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Updated on Friday, July 3 at 05:50 PM ET
The most recently received Mail is at the top.


Spanish Eagle,©BirdQuest

3 Jul RBA-Arkansas--July 3, 2009 [DeLynn Hearn ]
3 Jul Re: Western Kingbird Nest Active in SE Little Rock [Cheryle Sytsma ]
3 Jul Re: INFO: Succulence of the Quail re: robin ["George R. Hoelzeman" ]
3 Jul RFI: BCNH [Craig Provost ]
3 Jul Re: INFO: Succulence of the Quail re: robin [Sally J Gibson ]
3 Jul Re: INFO: Succulence of the Quail ["George R. Hoelzeman" ]
2 Jul Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird ["George R. Hoelzeman" ]
3 Jul cease and desist - culture wars [Kimberly Smith ]
3 Jul INFO: Succulence of the Quail [Larry Witherspoon ]
2 Jul Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird and WITB (what Is This Bird) [Rick Farrar ]
2 Jul FOW:Culture wars on arbird and WITB (what Is This Bird) [Dale Provost ]
2 Jul Info: Just one more thing... [Donna Haynes ]
2 Jul Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird [Sandra Beard ]
2 Jul Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird [Rich Gash ]
2 Jul Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird ["George R. Hoelzeman" ]
2 Jul Muscovies [Janine Perlman ]
2 Jul And Now, for something completely different ["George R. Hoelzeman" ]
2 Jul Re: Sightings: Horned Lark [Don & Judy ]
2 Jul Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird [Janine Perlman ]
2 Jul Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird ["George R. Hoelzeman" ]
2 Jul Re: Culture wars on arbird ["George R. Hoelzeman" ]
2 Jul Re: Culture wars on arbird [Larry Witherspoon ]
2 Jul Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird [Donna Haynes ]
2 Jul Sightings: Horned Lark; Lark Sparrows; Great Crested Flycatcher [Dennis Eagle ]
2 Jul SIGHTING: Dove [Larry Witherspoon ]
2 Jul FOW:Culture wars on arbird [Jack and Pam ]
2 Jul Bird stuff and with a comment to George stuck in [Robin Buff ]
1 Jul Re: SOB: Something Other than Birds--RE: Christian Conservative Birders -- we need more ["George R. Hoelzeman" ]
1 Jul SOB: Something Other than Birds--RE: Christian Conservative Birders -- we need more [Larry Witherspoon ]
1 Jul Re: A book recommendation ["George R. Hoelzeman" ]
1 Jul Re: A book recommendation [Sally Jo Gibson ]
1 Jul Re: A book recommendation ["George R. Hoelzeman" ]
1 Jul Re: book recommendation ["George R. Hoelzeman" ]
1 Jul book recommendation [Sandy Berger ]
1 Jul Sightings: Lake Conway Osprey Nest [Dan Scheiman ]
1 Jul INFO: eBird Locations [Dan Scheiman ]
1 Jul Re: A book recommendation [Jack and Pam ]
1 Jul A book recommendation [Sandy Berger ]
1 Jul Re: Christian Conservative Birders -- we need more [Michael Verser ]
1 Jul Re: Christian Conservative Birders -- we need more [Sandy Berger ]
1 Jul Re: Christian Conservative Birders -- we need more [Rich Gash ]
1 Jul Christian Conservative Birders -- we need more [joeneal ]
30 Jun LINK: Links to a few photos Canada Goose [Gail Miller ]
30 Jun Re: Not everyone is on High speed internet ["George R. Hoelzeman" ]
30 Jun Not everyone is on High speed internet [Pine Ridge Gardens ]
30 Jun Re: Cliff Swallows [Jeffrey Short ]
30 Jun Cliff Swallows [David Chapman ]
29 Jun LINK: Link to photos, Eastern Bluebirds [Gail Miller ]
29 Jun SIGHTING: blue-gray gnatcatcher [Carolyn Partain ]
29 Jun SIGHTING/INFO: Good day/Bad day. [Larry Witherspoon ]
29 Jun baker prarie sightings [Alan Gregory ]
29 Jun Fwd: Sighting, Anhinga [Keith Newton ]
29 Jun Possible sighting of the West Memphis Male Bobolink [Jamie Gwin ]
29 Jun Chesney Prairie Natural Area - June 28 -- and opportunities [joeneal ]
29 Jun Re: SIGHTINGS Lark Sparrow [Herschel Raney ]
29 Jun SIGHTINGS and RFI: Mt. Magazine SP [Jim Dixon ]
28 Jun Sightings: Union County's Inca Doves [Kelly Chitwood ]
28 Jun Re: Fwd: Western Kingbird Nest Active in SE Little Rock [Kenny Nichols ]
28 Jun Birding in arkansas [John Hale ]
27 Jun hear ye hear ye -- our AR Gustav birds on KUAF [joeneal ]
27 Jun INFO: eBird Hotspots [Dan Scheiman ]
28 Jun Fwd: Western Kingbird Nest - At Least 4 Young Birds [Joan Luneau ]
27 Jun Re: Fw: Fw: eBird Report - Petro Dr West Memphis AR, grassland , 6/26/09. Bo... ["Jeff R. Wilson" ]
27 Jun Sighting: 2nd Western Kingbird in LR [David Ray ]
27 Jun Fw: eBird Report - Petro Dr West Memphis AR, grassland , 6/26/09 CORRECTION, CORRECTION : ( [Dan Furbish ]
26 Jun LINK: Link to photos more Red-headed Woodpecker [Gail Miller ]
26 Jun Re: Fwd: Western Kingbird Nest Active in SE Little Rock [Jim Dixon ]
26 Jun Fw: eBird Report - Petro Dr West Memphis AR, grassland , 6/26/09. Bobolinks may not be nesting? [Dan Furbish ]
26 Jun RBA--Arkansas-June 26, 2009 [DeLynn Hearn ]
26 Jun Sightings: Stuttgart Airport [Dan Scheiman ]
26 Jun shaping-in-the-making [joeneal ]
25 Jun Re: new publication on climate change and birds [Janine Perlman ]
25 Jun Re: Fwd: Western Kingbird Nest Active in SE Little Rock [Jim Dixon ]
25 Jun birding Roaring Rivers in Missouri. [Jacque Brown ]
25 Jun new publication on climate change and birds [Kimberly Smith ]
25 Jun AAS newsletter [Lyndal York ]

Subject: RBA-Arkansas--July 3, 2009
From: DeLynn Hearn <delynnh AT IWON.COM>
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 16:51:42 -0400
-RBA
*Arkansas
*Statewide
*July 3, 2009
*ARST09.07.03

-Species Mentioned

Western Kingbird
Inca Dove

-Transcript

Welcome to the Arkansas Rare Bird Alert for July 3, 2009, sponsored by the 
Audubon Society of Central Arkansas (ASCA). ASCA meets at 7:00pm on the second 
Thursday of each month at the Fletcher Library (a block east of University Ave. 
on H St. in Little Rock). The next ASCA field trip will be July 11 at Bois 
d'Arc WMA. Check our website at www.ascabird.org for details on meetings and 
field trips! . 


From around the state recent sightings are:

There is an active Western Kingbird nest in SE Little Rock near the 
intersection of Fourche Dam Pike and Sloane Drive on a power pole in an 
industrial area. 


Inca Doves can be seen at Henley's Feed and Seed on Pony Street in El Dorado, 
Arkansas. 


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:  July 3, 2009
Phone number:  (501)753-5853
To Report: (501)753-5853, ARBird email discussion list, BRC forms available at 
ARBirds.org 

Compiler/Transcriber:  DeLynn Hearn
Coverage: Statewide

-End transcript

 


DeLynn Hearn
317 West K St.
N. Little Rock, AR  72116
(501)771-4686
www.marykay.com/dhearn1
Subject: Re: Western Kingbird Nest Active in SE Little Rock
From: Cheryle Sytsma <shalom AT CYBERBACK.COM>
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 13:52:07 -0500
The "kiddies" are still in the nest and have not fledged as of this morning.
There were 8+ maybe up to a dozen adults beside the parents of this nest also 
in the same 

fenced metal company yard area...

Further south on Fourche Dam Pike about two miles we saw more Western 
Kingbirds... 


A treat for us was the Common Nighthawk flying and dropping and squeeking. He 
treated 

us for about 45 minutes before he went to his nest on the ground...
Our first, and he was so vocal, it was quit a delight watching him!

What a wonderful morning "shooting" these beautiful creatures of God's glorious 
creation! 


cheryle sytsma
vilonia

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Joan Luneau 
  To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU 
  Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 11:48 PM
  Subject: Fwd: Western Kingbird Nest Active in SE Little Rock


  from Guy.....



  Joan Luneau

  North Little Rock, AR


  ----- Forwarded Message -----
  From: bobolink16 AT comcast.net
  To: joan AT luneau.org
  Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 10:57:49 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central
  Subject: Western Kingbird Nest Active in SE Little Rock



 There is an active Western Kingbird nest in SE Little Rock as of June 22-24, 
2009. It is near the intersection of Fourche Dam Pike and Sloane Drive on a 
power pole in an industrial area. 




 Directions are: Take Exit 5 (Fourche Dam Pike) off of I-440. Go south on 
Fourche Dam Pike 1/2-mile to the 4-way stop. Turn right (west) at the 4-way 
stop onto Sloane Drive. Go west only 200 feet from the intersection to the 
second paved driveway on the right that enters into the Custom Metals shop. 
Don't turn into the shop, but the paved shoulder is reasonably wide here and 
you can pull over just before the second driveway. Immediately west of the 
driveway are two power poles. The nest is on the pole that is inside Custom 
Metals's fence, roughly halfway up the pole on a side support piece on the 
north side of that pole. 




  Guy Luneau

  N. Little Rock


Subject: Re: INFO: Succulence of the Quail re: robin
From: "George R. Hoelzeman" <uiogd AT ARKANSAS.NET>
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 10:18:44 -0500
On Fri, 3 Jul 2009 09:24:17 -0500, Sally J Gibson wrote:

>I've had robins eating shelled sunflower seeds from the feeder all summer.  
>S J G



ooo - seed fed Robins!  

I remember reading somewhere back when I was about 10 that Robins were once 
fairly common table fare. 


George (n. Conway Co. who, against any and all evidence to the contrary, will 
insist on the absolute succulence of the Quail) 

Subject: RFI: BCNH
From: Craig Provost <craig-daleprovost AT SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 09:09:21 -0500
 

Greetings!
I am still seeking any info on sightings of Black-crowned Night Herons any
where near Central Arkansas.  Okay, Lets say Arkansas.  I know people say
Felsenthal.  I have learned Grassy Lake is private. 
Thanks for your help!

Craig Provost,
Little Rock
Subject: Re: INFO: Succulence of the Quail re: robin
From: Sally J Gibson <sjogibson AT WINDSTREAM.NET>
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 09:24:17 -0500
I've had robins eating shelled sunflower seeds from the feeder all  
summer.
S J G




Sally Jo Gibson
512 Yorkshire Cove
Harrison, AR 72601
sjogibson AT alltel.net


On Jul 3, 2009, at 12:09 AM, Larry Witherspoon   
wrote:

> George,
>
>
>
> Are you trying to say that DAN QUAIL was right????
>
>
>
> I love you all!
>
>
>
> I saw a Robin trying to get on the bird feeder at work today. The  
> feeder is really kind of small and he/she finally gave up. I have  
> never seen a Robin try to get to sunflower seed unless maybe there  
> was a bug of some kind that it was after. They get on the suit  
> feeder at the house, but not the bigger feeders. So I found this to  
> be interesting.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> Larry Witherspoon
>
> Midnight at the Oasis.
>
>
Subject: Re: INFO: Succulence of the Quail
From: "George R. Hoelzeman" <uiogd AT ARKANSAS.NET>
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 00:17:43 -0500
On Fri, 3 Jul 2009 00:09:45 -0500, Larry Witherspoon wrote:

>Are you trying to say that DAN QUAIL was right????


Blasphemer!

;-))

George (n. Conway Co up a little too late for sanity)
Subject: Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird
From: "George R. Hoelzeman" <uiogd AT ARKANSAS.NET>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 23:26:53 -0500
On Thu, 2 Jul 2009 20:59:34 -0500, Sandra Beard wrote:

>wonder who created the birds?


>Sandra Beard



The Great Quail slew the primordial Giant Rat Snake, and when the Snake burst 
asunder it released the Great Green Egg which, having emerged fully 

formed from the Void, did hatch, and from its Mighty Yoke, which knew neither 
petrification nor putrifaction (putrification?), all birds and winged things 
fly. 


And there was much rejoicing, for the Quail was mightily succulent!

May the Quail be with you always!

George (n. Conway Co. where legend tells of a legendary Quail, whose covey was 
the stuff of legend) 

Subject: cease and desist - culture wars
From: Kimberly Smith <kgsmith AT UARK.EDU>
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 01:24:04 -0400
geez, I leave you alone for a couple of days and look what happens...

not another peep about this!  (notice that is a bird reference)

Thanks,  The Management

*********************************************************
Kimberly G. Smith
University Professor of Biological Sciences
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479-575-6359  
fax: 479-575-4010  email:  kgsmith AT uark.edu
Subject: INFO: Succulence of the Quail
From: Larry Witherspoon <ldspoon AT SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 00:09:45 -0500
George,

 

Are you trying to say that DAN QUAIL was right????

 

I love you all!

 

I saw a Robin trying to get on the bird feeder at work today. The feeder is
really kind of small and he/she finally gave up. I have never seen a Robin
try to get to sunflower seed unless maybe there was a bug of some kind that
it was after. They get on the suit feeder at the house, but not the bigger
feeders. So I found this to be interesting. 

 

Thanks,

 

Larry Witherspoon

Midnight at the Oasis.

 
Subject: Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird and WITB (what Is This Bird)
From: Rick Farrar <rfarrar2 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 21:21:55 -0700
DALE:
 
Yellow-breasted Chat
 
RICK 

P.S. You really read through all that stuff?!?  
 
 

--- On Thu, 7/2/09, Dale Provost  wrote:


From: Dale Provost 
Subject: FOW:Culture wars on arbird and WITB (what Is This Bird)
To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
Date: Thursday, July 2, 2009, 10:33 PM





Boy,  go out of town for a few days and the whole listserv gets interesting! 
 
I hate to change the subject, but Craig and I saw a bird in 9 Mile Canyon in 
Utah last weekend that we cannot identify.  Yellow-throated Vireo was 
considered, but we did not see wing bars.  And, it was in Utah.  Any ideas?  

Photo at:  http://www.pbase.com/daleprovost/image/114552863
 
Dale Provost
(Catholic, with Athiest, Agnostic, Protestant, Buddist, and Jewish relatives)
 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: George R. Hoelzeman 
To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU 
Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 8:22 PM
Subject: Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird

Amen and well said!!!

But I still believe in The Quail - and one day, I know they shall return to our 
pasture ;-)) 


George (n. Conway Co., now with 100% more Guinea fowl)

--Original Message Text---
From: Janine Perlman
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 17:49:57 -0500

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

------=_NextPart_000_0045_01C9FB3D.83B8E840
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>As this thread conclusively proves, and I hope I've facilitated, =
religiosity and proselytizing have no place on this or any other science =
oriented list.=20

I agree. Science and religious faith are entirely separate entities, =
and no reputable science forum has any place for even mention of faith. =
Consistent with what I understand to be the mission of this listserv, I =
think opinions/discussions/mentions (even "humorous" ones) of topics =
other than birds, and their conservation, belong elsewhere.

I have known of other groups that had a completely separate listserv for =
"social" interactions around the topic. Perhaps people who wish to =
discuss religion, politics, social issues, or any other topic not =
directly related to ornithology/conservation could create such a =
listserv.

Janine Perlman
Alexander, AR




      
Subject: FOW:Culture wars on arbird and WITB (what Is This Bird)
From: Dale Provost <dprovost AT SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 22:33:14 -0500
Boy,  go out of town for a few days and the whole listserv gets interesting! 

I hate to change the subject, but Craig and I saw a bird in 9 Mile Canyon in 
Utah last weekend that we cannot identify. Yellow-throated Vireo was 
considered, but we did not see wing bars. And, it was in Utah. Any ideas? 

Photo at:  http://www.pbase.com/daleprovost/image/114552863

Dale Provost
(Catholic, with Athiest, Agnostic, Protestant, Buddist, and Jewish relatives)

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: George R. Hoelzeman 
  To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU 
  Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 8:22 PM
  Subject: Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird


  Amen and well said!!!

 But I still believe in The Quail - and one day, I know they shall return to 
our pasture ;-)) 


  George (n. Conway Co., now with 100% more Guinea fowl)

  --Original Message Text---
  From: Janine Perlman
  Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 17:49:57 -0500

  This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

  ------=_NextPart_000_0045_01C9FB3D.83B8E840
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  charset="iso-8859-1"
  Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

  >As this thread conclusively proves, and I hope I've facilitated, =
  religiosity and proselytizing have no place on this or any other science =
  oriented list.=20

  I agree. Science and religious faith are entirely separate entities, =
  and no reputable science forum has any place for even mention of faith. =
  Consistent with what I understand to be the mission of this listserv, I =
  think opinions/discussions/mentions (even "humorous" ones) of topics =
  other than birds, and their conservation, belong elsewhere.

  I have known of other groups that had a completely separate listserv for =
  "social" interactions around the topic. Perhaps people who wish to =
  discuss religion, politics, social issues, or any other topic not =
  directly related to ornithology/conservation could create such a =
  listserv.

  Janine Perlman
  Alexander, AR
Subject: Info: Just one more thing...
From: Donna Haynes <birdiehaynes AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 21:44:00 -0500
This will be the last from me on this. I was NOT offended by any of the posts 
the last couple of days and I hope I did not offend anyone with mine. I respect 
all of you even more for saying what you think on the issues of science verses 
religion and the like. This is what I love about living in this country, so 
many free minded people! I would love to bird and continue to converse with 
every one of you. Listening to other peoples views is enlightening even when 
you don't agree. Now, I'd like to get back to the birds! 

Hummer activity beginning to pick up! The females are starting to come around 
and I even saw a juvie today! Still only a couple of birds visit at a time 
though. 

Donna Haynes
West Pulaski Co.
Subject: Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird
From: Sandra Beard <sandra.beard AT COX.NET>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 20:59:34 -0500
AOL EmailI wonder who created the birds?


Sandra Beard
Mobile 479 435 0082
Home and Fax 501 915 0046
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rich Gash 
  To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU 
  Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 8:41 PM
  Subject: Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird


        Hi,
        Agreed.
        Thank you.

 In a message dated 7/2/2009 8:22:52 P.M. Central Daylight Time, 
uiogd AT ARKANSAS.NET writes: 

          Amen and well said!!!

 But I still believe in The Quail - and one day, I know they shall return to 
our pasture ;-)) 


          George (n. Conway Co., now with 100% more Guinea fowl)

          --Original Message Text---
          From: Janine Perlman
          Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 17:49:57 -0500

          This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

          ------=_NextPart_000_0045_01C9FB3D.83B8E840
          Content-Type: text/plain;
          charset="iso-8859-1"
          Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

          >As this thread conclusively proves, and I hope I've facilitated, =
 religiosity and proselytizing have no place on this or any other science = 

          oriented list.=20

 I agree. Science and religious faith are entirely separate entities, = 

 and no reputable science forum has any place for even mention of faith. = 

 Consistent with what I understand to be the mission of this listserv, I = 

 think opinions/discussions/mentions (even "humorous" ones) of topics = 

          other than birds, and their conservation, belong elsewhere.

 I have known of other groups that had a completely separate listserv for = 

          "social" interactions around the topic. Perhaps people who wish to =
          discuss religion, politics, social issues, or any other topic not =
          directly related to ornithology/conservation could create such a =
          listserv.

          Janine Perlman
          Alexander, AR

       



------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  It's raining cats and dogs -- Come to PawNation, a place where pets rule!
Subject: Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird
From: Rich Gash <Randagash AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 21:41:39 EDT
     
 
Hi,
Agreed.
Thank you.
 
 
In a message dated 7/2/2009 8:22:52 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
uiogd AT ARKANSAS.NET writes:

Amen and well said!!!

But I  still believe in The Quail - and one day, I know they shall return 
to  our pasture ;-))

George (n. Conway Co., now with 100% more Guinea  fowl)

--Original Message Text---
From: Janine  Perlman
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 17:49:57 -0500

This is a  multi-part message in MIME  format.

------=_NextPart_000_0045_01C9FB3D.83B8E840
Content-Type:  text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding:  quoted-printable

>As this thread conclusively proves, and I  hope I've facilitated, =
religiosity and proselytizing have no place  on this or any other science =
oriented list.=20

I agree.  Science and religious faith are entirely separate entities, =
and no  reputable science forum has any place for even mention of faith.  =
Consistent with what I understand to be the mission of this  listserv, I =
think opinions/discussions/mentions (even "humorous"  ones) of topics =
other than birds, and their conservation, belong  elsewhere.

I have known of other groups that had a completely  separate listserv for =
"social" interactions around the topic.  Perhaps people who wish to =
discuss religion, politics, social  issues, or any other topic not =
directly related to  ornithology/conservation could create such a  =
listserv.

Janine Perlman
Alexander, AR





**************It's raining cats and dogs -- Come to PawNation, a place 
where pets rule! (http://www.pawnation.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000008)
Subject: Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird
From: "George R. Hoelzeman" <uiogd AT ARKANSAS.NET>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 20:22:11 -0500
Amen and well said!!!

But I still believe in The Quail - and one day, I know they shall return to our 
pasture ;-)) 


George (n. Conway Co., now with 100% more Guinea fowl)

--Original Message Text---
From: Janine Perlman
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 17:49:57 -0500

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

------=_NextPart_000_0045_01C9FB3D.83B8E840
Content-Type: text/plain;
	charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

>As this thread conclusively proves, and I hope I've facilitated, =
religiosity and proselytizing have no place on this or any other science =
oriented list.=20

I agree.  Science and religious faith are entirely separate entities, =
and no reputable science forum has any place for even mention of faith.  =
Consistent with what I understand to be the mission of this listserv, I =
think opinions/discussions/mentions (even "humorous" ones) of topics =
other than birds, and their conservation, belong elsewhere.

I have known of other groups that had a completely separate listserv for =
"social" interactions around the topic.  Perhaps people who wish to =
discuss religion, politics, social issues, or any other topic not =
directly related to ornithology/conservation could create such a =
listserv.

Janine Perlman
Alexander, AR

Subject: Muscovies
From: Janine Perlman <jpandjf AT SWBELL.NET>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 18:56:36 -0500
George,

Here's a nice exposition on Muscovies (I assume it's mostly factual :) ) 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscovy_Duck 


Janine Perlman
Alexander Mt., Saline Co.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: George R. Hoelzeman 
  To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU 
  Sent: Thursday, July 02, 2009 11:24 AM
  Subject: And Now, for something completely different


  On Thu, 2 Jul 2009 11:55:09 -0400, Robin Buff wrote:

  >By the way George, I love your posts. I responded to the cypress vine ques=
  >tion saying that it was an invasive species.


  Thanks!

  Speaking of invasives . . . . 

 On the way in to Morrilton . . . ahum . . . Tuesday, along Hwy 9 just north of 
the 108 exit from I-40 (again, no GPS coordinates) I saw a Muscovy Duck flying 

 across the highway. Muscovies are big, black with white and funky read on 
their head, right? 


 Anyway, I didn't know Muscovies could - or would - fly. I'm sure this is some 
imported exotic that belongs somewhere in the vicinity, but it got me wondering 

 if there is, or could be, actual, bone-a-fido wild populations of Muscovies or 
other exotics in Arkansas (I figure that House sparrows, Starlings, and EAC 
dove 

 don't count). A few years back I was endlessly entertained (then annoyed) by 
the Monk parakeet population in Chicago and it has me wondering about 

  exotics in Arkansas.

  George (n. Conway Co. . . . feral chickens, anyone?)
Subject: And Now, for something completely different
From: "George R. Hoelzeman" <uiogd AT ARKANSAS.NET>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 11:24:02 -0500
On Thu, 2 Jul 2009 11:55:09 -0400, Robin Buff wrote:

>By the way George, I love your posts. I responded to the cypress vine ques=
>tion saying that it was an invasive species.


Thanks!

Speaking of invasives . . . . 

On the way in to Morrilton . . . ahum . . . Tuesday, along Hwy 9 just north of 
the 108 exit from I-40 (again, no GPS coordinates) I saw a Muscovy Duck flying 

across the highway. Muscovies are big, black with white and funky read on their 
head, right? 


Anyway, I didn't know Muscovies could - or would - fly. I'm sure this is some 
imported exotic that belongs somewhere in the vicinity, but it got me wondering 

if there is, or could be, actual, bone-a-fido wild populations of Muscovies or 
other exotics in Arkansas (I figure that House sparrows, Starlings, and EAC 
dove 

don't count). A few years back I was endlessly entertained (then annoyed) by 
the Monk parakeet population in Chicago and it has me wondering about 

exotics in Arkansas.

George (n. Conway Co. . . . feral chickens, anyone?)
Subject: Re: Sightings: Horned Lark
From: Don & Judy <waterfall AT HBEARK.COM>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 17:30:36 -0500
I saw two Horned Larks pecking around in the short term lot at XNA last week 
when I was headed to catch a plane. They were probably females since the 
markings were muted & I didn't see any horns. That's the first time I have ever 
seen them. 


Judith
Ninestone
NW AR
Subject: Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird
From: Janine Perlman <jpandjf AT SWBELL.NET>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 17:49:57 -0500
>As this thread conclusively proves, and I hope I've facilitated, religiosity 
and proselytizing have no place on this or any other science oriented list. 


I agree. Science and religious faith are entirely separate entities, and no 
reputable science forum has any place for even mention of faith. Consistent 
with what I understand to be the mission of this listserv, I think 
opinions/discussions/mentions (even "humorous" ones) of topics other than 
birds, and their conservation, belong elsewhere. 


I have known of other groups that had a completely separate listserv for 
"social" interactions around the topic. Perhaps people who wish to discuss 
religion, politics, social issues, or any other topic not directly related to 
ornithology/conservation could create such a listserv. 


Janine Perlman
Alexander, AR
Subject: Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird
From: "George R. Hoelzeman" <uiogd AT ARKANSAS.NET>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:09:42 -0500
--Original Message Text---
From: Jack and Pam
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:12:29 -0700

My initial reaction to this series of postings was dismay at how quickly the 
ugly side of the culture wars 

surfaced. There is also the familiar hint of paranoia in some of the messages. 
Then, I began to wonder if 

some good could be salvaged from this discussion? 

First, there are no "culture wars" - that's a fabricated and abominable concept 
concocted by the same ignorant 

mind-set and vicioius spirit that underlies fundamentalist extremism of all 
sorts, including, but not limited to, 

National Socialism (NAZIs for those who don't know), Al Queda, White Supremacy, 
Christian Identity and a host 

of others which infect human society. These are not cultures, they are small, 
sociopathological elements steeped 

in isolationist fear and ignorance which eventually give way to murderous hate. 
Those of us of higher intelligence 

disdain and oppose these dark elements not because we are of a "culture" that 
is different, but because we simply 

will not sit idly by while ignorance and evil overcome otherwise decent people. 
We tire of the aggressive, 

predatory proselytizing of these groups, and deserve to live a life - and in a 
society - free of their oppression. This 

is not a "war of culture" - that concept was invented by the very elements I 
stand against to justify their 

demonization and dehumanization of those who refuse to look, think, talk or 
believe like them - this is about truth 

v. obtuse and obstinant ignorance.

And I will not "bird" with, or even make common cause with one of these types 
any more than I would "bird" or 

make common cause with a NAZI, White Supremacist, or Klansman. And yes, I DID 
just compare these 

fundamentalists (who sully the integrity and name Christian) with NAZI's. We 
don't need more of them, we need 

less, and books for young people based on irrational bad theology, logic and 
ignorance do not help matters. 


Although these types do not consider me so, I am a Christian (Catholic 
specifically, which they tell me means I'm 

going to hell in the belly of the Beast) and as such consider myself to have a 
moral obligation to stand for the Earth 

and its inhabitants, seeking the moderate balance between the extremes of 
wholesale, self-centered and self 

serving destruction (the general model of the Industrial Revolution) and 
reduction of humanity to primeval 

tribalism. I will make common cause with any and all people of integrity, 
intelligence, and humanity to that end, 

be they Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Shinto, Taoist, Buddhist, Hindu, 
Zoroastrian, Animist, Sikh (got to 

love those Sikhs), Atheist or Agnostic. 

As this thread conclusively proves, and I hope I've facilitated, religiosity 
and proselytizing have no place on this or 

any other science oriented list. Ignoring this sort of thing when it rears its 
ugly head only empowers the predators 

to become more bold - and, I can assure you, they are out there in the bush 
waiting. Just ask the local Catholic 

priest who did nothing the first time Chic Tracts showed up on cars after Mass 
one Sunday (if you don't know what 

a Chic Tract is, consider yourself blessed. You'll find them in the Creationist 
aisle) 


That having been said, in the spirit of this nonsense, I'll point out that we 
have not yet found the Ivory-Billed 

woodpecker because we have not started each search with (1) A novena to St. 
Anthony, Patron of Finding Lost 

Things and (2) a novena to St. Jude, patron of lost causes. We need to put more 
emphasis on novenas. 


Besides, as any True Believer knows, the world was created by the Great Quail, 
who even now calls to His Covey. 

You too, can belong to the True Covey and know Eternal Succulence with the 
Quail. Listen and you will hear him 

calling you! He wants you to accept him into your mouth and stomach as your 
Only Food and become one with 

the Covey. Heed his loving call! Please say the call with me, now, so that you 
can know the Succulence of the 

Quail! 

"Bob-WHITE . . . Bob- WHITE!"

George (n. Conway Co a True Quailian, not like those heretical heathen 
followers of Warblerism). 




Subject: Re: Culture wars on arbird
From: "George R. Hoelzeman" <uiogd AT ARKANSAS.NET>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:15:41 -0500
On Thu, 2 Jul 2009 14:26:22 -0500, Larry Witherspoon wrote:

>George and I have many things in common. Wait, did I just admit to that? Yes


LOL ;-))

"I have not yet begun to fight!"

George (Accept the Quail as your personal Lunch and Supper!)
Subject: Re: Culture wars on arbird
From: Larry Witherspoon <ldspoon AT SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 14:26:22 -0500
Hi Jack and Pam and all,

 

I think some of you might have taken some of the postings a little too
serious. I for one got a big kick out of it, and learned a little, and my
postings were, yet true, also humorous in responses to George and all. Hey,
we all do have one common denominator, no matter where we are on religion or
politics, we are birders. We Are Birders! 

 

As a hunter, and I can speak for most hunters, habitat, wildlife, the
ecology, and I have learned that a lot of hunters are birders, I can tell
you, we are on common ground. I feel that we birders even though I am new to
getting the exact name correct and so on, hope to accomplish what you are
saying. Fellowship of Wings are trying to get some projects put together to
enrich all of our birding lives. I want to build a Chimney Swift tower to
give that mosquito eating bird a place to nest for one thing. 

 

Summer time is here, the birds are slower in sightings now, so for me it was
fun to have a little banter and learn a little more about each other. During
migration I was receiving somewhere around 50 to 80 emails a day. Now maybe
10 max. 

George and I have many things in common. Wait, did I just admit to that? Yes
I admit it! Because a small bunch of us got a little crazy and, Ok, off
topic a little, again, we are all coming together for the birds, and really,
deep down, it was all about the birds.

 

Thanks everyone,

 

Larry Witherspoon

Bullseyes' the game, but if I am not wearing my glasses LOOK OUT!
Subject: Re: FOW:Culture wars on arbird
From: Donna Haynes <birdiehaynes AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:17:00 -0500
Thank you, thank you, thank you!  
I have been silent during this recent string on ARbird-L, but I gotta say that 
we all agree on these things! 

I am a Christian, who as a creationist also looks at things in a very 
scientific way. It confuses me sometimes, but I am always led to the answers I 
seek. 

I also do not tend to push my beliefs on anyone as I would expect the same 
respect from others in their beliefs. We are all here and converse for and 
about the birds! 

I appreciate all of your posts and comments, no matter if we differ on culture 
and religion (or lack of). 

Anyway, to keep this birdie: I saw a Mississippi Kite, a Gray Catbird and a 
juvie Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher yesterday while birding my friends property! 

Donna Haynes
West Pulaski Co.
Subject: Sightings: Horned Lark; Lark Sparrows; Great Crested Flycatcher
From: Dennis Eagle <denniseagle48 AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:42:12 -0700
Following the last ASCA tour to the Ozark Region, I stopped by a friend's 
house-Danny McCorkle- on the south side of Hwy 64 about a mile west of the Hwy 
5 & 64 intersection.  It is between El Paso and Vilonia.  His house is located 
in the middle of an approximate 40 acre pasture, with a few pine trees around 
the house.  As I drove down the lane I spotted a small bird walking on top of 
the fresh mown hay next to the lane-it was a Horned Lark.  


Day before yesterday I returned to Danny's (check to see if the corn was ready 
to pick-he sells corn out of a 5 acre patch he plants each year) and saw a pair 
of Lark Sparrows foraging in his plowed garden patch, and flying back and forth 
to one of the pines.  I checked them out with the spotting scope and they were 
carrying nest material. 


Today, while working in the back yard, I happened to glance at a couple birds 
perched on my four wheeler trailer.  One was a Phoebe, several of which hang 
around the woodlot and house, and perched next to it was a Great Crested 
Flycatcher. 


A Horned Owl has been calling from the woodlot for the past two (early) 
mornings. 


Dennis Eagle in Beebe


      
Subject: SIGHTING: Dove
From: Larry Witherspoon <ldspoon AT SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 14:34:03 -0500
I am at work waiting for my next victim, I mean customer, and a Dove landed
below the feeder, pecked around for a minute, then walked over to the shade
by a bush, sat down, spread out its wings and is now resting. Yes, summer is
here.

 

Thanks,

 

Larry Witherspoon

Think I will take a nap.
Subject: FOW:Culture wars on arbird
From: Jack and Pam <jackstewart_us AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:12:29 -0700
My initial reaction to this series of postings was dismay at
how quickly the ugly side of the culture wars surfaced. There is also the 
familiar hint 

of paranoia in some of the messages. Then, I began to wonder if some good could 
be salvaged from this discussion? 


It is assumed that most of us on this list could care less
who carries a gun, who goes to church and who doesn’t, who drinks alcohol and
who doesn’t, and who thinks they are going to heaven and who doesn’t think
there is a heaven to go to.
What if we tried to look for common ground?   For starters don’t we all agree
that birds are a beautiful expression of life? -that they enrich our lives? 
-that they make up an important component of the web that 

keeps the system in balance?  What
else can we agree on?

The evidence is very clear that over my birding career
(since 1960) there has been a decline in many bird species here in North
America.  If you don’t believe
that, you are a newbie, or are oblivious to reality. That’s O.K. if you are 
open to learning some of the 

evidence.

If we can all agree that the efforts of many amateur and
professional ornithologists have helped us to document the changes in bird
populations in our country, and that some species are in trouble, what else can
we agree on?  (by the way that’s
what makes the quote from Sandy’s book appealing)
Can we agree that some efforts are needed to protect
declining bird populations even if we don’t agree on what those efforts might
be?

How far are you personally willing to go to protect habitat
and birds?
What government or private actions would you agree need to
be taken?
I’d be happy if people respond to me off list, but
if you want to post your comments to everyone that’s your choice.


      
Subject: Bird stuff and with a comment to George stuck in
From: Robin Buff <bufffayar AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 11:55:09 -0400
I saw a blue-grosbeak at my feeder yesterday,



By the way George, I love your posts. I responded to the cypress vine question 
saying that it was an invasive species. 





A Parula warbler was feeding in a tree just 6 feet from me as I sat on my 
husband;s shop porch.  





The Audubon Campers were treated with stereo Scarlet Tanagers at last week's 
camp. Beautiful birds. 





Robin Buff

Co-Director

Halberg Ecology Camp


-----Original Message-----
From: George R. Hoelzeman 
To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
Sent: Wed, Jul 1, 2009 11:11 pm
Subject: Re: SOB: Something Other than Birds--RE: Christian Conservative 
Birders -- we need more 









On Wed, 1 Jul 2009 23:00:06 -0500, Larry Witherspoon wrote:

>Larry Witherspoon

>George, you left out Cypress Vine.



Oh, dang!  I knew I forgot something of particularly heinous evil!

I saw a Ruby-Throat hummingbird today.

That makes this post a bone-a-fido on topic post!

;-))

George (n. Conway Co., also Catholic, with an arsenal and friends in the wine
business . . . we should hang out!)







Subject: Re: SOB: Something Other than Birds--RE: Christian Conservative Birders -- we need more
From: "George R. Hoelzeman" <uiogd AT ARKANSAS.NET>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 23:11:57 -0500
On Wed, 1 Jul 2009 23:00:06 -0500, Larry Witherspoon wrote:

>Larry Witherspoon

>George, you left out Cypress Vine.



Oh, dang!  I knew I forgot something of particularly heinous evil!

I saw a Ruby-Throat hummingbird today.

That makes this post a bone-a-fido on topic post!

;-))

George (n. Conway Co., also Catholic, with an arsenal and friends in the wine 
business . . . we should hang out!) 

Subject: SOB: Something Other than Birds--RE: Christian Conservative Birders -- we need more
From: Larry Witherspoon <ldspoon AT SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 23:00:06 -0500
Hi,

 

I guess I am in some real big trouble! I am a newbie, a hard core pistol
packing conservative, and to make matters worse, I am a Catholic. I will
pause for a moment so you few who almost passed out can get off the floor
and back to the computer. You back? Good! 

 

Migration is in hesitation, the rain and sun have made a presentation, the
Republicans and democrats have caused a commotion, Sally Jo Gibson is a poet
in motion, anything that has a morsel of religion, is nothing but a bunch of
confusion, and if you believe that you are headed for damnation. 

 

Gosh Gash, we want to hear your views too. But you better say them soon
before our electric bills go up and we have to turn off the computers
(better the computer than the air or heat). The arrogance I have had to deal
with over that last few days! 

 

Thanks Joe for great conversation, I got it and it was good! I wish I had
the time to drive up and be a part of the trip. You see, being Catholic
means I can go to mass on Saturday or, Sunday evening, have a glass of wine
or a beer, and still go to Heaven. Life is good!

 

And I added two (2) birds to my life list this week!

 

Thanks,

 

Larry Witherspoon

George, you left out Cypress Vine.
Subject: Re: A book recommendation
From: "George R. Hoelzeman" <uiogd AT ARKANSAS.NET>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 22:57:51 -0500
Ah, yes. . . how well I remember and love the voice of the turtle!

". . . and they, being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it!" (Book of 
Armaments, Chapter 3) 


George (n. Conway Co. hearing fewer turtle calls this year)

On Wed, 1 Jul 2009 20:29:09 -0500, Sally Jo Gibson wrote:

>For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear
>on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, And the voice of the
>turtle is heard in our land.....Solomon

>Sally Jo Gibson
>Harrison, AR
Subject: Re: A book recommendation
From: Sally Jo Gibson <sjogibson AT WINDSTREAM.NET>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 20:29:09 -0500
For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear
on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, And the voice of the
turtle is heard in our land.....Solomon

Sally Jo Gibson
Harrison, AR

-----Original Message-----
From: The Birds of Arkansas Discussion List
[mailto:ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU] On Behalf Of George R. Hoelzeman
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 4:51 PM
To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
Subject: Re: A book recommendation

Well, we got rid of those damn newbies, and those people asking about skunks
and bamboo.

Now if we can only git them gol'darned Sekular Hoomanists, Moslems, Jews,
Catlicks, evolution believers and the non-'Murican types off the list this
here'll 
be a pretty goll darned good group!

That thar's a pretty darn important skill, how to write a latin name.
Proves that them people who done wrote that book be pretty gosh darn smart -
I bet they 
can even rite they's own name!  Dagnabbit, if that don't prove them
creationist folks is right, I don't know what does.

Yep.  I reckon so.

George (n. Conway Co. who no longer believes the Ivory Billed Woodpecker
exists 'cause it ain't in the Bible, but also wondering when the list will
go back 
to talking about the real world).

On Wed, 1 Jul 2009 12:35:07 -0700, Sandy Berger wrote:

>The librarian at my church asked me to review a book he just ordered.  It's
pro-Creation, so, sorry ahead of time if I offend anyone.

>The book is called Exploring Creation with Zoology 1, Flying Creatures of
the Fifth Day by Jeannie K. Fulbright.  It not only covers birds but also
all the 
other flying creatures like bats and insects.

>I am really impressed with the section devoted to birds.  It is so
thorough.  You name it, the book covers it.  Everything from how to write
latin names to 
great vocabulary words to why birds do what they do and how they do it.
There are also recommended experiments and building projects.

>There is a section on bird watching.  I just love this paragraph explaining
about birders.

>"Many people who are interested in birds become amateur ornithologists.
They study ornithology even though they are not paid for it.  People who
enjoy 
watching and studying birds are often called birders.  One birder might say
to another birder, "Where did you bird last week?" or "Have you been birding

lately?"  If, after studying this book, you decide to make bird watching a
hobby, you can call yourself a birder!"

>So cute.

>The sections of bats, flying reptiles (dinosaurs and dragons), and flying
insects are equally informative.  Very scientific.

>Personally, I think anyone can enjoy this book.

>Sandy B.
>FS, AR


>      
Subject: Re: A book recommendation
From: "George R. Hoelzeman" <uiogd AT ARKANSAS.NET>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 16:51:17 -0500
Well, we got rid of those damn newbies, and those people asking about skunks 
and bamboo. 


Now if we can only git them gol'darned Sekular Hoomanists, Moslems, Jews, 
Catlicks, evolution believers and the non-'Murican types off the list this 
here'll 

be a pretty goll darned good group!

That thar's a pretty darn important skill, how to write a latin name. Proves 
that them people who done wrote that book be pretty gosh darn smart - I bet 
they 

can even rite they's own name! Dagnabbit, if that don't prove them creationist 
folks is right, I don't know what does. 


Yep.  I reckon so.

George (n. Conway Co. who no longer believes the Ivory Billed Woodpecker exists 
'cause it ain't in the Bible, but also wondering when the list will go back 

to talking about the real world).

On Wed, 1 Jul 2009 12:35:07 -0700, Sandy Berger wrote:

>The librarian at my church asked me to review a book he just ordered. It's 
pro-Creation, so, sorry ahead of time if I offend anyone. 


>The book is called Exploring Creation with Zoology 1, Flying Creatures of the 
Fifth Day by Jeannie K. Fulbright. It not only covers birds but also all the 

other flying creatures like bats and insects.

>I am really impressed with the section devoted to birds. It is so thorough. 
You name it, the book covers it. Everything from how to write latin names to 

great vocabulary words to why birds do what they do and how they do it. There 
are also recommended experiments and building projects. 


>There is a section on bird watching. I just love this paragraph explaining 
about birders. 


>"Many people who are interested in birds become amateur ornithologists. They 
study ornithology even though they are not paid for it. People who enjoy 

watching and studying birds are often called birders. One birder might say to 
another birder, "Where did you bird last week?" or "Have you been birding 

lately?" If, after studying this book, you decide to make bird watching a 
hobby, you can call yourself a birder!" 


>So cute.

>The sections of bats, flying reptiles (dinosaurs and dragons), and flying 
insects are equally informative. Very scientific. 


>Personally, I think anyone can enjoy this book.

>Sandy B.
>FS, AR


>      
Subject: Re: book recommendation
From: "George R. Hoelzeman" <uiogd AT ARKANSAS.NET>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 16:52:12 -0500
On Wed, 1 Jul 2009 14:41:41 -0700, Sandy Berger wrote:

>I neglected to say that the book is really designed for young people.  


>Sandy B.
>FS, AR



And that is the most disturbing part.

George
Subject: book recommendation
From: Sandy Berger <fsbirdlady AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 14:41:41 -0700
I neglected to say that the book is really designed for young people.  


Sandy B.
FS, AR


      
Subject: Sightings: Lake Conway Osprey Nest
From: Dan Scheiman <birddan AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 16:15:05 -0500
In the 15 minutes I had this morning before a workshop outside 
Mayflower I stopped along Lake Conway to search for the Brown Pelican 
that is said to still be present.  I did not see it, but I did see 
two adult Bald Eagles and a pair of OSPREYS on a NEST.  As I learned 
from a Game & Fish Commission biologist and confirmed in the Bird 
Records Database, Ospreys have a  10 year nesting history on the 
lake.  The AGFC guy told me TWO Osprey pair have nested at the same 
time.  Another conservation success story.

Dan Scheiman
Little Rock, AR
Subject: INFO: eBird Locations
From: Dan Scheiman <birddan AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 16:09:45 -0500
As a well-timed follow-up to my post about eBird hotspots, the eBird 
team just posted a news item regarding the importance of being 
accurate when you plot a location.  You can read the details here 
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/location_specificity

In brief...
------------------
July 01, 2009
Location! Location! Location!

Exactly where you plot your birding locations on the map is critical 
for eBird in many ways. When you are specific with your location 
information we can perform better analyses, and we can ensure that 
your birding lists are built correctly. eBird thrives on location 
specificity, and a good general rule of thumb when entering data is 
that its always better to enter shorter checklists from more refined 
locations than longer checklists from a string of unrelated 
locations. In this article we'll discuss why being as precise as 
possible with your birding locations yields the best results.
------------------

Dan Scheiman
Little Rock, AR
Subject: Re: A book recommendation
From: Jack and Pam <jackstewart_us AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 13:37:26 -0700
I agree with Joe Neal that everyone -religious, non-religious, undecided, or 
confused, should be welcomed on a birding trip. I also agree with Rich Nash 
that it is best if we not carry on a discussion about this on ARBird. 


Sandy's post is fine, except for the second to last sentence because it sneaks 
in a debatable religious viewpoint. Believe anything you want to believe but 
don't confuse religious belief with science. There is no way that a creation 
book can be called "very scientific". By definition faith is not scientific. 
Look it up. My dictionary says Faith- "unquestioning belief". 


Finally, Bo Verser in mentioning E.O. Wilson, has the best take on the subject. 
My view is that hose of us who are attuned to the wonders of the natural world 
can enjoy it together. In addition, on an increasingly crowded planet we must 
band together to protect what we love. 


Let us drop this topic.

Jack Stewart
Newton County


________________________________
From: Sandy Berger 
To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 2:35:07 PM
Subject: A book recommendation

The librarian at my church asked me to review a book he just ordered. It's 
pro-Creation, so, sorry ahead of time if I offend anyone. 


The book is called Exploring Creation with Zoology 1, Flying Creatures of the 
Fifth Day by Jeannie K. Fulbright. It not only covers birds but also all the 
other flying creatures like bats and insects. 


I am really impressed with the section devoted to birds. It is so thorough. You 
name it, the book covers it. Everything from how to write latin names to great 
vocabulary words to why birds do what they do and how they do it. There are 
also recommended experiments and building projects. 


There is a section on bird watching. I just love this paragraph explaining 
about birders. 


"Many people who are interested in birds become amateur ornithologists. They 
study ornithology even though they are not paid for it. People who enjoy 
watching and studying birds are often called birders. One birder might say to 
another birder, "Where did you bird last week?" or "Have you been birding 
lately?" If, after studying this book, you decide to make bird watching a 
hobby, you can call yourself a birder!" 


So cute.

The sections of bats, flying reptiles (dinosaurs and dragons), and flying 
insects are equally informative. Very scientific. 


Personally, I think anyone can enjoy this book.

Sandy B.
FS, AR


      
Subject: A book recommendation
From: Sandy Berger <fsbirdlady AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 12:35:07 -0700
The librarian at my church asked me to review a book he just ordered. It's 
pro-Creation, so, sorry ahead of time if I offend anyone. 


The book is called Exploring Creation with Zoology 1, Flying Creatures of the 
Fifth Day by Jeannie K. Fulbright. It not only covers birds but also all the 
other flying creatures like bats and insects. 


I am really impressed with the section devoted to birds. It is so thorough. You 
name it, the book covers it. Everything from how to write latin names to great 
vocabulary words to why birds do what they do and how they do it. There are 
also recommended experiments and building projects. 


There is a section on bird watching. I just love this paragraph explaining 
about birders. 


"Many people who are interested in birds become amateur ornithologists. They 
study ornithology even though they are not paid for it. People who enjoy 
watching and studying birds are often called birders. One birder might say to 
another birder, "Where did you bird last week?" or "Have you been birding 
lately?" If, after studying this book, you decide to make bird watching a 
hobby, you can call yourself a birder!" 


So cute.

The sections of bats, flying reptiles (dinosaurs and dragons), and flying 
insects are equally informative. Very scientific. 


Personally, I think anyone can enjoy this book.

Sandy B.
FS, AR


      
Subject: Re: Christian Conservative Birders -- we need more
From: Michael Verser <ozarkwildbird AT SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 07:43:40 -0700
Well, I don't know if this topic is appropriate in this forum or not, but I 
think it is interesting and important to those of us interested in protecting 
bird habitat and our natural heritage. Humanist E. O. Wilson writes about the 
importance of bridging religious and political differences in order to save 
biological diversity on earth in his book "Creation" which includes his 'letter 
to a southern baptist preacher'. 


Bo Verser
Heber Springs




________________________________
From: Rich Gash 
To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 8:22:25 AM
Subject: Re: Christian Conservative Birders -- we need more

AOL Email 
Hi,
Your religious and political thoughts are just that. YOURS! I can't speak for 
anyone but myself but posts that mix those subjects with birding have no place 
in this forum regardless of your intention. Of course that's just my opinion 
and I could be wrong. 

 
In a message dated 7/1/2009 8:09:26 A.M. Central Daylight Time, 
joeneal AT UARK.EDU writes: 

Off and on over the last couple of years, I have conversed         via email  
>and in person or gone birding with LOTS Christian Conservative Birders 

>(CCBs) plus some of what I assume are         Christian at least tepidly  
>Liberal Birders. I am TOTALLY         comfortable with CCBs, having grown up  
>as a CC myself in Fort         Smith, before I was a B. I still identify  
>myself as a Southern         Baptist, though mainly in a cultural sense; I  
>love the hymns,         the communities, and of course many of my relatives  
>who still         believe as we did in our youth. What I no longer do is  
>embrace         the social and political agendas of the noisier Christian  
>Conservatives. Looking back, I realize this noisy C agenda is not         a  
>new thing.
>
>When I was a kid in Fort Smith, we were         taught from the pulpit, Holy  
>Bible in hand, that African Americans who were kneeling-in at Southern 

>Baptist churches to         promote racial diversity within those churches  
>were          Communists, not real Christians. We were taught that if the  
>Catholic John Kennedy was elected, America would be ruled by a foreign 

>Pope. And so on. I still have a deadly fear of         drinking beer on  
>Sundays and I am sometimes suspicious of         Methodists.
>
>As a young college student (UA Fayetteville-1964), I began to see the 

>world through different eyes, politically and         socially. That said, I  
>have never felt a need to reject the         morals, values, and spiritual  
>teachings of my parents. As I         formulated my own beliefs, I no longer  
>embraced that an         Immaculate Conception was required for human beings  
>to have         divine spark. I was also taught and never rejected that the  
>right to think for yourself is the best of our American values. Those 

>who think America needs ayatollahs and religious laws         really should  
>try at least a brief residence in one of those countries run that way 

>AND perhaps take a deep bath in the history of our own country and its 

>founding. I have taught my         daughter to respect faith and seek the  
>truth of things in her         day-to-day living.
>
>So, I enjoy birding with people of traditional         faith, whatever that  
>faith, Conservative or Liberal, or Neither, including no belief. As (I 

>guess) a Liberal Birder, I         personally welcome all of Christian  
>Conservative Birders to this list, to their faith, and to field trips. 

>Please miss         your usual Sunday morning services and join our  
>congregation         at Chesney Prairie on July 12, 8 AM. Every Baptist  
>preacher         worth his salt knows it is a mortal sin to let divine  
>services         spill over and cut into the Sunday noon feast. We will end  
>services by noon, I promise.
>
>-- 
>JOSEPH C. NEAL in         Fayetteville, Arkansas 


________________________________
It's raining cats and dogs -- Come to PawNation, a place where pets rule!
Subject: Re: Christian Conservative Birders -- we need more
From: Sandy Berger <fsbirdlady AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 07:22:40 -0700
Thanks Joe for your Sunday morning invite to Chesney Prairie.  Mr. Gash, that's 
all Joe's email is is an invite to help at Chesney Prairie.  I found it quite 
humorous. 


Joe, I still feel guilty doing bird events on Sunday mornings.  My upbringing. 
My dad's a preacher.  But, I have been able to get "over it" on occasion.  
Especially at state AAS meetings. 


Oh, I won't be able to attend.  :)

Sandy B.
FS, AR 

--- On Wed, 7/1/09, Rich Gash  wrote:

From: Rich Gash 
Subject: Re: Christian Conservative Birders -- we need more
To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU
Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 8:22 AM


AOL Email
 
 



  
  
    
      
      Hi,
      Your religious and political thoughts are just that.  
      YOURS!  I can't speak for anyone but myself but posts that mix those
      subjects with birding have no place in this forum regardless of your
      intention.  Of course that's just my opinion and I could be 
      wrong.
       
      
      In a message dated 7/1/2009 8:09:26 A.M. Central Daylight Time,
      joeneal AT UARK.EDU writes:
      Off and on over the last couple of years, I have conversed
        via email  
and in person or gone birding with LOTS Christian
        Conservative Birders  
(CCBs) plus some of what I assume are
        Christian at least tepidly  
Liberal Birders. I am TOTALLY
        comfortable with CCBs, having grown up  
as a CC myself in Fort
        Smith, before I was a B. I still identify  
myself as a Southern
        Baptist, though mainly in a cultural sense; I  
love the hymns,
        the communities, and of course many of my relatives  
who still
        believe as we did in our youth. What I no longer do is  
embrace
        the social and political agendas of the noisier Christian  
        
Conservatives. Looking back, I realize this noisy C agenda is not
        a  
new thing.

When I was a kid in Fort Smith, we were
        taught from the pulpit, Holy  
Bible in hand, that African
        Americans who were kneeling-in at Southern  
Baptist churches to
        promote racial diversity within those churches  
were 
        Communists, not real Christians. We were taught that if the 
        
Catholic John Kennedy was elected, America would be ruled by a
        foreign  
Pope. And so on. I still have a deadly fear of
        drinking beer on  
Sundays and I am sometimes suspicious of
        Methodists.

As a young college student (UA Fayetteville-1964), I
        began to see the  
world through different eyes, politically and
        socially. That said, I  
have never felt a need to reject the
        morals, values, and spiritual  
teachings of my parents. As I
        formulated my own beliefs, I no longer  
embraced that an
        Immaculate Conception was required for human beings  
to have
        divine spark. I was also taught and never rejected that the 
        
right to think for yourself is the best of our American values.
        Those  
who think America needs ayatollahs and religious laws
        really should  
try at least a brief residence in one of those
        countries run that way  
AND perhaps take a deep bath in the
        history of our own country and its  
founding. I have taught my
        daughter to respect faith and seek the  
truth of things in her
        day-to-day living.

So, I enjoy birding with people of traditional
        faith, whatever that  
faith, Conservative or Liberal, or
        Neither, including no belief. As (I  
guess) a Liberal Birder, I
        personally welcome all of Christian  
Conservative Birders to
        this list, to their faith, and to field trips.  
Please miss
        your usual Sunday morning services and join our  
congregation
        at Chesney Prairie on July 12, 8 AM. Every Baptist  
preacher
        worth his salt knows it is a mortal sin to let divine  
services
        spill over and cut into the Sunday noon feast. We will end 
        
services by noon, I promise.

-- 
JOSEPH C. NEAL in
        Fayetteville,
Arkansas
 It's raining cats and dogs -- Come to PawNation, a place where pets rule!


      
Subject: Re: Christian Conservative Birders -- we need more
From: Rich Gash <Randagash AT AOL.COM>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 09:22:25 EDT
     
 
Hi,
Your religious and political thoughts are just that.   YOURS!  I can't 
speak for anyone but myself but posts that mix those subjects with birding have 

no place in this forum regardless of your  intention.  Of course that's 
just my opinion and I could be  wrong.
 
 
In a message dated 7/1/2009 8:09:26 A.M. Central Daylight Time,  
joeneal AT UARK.EDU writes:

Off and on over the last couple of years, I have conversed  via email  
and in person or gone birding with LOTS Christian  Conservative Birders  
(CCBs) plus some of what I assume are  Christian at least tepidly  
Liberal Birders. I am TOTALLY  comfortable with CCBs, having grown up  
as a CC myself in Fort  Smith, before I was a B. I still identify  
myself as a Southern  Baptist, though mainly in a cultural sense; I  
love the hymns,  the communities, and of course many of my relatives  
who still  believe as we did in our youth. What I no longer do is  
embrace  the social and political agendas of the noisier Christian   
Conservatives. Looking back, I realize this noisy C agenda is not  a  
new thing.

When I was a kid in Fort Smith, we were  taught from the pulpit, Holy  
Bible in hand, that African  Americans who were kneeling-in at Southern  
Baptist churches to  promote racial diversity within those churches  
were  Communists, not real Christians. We were taught that if the   
Catholic John Kennedy was elected, America would be ruled by a  foreign  
Pope. And so on. I still have a deadly fear of  drinking beer on  
Sundays and I am sometimes suspicious of  Methodists.

As a young college student (UA Fayetteville-1964), I  began to see the  
world through different eyes, politically and  socially. That said, I  
have never felt a need to reject the  morals, values, and spiritual  
teachings of my parents. As I  formulated my own beliefs, I no longer  
embraced that an  Immaculate Conception was required for human beings  
to have  divine spark. I was also taught and never rejected that the   
right to think for yourself is the best of our American values.  Those  
who think America needs ayatollahs and religious laws  really should  
try at least a brief residence in one of those  countries run that way  
AND perhaps take a deep bath in the  history of our own country and its  
founding. I have taught my  daughter to respect faith and seek the  
truth of things in her  day-to-day living.

So, I enjoy birding with people of traditional  faith, whatever that  
faith, Conservative or Liberal, or  Neither, including no belief. As (I  
guess) a Liberal Birder, I  personally welcome all of Christian  
Conservative Birders to  this list, to their faith, and to field trips.  
Please miss  your usual Sunday morning services and join our  
congregation  at Chesney Prairie on July 12, 8 AM. Every Baptist  
preacher  worth his salt knows it is a mortal sin to let divine  
services  spill over and cut into the Sunday noon feast. We will end   
services by noon, I promise.

-- 
JOSEPH C. NEAL in  Fayetteville,  Arkansas



**************It's raining cats and dogs -- Come to PawNation, a place 
where pets rule! (http://www.pawnation.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000008)
Subject: Christian Conservative Birders -- we need more
From: joeneal <joeneal AT UARK.EDU>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 07:41:37 -0500
Off and on over the last couple of years, I have conversed via email  
and in person or gone birding with LOTS Christian Conservative Birders  
(CCBs) plus some of what I assume are Christian at least tepidly  
Liberal Birders. I am TOTALLY comfortable with CCBs, having grown up  
as a CC myself in Fort Smith, before I was a B. I still identify  
myself as a Southern Baptist, though mainly in a cultural sense; I  
love the hymns, the communities, and of course many of my relatives  
who still believe as we did in our youth. What I no longer do is  
embrace the social and political agendas of the noisier Christian  
Conservatives. Looking back, I realize this noisy C agenda is not a  
new thing.

When I was a kid in Fort Smith, we were taught from the pulpit, Holy  
Bible in hand, that African Americans who were kneeling-in at Southern  
Baptist churches to promote racial diversity within those churches  
were Communists, not real Christians. We were taught that if the  
Catholic John Kennedy was elected, America would be ruled by a foreign  
Pope. And so on. I still have a deadly fear of drinking beer on  
Sundays and I am sometimes suspicious of Methodists.

As a young college student (UA Fayetteville-1964), I began to see the  
world through different eyes, politically and socially. That said, I  
have never felt a need to reject the morals, values, and spiritual  
teachings of my parents. As I formulated my own beliefs, I no longer  
embraced that an Immaculate Conception was required for human beings  
to have divine spark. I was also taught and never rejected that the  
right to think for yourself is the best of our American values. Those  
who think America needs ayatollahs and religious laws really should  
try at least a brief residence in one of those countries run that way  
AND perhaps take a deep bath in the history of our own country and its  
founding. I have taught my daughter to respect faith and seek the  
truth of things in her day-to-day living.

So, I enjoy birding with people of traditional faith, whatever that  
faith, Conservative or Liberal, or Neither, including no belief. As (I  
guess) a Liberal Birder, I personally welcome all of Christian  
Conservative Birders to this list, to their faith, and to field trips.  
Please miss your usual Sunday morning services and join our  
congregation at Chesney Prairie on July 12, 8 AM. Every Baptist  
preacher worth his salt knows it is a mortal sin to let divine  
services spill over and cut into the Sunday noon feast. We will end  
services by noon, I promise.

-- 
JOSEPH C. NEAL in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Subject: LINK: Links to a few photos Canada Goose
From: Gail Miller <gail.miller AT CONWAYCORP.NET>
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:15:45 -0500
An update photo of one of the Canada Goose 'babies' at Kathy's pond. There is a 
tiny bit of 'baby' feathers around its head and neck, which is about all that 
distinguishes the goslings from the adults now: 


http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/image/114470267

This photo give a whole new meaning to the term 'how water runs off a duck's 
back', or a Goose's back, in this case. Make me wish my dogs had such an 
ability on rainy days when they chose to wait outside for me to come home from 
work, ignoring the fact that the doggie door leads inside to a DRY kitchen. 


http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/image/114470355 

This photo, I titled:  'See how big I am now':

http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/image/114470577

Gail in Conway


Subject: Re: Not everyone is on High speed internet
From: "George R. Hoelzeman" <uiogd AT ARKANSAS.NET>
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:00:03 -0500
Technically, sending attachments is against the list rules.

Not that that's meaningful or anything ;-))

George (n. Conway Co. also on dailup . . . when the line works)

On Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:57:38 -0500, Pine Ridge Gardens wrote:

>This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

>------=_NextPart_000_0034_01C9F98A.BD2680B0
>Content-Type: text/plain;
>	charset="us-ascii"
>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

>To people who send large files attached to email, it would be nice to
>remember than some of us are still on dial-up.

> 

>Thank you.

>MaryAnn King

>North of London, Arkansas
Subject: Not everyone is on High speed internet
From: Pine Ridge Gardens <office AT PINERIDGEGARDENS.COM>
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:57:38 -0500
To people who send large files attached to email, it would be nice to
remember than some of us are still on dial-up.

 

Thank you.

MaryAnn King

North of London, Arkansas

 

 

 
Subject: Re: Cliff Swallows
From: Jeffrey Short <bashman AT EARTHLINK.NET>
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:25:35 -0500
Is it easier for the cliff swallows to get their mud to stick if it is laid 
over dauber nests?  Just wonderin'

Jeff Short
At the bottom loop of the backwards "S" on the continuation of the Ouachita 
River 
Subject: Cliff Swallows
From: David Chapman <dchapman AT UARK.EDU>
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:48:26 -0500
  Cliff Swallows are not rare in Arkansas but recently I have had the 
opportunity to observe formation of a new colony.  At Lake 
Fayetteville there is an old 1950s concrete structure about 10 ft or 
so in diameter that stands about 20 foot above water level near the 
south side of the dam.  An overhanging sill near the top provides 
some protection from the elements.

Mike Mlodinow and I regularly bird Lake Fayetteville and in the last 
ten years have occasionally seen Cliff Swallows, usually in May, but 
no breeding colony has been detected.  This year we had a large 
number (30) in early April but only a few records for May.  On June 6 
we noticed six birds paying close attention to the structure and what 
appeared to be the rudiments of a mud nest. A week later I counted 
twenty birds and by June 20 twenty five.  This weekend (June 27) 
there were more than 100 birds present with at least 30-40 mud nests 
covering the entire underside of the concrete sill.  David Oakley has 
taken the photo attached.

Cliff Swallows now exceed Barn and Northern Rough Winged Swallows at 
Lake Fayetteville. I would be interested to know if there are any 
ideas as to what may have triggered this opportunistic behavior.

David Chapman
Subject: LINK: Link to photos, Eastern Bluebirds
From: Gail Miller <gail.miller AT CONWAYCORP.NET>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:27:05 -0500
My Bluebird family is growing, thanks to the Wild Birds Unlimited mealworm 
diet. I do think I've spoiled them though. :-) 


Photos at:

http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/baby_eastern_bluebird

Gail in Conway
Subject: SIGHTING: blue-gray gnatcatcher
From: Carolyn Partain <cthedove AT CABLELYNX.COM>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:39:40 -0500
Today, Monday morning, from a back window of our home, I saw a female
blue-gray gnatcatcher poking around in a pokeweed that graces one of the
corners of our deck.  The berries are not ripe enough to attract the robins
yet, so I know she was after insects. The three pokeweeds that we allow to
grow in the backyard appear to be very hardy.   I've not noticed that they
have been bothered by insects of any sort.  Still the BGG may be snatching
tiny bugs that I don't or can't see.  From there, she flew over to a dogwood
tree, then to the brush pile where she was assailed by a Carolina wren that
threw a  hissy fit at her appearance.   That confrontational greeting sent
the BGG on her way out of my vision.

 

carolyn, just outside the borders of Hot Springs
Subject: SIGHTING/INFO: Good day/Bad day.
From: Larry Witherspoon <ldspoon AT SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:33:38 -0500
Today was not a good day, and it was a very good day! I did not go into work
because I had NO hair to cut, bad day.

But, I drove out to Fourche Dam Pike and saw and took a few pictures of the
Western Kingbirds; Momma and two babies.  A first for me and on the list
they go. A good day!

For some reason this year we have had very few, (count on one hand)
Hummingbirds. We usually have about ten to twelve by now. Very slow this
year. Are the rest of you having the same problem? A bad day!

We also seem to finally have a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird hanging
around, two days now, and I saw a female this morning. The Turks Caps (hope
I spelled that right, Desiree is not here to correct me) are just now
starting to bloom.  And the carport is cleaned out. A good day!

 

Thanks,

 

Larry Witherspoon
Subject: baker prarie sightings
From: Alan Gregory <quattro AT WINDSTREAM.NET>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:08:24 -0500
Ed Pinkston and I went to Baker Prairie this morning in search of Painted 
buntings and couldn't find one. 

There were lots of Blue Grosbeaks brilliant in the morning sun and the barn 
swallows nearly knocked you over zipping past. Indigo buntings ,GCFC and all 
the regulars were there. 


alan gregory
harrison
Subject: Fwd: Sighting, Anhinga
From: Keith Newton <keithnewton AT SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:24:16 -0500
   My quest for the weekend was to get photos of the Anhingas on  
Champaganolle Cr. in Calhoun Ct. AR.
>
>
> I paddled my canoe up-stream from the camp about 3.5 miles Sunday  
> morning hoping to get some photos of a pair of Anhingas. The first  
> two miles were about like I expected with the usual birds, Egrets,  
> GBH, while Fish Crows and Y-b Cuckoos were calling from the woods.  
> The air-level just above the creek will punctuated with more than  
> the usual number of odonates. I think I saw about four pairs of  
> Twelve-spots flying piggy-back. It was like mother-nature was  
> drowsy and left a finger on the colon key, there were so many spots.
>
> After making the turn W at mile two, I started nudging more  
> immature Little-blue Herons than I have ever seen up the creek out  
> ahead of me, as well as GBH, and Great Egrets. By mile three, there  
> is a pretty good flock staying out ahead of me. Finally I thought I  
> saw and heard the grunts of my quest bird.  Then finally I got a  
> glimpse of the  high-dive followed by a splash. While I am pretty  
> sure this first one was still under the water, when I got a pretty  
> good look at another in flight. Then a close clear look at the one  
> in the water in Snake-bird mode. But he was back down before I  
> could get my camera up.
>
> I was determined to be quicker on my next chance as I kept moving  
> on up the creek, expecting it to try to stay out ahead of me.  
> However I had not counted on the Wood-duck with her four little  
> chicks. They stayed well out ahead of me, but she quickly got  
> agitated,  turned and charged back at me, flapping her wings,  
> splashing the water and squawking as she charged right at me. Of  
> course she veered and went around me, changing to cripple mode as  
> she attempted to lead me away. Well, feeling bad for the little  
> chicks up ahead left alone, I turned around to give them room.
>
> I had noticed that my low-battery light was showing when I tried to  
> get the head shot, but couldn't stop to change them if I wanted to  
> keep the pressure on. They died while trying to shoot the charging  
> duck. ha,
>
> After about one mile of the trip heading back, I spotted an  
> alligator up ahead. As I approached, it started swimming away, then  
> went down. The next time it came up, I was closer but it only  
> stayed up for about 20 yards before going down again, still  
> swimming away from me.  The water through here had a film somewhat  
> like an oil slick, which blocked any view into the water that was  
> bright and shiny as I paddled E into the Sun.  I guess the film  
> must have obscured the view into the sky from below the surface as  
> well, because when the alligator came up the next time, I could  
> have touched it with my paddle. My first impression, was wow, how  
> beautiful,!!!! but at that instant, the water EXPLODED as it  
> disappeared under the surface. More than just making the hairs on  
> my neck stand on end, I had goose-bumps all of the way to my toes,  
> but was laughing to myself.
>
>  I was picking up trash on my way back, when Mother-nature rewarded  
> me with a Polyphemus Moth which flew across, and lit right in front  
> of me. It was a tattered old male, but I still wanted to get shots  
> of it. While I was trying to shoot it from too far away up in a  
> tree, a Barred Owl flew in and landed about 40' away, so I started  
> stalking it. By now, it was nearly noon, making the light harsh for  
> shooting up, so none of those turned out to be great.

Keith Newton
Little Rock, AR
Subject: Possible sighting of the West Memphis Male Bobolink
From: Jamie Gwin <aarongwin AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:01:37 +0000

Third time to look for the Bobolink was almost charm.  No photograph so not 
charm time. 


No photograph is why I say possible sighting.  Not being one of the popular 
birders in the state  I know I need photograph to say sighting without 
possible in front of sighting. 


After exchanging a few E-Mails with Dan he told me exactly where his truck was 
parked and exactly where the birds were in the field.  This morning I lined up 
the spot  where he saw the Bobolinks and where his truck was parked.  I was 
looking in opposite direction than he was.   I looked around the field about 
300 degrees  from time to time.  Sort  of behind me I saw a Red-tailed Hawk 
being harassed by a pair of Loggerhead Shrikes in a clump of trees next to the 
service road.  Other parts of the field I saw Redwings Blackbirds.  Then once 
I looked back toward the spot where Dan saw the Male Bobolinks and I saw a male 
Bobolink flying just above the grass for ten to fifteen feet before  landing 
 down in the grass.  I stayed for another 35 minutes but did not see the bird 
again. 


I will be back there trying for a photo.  It will strain my little 300 mm to 
get a good photo unless I am really lucky.  May call my friend who has a 
600mm on his DX3. 




The Lone Birder 

Aaron Gwin
Subject: Chesney Prairie Natural Area - June 28 -- and opportunities
From: joeneal <joeneal AT UARK.EDU>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:01:11 -0500
Well, just when I'm ready to throw in the towel and hunker down for  
endless dog days, here comes a cool front. David Oakley, Jacque Brown,  
and I drove over to Chesney Prairie NA near Siloam Springs yesterday.  
It was in the 70s, overcast, with a light and refreshing NE breeze! So  
we took a long walk through several miles of paths (provided by Joe  
Woolbright and his Ozark Ecological Restoration, Inc) and on through  
tall grasses and wildflowers. Nary a tick or chigger was seen and we  
never broke a sweat. How bout that for almost July. Bird-wise, it was  
Loggerhead Shrike-Dickcissel-Blue Grosbeak-Painted Bunting-Bells  
Vireo-Orchard Oriole and their habitat buddies. Jacque & David got  
some wonderful images of nesting (and feeding nestlings beetle larve)  
Red-headed Woodpeckers. Obedient plants were blooming all over the  
place. The gay feathers (Liatris) are up and mostly still green but  
just starting to purple and there are a LOT of them this year, both at  
Chesney and nearby stump. I think there will be an awesome  
sea-of-gay-feathers peak-of-the-season type display for the NWAAS  
field trip July 12. The ashy sunflowers are just about to bloom -- we  
saw goldfinches here & there, all ready. We get a sense of former  
glories when such reality was dominant, rather confined. If July 12  
field trip doesn't work for you, the mowed paths are there and  
available 24/7. You can't miss -- just follow the path.

We ran into Woolbright. He was going out to tackle invasives like  
velvet grass. He mentioned to me then, as he has before, that he could  
use help from anyone interested-willing to help invasive species  
control-- a little help or a LOT of help. He will co-lead the July 12  
field trip (focus on botany), so if you are interested, you could see  
him there, but he is also usually easy to reach via cell: 479 427  
4277. Ditto, by the way, for Baker Prairie NA at Harrison.

-- 
JOSEPH C. NEAL in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Subject: Re: SIGHTINGS Lark Sparrow
From: Herschel Raney <herschel.raney AT CONWAYCORP.NET>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:35:05 -0500
There are several pair of nesting Lark Sparrows on the Round Mountain 
Orchard property atop Round mountain south of Conway. I saw several fine 
males while picking blackberries there this past weekend. Also quite a 
show from the local Mississippi Kites that love the open orchard 
landscape. Still at least one covey of Bobwhite there and the male 
called incessantly from the cedars along the road. And you get 
nectarines and blackberries and vegetables if you'd like them thrown in 
with your birds. Though you do have to pick them. Local Chipping 
Sparrows and Blue Grosbeaks and Painted Buntings as well.

Call the orchard number before coming as they are opened and closed as 
the fruit ripens. They generally close at 1 PM on any day due to the heat.

Herschel Raney
Conway AR


Jim Dixon wrote:
> Yesterday mornding, my daughter and I went to Magazine with dreams of 
> Rufous-crowned Sparrows in ours heads.  There was also a reported in 
> eBird of Lark Sparrows just a few days ago so I listened to its call 
> on the way up there as well.  We walked along the southern edge from 
> the hang gliding launch site to the lodge but no luck with those 
> birds.  The most interesting birds were probably the B&W Warbler and 
> Eastern Bluebirds, there were a variety of Butterflies and 
> coincidentally they were having a butterfly festival over the weekend.
>
> Anyway, my question is was I in the right place for the RCSP?  Also, 
> to whom ever saw the lark Sparrows, where were those?
>
> Thanks
>
Subject: SIGHTINGS and RFI: Mt. Magazine SP
From: Jim Dixon <jamesdixonlr AT ATT.NET>
Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:45:07 -0500
Yesterday mornding, my daughter and I went to Magazine with dreams of 
Rufous-crowned Sparrows in ours heads.  There was also a reported in 
eBird of Lark Sparrows just a few days ago so I listened to its call on 
the way up there as well.  We walked along the southern edge from the 
hang gliding launch site to the lodge but no luck with those birds.  The 
most interesting birds were probably the B&W Warbler and Eastern 
Bluebirds, there were a variety of Butterflies and coincidentally they 
were having a butterfly festival over the weekend.

Anyway, my question is was I in the right place for the RCSP?  Also, to 
whom ever saw the lark Sparrows, where were those?

Thanks

-- 
Jim Dixon 
Little Rock, AR
www.JamesDixon.us
Subject: Sightings: Union County's Inca Doves
From: Kelly Chitwood <kchitwood AT CABLELYNX.COM>
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:26:33 -0500
We managed to check on the Inca Doves at Henley's Feed and Seed on  
Pony Street in El Dorado, Arkansas.
Emma immediately found two and later we found a small group of five. The
place is a popular dove hangout: three species can be found.

Not much happening, with the exception of the wonderful calls of Wood  
Thrushes
I hear coming from the strip of woods across the street from our home.
Which I attribute to the rain we received this afternoon.

Kelly Chitwood
Camden, AR
Subject: Re: Fwd: Western Kingbird Nest Active in SE Little Rock
From: Kenny Nichols <kingbird AT YMAIL.COM>
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:17:01 -0700
LaDonna and I checked on the Western Kingbirds this afternoon. We found two 
adults tending 4 nestlings just where they were supposed to be on Sloane Drive. 
We found 3 more birds just a bit farther down Fourche Dam Pike and two of them 
eventually moved back to the west toward the large electrical substation. 


Good birding!
Kenny Nichols
Cabot, AR
kingbird AT ymail.com







from Guy.....
 
Joan Luneau
North Little Rock, AR

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: bobolink16 AT comcast.net
To: joan AT luneau.org
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 10:57:49 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central
Subject: Western Kingbird Nest Active in SE Little Rock

 
There is an active Western Kingbird nest in SE Little Rock as of June 22-24, 
2009. It is near the intersection of Fourche Dam Pike and Sloane Drive on a 
power pole in an industrial area. 

 
Directions are: Take Exit 5 (Fourche Dam Pike) off of I-440. Go south on 
Fourche Dam Pike 1/2-mile to the 4-way stop. Turn right (west) at the 4-way 
stop onto Sloane Drive. Go west only 200 feet from the intersection to the 
second paved driveway on the right that enters into the Custom Metals shop. 
Don't turn into the shop, but the paved shoulder is reasonably wide here and 
you can pull over just before the second driveway. Immediately west of the 
driveway are two power poles. The nest is on the pole that is inside Custom 
Metals's fence, roughly halfway up the pole on a side support piece on the 
north side of that pole. 

 
Guy Luneau
N. Little Rock



      
Subject: Birding in arkansas
From: John Hale <grandslam2014 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:38:29 -0400
?????? Hi all,


??????????? Thank you for all your tips on places to bird while in Arkansas. We 
birded the afternoon of June 21st and the mornings of June 22nd, 23rd, and 
24th. Cartwright Mt. Rd. highlights are 2 or 3 worm eating warblers and hooded 
warbler also on this road found a tailless flycatcher probably Acadian. Lost 
valley area highlights where another woeaw, Louisiana waterthrush, 3 or 4 
ovenbirds, and yellow throated warbler. At Hobbs ST Park we had scarlet 
tanager, woeaw, ovenbird, hooded warbler, yellow throated warbler, and maybe a 
brief look at a Baltimore oriole. At devils den state park we saw Louisiana 
waterthrush, yellow throated warbler, and a fox carrying a rat. Thanks again. 




John Hale,
College Station TX

________________________________________________________________________
Have you checked out www.KOL.com? It's a great site just for kids. It's got 
games, music, cartoons, sports scores, homework help and more. So what are you 
waiting for? Start clicking! 
Subject: hear ye hear ye -- our AR Gustav birds on KUAF
From: joeneal <joeneal AT UARK.EDU>
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:43:44 -0500
Remember Gustav in September 2008? Sure it's HOT, but you can't have  
forgotten flocks of Sooty Terns at Millwood! Etc. Only the biggest  
drop of seabirds ever in the state (I think). Some of you know that I  
volunteer short natural history -- often birds -- programs for KUAF,  
National Public Radio affiliate at UA-Fayetteville. I did one this  
week on the glories brought to us by Gustav. It's up now on the KUAF  
webpage and it was even easy for me, a virtual dinosaur, to click on  
the link and hear the program (about 5 minutes). What you do is open  
Google, type in KUAF.org, and when that opens, note the KUAF homepage  
right on top -- under it is a link to Ozarks at Large. When you get  
there, you'll see, right in the middle of the page, an amazing  
photograph by Charles Mills of the Black Skimmer that graced Millwood  
last year. That image itself is reason enough to do this, but since  
you're there, go ahead and select where it says Gulf shore birds visit  
Arkansas. That opens the page with the program -- just click the arrow  
to start.

-- 
JOSEPH C. NEAL in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Subject: INFO: eBird Hotspots
From: Dan Scheiman <birddan AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:33:57 -0500




Subject: Fwd: Western Kingbird Nest - At Least 4 Young Birds
From: Joan Luneau <spizella123 AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:12:08 +0000
----- Forwarded Message ----- 
From: bobolink16 AT comcast.net 
To: joan AT luneau.org 
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009 8:05:56 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central 
Subject: Western Kingbird Nest - At Least 4 Young Birds 




Joan, Scott, and I visited the Western Kingbird nest today, Saturday June 27, 
2009.  This is the nest near the intersection of Fourche Dam Pike and Sloane 
Drive in SE Little Rock.  There are at least 4 young birds in the nest.  My 
best estimate is that they are 4-5 days old, still skinheads, but poking their 
heads out of the nest. 




This means that they'll be fledging in about a week, probably on or about July 
4.  If you want to see them, don't dally. 




Guy Luneau 

N. Little Rock 

Subject: Re: Fw: Fw: eBird Report - Petro Dr West Memphis AR, grassland , 6/26/09. Bo...
From: "Jeff R. Wilson" <OLCOOT1 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:02:35 EDT
 
 
In a message dated 6/27/2009 3:48:24 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
peterbilt.birder AT yahoo.com writes:

This gent says he has shown female Dickcissel and female Bobolink photos  
to even very seasoned birders and they missidentify them. He said he knows 
for  sure DICKS nest in that field........so I am assuming he IS correct.  
BUT............. we can't be sure. 
 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>
 
This is what the gent  wrote:



"I have side by side photos of the two females and most birders never  
notice there are two species in the photo." 
 
I did not write:
 
"he has shown female Dickcissel and female Bobolink photos to even very  
seasoned birders and they missidentify them."
 
I do have a photo with both female Dickcissels and a female  Bobolink in 
the same frame and most people overlook or assume that all the  birds are 
Dickcissel. I did not say others miss IDed the birds but I use  the photo to 
show that the two species are very similar and you need to look at  all the 
details for a "good" ID. 
 
Anyway, I was at the field for an hour early this morning, with scope which 
 was really not necessary. There is a road just behind the McDonalds, that 
winds  back towards the middle of the field and you can also pull off at the 
Truck Wash  to the east, so plenty of good viewing areas out of the 
traffic. One male Dickcissel was seen singing from the wire on the far side of 

field but I did not  see a female. The best birds were a pair of Shrikes, 
probably a nesting pair  which I added to my AR GPS List. 
 
There are much larger fields with better habitat just north of there. The  
field is commercial property so not in danger of being farmed, they probably 
cut  it to keep it from getting too rank. Nothing special plant wise, 
Johnson grass,  Plantain, Clover, Coreopsis, Trumpet Vine, a little Partridge 
Pea, I did not see  vetch which is a Bobolink favorite................ but No 
Bobolinks seen.
 
Good Birding  !!!

Jeff R. Wilson / TLBA
6300 Memphis-Arlington Road
Bartlett, TN  38135
http://www.pbase.com/ol_coot/
What is this feathered thing that  lifts my heart to the heavens.
**************An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy 
Steps! 

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222585065x1201462786/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd=Jun 

eExcfooterNO62)
Subject: Sighting: 2nd Western Kingbird in LR
From: David Ray <cardcards AT SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:56:46 -0500
Went out around noon today (Saturday)to see the Western Kingbird off Fourche
Dam Pike in Little Rock. It was still present at that location, but did not
seem happy to have a mockingbird hanging around close to the nest. While I
was in the area, I decided to head down to Terry Lock & Dam to see what I
could see there. On the way there, 3.1 miles down Frazier Pike, I spotted
another Western Kingbird sitting on the power lines running parallel with
the road. It was not present when I returned from the dam site. Life bird!
David Ray
North Little Rock
Subject: Fw: eBird Report - Petro Dr West Memphis AR, grassland , 6/26/09 CORRECTION, CORRECTION : (
From: Dan Furbish <peterbilt.birder AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:12:12 -0700
Hello ALL, I ""MAY have MISS IDENTIFIED the female type BOBOLINKS in the Petro 
Drive AR field. 


I did what we ALL have done at least once but sometimes are afraid to say we 
erred: I saw an adult male Bobolink in breeding or slightly post breeding 
plumage next to female type birds that one would assume to be counterpart 
females. 


I'm told at least 6 pair of DICKCISSELS nest in that field. I DID see female 
bobolink ""colored"" birds at least thru only binoculars from that distance 
that had green/brownish caterpillars in their bills. I does make PERFECT sense, 
in hindsight , my bad : ((((((( SORRY ! 


-----------------------------------
I have already updated my eBird account of these birds. I MAY have MISS 
IDENTIFIED the female type bobolinks. 


 WE need to re-visit that field this weekend and next week and Confirm if 
indeed the female/young type boboliks are indeed DICKCISSELS. I have not seen 
anything except breeding male Dickcissels. So this gent MAY be (probably) is 
correct. I put my Swarovski SLC 10x42 binocs on them but NO scope look. : (( I 
DEFINITELY saw at least one male adult breeding plumaged Bobolink. 


WE need more eyes on that field. Petro drive is the road next to Mc 
Donalds...there is a LOT of 18 wheeler traffic on that road tho. BE EXTRA 
CAREFUL ! 



Dan


----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "do-not-reply AT ebird.org" 
To: peterbilt.birder AT yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009 10:05:35 AM
Subject: eBird Report - Petro Dr West Memphis AR, grassland , 6/26/09



Location:     Petro Dr West Memphis AR, grassland
Observation date:     6/26/09
Notes:     I'm a professional over the road truck driver 2600 miles a week.
I have seen Bobolink and E,Meadowlark in this field b4 but this time NESTING 
behavior in late June 09! 

Number of species:     13

Green Heron - Butorides virescens 1 flyover this importand and most likely 
overlooked GRASSLAND. 

Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis     1
Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus     1
Chimney Swift - Chaetura pelagica     3
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor     2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - Stelgidopteryx serripennis     6
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos     2
European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris     10
Bobolink - Dolichonyx oryzivorus 4 NESTING, CARRYING FOOD. hopefully this field 
isn't cut until late August, very important habitat. 


Eastern Meadowlark - Sturnella magna 6 NESTING, CARRYING FOOD and I saw one 
carry a fecal sac away. 

Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     6
Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater     2
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus     4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

==========================================

Dan Furbish
Truckin' thru 5 southern states in a big rig
peterbilt.birder AT yahoo.com


      
Subject: LINK: Link to photos more Red-headed Woodpecker
From: Gail Miller <gail.miller AT CONWAYCORP.NET>
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:55:53 -0500
I've been having photo withdrawal, so after work today I drove over to Curtis 
Walker Park and got a few shots of the Red-headed Woodpeckers there. I added 
them to my Red-headed Woodpecker gallery and they start with this photo, then 
click 'next', I added 5 photos today . Enjoy!: 


http://www.pbase.com/gnmimiller/image/114310141

Gail in Conway (sufficiently tired of the oppressive heat!)
Subject: Re: Fwd: Western Kingbird Nest Active in SE Little Rock
From: Jim Dixon <jamesdixonlr AT ATT.NET>
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:03:56 -0500
Hi, all. 
If you've tried my links lately, you'll find them to be dead.  I went 
back this afternoon to get better pictures.  I was able to do just that 
and have replaced those I posted yesterday.

Please try these instead:
http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=2274
and
http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=2277

Jim Dixon 
Little Rock, AR
www.JamesDixon.us



Jim Dixon wrote:
> Thanks.  I went there this evening and they were there.  They were my 
> first Western Kingbirds of the year.
>
> Here are two images:
> http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=2262
> http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=2265
>
> Jim Dixon Little Rock, AR
> www.JamesDixon.us
>
>
>
> Joan Luneau wrote:
>>
>> from Guy.....
>>
>>  
>>
>> Joan Luneau
>>
>> North Little Rock, AR
>>
>>
>> ----- Forwarded Message -----
>> From: bobolink16 AT comcast.net
>> To: joan AT luneau.org
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 10:57:49 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central
>> Subject: Western Kingbird Nest Active in SE Little Rock
>>
>> There is an active Western Kingbird nest in SE Little Rock as of June 
>> 22-24, 2009.  It is near the intersection of Fourche Dam Pike and 
>> Sloane Drive on a power pole in an industrial area.
>>
>>  
>>
>> Directions are:  Take Exit 5 (Fourche Dam Pike) off of I-440.  Go 
>> south on Fourche Dam Pike 1/2-mile to the 4-way stop.  Turn right 
>> (west) at the 4-way stop onto Sloane Drive.  Go west only 200 feet 
>> from the intersection to the second paved driveway on the right that 
>> enters into the Custom Metals shop.  Don't turn into the shop, but 
>> the paved shoulder is reasonably wide here and you can pull over just 
>> before the second driveway.  Immediately west of the driveway are two 
>> power poles.  The nest is on the pole that is inside Custom Metals's 
>> fence, roughly halfway up the pole on a side support piece on the 
>> north side of that pole.
>>
>>  
>>
>> Guy Luneau
>>
>> N. Little Rock
>>
>>
>
Subject: Fw: eBird Report - Petro Dr West Memphis AR, grassland , 6/26/09. Bobolinks may not be nesting?
From: Dan Furbish <peterbilt.birder AT YAHOO.COM>
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:16:02 -0700

Check out this locale.  eBird.org
Arkansas  HOT SPOT.

From downtown Memphis,TN, go west across the Hernando-Desoto bridge..exit 280 
off I40 west, off ramp/bottom of the small downhill go left under hi-way, take 
left onto Petro Drive, b4 I55. 


Across from the first PETRO/BRIDGESTONE sign you come to on left, pull over, 
turn off engine, watch out for slow truck travel , look and listen. 

I HOPE a farmer doesn't cut that field until late August : ))

DO NOT WALK INTO THE FIELD PLEASE/ NESTING BIRDS !!

OK, I talked with the local expert this afternoon 26 Jun 09. and he told me 
there have been NO records of "nesting" BOBOLINKS in Arkansas ever, the closest 
nesting Bobolinks are in northern TN. 


I DID SEE (on 26 June 09), 2 Adult Male/ breeding plumage BOBOLINKS,"" 
definitely one ad, m.in breeding plumage""(I KNOW Bobolinks: ). It looked to me 
like the females that landed in the 'far out grasses on the highest knoll' had 
small green/light brown caterpillar type worms in their mouths. 


If you have a few hours-about 3 hours, maybe someone could look from a safe 
vantage point (not from the road) 

with a scope. I photographed breeding plumage E.Meadowlark but Bobolinks were 
to fast....or : ) I was too slow : ) 


Dan
 
Dan Furbish
Truckin' thru 5 southern states in a big rig.
peterbilt.birder AT yahoo.com
 



----- Forwarded Message ----
From: "do-not-reply AT ebird.org" 
To: peterbilt.birder AT yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2009  10:05:35 AM
Subject: eBird Report - Petro Dr West Memphis AR, grassland , 6/26/09



Location:     Petro Dr West Memphis AR, grassland
Observation date:     6/26/09
Notes:     I'm a professional over the road truck driver 2600 miles a week.
I have seen Bobolink and E.Meadowlark in this field b4 but this time NESTING 
behavior in late June 09! 

Number of species:     13

Green Heron - Butorides virescens 1 flyover this important and most likely 
overlooked GRASSLAND. 

Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis     1
Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus     1
Chimney Swift - Chaetura pelagica     3
Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor     2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow - Stelgidopteryx serripennis     6
Northern Mockingbird - Mimus polyglottos     2
European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris     10
Bobolink - Dolichonyx oryzivorus 4 NESTING, CARRYING FOOD. hopefully this field 
isn't cut until late August, very important habitat. 


Eastern Meadowlark - Sturnella magna 6 NESTING, CARRYING FOOD and I saw one 
carry a fecal sac away. 

Common Grackle - Quiscalus quiscula     6
Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater     2
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus     4

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)


      
Subject: RBA--Arkansas-June 26, 2009
From: DeLynn Hearn <delynnh AT IWON.COM>
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:07:32 -0400
-RBA
*Arkansas
*Statewide
*June 26, 2009
*ARST09.06.27

-Species Mentioned

CERULEAN WARBLER
Ovenbird
Hooded Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Caspian Tern
Bell’s Vireo
Brown Pelican
Western Kingbird

-Transcript

Welcome to the Arkansas Rare Bird Alert for June 26, 2009, sponsored by the 
Audubon Society of Central Arkansas (ASCA). ASCA meets at 7:00pm on the second 
Thursday of each month at the Fletcher Library (a block east of University Ave. 
on H St. in Little Rock). The next ASCA field trip will be July 11 at Bois 
d'Arc WMA. Check our website at www.ascabird.org for details on meetings and 
field trips! . 


From around the state recent sightings are:

There is an active Western Kingbird nest in SE Little Rock as of June 22-24, 
2009. It is near the intersection of Fourche Dam Pike and Sloane Drive on a 
power pole in an industrial area. 


A possible Brown Pelican is being seen on Lake Conway.

At Stuttgart Airport, a Bell’s Vireo is present.
	
Two possible Caspian Terns were seen flying southeast over Lake Wilson in 
Fayetteville. 


During an ASCA field trip in the Ozark National Forest, along Sulphur Rd. near 
Pelsor, there were 5 CERULEAN WARBLERS, 4 Ovenbirds, 4 Hooded Warblers, and 2 
Kentucky Warblers. Along Page Hollow Rd. there was another Cerulean plus a 
cooperative Yellow-throated Warbler and an uncooperative Black-throated Green 
Warbler. Two Prairie Warblers were another easy get on Granny Gap Rd. 


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:  June 26, 2009
Phone number:  (501)753-5853
To Report: (501)753-5853, ARBird email discussion list, BRC forms available at 
ARBirds.org 

Compiler/Transcriber:  DeLynn Hearn
Coverage: Statewide

-End transcript

 



DeLynn Hearn
Senior Consultant, Mary Kay Cosmetics
317 West K St.
N. Little Rock, AR  72116
(501)771-4686
www.marykay.com/dhearn1




------------------------------------------------------------
Criminal Lawyer
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http://tagline.iwon.com/fc/FgElN2Mll5u8VvcRLJmV2QxjpnGX63CU4qcWu8c6J17m8AyoeBBOrM8Bbry/ 
Subject: Sightings: Stuttgart Airport
From: Dan Scheiman <birddan AT COMCAST.NET>
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:55:32 -0500
Samantha Holschbach and I surveyed Stuttgart Airport this 
morning.  Amidst the heat and mosquitoes we were treated to Northern 
Bobwhites, Blue Grosbeaks, an Orchard Oriole, a Loggerhead Shrike, a 
Common Nighthawk, and a BELL'S VIREO (in a different shrub clump from 
where I've found them before).  We also saw a Great Horned Owl.  We 
saw it on three different occasions as either we or the mobbing birds 
flushed it from tree clump to tree clump.  No Painted Bunting this time.

Dan Scheiman
Little Rock, AR
Subject: shaping-in-the-making
From: joeneal <joeneal AT UARK.EDU>
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:17:49 -0500
Coopers Hawk was common in the Fayetteville area in the 50s, rare at  
least by the late 70s and VERY BACK as a nester today. I share the  
expressed joy of William Shepherd and others posting to this list on  
recovery. It is easy to be so overwhelmed by negative in our world  
that we fail to celebrate concrete evidence that sound science backing  
thoughtful public policy can make it better.

Historically -- northwestern Arkansas probably had a nesting  
population of Upland Sandpipers on its Tallgrass Prairies. We still  
see them regularly as transients. Rose Ann Barnhill, David Oakley,  
Jacque Brown, and I made a trip over to the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve  
north of Tulsa on June 20. We were treated to dozens of Upland  
Sandpipers that nest there. A trip like that is time travel. We are  
back to Arkansas in 1800. We saw 5 ornate box turtles, another amazing  
creature mostly lost to Arkansans. Finding one is like finding an  
arrowhead. Others have been here before.

We had a field trip over to Baker Prairie in Harrison on June 13,  
expressly to seek Willow Flycatchers. This is the only bird first  
described to science from Arkansas. In Audubons time, they were  
apparently widespread nesting birds on our prairies. Slowly our  
prairies have disappeared, as have nesting Willow Flycatchers. We  
found them on June 13, and Leesia Marshall-Rosenberger showed us a  
nest. This is the only place in the state (I think) where they still  
nest. We were as excited as Audubon, when he saw his first.

The situation with Coopers Hawk, Upland Sandpiper, and Willow  
Flycatcher reminds me of how we shape the environment, good and ill.  
Shaping is all around us. The proposed coal plant down by Grassy Lake  
and Lake Millwood is a shaping-in-the-making. As in the case of hawks,  
sandpipers, and flycatchers -- we have choices to make. It is about  
how many watts to generate and how to generate. We have futures to  
shape. It is about the nature of power.

Some of y'all got upset when some others celebrated the recent court  
decision requiring re-thinking the coal project. As I write on my  
computer, cooled by AC, with cold water in the ice box (oops,  
refrigerator), I am reminded we don't have a realistic choice about  
whether or not to generate electricity. That train has already left  
the station. But how -- is that not the CURRENT question?

If you look at the billions of folks in the developing world who are  
just now learning to depend on lights and fans, it is easy enough to  
see our planet distress. We need electricity generated in a way that  
guides the world, as we aspire to do with democracy. I would very much  
like to see our large utilities lead in generating power. I mean it  
metaphorically. They have the people, the expertise, and the resources  
IF we want it.

Creating jobs folks desperately need in SW AR - YES. Generating  
electricity that reflects the needs of our future - YES. Retooling  
America to help us lead the world in a safer cleaner energy future -  
YES. That is POWER, thoughtful and respectful of our future.

We can bring back Coopers Hawk and we can restore more of our  
Tallgrass Prairie plus the wonderful creatures that require it. We can  
have electricity, jobs, ornate box turtles, and a relatively clean  
environment. We do not have to live in negativity and refusal to  
celebrate the good and the possible, just because it is different than  
practices in the past or not as perfect as we wish it could be.

I am proud to say: we lead the world in many aspects of living, and we  
do it in thoughtful, respectful conservation as well.

-- 
JOSEPH C. NEAL in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Subject: Re: new publication on climate change and birds
From: Janine Perlman <jpandjf AT SWBELL.NET>
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:41:08 -0500
Thanks, Kim.  
Ironically, as reported in recent weeks, key parameters of global warming are 
changing at a greater rate than even worst-case-scenario computer modelling. So 
this document almost certainly underestimates future changes. 


Janine Perlman
Alexander Mt., Saline Co.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kimberly Smith 
  To: ARBIRD-L AT LISTSERV.UARK.EDU 
  Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 2:44 PM
  Subject: new publication on climate change and birds


 Here is a link to a new US Forest Service publication on climate change and 
birds in eastern United States: 


   

  http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/atlas/bird/index.html

   

   

  *********************************************************
  Kimberly G. Smith

  University Professor of Biological Sciences
  Department of Biological Sciences
  University of Arkansas
  Fayetteville, AR 72701
  479-575-6359 
  fax:479-575-4010  email:  kgsmith AT uark.edu
  *********************************************************

   
Subject: Re: Fwd: Western Kingbird Nest Active in SE Little Rock
From: Jim Dixon <jamesdixonlr AT ATT.NET>
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:09:09 -0500
Thanks.  I went there this evening and they were there.  They were my 
first Western Kingbirds of the year.

Here are two images:
http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=2262
http://jamesdixon.us/?page_id=4&g2_itemId=2265

Jim Dixon 
Little Rock, AR
www.JamesDixon.us



Joan Luneau wrote:
>
> from Guy.....
>
>  
>
> Joan Luneau
>
> North Little Rock, AR
>
>
> ----- Forwarded Message -----
> From: bobolink16 AT comcast.net
> To: joan AT luneau.org
> Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 10:57:49 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central
> Subject: Western Kingbird Nest Active in SE Little Rock
>
> There is an active Western Kingbird nest in SE Little Rock as of June 
> 22-24, 2009.  It is near the intersection of Fourche Dam Pike and 
> Sloane Drive on a power pole in an industrial area.
>
>  
>
> Directions are:  Take Exit 5 (Fourche Dam Pike) off of I-440.  Go 
> south on Fourche Dam Pike 1/2-mile to the 4-way stop.  Turn right 
> (west) at the 4-way stop onto Sloane Drive.  Go west only 200 feet 
> from the intersection to the second paved driveway on the right that 
> enters into the Custom Metals shop.  Don't turn into the shop, but the 
> paved shoulder is reasonably wide here and you can pull over just 
> before the second driveway.  Immediately west of the driveway are two 
> power poles.  The nest is on the pole that is inside Custom Metals's 
> fence, roughly halfway up the pole on a side support piece on the 
> north side of that pole.
>
>  
>
> Guy Luneau
>
> N. Little Rock
>
>
Subject: birding Roaring Rivers in Missouri.
From: Jacque Brown <bluebird2 AT COX.NET>
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:55:12 -0400
I am thinking of birding Roaring Rivers State Park in Missouri in the next few 
days. It's not all that far from Centerton . My four day weekend is this 
weekend. If anyone has been there do you think there is a trail that is better 
than the others for birding? It's supposed to be hot hot hot and I would rather 
make the most of the morning and save the heatstroke for my yard work. 

--
Jacque Brown
Centerton
Benton, Co AR,
bluebird2 AT cox.net
Subject: new publication on climate change and birds
From: Kimberly Smith <kgsmith AT UARK.EDU>
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:44:27 -0500
Here is a link to a new US Forest Service publication on climate change and
birds in eastern United States:

 

 
http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/atlas/bird/index.html

 

 

*********************************************************
Kimberly G. Smith

University Professor of Biological Sciences
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479-575-6359 
fax:479-575-4010  email:  kgsmith AT uark.edu
*********************************************************

 
Subject: AAS newsletter
From: Lyndal York <lrbluejay AT SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:17:33 -0700
The Arkansas Audubon Society newsletter info on the website has been updated.  
Go to http://www.arbirds.org/newsletter.html for news items and to 
http://www.arbitds.org/rare_birds.htms  for reports of rare birds observed 
during the winter 08/09 season. 

 
There is a front page  item on birding in Columbia in the Wall Street J.  For a 
slide show and the story go to www.WSJ.com/World.   Anyone ready to go? 

 
Lyndal York
AAS Webmaster