Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from Nebraska Birds > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Thursday, November 19 at 10:50 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Slaty-capped Flycatcher,©Dan Lane

20 Nov Re: Snow Bunting at Branched Oak [] 19 Nov Nov. 19 [Theresa Pester ] 19 Nov Mostly Geese ["Wic7ita" ] 19 Nov Female Purple Finch ["lutherhaige" ] 18 Nov Re: Snow Bunting at Branched Oak [] 18 Nov Snow Bunting at Branched Oak [] 17 Nov How about some highlights from south TX? ["cardinal_1983" ] 16 Nov Lincoln Reservoirs - 16 Nov ["Jorgensen, Joel" ] 16 Nov Re: Re: Pioneers Park 11/5/09 [Jeanine Lackey ] 15 Nov Gothenburg ["Walker, Thomas" ] 15 Nov Re: Sunday afternoon at BOL: 2 Surf scoters [] 15 Nov Seward-Branched Oak Lake CBC- Tuesday, Dec 15 Correction ["Gubanyi,Joe" ] 15 Nov Re: Seward-Branched Oak Lake CBC- Tuesday, Dec 15 [] 15 Nov Swans ["Clem Klaphake" ] 15 Nov Re: Seward-Branched Oak Lake CBC- Tuesday, Dec 15 ["Clem Klaphake" ] 15 Nov Seward-Branched Oak Lake CBC- Tuesday, Dec 15 ["Gubanyi,Joe" ] 15 Nov Ferruginous Hawk - Knox Co. [] 15 Nov Yankee Hill/Conestoga - Bird Location Idea. [] 14 Nov Franklin County 11/14/09 [Robin and Lanny ] 14 Nov walk around Holmes Lake ["Moni Usasz" ] 14 Nov Gavin's Pt. Dam [] 14 Nov Good timing ["Eades, Rick" ] 14 Nov Avocet addendum [] 14 Nov very late Avocets [] 14 Nov Winter Wren Subspecies ["J. Ducey" ] 12 Nov Sutherland Reservoir ["Walker, Thomas" ] 11 Nov White-winged Scoter - Knox Co. [] 11 Nov Possible Mew Gull, Branched Oak [Daniel Leger ] 11 Nov RE: Re: Branched Oak Red Phalarope NO ["Thomas Labedz" ] 11 Nov Re: Branched Oak Red Phalarope NO [] 09 Nov Re: Branched Oak Red Phalarope NO [] 8 Nov Re: Branched Oak Red Phalarope NO ["Clem Klaphake" ] 8 Nov Merrick and Hamilton Counties [Robin and Lanny ] 8 Nov Sat and Sunday ["Kathy DeLara" ] 8 Nov Branched Oak Red Phalarope NO [Paul Roisen ] 08 Nov W.W. Scoter & G. Eagle - Knox Co. [] 8 Nov Golden-crowned Kinglet and more ["Walker, Thomas" ] 08 Nov Winter Wren in Madison County ["sparvophile" ] 8 Nov RE: Re: Red Phalarope ["Jorgensen, Joel" ] 7 Nov RE: Re: Pioneers Park 11/5/09 ["Walker, Thomas" ] 08 Nov Re: Pioneers Park 11/5/09 [] 7 Nov Red Phalarope [Paul Roisen ] 08 Nov Re: Red Phalarope ["pastorpaultdunbar" ] 08 Nov re: surf scoters, phalarope ["pastorpaultdunbar" ] 08 Nov Rufous morph red tail, dark morph rough-legged, rufous morph ferruginous +more ["afannafasoli" ] 7 Nov RE: SURF SCOTERS, Pacific Loons: Branched Oak ["Jorgensen, Joel" ] 07 Nov FOS Harris' Sparrow ["Wic7ita" ] 7 Nov SURF SCOTERS, Pacific Loons: Branched Oak [] 07 Nov Ferruginous Hawk and others - Custer Co. 11/5-11/6 ["tbirdboy10" ] 6 Nov Re: Bennington Area Lakes 11/06 [Jon Strong ] 6 Nov Bennington Area Lakes 11/06 [Justin Rink ] 6 Nov Pipits [Toby and Laurel Badura ] 6 Nov Mollhoff/Atlas news article ["Don & Janis Paseka" ] 6 Nov Re: Pioneers Park 11/5/09 [Jeanine Lackey ] 06 Nov Pioneers Park 11/5/09 [] 4 Nov Late departee [Jan Johnson ] 04 Nov Shoemaker Park ["kcarnes68" ] 4 Nov RE: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) ["Jerry Toll" ] 4 Nov RE: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) ["Jerry Toll" ] 4 Nov Re: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) ["Clem Klaphake" ] 4 Nov Re: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) ["Clem Klaphake" ] 04 Nov Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) ["afannafasoli" ] 3 Nov Re: Re: Central Custer Co. 10/30/09 [Tim H ] 3 Nov poss Short-tailed Hawk ["Ross Silcock" ] 3 Nov Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) [Justin Rink ] 3 Nov RE: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) ["Walker, Thomas" ] 3 Nov RE: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) ["Walker, Thomas" ] 3 Nov RE: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) [Jon Strong ] 3 Nov Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) [Tim H ] 3 Nov Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) [Tim H ] 3 Nov Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) [] 3 Nov Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) [] 03 Nov Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) ["wallie2fargone" ] 3 Nov RE: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) ["Walker, Thomas" ] 3 Nov Pine Siskin [Loren Padelford ] 03 Nov Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) ["afannafasoli" ] Subject: Re: Snow Bunting at Branched Oak From: edwodonnell AT yahoo.com Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:49:54 -0000 Spread your tiny wings and fly away, And take the snow back with you where it came from on that day. The one I love forever is untrue, And if I could you know that I would fly away with you. Yeah, if I could I know that I would fly away with you. Yeah, that's, "Snowbird" because I saw three Snow Buntings today at Branched Oak! They were exactly where Dan said they were. I now have visual proof and documentation that Snow Buntings do in fact exist. Yes, new bird for me! Here's one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4119140046/sizes/l/ and here's 2: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4119139454/sizes/l/ and here's Anne Murray (she wasn't at Branched Oak today even though it was pretty nice out there) singing one of my favorite sappy songs, "Snowbird" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVNj9Pl-i7I Nothing else much going on though. Mostly Gulls that start showing up around 3:30 and a few Ducks, but they were too far away for me to ID. The south side camping area where the trail through the woods starts was very alive with activity. Cedar Waxwings, Downy Woodpeckers, Dark Eyed Juncos, Yellow Rumped Warblers, Tree Swallows and White Breasted Nuthatches. I saw several of each bird. I also saw a Northern Harrier at the same place we saw one last time. At Lieber Point, a DC Cormorant flew right by me. This guy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4115721178/sizes/l/ I never knew they had such cool green eyes. And this is a shot I took of a Mallard last week at Holmes Lake. It's just a Mallard, but a pretty neat shot of one. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4115720500/sizes/l/ So that's my story and I'm stickin' to it. Ed, Lincoln ------------------------------------------------------------------------\ ------------ --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, ruralize AT ... wrote: > > Alas, we're in Oregon this week. Surf Scoters aplenty, but no SO...er, SBs. > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry > > -----Original Message----- > From: dleger1 AT ... > Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:35:15 > To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: [NEBirds] Snow Bunting at Branched Oak > > Hi folks, > > The Branched Oak bonanza continued on for me this afternoon when I > found a Snow Bunting along the dam at Branched Oak Lake. It was about > at the half-way mark, foraging in the gravel, then down among the > rocks closer to the water. > > I promised Urban and Nancy less than two weeks ago that I would let > them know if I found a Snow Bunting (and they promised the same) since > we share this particular nemesis bird. Little did I know that I would > be able to follow through so quickly. After many years of birding and > I-don't-know-how-many walks across the dam, I finally got lucky. > > This bird was very helpful. It flushed almost underfoot, then landed > so close that I had to step back a little in order to focus my > binoculars. I walked back to the car to get my camera, and it allowed > me to get very close. I wish more birds were so cooperative. > > Not much else of note at the lake today. One Common Loon, very few > ducks and gulls, and just a smattering of land birds. > > So, Urban and Nancy, the rest is up to you! > > Dan Leger > Lincoln > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: Nov. 19 From: Theresa Pester <warblerluvr AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:21:45 -0800 (PST) Had my first Hairy Woodpecker  at my feeders today.  I have seen only one or two previously out here but never at my feeders.   T. Pester Walton PS For X-mas I told my husband I wanted an outdoor pen for the cats so they can't catch anymore birds but still catch mice if they crawl into the pen.  We can take the cats to the outbuildings and close the doors and still let them control mice out there too. : ) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Mostly Geese From: "Wic7ita" <juanitapat AT csus.edu> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:43:06 -0000 Last week as the snowstorm was moving in from the southwest, I happened to be up at 1 a.m. and heard GEESE! Outside, the sky was totally dark so I cannot even estimate what was going on, but there were geese, lots of geese, that seemed to be coming south and then, because the storm clouds were visible in the lights of Geneva on south of here, they seemed to be circling and moving to the east. Wonderful experience to hear them everywhere in the sky. This afternoon, bright sunshine, and estimated 2300 snow geese passed overhead about 3:30 p.m., in groups of AT 500-800 with a few stragglers in 40s and 50s. Some Ross' geese SEEMED to be with them, but I note that without optics the dark-winged birds can seem larger than the white ones. So: no definite Ross's. About 25% dark-winged. Red-bellied woodpecker a frequent visitor to the sunflower seed feeder, not to the peanut butter or suet. If Downy woodpeckers remain monogamous, I have a pair here. They interact frequently, 1 male and 1 female. The one Hairy woodpecker is a male. Robins were here last week (11/9- 11/13) but they're gone now. 2 Juncos. 3-8 Am Goldfinch 1 Housefinch (!!) 2 Northern cardinals who chip at me when I'm in the yard. I always go to get more sunflower seed and scatter it--trying to train them to know I'm the "feeder." 1 Grackle in yard 1 Red-winged Blackbird 15 or so Starlings Umpty-Ump House Sparrows 5 or more Eurasian Collared Doves 1 brilliant male pheasant seen yesterday 2 mallards and nothing else at the lagoon except....the gazillions of foraging black bird flocks. I tried to look for anything rare in the mix, but saw mostly Red-winged and Starling. A Horned Owl couple have been arguing about where they want to live this winter. I have enormous silver maples and cottonwoods around and so sometimes the GHO's are just outside the house. Heard an Eastern Screech-owl within the block east of me a few nights ago: living dangerously to be in same area as GHO's? Cheers. Juanita Rice, Fairmont Subject: Female Purple Finch From: "lutherhaige" <lutherhaige AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:25:02 -0000 We had a lone female Purple Finch at our feeders last weekend. Once on Saturday and once on Sunday. Saturday it came to one of our birdbaths, but was chased away almost immediately by a Goldfinch. Sunday it was on a platform feeder, feeding briefly, before several Starlings scared it away. On Sunday, one of my neighbors cut down a good size Silver Maple tree. I took many of the smaller branches to make a brush pile for the wintering birds. On Monday, around 4pm, I counted 6 Cardinals, 13 White-throated Sparrows, and about 15 Juncos in the brush pile, all at the same time, feeding on seed I scattered on the ground in the brush pile. On Tuesday a large Cooper's Hawk perched on a second brush pile I have closer to our house. I got several good pictures of the Cooper's I'll post later. Luther Central Omaha Subject: Re: Snow Bunting at Branched Oak From: ruralize AT yahoo.com Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:45:07 +0000 Alas, we're in Oregon this week. Surf Scoters aplenty, but no SO...er, SBs. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -----Original Message----- From: dleger1 AT unl.edu Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:35:15 To: Subject: [NEBirds] Snow Bunting at Branched Oak Hi folks, The Branched Oak bonanza continued on for me this afternoon when I found a Snow Bunting along the dam at Branched Oak Lake. It was about at the half-way mark, foraging in the gravel, then down among the rocks closer to the water. I promised Urban and Nancy less than two weeks ago that I would let them know if I found a Snow Bunting (and they promised the same) since we share this particular nemesis bird. Little did I know that I would be able to follow through so quickly. After many years of birding and I-don't-know-how-many walks across the dam, I finally got lucky. This bird was very helpful. It flushed almost underfoot, then landed so close that I had to step back a little in order to focus my binoculars. I walked back to the car to get my camera, and it allowed me to get very close. I wish more birds were so cooperative. Not much else of note at the lake today. One Common Loon, very few ducks and gulls, and just a smattering of land birds. So, Urban and Nancy, the rest is up to you! Dan Leger Lincoln [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Snow Bunting at Branched Oak From: dleger1 AT unl.edu Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:35:15 -0600 Hi folks, The Branched Oak bonanza continued on for me this afternoon when I found a Snow Bunting along the dam at Branched Oak Lake. It was about at the half-way mark, foraging in the gravel, then down among the rocks closer to the water. I promised Urban and Nancy less than two weeks ago that I would let them know if I found a Snow Bunting (and they promised the same) since we share this particular nemesis bird. Little did I know that I would be able to follow through so quickly. After many years of birding and I-don't-know-how-many walks across the dam, I finally got lucky. This bird was very helpful. It flushed almost underfoot, then landed so close that I had to step back a little in order to focus my binoculars. I walked back to the car to get my camera, and it allowed me to get very close. I wish more birds were so cooperative. Not much else of note at the lake today. One Common Loon, very few ducks and gulls, and just a smattering of land birds. So, Urban and Nancy, the rest is up to you! Dan Leger Lincoln Subject: How about some highlights from south TX? From: "cardinal_1983" <kskskaggs AT frontiernet.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:22:43 -0000 Please share. :) Kent Skaggs Kearney, NE P.S. - How do you really feel about your camera? ;) --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, Jeanine Lackey wrote: > > Hi Ed, your photo's are amazing...so clear and the lighting is perfect. > I can't wait to buy and use a good camera instead of using the POS (piece of > s=*t) unit that I have now. > > I just got back from birding in the Rio Grande Valley and could have really > used a nice camera set up. The birds were spectacular. > > > > > On Sat, Nov 7, 2009 at 10:48 PM, wrote: > > > > > > > Thank you Jeanine. > > A special Bluebird for you that I took today. > > > > P.S. if you are so inclined, you can scroll down below the shot and read my > > latest rant/story that accompanies the photo. > > > > arrrgggghhhh! > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4084066685/ > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > > > --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com , Jeanine Lackey > > wrote: > > > > > > Eddie (Lincoln) > > > > > > Just wanted to compliment you on your stories and photo's. Thanks for > > > sharing. > > > > > > On Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 11:48 PM, wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Special agent eddie reporting in. > > > > > > > > I was lazy today so I only got as far as Pioneers Park. > > > > I started at the feeding station and the usual cast of characters were > > > > there. > > > > Gold Finches (many) > > > > House Finches (a few) > > > > Red-Wing Blackbirds (2 or 3) > > > > Black Capped Chickadees (a few) > > > > Red Bellied Woodpeckers (2 or 3) > > > > House Sparrows (a few) > > > > White Breasted Nuthatches (a few) > > > > Franklin's Gulls flying around way up high (10 or so) > > > > > > > > Then I decided to go for a walk in their prairie area across Haines > > > > Creek. > > > > On the way, I saw this guy. > > > > White Throated Sparrow. > > > > Yay, new bird! > > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079082079/sizes/l/ > > > > and > > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079840544/sizes/l/ > > > > > > > > I also saw this guy: > > > > It's just a Downy Woodpecker, but an amusing one. It's like Carrie or > > > > something. > > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079081179/sizes/l/ > > > > > > > > I started hiking around in the prairie part and I didn't see anything > > or > > > > even hear a peep. I decided to go down to Haines Creek and look for the > > > > Saline Seep again and maybe take a picture. Right on the creek there > > was > > > > a tree that had a few Bluebirds in it! There were maybe 10, but they > > > > took off before I could get a shot. I figured they must be all hanging > > > > around in that tree for some reason, so I walked down the path about 40 > > > > yards and stopped and waited. Sure enough, about 10 minutes later, they > > > > came back to the tree and then they went down on the little Sumac grove > > > > right by the tree and started eating. Again, these are just Bluebirds, > > > > but I like how the shots came out. > > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079080017/sizes/l/ > > > > > > > > and in this one a House Finch horns in on the shot. He kept getting > > > > closer and closer to the Bluebirds. In every shot the wind blew grass > > in > > > > front of one of the Bluebirds. I didn't get 1 clean shot of both. > > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079837154/sizes/l/ > > > > > > > > 100 or so grackles and starlings in the Buffalo pen and a few Crows > > flew > > > > by. > > > > That was about it. > > > > But a new bird for me so it was a successful safari. > > > > Ed, Lincoln. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > J-9 Lackey > > > > > > > > > > > > And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of > > > separation. Kahlil Gibran > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > J-9 > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: Lincoln Reservoirs - 16 Nov From: "Jorgensen, Joel" <Joel.Jorgensen AT nebraska.gov> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:14:04 -0600 Hi all: I did a quick visit to some reservoirs this a.m. Lots of waterfowl on the move and more coming in. Most were L. Scaup. There was also a noticeable bump in Horned Grebe numbers. Today's highlights include: Capitol Beach Lake 3 Red-breasted Mergansers 2 Greater Scaup Branched Oak Lake 2 Common Loons 1 fem/imm. Surf Scoter 8 Red-breasted Merganser -Joel =============================== Joel Jorgensen Nongame Bird Program Manager Wildlife Division Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Lincoln, NE 68503 402-471-5440 joel.jorgensen AT nebraska.gov [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Re: Pioneers Park 11/5/09 From: Jeanine Lackey <jeanine.dinan AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:22:23 -0600 Hi Ed, your photo's are amazing...so clear and the lighting is perfect. I can't wait to buy and use a good camera instead of using the POS (piece of s=*t) unit that I have now. I just got back from birding in the Rio Grande Valley and could have really used a nice camera set up. The birds were spectacular. On Sat, Nov 7, 2009 at 10:48 PM, wrote: > > > Thank you Jeanine. > A special Bluebird for you that I took today. > > P.S. if you are so inclined, you can scroll down below the shot and read my > latest rant/story that accompanies the photo. > > arrrgggghhhh! > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4084066685/ > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com , Jeanine Lackey > wrote: > > > > Eddie (Lincoln) > > > > Just wanted to compliment you on your stories and photo's. Thanks for > > sharing. > > > > On Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 11:48 PM, wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > Special agent eddie reporting in. > > > > > > I was lazy today so I only got as far as Pioneers Park. > > > I started at the feeding station and the usual cast of characters were > > > there. > > > Gold Finches (many) > > > House Finches (a few) > > > Red-Wing Blackbirds (2 or 3) > > > Black Capped Chickadees (a few) > > > Red Bellied Woodpeckers (2 or 3) > > > House Sparrows (a few) > > > White Breasted Nuthatches (a few) > > > Franklin's Gulls flying around way up high (10 or so) > > > > > > Then I decided to go for a walk in their prairie area across Haines > > > Creek. > > > On the way, I saw this guy. > > > White Throated Sparrow. > > > Yay, new bird! > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079082079/sizes/l/ > > > and > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079840544/sizes/l/ > > > > > > I also saw this guy: > > > It's just a Downy Woodpecker, but an amusing one. It's like Carrie or > > > something. > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079081179/sizes/l/ > > > > > > I started hiking around in the prairie part and I didn't see anything > or > > > even hear a peep. I decided to go down to Haines Creek and look for the > > > Saline Seep again and maybe take a picture. Right on the creek there > was > > > a tree that had a few Bluebirds in it! There were maybe 10, but they > > > took off before I could get a shot. I figured they must be all hanging > > > around in that tree for some reason, so I walked down the path about 40 > > > yards and stopped and waited. Sure enough, about 10 minutes later, they > > > came back to the tree and then they went down on the little Sumac grove > > > right by the tree and started eating. Again, these are just Bluebirds, > > > but I like how the shots came out. > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079080017/sizes/l/ > > > > > > and in this one a House Finch horns in on the shot. He kept getting > > > closer and closer to the Bluebirds. In every shot the wind blew grass > in > > > front of one of the Bluebirds. I didn't get 1 clean shot of both. > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079837154/sizes/l/ > > > > > > 100 or so grackles and starlings in the Buffalo pen and a few Crows > flew > > > by. > > > That was about it. > > > But a new bird for me so it was a successful safari. > > > Ed, Lincoln. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > J-9 Lackey > > > > > > > > And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of > > separation. Kahlil Gibran > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > -- J-9 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: NEBirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com NEBirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: NEBirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Gothenburg From: "Walker, Thomas" <thomas.walker AT nebraska.gov> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:48:05 -0600 I spent the last two days (8 AM to 8 PM) checking in deer and collecting lymph nodes for Chronic Wasting Disease testing.....not the most glamorous part of my job, but still almost enjoyable. Anyway, while I didn't see much of anything on Saturday, today was a little better. Some Canada Geese flying around and a few Ring-billed Gulls, flock of Great-tailed Grackles, and other "usual" town birds. But, the morning started off nice with a very close fly by right over my head by a Sharp-shinned Hawk chasing House Sparrows into a nearby bush (and failed). About half an hour later, a brownish Merlin (light colored) made a half-hearted attempt at a flock of Rock Pigeons before disappearing into the residential area to the north. Never fails - I have done deer check there the last 4 seasons now and I always get a Merlin or two, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, or other raptors flying around. Have seen Prairie Falcons and Cooper's Hawks there in the past but missed them this year... Back to my "regular" job tomorrow. T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 301 East State Farm Road North Platte, NE 69101 Office Phone 308-535-8025 Cell Phone 308-530-7659 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Sunday afternoon at BOL: 2 Surf scoters From: larryeinemannl AT aol.com Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:53:12 EST Hi: I am sorry that I did not proof read my narrative more carefully. In the posting title I got the Surf scoter right, but in the narrative, I wrote Black scoter. Surf scoter is the correct sighting. Larry Einemann Lincoln, Nebraska [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Seward-Branched Oak Lake CBC- Tuesday, Dec 15 Correction From: "Gubanyi,Joe" <Joseph.Gubanyi AT cune.edu> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:04:27 -0600 In my original post announcing the dates for the Seward-BOL CBC, I didn't proofread carefully and wrote two different dates for the count. The Seward-Branched Oak Lake CBC will be held Tuesday, Dec 15 (not Sunday December 14 which was last year's count date). As in past years we will meet at the marina on the north side of Branched Oak Lake at 7 AM and again at 2 PM on Main Street in front of the Post Office in Garland for a midday compilation and to share sightings. If you are interested in helping, it is important that you email me off line so I can assign territories to maximize coverage. Let me know your preferences for types of areas you would like to cover. Joe Joe Gubanyi Concordia University 800 North Columbia Seward, NE 68434 402-643-7316 Joseph.Gubanyi at cune.edu [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Seward-Branched Oak Lake CBC- Tuesday, Dec 15 From: larryeinemannl AT aol.com Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:54:27 EST Joe: Joe, there is some confusion in the days that you mention for the Seward/BOL Christmast Bird Count. Tuesday, December 15 and meeting that Sunday at BOL? Larry [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Swans From: "Clem Klaphake" <ckavian AT cox.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:15:38 -0600 Spent a short time checking out Wehrspann Lake in Sarpy County this afternoon. Found: - 2 Mute Swans (adults) - 6 Ruddy Ducks - 3 PB Grebe -1 Coopers Hawk - 1 Golden-crowned Kinglet - Lots of Tree Sparrows and Song Sparrows - 1 Pink-sided Junco (looked at it for a while - saw the dark eye lores, pinkish sides and brown back) - mixed in with a large flock of DE Juncos. And at Wehrspann South: - 4 Hooded Mergansers - 2 N. Pintails - 8 Redhead - 6 A. Wigeon - 28 Gadwall - 8 Shovelers - 45 Mallards Clem Klaphake Bellevue, NE [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Seward-Branched Oak Lake CBC- Tuesday, Dec 15 From: "Clem Klaphake" <ckavian AT cox.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:58:47 -0600 Joe, I'm not sure I follow your dates for the CBC (Tuesday the 15th). But then you say to meet at 7:00am on Sunday the 14th). Clem Klaphake Bellevue, NE ----- Original Message ----- From: Gubanyi,Joe To: NeBirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2009 3:40 PM Subject: [NEBirds] Seward-Branched Oak Lake CBC- Tuesday, Dec 15 The Seward-Branched Oak Lake CBC will be held Tuesday, Dec 15. The Seward-BOL CBC circle includes all of Branched Oak Lake, most of Twin Lakes, the west end of Pawnee Lake, all of Meadowlark Lake, two WMAs and lots of good road driving with bridges over creeks and wooded areas. We have a variety of interesting habitat and seldom are able to cover it all. If you work the larger lakes, you should have a spotting scope. We will meet at the marina on the north side of Branched Oak Lake at 7 AM (Sunday, Dec 14) to divide up territories and receive maps and CBC forms, and again at 2 PM on Main Street in front of the Post Office in Garland for a midday compilation and to share sightings. Let me know your preferences and I will try and assign you that area. Please email me off line if you can help. Joe Joe Gubanyi Concordia University 800 North Columbia Seward, NE 68434 402-643-7316 Joseph.Gubanyi at cune.edu [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Seward-Branched Oak Lake CBC- Tuesday, Dec 15 From: "Gubanyi,Joe" <Joseph.Gubanyi AT cune.edu> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:40:33 -0600 The Seward-Branched Oak Lake CBC will be held Tuesday, Dec 15. The Seward-BOL CBC circle includes all of Branched Oak Lake, most of Twin Lakes, the west end of Pawnee Lake, all of Meadowlark Lake, two WMAs and lots of good road driving with bridges over creeks and wooded areas. We have a variety of interesting habitat and seldom are able to cover it all. If you work the larger lakes, you should have a spotting scope. We will meet at the marina on the north side of Branched Oak Lake at 7 AM (Sunday, Dec 14) to divide up territories and receive maps and CBC forms, and again at 2 PM on Main Street in front of the Post Office in Garland for a midday compilation and to share sightings. Let me know your preferences and I will try and assign you that area. Please email me off line if you can help. Joe Joe Gubanyi Concordia University 800 North Columbia Seward, NE 68434 402-643-7316 Joseph.Gubanyi at cune.edu [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Ferruginous Hawk - Knox Co. From: <mbrogie AT esu1.org> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:48:12 -0600 Found a first year light morphFerruginous Hawk this morning near the intersection of Roads 885 & 528 (south of Niobrara). Bird on cut over alfalfa field. The bird was very unwary and was observed in flight, perched, and on the ground. Was so close, I could easily see the feathered legs and yellowish eye. The bird was amost identical to Sibley's depiction, except this bird had a few more markiings of brown flecking on the sides of the upper chest. I first saw the bird in flight and the windows on the upper wings alerted me to take a closer look. This is my second record for this species in Knox Co., my first on 03 October of 1998. Any record of Ferruginous Hawk in eastern Nebraska should be documented! Also had one adult female Rough-legged Hawk this morning! Mark A. Brogie 508 Seeley, Box 316 Creighton, NE 68729 (402) 358-5675 mbrogie AT esu1.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Yankee Hill/Conestoga - Bird Location Idea. From: edwodonnell AT yahoo.com Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:41:45 -0000 Hola, I was set to head off to Branched Oak when I saw that Dan, Jon and Shari had already been there. It didn't make any sense for me to go there since those birds had already been looked at. I decided to go to Yankee Hill and Conestoga instead to see some fresh birds that hadn't been looked at today. I've discovered a neat way to convey the location of where a bird was spotted. Just go to Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps and zoom in to the location where you saw the bird. You can use either Map, Terrain or Satellite view. Right click on where you want the location to be and a context menu will open up. Choose, "Directions From Here" or, "Directions to Here" The Coordinates will pop up on the left under A of B depending on whether you chose From Here or To Here. In this case, I'm using the Coordinates that were generated from where I saw an American Kestrel this afternoon. I just copied them and now I'm pasting them here 40.714585, -96.769854 Now all you have to do is copy them from here and paste them in the Google search box and hit to see the location. A small map will appear on the left of the results page. Just click on it and you're there. Again you can zoom in and out and change the view from map to satellite. Two things. You could of course copy the new URL that is generated after you mark the spot and paste it here. However that URL is 272 characters long and might upset the Feng Shui of the forum. To make things even more absurd, I discovered that the place that I saw all of the Harris's Sparrows at (Yankee Hill) had been mapped with Street View. You can actually see the very log that the Sparrows were sitting on! It's like you were standing exactly where I was when I took the picture! I'm just offering this because it might be of use for someone to show others rather accurately to where they saw a rare bird like a Kookaburra or something. Might also be useful to show where something was on a big lake too. You might already know all about this stuff, but if you didn't, now you know how. Oh, I guess I should talk about my Birding Adventure. On the way to Yankee Hill (at the coordinates I posted earlier) I saw an American Kestrel. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4105122736/sizes/o/ I've taken shots of Kestrels before, but none come close to this one. When I got to 56th and Rokeby Rd I saw this guy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4104357029/ Bobwhite! I hear them a lot, but I've never seen one. I had no idea what it was until I got home and looked in my bird book. I have to remind myself to turn the engine off when I take pictures. The running engine throws the shots off. Here's another: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4104356621/sizes/l/ In all there were at least 13 of them down in the ditch on the side of the road. At Yankee Hill there wasn't much going on. 1 DC Cormorant was flying around over the lake like he was confused and a handful of Coots swimming around. On the way out I found a couple of Tree Sparrows and about 20 noisy Harris's Sparrows is some Brush. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4105123056/sizes/l/ Not much going on at Conestoga either. However, I saw the same Pelican in the same place that I saw him last week. There's a snag in the Southwest Corner of the lake where he was standing and sleeping. There's also usually a DC Cormorant or two sitting right next to him. Maybe the Pelican is sick or injured. And that's what happened today. Ed, Lincoln. Subject: Franklin County 11/14/09 From: Robin and Lanny <snowbunting AT rcom-ne.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:42:17 -0600 Hi Nebraska birders, Today, November 14, Robin and I looked for birds in Franklin County, and of course for a little fun as well. I will list our highlights with further detail in the text that follows. Bald Eagle 1 juvenile Northern Shrike 1 Carolina Wren 4 from two separate locations Lapland Longspur uncertain how many Near Naponee we positively identified a Northern Shrike but it fooled us with its behavior. From its power line perch it flew to the ground, picked up something small and flew back to its perch. It immediately ate what looked like a large bug and flew away. I would expect this from a Loggerhead Shrike, but not a Northern Shrike. A little more than a mile away we saw Lapland Longspurs. They were mixed with Horned Larks so we couldn't determine how many. In a wonderfully diverse flock of woodland species we found two Carolina Wrens just west of the north edge of Naponee. Southwest of Naponee we saw a juvenile Bald Eagle fly over. At the Riverton Bridge we found another pair of Carolina Wrens. May your birds be lifers and your troubles temporary. good birding and goodbye, Lanny Lanny Randolph south central Nebraska Kearney County 2028 34th rd Minden, Ne. 68959 308-216-0427 SnowBunting(at)rcom-Ne.com Subject: walk around Holmes Lake From: "Moni Usasz" <musasz AT neb.rr.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:54:49 -0600 On the lake lots of mallards and coots - 7 or so pied billed grebes, gulls (unidentified) and a small number of ring-necked and scaup (sp) plus one lone gadwall pair. Moni Usasz Lincoln [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Gavin's Pt. Dam From: <mbrogie AT esu1.org> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:04:06 -0600 A single Western Grebe and a lone Ross's Goose were just below the spillway this morning. A White-winged Scoter was seen from off the swimming beach on Lake Yankton. No White-winged Scoter at Weigand. Mark A. Brogie 508 Seeley, Box 316 Creighton, NE 68729 (402) 358-5675 mbrogie AT esu1.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Good timing From: "Eades, Rick" <rick.eades AT nebraska.gov> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:29:51 -0600 I just stepped out into the backyard for a few minutes and soon heard some crows making a ruckus. A few seconds later I spotted them flying towards me at tree-top level. They were in pursuit of a great horned owl and all flew overhead and onward. A red-tailed hawk brought up the rear, seemingly only as a spectator. Pretty neat. I'd heard the owl a few nights ago. Rick Eades Lincoln [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Avocet addendum From: dleger1 AT unl.edu Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:17:09 -0600 Sorry, but I forgot to mention that Sheri Schwartz and John Carlini were the other "members" of the club that spotted the Avocets. Dan Leger Lincoln Subject: very late Avocets From: dleger1 AT unl.edu Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:14:21 -0600 Hi, The Branched Oak Bird Club held one of its frequent but impromptu meetings this morning (11/14/09). The most significant finding was a flock of five American Avocets that flew low and fast over the lake. They landed on the water, then flew to another location where they bobbed around with a few Bonaparte's Gulls before departing. According to "Birds of Nebraska," Nov 8 was the latest record except for a possibly injured bird at Lake McConaughy that was noted on Dec. 5, 1998. So these five were very late, and unusually far east. Dan Leger Lincoln Subject: Winter Wren Subspecies From: "J. Ducey" <jeducey AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:23:56 -0600 If anyone would be seeing any winter wrens, could you please let me know which subspecies they would be, either Trogoldytes troglodytes pacificus (which has a breeding range, primarily along the west coast and British Columbia) or hiemalis (central and eastern breeding range). Thank you ... Jim Ducey _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Sutherland Reservoir From: "Walker, Thomas" <thomas.walker AT nebraska.gov> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:29:46 -0600 An interesting day......morning in the Loess Canyons followed by a fast-paced trip north of Paxton to post a CRP-MAP field. On the way back from Paxton, I stopped briefly at Sutherland Reservoir where two Common Loons were reported earlier in the week. I found the two loons, way out in the center of the reservoir. There were also good numbers of gulls including many Ring-billed Gulls, probably close to 100 Bonaparte's Gulls, a few Franklin's still hanging around as well. There was one VERY LARGE gull way out in the center of the reservoir that I couldn't get a good enough look at to ID. It may have just been a Herring, but it looked too large, and too "bouyant" (sitting up pretty high on the water). The head and neck appeared to be all white. Wings did not appear black in any way, nor could I see any black in the wing tips. Glaucous???? Not sure what it was, so I won't make a call. It absolutely dwarfed the BOGU and even looked larger than the one loon that was within 100 yards of it. Other "highlights" included a few Western Grebes, Pied-billed Grebes and a few Hooded Mergansers. The canyons were quite "birdy" this AM. The "wormhawks" were happily singing away every place we stopped to look at project sites (Robins), lots of juncos, goldfinches, a few siskins, a large flock (40 plus) of house finches and some "chipping" sparrows that sounded like they were probably American Tree Sparrows. Lots of Flickers (both YS and RS) everywhere I went today. Also a couple Hairy Woodpeckers. On the way home from the office, there was a beautiful Great Horned Owl out early sitting in a tree just off of Highway 30 between Maxwell and Brady. T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 301 East State Farm Road North Platte, NE 69101 Office Phone 308-535-8025 Cell Phone 308-530-7659 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: White-winged Scoter - Knox Co. From: <mbrogie AT esu1.org> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:56:13 -0600 The White-winged Scoter is still present at the Weigand Sewage Lagoon. Anne Brogie and I observed the bird at 5:00 this evening! Mark A. Brogie 508 Seeley, Box 316 Creighton, NE 68729 (402) 358-5675 mbrogie AT esu1.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Possible Mew Gull, Branched Oak From: Daniel Leger <dleger1 AT unl.edu> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:12:04 -0600 Hi folks, I went back out to Branched Oak Lake yesterday afternoon and came across John Carlini and Sheri Schwartz, and later on, Ed O'Donnell. As Ed indicated, we ended up at Lieber's Point. There were hundreds of gulls settling onto the water as the light was fading. We found one odd gull out on the water. It initially looked like the hundreds of Ring-bills out in the area, but on closer inspection it was noticeably smaller than the Ring-bills near it. Our bird was just slightly larger than the Franklin's Gulls nearby. It also differed from the Ring-bills in having solid black wingtips, rather than the black-and-white pattern on the Ring-bills. The mantle was gray, but to us seemed slightly lighter than that of the Ring-bills. The bill, unfortunately, was kept tucked in on the back the entire time we watched. The black wing tips and overall shape and coloration are consistent with both second-winter Ring-bill and second-winter Mew Gull. The size is more consistent with Mew Gull, which is reported to be about 1.5 inches shorter in length and 5 inches shorter in wingspan than Ring-bill. Mew Gull would be very interesting. Unfortunately we never saw the bill and too far away to judge eye color. So, if anyone goes out there, you might want to be on the lookout. Also, if someone has more experience with Mew Gull, I'd love to learn more about its presence in Nebraska. In light of how many other rarities have appeared at Branched Oak the past few weeks, I'm intrigued by the possibility of another. By the way, some of us are becoming concerned about our growing addiction to Branched Oak; there's some talk of forming a support group! Good birding! Dan Leger Lincoln [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Re: Branched Oak Red Phalarope NO From: "Thomas Labedz" <tlabedz1 AT unl.edu> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:02:52 -0600 As somewhat of a junco aficionado I think your portrait of the ORJU is among the best I've ever seen. Congratulations on capturing the essence of this individual. Thomas Labedz, Lincoln _____ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of edwodonnell AT yahoo.com Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 10:57 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEBirds] Re: Branched Oak Red Phalarope NO Dark Eyed "Oregon" Junko http://www.flickr. com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4094695762/sizes/l/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Branched Oak Red Phalarope NO From: edwodonnell AT yahoo.com Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:56:53 -0000 Well jeeze, two posts in a row. Maybe I should I take it easy on the birds...and you. I was hoping to find some awesome birds on the lake or at least spy on the Osprey, but neither of those things came to be. All I saw were the regular Gull types and a Cormorant or two. After maybe 150 really good shots of a Red-tailed Hawk's butt, I finally got a good shot of his head. FINALLY! http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4093933377/sizes/l/ I saw a juvenile RTH too. I went to the secret Osprey hideout, but he wasn't home. Probably out visiting friends or something. When I went back to the car, I saw this guy, Dark Eyed "Oregon" Junko http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4094695762/sizes/l/ and here's another of him. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4093934439/ I thought I saw one of them earlier in another place, but I didn't get a shot of one so it didn't count. I probably dreamt it. Now it counts. Yay, new bird for me! Then I ran into Dan, John and Shari they had their telescopes out and were looking at Iowa. Oh look Osprey! I went after him, but I couldn't get very close. I'm not sure if they saw anything cool because they might have kept any cool birds a secret from me. We took off to something or whatever Point. On the way, they all slowed down and stopped in the middle of a gravel road. Apparently they were spying on a Northern Harrier (It's what they told me it was. Yeah sure) that was up the road a piece eating something. I took some pictures of a big hawk on the road, but I had no idea of what it was. It's a lousy shot but here it is. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4093932009/ I told them to go ahead and I would see if I could get a shot or two of him flying away. That is when I noticed something different about the Hawk. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4093932105/ Now I believed them. Two new birds = good day! Ed, Lincoln. ------------------------------------------------------------------------\ ------------------------ --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, edwodonnell AT ... wrote: > > I was part of the group for a little while. > So I saw what they said they saw. > Haha, just kidding. I only saw a couple things they did. > I'm not very good at this birding thing. > > After they left, I was thinking if I were a bird, I would hide behind > them. > While they had their scopes pointed towards the lake, I would hide on > the other side of the dam down by Oak Creek. See, you gotta think like a > bird. > So off I went. I went all the way down the bank and walked along Oak > Creek. > I was wrong. The birds weren't hiding down there. Just a few Tree > Sparrows, but a Deer jumped up and scared the ^&%$ out of me. > Again, I'm not very good at this birding thing. > > So I started driving around the North part of the lake. > All I saw were a bunch of Ring-Billed Gulls. I took pictures of them > flying around anyway. However, I accidentally got a picture of a > Herring Gull. I didn't know it until I got home. > I won't win any awards with it, but it's a new bird for me just the > same. > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4088029735/sizes/l/ > > There was an odd looking brown Gull hanging out with the other > Ring-Billed Gulls so I took a picture of him. I imagine he might be a > juvenile Ring-Billed Gull or something. He seemed to be bigger than the > RBGs. > I'll show it to you anyway. > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4088028963/sizes/o/ > > All that intense Gull action was tiring me out so I decided to turn > around and hit the road. > As I was driving back, I spotted a great big Gull. So I stopped and got > out of the car and took some pictures. This big gull was actually an > Osprey. Clem had mentioned earlier in the day that he saw an Osprey over > in this area, but I thought he was messing with me. If I had a person > by me that didn't know anything, I'd make stuff up. Oh hey look, a > Left-Handed Scissor-Tailed Pine Booby! There he goes! Hurry, he's > getting away! Go get a picture of him. You'll be famous! > > This Osprey just caught lunch. > Is that some kind of shad that he has? It has a crazy forked tail. > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4088790742/ > and this > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4088032529/ > > Now when I saw the Ospreys at Holmes Lake catch a fish, they took off > over the dam or flew far away. I never knew where they went or how they > ate their fish. I just assumed they flew back to their Hobo Camp and > fried them on a rock or boiled them in an old coffee can. This time I > chased the Osprey down and found out how they do it. They just sit at a > table and eat them raw. > Warning: Graphic Bird on Fish Violence! > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4088790514/sizes/l/ > > I also learned that they don't like the tails. When all that was left > was a tail, he picked it up and spit it into the water. > I think this little holler is his hideout because he flew about 20 yards > into another tree and just stayed there. It was about dusk by that time > so I went home. > > And that's what I did last week at Summer Camp. > Ed, Lincoln. > ------------------------------------------------------------------------\ \ > ---------------- > > --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Clem Klaphake" ckavian AT wrote: > > > > Just want to add to Paul's sightings today at Branched Oak: Flock of > about 45 Lapland Longspurs in the short grass on the dam. > > Clem Klaphake > > Bellevue, NE > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Paul Roisen > > To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com > > Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 5:01 PM > > Subject: [NEBirds] Branched Oak Red Phalarope NO > > > > > > > > Trip to Branched Oak to locate Red Phalarope. NO luck with that > even though there were 6 of us looking (that I met anyway). > > Of interest to me:Long-tailed Duck 1 maleSurf Scoter 2 early on > later could not refindPacific Loon 1 brief showing south of Lieber's > PointCommon Loon 3Osprey 1 > > Waterfowl:Redhead, L. Scaup, N. Pintail, N. Shoveler, Green-winged > Teal, Canada Goose, Ruddy, Red-breasted Merganser, Am. Wigeon, > Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe Western Grebe, Am. > Coot.Gulls:Franklin's, Bonapart's, Ring-billed, and 2 Herring. > > God Bless, > > > > Paul Roisen > > > > Sioux City, IA > > > > Woodbury County > > > > 712-276-0371(H) > > > > 712-301-2817(C) > > > > --- On Sun, 11/8/09, mbrogie AT mbrogie AT wrote: > > > > From: mbrogie AT mbrogie AT > > Subject: [NEBirds] W.W. Scoter & G. Eagle - Knox Co. > > To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com > > Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009, 4:48 PM > > > > > > > > A first winter White-winged Scoter was at Weigand Sewage Lagoon > today by Doc & Solde Cutshall > > > > I found an adult Golden Eagle .5 west of Ohiya Casino (east of > Niobrara) on Hwy 12 yesterday. > > > > Mark A. Brogie > > > > 508 Seeley, Box 316 > > > > Creighton, NE 68729 > > > > (402) 358-5675 > > > > mbrogie AT esu1. org > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > Subject: Re: Branched Oak Red Phalarope NO From: edwodonnell AT yahoo.com Date: Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:58:20 -0000 I was part of the group for a little while. So I saw what they said they saw. Haha, just kidding. I only saw a couple things they did. I'm not very good at this birding thing. After they left, I was thinking if I were a bird, I would hide behind them. While they had their scopes pointed towards the lake, I would hide on the other side of the dam down by Oak Creek. See, you gotta think like a bird. So off I went. I went all the way down the bank and walked along Oak Creek. I was wrong. The birds weren't hiding down there. Just a few Tree Sparrows, but a Deer jumped up and scared the ^&%$ out of me. Again, I'm not very good at this birding thing. So I started driving around the North part of the lake. All I saw were a bunch of Ring-Billed Gulls. I took pictures of them flying around anyway. However, I accidentally got a picture of a Herring Gull. I didn't know it until I got home. I won't win any awards with it, but it's a new bird for me just the same. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4088029735/sizes/l/ There was an odd looking brown Gull hanging out with the other Ring-Billed Gulls so I took a picture of him. I imagine he might be a juvenile Ring-Billed Gull or something. He seemed to be bigger than the RBGs. I'll show it to you anyway. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4088028963/sizes/o/ All that intense Gull action was tiring me out so I decided to turn around and hit the road. As I was driving back, I spotted a great big Gull. So I stopped and got out of the car and took some pictures. This big gull was actually an Osprey. Clem had mentioned earlier in the day that he saw an Osprey over in this area, but I thought he was messing with me. If I had a person by me that didn't know anything, I'd make stuff up. Oh hey look, a Left-Handed Scissor-Tailed Pine Booby! There he goes! Hurry, he's getting away! Go get a picture of him. You'll be famous! This Osprey just caught lunch. Is that some kind of shad that he has? It has a crazy forked tail. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4088790742/ and this http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4088032529/ Now when I saw the Ospreys at Holmes Lake catch a fish, they took off over the dam or flew far away. I never knew where they went or how they ate their fish. I just assumed they flew back to their Hobo Camp and fried them on a rock or boiled them in an old coffee can. This time I chased the Osprey down and found out how they do it. They just sit at a table and eat them raw. Warning: Graphic Bird on Fish Violence! http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4088790514/sizes/l/ I also learned that they don't like the tails. When all that was left was a tail, he picked it up and spit it into the water. I think this little holler is his hideout because he flew about 20 yards into another tree and just stayed there. It was about dusk by that time so I went home. And that's what I did last week at Summer Camp. Ed, Lincoln. ------------------------------------------------------------------------\ ---------------- --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Clem Klaphake" wrote: > > Just want to add to Paul's sightings today at Branched Oak: Flock of about 45 Lapland Longspurs in the short grass on the dam. > Clem Klaphake > Bellevue, NE > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Paul Roisen > To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com > Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 5:01 PM > Subject: [NEBirds] Branched Oak Red Phalarope NO > > > > Trip to Branched Oak to locate Red Phalarope. NO luck with that even though there were 6 of us looking (that I met anyway). > Of interest to me:Long-tailed Duck 1 maleSurf Scoter 2 early on later could not refindPacific Loon 1 brief showing south of Lieber's PointCommon Loon 3Osprey 1 > Waterfowl:Redhead, L. Scaup, N. Pintail, N. Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Canada Goose, Ruddy, Red-breasted Merganser, Am. Wigeon, Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe Western Grebe, Am. Coot.Gulls:Franklin's, Bonapart's, Ring-billed, and 2 Herring. > God Bless, > > Paul Roisen > > Sioux City, IA > > Woodbury County > > 712-276-0371(H) > > 712-301-2817(C) > > --- On Sun, 11/8/09, mbrogie AT ... mbrogie AT ... wrote: > > From: mbrogie AT ... mbrogie AT ... > Subject: [NEBirds] W.W. Scoter & G. Eagle - Knox Co. > To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com > Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009, 4:48 PM > > > > A first winter White-winged Scoter was at Weigand Sewage Lagoon today by Doc & Solde Cutshall > > I found an adult Golden Eagle .5 west of Ohiya Casino (east of Niobrara) on Hwy 12 yesterday. > > Mark A. Brogie > > 508 Seeley, Box 316 > > Creighton, NE 68729 > > (402) 358-5675 > > mbrogie AT esu1. org > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: Re: Branched Oak Red Phalarope NO From: "Clem Klaphake" <ckavian AT cox.net> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 19:39:07 -0600 Just want to add to Paul's sightings today at Branched Oak: Flock of about 45 Lapland Longspurs in the short grass on the dam. Clem Klaphake Bellevue, NE ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Roisen To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 5:01 PM Subject: [NEBirds] Branched Oak Red Phalarope NO Trip to Branched Oak to locate Red Phalarope. NO luck with that even though there were 6 of us looking (that I met anyway). Of interest to me:Long-tailed Duck 1 maleSurf Scoter 2 early on later could not refindPacific Loon 1 brief showing south of Lieber's PointCommon Loon 3Osprey 1 Waterfowl:Redhead, L. Scaup, N. Pintail, N. Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Canada Goose, Ruddy, Red-breasted Merganser, Am. Wigeon, Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe Western Grebe, Am. Coot.Gulls:Franklin's, Bonapart's, Ring-billed, and 2 Herring. God Bless, Paul Roisen Sioux City, IA Woodbury County 712-276-0371(H) 712-301-2817(C) --- On Sun, 11/8/09, mbrogie AT esu1.org wrote: From: mbrogie AT esu1.org Subject: [NEBirds] W.W. Scoter & G. Eagle - Knox Co. To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009, 4:48 PM A first winter White-winged Scoter was at Weigand Sewage Lagoon today by Doc & Solde Cutshall I found an adult Golden Eagle .5 west of Ohiya Casino (east of Niobrara) on Hwy 12 yesterday. Mark A. Brogie 508 Seeley, Box 316 Creighton, NE 68729 (402) 358-5675 mbrogie AT esu1. org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Merrick and Hamilton Counties From: Robin and Lanny <snowbunting AT rcom-ne.com> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 19:29:56 -0600 Nebraska birders, On Sunday, November 08, Lanny and I birded in Merrick and Hamilton Counties along the Platte River. Near the highway 92 bridge, we saw two or three Black-capped Chickadees. In Hamilton County near Marquette, we saw two or three more chickadees and we heard an Eastern Screech-Owl. We also saw about five Mourning Doves which are usually hard to find after opening day of hunting season. Lanny added two species to his Hamilton County life list for a new total of 143. I added one for a new total of 142. Robin Harding northern Kearney County, Nebraska For more information about birding in Nebraska, see the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union web site at: http://rip.physics.unk.edu/NOU/ Subject: Sat and Sunday From: "Kathy DeLara" <renosmom AT charter.net> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 16:30:42 -0700 We had a flock of goldfinches come in to the feeders today, first that I have seen this fall. Otherwise, just a few juncos, white-crowned sparrow and lots of blue jays and house sparrows. Only one house finch around this week, during the snow we had 9. Guess there is still plenty of food out in the wild. Was a good year for sunflowers. yesterday morning I checked several small ponds including Berggren Rd, the ponds north of Mitchell and Kiowa area but waterfowl were few and far between. Only a few gadwall, wigeons, green-wing teal , mallards and shovelers and some canada geese. Did see 7 Lesser Scaup and a harrier at Kiowa. North of Mitchell there were 2 magpies. Along the roads I saw Red-tailed hawks every couple of miles, about half were dark phase, and one dark Rough-legged Hawk. Also one that was very dark that I coudn't decide what it was. Only other birds I saw were Horned Larks in most of the recently harvested beet fields and one White-crowned Sparrow. Kathy DeLara Mitchell NE [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Branched Oak Red Phalarope NO From: Paul Roisen <roisenp1950 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 15:01:43 -0800 (PST) Trip to Branched Oak to locate Red Phalarope.  NO luck with that even though there were 6 of us looking (that I met anyway). Of interest to me:Long-tailed Duck 1 maleSurf Scoter 2  early on later could not refindPacific Loon 1 brief showing south of Lieber's PointCommon Loon 3Osprey 1 Waterfowl:Redhead, L. Scaup, N. Pintail, N. Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Canada Goose, Ruddy, Red-breasted Merganser, Am. Wigeon, Pied-billed Grebe, Horned Grebe Western Grebe, Am. Coot.Gulls:Franklin's, Bonapart's, Ring-billed, and 2 Herring. God Bless, Paul Roisen Sioux City, IA Woodbury County 712-276-0371(H) 712-301-2817(C) --- On Sun, 11/8/09, mbrogie AT esu1.org wrote: From: mbrogie AT esu1.org Subject: [NEBirds] W.W. Scoter & G. Eagle - Knox Co. To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009, 4:48 PM   A first winter White-winged Scoter was at Weigand Sewage Lagoon today by Doc & Solde Cutshall I found an adult Golden Eagle .5 west of Ohiya Casino (east of Niobrara) on Hwy 12 yesterday. Mark A. Brogie 508 Seeley, Box 316 Creighton, NE 68729 (402) 358-5675 mbrogie AT esu1. org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: W.W. Scoter & G. Eagle - Knox Co. From: <mbrogie AT esu1.org> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:48:24 -0600 A first winter White-winged Scoter was at Weigand Sewage Lagoon today by Doc & Solde Cutshall I found an adult Golden Eagle .5 west of Ohiya Casino (east of Niobrara) on Hwy 12 yesterday. Mark A. Brogie 508 Seeley, Box 316 Creighton, NE 68729 (402) 358-5675 mbrogie AT esu1.org [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Golden-crowned Kinglet and more From: "Walker, Thomas" <thomas.walker AT nebraska.gov> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 11:16:53 -0600 I was just out in the front yard unloading some stuff from my pick up when I heard the unmistakeable high-pitched call of a Golden-crowned Kinglet. Took me a while to coax it out, which is unusual for a kinglet, but it came out of my neighbors spruce trees, flew across the road into a cedar, and eventually into the pines by my front yard. Handsome little male with the golden crown brightly evident. I am pretty sure that is an addition to the Tout Bird Club 2009 year list, which is getting tougher and tougher to add to. I spent some time up in NE Lincoln and SW Custer this am. Saw quite a few pheasants and Greater Prairie-chickens. Also saw quite a few ducks including Mallards, Gadwall, Wigeon, GW Teal, one Northern Pintail and a few Canada Geese. Recent heavy snowfall events followed by good melting conditions filled up many of the Central Table Playas. Lots of raptors around including many Red-tailed Hawks, a few Rough-legged Hawks, a Cooper's Hawk a couple Northern Harriers and a Prairie Falcon. Sparrows - loads of them - American Tree, Harris's, White-crowned, Song and quite a few juncos. T. J. Walker Brady, Nebraska (E Lincoln County) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Winter Wren in Madison County From: "sparvophile" <sparvophile AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:02:10 -0000 Went out for a walk on the Cowboy Trail west of Norfolk yesterday afternoon (November 7). I didn't expect to find a lot on a clear warm afternoon, and my species list was short. However, there was one real prize on it: a Winter Wren, my first for Madison County and my second for Nebraska. The bird was about 2 miles west of the Broken Bridge parking lot on the trail. After you've crossed the Elkhorn bridge heading westward, the trail closely parallels the paved road for a while. Right after the two start to diverge, the trail crosses a small running creek and goes through a piece of woodland. The wren was by the creek crossing: on both sides of the creek, and on both sides of the trail. At one point, it flew under the bridge. The upperparts were dark: almost chococlate brown. The tail was noticeably short and, when I saw it, was always cocked upward. There was a well-defined light supercilium. I couldn't see the flanks well enough to look for barring. The bird uttered a few call notes, but I don't know Winter's calls very well at all. It stayed low to the ground, either on the ground or just above ground level, which seemed like very Winter-like behavior to me. The habitat-- moist woods-- seemed right for Winter too. William Flack Kearney Subject: RE: Re: Red Phalarope From: "Jorgensen, Joel" <Joel.Jorgensen AT nebraska.gov> Date: Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:24:41 -0600 Paul: EXCELLENT. You're photos definitely appear to be a Red and NOT a Red-necked. Thanks for confirming this bird's ID. Nice to know my "gut" got it right from that distance. I must have been channeling Dinsmore. Maybe we can get a little patagonia picnic table effect started at BOL. -Joel ======================================= Joel Jorgensen Nongame Bird Program Manager Wildlife Division Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Lincoln, NE 68503 402-471-5440 joel.jorgensen AT nebraska.gov ***NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS*** ________________________________ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of pastorpaultdunbar [pastorpaultdunbar AT yahoo.com] Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 9:04 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEBirds] Re: Red Phalarope As a brief addendum to the previous post, I will say that my confidence level was raised significantly when, moments ago, I received a reply from Steven Dinsmore, to whom I had sent the phalarope photos and whose bird ID opinion I regard very highly. He agreed that it was, most definitely, a Red. Woohoo!! [Wish I was more confident on my own, though :) ] Paul Dunbar [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: NEBirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com NEBirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: NEBirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: RE: Re: Pioneers Park 11/5/09 From: "Walker, Thomas" <thomas.walker AT nebraska.gov> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 23:35:36 -0600 Ed, if it makes you feel any better (towards your rant) I am a black shirt fan (fan of the defense) which is appropriate tonight (GREAT GAME BLACKSHIRTS).......I wore black today (against the State Constitution - and some times I even wear gray....). Nice bluebird photo. You really should come out to SE Lincoln County this winter to capture a good Mountain Bluebird photo. T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 301 East State Farm Road North Platte, NE 69101 Office Phone 308-535-8025 Cell Phone 308-530-7659 ________________________________ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of edwodonnell AT yahoo.com [edwodonnell AT yahoo.com] Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 10:48 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEBirds] Re: Pioneers Park 11/5/09 Thank you Jeanine. A special Bluebird for you that I took today. P.S. if you are so inclined, you can scroll down below the shot and read my latest rant/story that accompanies the photo. arrrgggghhhh! http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4084066685/ ---------------------------------------------------------- --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, Jeanine Lackey wrote: > > Eddie (Lincoln) > > Just wanted to compliment you on your stories and photo's. Thanks for > sharing. > > On Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 11:48 PM, wrote: > > > > > > > Special agent eddie reporting in. > > > > I was lazy today so I only got as far as Pioneers Park. > > I started at the feeding station and the usual cast of characters were > > there. > > Gold Finches (many) > > House Finches (a few) > > Red-Wing Blackbirds (2 or 3) > > Black Capped Chickadees (a few) > > Red Bellied Woodpeckers (2 or 3) > > House Sparrows (a few) > > White Breasted Nuthatches (a few) > > Franklin's Gulls flying around way up high (10 or so) > > > > Then I decided to go for a walk in their prairie area across Haines > > Creek. > > On the way, I saw this guy. > > White Throated Sparrow. > > Yay, new bird! > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079082079/sizes/l/ > > and > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079840544/sizes/l/ > > > > I also saw this guy: > > It's just a Downy Woodpecker, but an amusing one. It's like Carrie or > > something. > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079081179/sizes/l/ > > > > I started hiking around in the prairie part and I didn't see anything or > > even hear a peep. I decided to go down to Haines Creek and look for the > > Saline Seep again and maybe take a picture. Right on the creek there was > > a tree that had a few Bluebirds in it! There were maybe 10, but they > > took off before I could get a shot. I figured they must be all hanging > > around in that tree for some reason, so I walked down the path about 40 > > yards and stopped and waited. Sure enough, about 10 minutes later, they > > came back to the tree and then they went down on the little Sumac grove > > right by the tree and started eating. Again, these are just Bluebirds, > > but I like how the shots came out. > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079080017/sizes/l/ > > > > and in this one a House Finch horns in on the shot. He kept getting > > closer and closer to the Bluebirds. In every shot the wind blew grass in > > front of one of the Bluebirds. I didn't get 1 clean shot of both. > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079837154/sizes/l/ > > > > 100 or so grackles and starlings in the Buffalo pen and a few Crows flew > > by. > > That was about it. > > But a new bird for me so it was a successful safari. > > Ed, Lincoln. > > > > > > > > > > -- > J-9 Lackey > > > > And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of > separation. Kahlil Gibran > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: NEBirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com NEBirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: NEBirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Re: Pioneers Park 11/5/09 From: edwodonnell AT yahoo.com Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:48:21 -0000 Thank you Jeanine. A special Bluebird for you that I took today. P.S. if you are so inclined, you can scroll down below the shot and read my latest rant/story that accompanies the photo. arrrgggghhhh! http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4084066685/ ------------------------------------------------------------ --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, Jeanine Lackey wrote: > > Eddie (Lincoln) > > Just wanted to compliment you on your stories and photo's. Thanks for > sharing. > > On Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 11:48 PM, wrote: > > > > > > > Special agent eddie reporting in. > > > > I was lazy today so I only got as far as Pioneers Park. > > I started at the feeding station and the usual cast of characters were > > there. > > Gold Finches (many) > > House Finches (a few) > > Red-Wing Blackbirds (2 or 3) > > Black Capped Chickadees (a few) > > Red Bellied Woodpeckers (2 or 3) > > House Sparrows (a few) > > White Breasted Nuthatches (a few) > > Franklin's Gulls flying around way up high (10 or so) > > > > Then I decided to go for a walk in their prairie area across Haines > > Creek. > > On the way, I saw this guy. > > White Throated Sparrow. > > Yay, new bird! > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079082079/sizes/l/ > > and > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079840544/sizes/l/ > > > > I also saw this guy: > > It's just a Downy Woodpecker, but an amusing one. It's like Carrie or > > something. > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079081179/sizes/l/ > > > > I started hiking around in the prairie part and I didn't see anything or > > even hear a peep. I decided to go down to Haines Creek and look for the > > Saline Seep again and maybe take a picture. Right on the creek there was > > a tree that had a few Bluebirds in it! There were maybe 10, but they > > took off before I could get a shot. I figured they must be all hanging > > around in that tree for some reason, so I walked down the path about 40 > > yards and stopped and waited. Sure enough, about 10 minutes later, they > > came back to the tree and then they went down on the little Sumac grove > > right by the tree and started eating. Again, these are just Bluebirds, > > but I like how the shots came out. > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079080017/sizes/l/ > > > > and in this one a House Finch horns in on the shot. He kept getting > > closer and closer to the Bluebirds. In every shot the wind blew grass in > > front of one of the Bluebirds. I didn't get 1 clean shot of both. > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079837154/sizes/l/ > > > > 100 or so grackles and starlings in the Buffalo pen and a few Crows flew > > by. > > That was about it. > > But a new bird for me so it was a successful safari. > > Ed, Lincoln. > > > > > > > > > > -- > J-9 Lackey > > > > And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of > separation. Kahlil Gibran > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: Red Phalarope From: Paul Roisen <roisenp1950 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 20:12:32 -0800 (PST) Red Phalarope would be a LIFER and NE bird. Will head down there tomorrow AM right after church. Would appreciate it if anyone who goes out to look for it would be willing to give me a phone call either way SEE or NO SEE  712-301-2817 cell.  Thanks. God Bless, Paul Roisen Sioux City, IA Woodbury County 712-276-0371(H) 712-301-2817(C) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Red Phalarope From: "pastorpaultdunbar" <pastorpaultdunbar AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:04:16 -0000 As a brief addendum to the previous post, I will say that my confidence level was raised significantly when, moments ago, I received a reply from Steven Dinsmore, to whom I had sent the phalarope photos and whose bird ID opinion I regard very highly. He agreed that it was, most definitely, a Red. Woohoo!! [Wish I was more confident on my own, though :) ] Paul Dunbar Subject: re: surf scoters, phalarope From: "pastorpaultdunbar" <pastorpaultdunbar AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:48:22 -0000 I. like Joel Jorgensen, was also intrigued by the report of good stuff at Branched Oak, drove up there with Bill Fink from CO, and looked around from 2:30-4:00 this afternoon. (Wished I would have run into you, Joel.) I, too, located the 9 Surf Scoter, just as Dan described them and in the same location. I, like Joel, could not locate any Pacific Loons, but did see 5-6 Commons. Likewise, I spotted a phalarope that I would say was either a Red or a Red-necked, though I'm leaning toward Red. I got a few photos, but I'm lacking confidence based not only on the quality of those shots, but also on the fact that a) Red Phalarope would be a "lifer" and I know how badly I want it to be that, and b) I have no experience with Red-necked vs. Red Phalarope in this fall plumage. Any input? My reasoning for Red, not Red-necked, is the lighter grey and unstreaked back, and what appears to be a shorter and broader-based bill. Take a look. By the way, I've also posted a few scoter shots, very distant, but if anyone should be going out looking, this is basically what you're looking for. Paul Dunbar Hastings, Ne (Adams Co.) Subject: Rufous morph red tail, dark morph rough-legged, rufous morph ferruginous +more From: "afannafasoli" <afannafasoli AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:05:10 -0000 What a great time to be in NE for raptors! In Custer County a few days ago, I found this rufous morph red-tail http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvTPslYa0GI/AAAAAAAAAU8/ypAhgaoi8ZA/s1600-h/IMG_6718+(542x640).jpg In Cherry County I found this (normal sized!) intermediate morph juvenile Harlan's http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvTP6HICBUI/AAAAAAAAAVE/tt5Ho1NAXD8/s1600-h/IMG_6749+(640x395).jpg At Ft. Niobrara NWR I found this rufous morph ferruginous hawk (still there today) http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvTW0VJOLsI/AAAAAAAAAW0/a1pGDcXyin0/s1600-h/IMG_6817+(640x547).jpg soaring with a light morph ferruginous http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvTWxmgP7oI/AAAAAAAAAWk/hRn_M6SuZBI/s1600-h/IMG_6822+(640x227).jpg This morning at Niobrara NWR I started off with this red-tail http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvYUT6I15oI/AAAAAAAAAXY/LmKKg9g5gas/s1600-h/IMG_6912+(640x359).jpg Also a female rough legged hawk light morph http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvYYWc1zW0I/AAAAAAAAAY4/5AKceCSNMnM/s1600-h/IMG_6997+(640x455).jpg A light morph ferruginous http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvYUdGELR0I/AAAAAAAAAXw/ulL6VdIIPWI/s1600-h/IMG_6944+(640x359).jpg A dark morph rough legged (first on my trip so far!) actively hunting but not having much luck http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvYUf8rr2WI/AAAAAAAAAX4/P8RS9Z81kUo/s1600-h/IMG_6962+(640x489).jpg Four bald eagles in a tree by Fort Falls trail (two adult, two juvenile) And three ferruginous hawks thermalling over the Niobrara http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvYWlp-3G6I/AAAAAAAAAYY/__6MTWxphJU/s1600-h/IMG_7011+(640x348).jpg And I haven't had time to respond to everyones's post about my "short tailed" hawk (most likely a very small Harlan's-thanks for all of the input!), but my final note is that I think that in the rare event that one did come here, or anywhere in the west for that matter, it might be easily overlooked due the field marks it shares with a harlan's. Both show a lot of variation with mottling and tail bands(especially in juveniles of both species). I'd feel a lot better about the sighting if someone else could have seen it too. But if one showed up in Michigan, I'm sure one could show up just about anywhere else, especially with global temps on the rise...anything is possible! Anna Fasoli currently in Cherry County Subject: RE: SURF SCOTERS, Pacific Loons: Branched Oak From: "Jorgensen, Joel" <Joel.Jorgensen AT nebraska.gov> Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 13:43:35 -0600 Hi all: I was tantalized by Dan's report so I made a quick trip to BOL. I found the Scoters. It was great to see a drake SUSC in Nebraska, thanks Dan. I did not locate the Pacific Loons. I did observe a phalarope and I believe it was a Red Phalarope. I observed the bird off of Lieber's Point from the dam. The view from the dam was distant and when I went around to Lieber's to get a better view, I could not relocate the bird. The list: BOL 7 Nov 9 Surf Scoter reported earlier by Dan Leger 5 Red-breasted Mergansers 8 Common Loons 1 Western Grebe 28 Bonarparte's Gull Pawnee Lake 2 Common Loons -Joel ======================================= Joel Jorgensen Nongame Bird Program Manager Wildlife Division Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Lincoln, NE 68503 402-471-5440 joel.jorgensen AT nebraska.gov ***NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS*** ________________________________ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of dleger1 AT unl.edu [dleger1 AT unl.edu] Sent: Saturday, November 07, 2009 10:05 AM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEBirds] SURF SCOTERS, Pacific Loons: Branched Oak Hi folks, I discovered a flock of nine SURF SCOTERS early this morning at Branched Oak Lake, Lancaster Co. There was one adult male in the group; the others appeared to be adult females and immatures. Along the road heading toward the park office, turn left toward Area 5 just past the office. I parked along the road, halfway between the two parking areas, and walked down to the lake. The group was mostly snoozing at first, but they occasionally looked up. The adult male had all the field marks: solid black body, large white patch at the back of his head, a small white patch on the forehead, and a large, sloping, "bulbous" bill. The females were equally clear-cut, although less impressive because of their dirty gray/dirty white plumage. I've seen this species in California, but it's a state bird for me in Nebraska. But wait! There's more! When I first got to the lake at 6:30, I got a group of three loons in the scope, but had to wait for better light to identify them. They were all PACIFIC LOONS! The identification was made easier because of at least five Common Loons in the vicinity, some of which were "yodelling." I saw them from Area 10, looking south. I saw one Pacific Loon two weeks ago, when I bumped into Don and Janis Paseka and we found the loon that Joel Jorgensen reported the day before. That was also a new state bird for me, so three at once is a real treat! Good birding! Dan Leger Lincoln [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: NEBirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com NEBirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: NEBirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: FOS Harris' Sparrow From: "Wic7ita" <juanitapat AT csus.edu> Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:07:23 -0000 First Harris' Sparrow today: one. In the yard: The imports are the main birds: starlings, house sparrows, Eurasian Doves. 1 Grackle 1 Brown-headed cowbird Northern Flicker (e) White-breasted nuthatch Downy Woodpeckers Hairy Woodpecker Northern Cardinals (3: 2 M 1 F) American goldfinch--many Time to go check the lagoon, I guess. Juanita Rice, Fairmont Subject: SURF SCOTERS, Pacific Loons: Branched Oak From: dleger1 AT unl.edu Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 10:05:10 -0600 Hi folks, I discovered a flock of nine SURF SCOTERS early this morning at Branched Oak Lake, Lancaster Co. There was one adult male in the group; the others appeared to be adult females and immatures. Along the road heading toward the park office, turn left toward Area 5 just past the office. I parked along the road, halfway between the two parking areas, and walked down to the lake. The group was mostly snoozing at first, but they occasionally looked up. The adult male had all the field marks: solid black body, large white patch at the back of his head, a small white patch on the forehead, and a large, sloping, "bulbous" bill. The females were equally clear-cut, although less impressive because of their dirty gray/dirty white plumage. I've seen this species in California, but it's a state bird for me in Nebraska. But wait! There's more! When I first got to the lake at 6:30, I got a group of three loons in the scope, but had to wait for better light to identify them. They were all PACIFIC LOONS! The identification was made easier because of at least five Common Loons in the vicinity, some of which were "yodelling." I saw them from Area 10, looking south. I saw one Pacific Loon two weeks ago, when I bumped into Don and Janis Paseka and we found the loon that Joel Jorgensen reported the day before. That was also a new state bird for me, so three at once is a real treat! Good birding! Dan Leger Lincoln Subject: Ferruginous Hawk and others - Custer Co. 11/5-11/6 From: "tbirdboy10" <tim.birdboy AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:13:36 -0000 Hi NEBirders, A few highlights from the past two days in the Broken Bow area: Ferruginous Hawk - 1 light morph at the Broken Bow Sewage Lagoons. It was sitting in an alfalfa field among what looked like prairie dog mounds. (No prairie dogs visible for obvious reasons.) It then flew up into the top of a redcedar and continued to survey the area. I got great looks at the classic Ferruginous pattern on the upperside as it flew. While it perched, I could even make out the long gape that extends beneath the eye. An awesome bird! These were seen along various county roads southeast of Broken Bow: Sharp-tailed Grouse - 2 Northern Bobwhite - 25 'Harlan's' Red-tailed Hawk - 1, possible 2 Northern Shrike - 1 Lapland Longspur - 20 The only ducks at the sewage lagoons were a raft of 20 Northern Shovelers. I'm guessing that the construction of the new facility and the high traffic is scaring a lot of stuff off. Tim Hajda Broken Bow, Custer Co. tim.birdboy AT gmail.com Use eBird! Check it out at http://ebird.org Subject: Re: Bennington Area Lakes 11/06 From: Jon Strong <jon.strong AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 19:40:49 -0500 Hi Justin: The smaller lake just west of big Bennington Lake is called Prairie View. It gets a lot of boat/fishing folks in the spring/summer. However, the very west end of PV is nice habitat, mainly the bridge area where the creek flows in. Saw a Blue Grosbeak there this spring, my first for Douglas Co. The whole lake and trail is well maintained and very easy to walk around. Jon Strong Omaha, Nebraska ---- Justin Rink wrote: ============= Early this afternoon I checked out a few of the larger lakes around northwest Omaha (ie: cookie-cutter house vicinity). I started out at Standing Bear Lake. Several fisherman around. No waterfowl. Was surprised not to find one Harris's Sparrow. Usually Standing Bear is a fall/winter stronghold for this Zonotrichia. Next I proceeded to the fairly new large body of water known as Lake Bennington. This area was a bit more productive, though I would have thought there would be more birds present. Species included a hundred (100) or so CACKLING GEESE, several CANADA GEESE, twenty-six (26) REDHEADS, a HORNED GREBE, and about twenty (20) NO. SHOVELERS. Gulls included hundreds (100's) of FRANKLIN'S GULLS, and a smattering of Ring-bills. No Bonaparte's could be detected. I then proceeded down the road to Prairie Oak Lake(?) Park. Birds included about forty (40) eclipse plumage NO. SHOVELER and numerous FRANKLIN'S GULLS that had spilled over from Lake Bennington. A few second-year and adult Ring-bills were also spotted. A couple RED-TAILED HAWKS were perched on utility poles on the drive out. Good birding. Justin Rink Midtown Omaha, Douglas Co., NE spindalis79 AT yahoo.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Bennington Area Lakes 11/06 From: Justin Rink <spindalis79 AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 14:17:08 -0800 (PST)  Early this afternoon I checked out a few of the larger lakes around northwest Omaha (ie: cookie-cutter house vicinity).     I started out at Standing Bear Lake.  Several fisherman around.  No waterfowl. Was surprised not to find one Harris's Sparrow.  Usually Standing Bear is a fall/winter stronghold for this Zonotrichia.   Next I proceeded to the fairly new large body of water known as Lake Bennington.  This area was a bit more productive, though I would have thought there would be more birds present.  Species included a hundred (100) or so CACKLING GEESE, several CANADA GEESE, twenty-six (26) REDHEADS, a HORNED GREBE, and about twenty (20) NO. SHOVELERS.  Gulls included hundreds (100's) of FRANKLIN'S GULLS, and a smattering of Ring-bills.  No Bonaparte's could be detected.   I then proceeded down the road to Prairie Oak Lake(?) Park. Birds included about forty (40) eclipse plumage NO. SHOVELER and numerous FRANKLIN'S GULLS that had spilled over from Lake Bennington. A few second-year and adult Ring-bills were also spotted. A couple RED-TAILED HAWKS were perched on utility poles on the drive out.   Good birding. Justin Rink Midtown Omaha, Douglas Co., NE spindalis79 AT yahoo.com   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Pipits From: Toby and Laurel Badura <tlbadura AT frontiernet.net> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 21:59:12 +0000 (UTC) Yesterday, in Kearney County I saw 3 American Pipits. In addition, last week along the Platte River (Hall County) I saw a LeConte's Sparrow, tree sparrows, a couple of dark-eyed juncos, many horned larks, mallards, and ring-billed gulls. Laurel Subject: Mollhoff/Atlas news article From: "Don & Janis Paseka" <paseka76 AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:17:32 -0600 NEBirders: There was a nice article in yesterday's (Nov 5) Omaha World-Herald about NOU member Wayne Mollhoff and the Nebraska Breeding Bird Atlas project. http://www.omaha.com/article/20091104/NEWS01/711059931&SearchID=73371736883439 Janis Paseka Ames NE [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Pioneers Park 11/5/09 From: Jeanine Lackey <jeanine.dinan AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 07:27:07 -0600 Eddie (Lincoln) Just wanted to compliment you on your stories and photo's. Thanks for sharing. On Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 11:48 PM, wrote: > > > Special agent eddie reporting in. > > I was lazy today so I only got as far as Pioneers Park. > I started at the feeding station and the usual cast of characters were > there. > Gold Finches (many) > House Finches (a few) > Red-Wing Blackbirds (2 or 3) > Black Capped Chickadees (a few) > Red Bellied Woodpeckers (2 or 3) > House Sparrows (a few) > White Breasted Nuthatches (a few) > Franklin's Gulls flying around way up high (10 or so) > > Then I decided to go for a walk in their prairie area across Haines > Creek. > On the way, I saw this guy. > White Throated Sparrow. > Yay, new bird! > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079082079/sizes/l/ > and > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079840544/sizes/l/ > > I also saw this guy: > It's just a Downy Woodpecker, but an amusing one. It's like Carrie or > something. > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079081179/sizes/l/ > > I started hiking around in the prairie part and I didn't see anything or > even hear a peep. I decided to go down to Haines Creek and look for the > Saline Seep again and maybe take a picture. Right on the creek there was > a tree that had a few Bluebirds in it! There were maybe 10, but they > took off before I could get a shot. I figured they must be all hanging > around in that tree for some reason, so I walked down the path about 40 > yards and stopped and waited. Sure enough, about 10 minutes later, they > came back to the tree and then they went down on the little Sumac grove > right by the tree and started eating. Again, these are just Bluebirds, > but I like how the shots came out. > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079080017/sizes/l/ > > and in this one a House Finch horns in on the shot. He kept getting > closer and closer to the Bluebirds. In every shot the wind blew grass in > front of one of the Bluebirds. I didn't get 1 clean shot of both. > http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079837154/sizes/l/ > > 100 or so grackles and starlings in the Buffalo pen and a few Crows flew > by. > That was about it. > But a new bird for me so it was a successful safari. > Ed, Lincoln. > > > -- J-9 Lackey And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation. Kahlil Gibran [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEBirds/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: NEBirds-digest AT yahoogroups.com NEBirds-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: NEBirds-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: Pioneers Park 11/5/09 From: edwodonnell AT yahoo.com Date: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:48:57 -0000 Special agent eddie reporting in. I was lazy today so I only got as far as Pioneers Park. I started at the feeding station and the usual cast of characters were there. Gold Finches (many) House Finches (a few) Red-Wing Blackbirds (2 or 3) Black Capped Chickadees (a few) Red Bellied Woodpeckers (2 or 3) House Sparrows (a few) White Breasted Nuthatches (a few) Franklin's Gulls flying around way up high (10 or so) Then I decided to go for a walk in their prairie area across Haines Creek. On the way, I saw this guy. White Throated Sparrow. Yay, new bird! http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079082079/sizes/l/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079840544/sizes/l/ I also saw this guy: It's just a Downy Woodpecker, but an amusing one. It's like Carrie or something. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079081179/sizes/l/ I started hiking around in the prairie part and I didn't see anything or even hear a peep. I decided to go down to Haines Creek and look for the Saline Seep again and maybe take a picture. Right on the creek there was a tree that had a few Bluebirds in it! There were maybe 10, but they took off before I could get a shot. I figured they must be all hanging around in that tree for some reason, so I walked down the path about 40 yards and stopped and waited. Sure enough, about 10 minutes later, they came back to the tree and then they went down on the little Sumac grove right by the tree and started eating. Again, these are just Bluebirds, but I like how the shots came out. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079080017/sizes/l/ and in this one a House Finch horns in on the shot. He kept getting closer and closer to the Bluebirds. In every shot the wind blew grass in front of one of the Bluebirds. I didn't get 1 clean shot of both. http://www.flickr.com/photos/30500320 AT N06/4079837154/sizes/l/ 100 or so grackles and starlings in the Buffalo pen and a few Crows flew by. That was about it. But a new bird for me so it was a successful safari. Ed, Lincoln. Subject: Late departee From: Jan Johnson <bluebird47 AT cedarwb.net> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 16:53:50 -0600 I just had a late juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker show up at the feeders. About 5 yrs. ago we had one spend the entire winter. This one is welcome to stay, too. At least he's a change from the very little else around right now. Jan Johnson Wakefield notes-from-a-bird-brained-quilter.blogspot.com http://web.me.com/bluebird47 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Shoemaker Park From: "kcarnes68" <kcarnes68 AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:13:29 -0000 Great horned owl, and a variety of sparrows. I did have my camera and just missed getting what would have been an incredible picture, but the owl flew just as I was about to take the picture. I got a blur. Still, fun to see a great horned as it has been a long time since that has happened. Ken Carnes Lincoln Subject: RE: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) From: "Jerry Toll" <geritol48 AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 07:36:39 -0600 Looks like I should have read all of the other posts before adding my two cents! If the bird was that small then yeah, a harlan's. FYI I have been banding a lot of redtails this fall. As far as size variance intraspecies, the smallest redtail banded weighed 730 grams, the largest weighed over 1540 grams (it was to heavy for my scale). Most captured RT weigh between 1000 and 1200 grams. Jer Toll 2741 Wyoming St Omaha NE 68112 402.312.1635 geritol48 AT cox.net _____ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of afannafasoli Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 7:15 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEBirds] Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) Thanks to everyone for the input!!! I agree that the other and only possibility is a harlan's hawk. Personally I have never seen one so small. I understand how hard it is to estimate size both in the field and especially in the photo, and unfortunately there is no other way to describe it. I can only reiterate that the bird flew very low over me, and it appeared to be a "mini" version of a mid-sized hawk. I think if there were more smaller red tails out there, I'd have seen one by now. But, who knos. I stand by my instinct that this bird is exceptionally small, leading me to believe it is a short tailed hawk (even though it is very improbable that one would be here, let alone a dark morph). I completely understand everyones skepticism. I did re-locate the hawk this evening at 4:50 about a mile or so north of where I last saw it. I encourage anyone who can to come look for the hawk, sooner rather than later. There are many red-tails in the area, and also a rough legged, and in comparison, this bird is noticeably smaller. As I said, I have no experience with these smaller harlan's, and probably until I see one, I will think that this is a short tailed!!!!!! I have yet to see this bird perch. If you do come look for it, be ready with binos and camera on hand. It will be quick if you do see it. The best way to describe it is a small dark hawk. --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups .com, Justin Rink wrote: > > The Jizz (general impression size and shape) of this bird seems to suggest HARLAN'S HAWK to me. Some males of this sub-species can be extremely small and approach the size of some of the smaller Buteos. I have observed a handful of dark-morph SHORT-TAILED HAWKS in southern Florida, and they all seem to have more of a uniform solid plumage instead of the variable streaks on the breast that this bird appears to possess. STHAs have a weakly banded tail which is usually evident on dark-morph birds. From the photos, this bird is lacking these bands. > If by chance Nebraska was fortunate enough to be visited by a SHORT-TAILED HAWK it would most likely be a light-morph as birds from northern Mexico are primarily plumaged as such. Most STHAs found in southern Florida are predominately dark-morph...up to 80 percent. The SHORT-TAILED HAWK at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory in the U.P., of Michigan in 2005 was a light-morph adult. See www.surfbirds.com to see images of this bird. > > Good birding. > > Justin Rink > Midtown Omaha, Douglas Co, NE > spindalis79 AT ... > > --- On Tue, 11/3/09, afannafasoli wrote: > > > From: afannafasoli > Subject: [NEBirds] Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) > To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups .com > Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 3:50 PM > > > > > > > Around 11:15 am this morning, I found a shrike sitting on a telephone wire on road 792 in Custer County. I was getting great photos. All of a sudden in my camera shot, a dark bird appeared. My intial thought was that it was a night hawk...small, dark, and some evidence of white on the wings. This is when I snapped the photos below, as the hawk was coming towards me and approximately 20-30 feet above me (my camera was on full 20x zoom). However as I watched the bird head straight for me, it became clear that it was not a night hawk at all, but a small hawk like bird, actually bigger than a night hawk. My initial thought was accipiter, only because it seemed to match the size. However, none of the markings were correct, and the bird was not acting like an accipter. I watched it soar, then "kite" repeatedly (similar to the behavior of a kestrel, but not as rapid/quick) . This bird was too small to be a red-tailed hawk or a rough legged hawk (never have I > looked at either and thought "night hawk"). It stayed around for about 5 minutes, slowly getting father and farther away. I called Alex Lamoreaux, my boyfriend and also, conveniently, raptor expert, and he suggested that I was observing a merlin. Again, the field marks were incorrect for any kind of falcon. The bird left, and I took varios photos of its silhouette, and a brief video (the bottom two photos are the best, will post more soon). I then consulted my Peterson guide to hawks, and the only thing I can match my photo to is a short tailed hawk, dark morph, mottled type. Not only are the field marks correct, but the size is also matching. > > I understand this would be near impossible in Nebraska, but I am confident in what I saw. It would be excellent if someone could help me relocate the bird and confirm its presence, in addition to the photos I have already taken. Please call me...I can spend a few days in Arnold trying to locate the bird again. The bird headed for Arnold State Recreation Area, but I cannot access this area (the roads are muddy/rutted, can't get there in my 2WD vehicle). > > http://1.bp. blogspot. com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U /SvCP5aix2sI/ AAAAAAAAASM/ JMESFYgLXAA/ s1600-h/IMG_ 6661+(640x448).jpg > > http://4.bp. blogspot. com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U /SvCP4JhxYcI/ AAAAAAAAASE/ _NP08C40XGE/ s1600-h/IMG_ 6661+(2)+(640x359) .jpg > > (raptors of wetern north america as a reference, by Brian K Wheeler > page 267--dark brown head forms bib, white mottled belly, and flanks) > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) From: "Jerry Toll" <geritol48 AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 07:28:03 -0600 Great photo! I ruled out Short-tailed hawk because of the light colored eye, they have dark to medium brown iris. I also ruled out rough-leg because the wrist patches should stand out even in dark morphs. So what's left. Two dark morph buteos are to be found in Custer county this time of year, two subspecies of redtail and Ferruginous Hawk. I am tending toward Ferruginous. The body looks massive almost teardrop shaped, more indicative of Ferruginous. The head looks larger and wider at the neck than a redtails, more like ferug but hard to tell from that angle. The wings seem to be pointed, more so than with redtails although it is a little hard to tell from this angle. The wings seem to taper evenly from the base, much like the short-tailed, Swainson's and Ferruginous. The "panel" , the light area in the wing formed by light passing through the first 5 or 6 primaries, is obvious. Very indicative of Ferruginous in all ages and morphs. The light colored tail with fine, faint barring suggest juvenile Ferrug. Adult redtail would have a bold subterminal band and juvenile redtail would have distinct banding in the tail. An excellent photo of a dark morph Ferruginous! I am jealous. We haven't seen a ferrug yet at the Hitchcock Hawkwatch, let alone a dark morph. Very nice! Jer Toll 2741 Wyoming St Omaha NE 68112 402.312.1635 geritol48 AT cox.net _____ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of afannafasoli Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 2:51 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEBirds] Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) Around 11:15 am this morning, I found a shrike sitting on a telephone wire on road 792 in Custer County. I was getting great photos. All of a sudden in my camera shot, a dark bird appeared. My intial thought was that it was a night hawk...small, dark, and some evidence of white on the wings. This is when I snapped the photos below, as the hawk was coming towards me and approximately 20-30 feet above me (my camera was on full 20x zoom). However as I watched the bird head straight for me, it became clear that it was not a night hawk at all, but a small hawk like bird, actually bigger than a night hawk. My initial thought was accipiter, only because it seemed to match the size. However, none of the markings were correct, and the bird was not acting like an accipter. I watched it soar, then "kite" repeatedly (similar to the behavior of a kestrel, but not as rapid/quick). This bird was too small to be a red-tailed hawk or a rough legged hawk (never have I looked at either and thought "night hawk"). It stayed around for about 5 minutes, slowly getting father and farther away. I called Alex Lamoreaux, my boyfriend and also, conveniently, raptor expert, and he suggested that I was observing a merlin. Again, the field marks were incorrect for any kind of falcon. The bird left, and I took varios photos of its silhouette, and a brief video (the bottom two photos are the best, will post more soon). I then consulted my Peterson guide to hawks, and the only thing I can match my photo to is a short tailed hawk, dark morph, mottled type. Not only are the field marks correct, but the size is also matching. I understand this would be near impossible in Nebraska, but I am confident in what I saw. It would be excellent if someone could help me relocate the bird and confirm its presence, in addition to the photos I have already taken. Please call me...I can spend a few days in Arnold trying to locate the bird again. The bird headed for Arnold State Recreation Area, but I cannot access this area (the roads are muddy/rutted, can't get there in my 2WD vehicle). http://1.bp. blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP5aix2sI/AAAAAAAAASM/JMESFYgLXAA/s1600-h/IMG_66 61+(640x448).jpg http://4.bp. blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP4JhxYcI/AAAAAAAAASE/_NP08C40XGE/s1600-h/IMG_66 61+(2)+(640x359).jpg (raptors of wetern north america as a reference, by Brian K Wheeler page 267--dark brown head forms bib, white mottled belly, and flanks) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) From: "Clem Klaphake" <ckavian AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 01:17:03 -0600 Jon, The dark morph Broad-winged would not have the white tail. The adult would have the banding very distinct and the immature would have a dark terminal band. As best I could tell from these photos the tail has no banding in it. Clem Klaphake Bellevue, NE ----- Original Message ----- From: Jon Strong To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Cc: Walker, Thomas Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 5:06 PM Subject: RE: [NEBirds] Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) Birders, This raptor was described as small. Does a dark Broad-winged Hawk (dark phase) make any sense? Broad-wings are kind of crow sized...smaller than a Red-winged. Jon Strong Omaha, Nebraska ---- "Walker wrote: ============= Anna, do you have any photos of it just soaring? Both of the photos you included links for are "mid-flap" which kind of messes up the whole profile for comparing wingspan and length. Plus they are described as having "broad and rounded wings" and neither mid-flap photo would support that description. Thanks T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 301 East State Farm Road North Platte, NE 69101 Office Phone 308-535-8025 Cell Phone 308-530-7659 ________________________________ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of afannafasoli [afannafasoli AT yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 2:55 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEBirds] Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) Sorry, I left out jevenile in my description of the short tailed hawk. Also left out my phone number (814) 421-6924 Calls would be more convenient, as I do not have consistent internet (I am travelling through). Thanks, Anna Fasoli Currently in Custer County, NE --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "afannafasoli" wrote: > > Around 11:15 am this morning, I found a shrike sitting on a telephone wire on road 792 in Custer County. I was getting great photos. All of a sudden in my camera shot, a dark bird appeared. My intial thought was that it was a night hawk...small, dark, and some evidence of white on the wings. This is when I snapped the photos below, as the hawk was coming towards me and approximately 20-30 feet above me (my camera was on full 20x zoom). However as I watched the bird head straight for me, it became clear that it was not a night hawk at all, but a small hawk like bird, actually bigger than a night hawk. My initial thought was accipiter, only because it seemed to match the size. However, none of the markings were correct, and the bird was not acting like an accipter. I watched it soar, then "kite" repeatedly (similar to the behavior of a kestrel, but not as rapid/quick). This bird was too small to be a red-tailed hawk or a rough legged hawk (never have I looked at either and thought "night hawk"). It stayed around for about 5 minutes, slowly getting father and farther away. I called Alex Lamoreaux, my boyfriend and also, conveniently, raptor expert, and he suggested that I was observing a merlin. Again, the field marks were incorrect for any kind of falcon. The bird left, and I took varios photos of its silhouette, and a brief video (the bottom two photos are the best, will post more soon). I then consulted my Peterson guide to hawks, and the only thing I can match my photo to is a short tailed hawk, dark morph, mottled type. Not only are the field marks correct, but the size is also matching. > > > I understand this would be near impossible in Nebraska, but I am confident in what I saw. It would be excellent if someone could help me relocate the bird and confirm its presence, in addition to the photos I have already taken. Please call me...I can spend a few days in Arnold trying to locate the bird again. The bird headed for Arnold State Recreation Area, but I cannot access this area (the roads are muddy/rutted, can't get there in my 2WD vehicle). > > http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP5aix2sI/AAAAAAAAASM/JMESFYgLXAA/s1600-h/IMG_6661+(640x448).jpg > > http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP4JhxYcI/AAAAAAAAASE/_NP08C40XGE/s1600-h/IMG_6661+(2)+(640x359).jpg > > (raptors of wetern north america as a reference, by Brian K Wheeler > page 267--dark brown head forms bib, white mottled belly, and flanks) > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) From: "Clem Klaphake" <ckavian AT cox.net> Date: Wed, 4 Nov 2009 01:08:44 -0600 Without rehashing all of the input on this bird I would agree with those who suggested it is a Harlan's. The moment I saw it the 'white throat' jumped out to me. Very common field mark on Harlan's. We have a Harlan's male that we use in our education programs at Fontenelle Forest here in Bellevue. There is a world of difference in weight, foot/talon grip on the glove, and overall size compared to the female Red-tailed Hawk we used to have. Our Harlan's feet remind me of the small feet on our Rough-legged Hawk we also use in our programs. They are overall usually just a much 'finer' 'smaller' bird, especially the males. The color variation in the Harlan's is very diverse and not always the best mark to look at either. Bill Clark, hawk expert and author of Peterson's Hawk Field Guide, has been photographing the tails of Harlan's. In a recent issue of Birding he shows dozens of photos and the variation is unbelievable. Good discussion. Clem Klaphake Bellevue, NE ----- Original Message ----- From: afannafasoli To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 7:15 PM Subject: [NEBirds] Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) Thanks to everyone for the input!!! I agree that the other and only possibility is a harlan's hawk. Personally I have never seen one so small. I understand how hard it is to estimate size both in the field and especially in the photo, and unfortunately there is no other way to describe it. I can only reiterate that the bird flew very low over me, and it appeared to be a "mini" version of a mid-sized hawk. I think if there were more smaller red tails out there, I'd have seen one by now. But, who knos. I stand by my instinct that this bird is exceptionally small, leading me to believe it is a short tailed hawk (even though it is very improbable that one would be here, let alone a dark morph). I completely understand everyones skepticism. I did re-locate the hawk this evening at 4:50 about a mile or so north of where I last saw it. I encourage anyone who can to come look for the hawk, sooner rather than later. There are many red-tails in the area, and also a rough legged, and in comparison, this bird is noticeably smaller. As I said, I have no experience with these smaller harlan's, and probably until I see one, I will think that this is a short tailed!!!!!! I have yet to see this bird perch. If you do come look for it, be ready with binos and camera on hand. It will be quick if you do see it. The best way to describe it is a small dark hawk. --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, Justin Rink wrote: > > The Jizz (general impression size and shape) of this bird seems to suggest HARLAN'S HAWK to me. Some males of this sub-species can be extremely small and approach the size of some of the smaller Buteos. I have observed a handful of dark-morph SHORT-TAILED HAWKS in southern Florida, and they all seem to have more of a uniform solid plumage instead of the variable streaks on the breast that this bird appears to possess. STHAs have a weakly banded tail which is usually evident on dark-morph birds. From the photos, this bird is lacking these bands. > If by chance Nebraska was fortunate enough to be visited by a SHORT-TAILED HAWK it would most likely be a light-morph as birds from northern Mexico are primarily plumaged as such. Most STHAs found in southern Florida are predominately dark-morph...up to 80 percent. The SHORT-TAILED HAWK at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory in the U.P., of Michigan in 2005 was a light-morph adult. See www.surfbirds.com to see images of this bird. > > Good birding. > > Justin Rink > Midtown Omaha, Douglas Co, NE > spindalis79 AT ... > > --- On Tue, 11/3/09, afannafasoli wrote: > > > From: afannafasoli > Subject: [NEBirds] Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) > To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com > Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 3:50 PM > > > > > > > Around 11:15 am this morning, I found a shrike sitting on a telephone wire on road 792 in Custer County. I was getting great photos. All of a sudden in my camera shot, a dark bird appeared. My intial thought was that it was a night hawk...small, dark, and some evidence of white on the wings. This is when I snapped the photos below, as the hawk was coming towards me and approximately 20-30 feet above me (my camera was on full 20x zoom). However as I watched the bird head straight for me, it became clear that it was not a night hawk at all, but a small hawk like bird, actually bigger than a night hawk. My initial thought was accipiter, only because it seemed to match the size. However, none of the markings were correct, and the bird was not acting like an accipter. I watched it soar, then "kite" repeatedly (similar to the behavior of a kestrel, but not as rapid/quick) . This bird was too small to be a red-tailed hawk or a rough legged hawk (never have I > looked at either and thought "night hawk"). It stayed around for about 5 minutes, slowly getting father and farther away. I called Alex Lamoreaux, my boyfriend and also, conveniently, raptor expert, and he suggested that I was observing a merlin. Again, the field marks were incorrect for any kind of falcon. The bird left, and I took varios photos of its silhouette, and a brief video (the bottom two photos are the best, will post more soon). I then consulted my Peterson guide to hawks, and the only thing I can match my photo to is a short tailed hawk, dark morph, mottled type. Not only are the field marks correct, but the size is also matching. > > I understand this would be near impossible in Nebraska, but I am confident in what I saw. It would be excellent if someone could help me relocate the bird and confirm its presence, in addition to the photos I have already taken. Please call me...I can spend a few days in Arnold trying to locate the bird again. The bird headed for Arnold State Recreation Area, but I cannot access this area (the roads are muddy/rutted, can't get there in my 2WD vehicle). > > http://1.bp. blogspot. com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U /SvCP5aix2sI/ AAAAAAAAASM/ JMESFYgLXAA/ s1600-h/IMG_ 6661+(640x448).jpg > > http://4.bp. blogspot. com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U /SvCP4JhxYcI/ AAAAAAAAASE/ _NP08C40XGE/ s1600-h/IMG_ 6661+(2)+(640x359) .jpg > > (raptors of wetern north america as a reference, by Brian K Wheeler > page 267--dark brown head forms bib, white mottled belly, and flanks) > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) From: "afannafasoli" <afannafasoli AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:15:28 -0000 Thanks to everyone for the input!!! I agree that the other and only possibility is a harlan's hawk. Personally I have never seen one so small. I understand how hard it is to estimate size both in the field and especially in the photo, and unfortunately there is no other way to describe it. I can only reiterate that the bird flew very low over me, and it appeared to be a "mini" version of a mid-sized hawk. I think if there were more smaller red tails out there, I'd have seen one by now. But, who knos. I stand by my instinct that this bird is exceptionally small, leading me to believe it is a short tailed hawk (even though it is very improbable that one would be here, let alone a dark morph). I completely understand everyones skepticism. I did re-locate the hawk this evening at 4:50 about a mile or so north of where I last saw it. I encourage anyone who can to come look for the hawk, sooner rather than later. There are many red-tails in the area, and also a rough legged, and in comparison, this bird is noticeably smaller. As I said, I have no experience with these smaller harlan's, and probably until I see one, I will think that this is a short tailed!!!!!! I have yet to see this bird perch. If you do come look for it, be ready with binos and camera on hand. It will be quick if you do see it. The best way to describe it is a small dark hawk. --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, Justin Rink wrote: > >   The Jizz (general impression size and shape) of this bird seems to suggest HARLAN'S HAWK to me.  Some males of this sub-species can be extremely small and approach the size of some of the smaller Buteos.  I have observed a handful of dark-morph SHORT-TAILED HAWKS in southern Florida, and they all seem to have more of a uniform solid plumage instead of the variable streaks on the breast that this bird appears to possess.  STHAs have a weakly banded tail which is usually evident on dark-morph birds. From the photos, this bird is lacking these bands. >   If by chance Nebraska was fortunate enough to be visited by a SHORT-TAILED HAWK it would most likely be a light-morph as birds from northern Mexico are primarily plumaged as such.  Most STHAs found in southern Florida are predominately dark-morph...up to 80 percent.  The SHORT-TAILED HAWK at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory in the U.P., of Michigan in 2005 was a light-morph adult.  See www.surfbirds.com to see images of this bird. >   > Good birding. >   > Justin Rink > Midtown Omaha, Douglas Co, NE > spindalis79 AT ... > > --- On Tue, 11/3/09, afannafasoli wrote: > > > From: afannafasoli > Subject: [NEBirds] Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) > To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com > Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 3:50 PM > > >   > > > > Around 11:15 am this morning, I found a shrike sitting on a telephone wire on road 792 in Custer County. I was getting great photos. All of a sudden in my camera shot, a dark bird appeared. My intial thought was that it was a night hawk...small, dark, and some evidence of white on the wings. This is when I snapped the photos below, as the hawk was coming towards me and approximately 20-30 feet above me (my camera was on full 20x zoom). However as I watched the bird head straight for me, it became clear that it was not a night hawk at all, but a small hawk like bird, actually bigger than a night hawk. My initial thought was accipiter, only because it seemed to match the size. However, none of the markings were correct, and the bird was not acting like an accipter. I watched it soar, then "kite" repeatedly (similar to the behavior of a kestrel, but not as rapid/quick) . This bird was too small to be a red-tailed hawk or a rough legged hawk (never have I > looked at either and thought "night hawk"). It stayed around for about 5 minutes, slowly getting father and farther away. I called Alex Lamoreaux, my boyfriend and also, conveniently, raptor expert, and he suggested that I was observing a merlin. Again, the field marks were incorrect for any kind of falcon. The bird left, and I took varios photos of its silhouette, and a brief video (the bottom two photos are the best, will post more soon). I then consulted my Peterson guide to hawks, and the only thing I can match my photo to is a short tailed hawk, dark morph, mottled type. Not only are the field marks correct, but the size is also matching. > > I understand this would be near impossible in Nebraska, but I am confident in what I saw. It would be excellent if someone could help me relocate the bird and confirm its presence, in addition to the photos I have already taken. Please call me...I can spend a few days in Arnold trying to locate the bird again. The bird headed for Arnold State Recreation Area, but I cannot access this area (the roads are muddy/rutted, can't get there in my 2WD vehicle). > > http://1.bp. blogspot. com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U /SvCP5aix2sI/ AAAAAAAAASM/ JMESFYgLXAA/ s1600-h/IMG_ 6661+(640x448).jpg > > http://4.bp. blogspot. com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U /SvCP4JhxYcI/ AAAAAAAAASE/ _NP08C40XGE/ s1600-h/IMG_ 6661+(2)+(640x359) .jpg > > (raptors of wetern north america as a reference, by Brian K Wheeler > page 267--dark brown head forms bib, white mottled belly, and flanks) > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: Re: Re: Central Custer Co. 10/30/09 From: Tim H <tim.birdboy AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 18:44:26 -0600 Hi Bill, Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. The flicker had no malar stripe, so I'm assuming it was a female. Like a 'Red-shafted', it had a predominantly gray head with a brown "mask." Tim Hajda Broken Bow, Custer Co. tim.birdboy AT gmail.com Use eBird! Check it out at http://ebird.org On Sat, Oct 31, 2009 at 1:14 PM, sparvophile wrote: > > > Tim-- > > Was the flicker male or female? I've heard of hybrid males with a red > moustache-mark on one side and a black one on the other. I haven't seen that > myself, but I found one in Gering earlier this year that had a red mark on > one side, and a red mark with a black upper border on the other. > > William Flack > Kearney > > --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com , "tbirdboy10" > wrote: > ... > > > Northern Flicker - 1 interesting bird that had a 'Red-shafted' head > pattern and bright yellow feather shafts > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: poss Short-tailed Hawk From: "Ross Silcock" <silcock AT rosssilcock.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 18:25:50 -0600 Anna et al- Thanks for your report and photos! I'm no raptor expert, but of the suggestions so far (dark western RT, dark Broad-wing, Harlan's, dark Ferruginous) the parsimonious choice for time and place is Harlan's. Personally I can't see any differences between Anna's photos and the photo (plate 427 on page 365) in Wheeler's "Raptors of Western North America" of a "dark intermediate morph (spot-bellied type) juv Harlan's. Especially, white streaked throat, barred outer primaries (ST Hawk's are dark), pointy tips on secondaries are all visible in the best photo, http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP5aix2sI/AAAAAAAAASM/JMESFYgLXAA/s1600-h/IMG_6661+(640x448).jpg Ross . Ross Silcock P.O. Box 57 Tabor, IA 51653 New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours http://www.rosssilcock.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) From: Justin Rink <spindalis79 AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:19:27 -0800 (PST)   The Jizz (general impression size and shape) of this bird seems to suggest HARLAN'S HAWK to me.  Some males of this sub-species can be extremely small and approach the size of some of the smaller Buteos.  I have observed a handful of dark-morph SHORT-TAILED HAWKS in southern Florida, and they all seem to have more of a uniform solid plumage instead of the variable streaks on the breast that this bird appears to possess.  STHAs have a weakly banded tail which is usually evident on dark-morph birds. From the photos, this bird is lacking these bands.   If by chance Nebraska was fortunate enough to be visited by a SHORT-TAILED HAWK it would most likely be a light-morph as birds from northern Mexico are primarily plumaged as such.  Most STHAs found in southern Florida are predominately dark-morph...up to 80 percent.  The SHORT-TAILED HAWK at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory in the U.P., of Michigan in 2005 was a light-morph adult.  See www.surfbirds.com to see images of this bird.   Good birding.   Justin Rink Midtown Omaha, Douglas Co, NE spindalis79 AT yahoo.com --- On Tue, 11/3/09, afannafasoli wrote: From: afannafasoli Subject: [NEBirds] Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 3:50 PM   Around 11:15 am this morning, I found a shrike sitting on a telephone wire on road 792 in Custer County. I was getting great photos. All of a sudden in my camera shot, a dark bird appeared. My intial thought was that it was a night hawk...small, dark, and some evidence of white on the wings. This is when I snapped the photos below, as the hawk was coming towards me and approximately 20-30 feet above me (my camera was on full 20x zoom). However as I watched the bird head straight for me, it became clear that it was not a night hawk at all, but a small hawk like bird, actually bigger than a night hawk. My initial thought was accipiter, only because it seemed to match the size. However, none of the markings were correct, and the bird was not acting like an accipter. I watched it soar, then "kite" repeatedly (similar to the behavior of a kestrel, but not as rapid/quick) . This bird was too small to be a red-tailed hawk or a rough legged hawk (never have I looked at either and thought "night hawk"). It stayed around for about 5 minutes, slowly getting father and farther away. I called Alex Lamoreaux, my boyfriend and also, conveniently, raptor expert, and he suggested that I was observing a merlin. Again, the field marks were incorrect for any kind of falcon. The bird left, and I took varios photos of its silhouette, and a brief video (the bottom two photos are the best, will post more soon). I then consulted my Peterson guide to hawks, and the only thing I can match my photo to is a short tailed hawk, dark morph, mottled type. Not only are the field marks correct, but the size is also matching. I understand this would be near impossible in Nebraska, but I am confident in what I saw. It would be excellent if someone could help me relocate the bird and confirm its presence, in addition to the photos I have already taken. Please call me...I can spend a few days in Arnold trying to locate the bird again. The bird headed for Arnold State Recreation Area, but I cannot access this area (the roads are muddy/rutted, can't get there in my 2WD vehicle). http://1.bp. blogspot. com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U /SvCP5aix2sI/ AAAAAAAAASM/ JMESFYgLXAA/ s1600-h/IMG_ 6661+(640x448).jpg http://4.bp. blogspot. com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U /SvCP4JhxYcI/ AAAAAAAAASE/ _NP08C40XGE/ s1600-h/IMG_ 6661+(2)+(640x359) .jpg (raptors of wetern north america as a reference, by Brian K Wheeler page 267--dark brown head forms bib, white mottled belly, and flanks) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) From: "Walker, Thomas" <thomas.walker AT nebraska.gov> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 17:48:23 -0600 Wing tips look different, otherwise pretty close. T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 301 East State Farm Road North Platte, NE 69101 Office Phone 308-535-8025 Cell Phone 308-530-7659 ________________________________ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Tim H [tim.birdboy AT gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 4:58 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) I found this photo of a juvenile dark morph 'Harlan's' in a very similar pose: http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/Photos/Raptors/HRLHfly6.jpg Tim Hajda Broken Bow, Custer Co. tim.birdboy AT gmail.com Use eBird! Check it out at http://ebird.org On Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 4:51 PM, Tim H > wrote: > Keep in mind that the smallest Red-tailed Hawks are barely larger than > Short-tailed Hawks. As Jonas mentioned, size can be surprisingly deceptive > in the field, and basing an identification solely on size is a bit risky. > There are definitely dark morph 'Harlan's' and dark morph 'Western' > Red-tailed Hawks in the area right now, so I think that an identification of > a Short-tailed Hawk should be made with extreme caution and with multiple > field marks. > > Good luck relocating it! > > Tim Hajda > Broken Bow, Custer Co. > tim.birdboy AT gmail.com > Use eBird! Check it out at http://ebird.org > > > On Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 2:50 PM, afannafasoli >wrote: > >> >> >> Around 11:15 am this morning, I found a shrike sitting on a telephone wire >> on road 792 in Custer County. I was getting great photos. All of a sudden in >> my camera shot, a dark bird appeared. My intial thought was that it was a >> night hawk...small, dark, and some evidence of white on the wings. This is >> when I snapped the photos below, as the hawk was coming towards me and >> approximately 20-30 feet above me (my camera was on full 20x zoom). However >> as I watched the bird head straight for me, it became clear that it was not >> a night hawk at all, but a small hawk like bird, actually bigger than a >> night hawk. My initial thought was accipiter, only because it seemed to >> match the size. However, none of the markings were correct, and the bird was >> not acting like an accipter. I watched it soar, then "kite" repeatedly >> (similar to the behavior of a kestrel, but not as rapid/quick). This bird >> was too small to be a red-tailed hawk or a rough legged hawk (never have I >> looked at either and thought "night hawk"). It stayed around for about 5 >> minutes, slowly getting father and farther away. I called Alex Lamoreaux, my >> boyfriend and also, conveniently, raptor expert, and he suggested that I was >> observing a merlin. Again, the field marks were incorrect for any kind of >> falcon. The bird left, and I took varios photos of its silhouette, and a >> brief video (the bottom two photos are the best, will post more soon). I >> then consulted my Peterson guide to hawks, and the only thing I can match my >> photo to is a short tailed hawk, dark morph, mottled type. Not only are the >> field marks correct, but the size is also matching. >> >> I understand this would be near impossible in Nebraska, but I am confident >> in what I saw. It would be excellent if someone could help me relocate the >> bird and confirm its presence, in addition to the photos I have already >> taken. Please call me...I can spend a few days in Arnold trying to locate >> the bird again. The bird headed for Arnold State Recreation Area, but I >> cannot access this area (the roads are muddy/rutted, can't get there in my >> 2WD vehicle). >> >> >> http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP5aix2sI/AAAAAAAAASM/JMESFYgLXAA/s1600-h/IMG_6661+ >> (640x448).jpg >> >> >> http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP4JhxYcI/AAAAAAAAASE/_NP08C40XGE/s1600-h/IMG_6661+ >> (2)+(640x359).jpg >> >> (raptors of wetern north america as a reference, by Brian K Wheeler >> page 267--dark brown head forms bib, white mottled belly, and flanks) >> >> >> > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) From: "Walker, Thomas" <thomas.walker AT nebraska.gov> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 17:46:19 -0600 I saw three hawks resembling this one on my way home from North Platte to Brady today. One by the Walmart Distribution Center looked rather small for a RTHA, but probably was. The second was an obvious dark RTHA and full sized. The third was probably a dark Rough-legged. Interesting since I haven't been seeing many dark raptors yet this fall.... T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 301 East State Farm Road North Platte, NE 69101 Office Phone 308-535-8025 Cell Phone 308-530-7659 ________________________________ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Tim H [tim.birdboy AT gmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 4:51 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [NEBirds] Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) Keep in mind that the smallest Red-tailed Hawks are barely larger than Short-tailed Hawks. As Jonas mentioned, size can be surprisingly deceptive in the field, and basing an identification solely on size is a bit risky. There are definitely dark morph 'Harlan's' and dark morph 'Western' Red-tailed Hawks in the area right now, so I think that an identification of a Short-tailed Hawk should be made with extreme caution and with multiple field marks. Good luck relocating it! Tim Hajda Broken Bow, Custer Co. tim.birdboy AT gmail.com Use eBird! Check it out at http://ebird.org On Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 2:50 PM, afannafasoli > wrote: > > > Around 11:15 am this morning, I found a shrike sitting on a telephone wire > on road 792 in Custer County. I was getting great photos. All of a sudden in > my camera shot, a dark bird appeared. My intial thought was that it was a > night hawk...small, dark, and some evidence of white on the wings. This is > when I snapped the photos below, as the hawk was coming towards me and > approximately 20-30 feet above me (my camera was on full 20x zoom). However > as I watched the bird head straight for me, it became clear that it was not > a night hawk at all, but a small hawk like bird, actually bigger than a > night hawk. My initial thought was accipiter, only because it seemed to > match the size. However, none of the markings were correct, and the bird was > not acting like an accipter. I watched it soar, then "kite" repeatedly > (similar to the behavior of a kestrel, but not as rapid/quick). This bird > was too small to be a red-tailed hawk or a rough legged hawk (never have I > looked at either and thought "night hawk"). It stayed around for about 5 > minutes, slowly getting father and farther away. I called Alex Lamoreaux, my > boyfriend and also, conveniently, raptor expert, and he suggested that I was > observing a merlin. Again, the field marks were incorrect for any kind of > falcon. The bird left, and I took varios photos of its silhouette, and a > brief video (the bottom two photos are the best, will post more soon). I > then consulted my Peterson guide to hawks, and the only thing I can match my > photo to is a short tailed hawk, dark morph, mottled type. Not only are the > field marks correct, but the size is also matching. > > I understand this would be near impossible in Nebraska, but I am confident > in what I saw. It would be excellent if someone could help me relocate the > bird and confirm its presence, in addition to the photos I have already > taken. Please call me...I can spend a few days in Arnold trying to locate > the bird again. The bird headed for Arnold State Recreation Area, but I > cannot access this area (the roads are muddy/rutted, can't get there in my > 2WD vehicle). > > > http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP5aix2sI/AAAAAAAAASM/JMESFYgLXAA/s1600-h/IMG_6661+ > (640x448).jpg > > > http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP4JhxYcI/AAAAAAAAASE/_NP08C40XGE/s1600-h/IMG_6661+ > (2)+(640x359).jpg > > (raptors of wetern north america as a reference, by Brian K Wheeler > page 267--dark brown head forms bib, white mottled belly, and flanks) > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: RE: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) From: Jon Strong <jon.strong AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 18:06:47 -0500 Birders, This raptor was described as small. Does a dark Broad-winged Hawk (dark phase) make any sense? Broad-wings are kind of crow sized...smaller than a Red-winged. Jon Strong Omaha, Nebraska ---- "Walker wrote: ============= Anna, do you have any photos of it just soaring? Both of the photos you included links for are "mid-flap" which kind of messes up the whole profile for comparing wingspan and length. Plus they are described as having "broad and rounded wings" and neither mid-flap photo would support that description. Thanks T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 301 East State Farm Road North Platte, NE 69101 Office Phone 308-535-8025 Cell Phone 308-530-7659 ________________________________ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of afannafasoli [afannafasoli AT yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 2:55 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEBirds] Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) Sorry, I left out jevenile in my description of the short tailed hawk. Also left out my phone number (814) 421-6924 Calls would be more convenient, as I do not have consistent internet (I am travelling through). Thanks, Anna Fasoli Currently in Custer County, NE --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "afannafasoli" wrote: > > Around 11:15 am this morning, I found a shrike sitting on a telephone wire on road 792 in Custer County. I was getting great photos. All of a sudden in my camera shot, a dark bird appeared. My intial thought was that it was a night hawk...small, dark, and some evidence of white on the wings. This is when I snapped the photos below, as the hawk was coming towards me and approximately 20-30 feet above me (my camera was on full 20x zoom). However as I watched the bird head straight for me, it became clear that it was not a night hawk at all, but a small hawk like bird, actually bigger than a night hawk. My initial thought was accipiter, only because it seemed to match the size. However, none of the markings were correct, and the bird was not acting like an accipter. I watched it soar, then "kite" repeatedly (similar to the behavior of a kestrel, but not as rapid/quick). This bird was too small to be a red-tailed hawk or a rough legged hawk (never have I looked at either and thought "night hawk"). It stayed around for about 5 minutes, slowly getting father and farther away. I called Alex Lamoreaux, my boyfriend and also, conveniently, raptor expert, and he suggested that I was observing a merlin. Again, the field marks were incorrect for any kind of falcon. The bird left, and I took varios photos of its silhouette, and a brief video (the bottom two photos are the best, will post more soon). I then consulted my Peterson guide to hawks, and the only thing I can match my photo to is a short tailed hawk, dark morph, mottled type. Not only are the field marks correct, but the size is also matching. > > > I understand this would be near impossible in Nebraska, but I am confident in what I saw. It would be excellent if someone could help me relocate the bird and confirm its presence, in addition to the photos I have already taken. Please call me...I can spend a few days in Arnold trying to locate the bird again. The bird headed for Arnold State Recreation Area, but I cannot access this area (the roads are muddy/rutted, can't get there in my 2WD vehicle). > > http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP5aix2sI/AAAAAAAAASM/JMESFYgLXAA/s1600-h/IMG_6661+(640x448).jpg > > http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP4JhxYcI/AAAAAAAAASE/_NP08C40XGE/s1600-h/IMG_6661+(2)+(640x359).jpg > > (raptors of wetern north america as a reference, by Brian K Wheeler > page 267--dark brown head forms bib, white mottled belly, and flanks) > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) From: Tim H <tim.birdboy AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:58:15 -0600 I found this photo of a juvenile dark morph 'Harlan's' in a very similar pose: http://www.schmoker.org/BirdPics/Photos/Raptors/HRLHfly6.jpg Tim Hajda Broken Bow, Custer Co. tim.birdboy AT gmail.com Use eBird! Check it out at http://ebird.org On Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 4:51 PM, Tim H wrote: > Keep in mind that the smallest Red-tailed Hawks are barely larger than > Short-tailed Hawks. As Jonas mentioned, size can be surprisingly deceptive > in the field, and basing an identification solely on size is a bit risky. > There are definitely dark morph 'Harlan's' and dark morph 'Western' > Red-tailed Hawks in the area right now, so I think that an identification of > a Short-tailed Hawk should be made with extreme caution and with multiple > field marks. > > Good luck relocating it! > > Tim Hajda > Broken Bow, Custer Co. > tim.birdboy AT gmail.com > Use eBird! Check it out at http://ebird.org > > > On Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 2:50 PM, afannafasoli wrote: > >> >> >> Around 11:15 am this morning, I found a shrike sitting on a telephone wire >> on road 792 in Custer County. I was getting great photos. All of a sudden in >> my camera shot, a dark bird appeared. My intial thought was that it was a >> night hawk...small, dark, and some evidence of white on the wings. This is >> when I snapped the photos below, as the hawk was coming towards me and >> approximately 20-30 feet above me (my camera was on full 20x zoom). However >> as I watched the bird head straight for me, it became clear that it was not >> a night hawk at all, but a small hawk like bird, actually bigger than a >> night hawk. My initial thought was accipiter, only because it seemed to >> match the size. However, none of the markings were correct, and the bird was >> not acting like an accipter. I watched it soar, then "kite" repeatedly >> (similar to the behavior of a kestrel, but not as rapid/quick). This bird >> was too small to be a red-tailed hawk or a rough legged hawk (never have I >> looked at either and thought "night hawk"). It stayed around for about 5 >> minutes, slowly getting father and farther away. I called Alex Lamoreaux, my >> boyfriend and also, conveniently, raptor expert, and he suggested that I was >> observing a merlin. Again, the field marks were incorrect for any kind of >> falcon. The bird left, and I took varios photos of its silhouette, and a >> brief video (the bottom two photos are the best, will post more soon). I >> then consulted my Peterson guide to hawks, and the only thing I can match my >> photo to is a short tailed hawk, dark morph, mottled type. Not only are the >> field marks correct, but the size is also matching. >> >> I understand this would be near impossible in Nebraska, but I am confident >> in what I saw. It would be excellent if someone could help me relocate the >> bird and confirm its presence, in addition to the photos I have already >> taken. Please call me...I can spend a few days in Arnold trying to locate >> the bird again. The bird headed for Arnold State Recreation Area, but I >> cannot access this area (the roads are muddy/rutted, can't get there in my >> 2WD vehicle). >> >> >> http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP5aix2sI/AAAAAAAAASM/JMESFYgLXAA/s1600-h/IMG_6661+ >> (640x448).jpg >> >> >> http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP4JhxYcI/AAAAAAAAASE/_NP08C40XGE/s1600-h/IMG_6661+ >> (2)+(640x359).jpg >> >> (raptors of wetern north america as a reference, by Brian K Wheeler >> page 267--dark brown head forms bib, white mottled belly, and flanks) >> >> >> > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) From: Tim H <tim.birdboy AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 16:51:45 -0600 Keep in mind that the smallest Red-tailed Hawks are barely larger than Short-tailed Hawks. As Jonas mentioned, size can be surprisingly deceptive in the field, and basing an identification solely on size is a bit risky. There are definitely dark morph 'Harlan's' and dark morph 'Western' Red-tailed Hawks in the area right now, so I think that an identification of a Short-tailed Hawk should be made with extreme caution and with multiple field marks. Good luck relocating it! Tim Hajda Broken Bow, Custer Co. tim.birdboy AT gmail.com Use eBird! Check it out at http://ebird.org On Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 2:50 PM, afannafasoli wrote: > > > Around 11:15 am this morning, I found a shrike sitting on a telephone wire > on road 792 in Custer County. I was getting great photos. All of a sudden in > my camera shot, a dark bird appeared. My intial thought was that it was a > night hawk...small, dark, and some evidence of white on the wings. This is > when I snapped the photos below, as the hawk was coming towards me and > approximately 20-30 feet above me (my camera was on full 20x zoom). However > as I watched the bird head straight for me, it became clear that it was not > a night hawk at all, but a small hawk like bird, actually bigger than a > night hawk. My initial thought was accipiter, only because it seemed to > match the size. However, none of the markings were correct, and the bird was > not acting like an accipter. I watched it soar, then "kite" repeatedly > (similar to the behavior of a kestrel, but not as rapid/quick). This bird > was too small to be a red-tailed hawk or a rough legged hawk (never have I > looked at either and thought "night hawk"). It stayed around for about 5 > minutes, slowly getting father and farther away. I called Alex Lamoreaux, my > boyfriend and also, conveniently, raptor expert, and he suggested that I was > observing a merlin. Again, the field marks were incorrect for any kind of > falcon. The bird left, and I took varios photos of its silhouette, and a > brief video (the bottom two photos are the best, will post more soon). I > then consulted my Peterson guide to hawks, and the only thing I can match my > photo to is a short tailed hawk, dark morph, mottled type. Not only are the > field marks correct, but the size is also matching. > > I understand this would be near impossible in Nebraska, but I am confident > in what I saw. It would be excellent if someone could help me relocate the > bird and confirm its presence, in addition to the photos I have already > taken. Please call me...I can spend a few days in Arnold trying to locate > the bird again. The bird headed for Arnold State Recreation Area, but I > cannot access this area (the roads are muddy/rutted, can't get there in my > 2WD vehicle). > > > http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP5aix2sI/AAAAAAAAASM/JMESFYgLXAA/s1600-h/IMG_6661+ > (640x448).jpg > > > http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP4JhxYcI/AAAAAAAAASE/_NP08C40XGE/s1600-h/IMG_6661+ > (2)+(640x359).jpg > > (raptors of wetern north america as a reference, by Brian K Wheeler > page 267--dark brown head forms bib, white mottled belly, and flanks) > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) From: <suemattix AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 17:47:04 -0500 my apologies for not signing my post - Sue Mattix Omaha ---- suemattix AT cox.net wrote: > Okay, I'll put in my two cents worth. As a hawkwatcher if I saw this from the tower I would say Harlan's red tail. As Jonas mentioned they frequently are smaller. Red tailed hawks have the greatest diversity of plumeage which can cause a lot of confusion. Another thing you mentioned which really helps put it in the red tail column for me is the fact that the bird stopped and seemed to hover briefly - red tails have a behavior like this called kiting or holding in place while facing into the wind. Also your efforts to relocate this bird may not pay off since it is very likely migrating, however it's worth a look since it could also be setting up a territory for the winter. We are seeing several Harlan's red tails at the watch right now, just their time of year for coming through. Hawks always provide us with just enough mystery to be fun. Good look at a good bird. > > > ---- afannafasoli wrote: > > Around 11:15 am this morning, I found a shrike sitting on a telephone wire on road 792 in Custer County. I was getting great photos. All of a sudden in my camera shot, a dark bird appeared. My intial thought was that it was a night hawk...small, dark, and some evidence of white on the wings. This is when I snapped the photos below, as the hawk was coming towards me and approximately 20-30 feet above me (my camera was on full 20x zoom). However as I watched the bird head straight for me, it became clear that it was not a night hawk at all, but a small hawk like bird, actually bigger than a night hawk. My initial thought was accipiter, only because it seemed to match the size. However, none of the markings were correct, and the bird was not acting like an accipter. I watched it soar, then "kite" repeatedly (similar to the behavior of a kestrel, but not as rapid/quick). This bird was too small to be a red-tailed hawk or a rough legged hawk (never have I looked at either and thought "night hawk"). It stayed around for about 5 minutes, slowly getting father and farther away. I called Alex Lamoreaux, my boyfriend and also, conveniently, raptor expert, and he suggested that I was observing a merlin. Again, the field marks were incorrect for any kind of falcon. The bird left, and I took varios photos of its silhouette, and a brief video (the bottom two photos are the best, will post more soon). I then consulted my Peterson guide to hawks, and the only thing I can match my photo to is a short tailed hawk, dark morph, mottled type. Not only are the field marks correct, but the size is also matching. > > > > > > I understand this would be near impossible in Nebraska, but I am confident in what I saw. It would be excellent if someone could help me relocate the bird and confirm its presence, in addition to the photos I have already taken. Please call me...I can spend a few days in Arnold trying to locate the bird again. The bird headed for Arnold State Recreation Area, but I cannot access this area (the roads are muddy/rutted, can't get there in my 2WD vehicle). > > > > http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP5aix2sI/AAAAAAAAASM/JMESFYgLXAA/s1600-h/IMG_6661+(640x448).jpg > > > > http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP4JhxYcI/AAAAAAAAASE/_NP08C40XGE/s1600-h/IMG_6661+(2)+(640x359).jpg > > > > (raptors of wetern north america as a reference, by Brian K Wheeler > > page 267--dark brown head forms bib, white mottled belly, and flanks) > > > > > > Subject: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) From: <suemattix AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 17:45:54 -0500 Okay, I'll put in my two cents worth. As a hawkwatcher if I saw this from the tower I would say Harlan's red tail. As Jonas mentioned they frequently are smaller. Red tailed hawks have the greatest diversity of plumeage which can cause a lot of confusion. Another thing you mentioned which really helps put it in the red tail column for me is the fact that the bird stopped and seemed to hover briefly - red tails have a behavior like this called kiting or holding in place while facing into the wind. Also your efforts to relocate this bird may not pay off since it is very likely migrating, however it's worth a look since it could also be setting up a territory for the winter. We are seeing several Harlan's red tails at the watch right now, just their time of year for coming through. Hawks always provide us with just enough mystery to be fun. Good look at a good bird. ---- afannafasoli wrote: > Around 11:15 am this morning, I found a shrike sitting on a telephone wire on road 792 in Custer County. I was getting great photos. All of a sudden in my camera shot, a dark bird appeared. My intial thought was that it was a night hawk...small, dark, and some evidence of white on the wings. This is when I snapped the photos below, as the hawk was coming towards me and approximately 20-30 feet above me (my camera was on full 20x zoom). However as I watched the bird head straight for me, it became clear that it was not a night hawk at all, but a small hawk like bird, actually bigger than a night hawk. My initial thought was accipiter, only because it seemed to match the size. However, none of the markings were correct, and the bird was not acting like an accipter. I watched it soar, then "kite" repeatedly (similar to the behavior of a kestrel, but not as rapid/quick). This bird was too small to be a red-tailed hawk or a rough legged hawk (never have I looked at either and thought "night hawk"). It stayed around for about 5 minutes, slowly getting father and farther away. I called Alex Lamoreaux, my boyfriend and also, conveniently, raptor expert, and he suggested that I was observing a merlin. Again, the field marks were incorrect for any kind of falcon. The bird left, and I took varios photos of its silhouette, and a brief video (the bottom two photos are the best, will post more soon). I then consulted my Peterson guide to hawks, and the only thing I can match my photo to is a short tailed hawk, dark morph, mottled type. Not only are the field marks correct, but the size is also matching. > > > I understand this would be near impossible in Nebraska, but I am confident in what I saw. It would be excellent if someone could help me relocate the bird and confirm its presence, in addition to the photos I have already taken. Please call me...I can spend a few days in Arnold trying to locate the bird again. The bird headed for Arnold State Recreation Area, but I cannot access this area (the roads are muddy/rutted, can't get there in my 2WD vehicle). > > http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP5aix2sI/AAAAAAAAASM/JMESFYgLXAA/s1600-h/IMG_6661+(640x448).jpg > > http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP4JhxYcI/AAAAAAAAASE/_NP08C40XGE/s1600-h/IMG_6661+(2)+(640x359).jpg > > (raptors of wetern north america as a reference, by Brian K Wheeler > page 267--dark brown head forms bib, white mottled belly, and flanks) > > > Subject: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) From: "wallie2fargone" <jonasbirds AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:22:02 -0000 Hitchcock Hawkwatchers?? Any opinions? I am at work and only have "Hawks in Flight" Dunn/Sibley for refrence. I am by no means an expert but if I were on the tower I would say Harlans. Quote from Hawks in Flight "harlan's hawks on the average are smaller than a typical Western Red-tail. The bird is slimmer, more slightly built, and rangier. The body is slender and tubular, the neck longer and snakier". I would also caution that size can be very misleading in the field even before taking into accound the wide range of variability between individuals. However that being said I have no exp with Short-Tailed hawks. Anyway... I hope to be wrong. Good photos! Jonas (omaha) --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "Walker, Thomas" wrote: > > Anna, do you have any photos of it just soaring? > > Both of the photos you included links for are "mid-flap" which kind of messes up the whole profile for comparing wingspan and length. > > Plus they are described as having "broad and rounded wings" and neither mid-flap photo would support that description. > > Thanks > > T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section > Nebraska Game and Parks Commission > 301 East State Farm Road > North Platte, NE 69101 > Office Phone 308-535-8025 > Cell Phone 308-530-7659 > > ________________________________ > From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of afannafasoli [afannafasoli AT ...] > Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 2:55 PM > To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com > Subject: [NEBirds] Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) > > > > Sorry, I left out jevenile in my description of the short tailed hawk. Also left out my phone number (814) 421-6924 Calls would be more convenient, as I do not have consistent internet (I am travelling through). > > Thanks, > Anna Fasoli > Currently in Custer County, NE > > --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "afannafasoli" wrote: > > > > Around 11:15 am this morning, I found a shrike sitting on a telephone wire on road 792 in Custer County. I was getting great photos. All of a sudden in my camera shot, a dark bird appeared. My intial thought was that it was a night hawk...small, dark, and some evidence of white on the wings. This is when I snapped the photos below, as the hawk was coming towards me and approximately 20-30 feet above me (my camera was on full 20x zoom). However as I watched the bird head straight for me, it became clear that it was not a night hawk at all, but a small hawk like bird, actually bigger than a night hawk. My initial thought was accipiter, only because it seemed to match the size. However, none of the markings were correct, and the bird was not acting like an accipter. I watched it soar, then "kite" repeatedly (similar to the behavior of a kestrel, but not as rapid/quick). This bird was too small to be a red-tailed hawk or a rough legged hawk (never have I looked at either and thought "night hawk"). It stayed around for about 5 minutes, slowly getting father and farther away. I called Alex Lamoreaux, my boyfriend and also, conveniently, raptor expert, and he suggested that I was observing a merlin. Again, the field marks were incorrect for any kind of falcon. The bird left, and I took varios photos of its silhouette, and a brief video (the bottom two photos are the best, will post more soon). I then consulted my Peterson guide to hawks, and the only thing I can match my photo to is a short tailed hawk, dark morph, mottled type. Not only are the field marks correct, but the size is also matching. > > > > > > I understand this would be near impossible in Nebraska, but I am confident in what I saw. It would be excellent if someone could help me relocate the bird and confirm its presence, in addition to the photos I have already taken. Please call me...I can spend a few days in Arnold trying to locate the bird again. The bird headed for Arnold State Recreation Area, but I cannot access this area (the roads are muddy/rutted, can't get there in my 2WD vehicle). > > > > http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP5aix2sI/AAAAAAAAASM/JMESFYgLXAA/s1600-h/IMG_6661+(640x448).jpg > > > > http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP4JhxYcI/AAAAAAAAASE/_NP08C40XGE/s1600-h/IMG_6661+(2)+(640x359).jpg > > > > (raptors of wetern north america as a reference, by Brian K Wheeler > > page 267--dark brown head forms bib, white mottled belly, and flanks) > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > Subject: RE: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) From: "Walker, Thomas" <thomas.walker AT nebraska.gov> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 15:57:36 -0600 Anna, do you have any photos of it just soaring? Both of the photos you included links for are "mid-flap" which kind of messes up the whole profile for comparing wingspan and length. Plus they are described as having "broad and rounded wings" and neither mid-flap photo would support that description. Thanks T. J. Walker - District Manager, Wildlife Division - Partners Section Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 301 East State Farm Road North Platte, NE 69101 Office Phone 308-535-8025 Cell Phone 308-530-7659 ________________________________ From: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com [NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of afannafasoli [afannafasoli AT yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 2:55 PM To: NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [NEBirds] Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) Sorry, I left out jevenile in my description of the short tailed hawk. Also left out my phone number (814) 421-6924 Calls would be more convenient, as I do not have consistent internet (I am travelling through). Thanks, Anna Fasoli Currently in Custer County, NE --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "afannafasoli" wrote: > > Around 11:15 am this morning, I found a shrike sitting on a telephone wire on road 792 in Custer County. I was getting great photos. All of a sudden in my camera shot, a dark bird appeared. My intial thought was that it was a night hawk...small, dark, and some evidence of white on the wings. This is when I snapped the photos below, as the hawk was coming towards me and approximately 20-30 feet above me (my camera was on full 20x zoom). However as I watched the bird head straight for me, it became clear that it was not a night hawk at all, but a small hawk like bird, actually bigger than a night hawk. My initial thought was accipiter, only because it seemed to match the size. However, none of the markings were correct, and the bird was not acting like an accipter. I watched it soar, then "kite" repeatedly (similar to the behavior of a kestrel, but not as rapid/quick). This bird was too small to be a red-tailed hawk or a rough legged hawk (never have I looked at either and thought "night hawk"). It stayed around for about 5 minutes, slowly getting father and farther away. I called Alex Lamoreaux, my boyfriend and also, conveniently, raptor expert, and he suggested that I was observing a merlin. Again, the field marks were incorrect for any kind of falcon. The bird left, and I took varios photos of its silhouette, and a brief video (the bottom two photos are the best, will post more soon). I then consulted my Peterson guide to hawks, and the only thing I can match my photo to is a short tailed hawk, dark morph, mottled type. Not only are the field marks correct, but the size is also matching. > > > I understand this would be near impossible in Nebraska, but I am confident in what I saw. It would be excellent if someone could help me relocate the bird and confirm its presence, in addition to the photos I have already taken. Please call me...I can spend a few days in Arnold trying to locate the bird again. The bird headed for Arnold State Recreation Area, but I cannot access this area (the roads are muddy/rutted, can't get there in my 2WD vehicle). > > http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP5aix2sI/AAAAAAAAASM/JMESFYgLXAA/s1600-h/IMG_6661+(640x448).jpg > > http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP4JhxYcI/AAAAAAAAASE/_NP08C40XGE/s1600-h/IMG_6661+(2)+(640x359).jpg > > (raptors of wetern north america as a reference, by Brian K Wheeler > page 267--dark brown head forms bib, white mottled belly, and flanks) > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Pine Siskin From: Loren Padelford <lpdlfrd AT cox.net> Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 15:59:09 -0600 Hi Birders, We had the first Pine Siskin today at our feeders in Bellevue (Sarpy). Also at Lake Manawa (Council Bluffs, IA) this morning there was a good assortment of waterfowl including: 5 Buffleheads, 4 male Hooded Mergansers and 4 female Red-breasted Mergansers. Also seen were a Horned Grebe, 8 Bonaparte's Gulls and 2 Franklin's Gulls. Loren and Babs Padelford Bellevue, NE lpdlfrd AT cox.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Re: Rare bird alert: short tailed hawk (Assistance needed in relocating) From: "afannafasoli" <afannafasoli AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:34:05 -0000 Kathy, This is what most people would think when looking at the photo. However, keep in mind the small size of the bird. I should also add that it is good to be skeptical, so I appreciate that. I've been on the road for a month doing roadside habitat surveys. Some days I see over 50 red tail hawks (not so much lately, more a week or two ago). I have seen a few true Harlan's hawks and also dark morph red tails (I have account on my blog at http://annafasoli.blogspot.com/) This was for sure not a red tail hawk, as it was too small. I am starting to round up a few more people to relocate the bird. Again, anyone's assistance would be very helpful! --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, wrote: > > Anna, I think your bird is a juvenile dark morph Red-tailed Hawk, The dark red-tails are fairly common in western Nebraska > > Kathy DeLara > Mitchell NE > > > > ---- afannafasoli wrote: > > Sorry, I left out jevenile in my description of the short tailed hawk. Also left out my phone number (814) 421-6924 Calls would be more convenient, as I do not have consistent internet (I am travelling through). > > > > Thanks, > > Anna Fasoli > > Currently in Custer County, NE > > > > --- In NEBirds AT yahoogroups.com, "afannafasoli" wrote: > > > > > > Around 11:15 am this morning, I found a shrike sitting on a telephone wire on road 792 in Custer County. I was getting great photos. All of a sudden in my camera shot, a dark bird appeared. My intial thought was that it was a night hawk...small, dark, and some evidence of white on the wings. This is when I snapped the photos below, as the hawk was coming towards me and approximately 20-30 feet above me (my camera was on full 20x zoom). However as I watched the bird head straight for me, it became clear that it was not a night hawk at all, but a small hawk like bird, actually bigger than a night hawk. My initial thought was accipiter, only because it seemed to match the size. However, none of the markings were correct, and the bird was not acting like an accipter. I watched it soar, then "kite" repeatedly (similar to the behavior of a kestrel, but not as rapid/quick). This bird was too small to be a red-tailed hawk or a rough legged hawk (never have I looked at either and thought "night hawk"). It stayed around for about 5 minutes, slowly getting father and farther away. I called Alex Lamoreaux, my boyfriend and also, conveniently, raptor expert, and he suggested that I was observing a merlin. Again, the field marks were incorrect for any kind of falcon. The bird left, and I took varios photos of its silhouette, and a brief video (the bottom two photos are the best, will post more soon). I then consulted my Peterson guide to hawks, and the only thing I can match my photo to is a short tailed hawk, dark morph, mottled type. Not only are the field marks correct, but the size is also matching. > > > > > > > > > I understand this would be near impossible in Nebraska, but I am confident in what I saw. It would be excellent if someone could help me relocate the bird and confirm its presence, in addition to the photos I have already taken. Please call me...I can spend a few days in Arnold trying to locate the bird again. The bird headed for Arnold State Recreation Area, but I cannot access this area (the roads are muddy/rutted, can't get there in my 2WD vehicle). > > > > > > http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP5aix2sI/AAAAAAAAASM/JMESFYgLXAA/s1600-h/IMG_6661+(640x448).jpg > > > > > > http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q8Bm8OdCI6U/SvCP4JhxYcI/AAAAAAAAASE/_NP08C40XGE/s1600-h/IMG_6661+(2)+(640x359).jpg > > > > > > (raptors of wetern north america as a reference, by Brian K Wheeler > > > page 267--dark brown head forms bib, white mottled belly, and flanks) > > > > > > > >