On Sunday (6/29) I hooked up with Mr. Simpson for a look around Charlotte
and Lee Counties. We met at the Charlotte Auditorium where for the first
time we didn't detect the male House Finch in its usual haunts. It very
well may have been around somewhere, I've always seen it in the afternoon,
and we didn't check the surrounding neighborhood at all. The Gray Kingbirds
were present though. From this starting point, we made our way over to
Washington Loop road in an attempt to pad David's Charlotte County list. We
saw the White-winged Doves, the Red-headed Woodpeckers, and the FL Scrub
Jays among others here.

Then we headed south to Babcock Webb, and pulled a quick swing through. Our
intent here was to show David where I've been finding birds as opposed to
actually bird the area. None-the-less, we did pick up Hairy Woodpecker,
Nuthatches, and Bachman's Sparrow among others. Unfortunately, we didn't
see a Red-cockaded which ruined my 100% success rate at finding all 3 pine
specialties on every trip this year. Although we didn't make any concerted
effort to try and find them. A shame since we had a 6 woodpecker day going.

After leaving the Webb, we made a loop along the Caloosahatchee first to
Caloosahatchee Regional Park where we discovered mosquitos and fire ants,
but not many birds mid-day. The botany provided a good distraction though,
David's well trained eye noticed every exotic species along the trail and I
learned a lot about plants (that I will likely forget most of before I have
the opportunity to use again, unfortunately). We then swung down through
Alva, across the river, and backtracked along SR 80 to Hickey's Creek
Mitigation Area. I found this area a lot more interesting than
Caloosahatchee regional as it was much more diverse habitat wise. Again
birds were a bit scarce but more prevalent than our last stop. I found it
more scenic as well, and we saw some neat orchids and air plants.  At the
parking area there was a bizarre distant song that didn't fall well into
any species. It was a clear-toned open warble fringing on single slurred
notes. It was reminiscent of one of the typical songs of Yellow-rumped...
At any rate, it never showed itself and didn't sound like any of the
warbler species that are supposed to be here at this time of year (more on
this later).

From here we stopped in downtown Olga for gas and McDonald's chocolate
shakes, and then it was south to Daniel's
parkway. Our next stop was Six Mile Cypress Slough (or do we need to call
that Ben C. Pratt slough ;). Here we added Titmouse and 6 Swallow-tailed
Kites to the slowly growing list. Austin had a ball here moving from one
marked spot to the next with his guide map. He'd run ahead and excitedly
shout back to us, "I found #4!" Yeah, David got the real feel for what it's
like birding with the four year old...... I'm sure he's more appreciative
of "the punk" now! Our final stop of this day was Lakes Park which by the
time we had completed the grand tour brought us to near 7:30 PM. All in
all, this inland loop in the heat of the day only provided us with about 68
species. The shore species were poorly represented, and the only bird of
note per se, was the mystery singer.

It bothered me so much in fact that I contacted Vince McGrath to ask him
about it and went so far as to offer to meet him there the following
morning. Only I was late and missed him. I did see the bird though, quite
easily. It was singing right over the car when Austin and I finally arrived
at 9:00 AM, I had my camera slung ready to document this "odd bird",
unfortunately the only thing odd was the song. A male Pine Warbler sat
above me uttering a song more reminiscent of a Yellow Warbler than anything
trilled. Oh well, another mystery solved. In retrospect I noted that Juncos
in Alaska have an alternate song very similar this and not resembling a
trill at all that fooled me the first time I heard this as well. Oh well
we're always learning. So an hour drive south for a 30 second view of an
odd PIne Warbler singing, but at least I can sleep at night now! ;)
Unfortunately, Austin and I had planned to head north on this day so back
in the car and drive.

We arrived at the Celery Fields a bit before 11:00 AM and stayed here for
about 4 hours including a great father/son picnic at the gazebo and some
fantastic photo ops. So many in fact I wound up burning an all of the film
I'd brought leaving me none for Fort Desoto. One of the Wood Storks and a
brazen Limpkin absolutely defied me to take their pictures so I did, the
young Bald Eagles offered excellent opportunities for documenting plumage
variation, my first Meadowlark nest took a bit more film and the amazing
assortment of dragonflies were the last. Anyone know the name of that
absolutely amazing mid-sized crimson-colored gem of a dragonfly? Even its
head is brilliant Red, awesome critter!

Next stop Fort D. starting at about 4:00 PM ( I had to stop and buy an
overpriced roll of Kodachrome at Eckerd's en route). At the East Beach turn
around, four Spoonbills were once again oblivious to my approach bringing
an end to another roll of film. Also here were a handful of lingering
shorebird species (all in non-breeding plumages) including many SB
Dowitchers, a handful of Red Knots (still gray), a single Western and a
single Least Sandpiper, and a few Black-bellied Plovers in with the many
Wilson's and Semipalmated Plovers. Between here and the North Beach (the
only two spots I visited) we also had 6 species of Tern (Least, Common,
Forster's, Sandwich, Royal, and Caspian (7 with Skimmer)) and I added a
lone Piping Plover to the species mix along with 4 Marbled Godwits,
Willets, and Reddish Egrets.

Grand species total for day two 82, total for both days 96. Not earth
shattering, but more importantly, the peanut and I enjoyed another great
wildlife adventure together culminating in an evening at the beach catching
and releasing, hundreds of live sand dollars, Crowned Conchs, and dozens of
hermit crabs in a variety of shells. On the way home near 9:00 PM, Austin
beamed, "Daddy, today was a great day!" ....... I couldn't have agreed more.

Good birding,

Jeff Bouton
Port Charlotte, FL
jbouton2@...

In a message dated 6/30/03 9:50:49 PM, hoatzin@... writes:

<< Our first House Finch was seen in Polk County in a large sparrow field near

Lake Wales on January 2, 1994. We have had winter records ever since with

flocks of 15 to 25 reported in both Winter Haven and Lake Wales.  A few

summer records exist with one report of nest building in Lakeland in 2001. I

never thought that we were looking at escapes but a natural range extension

from the North.

  >>

Chuck and BRDBRAINers,


For those of you who are interested, I have "sketched out" the history of
House finches in Florida, as I have recorded it.


The first House Finch reported in Florida was one in Hollywood (Broward Co.)

in 1980; it is believed to have been an escape.  In southern Florida

other House Finches were reported in Miami (Miami-Dade Co.) in 1987; Palm
Beach

(Palm Beach Co.), 1988; Ft. Myers (Lee Co.) 1991; McArthur SRA (Palm Beach

Co.), 1991; and Homestead (Miami-Dade Co.), 1992 & 1993.  There was

speculation that finches in Palm Beach Co. bred during the summer of 1988.


Compare: the first one to be found in northern Florida and considered to be

from the feral population was at Gulf Breeze (Santa Rosa Co.) in the

panhandle in 1983.  Through 1993, reports of House Finches came from the
panhandle

(Pensacola [Escambia Co.] to Pt. St. Joe [Gulf Co.]), the Big Bend

(Tallahassee [Leon Co.], Carabelle [Franklin Co.]), and northern Florida

(Lake City [Columbia Co.], Jacksonville [Duval Co.]).  The first birds on

Cedar Key (Levy Co.) in northern Florida were seen in 1988, and in 1993,

finches continued to be reported there.  In 1992, some House Finches escaped

captivity in Gainesville (Alachua Co.), and from that year forward, House

Finches increased in Alachua Co.


By the end of 1993, there were no reports of House Finches in north Florida

south of Jacksonville, Gainesville, and Cedar Key, or in south or central

Florida north of Palm Beach and Lee counties.  Each population was about
equal distance from Polk County and could have come from either direction.

In 1994, Polk Co. (Chuck, the attribution does go to you) reported 1 House
Finch on the 2 Jan Lake Wales CBC.  That winter there were no reports south of
Jacksonville, Gainesville and Cedar Key, or anywhere in the southern peninsula.
  In the spring of 1994, 2 were reported in Cross City (Dixie County's first
report) north of Cedar Key.  In spring 1995, breeding was reported in
Gainesville; and, that summer came the first report of breeding in Jacksonville.

In fall of 1995, a male showed up at a feeder in Apopka (Orange Co.), and 3
"in female plumage" were seen at Archbold Biological Station (Highlands Co.).
In fall 1996, came the first report for Marion Co. (Ocala), that of a pair.
In February 1997, 1 was reported in Winter Haven (Polk Co.).  In fall 1997, one
was seen in Crystal River

(Citrus Co.) and during that winter 13 were found in Brooksville (Hernando
Co.).  Spring of 1998, had nesting reported in Ocala for the first time, with
individuals noted at Longboat Key (Manatee Co.), and at Haines City (Polk Co)
since winter.  The first for Pinellas Co. was 1 reported in Largo in August
1998, joined by another in October.  In 1999, a male appeared in Sarasota in
February, joined by a female in March, while in Lakeland, a failed breeding
attempt, the first reported for Polk Co., was reported.  During that summer,
successful breeding was reported in Ft. Lauderdale.

The following winter (1999-2000), Pasco Co. had its first report at Dade City,

while 4 were reported at Haines City.   That next summer a female and a
juvenile were fount in Lutz (Pasco Co.), and the first Atlantic coast report
south
of Jacksonville came from Melbourne with one there in August.  Pasco Co.
chalked up another report with 1 at New Port Richey in Feb 2001.  That spring
Hernando Co. tallied its second at Spring Hill, and the Atlantic coast added a
third county with one singing at Daytona Beach (Volusia Co.). The spring brought
reports of 1 at Spring Hill, and 2 at Lutz for Hillsborough Co's second report.
  During the winter of 2001/2002 up to 15 were reported in Polk Co., as well
as 2 at Tampa (Hillsborough Co.) and 1 in

at Land O' Lakes (Pasco Co.).  By the winter of 2002/2003, more reports came
from the Gulf coast south to Sarasota, and inland, 3 appeared in Orange Co.
for the first time since 1995; by spring 2003, more birds were seen in Orange
Co., and the first reports for Seminole and Lake counties.

While the first Polk bird could have come from either direction, the pattern
of reports after the date of that bird shows a southward progression of the
eastern feral population (and probably the Gainesville escapes); the Polk House
Finches of today are most likely from that population.

I was fairly certain that I read a report of House Finch(es) in Osceola
County in the latter half of the 1990s.  Presently, I am unable to locate one. 
If
anybody knows of any reports from that county, please let me know.

Happy Independence Day to all!!!!
And, of course, good holiday birding,
Bruce

Bruce H. Anderson
Winter Park, FL
scizortail@...

All,

Since early April I've been monitoring nesting plovers and Least Terns out
at Stump Pass in Englewood. This past weekend a culmination of factors came
together with devastating affects on the colony. Flooded rivers from the
13-20 inches that fell throughout the area, combined with a New Moon tide,
on shore winds, and tropical storm-like conditions. On 26 June I recorded
130 Least Terns incubating eggs and brooding small young, plus a Snowy
Plover pair had laid a second clutch after failing on their first attempt.
On my next visit on 2 July, all of this was lost except one lone, half
grown tern chick.

In talking with researchers on Knight Island, and then with Charlie Ewell
it appears the same occurred from Estero on up. Out of curiosity, I was
wondering how far reaching the affects of these conditions were. I was
wondering if anyone else out there noted major losses in nesting colonial
birds as a result of these conditions.

Curious,

Jeff Bouton
Port Charlotte, FL
jbouton2@...

All:

I've been "out of the loop" for the last month and a half because, having
just turned 50, I decided I needed to do something with my life and
promptly enrolled in an education course at Florida Gulf Coast University
with the intent of getting my teaching certificate. Call it a mid-life
crisis. . . .  Anyway, the course ended last night and the distant
fireworks exploding in the night sky as I drove back to Naples down I-75,
reflected my exuberance for having survived a college course after nearly
25 years of absence!

This morning I met Larry Albright who was down visiting Naples with his
family from Winter Haven and I showed him some of our local Collier
County birding hotspots. We didn't see anything out of the ordinary
except for one bird -- a male Belted Kingfisher! I've never seen one this
early in July. We saw it plying the flooded canals along Greenway Road in
Naples. Would anyone be willing to hazard a guess as to whether or not
this bird was an early fall migrant or perhaps a hanger-on from spring?
Or perhaps, dare I say it, breeding here? (Larry did think that he heard
a second bird.) Anyone else out there seeing Belted Kingfishers at this
time of the year?

Other birds of note: three Gray Kingbirds on Marco Island along Collier
Blvd.; several Florida Scrub-Jays along Shell Island Rd. near Briggs
Nature Center; four Magnificent Frigatebirds on one of the ABC Islands on
the road leading into Marco Island from the Judge Jolley Bridge; nine
Burrowing Owls near Tigertail Beach (plus a dead one on Lamplighter Ct.
also on Marco); two Swallow-tailed Kites along Fritchey Rd. and an
Eastern Bluebird on Greeway Rd.

Eagle Lakes Community park was a bust. The water levels were extremely
high in the main northeast impoundment and about the only birds there
were a few waders and Common Moorhens. The westernmost impoundment was
almost completely clogged by water lettuce. There were no Black-necked
Stilts to be found anywhere. These birds usually nest here. The pine
flatwoods that was behind the main northeast impoundment are now gone,
totally devoured by the Lely mega-resort.

Larry arrived in Naples on Thursday afternoon and promptly went to the
Tarpon Road Rose-ringed Parakeet roost where he found fifteen or so birds
at around 5:00PM.

It was nice birding with Larry again and getting out from behind a
computer that has monopolized all of my time in recent weeks.

Good birding and Happy Fourth!

Vincent Lucas
Naples

All,

The link below is for a Peregrine Falcon article in the Philadelphia Inquirer,
dealing with recent nesting successes.  The article does not deal with FL, but
the Peregrine is certainly a wintering FL species of interest.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/6260832.htm

Charlie

Charlie Ewell
Arlyne Salcedo
Cape Coral, FL
Anhinga42@...
SalcedoDVM@...

Charlie Ewell said:

>The link below is for a Peregrine Falcon article in the Philadelphia
>Inquirer,
>dealing with recent nesting successes.  The article does not deal with FL,
>but
>the Peregrine is certainly a wintering FL species of interest.
>
>http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/6260832.htm

Charlie and Others:

To see a live "FalconCam" of Peregrine Falcons which have nested for
several years now atop the Terminal Tower in Cleveland, OH (my former
hometown), go to:

http://falconcam.apk.net/

Cheers.

Vince Lucas
Naples

All,

Below is a News-Press link to an article on the Wood Stork nesting season in SW
FL.

http://www.news-press.com/news/local_state/030710woodstorks.html

Charlie Ewell
Arlyne Salcedo
Cape Coral, FL
Anhinga42@...
SalcedoDVM@...

All:

Good news. The pesticide fenthion has (finally) been banned. This victory
will protect shorebirds that overwinter here in Southwest Florida.
Another victory is legislation protecting migrating birds in Florida from
feral cat populations. Please read below.

Vincent Lucas
Naples, FL

>ABC GAINS VICTORY IN CAMPAIGN TO BAN FENTHION
>ABC's action campaign to remove the hazardous pesticide fenthion from use
>in Florida, where it is sprayed to kill mosquitoes, has resulted in an
>important victory. Bayer Corporation, the manufacturer of fenthion, has
>agreed to withdraw the pesticide from the market. Under the cancellation
>agreement between Bayer and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
>(EPA), fenthion use will not be permitted after November 2004. At ABC's
>insistence - and as part of settlement negotiations in a law suit brought
>by ABC, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Florida Wildlife Federation in the
>deaths of several birds in Collier County due to fenthion poisoning -
>label restrictions will be tightened for all applications between now and
>the cancellation date, to further protect birds. ABC would like to thank
>the more than 15,000 people who sent emails to the EPA and other officials
>requesting a ban on fenthion. The pressure this placed on regulators, the
>state of Florida, and Bayer made a big difference to the outcome of the
>campaign.
>
>Bayer has said that it would be willing to transfer the license for
>fenthion over to the Florida Mosquito control districts, which could open
>the door to fenthion being brought back in the future. In settlement
>negotiations, ABC and its partners are advocating restrictions that would
>create significant obstacles to fenthion ever being licensed again.

>George Fenwick,
>President, American Bird Conservancy

>LANDMARK FERAL CAT POLICY PASSED
>On May 30, 2003, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
>unanimously passed a policy, . . . " to protect native wildlife from
>predation, disease, and other impacts presented by feral and free-ranging
>cats." ABC had spearheaded support for the policy and garnered more than
>2,500 emails from BirdWire subscribers. Other conservation groups, federal
>and state agencies, and wildlife rehabilitators supporting the proposal
>included: American Birding Association, Defenders of Wildlife, National
>Audubon Society, Ornithological Council, Florida Audubon Society, Florida
>Wildlife Federation, The Wildlife Society and their Florida Chapter,
>Natural Areas Coalition of South Florida, Treasure Coast Wildlife
>Hospital, Wildlife Rehab & Refuge Center, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
>Service, Florida Animal Control Association, Florida Department of Health,
>USDA. Wildlife Services, and others.
>
>In passing the policy, the Commissioners took a courageous and important
>step in protecting migratory songbirds and shorebirds, as well as rare
>native mammals from stray and feral cats, and set an example for other
>state wildlife agencies to follow. The commissioners pledged that cats
>would be removed from state lands in the most humane way possible, and
>expressed a willingness to work with all stakeholders in this issue. The
>new policy can be found at www.abcbirds.org/cats/states/florida_policy.htm .

For anyone still interested:

I saw Herman (Heermann's Gull) this morning (7-12-03) at about 8:00AM at
East Beach at Fort De Soto Park. I only stayed for five minutes just to
see if he was there. Also present were Royal and Sandwich terns and
plenty of Laughing Gulls. At the East Beach Turnaround, there were about
two dozen Short-billed Dowitchers in both plumages as well as Western
Sandpipers, Willets and Least Terns.

Good birding,

Vincent Lucas
Naples, FL
vlucas@...

BRDBRAINers and SWFLBirdliners:
This was posted to a Louisiana Listserve.  Keep a lookout throughout FL.
Good birding.
Bruce

Bruce H. Anderson
Winter Park, FL
scizortail@...
*****************************************************************

Subject: [LABIRD-L] Wood stork study

labird-

see message below from Clint Jeske. The storks were captured and
instrumented near Catahoula in St. Martin Parish. Seven birds were captured,
all fitted with color bands, and three with satellite transmitters. Clint
said that readings so far on the 3 instrumented birds are that they are
staying in that vicinity, but moving around a bit.  We will keep you posted
on movements based on the satellite telemetry data. This project is a
cooperative effort between USGS, USDA, and Savannah River Lab/U. Georgia. We
hope to find out whether the La. storks come from Mexico or from FL/GA, that
age-old question. Unfortunately, this go round the U. of Georgia folks don't
have the web site set up for live, blow by blow movements on line. You may
recall that we did this a few years ago, but we only got one bird. It flew
into the Atchafalaya Basin, then never moved (probably a mortality). So, the
mystery remains unsolved.  Anyway, please be on the lookout for those
colored leg bands on 5 birds if you happen to scope any with legs visible.
Thanks also to those of you who sent in stork reports last week or two.
There were about 1500 or so storks in the Catahoula area during the trapping
effort last week.  Thomas C. Michot, USGS - National Wetlands, Research
Center, Lafayette, Louisiana

-----Original Message-----

Subject: Wood storks

On 1 July, we captured 5 wood storks, 4 juveniles and 1 subadult in a
rocket-net at a crawfish farm east of St Martinville. All the birds were
banded with a large (probably 1 1/2 inch) plastic red band on the right leg,
and an aluminum FWS and pale blue celluloid band with a black 3 number band
on the left. Band numbers on the celluloid were in the 150's. The subadult
was instrrumented with a 22 g satellite transmitter. All birds were in good
shape, although 1 juvenile had a substantial number of feather mites on the
wing. Blood and feather samples were collected from all birds.  An
additional 2 subadults were captured on 3 July. Band schemes are the same
and each received a satellite transmitter, 1 22 g model and 1 45-g model.
Duty cycles for the 22 g models should last about a year, the 45 g model
should last at least 2 years. We've received locations on all birds since
release. They're all still in the vicinity of the Basin.

Clinton W. Jeske, Wildlife Biologist, USGS - National Wetlands Research
Center, 700 Cajundome Blvd, Lafayette, LA 70506 (337)266-8652, (337)266-8616
FAX

This is a curiously unusual group of sightings of hawks/Kites in North Cape
Coral for yesterday and today (July 15/16).

July 15 - Pine Island Road just west of US 41,  1 Adult Mississippi Kite hunting
over road and trees just south of road.  In Tallahassee in July I would expect
this, but this is my first for this area in the summer.  (late migrant/early
migrant ?)

July 16 - North Del Prado Blvd, north of Pine Island Road,  1 Adult
Sharp-Shinned Hawk Chasing a Red-Winged Blackbird over a canal  just over the
tops of the cars. Got the Blackbird after a short chase.  (As above?)

July 16 - Hancock Bridge Parkway just east of Del Prado Blvd.,  1 Adult
Swallow-Tailed Kite being chased/harassed by two Common Grackles, just over tops
of the houses on each side of road flying slowly northward.

This is a most unusual cluster of sightings for the summer here, and begs the
question as to what's going on.  Have there been any other sightings of unusual
note that I may have missed in the postings.  We had a large flight of Purple
Martins (50 - 60) last Saturday afternoon headed South (South Cape), but we
figured this was simply a post-breeding feeding flock.

Has migration begun way too early?


Gary C. Hampton
Sandra H. Hampton
Cape Coral, Florida


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi All,
Another week closer to the peak. Thursday while kayaking the bayside of
N.Captiva an awesome adult Black Tern flew by low in a mixed flock of Sandwich,
Royal and Least all of which are increasing in number, the first B. Kingfisher
for the season as well. Also my first Barn Swallow push of the season. Again,
today I ventured to N. Captiva (7/19) A strong flight of Barn Swallows well into
the afternoon. Lower tides helped increase shorebird sightings. Today's prize
was an excellent plumage Whimbrel, Sanderlings are back and turnstones,
dowitchers, willets are increasing, few peeps, and the first Spotted Sandpiper
for
the season.
McAvian@...
Vince McGrath
Ft. Myers,Fl.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi all,
This was an interesting article on AOL.  I have attached the link, but don't
know if you can go to it without being an AOL member.

<A HREF="aol://4344:3167.lizard.21075681.720954425"> AOL News: Scientists
Hunt for Giant Lizards</A>


Bruce

Bruce H. Anderson
Winter Park, FL
scizortail@...

All:

A very brief stop at the North Naples Waste Water Treatment Ponds on
Goodlette-Frank Rd. in Collier County produced some nice shorebirds and
waders in the northernmost pond closest to the bridge/overpass. There
were several Pectoral and Least Sandpipers as well as both yellowlegs,
Black-necked Stilts, Killdeer, Least Terns plus the usual waders and
Mottled Ducks etc. There were probably Stilt Sandpipers in there but due
to a faulty tripod I couldn't use my scope. In the next few days, this
impoundment will only attract more birds as it continues to drawdown. . .
.

Good birding!

Vincent Lucas
Naples
vlucas@...

All,

Good numbers of returning migrants at Little Estero Lagoon today, 24 Jul 03.
Many new arrivals since my last visit on 11 Jul.  A few Least SP, Western SP,
and Red Knot adults had arrived by then, but today the numbers increased.  I'll
compare the average number on most visits this summer with today's highlights:

Black-bellied Plover: increased from 3-4 to 11 basic plumaged individuals.
Snowy Plover: increased from 2 to 8.
Wilson's Plover: increased from 20 to 40.
Semipalmated Plover: still about 40 individuals.
American Oystercatcher: still 25-30 individuals present (split evenly between
adults and immature).
Willet: increased from 4-5 in June to 40 by 11 Jul and 60 by 24 Jul.
Whimbrel: none present till 1 on 24 Jul.
Marbled Godwit: 2-4 basic plumaged (non-breeding) individuals present through 11
Jul, 23 alternate (breeding) plumage present 24 Jul.
Red Knot: Up to 15 basic plumaged individuals present through 11 Jul (1
alternate (breeding) plumage adult 21 Jun), 4 alternate and 15 basic individuals
24 Jul.
Western Sandpiper: 75-100 basic plumage probable Westerns (no alternate) through
11 Jul, 6 alternate 11 Jul and 40 alternate 24 Jul.
Least Sandpiper: No individuals present through 7 Jul, 1 alternate 11 Jul and
about 100 24 Jul.
Dunlin: 1 alternate through 11 Jul, not seen 24 Jul.
Short-billed Dowitcher: 2-4 basic through 11 Jul, 1 basic and 13 alternate
present 24 Jul.
Laughing Gull: Numbers of nonbreeding individuals varied throughout summer, but
many adults and juveniles present 24 Jul.
Herring Gull: 3-4 1st year birds throughout May, 1 -2 seen through June, 1 seen
and 1 found moribund 24 Jul.
Royal Tern: Numbers still about 150-200, but some new juveniles present 24 Jul.
Sandwich Tern: 100-150 (mostly basic) present through 11 Jul, 350 (mostly basic,
but quite a few of this summer's juveniles) 24 Jul.
Common Tern: 1-2 1st year present throughout Jun-Jul 11, 8 1st year and 2
alternate 24 July.
Forster's Tern: 1 molting adult 24 Jul.
Barn Swallow: 2 migrating individuals 24 Jul.

Charlie

Charlie Ewell
Arlyne Salcedo
Cape Coral, FL
Anhinga42@...
SalcedoDVM@...

I am forwarding this to all who may be interested in West Nile Virus and
birds.



Doug Wassmer

Tampa, FL

DDwassme1@...





I wish to alert subscribers to the existence of our WNV website:
www.audubon.org/bird/wnv. The information is current, complete, and
referenced. The "Effects on Wildlife" section has just been updated,
as has "What Can I Do?" - the latter includes good info on methods
of discouraging mosquitoes. Within a couple of weeks, the home page
will also include a "What's New" section, where recent developments
will be posted.
Carolee Caffrey

Carolee Caffrey, PhD
Science Associate
Audubon Science
545 Almshouse Rd
Ivyland PA 18974
215 355 9588, ext. 23
ccaffrey@...





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

All,

Below is an important reminder about West Nile Virus that was originally posted
by Margie Wilkinson on the Birdbrains listserv.  We now have our second
confirmed case of West Nile Virus in the Ft. Myers-Naples area.  News-Press
article link:

http://www.news-press.com/news/local_state/030726westnile.html

Charlie Ewell
Arlyne Salcedo
Cape Coral, FL
Anhinga42@...
SalcedoDVM@...


----- Original Message -----
From: "Margie Wilkinson" <wwilkin3@...>
To: <BRDBRAIN@...>
Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2003 8:56 AM
Subject: West Nile Virus


Some time ago Wilf Yusek sent me a report from a a WNV seminar which a
friend had attended in Canada.  With the migration now underway, and as
the fall months are notoriously risky for getting bitten, I'm passing
this along now.  It contains pretty much in a nutshell the information
on the Audubon web site and I think is concise and relevant. I've cut
and pasted as it was sent as an attachment.  Thanks, Wilf.

> This past Thursday I attended a West Nile Virus seminar put on by the Hamilton
Spectator.  Some highlights:
> - Per Dr. Fiona Hunter and Dr. Mike Bidochka, mosquitoes are first attracted
by CO2 (carbon dioxide).  As they home in, they then take visual clues such as
colour, smell and motion.  That is why it is preferable to wear light coloured
clothing (shirts and pants) during high mosquito periods, typically dawn and
dusk.  White and light yellow are the preferred colours.
> - Apply 30% Deet repellent to exposed skin. Apparently studies have shown a
30% solution is quite adequate for repelling mosquitoes.  Dr. Monir Taha,
Associate Medical Officer of Health for the City of Hamilton stated Deet has a
very low toxicity but as usual, you should follow the directions on the package.
Children should use a 10% solution but as usual, you should follow the
directions on the package.
> - Dr. Hunter does not recommend foggers as the chemicals used could
potentially be hazardous if improperly used.
> - The panel did not feel devices such as the "Mosquito Magnet" where
practical.  Though they will attract and kill thousands of mosquitoes, they
attract them from a 360 degree circle.  If you are between the device and the
incoming mosquito, you will probably end up being the target.
> - What are the risks?  The guest panel really wouldn't comment other than to
say there has been an exponential expansion of WNV in just two years.  It was
first detected in New York City in 1999 and is expected to spread right across
Canada by this year.
> - The problem is we have a virgin population in North America that has not
been exposed to the virus.  They don't know what will happen in Canada but other
countries have seen a three to five year active period of infection then it dies
down - reason being the populace develops immunity.
> - In New York City, studies have shown that out of 150 people who contract
WNV, ten will develop flu likes symptoms, one will develop meningitis or
encephalitis, less than one will die from complications.  Generally speaking,
you are at higher risk as you get older or if you have some other underlying
health issues.  So roughly speaking, you have a 1 in 15 chance of developing
some effects from the bite of an infected mosquito.
> - How many mosquitoes are infected?  They really don't know but last year 300
out of 18000 test "pools" of mosquitoes were positive.  In 2001, only 8 out of
18000 tested positive.  This is why they consider the growth exponential.
> - If you contract WNV, even if you show no health signs, you will be immune
for life.  The only way to find out if you have developed immunity is to get a
blood test.
> - WNV is a bird disease that spills over to the human population as summer
progresses.  Risk of infection increase as summer advances.
> - House sparrows and grackles can be hosts for the virus like crows but they
do not tend to die off like crows.
> - Other than wearing the proper clothing and using Deet repellent, they highly
recommended removing all small container sources of standing water as WNV
mosquitoes are typically "container breeders".  Tires are the worst.  An average
tire with water is an ideal breeding ground.  Tire studies in the St.
Catharine's area last summer showed mosquitoes would lay at least 1000 eggs with
a 99% adult survival rate in just one tire per egg laying period.
> - Ponds are less of a problem.
> - They referred to mosquitoes as "flying needles".

-----------------------------

Margie Wilkinson
St. Petersburg, FL
wwilkin3@...

All:

The two Vinces decided to do some birding today to look for migrants as
well as some year birds etc. Before I list what birds we saw, I want to
relate the route we took because it is confusing and most maps depicting
these areas are wrong. If you have a DeLorme Gazatteer, you might want to
look at it and follow along. We started out from Naples this morning at
6:00AM and took C.R. 846 (Immokalee Rd.) all the way to where it connects
with C.R. 833 in Hendry County. Instead of taking C.R. 833 north (DeLorme
page 113, A-0 in crease of page), to where it comes out on S.R. 80 to the
west of Clewiston, we took C.R. 833 east to where it connects with C.R.
835. The DeLorme Gazetteer has this wrong at this point. On page 113, it
calls this road C.R. 846 (DeLorme A-1). This is actually C.R. 835 and it
is signed as such. We birded C.R. 835 to where it comes out on U.S. Rte.
27/S.R. 80 to the east of Clewiston. We then took U.S. Rte. 27 southeast
to the road that parallels the Miami Canal. The road is unmarked and can
be accessed almost directly across from John Stretch Park (not named in
the DeLorme Gazetteer) near Lake Harbor (DeLorme page 113, C-3). We
birded the Miami canal to where it hooks up with the road that parallels
the Bolles Canal. This is C.R. 827 I believe. (Cf. DeLorme page 107,
D-3). We then took C.R. 827 east to where it hooks back up to U.S. 27
(DeLorme page 108, C-1). After birding the surrounding sod farms, we
headed south on U.S. Rte. 27 for a brief stop at the Everglades Wonder
Gardens (Broward County) for Monk Parakeets. Next we stopped at the
mitigation wetlands along S.W. 196th in Pembroke Pines to look for any
White-tailed Kites. We didn't find any :>(  From there we went to the
Southwest Regional Library Mitigation Ponds off of Sheridan Rd. in
Pembroke Pines for Purple Swamphens etc. We then took S.R. 997 to U.S.
Rte. 41 and headed west birding Loop Rd. in the Big Cypress National
Preserve and afterward, we finished our day together at the Fritchey Road
Wetlands in Naples.

If you're still reading this, we had a total of 84 species. Here is a
list of our best sightings in the order we saw them.

Crested Caracara -- x4 in a dead tree on C.R. 846 to the east of
Immokalee (Collier Co.). Also, x6 at various locations along C.R. 835 in
Hendry County.

Bald Eagle -- x1 along C.R. 846 near Immokalee (Collier County)

Northern Bobwhite -- x6 at the junction of C.R. 835 and the L-1 Canal
(Hendry County)

Burrowing Owl -- x4 at the junction of C.R. 835 and the L-1 Canal (Hendry
County)

Brown Thrasher -- x1 at the junction of C.R. 835 and the L-1 Canal
(Hendry County)

Gray Kingbird -- x1 at the junction of C.R. 835 and the L-1 Canal (Hendry
County)

Barred Owl -- x1 (found dead along C.R. 835 in Hendry County)

Eastern Towhee -- x1 at the junction of C.R. 835 and the L-1 Canal
(Hendry County) and x1 along Loop Rd. in Monroe County.

Barn Owl -- x2 along the Miami Canal (Palm Beach County) and x3 along the
Bolles Canal (C.R. 827 in Palm Beach County)

Spotted Sandpiper -- x1 along the Miami Canal (Palm Beach County)

Chimney Swift -- x2 along the Miami Canal (Palm Beach County)

Fulvous Whistling-Duck -- x4 along the Bolles Canal (C.R. 827 in Palm
Beach County)

Smooth-billed Ani -- x6 along the Bolles Canal (C.R. 827 in Palm Beach
County)

Purple Gallinule (adult + young) along the Bolles Canal (C.R. 827 in Palm
Beach County) and x1 at the Southwest Regional Library Mitigation Ponds
off of Sheridan Rd. (Broward County)

Great White Heron -- x1 along the Bolles Canal (C.R. 827 in Palm Beach
County)

American White Pelican -- x100+ at the King Ranch Sod Farms off of U.S.
Rte. 27 (Palm Beach County)

Roseate Spoonbill -- x15 at the King Ranch Sod Farms off of U.S. Rte. 27
(Palm Beach County)

King Rail -- x1 at the King Ranch Sod Farms off of U.S. Rte. 27 (Palm
Beach County)

Western Sandpiper -- x1 at the King Ranch Sod Farms off of U.S. Rte. 27
(Palm Beach County)

Least Sandpiper -- x50+ at the King Ranch Sod Farms off of U.S. Rte. 27
(Palm Beach County)

Pectoral Sandpiper -- x2 at the King Ranch Sod Farms off of U.S. Rte. 27
(Palm Beach County)

Stilt Sandpiper -- x1 at the King Ranch Sod Farms off of U.S. Rte. 27
(Palm Beach County)

Wood Stork -- x200+ at the King Ranch Sod Farms off of U.S. Rte. 27 (Palm
Beach County)

Gull-billed Tern -- x1 at the King Ranch Sod Farms off of U.S. Rte. 27
(Palm Beach County)

Black Tern -- x4 at the King Ranch Sod Farms off of U.S. Rte. 27 (Palm
Beach County)

Least Tern -- x1 at the King Ranch Sod Farms off of U.S. Rte. 27 (Palm
Beach County)

Monk Parakeet -- colony at Everglades Wonder Park (Broward County)

Least Bittern -- x1 at the mitigation wetlands along S.W. 196th in
Pembroke Pines (Broward County)

Purple Swamphen -- x1 at the Southwest Regional Library Mitigation Ponds
off of Sheridan Rd. (Broward County)

Eastern Kingbird -- x3 along Loop Rd. in Monroe County

Eastern Bluebird -- x1 along Loop Rd. in Monroe County

Yellow-throated Warbler -- x1 along Loop Rd. in Monroe County

Black-and-white Warbler -- x1 along Loop Rd. in Collier County

Ruby-throated Hummingbird -- x1 (female) feeding at Firebush (Hamelia
patens) along Loop Road in Collier County

Northern Flicker -- x1 along Loop Rd. in Monroe County and x1 along Loop
Rd. in Collier County

Snail Kite -- x2 at Fritchey Road Wetlands in Collier County

Limpkin -- x1 at Fritchey Road Wetlands in Collier County

There were also scores of the usual Black-necked Stilts, Killdeer and
Lesser Yellowlegs at the King Ranch Sod Farms off of U.S. Rte. 27 (Palm
Beach County). We could not locate any Upland or Solitary Sandpipers nor
American Golden-Plovers or Wilson's Phalaropes at this or any other
locale. We were probably too early. . . .

Lastly, we were unable to locate any other migrant passerines, especially
warblers. We had hoped to find the resident Prothonotary Warblers as well
as the recently seen Tricolored Munias along Loop Road but to no avail.
Nor did we see the "usual" Tufted Titmice or Pine Warblers. No Loggerhead
Shrikes were seen on Loop Road as well.

Good birding!

Vincent Lucas
Naples
vlucas@...

From July 11 to July 22, off and on, There has been a Brown Thrasher feeding and
vocalising in the backyards of several of our neighbor's as well as ours.  We
live on a peninsula in the south Cape, and have never seen this species here
before.  Since I am not that familiar anymore with the possibility of nesters
here, I would be interested to know if this is an early migrant.

Gary C. Hampton
Sandra H. Hampton
Cape Coral, Florida


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have a pair of brown thrashers on my property in Avon Park. They are
permanent residents. When we were doing the scrub jay monitoring a few
weeks ago there were many sighted in the Silver Lake site. I've also
seen them at the Avon Park Bombing Range at all times of the year. While
these sites are not SW FL, they are close. I have some good photos of
them too.

Anne Bellenger
Avon Park FL

After dropping Vince Lucas off yesterday in Naples I figured ,what the hay,
and stopped at the Water Treatment Facility on Goodlette?Frank Rd. in N.
Naples.
  Excellent. 3 Solitary, 2 Spotted, 3 Semipalmated, 6 Western (most in great
rusty plumage, Stilt, many Pectoral, and many Least Sandpipers. S-b Dowitcher,
many Black-necked Stilt, Killdeers, a Semipalmated Plover and other water
species least tern Mottled duck some herons and egrets...
  So just for fun I swung to the coast and added Willet, Black-bellied and
Wilson's Plovers and Am. Oystercatcher. While checking the terns I saw an ad
Black Tern at Little Estero I. beachside with Least and Sandwich. Not bad for
July
in S Fl., finished the day with 95 species
McAvian@...
Vince McGrath
Ft. Myers,Fl.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Gary, Sandra, and All,

Brown Thrasher definitely breeds in Cape Coral.  I have seen them in various
areas in summer north of Veteran's Parkway.  I would imagine there are still
areas south of the parkway that have suitable habitat, like the area around
Rotary Park and Gulf Elementary/Middle School.  Also, the southern Cape does
have older, established neighborhoods with continuous vegetation and shrubbery
that could certainly attract a few thrashers.

Our previous home was in the Cape area of Chiquita Blvd and Pine Island Road,
and we had Brown Thrashers nest in a hedge along the house.  They returned to
our seed and suet feeders every spring and stayed through the fall.  They seemed
to spend the majority of their time in the Brazilian Peppers and Australian
Pines (Causarina) that lined the fresh water canal behind the house.

It might be tough to say with certainty whether it is a breeder or migrant, as
July is the beginning of post breeding movements and migration, but I consider
the Brown Thrasher an uncommon, localized breeder in Cape Coral.  I've read it
may sing during most periods of the year, less frequently during fall/winter.

Charlie

Charlie Ewell
Arlyne Salcedo
Cape Coral, FL
Anhinga42@...
SalcedoDVM@...


----- Original Message -----
From: "Rev. G. C. and Mrs. S. H. Hampton" <country@...>
To: <SWFLBirdline@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 9:08 PM
Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Brown Thrasher in Cape Coral


From July 11 to July 22, off and on, There has been a Brown Thrasher feeding and
vocalising in the backyards of several of our neighbor's as well as ours.  We
live on a peninsula in the south Cape, and have never seen this species here
before.  Since I am not that familiar anymore with the possibility of nesters
here, I would be interested to know if this is an early migrant.

Gary C. Hampton
Sandra H. Hampton
Cape Coral, Florida


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
SWFLBirdline-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Hi BRDBRAINers, SWFLBirdliners and other ornithophiles who may lurk on the
WEB,

Rich Paul, our resident expert on Reddish Egrets, kindly shared with us
details of his experiences with Reddish Egret plumages.  Florida is fortunate to
have such a devoted wading bird expert so willing to share his vast knowledge
with us.  Rich mentioned otherwise normal-looking dark morphs with some white
flight and contour feathers, usually symmetrically arranged on the birds.

I have attached below, a photo taken by Jim Stevenson, Galveston, Texas
resident ornithologist (and youngest son of Henry M.), of a Reddish Egret in
Texas
that may be an example of such a "mottled" bird.  Jim kindly forwarded this
photo to me to share with all.  If you want to contact Jim, you may do so at <
natrix@...>.

Bird on,
Bruce

Bruce H. Anderson
Winter Park, FL
scizortail@...

[Unable to display image]

All,

I've attached the excellent photo that Bruce Anderson wanted to post on his
previous email.  I've included the original text as well.

Charlie

Charlie Ewell (Listowner)
Arlyne Salcedo
Cape Coral, FL
Anhinga42@...
SalcedoDVM@...

****************************************
Rich Paul, our resident expert on Reddish Egrets, kindly shared with us
details of his experiences with Reddish Egret plumages.  Florida is fortunate to
have such a devoted wading bird expert so willing to share his vast knowledge
with us.  Rich mentioned otherwise normal-looking dark morphs with some white
flight and contour feathers, usually symmetrically arranged on the birds.

I have attached below, a photo taken by Jim Stevenson, Galveston, Texas
resident ornithologist (and youngest son of Henry M.), of a Reddish Egret in
Texas
that may be an example of such a "mottled" bird.  Jim kindly forwarded this
photo to me to share with all.  If you want to contact Jim, you may do so at <
natrix@...>.

Bird on,
Bruce

Bruce H. Anderson
Winter Park, FL
scizortail@...

All,

Bev Postmus has let me know one of the Snowy Plover chicks that was banded this
past season on Sanibel Island has been seen at Bunche Beach.  I have seen one of
the banded birds from 2002 at Little Estero Lagoon off and on, and it has been
present since 7 Jul recently.  Bev would like any banded Snowy Plovers reported
to the following:

Brad Smith at:  bsmith@...  or to Mike Brady at:  Michael_Brady@....

Thanks!

Charlie

Charlie Ewell
Arlyne Salcedo
Cape Coral, FL
Anhinga42@...
SalcedoDVM@...

All,

The movie Winged Migration is now at the Regal Bell Tower 20 on US-41 in Ft
Myers.

Regal Bell Tower 20
13499 Bell Tower Drive
Ft. Myers, FL  33907
(239) 590-9696

Winged Migration
Showing: 12:30, 2:50, 5:00, 7:25, 9:25 pm.
Runtime: 1 hours 31 minutes
Rated: G
Movie WebSite: http://www.sonyclassics.com/wingedmigration/index_flash.html


Charlie

Charlie Ewell
Arlyne Salcedo
Cape Coral, FL
Anhinga42@...
SalcedoDVM@...

All,

Here is a reminder about the Snowy Plover banding project mentioned in a
previous email.  This was posted by one of the participants (Mike Brady) to the
FLORIDABIRDS-L Listserv.  I included info about the listserv after the posting
for those not familiar with that list (statewide discussion).  If you do not (or
do not want to) subscribe to the list, the photo  link is worth a visit, and the
archives allow you to see what is going on.  You can also follow the list at:
http://www.birdingonthe.net/birdmail.html

Click on Floridabirds-L to see a summary of the most recent posts.  There are
lists from around the country and world on this page as well.

Subject: snowy plovers color banding on Sanibel
From: Mike Brady <bradymsd AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2003 20:52:40 -0400 (FLORIDABIRDS-L Listserv)

This summer the USFWS at Ding Darling in Cooperation with Sanibel Captiva
Conservation Foundation (SCCF), with many volunteers started a color
banding project on Sanibel. As the juvenals start to disperse please send
us any sightings. Our snowies will have one green color band and one silver
(FWS) band on the right leg and a combination of two other colors on the
left. Please record combos correctly. We will take any banding sightings of
plovers in the area, even those not color banded this year.

send to michael_brady AT fws.gov

______________________________________________________________________
FLORIDABIRDS-L Listserv mailing list information:
Policy,sub.info:   http://bkpass.tripod.com/FLORIDABIRDS-L.htm
Member photos: http://bkpass.tripod.com/floridabirds.htm
For archives:   http://www.lists.ufl.edu/archives/floridabirds-l.html
Set nomail: Click:  mailto:listserv AT lists.ufl.edu Set floridabirds-l nomail
Listowner: Click:  mailto:FloridaBirds-L-request AT lists.ufl.edu


Charlie Ewell
Arlyne Salcedo
Cape Coral, FL
Anhinga42@...
SalcedoDVM@...

Just a quick Note:

Barn Swallows all this week (8/4 - 8/10) over SE Cape Coral moving SSE.
Adult Yellow Warbler at CC Yacht Club on 8/7.
8/11 - First Common Nighthawk Flock of Fall (8 birds) over Coralwood Mall P/L
feeding and moving slowly South.

G. C. Hampton
Sandra H. Hampton
Cape Coral, Florida


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

All,

Below you may find interesting my summary for the Little Estero Lagoon (Ft Myers
Beach) nesting season.  I monitored the site weekly for interested parties with
Lee County (Preservation 20/20) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission.  The main focus of interest is the Least Tern colony that utilizes
the area.


Charlie Ewell
Arlyne Salcedo
Cape Coral, FL
Anhinga42@...
SalcedoDVM@...


Subject: Re: Little Estero Critical Wildlife Area

Hello everyone,

Here are the highlights of the breeding season survey :

First survey on 20 Apr had 4 Least Tern (LETE) nests (north roped area) and 2
Wilson's Plover (WIPL) nests.

27 Apr had 26 LETE (3 distinct colonies: north [12], middle [5], and south [9])
and 3 WIPL nests.

3 May had 44 LETE nests (north [14], middle [30], south [0]).  South colony
apparently abandoned.  The WIPL nests were no longer active, and unfortunately
no eggs or chicks observed.

10 May had 82 LETE nests (north [40], middle [42], south [0]).   Also noted the
northern colonies frequent disturbances due to resident Osprey fly-bys.

18 May had 90 LETE nests (north [30], middle [60], south [0]).

24 May had 95 LETE nests (north [35], middle [60], south [0]).  An adult
Yellow-crowned Night-heron was observed not too far from the northern colony.
Ospreys continue to disturb and flush the colonies.  Not too much human
disturbance noticed to this point.

31 May had 91 LETE nests (north [26], middle [65], south [0]).  An unleashed
small dog w/ owner crossed the inlet near the middle colony.  The dog ran
through 200-300 resting terns and gulls.  They passed middle colony area far
enough away that the dog did not flush any LETE off eggs.  I was too far away to
see how the dog passed the northern colony as they proceeded up beach.  I was at
the northern colony as they returned southbound, this time dog on leash.  No
LETE were flushed.

3 Jun had 80 LETE nests (north [15], middle [60], south [0]).  The north colony
is steadily declining at this point with no chicks observed yet.

7 Jun had 60 LETE nests (north [15], middle [45], south [0]).  First decline in
the middle colony noted; still no chicks observed.  One WIPL nest seen near
northern colony.

14 Jun had 41 LETE nests (north [2], middle [39], south [0]).  WIPL nests
observed again in the north area [2], and a new one in the middle area [1].  The
2 remaining LETE nests in the north colony were flushed by condo walkers that
had crossed the lagoon and passed through the roped area.  I examined the area
for any hints as to why this colony had failed.  I found one cracked eggshell w/
embryo, a few areas of ants (unsure of type, as I did not check to see if they
were Fire Ants!), and footprints.  Perhaps a combination of the presence of
Yellow-crowned Night-herons at the lagoon, the Osprey fly-bys that clearly upset
the terns on nest, and human disturbance is to blame???

21 Jun had 50 LETE nests (north [2], middle [48], south [0]).  A WIPL nest was
found in the same area as the 3 nests that failed in May (re-nesting?).  I still
have not seen any LETE or WIPL chicks (Marie Gonsalo reported seeing one) this
season.  Notable on this survey was my first sighting of juvenile LETE (2), one
fed by an adult, and 4 separate courtship/copulations.  Perhaps I missed the
juvenile LETE as chicks, but I
cannot say they did not arrive with adults from outside these colonies.  Two
dogs observed off-leash along the inside (opposite) of the lagoon.

The 21st was my last survey before the remaining colony was taken out by the
storm that occurred on Friday 27 Jun.  I was away that weekend, and heard of the
storm upon my return.  I had hoped for some re-nesting attempts, but have not
seen any.

Other birds of note during the surveys: The Black Skimmer flock fluctuated
around 150 individuals, both adult and immature.  No breeding attempts or
behavior seen.  The American Oystercatcher flock was consistently around 25-30.
Also no breeding behaviors noticed.  Snowy Plovers (2 m/f) were not seen
consistently.  One was an apparent male that was banded last summer as a chick
on Sanibel Island.  It has been present on and off since last fall.  No breeding
noticed.

Non-breeders of note: This was the largest concentration of summering peeps
(basic plumage) I have witnessed over the 5 summers I have been spending a
significant amount of time at the lagoon.  Their numbers were consistently near
or over 100!  I assume many were Western Sandpipers due to bill shape and other
jizz related field marks, but would not speculate on all that I looked at.  Some
certainly seemed to be within the bill size/shape of Semipalmated Sandpipers.
There was a large influx of them during the mid to late May migration period, so
I would not be surprised if many of the non-breeders stayed behind after the
adults pulled out.

No Least Sandpipers were observed from 18 May-11 Jul, and the July bird was an
adult that I believe was a fall arrival.  Red Knots were usually around 12-15
basic plumaged individuals (one being partially alternate), with one full
alternate present as late as 21 Jun.  Four apparent adults returned by 24 July.
A Dunlin in "ratty" alternate plumage and missing a "foot" was present
throughout the summer.  Short-billed dowitchers ranged from 13 basic plumaged on
14 Jun to 4 basic individuals on 21 Jun to 1 still present 7 Jul.  The basic
plumaged SBDO was joined by 13 alternate plumaged by 24 Jul.

Five basic Willets that summered were joined by an alternate plumaged adult 21
Jun.  Nine adults arrived by 3 Jul, 15 by 11 Jul, and 40+ by 24 Jul!  A handful
of both basic Sanderlings and Ruddy Turnstones remained, with both beginning to
increase by 24 Jul.

Up to 4 basic plumaged Marbled Godwits were present during the period, with a
flock of 23 southbound alternate plumaged adults present 24 Jul (14 were still
present 28 Jul, and only two by 2 Aug).  The first Whimbrel returned 24 Jul,
after 4 were last seen 18 May.

Of the plovers, up to 5 basic Black-bellied summered (including 1 that was
partially alternate), being joined by an alternate BBPL 3 Jul.  I did not see it
on subsequent visits through July.  Five alternate returned 16 Aug.  Up to 25
basic Semipalmated Plovers summered, with their numbers increasing to 53
individuals by 24 Jul.
A few sub-adult Common Terns were usually present with the 100+ each
non-breeding Royal and Sandwich Terns.  A first-summer Lesser Black-backed Gull,
that had been present since at least mid-winter, was last seen 21 Jun.  Five
immature Herring Gulls involved in a molt that certainly limited their mobility,
decreased to 1 by August.  I found the specimen of one individual on 24 Jul.
Roseate Spoonbills (25) returned to the lagoon by 2 Aug.


Charlie

Charlie Ewell
Arlyne Salcedo
Cape Coral, FL
239-542-0090
Anhinga42@...
SalcedoDVM@...