All,

Walt Winton reported the following from the Lakes Park Fragrance Garden Sat. AM:

8 warbler species:
Tennessee
NASHVILLE
Black-throated Blue
Yellow-rumped
Prairie
Palm
Am. Redstart
Ovenbird
Common Yellowthroat

RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD (adult male)

Later in the AM I was able to relocate the Nashville Warbler in the large ficus
tree with the bench under it. It is located on the north side of the paved path
just before the entrance to the cactus and succulent garden.  I did not relocate
the Rufous Hummingbird.  It was reported from the same area mentioned.  I did
find a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in the same area, and another RT Hummingbird
near the entrance to the Fragrance Garden from the parking lot.  I also saw what
I suspect to have been an Eastern Wood-Pewee fairly high in some dead snags.

Regards,

Charlie

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

All,

Lillian Saul and Doug Wassmer (from the Tampa area) are down in the Sanibel area
and do not have access to the internet, so they asked me to pass along two
sightings today, 13 Nov 2001. Lillian reports a juv. Golden Eagle seen from the
Indigo Trail of Ding Darling NWR. The refuge's wildlife drive is still closed
for paving, but the Indigo Trail may be hiked from the visitor's center. She
also asked me to pass along a light morph Swainson's Hawk seen passing over the
area near Sanibel Harbor Resort (the causeway toll booth area) and reported by
Tom Loyless.

Regards,

Charlie

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

Hello in South West Florida,
I am looking forward to receiving emails about birding in your area, as I am
an avid birder and I used to research seabirds in the Vancouver area where I
now live for the moment.
I grew up in Orlando but hope to semi-retire in SW Florida and a lot depends
upon what kind of feed back and information I get from birders in your areas.

Happy birding
ann mcdonald

____________________________________________________________________
Get free e-mail and a permanent address at http://www.amexmail.com/?A=1

Hello in Florida,
I would love to join your email birding information group. My special interest
is bird behavior and all the aspects that influence it. I enjoy special bird
sightings as well.

Hope to hear from you soon,
Ann

____________________________________________________________________
Get free e-mail and a permanent address at http://www.amexmail.com/?A=1

Hello,

I'm a french birdwatcher and my wife (she's workin in the conservancy of

Humid Zones in France) and I will go in Louisiana and Florida during
Christmas hollydays. We will arrive at the New-Orleans the 22 december.
My bestfriend who is french live there. We will rent a car and go in
Florida the 26 or 27 of december. Is there good birding spots on the
road.
After we will spent the rest of our hollydays in Florida. We want to
make canoes in the Everglades is it possible (2 days with a tent) ? Is
it a good spot for birds and dolphins ?
A lot of you send me answer and ask to have a list of what I want to
see. My list is hudge. I know that I will not see all of these birds but

I want to watch the more I can.
Thank you for all
Jean-Marc

PS : If you go in Paris you will be welcome to watch birds with us ! And

sorry for my poor English.


Red-throated Loon
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Brown Booby
Masked booby
American White Pelican
Brown Pelican
Double crested Cormorant
American Bittern
Least Bittern
Yellow-crowned Night-Hero
   Tricolored Heron
Little Blue Heron
Snowy Egret
Reddish Egret
Great Blue Heron
Glossy Ibis
White-faced Ibis
White Ibis
Roseate Spoonbill
Snow Goose
Ross’s Goose
Canada Goose
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Wood Duck
Muscovy Duck
Mottled Duck
Green-winged Teal
Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon teal
American Black Duck
American Wigeon
Canvasback
Ring-necked Duck
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Surf Scoter
Harlequin Duck
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Osprey
Missipi Kite
Swallow-tailed Kite
White-tailed Kite
Snail Kite
Bald Eagle
Sharp-Shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Short-Tailed Hawk
Broad-winged Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Crested Caracara
American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Wild Turkey
Nothern Bobwhite
Black Rail
King Rail
Clapper Rail
Virginia Rail
Sora
Yellow Rail
Limpkin
Sandhill Crane
Whooping Crane
American Golden-Plover
Piping Plover
Wilson's Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
American Oystercatcher
American Avocet
Willet
Grater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Solitary Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Long-billed Curlew
Marbled Godwit
Hudsonian Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
White-Rumped Sabdpiper
Baird’s Sabdpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Upland Sandpiper
Buff-Breasted Sandpiper
Short-billed Dowitcher
Long-billed Dowitcher
Stilt Sandpiper
American Woodcock
Wilson’s Phalarope
Red-Necked Phalarope
Red Phalarope
Franklin's Gull
Laughing Gull
Bonaparte’s Gull
Ring-Billed Gull
California Gull
Gull-billed Tern
Caspian Tern
Royal Tern
Roseate Tern
Forster’s Tern
Forster's Tern
Least Tern

Black Skimmer
White-winged Dove
Common Ground-Dove
Inca Dove
Budgerigar
Black-hooded Parakeet
Blue-crowned Parakeet
Blue-and-yellow Macaw
Mangrove Cuckoo
Grater Roadrunner
Smooth-billed Ani
Groove-billed Ani
Snowy Owl
Burrowing Owl
Great Horned Owl
Barred owl
Eastern Screech-Owl
Short-eared Owl
Lesser Nighthawk
Common Nighthawk
Chuck-will's-widow
Whip-poor-will
Buff-bellied Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Selasphorus species
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Ladder-backed Woodpecker
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Least Flycatcher
Eastern Phoebe
Black Phoebe
Vermilion Flycatcher
Grat Crested Flycatcher
Ash-throated Flycatcher
Brown-crested Flycatcher
Cassin’s Kingbird
Eastern Kingbird
Gray Kingbird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Bell’s Vireo
Blue-headed vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Black-whiskered Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Yellow-throated Vireo
Blue Jay
Florida Scrub-Jay
Green Jay
Fish Crow
Tree Swallow
Purple Martin
Cave Swallow
Juniper Titmouse
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Chickadee
Brown Creeper
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown-headed Nuthatch
House Wren
Winter Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Sedge Wren
Marsh Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Eastern Bluebird
Wood Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Nothern Mockingbird
Brown Thrasher
American Pipit
Sprague's Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
Northern Parula
Magnolia Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black and white Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Yellow-throated Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Black-throated Green Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler
Wilson's Warbler
Hooded Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Northern Waterthrush
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow-breasted Chat
American Redstart
Tanagers
Summer Tanager
Bananaquit
Eastern Towhee
Spotted Towhee
Bachman’s Sparrow
Cassin’s Sparrow
Rufous-crowned Sparrow
Field Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
Lark Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow
Henslow's Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Le Conte's Sparrow
Seaside Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
Harri’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Chestnut-collared Longspur
McCown’s Longspur
Smith’s Longspur
Lapland Longspur
Nothern Cardinal
Blue Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Painted Bunting
Dickcissel
Eastern Meadowlark
Western Meadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Great-tailed Grackle
Rusty Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Shiny Cowbird
Bronzed Cowbird
Orchard Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Spot-breasted Oriole
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin
American Goldfinch
Lesser Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak

Hi:

Sorry for the cross-posting but I need to get this out. The Fort Myers
Christmas Bird Count will take place on Monday, December 17th, 2001. If
you would like to participate, please contact either Vincent Lucas at
vplucas@... or Charlie Ewell at Anhinga42@... Thank
you and good birding!

Vincent Lucas
Naples, FL

Hi everybody,

Seen along the coast about 3pm, brown chunky gull-like bird, stealing fish from
a bunch of gulls.
Description:  brown overall-head, nape, back, wings.  Stocky and gull like. 
Underneath patterned irregularly with a heavily barred tail.  No projecting tail
feathers.

Rule out:  gull (esp. Juv. Laughing Gull and Heermann's), falcon (esp. Merlin),
tern group, (esp. Brown Noddy), adult Jaeger.

Possibilities:  Juv. Jaeger (sp.).  Because of structure, I would say Pomarine. 
See Sibley Pages 197, Long-tailed
Page 198 Parastic
Page 199 Pomarine

Later in the afternoon, at a distance from me, on 3 occasions EVERY bird on the
beach or in the water flew into the air.  I know of only 1 bird that can cause
that kind of panic.

So...if you go this weekend, it would be great if somebody could confirm or
deny.

Speaking of this weekend, I strongly urge you to get out to the Lagoons and
beach.  Hundreds upon hundreds of shorebirds.  Heavy migration traffic-All the
usual suspects.  Largest numbers of Piping Plovers and Wilson Plovers I've ever
seen.  Hundreds of shorebirds were bottoms down in the wrack line resting. Also
3 Whimbrels, 2 Oystercatchers.  Large numbers of Terns:  mostly Sandwich and
Royal.  Sanderlings, Willets, Semipalmated Plovers, Black Bellied Plover, D.C.
Commorants, Ruddy Turnstones, Dowitchers (sp.), Brown Pelicans, Magnificient
Frigatebirds (7!), Least Sandpipers and other calidris, and an assortment of
herons:  Great, Tri, Little Blue.

Alas, of course, at this time of year in this location, no Roseate Spoonbills (I
did enjoy their evening float-in during the summer). Hope I didn't forget
anything.

Beautiful sunset, cool breezes, magical atmosphere, smiles on all faces.Palms
playing at lagoon edge.  life can be good...

Marie Gonsalo
BSeaside@...
Fort Myers
--

_______________________________________________
1 cent a minute calls anywhere in the U.S.!

http://www.getpennytalk.com/cgi-bin/adforward.cgi?p_key=RG9853KJ&url=http://www.\
getpennytalk.com

Greetings:

This message was posted on the "Message" section of the Naples Bird Club
website today:

"I spotted a red-breasted nuthatch at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary today.
According to my Kaufman bird book this [is] outside its range. When I
checked Sibley, it indicated it was spotty in FL. How rare is it in this
area?" -- Ken Klotz (k.klotz@...) Naples, FL

Here was my reply to him:

Hi Ken:

Great find! Red-breasted Nuthatch is practically unheard of in South
Florida. In fact, there are NO RECORDS for SW Florida at all according to
Stevenson & Anderson in "The Birdlife of Florida" In part, they state "A
number of sightings help define the s[outhern] limits in Florida: Tampa,
23 Nov 1953 & 3 Jan 1981; Merritt I., 27 Dec 1965; Venice, 11 Feb - 20
Mar 1969; Bradenton, 18 Dec 1972; Myakka River SP, 25 Mar 1975; Mullet
Key, 23 Oct 1977; Sarasota Co., 9 Oct 1980 etc."

The farthest south this species has been seen in Florida, was at A.D.
Barnes Park in Miami-Dade County in October 1993. (Pranty -- "A Birder's
Guide to Florida.")

So it is possible. How confident are you of the identification? If
positive, this bird needs to be documented with photographs etc. before
the FSRC would accept it, I'm sure.

Interestingly, there was a recent post on BIRDCHAT about Brown-headed
Nuthatch from Corkscrew Sanctuary by John Haas. (Brown-headed Nuthatch is
also uncommon/rare and probably extirpated at the Sanctuary.) Here it is
reproduced in its entirety:

"Hello Chatters,

On 11/5 I visited Corkscrew Swamp near Naples Florida for about the 20th
time in the last twelve years. My friend Renee Davis accompanied me. Upon
arriving we asked for a checklist of birds. The employee to whom we paid
our entrance fee informed us they no longer give them out, but would
probably resume doing so some time next year. We spent about five hours
birding this wonderful place. Nearing the end of the boardwalk, not far
from the visitors center, we spotted a pair of Brown headed Nuthatches!
We first heard the birds, and then they flew into the tree right next to
us giving us a good show. We both agreed we had never seen this species
here before and that we should report the sighting. Upon doing so at the
main desk, we were told that Corkscrew does not accept reports or
sightings from visitors! Only volunteers observations are documented. We
asked if we could see the recent sightings report. As I expected Brown
Headed Nuthatch was not on the list. I explained that this could be a
significant sighting. He said "lets check the checklist of birds" We said
you have them? He said yes, would you each like one? Yes thankyou. Hmmm?
Much to my surprise, Brown headed Nuthatch is not on the Checklist. We
explained that this should mean it is singnificant. He said he would
mention it to the volunteer, but did not know the bird, could we just
write down the name...? Further examination of the checklist revealed on
the lower back a list of birds know to have once occurred, but no longer
do, yup "Brown Headed Nuthatch" Once again I pointed this out to the
gentleman. Obviously tired of us he said "Sir I already told you we can't
accept visitor sightings, but I would mention it to someone. He walked to
the other side of cubicle and resumed reading his book. Anyone have any
opinions on our experience?
John Haas (vanhaas@...)
Wurtsboro, New York

Further in my e-mail reply, I asked Ken Klotz if "there was any chance
that the bird he saw was actually a Brown-headed Nuthatch vs. a
Red-breasted Nuthatch? Lastly, where exactly did he see the bird in
question at Corkscrew Sanctuary? At what time was it seen? Did anyone
else see this bird? Did he report it to anyone?"

"I'd love to see and photograph this bird in Florida! Please advise."

Being impatient (I just might go out to Corkscrew in the AM to see if I
can find the bird), I located Ken's phone number in Naples and asked him
these same questions. First, Ken is a "snowbird" from Wisconsin. He has
seen many Red-breasted Nuthatches coming to his feeders at his home up
there. So, yes, he is 100% confident of the identification of this bird.
The nuthatch was seen about 100 yards past the observation platform
before the Lettuce Lake. It was giving its "nasally" call. Ken states
that it afforded great looks for over five minutes. Unfortunately, no
other birders were around at the time. He only reported it to the Naples
Bird Club message area.

So there you have it. I'll try to get out there tomorrow to see if I can
locate the bird. I'll let you know what i find.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Vincent Lucas
Naples

Hi:

Today, Wednesday, November 21st, I went in search of the Red-breasted
Nuthatch first reported from Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary on the Naples Bird
Club Message Area yesterday by Ken Klotz. Alas, despite a great deal of
searching by myself and a few others, we were unable to locate the bird.
Here is my day list:

(FOF = First of the Fall) for me

Anhinga
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Little Blue Heron
Green Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
White Ibis
Wood Stork
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Red-shouldered Hawk
American Kestrel
Limpkin
Mourning Dove
Common Ground-Dove
Eastern Screech-Owl
Barred Owl
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Great Crested Flycatcher
White-eyed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
Tree Swallow
Tufted Titmouse
Carolina Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (FOF)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
American Robin (FOF)
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler (FOF)
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Northern Waterthrush (FOF)
Common Yellowthroat
Chipping Sparrow (FOF)
Northern cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle

Lepidoptera:

Calpodes ethlius -- Brazilian Skipper (abundant - nectaring on flowers of
Alligator Flag)
Papilio glaucus -- Tiger Swallowtail
Ascia Monuste -- Great Southern White
Phoebis sennae -- Cloudless Sulphur
Phoebis philea -- Orange-barred Sulphur
Eurema daira -- Barred Yellow
Agraulis vanillae -- Gulf Fritillary
Anartia jatrophae -- White Peacock
Limenitis archippus -- Vicerory
Danaus plexippus -- Monarch
Danaus gilippus -- Queen

Mammals:

Common Raccoon


Good birding!

Vincent Lucas
Naples

All,

Walt Winton reported 4 Canvasbacks (not seen down here often) and 3 Redheads
along with the usual wintering ducks that can be found at the retention pond
behind the shopping center at the intersection of Aqui Esta Drive/Bal Harbor
Blvd in Punta Gorda  (Wednesday 21 Nov 2001). The usual wintering ducks at this
site include Hooded Merganser, Lesser Scaup,  Ring-necked Duck, and Ruddy Duck
(not reported).

The area can be reached from US-41 by turning west onto Aqui Esta Drive (traffic
light) and continuing a few miles to the 4-way stop. This is the intersection
with Bal Harbor Blvd. The shopping center on the southwest side of the
intersection is where you can park. The retention pond is behind the shopping
center. Early and late visits are often preferable, as many of the ducks use
this spot as a night roost and spend much of the day foraging in Charlotte
Harbor. Another spot worth checking for ducks while in the area is the canals
outside the entrance to Ponce de Leon Park. From the retention pond, take Bal
Harbor Blvd north to West Marion Ave and turn left. Continue west to the
entrance of the park. The canals are in the open fields to the right after the
last of the steep canal bridges before reaching the park.

Regards,

Charlie

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

Hello,

I buy the "Field Guide to the Birds of North America" by National
Geographic but i'm a little disapointed by the quality of illustrations.
Do exist a better field guide?
Thank you and good observations
Jean-Marc

Hi All!

We are the homeschooling family who emailed regarding squirrels in
our birdfeeder.  In case I missed anyone the last time, I wanted to
repeat my gratitude to all who have emailed us with their ideas.

I am about to teach my children about the world's smallest bird -
Melissuga Helenae - or Bee Hummingbird, however, I need a picture.  I
tried to download one from the internet but, when I printed, the page
came out blank.  I suppose it's because these pictures are not for
downloading.

Does anyone know where I can get a downloadable picture of this cute
bird?  Or, is there a book that provides information and pictures of
this bird and other extreme birds, such as the biggest bird, the
biggest eggs, the smallest eggs and etceteras?

Thank you in advance.
Ivette Palomo Bonilla

Jean-Marc Bourdoncle
3rue de Normandie
92400 Courbevoie
01 49 97 93 74

Hello,

I have already the east section of this trail but it miss me west, south
and north section. My computer is quite old and it couldn't suceed to
import it because I know that is possible with acrobate.
I want to say thank you for everybody because I receive a lot of
messages. Don't forget to contact me if you want to go in France.
French people are a little bit racist witn american people : I always
defned you now I could show how kind you could be.
It is not the subject of the list but I couldn't resist to share my
happiness :

Tuesday a child in my class, I'm a primary school teacher (the child are
6 years old, they learn to read), fund a eurasian Woodcock in is very
little garden. We live in Courbevoie near La Defense wich is the
buisness area of Paris (big buildings, no plants, no grass). She was
exhausted and we gave it to a special clinics. After that I deceed to
study with my class the migration. And yesterday during the "playmoment"
(recréation in french), we 120 cranes fly above us. It was great and I
think that children will never forget it ! In one month a film will be
on the screen about the migration. It is the same producer that ("monkey
people" and "Microcosmos") wich are the 2 best naturalists movies that
french have never do.
If you have ideas, e-mail internet adresses, books... Say it to us. The
child will be very pleased that american people help us in our work.
(I want to say that the 11 september shocked us and shocked also a lot
of childs and on in my class is still makes nigntmare since thi moment).

Thank you very much for all you will do and you did already.

P.S. : Sorry for my poor english and my very poor grammar. I hope you
understand what i write.

The school adress is :

Classe de CP1
8, chemin des Ecoliers
92400 Courbevoie
FRANCE

I'm wondering if anyone on the list can help me. I will be visiting the
Everglades over Christmas this year and hope to see as many of the south
Florida specialties as possible. I'm a high school bio teacher and have had
precious little time to get organized for what I might find. I'm hoping that
there might be someone on this list with the time and inclination to just
give me some pointers. I'll briefly describe my situation and if you can
help, you can respond to kingbird@... or pru_man@... directly
instead of having to put it on the list.

I'll be staying in Flamingo from about the 23rd till the 30th or so. I'll be
with family, but there will be enough cars that I think I'll be able to move
around pretty freely on my own. I can't give a list per se of the species
I'd like, but I can sum up with "south Florida specialties... any and all".
I've been through the Everglades once, where I got my one and only gallinule
at 30+ miles/hour. Other than that I've no experience down there. I don't
know that I'll be able to venture too far from the Flamingo area, but from
all I've ever heard, that shouldn't concern me too much. As far as my
ability level, I'd rate myself as a pretty good general birder, so I'm not
just looking for the easy ones.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help. I look forward to visiting your
beautiful state. And if you find yourself in need of similar info on Jersey
anytime soon, I'll help out as much as I can.

Good birding and good day,
Shane Pruett


_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

Greetings!

Today, 11/26/01, the Caloosa Bird Club visited Bunche Beach (no dogs!) as
well as a part of Shell Point and Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers. Of
the 68 species seen, these were the highlights:

American White Pelican (x1) -- Bunche Beach; on the distant sandbar to
the west of the parking lot.

Least Bittern (x1) -- Seen only by Peter Murphy in the dead reeds off of
the boardwalk near the canoe rental livery. Others (including myself)
have seen Least Bittern here sporadically over the years.

Bald Eagle (x1 adult) -- seen by all flying over the Fragrance Garden at
Lakes Regional Park.

Long-billed Curlew (x1) -- Bunche Beach; on the distant sandbar to the
west of the parking lot.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (x1) -- Lakes Regional Park (Fragrance Garden).

We also saw some great leps. including:

Siproeta stelenes -- Malachite
Urbanus dorantes -- Dorantes Longtail
Urbanus proteus -- Long-tailed Skipper
Papilio cresphontes -- Giant Swallowtail
Battus polydamas -- Polydamas Swallowtail
Asbolis capucinus -- Monk Skipper
Anartia jatrophae guantanamo -- White Peacock
Phoebis philea -- Orange-barred Sulphur
Phoebis sennae -- Cloudless Sulphur
Eurema daira -- Barred Yellow
Limentis archippus -- Viceroy
Danaus erisimus -- Soldier
Danaus gilippus -- Queen
Agraulis vanillae -- Gulf Fritillary


Good birding!

Vincent Lucas
Naples

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mailing Address:                |    Chinese Fortune Cookie:
Vincent P. Lucas                |
3735 Fieldstone Blvd. #903      |  "Birds are entangled by their
Naples, Florida 34109-0745      |   feet and men by their tongues"
vplucas@...           |
                                 |            --Unknown
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Greetings:

On Friday, 11/23/01, at the corner of S.R. 31 and S.R. 78 near the Lee
County Civic Center to the east of Fort Myers, I saw the two Florida
Scrub-Jays that several of us have seen off and on over the past few
years. I had not seen these birds at this location for over six months.
Perhaps they were there all along? The pair were seen perched on the tops
of some Scrub Oaks not far from the Babcock "B" Ranch sign at this
intersection. This was in the afternoon at about 5:00-5:15PM.

This brings up a question. . . . With all of the recent development in
the area, does anyone know the current status of Florida Scrub-Jay in Lee
and Collier Counties? Has anyone seen this bird in recent years in
Collier County especially; i.e. outside of the introduced population at
Briggs Nature Center in Naples? Is the bird still seen in Immokalee?

The Florida Breeding Bird Atlas website shows this species as "confirmed"
and "probable" breeders in these counties but these data are at least six
years old. Any help would be appreciated.

Good birding!

Vincent Lucas
Naples

All,

Here is a note from David Powell posted to various lists yesterday (1 Dec):


Dear Birders,

It's time to submit your bird observations from the Fall 2001 season
(August - November). These observations may be published in "North
American Birds" and "Florida Field Naturalist," the ornithological
journals of the American Birding Association and Florida Ornithological
Society, respectively. Please submit your observations by December 15.

NAB has a much wider audience but a very tight word limit, while
readership in FFN is mostly limited to Florida but the report has no
word limit (although we have started to impose our own).

We will not be "plucking" any observations from posts to the Internet, so
please submit your notable sightings to us.

To make it easiest to compile your observations, PLEASE follow this
format when putting your report together. And PLEASE put all your
observations in phylogenetic order, not in random or chronological order

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

As an example:

Leach's Storm-Petrel: 53 at Playalinda Beach, Canaveral National
Seashore (Brevard) 23 Apr-1 May, with 32 on 28 Apr (Kurt Radamaker,
David Powell, David Simpson et al.). Identified as Leach's by the dark
line in the middle of the white rump, the forked tail, the
nighthawk-like erratic flight, and no feet projecting beyond the end of
the tail. Photographs obtained by K. Radamaker, posted to the Internet.

We cannot accept reports of rare birds submitted without documentation.
This includes all species requiring review by the Florida Ornithological
Society Records Committee (FOSRC; see Bowman 2000. Florida Field
Naturalist 28: 149-160), as well as other species or groups that cause
frequent identification problems (e.g., storm-petrels, kingbirds,
Empidonax flycatchers), or may be escapees from captivity.

For reports of extremely rare species sent to the FOSRC, please send a
photocopy of your documentation to us, so that we know details have been
formally submitted.

Photographs (digital or otherwise) or scans (of at least 400 DPI) are
welcome for possible inclusion in "North American Birds," and as
supporting documentation for your reports of rarities.

We encourage you to submit your photographs also to the Florida Birds
website maintained by Kurt Radamaker
<http://www.javaswift.com/floridabirds>.

Please send your observations via e-mail if possible (but snail mail is
acceptable) to the regional compiler for your area (see list below).

All observers whose sightings are published are acknowledged fully in
FFN and NAB.

As of May 2001, all three of the NAB seasonal editors for the Florida
Region are now members of the FOS Field Observations Committee, so all
reports sent to FFN automatically are sent also to NAB.

Thank you for your contributions to Florida ornithology.

Best regards,

Bruce Anderson

Winter seasonal compiler, North American Birds

Bill Pranty

State Compiler, FOS Field Observations Committee
Spring and Fall seasonal compiler, North American Birds

Dave Powell

Summer seasonal compiler, North American Birds

REGIONAL COMPILERS:

WESTERN PANHANDLE (Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton cos.): Bob
and Lucy Duncan; 614 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561,
e-mail: duncan44@...

EASTERN PANHANDLE (Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson Leon, and Wakulla cos.):
Gail Menk; 2725 Peachtree Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32304; no e-mail

NORTHEAST FLORIDA (Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns cos.):
Peggy Powell; 2965 Forest Circle, Jacksonville, Florida 32257; no e-mail.

NORTH-CENTRAL FLORIDA (Alachua, Citrus, Columbia, Hamilton, Hernando,
Levy, and Marion cos.): Bev Hansen; 6573 Pine Meadows Drive, Spring
Hill, Florida 34606; e-mail: bevalhansen@...

EAST-CENTRAL FLORIDA (Brevard, Indian River, Martin, Orange, St. Lucie,
Seminole, and Volusia cos.): Bruce Anderson: 2917 Scarlet Road, Winter
Park, Florida 32792; email: scizortail@...

CENTRAL FLORIDA (Highlands, Lake, Osceola, Okeechobee, and Polk cos.):
Linda Cooper; 558 Sunshine Boulevard, Haines City, Florida 33844-9540;
e-mail: Lcooper298@...

WEST-CENTRAL FLORIDA (Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas cos.): David
Powell; 1407 Storington Ave., Brandon, FL 33511, e-mail: vireo@...

SOUTHWESTERN FLORIDA (Charlotte, Collier, De Soto, Lee, Manatee, and
Sarasota cos.): Charlie Ewell; 1121 SW 11th Court, Cape Coral, FL 33991,
e-mail: anhinga42@...

SOUTHEASTERN FLORIDA (Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, and Palm Beach cos.):
John H. Boyd III; 15770 SW 104th Terrace, Apartment 103, Miami, Florida
33196, e-mail: boydj@...


--
David Powell
Brandon, FL
vireo@...

********************************************
Charlie Ewell
Arlyne Salcedo
Cape Coral, FL
Anhinga42@...
FLRBA@...

Greetings:

I got a second-hand report from a Naples birder who saw Herman (the
Heermann's Gull) at Blind Pass in Collier County this morning. The birder
is quite familiar with Heermann's Gulls and immediately recognized the
bird as "Herman" from the photos taken by Deb Hanson on December 2nd at
Sanibel Island (Lee County). At 1:00PM, the two of us went out to try to
find and photograph the bird. We were unsuccessful, but perhaps the tide
being "wrong" had something to do with it. (The bird was initially seen
at low tide this morning.) Undoubtedly, Herman has moved further south
from Lee County to Collier County. What's next, Monroe County?

If Herman should turn up again tomorrow, we will let others know. If
photos are taken, they will be posted to FLORIDABIRDS-L or the Naples
Bird Club website or the Caloosa Bird Club website.

Good birding!

Vincent Lucas
Naples

Greetings:

In my earlier post about Herman (Heermann's Gull) possibly heading south,
I said that the bird was seen today at Blind Pass in Naples, Collier
County. I must have had Sanibel/Captiva on my mind because Blind Pass is
the Pass that separates these two islands. What I meant to say was that
Herman was seen at Clam Pass in Naples, Collier County. Sorry for the
mistake.

Good birding!

Vince Lucas
Naples

All,

Like others I kicked around my local haunts over the past few days in
preparation for the Port Charlotte, CBC. The big story of the past few days was
Tree Swallows. On Wednesday and Thursday there was a constant stream of Tree
Swallows coming off the gulf the entire day! The birds could be seen anywhere in
town and all were heading E to SE in a steady stream. If these were all newly
arriving birds as it appeared (none were going against the grain anywhere I was)
I can't imagine how many birds were involved. At one point in the evening I sat
in my backyard and counted ~750 in 5 minutes. Did anyone else along the gulf
notice this movement or was it just concentrated in the Port Charlotte, Punta
Gorda area?

The other big story would be the Scaup. Charlotte Harbor always harbors
thousands of Scaup in winter, but on these past days the numbers seemed
exceptional. There were huge rafts everywhere you looked in the harbor on
Friday, certainly over 10,000 birds (conservative estimate). Perhaps this was
due in part to the strong onshore winds, I don't know. Despite the huge numbers
I was unable to make out anything unusual amongst these birds (although I was
mostly looking in the evening when lighting is at its worst). There was the
usual complement of Hooded Mergansers everywhere as well. It was interesting to
discover that all of the local ponds were devoid of waterfowl though. I checked
at least 2 dozen local ponds that usually hold a handful of birds and all were
completely empty.

I also checked all of the known (to me) Burrowing Owl sites in Charlotte County
and was saddened to find that at each site where there had been birds, there
were now only houses or office buildings. It appears that all of the sites
listed in Pranty in the Burnt Store Isles complex are now gone. I suppose they
could still be somewhere in the vicinty, but I was unable to locate them in my
cursory explorations. The only pair I now know of is just outside the entrance
of Ponce De Leon Park in Punta Gorda.

The Horse Farms at the intersection of 75 at Jones Loop (exit 28) played host to
large flocks of Grackles and Cowbirds again and I could see the distinctive
profile of the Cowbirds tails thrust straight in the air from the short grass
fields as I approached. I scanned each in turn (over 500 in the group I saw) and
yet I was unable to produce a single Yellow-headed Blackbird, Shiny Cowbird, or
Bronzed Cowbird like in year's past. None the less, I will check here again as
I'm certain I didn't see all of the birds. Just after pulling up an adult female
Sharp-shinned swept through the flock separating them into many groups that
scattered in every direction.

My last hope was that I might relocate some of the few groups of Scrub Jays that
I've seen in years past in this area, but here again I struck out. One thing
that was evident though was that the areas were much thicker than I remembered
when the birds were here in years past. Does anyone out there know how sensitive
the birds are to this? I suspect the areas may be too full now to support the
Jays.

Oh well even though I didn't find anything spectacular on these days, I had fun
as always when outside birding. Anyone not busy on Saturday the 15th, if you'd
like to join in the Peace River CBC feel free to contact me.

Good Birding,

Jeff Bouton
Port Charlotte, FL
jbouton@...



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

Greetings:

Naples birder Les Ford, who originally found "Herman" (the Heermann's
Gull) yesterday at Clam Pass in Naples reports that he was unsuccessful
in locating him today. I was not able to look for Herman tday because of
a necessary scouting trip to Charlotte County for the Caloosa Bird Club.
Les will keep looking for Herman though and I will notify everyone if he
is relocated.

Good birding!

Vince Lucas
Naples

Hi Jeff:

Today, Saturday December 8th, Caloosa Bird Club member Georgia Nef and I
scouted pretty much the same locales in Punta Gorda/Charlotte County that
you did in previous days. We had about 75 species in all with our best
birds being a male Hairy Woodpecker at the Yucca Pens WMA on Zemel Rd.
(past the Charlotte County Landfill) and a pair of Common Loons in
Charlotte Harbor (FOF) from the end of Colony Park Drive. BTW, Yucca Pens
WMA is THE best place in SW Florida that I know of to find Hairy
Woodpeckers. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was also present. Numbers of
Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers and to a lesser extent, Pine Warblers,
were very high here. No Eastern Bluebirds though, but the fog might have
had something to do with it. There were over eight Bald Eagles at the
Charlotte County Landfill as well, but there could have been more, but
the dense fog this morning prevented us from seeing more than several
hundred yards.

Like you Jeff, we were sickened to see what has become of the Burrowing
Owl colonies along W. Marion as well as the canals just before Ponce De
Leon Park. We too found none! We didn't even locate the one pair you
mentioned outside of Ponce De Leon Park. Asking the locals if they had
seen any recently didn't produce any leads either. Like everywhere here
in SW Florida, unbridled development is displacing these birds. I guess
nothing will be done to protect them until they become officially labeled
as "endangered." Of course, if past history is any indicator, the
developers will get around that too as they have done in the case of
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and others, especially here in Collier County.

There were some Lesser Scaup and Hooded Mergansers in the canals outside
Ponce De Leon Park but not like the numbers in recent years. What's up
with those gigantic aerator/fountain things??

Behind Aqui Esta Shopping Center, there were Ring-necked Ducks, Hooded
Mergs, Mottled Ducks and a few Ruddy Ducks but little else.

Off of Bayshore Rd., which hugs the Peace River on the north, we saw an
estimated 5000 Lesser Scaup and 1/10 as many Hooded Mergansers. There
were also tons of Sandwich and Royal Terns, along with many Brown
Pelicans just before the Bayshore Fishing Pier resting on other
structures. We had some nice shorebirds here too including American
Oystercatcher and others.

We did see Tree Swallows in small numbers but nothing like the numbers
you reported.

BTW, a friend was at Babcock-Webb WMA yesterday and found a few
Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and several Bachman's Sparrows. These were off
of Tram Grade and were accessed from Seawall Grade. Oil Well Grade has a
gate on both the north and south side of the other RCW site with a posted
"No Tresspassing" sign. My friend was told that the reason for this is
because of the quail hunting going on but another member of the Caloosa
Bird Club told me that she talked with the Wildlife Management personnel
and they said that this area is in direct line with the shooting range
and that a new "berm" needs to be erected to protect people from stray
bullets from the shooting range and that this wouldn't be carried out
until next year. I believe that the latter is correct. . . .

Good luck on the Peace River CBC and if I can, I'll help as I mentioned
to you before.

Good birding!

Vince Lucas
Naples

Greetings:

This request came to the me from Dr. Paul Catling via the Naples Bird
Club website. Anyone having any of the requested information can contact
Dr. Catling via Vivian Brownell at brownell@... Thank you.

Vincent Lucas
Naples

>In connection with research I am doing on the food requirements of
>the swallow-tailed kite, I would like to know of any past
>observations of this bird feeding.
>Needed are details such as what it was eating, abundance of prey
>and when. Any help will be very much appreciated.
>
>         Sincerely
>         Paul Catling

>Contact Dr. Catling via:
>Vivian Brownell, brownell@...

Hello everyone.  I am going to be travelling to Florida in January
and will have time for one good day of birdwatching.  I need to
decide between the Everglades and Ding Darling.  Any advice?  Thanks
in advance for any assistance you provide.

Thanks,
Cindy

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who responded to my post.
I really appreciate all of your input.  Being somewhat of a newcomer
to birding it's great to get all of this information.  If there is
anything else you think I need to know, don't hesitate to drop me a
line.

Thanks again...
Cindy

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who responded to my post.
I really appreciate all of your input.  Being somewhat of a newcomer
to birding it's great to get all of this information.  If there is
anything else you think I need to know, don't hesitate to drop me a
line.

Thanks again...
Cindy

Greetings:

Forty-three individuals took part in yesterday's Fort Myers CBC. Although
the number of species was down from last year (123 this year vs. 129 last
year) as well as our overall totals (18,771 vs. 19,960), we still saw
some new birds for the Count. Some species were only represented by one
bird. Our best birds were one Wilson's Warbler; one Painted Bunting; two
Eastern Bluebird; one Bufflehead; one King Rail (heard only); eight
Horned Grebe; 117 Burrowing Owl; 96 Monk Parakeet; 30 Rose-ringed
Parakeet; 27 American White Pelican; ten Piping Plover; two Snowy Plover;
eight Eastern Towhee; two Mute Swan and three "Pink" Ibis. We also had a
totally albino Mourning Dove -- Not bad for mostly "urban/suburban"
birding. These results are "unofficial" of course. Big misses were either
dowitcher species; Sora; Purple Gallinule; Hooded Merganser; Northern
Shoveler; Green-winged Teal; Peregrine Falcon; Marbled Godwit;
Ruby-throated Hummingbird; owls (other than Burrowing); sparrows (other
than Savannah & House); Roseate Spoonbill; various warblers (like
Black-throated Blue & Black-throated Green); Cedar Waxwing; Whimbrel and
Carolina Wren! I want to thank all of the participants and especially the
members of the Caloosa Bird Club, without whose valuable assistance, the
Count would not have been possible.

Unofficial Results:

Anhinga -- 109
Blackbird, Redwing -- 161
Bluebird, Eastern -- 2
Bunting, Indigo -- 1
Bunting, Painted -- 1 (female)
Cardinal, Northern -- 38
Catbird, Gray -- 29
Cormorant, Double-crested -- 320
Coot, American -- 141
Cowbird, Brown-headed -- 280
Crow, American -- 70
Crow, Fish -- 760
Dove, Common Ground -- 28
Dove, Eurasian Collared -- 641
Dove, Mourning -- 1285 (including one total albino)
Dove, Rock -- 434
Duck, Blue-winged Teal -- 121
Duck, Lesser Scaup -- 770
Duck, Mallard -- 157 (including bizarre hybrids)
Duck, Mottled -- 104
Duck, Muscovy -- 106
Duck, Red-breasted Merganser -- 17
Duck, Ruddy -- 8
Dunlin -- 43
Eagle, Bald (adult) -- 22
Eagle, Bald (subadult) -- 12
Egret, Cattle -- 359
Egret, Great -- 191
Egret, Reddish -- 6
Egret, Snowy -- 171
Flicker, Northern -- 10
Flycatcher, Great Crested -- 1
Frigatebird, Magnificent -- 6
Gnatcatcher, Blue-gray -- 47
Grackle, Boat-tailed -- 614
Grackle, Common -- 1419
Grebe, Horned -- 8
Grebe, Pied-billed -- 54
Gull, Great Black-backed -- 1
Gull, Herring -- 7
Gull, Laughing -- 1276
Gull, Ring-billed -- 779
Harrier, Northern -- 1
Hawk, Cooper's -- 4
Hawk, Red-shouldered -- 17
Hawk, Red-tailed -- 2
Hawk, Sharp-shinned -- 3
Heron, Black-crowned Night -- 7
Heron, Great Blue -- 69
Heron, Green -- 11
Heron, Little Blue -- 67
Heron, Tricolored -- 38
Heron, Yellow-crowned Night -- 12
Ibis, Glossy -- 20
Ibis, ScarletxWhite -- 3
Ibis, White -- 610
Jay, Blue -- 64
Kestrel, American -- 95
Killdeer -- 26
Kingfisher, Belted -- 34
Knot, Red -- 1
Meadowlark, Eastern -- 5
Merlin -- 1
Mockingbird, Northern -- 270
Moorhen, Common -- 120
Osprey -- 137
Owl, Burrowing -- 117
Owl, Great Horned -- 2 (Count Week)
Oystercatcher, American -- 6
Parakeet, Monk -- 96
Parakeet, Rose-ringed -- 30
Pelican, American White -- 27
Pelican, Brown -- 503
Phoebe, Eastern -- 8
Plover, Black-bellied -- 7
Plover, Piping -- 10
Plover, Semipalmated -- 2
Plover, Snowy -- 2
Plover, Wilson's -- 2
Rail, King -- 1 (heard only)
Robin, American -- 2
Sanderling -- 60
Sandpiper, Least -- 53
Sandpiper, Spotted -- 26
Sandpiper, Western -- 8
Sapsucker, Yellow-bellied -- 1
Shrike, Loggerhead -- 230
Skimmer, Black -- 70
Snipe, Common -- 1
Sparrow, House -- 39
Sparrow, Savannah -- 38
Starling, European -- 3,456
Stork, Wood -- 61
Swallow, Tree -- 238
Swan, Mute -- 2
Tern, Caspian -- 1 (+1 Count Week)
Tern, Forster's -- 15
Tern, Royal -- 14
Tern, Sandwich -- 23
Thrasher, Brown -- 1
Towhee, Eastern -- 8
Turnstone, Ruddy -- 22
Vireo, Blue-headed -- 1
Vireo, White-eyed -- 1
Vulture, Black -- 64
Vulture, Turkey -- 396 (+315 Count Week = 711)
Warbler, American Redstart -- 1
Warbler, Black-and-white -- 1
Warbler, Common Yellowthroat -- 18
Warbler, Palm -- 179
Warbler, Pine -- 8
Warbler, Prairie -- 3
Warbler, Wilson's -- 1
Warbler, Yellow-rumped -- 222
Warbler, Yellow-throated -- 13
Willet -- 53
Woodpecker, Downy -- 6
Woodpecker, Pileated -- 3
Woodpecker, Red-bellied -- 67
Wren, House -- 1
Yellowlegs, Greater -- 3
Yellowlegs, Lesser -- 5

Total = 18,771

Good birding!

Vincent Lucas
Naples

Greetings:

Four of us, Vince McGrath, Walt Winton, Peter Murphy and me, did a
whirlwind tour of some birding locations in Sarasota, Manatee, De Soto,
Charlotte & Lee Counties today ending with 104 species. Highlights were
the female Vermilion Flycatcher that continues to be seen at the bridge
over the Myakka River along Clay Gully Road in Sarasota County, (cf.
Jeanee Dubi's post to FLORIDABIRDS-L on 12/17/01 for directions); a pair
of Hairy Woodpeckers at the Yucca Pens W.M.A. along Zemel Rd., .5 miles
west of the Charlotte County Landfill; Common Loon in Charlotte Harbor;
two Limpkins (one at the Celery Fields off of Palmer Rd. & one at the
Vermilion Flycatcher locale); two Crested Caracara near the Vermilion
Flycatcher locale; nine species of duck; 50+ Roseate Spoonbill at the
Vermilion Flycatcher locale and five American Pipit at the Vermilion
Flycatcher locale. The complete list follows:

Common Loon
Pied-billed Grebe
American White Pelican
Brown Pelican
Double-crested Cormorant
Anhinga
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
Tricolored Heron
Cattle Egret
Green Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
White Ibis
Glossy Ibis
Roseate Spoonbill
Wood Stork
Black Vulture
Turkey Vulture
Muscovy Duck
Mallard
Mottled Duck
Blue-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Crested Carcara
American Kestrel
Common Moorhen
American Coot
Limpkin
Sandhill Crane
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
American Oystercatcher
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Willet
Spotted Sandpiper
Ruddy Turnstone
Red Knot
Least Sandpiper
Dunlin
Short-billed Dowitcher
Common Snipe
Laughing Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Royal Tern
Sandwich Tern
Forster's Tern
Rock Dove
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
Common Ground Dove
Monk Parakeet
Belted Kingfisher
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Eastern Phoebe
Vermilion Flycatcher
Loggerhead Shrike
White-eyed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Blue Jay
American Crow
Fish Crow
Tree Swallow
House Wren
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
American Robin
Gray Catbird
Northern Mockingbird
European Starling
American Pipit
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Pine Warbler
Palm Warbler
Black-and-white Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Eastern Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Eastern Meadowlark
Common Grackle
Boat-tailed Grackle
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Goldfinch

Vincent Lucas
Naples

Greetings:

While taking around a couple of visiting birders from Washington, D.C.
today, I refound the male Vermilion Flycatcher that I had originally
found last winter. The bird is in Hendry County on Government Rd. (aka
C.R. 833), approximately 14 miles north from the Big Cypress Seminole
Travel Plaza on I-75. This is south of the "downtown/main section" of the
Big Cypress Indian Reservation. Set your trip odometer at the plaza on
I-75 and go north. At about the 14 mile point, look for a shiny new
galvanized cattle watering trough on your right (east) side of the road.
The male Vermilion flycatches from the overhanging powerline that crosses
the canal near this watering trough. If not found precisely at this
location, look across Government Rd. for a small sign on a closed gate
that reads "Field #1-A, MJR & No Tresspassing". The Vermilion sometimes
perches on the telephone line on this side of the road near this sign OR
it may be in the Live Oak nearby, but it is there. . . . Vince McGrath
has had several Western Kingbirds here in recent weeks but we saw none
today.  Last winter, a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was also seen here.

Other good birds for Hendry County today were 3 Limpkins and 3 Snail
Kites along C.R. 846 near the Devil's Garden Packing Plant (oranges) in
the small pond/lake on the north side of the road. Also seen were over
100 American White Pelicans as well as one Sandhill Crane.

There are no Shiny Cowbirds (as of yet) coming to the feeders at Brigg's
Nature Center in Naples. A Great Horned Owl and plenty of Eastern Towhees
and Florida Scrub-Jays were found on Shell Island Rd. -- the road that
leads to the Nature Center.

Good birding!

Vincent Lucas
Naples