Subject: [GABO-L] FOTS Green Heron, Fayette County
Hi, All!
Wandered over to Lake Peachtree this morning, not even looking for this guy. He was just right there seconds after I walked out to see what's what. One green heron, a favorite of mine.
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S44063218
Fun!
Marlene Koslowsky in Fayetteville
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Date: 3/29/18 11:14 am From: Walt Chambers <chambersw...> Subject: [GABO-L] G. White-fronted Goose, A. White Pelicans @ WF George Dam - 3/29
After birding with Andrew at the Bradley, I hit WF George Dam in Clay Co. Not much on the water, but had a G. White-fronted Goose in the pond on the south side of the entrance road to the dam just north of Ft Gaines. I also has 6 A. White Pelicans below the dam, seen from the AL side.. This species has become nearly reliable here this time of year ..nearly...
Walt Chambers
Columbus
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Date: 3/29/18 11:14 am From: Walt Chambers <chambersw...> Subject: [GABO-L] White-faced Ibis, 23 Glossy Ibis and other waders @ Bradley Unit - 3/29
Ran into Andrew Dreelin at the Bradley this morning. Didn't have a lot of first-of-the-year stuff, but had a nice run anyway. As we turned the corner to walk east toward the silos from the NW portion of the south loop, we had 22 (what we believe to be all) Glossy Ibis fly past us heading NNE. This species as been here several times including the last 3 springs, breeding in 2016. While trying to track them down, we had 2 more plegadis ibis fly over us and land over in the shallow, grassy pond on the east side of the unit by the the other east-to-west berm. We actually found those 2 and one of them was an adult White-faced (Trying to post pics on FB). The other was an adult Glossy. Several White Ibis were present as well. This is the first record of WFIB here since 2002. As far as other notes, we did have about 70+ Little Blue Herons (most in the rookery by the south pump house), 2 Green Herons, and 3 Snowy Egrets. Andrew also saw an American Bittern landing near where the ibis were. Although we did hear 1-2 singing Yellow-throated Vireos, we didn't have too many new arrivals as mentioned. Andrew did have 1 Prairie Warbler singing and a Lesser Yellowlegs. The only non-Wood Duck waterfowl were Blue-winged Teal, maybe 2 dozen. 7 King Rail were heard.
Walt Chambers
Columbus
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Date: 3/29/18 8:24 am From: Brown, Juliet <jeward...> Subject: [GABO-L] birding near Waynesville, NC
Hi everyone,
I will be traveling to Waynesville, NC this weekend and am hoping to do some birding.
Does anyone know of:
a) a NC birders listserv?
b) good birding spots/hikes in or around Waynesville?
Many thanks,
Juliet
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Date: 3/29/18 5:21 am From: David Yon <dpyoniii...> Subject: [GABO-L] FOTS Ruby-Throated and Continuing Rufous Tuesday 3/27
Good day All,
On Tuesday 3/27 we had our FOTS male Ruby-throated Hummingbird on the feeder and shortly thereafter the female Rufous was feeding.
Take care, David Yon Forsyth County
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Date: 3/28/18 7:36 pm From: Cox Family <towhee7...> Subject: [GABO-L] peregrine falcon Burke County
A peregrine falcon was spotted high overhead today by my son who photographed it. He thought it was a kestrel, but upon examination of the photographs I suspected peregrine falcon. It seemed larger than a kestrel to be visible from so far away, and the facial markings also looked to me like a peregrine falcon. Pictures are on ebird under user name Georgia cardinal, and also here:
I have sometimes seen here a bird which I thought might be a peregrine falcon overhead, but I hadn't photographed it or looked through binoculars. I'll try to keep an eye out for it again so we can learn more. We noted from ebird that a peregrine hasn't been reported in our county since about 2011.
Karen Cox Burke County
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Date: 3/28/18 2:30 pm From: Ed Maioriello <edm...> Subject: [GABO-L] ORAS Bird Walk at Sandy Creek Park - Athens-Clarke County
Saturday, March 31, 2018 - 8:00am
The Oconee Rivers Audubon Society will be hosting a birdwalk at 8am at Sandy Creek Park. Birders of all levels are invited to attend. The spring migrants are arriving so it should be a great walk! Folks showing up for the walk do not have to pay the entrance fee; however, if people stay and enjoy the park after the walk, they are asked to pay.
We will be meeting in the parking lot just to the right of entrance gate. From there we will look for waterfowl on the lake, explore some of the Lakeside Trail, and explore some of the open field habitat available at the park.
Our bird walks are open to the public. We typically run 3-4 hours though birders may leave at their convenience. Easy to moderate walking. Please dress for the weather, wear practical shoes, bring insect repellent and snacks/water as desired.
If you have any questions please contact Ed Maioriello at <fieldtrip...> or 706-296-5275.
IMPORTANT NOTE: On occasion, field trips may have to be cancelled (bad weather, etc.) or important details may change (for example, the original meeting spot for a site may have to be changed if there is a trail closure or parking problem). If you plan to attend a birdwalk, ALWAYS check www.oconeeriversaudubon.org the night before for updates.
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Date: 3/28/18 12:09 pm From: Ralph H. Henderson,M.D. <rafeh...> Subject: [GABO-L] FOTS Ruby-throat
At our feeder at noon today, McConnell Drive (near Toco Hills, Dekalb Co.). Think I just missed it last evening. Last year's arrival on 3 April.
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Date: 3/28/18 8:52 am From: Mark McShane <mcshanebirder...> Subject: [GABO-L] BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE Continues - Morrell Park, Savannah - 3/28/2018
Hi All,
Kathy Miller called from the field just now, so to speak, to request a post that she and the group of folks that she's with, just relocated the BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE on the East River Street riverfront in Savannah!
The location is the same spot where Andrew Theus and James Fleullan saw the gull yesterday, the Morrell Park waterfront area immediately adjacent to the statue of The Waving Girl.
(Florence Martus (1868–1943), also known as The Waving Girl, took it upon herself to be the unofficial greeter of all ships that entered and left the Port of Savannah, Georgia, between 1887 and 1931)!
Coordinates:
Decimal Degrees (WGS84) - 32.080128, -81.084063
GPS - N 32 04.808 W 81 05.044
Good Birding All!
Mark
Mark McShane
Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia
www.neargareport.com
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Date: 3/28/18 7:47 am From: Vinod Babu <pavinodbabu...> Subject: [GABO-L] Early Warblers- Atlanta (Fulton co.)
Hello all,
I was working in the yard this morning and was pleasantly surprised to hear the squeaky song of a Black-and-white warbler, soon followed by a singing Black-throated Green Warbler. I managed to get a look at both species, and I also heard a Northern Parula singing. We have some big oaks in the neighbourhood which typically host a number of pass-through and wintering species. Good numbers of Cedar Waxwings remain, as well as Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and singing White-throated Sparrows and Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets. I got close views of an Orange-crowned Warbler foraging in some wax-myrtles. The Blue Jays in my neighbourhood have taken to giving accurate imitations of Cooper's Hawk calls. Fish crows have been flying over almost daily, although I have never been able to find out where they are headed.
Spring is here!
Thanks, Vinod Babu Atlanta, GA
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Date: 3/28/18 6:24 am From: Ann Stewart <annhstewart...> Subject: [GABO-L] Hummingbird-Floyd County
Just had my first male hummingbird of the season!
Just returned from two road trip to South Texas and when I returned home was happy to see
my pair of TREE SWALLOWS sitting on their gourd pole!
Picked up only two Lifers on this trip but finally got my nemesis bird the GREEN KINGFISHER.
My other life bird was WHITE-FACED IBIS!
Ann Stewart
Rome,Georgia
Floyd County
Sent from my iPhone
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Date: 3/27/18 7:14 pm From: James F Flynn Jr <jim.flynn...> Subject: [GABO-L] Lake Lanier Loons, 3/27/2018
Hi, folks, today after work I stopped by West Bank Park & Tidwell Park (Forsyth Co.) to scan Lake Lanier for water birds. Of particular note was the large number of Common Loons, with over 600 counted between the two locations. Most were in rafts from 30 - 100 birds scattered around the lake, and all but a few were well on their way to full alternate plumage.
Other species of note:
Blue-winged Teal: 12
Northern Shoveler: 3
American Wigeon: 32
Ring-necked Duck: 3
Lesser Scaup: 23
Hooded Merganser: 1
Horned Grebe: 12
Pied-billed Grebe: 2
American Coot: 39
Bald Eagle: adult on nest in a pine on the south shore of the main Lake Lanier Island (visible with a scope from West Bank Park)
Bonaparte's Gull: 100+
Ring-billed Gull: 350+
Herring Gull: 23 including many adults
(Most of these birds were observed off of West Bank Park.)
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For others who post from flickr and don't already know - you have to remove the s from the https and also remove the stuff from the end of the link after the number of your photo stream. This allows people who don't have a flickr account to go directly to the link without logging in, as I understand.
I hope this works!
Karen Cox Burke County GA
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This afternoon James Fleullan and I were successful in relocating a first winter Black-legged Kittiwake from River street in Savannah, near the waving girl statue. The bird gave stunning close views—flying right by us several times and even landing for several minutes on the railing feet away and appeared healthy despite its tameness. It was previously reported to eBird on March 14 by Josephine Kalbfleisch and again yesterday by Andreas Seiter.
Several tourists walking by wondering why on earth we were so excited got to see and learn about birding and this rare visitor.
Andrew Theus, Chatham co.
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Date: 3/27/18 2:05 pm From: Trey McCuen <eleganttreygon...> Subject: [GABO-L] May 19 Pelagic Tybee Island
A reminder that the Spring pelagic is coming up and I have several slots available. The details are as follows:
When: Saturday, May 19. Meet at the dock by 2:30 AM and return at 6PM
Boat Capacity: There is a 20 person minimum and a 34 person maximum
Cost: The price is $255 per person
Deposits will be made in advance to cover the booking fee. At sunrise we will start at Tower R7 and then hit Tower R8 on the way to the gulf stream. Once in the gulf stream we will start chumming and be here for 4-5 hours. On the way in we will stop by Towers R3 and M2R6.
Species we will look for include but are not limited to Bridled Tern, Sooty Tern, Arctic Tern, Audubon's Shearwater, Cory's Shearwater, Great Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater, Leach's Storm Petrel, Band rumped Storm Petrel, Wilson's Storm Petrel and Black capped Petrel.
Trey McCuen Tifton, GA
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Date: 3/26/18 4:46 pm From: Lawrence Carlile <l.carlile259...> Subject: [GABO-L] Spring Meeting Registration Available
Dear GOS Members,
Our Spring Meeting (18-20 May 2018) registration is now available at the GOS website (http://www.gos.org/2018SpringMeeting). Please join us for good fellowship and good birding in the mountains of Georgia.
Hope to see you there!
Larry Carlile
President, GOS
Savannah, GA
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With all the migrating ducks passing through right now, I was excited to hear that a Green-wing3d Teal was reported from Murphy Candler Park this morning. So, having seldom seen one in this area in recent years, I decided to give it a "chase." It took a while to find it among the paddling of Blue-winged Teal but eventually its large green facial stripe popped into view. It was pretty far away, at the end of the lake, and II could have left it then but decided to get a closer for photos. Some of the features appeared odd so I wondered if it might be an immature male in transition but, at the time, I was still thinking Green-wing. So I submitted my ebird report and started going through my photos. That was when I started thinking it might be a hybrid. So I put it on GOS Facebook and got several responses, with most folks in agreement on it being a hybrid. Boo-hoo soon gave way to a real curiosity, having never seen a teal like this before.
Teal are much more "gregarious" than I knew and there are several online blogs documenting this. In fact, there's at least one well-known Blue-wing x Green-wing hybrid that lives in captivity with known parentage that looks very similar to the teal at Murphy Candler Park. So that's where my vote is going until proven otherwise - BWTE x GWTE (hybrid).
Here's my updated ebird report with some additional photos showing the black rump and whitish flank panel, the large green facial patch, whitish cheek patch and overall "small teal" size. While hybrids don't add a number to your list, they certainly stand out as something quite unusual and memorable.
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Date: 3/26/18 8:42 am From: plm108 <plm108...> Subject: [GABO-L] Ducks and Allies on the Move
After the brief but strong storms that pushed through early Sunday morning, several folks decided to check their favorite local water body. And what a treat! DeKalb County had big numbers of Lesser Scaup (350-400 total) and Bufflehead (~100 total) at the Reservoir on Peeler Rd and on the lake at Murphy Candler Park, including 2 female Red-breasted Mergansers (MCP) and a Common Loon (DKR/Peeler Rd). Stan Chapman also had a nice group of Bonaparte's Gulls at the Reservoir in the early afternoon. A large group of ducks were also present on the DeKalb Reservoir on Winters Chapel Rd (which physically sits in Gwinnett County).. Several other local water bodies had a few Bufflehead but not much else.
Stan Chapman's List:https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S43965184
Our list from Murphy Candler Park:https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S43945080
PLUS...Richard Candler checked Lake McIntosh from the Coweta County side where he also found big numbers of ducks including Horned Grebes in various transitional plumages. Here's his list: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S43957812
There's another weather system heading our way in a few days, so it's time to get ready to see what shows up! Migration brings such great surprises!
Patty McLean Tucker GA
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Date: 3/26/18 8:21 am From: Richard Candler <candler86...> Subject: [GABO-L] Lake McIntosh Grebe follow up
The grebe at Lake McIntosh appears to be Horned Grebe according to the experts. The head shape and proportions are more consistent with HOGR.
Thanks for those who responded with input. Experiences like these are great opportunities to learn and become a better birder!
Richard Candler
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Date: 3/26/18 3:48 am From: Richard Candler <candler86...> Subject: [GABO-L] Questionable grebes
I had some grebes on Lake Mcintosh in Peachtree City yesterday that looked like possible Ear3d Grebes. I don’t have any experience with this species and would like for some input. I have submitted a checklist and placed the terrible digiscoped photos (it was very windy) under Grebe sp.
There were 3 grebes that seemed to hang together. Another small group of obvious Horned Grebes were present but did not associate with the 3 in question. One of these 3 was not as far along in molting towards breeding plumage. It had a white crescent on the rear of the face/head. Horned grebes can appear this way during transition plumage too.
If you want to look for them I suggest going to the Planterra Ridge neighborhood and walking out onto one of the cart paths at the golf course which borders the lake. There was a raft of a couple hundred ducks in the middle of the reservoir and the grebes were with them.
Richard Candler
Sharpsburg GA
Coweta Co
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Date: 3/25/18 10:14 am From: Pam Potter <ppotter...> Subject: [GABO-L] Northern Harrier-Bartow Co
Watched a Northern Harrier fly over this morning twice. Managed to get a good look at it's distinctive white rump. I haven't seen one at my home for several years.
Pam Potter White Bartow Co
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Date: 3/25/18 9:48 am From: Wes Hatch <whatch11...> Subject: [GABO-L] Glaucous Gull on Cumberland Island
Hey all,
I am looking at a 2nd winter Glaucous Gull. The bird is on the very southern tip of the island mixed in with Herring Gulls. When the bird stretched it showed complete all white primaries. Unfortunately as the tide came in the bird flew straight for Florida and I lost it near Amelia Island.
Wes Hatch
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