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3 Feb No Subject [Hustace Scott ] 3 Feb The White Birds [David McDonald ] 2 Feb Snowy Owl [Bruce & Donna Walgren ] 1 Feb snowy owls [Pat Dixon ] 1 Feb brown thrasher [Matthew Hethcoat ] 1 Feb Strange Happenings on the Bighorn River [Seth Chamberlain ] 31 Jan Redpoll [CJ Grimes ] 30 Jan Redpolls, Sundance, Wy. [Jgwindsong ] 30 Jan Redpolls, Sundance, Wy. [Jgwindsong ] 24 Jan Sharp-tailed grouse [Jgwindsong ] 24 Jan No Subject [Hustace Scott ] 22 Jan Banded Mountain Chickadee [Donald Jones ] 19 Jan GR lunchtime falcons [Dave Mead ] 19 Jan Redpolls! Washakie Co. [CJ Grimes ] 19 Jan northern goshawk [Chris Michelson ] 17 Jan Snowy Owl plumage [Dave Mead ] 16 Jan No Subject [Donald Jones ] 15 Jan Snowy Owl Sighting in Goshen County [Amy Fitz ] 15 Jan Fwd: [sd-birds] C. Redpolls [Jgwindsong ] 14 Jan C. Redpolls [Jgwindsong ] 14 Jan C. Redpolls [Jgwindsong ] 14 Jan Raptors and Waterfowl along the Bighorn [Seth Chamberlain ] 13 Jan owl [Ann Hines ] 13 Jan Murie Audubon Field Trip [Hustace Scott ] 13 Jan Re: Snowy Owls? [Hustace Scott ] 13 Jan snowy owls [Francis and Janice ] 13 Jan Re: Snowy Owls [CJ Grimes ] 13 Jan owls in Wyoming [Susan Patla ] 13 Jan Re: Snowy Owls? [Chuck Otte ] 12 Jan Fwd: Snowy Owls? [Byron Butler ] 12 Jan Re: Snowy Owls? [Dave Mead ] 12 Jan Rabbit crash "stats" for Dave Mead [Dee Oudin ] 12 Jan Re: Snowy Owls? [Dave Mead ] 11 Jan Re: Snowy Owls? [Hustace Scott ] 11 Jan Thermopolis birding report [Vicki Herren ] 11 Jan Re: Snowy Owls? [Dave Mead ] 10 Jan Re: Snowy Owls? [Byron Butler ] 10 Jan Snowy Owls? [Dave Mead ] 9 Jan Cheyenne Audubon Free Lecture Jan. 17, 2012 [Barb Gorges ] 9 Jan interesting mix [Pat Deibert ] 8 Jan Cody, WY CBC [Joyce ] 8 Jan Teton Valley ID CBC (includes Alta, WY) [Susan Patla ] 7 Jan Yant's Puddle featured in Audubon article [Dave Mead ] 6 Jan Re: Sharpies taking EA Doves [sol ] 6 Jan Re: Sharpies taking EA Doves [Francis Bergquist ] 6 Jan Re: Sharpies taking EA Doves [Dave Mead ] 5 Jan 7 Eagles [Tim Gorman ] 5 Jan Fw: Green River hawks taking EA Doves [Tom Axthelm ] 5 Jan Green River hawks taking EA Doves [Dave Mead ] 4 Jan Sandcreek Wy. birds [Jgwindsong ] 4 Jan Re: Cheyenne CBC results [Harry Martin ] 4 Jan Cheyenne CBC results [Greg Johnson ] 4 Jan Four Golden Eagles [Tim Gorman ] 3 Jan No Subject [Seth Chamberlain ] 3 Jan Yant's Puddle in Audubon [Barb Gorges ] 2 Jan No Subject [Hustace Scott ] 2 Jan Re: goldfinches and siskins [CJ Grimes ] 2 Jan Bates Hole CBC [Hustace Scott ] 2 Jan Costa Rica [Jeff Morton ] 2 Jan goldfinches, pine siskins [Jeanna Fitz ] 31 Dec FE Warren AFB towhee [Chuck Seniawski ] 30 Dec snowy owls [Jgwindsong ] 29 Dec Christmas in Yellowstone NP [Byron Butler ] 29 Dec Evanston WY/UT CBC results [Tim Gorman ] 28 Dec Bates Hole Christmas Count [Hustace Scott ] 28 Dec Snow Buntings [Tim Gorman ] 27 Dec Sundance Christmas Count [Jgwindsong ] 24 Dec Re: Squirrels and bird feeders [Hustace Scott ] 24 Dec Re: Squirrels and bird feeders [Harry Martin ] 24 Dec Squirrels and bird feeders [RT Cox ] 22 Dec purple finch [Chris Michelson ] 21 Dec Fwd: CBC [Chris Michelson ] 21 Dec Fw: Riverton CBC [Tom Axthelm ] 21 Dec ducks at Lions Park [Greg Johnson ] 19 Dec Green River CBC [Fred & Fern Linton ] 19 Dec north of Cheyenne [Chuck Seniawski ] Subject: No Subject From: Hustace Scott <hustace AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 16:51:45 -0700 I saw a Rough-legged Hawk yesterday. This is the first one I have seen since January 1 on the Bates Hole Christmas Count. Normally, it is rare for me not to see one, or more, every day. I cannot ever remember a year where Rough-legs were this uncommon. I have not seen any Rosy Finches in over a week, and it is several days since I last saw the Redpoll. I have about 60 American Goldfinches and about 20 Pine Siskins, so I have to spend some time and effort to find the Redpoll. I also have House Finches, all 3 winter Junco varieties and a Song Sparrow. I have up to 20 House Sparrows, but I haven't noticed them in the last couple of days. I see a couple of Robins on occasion. That is more than last year when I saw only one in all of January, but nothing like the normal 75-100 wintering Robins. The number of eagles is really down, almost as low as the rabbit numbers. There are 2 adult Goldens and 1 or 2 immature Goldens, and 2 adult Balds with at least 2 immature Balds. I don't see them every day, which is the first year I can remember not seeing at least some every day. We do have Ravens that fly by every day. Stacey Scott SW of Casper - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: The White Birds From: David McDonald <DBMcD AT UWYO.EDU> Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 03:36:57 +0000 And of course, there (was) the one found in Hawaii. That seems far out of the likely range. Since they seem not to be in WY (or barely) I have decided that, even though no one needs to do it, I am going to anyway ... look for them in Ecuador. I will be forgoing our glorious winter (winter, what winter?) for a few weeks (numerous UW students are praying I don't return ...), in a strenuous search for the first Southern Hemisphere record of a Snowy Owl. If I happen to see a few other birds, I suppose it just can't be helped. I believe Greg Johnson will be selflessly attempting something similar in Costa Rica. Speaking of hard to find birds. Does anyone else (especially someone who actually goes outside) think that Golden-crowned Kinglets are harder to find these days? [Subtext: after reporting my birds for the Laramie CBC to our fearless count leader, who shall not be named, but who used to be UW police chief and whose last name rhymes with Banks, and whose first name sounds like Tim, I decided to give one quick check on campus and spotted a G-c Kinglet which led the not-to-be-named TB to say, "how come Dave McDonald always sees the good birds when he's alone?" Excellent point]. Dave "if people didn't keep humiliating me by pointing out that Snow Buntings are common, maybe I wouldn't have to leave the country" McDonald ************************************************* David B. McDonald dbmcd AT uwyo.edu Dept. Zoology & Physiology, Dept. 3166 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307)-766-3012; FAX (307)-766-5625; cell (307)-760-9360 Office: BioSci 413; Lab. BioSci 441 http://www.uwyo.edu/dbmcd/mcd.html ************************************************* On 2/2/12 7:47 PM, "Bruce & Donna Walgren"Subject: Snowy Owl From: Bruce & Donna Walgren <Piranga AT BRESNAN.NET> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 19:47:06 -0700 We received a report of a Snowy Owl today from a friend in Gillette. Unfortunately, it was dead (electrocuted). It was found within the city limits of Gillette. Bruce & Donna Walgren Casper - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: snowy owls From: Pat Dixon <Pdixn AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 23:15:57 -0500 does anyone have any reports of recent siting of snowy owls anywhere nearby? thanks. pat dixon - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: brown thrasher From: Matthew Hethcoat <mhethcoa AT UWYO.EDU> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 16:00:04 -0500 I just received a message from my girlfriend that we HAD a brown thrasher in our yard. She scared it off upon opening the door to snap a picture and it hasn't returned. I recall another posting from the Casper area back in Dec. Keep your eyes peeled... I'm also still interested in snow bunting sightings here in SE Wyoming. For those of you who might have seen my previous post and recall, please excuse the plug. If this is news to you please read on; here's a synopsis below. In collaboration with some colleagues in Canada, myself and others are planning to trap and band snow buntings this winter in the greater Laramie-Cheyenne area. The initial goals of the project are to understand winter flock structure, in terms of sex and age-class, and how this may change geographically and temporally in response to factors such as local climate. In addition, stable isotope analyses on feathers and claws will be used to identify breeding locations and where particular wintering populations breed. North American snow buntings populations are thought to be in decline, as much as 60% in the past 40 years, and this work is intended to fill in some gaps in our knowledge of their life history. This will be the first extension of the project into the U.S. and we're excited to add such a southern sampling site to their data set I'm fairly new to Wyoming and quickly learning how rare snow buntings can be in the winter here, so we're hoping to employ the help of the list-serve. Any info is appreciated, thanks in advance. Matt & Teegan 9th and Flint Laramie - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Strange Happenings on the Bighorn River From: Seth Chamberlain <goshgarnet AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:09:30 -0700 On Saturday I saw two pairs of Canada Geese sitting on nests in the cliffs where Buffalo Creek enters the river. They were all there again on Tuesday. Also on Saturday two Peregrine Falcons where in the same area as the geese. The falcons' flight really upset a Bald Eagle sitting in a tree, which started making a lot of noise. Tuesday in the cliff area again, a Peregrine Falcon was chasing a Bald Eagle as it soared. Thanks, Seth Chamberlain (Thermopolis, WY) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Redpoll From: CJ Grimes <cjgrimes AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:35:49 -0500 We had a single Common Redpoll at our feeder for a minute over the weekend (near the feeder, not actually eating seed) and I've been watching for it to return, to no avail. It seems that our House Finches are even more numerous lately. Quoting Birds of WY: "It is not known to what extent they winter in juniper woodland." I'd say in terms of my neighborhood this winter, they do winter in juniper woodland... CJ Grimes Ten Sleep - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Redpolls, Sundance, Wy. From: Jgwindsong <jgwindsong AT rangeweb.net> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:35:42 -0700 Today I had a flock of about 50 C. Redpolls in the yard. They were eating any berrys and seeds on the grasses as well in my feeders. I had seed on my deck, so had a really good look at them. Sure do come in lots of different plumage color. The Sharp-tailed Grouse are displaying in the morning still and come in in the afternoon to feed also. They come on my deck and go in my platform feeders. Lots of fun to watch. Still have the Red-winged Black Bird and a few Pine Siskins. Jean, Sundance, Wy. Jean Adams ------------------------------------Subject: Redpolls, Sundance, Wy. From: Jgwindsong <jgwindsong AT RANGEWEB.NET> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:35:42 -0700 Today I had a flock of about 50 C. Redpolls in the yard. They were eating any berrys and seeds on the grasses as well in my feeders. I had seed on my deck, so had a really good look at them. Sure do come in lots of different plumage color. The Sharp-tailed Grouse are displaying in the morning still and come in in the afternoon to feed also. They come on my deck and go in my platform feeders. Lots of fun to watch. Still have the Red-winged Black Bird and a few Pine Siskins. Jean, Sundance, Wy. Jean Adams - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Sharp-tailed grouse From: Jgwindsong <jgwindsong AT RANGEWEB.NET> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:41:05 -0700 I have about 24 Sharp-tailed Grouse comming in to feed now. They are displaying, which is fun to watch. Also still have Redpolls at my feeders. Jean Adams, Sundance, Wy. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: No Subject From: Hustace Scott <hustace AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:51:57 -0700 I had 1 gray-crowned rosy finch on Sunday, and 6 this morning. Stacey Scott SW of Casper - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Banded Mountain Chickadee From: Donald Jones <dwilbertjones AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:27:19 -0700 While I was out looking for raptors in a ground blizzard north of town this morning, a Mountain Chickadee with leg bands was spotted at the feeders here at home. On the right leg, it had an aluminum band right above the foot, followed by a light green band higher up the leg. On the left leg, it had a light green ring at the bottom, followed by a dark green band, followed by a red band. I've never heard of such a banding system on chickadees; has anyone else seen similar birds or know where the bands come from? Don Jones Laramie - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: GR lunchtime falcons From: Dave Mead <dv_mead AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:48:24 -0800 While on my lunch hour today, I observed a Merlin perched on a treetop in our neighborhood. On my way back to work, I saw a Prairie Falcon plucking a songbird (sp?) on top of a light pole beside City Hall. Nice dessert, eh? Dave Mead Green River - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Redpolls! Washakie Co. From: CJ Grimes <cjgrimes AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:54:43 -0500 Saw 3 groups of Common Redpolls today, a flock of 30 at close range (20-30 feet away) another flock of 50+ a mile north, then a group of 100 or so flying over, another 5 miles further up the road. All were along Bentonite Ridge NW of Ten Sleep, in juniper/sagebrush habitat. The only other birds in the area were Townsend's Solitaire, Horned Lark and Golden Eagle. Saturday's eagle count along the Upper Nowood was pretty sparse, 3 Bald and 4 Golden, fewest in 4 years. Only a couple Rough-legs and 1 Merlin. Prey species observed included cottontail rabbits, Rock Pigeon, and Mallard. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: northern goshawk From: Chris Michelson <Michelsonce AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:16:08 -0500 Greetings birders During brown bag birding at the Audubon Center on Garden Creek today, there were a couple of quick views of an adult male northern goshawk. Good birding to all. Chris Michelson Casper, WY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Snowy Owl plumage From: Dave Mead <dv_mead AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:17:42 -0800 This was passed on by an Idaho birder, via IBLE birding post: Another thought regarding snowies, also based on my conversations over the holidays with Norman Smith, while we were out trapping owls. He cautions birders not to try to age and sex snowy owls by the degree of barring - a caution he reinforced by showing me two captive birds he has at the Blue Hills Trailside Museum outside Boston. One was incredibly dark, the other almost completely white. Most of us would assume the former was a young female, the other an adult male, but in fact, both were females - the dark one was almost 17 years old, the other about 9. Recent research in Russia, he said, suggests that birth order may have more to do with pigmentation than gender or age - the first-hatched snowies are dark, and the younger birders are progressively less heavily marked. There also seems to be regional differences as well. So we should probably content ourselves with saying the Cumberland Co. bird is very white, without jumping to any conclusions on age or sex. Scott Weidensaul Schuylkill Haven, PA - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: No Subject From: Donald Jones <dwilbertjones AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:13:58 -0700 Took a drive out past Hutton Lake this afternoon before the snow set in, looking in vain for a Snowy Owl. Not surprisingly, no luck there, but I did see two Golden Eagles and two Rough-legged Hawks. Here in town, things have been quiet for a while. We still have about 10 Mountain Chickadees, a pair of Downy Woodpeckers, and hordes of House Sparrows and House Finches. Surprisingly absent so far this winter have been Cassin's Finches, Pine Siskins, American Goldfinches, and any Dark-eyed Juncos. Lastly, I heard and then saw one American Robin this morning. I can't remember how long its been since one of them was around here, but that was definitely the first in a few months. Don Jones Laramie - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Snowy Owl Sighting in Goshen County From: Amy Fitz <am_fitz AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:47:01 -0700 Hi Wyobirders, Today at about 3:45 pm my sister, mother and I spotted one immature snowy owl on the dirt road going to Hawk Springs Reservoir. If anyone wants to try to relocate the owl here's where we saw it- once you are on the dirt road drive to where the road crosses the railroad tracks. To the right (south) there is a gray shed owned by the railroad and by that is a tall pole. It was sitting onto of the pole. We watched it for 20 minutes or so. It was still sitting there when we left. It did not seem to be bothered by us at all. Gorgeous bird....and a new life bird for us!!! Hope others start reporting more soon!! Amy Fitz Laramie, Wy Sent from my iPod - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Fwd: [sd-birds] C. Redpolls From: Jgwindsong <jgwindsong AT RANGEWEB.NET> Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:09:48 -0700 Jean Adams ----- Original message ----- From: JgwindsongSubject: C. Redpolls From: Jgwindsong <jgwindsong AT rangeweb.net> Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:24:14 -0700 I had a flock of 100 C. Redpolls in my yard today. The Sharp-tailed Grouse were up to 22. Been a while since I have had that high a number. Also had an Ad. Bald Eagle fly by when checking out the Redpolls. He was only about 20 feet from me and only 20 feet high. He flew this low all the way to the top of my hill and landed on a fence post. What a sight to see him so close when flying. Jean, Sundance, Wy. Jean Adams ------------------------------------Subject: C. Redpolls From: Jgwindsong <jgwindsong AT RANGEWEB.NET> Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 17:24:14 -0700 I had a flock of 100 C. Redpolls in my yard today. The Sharp-tailed Grouse were up to 22. Been a while since I have had that high a number. Also had an Ad. Bald Eagle fly by when checking out the Redpolls. He was only about 20 feet from me and only 20 feet high. He flew this low all the way to the top of my hill and landed on a fence post. What a sight to see him so close when flying. Jean, Sundance, Wy. Jean Adams - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Raptors and Waterfowl along the Bighorn From: Seth Chamberlain <goshgarnet AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:53:10 -0700 The last few days have been pretty exciting. Inspired by the large number of Snowy Owls in the midwest and elsewhere I tried to find a Snowy Owl. Last year a local told me that in an area, 25 miles NW of town there were two. I did not find any there, on Black Mountain, or on the way to Cody. Many locals in Thermopolis would agree that mice and rabbit populations are down. With that said, I have seen numerous raptors along the river including: Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Prairie Falcon, Merlin, American Kestrel, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk, and Cooper's Hawk. In the area around the state park I observed two Pied-billed Grebes. In the group of Mallards haunting the state park ponds is a Mallard X American Black Duck, just like last year. Other species of waterfowl seen recently are: American Wigeon, Canada Goose, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Redhead, Canvasback, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Barrow's Goldeneye, Common Merganser, and American Coot. Seth Chamberlain, Thermopolis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: owl From: Ann Hines <wilmerhines AT BRESNAN.NET> Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:08:01 -0700 Just returned from an Audubon meeting. A member who lives north of Douglas reported having seen a Snowy Owl. Three people have seen it, but were unable to go back an see it again. He says they have mice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ann in Casper - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Murie Audubon Field Trip From: Hustace Scott <hustace AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:05:02 -0700 I am leading a Murie Audubon Field Trip to Gray Reef tomorrow, Jan. 14. We will meet at the Audubon Center at Garden Creek at 1:30 tomorrow afternoon, and be back well before dark. If there is interest, we might look for the redpoll at my feeders and along the river in Bessemer Bend on our way to Gray Reef. For more detail, call me on my cell phone at 262-0055. Stacey Scott SW of Casper - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Re: Snowy Owls? From: Hustace Scott <hustace AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:00:44 -0700 Dave Mead and others I don't have a scientific approach to estimating mouse populations. I look for all tracks in the snow or dust, and try to judge where we are in the cycle. I also pay attention to how many mice we catch in our house. It's been many months since we caught a mouse in the house, which is most unusual. I usually judge the mouse cycle to be low, middle or high. It isn't exact, but it gives me an idea as to what is going on. Right now, both the mice and rabbits are on the low end of the cycle, with the mice being as low as I can remember. My estimate of the mouse cycle applies to my ranch, which is SW of Casper. Some of my neighbors have commented that they haven't caught mice in their houses for a while, so the low mouse cycle probably applies to a larger area than just the ranch. From the hawks that I have seen, the mice are low for a good part of this county. The last rabbit peak was similar for a good portion of Wyoming, so I expect that the rabbits are low over a good portion of the state. I just don't know in how large an area the mice follow a similar cycle. The prey base explains a large portion of the abundance of predators that can move around. Birds can much more easily move than coyotes can, so the birds of prey will be down in this area while the coyotes are still common. The coyotes are still very common here. I see and hear them, and see their tracks as much as I ever have. In part, that is probably because they are having to work so hard for their meal. Ever since the rabbits crashed, I have thought the coyote numbers would decrease. It hasn't happened yet. This ranch has never lost a calf to a coyote in our 55 plus years; all the ones that the coyotes have eaten we knew were dead before the coyote ate it. If the coyotes are really hungry, they might try to change things. It will be another interesting spring. Stacey Scott SW of Casper On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 9:32 AM, Dave MeadSubject: snowy owls From: Francis and Janice <fcbjmb AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:53:13 -0500 I too have been following the owl reports and watching here in the Saratoga area but to no avail. We are taking the eagle survey tomorrow so maybe we can find one. ( It would be the first for me ever in Whyoming if I can find one) As to the low population of rodents: Every day I take my walk out at the lake on the old railroad bed, one mile in and back. Yesterday morning we had about an inch of new snowon the ground so I decided I would count the number of tracks crossing the trail and there was none, not one!! I will go again today and check again. An intersting note: A few days ago I saw three marsh wrens in the cattails along the walking trail, I knew there was some there as I had been hearing them before. Then just a couple of days ago there was a male Cinnamon Teal in a patch of open water. I don't think I have ever seen a Cinnamon teal after Sept before, he and the wrens must be over wintering out there. Interesting!! Francis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Re: Snowy Owls From: CJ Grimes <cjgrimes AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:03:40 -0500 I heard that the BH Basin sighting was in South Oregon Basin on 12/31/12 (near Cody). Disappointing to get this info 2 weeks late. BLM is doing the annual eagle count tomorrow, so with all those eyes in the field chances are good... CJ Grimes Ten Sleep - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: owls in Wyoming From: Susan Patla <susan_patla AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:40:08 +0000 I have been following the owl postings with interest also. I cannot speak for eastern Wyoming but here in the Jackson area and over in Teton Valley Idaho, rodent populations appear to be very depressed right now. We recorded few buteos on the Christmas Bird Counts in the area. Given the low snow levels in the valleys one would expect a number of rough-legged hawks but that is not the case. I do not think any owl would hang out for long if they did pass through the area but we will keep looking. Best, Susan Patla Nongame Biologists Wyoming Game and Fish Dept. Jackson, WY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Re: Snowy Owls? From: Chuck Otte <cotte AT KSU.EDU> Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:00:54 -0600 I've been following this conversation with great interest. I'm really surprised that Wyoming hasn't had any great influx of Snowy Owls. Here in Kansas, yes there's even folks in Kansas on the Wyoming list, we've been "snowed" under. Myself and an ornithologist with the Univ of Kansas have been tracking this years irruption of Snowy Owls in Kansas. We have a web page at: http://ksbirds.org/KS_SNOW_11_12.htm That's tracking the different locations where we have credible reports. There's 78 locations and some of these have held multiple owls. Kansas hasn't seen an irruption like this since the winter of 1974-75. Unlike that winter we all have cell phones, internet access and digital cameras so we are probably more aware of the birds that are present. We also have a plethora of Snowy Owls posted on an adjacent page: http://ksbirds.org/gallery/SnowyOwl_2011.htm So take a few moments and enjoy our Snowy Owls! Back to lurking - Chuck ----- Chuck Otte cotte AT ksu.edu County Extension Agent, Ag & Natural Resources Geary County Extension Office, PO BOX 28 785-238-4161 Junction City, Kansas 66441-0028 FAX 785-238-7166 http://www.geary.ksu.edu/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Fwd: Snowy Owls? From: Byron Butler <byronkbutlermt AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:04:39 -0700 Wyobirders, Pat Dixon has asked me to pass the below link to a NPR segment on Snowy Owl on to you all. In a nutshell, according to biologist Jim McCormac (Ohio), there was an abundance of lemmings last year which lead to an increase in Snowy Owl egg laying. There is now an abundance of young Snowy Owls and but a shortage of food for all of them further north. McCormac states that new arrivals are still being reported in Ohio. Thanks, Pat, for the link. ** "the transcript and perhaps podcast can be found at: http://www.npr.org/2012/01/09/144923167/snowy-owl-sighted-farther-south. I can't seem to post on this list serve so if this is helpful pass it on. pat dixon" Here is a resend of the link to the ebird map of Snowy Owl reports in North America. http://ebird.org/ebird/map/snoowl1?neg=true&env.minX=&env.minY=&env.maxX=&env.maxY=&zh=false&gp=false&mr=on&bmo=10&emo=12&yr=2011-2011&byr=2011&eyr=2011 By the way, I have not yet heard of any Snowy Owls here in Bozeman, MT (Gallatin Valley). On Jan 1, Maggie and I drove to Polson, MT, on the south end of Flathead Lake where we had six snowies in one small area, including an adult male. The others appeared to be young birds. Snowy Owls are being reported across Montana from Kalispell east to Westby, a distance of 600 miles. Most of our reports are from the northern half of the state. I don't know what effect the horrible flooding we had last year has had on our prey base for this winter. The ebird map shows a few snowies as far south in Montana as Livingston and Hardin, with a report from near Miles City. I have heard of several other reports from Miles City. We have few birders in southeastern Montana to make sightings so probably there are others. Obviously, the owls have a clear path from southeast Montana to Wyoming. Given that these owls have appeared in SD, NE, southern Idaho, northern Utah and northern Colorado, they must be somewhere in Wyoming. Byron K. Butler Bozeman, MT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Re: Snowy Owls? From: Dave Mead <dv_mead AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:20:41 -0800 That's amazing! There was a recent sighting in the Big Horn Basin by a pilot, but that's the only one that has been reported. My friends in Idaho have been seeing lots of them, all over the state. Perhaps there is a rodent population crash in Wyoming -- or maybe there just aren't enough of us looking! I'm going to keep trying... Dave ________________________________ From: JgwindsongSubject: Rabbit crash "stats" for Dave Mead From: Dee Oudin <wdoudin AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:58:07 -0700 The cottontail population around where I live, northeast of Cody, is obviously down. This can be seen from signs like tracks in snow to bunnies under bird feeders. Down enough that I am concerned for our resident breeding pair of Great Horned Owls. About mice? The outbuilding traps didn't catch many even last summer, and apparently we have none in the buildings this winter, or else they have decided to reject peanut butter. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Re: Snowy Owls? From: Dave Mead <dv_mead AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:32:55 -0800 Stacey, how have you estimated the mouse population? Do you think the decline is statewide? Perhaps it is even wider; perhaps it is the cause of the irruption? Typically, these events are caused by very low prey populations or "crashes". Dave Mead ________________________________ From: Hustace ScottSubject: Re: Snowy Owls? From: Hustace Scott <hustace AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:40:14 -0700 The number of mice and rabbits around Casper are really low. If a Snowy Owl were to come through, it wouldn't stay long. I have never seen a Snowy Owl in Wyoming, but this eruption is badly timed for the mouse population around here. Stacey Scott SW of Casper On Wed, Jan 11, 2012 at 9:33 AM, Dave MeadSubject: Thermopolis birding report From: Vicki Herren <vickiblue AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:02:37 +0000 Yesterday, Bill and I birded along the Big Horn River where Seth recommended in Hot Springs State Park and observed 8 species. The most surprising were the Yellow-rumped Warblers! We found quite a few Cedar Waxwings, but not the Bohemians that Seth reported seeing. The most abundant were the robins, easily 200 of them, probably because of all the Russian olive trees. Also seen were Northern Flickers, Dark-eyed Juncoes, European Starlings and a Song Sparrow. No duck sightings and that could be because of the shots we heard! Vicki Herren - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Re: Snowy Owls? From: Dave Mead <dv_mead AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:33:00 -0800 Byron and All, Yes, Snowies have been reported in all surrounding states, including Colorado and Utah. Obviously, there are Snowies in Wyoming -- but we're not getting out there and finding them, or reporting them. I'm going to be looking all around Green River this weekend, no thanks to new snowfall last night! Happy Birding! Dave Mead ________________________________ From: Byron ButlerSubject: Re: Snowy Owls? From: Byron Butler <byronkbutlermt AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:32:45 -0700 Dave and All, There indeed is a huge irruption of Snowy Owls in the Lower 48 this winter. See the ebird map at: http://ebird.org/ebird/map/snoowl1?neg=true&env.minX=&env.minY=&env.maxX=&env.maxY=&zh=false&gp=false&mr=on&bmo=10&emo=12&yr=2011-2011&byr=2011&eyr=2011 There are reports from over most of the country but, oddly, almost nothing from Wyoming. Doubtless, they are in the state but are not being reported. There are quite few in Montana. Byron K. Butler Bozeman, MT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Snowy Owls? From: Dave Mead <dv_mead AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:13:50 -0800 Have there been any sightings of Snowy Owls in Wyoming this winter? We are supposedly having a major irruption this year, as per this news article and sightings in Idaho: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45890955/ns/us_news-environment/t/magic-harry-potters-owl-spotted-across-us/#.Twcru-p-Fqw Dave Mead Green River, WY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Cheyenne Audubon Free Lecture Jan. 17, 2012 From: Barb Gorges <bgorges4 AT MSN.COM> Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2012 16:08:32 -0700 Contact: Barb Gorges, 307-634-0463
Cheyenne - High Plains Audubon Society
For Immediate Release Jan. 9, 2012
Note: The web address mentioned below is new as of Jan. 8, 2012.
Free Cheyenne Audubon lecture Jan. 17 to feature manikins and traveling in
tropical Brazil
Cheyenne - High Plains Audubon Society will host a free
lecture open to the public Jan. 17. Dave McDonald will talk about and show
photos of his study of manikins, small, behaviorally unique birds, and his
travels in tropical Brazil. Dave is a professor at the University of Wyoming
in the Department of Zoology and Physiology.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Willow Room, Laramie
County Public Library, 2200 Pioneer Ave. For more information, please call
Mark, 634-0463, or go to www.home.lonetree.com/audubon.
xxx
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If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.net
Subject: interesting mixFrom: Pat Deibert <pat_deibert AT FWS.GOV> Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2012 08:52:04 -0700 Hello all - In the interest of cutting travel costs, I got to spend about 22 hours in San Diego, CA last week, on an inlet to Mission Bay. Sadly, I had no time for any in depth birding, but did see some fun stuff. On an inland pond wigeons, greater scaup, and American coots were abundant. I also added great and snowy egrets as well as American brown pelicans and cormorants. California gulls, of course, were abundant - all ages. But most surprising, and disappointing, were the black-crowned night herons who were begging for french fries at one of the outdoor restaurants. I tried to encourage them to have more respect for themselves, but to no avail when lots of folks around me thought it was really neat to feed them. It was a bit amusing watching folks nearly losing their fingers when they decided to hold the fry for the birds. One heron was within 6 inches at one point, providing a very interesting close up view. Yesterday, in the cold climes of Wyoming (in the 'burbs of Buford) my husband spotted a large raptor perched with its back to us on a downed tree outside our window. It was very large and difficult to see much color due to the shadows. Perhaps my biggest distraction were the dozens of chickadees, nuthatches, siskins, goldfinches, Stellar's jays, and woodpeckers happily feeding at the feeders between us and the bird. But when the bird turned its head there was no doubt it was a goshawk. It took off (much to the oblivion of my feeder birds). I spoke with a neighbor later and found that he had been seeing a large, very dark goshawk regularly (perching on his pigeon pen). He erected a perch for the bird and apparently she has begun using it (much to the dismay of his pigeons). I cautioned my feeder birds, but they completely ignore me. Pat Pat Deibert U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wyoming Field Office 5353 Yellowstone Road, Suite 308A Cheyenne, WY 82009 307-772-2374, ext. 226 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Cody, WY CBC From: Joyce <jcicco00 AT TRITEL.NET> Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2012 16:47:47 -0700 Cody’s CBC was on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011. We counted 53 species, 6,537 total birds, with 36 adults and 1 child participating. Temperatures during the count ranged from 10 to 49 degrees F. Snow cover was 90% at 1 to 4 inches. Joyce Cicco, CBC Compiler 2 Great Blue Heron 355 Canada Goose 10 American Wigeon 557 Mallard 8 Northern Pintail 33 Green-winged Teal 29 Lesser Scaup 68 Bufflehead 73 Common Goldeneye 56 Barrow’s Goldeneye 2 Common Merganser 2 Duck, sp. 17 Bald Eagle 7 Northern Harrier 4 Sharp-shinned Hawk 7 Red-tailed Hawk 41 Rough-legged Hawk 20 Golden Eagle 5 American Kestrel 3 Merlin 2 Prairie Falcon 57 Chukar 6 Ring-necked Pheasant 4 Killdeer 354 Rock Pigeon 20 Eurasian Collared-Dove 9 Great Horned Owl 3 Downey Woodpecker 76 Northern Flicker 1 Northern Shrike 1 Clark’s Nutcracker 183 Black-billed Magpie 163 American Crow 567 Common Raven 112 Horned Lark 45 Black-capped Chickadee 7 Mountain Chickadee 6 American Dipper 11 Townsend’s Solitaire 356 American Robin 1667 European Starling 117 Cedar Waxwing 8 Bohemian Waxwing 63 American Tree Sparrow 36 Song Sparrow 1 Harris’ Sparrow 54 Dark-eyed Junco 80 Brewer’s Blackbird 65 Grey-crowned Rosy-Finch 151 House Finch 40 Common Redpoll 15 Pine Siskin 33 American Goldfinch 925 House Sparrow - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Teton Valley ID CBC (includes Alta, WY) From: Susan Patla <susan_patla AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2012 21:38:51 +0000 We held the Teton Valley CBC on Jan. 1, 2011. We counted a total of 51 species that day with 4 other species observed during count week (3 days before and 3 days after count day). This was perhaps the mildest day we have had in 18 years for this count. Even though snow levels in the valley were very low, we observed few buteos. European starlings and waxwings (both species) were the most numerous birds. A total of 33 people participated. Good Birding in 2012. Susan Canada Goose 25 Trumpeter Swan 218 Mallard 564 Northern Pintail 1 American Green-winged Teal 13 Common Goldeneye 56 Barrow's Goldeneye 21 Common Merganser 1 Gray Partridge 11 Ruffed Grouse 3 Sharp-tailed Grouse 21 Bald Eagle, adult 8 Bald Eagle, immature 3 Cooper's Hawk 1 Northern Goshawk 2 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Rough-legged Hawk 4 Golden Eagle, adult 2 Golden Eagle, immature 1 Prairie Falcon 1 Wilson's Snipe 3 Rock Pigeon 204 Eurasian Collared Dove 60 Great Horned Owl 2 Belted Kingfisher 1 Downy Woodpecker 8 Hairy Woodpecker 5 Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker 17 Gray Jay cw Clark's Nutcracker 3 Black-billed Magpie 420 American Crow 14 Common Raven 86 Horned Lark cw Black-capped Chickadee 117 Mountain Chickadee 38 chickadee sp. 2 Red-breasted Nuthatch 39 N. White-breasted Nuthatch 1 Brown Creeper cw Townsend's Solitaire 22 American Robin 18 European Starling 1328 Bohemian Waxwing 396 Cedar Waxwing 241 Waxwing, species 680 American Tree Sparrow 18 Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 12 Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco 3 Red-winged Blackbird 10 Brewer's Blackbird 23 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch 165 Pine Grosbeak 23 House Finch 56 Red Crossbill 15 Common Redpoll 1 Pine Siskin 45 American Goldfinch 71 Evening Grosbeak cw House Sparrow 538 Total # birds 5625 Total # species 51 Count Week Total Species 55 Red squirrel 3 Coyote 2 Moose 9 Mule deer tr White-tailed deer tr Red Fox 1 Porcupine 4 Muskrat 3 Weasel 2 Marten tr Snowshoe Hare tr Vole tr - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Yant's Puddle featured in Audubon article From: Dave Mead <dv_mead AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2012 07:25:39 -0800 This is an interesting (albeit disturbing) article in the current Audubon magazine: http://www.audubonmagazine.org/articles/conservation/wake-bp-and-restore-wyoming-s-soda-lake - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Re: Sharpies taking EA Doves From: sol <solbun AT SWEETWATERHSA.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2012 12:13:53 -0700 One recent early summer we watched a sharpie chase an EC dove into a big spruce tree across the street, and strike it. They ended up on the ground, then the sharpie picked up the dove and flew with it to our driveway. The poor sharpie had a heck of a time struggling to fly with it, and only about 2 ft above the street surface, if that. I was afraid a car would come by and hit him. When he got to our driveway, he took short hop flights with it up to our 3 ft chain link fence, and I thought he'd never get high enough into the air with his prize to get over the fence, but he (or she?) did manage, and then had his meal under our spruce tree. It appeared the sharpie was actually somewhat smaller than the dove. paula - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Re: Sharpies taking EA Doves From: Francis Bergquist <fcbjmb AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2012 11:23:27 -0700 Hi I have witnessed two occassions when a Sharpie took a EC Dove in my yard, they don't seem to have any trouble handling them. One time the hawk took the dove as it was flying from my waterer and struck it just a few feet from the ground and the dove dropped like it was shot. That particular hawk was small, not any bigger than the dove but it dragged the dove across the yard to a sheltered area and ate almost all of it. I think we are well off to have a predator for these doves as fast as they are increasing!! Interesting to watch this drama unfold. Francis Francis and Janice Bergquist--FC Bergquist Photos, http://www.FCBergquistPhotos.com > Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2012 09:10:06 -0800 > From: dv_mead AT YAHOO.COM > Subject: Re: [WYOBIRDS] Sharpies taking EA Doves > To: WYOBIRDS AT HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM > > Tom, > > In addition to 40+ doves, we have 30+ House Finches and at least 50 House Sparrows in our yard, so there's no shortage of smaller prey. At first, the hawks were focusing on the smaller songbirds, without much luck. > > The Merlin would perch in the tops of nearby trees and make bombing flights over the yard. The Sharpie would attack the feeder birds, sometimes even landing on the ground and walking under the bushes, trying to get at them. Once, I observed the Merlin diving at the Sharpie, who was sitting on top of a bush full of songbirds! > > However, I have recently observed Sharpies on dove carcasses three times, a Merlin once, and the remains of another dove carcass. I figure that once the hawks learn to take a dove and discover how much meat is on one, they become specialists! > > Dave Mead > > > Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 18:36:21 -0700 > From: Tom AxthelmSubject: Re: Sharpies taking EA Doves From: Dave Mead <dv_mead AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2012 09:10:06 -0800 Tom, In addition to 40+ doves, we have 30+ House Finches and at least 50 House Sparrows in our yard, so there's no shortage of smaller prey. At first, the hawks were focusing on the smaller songbirds, without much luck. The Merlin would perch in the tops of nearby trees and make bombing flights over the yard. The Sharpie would attack the feeder birds, sometimes even landing on the ground and walking under the bushes, trying to get at them. Once, I observed the Merlin diving at the Sharpie, who was sitting on top of a bush full of songbirds! However, I have recently observed Sharpies on dove carcasses three times, a Merlin once, and the remains of another dove carcass. I figure that once the hawks learn to take a dove and discover how much meat is on one, they become specialists! Dave Mead Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 18:36:21 -0700 From: Tom AxthelmSubject: 7 Eagles From: Tim Gorman <wyogoob AT ALLWEST.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 22:49:14 -0700 Today, 4 adult Golden Eagles were seen soaring over the juniper hills just north of the Leroy exit on Interstate 80 mm24. I assume it's the same ones tha twere there 2 days ago.3 adult Bald Eagles were sitting on the game fence around mm25.Tim GormanEvanston WY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Fw: Green River hawks taking EA Doves From: Tom Axthelm <taxthelm AT BRESNAN.NET> Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 18:36:21 -0700 I was interested to read that sharp-shinned hawks are capable of taking EA doves. This year during the Riverton CBC we saw a sharpie sitting in a tree with several EA doves, and the doves were not alarmed. Tom Axthelm Riverton ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Mead"Subject: Green River hawks taking EA Doves From: Dave Mead <dv_mead AT YAHOO.COM> Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 09:41:50 -0800 In the past two weeks, we have observed both a Merlin and a Sharp-shinned Hawk plucking Eurasian Dove carcasses in our yard. We also have an American Kestrel and a Northern Shrike chasing smaller songbirds, but have not seen them catch anything yet. No Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches so far... Dave Mead Green River - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Sandcreek Wy. birds From: Jgwindsong <jgwindsong AT RANGEWEB.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2012 21:26:55 -0700 Happy New Year Birders, Jan. 2 we did a quick look at Sandcreek and found 3 ad. and 1 Juv. Bald Eagles, 1 ad. Golden Eagle, 1 N. Shrike, 2 Blue Jays . We thought we had 2 Goldern Crown Kinglets but couldn't be sure as a truck came by and off they flew before we could get a positive ide. Jean, Sundance, Wy. Jean Adams - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Re: Cheyenne CBC results From: Harry Martin <harry AT HARRYMARTINCARTOONS.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2012 16:19:12 -0700 Good gosh...How many of the 12 birders did you lose? > Wyobirders, > > The Cheyenne CBC was held December 31 and 12 birders braved 40 mph winds > with gusts of up to 76 mph to count as many birds as possible. A total of > thirty-seven species and 3,176 individuals were counted. The list is > below:.... -- Harry Martin Casper, WY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Cheyenne CBC results From: Greg Johnson <gjohnson AT WEST-INC.COM> Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2012 13:18:32 -0700 Wyobirders, The Cheyenne CBC was held December 31 and 12 birders braved 40 mph winds with gusts of up to 76 mph to count as many birds as possible. A total of thirty-seven species and 3,176 individuals were counted. The list is below: Canada goose 1332 wood duck 1 mallard 477 northern shoveler 72 common goldeneye 12 northern harrier 2 sharp-shinned hawk 2 red-tailed hawk 1 rough-legged hawk 4 American kestrel cw rock pigeon 99 Eurasian collared-dove 40 great horned owl 2 belted kingfisher cw downy woodpecker 1 northern flicker 7 blue jay cw black-billed magpie 18 American crow 208 common raven 1 horned lark 44 black-capped chickadee 1 mountain chickadee 1 red-breasted nuthatch cw white-breasted nuthatch 2 winter wren cw Townsend's solitaire 6 American robin 10 European starling 340 cedar waxwing 34 spotted towhee cw song sparrow cw dark-eyed junco 22 house finch 84 pine siskin 1 American goldfinch 6 house sparrow 346 37 species 3,176 Greg Johnson Cheyenne - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Four Golden Eagles From: Tim Gorman <wyogoob AT ALLWEST.NET> Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2012 11:46:43 -0700 There were 4 Golden Eagles on the Interstate 80 game fence, mm24, just east of the Leroy exit, north side of the highway, last night at sundown. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: No Subject From: Seth Chamberlain <goshgarnet AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2012 21:45:48 -0700 At the Wedding of the Waters I observed a large flock of waterfowl including: American Wigeon, Mallard, Gadwall, and Common Goldeneyes. I also saw a single Common Merganser and Redhead. There were other smaller species present, but I was not able to get them in the scope. In the Hot Springs State Park among Gadwall and Wigeon was a small flock of Barrow's Goldeneyes. Additionally, observed American Robin, Northern Flicker, Cedar Waxwing, and Bohemian Waxwings. Seth Chamberlain, Thermopolis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Yant's Puddle in Audubon From: Barb Gorges <bgorges4 AT MSN.COM> Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2012 11:35:37 -0700 Dear Wyobirders,
We don't get stories about Wyoming birds in Audubon's
magazine every day. The Jan/Feb 2012 issue features Soda Lake, or Yant's
Puddle, located outside Casper, in Ted Williams' "Incite" regular feature.
The article gives the history of the lake (repository for refinery waste
built in the 1940's), and it's importance as a migration stopover and for
nesting colonies of Caspian Terns, etc. It is a Wyoming Important Bird Area.
Its status is changing-lack of water is exposing contaminants because BP
stopped pumping water. The article quotes Bart Rea (Murie Audubon), Brian
Rutledge (Audubon Wyoming), Andrea Orabona (WGFD), and Pete Ramirez (U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service here in Cheyenne).
It's an issue, but read the article and see what you think.
If you don't get the magazine, borrow a copy, read it at the library or look
for it on sale at newsstands/book stores. It doesn't appear to be on the
magazine's website yet, http://www.audubonmagazine.org.
Barb Gorges
Cheyenne
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If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.net
Subject: No SubjectFrom: Hustace Scott <hustace AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2012 19:02:51 -0700 I saw a male Eastern Bluebird in Bessemer Bend about noon today. I will look for it tomorrow, but in previous years the bird has stayed around for about a month. I saw a redpoll at my feeder on Saturday, but didn't see it or spend much time looking today. Everyone is welcome to come look for it. The best way is still to sit in your car at the gas tanks so you can look at the thistle feeder in the Juniper on the west side of the driveway, and still be able to see the feeders to the east of the house. I have seen the bird from the house a couple of times, but usually I have to be where I can see the birds around the thistle feeder. If anyone wants better directions for the bluebird, call my cell phone at 262-0055. I try to go to bed around 8:00, and I only have it with me when I am awake. Stacey Scott SW of Casper - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Re: goldfinches and siskins From: CJ Grimes <cjgrimes AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2012 20:25:43 -0500 We have a relative abundance of them, compared to the previous 3 winters we've lived here. The last couple weeks at our feeders I would estimate 25-30 siskins, 15 or so American Goldfinches, 8-10 House Finches and the same # of juncoes (split evenly btwn Slate-colored, Oregon and Pink-sided). We've only seen Black-capped Chickadees in the yard, no Mountain this winter. An adult Northern Shrike has been hanging around, and a kestrel took a swipe at the feeder birds the other day without success. So, the biggest differences for us this year: House Finches are usually gone by mid-November and replaced by Cassin's Finches. Goldfinch and junco numbers are the same or slightly higher, and siskin #'s are way up. In the Bighorn Mountains (vicinity of Meadowlark Lake) I have noticed quite a few Mountain Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Clark's Nutcrackers and Red Crossbills. CJ Grimes Ten Sleep - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Bates Hole CBC From: Hustace Scott <hustace AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2012 18:10:10 -0700 Below is the list for the Bates Hole Christmas Bird Count. Bates Hole is where Wyoming 487 heads to Medicine Bow from Wyoming 220, and is between Casper and Alcova. The number of birds was down, but the total species was near average for the last decade. The 116 Sage-Grouse is up from last year, but mirrors the fact that the lec counts are not much above where they were in the 1980's. We had another year of a very poor juniper berry crop. I don't know how to explain that since we have had 2 above normal moisture years in a row. The mouse and rabbit cycle are also low, so the number of raptors was not as high as normal. 53 Canada Goose 83 Mallard 2 Northern Pintail 10 Green-winged Teal 69 Common Goldeneye 118 Gray Partridge 6 Ring-neced Pheasant 116 Sage-Grouse 162 Wild Turkey 1 Great Blue Heron 8 Bald Eagle (6 Adult, 2 Immature) 2 Northern Harrier 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 Red-Tailed Hawk 1 Ferruginous Hawk 9 Rough-legged Hawk 14 Golden Eagle (7 Adult, 7 Immature) 1 Prairie Falcon 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 Wilson's Snipe 74 Eurasian Collared-Dove 55 Rock Pigeon 13 Great Horned Owl 1 Short-eared Owl 1 Saw-whet Owl 4 Belted Kingfisher 1 Hairy Woodpecker 2 Northern Shrike 167 Black-billed Magpie 9 American Crow 7 Common Raven 79 Horned Lark 29 Black-capped Chickadee 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 American Dipper 10 Townsend's Solitaire 3 American Robin 52 European Starling 84 American Tree Sparrow 9 Song Sparrow 165 Dark-eyed Junco 120 Red-wined Blackbird 15 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch 34 House Finch 1 Red Crossbill 3 American Goldfinch 163 House Sparrow Stacey Scott SW of Casper - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Costa Rica From: Jeff Morton <mojewa03 AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2012 15:07:33 -0700 Thank you to everyone who offered us such good advice for our Costa Rican vacation. We had a wonderful time and would love to go back again. Here's a list of the birds we observed that we could positively identify: Birds Seen in Costa Rica 12/13/11-12/22/11 Brown Booby Brown Pelican Anhinga Magnificent Frigatebird Wood Stork Great Egret Cattle Egret Green Heron Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Gray Hawk Roadside Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Merlin Crested Caracara Yellow-headed Caracara Gray-necked Wood-rail Northern Jacana Snowy Plover Ruddy Ground-Dove Inca Dove Scarlet Macaw Smooth-billed Ani Common Nighthawk Stripe-throated Hermit Hummingbird Purple-crowned Fairy Hummingbird Rufous-tailed Hummingbird Blue-crowned Motmot Rufous Motmot Chestnut-mandibled Toucan Fiery-billed Aracari Black-cheeked Woodpecker Red-crowned Woodpecker Tawny-winged Woodcreeper Fasciated Antshrike Black-hooded Antshrike Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Great Kiskadee Social Flycatcher Gray-capped Flycatcher White-throated Magpie-Jay Brown Jay Clay-colored Robin Cedar Waxwing Yellow Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Bananaquit Summer Tanager Passerini’s Tanager Cherrie’s Tanager Blue-gray Tanager Thick-billed Seed-Finch Blue-black Grassquit Rufous-collared Sparrow Great-tailed Grackle Giant Cowbird Baltimore Oriole Yellow-naped Parrot Thanks, Jeff - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: goldfinches, pine siskins From: Jeanna Fitz <jeanna AT NETCOMMANDER.COM> Date: Mon, 2 Jan 2012 12:06:52 -0700 Hi Birders, Can anyone tell me if they have been noticing a low number of goldfinches and pine siskins this winter? I have only had one goldfinch spasmodically in my backyard, and no pine siskins at all. For the last 5 years I average about 25 pine siskins and 35 goldfinches everyday in the winter in my backyard. I have not changed the availability of birdseed, nor the type of birdseed. I would appreciate any info. Have a Happy and Successful birding year. Claylene Fitz Torrington, WY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: FE Warren AFB towhee From: Chuck Seniawski <chuckski AT AOL.COM> Date: Sat, 31 Dec 2011 19:39:09 -0500 Yesterday, Friday, there was what appeared to be a juvenile plumaged Spotted Towhee in the Fam Cap area. I was not able to find him again today during our Christmas Count and, unfortunately, he disappeared too quickly yesterday for a photo. My ID is based on paintings in the National Geographic field guide and on-line photos. Birds of Wyoming notes sightings of single birds as late as Christma, so this would not be far off. Chcuk Seniawski Cheyenne - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: snowy owls From: Jgwindsong <jgwindsong AT RANGEWEB.NET> Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:32:43 -0700 we went to Bell Frouche to look for the Snowy Owl reported on Snoma Rd, between Bell frouche and Fruitdale with no luck and then we traveled to Sturgist to try for the 2 owls fround on Allkialie Road. We found 1 Snowy Owl on top of pole. It was just east of the colombines and just west of the ranch road on the north side. That is all East of the aireport. Other birds of note were 4 adult and 1 Im. Bald Eagles, 3 red-tailed hawks and 1 Golden Eagle, and 1 Prairie Falcon, and 1 townsend Solitaire. Jean, Sundance, Wy. Jean Adams - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Christmas in Yellowstone NP From: Byron Butler <byronkbutlermt AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:41:07 -0700 Maggie and I spent Christmas weekend at Old Faithful Village. There was very little snow (officially 13" on the ground) so were able to walk around the Upper Geyser Basin at will without skis or snow shoes. There were few birds and most were the expected waterfowl, ravens, eagles, nutcracker, and chickadees. On the 24th we found a Wilson's Snipe on the Firehole River immediately north of Old Faithful at the bridge on the Geyser Hill trail. This bird was actively foraging in the river. On the 26th we saw a female Common Merganser on the Firehole River a little south of its confluence with the Gibbon River. Birds Seen: Canada Geese (about 20) Mallard (about 30) Common Goldeneye (about 15, did not detect any Barrow's) Common Merganser (1 female) Bald Eagle (4, on a bison calf carcass) Wilson's Snipe (1) Common Raven (20+) Mountain Chickadee (3+, Old Faithful Village area) Clark's Nutcracker (1, Black Sand Pool) American Dipper (4, Firehole and Gibbon rivers) Byron and Maggie Butler Bozeman, MT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Evanston WY/UT CBC results From: Tim Gorman <wyogoob AT ALLWEST.NET> Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:47:29 -0700 On December 17th 9 field participants braved the cold to spend part, or all, of
a beautiful blue-bird winter day observing birds. A total of 31 species and
1669 birds were counted. 445 Greater sage-grouse were found, 258 in one flock
alone. All but 7 of the sage-grouse were on the Deseret Land and Livestock
Ranch. Eurasian-collared Dove sightings continue to increase. Noticeably absent
were snipe, shrikes, Townsend’s solitaire and blackbirds. Bald Eagle numbers
were down from historical levels. A small flock of Cedar Waxwings was a welcome
sight. Am. Crows have wintered around the Evanston City dump the last 2 or 3
years and 20 were sighted on this count. Overall, small perching birds were
hard to find.
The count circle is split down the middle by the WY/UT state line.
Below is a list of sightings from Evanston’s 31st CBC:
Green-winged Teal 7
Mallard 29
Gadwall 4
Common Goldeneye 68
Barrow’s Goldeneye 2
Northern Harrier 2
Bald Eagle 15
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Ferruginous Hawk 1
Rough-legged Hawk 7
Golden Eagle 12
Greater Sage-Grouse 445
Eurasian Collared-Dove 149
Rock Pigeon 25
Short-eared Owl 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern (red-shafted) Flicker 2
Horned Lark 64
American Pipit 1
Black-billed Magpie 285
Common Raven 9
American Crow 20
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Cedar Waxwing 5
European Starling 389
Am Tree Sparrow 5
Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco 2
Snow Bunting 10
House Finch 35
House Sparrow 70
31 total species
1669 individual birds
Weather - foggy in a.m., clear during day, 4° F low, 31° F
Still water frozen, running water partially frozen
2” to 6” of snow cover
9 participants
240 car miles (27 hours)
3 foot miles (4 hours)
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If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.net
Subject: Bates Hole Christmas CountFrom: Hustace Scott <hustace AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:30:18 -0700 The Bates Hole Christmas Count will be Sunday, January 1, 2012. It is a really fun way to start the new year, and a nice way to get away from the wind in Casper for a day. We will meet at Charlie Scott's house at 7:30 Sunday morning. Please call Charlie Scott at 473-2512 or Stacey Scott at 262-0055 with any questions. Also, I saw a Redpoll at my feeder this afternoon. I think both were there, but I only had a good view of one as I walked by the feeder. Stacey Scott SW of Casper - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Snow Buntings From: Tim Gorman <wyogoob AT ALLWEST.NET> Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2011 09:35:05 -0700 There were 7 snow buntings on fence posts at the Interstate 80 Westvaco interchange (MM 72) yesterday afternoon. Tim Gorman Evanston - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Sundance Christmas Count From: Jgwindsong <jgwindsong AT RANGEWEB.NET> Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:45:23 -0700 The Sundance CBC took place as scheduled on Sunday 12/18/2011 to warm weather and sunny skies. Twelve field observers identified 38 species with 1615 individuals. Of special note were the high count of Common Redpolls with 376 individuals observed. Also noted were the absence of many hawks. After the count a potlock dinner with vegetable soup being served was held at Jean and Jennifer's home. The following species were observed: Mallard Sharp-tailed Grouse Wild Turkey Bald Eagle Rough-legged Hawk Ferruginous Hawk Golden Eagle Wilson's Snipe Rock Pigeon EC Dove Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Northern Shrike Gray Jay Blue Jay Black-billed Magpie American Crow Horned Lark Black-capped Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch White-breasted Nuthatch Townsend's Solitire American Robin European Starling American Tree Sparrow Song Sparrow Belted Kingfisher Dark-eyed Junco Red-winged Blackbird Common Grackle Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch Purple Finch House Finch Common Redpoll Hoary Redpoll Pine Siskin American Goldfinch House Sparrow. Jean Adams - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Re: Squirrels and bird feeders From: Hustace Scott <hustace AT GMAIL.COM> Date: Sat, 24 Dec 2011 19:11:35 -0700 If you are in Casper, stop at the Audubon Center at Garden Creek to see what Harry Martin and others have done to slow down deer, squirrels and racoons. Seeing is worth a thousand words. Stacey Scott On Sat, Dec 24, 2011 at 10:29 AM, RT CoxSubject: Re: Squirrels and bird feeders From: Harry Martin <harry AT HARRYMARTINCARTOONS.COM> Date: Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:26:42 -0700 > The chickadees are upset that the squirrels are stealing all of the seed > out > of the tube feeders. I built a frame of galvanized steel pipe but the > squirrels climb up it, run along and scamper down the wires like acrobats. > Is there any type of pipe that squirrels cannot climb? > > > > RT RT, this may help: http://www.sialis.org/baffle.htm The trick is to install a small internal piece of wire mesh to discourage the squirrels. Hope that helps and Happy Holidays to all of wyobirds! Harry Casper, WY > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail > willcornell AT onewest.net > -- Harry Martin Casper, WY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Squirrels and bird feeders From: RT Cox <birder1 AT BRESNAN.NET> Date: Sat, 24 Dec 2011 10:29:43 -0700 The chickadees are upset that the squirrels are stealing all of the seed out of the tube feeders. I built a frame of galvanized steel pipe but the squirrels climb up it, run along and scamper down the wires like acrobats. Is there any type of pipe that squirrels cannot climb? RT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: purple finch From: Chris Michelson <Michelsonce AT AOL.COM> Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:45:12 -0500 Greetings birders The 6 inches of new snow and the absence of the sharp-shinned hawk brought a number of birds to my feeder today. Beside the usual house finches, house sparrows and black-capped chickadees there were a red-breasted nuthatch, a mountain chickadee and most unusual was a nice male purple finch. I guess it is now winter. Good birding to all. Chris Michelson Casper, WY - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Fwd: CBC From: Chris Michelson <Michelsonce AT AOL.COM> Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:22:42 -0500 Greetings birders
Please find below the results of the Casper CBC conducted on 12/17/2011.
Chris Michelson
Casper, WY
____________________________________
From: bruce_walgren AT bresnan.net
To: Michelsonce AT aol.com
Sent: 12/21/2011 1:59:33 P.M. Mountain Standard Time
Subj: CBC
Chris,
I copied this out of Excel, let me know if you can't read it. The yellow
highlighted species are records for the count. Two count week species.
Let me know if you need more info.
Bruce
SPECIES Year 2011 Canada Goose 1194 Gadwall 5 American Wigeon 6
Mallard 1219 American Green-winged Teal 23 Ring-necked Duck 2 Bufflehead
16 Common Goldeneye 607 Barrow's Goldeneye 1 Hooded Merganser 3 Common
Merganser 39 Chukar 2 Gray Partridge 12 Ring-necked Pheasant 1 Dusky
(Blue) Grouse 3 Sharp-tailed Grouse 11 Wild Turkey 159 Bald Eagle MATURE 20
Bald Eagle IMMATURE 4 Northern Harrier 2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 12 Cooper's
Hawk 2 Northern Goshawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 12 Ferruginous Hawk 1
Rough-legged Hawk 4 Golden Eagle MATURE 14 Golden Eagle IMMATURE 4 Golden Eagle
UNKNOWN 1 Merlin 1 Prairie Falcon 2 American Coot 15 Killdeer 2 Wilson's
Snipe 2 Ring-billed Gull 3 Rock Pigeon 825 Eurasian Collared-Dove 903
Mourning Dove 2 Eastern Screech-Owl cw Great Horned Owl 4 Belted
Kingfisher 3 Downy Woodpecker 26 Hairy Woodpecker 5 Northern Flicker (Red
Shafted)
126 Northern Flicker (Yellow Shafted) 1 Northern Shrike 1 Steller's Jay
9 Blue Jay 30 Clark's Nutcracker 24 Black-billed Magpie 177 American
Crow 94 Common Raven 17 Horned Lark 9 Black-capped Chickadee 107 Mountain
Chickadee 77 Red-breasted Nuthatch 12 White-breasted Nuthatch 6 Townsend's
Solitaire 17 American Robin 426 European Starling 1729 Cedar Waxwing 105
Spotted Towhee cw American Tree Sparrow 6 Song Sparrow 5 Junco -
Dark-eyed 106 Junco - OREGON FORM 3 Junco - SLATE COLORED 2 Gray-crowed Rosy
Finch 229 House Finch 325 Red Crossbill 2 Common Redpoll 2 Pine Siskin 15
American Goldfinch 78 Evening Grosbeak 12 House Sparrow 3017 Number
of Species 67 Total Individuals 11,942
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If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.net
Subject: Fw: Riverton CBCFrom: Tom Axthelm <taxthelm AT BRESNAN.NET> Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:01:07 -0700 (Apparently this wasn't sent sucessfully the first time, so I am sending it again. Sorry if you receive this twice) The Riverton Christmas Bird Count was conducted last Sunday, and the results are listed below. We found many species in strong numbers, and we saw some enormous flights of mallards. We counted more than 20,000 birds, which is about twice as many as normal. Of special interest was the large number of cranes that are still in the area, nearly 700. A hooded merganser was a new species for our count, and the numbers of Eurasian-collared doves continues to climb. The number of horned larks was unusually low - just one! Tom Axthelm Riverton Canada Goose - 3,023 Cackling Goose - 20 Commmon Goldeneye - 40 Barrow's Goldeneye - 4 Mallard - 7,118 Hooded Merganser - 1 Northern Pintail - 1 Green-winged Teal - 7 Bald Eagle - 8 Prarie Falcon - 3 Northern Goshawk - CW Northern Harrier - 4 Red-tailed Hawk -11 Rough-legged Hawk - 21 Sharp-shinned Hawk - 7 American Kestrel - 9 Merlin - 6 Ring-necked Pheasant - 13 American Coot - 1 Sandhill Crane - 691 Wilson's Snipe -2 Eurasian Collared-dove - 860 Rock Pigeon - 226 Great Horned Owl - 3 Belted Kingfisher - 3 Northern Flicker - 147 Downy Woodpecker - 6 Hairy Woodpecker - 2 Red-winged Blackbird - 291 Black-capped Chickadee - 37 Mountain Chickadee - 3 Brown Creeper - 3 American Crow - 3,932 Cassin's Finch - 1 House Finch - 442 American Goldfinch - 54 Dark-eyed Junco - 115 Horned Lark - 1 Black-billed Magpie - 31 White-breasted Nuthatch - 2 Common Raven - 49 Common Redpoll - CW American Robin - 292 Northern Shrike - 7 Pine Siskin - 2 Townsend's Solitaire - 1 American Tree Sparrow - 9 House Sparrow - 1,606 Song Sparrow - 14 White-crowned Sparrow - 6 European Starling - 3,254 Cedar Waxwing - CW Birds Counted - 22,392 Species Counted - 49 + 3 CW - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: ducks at Lions Park From: Greg Johnson <gjohnson AT WEST-INC.COM> Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:47:20 -0700 Wyobirders, While walking at Lions Park in Cheyenne today I saw a mallard cross duck and a very late male wood duck. The mallard cross has been at the park off and on for at least years. I believe it is a mallard X American wigeon but others think it might be a mallard X northern pintail. I have a good photo if anyone wants to see it and offer their opinion. Have a good Holiday! Greg Johnson Cheyenne - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.netSubject: Green River CBC From: Fred & Fern Linton <flinton AT WYOMING.COM> Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:53:08 -0700 The Green River CBC was held on Sat Dec 17. Starting temp was 10 and ending
was 35. calm day , no wind. The count started out slow and all teams didn't
really start seeing birds until about mid morning. We came up with 32 species
which are listed below. some of the ususal and a few unsual but we missed a lot
that we usually see. the river froze up quick and fast about two weeks ago but
we did have a few places of open water. not sure why the low numbers. Fern
Canada Brown Creeper
Mallard Townsends Solitaire
American Weigon Am Robin
Common Goldeneye Starling
Golden Eagle Song Sparrow
Common Merganser Dark Eyed Junco
Bald Eagle Merlin
Northern Harrier House Sparrow
Cooper Hawk Am Goldfinch
Sharp Shinned Hawk House Finch
Red Tailed Hawk Rock Pigeon Eurasian Collared Dove
Northern Flicker Brown Thrasher
Horned Lark
Magpie
Raven
Black Capped Chickadee
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If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.net
Subject: north of CheyenneFrom: Chuck Seniawski <chuckski AT AOL.COM> Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:11:51 -0500 Drove some of the gravel and paved roads off US 85 this afternoon, north of Cheyenne. Sunny, high of 52 degrees. Back roads mostly free of snow and dry. Not much in the way of numbers of any kinds on the gravel back roads, just a few Horned Larks here and there. In contrast, there were lots of Horned Larks along and on the paved Albin Highway (WY 216). Of note otherwise were three Rough-legged Hawks, one Red-tailed Hawk and two male Northern Harriers. The harriers were of particular interest. I spotted one cruising just above ground level, then simultaneously doing a 180 and dropping quickly to catch something. It then came up off the ground and headed back from whence it had come. While enroute, a second harrier flew up and harrassed the first, causing the first to drop its prey. Both birds landed on the ground almost immediately. The second covered over the prey and seemed to win a standoff. On a less happy note, one Great Horned Owl was lying along US 85 dead, apparently the result of a very recent car-bird collision. Chuck Seniawski Cheyenne - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you have any problems, questions, etc... e-mail willcornell AT onewest.net |