Both days spent were from 8am - 10:30am. It seems to quiet down plus the heat
get oppressive and people begin to outnumber birds.
   Not as active as last weekend warbler wise. Only 1 ea. of N. Parula,
Yellow, Black & White and some but not many Prairies. Yesterday a Northern
Waterthrush dropped in for a close up at the bench. Swallows on the other hand
were
much more numerous and varied. Bank and cliff were quite common as well as
Purple
Martin w/many ad males and Barns were abundant as ever. Good flights of
Eastern Kingbirds mostly in the 10 to 15 size flock. a dozen Chimney Swifts
yesterday, today only one.
   Here is a question. Do Eurasian Collared Doves migrate? My guess is yes for
many small flocks passed by both days in the general direction of migrants.
This is truly an avian phenomena as just five years ago I never saw this occur
in E.C.Doves
          OK saved the best for last, at 9:45am a flock of Swallow-tailed
Kites began approaching the lighthouse, after ten minutes of circling and
cavorting among themselves they turned SE and left the island. We counted 30.
    Saw the local Cooper's Hawk along McGregor at Davis Rd. today as well as
an Eagle. The sandspit just over the toll bridge has up to 20 Black Terns daily
now and the mudflats at the Sanibel toll plaza has Marbled godwits, Red Knots
and an assortment of other sandpipers, herons, egrets, etc...
  McAvian@...
  Vince McGrath
  Ft. Myers,Fl.


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

All,

Not too far from the Sanibel Causeway, I've seen Black Terns both feeding and
resting on channel markers along the Intercoastal Waterway both Sunday and today
(Monday).  On the 31st, when Jeff Bouton noticed our first Black Tern in flight,
he kept his Childonias species triple crown monthly streak alive at two
following his July White-winged Tern in Fairbanks, Alaska.  Now all Jeff needs
to nail down is the vaunted Whiskered Tern (has occurred in NJ/DE and Barbados)!
If anyone could pull off so mighty a task, it would be him!  ;)

Charlie

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


----- Original Message -----
From: <McAvian@...>
To: <FLORIDABIRDS-L@...>; <SWFLBirdline@yahoogroups.com>;
<FlaBirding@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2003 6:18 PM
Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Sanibel lighthosue 8/31 - 9/1


Both days spent were from 8am - 10:30am. It seems to quiet down plus the heat
get oppressive and people begin to outnumber birds.
   Not as active as last weekend warbler wise. Only 1 ea. of N. Parula,
Yellow, Black & White and some but not many Prairies. Yesterday a Northern
Waterthrush dropped in for a close up at the bench. Swallows on the other hand
were
much more numerous and varied. Bank and cliff were quite common as well as
Purple
Martin w/many ad males and Barns were abundant as ever. Good flights of
Eastern Kingbirds mostly in the 10 to 15 size flock. a dozen Chimney Swifts
yesterday, today only one.
   Here is a question. Do Eurasian Collared Doves migrate? My guess is yes for
many small flocks passed by both days in the general direction of migrants.
This is truly an avian phenomena as just five years ago I never saw this occur
in E.C.Doves
          OK saved the best for last, at 9:45am a flock of Swallow-tailed
Kites began approaching the lighthouse, after ten minutes of circling and
cavorting among themselves they turned SE and left the island. We counted 30.
    Saw the local Cooper's Hawk along McGregor at Davis Rd. today as well as
an Eagle. The sandspit just over the toll bridge has up to 20 Black Terns daily
now and the mudflats at the Sanibel toll plaza has Marbled godwits, Red Knots
and an assortment of other sandpipers, herons, egrets, etc...
  McAvian@...
  Vince McGrath
  Ft. Myers,Fl.


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



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All,

The following two emails are a reminder that the Bunche Beach off-leash dog
issue will be voted on this Tuesday (9 Sep @ 9:30 AM) by the county
commissioners.  Please read below if interested.

Charlie

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

----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2003 7:41 AM
Subject: Fwd: Bunche Beach Land Stewardship Plan


Hello Fellow Birders,
        The Lee County commissioners will VOTE this coming Tuesday on whether
dogs will be allowed on Bunche Beach.  The SODA (dog group) will be out in force
at this meeting.  We birders must also be out in force to speak to the fact that
dogs DO NOT BELONG ON BUNCHE BEACH.  The forwarded message gives information
about the meeting.  Public input will be allowed, but it is not necessary for
you to speak.  If you do want to speak, please write out a statement before hand
so that your statement will be cogent and concise.  I will be there.  Please
contact me with any questions you have.  This is an opportunity for you to help
protect a very special "bird beach."  Democracy in action.  If you cannot attend
the meeting, please call your commissioner to express your opinion.  Believe me,
your opinion counts.  Sue Moore

Hi Sue,

To answer your questions from this morning, the San Carlos Bay - Bunche Beach
Preserve Land Stewardship Plan will come before the Board of County
Commissioners for their approval on Tuesday September 9th at their regular
meeting, which starts at 9:30 AM.  The Plan is number 11 on the agenda so it is
hard to say what time this item will be discussed, but public comment is at the
top of the agenda.

The Board meeting will be held in Commission Chambers in the Old Courthouse
building located at 2120 Main Street.

Please let me know if you need additional information.

Anik L. Smith
Conservation 2020
Land Stewardship Supervisor
Lee County Parks & Recreation
smitha@...
Phone #: 239-461-7455
Fax #: 239-461-7460

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

All,

Walt Winton reported the following this AM (Sat 6 Sep 03) at the Sanibel
Lighthouse.  Most birds were concentrated along the dirt road across from the
fishing pier parking lot.  The interior hammock was quiet.

Eastern Pewee
Summer Tanager
Blackburnian Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Northern Parula
Yellow Warbler
Redstart

Charlie

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

All:

While others chased exotic strays, Bill and Patty Jones and I birded the
south side of Lake Okeechobee. We counted about 70+ species without much
effort. Our 'best birds' were as follows:

Crested Caracara x2 -- Along S.R. 80 near Ortona Locks (Glades Co.)
Cliff Swallow x2 -- entrance road to Ortona Locks (Glades Co.)
Limpkin x1 -- C-3 Canal off of S.R. 80 (Hendry Co.)
Common Myna x3 -- McDonald's in Clewiston (Hendry Co.)
Sandhill Crane x3 -- Bateman Rd. (Lee Co.)

11 species of shorebirds including 3 Upland Sandpipers -- King Ranch
(east side of U.S. Rte. 27 south of South Bay in Palm Beach Co.); Stilt
Sandpiper x1 and Solitary Sandpiper x2 -- tower area west side of U.S.
Rte. 27 south of South Bay; Pectoral Sandpiper x30 at King Ranch); Ruddy
Turnstone x1 -- tower area west side of U.S. Rte. 27 south of South Bay;
Spotted Sandpiper x3 -- Ortona Locks (Glades Co.); plus the usual
Black-necked Stilts, Least Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Killdeer and
Black-bellied Plovers at most of the aforementioned areas.

Smooth-billed Ani x5 -- along Bolles Canal off of C.R. 827 south of South
Bay
Barn Owl x4 -- one seen along Bolles Canal off of C.R. 827 south of South
Bay and 3 at the Red Cedars along the Miami Canal south of South Bay
Great Horned Owl x1 -- at the Red Cedars along the Miami Canal south of
South Bay
Bank Swallow -- several flying among Barn Swallows at various locales,
especially King Ranch
Black Tern x12 -- along Bolles Canal off of C.R. 827 south of South Bay
Red-headed Woodpecker x1 (juvenile) -- entrance road to Ortona Locks
(Glades Co.)
Gray Kingbird x1 -- in the Red Cedars along the Miami Canal south of
South Bay
Prairie Warbler x1 -- in the Red Cedars along the Miami Canal south of
South Bay

Also seen at various places were American White Pelican, Brown Thrasher,
Belted Kingfisher, both night-herons (at the Red Cedars alkong the Miami
Canal) and one adult Bald Eagle near John Stretch Park off of S.R. 80.

Question: In addition to seeing Common Nighthawks perched on telephone
lines throughout the area south of South Bay, at the tower area on U.S.
Rte. 27, there were many Common Nighthawks sitting on the green turf/sod
looking a lot like "clumps of dirt". I've never witnessed this before. Is
this deliberate on their part? Is this to make them less vulnerable to
predators since they do look like dirt clumps way out there? I'd be
interested in hearing other birder's opinions and similar experiences. .
. .

Good birding!

Vincent Lucas
Naples
vlucas@...

All,

As the Bunche Beach off-leash dog issue approaches this Tuesday, it may be a
good time to let your county commissioners know how you feel.  Here are their
email addresses if so inclined:

Dist1@...  (Janes)
Dist2@...  (St. Cerny)
Dist3@...  (Judah)
Dist4@...  (Coy)
Dist5@...  (Albion)



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

All,

The Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife group (primary focus is Burrowing Owl
education and protection) has bi-monthly meetings year round.  Information on an
upcoming meeting follows my signature.  Any interested parties are welcome to
attend.

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


Subject: Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife Meeting


Tuesday, September 9, 2003   7:00 PM  Rotary Park (southeast corner of Pelican
Blvd and Eldorado Blvd) in Cape Coral


Agenda: The Second Annual BURROWING OWL FESTIVAL is February 21, 2004.
Thanks to so many who have signed up for festival committees.
Committees will meet to discuss plans and responsibilities.
We need all members involved to make this next festival bigger
and better.  Please come and bring a friend.

Dan Tudor will present a delightful Burrowing Owl slide program.
Don't miss this special treat.

All,

Migrants picked up a bit this AM (Sun 7 Sep 03).  The ever impressive Vince
McGrath knew he heard a Blue Grosbeak high in the Causarinas.  Eventually he
found a nice female! Highlights seen by myself or reported by others:

Cooper's Hawk
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Purple Martin
non-stop swallows (Barn and Bank)
Red-eyed Vireo
Northern Parula
Black-and-white Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Ovenbird
American Redstart
Blue Grosbeak

Charlie

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

Walt Winton reported there were a few Cliff Swallows coming through later in the
morning after I left the lighthouse.

Charlie

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

----- Original Message -----
From: "Charlie Ewell" <Anhinga42@...>
To: <SWFLBirdline@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2003 3:14 PM
Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Sanibel Lighthouse, 7 Sep 03


All,

Migrants picked up a bit this AM (Sun 7 Sep 03).  The ever impressive Vince
McGrath knew he heard a Blue Grosbeak high in the Causarinas.  Eventually he
found a nice female! Highlights seen by myself or reported by others:

Cooper's Hawk
Eastern Wood-Pewee
Purple Martin
non-stop swallows (Barn and Bank)
Red-eyed Vireo
Northern Parula
Black-and-white Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Ovenbird
American Redstart
Blue Grosbeak

Charlie

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




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All,

Fortunately for all concerned, the San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach Land Stewardship
Plan was approved by the county commissioners with no changes as proposed, which
means there will be no future on or off leash dog areas on the preserve.  Many
thanks to any that provided assistance to protect the integrity of one of the
most important bird areas in the county and state.  A volunteer group started by
Sue Moore, Lee County Bird Patrol, was invaluable in its contribution of monthly
census data (done by Bev and Clair Postmus and Bill Saunders) that showed the
Piping Plover present from July through May.  No disrespect to the other species
using the area, but the PIPL's legal protection was undoubtedly a strong factor
in the final decision.  Of course, the Preservation 20/20 Land Stewards  and
staff on Lee County's Parks and Rec deserve a tremendous amount of credit for
all their time and effort.  They did not back away from their beliefs when an
advisory committee (CLASAC) recommended some form of dog use at Bunch Beach be
included in the final land stewardship plan.

A link to today's News-Press article follows:
http://www.news-press.com/news/local_state/030910commish.html

Charlie

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


----- Original Message -----
From: "Charlie Ewell" <Anhinga42@...>
To: <SWFLBirdline@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2003 9:07 PM
Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Fw: Bunche Beach Land Stewardship Plan


All,

The following two emails are a reminder that the Bunche Beach off-leash dog
issue will be voted on this Tuesday (9 Sep @ 9:30 AM) by the county
commissioners.  Please read below if interested.

Charlie

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

----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2003 7:41 AM
Subject: Fwd: Bunche Beach Land Stewardship Plan


Hello Fellow Birders,
        The Lee County commissioners will VOTE this coming Tuesday on whether
dogs will be allowed on Bunche Beach.  The SODA (dog group) will be out in force
at this meeting.  We birders must also be out in force to speak to the fact that
dogs DO NOT BELONG ON BUNCHE BEACH.  The forwarded message gives information
about the meeting.  Public input will be allowed, but it is not necessary for
you to speak.  If you do want to speak, please write out a statement before hand
so that your statement will be cogent and concise.  I will be there.  Please
contact me with any questions you have.  This is an opportunity for you to help
protect a very special "bird beach."  Democracy in action.  If you cannot attend
the meeting, please call your commissioner to express your opinion.  Believe me,
your opinion counts.  Sue Moore

Hi Sue,

To answer your questions from this morning, the San Carlos Bay - Bunche Beach
Preserve Land Stewardship Plan will come before the Board of County
Commissioners for their approval on Tuesday September 9th at their regular
meeting, which starts at 9:30 AM.  The Plan is number 11 on the agenda so it is
hard to say what time this item will be discussed, but public comment is at the
top of the agenda.

The Board meeting will be held in Commission Chambers in the Old Courthouse
building located at 2120 Main Street.

Please let me know if you need additional information.

Anik L. Smith
Conservation 2020
Land Stewardship Supervisor
Lee County Parks & Recreation
smitha@...
Phone #: 239-461-7455
Fax #: 239-461-7460

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



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All,

Terry Doyle and myself were fortunate to arrive at the Black-faced Grassquit
site in Everglades NP just in time (7:15 AM, 13 Sep 03) to benefit from others
locating the bird!  Sometimes you truly do get to pull up and see a great bird.
It has been seen along the access road to Long Pine Key Campground in the
vicinity of a small residence found on the west side of the road and a "turn
around" on the east side.

On our way home we decided to check an area along US-41 in Collier County known
by locals as Fritchey Rd. Wetlands.  There is a location that gave us great
views of up to 7 Snail Kites along US-41 .6 miles east of Greenway Rd (north
side of US-41 and approximately 3 miles east of SR-951), where a locked entrance
gate offers an area to pull safely off US-41 and park.  We were able to identify
at least 4
males and 3 females of various ages.

Charlie

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

All:

Along with friends Doug Wassmer & Lilian Saul from Tampa, several birders
from afar (Indiana and Ohio) as well as birders from other parts of
Florida, many of us saw the Black-faced Grassquit at Everglades National
Park shortly after sunrise this morning. It looked like it was gathering
nesting material. Thanks to the youthful eyes of Andy Bankert for finding
this bird for us!

Doug and Lilian left Tampa at shortly after 2:00 AM and picked me up in
Naples at about 4:15 AM. As others have said, if you want to see this
bird, you need to get there EARLY! It stayed in the area of the Long Pine
Campground on the road from the private residence to the hammock further
north for about one-half hour. Had we not been there "on time", we would
have missed this bird. Good luck!

As mentioned, there was a male Wilson's Warbler in the same area along
with Pine Warblers and a few others. Doug, Lilian and I didn't stay long
to see what else turned up. Instead, we went over to Royal Palm Hammock.
Along the Gumbo Limbo Trail, we found several Ovenbirds, Northern Parula,
Black-and-white Warbler, heard a Northern Waterthrush, and dipped on a
Yellow-throated Warbler that others saw. We also had several Blue-gray
Gnatcatchers, Great Crested Flycatchers and White-eyed and Red-eyed
Vireos among other birds. Hordes of Eastern Kingbirds were present too.

A jaunt down Research Road failed to produce the hoped-for White-tailed
Kite but we did add a pair of Prairie Warblers and several Eastern
Bluebirds as well as Northern Flicker and Pileated Woodpecker and Eastern
Meadowlarks in the immediate vicinity. A nice flock of migrating
Bobolinks landed within a 100 feet from us.

We next visited Lucky Hammock and found among other birds, the lone Lark
Sparrow that has been present for over a week. The surrounding fields
yielded flocks of Bobolinks, at least two Northern Harriers (one male),
and both Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs. A probable Indigo Bunting
"blurred'-by us.

Along S.R. 9336, before Benito Juarez Park, we had a pair of Common Mynas
eating the remains of someone's McDonald's kids meal.

On SW 209th (near Flynn's) we had a most interesting sighting. A lone
Cedar Waxwing was in a mixed flock of mostly grackles and doves. Doug
Wassmer photographed the bird. I had read of sightings of Cedar Waxwings
in the Miami area from two weeks prior but thought that perhaps the
observers of these birds had erred. No more Doubting Thomas for me.
Stevenson & Anderson state that Cedar Waxwings may appear as early as
August or September in the state, but these were usually sighting from
much further north. This is the earliest record for CEWA in the state for
me. Is anyone else seeing these birds?

In the same area (Flynn's) we also added American Redstart and
White-winged Dove. An adult Bald Eagle flew over S.R. 9336 on our way
back to Florida City, where, to our dismay, "Robert Is Here" was closed
for renovation (September & October). Thus, the celebratory mamay
milkshake was not to be had. Plan B had to be put into effect. Further
north on Krome Ave, there is another fruit stand (Grandma's) which also
sold milkshakes. A refreshing cherry-mango one did the trick for Doug and
me while Lilian settled for a banana-and-some-other-fruit combo one. We
waited out the deluge the skies had dropped on us in a most pleasant
manner although not an authentic Robert Is Here one!

From the Homestead area, we ventured north to U.S. Rte. 27 and penbroke
Pines where we once again failed to find any White-tailed Kites at 196th
Ave. SW. We did manage to find a few Purple Swamphens at the Southwest
Florida Library Mitigation Ponds on Sheridan Avenue for Doug and Lilian.
This was a lifer for them. A vocalizing Limpkin was a nice addition to
the day list here.

Going further north on U.S. Rte. 27, we stopped at the tower area near
the sod farms south of South Bay. We found many Killdeer, a Solitary
Sandpiper, a good number of Pectoral Sandpipers as well as Black-bellied
Plovers and Boat-tailed Grackles. Along with a pair of Yellow-crowned
Night-Herons, Cattle Egrets and Glossy Ibis, those were most of the birds
we saw at this locale. Noticeably absent were any Common Nighthawks. In
fact, none were seen on the entire trip. I guess they have all departed
for points south.

Across the highway and along the King Ranch, the sod farms, which, just a
week earlier were full of water, were now dry. Consequently, there were
few shorebirds still present. We could not find any Upland Sandpipers
especially.

Along C.R. 827, west of U.S. Rte. 27, we found one Barn Owl but no
hoped-for Smooth-billed Anis this time. A plowed field with some remnant
water still remaining near the junction of C.R. 827 where it intersects
with the Miami Canal yielded our best shorebirds, waders and other birds.
We had several Roseate Spoonbills, dozens of Black Terns, a few Caspian
Terns, a dozen or more Bonaparte's Gulls (uncommon?) in and among the
many Laughing Gulls as well as one Semipalmated Plover, Lesser
Yellowlegs, a few Stilt Sandpipers, Killdeer, hordes of Black-necked
Stilts, Least Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpipers and Black-bellied Plovers.
Most 'expected' waders were present including a few Wood Storks. Many
Mottled Ducks along with a few Blue-winged Teal were also seen. A lone
female Northern Harrier plied the surrounding sugarcane fields.

At least three more Barn Owls and several Black-crowned Night-Herons were
seen in the Red Cedars further along the Miami Canal. A Cooper's Hawk was
also present. Scores of Barn Swallows, including many young, were hawking
insects everywhere. Many were sitting on telephone lines and on the
unpaved road and it looked like they were ingesting small stones for
their crops. Is this accurate?

On the way back to Naples along C.R. 846 (Immokalee Rd.) we had at least
two Belted Kingfishers who were weathering the thunderstorm that despite
it's best effort, could not dampen our cheery but tired spirits.

All in all, it was a great day for seeing and sharing our love of Florida
birds among friends. . . .

Good birding!

Vincent Lucas
Naples
vlucas@...

Warblers were in abundance (9/14) 10 species. a male Cape May, several
chestnut-sided, Redstart,B&W, Prairie, Parula, first Palms for the season,
Yellows
everywhere, Yellow-throated, Tennessee lots of martins and barn swallows. A
great treat was 4 White-winged Doves
  Monday the 15th was much better , It was a lone vigil but in addtion to
yesterday's warblers I added Worm-eating, 4 Ovenbirds. Lots more warbler
activity
down low out of the high aussies.
  Much more aivan variety as well, only 2 E. Kingbird, lots of Gnatcatchers,
an imm. Red-headed Woodpecker. 1 Swainson's Thrush
3 Bronzed Cowbirds landed up high and were almost as sonn spook off by a low
soaring N. Harrier of which our local young red-shoulder promptly chased off.
McAvian@...
Vince McGrath
Ft. Myers,Fl.


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

All,

Migrants seen at the Sanibel Lighthouse Sat AM, 27 Sep 03:

Merlin
Red-eyed Vireo
Tennessee Warbler
Northern Parula
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Magnolia Warbler (reported by Vince McGrath 26 Sep 03)
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Ovenbird
American Redstart
Blue Grosbeak
Baltimore Oriole

Charlie

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

All:

With rains and flooding here in Naples like something out of the
Gilgamesh Epic, hopes for getting out to enjoy yesterday's fall-out were
dashed. Collier County had over 8 inches of rain in parts and Naples
Airport saw the highest one-day rainfall total ever, making driving
nearly impossible all over the city. This September turned out to be the
rainest September on record in most of Southwest Florida.

So this morning, I took some time off from my studies and decided to see
if any neotropical migrants remained. I decided to go to Sugden Regional
Park -- the closest thing Collier County has to a Fort DeSoto. But it's
not really a migrant trap!

There were not that many birds about although the quality of birds was
pretty good. The new "face-lift" given to the portion of the park where
birding used to be at its best in previous years (west side of Lake
Avalon) may have something to do with the lower numbers of birds seen
today. One fact has made itself clear to me over the years, Collier
County Parks are maintained for people and not wildlife. So be it.
Inspite of this, I managed to see the following birds in little over two
hours this morning at Sugden Park:

Warblers:

Northern Parula -- x2
Magnolia Warbler -- x1
Black-throated Blue Warbler -- x1
Blackburnian Warbler -- x4
Pine Warbler -- x6
Prairie Warbler -- x4
Palm Warbler -- x5
Black-and-White Warbler -- x1
Ovenbird -- x2
Watherthrush sp. -- x1

I could not find the Wilson's Warbler seen at this location on Sunday,
9/28/03, by excellent Naples birder Alan Murray. Noticeably absent
warblers included Yellow-throated Warbler, American Redstart and Common
Yellowthroat.

Other migrants/returning birds:

Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Firebush (Hamelia patens) -- x1
Eastern Wood-Pewee (heard only)
Brown Thrasher -- x1
Yellow-throated Vireo -- x1
Red-eyed Vireo -- flock of 15-20
White-eyed Vireo -- x2
Belted Kingfisher -- x2
Gray Catbird -- heard only
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher -- x6

Other birds:

Northern Flicker -- x1
Downy woodpecker -- x1
Red-bellied Woodpecker -- x2
Cooper's Hawk -- x1
Sharp-shinned Hawk -- x1
Osprey -- x2
Northern Cardinal -- x6
Mottled Duck (pair) swimming in a temporary "pond" in a slight depression
made from all of the rain.

Plus the usual waders, Laughing Gulls etc.

Good birding!

Vincent Lucas
Naples
vlucas@...

All,

Here are a few notes on the local scene:

Little Estero Lagoon at Ft Myers Beach still had large numbers of Marbled
Godwits, Red Knots (shorebird numbers in general were excellent), Sandwich
Terns, and Black Skimmers present this past weekend.

Sanibel Lighthouse on Saturday: Walt Winton reported Red-eyed and
Yellow-throated Vireos, Pewee, Catbird, Ovenbird, Redstart, Black-throated Blue,
Blackburnian, Black-and-white, Yellow-throated, Prairie, Chestnut-sided, Parula,
Palm, and Magnolia Warblers.

Six-mile Cypress Slough on Sunday: Walt Winton reported 3 Yellow-billed Cuckoos,
Summer Tanager, Red-eyed Vireo, and Black-throated Green, Magnolia, and
Worm-eating Warblers.  He noted it was very active with good numbers of
individuals with-in species present.

I had a male Baltimore Oriole and a grosbeak that was most likely a female/imm
Red-breasted, but did not see close enough to separate Black-headed, in my
neighborhood in SW Cape Coral.

Shorebird article in News-Press 7 Oct 03:
http://www.news-press.com/news/local_state/031007dingbirds.html

Charlie

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

All,

I stopped by Lakes Park after work today to check out a tip that hummingbirds
were being seen by volunteers in the Fragrance Garden.  I located a nice adult
male Ruby-throated Hummingbird near the center of the garden.  A second hummer
is most likely a female/imm type Ruby-throated Hummingbird.  I had a brief look
at it while feeding at a Hamilia Paten.  A later look was high in a Causarina
that was back-lit, so I don't want to say the id is 100%.  Relatively quiet
otherwise, with a few Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Palm Warblers, No. Parula, and a
Common Yellowthroat.  A Cooper's Hawk was a fly-by.  Overall, the Fragrance
Garden looks pretty good for hummingbirds this winter.  There are numerous
Hamilia Patens (Firebush).  Unfortunately, the largest passerine attractor, a
huge Strangler Fig, was victim to a storm this summer (a micro-burst I'm told).
Still many fruiting trees and bushes to lure a few birds, though!

Charlie

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

Hi everybody,

Just have a minute to get this out:  last Saturday in the afternoon, present
either on the beach or at the Lagoons:  a flock of over 100 Least Sandpipers (in
front of the condos), along the shoreline, several Sanderlings, and a flock of
approx. 100 Red Knots.  At the lagoon in front of the second pier (from the
beach side), both Long Billed and Short Billed Dowitchers, more Red Knots, a
large group of waiting Willets, 0 Marbled Godwits, a large flock of Semipalmated
Sandpipers, a couple of Ruddy Turnstones.  On the beach, 1 breeding plumaged
Dunlin with oiled feathers, a large flock of Semi palmated Plovers facing every
which way direction, a large flock of newly minted Sanderlings with the black
outline on shoulder, a group of Wilson's Plovers with at least one gangly
Juvenile, a couple of Black Bellied Plovers, 0 Piping and 0 Snowy Plovers. 
Choppy waves, no whitecaps.  Winds from the Southwest. The Red Knots are so fat
they can barely wobble.  Look like blown up balloons.
   No notes so undoubtedly some I missed.  couln't walk to the Inlet-completely
cut off by water.

Over and out,
Marie



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All,

Among the usual suspects at Little Estero Lagoon this morning (18 Oct 03) were 9
basic plumaged American Avocets.  Two basic plumaged Dunlin were also notable.

I stopped at the Lakes Park Fragrance Garden on the way home:

Red-eyed Vireo
No. Parula
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Palm Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Am. Redstart
Scarlet Tanager (2)
Indigo Bunting (4)

Charlie

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

Hi all,
I had my first sapsucker for the fall in my Winter Park yard this a.m.  It
was a male with a complete red throat and red crown.
Keep on birdin'
Bruce

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

A Cluster of 4 Adult Bluebirds (2 Males, 2 Females) was observed on the wire on
the East side of FL 3,  25.1 Miles south of Arcadia (Jct. of FL 31 and FL 70). 
They were feeding and perching on the wire along a 100 yard section.  I have not
seen this many Bluebirds in one group anywhere in this area before.  Traffic was
not disturbing them, and there was much vocalizing among them.  Lots of Wood
Storks on the Babcock Property wetlands as well.

Gary C. Hampton
Sandra H. Hampton
Cape Coral/Arcadia, Florida
country@...



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

All,

A quick stop at the Fragrance Garden in Lakes Park late this morning produced:

Eastern Phoebe
Blue-headed Vireo
Palm Warbler
American Redstart
Summer Tanager
Indigo Bunting
Painted Bunting (male)

Charlie

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

Today at Bunche Beach,

All Five Plovers are Here,   Snowy - 3
                                        Piping - 5
                                        Wilson's - 1
                                        Semipalmated - 7
                                        Black-Bellied - 8

Marbled Godwits - 6
Knot - 1
Reddish Egret - 1 (Dark Phase)


Gary and Sandra Hampton
Cape Coral, Florida
country@...


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

I'm flying down with a couple friends Nov 1st. for a week of birding on
Sanibel and the surrounding area.  Are these plovers that winter with you
and will likely be in the area for us?  Also the Godwit?
-------
Mona Bearor
South Glens Falls, NY
Southern Adirondacks

----- Original Message -----
From: G. C. and Mrs. S. H. Hampton
To: SWFLBirdline@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2003 10:57 PM
Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Bunche Beach 10/26/03


Today at Bunche Beach,

All Five Plovers are Here,   Snowy - 3
                                        Piping - 5
                                        Wilson's - 1
                                        Semipalmated - 7
                                        Black-Bellied - 8

Marbled Godwits - 6
Knot - 1
Reddish Egret - 1 (Dark Phase)


Gary and Sandra Hampton
Cape Coral, Florida
country@...

All:

As in previous years, there is a temporary "wetland" at approximately
mile marker 119 on Interstate 75, just over the Lee County line going
north out of Collier County on the east side of the interstate. On my way
to class at FGCU this late afternoon, I stopped briefly (VERY briefly
since it's pretty dangerous) and counted well over 50 Roseate Spoonbills,
numerous Great, Snowy & Cattle Egrets, Glossy & White Ibis, 30+ Wood
Storks, Tricolored, Great Blue & Little Blue Herons, Mottled Ducks,
Lesser Yellowlegs, 6+ Pied-billed Grebes, Anhingas, and who knows what
else might be there?

Also, I was exiting I-75 at Exit 128 near the Teco Arena on my way to
FGCU, and in the postage stamp wetland (what's left of what was once a
much larger viable wetland now virtually eradicated to become the Miromar
Development Corporation's International Design Center -- whatever that
is) I saw some 30+ Wood Storks standing around as well. It never ceases
to amaze me how birds and other creatures can eke-out an existence from
whatever we humans decide to leave them in the way of habitat. . . .
Nothing's too good for us I guess!

Vincent Lucas
Naples

Mona,

Hope you have internet access down here-just checked my email after a couple of
weeks offline:

at Bunche Bunch, you should be able to find all 5 plovers.  Marbled Godwits are
on and off.  I find it better birding Bunche in the am rather than afternoon
because of light issues, but anytime is good as long as its not high tide (and
even then you could find some dowitchers or other largish wading birds).  Bunche
Beach is famous for its Long Billed Curlew.  I don't know if it/they are back
yet.

If you enjoy shorebirds, you should also check out Ft. Myers Beach/Little Estero
Lagoon(s) in back of the Holiday Inn (South end of Ft. Myers Beach)
A bit further south of this location is "Dog Beach".  Look for Avocets on a
sandbar amongst other goodies.  Scope needed.

Happy shorebirding!

Marie
San Carlos Park
BSeaside@...
----- Original Message -----
From: "kinglet" <kinglet@...>
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 15:38:26 -0500
To: <SWFLBirdline@yahoogroups.com>,"G. C. and Mrs. S. H. Hampton"
<country@...>
Subject: Re: [SWFLBirdline] Bunche Beach  10/26/03

> I'm flying down with a couple friends Nov 1st. for a week of birding on
> Sanibel and the surrounding area.  Are these plovers that winter with you
> and will likely be in the area for us?  Also the Godwit?
> -------
> Mona Bearor
> South Glens Falls, NY
> Southern Adirondacks
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: G. C. and Mrs. S. H. Hampton
> To: SWFLBirdline@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, October 26, 2003 10:57 PM
> Subject: [SWFLBirdline] Bunche Beach 10/26/03
>
>
> Today at Bunche Beach,
>
> All Five Plovers are Here,   Snowy - 3
>                                        Piping - 5
>                                        Wilson's - 1
>                                        Semipalmated - 7
>                                        Black-Bellied - 8
>
> Marbled Godwits - 6
> Knot - 1
> Reddish Egret - 1 (Dark Phase)
>
>
> Gary and Sandra Hampton
> Cape Coral, Florida
> country@...
>
>
>
> 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/
>
>

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My history with Dick Beeler,
   When Dick first retired to Southwest Florida I was glad to be one of the
first birders he contacted. We began birding together often, he helped out our
local audubon chapter for a while, we co wrote our newsletter. He participated
in a couple CBCs with me and so on. Never knew a birder who could bird all
day, in any terrain, wearing sandals, believe me I tested him, I'll go anywhere
I
hear a chirp, if possible.
In fact, early on it turns out I knew Dick indirectly as he retired from
teaching in upstate New York and was in fact a member of the Hudson/Mohawk Bird
Club when my brother was their President. I also rescue wildlife for CROW and on
more than a few occasions Dick picked up a bird from my Nature Center. I
thought of Dick as a very good friend and was shocked to hear of his passing.
His
passing is a great loss to our birding community.
McAvian@...
Vince McGrath
Ft Myers,Fl.


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

All:

I was watching the local PBS affiliate (WGCU) here in Naples this
evening. On a program about the environment entitled "In Focus", which
today was about birds and birding, one of the featured guests was
Sarasota's own Jeanne Dubi talking about the Sarasota Celery Fields and
the importance of this wetland area to Florida's birdlife. The program
talked about how the county was going to turn the Celery Fields into a
multi-purpose park but through the local efforts of Sarasota Aububon, it
was protected and in fact, will be restored to the sawgrass marsh it once
was in historic times. Correct me if I err Jeanne! Anyway, Jeanne was
eloquent as usual and related to the viewers how it is we birders get
"hooked" on this avocation of ours. It also mentioned that the Sarasota
Celery Fields is to become part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.
Excellent! Other local birding celebs featured on the program were Dr.
Jerome Jackson of Florida Gulf Coast University talking about the demise
of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker and his forthcoming book on this bird as
well as Naples' own Ted Below, talking about the critical wildlife
habitat for wintering shorebirds at Tigertail Beach on Marco Island and
the estero at Ft. Myers Beach. It was a great show and I urge you to see
it if it is on your local PBS affiliate.

Good birding!

Vincent Lucas
Naples
vlucas@...

All,

My mom passed along word a birder from NY, John Haas, called her to pass along
some recent local sightings.  A 'pink sided' Dark-eyed Junco in the Fragrance
Garden, as well as Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.  A Ruddy Duck was seen near a
gazebo.

Charlie

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

> I took a peak around Lakes Park Saturday and Sunday morning. The previously
reported Junco was not to be found but the place was a-buzz with hummingbirds.
There were at least a dozen Ruby-throats chasing each other around as well as
one red one. There were also many palm warbles, some praries and pines,
solitairy vireo, Blue-gray gnatcatchers, and Eastern phoebe among the usual
suspects.
>
>
>
> Doug Suitor
> dougsuitor@...
> Bonita Springs, FL