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#1484

From: Vincent McGrath <McAvian@...>
Date: Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:42 pm
Subject: Ruddy Duck yes!

McAvian@...

Thanks Gail for the tip. Stopped at the lake on Six Mile C Pkwy and
saw the male ruddy immediately w/ f lesser scaup. Lot of recreating
but the birds seemed relaxed.
   A male Painted Bunting showed up today at my feeder with a female,
I'm up to 3 buntings now.

Mcavian@...
Vince McGrath
Fort Myers, Fl

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#1483

From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts@...>
Date: Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:07 pm
Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 18 December 2009 - Common Goldeneye

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18 December - I just received a call from Jeanne Dubi who said the Bufflehead and Common Goldeneye are back in the Pond across the street from the Shining Light Church on Fruitville Rd, about two miles east of I-75. It�s a first record for a Common Goldeneye in Sarasota county! The birds are very skittish. Park at the church across the street, then cross the street. Use the bushes along the sidewalk for cover. Dan Irizarry, Bradenton, FL

18 December - A group of intrepid birders guided by Valeri Ponzo braved high winds and lots of rain for a walk on Lido Key Beach in search of shorebirds. In the group were two visitors from Seattle, Washington and one from London, England! Great to have visitors from all over for these excursions. We were on the beach for about an hour and had the following:

Northern Gannet (1 immature about 100 yards out in the water)

Red-breasted Merganser (2 flying out past the shoreline)

Brown Pelicans

Laughing Gulls

Ring-billed Gulls

Herring Gulls (including 2 first year birds)

Sandwich Terns

Royal Terns

Snowy Plovers

Sanderlings

Ruddy Turnstones

Black-bellied Plovers

Red Knots (2 banded that we saw, Valeri has the tag ID)

Palm Warblers (several heard in the grassy area near the parking lot)

Not bad for an hour in terrible weather! I tried to take some pictures, we'll see how they turn out. They'll be posted at:

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

Dan Irizarry Bradenton, FL
_______________________________________

Peter Rice

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#1482

From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts@...>
Date: Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:42 pm
Subject: Date correction CBC assistance to December 19th

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Request For CBC Assistance - This Saturday, December 19th is the Christmas Bird Count of the Peace River Audubon Society (PRAS) and your NEED your help. To adequately survey our region PRAS needs two experienced birders. Two of our routes have drivers but no one to identify and record the birds sighted. Both routes occur on the water and the boat owners have generously donated their boats and time but can't do the route without assistance. If you are able to help please contact Tony Licata 941 505-9775 alicata@dcwis.com or Cathy Olson at 941 613-6753 cathyolson@comcast.net

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#1481

From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts@...>
Date: Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:40 pm
Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 16 December 2009 & request for CBC assistance

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Request For CBC Assistance - This Saturday, December 18th is the Christmas Bird Count of the Peace River Audubon Society (PRAS) and your NEED your help. To adequately survey our region PRAS needs two experienced birders. Two of our routes have drivers but no one to identify and record the birds sighted. Both routes occur on the water and the boat owners have generously donated their boats and time but can't do the route without assistance. If you are able to help please contact Tony Licata 941 505-9775 alicata@... or Cathy Olson at 941 613-6753 cathyolson@...

16 December - BirdFriends, my good friend ( and now crack birder) Marina Scarr called and alerted me to the fact that there was(is) a Common Goldeneye in a pond in the Founders Club on Fruitville Rd. To find the pond, go east on Fruitville Rd about two miles east of I-75 until you see the Shining Light Church. Cross the road (carefully!!) the pond is on the SOUTH side of Fruitville directly across from the church. There is plenty of parking at the church, please do not park on the shoulder or go onto the pond edges. This is private property and there is a nice sidewalk that affords great views of the pond. There are also about 50 Hooded Mergansers, Scaup, Teal ,etc. Good Luck and Good Birding, Rick Greenspun birddoggie1@...

15 December - Yesterday (Tuesday) there were a half-dozen pairs of hooded mergansers in the small pond north of Denny's Restaurant on Rt.41 and Beneva Rd intersection (across from Sarasota Square Mall). I've seen the hooded mergansers in this same pond several times in the past week when driving south on Rt.41 Mary Jane Beeman
_______________________________________

Peter Rice

3 of 3 Photo(s)

Bufflehead female.jpg

Common Goldeneye female.jpg

Common Goldeneye flying.jpg

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#1480

From: F Stevens <mybuntings@...>
Date: Fri Dec 11, 2009 4:25 am
Subject: Curlew at South lagoon of Holiday Inn/ Fort Myers beach .

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Finally made it there for the first time after Dale my new birder friend prompt me to go check a Long-billed Curlew he saw this morning, I lucked out at sunset observing the bird still there at a distance alone and busy feeding. As I began my walk south a beautiful Roseate Spoonbill was close enough for me to truly appreciate it's beautiful plumage on my return another had joined this one I notice had a red/orange tag couldn't identify the number. I remember Charlie Ewell saying the green tags were Florida but I don't remember the other colors, didn't have a pen at the presentation...so if anyone knows about red/orange feel free to educate me.

PS. Dale said an Avocet was sighted there this morning, I didn't see it at my walk.

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#1479

From: F Stevens <mybuntings@...>
Date: Thu Dec 10, 2009 2:02 am
Subject: Bonita beach north end back side.

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Sometimes it's what you don't see that's amazing, Monday the 7th at sunset walk there wasn't a single shorebird in site, in the past two weeks too many to count and at least 20/30 sanderlings also last Thursday at my last walk before Fridays and Saturdays heavy rains.

Did all the shorebirds relocate because of the rain or were they resting to move on? After Charlie Ewell's migration presentation on the 4th Dec. I now know many have a very long flight and rest before heading for their destination.

Monday I did observe a first spring Black crowned Night Heron, this bird caught my attention because of his plumage, I had plenty of time to scketch him out and was able to check my book that was in the car !

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#1478

From: Vincent McGrath <McAvian@...>
Date: Thu Dec 10, 2009 1:22 am
Subject: Captiva 12/9

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Incredible schools of fish inshore by Redfish Pass, this in turn is
attracting enormous flocks of birds. Sandwich Terns dominate as they
feed on what looks like millions of anchovies as well as associate
predator fish. This in tern is attracting larger birds like pelicans.
The schools are so thick the pelicans don't even bother to dive, they
just dunk their heads drain and swallow. At least two adult common
terns, royals, skimmers, 100s of laughing gulls, some ring-billed and
1st yr herring. The shoreline is alive with willet, s-b dowitcher,
sanderling, blk- b plover. The jetty is mobbed with snowy and great
egrets as well as turnstones and a great blue heron or two. Even a
red- breasted merganser and an imm gannet got involved. There many
other species around. Didn't see any frigatebirds feeding but there
were never less than 40 soaring overhead and riding thermals with t
vultures, osprey, and more. Keep an eye on the sanibel causeway,
particularly near the restrooms, a number of gulls including a great
black backed are hanging around
Mcavian@...
Vince McGrath
Fort Myers, Fl

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#1477

From: Kenny Patrowicz <orbisonfan@...>
Date: Fri Nov 27, 2009 9:26 pm
Subject: newbie

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Hi y'all,

Just moved here from Texas to Bonita Springs. Looking forward to seeing the local bird species.
Happy birding,

Kenny

Thank you,.......thankyouverymuch!

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#1476

From: "Peter Rice SRQ Bird Alerts" <SRQbirdAlerts@...>
Date: Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:06 am
Subject: SRQ Bird Alerts 24 November 2009

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24 November -- FLARBA alert: Tropical/Couch's Kingbird (possible), De Soto County, Arcadia, FL. Reporter: Ron Smith, observers: Dave Goodwin & Erik Haney. Directions: From Arcadia go east on SR 70 about five miles to CR 760. Turn south and proceed approx. 2.2 miles to a large field on your left (south). The kingbirds perch on the wires overhead and also on the wires that go across the field. (DeLORME p.g 99 C-1) 5 Western Kingbirds in area as well.

24 November - Driving through the Rotonda community in Englewood this afternoon, just before 3:00 PM, I saw a beautiful adult Scissor-tailed Flycatcher on the power lines on Boundary Circle. I did not see the bird on my return trip home two hours later, however, so it's possible the bird was just migrating through and not hanging around. Should anyone care to go poking about for him, check the lines and the large field on the east side of Boundary, between Indian Creek and Rebel. This is the same area where an Upland Sandpiper was located a few years back. I am curious if anyone else has seen an STFL in Charlotte County before, as this is my first sighting here. Please let me know, if so. Thanks. Suisan Daughtrey Englewood, Charlotte County susansd@...

23 November - Among a group of 85 RED KNOTS I spotted at Don Pedro Island State Park (western portion)today I noticed later in my photos that 5 were banded. Yesterday while having lunch with family on our back porch we noticed a beautiful male BLACK-THROATED BLUE warbler bathing in a nearby birdbath & were delighted to see one this late. Bill Dunson, Englewood mkdunson@...

Perhaps of interest - This morning (11/24/09), the International Baccalaureate (IB) class of Brookside Middle School went into Pinecraft Park for their semi-annual air potato pick up. There were about 70 students with a dozen or so working/supervising adults. They swarmed through the park like ants and filled bucket after bucket with potatoes. I estimated 7,000 to 10,000 in all. They also freed up some trees from those strangling vines. This IB class program is led by Deb Walker who coordinates the effort with Lynda Eppinger of SRQ Parks & Rec. This is the third year of the program.
In addition to the potato gathering, a smaller crew of students worked with P&R staffers to erect permanent boundary markers in the park. Believe or not, the County does not own all of Pinecraft Park; the paths snake in and out of County and private property. The markers will not be joined by wire or tape, so birders will still be able to access the private areas. Please exercise discretion though, so that the homeowners don't feel as though they are being spied on.
Many thanks to all involved today in helping to keep Pinecraft Park exotic free.
Jeanne Dubi, Sarasota Audubon Society dubi@...

Perhaps of interest - If you have been to Celery Fields (in SRQ) lately you may have seen all the pink blobs on the stems of the aquatic life in the ponds. Lots of people are asking - What are they? I have asked a few people and looked them up online and it looks like they are APPLE SNAIL EGGS, and as you all know this is what the Limpkin and Snail Kite eat. Limpkins eat many different snails, but Snail Kites eat only Apple Snails - so why don't we get more Snail Kites at the CF's?    Here is some info about the snail eggs:
Apple snails lay eggs above the water line. They can leave the water for a few hours as long as they are kept moist. The eggs are usually pretty colors like yellow or pink. In aquariums, they are laid on the side or lid of glass. In ponds, they are laid on vertical plant stems.   After about two to four weeks, they hatch. Eggs that do not hatch are usually not fertilized. Newborns may drown and need to stay out of the water.
If anyone has more information on the Apple Snails please come forward.
Kathryn Young   Sarasota   kathwren4@...
_______________________________________

Peter Rice

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#1475

From: F Stevens <mybuntings@...>
Date: Mon Nov 23, 2009 1:49 am
Subject: North Bonita beach 22 Nov. sunset.

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Again an amazing show one hour into the sunset at North end of Bonita beach in the back pass. The schools of fish were jumping and the birds were feeding.

Too many Dunlins to count and a few Willets, many more shore birds I can't identy as I have trouble distinguishing some shore birds (need a coach!) without my book but it's nice to see the little ones snuggle into the crevaces in the sands, do they sleep there?

Numerous Snowy Egrets of course and Great Egrets. A few Tricolored Herons, Red Egrets and Little Blue Herons, the usual King Fisher a dozen Black Skimmers skimming!

Five Frigatebirds. No Night Herons yet but a Roseate Spoonbill earlier this week was a treat as I had not seen any in a very long time at this location.

I'm always the only one there with binoculars enjoying the show !

At my feeder in the yard the Painted Buntings are feeding all day, I know for sure of 2 males and one female.

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#1474

From: "Charlie Ewell" <anhinga42@...>
Date: Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:47 pm
Subject: Bunche Beach birding tomorrow

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All,

See below for a Lee County Bird Patrol announcement for a walk at Bunche Beach tomorrow:

November 21, Saturday 8AM Bunche Beach

Guides: Iver Brook, Walt Winton, Charlie Ewell

Located in So Ft. Myers off Summerlin Rd: Drive south on John Morris Rd until it dead ends. Experience one of the best birding sites in Lee Co. Bring binoculars, sun protection, shoes that can get wet, a bottle of drinking water. Meet in the parking lot.

239-707-3015 for more info

Charlie Ewell

Cape Coral, FL

anhinga42@...

Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife/Burrowing Owl Festival info:

http://www.ccfriendsofwildlife.org/

Lee County Bird Patrol info:

http://www.birdpatrol.org/

SWFL Birdline info:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SWFLBirdline/

FL Ornithological Society info:

http://www.fosbirds.org/

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#1473

From: "Margaret England" <mlelighthouse@...>
Date: Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:23 am
Subject: STA5 Nov. 14

mengland380

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STA5 20 miles South of Clewiston:

Two species were added to the STA5 checklist yesterday: Wilson's Phalarope and Blue-headed vireo. I've included Caloosa Bird Club, Tropical Audubon, St. Lucie Audubon and individual birder's combined lists for Blumberg and the STA5 cells. There is a cap of 60 participants for the STA5 tours. Reservations are required.

No new reservations are being taken for Jan. 16 or Jan. 30th.

Birders, photographers and compilers are needed for the Jan. 2nd CBC.(FLSO) You may volunteer for 1/2 or the full day. The post count event will be held on 835 in Clewiston.

For information or reservations contact:

Margaret England

LaBelle

sta5birding@...

Hendry-Glades Audubon Website:

http://www.orgsites.com/fl/hgaudubon/

Location:     Stormwater Treatment Area 5
Observation date:     11/14/09
Number of species:     81

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Gadwall     3
American Wigeon     2
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
American White Pelican
Double-crested Cormorant
Anhinga
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron (White form)
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
White Ibis
Glossy Ibis
Roseate Spoonbill
Wood Stork
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Snail Kite     13
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Crested Caracara     2
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon     2
Sora
Purple Swamphen
Purple Gallinule
Common Moorhen
American Coot
Limpkin     3
Killdeer
Black-necked Stilt
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Least Sandpiper
Dunlin
Stilt Sandpiper

Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Snipe
Wilson's Phalarope     1
Caspian Tern     1
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
Common Ground-Dove
Barn Owl     1
Belted Kingfisher
Eastern Phoebe
Cassin's Kingbird     1
Western Kingbird     1
Loggerhead Shrike
White-eyed Vireo

Blue-headed Vireo     1
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Palm Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird

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#1472

From: Cheyenne Szydlo <cheyenne.szydlo@...>
Date: Fri Nov 13, 2009 4:02 am
Subject: Great Black-backed Gull at Bunche Beach

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This evening (11/12) there were tons of shorebirds at Bunche Beach at low tide. In addition to the usual birds, I saw a 1st winter ring-billed and at least four 1st winter Herring Gulls. With them I believe was a 1st winter Great Black-backed Gull. The sun had already set when I found this bird and it was overcast, but here are the features I could see: very large bird, significantly larger than herrings, thick black bill with bulging gonydeal expansion, low sloping forehead, whitish head including face and neck, dark eye with faint dark smudging extending behind eye and to back of head, brown streaking on chest, obvious white flecking or checkering in otherwise brownish coverts, and short primary projection. The size of this gull alone made me think it couldn't be any other than a Great Black-backed before I even checked my field guides (Sibley and peterson's Gulls of the Americas). Nice find for me!

-Cheyenne

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