Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The Arkansas Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Saturday, November 7 at 08:21 AM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Tree Swallows,©Chris Kerrigan

7 Nov Sightings ["Jobe, Kelly" ] 7 Nov falcons at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium-F'ville [Joe Neal ] 7 Nov Sighting: Hummingbird [Gail Northcutt ] 6 Nov Boyd Point this morning [Delos McCauley ] 6 Nov Sightings: Boyd Point Wastewater Treatment [Jim Dixon ] 7 Nov Late Hummer [Jamie Gwin ] 6 Nov whooping crane migration [Joyce & Harlan Shedell ] 6 Nov No Subject [Kimberly Smith ] 6 Nov sightings [Brad Harris ] 5 Nov Sighting: Killdeer nest with eggs [Dan Scheiman ] 5 Nov INFO: Meeting place for Nov 12 ASCA meeting [Robert Weiss ] 5 Nov peregrines lead Hogs to victory [Kk Hart ] 5 Nov FOS [Sally Jo Gibson ] 5 Nov SIGHTING: BALD EAGLE [Larry Witherspoon ] 5 Nov SIGHTING: Hummer still 11/05/09 [Gail Miller ] 4 Nov Re: SIGHTING: Late hummer still 11/04/09 [Kenny Nichols ] 4 Nov Merlin in Russellville [Leif E Anderson ] 4 Nov SIGHTING: Winter Wren [Patricia Braddy ] 4 Nov Cavity peeper camera [David Luneau ] 3 Nov big brown bird, little hummer followup [Alyson Hoge ] 3 Nov Boyd Point & Lake Saracen Birds today [Delos McCauley ] 3 Nov Call before coming to Boyd Point on Saturday [Delos McCauley ] 3 Nov Red Slough Bird Survey - Nov. 3 [David Arbour ] 4 Nov SIGHTING: Late hummer still 11/04/09 [Gail Miller ] 3 Nov LINK: Link to photo of my late hummer [Gail Miller ] 3 Nov Later Southbound Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (longish answer) [Bob Sargent ] 3 Nov Re: CBC Magazine [Kimberly Smith ] 2 Nov Sighting: Migrants [Clark Reames ] 3 Nov No Subject [Hilary David Chapman ] 3 Nov Re: 109th Christmas Bird Count magazine ["FENNELL, Ellen" ] 3 Nov Re: 109th Christmas Bird Count magazine [Bill Shepherd ] 3 Nov Re: 109th Christmas Bird Count magazine [Sandy Berger ] 3 Nov 109th Christmas Bird Count magazine [Leif E Anderson ] 2 Nov SIGHTING: Hummer still Mon. AM [Gail Miller ] 1 Nov LINK: Link to photo of Brown-headed Nuthatch [Gail Miller ] 1 Nov Re: Sightings: Recent images from central Arkansas [Jim Dixon ] 1 Nov Re: Lake Dardanelle [Cheryle Sytsma ] 1 Nov Re: Sightings: Recent images from central Arkansas ["Jeff R. Wilson" ] 1 Nov RFI: Hordes of House Sparrows [Donna Haynes ] 1 Nov RARE: Probable Glaucous Gull at Millwood Lake [Arkansas Birder ] 1 Nov Sightings: Lake Maumelle [Jim Dixon ] 1 Nov Sighting: Hummingbird [Donna Haynes ] 1 Nov It is November- still have a hummer! [Sheran Herrin ] 1 Nov SIGHTING: Brown-headed Nuthatch [Gail Miller ] 1 Nov SIGHTINGS: Still two hummers Sunday AM [Gail Miller ] 1 Nov Sighting: Banshee [Dan Scheiman ] 31 Oct Sightings: Recent images from central Arkansas [Jim Dixon ] 31 Oct Lake Dardanelle [Kenny Nichols ] 31 Oct Re: Hummers still [Sara Caulk ] 31 Oct Sightings: Pine Bluff [Dan Scheiman ] 31 Oct RBA--Arkansas-October 31, 2009 [DeLynn Hearn ] 31 Oct Rare: Nelson's Sparrow [David Oakley ] 31 Oct FOS [Dorothy Cooney ] 31 Oct Hummers still [Gail Miller ] 31 Oct Reading Rodney Jones on the porch [Herschel Raney ] 30 Oct Re: Any interest among central Arkansas birders to go after the Nelson's Sparrow at Woolsey Wet Prairie? [Jacque Brown ] 30 Oct SIGHTING: Hummer this morning [Sara Caulk ] 30 Oct Sightings: RT Hummers [Donna Haynes ] 30 Oct How to reduce window strikes [Barry Haas ] 29 Oct INFO:/ SOB: Sassy Chic/Something Other than Birds [Larry Witherspoon ] 29 Oct Re: Evidence For A Second Breeding Season Among Migratory Songbirds - more [Bill Shepherd ] 29 Oct Re: From Hummers to Bees OFF TOPIC WARNING... - Ouachita County [Robert Rickett ] 30 Oct American Avocets [David Oakley ] 30 Oct Any interest among central Arkansas birders to go after the Nelson's Sparrow at Woolsey Wet Prairie? [Jim Dixon ] 29 Oct urgent: Fort Smith bird needs transport to a wildlife rehabilitator ["HAWK Center (Helping Arkansas Wild \"Kritters\")" ] 29 Oct RARE: White-winged Scoter at Lake Fayetteville [Arkansas Birder ] 29 Oct From Hummers to Bees OFF TOPIC WARNING... - Ouachita County [Kelly Chitwood ] 28 Oct RARE: White-winged Dove - Lake Millwood [Kelly Chitwood ] 28 Oct rare Golden Eagles in Fayetteville [Kimberly Smith ] 28 Oct Eurasian Doves [holley white ] 28 Oct Still have hummer(s) [Sara Caulk ] 28 Oct FW: Evidence For A Second Breeding Season Among Migratory Songbirds - more [Jeffrey Short ] 28 Oct RARE: White-winged Dove [Kelly Chitwood ] 28 Oct Delta Rivers Website Infomation [Bob Sargent ] 28 Oct FW: Steppingstones Newsletter, October 2009 [Jeffrey Short ] 28 Oct another rare species to look for [Kimberly Smith ] Subject: Sightings From: "Jobe, Kelly" <JOBE AT ADEQ.STATE.AR.US> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 08:16:36 -0600 After not seeing any hummingbirds for the past several days, we had a visit from a juvenile male RT Hummingbird this morning. A Black-throated Green Warbler also visited our back yard Willow Oak for a few minutes around 8:00 a.m. Kelly Jobe North Little Rock Subject: falcons at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium-F'ville From: Joe Neal <joeneal AT UARK.EDU> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 06:58:33 -0600 Doug James called me late last night and ask that I relay to the list the following: He went to the stadium last evening, looking for a reported pair of Peregrine Falcons. He did not find Peregrines, but he did see a pair of American Kestrels. Subject: Sighting: Hummingbird From: Gail Northcutt <northcutt71 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 03:09:26 +0000 After losing the majority of this evenings light I saw a hummingbird drinking at my most distant feeder. It appeared to be a female RT but when it moved to another feeding site I noted a central red throat patch...and it was gone. Perhaps I will get a chance at a better look in the morning. Gail Northcutt in Stuttgart Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel Subject: Boyd Point this morning From: Delos McCauley <edelos AT CABLELYNX.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 20:57:17 -0600 At 8:00 this morning I met Jim Dixon at Boyd Point and birded with him until 9:45. This is the earliest I've birded there this season and the large number of Franklin's Gulls reflect that since they started leaving around 9:15. Following are birds seen: 1) Bufflehead (3) 2) Coot, American (300) 3) Crow, Fish (60) 4) Duck, Ruddy (3000) 5) Egret, Great (1) 6) Gadwall (50) 7) Goose, Canada (80) 8) Grebe, Eared (28) 9) Grebe, Horned (1) 10) Grebe, Pied-billed (6) 11) Gull, Franklin's (515) 12) Gull, Ringed-bill (20) 13) Heron, Great Blue (1) 14) Killdeer (25) 15) Merganser, Hooded (15) 16) Pelican, American White (280) 17) Scaup, Lesser (20) 18) Shoveler, Northern (600) 19) Wigeon, American (2) Jim may have others to add after I left. Delos McCauley Pine Bluff Subject: Sightings: Boyd Point Wastewater Treatment From: Jim Dixon <jamesdixonlr AT ATT.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:14:55 -0600 I went to this treatment facility in Pine Bluff today joined by Delos. We didn't see anything that hasn't been reported there recently but that included 20+ Eared Grebes plus many hundreds each of Ruddy Duck, Northern Shoveler, and Franklin's Gulls. Here are some images from the visit: American White Pelican http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=3448&g2_GALLERYSID=c678488bd13be3467fdcfb79d749abf4 Franklin's Gull http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=3436&g2_GALLERYSID=c678488bd13be3467fdcfb79d749abf4 Eared Grebe http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=3442&g2_GALLERYSID=c678488bd13be3467fdcfb79d749abf4 http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=3439&g2_GALLERYSID=c678488bd13be3467fdcfb79d749abf4 -- Jim Dixon Little Rock, AR www.JamesDixon.us Subject: Late Hummer From: Jamie Gwin <aarongwin AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:54:33 +0000 I photographed a Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird today at the Island 40 Chute, Crittenden County.  Mrs. Samples said hummers usually gone from their place by the 19 of Oct.  This year they had  one the 29th of October and another one today 6 Nov. 09. Aaron Gwin Subject: whooping crane migration From: Joyce & Harlan Shedell <jhshed AT CENTURYTEL.NET> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 16:48:35 -0600 Thought some of you might be interested in following the migration of the whooping cranes raised in Wisconsin. They are taking them to Florida with Ultra light planes. Here is the home page: http://operationmigration.org There is live cam and a daily journal to follow these amazing birds. Enjoy! Joyce Shedell Subject: No Subject From: Kimberly Smith <kgsmith AT uark.edu> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:31:09 -0600 Dear Colleagues, Below is a link to the 10th Anniversary Special Issue of The All-Bird Bulletin, the newsletter of the U.S. North American Bird Conservation Initiative Committee. http://www.nabci-us.org/aboutnabci/bulletinfall09.pdf ********************************************************* Kimberly G. Smith University Professor of Biological Sciences Department of Biological Sciences University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701 479-575-6359 fax:479-575-4010 email: kgsmith AT uark.edu ********************************************************* Subject: sightings From: Brad Harris <grtblueheron AT MSN.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 09:17:07 -0600 Hi Everyone, Hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall colors. Yesterday on the way to town on I540 between Exit 13 and Exit 8. We saw: 6 Black Vultures. There has been one on a billbroad for the past month. Guess five of his buddies decided to join him. 4 Broad Wing Hawks trying to kettle. 2 Bald Eagles (we had to pull off to watch for a few mintues). Happy Birding to Everyone Brad and Betty Harris Fort Smith AR grtblueheron AT msn.com EMAILING FOR THE GREATER GOOD Join me Subject: Sighting: Killdeer nest with eggs From: Dan Scheiman <birddan AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 20:46:18 -0600 Eric Sundell called to report a Killdeer nest with eggs on the lawn outside the Clinton Center in Little Rock. This seems quite late but here's a passage from Birds of North America: "Killdeer egg dates in Mississippi range from 1 Mar to 15 Nov. Rare fall nests also found in Arkansas (K. Smith pers. comm.), Florida (D. Stees pers. comm.), and S. Carolina (W. Post pers. comm.)" Dan Scheiman Little Rock, AR Subject: INFO: Meeting place for Nov 12 ASCA meeting From: Robert Weiss <kofkpastor AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 08:54:28 -0800 Hello everyone, Next week's monthly ASCA meeting will take place at Terry Library on the corner of Napa Valley and Hinson Road, as opposed to our normal meeting place at Flether library. For further information, please read below or visit the website ascabird.org. Hope to see you there, Rob Weiss The Audubon Society of Central Arkansas meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday November 12 will be at the Terry Library branch for this one meeting only. Don't go to the Fletcher Library branch or you will find yourself all alone! The Terry Library is at the southeast corner of Hinson Road and Napa Valley Drive in west Little Rock with the parking lot entrance off Napa Valley: http://www.cals.org/about/locations/terry.php The library is open until 8:00 p.m. that day so you can use the regular entry doors on the north side of the building facing Hinson Road. The meeting room is on the east end of the building (go to the left after entering the front doors). Hope to see you at 7:00 p.m. for this month's ASCA program and meeting. Here's a description of the program from ASCA's web site: November 12, 2009 - Watching Birds with Radar Speaker: Jeff Short Program: Concentrations of migrating birds reflect radar's electromagnetic energy. Thus radar can be used to "see" a phenomenon that is often difficult to study. Jeff will discuss how radar is an important tool in studying bird movements and developments to help reduce bird-human conflicts. Over the last 42 years, Jeff has flown with birds as a civil and military pilot. In his engineering work with the US Air Force, he also became an expert on bird hazards to aviation and new technologies to improve flight safety. He has a BS and MS in Zoology from U of A; and a MS in Environmental Planning from Florida State University. Sincerely, Barry Haas Subject: peregrines lead Hogs to victory From: Kk Hart <Hartwnkkk AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:36:27 EST The 2 peregrine falcons led the Arkansas Razorbacks to victory again last Saturday. They obviously roost in the stadium during the night because as soon as it became dusky they began to fly around inside looking for a landing spot devoid of screaming humans. Thankfully after half time the upper decks thinned out and they settled down somewhere. We still haven't been able to determine where their primary preferred spot is. Luckily for them, the game this week is a morning kickoff so they should have their perch back by evening. Karen Hart _hartwnkkk AT aol.com_ (mailto:hartwnkkk AT aol.com) Subject: FOS From: Sally Jo Gibson <sjogibson AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 08:58:39 -0600 Yesterday, Wednesday Nov. 4, there were two Pine Siskins at my backyard feeder along with one Goldfinch. Sally Jo Gibson Sally Jo Gibson 512 Yorkshire Cove Harrison, Arkansas 72601-4655 sjogibson AT windstream.net Home: 870-741-5805 Cell: 870-688-9950 Car: 870-414-1094 Subject: SIGHTING: BALD EAGLE From: Larry Witherspoon <ldspoon AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 08:13:53 -0600 On the web site . www.useewildlife.com . There is a beautiful Bald Eagle on the Bird Point cam. In fact, there are Turkeys and Vultures on a couple of the other cams. COOL! Thanks, Larry Witherspoon Subject: SIGHTING: Hummer still 11/05/09 From: Gail Miller <gail.miller AT CONWAYCORP.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 06:48:55 -0600 My female hummer visited a feeder this morning at 6:20 a.m. while I had the dogs out. I saw it yesterday after work as well, if I did not report that last night. Gail in Conway Subject: Re: SIGHTING: Late hummer still 11/04/09 From: Kenny Nichols <kingbird AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 17:10:01 -0800 As of today, we still have a single hummingbird here in Cabot. It appears to be a young Ruby-throat. Kenny & LaDonna Nichols Cabot, AR ________________________________ From: Gail Miller To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Sent: Wed, November 4, 2009 6:37:06 AM Subject: SIGHTING: Late hummer still 11/04/09 My hummer girl visited my feeder at 6:20 a.m. this morning, 11/04/09. Gail in Conway Subject: Merlin in Russellville From: Leif E Anderson <leanderson AT FS.FED.US> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 09:54:47 -0500 Teresa Mathews just called (8:45am) to say that a Merlin was eating a bird, sitting on a light post at the corner of Arkansas and Parkway, by the city mall, in Russellville. Cheers, Leif AT Hector Subject: SIGHTING: Winter Wren From: Patricia Braddy <pabraddy AT MAC.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 08:23:18 -0600 Yarbird #118, Nov. 4th, 8:15am, Winter Wren. Patricia Braddy Little Rock, AR "Wine a bit, you'll feel better!" Subject: Cavity peeper camera From: David Luneau <mdluneau AT UALR.EDU> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 08:20:59 -0600 I posted a one-minute video of a wireless cavity peeper video camera used by Brandon Noel of ASU in his Pileated Woodpecker (PIWO) research. You can watch the video at www.ibwo.org . Brandon and his crew used two of these wireless video cameras to study nest contents of many PIWOs this past winter and spring in eastern Arkansas. They found an impressive number of nests and monitored them at various stages of development. They also found an interesting variety of contents besides PIWOs, e.g. Wood Ducks, Tufted Titmice, etc. I have started putting together a video of "just contents", but it's very long. I may reduce it to a "best of contents" and post it later. Enjoy! M. David Luneau, Jr. P.E. Associate Professor of Electronics University of Arkansas at Little Rock 2801 S. University Ave. Little Rock, AR 72204 Subject: big brown bird, little hummer followup From: Alyson Hoge <alycat14 AT ME.COM> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 18:57:35 -0600 Birders - I got a short look at a bird that I had never seen before at my place in south Pulaski County. I'd like some helping guessing on an ID. I don't have a picture and it was between 6:45 and 7 a.m., so the light wasn't that great. I was walking the dog down our gravel road to the street in front of our property. Crows were cawing like crazy from the treetops and a hawk I couldn't see kept making the standard hawk scream. Clearly, they were bothered by something. The crows in my neighborhood don't talk as much as they did today, so I have a frame of reference for the racket they were making today. From the trees to my right, a big brown bird took off to my left, over a small clearing next to our pond. His body was about the size of a turkey vulture, which I've seen by the side of the road having lunch. He was NOT a turkey vulture. He was clearly a bird of prey. I did not notice any white markings or mottling or stripes. He seemed to be mostly shiny brown. He was pursued by the crows and disappeared into the trees at the edge of the clearing. Thoughts? On an unrelated matter, I have lots of birdseed and suet feeders out but not very many birds. Anyone else have this problem? (I didn't have feeders out during the summer, so I'm wondering if I lost my audience.) Alyson Hoge Woodson, Pulaski County P.S. Some of you may remember the baby hummer whom I took to Janine Perlman. I should have reported this sooner, but Janine turned him loose Oct. 19. She said he was in pretty bad shape when he arrived Oct. 14, but she warmed him, bathed him (I kind of accidentally dunked him in sugar water) and fattened him up over the next few days. An amazing recovery that wouldn't have been possible without Janine. Here's her advice for anyone lucky enough to catch a hummer in need, so you can take it to a licensed rehabilitator: handle the bird VERY gently, and as little as possible allow it to perch on a very-small-diameter branch or a creased paper towel be aware that the bird could regain the ability to fly, so keep the container lightly covered (with a paper or cloth towel that allows some light in), and keep the box in a low-ceilinged space where it's recoverable if it escapes keep the bird as warm as possible (85 degrees is ideal); offer sugar water every 5-10 minutes, using a medicine dropper or syringe (move it to the bird's bill, so that it encases the bill-end like a sleeve, which often stimulates them to drink); don't transport them on a feeder, or allow their feathers to come into contact with sugar water. Subject: Boyd Point & Lake Saracen Birds today From: Delos McCauley <edelos AT CABLELYNX.COM> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 19:57:49 -0600 Hazel and I visited the Boyd Point Wastewater Facility today, as well as Lake Saracen. We did not see the Avocets at either place. Bird seen are as follows: Boyd Point Wastewater Facility 1) Coot, American (300) 2) Duck, Ruddy (2000) 3) Egret, Great (2) 4) Gadwall (120) 5) Goose, Canada (80) 6) Grebe, Eared (19) 7) Grebe, Horned (16) 8) Grebe, Pied-billed (2) 9) Gull, Franklin's (21) 10) Gull, Ringed-bill (2) 11) Hawk, Red-tailed 12) Heron, Great Blue (2) 13) Killdeer (35) 14) Mallard (1) 15) Merganser, Hooded (5) 16) Pelican, American White (280) 17) Redhead (3) 18) Scaup, Lesser (1500) 19) Shoveler, Northern (400) 20) Vulture, Turkey (3) Lake Saracen 1) Coot, American (10) 2) Cormorant, Double-crested (200) 3) Duck, Ruddy (200) 4) Egret, Great (2) 5) Gadwall (50) 6) Goose, Snow (2) 7) Grebe, Eared (1) 8) Grebe, Horned (7) 9) Grebe, Pied-billed (2) 10) Gull, Ringed-bill (20) 11) Heron, Great Blue (1) 12) Pelican, American White (15) 13) Scaup, Lesser (700) 14) Shoveler, Northern (200) Delos McCauley Pine Bluff Subject: Call before coming to Boyd Point on Saturday From: Delos McCauley <edelos AT CABLELYNX.COM> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 20:13:38 -0600 Vincent Miles, manager of Boyd Point Wastewater Facility has requested that birders wanting to bird the facility on Saturday (open 8:00 to 12:00) to please call ahead to let them know to expect you. Birders are welcome, but for security reasons they need to know who to expect. Please respect their request and enjoy this unique birding facility. Boyd Point Wastewater Facility Phone: 870-535-0821 Thanks, Delos McCauley Pine Bluff Subject: Red Slough Bird Survey - Nov. 3 From: David Arbour <arbour AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 20:25:39 -0600 It was clear and mild with a slight breeze on the bird survey today. 67 species were found. Waterfowl have really been moving the last couple days and their numbers have really increased over last weeks survey. Mixed flocks of robins and bluebirds were passing over headed southwest this morning. Sparrow numbers and species have greatly increased. Here is a complete list of all found: Greater White-fronted Goose - 1 Snow Goose - 76 Ross' Goose - 1 Gadwall - 4080 American Wigeon - 8 Mallard - 87 Blue-winged Teal - 176 Northern Shoveler - 95 Northern Pintail - 135 Green-winged Teal - 1110 Redhead - 7 Ring-necked Duck - 740 Hooded Merganser - 3 Ruddy Duck - 28 Pied-billed Grebe - 87 American White Pelican - 13 Neotropic Cormorant - 1 Double-crested Cormorant - 500 Anhinga - 2 Great Blue Heron - 9 Great Egret - 2 Black Vulture - 19 Turkey Vulture - 75 Bald Eagle - 3 (2 adults & 1 juv.) Northern Harrier - 5 Accipiter sp. - 1 Red-tailed Hawk - 8 American Kestrel - 1 Virginia Rail - 1 Common Moorhen - 2 American Coot - 2275 Killdeer - 1 Least Sandpiper - 2 Long-billed Dowitcher - 150 Mourning Dove - 1 Belted Kingfisher - 3 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 1 Northern Flicker - 5 Eastern Phoebe - 11 American Crow - 15 Fish Crow - 41 Tufted Titmouse - 2 Carolina Wren - 4 Marsh Wren - 6 Golden-crowned Kinglet - 1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 3 Eastern Bluebird - 14 American Robin - 115 Brown Thrasher - 1 American Pipit - 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 8 Eastern Towhee - 1 Chipping Sparrow - 1 Field Sparrow - 32 Vesper Sparrow - 7 Savannah Sparrow - 10 Song Sparrow - 9 Lincoln's Sparrow - 2 Swamp Sparrow - 4 White-throated Sparrow - 6 White-crowned Sparrow - 5 Dark-eyed Junco - 3 Northern Cardinal - 4 Red-winged Blackbird - 131 Eastern Meadowlark - 3 House Finch - 3 American Goldfinch - 4 Odonates: Familiar Bluet Fragile Forktail Rambur's Forktail Common Green Darner Eastern Pondhawk Eastern Amberwing Hyacinth Glider Variegated Meadowhawk Black Saddlebags Other sightings: American Alligator Good birding! David Arbour De Queen, Arkansas Visit the Red Slough Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita/natural-resources/redslough/ Personal Photo Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/sloughbirder Subject: SIGHTING: Late hummer still 11/04/09 From: Gail Miller <gail.miller AT CONWAYCORP.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 06:37:06 -0600 My hummer girl visited my feeder at 6:20 a.m. this morning, 11/04/09. Gail in Conway Subject: LINK: Link to photo of my late hummer From: Gail Miller <gail.miller AT CONWAYCORP.NET> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 17:16:22 -0600 This link is to a photo, taken early this morning, of my late Ruby-throated Hummingbird. This is a new late record week for Faulkner County. http://www.pbase.com/image/119029702 Gail in Conway Subject: Later Southbound Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (longish answer) From: Bob Sargent <RubyThroat AT AOL.COM> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:10:45 EST Arbirders If I may take a shot at answering Mr. Chapman's question: This APPEARS to be the most late-sightings in the eastern United States of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that I can remember in the 20 years that I have banded and studied this species. Generally most hummers late in the year will consist of mostly young birds (they look like females) that hatched this year. Although we may not know the reason they are so late, we speculate that the first hatching in the early summer resulted in many failed nest due to rain and late cold weather. Both can cause extensive nest failures, based on my experience. Since female Ruby-throateds will strive to have two successful broods each breeding season, they apparently will nest a third time if one of the first two nesting attempts fails. This failed-nest scenario could easily mean that some of the chicks may fledge as much as 35 to 40 days later than normal. If this is the case, we will see many very young hummers at our feeders this time of year. That seems the most likely answer for all the late hummers this year, in my opinion. Since adult males with full gorgets arrive in spring tem days or two weeks ahead of the females, they tend to move southward ahead of these same females as well. As for Mr. Chapman finding a full gorgeted adult male Ruby-throated in early November, the possible reason could be as simple as an injured bird (injury may not apparent) that will prevent it from going into southern Mexico or Central America to spend the winter. Also, since we cannot know the age of the bird that David has located, it could well be a bird that is very old and will not make the southward migration in this final year of its life. The same will likely hold true for the many immature birds that are still remaining at our feeders NOW. It is generally accepted that up to 80% of all birds, including hummers, that hatch this year will not live to see their first birthday. It seems likely from my experience as a hummingbird bander that most of these early deaths will probably occur within the first 30 days after young hummers fledge and are on their own. While tragic to us as humans, it is Natures way of being sure that only the best of the very best live to breed in their second calendar year of their lives. As painful as it sometimes is to observe, it is not the result of something we do as humans. On another topic that David touched on briefly. The warmer winters APPEAR to be responsible for the increasing numbers of Ruby-throated successfully wintering over along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It has been my observations that in 1989 and again in 1993 we watched these surviving Ruby-throated disappear in both of these brutal winters in the deep south. Understanding the effect of our warmer winters will likely take many tens generations of observations before we can determine the true of effects of this current trend in my opinion. Don't give away all your warm clothes just yet, we will once again have cold winters. Thanks for allowing my post to ARBIRDS. Bob Sargent Clay, Alabama In a message dated 11/3/2009 1:24:11 P.M. Central Standard Time, dchapman AT UARK.EDU writes: Several ARBIRDERs have sent in reports of Ruby-throated hummingbirds this fall. Why send in one more? Joe Neal tells us in “Birds in northwest Arkansas” that most southward migration in our region proceeds between late August and early September. However, he gives a date of October 25+ to take account of those stragglers that can still be found. These are mainly females or juveniles and so the adult male I found at Lake Fayetteville yesterday (November 2nd) is worth reporting. According to birds of North America some males acquire a few iridescent red gorget feathers during the first prebasic molt that occurs in August-October but the molt is not completed until they arrive on wintering grounds. The Lake Fayetteville bird had a complete gorget and so it seems to be a lingering adult male. I would be interested to hear from Hummingbird experts how frequent adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds occur in November. We have had at least three “frosts” so far this fall which is testament to how hardy these little fellows can be. Maybe with global warming it may not be long before we can watch hummingbirds all year round! David Chapman Subject: Re: CBC Magazine From: Kimberly Smith <kgsmith AT uark.edu> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 14:08:19 -0600 Previous summaries are available online at http://www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/108thsummary.html They have not added 109th yet. ********************************************************* Kimberly G. Smith University Professor of Biological Sciences Department of Biological Sciences University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701 479-575-6359 fax:479-575-4010 email: kgsmith AT uark.edu ********************************************************* _____ From: holley white [mailto:hbandmw AT sbcglobal.net] Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 1:26 PM To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: CBC Magazine How does one go about getting a CBC magazine? Holley White Subject: Sighting: Migrants From: Clark Reames <creames AT FS.FED.US> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 13:01:54 -0600 Just got back from a Carnival cruise down to Progreso and Cozumel down on the Yucatan peninsula. Got some interesting sightings at sea. We had a stowaway cattle egret that wandered around on deck while we were underway southbound. He would take short flights off the ship but always returned for the free ride. On the aft flag mast, a flycatcher (strongly resembled a phoebe but I didnt have my binocs and I never heard his call). He would hawk insects off the back of the ship but always made his way back on board. In addition, a small yellow tinted warbler type darted around amongst the people and I couldnt get a positive ID there either. The best however, was the peregrine that hung around the ship but I never actually saw him land on board during the southbound run. He would buzz the ship at deck level and were the best looks at a wild peregrine that I have ever had. Northbound back to Galveston, there were NO birds on board, although we did intercept another peregrine at the approx. geographic center of the gulf of Mexico. I saw him make one attempt at landing on the ship but there was too much disturbance from people and he couldnt get any rest time. It wouldnt have been a good strategy for him since we were traveling at 20 kts. northbound and he would be losing ground (water?) on the crossing anyway. The gulf crossing would seem to be an impossible task for birds. It is 630 miles over water from Galveston TX to Progreso, MX. with no food or water. The peregrines really have no thermals to ride at sea and they were always flying not far off the wave tops. At least they could soar a little but couldnt gain any altitude through soaring. I have no clue how the smaller birds (with poor glide ratios) can get across there since they cant stop wing beating until they are back on shore. I can only speculate as to how many have to ditch at sea from fatique. Flying fish however have amazing glide ratios and could fly a lot farther than you would think with very little altitude to start with. Clark Subject: No Subject From: Hilary David Chapman <dchapman AT UARK.EDU> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 13:12:07 -0600 Several ARBIRDERs have sent in reports of Ruby-throated hummingbirds this fall. Why send in one more? Joe Neal tells us in "Birds in northwest Arkansas" that most southward migration in our region proceeds between late August and early September. However, he gives a date of October 25+ to take account of those stragglers that can still be found. These are mainly females or juveniles and so the adult male I found at Lake Fayetteville yesterday (November 2nd) is worth reporting. According to birds of North America some males acquire a few iridescent red gorget feathers during the first prebasic molt that occurs in August-October but the molt is not completed until they arrive on wintering grounds. The Lake Fayetteville bird had a complete gorget and so it seems to be a lingering adult male. I would be interested to hear from Hummingbird experts how frequent adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds occur in November. We have had at least three "frosts" so far this fall which is testament to how hardy these little fellows can be. Maybe with global warming it may not be long before we can watch hummingbirds all year round! David Chapman Subject: Re: 109th Christmas Bird Count magazine From: "FENNELL, Ellen" <EFENNELL AT AUDUBON.ORG> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 13:41:45 -0500 Yes, Leif, we were so excited to get the magazine. Thanks for your many hours of work on this and to all CBC'ers. Ellen M. Fennell Director of Development Audubon Arkansas 4500 Springer Blvd. Little Rock, AR 72206 Tel: 501.244.2229 Fax: 501.244.2231 www.ar.audubon.org DONATE ONLINE to protect the Little River Bottoms https://loon.audubon.org/payment/donate/ARLRBDF.html When one tugs at a single thing in nature; he finds it attached to the rest of the world. -- John Muir -----Original Message----- From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List [mailto:ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Leif E Anderson Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 7:59 AM To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: 109th Christmas Bird Count magazine Greetings all, The magazine from the 109th CBC should be in your mailbox this week. AR is mentioned on pg 7, 83, 111 and 128 - Pine Bluffs's Dickcissels were the top count in the country. Unfortunately the map of count locations is wrong AGAIN.... Big Lake NWR is not in South AR. I thought we had fixed this problem from last year. I'll try some more. AR photographs can be found on the website - www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/cbcphotos.php They include Kelly Chitwood's Nashville Warbler & Sedge Wren; Joe Neal's Long-tailed Duck; Rob Doster's Bonaparte's & Laughing Gulls. Anybody can submit photos to the website. They don't have to be rare. It sure would be great to see more AR CBC photos. I sure appreciate all your time and effort to do citizen science for the CBCs! This years counts run from 12/14 through 1/5. I'll start posting more details mid Nov. Cheers, Leif AT Hector Subject: Re: 109th Christmas Bird Count magazine From: Bill Shepherd <stoneax63 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 12:05:09 -0600 And we appreciate your good work, Leif. Keep after those New York people until they get the map right. Bill Bill Shepherd 2805 Linden, Apt. 3 Little Rock, Arkansas 72205-5964 Stoneax63 AT hotmail.com (501) 375-3918 Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 08:58:30 -0500 From: leanderson AT FS.FED.US Subject: 109th Christmas Bird Count magazine To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Greetings all, The magazine from the 109th CBC should be in your mailbox this week. AR is mentioned on pg 7, 83, 111 and 128 - Pine Bluffs's Dickcissels were the top count in the country. Unfortunately the map of count locations is wrong AGAIN.... Big Lake NWR is not in South AR. I thought we had fixed this problem from last year. I'll try some more. AR photographs can be found on the website - www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/cbcphotos.php They include Kelly Chitwood's Nashville Warbler & Sedge Wren; Joe Neal's Long-tailed Duck; Rob Doster's Bonaparte's & Laughing Gulls. Anybody can submit photos to the website. They don't have to be rare. It sure would be great to see more AR CBC photos. I sure appreciate all your time and effort to do citizen science for the CBCs! This years counts run from 12/14 through 1/5. I'll start posting more details mid Nov. Cheers, Leif AT Hector Subject: Re: 109th Christmas Bird Count magazine From: Sandy Berger <fsbirdlady AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 08:49:14 -0800 One of our Oklahoma members, Jeri McMahon, has a photo of a leucistic Black Vulture in the CBC magazine on page 85. Her bird was an OK bird. Sandy B. FS, AR --- On Tue, 11/3/09, Leif E Anderson wrote: > From: Leif E Anderson > Subject: 109th Christmas Bird Count magazine > To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU > Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 7:58 AM > > > Greetings all, > > The magazine from the > 109th CBC should > be in your mailbox this week. > > > > AR is mentioned on pg 7, > 83, 111 and > 128 - Pine Bluffs's Dickcissels were the top count in > the country. > > > > Unfortunately the map of > count locations > is wrong AGAIN.... Big Lake NWR is not in South AR. �I > thought we > had fixed this problem from last year. �I'll try > some more. > > > > AR photographs can be > found on the website > - www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/cbcphotos.php � They > include Kelly Chitwood's > Nashville Warbler & Sedge Wren; �Joe Neal's > Long-tailed Duck; > �Rob Doster's Bonaparte's & Laughing > Gulls. �Anybody can > submit photos to the website. �They don't have to > be rare. �It > sure would be great to see more AR CBC photos. > > > > I sure appreciate all your > time and > effort to do citizen science for the CBCs! > > � > > This years counts run from > 12/14 through > 1/5. > > I'll start posting > �more details > mid Nov. > > Cheers, Leif AT > Hector __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Subject: 109th Christmas Bird Count magazine From: Leif E Anderson <leanderson AT FS.FED.US> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 08:58:30 -0500 Greetings all, The magazine from the 109th CBC should be in your mailbox this week. AR is mentioned on pg 7, 83, 111 and 128 - Pine Bluffs's Dickcissels were the top count in the country. Unfortunately the map of count locations is wrong AGAIN.... Big Lake NWR is not in South AR. I thought we had fixed this problem from last year. I'll try some more. AR photographs can be found on the website - www.audubon.org/bird/cbc/cbcphotos.php They include Kelly Chitwood's Nashville Warbler & Sedge Wren; Joe Neal's Long-tailed Duck; Rob Doster's Bonaparte's & Laughing Gulls. Anybody can submit photos to the website. They don't have to be rare. It sure would be great to see more AR CBC photos. I sure appreciate all your time and effort to do citizen science for the CBCs! This years counts run from 12/14 through 1/5. I'll start posting more details mid Nov. Cheers, Leif AT Hector Subject: SIGHTING: Hummer still Mon. AM From: Gail Miller <gail.miller AT CONWAYCORP.NET> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 06:38:24 -0600 I stood out by my feeders and flower garden this morning, drinking my coffee and scratching a dog behind the ear. One RT hummer came to a feeder around 6:30 a.m. I received an email from Martha Johnson and, since I saw two yesterday, this is a new record week in Faulkner County for the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Have a great Monday! Gail Subject: LINK: Link to photo of Brown-headed Nuthatch From: Gail Miller <gail.miller AT CONWAYCORP.NET> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 18:04:24 -0600 My thanks goes to Allan Mueller for his reports of the Brown-headed Nuthatch at Beaverfork Lake near Conway. I saw two yesterday and went back today to try again for photos. After a 3 hour wait, I was finally able to get at least one decent shot. I smeared Marvel Meal on 3 tree trunks and this Nuthatch visited all 3 'smears'. It was not a frequent sighting, but well worth the wait. http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/brownheaded_nuthatch Marvel Meal Recipe (in case anyone is interested in feeding some this winter) 1 18 oz. jar Peanut Butter 1 cup Crisco (I like the pre-measured 1 cup sticks of Crisco) 1 cup white flour 4 cups white corn meal Mix well, I store it in the refrigerator in 8 oz Cool Whip containers. This amount fills two 8 oz. Cool Whip containers. Gail in Conway Subject: Re: Sightings: Recent images from central Arkansas From: Jim Dixon <jamesdixonlr AT ATT.NET> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 17:22:47 -0600 Thanks. I didn't know that their tails ever looked like that. The color does not show much in the images but the tail appeared red and there is a dark band at the end which does show in the images so that is like an adult dark morph. Maybe the red was due to the way the light was hitting it. Jim Dixon Little Rock, AR www.JamesDixon.us OLCOOT1 AT aol.com wrote: > > > In a message dated 11/1/2009 7:49:45 A.M. Central Standard Time, > jamesdixonlr AT ATT.NET writes: > > I thought this Red-tailed Hawk was especially dark, even for a dark > phase. Although I only got a few reasonable images, I had good > looks > at him and never saw any significant amount of light markings. > http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=3340&g2_imageViewsIndex=1 > > > >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > Take a closer look at this dark "morph" ( it is not a phase they > go through) Red-tail. The reason it did not look right, it is a > 3rd year Bald Eagle or going into its 4th year. They get very > mixed up their last few immature years. > > There is one light patch near the body on the wing which is good > at that stage, lighter head, thin dark terminal bar on light tail, > very long straight sided wings, very squared spread hand, large > light bill and feet very evident. > > > Good Birding !!! > > Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA > 6300 Memphis-Arlington Road > Bartlett, TN 38135 > http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/ > What is this feathered thing that lifts my heart to the heavens. > Subject: Re: Lake Dardanelle From: Cheryle Sytsma <shalom AT CYBERBACK.COM> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 17:24:48 -0600 Yes... we have lots of scissor tail flycatchers right now here in Vilonia. cheryle sytsma vilonia ----- Original Message ----- From: Kenny Nichols To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Sent: Saturday, October 31, 2009 8:31 PM Subject: Lake Dardanelle LaDonna and I had two Laughing Gulls below the dam at Dardanelle this morning. One was a winter plumaged adult and the other a first winter bird. Thousands of ducks on the lake -mostly Lesser Scaup and Gadwall. We still had a single Ruby-throated Hummingbird at our feeder in Cabot, yesterday. I don't normally consider a Scissor-tail as being late unless it's November but we saw five in four different locations in Searcy yesterday, two more near Vilonia and one in Russellville. Good birding! Kenny Nichols Subject: Re: Sightings: Recent images from central Arkansas From: "Jeff R. Wilson" <OLCOOT1 AT AOL.COM> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 18:12:25 EST In a message dated 11/1/2009 7:49:45 A.M. Central Standard Time, jamesdixonlr AT ATT.NET writes: I thought this Red-tailed Hawk was especially dark, even for a dark phase. Although I only got a few reasonable images, I had good looks at him and never saw any significant amount of light markings. _http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=3340&g2_imageViewsIndex=1_ (http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=3340&g2_imageViewsIndex=1) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Take a closer look at this dark "morph" ( it is not a phase they go through) Red-tail. The reason it did not look right, it is a 3rd year Bald Eagle or going into its 4th year. They get very mixed up their last few immature years. There is one light patch near the body on the wing which is good at that stage, lighter head, thin dark terminal bar on light tail, very long straight sided wings, very squared spread hand, large light bill and feet very evident. Good Birding !!! Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA 6300 Memphis-Arlington Road Bartlett, TN 38135 http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/ What is this feathered thing that lifts my heart to the heavens. Subject: RFI: Hordes of House Sparrows From: Donna Haynes <birdiehaynes AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 16:20:00 -0600 The hoards of House Sparrows apparanly survived whatever illness that had befallen them a couple of months ago. I stopped feeding at that time, but the healthy hoards returned when I resumed. I have noticed that the fall sparrows that venture into the yard are not sticking around as they usually do. For instance the White-Throated Sparrow that ventured in today looked really nervous and fled when the House Sparrow flock arrived. Do the House Sparrows pose a problem for others? This will be the first winter that I have more than a few House Sparrows. I have never minded them feeding and I actually find them attractive. I also know they are a non-native species. Any thoughts? Donna Haynes West Pulaski Co. Subject: RARE: Probable Glaucous Gull at Millwood Lake From: Arkansas Birder <arkansasbirder AT MAC.COM> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 13:59:48 -0600 Charles Mills, Dan Scheiman, and Samantha Holschbach report a probable GLAUCOUS GULL on Millwood Lake seen from Beard's Bluff Overlook. Though too far away to confirm a bi-colored bill, it is a large gull with all white primaries and tail. The ROCK WREN is still present at the dam. See the Arkansas Birder RBA page for more info on both birds. Dennis Braddy Little Rock, AR http://www.arkansasbirder.net "I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell." - Harry Truman (no keyword) Conservation, habitat, behavior, distribution, abundance, migration, feeders, birdhouses, ... SIGHTINGS: Bird sightings (not rare), day lists, surveys, yard birds, trip reports FOS: First of season sightings RARE: Rare bird sightings (rare or rarer in AAS Field List) INFO: Spontaneous emissions of information on topics not covered elsewhere RFI: Requests for information (general, ARBIRD-L, bird identification, optics, subscriber polls) LINK: Links to photos, websites FOW: Fellowship of the Wings ANNOUNCEMENT: Announcements of field trips, meetings Subject: Sightings: Lake Maumelle From: Jim Dixon <jamesdixonlr AT ATT.NET> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 12:15:28 -0600 I birded the Lake Maumelle Spillway and later what's been recently dubbed Bufflehead Bay near the Jolly Roger Marina. The spillway was very foggy and I almost left but decided to push on down the Ouachita Trail to get a better look at the lake. Before long the fog cleared and I got a FOM Bald Eagle and even better two FOS Common Loon. The loons were obliging, not too far away and seemingly mainly enjoying the sunshine. Common Loon: http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=3397&g2_imageViewsIndex=1 http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=3400&g2_imageViewsIndex=1 -- Jim Dixon Little Rock, AR www.JamesDixon.us Subject: Sighting: Hummingbird From: Donna Haynes <birdiehaynes AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 11:05:00 -0600 Yesterday I was only up for short periods of time as I am still trying to recover from my affliction. I did not see any hummers and Adam did not report seeing any either. This morning I saw a hummingbird. Actually, I saw a hummer tail, as it landed on the back side of the feeder for all of about 5 seconds. I am now on hummingbird stakeout! The tail just didn't look quite right. I do have to admit that my mind is not quite right yet either, so I'm not getting my hopes up for a Westerner. Did not get a good look as it flew out of couch-viewing range. So here I lie on the couch, intently staring at the feeder. Either way, it's November 1st and I saw a hummingbird. Donna Haynes West Pulaski Co. Subject: It is November- still have a hummer! From: Sheran Herrin <sjherrin AT CSWNET.COM> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 08:18:57 -0600 Just got a couple OK pics of a female RT! Also saw and heard my first YB Sapsucker of the season. More juncos arriving daily. Even got a quick look at a hawk, but didn't see it long enough to ID. Sara, hope you still have hummers too! Love those records, but it just exciting to watch them, record or not. Sheran Herrin, now late for church...just north of Beebe Subject: SIGHTING: Brown-headed Nuthatch From: Gail Miller <gail.miller AT CONWAYCORP.NET> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 08:15:57 -0600 A first for me, ...after much song playing, I 'finally' spotted a Brown-headed Nuthatch at Beaverfork Lake near Conway yesterday. There were two together, but as soon as I got my camera out and set up, I could call them in no more! Ended up taking photos of fungi instead. I'll go back again. They were in the pine trees near where boaters check in to launch. Gail in Conway Subject: SIGHTINGS: Still two hummers Sunday AM From: Gail Miller <gail.miller AT CONWAYCORP.NET> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 08:07:09 -0600 I still have two female RT hummers this morning. When I got up and looked out the kitchen window, the Bluebirds were nearby, I assumed begging for mealworms. Since they almost immediately came to what I put out, I guess I interpreted they actions correctly. :-) Gail in Arkansas Subject: Sighting: Banshee From: Dan Scheiman <birddan AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 2009 03:49:27 +0000 On this All Hallow's Eve, Samantha and I saw a BANSHEE fly across the road in Searcy. Well, it could have been a Barn Owl. Dan Scheiman Litt le Rock, AR Subject: Sightings: Recent images from central Arkansas From: Jim Dixon <jamesdixonlr AT ATT.NET> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:33:26 -0500 Here are some recent images, I hope you enjoy them. White-crowned Sparrow http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=3394&g2_imageViewsIndex=1 Eastern Towhee http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=3385&g2_imageViewsIndex=1 American Kestrel http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=3334&g2_imageViewsIndex=1 I thought this Red-tailed Hawk was especially dark, even for a dark phase. Although I only got a few reasonable images, I had good looks at him and never saw any significant amount of light markings. http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=3340&g2_imageViewsIndex=1 -- Jim Dixon Little Rock, AR www.JamesDixon.us Subject: Lake Dardanelle From: Kenny Nichols <kingbird AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:31:53 -0700 LaDonna and I had two Laughing Gulls below the dam at Dardanelle this morning. One was a winter plumaged adult and the other a first winter bird. Thousands of ducks on the lake -mostly Lesser Scaup and Gadwall. We still had a single Ruby-throated Hummingbird at our feeder in Cabot, yesterday. I don't normally consider a Scissor-tail as being late unless it's November but we saw five in four different locations in Searcy yesterday, two more near Vilonia and one in Russellville. Good birding! Kenny Nichols Subject: Re: Hummers still From: Sara Caulk <sara_caulk AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:22:24 -0700 I had one female RT in Fayetteville this evening! � Sara in Fayetteville --- On Sat, 10/31/09, Gail Miller wrote: From: Gail Miller Subject: [ARBIRD-L] Hummers still To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Date: Saturday, October 31, 2009, 8:48 AM I still have two female RT hummers this�morning.� � Gail in Conway Subject: Sightings: Pine Bluff From: Dan Scheiman <birddan AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:16:29 -0500 This morning (10/31) Samantha Holschbach and I birded the Boyd Point Wastewater Facility and Lake Saracen in Pine Bluff. Our target was EARED GREBE for her state list and we found them right away. Ducks are moving in. Highlights: Boyd Point Eared Grebe - 12 Horned Grebe - 5 American Avocet - 14, winter plumage, in a tight group on a levee road Franklin's Gull - 55 American White Pelican - 165 Ruddy Duck - 800 Northern Shoveler - 75 Lesser Scaup - 200 Ring-necked Duck - 10 Gadwall - 6 Redhead - 2 Lake Saracen American Avocet - swimming in a tight group, looked like a flock of small gulls from a distance American White Pelican - 8 Redhead - 21 Lesser Scaup - 40 Ring-necked Duck - 1 Dan Scheiman Little Rock, AR Subject: RBA--Arkansas-October 31, 2009 From: DeLynn Hearn <delynnh AT IWON.COM> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:18:45 -0400 -RBA *Arkansas *Statewide *October 31, 2009 *ARST09.10.31 -Species Mentioned American Avocet White-Winged Dove White-winged Scoter Golden Eagle Nelson's Sparrow -Transcript Welcome to the Arkansas Rare Bird Alert for October 31, 2009, sponsored by the Audubon Society of Central Arkansas (ASCA). ASCA meets at 7:00pm the second Thursday of each month at the John Gould Fletcher Library, located at 823 Buchanan St. on the corner of Buchanan and H Streets in Little Rock. Check the www.ascabird.org website for details on upcoming meetings and field trips. From around the state recent sightings are: Three American Avocets are being seen at the Centerton Fish Hatchery in the big pond on the left as you enter the gate. A White-Winged Dove was seen near the western end of the Okay Levee at Millwood. A White-winged Scoter continues at Lake Fayetteville. Two adult Golden Eagles were seen flying over Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville. Nelson's Sparrow is reported at two locations. At Chesney Prairie, the bird(s) were located in the low area of the new acquisition just north of the pond that is on private land. They were east of a patch of red sumac that is very noticeable. To try for Nelson's Sparrow at Woolsey Wet Prairie, park at the Waste-water Management Plant, follow the mowed trail north. When you arrive on the southern berm, veer slightly west, and follow the long north-south-running berm north about 200 yards. You'll pass the large shallow pond to the east, then pass a small berm heading east, and arrive at the deepest pond with a few large trees around it to your east and a much smaller pond with small Willow trees surrounding it to the west. The Nelson's Sparrow was found hopping around in the small Willows surrounding the pond to the west. Thanks for calling the Arkansas Rare Bird Alert. Your contributions make the Rare Bird Alert possible. If you would like to leave a message, please wait for the chirp. Good Birding! Hotline: Arkansas Date: October 31, 2009 Phone number: (501)753-5853 To Report: (501)753-5853, ARBird email discussion list, BRC forms available at ARBirds.org Compiler/Transcriber: DeLynn Hearn Coverage: Statewide -End transcript DeLynn Hearn Senior Consultant, Mary Kay Cosmetics 317 West K St. N. Little Rock, AR 72116 (501)771-4686 www.marykay.com/dhearn1 ------------------------------------------------------------ Instant Debt Consolidation Quote Free debt consolidation quote online! No obligation. No credit check. http://tagline.iwon.com/c?cp=TcZHumUx9JY8xOgVAbn3MwAAKZyeS3tLiu4OU9x_47187_23AAQAAAAFAAAAAPT9lD4AAAMlAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABI2kQytK0I= Subject: Rare: Nelson's Sparrow From: David Oakley <gdosr AT COX.NET> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:15:18 -0500 Joe Neal called me at 1:10 PM and asked that I report a Nelson's Sparrow (possibly two) at Chesney Prairie. The bird or bird's were located in the low area of the new acquisition just north of the pond that is on private land. They were east of a patch of red sumac that is very noticeable. ------- G. David Oakley 4779 Cedar Ridge Drive Springdale, AR 72764 479/770-2153 479/422-6588 (cell) 479/717-2366 (fax) gdosr AT cox.net Speak your mind ..... but ride a fast horse. Subject: FOS From: Dorothy Cooney <songbird.0514 AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:26:11 -0700 I'm happy to report that my FOS Chipping Sparrows, Yellow-Rumped Warblers, White-throated sparrows,and Cedar Waxwings were busy in my yard this morning! I also had a gorgeous Northern Flicker, Bluebirds, and Coopers hawk. Glad to see my winter birds starting to come in! Dorothy Cooney Wickes, AR Subject: Hummers still From: Gail Miller <gail.miller AT CONWAYCORP.NET> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:48:38 -0500 I still have two female RT hummers this morning. Gail in Conway Subject: Reading Rodney Jones on the porch From: Herschel Raney <herschel.raney AT CONWAYCORP.NET> Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:32:58 -0500 First finger chill. The Blackjacks and the hickories like color altars wherein jiggle the Kinglets. Chickadees doing the rollicking chatter and coming first time to the black seed grown somewhere in Pretoria or Omaha but now here on my mountaintop as offering. In the swamp, the wood ducks make the wee-eee that means something I have not discerned yet. Through the long line of trees I see one flutter now and then up onto low branches. The bluebirds chortle. Misplaced Killdeer wing over, their calling punctuated by the nearer Flickers. So clear and blue the geese are probably up at twenty thousand or so. Earlier this week in heavy cloud and rain, rain, rain the Snows and Blues zoomed over at treetop height. Hard to focus on Rodney's deep poems. But his 'kingdom of the instant' I understand. And really, somehow, the chill in the fingers feels right. World order in the ache. Symmetry in the soft stepping of the deer in the leaves. Where the joy of budburst, without the long grey stay of Kinglets? Right Rodney? Herschel Raney Conway AR Subject: Re: Any interest among central Arkansas birders to go after the Nelson's Sparrow at Woolsey Wet Prairie? From: Jacque Brown <bluebird2 AT COX.NET> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:25:42 -0400 Just to let you all know David Oakley, Joe Neal and Myself went looking for both the Nelson's Sparrow and the White-winged Scoter today. The Scoter at 9 am and again at about 1 pm. We didn't see the Scoter. It was very windy frow the SW and we thought we did a thorough search of the Coots at the lake both morning and afternoon. It still may be there but maybe after the wind dies down someone will have more luck. The situation was the same with the Nelson's Sparrow. David and I went to Woolsey at about 10 am and Joe joined us a half hour later. We saw several species of Sparrow. LeConte's, Song, Savannah, Swamp, White-crowned, Lincoln, and Clay-colored. We trudged and slogged through the area but didn't turn up the Nelson's Sparrow and we were seeing fewer birds as it became increasingly windy. Wear muck boots if you have them if you go. The wind is supposed to die down as the weekend progresses and the temps warm slightly. I also saw 3 Avocets at the Centerton Fish Hatchery this morning at 7:30 as I was heading out and they were still there at 3 pm. Jacque Brown, Centerton ---- Jim Dixon wrote: ============= That would be a life bird for me and I'm thinking about going Saturday or Sunday. I don't know how hard it would be to get from there to Lake Fayetteville but we could perhaps drop by there as well for the White-winged Scoter. Let me know if you are interested. Right now the forecast is sunny both days though I expect the wet part its name will be true. If you want to go and especially car pool, let me know. -- Jim Dixon Little Rock, AR www.JamesDixon.us -- Jacque Brown Centerton Benton, Co AR, bluebird2 AT cox.net Subject: SIGHTING: Hummer this morning From: Sara Caulk <sara_caulk AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:42:07 -0700 I still had a hummingbird at my house in Fayetteville this morning and now that the SUN IS OUT - THE SUN IS OUT there is definitely the green coloration of the female RT that was not visible with the overcast, dark conditions.� I agree with Bob Sargent and the Ruby-throated�ID.� I didn't see her this evening, but I'm still going to keep watching because if she were to still be here on Nov 1st, that's an all time record.� If I can't win the most birds on the life list contest, I want record on the�"All Time" list!� � Here's what Bob had to say after seeing the photo of my little visitor: � "Your hummer, in my opinion, is a Ruby-throated.� It looks like an adult female to me because it has an APPARENT "nest band" caused by abrasion that wears down those feathers while she is sitting on eggs or incubating.� This hummer looks healthy and may be one that had a reclutch episode that makes for many or most of these late Ruby-throateds this fall.� � Her head shape is that of the genus archilochus (Ruby-throated and Black-chinned) and definitely not a selasphorus bird in my opinion (Rufous or Allen's or Broad-tailed).� I think she will soon be out of your yard and headed southward.� She is in no danger being at your home this time of year." � This was a lot of info about hummingbirds that I had no idea was even there to be observed.� Thanks Bob!� The only danger she is in is from me trying to catch her and hold her captive until 11-1 for the record.� Just kidding!!! � Sara Fayetteville Subject: Sightings: RT Hummers From: Donna Haynes <birdiehaynes AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:10:00 -0500 I have been trapped in isolation in the bedrrom because I have the flu. I did take a short walk to the kitchen this morning for gatoraid and was met by a little hummer on the kitchen window feeder. Made me feel better for that moment. Adam says he has been watching two for the last couple of days fighting over the feeders. Donna Haynes West Pulaski Co. Subject: How to reduce window strikes From: Barry Haas <bhaas AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:48:59 -0500 Dear ARBIRDers, Here's a link to an article in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune titled "How to reduce window strikes": http://www.startribune.com/blogs/67219322.html?elr=KArksUUUycaEacyU This may not be new information for everyone on the list, but hopefully will provide new and useful information for some. From the deep (and very soggy) woods just west of Little Rock, Barry Haas Subject: INFO:/ SOB: Sassy Chic/Something Other than Birds From: Larry Witherspoon <ldspoon AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:21:14 -0500 Good morning, I would like to invite everyone who can, to the Sassy Chic Show. November 6th Friday 10:00am till 7:00pm November 7th Saturday 9:00am till 5:00pm Ok, what is this all about? For the last seven years our neighbors have open their home up to the public and have an Art, Pottery, Jewelry etc.sale. This is the third year that Desiree and I have become a part of Sassy Chic and have opened our home up also. Our home is the Art Gallery. There will be FOR SALE, not only by LOCAL ARTIST, but ARTIST from around the country, all hand made, a wide assortment of items such as paintings, jewelry, wood products, pottery, photography, kids stuff, food items, embroidery, even some things for men, and so forth. The proceeds go to the Kaleidoscope Kids, a very good cause. Great for Christmas and birthdays or everyday needs. And it is fun! Kaleidoscope Kids is grief counseling and more for young children, and sometimes even the adults. I hope you will try to come by. Here is how you get to the homes. At Mississippi and "H" Street, go east till you get to Hall Drive, turn right and go to top of hill to Pleasant Place, turn left onto Pleasant Place, you will see it. At University and "H" Street, go west till you get to Carrywood, turn left onto Carywood, come to top of hill and turn right onto Pleasant Place. You are here! Thank you Kim for posting this. Thank you guys for your support. Larry Witherspoon Subject: Re: Evidence For A Second Breeding Season Among Migratory Songbirds - more From: Bill Shepherd <stoneax63 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:52:11 -0500 Fascinating finding, Jeff. But not all that surprising to me. Was it Brooke Meanley who hypothesized 50+ years ago that some of the Sedge and/or Marsh Wrens found in Arkansas rice fields in late summer, before the rice is cut, are birds that have already bred several hundred miles north of Arkansas and are having another go at it? (I think this theory is mentioned in James & Neal, but I don't have that book in front of me right now.) Have wren nests actually been found in stands of Arkansas rice? I wonder if the double-brooding hypothesis ever has been tested/proven in Arkansas. If not, perhaps there is now more reason than before to test it. Bill Shepherd Bill Shepherd 2805 Linden, Apt. 3 Little Rock, Arkansas 72205-5964 Stoneax63 AT hotmail.com (501) 375-3918 Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:29:45 -0500 From: bashman AT EARTHLINK.NET Subject: FW: Evidence For A Second Breeding Season Among Migratory Songbirds - more To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU FYI From: Bird conservation list for Department of Defense/Partners in Flight [mailto:DODPIF-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Chris Eberly Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 11:43 AM To: DODPIF-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Evidence For A Second Breeding Season Among Migratory Songbirds - more Attached is a PDF of the original article in PNAS, and the Birders World blog on the story. - Chris http://cs.birdersworld.com/brdcs/blogs/field_of_view/2009/10/26/researchers-discover-a-second-breeding-season-for-five-migratory-songbirds.aspx Researchers discover a second breeding season for five migratory songbirds Biologists studying songbirds that breed in North America and then migrate to Mexico have discovered something totally unheard of in the New World � a second breeding season. Five species � Yellow-billed Cuckoo (right), Orchard Oriole, Hooded Oriole, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Cassin's Vireo � breed primarily in the United States and Canada. Then they squeeze in a second breeding season during a stopover in western Mexico on their southward migration. "It's pretty much unheard of to have a nocturnal migrant with a second breeding season. It's a pretty special observation," said Sievert Rohwer, lead author of a paper describing the discovery. "We saw these birds breeding, and we were completely surprised." Migratory double-breeding has been observed in two Old World bird species � European Quail and Dotterel � on their northward migration, but this is the first documented observation of "migratory double breeders" in the New World, and the first anywhere for the southward migration, Rohwer said. Rohwer and his fellow scientists traveled to the lowland thorn forests of coastal Sinaloa and Baja California Sur to survey and collect songbirds that had raised their young in the United States and Canada and then immediately migrated to Mexico to molt, or shed and replace, their feathers. But during July and August in three consecutive summers, 2005-2007, the researchers found individuals that were breeding rather than molting. They found evidence that the birds had, in fact, bred earlier that year. Females of all five species had dry and featherless brood patches, indicating they had bred earlier that summer. (To more efficiently transfer heat to eggs, the abdominal brood patch becomes featherless and thickened with fluid when females are incubating, but as the young mature, it dries out and remains featherless.) "During hundreds of hours of netting and observation in July, we found no recently fledged juveniles of these species, suggesting that they had not bred in west Mexico earlier in the same summer," the researchers write. Active nests were found for the two orioles. (Orchard Oriole eggs collected by the researchers in 2006 are pictured at left.) And males of all five species were singing and defending territories or guarding females, behaviors associated with breeding. In addition, isotopic analysis of the birds' tissues showed that many had recently arrived in western Mexico from temperate areas farther north. Rohwer published the paper this week in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. He is a University of Washington professor emeritus of biology, curator emeritus of birds at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, and the 2006 recipient of the Elliott Coues Award from the American Ornithologists' Union. The abstract is online here; the full article is available to PNAS subscribers only. Coauthors are Keith Hobson, a world-renowned research scientist with Environment Canada and a leader in the study of stable isotopes in birds, and Vanya Rohwer, Sievert Rohwer's son and a graduate student at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. The percentage of northern breeding populations that attempt to breed again in Mexico is unknown, they write. "Hooded Orioles are extraordinarily common as late summer breeders in Baja California Sur, and Orchard Orioles, Yellow-breasted Chats, and Yellow-billed Cuckoos breed abundantly in the coastal lowlands of extreme southern Sonora and much of coastal Sinaloa. Thus, migratory double breeding may be common in at least some North American breeding populations of these species." The observation is much more than an oddity in bird behavior, Sievert Rohwer said. He noted that Orchard Orioles might raise a first brood in the Midwestern and south-central U.S. and a second on Mexico's western coast, yet both sets of offspring find the same wintering area in Central America. The question is how both groups find the right place, since they must travel in different directions. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo was once commonly seen throughout the western United States and as far north as the Seattle area, but now it's seldom seen along the West Coast. Disappearing habitat in the U.S. is usually cited as the reason. But Rohwer believes the real problem could be the transformation of thorn forests of southern Sonora and Sinaloa in northwestern Mexico, into irrigated industrial farms. That loss of habitat, he said, could mean not enough young are produced in the second breeding season to sustain the populations previously seen on the U.S. west coast. "It turns out that many of those migrants, both molt migrants and the newly discovered migratory double breeders, are dependent on the low-altitude thorn forests that become very productive during the monsoon," Rohwer said. The thorn forests lie in an arid and forbidding scrubland that springs to life with the monsoon lasting from June through August. The monsoon brings virtually all of the area's annual rainfall. The small trees leaf out and insects become abundant, making an ideal stopover for migrating songbirds. However, with plenty of biting insects, temperatures often at 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and humidity hovering near 100 percent, it is a difficult place for researchers to work, so there has been little previous documentation of life in the thorn forest. The new findings could spur more work there. "For western North America, the conservation implications are pretty serious," Rohwer said. "Biologists know theoretically that they should pay attention to these migration stopover sites, but they've been largely ignored for their conservation implications." -- M.M., with thanks to Vince Stricherz, University of Washington. Subject: Re: From Hummers to Bees OFF TOPIC WARNING... - Ouachita County From: Robert Rickett <rrickett AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:08:54 -0500 I still have several hatch-year male hummers vigorously defending patches of Mexican Bush Sage, Salvia Darcyi, Turk's Cap, and Cuphea 'David Verity' as well as a few sugar-water feeders. And the honey bees have descended in great numbers on both flowers and feeders. As everyone has said, it is very unusual to have this many Ruby-throats still here at this time of year. Usually, if we have any that linger this long, they are obviously late developers or perhaps ill. These guys seem to suffer from none of those problems. Bob Rickett Monroe, Louisiana (well, it's almost Arkansas.) ----- Original Message ----- From: Kelly Chitwood To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 8:25 AM Subject: From Hummers to Bees OFF TOPIC WARNING... - Ouachita County I arrived home yesterday to find 8 cups of nectar mixed on Sunday was depleted. We still have one hummingbird, a female. What's consuming our nectar? Obviously not one hummingbird. Hundreds of honey bees! I'm continuing to feed them, because they are hungry. Is anyone else experiencing the same? Is it because of the rain? I'm all for helping them out. Please respond directly to me. Kelly Chitwood Camden, AR Subject: American Avocets From: David Oakley <gdosr AT COX.NET> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:29:12 -0500 Jacque Brown reports three American Avocets at the Centerton Fish Hatchery this morning at 8:15 AM. They are in the big pond on the left as you enter the gate. ------- G. David Oakley 4779 Cedar Ridge Drive Springdale, AR 72764 479/770-2153 479/422-6588 (cell) 479/717-2366 (fax) gdosr AT cox.net Speak your mind ..... but ride a fast horse. Subject: Any interest among central Arkansas birders to go after the Nelson's Sparrow at Woolsey Wet Prairie? From: Jim Dixon <jamesdixonlr AT ATT.NET> Date: Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:56:52 -0500 That would be a life bird for me and I'm thinking about going Saturday or Sunday. I don't know how hard it would be to get from there to Lake Fayetteville but we could perhaps drop by there as well for the White-winged Scoter. Let me know if you are interested. Right now the forecast is sunny both days though I expect the wet part its name will be true. If you want to go and especially car pool, let me know. -- Jim Dixon Little Rock, AR www.JamesDixon.us Subject: urgent: Fort Smith bird needs transport to a wildlife rehabilitator From: "HAWK Center (Helping Arkansas Wild \"Kritters\")" <hawkcenter AT CENTURYTEL.NET> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:00:36 -0500 There are so few wildlife rehabilitators in the state, we cannot manage to go get the majority of them. Instead we count on the public to bring the animals to us. Unfortunately, there are occasions that Joe Public is unable to bring the animal to us. It is in these situations we need extra help from people like those on this list - people who care about birds. We are presently in this situation. A woman called from Fort Smith today with a caught by cat bird (her words were he's an "ordinary bird" - I suspect it may be a Mockingbird based on her description). The bird needs to get to a federally permitted wildlife rehabilitator who is experienced in passerines. I suggested the finder get the bird to Lynn Sciumbato in Gravette, but she says she is unable to do so. It's urgent..Can anyone please get the bird up to Lynn tomorrow (Friday)? Please call our HAWK hotline pager if you can help. 479-498-5147 Also, if you're willing to help in the future and cannot do so in this particular situation, drop me a note with your name, availability, distance willing to travel, and contact info (home and cell if both available). I'll get you on my personal reference map and give you a yell when we can use your assistance. I'm sure there is at least ONE of you who is willing to step up to the plate. Thanks in advance! Lynne Slater HAWK Center (Helping Arkansas Wild "Kritters") Russellville, AR 72811-1922 www.hawkcenter.org www.facebook.com/hawkcenter Subject: RARE: White-winged Scoter at Lake Fayetteville From: Arkansas Birder <arkansasbirder AT MAC.COM> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:26:49 -0500 Joe Neal reports that the White-winged Scoter found by David Chapman continues at Lake Fayetteville. For a map and directions see the Arkansas Birder RBA page. Dennis Braddy Little Rock, AR http://www.arkansasbirder.net "I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell." - Harry Truman (no keyword) Conservation, habitat, behavior, distribution, abundance, migration, feeders, birdhouses, ... SIGHTINGS: Bird sightings (not rare), day lists, surveys, yard birds, trip reports FOS: First of season sightings RARE: Rare bird sightings (rare or rarer in AAS Field List) INFO: Spontaneous emissions of information on topics not covered elsewhere RFI: Requests for information (general, ARBIRD-L, bird identification, optics, subscriber polls) LINK: Links to photos, websites FOW: Fellowship of the Wings ANNOUNCEMENT: Announcements of field trips, meetings Subject: From Hummers to Bees OFF TOPIC WARNING... - Ouachita County From: Kelly Chitwood <kchitwood AT CABLELYNX.COM> Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:25:35 -0500 I arrived home yesterday to find 8 cups of nectar mixed on Sunday was depleted. We still have one hummingbird, a female. What's consuming our nectar? Obviously not one hummingbird. Hundreds of honey bees! I'm continuing to feed them, because they are hungry. Is anyone else experiencing the same? Is it because of the rain? I'm all for helping them out. Please respond directly to me. Kelly Chitwood Camden, AR Subject: RARE: White-winged Dove - Lake Millwood From: Kelly Chitwood <kchitwood AT CABLELYNX.COM> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:17:08 -0500 Sorry folks, if this posts twice, but I didn't get the typical response that the message was received. This in from earlier today 10/28/09, Charles Mills reports a White- winged Dove near the western end of the Okay Levee. ---------------------- Kelly Chitwood Camden, AR Subject: rare Golden Eagles in Fayetteville From: Kimberly Smith <kgsmith AT uark.edu> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:37:27 -0500 Doug James says that he saw 2 adult Golden Eagles yesterday flying over Mount Sequoyah in Fayetteville. ********************************************************* Kimberly G. Smith University Professor of Biological Sciences Department of Biological Sciences University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701 479-575-6359 fax:479-575-4010 email: kgsmith AT uark.edu ********************************************************* Subject: Eurasian Doves From: holley white <hbandmw AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:11:25 -0700 I am a novice birder and wondered if Eurasian doves are common to our area.� I saw four feeding on the ground next to the Parkway Place Baptist Church parking lot (off of Markham Street in Little Rock)�at about 8:30 this morning.� Holley White Subject: Still have hummer(s) From: Sara Caulk <sara_caulk AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:57:53 -0700 We saw a single hummer last nite ~6:15 but the light was too bad to get a pic. �We saw one this AM... great light - dead battery in camera. �Fresh battery - no hummer. �Then as we were heading out of our driveway tonite at ~6:15 we saw a little guy heading across the front of the house. �I'll keep a fresh battery and clean glasses for tomorrow. �It was Halloween a couple years ago in a torrential downpour when the rufous showed up and stayed over a month. �A repeat would be just too nifty. �I wonder if they read ARBIRD?! SaraMt. Sequoyah, Fayetteville Subject: FW: Evidence For A Second Breeding Season Among Migratory Songbirds - more From: Jeffrey Short <bashman AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:29:45 -0500 FYI From: Bird conservation list for Department of Defense/Partners in Flight [mailto:DODPIF-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Chris Eberly Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 11:43 AM To: DODPIF-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Evidence For A Second Breeding Season Among Migratory Songbirds - more Attached is a PDF of the original article in PNAS, and the Birders World blog on the story. - Chris http://cs.birdersworld.com/brdcs/blogs/field_of_view/2009/10/26/researchers- discover-a-second-breeding-season-for-five-migratory-songbirds.aspx Researchers discover a second breeding season for five migratory songbirds Biologists studying songbirds that breed in North America and then migrate to Mexico have discovered something totally unheard of in the New World - a second breeding season. Five species - Yellow-billed Cuckoo (right), Orchard Oriole, Hooded Oriole, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Cassin's Vireo - breed primarily in the United States and Canada. Then they squeeze in a second breeding season during a stopover in western Mexico on their southward migration. "It's pretty much unheard of to have a nocturnal migrant with a second breeding season. It's a pretty special observation," said Sievert Rohwer , lead author of a paper describing the discovery. "We saw these birds breeding, and we were completely surprised." Migratory double-breeding has been observed in two Old World bird species - European Quail and Dotterel - on their northward migration, but this is the first documented observation of "migratory double breeders" in the New World, and the first anywhere for the southward migration, Rohwer said. Rohwer and his fellow scientists traveled to the lowland thorn forests of coastal Sinaloa and Baja California Sur to survey and collect songbirds that had raised their young in the United States and Canada and then immediately migrated to Mexico to molt, or shed and replace, their feathers. But during July and August in three consecutive summers, 2005-2007, the researchers found individuals that were breeding rather than molting. They found evidence that the birds had, in fact, bred earlier that year. Females of all five species had dry and featherless brood patches, indicating they had bred earlier that summer. (To more efficiently transfer heat to eggs, the abdominal brood patch becomes featherless and thickened with fluid when females are incubating, but as the young mature, it dries out and remains featherless.) "During hundreds of hours of netting and observation in July, we found no recently fledged juveniles of these species, suggesting that they had not bred in west Mexico earlier in the same summer," the researchers write. Active nests were found for the two orioles. (Orchard Oriole eggs collected by the researchers in 2006 are pictured at left.) And males of all five species were singing and defending territories or guarding females, behaviors associated with breeding. In addition, isotopic analysis of the birds' tissues showed that many had recently arrived in western Mexico from temperate areas farther north. Rohwer published the paper this week in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. He is a University of Washington professor emeritus of biology, curator emeritus of birds at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, and the 2006 recipient of the Elliott Coues Award from the American Ornithologists' Union. The abstract is online here ; the full article is available to PNAS subscribers only. Coauthors are Keith Hobson , a world-renowned research scientist with Environment Canada and a leader in the study of stable isotopes in birds, and Vanya Rohwer, Sievert Rohwer's son and a graduate student at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. The percentage of northern breeding populations that attempt to breed again in Mexico is unknown, they write. "Hooded Orioles are extraordinarily common as late summer breeders in Baja California Sur, and Orchard Orioles, Yellow-breasted Chats, and Yellow-billed Cuckoos breed abundantly in the coastal lowlands of extreme southern Sonora and much of coastal Sinaloa. Thus, migratory double breeding may be common in at least some North American breeding populations of these species." The observation is much more than an oddity in bird behavior, Sievert Rohwer said. He noted that Orchard Orioles might raise a first brood in the Midwestern and south-central U.S. and a second on Mexico's western coast, yet both sets of offspring find the same wintering area in Central America. The question is how both groups find the right place, since they must travel in different directions. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo was once commonly seen throughout the western United States and as far north as the Seattle area, but now it's seldom seen along the West Coast. Disappearing habitat in the U.S. is usually cited as the reason. But Rohwer believes the real problem could be the transformation of thorn forests of southern Sonora and Sinaloa in northwestern Mexico, into irrigated industrial farms. That loss of habitat, he said, could mean not enough young are produced in the second breeding season to sustain the populations previously seen on the U.S. west coast. "It turns out that many of those migrants, both molt migrants and the newly discovered migratory double breeders, are dependent on the low-altitude thorn forests that become very productive during the monsoon," Rohwer said. The thorn forests lie in an arid and forbidding scrubland that springs to life with the monsoon lasting from June through August. The monsoon brings virtually all of the area's annual rainfall. The small trees leaf out and insects become abundant, making an ideal stopover for migrating songbirds. However, with plenty of biting insects, temperatures often at 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and humidity hovering near 100 percent, it is a difficult place for researchers to work, so there has been little previous documentation of life in the thorn forest. The new findings could spur more work there. "For western North America, the conservation implications are pretty serious," Rohwer said. "Biologists know theoretically that they should pay attention to these migration stopover sites, but they've been largely ignored for their conservation implications." -- M.M., with thanks to Vince Stricherz, University of Washington. Subject: RARE: White-winged Dove From: Kelly Chitwood <kchitwood AT CABLELYNX.COM> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:54:27 -0500 This just in: Charles Mills reports a White-winged Dove near the western end of Okay Levee. Subject: Delta Rivers Website Infomation From: Bob Sargent <RubyThroat AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:23:33 EDT Fellow Arbirders The confusion over lack of information about our upcoming hummingbird program on December 5th is in the process of being remedied. Additions to the website needs the approval authorities and may take a few days. I will take the heat for having announced the program prematurely on ARBIRDS, not realizing that the information HAD NOT BEEN GIVEN to Director at the Delta Rivers Nature Center, Mr. Eric Maynard. I offered my apology to Mr. Maynard today for my mistake. We are working to correct that situation at the present time. Please be patient and check the website off and on over the next several days. I ask that you not call Mr. Maynard at this time regarding the program since he does not have that information at this time. Sorry guys for this error. Enjoy the day. Bob Sargent Subject: FW: Steppingstones Newsletter, October 2009 From: Jeffrey Short <bashman AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:31:40 -0500 FYI From: Bird conservation list for Department of Defense/Partners in Flight [mailto:DODPIF-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Chris Eberly Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 3:30 PM To: DODPIF-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Steppingstones Newsletter, October 2009 The October 2009 issue of the the DoD PIF newsletter, Steppingstones, is now available on the DoD PIF web site at http://www.dodpif.org/publications/steppingstones.php. Best regards, Chris ---------------- Chris Eberly Dept. of Defense Partners in Flight 32 Old Orchard Lane, Warrenton VA 20186-2512 540-349-9662 mailto:ceberly AT dodpif.org http://www.dodpif.org "Conserving birds and their habitats on Dept. of Defense lands" Subject: another rare species to look for From: Kimberly Smith <kgsmith AT uark.edu> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:42:30 -0500 How many people knew that there is an "inland" population of Black Rails that breed in Kansas??? Another species that readily responds to tape recordings by silently approaching the tape recorder.. ********************************************************* Kimberly G. Smith University Professor of Biological Sciences Department of Biological Sciences University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701 479-575-6359 fax:479-575-4010 email: kgsmith AT uark.edu *********************************************************