With a favorable tide forecast for late morning and lightwinds, I set out to do a combined duck/shorebird survey at St. Marks NWR. On agreat day of birding I logged 91 species including 770 ducks of 17 species and 2,768shorebirds of 15 species. I saw neither the flamingo nor the VermilionFlycatcher. Most of the ducks were on Stony Bayou II and Mounds Pool III. Mostof the shorebirds were on Stony Bayou I and Tower Pond.StonyBayou II Lots ofherons, egrets and ibis heading East at first light.AmericanBlack Duck (5)Mallard (16)Blue-wingedTeal (54)Green-wingedTeal (120)NorthernShoveler (2)Ring-neckedDuck (18)Lesser Scaup(1)Bufflehead(1)HoodedMerganser (2)Wood Duck (3) StonyBayou IScatteredducks; Redhead, Ring-necked, scaup, Gadwall and Bufflehead. One flyby AmericanGoldeneye. About 41 total. Shorebird total was 825, mostly Dunlin (552) butlots of Western & Least Sandpipers, Dowitchers and Willets. MoundsPool IIIThe duckswere concentrated at the edge of the marshy area near the water controlstructure on the outer levee. Iestimated a total of 378 ducks.Gadwall (2)AmericanWigeon (4)Canvasback(8)Redhead(190)Ring-neckedDuck (20)Scaup (includinga few Greater) (150)Bufflehead(4) TowerPondWhite Ibisand one Reddish Egret. Two White Pelicans. I estimated 1,846 shorebirds.AmericanAvocet (1)Black-belliedPlover (14)SemipalmatedPlover (24)GreaterYellowlegs (39)LesserYellowlegs (12)Willet (133)MarbledGodwit (3)Dunlin(1,110)LeastSandpiper (10)Western Sandpiper(210)Dowitcher(including Long-billed) (280) There wereducks on Lighthouse and Picnic Pools in smaller numbers, as well as, offshore where there were two Goldeneye.For raptors I had Harrier, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed, Red-shouldered &Cooper’s Hawk. My night birds included Barred & Great-horned Owl, Sora, Clapper& King Rail. Bird numbersand diversity are undergoing their usual late Fall spike. It’s a great time tobe down at St. Marks NWR.Don Morrow
<donaldcmorrow...>
Tallahassee, FL
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With a favorable tide forecast for late morning and light winds, I set out
to do a combined duck/shorebird survey at St. Marks NWR. On a great day of
birding I logged 91 species including 770 ducks of 17 species and 2,768
shorebirds of 15 species. I saw neither the flamingo nor the Vermilion
Flycatcher. Most of the ducks were on Stony Bayou II and Mounds Pool III.
Most of the shorebirds were on Stony Bayou I and Tower Pond.
*Stony Bayou II *
Lots of herons, egrets and ibis heading East at first light.
American Black Duck (5)
Mallard (16)
Blue-winged Teal (54)
Green-winged Teal (120)
Northern Shoveler (2)
Ring-necked Duck (18)
Lesser Scaup (1)
Bufflehead (1)
Hooded Merganser (2)
Wood Duck (3)
*Stony Bayou I*
Scattered ducks; Redhead, Ring-necked, scaup, Gadwall and Bufflehead. One
flyby American Goldeneye. About 41 total. Shorebird total was 825, mostly
Dunlin (552) but lots of Western & Least Sandpipers, Dowitchers and Willets..
*Mounds Pool III*
The ducks were concentrated at the edge of the marshy area near the water
control structure on the outer levee. I estimated a total of 378 ducks.
Gadwall (2)
American Wigeon (4)
Canvasback (8)
Redhead (190)
Ring-necked Duck (20)
Scaup (including a few Greater) (150)
Bufflehead (4)
*Tower Pond*
White Ibis and one Reddish Egret. Two White Pelicans. I estimated 1,846
shorebirds.
American Avocet (1)
Black-bellied Plover (14)
Semipalmated Plover (24)
Greater Yellowlegs (39)
Lesser Yellowlegs (12)
Willet (133)
Marbled Godwit (3)
Dunlin (1,110)
Least Sandpiper (10)
Western Sandpiper (210)
Dowitcher (including Long-billed) (280)
There were ducks on Lighthouse and Picnic Pools in smaller numbers, as well
as, offshore where there were two Goldeneye. For raptors I had Harrier,
Osprey, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed, Red-shouldered & Cooper’s Hawk. My night
birds included Barred & Great-horned Owl, Sora, Clapper & King Rail.
Bird numbers and diversity are undergoing their usual late Fall spike. It’s
a great time to be down at St. Marks NWR.
Don Morrow
<donaldcmorrow...> <donaldcmorow...>
Tallahassee, FL
We have several feeders going with a variety of seed types. In the past few
days we've had goldfinches and chipping sparrows arrive, joining titmice,
chickadees, cardinals, MODO, and lots of red-winged blackbirds at the
feeders. We live about 1/4 mile south of Lake Talquin. feeders
Marianne Korosy
On Thu, Nov 15, 2018, 3:22 PM Harry Hooper <sn_egret...> [nflbirds] <
<nflbirds-noreply...> wrote:
>
>
> Afternoon nflbirders,
>
> Curious on the status of feeder birds in the Tallahassee area? Reason I
> am asking is that we started seeing a decline of backyard feeder activity
> by cardinals, titmice, chickadees, and wrens beginning last weekend. The
> feeders were also overrun by mourning doves until yesterday, an occurrence
> not seen before. Yesterday and today, the feeders have been empty with
> the exception of one wren visit. Even the bark butter and suet feeders are
> lacking activity. A week ago, they were cleaned daily by various species..
>
> I did note a cardinal kill in the front yard three days ago and had a
> Cooper's Hawk perch on the crossbar holding two feeders yesterday morning..
> The Cooper's has not been seen since. Two female / immature hummers visited
> a feeder for several days last week, disappearing last weekend.
>
> Weather, abundant natural food, or predators are my only guesses. Any
> observations / comments?
>
> Harry Hooper
> Tallahassee, Fl.
>
>
>
Date: 11/18/18 8:52 am From: Patricia Hefner <patriciahefner2444...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] Re: [ALBIRDS] Good birding today
That's many birds,Patricia In loving support of my canaries Sonja, Persephone and Irina
From: "'Andrew Haffenden' <andrew...> [albirds]" <albirds-noreply...>
To: 'Lucy and Bob Duncan' <robertaduncan...>; <nflbirds...>; <albirds...>
Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2018 7:49 AM
Subject: RE: [ALBIRDS] Good birding today
Similarly a 40+ species day, with 42 recorded on a walk along Pelican yesterday morning with Katie Barnes, Collin Stempien and another 14 people joining in on the bird identification walk. Yep, 14 mostly newer birders coming out to learn about shorebirds, terns and gulls, many for the 2nd or 3rd time. Highlights of the walk were over 60 Black Scoters, 7 Surf Scoters, and 5 Red Knots. 15 Green-winged Teal and around 40 Bufflehead added to the duck presence, and many Horned grebes had also just arrived. So the ducks are also reflecting the northern invasion this year a- the carpark birds including a flock of some 40 Goldfinches. In the carpark area an additional 8 or 10 or so species were recorded, including a beautiful dark-backed Peregrine Falcon, not the usual tundra form we see, for a 50+ morning in just one major habitat, beach. Cheers Andrew Haffenden From: <albirds...> <albirds...> On Behalf Of 'Lucy and Bob Duncan' <robertaduncan...> [albirds]
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2018 8:34 PM
To: <nflbirds...>; <albirds...>
Subject: [ALBIRDS] Good birding today Hi all, Although the front reached the coast by yesterday morning and the skies finally cleared, birds had not reached the coast, at least not in Gulf Breeze, probably due to precipitation and cloudiness to our north. Winds were strong NW yesterday but birds had not come down. Today was a different matter, as clear skies last night and N winds, though greatly diminished, allowed birds to fly south. Chipping and Savannah Sparrows arrived overnight along with some late Neotropical migrants. A trip to Shoreline Park here in Gulf Breeze yielded Lucy and me a Summer Tanager and Blue Grosbeak along with a flock of Chipping Sparrows. Here in our “hood” we tallied 44 species, including a Bay-breasted Warbler, 2 Indigo Buntings, and an Ash-throated Flycatcher, plus Chipping and Savanah Spar rows, Red-breasted Nuthatches, a very large flock of goldfinches and a Golden-crowned Kinglet. Not a bad day and somewhat unexpected. Who knows what tomorrow will bring! Bob DuncanGulf Breeze in the w. Panhandle #yiv8147182737 #yiv8147182737 -- #yiv8147182737ygrp-mkp {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;font-family:Arial;margin:10px 0;padding:0 10px;}#yiv8147182737 #yiv8147182737ygrp-mkp hr {border:1px solid #d8d8d8;}#yiv8147182737 #yiv8147182737ygrp-mkp #yiv8147182737hd {color:#628c2a;font-size:85%;font-weight:700;line-height:122%;margin:10px 0;}#yiv8147182737 #yiv8147182737ygrp-mkp #yiv8147182737ads {margin-bottom:10px;}#yiv8147182737 #yiv8147182737ygrp-mkp .yiv8147182737ad {padding:0 0;}#yiv8147182737 #yiv8147182737ygrp-mkp .yiv8147182737ad p {margin:0;}#yiv8147182737 #yiv8147182737ygrp-mkp .yiv8147182737ad a {color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;}#yiv8147182737 #yiv8147182737ygrp-sponsor #yiv8147182737ygrp-lc {font-family:Arial;}#yiv8147182737 #yiv8147182737ygrp-sponsor #yiv8147182737ygrp-lc #yiv8147182737hd {margin:10px 0px;font-weight:700;font-size:78%;line-height:122%;}#yiv8147182737 #yiv8147182737ygrp-sponsor #yiv8147182737ygrp-lc .yiv8147182737ad {margin-bottom:10px;padding:0 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Date: 11/18/18 4:10 am From: 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] SMNWR female Vermilion F-c
Probably the same bird someone reported on ebird a few weeks back. A first year female Vermilion F-c was located on the north levee of Stony Bayou #2 (127) about 1/4 to 1/2 mile from its eastern terminus.
I walked completely around SB #2 yesterday and must say the effort to bird ratio was very high. A couple of Mallards, one fly over Pintail, a few Lesser Scaup, two Redheads, and several dozen Blue and Green-winged Teal tucked in and tight against distant vegetation. Matt
Date: 11/17/18 9:12 am From: Patricia Hefner <patriciahefner2444...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] Re: [ALBIRDS] Good birding today
A lot of birds!Patricia In loving support of my canaries Sonja, Persephone and Irina
From: "'Lucy and Bob Duncan' <robertaduncan...> [albirds]" <albirds-noreply...>
To: <nflbirds...>; <albirds...>
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2018 6:34 PM
Subject: [ALBIRDS] Good birding today
Hi all, Although the front reached the coast by yesterday morning and the skies finally cleared, birds had not reached the coast, at least not in Gulf Breeze, probably due to precipitation and cloudiness to our north. Winds were strong NW yesterday but birds had not come down. Today was a different matter, as clear skies last night and N winds, though greatly diminished, allowed birds to fly south. Chipping and Savannah Sparrows arrived overnight along with some late Neotropical migrants. A trip to Shoreline Park here in Gulf Breeze yielded Lucy and me a Summer Tanager and Blue Grosbeak along with a flock of Chipping Sparrows. Here in our “hood” we tallied 44 species, including a Bay-breasted Warbler, 2 Indigo Buntings, and an Ash-throated Flycatcher, plus Chipping and Savanah Sparrows, Red-breasted Nuthatches, a very large flock of goldfinches and a Golden-crowned Kinglet. Not a bad day and somewhat unexpected. Who knows what tomorrow will bring! Bob DuncanGulf Breeze in the w. 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Date: 11/16/18 6:34 pm From: 'Lucy and Bob Duncan' <robertaduncan...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] Good birding today
Hi all,
Although the front reached the coast by yesterday morning and the skies finally cleared, birds had not reached the coast, at least not in Gulf Breeze, probably due to precipitation and cloudiness to our north. Winds were strong NW yesterday but birds had not come down. Today was a different matter, as clear skies last night and N winds, though greatly diminished, allowed birds to fly south. Chipping and Savannah Sparrows arrived overnight along with some late Neotropical migrants. A trip to Shoreline Park here in Gulf Breeze yielded Lucy and me a Summer Tanager and Blue Grosbeak along with a flock of Chipping Sparrows.
Here in our "hood" we tallied 44 species, including a Bay-breasted Warbler, 2 Indigo Buntings, and an Ash-throated Flycatcher, plus Chipping and Savanah Sparrows, Red-breasted Nuthatches, a very large flock of goldfinches and a Golden-crowned Kinglet. Not a bad day and somewhat unexpected. Who knows what tomorrow will bring!
Despite a late start (just after sunrise) high winds and unfavorable tides,
I managed to log 80 species in just under eight hours of birding at St.
Marks NWR today. Both the American Flamingo and the Vermilion Flycatcher
put in appearances. I had thirteen duck species and a Dark-eyed Junco.
I started the day out with a long hike around Stony Bayou II. The Vermilion
Flycatcher is at its usual place; the confluence of Lighthouse Road and the
Double Dikes. Most of the ducks were in the far end of Stony Bayou II.
Blue-winged Teal (40)
Northern Shoveler (2)
Gadwall (8)
Mallard (27)
Northern Pintail (4)
Green-winged Teal (150)
Bufflehead (7)
The Lighthouse area had good birds. I flushed three Nelson’s Sparrows along
the beach and had the American Flamingo fly in to the oyster bars at the
mouth of East River. There were also seven American Oystercatchers there,
as well as, lots of offshore Scaup and Bufflehead. The Dark-eyed Junco was
on the levee trail. On the Pool were:
Canvasback, single male bird
Redhead, two birds
Ring-necked Duck, single male bird
Lesser Scaup (33)
Bufflehead, single bird
Picnic Pond had American Wigeon, Gadwall and Ruddy Ducks. Tower Pond had
two winter plumage American Avocets. I had kettles of migrating Turkey
Vultures throughout the day and one flock of White Pelicans. The Double
Bridges were quiet, but I did get on flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers that
included singles of Carolina Chickadee, White-eyed & Blue-headed Vireo and
Orange-crowned Warbler.
It was a cold, windy day of birding. The weekend will be warmer and less
windy. Head down to St. Marks for some hot winter birding.
Don Morrow
<donaldcmorrow...> <donaldcmorow...>
Tallahassee, FL
I've been a feeder watch participant since the beginning. 1989. Curious I checked previous winters and I had many more birds in Nov in south Florida than up here.
Alice
Old Town
Dixie County
I've been a feeder watch participant since the beginning. 1989. Curious I checked previous winters and I had many more birds in Nov in south Florida than up here.
Alice
Old Town
Dixie County
Date: 11/15/18 2:09 pm From: 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] SMNWR 11-15
I encountered three parties ~1 pm who walked out Stony Bayou #2 without success for the flamingo.
The bay was fairly active - a couple of gannets, a huge raft (200?) of Common Loons (quite distant a bit east of lighthouse), lots of scaup, Redheads, a few Black Scoters, Bufflehead, Red-br. Mergs; my FOS Common Goldeneye and Herring Gull. One of those blustery days when it seems something exceptional should show up. Matt
My feeders are still overrun by cardinals, titmice, chickadees, Carolina wrens. Have seen a few mourning doves and continue to get daily visits from my summer tanager, Myrtle Yellow-rumped warbler, hermit Thrush, grey catbird and brown thrasher. Robins have been gathering around my pond. I’ve heard American goldfinches in the trees but not seem them at my feeders yet.
~~~~
Sunny Phillips
> On Nov 15, 2018, at 16:30, 'Gary Griffin' <heb121...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> wrote:
>
> Midtown Tallahassee … outside of a growing number of Orioles, pretty slow as well. I suspect this cold front will change that.
>
> Gary Griffin
>
> Tallahassee
>
> "… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us …"
>
> Hebrews 12:1c
>
> From: <nflbirds...> <nflbirds...> On Behalf Of Harry Hooper <sn_egret...> [nflbirds]
> Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2018 3:20 PM
> To: Nflbirds Birds <nflbirds...>
> Subject: [nflbirds] feeder bird status
>
> Afternoon nflbirders,
>
> Curious on the status of feeder birds in the Tallahassee area? Reason I am asking is that we started seeing a decline of backyard feeder activity by cardinals, titmice, chickadees, and wrens beginning last weekend. The feeders were also overrun by mourning doves until yesterday, an occurrence not seen before. Yesterday and today, the feeders have been empty with the exception of one wren visit. Even the bark butter and suet feeders are lacking activity. A week ago, they were cleaned daily by various species.
>
> I did note a cardinal kill in the front yard three days ago and had a Cooper's Hawk perch on the crossbar holding two feeders yesterday morning. The Cooper's has not been seen since. Two female / immature hummers visited a feeder for several days last week, disappearing last weekend.
>
> Weather, abundant natural food, or predators are my only guesses. Any observations / comments?
>
> Harry Hooper
>
> Tallahassee, Fl.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
Date: 11/15/18 1:44 pm From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [nflbirds] feeder bird status
Hi Harry and everyone else:
I've been doing the Cornell Project FeederWatch since 1999. I looked back at a sampling of various years, and it's consistently been lower feeder counts for November (as I expect it to be). Some years I may have reported only 7-8 species over a two-day period at the feeders (this doesn't count birds seen in the ravine, flying around the yard or overhead). Other years may have had 10-12 species over a 2-day period in November. The counts start to pick up in December, most years, depending on weather and availability of natural food. I did see that in the early years of counting, I sometimes reported 10-12 Mourning Doves in November.
Hurricane Michael took off a lot of leaves and foliage, and I'm guessing with that the little caterpillars went missing. I know that some chrysalids I had been watching were gone after the hurricane. Harry, this is quite normal to see the birds disappear from the feeders for awhile in fall and spring. They'll be back eventually.
During the hurricane, I watched a female Rubythroated hummingbird sitting on a twig perch that I have stuck in the ground opposite the side feeder. She was there during almost the entire storm, either grooming or feeding or diving into the nearby bushes when a band would come through. I had also left out my sunflower seed feeder, and some of the resident birds would pop in and out during the hurricane to grab seeds. I meant to take down all the feeders but forgot to take down these two. Good thing I left them up.
This past Monday & Tuesday were my first count days for the 2018-19 FeederWatch season. I had 7 species and 11 individuals, including the female Rubythroat.
> On November 15, 2018 at 3:20 PM "Harry Hooper <sn_egret...> [nflbirds]" <nflbirds-noreply...> wrote: > > > > > > Afternoon nflbirders, > > Curious on the status of feeder birds in the Tallahassee area? Reason I am asking is that we started seeing a decline of backyard feeder activity by cardinals, titmice, chickadees, and wrens beginning last weekend. The feeders were also overrun by mourning doves until yesterday, an occurrence not seen before. Yesterday and today, the feeders have been empty with the exception of one wren visit. Even the bark butter and suet feeders are lacking activity. A week ago, they were cleaned daily by various species. > > I did note a cardinal kill in the front yard three days ago and had a Cooper's Hawk perch on the crossbar holding two feeders yesterday morning. The Cooper's has not been seen since. Two female / immature hummers visited a feeder for several days last week, disappearing last weekend. > > Weather, abundant natural food, or predators are my only guesses. Any observations / comments? > > Harry Hooper > Tallahassee, Fl. > > > ._,___ >
Midtown Tallahassee … outside of a growing number of Orioles, pretty slow as well. I suspect this cold front will change that.
Gary Griffin
Tallahassee
"… let us run with endurance the race that is set before us …"
Hebrews 12:1c
From: <nflbirds...> <nflbirds...> On Behalf Of Harry Hooper <sn_egret...> [nflbirds]
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2018 3:20 PM
To: Nflbirds Birds <nflbirds...>
Subject: [nflbirds] feeder bird status
Afternoon nflbirders,
Curious on the status of feeder birds in the Tallahassee area? Reason I am asking is that we started seeing a decline of backyard feeder activity by cardinals, titmice, chickadees, and wrens beginning last weekend. The feeders were also overrun by mourning doves until yesterday, an occurrence not seen before. Yesterday and today, the feeders have been empty with the exception of one wren visit. Even the bark butter and suet feeders are lacking activity. A week ago, they were cleaned daily by various species.
I did note a cardinal kill in the front yard three days ago and had a Cooper's Hawk perch on the crossbar holding two feeders yesterday morning. The Cooper's has not been seen since. Two female / immature hummers visited a feeder for several days last week, disappearing last weekend.
Weather, abundant natural food, or predators are my only guesses. Any observations / comments?
Harry Hooper
Tallahassee, Fl.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Date: 11/15/18 12:36 pm From: 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [nflbirds] feeder bird status
We live 1/2 mile east of Woodville and have not seen a decline at our feeders. Our feeders are not very busy at any time, but the only difference I've noted in the last week was the arrival of a couple of goldfinches and a gradual increase in chippers. Matt
----------------------------------------
From: "Harry Hooper <sn_egret...> [nflbirds]" <nflbirds-noreply...>
Sent: 11/15/18 3:22 PM
To: Nflbirds Birds <nflbirds...>
Subject: [nflbirds] feeder bird status
Afternoon nflbirders,
Curious on the status of feeder birds in the Tallahassee area? Reason I am asking is that we started seeing a decline of backyard feeder activity by cardinals, titmice, chickadees, and wrens beginning last weekend. The feeders were also overrun by mourning doves until yesterday, an occurrence not seen before. Yesterday and today, the feeders have been empty with the exception of one wren visit. Even the bark butter and suet feeders are lacking activity. A week ago, they were cleaned daily by various species.
I did note a cardinal kill in the front yard three days ago and had a Cooper's Hawk perch on the crossbar holding two feeders yesterday morning. The Cooper's has not been seen since. Two female / immature hummers visited a feeder for several days last week, disappearing last weekend.
Weather, abundant natural food, or predators are my only guesses. Any observations / comments?
Date: 11/15/18 12:20 pm From: Harry Hooper <sn_egret...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] feeder bird status
Afternoon nflbirders,
Curious on the status of feeder birds in the Tallahassee area? Reason I am asking is that we started seeing a decline of backyard feeder activity by cardinals, titmice, chickadees, and wrens beginning last weekend.. The feeders were also overrun by mourning doves until yesterday, an occurrence not seen before. Yesterday and today, the feeders have been empty with the exception of one wren visit. Even the bark butter and suet feeders are lacking activity. A week ago, they were cleaned daily by various species.
I did note a cardinal kill in the front yard three days ago and had a Cooper's Hawk perch on the crossbar holding two feeders yesterday morning. The Cooper's has not been seen since. Two female / immature hummers visited a feeder for several days last week, disappearing last weekend.
Weather, abundant natural food, or predators are my only guesses. Any observations / comments?
Harry HooperTallahassee, Fl.
Date: 11/14/18 5:52 pm From: Robert Lengacher <rlengach...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] Surf scoter at tram road holding pods
This afternoon I located a Surf Scoter at Tram Road Holding Ponds in Tallahassee. Other birds of interest were Bank Swallow (IDd by Jeff O'Connell), Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Common Goldeneye, and a distant American Wigeon (IDd by Jeff O'Connell).
I use a rolling Ebird screen over the last five years to see what's
possible, even if they are difficult to find. That drops out birds that are
no longer present. That's my basis for November to March sightings.
Jim Stephenson's comment is interesting. Loons cut across land in Spring
leaving the Gulf and there's no reason to conjecture that other seabirds
might not use this route in the Fall.
Don Morrow
<donaldcmorrow...> <donaldcmorow...>
Tallahassee, FL
On Wed, Nov 14, 2018 at 7:08 PM 'Jim Stevenson' <galornsoc...>
[nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> wrote:
>
>
> In addition to Matt’s very interesting post on the location of these
> gannets, I’m left thinking (1) how early such a large number of this
> species was. And then, at my age, I actually had TWO original thoughts on
> this remarkable day:
>
>
>
> I’m also wondering how these gannets got there. I find it difficult to
> believe this many gannets flew to the Florida Keys and up the West Coast
> to St Mark’s,
>
>
>
> I would bet good money they flew across Florida, or diagonally SW through
> Georgia, to reach the Gulf of Mexico. Say it ain’t so, but that’s my
> $.02.
>
>
>
> But very interesting post, Matt.
>
>
>
> Jim in Galveston
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> *From:* <nflbirds...> [mailto:<nflbirds...>] *On
> Behalf Of *'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, November 14, 2018 1:59 PM
> *To:* <nflbirds...>
> *Subject:* [nflbirds] SMNWR Flamingo, Gannets
>
>
>
>
>
> Refuge staff saw the flamingo in, and flying around, Stony Bayou #2 about
> mid-day.
>
>
>
> I realize N. Gannets are easy to see on much of FL's coast in the winter,
> but in the few years I've been birding SMNWR regularly, I've only seen one
> distant gannet in the bay at the end of Lighthouse Rd. Today, gannets
> were numerous, with several venturing in quite close and into the East
> River mouth. Apparently, something special was going on with bait fish
> because diving flocks of pelicans were everywhere and all the flocks had a
> few gannets mixed in (probably a good day to be out in the boat fishing but
> for the miserable weather). All of the gannets that were close enough to
> discern plumage were first year birds with the exception of one adult (it
> was one of the birds that came close and into the East River).
>
>
>
> Ducks flying by during the gannet show included Bufflehead, Gr. Scaup,
> Black (and non-ID dark-winged) Scoters, Red-br. Mergs; Common Loons and
> Horned Grebes, also. Matt
>
>
>
>
In addition to Matt's very interesting post on the location of these gannets, I'm left thinking (1) how early such a large number of this species was. And then, at my age, I actually had TWO original thoughts on this remarkable day:
I'm also wondering how these gannets got there. I find it difficult to believe this many gannets flew to the Florida Keys and up the West Coast to St Mark's,
I would bet good money they flew across Florida, or diagonally SW through Georgia, to reach the Gulf of Mexico. Say it ain't so, but that's my $.02.
But very interesting post, Matt.
Jim in Galveston
_____
From: <nflbirds...> [mailto:<nflbirds...>] On Behalf Of 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2018 1:59 PM To: <nflbirds...> Subject: [nflbirds] SMNWR Flamingo, Gannets
Refuge staff saw the flamingo in, and flying around, Stony Bayou #2 about mid-day.
I realize N. Gannets are easy to see on much of FL's coast in the winter, but in the few years I've been birding SMNWR regularly, I've only seen one distant gannet in the bay at the end of Lighthouse Rd. Today, gannets were numerous, with several venturing in quite close and into the East River mouth. Apparently, something special was going on with bait fish because diving flocks of pelicans were everywhere and all the flocks had a few gannets mixed in (probably a good day to be out in the boat fishing but for the miserable weather). All of the gannets that were close enough to discern plumage were first year birds with the exception of one adult (it was one of the birds that came close and into the East River).
Ducks flying by during the gannet show included Bufflehead, Gr. Scaup, Black (and non-ID dark-winged) Scoters, Red-br. Mergs; Common Loons and Horned Grebes, also. Matt
Date: 11/14/18 3:34 pm From: 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [nflbirds] SMNWR Flamingo, Gannets
Just did an ebird check on occurrence - not many at St. Marks - varies from a few annually to some years with no sightings. Also only a couple of historic sightings of more than a few birds at a time; without actually counting, I'd say there were dozens today scattered all over the bay. As you go east from St. Marks ebird reports of gannet disappear until you get much farther south on the Gulf. Of course, if you go west, sightings increase markedly.
I did notice on ebird that today Bruce Bodjack had five gannets at Mashes Sands and they actually flew over land, which is something I've never seen. It seems like something odd was going on with gannets today.
----------------------------------------
From: Don Morrow <donaldcmorrow...>
Sent: 11/14/18 5:55 PM
To: <anhinga...>
Cc: "<nflbirds...>" <nflbirds...>
Subject: Re: [nflbirds] SMNWR Flamingo, Gannets
Gannets are Occasional from November through early March at SMNWR. They’re around and might be seen depending on winds and luck.
On Wed, Nov 14, 2018 at 5:27 PM 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> wrote:
Refuge staff saw the flamingo in, and flying around, Stony Bayou #2 about mid-day.
I realize N. Gannets are easy to see on much of FL's coast in the winter, but in the few years I've been birding SMNWR regularly, I've only seen one distant gannet in the bay at the end of Lighthouse Rd. Today, gannets were numerous, with several venturing in quite close and into the East River mouth. Apparently, something special was going on with bait fish because diving flocks of pelicans were everywhere and all the flocks had a few gannets mixed in (probably a good day to be out in the boat fishing but for the miserable weather). All of the gannets that were close enough to discern plumage were first year birds with the exception of one adult (it was one of the birds that came close and into the East River).
Ducks flying by during the gannet show included Bufflehead, Gr. Scaup, Black (and non-ID dark-winged) Scoters, Red-br. Mergs; Common Loons and Horned Grebes, also. Matt
Gannets are Occasional from November through early March at SMNWR. They’re
around and might be seen depending on winds and luck.
On Wed, Nov 14, 2018 at 5:27 PM 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...>
[nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> wrote:
>
>
> Refuge staff saw the flamingo in, and flying around, Stony Bayou #2 about
> mid-day.
>
> I realize N. Gannets are easy to see on much of FL's coast in the winter,
> but in the few years I've been birding SMNWR regularly, I've only seen one
> distant gannet in the bay at the end of Lighthouse Rd. Today, gannets were
> numerous, with several venturing in quite close and into the East River
> mouth. Apparently, something special was going on with bait fish because
> diving flocks of pelicans were everywhere and all the flocks had a few
> gannets mixed in (probably a good day to be out in the boat fishing but for
> the miserable weather). All of the gannets that were close enough to
> discern plumage were first year birds with the exception of one adult (it
> was one of the birds that came close and into the East River).
>
> Ducks flying by during the gannet show included Bufflehead, Gr. Scaup,
> Black (and non-ID dark-winged) Scoters, Red-br. Mergs; Common Loons and
> Horned Grebes, also. Matt
>
>
>
--
Don Morrow
<donaldcmorrow...> <donaldcmorow...>
Tallahassee, FL
Date: 11/14/18 11:59 am From: 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] SMNWR Flamingo, Gannets
Refuge staff saw the flamingo in, and flying around, Stony Bayou #2 about mid-day.
I realize N. Gannets are easy to see on much of FL's coast in the winter, but in the few years I've been birding SMNWR regularly, I've only seen one distant gannet in the bay at the end of Lighthouse Rd. Today, gannets were numerous, with several venturing in quite close and into the East River mouth. Apparently, something special was going on with bait fish because diving flocks of pelicans were everywhere and all the flocks had a few gannets mixed in (probably a good day to be out in the boat fishing but for the miserable weather). All of the gannets that were close enough to discern plumage were first year birds with the exception of one adult (it was one of the birds that came close and into the East River).
Ducks flying by during the gannet show included Bufflehead, Gr. Scaup, Black (and non-ID dark-winged) Scoters, Red-br. Mergs; Common Loons and Horned Grebes, also. Matt
Date: 11/12/18 6:28 am From: Don Morrow <donaldcmorrow...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [nflbirds] Winter visitors
This is an odd Fall season. Ducks have been slow getting down, but seemed
to be coming in on Saturday's front. Transmigrants are slow to finish up. I
was on Jeff O'Connell's field trip on Saturday and had Hooded & Tennessee
Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo and Indigo Buntings. However, we also had flocks of
Robins and Cedar Waxwings, as well as, Goldfinch, Golden-crowned Kinglet
and Sandhill Cranes.
This is shaping up to be a good winter for sparrows and most of the usual
wintering species are already back in healthy numbers. Although, I haven't
seen very many Blue-headed Vireos or Hermit Thrushes. Red-breasted Nuthatch
and Pine Siskins are already being reported. Also, Yellow-rumped Warblers
(the new name) are here in good numbers.
Don Morrow
<donaldcmorrow...> <donaldcmorow...>
Tallahassee, FL
On Sun, Nov 11, 2018 at 9:05 PM 'Lucy and Bob Duncan'
<robertaduncan...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...>
wrote:
>
>
> HI all,
>
>
>
> In response to Jim Stevenson’s bird bonanza over in Galveston, I can only
> say with envy that we here in extreme NW FL, at least here in Gulf Breeze,
> are not enjoying the same. Friday night there was a large movement of
> Robins, evident at around dawn in Gulf Breeze. Some blackbirds were moving
> too. But so far, the Myrtle Warblers (pardon my ancient wording) have not
> arrived in any numbers, only ones and twos. RB Nuthatches, however, are
> here in force, with 6 in our yard at one time today. We still have Indigo
> Buntings. and our first Goldfinches arrived today along with a couple of
> Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Orange-crowned Warbler, and a tardy
> Black-throated Green Warbler.
>
>
>
> We led a field trip to the Ft. Walton Spray Fields Sat. morning and not a
> Robin was to be found. So 40 miles west of Ft. Walton we had clouds of
> Robins but none over there. Aahh, the vagaries of bird movements. Sparrows
> over there were present in good numbers, however.
>
>
>
> Bob Duncan
>
> Gulf Breeze in the w. Panhandle
>
>
Date: 11/12/18 6:21 am From: Bill Everitt <bill.everitt...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] White Pelicans - SMNWR
Yesterday morning a few minutes past 10:00 two large flocks of American White Pelicans flew over Tower Pond heading southeast. The first was vey large. I reckon 300-400. The second was smaller - perhaps 75 - 100. Not very good with estimating and was hard to do while trying to photograph them. It was breathtaking.
Date: 11/11/18 8:15 pm From: john cole <johnb_cole...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] St. Marks American Flamingo
My wife, Margaret, and I decided to try for the American Flamingo Sunday afternoon and Monday. About 4:30, we arrived at the Double Dykes expecting to have to walk to Stoney Bayou 2 to search for the bird. Before starting our walk, I scanned Stoney Bayou 1 with my 18-36X spotting scope and spotted a very small pink object near the middle of Cross Dyke separating the two bayous. It turned out to be the American Flamingo. The bird began flying around Stoney Bayou 1 and twice landed
about 25-50 yards out in the water about 150 yards down the trail from the Double Dykes gate to the Cross Dykes. Good luck for anyone attempting to see the bird.
John ColeColumbus GA
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
Date: 11/11/18 5:52 pm From: 'Lucy and Bob Duncan' <robertaduncan...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] Winter visitors
HI all,
In response to Jim Stevenson's bird bonanza over in Galveston, I can only say with envy that we here in extreme NW FL, at least here in Gulf Breeze, are not enjoying the same. Friday night there was a large movement of Robins, evident at around dawn in Gulf Breeze. Some blackbirds were moving too. But so far, the Myrtle Warblers (pardon my ancient wording) have not arrived in any numbers, only ones and twos. RB Nuthatches, however, are here in force, with 6 in our yard at one time today. We still have Indigo Buntings. and our first Goldfinches arrived today along with a couple of Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Orange-crowned Warbler, and a tardy Black-throated Green Warbler.
We led a field trip to the Ft. Walton Spray Fields Sat. morning and not a Robin was to be found. So 40 miles west of Ft. Walton we had clouds of Robins but none over there. Aahh, the vagaries of bird movements. Sparrows over there were present in good numbers, however.
Right now, we in East Texas are inundated with loads of woodland birds post-fall migration (winter residents) like I have seldom seen in my 65 years of birding. There are always a few in early November, but this year with this cold weather, they are absolutely everywhere. Now, I am talking about East Texas, but I seriously doubt North Florida will miss out on the same type of invasion. Here are many of the species we are seeing:
Pine Warblers, Red-breasted Nuthatches and Brown Creepers on the Coast, hordes of kinglets, including golden-crowns, Orange-crowned and Black&white Warblers, House Wrens (normally scarce here), Cave and Tree Swallows, sapsuckers, coastal Eastern Bluebirds, gnatcatchers, American Pipits, Hermit Thrush, and likely a few late warblers from the fall migration. Tall Timbers might be a nice place for a birdy walk, or coastal mottes (hammocks).
I know accidentals like the flaming go-go are exciting to see, but a flock of visitors like these is a real treat!
Date: 11/9/18 5:50 pm From: 'Tara Tanaka' <h2otara...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] Video of American Flamingo at St. Marks NWR
On an unseasonably warm and foggy Florida morning I was able to video the American Flamingo at SMNWR: https://vimeo.com/299986491
Although the bird has a feeding style similar to other waders I've seen, it is unique in its circular pattern and rhythm, using both feet. It wasn't until I was editing the video that I noticed that the bird appears to be missing its feathers underneath its body, behind the legs. I think I'm seeing pink skin - not feathers - with a visible vent. I've included some additional observations below the video on Vimeo.
Date: 11/9/18 12:34 pm From: 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] SMNWR Flamingo shuttle - NO, Flamingo - yes
There will NOT be a shuttle at the refuge tomorrow (Sat) to view the flamingo. It is possible that some folks heard that a shuttle would start at 10 am, but after careful assessment of the levee damage from Michael, I am not absolutely certain I can navigate the route without problems. If any who read this have seen anything on Facebook or other venues that state a shuttle is planned, please spread the word that it won't happen. Thanks to the refuge staff for allowing this to be considered.
The flamingo was present and very active at 1 pm today, about 2/3 of the way east on Stony Bayou #2 (near easternmost large live oak). It had moved north, but was only visible from the south levee.
The vermilion flycatcher continues to be fascinated with reflective surfaces, much to its peril. I would encourage folks who want to see this bird to not park their vehicles near the fishing pier, where it most likes to hang out, to reduce the opportunity for it to bash itself against hard surfaces.. Matt
We had close to a fallout this afternoon. Quite a few birds. I am wondering if we had some Vesper Sparrows mixed in. They had white outer tail feathers. We are in Old Town, Dixie County Alice and Mike
Flamingo was visible in the same location today at 3:00.
Robert
Sent from my iPhone
> On Nov 8, 2018, at 8:05 AM, 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> wrote:
>
> Still present at 1 pm yesterday, 11-7. Located on Stony Bayou #2 about mid-way between E and W end, best viewed from south levee (rd 122).
>
>
Date: 11/8/18 12:06 pm From: 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] Henslow's Sparrow SMNWR
The Henslow's was back at the usual location at the helispot. The helispot is very wet now, and I flushed two snipe shortly after I entered. This put me in mind of the lucky folks who flushed the Yellow Rail a couple of years ago, so I picked up two rocks and did some Y rail imitations. No rails (obviously, from the subject line), but it set the sparrows off and they started popping up - a few Swamps, the Henslow's, and a bonus Sedge Wren. I'm a terrible pisher, maybe I'll take up clicking. Between Lighthouse Rd and the helispot I got a wren slam (Sedge, Marsh, House, and Carolina). Lots of common passerines on that stretch.
The Vermilion Flycatcher continues to engage in the dangerous behavior reported on ebird by S.K. Jones. It is landing on cars, bicycles, and, today, flew into someone's car and was on the dashboard watching itself on the inside of the windshield. It was removed by the car owner (fortunately birders).
At the Bay, Common Loons and Horned Grebes are increasing, and had a flying flock of 13 dark-winged scoters - too distant to ID to species.
A couple of Purple Gallinules, female L. Scaup, Wigeon at HQ Pond.
Gadwall on Picnic Pond.
Good shorebirds and hungry redfish on Tower Pond. Very small, very nasty mosquitos on trail to Tower Pond.
Date: 11/7/18 4:28 pm From: <nflbirds...> Subject: [nflbirds] New file uploaded to nflbirds
Hello,
This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the nflbirds group.
File : /Whitfield et al_AMFL_status and trends_Condor-17-187.1_2018.pdf Uploaded by : franrutkovsky <franrutkovsky...> Description : PDF file from Katy Nesmith about American Flamingo status and trends in Florida, American Ornithological Society
Thanks to Harry Hooper, Bobby Crawford, and Lucy Duncan on the history of Flamingos in the north Florida panhandle. I knew there was more to the story but couldn't find it online at the time. I've now found the report for June-July 1995 in the Feb. 1996 Florida Field Naturalist.
SUMMARY OF THE SUMMER SEASON [June-July 1995]
A surprising event of the summer season was Hurricane Allison, one of the few June hurricanes to ever strike Florida. Allison formed in the southern Caribbean Sea 3 June, moved north, and came ashore in the western Panhandle 5 June. Damage caused by the storm was minimal, but there were a few reports of storm-driven birds, mostly along the Gulf coast. One or more Greater Flamingoes in Franklin and Wakulla counties were probably related to the storm and a Western Wood–Pewee in Highlands County may also have been a storm-carried vagrant. The wood–pewee was photographed, and more importantly, its song was recorded, for the first verifiable record of the species in the state.
Field Observations:
>GREATER FLAMINGO: 1 or more singles along the Franklin and Wakulla coasts were probably West Indian birds displaced by Hurricane Allison: 1 at Dog Island (Franklin) 5 Jun (D. Evered); 1 at Florida State University Marine Lab (Franklin) 6 Jun (M. Kennison); 1 at the lighthouse at St. Marks N.W.R. 10 Jun (A. Whitaker); 1 at Lanark (Franklin) 21 Jun (photo in Tallahassee Democrat, 22 Jun) and 22 Jun (J. Cavanagh, D. Evered); 1 at Walker Creek (Wakulla) 16 Jul (J. Leppert).<
Bobby Crawford, the way this email list was set up, attachments are not allowed due to possibility of viruses. I have managed to grab your photo and put it in the photos file for NFLBirds, with credit to you. See if this link will take you there. You may have to be signed in to Yahoo to get to it. I don't remember right now who bought Yahoo. I do remember seeing that article when it came out.
--------
Fran Rutkovsky
Tallahassee, FL
<franrutkovsky...>
> On November 6, 2018 at 11:36 AM "'Robert L. Crawford' <rlcrawfd...> [nflbirds]" <nflbirds-noreply...> wrote:
>
>
>
> From Tally Democrat.
>
> Robert L. Crawford
> Thomasville, Georgia
>
> ---
>
Date: 11/6/18 11:15 am From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] RE: Flamingo article and dates
Trying to send again to the group. Error message said the group does not exist.
Thanks to Harry Hooper, Bobby Crawford, and Lucy Duncan on the history of Flamingos in the north Florida panhandle. I knew there was more to the story but couldn't find it online at the time. I've now found the report for June-July 1995 in the Feb. 1996 Florida Field Naturalist.
SUMMARY OF THE SUMMER SEASON [June-July 1995]
A surprising event of the summer season was Hurricane Allison, one of the few June hurricanes to ever strike Florida. Allison formed in the southern Caribbean Sea 3 June, moved north, and came ashore in the western Panhandle 5 June. Damage caused by the storm was minimal, but there were a few reports of storm-driven birds, mostly along the Gulf coast. One or more Greater Flamingoes in Franklin and Wakulla counties were probably related to the storm and a Western Wood–Pewee in Highlands County may also have been a storm-carried vagrant. The wood–pewee was photographed, and more importantly, its song was recorded, for the first verifiable record of the species in the state.
Field Observations:
>GREATER FLAMINGO: 1 or more singles along the Franklin and Wakulla coasts were probably West Indian birds displaced by Hurricane Allison: 1 at Dog Island (Franklin) 5 Jun (D. Evered); 1 at Florida State University Marine Lab (Franklin) 6 Jun (M. Kennison); 1 at the lighthouse at St. Marks N.W.R. 10 Jun (A. Whitaker); 1 at Lanark (Franklin) 21 Jun (photo in Tallahassee Democrat, 22 Jun) and 22 Jun (J. Cavanagh, D. Evered); 1 at Walker Creek (Wakulla) 16 Jul (J. Leppert).<
Bobby Crawford, the way this email list was set up, attachments are not allowed due to possibility of viruses. I have managed to grab your photo and put it in the photos file for NFLBirds, with credit to you. See if this link will take you there. You may have to be signed in to Yahoo to get to it. I don't remember right now who bought Yahoo. I do remember seeing that article when it came out.
Date: 11/6/18 8:59 am From: 'Lucy and Bob Duncan' <robertaduncan...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: RE: [nflbirds] old dates for Flamingo at St. Marks area
On 27 June 1995 the flamingo was at Lanark Village where Bob and I saw the bird with friends Ann and Dan Forster.
More recently, and farther west in the Panhandle, one was at Destin, FL 5 Sep 2008 – 1 Oct 2008, a waif of Hurricane Gustav.
Then two flamingos 21-22 June 2017 found and photographed at Johnson Beach, Escambia County, gave Bob and me a run for our money as we chased after them from downtown Pensacola to Perdido Key, to Bird Island in Perdido Pass giving Alabama its first state record, then back to Pensacola, to Eglin AFB and last seen at Deer Lake State Park, Walton Co., Florida on 2 July (Duncan & Duncan 2018). Alas, we never saw them, but several friends were fortunate to see and photograph them!
Lucy Duncan
From: <nflbirds...> [mailto:<nflbirds...>] On Behalf Of 'Robert L. Crawford' <rlcrawfd...> [nflbirds]
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2018 8:23 AM
To: Harry Hooper; North FL Birds; Fran Rutkovsky
Subject: Re: [nflbirds] old dates for Flamingo at St. Marks area
Here’s the article from the Tallahassee Democrat, June 22, 1995. I saw the bird on 24 June at Lanark.
From: mailto:<nflbirds-noreply...> Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2018 8:08 AM
To: North FL Birds ; Fran Rutkovsky
Subject: Re: [nflbirds] old dates for Flamingo at St. Marks area
Good morning All,
The 1995 Flamingo arrived at Dog Island on the winds of TS Allison June 5th or 6th. The bird relocated over the the RV campground on the west side of Lanark Village on U.S. 98 and remained at that location for several weeks creating a massive traffic jam and irritating the campground owner. The Tallahassee Democrat published an article on the bird's arrival. The bird was documented at several locations between Lanark Village and St. Marks NWR during the summer. Kathy Sellers, the previous president of Apalachee Audubon and I documented the bird on a cold (<50 degrees+/-) morning with strong north winds during the first week of November. We reported it to Robin at the refuge headquarters. Robin and others attempted to locate the bird later that day to no avail. As far as I could determine, the bird was not located after our sighting.
Unfortunately, my notes and photographs of the bird are buried in my files. Eventually, I will locate them and can produce accurate dates and movements.
Harry Hooper
Tallahassee, Florida
On Monday, November 5, 2018, 8:02:03 PM EST, Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> wrote:
I've found these dates for Greater Flamingo sightings in our area of North Florida. In the "Birdlife of Florida" by H. M. Stevenson and B. Anderson (published 1994), dates for our area are 24-25 September, 1927, Shell Point, Wakulla County; St. Marks 19 June, 1972 and 1-19 Oct., 1965. Ed Woodruff reported one at St. Marks for 30 Sept. 1995. Florida Field Naturalist (FOS publication) shows "through 15 October" in 1995. There were probably other sightings that were not recorded.
--------
Fran Rutkovsky
Tallahassee, FL
<franrutkovsky...>
Date: 11/6/18 8:14 am From: 'Robert L. Crawford' <rlcrawfd...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [nflbirds] old dates for Flamingo at St. Marks area
Evidently the image did not go through. How would I get that out to the list? Attachment? Originally I sent it in the body of the email.
From: mailto:<nflbirds-noreply...> Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2018 9:22 AM
To: Harry Hooper ; North FL Birds ; Fran Rutkovsky
Subject: Re: [nflbirds] old dates for Flamingo at St. Marks area
Here’s the article from the Tallahassee Democrat, June 22, 1995. I saw the bird on 24 June at Lanark.
From: mailto:<nflbirds-noreply...> Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2018 8:08 AM
To: North FL Birds ; Fran Rutkovsky
Subject: Re: [nflbirds] old dates for Flamingo at St. Marks area
Good morning All,
The 1995 Flamingo arrived at Dog Island on the winds of TS Allison June 5th or 6th. The bird relocated over the the RV campground on the west side of Lanark Village on U.S. 98 and remained at that location for several weeks creating a massive traffic jam and irritating the campground owner. The Tallahassee Democrat published an article on the bird's arrival. The bird was documented at several locations between Lanark Village and St. Marks NWR during the summer. Kathy Sellers, the previous president of Apalachee Audubon and I documented the bird on a cold (<50 degrees+/-) morning with strong north winds during the first week of November. We reported it to Robin at the refuge headquarters. Robin and others attempted to locate the bird later that day to no avail. As far as I could determine, the bird was not located after our sighting.
Unfortunately, my notes and photographs of the bird are buried in my files. Eventually, I will locate them and can produce accurate dates and movements.
Harry Hooper
Tallahassee, Florida
On Monday, November 5, 2018, 8:02:03 PM EST, Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> wrote:
I've found these dates for Greater Flamingo sightings in our area of North Florida. In the "Birdlife of Florida" by H. M. Stevenson and B. Anderson (published 1994), dates for our area are 24-25 September, 1927, Shell Point, Wakulla County; St. Marks 19 June, 1972 and 1-19 Oct., 1965. Ed Woodruff reported one at St. Marks for 30 Sept. 1995. Florida Field Naturalist (FOS publication) shows "through 15 October" in 1995. There were probably other sightings that were not recorded.
--------
Fran Rutkovsky
Tallahassee, FL
<franrutkovsky...>
Date: 11/6/18 7:11 am From: 'Robert L. Crawford' <rlcrawfd...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [nflbirds] old dates for Flamingo at St. Marks area
Here’s the article from the Tallahassee Democrat, June 22, 1995. I saw the bird on 24 June at Lanark.
From: mailto:<nflbirds-noreply...> Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2018 8:08 AM
To: North FL Birds ; Fran Rutkovsky
Subject: Re: [nflbirds] old dates for Flamingo at St. Marks area
Good morning All,
The 1995 Flamingo arrived at Dog Island on the winds of TS Allison June 5th or 6th. The bird relocated over the the RV campground on the west side of Lanark Village on U.S. 98 and remained at that location for several weeks creating a massive traffic jam and irritating the campground owner. The Tallahassee Democrat published an article on the bird's arrival. The bird was documented at several locations between Lanark Village and St. Marks NWR during the summer. Kathy Sellers, the previous president of Apalachee Audubon and I documented the bird on a cold (<50 degrees+/-) morning with strong north winds during the first week of November. We reported it to Robin at the refuge headquarters. Robin and others attempted to locate the bird later that day to no avail. As far as I could determine, the bird was not located after our sighting.
Unfortunately, my notes and photographs of the bird are buried in my files. Eventually, I will locate them and can produce accurate dates and movements.
Harry Hooper
Tallahassee, Florida
On Monday, November 5, 2018, 8:02:03 PM EST, Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> wrote:
I've found these dates for Greater Flamingo sightings in our area of North Florida. In the "Birdlife of Florida" by H. M. Stevenson and B. Anderson (published 1994), dates for our area are 24-25 September, 1927, Shell Point, Wakulla County; St. Marks 19 June, 1972 and 1-19 Oct., 1965. Ed Woodruff reported one at St. Marks for 30 Sept. 1995. Florida Field Naturalist (FOS publication) shows "through 15 October" in 1995. There were probably other sightings that were not recorded.
--------
Fran Rutkovsky
Tallahassee, FL
<franrutkovsky...>
Date: 11/6/18 5:32 am From: Harry Hooper <sn_egret...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [nflbirds] old dates for Flamingo at St. Marks area
Good morning All,
The 1995 Flamingo arrived at Dog Island on the winds of TS Allison June 5th or 6th. The bird relocated over the the RV campground on the west side of Lanark Village on U.S. 98 and remained at that location for several weeks creating a massive traffic jam and irritating the campground owner. The Tallahassee Democrat published an article on the bird's arrival. The bird was documented at several locations between Lanark Village and St. Marks NWR during the summer. Kathy Sellers, the previous president of Apalachee Audubon and I documented the bird on a cold (<50 degrees+/-) morning with strong north winds during the first week of November. We reported it to Robin at the refuge headquarters. Robin and others attempted to locate the bird later that day to no avail. As far as I could determine, the bird was not located after our sighting. Unfortunately, my notes and photographs of the bird are buried in my files. Eventually, I will locate them and can produce accurate dates and movements.
Harry HooperTallahassee, Florida
On Monday, November 5, 2018, 8:02:03 PM EST, Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> wrote:
I've found these dates for Greater Flamingo sightings in our area of North Florida. In the "Birdlife of Florida" by H. M. Stevenson and B. Anderson (published 1994), dates for our area are 24-25 September, 1927, Shell Point, Wakulla County; St. Marks 19 June, 1972 and 1-19 Oct., 1965. Ed Woodruff reported one at St. Marks for 30 Sept. 1995. Florida Field Naturalist (FOS publication) shows "through 15 October" in 1995. There were probably other sightings that were not recorded.
--------
Fran Rutkovsky
Tallahassee, FL
<franrutkovsky...>
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Sorry, that should have read Nelson's Sparrow, not Henslow's Sparrow.
Don Morrow
<donaldcmorrow...> <donaldcmorow...>
Tallahassee, FL
On Mon, Nov 5, 2018 at 2:18 PM Don Morrow <donaldcmorrow...> wrote:
> During a quick morning trip and run down at St. Marks NWR, I had 58
> species over about 3.5 hours. Most notably, I found the American Flamingo
> on the back side of Stony Bayou II, where it was actively feeding. I birded
> only two sites; the road down to the Helispot and a loop around Stony Bayou
> II.
>
> Tram Road down to the Helispot had a mix of small songbirds; House,
> Carolina and Sedge Wren, Common Yellowthroat, Black-and-white &
> Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.
> Despite a weather report to the contrary, it rained.
>
> I changed into running clothes, slung my binoculars bandoleer-style and
> started running down the Double Dikes and around Stony Bayou II. I stopped
> a lot. I had Swamp, Savannah, Vesper and Henslow’s Sparrow. Henslow’s was a
> surprise. I’ve never found them away from the coast. Ducks included
> Blue-winged & Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Redhead and Ring-necked Duck. I
> also saw Wilson’s Snipe, Dunlin and a very late White-rumped Sandpiper.
> Sora were calling and I had a few Marsh Wrens.
>
> The American Flamingo was in open water in the Eastern end of the pool. It
> was actively feeding during the fifteen minutes that I had it under
> observation. It would stand on its right leg and move its left leg back and
> forth, presumably to stir up the bottom sediment. While it was doing this,
> its head was submerged and moving from side to side. It would occasionally
> stop, raise its head and then continue feeding. I’ve read that flamingos
> eat algae, crustaceans, aquatic plants and diatoms by filtering them out of
> the water.
>
> My running time on the 4.7-mile loop was not very good. In my defense,
> there were a lot of distractions.
>
> Don Morrow
> <donaldcmorrow...> <donaldcmorow...>
> Tallahassee, FL
>
Date: 11/5/18 2:29 pm From: Fran Rutkovsky <franrutkovsky...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] old dates for Flamingo at St. Marks area
I've found these dates for Greater Flamingo sightings in our area of North Florida. In the "Birdlife of Florida" by H. M. Stevenson and B. Anderson (published 1994), dates for our area are 24-25 September, 1927, Shell Point, Wakulla County; St. Marks 19 June, 1972 and 1-19 Oct., 1965. Ed Woodruff reported one at St. Marks for 30 Sept. 1995. Florida Field Naturalist (FOS publication) shows "through 15 October" in 1995. There were probably other sightings that were not recorded.
-------- Fran Rutkovsky Tallahassee, FL <franrutkovsky...>
During a quick morning trip and run down at St. Marks NWR, I had 58 species
over about 3.5 hours. Most notably, I found the American Flamingo on the
back side of Stony Bayou II, where it was actively feeding. I birded only
two sites; the road down to the Helispot and a loop around Stony Bayou II.
Tram Road down to the Helispot had a mix of small songbirds; House,
Carolina and Sedge Wren, Common Yellowthroat, Black-and-white &
Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.
Despite a weather report to the contrary, it rained.
I changed into running clothes, slung my binoculars bandoleer-style and
started running down the Double Dikes and around Stony Bayou II. I stopped
a lot. I had Swamp, Savannah, Vesper and Henslow’s Sparrow. Henslow’s was a
surprise. I’ve never found them away from the coast. Ducks included
Blue-winged & Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Redhead and Ring-necked Duck. I
also saw Wilson’s Snipe, Dunlin and a very late White-rumped Sandpiper.
Sora were calling and I had a few Marsh Wrens.
The American Flamingo was in open water in the Eastern end of the pool. It
was actively feeding during the fifteen minutes that I had it under
observation. It would stand on its right leg and move its left leg back and
forth, presumably to stir up the bottom sediment. While it was doing this,
its head was submerged and moving from side to side. It would occasionally
stop, raise its head and then continue feeding. I’ve read that flamingos
eat algae, crustaceans, aquatic plants and diatoms by filtering them out of
the water.
My running time on the 4.7-mile loop was not very good. In my defense,
there were a lot of distractions.
Don Morrow
<donaldcmorrow...> <donaldcmorow...>
Tallahassee, FL
During a long nine-hour birding day that started in the dark just before
6:00 am, I logged 79 species at St. Marks NWR. Our current rock star bird,
American Flamingo, continues in the Northeast corner of Stony Bayou I. The
flamingo, which first showed up on Wednesday, has attracted every birder in
a 100-mile radius and a few from even further away. There’s no telling how
long this bird will stick, but if you ever want to see a flamingo, go now.
However, there’s lots more than the flamingo to see at the refuge. For
night birds this morning I had Great Horned, Eastern Screech and Barred
Owl. The Barred Owls were at the Double Bridges and the other two species
were calling along the road out to the Helispot. I also had Sora, Clapper,
King and Virginia Rail, as well as, Wilson’s Snipe and Wood Duck. I had
positioned myself to be at the East end of the Double Dikes at first light
to check on the flamingo. The morning wader flight from the roost on the
North end of East River Pool had a healthy number of Great & Snowy Egrets,
Little Blue & Tricolored Herons and White Ibis.
I was leading a 9:00 am field trip and while we were stopped on Lighthouse
Road at the Double Dikes for the Vermilion Flycatcher and the American
Flamingo, a Tropical/Couch’s Kingbird popped up. The bird was well-observed
and photographed by many birders, but remained silent. We also had a Bobcat
walk out into the road.
In the Lighthouse area we had a first winter Franklin’s Gull that I believe
was first found by Jeff O’Connell. We also had Royal, Sandwich & Forster’s
Tern and a single Horned Grebe.
Tower Pond had a slew of shorebirds: Black-bellied & Semipalmated Plover,
Greater & Lesser Yellowlegs, Willet, Marbled Godwit, Western Sandpiper,
Dunlin and both Short and Long-billed Dowitchers. There were two Reddish
Egrets and two flyby Redheads. Additionally, two Otters crossed the levee.
I had Parula, Redstart & Black-and-white Warbler at the Double Bridges
along with many Yellow-rumped Warblers and maybe fifty Great Egrets that
were noisily feeding in the swamp near the first bridge. Overhead in the
refuge there were many Tree Swallows along with a few Barn Swallows. Flocks
of White Pelicans are migrating through the refuge.
On Headquarters Pond I had my first White-faced Ibis of the year and on
Picnic Pond I had Gadwall. There was a Merlin on a dead pine near the Eagle
nest at the Lighthouse.
There are lots of good birds and plenty of friendly birders down at St.
Marks. You should go!
Don Morrow
<donaldcmorrow...> <donaldcmorow...>
Tallahassee, FL
we saw it same place with a bajillion other people today as late as 12:30. also found a pair of nonprescription sunglasses with coral pink arms on the dike. dropped them at lost and found at visitor center.Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S9. -------- Original message --------From: "Don Morrow <donaldcmorrow...> [nflbirds]" <nflbirds-noreply...> Date: 11/3/18 7:35 AM (GMT-05:00) To: Nflbirds Birds <nflbirds...> Subject: [nflbirds] Flamingo
Is present this morning on Stony Bayou I -- Don <Morrowdonaldcmorrow...>, FL
Date: 11/2/18 2:30 pm From: Don Morrow <donaldcmorrow...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [nflbirds] American Flamingo SMNWR
The Flamingo was at the same spot twenty minutes ago. We had also missed it
in the morning.
On Fri, Nov 2, 2018 at 9:50 AM 'Kim Forehand-van der Linde'
<kim...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> wrote:
>
>
> Bird was a no show this morning. We left at 9 am, work is calling......
>
> On Thu, November 1, 2018 16:21, 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...>
> [nflbirds] wrote:
> > Don Morrow sent me an email exchange he had with Jim Young, who photo'd a
> > flamingo on SB #1 yesterday morning. I went out to the refuge immediately
> > (shortly after noon) and the bird was in Stony Bayou #1 about half way
> out
> > the double dikes. I went to look for the frigate birds that were seen
> > near the lighthouse (no luck) and on the way out at ~2:30 the flamingo
> had
> > moved a bit farther southeast in SB #1.
> > It is an American Flamingo, tricolored bill, reddish legs, neck and tail
> > darker pink than back/wings, which had a few grayish feathers. I have
> > several photos.
> > I think it would be good if folks continued to post sightings of this
> bird
> > so those who want to see it know it is still around. Matt
> >
> >
> >
>
> --
> http://www.kimvdlinde.com >
>
>
--
Don Morrow
<donaldcmorrow...> <donaldcmorow...>
Tallahassee, FL
Date: 11/2/18 7:02 am From: 'Kim Forehand-van der Linde' <kim...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [nflbirds] American Flamingo SMNWR
Bird was a no show this morning. We left at 9 am, work is calling......
On Thu, November 1, 2018 16:21, 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] wrote: > Don Morrow sent me an email exchange he had with Jim Young, who photo'd a > flamingo on SB #1 yesterday morning. I went out to the refuge immediately > (shortly after noon) and the bird was in Stony Bayou #1 about half way out > the double dikes. I went to look for the frigate birds that were seen > near the lighthouse (no luck) and on the way out at ~2:30 the flamingo had > moved a bit farther southeast in SB #1. > It is an American Flamingo, tricolored bill, reddish legs, neck and tail > darker pink than back/wings, which had a few grayish feathers. I have > several photos. > I think it would be good if folks continued to post sightings of this bird > so those who want to see it know it is still around. Matt > > >
Date: 11/2/18 4:24 am From: 'Jim Stevenson' <galornsoc...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: RE: [nflbirds] American Flamingo SMNWR
It will be interesting to see what evidence can be gained on its origin. Escapee? Wanderer from the south?
Jim
_____
From: <nflbirds...> [mailto:<nflbirds...>] On Behalf Of Don Morrow <donaldcmorrow...> [nflbirds] Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2018 9:23 PM To: <anhinga...> Cc: <nflbirds...> Subject: Re: [nflbirds] American Flamingo SMNWR
The Flamingo was still there when the front chased us off at around 5:00 pm.
On Thu, Nov 1, 2018 at 10:08 PM 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> wrote:
Don Morrow sent me an email exchange he had with Jim Young, who photo'd a flamingo on SB #1 yesterday morning. I went out to the refuge immediately (shortly after noon) and the bird was in Stony Bayou #1 about half way out the double dikes. I went to look for the frigate birds that were seen near the lighthouse (no luck) and on the way out at ~2:30 the flamingo had moved a bit farther southeast in SB #1.
It is an American Flamingo, tricolored bill, reddish legs, neck and tail darker pink than back/wings, which had a few grayish feathers. I have several photos.
I think it would be good if folks continued to post sightings of this bird so those who want to see it know it is still around. Matt
Date: 11/1/18 7:47 pm From: Don Morrow <donaldcmorrow...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: Re: [nflbirds] American Flamingo SMNWR
The Flamingo was still there when the front chased us off at around 5:00
pm.
On Thu, Nov 1, 2018 at 10:08 PM 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...>
[nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> wrote:
>
>
> Don Morrow sent me an email exchange he had with Jim Young, who photo'd a
> flamingo on SB #1 yesterday morning. I went out to the refuge immediately
> (shortly after noon) and the bird was in Stony Bayou #1 about half way out
> the double dikes. I went to look for the frigate birds that were seen near
> the lighthouse (no luck) and on the way out at ~2:30 the flamingo had moved
> a bit farther southeast in SB #1.
> It is an American Flamingo, tricolored bill, reddish legs, neck and tail
> darker pink than back/wings, which had a few grayish feathers. I have
> several photos.
> I think it would be good if folks continued to post sightings of this bird
> so those who want to see it know it is still around. Matt
>
>
>
--
Don Morrow
<donaldcmorrow...> <donaldcmorow...>
Tallahassee, FL
Date: 11/1/18 6:01 pm From: 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] American Flamingo SMNWR
Don Morrow sent me an email exchange he had with Jim Young, who photo'd a flamingo on SB #1 yesterday morning. I went out to the refuge immediately (shortly after noon) and the bird was in Stony Bayou #1 about half way out the double dikes. I went to look for the frigate birds that were seen near the lighthouse (no luck) and on the way out at ~2:30 the flamingo had moved a bit farther southeast in SB #1.
It is an American Flamingo, tricolored bill, reddish legs, neck and tail darker pink than back/wings, which had a few grayish feathers. I have several photos.
I think it would be good if folks continued to post sightings of this bird so those who want to see it know it is still around. Matt
I went down to St. Marks NWR this morning to scout for field trips that
I’ll be leading there on Saturday. I spent 6.5 hours starting just before
6:00 am and logged 73 species of birds. Winter residents are continuing to
filter in, but ducks are slow arriving. I only had 128 ducks, mostly teal.
For night birds I had Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl (an immature calling
down near Headquarters Pond), King, Virginia & Clapper Rail, Sora and a
calling Wood Duck. Except for the Clappers all of these were heard at the
East end of the Double Dikes around 7:20 am.
Walking out the Stony Bayou II North levee around 7:30 am, I saw what
looked like smoke at the end of the Pool. Binoculars showed it to be a
long, ropy murmuration of Tree Swallows. I estimated 1,500. They rose high
in the air as the flock twisted, broke apart and coalesced, shedding small
groups of Tree Swallows who took off on their own. When I got down to the
end of Stony Bayou II, there were still large groups of swallows sitting in
the cattails.
Stony Bayou II is safely walkable. I had lots of Coots, Green & Blue-winged
Teal, Wood Duck, Shoveler and Redhead on it, as well as, my first Horned
Grebe of the season. The levees are thick with Swamp & Savannah Sparrow and
Marsh Wren. I also found one Sedge Wren, Wilson’s Snipe and a Killdeer.
The East and North sides of Stony Bayou I had most of the shorebirds;
Black-bellied & Semipalmated Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs, Willet, Western &
Least Sandpipers, Dunlin (over half of the 815 shorebirds I counted were
Dunlin) and both Dowitchers. The Vermilion Flycatcher is still at the
intersection of the Double Dikes and Lighthouse Road. Sometimes he’s less
obvious, but if you don’t see him, be patient and he’ll pop up.
The East River hammock at the Double Bridges was slow with only
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Yellowthroat and Palm Warbler.
I had Gadwall on both Picnic and Headquarters Pond, where I also found a
lone Purple Gallinule. The Gallinule is a first-year bird, already starting
to show adult purple. Harriers are around and I had a Kestrel hunting
through the pines near Mounds Pool III. There are a lot of Monarch
Butterflies near the Lighthouse and a surprising number of Buckeyes on the
levees.
Support your local refuge and enjoy some nice Fall weather by going birding
at St. Marks.
Don Morrow
<donaldcmorrow...> <donaldcmorow...>
Tallahassee, FL
A friend that lives a little more East than me, also, off Buck Lake Rd. sent me a couple of pictures earlier asking if I knew what bird it was at her feeder. It was a Pine Siskin. In my yard, yesterday, I had more Baltimore Orioles arriving, seeing five at the same time, but just saw two this morning. They are having a heck of a time at the jelly feeders that have been taken over by more Yellow Jackets than I ever recall having around my feeders.
Glenda SimmonsEast Tallahassee
Date: 10/28/18 5:06 am From: 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] SMNWR Sat afternoon
A couple of modestly interesting sightings incidental to working the lighthouse area during the Monarch Festival
Several Nelson's Sparrows along the shoreline east of the lighthouse, a few of which gave me good looks (Brian, if you monitor nfl, almost certainly the birds you inquired about)
Late Chimney swifts zipping by
A male N. Harrier flew in off the bay and over Lighthouse Pond and north (in the previous three cool seasons, I've seen 2-3 males each season at St Marks)
Not so fast, my friend. Seriously, the fall migration has been waaaaaay late this year, and I can't imagine it's late in Texas and on-time in Florida. I'd keep looking into November and maybe there'll be more than just one or two of those really good birds yall were discussing. And while it grieves me to say so, it might beat watching FSU this year. [I feel awful for saying that.]
Curious thing here. We have had all kinds of goodies in Texas this fall that belongs in Florida. Best guess is the strong NE winds from various frontal systems and storms. We've had lots of Black-throated Blues and even a fair numbers of Cape Mays - that's amazing! Oh, and several male Scarlet Tanagers, a plumage many of my Texas friends have never seen. Definitely the oddest fall I've seen here in my 23 years of being a Texan.
From: <nflbirds...> [mailto:<nflbirds...>] On Behalf Of 'Lucy and Bob Duncan' <robertaduncan...> [nflbirds] Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2018 10:14 AM To: <albirds...>; <nflbirds...> Subject: [nflbirds] Unexpected visitor
Hi all,
Much to our surprise in this nasty weather with strong E winds, we casually looked out at our feeders (which a bear trashed last night) and instead of the usual House Finches, there was a Purple Finch! I know of no other reports in the area or to our north. Lucy has photos.
Date: 10/25/18 8:22 am From: 'Lucy and Bob Duncan' <robertaduncan...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] Unexpected visitor
Hi all,
Much to our surprise in this nasty weather with strong E winds, we casually looked out at our feeders (which a bear trashed last night) and instead of the usual House Finches, there was a Purple Finch! I know of no other reports in the area or to our north. Lucy has photos.
Sweet little thing!Patricia In loving support of my canaries Sonja, Persephone and Irina
From: "'Lucy and Bob Duncan' <robertaduncan...> [nflbirds]" <nflbirds-noreply...>
To: <albirds...>; <nflbirds...>
Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2018 8:14 AM
Subject: [nflbirds] Unexpected visitor
Hi all, Much to our surprise in this nasty weather with strong E winds, we casually looked out at our feeders (which a bear trashed last night) and instead of the usual House Finches, there was a Purple Finch! I know of no other reports in the area or to our north. Lucy has photos. Bob DuncanGulf Breeze in the w. 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I headed down to St. Marks NWR this morning for six-and-a-half hours of
Fall birding that started at 6:30 am. It turned out to be a very social
morning. I birded on-and-off with Matt Johnstone, Nick Baldwin and Jim
Cavanaugh and ended up with 62 species, including migrants and returning
winter birds.
*Double Bridges*
Phoebe
Northern Waterthrush
Black-and-white Warbler
Magnolia Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Rusty Blackbird (eating a tree frog, Cavanaugh and I saw one bird, he had
more earlier)
*Double Dikes* (at the intersection with Lighthouse Road)
Greater Yellowlegs
Dunlin
Pectoral Sandpiper
Wilson’s Snipe
Vermilion Flycatcher
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
*Tower Pond Trailhead*
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Swainson’s Thrush
*Tower Pond*
Wood Stork (two flyby birds)
Semipalmated Plover
Least Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Dunlin
There was an extreme low tide with water being pushed out by a North wind.
Wind and low tide usually depress birding at SMNWR as land birds hunker
down and shorebirds leave to feed on exposed flats. Still, it was a
surprisingly productive day of birding. The refuge was definitely battered
by Michael, but it is still a great place to go birding.
Good Birding
Don Morrow
<donaldcmorrow...> <donaldcmorow...>
Tallahassee, FL
Date: 10/21/18 10:22 am From: 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] SMNWR Vermilion F c correction
The Vermilion Flycatcher was hanging around double dikes and East River Pool pier this am. I initially reported this as an adult male - having seen it better today, it is not quite in full adult regalia. The underparts are a fairly even reddish orange - not vermilion - and I didn't detect any streaking. The head looks fully adult, with large vermilion cap. Not a plumage depicted in Sibley's or NG. So I'm going with a very well-colored first year male.
Two Pectoral Sandpipers west of guardrail by double dikes. Otherwise pretty quiet (I hope Don Morrow proves me wrong on this point with a subsequent post). Also, I had a flyover Common Loon on Friday at Lighthouse Pond, not sure if that's early for these parts. Matt
Date: 10/20/18 2:49 pm From: 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] SMNWR Oct 21 tour
The Oct. 21 wildlife tour was cancelled several days ago and an attempt was made earlier this week to contact everyone who had signed up. The tour is still cancelled, despite the refuge opening. The levees have some damage and further assessment and repair must be done before tours can commence behind the gates. Matt
Date: 10/20/18 1:41 pm From: 'C or M Johnstone' <anhinga...> [nflbirds] <nflbirds-noreply...> Subject: [nflbirds] SMNWR - opening & Vermilion Flycatcher
The refuge along Lighthouse Rd. is supposed to open tomorrow morning. There may be some areas cordoned off.
I had been working in the refuge M-F last week and found an adult male Vermilion Flycatcher. It was present Oct. 17 and 18th, perching on the fishing pier on East River pool and surrounding vegetation. I didn't notice it on the 19th, but I only made a couple passes by that location. Right on schedule - last year one showed up at the double dikes on Oct. 20th.
Stony Bayou #1 was drawn down prior to the hurricane and had exposed mud flats. Up to ten Spoonbills and White Pelicans (FOS for me) last week. Several of the big oaks around the Mounds restrooms, which are often excellent for passerines, were blown down but most of Mounds/Tower Pond trail is in good shape.
