SWFLBirdline : Messages : 1054-1083 of 2114

#1054

From: "birder124247" <birder124247@...>
Date: Mon Sep 4, 2006 6:08 pm
Subject: Corkscrew Sanctuary

Hi all,

      Went to Corkscew Sanctuary this morning. Got ther at 7:15am.
First birds inside were Prairie Warbler, Eastern Wood Pewee, Great
Crested Flycatcher and one unidentified warbler. Lots of Carolina
Wrens, White Eyed Vireos, and Blue Gray Gnatcatchers. Back side of
Sanctuary near the turn to go to the platform I got a Golden Winged
Warbler[also seen by volunteers]. Others seen Yellow Warbler, Tufted
Titmouse, Limpkin and other regular birds seen.Volunteer reports of
Worm-eating and Prothonotary Warblers seen as well.

      Wed. 8/30
      North Naples Water treatment plant:6 Sandwich Terns and lots of
Barn and Bank Swallows.
      Thurs 8/31
      Gene Sarazen Park on south collier Marco Island: Yellow Warbler,
female Hooded Warbler, and 2 Yellow Throated Warblers.
      Fri. 9/1
      Bonita Springs, 41 and old 41 north head west at intersection
second left, there is a little boardwalk going through a little cypress
wetlands. Heading south quicking Blue gray G.,female Redstart, Yellow
Throated Warbler, and a possible Cerulean Warbler.Also had a beautiful
adult Bald Eagle soaring a short distance over head.
      Friday night at the Naples H.S. football game against Ft. Myers
in Naples 8+ Common Nighthawks feasting on insects.
       Going the Orlando to the Florida Food Show this weekend and then
up to Crystal River to stay for a few days. Hope to try some new
birding spots in both places.
       Hope everyone has a safe weekend and good birding.

       Kenneth P. Williams
       Naples Fl.

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#1055

From: "Charlie Ewell" <Anhinga42@...>
Date: Wed Sep 6, 2006 12:11 pm
Subject: Red Knots at Little Estero Lagoon

anhinga42

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All,

I had a big flock of Red Knots at Little Estero Lagoon, Ft Myers Beach, Tue 5 Sep 06, numbering just over 450. There were 22 banded individuals, which was very cool! Anyone that sees banded Red Knots can report them directly to Brian Harrington at bharr@...

The knots were located on the outer beach south of the small inlet. At low tide, the lagoon is easy to cross from the inside path just after the mangroves, and then the inlet itself. Other highlights were a Snowy Plover and a Roseate Spoonbill in the evening as sunset approached, along with the other expected shorebirds and waders. Contact me for a complete list and/or directions if you are not familiar with this area.

Charlie Ewell

Cape Coral, FL

anhinga42@...

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#1056

From: McAvian@...
Date: Sun Sep 10, 2006 9:39 pm
Subject: Sanibel lighthouse 9/10

McAvian@...

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WOW!! the lighthouse is ON!! By sunrise it was clear that a major Eastern Kingbird flight would occur, by 11am, after hours of flights from 10 to a 100+ birds many settled down for some rest and aurea berries. We spotted a Baltimore being bothered by a /f Orchard Oriole. A female Summer Tanager. All morning long Barn, Bank, Cliff, 1 N.Rough-winged and myriad Purple Martins streamed by, occasional Chimney Swifts, B G Gnatcatchers. a couple of Red-eyed Vireos, Great Crested Flycatcher, local residents.
And ,of course the main course- WARBLERS.
Yellow dominated in the sky and trees. Several Prairies, Parula, and Yellow-throated. 1ea Black & White, Yellowthroat, Am. Redstart, Tennessee, a waterthrush (unknown), and a pair of Prthonotary 1 male 1 female.
Goin' back tomorrow be there or be square.
mcavian@...
Vince McGrath
Ft. Myers,Fl.

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#1057

From: "Charlie Ewell" <Anhinga42@...>
Date: Mon Sep 11, 2006 2:34 am
Subject: North Captiva (Lee Co.) Dunlin, 10 Sep 06

anhinga42

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All,

Made it out to the pass created by Hurricane Charley at North Captiva (AKA Charley Pass) today, Sun 10 Sep 06. Too bad it is only accessible by boat (too bad for birders, good for the birds…except when there are a lot of boaters present…). Large numbers of terns, gulls, and pelicans use the extensive mud flats on the bayside (Pine Island Sound) to roost, and lots of shorebirds foraging in the area as well. Had my first of the season Dunlin in post alternate molt (black belly still very obvious), and yet another lime flag (VYK) banded Red Knot in a small group of 6.

Charlie

Charlie Ewell

Cape Coral, FL

anhinga42@...

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#1058

From: "Eddie Chapman" <echapman@...>
Date: Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:30 am
Subject: Birding Routes and Trails

rspbnof

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Hello all,
I am in the process of trying to make a website covering birding routes and
trails around the world. If you know of one, and they have a website, could
you please send me a link.

For those interested, here is a link for the newly formed Norwegian Birding
Route.
http://norwegian-birding-route.com/index-filer/Page345.htm
If you have your own website with a links page, please feel free to add the
link, and please let me know.

Thanks
Eddie Chapman, Voss, Norway.

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#1059

From: "nfn10707" <dougsuitor@...>
Date: Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:24 pm
Subject: Sugden Park - Canada Warbler

nfn10707

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The Canada Warbler found by Alan Murray was still present this morning
around 9:30 at Sugden Park. The bird was in the dense vegetation just
north of the first bench.

Doug Suitor
dougsuitor@...
Bonita Springs, FL

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#1060

From: "paul matthews" <paul@...>
Date: Sat Sep 23, 2006 8:02 pm
Subject: sanibel vacation report

paul84727

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Sadly my vacation is over now,it was good to get back to Sanibel,and
we were amazed how quite the Island was compared to our visits at
other times of the year.Many shops and restaurants were closed so we
missed out on our customary "Blizzard" at Dairy Queen!
Bird wise it was also quiet.I managed a couple of early morning
trips to the Lighthouse,but went at first light so as not to upset
our family trips.Unlike Vince in his report of the 10th,I didn't see
many birds at all,but  did see quite a lot of Eastern Kingbirds,one
unidentified warbler that was skulking in the undergrowth and failed
to show properly,numerous swallows and 2 chimney swift.Also a couple
of Red shouldered hawks were around.
We had a drive around Ding Darling but that too only produced  the
usual heron/egret/spoonbill species,lots of cardinals and a couple
of gnatcatchers.Yellow crowned night heron showed well though.
We had a trip to Lakes park in Fort Myers,where the highlights were
Loggerhead Shrike,yellow throated warbler,red bellied woodpecker and
belted kingfisher.
I managed an afternoon stroll around the Bailey tract on the last
day,where it was incredibly hot,I must have lost several pounds
through sweating,and unfortunately didn't have many sightings to
show for it,but there were approx 30 Eastern Kingbirds.(In case you
are worried I soon put the weight back on when I got back to the
condo and found the cookies)
Sadly the roosting Screech Owls at the back of our condo could not
be found this year,and I never managed to get to Cape coral for
Burrowing owls either ,again(although we watched the movie "Hoot" on
our return flight home!)
Orlando was also very quiet with relatively few birds to
report.Highlights there were Sandhill Cranes,turkey,broad winged
hawk and Donald Duck.
We are already looking forward to next year.
Have a good migration season and stay clear of Hurricanes.
Paul

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#1061

From: "Charlie Ewell" <Anhinga42@...>
Date: Sat Sep 23, 2006 8:21 pm
Subject: coastal shorebirds Thurs-Sat

anhinga42

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All,

Been making the rounds doing shorebird surveys the past few days. Most interesting birds were a Great “White” Heron (white form of Great Blue Heron) and an adult Common Tern at Bunche Beach on Thursday evening, found as far to the right of the parking area that you can walk. Excellent numbers of all the usual suspects there. I was told of a banded Piping Plover at Bunche last week, and have seen it there, as well as over at Bowditch Point County Park at the north end of Estero Island (Ft Myers Beach). Bowditch can be a nice stop, particularly during high tide. Walkers can be very difficult to deal with there, as many will flush the roosting shorebirds, gulls, and terns. The flip side is you can get nice looks there, especially with a scope. Gopher Tortoises are present in the up-hill areas of the park. Also saw some form of box turtle the other day. Lots of butterflies as well. There is a nice little butterfly garden at the top of the hill.

This AM I checked the open beach behind the Holiday Inn at the south end of Estero Island. There has been a tidal pool present that usually has a nice variety of shorebirds present. Found a few banded Red Knots there again. I walked south to the lagoon area from there. I have not used that route for a few months (I usually approach form the trail along the inside of the lagoon, and then cross the lagoon at one of the many shallow areas, or I circle around and come up the outer beach from the south. Coming down the outer beach from the north is ok at low tide, but it is pretty eroded now and looks like it loses its shoreline at high tide. The inlet is still in the same location since Hurricane Wilma, but is easy to cross at low tide.

Highlights at the Little Estero Lagoon (officially called Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area) were 200+ Red Knots (at least 12 of which were banded, but it was difficult to check them all as most were wading up to their bellies as they foraged in the lagoon, 7 Roseate Spoonbills (they often leave the lagoon by 9:00 AM or so), 1 Whimbrel, 2 Marbled Godwits, 3 Piping Plover, 2 Snowy Plover, 5 Killdeer (very rare at this location), and a Cooper’s Hawk (also rare at the lagoon).

Charlie Ewell

Cape Coral, FL

anhinga42@...

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#1062

From: "birder124247" <birder124247@...>
Date: Thu Sep 28, 2006 2:54 am
Subject: Migrants in Collier

birder124247

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Hi,

      At 3:30pm this afternoon, after the rain had stopped. I birded
off county barn road in Naples just south of davis blvd. The wooded
area around the Berean Baptist Church. The where many birds going
through. Had my first Chestnut-sided Warbler[female] for fl. and
collier county and I think I had a Swainson's Warbler. Others seen.

Scarlet Tanager [female]-1
Pine Warblers-8
Red-eyed Vireo-3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher-10
Flicker-1
Downy Woodpecker-4
Great Crested Flycatcher-1
Red Bellied Woodpecker-2
Blue Jay-6

Kenneth Williams
Naples Fl.

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#1063

From: "birder124247" <birder124247@...>
Date: Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:35 pm
Subject: Sugden Park, Naples

birder124247

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Hi,

     Went to the park at 1030am. Near the first bench going left to
right, in the cypress trees on the left I had; yellow, yellow throated,
black and white, hooded [female]warblers. Was looking in the tree tops
and saw some movement. Got the bird in the bins.and I had a
hummingbird eating insects at the top of a cypress tree. Looked to be
a female juvenile. At the oaks in the middle of the back side I had 3
prairie warblers. As I was driving out near the big turn before the
entrance birds cross the road. Seems to be some more coming thru.

  Good Birding
Kenneth P. Williams
Naples Fl.

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#1064

From: "birder124247" <birder124247@...>
Date: Fri Sep 29, 2006 1:34 am
Subject: sugden park [correction]

birder124247

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Hi,

     Sprint as been down off and on today so here is a correction on
todays birds seen today. When looking at the bird that I thought its
a Hooded warbler just from tail movements. But when I got home and
looked in several field guides it was a Magnolia Warbler, first fall
female. Also the Hummingbird was a Ruby-Throated.

Kenneth P. Williams
Naples Fl.

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#1065

From: "birder124247" <birder124247@...>
Date: Sat Sep 30, 2006 7:53 pm
Subject: Naples birding

birder124247

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Hi,

   Birded Sugden park and the old briggs nature center today. Got to
Sugden around 9:15am. Passed Alan Murray on the way in. All the birds
seemed to be all on the left side of the lake today.

WARBLERS                                  OTHER BIRDS SEEN
Prairie-4                                   Flycatcher[unknown]
Blackburnian [M+F]                           Catbird-3 FOS
Palm-2 [western fall] FOS                    Rose Ringed Parakeet-3
Black and White-1                            Broadwinged Hawk-1
Common Yellowthroat-4
Yellow Throated-1
Yellow-3


Briggs nature center

WARBLERS

Prairie-3
Palm-2
Yellow-1
Blackthroated Blue-1
Black and White-1
OTHERS SEEN
Eastern towhee
Wite eyed Vireos
Great Horned Owl [Seen last sat.]
Ground Dove

There must have been a fallout of Palm Warblers last night as I saw
another one on the way home.

Kenneth P. Williams
Naples FL.
williamsbirder@...

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#1066

From: "birder124247" <birder124247@...>
Date: Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:51 pm
Subject: Sugden Park-Painted Bunting

birder124247

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Hi,

    Had a male Painted Bunting at Sugden Park this afternoon at 4pm.
It was raining as I was walking back going left to right. Just before
the big oak tree in the middle of the back. On the water side of the
path. He sat out in the rain about 10 feet and gave me great views.
Just beautiful colors and red eye ring.

Kenneth P. Williams
Naples

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#1067

From: "SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts@...>
Date: Wed Nov 1, 2006 12:46 am
Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 31 October 2006

SRQbirdAlerts@...

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1. 31 October - Ft. DeSoto Park - We did not see either the Warbling Vireo nor the Golden-crowned Kinglets and to our knowledge, neither was seen today. We did see a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and a Western Kingbird along with the standard birds of Ft. DeSoto Park.

We did see what is believed (by birders with much more knowledge than us) a Hammond's Flycatcher about 120 paces (steps from the gravel roadway) down the Privet Trail at East Beach Woods. This flycatcher has held this location all day today.

2. Non-alert - February 24 to March 4- Birding the Hotspots of Costa Rica - Venice Area Audubon Society Field Trip

Costa Rica is world renown for its amazing biological diversity and dedication to environmental conservation. Costa Rica is home to 878 species of birds (78 different families), not to mention 505,000 other species of plants and animals. Our expert native guide �Chito� specializes in birding. One hotspot we will bird is LaSelva Biological Reserve where in one morning over 100 bird species are possible. Our 9-day adventure will take us through lowland rain forest, cloud forest, rivers, mangroves, beaches, national parks, and private reserves. Our nine day goal will be to see over 270 bird species, including Resplendent Quetzal and Scarlet Macaw. We will also see monkeys, sloths, bats, crocodiles, and lizards. Total cost of Sarasota-Costa Rica round trip flight, hotels, meals, ground transportation, and guide: $2,461 per person double occupancy. We need six more participants by November 14, 2006. Contact trip leader: Barry Rossheim (941) 485-1328.

____________________________________________

To subscribe, please send an E-mail to SRQbirdAlerts-subscribe@Yahoogroups.com

Please send your input about rare and/or interesting bird sightings to: SRQbirdAlerts@...

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#1068

From: "Charlie Ewell" <Anhinga42@...>
Date: Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:40 am
Subject: Bunche Beach, Ft. Myers 11 Nov 06 (LB Curlew)

anhinga42

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All,

Among the usual wintering shorebirds, the Long-billed Curlew that has wintered in this area the past few years (I’m assuming it is the same individual as the bill length is short) and a Great White Heron were present on the flats located to the far right of the parking area. I first saw the GW Heron about a month ago. Also, Walt Winton reported that 4 Avocets were still present this past weekend, as well as a Caspian Tern.

Charlie Ewell

Cape Coral, FL

anhinga42@...

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#1069

From: "birder124247" <birder124247@...>
Date: Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:19 pm
Subject: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Naples

birder124247

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Hi all,

     The scissor-tailed Flycatcher at the North Naples water treatment
plant is still present. I was on the fence right by the pine tree at
the end of the north side of the bridge. It was flying up and down the
fence catching bugs. Ring-necked Ducks present as well as over a dozen
Palm Warblers and flock of about 25 shorebirds flying around. Probable
SBdowitchers.
      Also on Monday afternoon around 5:30 on 951 just north of 75 exit
101 around the Golden Gate water plant I had a pair of Common
Nighthawks flying and catching insects. Going to go back Sat.
afternoon to see if they are still there.

Ken Williams
Naples

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#1070

From: "SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts@...>
Date: Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:43 pm
Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 15 November 2006

SRQbirdAlerts@...

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1. 15 November, Englewood - This morning, Nov. 15, Bill & I saw a LARK SPARROW at Lemon Bay Preserve, Kenisco entrance. Bill took pictures if anyone cares to see them. In a nearby constructed wetland we found 3 swamp sparrows, a sedge wren & a snipe. Last fall ('05) we had a Lark Sparrow at Lemon Bay Preserve on Nov 6 & Nov. 10. Margaret Dunson Englewood, FL mkdunson@...

2. 14 November, Ft. DeSoto Park - Yesterday morning, Gretch Olcott and I found an adult White-crowned Sparrow at the Preservation Area. This area is accessed by taking the dirt road which leads back to the canoe rental trailer across from Paw Park. On the right side of the road before reaching the trailer, there is a mail box containing trail maps for the Preservation Area. Go around the chain barrier and follow the trail straight back. The trail makes a sharp left, then continues under a canopy of mangroves and buttonwood trees. The sparrow was feeding on the ground along the trail in this area. We also found an Orange-crowned Warbler there. It may be the same Orange-crowned which wintered in that area last year. Below are two images of the White-crowned Sparrow. Lyn Atherton Tierra Verde, FL bonniedabird@...

3. In case I'm not the only one trying not to volunteer for two CBC's on the same day, here's a link to the 2006-07 Christmas Bird Counts for Florida listed by dates and the compilers/contacts information.

http://www.fosbirds.org/events/cbcfos%202006-2007.htm

Jill and Tom Gaetzi St Pete, FL tom.jill@...

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#1071

From: "nfn10707" <dougsuitor@...>
Date: Mon Nov 20, 2006 3:42 pm
Subject: Winter Birds and Naples CBC

nfn10707

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This weekend I saw at least three Green-winged Teal at Eagle Lakes
Park. They were in the west side of pond a (the western most pond). I
also had American Goldfinches frequenting the feeders in my yard.

These winter birds served as a good reminder to send out a request for
volunteers for the Naples Christmas Bird Count. If you would like to
take part please email me at dougsuitor@.... The count date
is Saturday, December 30th.

Doug Suitor
Bonita Springs

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#1072

From: "nfn10707" <dougsuitor@...>
Date: Mon Nov 20, 2006 4:19 pm
Subject: Naples CBC contact

nfn10707

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The email contact for the Naples CBC is dougsuitor@...,
dougsuitor at earthlink.net.

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#1073

From: "Charlie Ewell" <Anhinga42@...>
Date: Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:47 am
Subject: FW: [BRDBRAIN] Ft. Myers CBC Help Needed

anhinga42

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FYI

From: Birdbrains - Florida Birds/Natural History [mailto:BRDBRAIN@...] On Behalf Of Vincent Lucas
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 6:46 PM
To: BRDBRAIN@...
Subject: [BRDBRAIN] Ft. Myers CBC Help Needed

All:

I am the compiler for the Ft. Myers Christmas Bird Count. This year's Ft. Myers CBC, sponsored by the Caloosa Bird Club, will be held on Monday, December 18, 2006. Your help is needed as we simply do not have ample coverage for our circle this year due to various reasons. Any level of birding expertise is needed. Don't be shy! At 6:00 PM on the day of the count, we have a free pizza party for all participants just before the final tally. This party is held at the Tropicana Mobile Park, 16731 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. If interested in participating, please contact me at:

vlucas@...

or call me at (239) 514-7512.

I would ask that you please don't volunteer for the CBC if you cannot make a commitment. Thanks!

Cheers.

Vincent Lucas

Naples, FL

www.caloosabirdclub.org

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leppyone/

To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives of the brdbrain listserv list, please visit us on the web at: http://listserv.admin.usf.edu/archives/brdbrain.html To set to no mail: send a message "SET BRDBRAIN NOMAIL" to LISTSERV@... Report any problems to the listserv administrator: listadmin@... ____________________________________________________________________________

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#1074

From: "SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts@...>
Date: Mon Dec 4, 2006 3:00 pm
Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 4 December 2006

SRQbirdAlerts@...

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1. 27 November - There is a male Ruddy Duck mixed in with the large group of Redhead, Ring-necked & Lesser Scaup at the last/largest of the Terra Verde Ponds just before Ft. DeSoto Park. Ruddy Ducks are not a common winter resident for Pinellas County. Brian Ahern Tampa, FL. BrianAhern@...

2. 2 December - Edith Miller and Janet Carlock found a female Dickcissel at the Celery Fields in Sarasota today�another new bird for the CF list, making that number 196! Jeanne Dubi�Sarasota dubi@...

3. 2 December - Jeff Palmer found a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at the Celery Fields in Sarasota today. That is the 195th species recorded there in the modern era (from Jan 1, 2001). Jeanne Dubi�Sarasota dubi@...

4. 28 November - I saw one Peregrine Falcon winging it's over the Sarasota Quay this morning while sitting at a stop light.
Ryan Welsh Ryan Welsh welshry@...

5. 26 November - John Ginaven and I had good looks at a pair of Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrows this morning at a site in NW Manatee
County (that's not currently pubicly-accessible). Lifer for me and new state bird for John. Stu Wilson Austin, TX stu@...

6. Golden-crowned Kinglets (not an alert)- There have been many reports of them seen in various locations in Florida. Perhaps some are in the SRQ area, look for them. Let us know if you see any.

7. Last week several Whopping Cranes were seen flying in Hardee County (east of Manatee County). If you see them, please let us know.

8. 3 December - Carlton Reserve Bird Walk:
In the parking lot of Carlton Reserve we saw the resident Red-headed Woodpeckers. On the roadside north of the entryway, on the west side we saw one Prairie Warbler in with many yellow-rumped warblers. In the restricted vehicle back section we saw a Purple Gallinule, Hairy Woodpecker, and had a long, great look at an American Bittern. Charlie Sample and Carolyn Edmunds led this walk with about a dozen participants. Over 50 species of birds were recorded. Barry Rossheim VAAS & SAS nethoppers@...

9. Non-Bird Alert: The Venice Area Audubon Society has a three day bus trip to Lake Apopka, Mt. Dora, Zellwood, and Lake Okeechobee. January 16 -18, 2007. They will also be stopping at the Audubon Bird of Prey Center in Maitland. This trip is sure to be the highlight of VAAS's field trip program. Target Birds include Whooping Cranes, White Pelicans, Limpkin, Crested Caracara, Short-tailed Hawks, Marsh Wren, Sparrows (Grasshopper, LeConte's, Vesper, Bachman's, Swamp, Field), wintering ducks, and much more.You will be birding fields at Lake Apopka closed to the public, one of the most populated winter birding areas in Florida. The cost is $256 per person double occupancy, $370 per person single room. Registration forms and payment is due December 11, 2006. We have a limited number of openings still available. Contact Charlie Sample or Carolyn Edmunds (941) 497-6463 for trip details. Contact Barry Rossheim, VAAS Field Trip Coordinator (941) 485-1328 with your name and address and a registration form and trip itinerary will be mailed to you the same day. Barry Rossheim VAAS Field Trip Coordinator nethoppers@...

10. Request for assistance:

Please send me any interesting bird sightings in West-Central Florida for this past fall for inclusion in the Florida Field Naturalist, published by Florida Ornithological Society. The focus of this quarterly report is on rare/unusual birds and other interesting sightings (high numbers, interesting behavior, breeding status, etc). If you are unsure whether your sighting qualifies, please send it to me anyway. The West-Central area includes: Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee & Sarasota counties. If you have any significant bird observations from this past fall (August 1st � November 30th) in these counties please e-mail them to me at: BrianAhern@...

PLEASE follow this format when putting your report together. And PLEASE put all your
observations in phylogenetic order, not in random or chronological order

Species
Number of individuals
Date(s)
Location (including county)
Observers
Details for species rare or difficult to distinguish from common species, or any unusual behavior or notes.

All observers whose sightings are published are acknowledged fully in FFN. Thank you!

Brian Ahern Tampa, FL BrianAhern@...
Photos: http://community.webshots.com/user/floridanature
____________________________________________

To subscribe, please send an E-mail to SRQbirdAlerts-subscribe@Yahoogroups.com

Please send your input about rare and/or interesting bird sightings to: SRQbirdAlerts@...

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#1075

From: "birder124247" <birder124247@...>
Date: Fri Dec 8, 2006 2:47 am
Subject: Buff-bellied Hummingbird Naples Collier County

birder124247

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Hi,

    Went to the Conservancy to see if I could see the Buff-bellied
Hummingbird. Slowly made the walk around the gazebo area. Near the big
pine tree is a tall firebush plant. Just stood still and hope I might
see it. At 10:50am it appeared. I got good looks as it was feeding and
it even sat on a branch for about 20 seconds. Fed a little more and
was gone. It was a beautiful bird. As I said it was seen on the right
side of the loop near the big pine tree.


Kenneth P. Williams
Naples Fl.

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#1076

From: "Charlie Ewell" <Anhinga42@...>
Date: Fri Dec 8, 2006 3:18 am
Subject: FW: [BRDBRAIN] Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Naples

anhinga42

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All,

Here is another post (from the Birdbrains list) about the Buff-bellied Hummingbird that Ken Williams posted earlier.

Charlie Ewell

Anhinga42@...

From: Birdbrains - Florida Birds/Natural History [mailto:BRDBRAIN@...] On Behalf Of Steve Carbol
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 12:20 PM
To: BRDBRAIN@...
Subject: [BRDBRAIN] Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Naples

Species: Buff-bellied Hummingbird

Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2006

Time Observed: 10:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.

Location: Conservancy of Southwest Florida, 1450 Merrihue Dr., Naples, Great Florida Birding Trail site #69

The Conservancy features a wildlife gazebo on its wooded campus that is surrounded by Firebush, much of it in bloom at the moment, that is always a winter and migration draw for hummingbirds. Often up to five or six Ruby-throated Hummingbirds may be seen at one time around the gazebo. This morning I noticed but one bird that seemed slightly larger and slower hummingbird with a greater tendency to flick its tail than the average Ruby-throat. In silhouette the bird looked to have a more upright posture, less peaked crown and more decurved bill. It also produced hard metallic chips that sounded more like a Palm Warbler than a Ruby-throat.

As the bird fed amongst the Firebush flowers it burst into the open into full sunlight to reveal a slightly notched rufous tail, reddish decurved bill, metallic beetle green color to its back, nape and crown, and the clincher; a buffy wash on its belly and undertail coverts. I watched the bird from as close as five feet away as it fed, perched and sparred with a particularly large Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly for approximately 20 minutes before losing sight of the bird. I tried to locate it later but did not spot it again. It was beautiful.

I spotted the bird in a public area on the Conservancy grounds but the gazebo is in an area accessible only by paid admission. Buff-bellies have historically been recorded as uncommon to rare vagrants along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast but are becoming encountered more frequently further east, so more are likely to follow in the next few years. This was a life bird for me but given the amount of time I was able to observe the bird and the close proximity, I have no question as to its identification. Have a great day. Good birding!

Steve Carbol

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#1077

From: "SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts@...>
Date: Mon Dec 11, 2006 4:58 pm
Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 11 December 2006

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10 December - While Jeff Palmer and I were scouting birds today, Jeff spotted an Eared Grebe in a water reclamation pond in Bradenton. It was associating with a Ruddy Duck. Here are my best directions from I-75: At exit 215, Rte 70, go west and keep on going over 301 and over 41 then still keep going. By then the road is 53rd Avenue. Beyond the major intersection with a Walgreens on the northwest corner the road narrows to 2 lanes. Keep going. Just past the Municipal Golf Course, there are 2 large ponds, one on each side. The one on the right is what you want. Best viewing access is to make a right at the light at 66th street and pull over at the gate about 200 yards along. Jeanne Dubi�Sarasota dubi@...

About a month ago, Charlie Everly found a Fulvous Whistling Duck in his backyard near McIntosh and Fruitville. The duck is not there at the moment, so it�s out there somewhere. Keep your eyes peeled for it and email or call me at 355-1709 right away. Jeanne Dubi dubi@...

6 December - I live in Englewood (in the part in Charlotte County) and have seen American wigeons all week at Amberjack, and found a white-winged dove in amongst a group of mourning doves in my subdivision near Lemon Bay Golf Course last week. Have pictures of both. Susan Daughtey susansd@...

26 November - I saw a first year surf scoter while paddling my kayak off of Turtle Beach on Sunday, Nov. 26th. It was with a mixed flock of brown pelicans and laughing gulls resting on the calm surf. James Taylor howisjames@...

10 December - At dust, we saw five white-winged doves in a bare tree on the west side of Bee Ridge Road Extension about middle way between Bee Ridge Road and Clark Road. This is about three miles east of I-75. This is the same location where 38 white-winged doves were seen by us several times last December and early January. Peter & Frances Rice

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Please send your input about rare and/or interesting bird sightings to: SRQbirdAlerts@...

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#1078

From: "david goodrich" <sanandave@...>
Date: Thu Dec 14, 2006 1:55 am
Subject: SW Florida Christmas Visit

sanandaveml

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Gentlefolk:

I am a San Antonio, TX birder and Audubon docent who will be visiting
the Estero area (between Ft. Myers and Naples) from 12/23/06 to
12/31/06. I was hoping to hear from you folks what interesting birds
are being seen and where. Some years ago, we visited Corkscrew Swamp
and Ding Darling, so we are generally familiar with them. I will have
my SUV there, so we can pretty much go anywhere (although since we
are gathering our children and grandchildren there for Christmas - -
most of whom are not birders - - we will be on pretty short time
rations).

Would appreciate any input and thoughts, and will let you know later
what successes we (my wife and I) may have. Although I will be
checking on Yahoo, it would be more direct to email me at
sanandave@..., which comes straight to my computer.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Dave Goodrich
San Antonio
Mitchell Lake Audubon docent

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#1079

From: "SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts@...>
Date: Thu Dec 14, 2006 2:45 am
Subject: Venice Area Audubon Society three day bus trip 16-18 January

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Non-Bird Alert:

The Venice Area Audubon Society has a three day bus trip to Lake Apopka, Mt. Dora, Zellwood, and Lake Okeechobee. January 16 -18, 2007. They will also be stopping at the Audubon Bird of Prey Center in Maitland. This trip is sure to be the highlight of VAAS's field trip program. Target Birds include Whooping Cranes, White Pelicans, Limpkin, Crested Caracara, Short-tailed Hawks, Marsh Wren, Sparrows (Grasshopper, LeConte's, Vesper, Bachman's, Swamp, Field), wintering ducks, and much more.You will be birding fields at Lake Apopka closed to the public, one of the most populated winter birding areas in Florida. The cost is $256 per person double occupancy, $370 per person single room. Payment due ASAP.

We have six openings still available for interested birders. Contact Charlie Sample or Carolyn Edmunds (941) 497-6463 for trip details and to sign up.

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#1080

From: "SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts@...>
Date: Wed Dec 20, 2006 12:59 am
Subject: Sarasota Christmas Bird Count Results of 16 Dec 06

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The totals of the Sarasota Christmas Bird Count (CBC) of Saturday, 16 December, 2006.

Those species with 0 seen had been seen in some previous years.

I would be happy to send out the CBC results for Venice, Myakka River SP, and the two CBCs in Manatee County if provided with the information. Peter Rice

Numbers & Species

56 Common Loon
0 Horned Grebe
105 Pied-billed Grebe
6 Am White Pelican
483 Brown Pelican
0 Mag Frigatebird
967 Double-C Cormorant
334 Anhinga
36 Northern Gannet (off of LBK, Lido Key, and Siesta Key)
4 American Bittern
2 Least Bittern
167 Great Blue Heron
267 Great Egret
163 Snowy Egret
1 Reddish Egret
74 Tricolored Heron
130 Little Blue Heron
335 Cattle Egret
9 Green Heron
41 Black-crowned Nt Her
9 Yellow-crowned Nt Her
675 White Ibis
322 Glossy Ibis
7 Roseate Spoonbill
120 Wood Stork
212 Black Vulture
209 Turkey Vulture
11 Canada Goose
947 Black-bellied Whistling Duck (most were seen east of I-75 and between Clark and Fruitville Roads)

In 1999 only 75 were seen and their numbers have grown and range has expanded to the

nearby counties.
0 Fulv Whistling Duck
125 Muscovy Duck
42 Wood Duck
278 Mottled Duck
395 Mallard Hybrid
338 Blue-winged Teal
8 Northern Shoveler
28 Green-winged Teal
4 Canvasback
580 Ring-necked Duck
157 Lesser Scaup
0 Black Scoter
0 Bufflehead
183 Hooded Merganser
526 R/B Merganser
11 Ruddy Duck (7 in Ackerman Lake, 4 in N. Metro)
0 Gadwall
2 Redhead
81 Osprey
25 Bald Eagle:
0 Adult: 15
0 Immature: 10
8 Northern Harrier
2 Sharp-sh Hawk
7 Cooper's Hawk
107 Red-sh Hawk
1 Short-tailed Hawk
10 Red-tailed Hawk
0 Crested Caracara
26 American Kestrel
2 Merlin
2 Peregrine Falcon (1 on Siesta Key, 1 on south end of LBK)
2 Northern Bobwhite
0 Wild Turkey
2 King Rail (Celery Fields 1, Lake Osprey 1)
1 Virginia Rail (Lake Osprey)
2 Sora (Celery Fields)
3 Purple Gallinule (Lake Osprey)
381 Common Moorhen
488 American Coot
32 Limpkin (Celery Fields)
149 Sandhill Crane
52 Black-bellied Plover
8 Snowy Plover
2 Wilson's Plover
24 Semipalmated Plover
259 Killdeer
2 Am Oystercatcher
0 Black-necked Stilt
0 American Avocet
29 Greater Yellowlegs
32 Lesser Yellowlegs
1 Solitary Sandpiper
62 Willet
11 Spotted Sandpiper
24 Ruddy Turnstone
6 Red Knot
211 Sanderling
27 Western Sandpiper
66 Least Sandpiper
10 Dunlin
0 Stilt Sandpiper
18 Short-billed Dowitcher
11 Long-billed Dowitcher
0 American Woodcock
40 Wilson's Snipe
1 Bonaparte's Gull (LBK)
5027 Laughing Gull
723 Ring-billed Gull
625 Herring Gull
2 Lesser BB Gull (Siesta Key)
11 Caspian Tern
321 Royal Tern
164 Sandwich Tern
0 Common Tern
112 Forster's Tern
230 Black Skimmer
508 Rock Pigeon
325 Eurasian Coll Dove
832 Mourning Dove
18 Common Gr Dove
9 White-winged Doves (Bee Ridge Road Extension, same place as last CBC)
137 Monk Parakeet (37 in Celery Fields)
115 B/H Parakeet (most at SRQ airport)
1 Barn Owl
8 Eastern Screech-Owl
8 Great Horned Owl
5 Barred Owl
0 Chuck-will's-widow
5 Ruby-throated Hummer
56 Belted Kingfisher
122 R/B Woodpecker
4 Y/B Sapsucker
47 Downy Woodpecker
12 Northern Flicker
28 Pileated Woodpecker
0 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
49 Eastern Phoebe
2 Great Crested Flycatcher
58 Loggerhead Shrike
3 White-eyed Vireo
31 Blue-headed Vireo
0 Yellow-throated Vireo
189 Blue Jay
92 American Crow
499 Fish Crow
3521 Tree Swallow
33 Tufted Titmouse
46 Carolina Wren
27 House Wren
1 Sedge Wren (Celery Fields)
2 Marsh Wren (Celery Fields)
19 RC Kinglet
0 Eastern Bluebird
282 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
2 Hermit Thrush (Pinecraft Park)
1523 American Robin
96 Gray Catbird
183 Northern Mockingbird
7 Brown Thrasher
1480 European Starling
0 American Pipit
0 Cedar Waxwing
0 Northern Parula
1 Orange-Crowned Warbler (on private property)
0 Nashville Warbler
0 Magnolia Warbler
2161 YR Warbler
0 Black-throated Green Warbler
3 Prairie Warbler
496 Palm Warbler
75 Pine Warbler
9 Yellow-thr Warbler
21 B/W Warbler
1 Ovenbird
51 Common Yellowthroat
0 Western Tanager
9 Eastern Towhee
0 Field Sparrow
0 Chipping Sparrow
0 Grasshopper Sparrow
108 Savannah Sparrow
0 Song Sparrow
1 Lincoln's Sparrow
21 Swamp Sparrow
124 Northern Cardinal
0 Blue Grosbeak
17 Indigo Bunting
2 Painted Bunting
607 Red-winged BB
7 Eastern Meadowlark
1436 Common Grackle
695 Boat-tailed Grackle
0 Bronzed Cowbird
45 B/H Cowbird
0 Baltimore Oriole
9 House Finch
65 American Goldfinch
137 House Sparrow (only 137)

34297 Total birds seen

155 Species see

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#1081

From: "SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts@...>
Date: Fri Dec 22, 2006 4:43 pm
Subject: Christmas Bird Watching Birds For Your Bird Watcher Visitors

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Christmas Bird Watching Birds For Your Bird Watcher Visitors

There are several interesting species of birds in the SRQ (Sarasota & Manatee Counties) area that your Christmas visitors might find of interest, even if they have only a minimal interest in birds. They are:

a. The 50 to 60 Indian peafowl (AKA peacocks and peahens) that live on the northern end of Longboat Key.
b. The 50 to 100 black-hooded parakeets that live very close to the Gulf of Mexico in Sarasota County, in particular in the parking lot of Sarasota-Bradenton Airport.
c. The several hundred monk parakeets that live in northern Sarasota and Manatee Counties, in particular just south of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. During the CBC, 37 were seen at the Celery Fields, but they may have just been passing by.
d. Several hundred scrub jays, some of which are fearless of humans, living at Oscar Sheer State Park north of Venice.
e. Two or three Indian house crows (all black except for the upper neck and head that are gray) that live (or were living) on the north side of the Venice Inlet.
f. A thousand or more black-bellied whistling ducks, most of them live east of I-75 between Fruitville and Clark Roads (and a tiny bit south of Clark Road).
g. Perhaps ten fulvous whistling ducks live with flocks of black-bellied whistling ducks (BBWDs), so look carefully at flocks of BBWDs for fulvous whistling ducks among them.
h. Perhaps a dozen crested caracaras live along SR-72 between Myakka State Park and Arcadia. About half of the times that I drive this road in daylight I see one of them, occasionally two. Recently, I have occasionally seen a caracara at the intersection of SR-72 (aka Clark Road) and Bee Ridge Extension. Viewing the caracaras might be combined with a trip to Arcadia where there are two things of interest to see, the rodeo (79th annual rodeo will be held March 9 - 11, 2007 - http://www.arcadiarodeo.com/ ) and the city cemetery that holds the remains of 21 members of the Royal Air Force who died in Florida during W.W.II (look for the Union Jack in the cemetery - there were RAF bases in Arcadia, Clewison, and Lakeland during WWII).
i. At least 38 white-winged doves that seem to live in the eastern part Manatee and Sarasota counties (a flock of 38 was seen near the east end of Bee Ridge Road on 12/17/05 - 9 were seen in the same location during the 12/16/06 CBC and since then).
j. Several limkins (king rails and sora are often seen here) have be seen at the Celery Fields. On Saturday, December 16th 32 were counted in the CBC.

Peter Rice
____________________________________________

SRQ Bird Alerts is brought to you by Peter Rice in association with the Sarasota Audubon Society.
Visit them at www.SarasotaAudubon.org

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#1082

From: "SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts@...>
Date: Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:59 pm
Subject: Venice Area Audubon Christmas Bird Count 15 December 2006

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Venice Area Audubon Christmas Bird Count of 15 December 2006

The species total of 133 is the highest since 2002 despite a relatively low shorebird count. Those species with 0 seen have been found in past CBCs, but not in 2006.

Rett Oren

CBC Co-Compiler

Venice Area Audubon

Note by Peter Rice: Venice is in southern Sarasota County. I would be happy to send out the CBC results for Myakka River SP and the two CBCs in Manatee County if provided with the information.

Totals & CBC Species

12 Common Loon
68 Pie-Billed Grebe
0 Horned Grebe
18 Northern Gannet
3 American White Pelican
1011 Brown Pelican
239 Double-crested Cormorant
179 Anhinga
1 Magnificent Frigatebird
0 American Bittern
0 Least Bittern
166 Great Blue Heron
1 Great Blue Heron-White Form - along Myakka River
242 Great Egret
177 Snowy Egret
111 Little Blue Heron
64 Tricolored Heron
1 Reddish Egret
88 Cattle Egret
5 Green Heron
31 Black-crowned Night Heron
7 Yellow-crowned Night Heron
447 White Ibis
49 Glossy Ibis
0 Roseate Spoonbill
123 Wood Stork
0 Snow Goose (gray phase)
0 American Widgeon
20 Wood Duck
1 Green-winged Teal
0 American Black Duck
171 Mottled Duck
0 Mallard
0 Northern Pintail
104 Blue-winged Teal
0 Northern Shoveler
0 Canvasback
1 Redhead
150 Black-bellied Whistling Duck - 20 found in Venice Falls subdivision just south of Rt 41 on Jacaranda, 38 on Pelican Point golf course, 52 off Shamrock Blvd, opposite Venice Gardens community pool, 40 on Jacaranda golf course
0 Fulvous Whistling Duck
52 Ring-necked Duck
15 Lesser Scaup
0 Black Scoter
0 Common Goldeneye
0 Bufflehead
67 Hooded Merganser
0 Common Merganser
25 Red-breasted Merganser
0 Ruddy Duck
311 Black Vulture
607 Turkey Vulture
79 Osprey
0 White-tailed Kite
45 Bald Eagle
6 Northern Harrier
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk
15 Cooper's Hawk
112 Red-shouldered Hawk
0 Broad-winged Hawk
0 Short-tailed Hawk
17 Red-tailed hawk
30 American Kestrel
4 Merlin
0 Peregrine Falcon
14 Wild Turkey
0 Northern Bobwhite
0 Clapper Rail
1 King Rail - Myakka State Forest in pond south of park headquarters
0 Virginia Rail
0 Sora
0 Purple Gallinule
260 Common Moorhen
192 American Coot
1 Limpkin
57 Sandhill Crane
49 Black-bellied Plover
0 Mute Swan
0 Snowy Plover
2 Wilson's Plover
0 Piping Plover
0 Semipalmated Plover
325 Killdeer
2 American Oystercatcher
0 American Avocet
0 Black-necked Stilt
1 Greater Yellowlegs
4 Lesser Yellowlegs
0 Solitary Sandpiper
117 Willet
11 Spotted Sandpiper
0 Whimbrel
0 Marbled Godwit
71 Ruddy Turnstone
0 Red Knot
48 Sanderling
0 Western Sandpiper
22 Least Sandpiper
0 Pectoral Sandpiper
0 Purple Sandpiper
23 Dunlin
0 Short-billed Dowitcher
0 Long-billed Dowitcher
23 Wilson's Snipe
0 Parasitic Jaeger
1460 Laughing Gull
0 Bonaparte's Gull
359 Ring-billed Gull
10 Herring Gull
0 Great Black-backed Gull
0 Gull-billed Tern
0 Caspian Tern
266 Royal Tern
136 Sandwich Tern
0 Common Tern
0 Least Tern
0 Black Tern
301 Forster's Tern
49 Black Skimmer
234 Rock Pigeon
1 White-winged Dove - Englewood Beach on wires on Beachcomer Street with morning Doves
1158 Mourning Dove
62 Common Ground Dove
0 Common Barn Owl
4 Eastern Screech Owl
14 Great Horned Owl
2 Barred Owl
0 Burrowing Owl
59 Belted Kingfisher
0 Common Nighthawk
1 Chuck-wills-widow
9 Red-headed Woodpecker
137 Red-bellied Woodpecker
3 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
32 Downy Woodpecker
0 Hairy Woodpecker
21 Northern Flicker
20 Pileated Woodpecker
0 Ringed Turtle Dove
144 Eurasian Collared-Dove
34 Monk Parakeet
1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird
0 Black-hooded Parakeet
56 Eastern Phoebe
1 Great Crested Flycatcher
0 Western Kingbird
0 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
0 Purple Martin
12,211 Tree Swallow
0 Rough-winged Swallow
145 Blue Jay
22 Florida Scrub Jay
31 American Crow
424 Fish Crow
3 Brown-headed Nuthatch - Myakka State Forest where N loop Trail & Slash Pine trail intersect
0 Carolina Chickadee
2 Tufted Titmouse
45 Carolina Wren
52 House Wren
0 Marsh Wren
6 Sedge Wren - 2 in Deer Prairie Creek near the dam and 4 in County Mediation Site off River Rd just after Winchester Blvd intersection (Myakka State Forest area)
5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
0 Golden-crowned Kinglet
419 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
2 Eastern Bluebird
0 Hermit Thrush
1171 American Robin
281 Gray Catbird
257 Northern Mockingbird
3 Brown Thrasher
0 Water Pipit
0 Cedar Waxwing
51 Loggerhead Shrike
1541 European Starling
4 White-eyed Vireo
4 Blue-headed Vireo
0 Yellow-throated Vireo
0 Prothonotary Warbler
0 Orange-crowned Warbler
0 Northern Parula Warbler
0 Yellow Warbler
0 Cape May Warbler
0 Black-throated Blue Warbler
3161 Yellow-rumped Warbler
0 Black-throated Green Warbler
2 Yellow-throated Warbler
101 Pine Warbler
1 Prairie Warbler
363 Palm Warbler
0 Bay-breasted Warbler
1 Black & White Warbler
0 American Redstart
0 Ovenbird
76 Common Yellowthroat
0 Summer Tanager
103 Northern Cardinal
0 Rose-breasted Grosbeak
0 Blue Grosbeak
1 Indigo Bunting
5 Painted Bunting
35 Eastern Towhee
0 Chipping Sparrow
0 Field Sparrow
0 Vesper Sparrow
1 Lark Sparrow
13 Savannah Sparrow
6 Grasshopper Sparrow
0 Sharp-tailed Sparrow
0 Song Sparrow
18 Swamp Sparrow
0 White-crowned Sparrow
0 Bachman's Sparrow
0 Snow Bunting
306 Red-winged Blackbird
16 Eastern Meadowlark
0 Yellow-headed Blackbird
0 Rusty Blackbird
0 Brewer's Blackbird
583 Boat-tailed Grackle
1225 Common Grackle
199 Brown-headed Cowbird
0 Baltimore Oriole
1 House Finch
0 Pine Siskin
23 American Goldfinch
113 House Sparrow

133 Total Species Seen

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#1083

From: "SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts@...>
Date: Sun Dec 31, 2006 7:34 pm
Subject: SRQ Bird non Alerts 31 December 2006 - Field Trips and Meetings of local Audubon Society Chapters

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Information about activities of the Sarasota, Manatee County, and Venice Area Audubon Society Chapters for January to May 2007. For more details please check their Internet sites (addresses at the end of this E-mail or call them). The information about the Sarasota and Manatee Audubon chapters is from their Internet sites as of 31 December 2006 and the Venice information was provided in August 2006. Peter Rice

____________________________________________________

Sarasota Audubon Society Chapter
DAY TRIPS 2006-2007 (January to May 2007)

All day trips meet at McDonald�s (Bee Ridge/Cattlemen) unless otherwise noted. BRING LUNCH UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED. Field trips are open to anyone interested in birding, wildlife watching or exploring Florida's natural areas. A suggested donation of $2 for members and $4 for non-members is most welcome. NO RESERVATIONS ARE NECESSARY UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED. For more information, contact each individual Trip Leader. NOTE: Checks for paid day trips are deposited after the completion of the trip. In the event of a cancellation, a refund will be made to the issuer of the check only. Deposits/Payments for overnight trips are made right away.

TRIP WAIVER: Participation is on condition that Sarasota Audubon Society and its officers and volunteers will not be held liable for damage or injury to persons or property.

Roberts Bay on the Carefree Learner with Sarasota High School students to monitor breeding birds on the mangrove islands. Members more than welcome. Two trips on most days: 9:40 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Boat is docked next to Le Barge at Marina Jack�s. Call Rick Greenspun at 346-8535 to secure a spot. Sept 27; Oct 25; Nov 29; Dec 7 & 8; Jan 24; Feb 21; Mar 21; Apr 25; May 9.

Tuesday, Jan 9: Siesta Beach & Woods Meet in the main Siesta Beach public parking lot as close as possible to the southern end of the restroom facilities at 7:30 a.m. Leaders: Wade & Betty Matthews, 923-0671.

Thursday, Jan 11: Introduction to Birding See SPECIAL CLASSES for details.

Saturday, Jan 13: Phosphate Mines, Polk County Privately-guided tour of phosphate reclamation ponds near Lakeland. A rare opportunity to see short-tailed Hawks, wintering warblers and thousands of shorebirds. Leave McDonald�s (Bee Ridge/Cattlemen) at 7 a.m. Leader: Rick Greenspun, 346-8535. FREE LUNCH. Bring snacks and drinks for an all-day outing.

Wednesday, Jan 17: Clay Gully & Sidell Roads Round trip behind Myakka SP. This area is good wintering habitat for specialties such as Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. Leader, Owen Comora, 378-5166. Meet at McDonald�s (Bee Ridge/Cattlemen) at 8 a.m. BRING LUNCH.

Wednesday, Jan 31: SRQ Water Treatment Plants Check out the birds at our local water treatment plants with Jeanne Dubi, 355-1709. Leave McDonald�s (Bee Ridge/Cattlemen) at 8 a.m.

Saturday, Feb 10: Eagles with Dale Nauman, 322-6274 Join Dale as he tours some of the eagle nesting sites which he and his volunteers monitor during the breeding season. Meet at McDonald�s by 8 a.m.

Tuesday, Feb 13: Venice Rookery & Manasota Scrub/Lemon Bay Park Great photo ops and great birding. Mark Leggett, 925-7220. Leave McDonald�s at 7:30 a.m. BRING LUNCH.

Saturday, Feb 17, 9 til noon: Pinecraft Fest: See ANNUAL EVENT for more details

Thursday, Feb 22: Port Charlotte Landfill Jeanne Dubi, 355-1709, will lead us to this new destination. Birds to look for: Bald Eagles, Hairy Woodpeckers and more. Leave McDonald�s at 7:30 a.m.

Wednesday, Feb 28: Emerson Point This wonderful park has woodlands, shoreline, and mangroves. Depart McDonald�s at 7:30 a.m. Optional lunch at Crab Trap II restaurant. Leaders: John Ginaven, 798-9829, and Stuart Hills, 922-5261.

Wednesday, Mar 7: Carlton Reserve Leader Edith Miller, 366-5853, will help us find Red-headed Woodpeckers, Tufted Titmice, Swallow-tailed Kites and more at this Venice area park. Leave McDonald�s at 8 a.m. BRING LUNCH.

Wednesday, Mar 14: Special Nesting Bird Cruise to the Alafia Banks. See AUDUBON OF FLORIDA EVENTS for more details

Saturday, Mar 17: Lettuce Lake, Tampa Leader Lynn Jakubowicz, 355-4073, will lead us through this spectacular park on the Hillsborough River. Leave McDonald�s at 8 a.m. BRING LUNCH.

Saturday, Mar 24: Babcock Webb WMA, Port Charlotte Leader Rick Greenspun, 346-8535, will help us find Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Bachman�s Sparrows, and Brown-headed Nuthatches. Bobcat and Coyote are possible. Note early start to get the woodpeckers. Leave McDonald�s at 7 a.m.

Wednesday, Mar 28: Crowley Museum & Nature Center Join Jeanne Dubi (355-1709) for a bird walk around Crowley to look for wintering species. Meet in the Fruitville Library parking lot (Fruitville, just east of I-75) at 7:30 a.m.

Tuesday, April 3: Ft DeSoto Join leader John Ginaven (798-9829) on a quest for migrants at this marvelous park and premier birding hotspot. Leave the first rest area just after the tollbooths on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (1-275) at 8 a.m. BRING LUNCH.

Thursday, April 12: SRQ Triple Loop Join Jeanne Dubi/Rick Greenspun (355-1709) in search of migrants at our local hot spots. Meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of Phillippi Estate Park, west side of U.S. 41 at Constitution Blvd.

Thursday, Apr 19: Ft DeSoto Leader John Ginaven (798-9829) will help us find migrants at this wonderful birding spot. Leave the first rest area just after the tollbooths on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (I-275) at 8 a.m. BRING LUNCH.

Wednesday, Apr 25: Lido Key Leader Jeanne Dubi, 355-1709, will lead a bird walk through newly restored habitat on South Lido. Meet in the South Lido parking lot at 8 a.m. BRING LUNCH.

Saturday, Apr 28: Ft DeSoto Edith Miller (366-5853) will lead another trip to find late migrants at this wonderful birding spot. Leave the first rest area just after the tollbooths on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (I-275) at 8 a.m. BRING LUNCH.

Saturday, May 5: Butterfly Walk Join butterfly enthusiasts Stu Hills and Jeanne Dubi on a walk to locate and ID local butterflies. Location to be determined. Meet at McDonald�s (Bee Ridge/Cattlemen) at 10 a.m.

Sarasota Audubon Society Chapter
MONTHLY MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS

Sarasota Audubon presents monthly programs, open to the public, featuring speakers on a variety of environmental issues and birding topics. All meetings are held on the second Monday of the month, October though May, 7 to 9 PM.

Meetings are held at the First Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, 1031 South Euclid, Sarasota.

January 8: Barn Owls Dr Richard Raid, Professor of Plant Pathology at UF�s Everglades Research Center in Belle Glade, tells us about his work in utilizing Barn Owls for rodent control in agriculture. The Barn Owl program has been featured on CNN, National Geographic, and PBS�s popular Nature series.

February 12: What Is Audubon of Florida Doing? Eric Draper, Policy Director of Audubon of Florida, discusses his lobbying and legislative work in preserving habitat for Florida�s birds

March 12: Critical Beach Monitoring on Our Gulf Coasts Monique Abrams of St Petersburg Audubon describes her work in spearheading up to 60 volunteers in monitoring beach nesting birds: Snowy & Wilson�s Plovers, Least Terns, Black Skimmers and American Oystercatcher, all of which are confronted with tremendous hurdles just to survive.

April 9: The Watershed Story Steve Suau, President of Florida House Institute, outlines the problems we face in managing our water--the oil of the future!

Annual General Meeting in which officers are elected for the coming year.

May 14: Live Birds of Prey Lisa Rhodin, Myakka River SP Ranger, will discuss her rehab work with injured birds of prey, some of which will be with her this evening.

Prospective members are welcome to learn more about us by attending a monthly meeting.

_______________________________________________

Venice Area Audubon Society
Trip and Program Guide 2006-2007 (trips during 2007, information from August 2006)

Sat. Jan. 20- Myakka Pines Environmental Park
Meet at 7:30 AM at the Venice Audubon Center to carpool to the NW corner of the intersection of Border Rd. and the Myakka River. We will walk approximately 1.5 miles around this exceptionally beautiful new county park along the river and examine the association between its birds and habitat types such as grassland, oak hammock and riparian forest. Three hour trip. Trip leaders: Bill and Margaret Dunson 473-2534 (wdunson@...).

Sat. Jan. 27- Sarasota Celery Fields
Located off I-75 at exit 210 east of Ackerman Lake. Large numbers of wintering birds frequent this area. Sora, White Pelican, and Northern Harrier are possible. Half-day trip. Carpool from Venice Audubon Center at 7:00 AM. Trip leader: Barry Rossheim 485-1328.

Sat. Feb. 3- Cape Haze Bike and Bird
Pioneer/Cape Haze Bike Trail- Meet at 8:00 AM at the trailhead
behind the Publix at the corner of routes 776 and 771 with your bike for the
first ever biking and birding trip. The trail is approximately 11 miles round
trip and we will stop whenever something interesting is sighted or heard.
Emphasis will be placed on learning the calls of birds and habitat types. The
turn-around point is the intersection with tidal Coral Creek. This area east
of Rotunda is still remarkably wild in places and we may expect to see a bobcat
and other animals along with wintering birds. Three hour trip. Trip leaders: Bill and Margaret Dunson 473-2534 (wdunson@...).

Wed. Feb. 7- Venice Landfill & Venetian Golf and River Club
Half-day carpool trip meeting at Venice Audubon Center at 7:30AM. We will view wintering birds. Hawks, eagles, meadowlarks, and bluebirds have been spotted on past trips. Trip leaders: Rett and Priscilla Oren 486-1424.

Sat. Feb. 10- Grande Tours Kayaking
Kayaking Coral Creek. Rent from Grande Tours ($16.05 singles, $26.75 doubles) or bring your own kayak ($3.21 is the cost to launch your own). For beginners and seasoned kayakers. Bring lunch. Payment is due on or before the January VAAS meeting. Carpool from the Venice Audubon Center at 8:30AM or meet at Grande Tours at 9:00AM.
Trip leaders: Carolyn Barszcz 496-8268 and Wendy Lalouette.

Sat. Feb 17- STA- 5 south of Clewiston
Through a partnership with Hendry-Glades Audubon , the South Florida Water Management District will offer to the public escorted birding tours at Stormwater Treatment Area 5 (STA-5) south of Clewiston in eastern Hendry County. These remote shallow-water marshes attract waterfowl, nesting wading birds, and other migratory species. We will carpool from the Venice Audubon Center. Look for details in Wings.Trip leaders: Rett and Priscilla Oren 486-1424.

Thurs. Feb. 22- Nav-a-Gator Boat Ride
Two-hour Peace River boat cruise exploring the islands and backcountry on the river. The history of this river dates back to the 1800�s- we even cruise by an old ghost town. We will look for gators, manatees, and migratory birds. Lunch will be at a real Florida fish camp style restaurant. The cost is $30 per person. The trip is limited to 33 people. Carpool from the Venice Audubon Center at 8:00 AM. Trip leaders: Ginny Koss 493-8812 and Dolores Constantin 497-5662.

Sat. Mar. 10- Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Naples, FL
All day carpool trip leaving from Venice Audubon Center. Morning: Ranger-led truck ride into backcountry not open to the public. Afternoon: Birding on the boardwalk meandering through virgin bald cypress swamp. Bring lunch. Limited to 18 people. Details January Wings. Sign up Jan. meeting. Trip leaders: Carolyn Edmunds and Charlie Sample 497-6463.

Wed. Mar. 21- Babcock Webb Punta Gorda, FL
Half-day trip, carpool from Venice Audubon Center at 7:00 AM. Search for the elusive Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, and Eastern Bluebird. Trip leaders: Mary Dommermuth 474-6255 and Dolly Schoeneman 485-2944.

Tues. Apr. 10- Ft. DeSoto Park, St. Petersburg
Prime area for spring migrants, e.g. warblers, tanagers and orioles. All day carpool trip meeting at Venice Audubon Center at 7:00AM. Trip leaders: Mary Dommermuth 474-6255 and Tom Duchs 475-7805.

_____________________________________________________

Manatee County Audubon Society Chapter
Field Trips and Events (January to April 2007)

Bring bag lunch. Visitors are welcome. Many trips leave from the Main Post Office at 824 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida ( see individual trips for departure locations) . Please arrive at least five minutes before departure times. Trips leave as scheduled.

Saturday, January, 20, 2007
Trip to Cargill (formerly IMG) in Polk County. Large numbers of ducks and Shorebirds that are not commonly seen as well as wintering birds.
Coordinator: Patti Petruff 748-4411.
Leave from Main Post Office 7:00 AM.

Mondays & Thursdays, January 22, 25, 29, and February 1, 2007
Bird Identification Class consisting of four Classes as well as Field Trips on January 27th and February 3rd led by Bird Identification experts (Bob and Nancy Dean) who have traveled Worldwide in pursuit of their passion. Call Nancy Dean 792-9235 for reservations.

Saturday, February, 17, 2007
Ft. Meyers Trip led by local expert Charlie Ewell. Going to Tigertail Beach, Marco Island emphasis on shorebirds. Charlie will help us with some identification tips. Coordinator Steve Black 376-0110. Leave from Main Post Office at 6:45AM.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Joint Trip with Sarasota Audubon
Special Nesting Cruise ( $ 15. fee) on the Alafia Banks to visit nesting colony at the Richard T. Paul Alafia Bank Sanctuary. Call for details Steve Black 376-0110. Leave from Cracker Barrel I75 and SR64 at 7:35 AM.

Saturday, March 24, 2007
Venice Landfill and Venice Audubon Rookery Coordinator: David Williamson 378-9920 Leave from Cracker Barrel I75& SR64 at 7:00 AM

Saturday, April 14, 2007
Earth Day Celebration at the Felts Audubon Preserve. Details to be announced.

Saturday, April 21, 2007
Ft. Desoto Spring Migration
Coordinator: Steve Black 376-0110
Leave from Main Post Office 7:30 AM

____________________________________________

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