Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The Arkansas Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, February 3 at 02:45 PM EST The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Crane

3 Feb Lake Dardanelle [Kenny Nichols ] 3 Feb DON'T FORGET THE HERONS, GBBC at Devil's Den February 17 [joeneal ] 2 Feb Re: And the moral of the story is [Sally Jo ] 2 Feb And the moral of the story is [Sheran Herrin ] 2 Feb Re: Sure Am Glad It Wasn't a Snowy [Dan Scheiman ] 2 Feb Sure Am Glad It Wasn't a Snowy [Dan Bogler ] 2 Feb Sure Am Glad It Wasn't a Snowy [Dan Bogler ] 2 Feb doharvey [Amy Edie ] 2 Feb Pacific Loon [Delos McCauley ] 2 Feb Owl nest boxes [Gail Miller ] 2 Feb Fw: Barred Owl Nesting Boxes [Gail Miller ] 1 Feb Re: Delaware Park [Kenny Nichols ] 1 Feb No Subject [Michael Linz ] 1 Feb Re: signs of spring [Charles Mills ] 1 Feb signs of spring [Bill Shepherd ] 1 Feb SNOW on NBS Nightly News tonight ["Kimberly G. Smith" ] 1 Feb Re: Barred Owl Nesting Boxes [Linda Carol Jones ] 1 Feb Re: Barred Owl Nesting Boxes ["George R. Hoelzeman" ] 1 Feb Barred Owl Nesting Boxes [Don Steinkraus ] 1 Feb Inca Dove Report [Terry & Judy Butler ] 1 Feb Re: Great-horned Owl question [] 1 Feb Re: Speaking of Great Horned Owls and Barred Owls [Herschel Raney ] 1 Feb Speaking of Great Horned Owls and Barred Owls [Gail Miller ] 31 Jan Speaking of Great-horned Owls [Barry Haas ] 31 Jan Re: Great-horned Owl question [Michael Linz ] 31 Jan Re: swans [Michael Linz ] 31 Jan Great-horned Owl question [] 31 Jan Re: Capping pipes can save birds' lives [David Ray ] 31 Jan Red Slough Bird Survey - Jan. 31 [David Arbour ] 31 Jan Re: Delaware Rec Area [Jeffrey Short ] 31 Jan FW: Winter 2012 issue of The All-Bird Bulletin [Jeffrey Short ] 31 Jan Hot Springs Snowy Owl Update [Dan Bogler ] 31 Jan RBA--Arkansas-January 31, 2012 [Warbling Vireo ] 31 Jan Re: Lake Dardanelle and Delaware Park [Jeffrey Short ] 31 Jan Lost Cedar Waxwing [Donna Haynes ] 31 Jan field trip Saturday Feb 4 to Eagle watch Nature Trail [joeneal ] 31 Jan Re: Lake Dardanelle and Delaware Park [Bill Shepherd ] 31 Jan Lake Dardanelle and Delaware Park [joeneal ] 30 Jan CE Park Closings Hearings [Allan Mueller ] 30 Jan Re: Barrow's Goldeneye and other +++ continue at Lake Dardanelle [Carol Joan Patterson ] 30 Jan snowy owl Hawaii [Carolyn Partain ] 30 Jan Re: Delaware Rec Area [Allan Mueller ] 30 Jan Re: Delaware Rec Area [Dottie Boyles ] 30 Jan swans [Terry & Judy Butler ] 29 Jan Re: Link: Bald Eagle photo link [Ruth Voss ] 29 Jan Overflow NWR: Say's Phoebe Continues [Lillian and William Matthews ] 29 Jan Re: Delaware Rec Area [Dan Bogler ] 29 Jan Re: Delaware Rec Area [Kenny Nichols ] 29 Jan Link: Bald Eagle photo link [Gail Miller ] 29 Jan Delaware Rec Area [Kenny Nichols ] 29 Jan Invitation to view my photos on Picasa Web Album -Most recent Photos [Donna Haynes ] 29 Jan Re: Sightings: Two Rivers Park [Herschel Raney ] 29 Jan Reuters: Snowy owls soar south from Arctic in rare mass migration [Barry Haas ] 29 Jan Sightings: Two Rivers Park [Jim Dixon ] 28 Jan Lake Dardanelle [Kenny Nichols ] 28 Jan Eagles [Edie Calaway ] 28 Jan Say's Phoebe: Yes [Kelly Chitwood ] 28 Jan Barrow's Goldeneye and other +++ continue at Lake Dardanelle [joeneal ] 27 Jan what are they thinking? ["Kimberly G. Smith" ] 26 Jan Short-eared Owls, red-shafter flicker [joeneal ] 26 Jan Re: Capping pipes can save birds' lives (and frogs) [Jeffrey Short ] 26 Jan Re: Capping pipes can save birds' lives (and frogs) ["Roth, Roland" ] 26 Jan Re: Capping pipes can save birds' lives (and frogs) [Kenny Nichols ] 26 Jan Fw: Capping pipes can save birds' lives [Kathie Riedel ] 25 Jan Re: Capping pipes can save birds' lives [Carolyn Partain ] 25 Jan Re: Capping pipes can save birds' lives [Jeffrey Short ] 25 Jan Union County Feeder Activity [Kelly Chitwood ] 25 Jan winter waterfowl in a storm water retention pond, Bentonville [joeneal ] 25 Jan Rock Pigeon's Weight ["Jeff R. Wilson" ] 24 Jan Re: ASCA field trip clarification-ADULT Thayer's Gull [Michael Linz ] 24 Jan Capping pipes can save birds’ lives [Leah M Wilcox ] 24 Jan Re: eBird RBA: Possible Burrowing Owl, Russellville [Herschel Raney ] 24 Jan eBird RBA: Possible Burrowing Owl, Russellville [Dan Scheiman ] 23 Jan Red Slough Bird Survey - Jan. 23 [David Arbour ] 23 Jan Re: Update on Hot Springs Snowy Owl [Kelly Chitwood ] 23 Jan Update on Hot Springs Snowy Owl [Dan Bogler ] Subject: Lake Dardanelle From: Kenny Nichols <kingbird AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:35:53 -0800 Two adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls and one adult Thayer's Gull continue to be seen from Delaware Rec Area and one first-winter Glaucous Gull is currently above the dam. Good birding! Kenny Nichols Cabot, AR Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android Subject: DON'T FORGET THE HERONS, GBBC at Devil's Den February 17 From: joeneal <joeneal AT UARK.EDU> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:29:40 -0600 The annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) begins on Friday February 17 and goes through the weekend. I'm going to Devil's Den State Park on Friday the 17th and meet anyone interested in the parking area adjacent Lee Creek bridge in the park at 9 AM. Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society is a co-sponsor of the Devil's Den effort on Friday. This is a user-friendly event. You are welcome to come for as little or as much of the day as you want. Yes, it's OK to just stay 30 minutes. You can even come late and join us after the "official" start, but in that case you'll have to hunt us up. It's almost too easy. In terms of effort and inconvenience, this rivals hefting off the couch in search of the channel changer. That is, you will have to shake a leg to participate on Friday, but not too hard. And best of all, it will be fun. Everyone's effort for GBBC will help the big time bird scientists understand where which birds are at the end of winter. Just to put this plainly: that Great Blue Heron we spot along Lee Creek at Devil's Den State Park will become part of a national database. Those who study herons will learn more about where Great Blues are in mid-February. Same goes for the like 50 species of birds we may see on the 17th. By the way, you don't have to come to the park to participate. You can count birds anywhere, all through the weekend. -- JOSEPH C. NEAL in Fayetteville, Arkansas "I loaf and invite my soul..." -- Walt Whitman Subject: Re: And the moral of the story is From: Sally Jo <sjogibson AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 20:44:59 -0600 That's why I always carry a big purse- and extra batteries! Sally Jo Gibson 512 Yorkshire Cove Harrison, AR 72601 sjogibson AT windstream.net On Feb 2, 2012, at 5:50 PM, Sheran Herrin wrote: > TAKE YOUR CAMERA!!! Steve and I were running errands in Searcy today and decided to stop by the water treatment plant. Bald Eagles have been there on a fairly regular basis all winter. Last time we stopped by saw an adult and have heard from several people who have seen 2 adults. Today there were at least 4 adults and 4 juveniles! Several were perched together in trees in the pond and several more soaring right over head! Awesome sight. Most bald eagles I have ever seen at one time! Went back this afternoon with may camera, but their were "only" 2 adults and 1 juvenile still hanging around and the sun glare made pictures impossible. Rats! From now on will have my camera with me. If the weather holds, I may try and go back in the morning when the light will be much better. > > Directions to the water treatment plant- off Race Street turn at Berryhill Park ( think the name of the street is Davis) and follow the road past the White County Fairgrounds. The ponds will be on your left. You can pull off the road just past the bridge for excellent view of the ponds. > > Sheran Herrin just north of Beebe with camera remorse! Subject: And the moral of the story is From: Sheran Herrin <sjherrin AT CSWNET.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 17:50:33 -0600 TAKE YOUR CAMERA!!! Steve and I were running errands in Searcy today and decided to stop by the water treatment plant. Bald Eagles have been there on a fairly regular basis all winter. Last time we stopped by saw an adult and have heard from several people who have seen 2 adults. Today there were at least 4 adults and 4 juveniles! Several were perched together in trees in the pond and several more soaring right over head! Awesome sight. Most bald eagles I have ever seen at one time! Went back this afternoon with may camera, but their were "only" 2 adults and 1 juvenile still hanging around and the sun glare made pictures impossible. Rats! From now on will have my camera with me. If the weather holds, I may try and go back in the morning when the light will be much better. Directions to the water treatment plant- off Race Street turn at Berryhill Park ( think the name of the street is Davis) and follow the road past the White County Fairgrounds. The ponds will be on your left. You can pull off the road just past the bridge for excellent view of the ponds. Sheran Herrin just north of Beebe with camera remorse! Subject: Re: Sure Am Glad It Wasn't a Snowy From: Dan Scheiman <birddan AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 18:45:48 +0000 A photo of this partial albino, or leucistic, Red-tailed Hawk is here http://www.pbase.com/birddan/image/141259452 Dan Scheiman Little Rock, AR ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dan Bogler" To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Sent: Thursday, February 2, 2012 12:36:09 PM Subject: Sure Am Glad It Wasn't a Snowy As you know we have a well documented Snowy that showed up in Hot Springs= on January 15 - and hasn't been seen since And we have put an article in the local paper asking for the public's he= lp in located Snowy Owls I have had a couple of calls about "seeing a large white owl flying acros= s the road" but no concrete evidence. Probably Barn Owls But then I got a call today from a fella that says he has an all white ow= l in his back yard "and that he has seen it each winter for the last 3 ye= ars" That comment raised a red flag. I called Dan Scheiman and he said t= here was "a zero chance it was a Snowy because of the 3 year sightings. So, I called the guy back and asked if he was sure it was a Snowy rather = than a Barn Owl. He said he looked it up in his book and it was a Snowy a= nd that he had pictures. I asked if I could come out and he said "Yes, bu= t I don't want a bunch of people coming out and scaring off my owl" So, I= agreed to keep the location secret. And all the way there while driving I thought "Boy this puts me in a real= predictiment. If it is a Snowy and I can't reveal it's location I will = be the most hated birder in Arkansas" I was really worried about it. I th= ought of people like Karen Holliday, Charles Mills and Kenny Nichols that= have helped me find life birds. And now that Ii have something speciial = I can't repay the favor. The entire trip I was saying to myself "Lord, please don't let this be a = Snowy" Well, when I got there they showed me pictures of what looked like an all= white owl. And it was definitly not a Barn Owl. I had this sickening fee= ling So, I emailed Dan a photo and he instantly said it was not a Snowy but ra= ther an albino of some sort. So, I looked at more of their photographs an= d in one picture I saw a faint amount of red on its tail It was an AN ALL WHITE ALBINO RED TAILED HAWK You cannot imagine the relief I felt I am not very computor savvy so I don't know how to post a picture. But b= y virtue of this post I am asking that Dan post a picture of this most ra= re and beautiful owl Subject: Sure Am Glad It Wasn't a Snowy From: Dan Bogler <danbogler AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 12:45:47 -0600 The last sentence in my post should have read "rare and beautiful hawk" ! Subject: Sure Am Glad It Wasn't a Snowy From: Dan Bogler <danbogler AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 12:36:09 -0600 As you know we have a well documented Snowy that showed up in Hot Springs on January 15 - and hasn't been seen since And we have put an article in the local paper asking for the public's help in located Snowy Owls I have had a couple of calls about "seeing a large white owl flying across the road" but no concrete evidence. Probably Barn Owls But then I got a call today from a fella that says he has an all white owl in his back yard "and that he has seen it each winter for the last 3 years" That comment raised a red flag. I called Dan Scheiman and he said there was "a zero chance it was a Snowy because of the 3 year sightings. So, I called the guy back and asked if he was sure it was a Snowy rather than a Barn Owl. He said he looked it up in his book and it was a Snowy and that he had pictures. I asked if I could come out and he said "Yes, but I don't want a bunch of people coming out and scaring off my owl" So, I agreed to keep the location secret. And all the way there while driving I thought "Boy this puts me in a real predictiment. If it is a Snowy and I can't reveal it's location I will be the most hated birder in Arkansas" I was really worried about it. I thought of people like Karen Holliday, Charles Mills and Kenny Nichols that have helped me find life birds. And now that Ii have something speciial I can't repay the favor. The entire trip I was saying to myself "Lord, please don't let this be a Snowy" Well, when I got there they showed me pictures of what looked like an all white owl. And it was definitly not a Barn Owl. I had this sickening feeling So, I emailed Dan a photo and he instantly said it was not a Snowy but rather an albino of some sort. So, I looked at more of their photographs and in one picture I saw a faint amount of red on its tail It was an AN ALL WHITE ALBINO RED TAILED HAWK You cannot imagine the relief I felt I am not very computor savvy so I don't know how to post a picture. But by virtue of this post I am asking that Dan post a picture of this most rare and beautiful owl Subject: doharvey From: Amy Edie <aedie AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:25:09 -0800 hello dear friend http://spectaclederue.fr/aiyauy.php?zusehotmailID=85 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 18:25:08 ______________ "The train had arrived, leaving its passenger coach and baggage car standing on the main track at the north end of the station platform, the pin between the baggage and the first box car having been pulled out." (c) Brita wreamed Subject: Pacific Loon From: Delos McCauley <edelos AT CABLELYNX.COM> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 07:18:40 -0600 While returning from San Antonio yesterday, Hazel and I stopped by DeGray Lake for some birding. From the boat launch on Caddo Rd. we saw a Pacific Loon and about 8 Common Loons. There were also 3 Horned Grebes there. A hail storm hit us while we were there, about 3:00 PM. Delos McCauley Pine Bluff Subject: Owl nest boxes From: Gail Miller <gail.miller AT CONWAYCORP.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 06:40:07 -0600 I should have mentioned, I recently hung two new Screech Owl boxes this winter, so far I've cleaned out one squirrel nest. Years ago, a Screech Owl roosted in a Wood Duck box during a cold winter, so I can only hope for a nesting one. Gail Miller See my recent photos at http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/root&view=recent See my photography at: http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/root See my favorite bird photos at: http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/favorites Subject: Fw: Barred Owl Nesting Boxes From: Gail Miller <gail.miller AT CONWAYCORP.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 06:37:47 -0600 I built a Barred Owl nest box years ago, it is as big as a truck tire (I leaned it up against the truck tire to photograph it). I've seen raccoons and squirrels in it, but I've never seen a Barred Owl check it out. Possibly it isn't hung high enough, so I would suggest you hang it up high. Check out this site, http://www.owlcam.com/ where there was great success with a nest box for several years until a fisher got the babies. The Owl Cam video is worth ordering too. This site is where I got my building directions. Good luck with your nest box Don! I've seen one nest here, but it was in the top of a broken off tree. Gail Miller - Conway (Faulkner Co.) See my recent photos at http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/root&view=recent See my photography at: http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/root See my favorite bird photos at: http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/favorites -----Original Message----- From: Don Steinkraus Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 10:02 AM Subject: Barred Owl Nesting Boxes I have built a barred owl nesting box and am planning on hanging it high in a tree in the woods this week. Has anyone else out there put out barred owl nest boxes? What kind of success did you have? Any ideas on which direction the hole should face? Or other suggestions? It seems to me that suitable nesting cavities for barred owls are in short supply and like wood ducks and bluebirds, barred owls would benefit from nest boxes. Thanks, Don Steinkraus, Professor of Entomology, U of A Subject: Re: Delaware Park From: Kenny Nichols <kingbird AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:39:21 -0800 LaDonna and I went to a community meeting in Delaware on Monday night concerning the closing of Delaware Park. It was organized by a member of the community and well attended (over 70 folks crammed into the local fire station). A spokesman from the COE was there to answer questions and explain what was happening. I'll summarize: As stated by the spokesman, the primary concerns of the COE are flood control and navigation. Parks are at the bottom of the list and due to budget shortfalls they would be closed. He stated that he doesn't know what their budget will be but it's going to be a million short. I never figured that one out. Something else I never figured out is how it cost  twelve thousand dollars a year to maintain the park as he claimed. I was told previously that it was less than a thousand which would be more in line with reality. The park is only mowed two or three times a year so you tell me where the 12K went. He also stated flat out that not just Delaware but all the parks listed for closing would indeed be closed and there is absolutely no way the corps will keep them open on their dime. The ONLY option for keeping the parks open is a lease or partnership. LaDonna and I will be attending  a meeting tomorrow night in Dardanelle at the Yell County Wildlife Association. There is the possibility that the YCWA will enter into a partnership with the COE and keep the park open. This means the community will volunteer to keep the park clean and the grass mowed. I'm somewhat optimistic that this is what will happen. If the park is closed it would still be possible to hike back in. Personally, I don't think anyone will. It's a longer walk than you think. Delaware (and to a lesser extent Cabin Creek but it too is due to be closed) is the ONLY public area on the lake worth going to for bird watching.  I don't really count the state park in Russellville because the birds all stay on the western end of the lake.  Stay tuned.   kenny nichols cabot, ar >________________________________ > From: Michael Linz >To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU >Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 6:06 PM >Subject: > > >I know enough has been said about the park closing so I am not trying to reopen the discussion. >I had contacted the Corps of Eng to understand the total impact to Delaware as the note only said "closing 13 camp sites".  I wanted to share their reply. > > >Mr. Linz, >> >> >>Thank you for expressing your concern over the proposed closure of Delaware Park. We will hold a public workshop on 14 February from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Russellville Project Office (1598 Lock and Dam Road, Russellville). I encourage you to attend at your convenience. >> >> >>The proposed changes at Delaware Park include complete closure of the roadway at the park entrance restricting any vehicular traffic inside the park area. Foot and non-motorized traffic will be permissible but due to the lack of mowing access to the shoreline may become difficult in most areas. >> >> >>Please feel free to contact me directly if I can be of further assistance in this matter. >> >> >> >> >>                                                                                                               J S Fryer >>                                                                                                               Park Manager >>                                                                                                               Russellville  > > >Key points to me... >As Joe pointed out...the birds will still be there.  (may lose some due to the fish remains not being dumped by people at the boat launch). > > >Foot and non-motorized access is permitted.  So looks like I can still walk in and see any birds that are there. > > >I also read in some of the other notes that the are looking for private up keep in some area.  I know there was a lot of discussion that this was an important area but I did not see any one looking into whether we as a group should do something other than tell them we use the area.  In other words is there enough impact to our needs to an important enough area for us to consider doing the private upkeep to keep the area open.  Or at minimal keep some paths mowed/ cleared to allow access to the waters edge. > > >For my personal needs, I do not fish, camp, picnic or even use the restroom there.  I only use it as an area to get access to the waters edge to view the birds.  So these changes are minimal impact to me.  I would like to minimize the distance from the barricades to the park so I don' t have to tote my scope for 2 miles but other than that it looks like it will still meet my needs.  I do like this area and I know others frequently it more often than I do.  And as such you may have additional needs.  If there are actionable positive items that I  can do to assist in any group effort, please let me know.   > > >Thanks >Michael > > > > > > > > Subject: No Subject From: Michael Linz <mplinz AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:06:11 -0600 I know enough has been said about the park closing so I am not trying to reopen the discussion. I had contacted the Corps of Eng to understand the total impact to Delaware as the note only said "closing 13 camp sites". I wanted to share their reply. Mr. Linz, Thank you for expressing your concern over the proposed closure of Delaware Park. We will hold a public workshop on 14 February from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Russellville Project Office (1598 Lock and Dam Road, Russellville). I encourage you to attend at your convenience. The proposed changes at Delaware Park include complete closure of the roadway at the park entrance restricting any vehicular traffic inside the park area. Foot and non-motorized traffic will be permissible but due to the lack of mowing access to the shoreline may become difficult in most areas. Please feel free to contact me directly if I can be of further assistance in this matter. J S Fryer Park Manager Russellville Key points to me... As Joe pointed out...the birds will still be there. (may lose some due to the fish remains not being dumped by people at the boat launch). Foot and non-motorized access is permitted. So looks like I can still walk in and see any birds that are there. I also read in some of the other notes that the are looking for private up keep in some area. I know there was a lot of discussion that this was an important area but I did not see any one looking into whether we as a group should do something other than tell them we use the area. In other words is there enough impact to our needs to an important enough area for us to consider doing the private upkeep to keep the area open. Or at minimal keep some paths mowed/ cleared to allow access to the waters edge. For my personal needs, I do not fish, camp, picnic or even use the restroom there. I only use it as an area to get access to the waters edge to view the birds. So these changes are minimal impact to me. I would like to minimize the distance from the barricades to the park so I don' t have to tote my scope for 2 miles but other than that it looks like it will still meet my needs. I do like this area and I know others frequently it more often than I do. And as such you may have additional needs. If there are actionable positive items that I can do to assist in any group effort, please let me know. Thanks Michael Subject: Re: signs of spring From: Charles Mills <swamp_fox AT MAC.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 13:21:59 -0600 While boating out to check on the status of a Bald Eagle's nest in the Little River Bottoms IBA yesterday, I noticed a number of maples in the swamp just beginning to flower. The eagle nest was active but not a lot of other bird activity was noted. A single Common Gallinule was one of the exceptions. Charles Mills Sent from my iPhone On Feb 1, 2012, at 1:10 PM, Bill Shepherd wrote: > .......Sunday (Jan. 29) I noticed a couple of young maple trees in full bloom. Monday I saw an elm tree in full bloom....... > > Bill Shepherd Subject: signs of spring From: Bill Shepherd <stoneax63 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 13:10:28 -0600 Sunday (Jan. 29) I noticed a couple of young maple trees in full bloom. Monday I saw an elm tree in full bloom. Yesterday I saw a single blue flower on a speedwell (Veronica sp.) plant at the curb in front of my house. Then I saw the neighbor's cat on my front porch playing with a freshly dead Winter Wren. When will cat owners wise up and start keeping their little predators indoors! Bill Shepherd Bill Shepherd 2805 Linden, Apt. 3 Little Rock, Arkansas 72205-5964 Stoneax63 AT hotmail.com (501) 375-3918 Subject: SNOW on NBS Nightly News tonight From: "Kimberly G. Smith" <kgsmith AT UARK.EDU> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 19:04:57 +0000 http://www.conservationnw.org/scat/bannick-brings-us-closer-to-owl-and-ecosystems Tonight there will be a story about the Snowy owl invasion Kimberly G. Smith University Professor of Biological Sciences Department of Biological Sciences University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701 Phone: 479-575-6359 fax: 479-575-4010 email: kgsmith AT uark.edu Subject: Re: Barred Owl Nesting Boxes From: Linda Carol Jones <lcjones AT UARK.EDU> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 18:56:38 +0000 My only experience is in hanging a Screech Owl House which soon became a glorified, high rise squirrel condo... ): Some flickers tried to make it their home this fall but it wasn't very appealing to them... Linda Linda Jones, Ph.D., CMP Associate Professor, Instructional Technology Director, World Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures Vice Chair, Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures Kimpel Hall 425 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 (479) 575-7608 (479) 575-6795 (FAX) Certified Music Practitioner (CMP) in Music for Healing and Transition http://mhtp.org ________________________________________ From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List [ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] on behalf of Don Steinkraus [steinkr AT UARK.EDU] Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 10:02 AM To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Barred Owl Nesting Boxes I have built a barred owl nesting box and am planning on hanging it high in a tree in the woods this week. Has anyone else out there put out barred owl nest boxes? What kind of success did you have? Any ideas on which direction the hole should face? Or other suggestions? It seems to me that suitable nesting cavities for barred owls are in short supply and like wood ducks and bluebirds, barred owls would benefit from nest boxes. Thanks, Don Steinkraus, Professor of Entomology, U of A Subject: Re: Barred Owl Nesting Boxes From: "George R. Hoelzeman" <vogel AT GRHSTUDIOS.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:55:09 -0600 I'd be interested in any responses to this question as well. It would be a great project for the kids. Thanks! George On 2/1/2012 10:02 AM, Don Steinkraus wrote: > I have built a barred owl nesting box and am planning on hanging it > high in a tree in the woods this week. > > Has anyone else out there put out barred owl nest boxes? What kind of > success did you have? Any ideas on which direction the hole should > face? Or other suggestions? > > It seems to me that suitable nesting cavities for barred owls are in > short supply and like wood ducks and bluebirds, barred owls would > benefit from nest boxes. > > Thanks, > > Don Steinkraus, Professor of Entomology, U of A -- George R. Hoelzeman North Conway County Subject: Barred Owl Nesting Boxes From: Don Steinkraus <steinkr AT UARK.EDU> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 10:02:49 -0600 I have built a barred owl nesting box and am planning on hanging it high in a tree in the woods this week. Has anyone else out there put out barred owl nest boxes? What kind of success did you have? Any ideas on which direction the hole should face? Or other suggestions? It seems to me that suitable nesting cavities for barred owls are in short supply and like wood ducks and bluebirds, barred owls would benefit from nest boxes. Thanks, Don Steinkraus, Professor of Entomology, U of A Subject: Inca Dove Report From: Terry & Judy Butler <twbutler AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 08:54:55 -0600 It has been over 10 days since I last saw the Inca Dove at my feeder. I had surmised that it has gone in search of a mate. I told Judy just this morning we were fortunate to have had and enjoyed the days the Inca has been here. Wait! It's 8:31 and it just flew down to the ground to start feeding. Thump, thump, thump! I don't care what anyone else thinks, I still think that rascal is getting it's feed somewhere else. I'll keep my eye out! Keep Birding, Terry Butler Pangburn AR Subject: Re: Great-horned Owl question From: fsbirdlady AT YAHOO.COM Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 07:08:56 -0600 The question comes from a friend in St. Louis. He was walking his dog when a squirrel falls out of a tree and then down comes the owl. The squirrel dashes off and the owl flies back into the tree and stares down at my friend. John said all the squirrel nests in the area look torn and flat. Sandy Sent from my iPad On Jan 31, 2012, at 10:26 PM, Michael Linz wrote: > Sandy, > If they eat squirrels I need one or two... > I am not familiar with their habits but I googled it and found the squirrels were on their favorite list of food. I also found where they use squirrel nest to lay their eggs. It would be neat if that is what you saw "her" doing. > > Link to article that talked about the nest > > http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/birds/greathornedowl.html > > > Thanks > Michael in Conway > > On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 9:47 PM, wrote: > Has anyone ever observed, or heard of, Great-horned Owls tearing into squirrel nests looking for dinner? > > Sandy B. > FS, AR > > Sent from my iPad > > > TODAY(Beta) • Powered by Yahoo! > Romney routs Gingrich in Florida primary > After coasting to victory, the former Mass. governor takes aim at President Obama. > Privacy Policy > Subject: Re: Speaking of Great Horned Owls and Barred Owls From: Herschel Raney <herschel.raney AT CONWAYCORP.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 07:02:02 -0600 Both of my local nesting Barred Owls have been talking it up especially on stormy nights. And this week I have seen American Crows carrying nesting material in the city. Though I have not seen direct construction. Herschel Raney Conway AR Subject: Speaking of Great Horned Owls and Barred Owls From: Gail Miller <gail.miller AT CONWAYCORP.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 06:56:21 -0600 A couple of weeks ago I heard two Great Horned Owls here, got the binoculars and finally found them checking out a nest in the woods behind the house. There are several suitable nests in my woods right now, all look typical of the Red-tailed Hawk building them, so I'm keeping my eye out. I haven't seen them at the nest since. In spite of seeing two different hit-by-car Barred Owls on my road, about 3-4 months apart, I am hearing a single Barred Owl either late evening or early morning here. I feared mine had all gotten killed on the road. Gail Miller - Conway (Faulkner Co.) See my recent photos at http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/root&view=recent See my photography at: http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/root See my favorite bird photos at: http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/favorites Subject: Speaking of Great-horned Owls From: Barry Haas <bhaas AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:03:08 -0600 Dear ARBIRDers, Here we are listening to a pair of great-horned owls vocalizing. They appear to be right outside my upstairs office window serenading either us or each other. Wonder which one? Sunday afternoon we heard them in the middle of the afternoon, but try as I might I couldn't spot one. Makes me wish I had some night vision goggles. Our barred owls tend to hang out in evergreens- pines and cedars- at this time of year. From the deep woods just west of Little Rock, Barry Haas Subject: Re: Great-horned Owl question From: Michael Linz <mplinz AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:26:41 -0600 Sandy, If they eat squirrels I need one or two... I am not familiar with their habits but I googled it and found the squirrels were on their favorite list of food. I also found where they use squirrel nest to lay their eggs. It would be neat if that is what you saw "her" doing. Link to article that talked about the nest http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/birds/greathornedowl.html Thanks Michael in Conway On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 9:47 PM, wrote: > Has anyone ever observed, or heard of, Great-horned Owls tearing into > squirrel nests looking for dinner? > > Sandy B. > FS, AR > > Sent from my iPad Subject: Re: swans From: Michael Linz <mplinz AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:16:02 -0600 I took advantage of the nice weather and went to Magness and the Heber area as well. This was my first trip and the swans put on a good show for me. The link below is for some of the swan pictures I took (and some other stuff)... https://picasaweb.google.com/OtaLinz/HerberSpringsBirdsSwansAndOthers#slideshow/5704012520148958226 Thanks Michael normally around Conway On Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 7:42 AM, Terry & Judy Butler < twbutler AT windstream.net> wrote: > I drove out to the satellite ponds from Magness Lake this early morning. > There were about 150 trumpeter swans and 1 adult tundra swan. They look > more beautiful in the early morning light. There were small groups flying > in all directions. Some leaving and some returning.**** > > ** ** > > Terry Butler**** > > Pangburn AR**** > Subject: Great-horned Owl question From: fsbirdlady AT YAHOO.COM Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:47:42 -0600 Has anyone ever observed, or heard of, Great-horned Owls tearing into squirrel nests looking for dinner? Sandy B. FS, AR Sent from my iPad Subject: Re: Capping pipes can save birds' lives From: David Ray <cardcards AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:57:25 -0600 A word of caution on capping pipes. Make sure whatever you are capping, especially on your house, that it is not a vent or exhaust pipe that is functioning. Gases and carbon monoxide are released through these pipes and you don't want those backing up into your house. You could wake up dead. Now I know a lot of you are saying no one would be that silly, but having been in the remodeling business before, you would be surprised at what some people do to their houses. David Ray Subject: Red Slough Bird Survey - Jan. 31 From: David Arbour <arbour AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:59:22 -0600 It was overcast, mild, and windy on the survey today. 66 species were found. The Trumpeter Swans continue at Ward Lake. I played calls of rails today but only got answered call backs from Virginia Rails. Here is my list for today: Greater White-fronted Goose - 2 Canada Goose - 2 Trumpeter Swan - 3 Gadwall - 564 American Wigeon - 1 Mallard - 440 Northern Shoveler - 77 Northern Pintail - 21 Green-winged Teal - 73 Ring-necked Duck - 124 Hooded Merganser - 13 Pied-billed Grebe - 9 American White Pelican - 26 Double-crested Cormorant - 24 Great Blue Heron - 22 Black Vulture - 3 Turkey Vulture - 12 Northern Harrier - 4 Red-shouldered Hawk - 2 Red-tailed Hawk - 3 American Kestrel - 3 Virginia Rail - 2 American Coot - 608 Killdeer - 1 Greater Yellowlegs - 1 Wilson's Snipe - 9 Eurasian Collared-Dove - 1 Mourning Dove - 3 Barred Owl - 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 1 Hairy Woodpecker - 1 Northern Flicker - 21 Pileated Woodpecker - 2 Eastern Phoebe - 5 Loggerhead Shrike - 1 Blue Jay - 12 American Crow - 752 Fish Crow - 155 Carolina Chickadee - 1 Tufted Titmouse - 1 Carolina Wren - 3 Marsh Wren - 2 Eastern Bluebird - 8 American Robin - 40 Northern Mockingbird - 2 European Starling - 5 American Pipit - 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 4 Common Yellowthroat - 1 Field Sparrow - 5 Savannah Sparrow - 1 Le Conte's Sparrow - 1 Fox Sparrow - 2 Song Sparrow - 3 Swamp Sparrow - 1 White-throated Sparrow - 7 White-crowned Sparrow - 6 Dark-eyed Junco - 2 Northern Cardinal - 18 Red-winged Blackbird - 98 Eastern Meadowlark - 42 Western Meadowlark - 1 Brewer's Blackbird - 300 Brown-headed Cowbird - 3 American Goldfinch - 1 Odonates: Variegated Meadowhawk Herps: American Alligator Cajun Chorus Frog - lots calling Southern Leopard Frog - calling Good birding! David Arbour De Queen, AR Visit the Red Slough Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/red_slough_wma Subject: Re: Delaware Rec Area From: Jeffrey Short <bashman AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:56:00 -0600 Maybe we could create and maintain an electronic log of birder visits to the various properties-on the list and not-so we could readily come up with usage data. Jeff Short From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List [mailto:ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Dottie Boyles Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 9:40 AM To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: Delaware Rec Area Here is the list of closings around the Dardanelle area. Apparently Delaware has a "low efficiency" rating, according to the Corps. Maybe birders should alert the District Office as to the importance of this area, and our displeasure of closing it. According to the press release, you can contact Laurie Driver for more information and possibly find out when public hearings are going to be held, or contact Colonel Glen Masset, District Engineer and Commander in Little Rock. Laurie Driver, Laurie.T.Driver AT usace.army.mil Colonel Glen A. Masset, District Engineer and Commander, 701 West Capitol Ave., Little Rock, AR 72201 Dardanelle Facilities - Adjustments affect seven of the 1 parks. - Cabin Creek--Close day use. Leave boat ramp open. - Cane Creek - Close all 16 campsites. Leave boat ramp open Leave access through park to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife management area (popular for duck hunting) Low efficiency rating. Close proximity to other parks. - Delaware - Close all 13 Campsites. Low efficiency rating. Very near state park facilities. - Dwight Mission -- Total closure. Across the road from a new state park facility with lake access. "Eyesore" - Dublin Park-Partial day use closure. Leave boat ramp open. - Piney Bay - Reduce season by 120 days (3/1 to 10/31, from year-round) Already in place; only one call of inquiry Offsets winterization charge - Shoal Bay - Reduce season by 120 days (3/1 to 10/31, from year around) Already in place. Upgrading to 50 amp electrical service. Good investment as this park gets high usage during the summer Dottie Boyles Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism 1 Capitol Mall, 4A-900 Little Rock, AR 72201 501-682-1088 www.arkansas.com Subject: FW: Winter 2012 issue of The All-Bird Bulletin From: Jeffrey Short <bashman AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:31:37 -0600 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, January 31, 2012 3:04 PM To: DODPIF-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Winter 2012 issue of The All-Bird Bulletin Dear Colleagues, Below is a link to the Winter 2012 issue of The All-Bird Bulletin, the newsletter of the U.S. NABCI Committee. Please forward on to your own partner networks. http://www.nabci-us.org/aboutnabci/Bulletin-winter12.pdf Best regards, Roxanne Bogart Wildlife Biologist U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Bird Habitat Conservation Lake Champlain Fish & Wildlife Resources Office 11 Lincoln Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 ph: 802-872-0629 ext. 25 fax: 802-872-9704 Roxanne_Bogart AT fws.gov http://birdhabitat.fws.gov http://www.nabci-us.org Subject: Hot Springs Snowy Owl Update From: Dan Bogler <danbogler AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:54:37 -0600 We did run an article in the local paper asking for the public's help in locating this bird. I received 2 calls from people saying that they saw a "large white owl" either at night or in the early morning. No concrete proof. The one documented Snowy that we have has not been seen since its original sighting 2 weeks ago Most of the sightings in the neighboring states on my phone ap BIrdsEye are from 2-4 weeks ago. And I know that Snowys that come this far south have a high motality rate. I'm wondering if some of these birds seen in December and early January have already died. Any thoughts ? Subject: RBA--Arkansas-January 31, 2012 From: Warbling Vireo <warblingvireo AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:38:27 -0800 -RBA *Arkansas *Statewide *January 31, 2012 *ARST12.01.31   -Species Mentioned   Trumpeter Swan Tundra Swan Say's Phoebe Rufous Hummingbird Barrow's Goldeneye Lesser Black-backed Gull Glaucous Gull Thayer's Gull Neotropic Cormorant Double-crested Cormorant Barrow's Goldeneye Common Goldeneye Short-eared Owl Northern Flicker (red-shafted flicker) Harris's Sparrow SNOWY OWL Golden Eagle Western Grebe   -Transcript   Welcome to the Arkansas Rare Bird Alert for January 31, 2012, sponsored by the Audubon Society of Central Arkansas (ASCA).  ASCA meets at 7:00pm the second Thursday of each month at Fletcher library on H St in Little Rock.  Check the www.ascabird.org website for details on upcoming meetings and field trips.                                               From around the state recent sightings are:    A Snowy Owl photograph taken recently near Hot Springs at 120 Hamilton Gate Road on the west side of Lake Hamilton off Marion Anderson Road appeared in the local paper.  The bird could still be in the area, but has not been seen in over a week. A Say's Phoebe was observed at SE corner of a fence around the Overflow NWR shop area behind headquarters.    Harris's Sparrow is still present at feeder at a private residence east of El Dorado in Union County.   Barrow's Goldeneye (adult male), Lesser Black-backed Gull (2 adults), Glaucous Gull (first-winter) and Thayer's Gull (adult) all continue on Lake Dardanelle near Delaware Rec Area.   A male Barrow's Goldeneye in a flock of 25 or so Common Goldeneyes and a Western Grebe has also been viewed from this area.  This area is on the closure list for the Corp of Engineers.    At Dardanelle Lock & Dam an adult Neotropic Cormorant flew over in the company of 5 Double-crested Cormorants.   Short-eared Owls were found roosting in dense, knee-high native grass and forbs at Chesney Prairie Natural Area near Siloam Springs.   On airport Road, just east of the Siloam airport, a red-shafted flicker, the western form of Northern Flicker, was flushed.  Our typical form is yellow-shafted.   An adult Golden Eagle was seen at Steel Creek on the Buffalo River.   A Rufous Hummingbirds are being seen at two different private residences in western Pulaski County.  In addition, in January of 2010, a Rufous hummingbird was banded in Little Rock. This same Rufous hummingbird was recaptured and documented on January 5, 2012 at a new location in Little Rock.  The current location does not lend itself to sharing with the public.   Trumpeter Swans are back at Lake Magness near Heber Springs.  Nearby farm ponds could also be hosting Trumpeters.  A Tundra Swan has also been seen in the same area.   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:  January 31, 2012 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 317 West K St. N. Little Rock, AR 72116 501-472-8769 (c) Subject: Re: Lake Dardanelle and Delaware Park From: Jeffrey Short <bashman AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:13:45 -0600 Bill and Joe make some strong arguments. It may help if we can put a (real) value on keeping the properties open, viz, return-on-investment for continued support of the facilities targeted. Also, there could be some tradeoffs with other properties (e.g., some open in winter, some in summer) or some volunteer support that could be proposed. Feasible solutions are harder to ignore. Jeff Short From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List [mailto:ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Bill Shepherd Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 9:41 AM To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: Lake Dardanelle and Delaware Park Thank you very much, Joe. In addition to your points, I wonder if the recreational facilities along the Arkansas River were not intended originally to mitigate the environmental damage caused by constructing the McClellan-Kerr navigation project. (I was living out of state at the time and don't know for sure. I do know that some of our state's trout hatcheries were intended as mitigation for damming the White River and its tributaries. It isn't right for Congress to break a promise with the state of Arkansas like that, though Congress undoubtedly has the legal authority to break its promises.) These arguments need to be presented to the Corps in person on Valentine's Day by a horde of birders. Come one, come all! Bill Shepherd Bill Shepherd 2805 Linden, Apt. 3 Little Rock, Arkansas 72205-5964 Stoneax63 AT hotmail.com (501) 375-3918 > Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:27:55 -0600 > From: joeneal AT UARK.EDU > Subject: Lake Dardanelle and Delaware Park > To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU > > Consider Lake Dardanelle in terms of its interesting birds: American > White Pelican flocks in winter, all those rare-in-Arkansas gulls > (Lesser Black-backed, Glaucous), amazing western visitors like > Barrow's Goldeneye and Western Grebe, visitors from the Old World like > Tufted Duck, impressive flocks of diving ducks --- Greater Scaup, > Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, Canvasbacks, lots more. > Please go to the Audubon Arkansas website and read about Lake > Dardanelle as an Important Bird Area. > > Like folks from all over the state who don't live near the Arkansas > River, I have birded Delaware Park and other Corps of Engineers parks > on Dardanelle, both during state meetings of Arkansas Audubon Society > or specific single-purpose trips. We spend a fair amount of time and > money to do so, giving a boost to businesses all along the way. > > Lake Dardanelle in general, and Delaware Park, recalls a different era > with a generous view of the purposes of government. With our > permission and our tax dollars, government agencies provide parks > because long ago it was obvious they promote healthy citizens. In > proposing park closings, agencies necessarily consider their internal > budgets, but not how park closings cost the public in a broad way. > > The current service provided by Delaware Park is an open gate for > access to a nice spot on the lake where the tax payers can fish or > spot a Glaucous Gull. These economic benefits to citizens and local > economies are lost when parks close. The Corps modestly tightens its > budget in line with demands from Congress, and every one of us > directly loses, from local businesses to local folks to Arkansas's > growing bird watching community. > > Courtesy of Arkansas tax payers, Dardanelle has a fabulous state park > with well-developed recreational facilities. This takes up some of the > slack as the Corps closes campgrounds. But rather than make drastic > cuts that block public access, I would encourage the Corps to at least > apply functional minimalism of National Wildlife Refuges as it juggles > budget constraints. Keep access open, but services minimal. > > Whatever the Corps does in response to demands from Congress, birds > are not going to abandon the lake. BUT we need to safeguard all places > with public access. A growing human population needs more, not less, > access. > > -- > JOSEPH C. NEAL in Fayetteville, Arkansas > "I loaf and invite my soul..." -- Walt Whitman Subject: Lost Cedar Waxwing From: Donna Haynes <birdiehaynes AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:04:14 -0800 This morning as I was leaving for work I heard the sqeek of a Cedar Waxwing.  It was loud, not the nomal soft sqeeks they normally emit.  I looked up to see the little fellow flying franticlly here and there and back again.  I hope it finds its flock.  I felt really bad for it. Donna Haynes West Pulaski co. Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android Subject: field trip Saturday Feb 4 to Eagle watch Nature Trail From: joeneal <joeneal AT UARK.EDU> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:52:13 -0600 Members, friends, and anyone not included in those categories, are invited to join Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society-sponsored field trip to Eagle Watch Nature Trail just west of Gentry this Saturday, February 4. Meet up time is 9 AM in the parking lot right on highway 12. The event is free and open to the public. Anyone with an interest in birds or just the spot, is welcome. The trip will be co-led by Terry Stanfill who originated the idea for the trail and viewing area and still manages it for SWEPCO. There is a one-forth mile long easily-walked trail to a viewing platform where we often see numerous Bald Eagles, plus many other species of birds. Directions: Notice Highway 59 on your Arkansas highway map. Gentry is at the intersection of 59 and Highway 12. From this intersection, travel WEST on 12 for approx. two miles. Eagle Watch Nature Trail is approx. 1 mile WEST of the city limits on the SOUTH side of the highway. Look for the parking lot on the highway's SOUTH side, immediately EAST of the highway bridge spanning Little Flint Creek. There is a map and information sign in the parking area. More information about EWNT is available on the NWAAS web site: http://nwaaudubon.tripod.com/webonmediacontents/BirdingEagleWatchNatureTrailDec12-2011.pdf -- JOSEPH C. NEAL in Fayetteville, Arkansas "I loaf and invite my soul..." -- Walt Whitman Subject: Re: Lake Dardanelle and Delaware Park From: Bill Shepherd <stoneax63 AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:40:40 -0600 Thank you very much, Joe. In addition to your points, I wonder if the recreational facilities along the Arkansas River were not intended originally to mitigate the environmental damage caused by constructing the McClellan-Kerr navigation project. (I was living out of state at the time and don't know for sure. I do know that some of our state's trout hatcheries were intended as mitigation for damming the White River and its tributaries. It isn't right for Congress to break a promise with the state of Arkansas like that, though Congress undoubtedly has the legal authority to break its promises.) These arguments need to be presented to the Corps in person on Valentine's Day by a horde of birders. Come one, come all! Bill Shepherd Bill Shepherd 2805 Linden, Apt. 3 Little Rock, Arkansas 72205-5964 Stoneax63 AT hotmail.com (501) 375-3918 > Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:27:55 -0600 > From: joeneal AT UARK.EDU > Subject: Lake Dardanelle and Delaware Park > To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU > > Consider Lake Dardanelle in terms of its interesting birds: American > White Pelican flocks in winter, all those rare-in-Arkansas gulls > (Lesser Black-backed, Glaucous), amazing western visitors like > Barrow's Goldeneye and Western Grebe, visitors from the Old World like > Tufted Duck, impressive flocks of diving ducks --- Greater Scaup, > Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, Canvasbacks, lots more. > Please go to the Audubon Arkansas website and read about Lake > Dardanelle as an Important Bird Area. > > Like folks from all over the state who don't live near the Arkansas > River, I have birded Delaware Park and other Corps of Engineers parks > on Dardanelle, both during state meetings of Arkansas Audubon Society > or specific single-purpose trips. We spend a fair amount of time and > money to do so, giving a boost to businesses all along the way. > > Lake Dardanelle in general, and Delaware Park, recalls a different era > with a generous view of the purposes of government. With our > permission and our tax dollars, government agencies provide parks > because long ago it was obvious they promote healthy citizens. In > proposing park closings, agencies necessarily consider their internal > budgets, but not how park closings cost the public in a broad way. > > The current service provided by Delaware Park is an open gate for > access to a nice spot on the lake where the tax payers can fish or > spot a Glaucous Gull. These economic benefits to citizens and local > economies are lost when parks close. The Corps modestly tightens its > budget in line with demands from Congress, and every one of us > directly loses, from local businesses to local folks to Arkansas's > growing bird watching community. > > Courtesy of Arkansas tax payers, Dardanelle has a fabulous state park > with well-developed recreational facilities. This takes up some of the > slack as the Corps closes campgrounds. But rather than make drastic > cuts that block public access, I would encourage the Corps to at least > apply functional minimalism of National Wildlife Refuges as it juggles > budget constraints. Keep access open, but services minimal. > > Whatever the Corps does in response to demands from Congress, birds > are not going to abandon the lake. BUT we need to safeguard all places > with public access. A growing human population needs more, not less, > access. > > -- > JOSEPH C. NEAL in Fayetteville, Arkansas > "I loaf and invite my soul..." -- Walt Whitman Subject: Lake Dardanelle and Delaware Park From: joeneal <joeneal AT UARK.EDU> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:27:55 -0600 Consider Lake Dardanelle in terms of its interesting birds: American White Pelican flocks in winter, all those rare-in-Arkansas gulls (Lesser Black-backed, Glaucous), amazing western visitors like Barrow's Goldeneye and Western Grebe, visitors from the Old World like Tufted Duck, impressive flocks of diving ducks --- Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, Canvasbacks, lots more. Please go to the Audubon Arkansas website and read about Lake Dardanelle as an Important Bird Area. Like folks from all over the state who don't live near the Arkansas River, I have birded Delaware Park and other Corps of Engineers parks on Dardanelle, both during state meetings of Arkansas Audubon Society or specific single-purpose trips. We spend a fair amount of time and money to do so, giving a boost to businesses all along the way. Lake Dardanelle in general, and Delaware Park, recalls a different era with a generous view of the purposes of government. With our permission and our tax dollars, government agencies provide parks because long ago it was obvious they promote healthy citizens. In proposing park closings, agencies necessarily consider their internal budgets, but not how park closings cost the public in a broad way. The current service provided by Delaware Park is an open gate for access to a nice spot on the lake where the tax payers can fish or spot a Glaucous Gull. These economic benefits to citizens and local economies are lost when parks close. The Corps modestly tightens its budget in line with demands from Congress, and every one of us directly loses, from local businesses to local folks to Arkansas's growing bird watching community. Courtesy of Arkansas tax payers, Dardanelle has a fabulous state park with well-developed recreational facilities. This takes up some of the slack as the Corps closes campgrounds. But rather than make drastic cuts that block public access, I would encourage the Corps to at least apply functional minimalism of National Wildlife Refuges as it juggles budget constraints. Keep access open, but services minimal. Whatever the Corps does in response to demands from Congress, birds are not going to abandon the lake. BUT we need to safeguard all places with public access. A growing human population needs more, not less, access. -- JOSEPH C. NEAL in Fayetteville, Arkansas "I loaf and invite my soul..." -- Walt Whitman Subject: CE Park Closings Hearings From: Allan Mueller <akcmueller AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:10:53 -0600 Below is information I got from the Corps on the hearings on park closings. Allan Mueller On Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 12:09 PM, Driver, Laurie SWL wrote: > Classification: UNCLASSIFIED > Caveats: NONE > > Sir, > > Below is a news release that was sent to the media today and will be posted on our website this afternoon listed the dates and times of the workshops.  The below link is to the news release and the proposed plan. > > http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/news&info/news/2012/03-12.pdf > > > > CORPS TO HOST WORKSHOPS TO DISCUSS CHANGES IN PARK OPERATIONS > > > LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District is hosting > five public workshops in February to discuss proposed changes in operations at 29 of its parks > because of budget cuts. > > Although there will be no group presentations, the public is invited to drop by any time > during the workshops and talk one on one with Corps representatives about the proposed > recreational changes, provide input and learn more about volunteer and potential partnership > opportunities. Written comments will also be accepted at the workshops. > > The Corps is looking for partners willing to take over operations and maintenance duties > at affected facilities to help keep them from closing. > > For individuals interested in the proposed recreational changes at Clearwater Lake, the > workshop will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 9, at the Clearwater Project Office adjacent to > Clearwater Dam in Piedmont, Mo. > > For those interested in the proposed changes at Greers Ferry Lake, the workshop will be > held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Feb. 9, at the William Carl Garner Visitor > Center on Hwy 25 North just west of Greers Ferry Dam near Heber Springs, Ark. > > The workshop covering changes at Lake Nimrod, Lake Dardanelle and Toad Suck Ferry > and Murray pools of the Arkansas River, will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., > Feb. 14. It will be held at the Russellville Project Office at 1598 Lock and Dam Road in > Russellville, Ark. > > For individuals interested in the proposed recreational changes at Ozark Lake, the > workshop will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Feb. 16. It will be held at the > Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative at 1811 West Commercial Street in Ozark, Ark. > > For those interested in the proposed changes at Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes, the > workshop will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Feb. 21, at the Mountain Home > Project Office at 324 W. Seventh Street in Mountain Home, Ark. > > Little Rock District is considering changing recreation operations at 29 parks, including > closing 13 campgrounds, four partial campgrounds, four day use areas, one partial day use area, > and 9 boat ramps. Also under consideration is making the recreation season shorter at many > additional parks. Other likely park adjustments include reducing the frequency of trash pick-up, > cleaning and mowing. Maintenance response times are likely to increase. And the district > expects to hire fewer temporary park rangers and contract park attendants. > > The district's operation and maintenance budget has been cut about $17 million this year. > The proposed recreation changes will reduce costs by an estimated $1.9 million annually > ($921,000 for operation and maintenance expenses and $989,000 for labor). The district is > exploring additional cost savings in its other missions as well. > > Little Rock District operates 178 public parks and access areas. Making adjustments to > the 8 percent of its park facilities that are less efficient will allow the district to place more > emphasis on the remaining 92 percent. > > More information about proposed changes to specific recreation areas is available on > Little Rock District's website at http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/news&info/news/2012/02- > 12.pdf. Information is also available on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/littlerockusace. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Allan Mueller [mailto:akcmueller AT gmail.com] > Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 10:02 AM > To: Driver, Laurie SWL > Subject: CE Park Closings > > Ms. Driver, > > The Corps is currently considering closing several park facilities in > Arkansas.  Will you be holding public hearings on these proposed > actions?  Do you have a document that describes the proposal? > > Thanks, > > > Allan Mueller > 20 Moseley Lane > Conway, AR 72032 > 501-327-8952 home > 501-339-8071 cell > > 66, one more and I'd be the devil. > > Classification: UNCLASSIFIED > Caveats: NONE > > -- Allan Mueller 20 Moseley Lane Conway, AR 72032 501-327-8952 home 501-339-8071 cell 66, one more and I'd be the devil. -- Allan Mueller 20 Moseley Lane Conway, AR 72032 501-327-8952 home 501-339-8071 cell 66, one more and I'd be the devil. Subject: Re: Barrow's Goldeneye and other +++ continue at Lake Dardanelle From: Carol Joan Patterson <joanie.patterson AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:39:48 -0800 I want to publicly thank Joe for inviting me on this great trip, Jacque for getting us their and back, and especially Kenny and LaDonna Nichols for their generosity and kindness for sharing their deck and showing us the best birding spots on the lake.  Thanks All! Joanie ________________________________ From: joeneal To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 9:03 AM Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye and other +++ continue at Lake Dardanelle Jacque Brown, Joanie Patterson, and I made it a long day on Lake Dardanelle yesterday. It was LOTS more fun because we had Kenny and LaDonna Nichols (and Missy) as guides and company. At Delaware Park we viewed Glaucous and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and in an unsatisfying morning glare, a male Barrow's Goldeneye in a flock of 25 or so Common Goldeneyes. The cove was packed with American White Pelicans, cormorants, several Common Loons, coots, diving ducks, and the more numerous gull species. Never has a bird-city seemed more congested, to our complete delight. Kenny said glare could be easily fixed by a simple move over to their place. Happily for we visitors from northwest Arkansas, Barrow's was satisfyingly close to their viewing deck and radiant winter light. We were soon in full blown ooh and aah over this elegant western visitor. The female with which he associated looks like a female Common Goldeneye. Our close out featured a sunset glowing everything in fiery pink, including a distant Mt Magazine. Finishing light illuminated a fisherman's face, cast line, and Kenny who was visiting with him. The big white pelicans, now dark in waning light, with awesome entirely undiminished, flapped low and slow into gathering darkness. --JOSEPH C. NEAL in Fayetteville, Arkansas "I loaf and invite my soul..." -- Walt Whitman Subject: snowy owl Hawaii From: Carolyn Partain <cthedove AT CABLELYNX.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:22:00 -0600 My husband brought the following thought into our discussion about the tragic misadventure of the Hawaiian snowy owl. Has anyone surmised that the snowy owl that migrated to Hawaii might have been a stowaway on a plane. Have researchers, if there be any, checked the flights from northern regions to determine if any coincided with the snowy owl's appearance on the runways? There are rare instances of Arctic animals stowing away such as the case of an Arctic fox. At least the fox was not killed and survived in its new habitat being taken in by a Seattle zoo. Was there no way to live-trap the owl with a few tasty rodents? Still, I guess there is no way to slow down or halt plane traffic for such a plan. Also, I yield to the imperative that human safety must be prioritized. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017129996_apwaadventurousfo x.html Our cohabitation with wildlife is certainly being scrunched. (another topic) Carolyn, Hot Springs birdwatcher with a special fondness for owls Subject: Re: Delaware Rec Area From: Allan Mueller <akcmueller AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:11:50 -0600 The following is from the Corps' web site. Stay tuned for times and dates of public workshops. "A series of public workshops to discuss these proposals and solicit public input is being scheduled for February at Piedmont, Mo., and at Mountain Home, Heber Springs, Russellville and Ozark, Ark. The workshop times, dates and locations will be announced when they are finalized." Allan Mueller On Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 9:39 AM, Dottie Boyles wrote: > Here is the list of closings around the Dardanelle area. Apparently Delaware > has a “low efficiency” rating, according to the Corps. Maybe birders should > alert the District Office as to the importance of this area, and our > displeasure of closing it. According to the press release, you can contact > Laurie Driver for more information and possibly find out when public > hearings are going to be held, or contact Colonel Glen Masset, District > Engineer and Commander in Little Rock. > > > > Laurie Driver, Laurie.T.Driver AT usace.army.mil > > Colonel Glen A. Masset, District Engineer and Commander, 701 West Capitol > Ave., Little Rock, AR  72201 > > > > Dardanelle > > Facilities > > - Adjustments affect seven of the 1 parks. > > - Cabin Creek--Close day use.  Leave boat ramp open. > > > > - Cane Creek – Close all 16 campsites.  Leave boat ramp open > > Leave access through park to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife > management area (popular for duck hunting) > > Low efficiency rating. > > Close proximity to other parks. > > > > - Delaware – Close all 13 Campsites. > > Low efficiency rating. > > Very near state park facilities. > > > > - Dwight Mission -- Total closure. > > Across the road from a new state park facility with lake access. > > “Eyesore” > > - Dublin Park—Partial day use closure.  Leave boat ramp open. > > - Piney Bay – Reduce season by 120 days (3/1 to 10/31, from year-round) > > Already in place; only one call of inquiry > > Offsets winterization charge > >   - Shoal Bay – Reduce season by 120 days (3/1 to 10/31, from year around) > > Already in place. > > Upgrading to 50 amp electrical service.  Good investment as this park gets > high usage during the summer > > > > Dottie Boyles > > Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism > > 1 Capitol Mall, 4A-900 > > Little Rock, AR  72201 > > 501-682-1088 > > www.arkansas.com > > -- Allan Mueller 20 Moseley Lane Conway, AR 72032 501-327-8952 home 501-339-8071 cell 66, one more and I'd be the devil. Subject: Re: Delaware Rec Area From: Dottie Boyles <dottie.boyles AT ARKANSAS.GOV> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:39:57 -0600 Here is the list of closings around the Dardanelle area. Apparently Delaware has a "low efficiency" rating, according to the Corps. Maybe birders should alert the District Office as to the importance of this area, and our displeasure of closing it. According to the press release, you can contact Laurie Driver for more information and possibly find out when public hearings are going to be held, or contact Colonel Glen Masset, District Engineer and Commander in Little Rock. Laurie Driver, Laurie.T.Driver AT usace.army.mil Colonel Glen A. Masset, District Engineer and Commander, 701 West Capitol Ave., Little Rock, AR 72201 Dardanelle Facilities - Adjustments affect seven of the 1 parks. - Cabin Creek--Close day use. Leave boat ramp open. - Cane Creek - Close all 16 campsites. Leave boat ramp open Leave access through park to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife management area (popular for duck hunting) Low efficiency rating. Close proximity to other parks. - Delaware - Close all 13 Campsites. Low efficiency rating. Very near state park facilities. - Dwight Mission -- Total closure. Across the road from a new state park facility with lake access. "Eyesore" - Dublin Park-Partial day use closure. Leave boat ramp open. - Piney Bay - Reduce season by 120 days (3/1 to 10/31, from year-round) Already in place; only one call of inquiry Offsets winterization charge - Shoal Bay - Reduce season by 120 days (3/1 to 10/31, from year around) Already in place. Upgrading to 50 amp electrical service. Good investment as this park gets high usage during the summer Dottie Boyles Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism 1 Capitol Mall, 4A-900 Little Rock, AR 72201 501-682-1088 www.arkansas.com Subject: swans From: Terry & Judy Butler <twbutler AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:42:44 -0600 I drove out to the satellite ponds from Magness Lake this early morning. There were about 150 trumpeter swans and 1 adult tundra swan. They look more beautiful in the early morning light. There were small groups flying in all directions. Some leaving and some returning. Terry Butler Pangburn AR Subject: Re: Link: Bald Eagle photo link From: Ruth Voss <ruthvoss AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:42:30 -0600 beautiful! On Sun, Jan 29, 2012 at 8:12 PM, Gail Miller wrote: > I added 8 more photos to this Bald Eagle gallery. > > Enjoy > > http://www.pbase.com/**gnmimiller/bald_eagles_2012 > Gail Miller - Conway (Faulkner Co.) > See my recent photos at http://www.pbase.com/**gnmimiller/root&view=recent > See my photography at: http://www.pbase.com/**gnmimiller/root > See my favorite bird photos at: http://www.pbase.com/** > gnmimiller/favorites > Subject: Overflow NWR: Say's Phoebe Continues From: Lillian and William Matthews <willie_lilly AT BELLSOUTH.NET> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:43:12 -0600 Say's Phoebe observed at SE corner of fence around Overflow NWR shop area behind headquarters. Flycatching and responding to Bird Jam. Observed for 20+minutes.Thanks to BobbySchatt and Kelly Chitwood. Willie Matthews, Monroe,LA Subject: Re: Delaware Rec Area From: Dan Bogler <danbogler AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:32:50 -0600 Amen brother. Someday I will have to tell you all of my Corp of Engineer stories. I have several but my favorite one was when I was trout fishing below Blakely Dam. I was in a boat with a fly rod and I had caught and released probably 20-25 trout. I had kept none. Well, this Corp of Engineer guy started yelling at me that I had caught over my limit. Keep in mind this was not a Game and Fish guy but some flunky paid to empty the trash cans. I yelled back that I wasn't keeping any. He yelled back that he was going to have me arrested. Lots of people on the bank heard the yelling back and forth. Finally, I yellled back "wanna check my boat ?" to which he nodded yes. So, I pulled up and sure enough I didn't have any fish to which his response was "OK'. By then I was furious So I said "You owe me an apology" to which he quietly said "I'm sorry". Like I said I was mad. And I don't know what came over me. It is so out of character for me. And it shocked my brother who was with me. But I said "Hey you yelled at me half way across the lake saying that I broke the law. I am not satisfied with a wimpy I'm sorry. ''Yell I am sorry at the top of your voice". So he did. To which I said "yell it louder" And he did. Never felt better in my life. I guess my anger was really a result of trying to work with them on various land use issues for 25- 30 years to no avail. They can and will do any darn thing they want to do and no one can stop them. If they got a hankering to re-route the Mississippi River through New York City they would. And they would have reams of hokus pokus calculations showing the economic benefit I just wished one Preedential candidate would say "If I am elected President the first thing I will do is clip the wings of The Corp of Engineers. I don't care if he is a liberal, conservative, greeny or on the board of Halibuton - he will get my vote. Subject: Re: Delaware Rec Area From: Kenny Nichols <kingbird AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:31:22 -0800 "Is there anyone who we can contact, e-mail or call with our opinions on this closing? "   They (COE) are supposed to have several workshops but dates have not yet been finalized (per their website). However, I was told by an individual in Dardanelle that there will be a meeting in Russellivlle (not sure where) on February 14. kenny nichols cabot, ar >________________________________ > From: Kenny Nichols >To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU >Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2012 7:49 PM >Subject: Delaware Rec Area > > >FYI- Delaware Rec Area is on the Corps of Engineers list of parks to be closed (Cabin Creek is another). Unless something happens within the next couple of weeks there will be a gate across the road at the entrance denying access. Boaters, fisherman, campers and birders will no longer be able to utilize this resource. This park costs the COE less than $1000 per year to maintain. Less than a thousand dollars to piss off thousands of people. Hard to believe but the fact is the COE does not give a damn about these parks. They only care about building dams, dredging waterways, destroying wetlands or building levees no matter the cost or benefit. Don't believe me? Google Corps of Engineers boondoggles, wasteful spending, pork, etc. You'll get the picture. They claim the closings are due to a "tight budget". Bull. They have money. They'd just rather dredge another river that doesn't need it, build another slack-water harbor we don't need,  or build another dam we don't need. Screw the parks and campgrounds. >  >kenny nichols >cabot, ar > > > > Subject: Link: Bald Eagle photo link From: Gail Miller <gail.miller AT CONWAYCORP.NET> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:12:24 -0600 I added 8 more photos to this Bald Eagle gallery. Enjoy http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/bald_eagles_2012 Gail Miller - Conway (Faulkner Co.) See my recent photos at http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/root&view=recent See my photography at: http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/root See my favorite bird photos at: http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/favorites Subject: Delaware Rec Area From: Kenny Nichols <kingbird AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:49:52 -0800 FYI- Delaware Rec Area is on the Corps of Engineers list of parks to be closed (Cabin Creek is another). Unless something happens within the next couple of weeks there will be a gate across the road at the entrance denying access. Boaters, fisherman, campers and birders will no longer be able to utilize this resource. This park costs the COE less than $1000 per year to maintain. Less than a thousand dollars to piss off thousands of people. Hard to believe but the fact is the COE does not give a damn about these parks. They only care about building dams, dredging waterways, destroying wetlands or building levees no matter the cost or benefit. Don't believe me? Google Corps of Engineers boondoggles, wasteful spending, pork, etc. You'll get the picture. They claim the closings are due to a "tight budget". Bull. They have money. They'd just rather dredge another river that doesn't need it, build another slack-water harbor we don't need,  or build another dam we don't need. Screw the parks and campgrounds.   kenny nichols cabot, ar Subject: Invitation to view my photos on Picasa Web Album -Most recent Photos From: Donna Haynes <birdiehaynes AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:55:43 -0800 Here is an album of my most recent photos, including a few of Rufie.  He is getting fat.  I am guessing he will be leaving for part s Northwest soon. Donna Haynes West Pulaski Co. Album link: https://picasaweb.google.com/106378446157399905887/MostRecentPhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCOz1x4Pzyer8jgE -- via http://bit.ly/picasa_tool Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android Subject: Re: Sightings: Two Rivers Park From: Herschel Raney <herschel.raney AT CONWAYCORP.NET> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:38:55 -0600 The Orange Sulphur, the Dainty Sulphur, the Checkered White, The Snout, the Goatweed Leafwing and Question Mark all have January records in the state on warm days. I saw a Goatweed Leafwing female yesterday afternoon. Herschel Raney Conway AR On 1/29/2012 1:39 PM, Jim Dixon wrote: > Lenore Gifford and I birded the horse trail area of Two Rivers park > Sunday morning. It was still around freezing when we started but in > the low 50s (or low 10s for you Celsius types) by the time we were > finished. It was and still is a beautiful day. We saw Chipping, > Field, Savannah, Fox, Song, and White-throated Sparrows. Three > Greater Scaup on the Arkansas River and the flock of about 200 > pelicans that are hanging out in Little Rock this winter. In all we > saw 34 species, not a great catch but the abundant sunshine made up > for it. The big surprise to me was once again a butterfly. Right > after we started, when it was still very cold we saw and photographed > an Orange Sulphur. Maybe they are more hardy that I think but I was > surprised that he was there much less able to move around at that > temperature. Subject: Reuters: Snowy owls soar south from Arctic in rare mass migration From: Barry Haas <bhaas AT SBCGLOBAL.NET> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:02:52 -0600 http://news.yahoo.com/snowy-owls-soar-south-arctic-rare-mass-migration-175336821.html Laura Zuckerman, who wrote this Reuters article, must not know about the Hot Springs sighting ("This winter's snowy owl outbreak, with multiple sightings as far south as Oklahoma."). And there's this quote from the article: "This is the most significant wildlife event in decades." And a snowy in Hawaii? Wow. Our adult male rufous hummer continues to feed, mainly from the feeders out back. From the deep woods just west of Little Rock, Barry Haas Subject: Sightings: Two Rivers Park From: Jim Dixon <jamesdixonlr AT ATT.NET> Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:39:10 -0600 Lenore Gifford and I birded the horse trail area of Two Rivers park Sunday morning. It was still around freezing when we started but in the low 50s (or low 10s for you Celsius types) by the time we were finished. It was and still is a beautiful day. We saw Chipping, Field, Savannah, Fox, Song, and White-throated Sparrows. Three Greater Scaup on the Arkansas River and the flock of about 200 pelicans that are hanging out in Little Rock this winter. In all we saw 34 species, not a great catch but the abundant sunshine made up for it. The big surprise to me was once again a butterfly. Right after we started, when it was still very cold we saw and photographed an Orange Sulphur. Maybe they are more hardy that I think but I was surprised that he was there much less able to move around at that temperature. -- Jim Dixon Little Rock, AR www.JamesDixon.us See my photography here . Subject: Lake Dardanelle From: Kenny Nichols <kingbird AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:54:34 -0800 FYI- Barrow's Goldeneye (adult male), Lesser Black-backed Gull (2 adults), Glaucous Gull (first-winter) and Thayer's Gull (adult) all continue on Lake Dardanelle near Delaware Rec Area.  Also, this afternoon at Dardanelle Lock & Dam, LaDonna and I watched an adult Neotropic Cormorant fly over in the company of 5 regular cormorants.   kenny nichols cabot, ar Subject: Eagles From: Edie Calaway <oxfordgirlsmom AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:50:56 -0600 The eagles on sugarloaf in greers ferry lake are sitting on the nest . Sent from my iPhone Subject: Say's Phoebe: Yes From: Kelly Chitwood <kellyannchitwood AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:43:24 -0600 Perched alongside the fence behind the shop at Overflow NWR. Weeee! Kelly Chitwood Subject: Barrow's Goldeneye and other +++ continue at Lake Dardanelle From: joeneal <joeneal AT UARK.EDU> Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:03:44 -0600 Jacque Brown, Joanie Patterson, and I made it a long day on Lake Dardanelle yesterday. It was LOTS more fun because we had Kenny and LaDonna Nichols (and Missy) as guides and company. At Delaware Park we viewed Glaucous and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and in an unsatisfying morning glare, a male Barrow's Goldeneye in a flock of 25 or so Common Goldeneyes. The cove was packed with American White Pelicans, cormorants, several Common Loons, coots, diving ducks, and the more numerous gull species. Never has a bird-city seemed more congested, to our complete delight. Kenny said glare could be easily fixed by a simple move over to their place. Happily for we visitors from northwest Arkansas, Barrow's was satisfyingly close to their viewing deck and radiant winter light. We were soon in full blown ooh and aah over this elegant western visitor. The female with which he associated looks like a female Common Goldeneye. Our close out featured a sunset glowing everything in fiery pink, including a distant Mt Magazine. Finishing light illuminated a fisherman's face, cast line, and Kenny who was visiting with him. The big white pelicans, now dark in waning light, with awesome entirely undiminished, flapped low and slow into gathering darkness. -- JOSEPH C. NEAL in Fayetteville, Arkansas "I loaf and invite my soul..." -- Walt Whitman Subject: what are they thinking? From: "Kimberly G. Smith" <kgsmith AT UARK.EDU> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:29:26 +0000 Cardinals and titmice were singing away this morning across the University campus... I guess we are just skipping winter this year.... Kimberly G. Smith University Professor of Biological Sciences Department of Biological Sciences University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701 Phone: 479-575-6359 fax: 479-575-4010 email: kgsmith AT uark.edu Subject: Short-eared Owls, red-shafter flicker From: joeneal <joeneal AT UARK.EDU> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:15 -0600 Joe Woolbright and I walked up two Short-eared Owls roosting in dense, knee-high native grass and forbs at Chesney Prairie Natural Area near Siloam Springs this morning. While driving on airport Road, just east of the Siloam airport, I flushed a red-shafted flicker, the western form of Northern Flicker. -- JOSEPH C. NEAL in Fayetteville, Arkansas "I loaf and invite my soul..." -- Walt Whitman Subject: Re: Capping pipes can save birds' lives (and frogs) From: Jeffrey Short <bashman AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:06:40 -0600 We had another trap for wildlife in our Maryland house for Peromyscus leucopus. For some reason, behind the drywall in a hall closet attracted two sets of mice that had died. For some reason (I assume) they came down the studs from the attic and couldn't get back up. The foul odor led me to dig out a hole in the bottom of the drywall and again use a vacuum (a Shop Vac this time) to suck out the dead mice: "thup, thup, thup, thup". Jeff Short From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List [mailto:ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Roth, Roland Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 10:42 AM To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Re: Capping pipes can save birds' lives (and frogs) A friend in Delaware had hollow wooden columns on the porch of his older house. One had a gap where starlings entered. Home maintenance was not a priority for him. When the column deteriorated and he replaced it, many carcasses (starlings I presume) were in the bottom. In this case, one might not lament its value as a starling trap, but other species certainly could have been there as well. Looking around the home for traps is as important as looking in wildlife areas. Roland Roth Fayetteville _____ Subject: Re: Capping pipes can save birds' lives (and frogs) From: "Roth, Roland" <rroth AT UDEL.EDU> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:42:10 +0000 A friend in Delaware had hollow wooden columns on the porch of his older house. One had a gap where starlings entered. Home maintenance was not a priority for him. When the column deteriorated and he replaced it, many carcasses (starlings I presume) were in the bottom. In this case, one might not lament its value as a starling trap, but other species certainly could have been there as well. Looking around the home for traps is as important as looking in wildlife areas. Roland Roth Fayetteville ________________________________ Subject: Re: Capping pipes can save birds' lives (and frogs) From: Kenny Nichols <kingbird AT YMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:33:04 -0800 Oddly enough, the same day this thread started a few weeks ago, a tenant of mine called stating that there was a bird in her hollow porch post. I was a little skeptical at first but I was there within minutes, jack in hand, to raise the porch and remove the post, if necessary. Sure enough, we could hear something inside the post. And there was a small hole at the top of the post where it met the beams it was supporting. Within minutes I had the porch beams raised and the post disconnected. I raised the post up and there on the porch sat a male Eastern Bluebird just waiting for help. He instantly flew up to the nearest tree and started calling. I decided he was telling me something so I immediately covered all the posts on all of our properties to keep this from ever happening again. One day, many years ago, when we lived in Pangburn, I walked into our upstairs bath only to find a tree frog sitting on top of the bathroom door. I was a bit puzzled at how it managed to arrive in this position until I realized there was a vent pipe that went straight out the roof behind the toilet and just above where we were eyeballing each other. This little guy had gone down the vent pipe, through the p-trap, up through the toilet, and then on to the door. After our brief introduction, good-byes were in order and he was gently removed to his proper surroundings.   kenny nichols cabot, ar >________________________________ > From: Jeffrey Short >To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU >Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 6:34 PM >Subject: Re: Capping pipes can save birds' lives > >I found a live toad in a short, 4inch diameter standpipe on the ground.  The >pipe was too long to reach the toad by hand and was too narrow for tongs to >work.  Solution:  an Oreck canister vacuum (the kind that will pick up a >9-lb bowling ball) with an extension tube.  Leaves a little suck-hickey on >the toad but gets it out.  I capped the pipe to prevent future problems. > >Jeff Short  > >-----Original Message----- >From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List >[mailto:ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Leah M Wilcox >Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 7:59 AM >To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU >Subject: Capping pipes can save birds' lives > >This is a forward I thought would be of concern to all birders. It is new >info for me. > >Leah Wilcox, Lead Hill > >----- Original Message ----- >From: Jim Low >To: 'Mdcnews AT lists.mo.gov' >Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 5:01 PM >Subject: [Mdcnews] All Outdoors News Re: Eliminating Bird Death Traps > > >Capping pipes can save birds' lives > >Open vertical pipes and posts take a toll on wildlife. > >JEFFERSON CITY-Do you have a fence with hollow posts made of PVC or metal >pipe?  What about a metal sign post? Bird experts say these and other open >vertical pipes can be death traps for birds and other wildlife. > >Wildlife Ecologist Brad Jacobs with the Missouri Department of >Conservation (MDC) learned about the problem from Audubon California's >Kern River Preserve. > >"They discovered it by accident," said Jacobs. "Audubon staffers went to >remove a 20-foot-long vent pipe that had rusted and fallen over. The lower >seven feet of the 8-inch pipe were filled with the decomposed bodies of >hundreds of birds and other animals that got inside and couldn't get out. >It was a horrible sight." > >Victims of the irrigation pipe, which had been in place more than 50 >years, included bluebirds, woodpeckers and kestrels - small birds of prey. >Other animals, such as lizards, also perished. > >The death trap was part of an abandoned irrigation system. After the >macabre discovery, the Audubon staffers began noticing similar hazards on >their preserve and neighboring land. They found dead animals in pipes >ranging from 1 to 10 inches in diameter and set to work removing or >capping the pipes to prevent further carnage. > >Jacobs says he fears that similar hazards exist throughout Missouri. > >"It isn't something we ever considered before," he said. "But now that we >know about it, I think it's important to let everyone know, so they can >take action to prevent needless losses of wildlife." > >Solutions include capping pipes or covering open ends with screen wire or >hardware cloth. Removal is an option for pipes that no longer are needed. >More information is available at >www.ca.audubon.org/workinglands-pipes.php. > >Jacobs said anyone, even conservation groups, can unintentionally >contribute to such problems. He noted that for several years MDC and >Missouri Stream Team have encouraged concerned citizens to construct >disposal bins for used fishing line at popular fishing spots. The bins >consist of PVC pipe mounted vertically on posts with caps on the bottom >and uncapped elbows on top. Anglers can place scrap line in the pipe, >preventing it from becoming a hazard to wildlife. > >"This was a commendable effort," said Jacobs. "When it began, no one >considered that the recycling bins might be hazards to cavity-nesting >birds. However, tree swallows and prothonotary warblers have been found >dead and entangled in fishing line inside similar receptacles in other >states. The birds apparently explore the plastic tubes as potential nest >sites and get tangled up in the used line inside." > >Line-recycling bins can be retrofitted with covers with a slit that still >allows insertion of used fishing line without letting birds get inside. >The covers are made from tire inner tubes or rubber roof sheeting held in >place by pipe clamps. See http://mdc.mo.gov/node/16060/ for details. MDC >is refitting all its fishing-line disposal bins. > >erver limitations prevent the inclusion of photos as attachments to MDC >News/All Outdoors media releases.  Related images are available at >http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/managed-turkey-hunt-application-deadline-feb-29 > > > >To follow MDC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Flickr, or to receive RSS >feeds, visit www.mdc.mo.gov. and click on the icons at the bottom of the >page. > > > Subject: Fw: Capping pipes can save birds' lives From: Kathie Riedel <kwriedel AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:52:57 -0800 ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Kathie Riedel To: Jeffrey Short Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 7:52 AM Subject: Re: Capping pipes can save birds' lives Consider placing some screening over your dryer vent.  I had to blow out a momma and 3 baby flying squirrels with my leaf blower last week when my dryer stopped drying. Kathie Riedel, Hot Springs Village ________________________________ From: Jeffrey Short To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 6:34 PM Subject: Re: Capping pipes can save birds' lives I found a live toad in a short, 4inch diameter standpipe on the ground.  The pipe was too long to reach the toad by hand and was too narrow for tongs to work.  Solution:  an Oreck canister vacuum (the kind that will pick up a 9-lb bowling ball) with an extension tube.  Leaves a little suck-hickey on the toad but gets it out.  I capped the pipe to prevent future problems. Jeff Short  -----Original Message----- From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List [mailto:ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Leah M Wilcox Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 7:59 AM To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Capping pipes can save birds' lives This is a forward I thought would be of concern to all birders. It is new info for me. Leah Wilcox, Lead Hill ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim Low To: 'Mdcnews AT lists.mo.gov' Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 5:01 PM Subject: [Mdcnews] All Outdoors News Re: Eliminating Bird Death Traps Capping pipes can save birds' lives Open vertical pipes and posts take a toll on wildlife. JEFFERSON CITY-Do you have a fence with hollow posts made of PVC or metal pipe?  What about a metal sign post? Bird experts say these and other open vertical pipes can be death traps for birds and other wildlife. Wildlife Ecologist Brad Jacobs with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) learned about the problem from Audubon California's Kern River Preserve. "They discovered it by accident," said Jacobs. "Audubon staffers went to remove a 20-foot-long vent pipe that had rusted and fallen over. The lower seven feet of the 8-inch pipe were filled with the decomposed bodies of hundreds of birds and other animals that got inside and couldn't get out. It was a horrible sight." Victims of the irrigation pipe, which had been in place more than 50 years, included bluebirds, woodpeckers and kestrels - small birds of prey. Other animals, such as lizards, also perished. The death trap was part of an abandoned irrigation system. After the macabre discovery, the Audubon staffers began noticing similar hazards on their preserve and neighboring land. They found dead animals in pipes ranging from 1 to 10 inches in diameter and set to work removing or capping the pipes to prevent further carnage. Jacobs says he fears that similar hazards exist throughout Missouri. "It isn't something we ever considered before," he said. "But now that we know about it, I think it's important to let everyone know, so they can take action to prevent needless losses of wildlife." Solutions include capping pipes or covering open ends with screen wire or hardware cloth. Removal is an option for pipes that no longer are needed. More information is available at www.ca.audubon.org/workinglands-pipes.php. Jacobs said anyone, even conservation groups, can unintentionally contribute to such problems. He noted that for several years MDC and Missouri Stream Team have encouraged concerned citizens to construct disposal bins for used fishing line at popular fishing spots. The bins consist of PVC pipe mounted vertically on posts with caps on the bottom and uncapped elbows on top. Anglers can place scrap line in the pipe, preventing it from becoming a hazard to wildlife. "This was a commendable effort," said Jacobs. "When it began, no one considered that the recycling bins might be hazards to cavity-nesting birds. However, tree swallows and prothonotary warblers have been found dead and entangled in fishing line inside similar receptacles in other states. The birds apparently explore the plastic tubes as potential nest sites and get tangled up in the used line inside." Line-recycling bins can be retrofitted with covers with a slit that still allows insertion of used fishing line without letting birds get inside. The covers are made from tire inner tubes or rubber roof sheeting held in place by pipe clamps. See http://mdc.mo.gov/node/16060/ for details. MDC is refitting all its fishing-line disposal bins. erver limitations prevent the inclusion of photos as attachments to MDC News/All Outdoors media releases.  Related images are available at http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/managed-turkey-hunt-application-deadline-feb-29 To follow MDC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Flickr, or to receive RSS feeds, visit www.mdc.mo.gov. and click on the icons at the bottom of the page. Subject: Re: Capping pipes can save birds' lives From: Carolyn Partain <cthedove AT CABLELYNX.COM> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:56:30 -0600 Yes, I can attest to this situation as it applies to squirrels. One day, several years ago, while we were living in Heber Springs, I heard a noisy, scuffling sound behind the commode in the upper story bathroom wall. This struggling sound continued until it reached the bottom where our lower bathroom was. After that it apparently got stuck in the plumbing and stopped up the sewer drainage. At least, my hearing the animal's commotion about which I told the plumbers helped them quickly solve the problem of our stopped up sewer. They determined it was a squirrel. Screening helps in such cases as well as the wooden gable vents that were also screened to keep out the flying squirrels and prevent damage by the flickers that were incessantly hammering away in these spots. The flying squirrels had invaded the attic and had damaged the wiring to our heating unit that had to be repaired. One was rescued from behind an interior paneled wall. Fortunately, that type of wall covering was fairly easily removed by my husband and the squirrel extricated. Carolyn, backyard birdwatcher, Hot Springs Subject: Re: Capping pipes can save birds' lives From: Jeffrey Short <bashman AT EARTHLINK.NET> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:34:00 -0600 I found a live toad in a short, 4inch diameter standpipe on the ground. The pipe was too long to reach the toad by hand and was too narrow for tongs to work. Solution: an Oreck canister vacuum (the kind that will pick up a 9-lb bowling ball) with an extension tube. Leaves a little suck-hickey on the toad but gets it out. I capped the pipe to prevent future problems. Jeff Short -----Original Message----- From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List [mailto:ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of Leah M Wilcox Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 7:59 AM To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU Subject: Capping pipes can save birds' lives This is a forward I thought would be of concern to all birders. It is new info for me. Leah Wilcox, Lead Hill ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim Low To: 'Mdcnews AT lists.mo.gov' Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 5:01 PM Subject: [Mdcnews] All Outdoors News Re: Eliminating Bird Death Traps Capping pipes can save birds' lives Open vertical pipes and posts take a toll on wildlife. JEFFERSON CITY-Do you have a fence with hollow posts made of PVC or metal pipe? What about a metal sign post? Bird experts say these and other open vertical pipes can be death traps for birds and other wildlife. Wildlife Ecologist Brad Jacobs with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) learned about the problem from Audubon California's Kern River Preserve. "They discovered it by accident," said Jacobs. "Audubon staffers went to remove a 20-foot-long vent pipe that had rusted and fallen over. The lower seven feet of the 8-inch pipe were filled with the decomposed bodies of hundreds of birds and other animals that got inside and couldn't get out. It was a horrible sight." Victims of the irrigation pipe, which had been in place more than 50 years, included bluebirds, woodpeckers and kestrels - small birds of prey. Other animals, such as lizards, also perished. The death trap was part of an abandoned irrigation system. After the macabre discovery, the Audubon staffers began noticing similar hazards on their preserve and neighboring land. They found dead animals in pipes ranging from 1 to 10 inches in diameter and set to work removing or capping the pipes to prevent further carnage. Jacobs says he fears that similar hazards exist throughout Missouri. "It isn't something we ever considered before," he said. "But now that we know about it, I think it's important to let everyone know, so they can take action to prevent needless losses of wildlife." Solutions include capping pipes or covering open ends with screen wire or hardware cloth. Removal is an option for pipes that no longer are needed. More information is available at www.ca.audubon.org/workinglands-pipes.php. Jacobs said anyone, even conservation groups, can unintentionally contribute to such problems. He noted that for several years MDC and Missouri Stream Team have encouraged concerned citizens to construct disposal bins for used fishing line at popular fishing spots. The bins consist of PVC pipe mounted vertically on posts with caps on the bottom and uncapped elbows on top. Anglers can place scrap line in the pipe, preventing it from becoming a hazard to wildlife. "This was a commendable effort," said Jacobs. "When it began, no one considered that the recycling bins might be hazards to cavity-nesting birds. However, tree swallows and prothonotary warblers have been found dead and entangled in fishing line inside similar receptacles in other states. The birds apparently explore the plastic tubes as potential nest sites and get tangled up in the used line inside." Line-recycling bins can be retrofitted with covers with a slit that still allows insertion of used fishing line without letting birds get inside. The covers are made from tire inner tubes or rubber roof sheeting held in place by pipe clamps. See http://mdc.mo.gov/node/16060/ for details. MDC is refitting all its fishing-line disposal bins. erver limitations prevent the inclusion of photos as attachments to MDC News/All Outdoors media releases. Related images are available at http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/managed-turkey-hunt-application-deadline-feb-29 To follow MDC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Flickr, or to receive RSS feeds, visit www.mdc.mo.gov. and click on the icons at the bottom of the page. Subject: Union County Feeder Activity From: Kelly Chitwood <kellyannchitwood AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:35:26 -0600 Home today and maintaining the feeders. The Harris's Sparrow is still present along with 60 American Goldfinches, two Purple Finches, three Pine Siskins and Brown-headed Nuthatches along with the other usual species. Kelly Chitwood Just east of El Dorado. Subject: winter waterfowl in a storm water retention pond, Bentonville From: joeneal <joeneal AT UARK.EDU> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:41:36 -0600 Right off I-540 at Bentonville is what I assume is a storm water retention structure much larger than a football field associated with high density housing and commercial. This is truly the land of the "big box." Large developments alter how storm water flows increase downstream flooding. As mitigation, local ordinances in northwest Arkansas usually require plans to slow run off. Lots of asphalt and Moberly Manor apartments are adjacent the pond. Most storm water retention structures around northwest Arkansas are too small to attract waterfowl and they don't retain water year around. The Moberly structure is different. Several years ago local birders noticed that it attracted some pretty interesting winter waterfowl. Last Saturday I had a call from Warren Fields of Siloam Springs who had stopped by Moberly. After his call I went up and had good reasonably close looks (through a fence) of Canada Goose, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, and Ruddy Duck. Gadwalls (100+) were most numerous. American Coots and Pied-billed Grebes were present in good numbers. There were also typical domestic geese and ducks. Water birds have singularly benefited from the structure?s large size. The fact that it is completely enclosed with a fence has limited direct sources of disturbance. As the pond has matured it must have developed a significant population of food suitable to divers (like clams, etc). I'm not saying it is a good thing to convert former prairies to apartments and office buildings, but if it is going to happen, wildlife good can come from it. The elements leading to winter waterfowl habitat here could be (and probably already have been) duplicated elsewhere when projects are extensive enough to warrant such a vision. We have a guide up to Moberly on the Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society web page. -- JOSEPH C. NEAL in Fayetteville, Arkansas "I loaf and invite my soul..." -- Walt Whitman Subject: Rock Pigeon's Weight From: "Jeff R. Wilson" <OLCOOT1 AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:44:34 -0500 Jan. 25, 2012 Flash Parties Really Rock.............Maybe they sent a twitter? A Rock Pigeon weighs about 9 oz, as light as a feather you might say; but how about a lot of pigeons on a power line. To see the effects of lots of birds on a line try: _http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/image/141078452_ (http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/image/141078452) Good Birding!!! Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA 6300 Memphis-Arlington Rd. Bartlett, TN. 38135 _http://WWW.pbase.com/ol_coot/_ (http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/) What is this feathered thing that lifts my heart to the heavens. Subject: Re: ASCA field trip clarification-ADULT Thayer's Gull From: Michael Linz <mplinz AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:25:23 -0600 The link below are some pictures from the ASCA field trip. It contains pics of the Thayer's gull. The are not great pictures but they do document the trip. https://picasaweb.google.com/OtaLinz/HollaBendAndDelawareRec01212012 On Mon, Jan 23, 2012 at 9:08 AM, Karen Holliday wrote: > This is to emphasize that the Thayer's Gull seen Saturday was an ADULT. > All previous sightings of Thayer's in the state have been juvenile birds. > That's why Kenny and the rest of us were so excited to see the ADULT bird. > When I wrote the report, I underlined "adult" but the underlining got > stripped in the transition. Note to self and others when posting, > underlining and bolding doesn't seem to come through, so from now on I will > try to remember to capitalize important notes. > Karen Holliday > ASCA Field Trip Coordinator > Little Rock, AR > Subject: Capping pipes can save birds’ lives From: Leah M Wilcox <leahwcx AT LEADHILL.NET> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:59:22 -0600 This is a forward I thought would be of concern to all birders. It is new info for me. Leah Wilcox, Lead Hill ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim Low To: 'Mdcnews AT lists.mo.gov' Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 5:01 PM Subject: [Mdcnews] All Outdoors News Re: Eliminating Bird Death Traps Capping pipes can save birds’ lives Open vertical pipes and posts take a toll on wildlife. JEFFERSON CITY–Do you have a fence with hollow posts made of PVC or metal pipe? What about a metal sign post? Bird experts say these and other open vertical pipes can be death traps for birds and other wildlife. Wildlife Ecologist Brad Jacobs with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) learned about the problem from Audubon California’s Kern River Preserve. “They discovered it by accident,” said Jacobs. “Audubon staffers went to remove a 20-foot-long vent pipe that had rusted and fallen over. The lower seven feet of the 8-inch pipe were filled with the decomposed bodies of hundreds of birds and other animals that got inside and couldn’t get out. It was a horrible sight.” Victims of the irrigation pipe, which had been in place more than 50 years, included bluebirds, woodpeckers and kestrels – small birds of prey. Other animals, such as lizards, also perished. The death trap was part of an abandoned irrigation system. After the macabre discovery, the Audubon staffers began noticing similar hazards on their preserve and neighboring land. They found dead animals in pipes ranging from 1 to 10 inches in diameter and set to work removing or capping the pipes to prevent further carnage. Jacobs says he fears that similar hazards exist throughout Missouri. “It isn’t something we ever considered before,” he said. “But now that we know about it, I think it’s important to let everyone know, so they can take action to prevent needless losses of wildlife.” Solutions include capping pipes or covering open ends with screen wire or hardware cloth. Removal is an option for pipes that no longer are needed. More information is available at www.ca.audubon.org/workinglands-pipes.php. Jacobs said anyone, even conservation groups, can unintentionally contribute to such problems. He noted that for several years MDC and Missouri Stream Team have encouraged concerned citizens to construct disposal bins for used fishing line at popular fishing spots. The bins consist of PVC pipe mounted vertically on posts with caps on the bottom and uncapped elbows on top. Anglers can place scrap line in the pipe, preventing it from becoming a hazard to wildlife. “This was a commendable effort,” said Jacobs. “When it began, no one considered that the recycling bins might be hazards to cavity-nesting birds. However, tree swallows and prothonotary warblers have been found dead and entangled in fishing line inside similar receptacles in other states. The birds apparently explore the plastic tubes as potential nest sites and get tangled up in the used line inside.” Line-recycling bins can be retrofitted with covers with a slit that still allows insertion of used fishing line without letting birds get inside. The covers are made from tire inner tubes or rubber roof sheeting held in place by pipe clamps. See http://mdc.mo.gov/node/16060/ for details. MDC is refitting all its fishing-line disposal bins. erver limitations prevent the inclusion of photos as attachments to MDC News/All Outdoors media releases. Related images are available at http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/managed-turkey-hunt-application-deadline-feb-29 To follow MDC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Flickr, or to receive RSS feeds, visit www.mdc.mo.gov. and click on the icons at the bottom of the page. Subject: Re: eBird RBA: Possible Burrowing Owl, Russellville From: Herschel Raney <herschel.raney AT CONWAYCORP.NET> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:24:29 -0600 Just as likely to be a daytime Saw-whet depending on the surrounding habitat. In fact, more likely when they are on a roadsign I bet. Herschel Raney Conway AR On 1/24/2012 7:15 AM, Dan Scheiman wrote: > In the eBird review queue is a submission from Jan 22 from a guy who > lives in Hector. The comment is "We were driving through town, and I > saw a bird sitting on a road sign that was not a songbird. At first I > thought it was a hawk, but I realized it was an owl. After consulting > a field guide I identified the bird as a Burrowing owl." The dot he > put on the map is on Highway 7 north of Russellville, between Bright > Lane and Singleton Rd., east side of the highway. > > Dan Scheiman > Little Rock, AR > Subject: eBird RBA: Possible Burrowing Owl, Russellville From: Dan Scheiman <birddan AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:15:15 -0600 In the eBird review queue is a submission from Jan 22 from a guy who lives in Hector. The comment is "We were driving through town, and I saw a bird sitting on a road sign that was not a songbird. At first I thought it was a hawk, but I realized it was an owl. After consulting a field guide I identified the bird as a Burrowing owl." The dot he put on the map is on Highway 7 north of Russellville, between Bright Lane and Singleton Rd., east side of the highway. Dan Scheiman Little Rock, AR Subject: Red Slough Bird Survey - Jan. 23 From: David Arbour <arbour AT WINDSTREAM.NET> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:04:23 -0600 It was partly cloudy and mild (60's) on the bird survey today. 64 species were found. Highlights were the continuing presence of Trumpeter Swans on Ward Lake and a Common Goldeneye which are rarely seen at Red Slough. Spring is apparently coming early as I noticed a couple wildflower species (Spring Beauties & Ragwort) that were blooming today that are several weeks early. Last Thursday the Leopard Frogs started calling. Here is my list for the day: Greater White-fronted Goose - 2 Snow Goose - 1 Canada Goose - 15 Trumpeter Swan - 3 Gadwall - 659 Mallard - 668 Blue-winged Teal - 2 Northern Shoveler - 183 Northern Pintail - 62 Green-winged Teal - 63 Ring-necked Duck - 56 Common Goldeneye - 1 Hooded Merganser - 7 Ruddy Duck - 2 Pied-billed Grebe - 13 American White Pelican - 1 Double-crested Cormorant - 200 Great Blue Heron - 24 Black Vulture - 4 Turkey Vulture - 61 Bald Eagle - 3 Northern Harrier - 4 Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 Red-shouldered Hawk - 2 Red-tailed Hawk - 9 American Kestrel - 3 American Coot - 825 Killdeer - 16 Greater Yellowlegs - 19 Wilson's Snipe - 5 Ring-billed Gull - 4 Mourning Dove - 4 Belted Kingfisher - 1 Red-bellied Woodpecker - 2 Downy Woodpecker - 1 Hairy Woodpecker - 2 Northern Flicker - 10 Pileated Woodpecker - 4 Eastern Phoebe - 6 Loggerhead Shrike - 2 Blue Jay - 1 American Crow - 290 Fish Crow - 4 Carolina Chickadee - 5 Tufted Titmouse - 2 Carolina Wren - 4 Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 2 Eastern Bluebird - 6 American Robin - 45 Northern Mockingbird - 2 Brown Thrasher - 1 American Pipit - 1 Yellow-rumped Warbler - 4 Savannah Sparrow - 6 Fox Sparrow - 1 Song Sparrow - 9 Swamp Sparrow - 2 White-throated Sparrow - 1 White-crowned Sparrow - 9 Northern Cardinal - 6 Red-winged Blackbird - 22 Eastern Meadowlark - 39 Rusty Blackbird - 2 American Goldfinch - 1 Odonates: Variegated Meadowhawk - 6 Also saw: American Alligator Southern Painted Turtle Red-eared Slider Nutria Feral Hog Good birding! David Arbour De Queen, AR Visit the Red Slough Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/red_slough_wma Subject: Re: Update on Hot Springs Snowy Owl From: Kelly Chitwood <kellyannchitwood AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:02:55 -0600 Dan, Thank you for all your efforts! Kelly Chitwood On Jan 23, 2012, at 4:33 PM, Dan Bogler wrote: > There have been several people looking but no sightings. It has not been back to Hamilton Gate Point according to the neighbor. > > I was able, however, to get our local paper to publish a letter to the editor talking about the significance of this sighting and asking that the public notify us if they see it. Not sure when that will run. > > I have also contacted the Game & Fish and should anyone report finding a dead Snowy they willl let us know and vice versa. > > I honestly believe it is still here and someone out there has seen it. > > It's now just a waiting game. > > Dan Subject: Update on Hot Springs Snowy Owl From: Dan Bogler <danbogler AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:33:29 -0600 There have been several people looking but no sightings. It has not been back to Hamilton Gate Point according to the neighbor. I was able, however, to get our local paper to publish a letter to the editor talking about the significance of this sighting and asking that the public notify us if they see it. Not sure when that will run. I have also contacted the Game & Fish and should anyone report finding a dead Snowy they willl let us know and vice versa. I honestly believe it is still here and someone out there has seen it. It's now just a waiting game. Dan