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23 May Jordan Lake Spring Bird Count [Norman Budnitz ] 23 May RE: Gray Kingbird(s) at Edisto Beach, SC [Elisa Enders ] 23 May unsuscribe [Ruth Young ] 22 May Carolina Beach State Park [Jamie Adams ] 22 May Canopy feeding Tri-coloreds? [Jack Rogers ] 22 May Re: Nice Birding in N. Durham CO, 2 late records ["thkrakauer AT gmail.com" ] 22 May Re: Bluebird Nesting Question ["Ron" ] 22 May Re: Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, near Piedmont, Greenville County, SC [Lee weber ] 22 May Brown Pelican in upstate South Carolina (Pickens County) [Matthew Johnson ] 22 May Nice Birding in N. Durham CO, 2 late records [] 22 May Re: Bluebird Nesting Question [Philip Dickinson ] 22 May Bluebird Nesting Question [Gretchen Schramm ] 22 May Warbling Vireo continues, Shelley Lake, Raleigh NC 5/22/13 [nicholas flanders ] 22 May Snowy Egret @ Bond Park, Cary, NC [Eddie Owens ] 22 May Acadian Flycatcher on Seabrook [David Gardner ] 21 May Note to AOL subscribers [Will Cook ] 21 May Gray Kingbird(s) at Edisto Beach, SC [Nate Dias ] 21 May Red Crossbills at Mt. Mitchell [william haddad ] 21 May Wood Thrush [Blayne & Anne ] 21 May Milltail Creek, Dare Co., NC BBS highlights ["J. Merrill Lynch" ] 21 May Amazing videos of Texas bird fallout [Robert Lewis ] 21 May Re: Fea's, Trindade Petrels seen; Space on May 22, 23, 24 and 25 trips [Brian Patteson ] 21 May Bodie Island NC [Linda Ward ] 20 May RE: Fea's, Trindade Petrels seen; Space on May 22, 23, 24 and 25 trips ["Mike" ] 20 May Re: Fea's, Trindade Petrels seen; Space on May 22, 23, 24 and 25 trips [Harry LeGrand ] 20 May Re: Fea's, Trindade Petrels seen; Space on May 22, 23, 24 and 25 trips [Stu-Man-Fu ] 20 May Re: Spotted Sandpipers [Nate Dias ] 20 May Re: Missing: one Common Nighthawk [Marty Wall ] 20 May Spotted Sandpipers ["KC Foggin" ] 20 May Black Rail Bear Island [] 20 May Mississippi Kites Over Hickory [Dwayne Martin ] 20 May Re: Missing: one Common Nighthawk [Jeannie Kraus ] 20 May Holden Beach birding? [Virginia Rosenberg ] 20 May Got Post and McNair/Taphonomy note [Chris Hill ] 20 May Re: Whip-poor-will, Chuck-will's-widow, Mississippi Kites and Shrike [William Burke ] 20 May McNair and Post [Chris Hill ] 20 May Fea's, Trindade Petrels seen; Space on May 22, 23, 24 and 25 trips [Brian Patteson ] 20 May Re: Missing: one Common Nighthawk [] 20 May Black-billed Cuckoo, Alligator River NWR, Dare Cty NC [Audrey ] 20 May barred owl ["Barbara Brooks" ] 20 May Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, near Piedmont, Greenville County, SC [Paul Serridge ] 20 May Whip-poor-will, Chuck-will's-widow, Mississippi Kites and Shrike [Ann Brice ] 20 May Re: Swallow-tailed Kite, Nags Head, Dare Cty NC [Jeff Lewis ] 20 May Audubon NC Annual Meeting [Lena Gallitano ] 20 May Re: Missing: one Common Nighthawk [Harry LeGrand ] 20 May Re: Missing: one Common Nighthawk [Harry LeGrand ] 20 May Puffin Tours in Maine? [] 19 May RE: Missing: one Common Nighthawk [] 19 May Hooded Merganser and youngster [Beth Garver ] 19 May Swallow-tailed Kite, Nags Head, Dare Cty NC [Audrey ] 19 May Missing: one Common Nighthawk [Marty Wall ] 19 May Magnolia Gardens, Charleston Co., SC ["Ann Truesdale" ] 19 May Painted Buntings, Columbia [Parkin Hunter ] 19 May Parkway - CERULEAN WARBLERS [Simon Harvey ] 19 May Re: comments about Loggerhead Shrike at Cedar Island Ferry Terminal [Norman Budnitz ] 19 May comments about Loggerhead Shrike at Cedar Island Ferry Terminal ["John Fussell" ] 19 May some Carteret County (NC) birds ["John Fussell" ] 19 May Good Dare County, NC birds [Jeff Lewis ] 19 May Loon lingers (Durham, NC) [Kent Fiala ] 18 May Wake Co., NC-Lake Crabtree County Park-05/18/2013 [Mike Turner ] 18 May RE: Bathing hummingbird [] 18 May Bathing hummingbird [John Dole ] 18 May Re: Prothonotary Warbler [Lena Gallitano ] 18 May max patch rd ["Andy Zivinsky" ] 18 May Spring Bird Count Compilers [Marilyn Westphal ] 18 May semi-plover at Lake James State Park [] 17 May Chapel Hill Bird Club Meeting: Birding Islands in the Bering Sea [Kent Fiala ] 17 May Wake Co., NC-Lake Wheeler-05/17/2013 [Mike Turner ] 17 May Jackson Park,Henderson County, NC ["Wayne K. Forsythe" ] 17 May My Red-headed Woodie ["KC Foggin" ] 17 May Prothonotary Warbler [Amalie Tuffin ] 17 May Re: Hearing Loss and Songfinder [Blayne & Anne ] 17 May Re: Hearing Loss and Songfinder [Julia Shields ] 17 May Loggerhead Shrike and Indigo Bunting [Blayne & Anne ] 17 May ALSO on BRP: Broadwinged Hawk(s) ["Tomm Lorenzin" ] 17 May Re: Hearing Loss and Songfinder [KEN YOUNT ] Subject: Jordan Lake Spring Bird Count From: Norman Budnitz <nbudnitz AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 11:58:15 -0400 Jordan Lake Spring Bird Count 2013 May 5, 2013, was a cool, overcast day, with temperatures ranging from 52°F in the morning to 57°F in the afternoon. Winds were calm to 15 mph with gusts to 20 mph. At least there was no precipitation. Forty observers (low compared to our 10-year average: 45) in only 18 parties participated. This meant that in some parts of the count circle that normally get covered, the birds were left to observe themselves. We did tally 8,138 individual birds (avg. 7,988) in 120 species (avg. 124) in 106 party hours (avg. 129). Read on for some of the highlights, more or less in phylogenetic order. *Horned Grebe*, 2—Perry Haaland and Pam Timmons. *Forster’s Tern*, 1—Tom Krakauer. *Blue-winged Warbler*, 1*--*Elizabeth & Todd Bishop, David & Millicent Van Ness** *Bay-breasted Warbler*, 1—Carol and Carl Chelette *White-crowned Sparrow*, 1—Melinda Meade And of extra special note: *Swainson’s Warbler*, 1—Mark Kosiewski and Sasha Konkel. This normally is a particularly difficult bird to identify and even more difficult to get past a skeptical compiler. But Mark was able to capture a grainy, but good enough video with his smart phone that shows the bird singing! Swainson’s has only been reported for our count two other times, in 2002 and 1984. We didn’t have many new records, but we did have a few: *Horned Grebe*, 2 (we have had 1 each in several spring counts in the past 10 years); *Northern Rough-winged Swallow*, 187 (previous high was 155 in 2012); *Barn Swallow*, 542 (382 in 1990); *Pine Siskin*, 32 (25 in 1990). The swallows were estimated by Tom Krakauer as part of a very large number of various swallow species coursing over the lake off Ebenezer Point. A few notable misses this year were American Coot (Will Cook was not able to cover Harris Lake), Loggerhead Shrike (the pair on Pea Ridge Rd. were nowhere to be found), Blackpoll Warbler, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. The latter two were probably just missed rather than being completely absent. Tom Driscoll and Frances Sample found the largest number of species (82) of any party this year. Doug Shadwick and Bob Rybczynski weren’t far behind with 78. On a sad note, we lost Phil Warren when he passed away earlier this year. Phil had been a stalwart counter for us, both spring and Christmas, since he moved to our area in 2006. When no one else could find them, Phil always seemed to be able to get out early and report all three owl species. But we’ll miss him for more than his owls; he was also a very good friend. If you would like to see a spreadsheet of this count and a cumulative spreadsheet of all our counts, please visit the Bird Counts page on the New Hope Audubon website at: http://www.newhopeaudubon.org/birdCounts.html. Norm Budnitz, compiler. -- Norm Budnitz Orange County North Carolina Subject: RE: Gray Kingbird(s) at Edisto Beach, SC From: Elisa Enders <elisaenders AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 10:48:16 -0400 I tried for the Gray Kingbirds after work yesterday, from about 6:15 to 8pm, and failed to find them. Seemed like I walked and drove all over Edisto Beach, but they could still be out there. They would have been a lifer, so my knowledge of their behavior is very limited. Plenty of mockingbirds were making themselves visible. I enjoyed a displaying Eurasian Collared-Dove, even though they aren't my favorite species (they are common here!). Also, Wilson's Plovers were on the beach and a few Painted Buntings were singing. Later, I tried for marsh birds (hoping for calling rails) along Steamboat Landing Road and heard several Marsh Wrens and Chuck-will's-widows were calling. Elisa Enders Portsmouth, VA (temporarily in Goose Creek, SC) Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 20:43:04 -0400 Subject: Gray Kingbird(s) at Edisto Beach, SC From: offshorebirder AT gmail.com To: carolinabirds AT duke.edu There was one, perhaps two Gray Kingbird(s) at the southwest corner of Edisto Beach this afternoon. I saw the first one perched on the power lines behind the marina complex, beside the smaller parking lot there. I shot a few photos - a couple are on my Flickr page at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/offshorebirder2/ After phoning a couple of people, I drove east on Docksite Road to check the ponds of the golf course. There on the power line in front of the seafood place + water sports shop - was a Gray Kingbird. I don't think the same bird slipped past me and raced 500 yards up the road to pose... So I guess I am going to call it 2 Gray Kingbirds. Maybe others can verify this - I need to dig up Sid Gauthreaux's email address... Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC PS I had some good birds at Bear Island WMA this morning before hitting Edisto Beach. Subject: unsuscribe From: Ruth Young <reyoung1227 AT bellsouth.net> Date: Thu, 23 May 2013 09:54:24 -0400 Subject: Carolina Beach State Park From: Jamie Adams <Jamie.Adams AT quintiles.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 22:12:38 -0400 Carolina Beach State Park was quite active this evening. Saw an Eastern Screech Owl poke his head out the Owl Box. 2 Mississippi Kites soaring quite low, which was a first for me at CB SP. The bunting feeder had up to 4 Painted Bunting at one time on feeder. If anyone is interested in seeing the Painted Bunting, this seems to be as good a place as any. I have seen them reliably for the past 4-5 times I have gone. I also saw a falcon which I would have sworn was a Merlin but can't be positive and eBird seems to flag this as rare. Also, got a Summer Tanager. Jamie Adams, Wilmington, NC ********************** IMPORTANT--PLEASE READ ************************ This electronic message, including its attachments, is COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL and may contain PROPRIETARY or LEGALLY PRIVILEGED information. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, disclosure, copying, or distribution of this message or any of the information included in it is unauthorized and strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify the sender by reply e-mail and permanently delete this message and its attachments, along with any copies thereof. Thank you. ************************************************************************ Subject: Canopy feeding Tri-coloreds? From: Jack Rogers <jack AT 4rogers.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 17:57:11 -0400 Was out in the Rookery today. Not much to see or hear, but one Tri-colored Heron (not the most common bird in the Rookery) did make an appearance. It seemed to be canopy feeding, however. I've only ever seen this once in a pair of Reddish Egrets I saw at Folly last year. Anyone know if this is common in Tri-coloreds or other species? Thanks! -- Jack Rogers Mt Pleasant, SC My blog My Flickr page Subject: Re: Nice Birding in N. Durham CO, 2 late records From: "thkrakauer AT gmail.com" <thkrakauer@gmail.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 17:08:08 -0400 I don't well at high frequency. I knew where the ghsp would be, I saw it on a fence and called it in. I have no problems at mid frequencies. There well might have been more warblers. Scott Winton heard yellow throated at Quail Roost, but I don't do well, and it was windy which creates more problems for me. I used a Siemans hearing aide. Tom On May 22, 2013, at 3:51 PM, wrote: > Caroline Gilmore and I had a nice morning birding in N. Durham County at > Quail Roost, Eden Lakes and my house on White Horse Run. > We started at 6:15 and stopped at 9:15 am. We were treated to 45 species > including late records of Pine Siskin at Quail Roost, and a brief song of a > White Throat at Eden Lakes. Good looks at the Siskins and the Grasshopper > Sparrow at Quail Roost. > > Canada Goose 10 > Mallard 9 > Black Vulture 1 > Turkey Vulture 3 > Red-shouldered hk 1 > Rock Pigeon 5 > Mourning Dove 15 > Chimney Swift 8 > Rd-bellied wp 4 > Eastern Wood-Peewee 1 > Unident epid 2 > Eastern Kingbird 3 > White-eyed Vireo 1 > Yellow-th Vireo 1 > Blue Jay 1 > American Crow 10 > Purple Martin 12 > Tree Swallow 3 > Barn Swallow 5 > Carolina Chickadee 2 > Tufted Titmouse 3 > Carolina Wren 4 > Eastern Bluebird 20 > Wood Thrush 1 > American Robin 1 > N. Mockingbird 8 > Brown Thrasher 2 > Europ Starling 20 > Common Yellowthroat 3 > Summer Tanager 1 > Eastern Towhee 1 > Chipping Sp. 4 > Grasshoper Sp 1 ***** > Song Sparrow 3 > Wh-throated sp 1 ***** > N. Cardinal 7 > Blue Grosbeak 1 > Indigo Bunting 11 > Red-winged Black 2 > Eastern Meadowlark 13 > Common Grackle 13 > House Finch 8 > Pine Siskin 2 ***** > American Goldfinch 1 > House Sp 6 > > Tom Krakauer > Bahama, NC > > > > > Subject: Re: Bluebird Nesting Question From: "Ron" <waxwing AT bellsouth.net> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 16:24:30 -0400 To add to Phil’s comments, incubation is just under two weeks. Nestlings fledge in 2-2 1/2 weeks. Sometimes, or maybe often, the male will feed the fledgings, while the female lays more eggs. They crank them out, with up to three clutches per season. Nests I’ve seen are almost totally pine needles, but grass can be used also. Ron Clark Kings Mtn. NC From: Philip Dickinson Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 3:10 PM To: Gretchen Schramm ; Carolinabirds AT duke.edu Subject: Re: Bluebird Nesting Question My experience has been that the selection and nest-building process is pretty quick – a matter of just a few days. Then the egg laying can take up to another week, as eggs can be placed one at a time before actual incubation begins. A good website is www.ncbluebird.org. Phil Dickinson Winston-Salem From: Gretchen Schramm Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 2:41 PM To: Carolinabirds Subject: Bluebird Nesting Question I overkilled on my bluebird nesting boxes (seven on a half acre) as I so wanted a pair to choose our yard for their new home. A pair of chickadees nested in one box, then fledged, then the box got cleaned. I just photographed a pair of bluebirds going in and out of that box. My question is: What is the normal behavior of nesting bluebirds? Is a site 'chosen' if they both repeatedly go in and out of the box? Do they then start collecting nesting materials and, if so, how long a period do I wait to determine that they have, indeed, chosen this site? All other necessities (water, shelter, food) are within easy reach. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Gretchen Wilmington, NC Subject: Re: Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, near Piedmont, Greenville County, SC From: Lee weber <leeweber56 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 13:18:33 -0700 (PDT) While on business in Greenville Tuesday I stopped by this location hoping to see these birds and did I ever. Both male and female flew back and forth to nest after feeding and gathering nest material for at least 45 minutes. Beautiful birds! Two other birders were already there and we also saw Eastern Meadowlarks, a nesting Killdeer, Black Vulture, Field Sparrow, Eastern Kingbird, Bluebirds further up road, Mourning Doves, American Crow, and lots of Mockingbirds. We heard Grasshopper Sparrow but could not positively ID by sight. But Rocky if you read this, after you left while I drove very slowly back down the road and there very close to the pole where the Scissor-tailed Flycatchers were there sitting on the barbed wire fence was a Grasshopper Sparrow that I got a great look at. Life bird for me.   Lee W. ________________________________ From: Paul Serridge To: GCBC ; Carolina Birds Sent: Monday, May 20, 2013 1:21 PM Subject: Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, near Piedmont, Greenville County, SC On May 18 Chris Clack reported that the pair of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers at the Kellett Farm on Gunter Rd, Piedmont, SC had started nesting activity on the upper structure of a utility pole. That was again reported by several GCBC members yesterday. Today I saw both birds at the utility pole (4th pole from the junction of Gunter and Oak lawn Roads; the pole bears a sign "70 L".) The female flew into the field and gathered nesting material. The male stayed on a wire near the pole. When the female returned with the material the male flew up to the nest but did not do anything. This whole scenario was repeated after 5 minutes or so. On both occasions the female put the nesting material down on the nest and then sat on the nest, changing position as though shaping it with her body. This is the same place where a pair of Scissor-tails constructed 2 successive nests and raised 2 broods in 2010. In the intervening years a pair has revisited the farm but their nest(s) had not been found. The location of this nest presents great photo opportunities! Paul Serridge Greenville, SC Subject: Brown Pelican in upstate South Carolina (Pickens County) From: Matthew Johnson <mjohns5 AT clemson.edu> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 20:15:01 +0000 Hi all, A few hours ago, a friend called to say that he'd spotted a Brown Pelican on Lake Hartwell, about a mile south of the Clemson University campus. I quickly drove over and relocated it; I think another birder got a few documentary pictures. The bird appeared to be a juvenile. Good birding, Matt Johnson Clemson, SC Subject: Nice Birding in N. Durham CO, 2 late records From: <thkrakauer AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 15:51:56 -0400 Caroline Gilmore and I had a nice morning birding in N. Durham County at Quail Roost, Eden Lakes and my house on White Horse Run. We started at 6:15 and stopped at 9:15 am. We were treated to 45 species including late records of Pine Siskin at Quail Roost, and a brief song of a White Throat at Eden Lakes. Good looks at the Siskins and the Grasshopper Sparrow at Quail Roost. Canada Goose 10 Mallard 9 Black Vulture 1 Turkey Vulture 3 Red-shouldered hk 1 Rock Pigeon 5 Mourning Dove 15 Chimney Swift 8 Rd-bellied wp 4 Eastern Wood-Peewee 1 Unident epid 2 Eastern Kingbird 3 White-eyed Vireo 1 Yellow-th Vireo 1 Blue Jay 1 American Crow 10 Purple Martin 12 Tree Swallow 3 Barn Swallow 5 Carolina Chickadee 2 Tufted Titmouse 3 Carolina Wren 4 Eastern Bluebird 20 Wood Thrush 1 American Robin 1 N. Mockingbird 8 Brown Thrasher 2 Europ Starling 20 Common Yellowthroat 3 Summer Tanager 1 Eastern Towhee 1 Chipping Sp. 4 Grasshoper Sp 1 ***** Song Sparrow 3 Wh-throated sp 1 ***** N. Cardinal 7 Blue Grosbeak 1 Indigo Bunting 11 Red-winged Black 2 Eastern Meadowlark 13 Common Grackle 13 House Finch 8 Pine Siskin 2 ***** American Goldfinch 1 House Sp 6 Tom Krakauer Bahama, NC Subject: Re: Bluebird Nesting Question From: Philip Dickinson <pdickins AT triad.rr.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 15:10:00 -0400 My experience has been that the selection and nest-building process is pretty quick ­ a matter of just a few days. Then the egg laying can take up to another week, as eggs can be placed one at a time before actual incubation begins. A good website is www.ncbluebird.org. Phil Dickinson Winston-Salem From: Gretchen Schramm Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 2:41 PM To: Carolinabirds Subject: Bluebird Nesting Question I overkilled on my bluebird nesting boxes (seven on a half acre) as I so wanted a pair to choose our yard for their new home. A pair of chickadees nested in one box, then fledged, then the box got cleaned. I just photographed a pair of bluebirds going in and out of that box. My question is: What is the normal behavior of nesting bluebirds? Is a site 'chosen' if they both repeatedly go in and out of the box? Do they then start collecting nesting materials and, if so, how long a period do I wait to determine that they have, indeed, chosen this site? All other necessities (water, shelter, food) are within easy reach. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Gretchen Wilmington, NC Subject: Bluebird Nesting Question From: Gretchen Schramm <gretchenschramm7 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 14:41:47 -0400 I overkilled on my bluebird nesting boxes (seven on a half acre) as I so wanted a pair to choose our yard for their new home. A pair of chickadees nested in one box, then fledged, then the box got cleaned. I just photographed a pair of bluebirds going in and out of that box. My question is: What is the normal behavior of nesting bluebirds? Is a site 'chosen' if they both repeatedly go in and out of the box? Do they then start collecting nesting materials and, if so, how long a period do I wait to determine that they have, indeed, chosen this site? All other necessities (water, shelter, food) are within easy reach. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Gretchen Wilmington, NC Subject: Warbling Vireo continues, Shelley Lake, Raleigh NC 5/22/13 From: nicholas flanders <flicknanders AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 10:02:26 -0400 Thanks to Karen Bearden for getting the word out on this bird's return. I heard the Warbling Vireo singing non-stop from that little patch of trees along the lake shore in the extreme southeastern corner of Shelley Lake this morning. I didn't have time to linger and look for another individual or other signs of another nesting attempt, unfortunately. A female Ruddy Duck was out in the Lake. Best, Nick Flanders Raleigh, NC Subject: Snowy Egret @ Bond Park, Cary, NC From: Eddie Owens <banjoman_57 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 06:47:07 -0700 (PDT) Snowy Egret is a park bird for me in this urban patch. Found it in the beaver pond with a Green Heron.  The purpose of this morning's trip around the lake was to track locations of singing Acadian Flycatchers. I found 6 birds in their usual spots, and hope to find their nests when they start them. Last year I found 2 nests, both in American Hornbeams, of which there seem to be plenty.   Eddie OwensCary NC --- On Wed, 5/22/13, do-not-reply AT ebird.org wrote: From: do-not-reply AT ebird.org Subject: eBird Report - Bond Park, May 22, 2013 To: banjoman_57 AT yahoo.com Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2013, 9:39 AM Bond Park, Wake, US-NC May 22, 2013 7:07 AM - 9:04 AM Protocol: Traveling 3.0 mile(s) Comments:      Submitted from BirdLog NA for iOS, version 1.5.3 34 species Canada Goose  1 Great Blue Heron  1 Snowy Egret  1 Green Heron  1 Mourning Dove  3 Chimney Swift  2 Red-bellied Woodpecker  6 Downy Woodpecker  2 Acadian Flycatcher  6     1 singing AT bridge #8, has vernal pool, Am. Hornbeams; 1 heard singing bet. bridges # 10 & 11, creekside; 1 singing right at bridge #12; 1 singing on Black Creek greenway & footpath intersection; 1 singing at cinderblock house near intersection of Black Creek & Lake Trail; 1 singing where Black Creek goes under Lake Trail; Great Crested Flycatcher  6 Eastern Kingbird  2 Red-eyed Vireo  3 Blue Jay  5 American Crow  6 Fish Crow  2 Northern Rough-winged Swallow  1 Carolina Chickadee  9 Tufted Titmouse  10 White-breasted Nuthatch  2 Brown-headed Nuthatch  3 House Wren  6 Carolina Wren  15 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  9 Eastern Bluebird  2 Gray Catbird  2 American Redstart  2 Pine Warbler  8 Eastern Towhee  2 Chipping Sparrow  4 Summer Tanager  1 Northern Cardinal  25 Blue Grosbeak  2     At Trapper's Run power line cut. Common Grackle (Purple)  1 American Goldfinch  8 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14204934 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) Subject: Acadian Flycatcher on Seabrook From: David Gardner <davidgardner14 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 2013 00:43:20 -0400 Hi folks, Heard and saw my first Acadian on Seabrook for over three years, today. I originally attributed lack of sightings to an unfamiliarity to their song. However, after looking at e-bird it seems they rarely are seen on the barrier islands. I guess lack of good riparian might account for it - any other suggestions? Also - figured since its reported rarely on the Barrier Islands, it was worth mentioning on this list. Happy birding, David St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center, Seabrook Island, SC Sent from my iPhone Subject: Note to AOL subscribers From: Will Cook <cwcook AT duke.edu> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 21:59:12 -0400 AOL is currently blocking messages from the Duke list server for some reason. This is the error message: "554 CON:B1 The IP address has been blocked due to a spike in unfavorable e-mail statistics." I'm not sure which IP address is being blocked, but it could be lists.duke.edu [152.3.100.244]. Almost all AOL subscribers were automatically taken off Carolinabirds because of too many error messages bounced back. You're free to resubscribe, but may not receive anything until you complain to the folks at AOL. -- Will Cook - Durham, NC http://www.carolinanature.com/ Subject: Gray Kingbird(s) at Edisto Beach, SC From: Nate Dias <offshorebirder AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 20:43:04 -0400 There was one, perhaps two Gray Kingbird(s) at the southwest corner of Edisto Beach this afternoon. I saw the first one perched on the power lines behind the marina complex, beside the smaller parking lot there. I shot a few photos - a couple are on my Flickr page at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/offshorebirder2/ After phoning a couple of people, I drove east on Docksite Road to check the ponds of the golf course. There on the power line in front of the seafood place + water sports shop - was a Gray Kingbird. I don't think the same bird slipped past me and raced 500 yards up the road to pose... So I guess I am going to call it 2 Gray Kingbirds. Maybe others can verify this - I need to dig up Sid Gauthreaux's email address... Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC PS I had some good birds at Bear Island WMA this morning before hitting Edisto Beach. Subject: Red Crossbills at Mt. Mitchell From: william haddad <photobill9 AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 19:53:37 -0400 About 8 am. this morning I saw a flock of Red Crossbills at the foot of Mts. Mitchell. There was a good amount of noise as this was apparently a staging area for BRP repair. Just to the north on the Parkway my visitor from FL. and I saw Blackburnian and Canada Warblers and a Hairy Woodpecker as well as Red-breasted Nuthatch and Golden-crowned Kinglet. At Crabtree we saw a Scarlet Tanager and other birds including Crows mobbing a Raven. Highlights of the last few days in the mts. included Baltmore and Orchard Orioles, Golden-winged Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Swainson's Thrush, Alder, Willow and Least Flycatchers, Eastern Kingbird, four species of Sparrows, many Wild Turkey, other Warblers,and the usual feeders at the cabin. Wood Thrush, Catbirds, Veeries and Blue-headed Vireos were some of the best songsters. Bill Haddad Spruce Pine, FL. Subject: Wood Thrush From: Blayne & Anne <bolsen187 AT frontier.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 13:01:40 -0700 (PDT) This morning with the damp and cool weather, a Wood Thrush was singing in the woods east of our house.  Ten minutes later on my walk around the farm,  I heard another Wood Thrush on the property southwest of us.  Since these two areas are at least 1/2 mile apart, I am sure these are two different birds. Here is a list of birds that I saw on my morning walk around our farm. Cooper's Hawk  1 Red-tailed Hawk  1 Mourning Dove  5 Ruby-throated Hummingbird  1 Red-bellied Woodpecker  1 Eastern Wood-Pewee  1 Great Crested Flycatcher  1 Eastern Kingbird  4 Blue Jay  1 American Crow  4 Barn Swallow  2 Carolina Chickadee  1 Tufted Titmouse  5 Carolina Wren  3 Eastern Bluebird  7 Wood Thrush  2 Northern Mockingbird  1 Common Yellowthroat  2 Eastern Towhee  1 Field Sparrow  5 Summer Tanager  1 Northern Cardinal  5 Indigo Bunting  1 Eastern Meadowlark  4 House Finch  2   Anne Anne & Blayne Olsen Monroe, NC Subject: Milltail Creek, Dare Co., NC BBS highlights From: "J. Merrill Lynch" <jmerrilllynch AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 15:29:36 -0400 This morning I ran the Milltail Creek BBS that runs thru Alligator River NWR and the Dare Bombing Range on mainland Dare Co., NC. Best bird was a calling Black-billed Cuckoo. Because of the extensive pocosin and swamp forest habitat this route always has some interesting species totals. Examples include: Prothonotary Warbler--82 (35 stops), Prairie Warbler--42 (23), Great Crested Flycatcher--73 (37)--a record for the route I think, Pileated Woodpecker--42 (25), and Yellow-billed Cuckoo--17 (14). Other unusual birds for the route included Field Sparrow (new for the route), Yellow-br. Chat, Wild Turkey, and Am. Robin (singing in a burned pocosin far from any yards!). Total species: 65. J. Merrill Lynch Echo Valley Farm Watauga County, NC 3,400 feet elevation Sent from my iPhone Subject: Amazing videos of Texas bird fallout From: Robert Lewis <rfermat AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 09:08:12 -0700 (PDT) Apologies if this has already been posted here. Here is a link to some amazing photos and videos of the Texas April 26 fallout. The videos are highly relevant to the Carolinas. I for one have never before seen a video of Swainson's Warbler. It occurs at the 5:00 minute mark of the first video. Bob Lewis Sleepy Hollow NY http://www.texasbirdimages.com/home/2013-fallout---cameron-county Subject: Re: Fea's, Trindade Petrels seen; Space on May 22, 23, 24 and 25 trips From: Brian Patteson <patteson1 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 07:05:44 -0400 Mike, I'm trying to remember if you stuck by the AOU right to the end when what we now call "Fea's" Petrel was still lumped w/ Soft-plumaged Petrel. Seems like you embraced the first hint of a split overseas (not that it every should have been lumped), but that was years ago, and I could be wrong. Anyhow, we both know that Trindade Petrels should not be lumped w/ Herald Petrels, but if you want to call them "Herald" Petrels, go for it. I suppose in the eBird age, there are times when one has to be "politically correct," even if it perpetuates a flawed taxonomy. Brian Patteson Hatteras, NC On May 20, 2013, at 10:06 PM, Mike wrote: > Indeed Harry is right that the spelling is "Trindade" and most of us agree > that is what we see here. However, for the time being, officially, the > correct spelling of the name of that petrel species is "Herald." > > Mike Tove > Cary, NC > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Harry LeGrand [mailto:hlegrandjr AT gmail.com] > Sent: Monday, May 20, 2013 9:54 PM > To: Stu-Man-Fu > Cc: carolinabirds > Subject: Re: Fea's, Trindade Petrels seen; Space on May 22, 23, 24 and 25 > trips > > Brian has the petrel spelled correctly -- Trindade. We end up going through > this every year, but we still see "Trinidad" or "Trinidade". Note that > there is a single "i". The pronunciation in Spanish is "Treen-DAH-deh". > Yes, Brazil speaks Portuguese, but it should be pronounced close to that. > This island is not near Trinidad island, off Venezuela. > > Harry LeGrand > Raleigh > > Sent from my iPhone > > On May 20, 2013, at 8:56 PM, Stu-Man-Fu wrote: > >> This was an awesome trip! Thanks for taking us out there. You and Kate > were amazing. I don't know how Kate can spend hours watching the slick with > bins looking at the hundreds of storm petrels back there looking for the one > rarity. She did find a couple nice Band Rumps and Leach's amongst the crowd. > The Pilot Whales, Dolphins, blue Marlin, Hammerhead Shark, and Loggerhead > Turtles were cool too. >> >> Trinidad Petrel was a lifer as was the Parasitic Jaeger coming thru the > inlet. >> >> Stu Gibeau >> >> >> On May 20, 2013, at 15:19, Brian Patteson > wrote: >> >>> We had a good spring kick-off pelagic trip on Saturday (May 19.) It was > our first birding trip on the boat since February and although it was not > very well attended by birders, the birds were there- 12 species of pelagic > birds, plus Northern Gannet and several Common Loons. Birds of particular > interest included one Trindade and two Fea's Petrels and a few Band-rumped > and Leach's Storm-Petrels. Kate Sutherland has posted a trip report with > photos from May 18 on our "blog": http://seabirding.blogspot.com/ >>> >>> Our next trip out is Wednesday, May 22. We have space for more > participants on that trip as well as on trips on May 23, 24, 25, and 29. > After that, the next trips with space are on June 2, 3 and 9. The early > 20's of May can be good for a wide variety of seabirds here including four > species of gadfly petrels! June is also prime time. Information about the > trips is on our website (not the blog): www.seabirding.com/ >>> >>> Brian Patteson >>> Hatteras, NC >>> >>> > > !DSPAM:519ad3d8318501089813877! > > Subject: Bodie Island NC From: Linda Ward <tankapoet AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 21 May 2013 03:34:47 -0700 Yesterday (May 20) a good day for viewing from the platform at Bodie Island. Most birds were in full spring plumage. Highlights 2 glossy ibis 11-12 black-necked stilts (?maybe nesting in center hummock/island?) 10-11 stilt sandpipers 1 female Wilson's phalarope 1 tri-colored heron a black duck with 5 ducklings several dowitchers 1-2 white-rumped sandpipers several white ibis 1 little blue heron a few great egret kept eyes to the sky as we drove along 12, but no swallow-tailed kite sighting... Linda & Skip Currituck County Sent from my iPad Subject: RE: Fea's, Trindade Petrels seen; Space on May 22, 23, 24 and 25 trips From: "Mike" <mtove AT deltaforce.net> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 22:06:03 -0400 Indeed Harry is right that the spelling is "Trindade" and most of us agree that is what we see here. However, for the time being, officially, the correct spelling of the name of that petrel species is "Herald." Mike Tove Cary, NC -----Original Message----- From: Harry LeGrand [mailto:hlegrandjr AT gmail.com] Sent: Monday, May 20, 2013 9:54 PM To: Stu-Man-Fu Cc: carolinabirds Subject: Re: Fea's, Trindade Petrels seen; Space on May 22, 23, 24 and 25 trips Brian has the petrel spelled correctly -- Trindade. We end up going through this every year, but we still see "Trinidad" or "Trinidade". Note that there is a single "i". The pronunciation in Spanish is "Treen-DAH-deh". Yes, Brazil speaks Portuguese, but it should be pronounced close to that. This island is not near Trinidad island, off Venezuela. Harry LeGrand Raleigh Sent from my iPhone On May 20, 2013, at 8:56 PM, Stu-Man-Fu wrote: > This was an awesome trip! Thanks for taking us out there. You and Kate were amazing. I don't know how Kate can spend hours watching the slick with bins looking at the hundreds of storm petrels back there looking for the one rarity. She did find a couple nice Band Rumps and Leach's amongst the crowd. The Pilot Whales, Dolphins, blue Marlin, Hammerhead Shark, and Loggerhead Turtles were cool too. > > Trinidad Petrel was a lifer as was the Parasitic Jaeger coming thru the inlet. > > Stu Gibeau > > > On May 20, 2013, at 15:19, Brian Patteson wrote: > >> We had a good spring kick-off pelagic trip on Saturday (May 19.) It was our first birding trip on the boat since February and although it was not very well attended by birders, the birds were there- 12 species of pelagic birds, plus Northern Gannet and several Common Loons. Birds of particular interest included one Trindade and two Fea's Petrels and a few Band-rumped and Leach's Storm-Petrels. Kate Sutherland has posted a trip report with photos from May 18 on our "blog": http://seabirding.blogspot.com/ >> >> Our next trip out is Wednesday, May 22. We have space for more participants on that trip as well as on trips on May 23, 24, 25, and 29. After that, the next trips with space are on June 2, 3 and 9. The early 20's of May can be good for a wide variety of seabirds here including four species of gadfly petrels! June is also prime time. Information about the trips is on our website (not the blog): www.seabirding.com/ >> >> Brian Patteson >> Hatteras, NC >> >> !DSPAM:519ad3d8318501089813877! Subject: Re: Fea's, Trindade Petrels seen; Space on May 22, 23, 24 and 25 trips From: Harry LeGrand <hlegrandjr AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 21:54:03 -0400 Brian has the petrel spelled correctly -- Trindade. We end up going through this every year, but we still see "Trinidad" or "Trinidade". Note that there is a single "i". The pronunciation in Spanish is "Treen-DAH-deh". Yes, Brazil speaks Portuguese, but it should be pronounced close to that. This island is not near Trinidad island, off Venezuela. Harry LeGrand Raleigh Sent from my iPhone On May 20, 2013, at 8:56 PM, Stu-Man-Fu wrote: > This was an awesome trip! Thanks for taking us out there. You and Kate were amazing. I don't know how Kate can spend hours watching the slick with bins looking at the hundreds of storm petrels back there looking for the one rarity. She did find a couple nice Band Rumps and Leach's amongst the crowd. The Pilot Whales, Dolphins, blue Marlin, Hammerhead Shark, and Loggerhead Turtles were cool too. > > Trinidad Petrel was a lifer as was the Parasitic Jaeger coming thru the inlet. > > Stu Gibeau > > > On May 20, 2013, at 15:19, Brian Patteson wrote: > >> We had a good spring kick-off pelagic trip on Saturday (May 19.) It was our first birding trip on the boat since February and although it was not very well attended by birders, the birds were there- 12 species of pelagic birds, plus Northern Gannet and several Common Loons. Birds of particular interest included one Trindade and two Fea's Petrels and a few Band-rumped and Leach's Storm-Petrels. Kate Sutherland has posted a trip report with photos from May 18 on our "blog": http://seabirding.blogspot.com/ >> >> Our next trip out is Wednesday, May 22. We have space for more participants on that trip as well as on trips on May 23, 24, 25, and 29. After that, the next trips with space are on June 2, 3 and 9. The early 20's of May can be good for a wide variety of seabirds here including four species of gadfly petrels! June is also prime time. Information about the trips is on our website (not the blog): www.seabirding.com/ >> >> Brian Patteson >> Hatteras, NC >> >> Subject: Re: Fea's, Trindade Petrels seen; Space on May 22, 23, 24 and 25 trips From: Stu-Man-Fu <sgibeau AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 20:56:48 -0400 This was an awesome trip! Thanks for taking us out there. You and Kate were amazing. I don't know how Kate can spend hours watching the slick with bins looking at the hundreds of storm petrels back there looking for the one rarity. She did find a couple nice Band Rumps and Leach's amongst the crowd. The Pilot Whales, Dolphins, blue Marlin, Hammerhead Shark, and Loggerhead Turtles were cool too. Trinidad Petrel was a lifer as was the Parasitic Jaeger coming thru the inlet. Stu Gibeau On May 20, 2013, at 15:19, Brian Patteson wrote: > We had a good spring kick-off pelagic trip on Saturday (May 19.) It was our first birding trip on the boat since February and although it was not very well attended by birders, the birds were there- 12 species of pelagic birds, plus Northern Gannet and several Common Loons. Birds of particular interest included one Trindade and two Fea's Petrels and a few Band-rumped and Leach's Storm-Petrels. Kate Sutherland has posted a trip report with photos from May 18 on our "blog": http://seabirding.blogspot.com/ > > Our next trip out is Wednesday, May 22. We have space for more participants on that trip as well as on trips on May 23, 24, 25, and 29. After that, the next trips with space are on June 2, 3 and 9. The early 20's of May can be good for a wide variety of seabirds here including four species of gadfly petrels! June is also prime time. Information about the trips is on our website (not the blog): www.seabirding.com/ > > Brian Patteson > Hatteras, NC > > Subject: Re: Spotted Sandpipers From: Nate Dias <offshorebirder AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 20:35:30 -0400 Spotted Sandpipers are commonly seen during spring migration in tidewater and coastal South Carolina - particularly in drained ricefields, canals, narrow tidal creeks, etc. etc. I am seeing herds of them weekly at Yawkey during shorebird surveys these days - just like every year. Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC On Monday, May 20, 2013, KC Foggin wrote: > Hi guys. > > I recently posted a photo of a Spotted Sandpiper I took a couple of weeks > ago from Market Commons and I posted it on the BirdForum. > > This guy then told me they were extremely rare for our part of the coast > this time of year. I kind of blew it off until I started looking at range > maps in the guides I have and they don’t show here but Cornell shows them > along our summer coastline. So how rare are they if, in fact they are? > > K.C. > > K.C. Foggin > Socastee > Myrtle Beach SC > > www.birdforum.net > > www.pbase.com/kcfoggin/nikon_d50_pages&page=20 > > > Subject: Re: Missing: one Common Nighthawk From: Marty Wall <mwbirdmail AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 18:58:58 -0400 Since I have been in Rockingham County I have only observed a few, mostly in the downtown areas. The lights attract lots of flying insects up from the rivers (at least in Eden), so food should be plentiful. Is the decline more connected to their wintering grounds? Or is it an allover sort of thing? Marty Wall Eden, NC On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 5:11 PM, Jeannie Kraus wrote: > I have been seeing and hearing several nighthawks for the past 2 weeks > over the dunes of Shackleford Banks, Cape Lookout National Seashore (west > end area). > > Jeannie Kraus > Morehead City, NC > > > On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 2:39 PM, wrote: > >> Harru, >> >> Good point re the Nighhawks. I notice that last year i didn't get one >> until 5/20, and there were common from my back deck (1.5 miles from >> downtown Greenville,SC) and downtown and all over the suburbarn area at >> malls, etc. all last summer. Interesting to note whether BBS and other more >> systematic data show a local decline. >> >> On an encouraging note, the declining Wood Thrush has been very vocal and >> widespread so far this season here in the SC piedmont and mountains in >> Greenville and Pickens County, even singing briefly in my yard. >> >> Steve Compton >> >> >> On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 8:16 AM, Harry LeGrand wrote: >> >> Remember that for species that are declining, like the Common Nightha >> Sent from my iPhone >> >> On May 19, 2013, at 10:49 PM, *scompton1251 AT charter.net*wrote: >> >> Marty, >> >> Yes, I need one for my SC year list and they seem late here in >> Greenville,SC. I blame the cool weather. >> >> Steve Compton >> Greenville,SC >> >> >> On Sun, May 19, 2013 at 9:06 PM, Marty Wall wrote: >> >> As I watched several hundred Chimney Swifts circling their roost >> chimney across the street I kept hoping for the sound of a Common >> Nighthawk. Every year for the five years I have owned this building a >> Common Nighthawk has fed and roosted in the area. I have observed sonic >> dives towards the top of the tallest building downtown (only four stories, >> it's a small town) and occasionally seen two Nighthawks, so I suspect >> nesting. The latest they have returned was May 11, 2012. They returned in >> late April in 2010 and 2011. Is anybody else still waiting for their local >> Common Nighthawks to return? >> >> Marty Wall >> Eden, NC >> > > Subject: Spotted Sandpipers From: "KC Foggin" <KCFoggin AT sc.rr.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:48 -0400 Hi guys. I recently posted a photo of a Spotted Sandpiper I took a couple of weeks ago from Market Commons and I posted it on the BirdForum. This guy then told me they were extremely rare for our part of the coast this time of year. I kind of blew it off until I started looking at range maps in the guides I have and they don’t show here but Cornell shows them along our summer coastline. So how rare are they if, in fact they are? K.C. K.C. Foggin Socastee Myrtle Beach SC www.birdforum.net www.pbase.com/kcfoggin/nikon_d50_pages&page=20 Subject: Black Rail Bear Island From: jford6 AT comcast.net Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 21:59:26 +0000 (UTC) Perry Nugent flushed a Black Rail out of his hat, or at least it appeared that way on Saturday. We were standing on TiTi Lane, probbably half way down the road from Mary's Pond, we pulled the car over in a low marshy area. We stood 10 feet to the side of the road, facing the marsh , Perry played his CD player and we waited. I was skeptical, left my camera in the car, assuming we would only hear this tiny rail. Boy was I surprised! We heard it it respond kee -kee-doo several times, and it even growled at us too. I thought that was going to be it. Than it showed itself, not once, but twice! I couldn't believe how beautiful its blue-slate head and neck were and how bright red, it's eyes were. We were less than 12 feet away! Perry is a magician! Pam Ford Charleston Subject: Mississippi Kites Over Hickory From: Dwayne Martin <redxbill AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 17:58:05 -0400 I just watched 2 Mississippi Kites feeding high over St Stephens Park in NE Hickory. They after about 5 mins, they headed in a north-easterly direction. This may be a first county record. Dwayne ************* Dwayne Martin Hickory, NC redxbill AT gmail.com http://www.naturalsciences.org/nchummers/ Catawba County Park Ranger Riverbend Park - Conover, NC St. Stephens Park - Hickory, NC jdmartin AT catawbacountync.gov http://www.catawbacountync.gov/depts/parks/ http://www.weatherlink.com/user/riverbendpark http://www.ncbirdingtrail.org/TrailGuide/Guide_CatawbaValley.pdf Subject: Re: Missing: one Common Nighthawk From: Jeannie Kraus <jwkraus7 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 17:11:19 -0400 I have been seeing and hearing several nighthawks for the past 2 weeks over the dunes of Shackleford Banks, Cape Lookout National Seashore (west end area). Jeannie Kraus Morehead City, NC On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 2:39 PM, wrote: > Harru, > > Good point re the Nighhawks. I notice that last year i didn't get one > until 5/20, and there were common from my back deck (1.5 miles from > downtown Greenville,SC) and downtown and all over the suburbarn area at > malls, etc. all last summer. Interesting to note whether BBS and other more > systematic data show a local decline. > > On an encouraging note, the declining Wood Thrush has been very vocal and > widespread so far this season here in the SC piedmont and mountains in > Greenville and Pickens County, even singing briefly in my yard. > > Steve Compton > > > On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 8:16 AM, Harry LeGrand wrote: > > Remember that for species that are declining, like the Common Nightha > Sent from my iPhone > > On May 19, 2013, at 10:49 PM, *scompton1251 AT charter.net*wrote: > > Marty, > > Yes, I need one for my SC year list and they seem late here in > Greenville,SC. I blame the cool weather. > > Steve Compton > Greenville,SC > > > On Sun, May 19, 2013 at 9:06 PM, Marty Wall wrote: > > As I watched several hundred Chimney Swifts circling their roost > chimney across the street I kept hoping for the sound of a Common > Nighthawk. Every year for the five years I have owned this building a > Common Nighthawk has fed and roosted in the area. I have observed sonic > dives towards the top of the tallest building downtown (only four stories, > it's a small town) and occasionally seen two Nighthawks, so I suspect > nesting. The latest they have returned was May 11, 2012. They returned in > late April in 2010 and 2011. Is anybody else still waiting for their local > Common Nighthawks to return? > > Marty Wall > Eden, NC > Subject: Holden Beach birding? From: Virginia Rosenberg <scvirginia423 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 17:04:18 -0400 Am driving up to Holden Beach soon, & am hoping I'll have a couple of hours for birdwatching. If your time was limited, where would you go to see birds? If (& it's a big IF) I can get to the Green Swamp Preserve, what areas are 'active' at this time of year? I will summarize any responses I receive for the list. Many thanks for any help you can provide, Virginia -- Virginia Rosenberg Charleston, SC Subject: Got Post and McNair/Taphonomy note From: Chris Hill <chill AT coastal.edu> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 16:49:42 -0400 Thanks to Paul Serridge I now have a .pdf of the publication I was looking for. Still will entertain offers of hard bound copies, but basically I'm set. Taphonomy note: I have a salvage permit and maintain a teaching collection of South Carolina birds that I use in ornithology and some other classes. If I asked you to guess the ratio of these species in the collection: Dovekie:Starling:Cowbird, would you ever guess it was 4:1:0? I had three Dovekies donated this year (and one several years ago). All found alive but died soon after picked up. The one we prepared last week was very emaciated. CH ************************************************************************ Christopher E. Hill Biology Department Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC 29528-1954 843-349-2567 chill AT coastal.edu http://ww2.coastal.edu/chill/chill.htm Subject: Re: Whip-poor-will, Chuck-will's-widow, Mississippi Kites and Shrike From: William Burke <lewisburkej AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 13:23:52 -0700 (PDT) I have both species calling in the evenings in Saluda County, SC.  Lewis Burke ________________________________ From: Ann Brice To: carolinabirds Sent: Monday, May 20, 2013 12:50 PM Subject: Whip-poor-will, Chuck-will's-widow, Mississippi Kites and Shrike I spent the night on a boat in a wooded marina near Belhaven, NC (about 25 miles west of Lake Mattamuskeet) this weekend.  We arrived at the marina around 10:30pm and I was delighted to hear 4 Whip-poor-wills calling; I hadn't heard any in years.  I was totally astonished and equally delighted when I awoke at 5:15 am the next morning to hear 3 Chuck-will's-widows calling.  Is that characteristic that they call at different times of the day? On the way back from Belhaven to Wilson, I stopped at Goose Creek State Park where I was fortunate enough to see a Mississippi Kite.  The kites seem to be quite wide-spread in Eastern NC this year.  I have seen one in Wilson just about every day and I saw 3 at one time last Thursday at Howell's Woods in Johnson County. On the way to Howell's Woods last Thursday, I saw a Shrike at Barefoot's Country Store and Grill on Hwy 701 in Johnson County. Ann Brice Wilson, Wilson Co., NC Subject: McNair and Post From: Chris Hill <Chill AT coastal.edu> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 15:19:53 -0400 Anybody have a copy of "Supplement to Status and Distribution of South Carolina Birds" they'd be willing to part with? Contact me directly if so... Chris ************************************************************************ Christopher E. Hill Biology Department Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC 29528-1954 843-349-2567 chill AT coastal.edu http://ww2.coastal.edu/chill/chill.htm Subject: Fea's, Trindade Petrels seen; Space on May 22, 23, 24 and 25 trips From: Brian Patteson <patteson1 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 15:19:07 -0400 We had a good spring kick-off pelagic trip on Saturday (May 19.) It was our first birding trip on the boat since February and although it was not very well attended by birders, the birds were there- 12 species of pelagic birds, plus Northern Gannet and several Common Loons. Birds of particular interest included one Trindade and two Fea's Petrels and a few Band-rumped and Leach's Storm-Petrels. Kate Sutherland has posted a trip report with photos from May 18 on our "blog": http://seabirding.blogspot.com/ Our next trip out is Wednesday, May 22. We have space for more participants on that trip as well as on trips on May 23, 24, 25, and 29. After that, the next trips with space are on June 2, 3 and 9. The early 20's of May can be good for a wide variety of seabirds here including four species of gadfly petrels! June is also prime time. Information about the trips is on our website (not the blog): www.seabirding.com/ Brian Patteson Hatteras, NC Subject: Re: Missing: one Common Nighthawk From: scompton1251 AT charter.net Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 14:39:35 -0400 (EDT) Harru, Good point re the Nighhawks. I notice that last year i didn't get one until 5/20, and there were common from my back deck (1.5 miles from downtown Greenville,SC) and downtown and all over the suburbarn area at malls, etc. all last summer. Interesting to note whether BBS and other more systematic data show a local decline. On an encouraging note, the declining Wood Thrush has been very vocal and widespread so far this season here in the SC piedmont and mountains in Greenville and Pickens County, even singing briefly in my yard. Steve Compton On Mon, May 20, 2013 at 8:16 AM, Harry LeGrand wrote: Remember that for species that are declining, like the Common Nightha Sent from my iPhone On May 19, 2013, at 10:49 PM, scompton1251 AT charter.net wrote: Marty, Yes, I need one for my SC year list and they seem late here in Greenville,SC. I blame the cool weather. Steve Compton Greenville,SC On Sun, May 19, 2013 at 9:06 PM, Marty Wall wrote: As I watched several hundred Chimney Swifts circling their roost chimney across the street I kept hoping for the sound of a Common Nighthawk. Every year for the five years I have owned this building a Common Nighthawk has fed and roosted in the area. I have observed sonic dives towards the top of the tallest building downtown (only four stories, it's a small town) and occasionally seen two Nighthawks, so I suspect nesting. The latest they have returned was May 11, 2012. They returned in late April in 2010 and 2011. Is anybody else still waiting for their local Common Nighthawks to return? Marty Wall Eden, NC Subject: Black-billed Cuckoo, Alligator River NWR, Dare Cty NC From: Audrey <ajw AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 14:37:26 -0400 Hey birders! About 6:30am, a BB Cuckoo called on Milltail Rd about 200ft after Koehring Rd. yahoo!! Life is Good.... Audrey Whitlock Nags Head NC & Merritt Island FL Sent from iPhone Subject: barred owl From: "Barbara Brooks" <brooksba1 AT frontier.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 13:38:22 -0400 just now 1:37 pm had a barred owl calling. barb brooks NE Orange co. Subject: Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, near Piedmont, Greenville County, SC From: Paul Serridge <paulserridge AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 13:21:43 -0400 On May 18 Chris Clack reported that the pair of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers at the Kellett Farm on Gunter Rd, Piedmont, SC had started nesting activity on the upper structure of a utility pole. That was again reported by several GCBC members yesterday. Today I saw both birds at the utility pole (4th pole from the junction of Gunter and Oak lawn Roads; the pole bears a sign "70 L".) The female flew into the field and gathered nesting material. The male stayed on a wire near the pole. When the female returned with the material the male flew up to the nest but did not do anything. This whole scenario was repeated after 5 minutes or so. On both occasions the female put the nesting material down on the nest and then sat on the nest, changing position as though shaping it with her body. This is the same place where a pair of Scissor-tails constructed 2 successive nests and raised 2 broods in 2010. In the intervening years a pair has revisited the farm but their nest(s) had not been found. The location of this nest presents great photo opportunities! Paul Serridge Greenville, SC Subject: Whip-poor-will, Chuck-will's-widow, Mississippi Kites and Shrike From: Ann Brice <ann.brice AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 12:50:36 -0400 I spent the night on a boat in a wooded marina near Belhaven, NC (about 25 miles west of Lake Mattamuskeet) this weekend. We arrived at the marina around 10:30pm and I was delighted to hear 4 Whip-poor-wills calling; I hadn't heard any in years. I was totally astonished and equally delighted when I awoke at 5:15 am the next morning to hear 3 Chuck-will's-widows calling. Is that characteristic that they call at different times of the day? On the way back from Belhaven to Wilson, I stopped at Goose Creek State Park where I was fortunate enough to see a Mississippi Kite. The kites seem to be quite wide-spread in Eastern NC this year. I have seen one in Wilson just about every day and I saw 3 at one time last Thursday at Howell's Woods in Johnson County. On the way to Howell's Woods last Thursday, I saw a Shrike at Barefoot's Country Store and Grill on Hwy 701 in Johnson County. Ann Brice Wilson, Wilson Co., NC Subject: Re: Swallow-tailed Kite, Nags Head, Dare Cty NC From: Jeff Lewis <binsandlens AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 07:48:36 -0700 (PDT) And I got an email yesterday from a Southern Shores resident that saw one fly over up there. Not sure what day it was, though, but recent. Could have been the same bird. Jeff Lewis Manteo, NC ________________________________ From: Audrey To: carolinabirds AT duke.edu Sent: Sunday, May 19, 2013 9:30 PM Subject: Swallow-tailed Kite, Nags Head, Dare Cty NC Hey birders, I just got a call tonight from Mike Clarkin, Nags Head resident, and he observed 1 ST Kite soaring above his home at MP 11 about 1 mi west of by-pass heading north at 8 am.  Wish I had seen it!!! Life is Good.... Audrey Whitlock Nags Head NC & Merritt Island FL Sent from iPhone Subject: Audubon NC Annual Meeting From: Lena Gallitano <lbg AT ncsu.edu> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 10:09:29 -0400 Good morning Carolinabirders, Have you signed up to attend the Audubon NC annual meeting? There are great field trips and activities planned from visiting a Wildlife Certified yard to a tour of the Museum bird collections, bird banding and a seminar on grasslands for our declining bird species such as Bob White. Don't wait any longer and register now!! http://nc.audubon.org/events/audubon-north-carolina-annual-meeting Hope I'll see you in Raleigh. Best regards, Lena Gallitano Raleigh, NC Subject: Re: Missing: one Common Nighthawk From: Harry LeGrand <hlegrandjr AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 08:23:07 -0400 > Remember that for species that are declining, like the Common Nighthawk and the Wood Thrush, a missing bird from last year may no longer be alive. These species should be back on their NC breeding ground by now. Don't blame the weather at this point in the spring. Harry LeGrand Raleigh > Sent from my iPhone > > On May 19, 2013, at 10:49 PM, scompton1251 AT charter.net wrote: > >> Marty, >> >> Yes, I need one for my SC year list and they seem late here in Greenville,SC. I blame the cool weather. >> >> Steve Compton >> Greenville,SC >> >> >> On Sun, May 19, 2013 at 9:06 PM, Marty Wall wrote: >> >> As I watched several hundred Chimney Swifts circling their roost chimney across the street I kept hoping for the sound of a Common Nighthawk. Every year for the five years I have owned this building a Common Nighthawk has fed and roosted in the area. I have observed sonic dives towards the top of the tallest building downtown (only four stories, it's a small town) and occasionally seen two Nighthawks, so I suspect nesting. The latest they have returned was May 11, 2012. They returned in late April in 2010 and 2011. Is anybody else still waiting for their local Common Nighthawks to return? >> >> Marty Wall >> Eden, NC Subject: Re: Missing: one Common Nighthawk From: Harry LeGrand <hlegrandjr AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 08:16:56 -0400 Remember that for species that are declining, like the Common Nightha Sent from my iPhone On May 19, 2013, at 10:49 PM, scompton1251 AT charter.net wrote: > Marty, > > Yes, I need one for my SC year list and they seem late here in Greenville,SC. I blame the cool weather. > > Steve Compton > Greenville,SC > > > On Sun, May 19, 2013 at 9:06 PM, Marty Wall wrote: > > As I watched several hundred Chimney Swifts circling their roost chimney across the street I kept hoping for the sound of a Common Nighthawk. Every year for the five years I have owned this building a Common Nighthawk has fed and roosted in the area. I have observed sonic dives towards the top of the tallest building downtown (only four stories, it's a small town) and occasionally seen two Nighthawks, so I suspect nesting. The latest they have returned was May 11, 2012. They returned in late April in 2010 and 2011. Is anybody else still waiting for their local Common Nighthawks to return? > > Marty Wall > Eden, NC Subject: Puffin Tours in Maine? From: <annbailes AT bellsouth.net> Date: Mon, 20 May 2013 07:12:27 -0400 (EDT) My friend and I are planning a trip to Maine in June. Have any Carolina Birders taken a puffin cruise there, or would have any opinion on good trips/bad trips? That's my (maine) goal for the trip. Any comments to annbailes AT bellsouth.net. Thank you. Ann Bailes Anderson SC Subject: RE: Missing: one Common Nighthawk From: scompton1251 AT charter.net Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 22:49:16 -0400 (EDT) Marty, Yes, I need one for my SC year list and they seem late here in Greenville,SC. I blame the cool weather. Steve Compton Greenville,SC On Sun, May 19, 2013 at 9:06 PM, Marty Wall wrote: As I watched several hundred Chimney Swifts circling their roost chimney across the street I kept hoping for the sound of a Common Nighthawk.  Every year for the five years I have owned this building a Common Nighthawk has fed and roosted in the area.  I have observed sonic dives towards the top of the tallest building downtown (only four stories, it's a small town) and occasionally seen two Nighthawks, so I suspect nesting.  The latest they have returned was May 11, 2012.  They returned in late April in 2010 and 2011.  Is anybody else still waiting for their local Common Nighthawks to return?   Marty Wall Eden, NC Subject: Hooded Merganser and youngster From: Beth Garver <bethgarver AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 22:36:32 -0400 Forgot to post this last week. Yes, Henry (Link), that Merganser mama was sitting on eggs! Been seeing her in the pond behind the Fresh Market. Not sure how old the youngster is but it's a fraction the size of mama. Cute! I see that they don't breed in this area. Pretty cool! Beth Garver Stokesdale, NC "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof." Psalm of David Subject: Swallow-tailed Kite, Nags Head, Dare Cty NC From: Audrey <ajw AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 21:30:49 -0400 Hey birders, I just got a call tonight from Mike Clarkin, Nags Head resident, and he observed 1 ST Kite soaring above his home at MP 11 about 1 mi west of by-pass heading north at 8 am. Wish I had seen it!!! Life is Good.... Audrey Whitlock Nags Head NC & Merritt Island FL Sent from iPhone Subject: Missing: one Common Nighthawk From: Marty Wall <mwbirdmail AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 21:06:28 -0400 As I watched several hundred Chimney Swifts circling their roost chimney across the street I kept hoping for the sound of a Common Nighthawk. Every year for the five years I have owned this building a Common Nighthawk has fed and roosted in the area. I have observed sonic dives towards the top of the tallest building downtown (only four stories, it's a small town) and occasionally seen two Nighthawks, so I suspect nesting. The latest they have returned was May 11, 2012. They returned in late April in 2010 and 2011. Is anybody else still waiting for their local Common Nighthawks to return? Marty Wall Eden, NC Subject: Magnolia Gardens, Charleston Co., SC From: "Ann Truesdale" <anntrue AT mindspring.com> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 20:05:49 -0400 Our walk through Magnolia Gardens today demonstrated that nesting season is in full swing. In addition to the Anhinga and many herons and egrets nesting in the Audubon Swamp rookery (see eBird report below), we saw evidence of reproduction by many other species. Red-shouldered Hawks and Cooper's Hawks both have visible nests if you know where to look in the woods. Common Yellowthroats and Prothonotary Warblers are also busy with producing families, while chickadees and titmice are feeding fledged youngsters. Many Wood Duck hens are cruising Ravenswood Pond with ducklings of various sizes in tow. We also saw a young freckle-chested Eastern Bluebird and heard Yellow-throated Warblers and Northern Parulas singing to advertise their territory. Even the harassment of the Red-shouldered Hawk we saw was evidence of the many nesting birds -- perch *here* and be harassed by Blue Jay and Tufted Titmouse parents; move *there* and be harassed by several Common Grackles; alight *there* and be harassed by Carolina Chickadees and Carolina Wrens. Where, oh where, is a hawk to perch to quietly hunt for a frog or a mouse nowadays? Ann Truesdale anntrue AT mindspring.com Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, US-SC May 19, 2013 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM Protocol: Traveling 2.5 mile(s) Comments: Perry Nugent's regular Sunday bird walk. 51 species Wood Duck 40 several hens with ducklings plus other adult birds on Ravenswood Pond Wood Stork 2 Anhinga 50 young in nest, rookery Great Blue Heron 30 young in nest, rookery Great Egret 40 young in nest, rookery Snowy Egret 15 young in nest, rookery Little Blue Heron 40 young in nest, rookery Tricolored Heron 2 Cattle Egret 15 Green Heron 6 young in nest, Ravenswood pond Black-crowned Night-Heron 20 young in nest, rookery White Ibis 2 Black Vulture 20 Turkey Vulture 10 Mississippi Kite 4 Cooper's Hawk 1 on nest along woods road; tail projecting from nest showing broad white bands and narrow dark bands, round tip. Red-shouldered Hawk 5 nest with at least 2 young Common Gallinule 20 Laughing Gull 30 Least Tern 8 at river Mourning Dove 2 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3 Chimney Swift 4 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 15 Downy Woodpecker 1 Great Crested Flycatcher 3 White-eyed Vireo 4 Red-eyed Vireo 20 Blue Jay 5 American Crow 4 Fish Crow 8 Purple Martin 2 Carolina Chickadee 20 Tufted Titmouse 25 Carolina Wren 25 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 4 Eastern Bluebird 6 Northern Mockingbird 1 Prothonotary Warbler 10 Common Yellowthroat 6 Northern Parula 20 Pine Warbler 2 Yellow-throated Warbler 6 Summer Tanager 3 Northern Cardinal 50 Red-winged Blackbird 200 Common Grackle 30 Boat-tailed Grackle 100 Brown-headed Cowbird 6 Orchard Oriole 3 View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14175184 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org) Subject: Painted Buntings, Columbia From: Parkin Hunter <parkinhunter AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 19:23:16 -0400 I saw two, maybe 3, Painted Buntings on White House Road, Richland County, SC today between rain storms near the old strawberry farm. I also saw three Indigo Buntings along the road. Parkin Hunted Columbia, SC Sent from my iPhone Subject: Parkway - CERULEAN WARBLERS From: Simon Harvey <harveyssc AT charter.net> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 18:19:59 -0400 With John Novak (hope this is right) from Hendersonville 2 CERULEAN WARBLERS singing North of Tanbark Ridge tunnel opposite the overlook. Despite 20 minutes of looking they were not seen. Simon C. Harvey Simpsonville, SC Subject: Re: comments about Loggerhead Shrike at Cedar Island Ferry Terminal From: Norman Budnitz <nbudnitz AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 18:06:50 -0400 The only thing Birds of North America Online has to say is: "Both sexes gather nest material; female generally constructs nest without aid from male (Miller 1931 , Burton 1990 ). " Norm On Sun, May 19, 2013 at 5:44 PM, John Fussell wrote: > This morning we (Jack Fennell, Chandra Biggerstaff, and I) saw the > Loggerhead Shrike at the Cedar Island ferry terminal. For several weeks, > it has been hanging out around the little live oaks in the parking area, a > likely looking nesting area. > > There is a single nest in one of the oaks, and it looks like a good > candidate for a shrike nest. It is lined but has nothing in it. > > We have never seen more than one shrike at a time, and I think there is > only one shrike present in the area. > > Question: might a shrike, either a male or a female, build a nest even if > it was not mated?? > > John Fussell > Morehead City, NC > > -- Norm Budnitz Orange County North Carolina Subject: comments about Loggerhead Shrike at Cedar Island Ferry Terminal From: "John Fussell" <jfuss AT clis.com> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 17:44:39 -0400 This morning we (Jack Fennell, Chandra Biggerstaff, and I) saw the Loggerhead Shrike at the Cedar Island ferry terminal. For several weeks, it has been hanging out around the little live oaks in the parking area, a likely looking nesting area. There is a single nest in one of the oaks, and it looks like a good candidate for a shrike nest. It is lined but has nothing in it. We have never seen more than one shrike at a time, and I think there is only one shrike present in the area. Question: might a shrike, either a male or a female, build a nest even if it was not mated?? John Fussell Morehead City, NC Subject: some Carteret County (NC) birds From: "John Fussell" <jfuss AT clis.com> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 17:36:37 -0400 This morning, we (Jack Fennell, Chandra Biggerstaff, and I) visited North River Farms and Cedar Island. At North River Farms we had 25 singing male Dickcissels and 3 females. At the Cedar Island Ferry Terminal parking lot, we saw a single Loggerhead Shrike. Nearby we saw the melanistic Rough-winged Swallow again. Waterbirds in the brackish pond and along the barrier strand to the SE (we walked to the first inlet) included a Wilson's Phalarope, 5 Black-necked Stilts (looks like they may breed at the pond this year), 4 Stilt Sandpipers, about 20 White-rumped Sandpipers, 1 Wilson's Plover, 3 Gull-billed Terns, and 2 Lesser Scaup. John Fussell Morehead City, NC Subject: Good Dare County, NC birds From: Jeff Lewis <binsandlens AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 14:22:28 -0700 (PDT) Audrey Whitlock and I birded Bodie and Pea Islands this morning and found some interesting birds. Best birds out of 20 shorebird spp were: a beautiful female Wilson's Phalarope, several Black-necked Stilts and 5 Stilt sandpipers in Bodie Pond, approx 50 Red Knots in North Pond, a pair of Piping Plovers and three Whimbrels at Oregon Inlet, a White-rumped Sandpiper at South Pond.  Also at South Pond was a female Lesser Scaup, two drake Buffleheads, 3 Blue-winged Teal and 2 American White Pelicans. Other birds around Oregon Inlet (either side) included a late Savannah Sparrow, several Common Loons, in breeding and non-breeding plumage, and two Red-throated Loons. The tern colony near the rock groin was active with Least Terns, several Common Terns and Black Skimmers. We also had one fly-by Gull-billed Tern. Found in Bodie Woods were 3 late Red-breasted Nuthatches. Cheers, Jeff Lewis Manteo, NC Subject: Loon lingers (Durham, NC) From: Kent Fiala <kent.fiala AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 19 May 2013 12:53:47 -0400 The Common Loon that I found at Sandy Creek Park on 11 May, on the Chapel Hill Spring Count, was still present this morning. It was actively foraging and seemed healthy, but it seems remarkable to me that it likes such a small pond. I would guess that at the maximum this pond might provide about 300 feet of runway space. I wonder if that is too little for it to get airborne. Some internet sources suggest that it is. James Meehan got better photos of it than I did: http://www.carolinabirdclub.org/gallery/James_Meehan/colo.html Also, a pair of Tree Swallows is nesting in a natural cavity in the big swamp. Of course they were nowhere to be seen on count day, although I specifically checked for them. -- Kent Fiala Subject: Wake Co., NC-Lake Crabtree County Park-05/18/2013 From: Mike Turner <wmike.turner AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 21:00:11 -0400 There were a few shorebirds hanging out on the mud island in front of Crabtree Creek, the most notable of which was a Black-bellied Plover. Also present were 6 Semipalmated Plovers, 3 Spotted Sandpipers, and 8 Semipalmated Sandpipers. Good birding. Mike Turner Raleigh, NC Subject: RE: Bathing hummingbird From: <susan AT ncaves.com> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 17:58:32 -0700 Great observation, John! With their short legs and weak feet, hummers are likely to use a bird bath-- unless it is very shallow-- so they find other ways to get wet. I have seen them flying repeatedly through our sprinklers. And have also witnessed them bathing in big, wet leaves. Cool stuff-- Susan Campbell Whispering Pines, NC Subject: Bathing hummingbird From: John Dole <jmdole1 AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 20:53:54 -0400 Over the last couple of weeks a male hummingbird has visited us while we were watering the garden. It either flies to the wet foliage and takes a bath or flies directly into the water from the hose while we are watering. Very cool. John Dole Raleigh, NC Subject: Re: Prothonotary Warbler From: Lena Gallitano <lbg AT ncsu.edu> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 18:22:00 -0400 I'm betting from a building strike while on a migratory flight. Lights Out programs are needed in all of our major cities during migration but so far only Winston-Salem and Charlotte have active programs in North Carolina. Hopeful that Raleigh will soon be implementing one too. All three cities could use help so if you're interested, let me know and I'll put you in touch with the appropriate people. Lena Gallitano Raleigh, NC On 5/17/2013 3:32 PM, Amalie Tuffin wrote: > I was surprised and saddened to see a deceased prothonotary warbler on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh this afternoon. It seems like a very odd location. > > Amalie Tuffin > > Sent from my iPhone Subject: max patch rd From: "Andy Zivinsky" <andy AT brysoncitybicycles.com> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 13:35:13 -0400 Diane and I are going to head up there tomorrow morning to check out the sights. Looking for the blue winged warbler. Will we see the blackpoll? We still haven't found one for our life list. What other birds might we see? Andy Zivinsky Diane Cutler Bryson City Bicycles 157 Everett St Bryson City, NC 28713 828-488-1988 Subject: Spring Bird Count Compilers From: Marilyn Westphal <mjwestph AT ret.unca.edu> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 13:24:00 -0400 North Carolina Compilers - Please send me your data when you've finished compiling and thanks to those really quick folks who have already sent me theirs. This includes official counts that include teams of counters covering large areas such as counties, large parks, IBA areas, and 15-mile diameter count circles. If you submitted data to me last year, but did not do the count this year please let me know. Also, if you established a new count area let me know. I've already gotten one new count area submitted this year. Bravo! Thanks, Marilyn -- Marilyn Westphal Hendersonville, NC Subject: semi-plover at Lake James State Park From: <jamie.cameron AT ncparks.gov> Date: Sat, 18 May 2013 12:31:23 -0400 (EDT) In the moments before the start of the McDowell Trails Association triathlon this morning, a single semi-palmated plover was feeding on the swim beach at the Paddy's Creek Area (Burke). Jamie Cameron Black Mountain, NC Subject: Chapel Hill Bird Club Meeting: Birding Islands in the Bering Sea From: Kent Fiala <kent.fiala AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 22:55:00 -0400 The Chapel Hill Bird Club will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m. at Binkley Baptist Church in Chapel Hill. (That's correct; May is the only month when we meet on the 3rd Monday instead of the 4th Monday.) Our May speaker is Norm Budnitz. Adak Island in the Aleutians, St. Paul Island in the Pribilofs, and St. Lawrence Island just south of the Bering Strait. There are Alcids galore (puffins, auklets, murres, and more), shorebirds in breeding plumage, Bering Sea specialties (Red-faced Cormorants and Red-legged Kittiwakes), and strays from Asia. Cold, rain, sleet, and snow. Lovely. Birding on these islands can be a challenging, rewarding, and beautiful experience. All are welcome; free admission -- Kent Fiala Orange Co., NC Subject: Wake Co., NC-Lake Wheeler-05/17/2013 From: Mike Turner <wmike.turner AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 18:53:57 -0400 Today I paddled to the Lake Wheeler marsh on the other side of Penny Rd. to explore the wetlands and paddle up Swift Creek. There is just a little bit of exposed mudflat, but this little bit of land had 1 Dunlin, 2 White-rumped Sandpipers, 5 Semipalmated Sandpipers, 1 Least Sandpiper, 1 Semipalmated Plover, and 2 Spotted Sandpipers. In a kayak I was able to get within 15-20' of these birds and study them at my leisure. I was close enough to see the webbing between the toes of the Semipalmated Sandpipers and the red at the base of the lower mandible of the White-rumpeds! And of course when I flushed the W-rs I saw the white at the base of the tail. And while paddling up Swift Creek I flushed an adult Black-crowned Night Heron from a tree, a county bird for me. Sweet. The shorebirds should be able to be seen with a scope from Penny Rd. Good birding. Mike Turner Raleigh, NC Subject: Jackson Park,Henderson County, NC From: "Wayne K. Forsythe" <wforsythe AT morrisbb.net> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 17:15:55 -0400 Folks, At about 8:30 this morning, I met Ron Selvey AKA Tonto at the main office in Jackson Park. We were standing just outside the Upper Loop Trail and Ron was railing about how I was wasting my time birding the park, as things are dead as a door nail! As Ron was telling me this, I looked up, high in the Pine tree and asked him what "that" was sitting up there about 50 feet off the ground? Ron looked up and before he could say anything, I said "that's a COMMON NIGHTHAWK!" To find one roosting anytime in the park is nice, but in the spring is even better! We then began birding and Ron perked up! The morning was pretty slow as it has been this spring, we had 1 Swainson's Thrush and a few Redstarts. I took several photos of the Nighthawk at 8:30 AM and again at about 11:00 AM, I'll send the best to Carolinabirds photo gallery. I departed the park at about 11:30AM and at 11:40 AM Ron called me to say he just had good views of a CONNECTICUT WARBLER, just behind the main office, on the spur trail that runs from behind the propane tank towards the soccer fields! I called my customer to say I had an emergency and would be an hour late for my 12:00 noon call! I worked the area for 45 minuntes with negative results and again worked the area from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM with negative results. When I left at 4:30 PM the Common Nighthawk was still perched in the same Pine Tree, overlooking the road, closest to the Upper Loop Trail! As the migration winds down, the birds are few, but often the late arrivals can be good birds! If you put in the time, often, you will be rewarded! Best regards, Wayne Wayne K. Forsythe 16 Colonial Way Hendersonville, N. C. 28791 wforsytheATmorrisbb.net Subject: My Red-headed Woodie From: "KC Foggin" <KCFoggin AT sc.rr.com> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 15:40:14 -0400 They are so beautiful. Cooperating quite nicely too I might add. http://upload.pbase.com/image/150245268 K.C. K.C. Foggin Socastee Myrtle Beach SC www.birdforum.net www.pbase.com/kcfoggin/nikon_d50_pages&page=20 Subject: Prothonotary Warbler From: Amalie Tuffin <amaliet13 AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 15:32:38 -0400 I was surprised and saddened to see a deceased prothonotary warbler on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh this afternoon. It seems like a very odd location. Amalie Tuffin Sent from my iPhone Subject: Re: Hearing Loss and Songfinder From: Blayne & Anne <bolsen187 AT frontier.com> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 09:46:38 -0700 (PDT) I agree with Julia. I have Siemens and I tried various settings on the 5 presets and just as my audiologist predicted , one by one I took the presets out. The beauty of good aids is that you can adjust them left and right and front to back and I'm pretty close to being able to place a singing bird. The blessing of good hearing aids is that you hear everything and the curse of good hearing aids is that you can hear everything. Now when my wife says I'm ignoring her I can't blame it on not hearing. Hearing aids 1st and then if loss gets worse a Songfinder would be in order.    Blayne   Anne & Blayne Olsen Monroe, NC ________________________________ From: Julia Shields To: 'carolinabirds' Sent: Friday, May 17, 2013 12:26 PM Subject: Re: Hearing Loss and Songfinder They sound like a wonderful aid if hearing high-frequency bird sounds is your only problem. If you need hearing aids for general purposes, do remember that most of the better ones are programmable (and expensive!).  A lot depends on the skill of your audiologist.  My new ones have umpteen programs available, of which only 4 are set up, including one for birding which amplifies the high frequency sounds.  So far the one time I tested that program - 5 minutes in my yard - I could hear a Blue-gray gnatcatcher again.  We'll see.  If absolutely my only problem were hearing birds, I think I'd go with Songfinder. On 5/17/2013 10:46 AM, KEN YOUNT wrote: >Forgot to add the link! > >http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/1538 > > > > >________________________________ >From: KEN YOUNT >To: Robert Lewis >Cc: carolinabirds AT duke.edu >Sent: Fri, May 17, 2013 10:45:23 AM >Subject: Re: Hearing Loss and Songfinder > > >Hi Robert. I am looking for something along this line as well since both my hearing aids died and will cost $150 each to repair. I found this review you may find helpful. >Ken Yount >Wentworth, NC > > > > >________________________________ >From: Robert Lewis >To: Listserv CarolinaBirds >Sent: Fri, May 17, 2013 10:28:42 AM >Subject: Hearing Loss and Songfinder > > >Has anyone here had experience with Songfinder, the digital hearing aid for us folks of a certain age? > >Here is their webpage:  http://www.nselec.com > >Are there competing products?  How does this work in comparison with standard hearing aids that one buys from a doctor? > >Thanks! > >Bob Lewis >Sleepy Hollow NY Subject: Re: Hearing Loss and Songfinder From: Julia Shields <jshields AT unc.edu> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 12:26:45 -0400 They sound like a wonderful aid if hearing high-frequency bird sounds is your only problem. If you need hearing aids for general purposes, do remember that most of the better ones are programmable (and expensive!). A lot depends on the skill of your audiologist. My new ones have umpteen programs available, of which only 4 are set up, including one for birding which amplifies the high frequency sounds. So far the one time I tested that program - 5 minutes in my yard - I could hear a Blue-gray gnatcatcher again. We'll see. If absolutely my only problem were hearing birds, I think I'd go with Songfinder. On 5/17/2013 10:46 AM, KEN YOUNT wrote: > Forgot to add the link! > > http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/1538 > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > *From:* KEN YOUNT > *To:* Robert Lewis > *Cc:* carolinabirds AT duke.edu > *Sent:* Fri, May 17, 2013 10:45:23 AM > *Subject:* Re: Hearing Loss and Songfinder > > Hi Robert. I am looking for something along this line as well since > both my hearing aids died and will cost $150 each to repair. I found > this review you may find helpful. > Ken Yount > Wentworth, NC > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > *From:* Robert Lewis > *To:* Listserv CarolinaBirds > *Sent:* Fri, May 17, 2013 10:28:42 AM > *Subject:* Hearing Loss and Songfinder > > Has anyone here had experience with Songfinder, the digital hearing > aid for us folks of a certain age? > > Here is their webpage: http://www.nselec.com > > Are there competing products? How does this work in comparison with > standard hearing aids that one buys from a doctor? > > Thanks! > > Bob Lewis > Sleepy Hollow NY > Subject: Loggerhead Shrike and Indigo Bunting From: Blayne & Anne <bolsen187 AT frontier.com> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 08:40:38 -0700 (PDT) This morning I did a quick check of birds along our drive and saw the Loggerhead Shrike.  I also saw an Indigo Bunting that has been seen the past several days.  It was 10:30am and already warm. The complete list: Turkey Vulture  1 Red-tailed Hawk  1 Mourning Dove  1 Red-bellied Woodpecker  1 Eastern Kingbird  2 Loggerhead Shrike  1    This is the first sighting in several weeks. Tufted Titmouse  1 Carolina Wren  2 Eastern Bluebird  6 Northern Mockingbird  1 Northern Cardinal  2 Indigo Bunting  1    I saw what was possibly a female Indigo Bunting also but she had flown before I got the scope on her. Eastern Meadowlark  1 Anne Anne & Blayne Olsen Monroe, NC  Subject: ALSO on BRP: Broadwinged Hawk(s) From: "Tomm Lorenzin" <Tomm AT 1000plus.com> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 11:17:39 -0400 Neglected to mention that I saw Two raptors aloft in silhouette against the thin overcast, the first was calling. Definitely a BWHA. The second sighting, ~5 mi distant looked identical (size, attributes, altitude, etc.) to me, so I suppose it was also BWHA. 7;^) Cheers! Tomm "665" Lorenzin Mooresville, NC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Almost - - not quite - bad enough ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Visit me at: http://www.1000plus.com/Cataract/ Subject: Re: Hearing Loss and Songfinder From: KEN YOUNT <kenyount AT bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 17 May 2013 07:46:40 -0700 (PDT) Forgot to add the link! http://earbirding.com/blog/archives/1538 ________________________________ From: KEN YOUNT To: Robert Lewis Cc: carolinabirds AT duke.edu Sent: Fri, May 17, 2013 10:45:23 AM Subject: Re: Hearing Loss and Songfinder Hi Robert. I am looking for something along this line as well since both my hearing aids died and will cost $150 each to repair. I found this review you may find helpful. Ken Yount Wentworth, NC ________________________________ From: Robert Lewis To: Listserv CarolinaBirds Sent: Fri, May 17, 2013 10:28:42 AM Subject: Hearing Loss and Songfinder Has anyone here had experience with Songfinder, the digital hearing aid for us folks of a certain age? Here is their webpage: http://www.nselec.com Are there competing products? How does this work in comparison with standard hearing aids that one buys from a doctor? Thanks! Bob Lewis Sleepy Hollow NY