While inspecting a swarm (200+) of Tree Swallows at the lake off of Shannon
Lakes Drive in Killearn yesterday, my first-of-season BARN SWALLOW zipped
past in the flock. Also present was a single Northern Rough-winged Swallow
and about six Purple Martins...and also a duck which I believe may have been
a MALLARD X MOTTLED ("Muddled") DUCK. It had a "racing stripe" of green on
its head but otherwise was female-Mallard/Mottled in appearance.

Two more Barn Swallows were at the "Beaver Pond" on Maryland Circle by the
Coca-Cola plant in northwest Tallahassee.

-Sean P. McCool
Wakulla County, Florida, USA.

There was a flock of 20-25 barn swallows foraging at Central Park Lake in
Southwood yesterday.? A NRW swallow was present there as well.? At 9:50 am I saw
two sandhill cranes at the federal prison (standing in the rain).? That's the
first time that I've seen sandhill cranes in Leon County that weren't a fly
over.? The cranes were not present at 1 pm when I went by the prison again.?
There were 6 eastern kingbirds and 1 eastern phoebe still hanging around.? I'm
amazed every year at how fast the transition from winter to spring birds occurs.

?

For those needing redhead ducks for their Leon County month list, there are
still 5 hanging in the Canopy Oaks Elem. holding pond.? There have been up to 41
redhead ducks in the pond from November until now.? The numbers have been lower
lately and I haven't seen the "missing" birds on nearby Lake Jackson, as is
often the case.? I had one bird calling that sounded like a Tennessee warbler.?
There have been a couple of pine siskins calling from the large?ravine behind
the new Wal-Mart on Monroe.

?

Rodney Cassidy

Tallahassee, Florida?


-----Original Message-----
From: nflbirds@yahoogroups.com [mailto:nflbirds@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of
Sean McCool
Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 14:05
To: nflbirds@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [nflbirds] Of Swallows and Ducks






While inspecting a swarm (200+) of Tree Swallows at the lake off of Shannon
Lakes Drive in Killearn yesterday, my first-of-season BARN SWALLOW zipped
past in the flock. Also present was a single Northern Rough-winged Swallow
and about six Purple Martins...and also a duck which I believe may have been
a MALLARD X MOTTLED ("Muddled") DUCK. It had a "racing stripe" of green on
its head but otherwise was female-Mallard/Mottled in appearance.

Two more Barn Swallows were at the "Beaver Pond" on Maryland Circle by the
Coca-Cola plant in northwest Tallahassee.

-Sean P. McCool
Wakulla County, Florida, USA.








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

Hi all:


This morning I had a first of season Prothonotary warbler in the back yard
and ravine.  I could see a flash of yellow in the Hearts-a-busting bush
and thought it might be the Hooded warbler that's been around. Surprise.
I sometimes see Prothonotary's passing through in fall, but this may be a first
for spring.


I've been hearing Red-eyed vireo, Great-crested flycatcher and many that 
I can't identify by sound.  Today when the rain slacks up, both female
Western and Summer Tanagers have been coming to the suet.


Stay dry, and happy migration.


--------
Fran Rutkovsky
Tallahassee, FL
franrutkovsky@...


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

This weekend is the Wakulla Wildlife Festival and next weekend is the
Pinewoods Bird Festival. Below are the links to both festival.


http://www.wakullawildlifefestival.org/


http://www.pinewoodsbirdfestival.com/events.htm


(thanks Pam)

-----

Fran Rutkovsky
franrutkovsky@...
Tallahassee, FL

Yesterday morning during a few-hour lull in the storms three First Of Spring
birds were nabbed at the ol' home place: Hooded Warbler, Blue Grosbeak and
Indigo Bunting. Great to see those flashes of blue once again!

Beautiful out there this morning, no FOS birds yet but great looks at a Broad-
winged Hawk and wonderful listening to the Red-eyed Vireos, Prairie Warblers,
parulas, and the rest of the chorus.

-Sean P. McCool
Wakulla County, Florida, USA

Today during lunch:  Male Blue Grosbeak, male turkey, yellow rumped warbler,
black-and-white warbler, pine warbler, red eyed eastern towhee, yellow eyed
towhee, and a brown-headed nuthatch. Near the dam there were dozens of barn
swallows, a black crowned night heron, an osprey, and an eagle. Not bad for an
hour !
Terri, Chattahoochee

Today many birds were singing in my yard.

Great-crested Flycatchers (2 countersinging)
Northern Parula (3)
Yellow-throated warbler (1)
Brown Thrasher (1)
Yellow-rumped warbler (many)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (2)
Yellow-throated Warbler (1)

And of course the resident chickadees, cardinals, titmice, and mockingbirds
were around as well.

Also, a Carolina Wren has made a nest in an old gourd shaped nest cavity I
have hanging above my patio.  She has 5 eggs in the nest, I am looking
forward to the nestlings!


Angela Johnson
Woodville


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

Two pine siskins were feeding with the goldfinches at the sunflower feeder this
morning.  New yard bird.  See photo:
 
http://www.shutterpoint.com/Photos-ViewPhoto.cfm?id=709881
 
Brenda S. Scott
Tallahassee, FL
bendy32309@...
 
http://BENDY.shutterpoint.com 
 
IF YOU WOULD LIKE NOTE CARDS, BOOKMARKS, OR CALENDARS MADE FROM ANY OF MY
PHOTOS, PLEASE EMAIL:  
bendy32309@...
 
Photo Buyer Welcome Page
http://www.shutterpoint.com/Buy-Photos.cfm?ai=8Z236B
 
ShutterPoint Front Page
http://www.shutterpoint.com?ai=8Z236B
 
Photographer Welcome Page
http://www.shutterpoint.com/Home-Photographer.cfm?ai=8Z236B
 
 




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

Walked for about an hour at Lake Lafayette Heritage Trail Park yesterday
afternoon, covering the area between Fishing Fingers #3 and #5. Highlight was
an Empidonax flycatcher, probably Traill's I believe, foraging in the trees
over the bike path a little ways east of FF#3. Also great views of a male
Summer Tanager bathing in the creek and a Tennessee Warbler foraging. It was
a great day for birding!

The day's list is attached; "*" indicates year birds.

-Sean P. McCool
Wakulla County, Florida, USA

---------- Forwarded Message -----------
From: do-not-reply@...
To: speedyg@...
Sent: Sat, 4 Apr 2009 12:03:57 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: eBird Report - Lafayette Heritage Trail Park , 4/3/09

Location:     Lafayette Heritage Trail Park
Observation date:     4/3/09
Number of species:     33

Anhinga     1
*Green Heron     1
Bald Eagle     1
Red-shouldered Hawk     X
American Coot     X
Forster's Tern     2     Basic plumaged
Mourning Dove     X
Red-bellied Woodpecker     X
*Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's)     1
Great Crested Flycatcher     X
Eastern Kingbird     1
White-eyed Vireo     X
Red-eyed Vireo     1
Blue Jay     X
Fish Crow     X
Purple Martin     X
*Bank Swallow     1
Barn Swallow     X
Carolina Chickadee     X
Carolina Wren     X
Ruby-crowned Kinglet     X
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher     X
Northern Mockingbird     1
Brown Thrasher     1
Cedar Waxwing     6
*Tennessee Warbler     2
Northern Parula     X
Yellow-rumped Warbler     2
*Summer Tanager     1
Red-winged Blackbird     X
Common Grackle     X
Boat-tailed Grackle     X
American Goldfinch     X

A Traill's (Willow or Alder) Flycatcher would not only be extralimital in North
Florida in terms of being much further east than they normally occur (I've seen
two in 43 of birding there), it would also be extremely early in the migration
of this species. In Texas, where they are seen far more, we seldom get Empids
before May, excepting some April Acadians. A few Leasts also winter in the Deep
South.

Given the difficulty of the empid complex, I would suggest a photo, specimen or
recording of this "species" [two] be taken, and even photos are want for
distinguishing Willow from Alder. Absent those three, detailed notes would at
least be interesting to examine.

Good birding,

Jim
Galveston, Texas

   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Sean McCool
   To: nflbirds@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Saturday, April 04, 2009 11:07 AM
   Subject: [nflbirds] Probable "Traill's" at Lake Lafayette


   Walked for about an hour at Lake Lafayette Heritage Trail Park yesterday
   afternoon, covering the area between Fishing Fingers #3 and #5. Highlight was
   an Empidonax flycatcher, probably Traill's I believe, foraging in the trees
   over the bike path a little ways east of FF#3. Also great views of a male
   Summer Tanager bathing in the creek and a Tennessee Warbler foraging. It was
   a great day for birding!

   The day's list is attached; "*" indicates year birds.

   -Sean P. McCool
   Wakulla County, Florida, USA

   ---------- Forwarded Message -----------
   From: do-not-reply@...
   To: speedyg@...
   Sent: Sat, 4 Apr 2009 12:03:57 -0400 (EDT)
   Subject: eBird Report - Lafayette Heritage Trail Park , 4/3/09

   Location: Lafayette Heritage Trail Park
   Observation date: 4/3/09
   Number of species: 33

   Anhinga 1
   *Green Heron 1
   Bald Eagle 1
   Red-shouldered Hawk X
   American Coot X
   Forster's Tern 2 Basic plumaged
   Mourning Dove X
   Red-bellied Woodpecker X
   *Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 1
   Great Crested Flycatcher X
   Eastern Kingbird 1
   White-eyed Vireo X
   Red-eyed Vireo 1
   Blue Jay X
   Fish Crow X
   Purple Martin X
   *Bank Swallow 1
   Barn Swallow X
   Carolina Chickadee X
   Carolina Wren X
   Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
   Blue-gray Gnatcatcher X
   Northern Mockingbird 1
   Brown Thrasher 1
   Cedar Waxwing 6
   *Tennessee Warbler 2
   Northern Parula X
   Yellow-rumped Warbler 2
   *Summer Tanager 1
   Red-winged Blackbird X
   Common Grackle X
   Boat-tailed Grackle X
   American Goldfinch X





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

Two male Indigo Bunting appeared in my southwest Tallahassee yard
this afternoon-gorging on millet!  Still have 40 -50 Chipping
Sparrows. As of today I have seen 2 male hummingbirds and 2 females
fighting over feeders.

   Also a new bird, a shiny black and iridescent/blue ( grackle
colors)   bird showed up, looked just like cowbird,same size,
shape ,tail- slightly longer beak, but -no brown head- I first
thought Brewer's Blackbird, but I have seen one of those and remember
yellow eyes.  A Shiny cowbird was best match in Sibleys, since eyes
were dark .  I took a couple distant photos, wont know if they came
out till I get back to work to download.

Chris Bittle
cbittle@...

Michael Evans and I birded Bald Point, Alligator Point, and Bottoms Road
Saturday morning.  Eastern Kingbirds were abundant as were blue-gray
gnatcatchers.  Other birds of interest at Bald Point were black and white 
warbler,
white-eyed vireo, ruby-crowned kinglet, northern rough-winged swallow,  northern
parula, hermit thrush, palm warbler, and white-throated sparrow.

Ed Woodruff
Tallahassee
**************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store?  Make dinner for $10 or
less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000001)


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

Hi all,

A big mixed flock has been working through the oaks around my building.  It is
mixed by species and by season.  Great-crested Flycatchers are calling in
choruses and a Prairie Warbler was working in one oak.  At the same time Robins,
Ruby-crowned Kinglets and Yellow-rumps are still around in the same trees. The
resident yard birds also seem very active (courting cardinals and chickadees,
etc). The recent bad weather cleaned out the oaks and refreshed them.  They are
leafing in quickly but you can still see the birds moving around easily.

Linda Most
Tallhassee
----------------------
Bird where you are.

On Saturday morning I ran into Jim Cavanagh at St George Is SP.  It was slow
birding, but we did manage 11 species of warbler, the best being Prothonotary,
Hooded & Ovenbird.  Also had Bank swallow, Chimney swift and Peregrine falcon. 
A quick check of the Apalachicola airport produced a single Sprague's pipit and
Broad-winged hawk.

This morning (Sunday) I birded Bald Pt SP.  Only birds of note were Cliff
swallow (2) and Least bittern (4).  My yard was a bit more active with E.
Screech-owl (2, nesting), White-winged dove, Indigo bunting (4), Blue grosbeak,
Rose-breasted grosbeak and Pine siskin (8).

John Murphy
Alligator Pt, FL

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

Birding at Cornerstone
As of March 11 I have begun weekly birding at Tallahassee's Cornerstone
Learning Community (CLC) on Hartsfield Road where I am charting a quantitive
species list. On said date I sampled the extensive school grounds there
which includes an uphill walk to an impressive growth of short-leaved Pine
Trees where I encountered a good number of small youngsters with their
"who-are-yous" which lead to some brief give-and-take discussions about
birds--was so informed that CLC hosts a Barred Owl.
Later I was hailed by instructor Matt Morse and his archery
students--reminded me of an account of bow-and-arrow hunting in a biography
of ecologist Aldo Leopold which I read recently.
Someone asked me the identity of a resident hawk which I explained was
likely a Red-shouldered I heard calling repeatedly that day nearby
("keer-keer-keer").
In all, I listed 11 bird species and 45 individuals during a fun-packed 60
minutes and on March 18 I added 5 more species which included an American
Robin which I anticipate, hopefully, will nest at CLC this spring.
On March 25 I added 3 more species to my list -- Chipping Sparrow (4
individuals), Cedar Waxwing (a handful flying about) and a high-flying
Turkey Vulture.
Later I was invited to Pat's kindergarten class where the students and I
engaged in a "Tell-Time" session about birds.*  I presented the class with
some Apple Snail shells and explained they were evidence that the LIMPKIN, a
somewhat rare water bird in these parts, could have eaten the former
occupants of said shells (that is, if some other "critters" hadn't).
CLC students and faculty appear to be well on task in their appreciation of
nature in general. On the school grounds there are Martin gourds, a Bluebird
house, bird feeders, also bird-friendly brush piles and various flora.
Notably, students have constructed an "artistic" version of a Whooping Crane
nest (2 eggs included). Betsey Brown, school coordinator, plans to add
hummingbird feeders in the environs which could prove to be of interest come
July and during this winter.
I greatly appreciate the cordial reception I have experienced at Cornerstone
Learning Community and hope I can contribute something in return. And I
trust that the Reader finds the foregoing personal "Tell-Time" to be of
interest. Made me feel young again.
More later,
Gail E. Menk

*Little children looking up, holding wonder in a cup. (Teasdale)

Julie Duggan
jvduggan@...
Tallahassee FL

Did you ever do a big day when there are tons of birds and everything goes
right???? I had not, until today.? Shiloh, Samantha and I had a great day.? I
have to guess that the really high water and the continuously stormy weather
helped, especially with the duck species.? We ended up with 155 species and we
did a really poor job on the nocturnal? species.??Approximately 90% of the
species were on the?St. Marks NWR.? Some of the better species are listed below:

Common loon...........................................................1
Horned grebe.............................................................1
American white pelican..............................................65
Green heron...............................................................2
Wood stork................................................................1
Gadwall.....................................................................9
Red-breasted merganser..............................................5
Redhead...................................................................10
GW teal......................................................................2
Lesser scaup................................................................1
Bald eagle.....................................................................6
Northern harrier.............................................................1
Broad-winged hawk..................................................2
Clapper
rail.....................................................................24
Virginia rail..................................................................1
Sora............................................................................\
7
American oystercatcher...................................................12
Black-necked stilt..........................................................6
Solitary sandpiper..........................................................2
Whimbrel......................................................................2
Marbled godwit..............................................................1
Red knot.......................................................................1
Semipalmated sandpiper................................................5.......I
saw my FOS the last week of March in Franklin County.
Pectoral
sandpiper.........................................................1----Eastern
edge of Mounds Pool III..............seems very early.
Black skimmer...............................................................2
GH
Owl..........................................................................1
Acadian
Flycatcher.........................................................1--------FOS
Bank Swallow.................................................................1
4 Vireos
Prothonotary warbler...........................................................1
Louisiana
waterthrush.......................................................1----------jus\
t south of 2nd bridge.
Hooded
warbler................................................................1-----FOS
Summer
tanager...............................................................1---------\
---FOS
Vesper
sparrow..................................................................1
Orchard
oriole.....................................................................3
Baltimore
oriole..................................................................1
WT
sparrow........................................................................1
Scissor-tailed
flycatcher................................................1--------south berm,
mounds pool II


Rodney, Shiloh and Samantha Cassidy
Tallahassee, Florida





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

Sunday morning in my yard 2 pine siskins,
several a. goldfinches in breeding plummage
chipping sparrows

Bald point SP
Peregrine falcon
bluegray gnatcatcher
barn swallows
marbled godwit 6
2 red knots
sanderlings ( 2 of which were banded, one had a green tag on one leg that
said AAP and a red tag on the other leg: the other bird had 2 green tags
only one tag with lettering 3 letters and the last letter was K , the little
bugger wouldn't stand still long enough for me to read the rest of the
letters)
How does one go looking up bands?
piping plover in breeding plummage
s. p. plover
dunlin
caspian tern with pink on it's chest
common tern
forsters tern
royal tern
dowitchers
clapper rails
parulas
and many more of the regulars

Beautiful Day
Happy Migration
Melissa Forehand
Tallahassee


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

Found a Loggerhead Shrike nest on the homestead.  It is about nine feet
off the ground in a pear tree. Chimney swifts, Broad-winged Hawk summer
tanager and eastern king bird, arrived Saturday 04/04/2009. Gold finches
in full breeding colors, chipping sparrows and a single field sparrow,
still on the feeders. Red-eyed vireo, meadow larks, barn swallows, rough
winged swallows, purple martins, eastern towhee, prairie warbler, ground
doves were present this weekend. All three bluebird boxes are occupied,
but I haven't opened them to check the contents yet. Chickadees may have
fledged. Saw five in the tree at once and a lot of begging behavior. Had
a flyover woodstork. Yellow rumps are getting quite handsome and
beginning to sing. Hummers are getting aggressive at the feeders
already. Orchard orioles should arrive soon.



Eddie White

Havana Florida

Gadsden County





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

Thanks to Jim Stevenson for questioning my ID of the Empidonax at Lake
Lafayette on Friday. I had migrants on the brain and jumped to a conclusion -
  now I realise the bird was, in fact, most probably a Least Flycatcher,
not "Traill's" - the fact it was all gray (all dark? :p) should have been a
big tip-off...

-Sean P. McCool
Wakulla County, Florida, USA

posted for Mr. Gail Menk

BOAT-TAILED GRACKLES NESTING AT LAKE ALBERTA PARK

During recent years, Boat-tailed Grackles have foraged along the shores
of Tallahassee's Lake Epler park where I have suspected they were
nesting
nearby.  On March 30 I saw a female carrying nesting material towards a
row of oak trees which parallels the park along Lake Bradford Road where
I later watched that female weaving a nest atop the 6th of 7 such trees
as one drives south.

Sine the early 1980's Boat-tails have nested near several of the larger
lakes in Leon County but have not been reported to do so in downtown
Tallahassee.  Elsewhere in Florida the species has adapted to urban
environments in large numbers.

Good Birding,
Gail E. Menk


-----

Fran Rutkovsky
franrutkovsky@...
Tallahassee, FL

I just returned from Fort Morgan, Al, observing spring migration banding by the
Hummerbird Study Group. After a white knuckle drive in Thursday's downpours, I
enjoyed a couple of days of perfect weather with no mosquitoes, biting! I saw
more birds in close by trees and vegetation than I have ever seen there, before,
many sporting their shiney new anklets.

Local birder, Fred Dietrich is doing a great job at fine tuning his new banding
skills and will undoubtably post a full report upon his return.  When I asked
him, which bird was really special for him to band, he said probably his first
male Painted Bunting.  For me, watching Doreen bring in and process a fiesty
female Pileated Woodpecker, was a big thrill, and to witness a rare banding for
this group, of a Rough-winged Swallow.

  In the field, the most special birds, I saw were the pair of Eastern Bluebirds,
that displayed their bands from being banded together last season and so
willingly posed for my camera. Bluebirds hold a special place in my heart and my
pair's first brood of five, fledged in Thursday's bad weather; two apparantely
not surviving the night's rath.  Shortly after arriving back in Tallahassee,
yesterday, I did spot three of the Bluebird Fledglings huddled together high up
in an Oak tree.  My Carolina Wren is still incubating eggs inside my garage, as
well as Chickadees in their nesting box.  A Canada Goose is also sitting on her
newly made nest in my yard.  This evening I heard and photographed a GCF that I
am hoping will nest in the new box I just put up with a big welcome sign of
snakeskin hanging out.  I still have quite a few Goldfinch and a few Chipping
Sparrows.

This is a list of birds that I saw banded, or in the field in the immediate
banding area at Fort Morgan.

Through the 4th of April, in the first week of banding, the banders had banded
3,044 birds of 72 different species.  A very high count for the group.
________________________________________________________________________________\
____________________________________________________

1)  Summer Tanager  -1- seen in a tree, a male, after he was banded
2)  Northern Parula  -alot-being banded, male and female, and also in the field
3)  Orchard Oriole  -several, male and female
4)  Black and White Warbler  -ALOT, male and female, being banded and in the
field
5)  White-eyed Vireo  -ALOT, being banded and in the field
6)  Cedar Waxwing  -5-10 in a tree, close to banding site
7)  Painted Bunting  -4-5 males, being banded
8)  Ovenbird  -1, I released
9)  Hooded Warbler  -ALOT, male and female, being banded and in the field
10) Kentucky Warbler  -several
11) Indigo Bunting  -several males, being banded and in the field , also saw a
female in the field
12) Swainson's Warbler  -2, being banded
13)Yellow-throated Warbler  1 male,, banded, I released.  He stayeed in my open
hand for almost a minute, before flying off, then I still observed him on a tree
branch
14) Worm-eating Warbler  -ALOT
15) Tennessee Warbler  several
16) Chipping Sparrow  -several
17) Pileated Woodpecker!!  A show stopper, for sure..Her claws left quite a few
battle scars on bander, Doreen's hands.  She was one fiesty Woodpecker!
18) Ruby-throated Hummingbird  -several, male and female, I released a male
19) Mockingbird  -2, also very fiesty and vocal birds for the banders to handle
20) Palm Warbler  -2
21) Catbird  -several
22) Prothonotary Warbler  -2, male and female
23) Wood Thrush  -2, I released one
24) Red-eyed Vireo  -several
25) Acadian Flycatcher  -1
26) Cardinal  -1 female
27) Eastern Bluebirds  -saw several in the field, including the banded pair from
last year.  The female was recaptured this session.
28) Kingbird  -2
29) Prairie Warbler  -1
30) Blue Grosbeak  -1
31) Rough-winged Swallow  -1  I believe this was the first ever of this species,
banded at fort morgan, or at least one of very few...I need to confirm that
32) Pine Warbler  -1 female
33) Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  -1 female
34) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  -1
       Many Gulls, Pelicans and Shore Birds on the Bay by the ferry boat dock

I forgot to sign my just posted report on Fort Morgan.

Glenda Simmons
Eastside Tallahasse

My FOS female ruby throated showed up this morning and it looks like my male
rufous has finally headed west.
Pam Flynn
Tallahassee 
 

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

A reminder about the upcoming Pinewoods Bird Festival:


Pinewoods Bird Festival
Saturday, April 11, 2009
9 am - 3 pm at Pebble Hill Plantation
Thomasville Road


http://www.pinewoodsbirdfestival.com/

  From Thomasville, GA:

Take US Hwy 319 South toward Tallahassee, FL

We are approximately 5 miles south of Thomasville on the right side of
the road.



  From Tallahassee, FL:

Take US Hwy 319 North (Thomasville Road)

We are approximately 25 miles north of Tallahassee on the left side of
the road.


-----

Fran Rutkovsky
franrutkovsky@...
Tallahassee, FL

A small flock (~7) of Orchard Orioles was feeding in the trees around the
Wakulla County Library yesterday evening, and this morning in the woods back
by the (flooded) creek at the ol' home place I found my first Prothonotary
Warbler of the year.

-Sean P. McCool
Wakulla County, Florida, USA

Folks,

...herbaceous cover has been resprouting vigorously following last weeks rains. 
Gannet Pond, however, is at capacity and it's overflow spillway is flowing but
passable (for those willing to get their feet wet).  This being said bird life
goes on.  Some notable neotropical observations include:

summer tanager

orchard oriole

prairie warbler

great crested flycatcher

Best,

CK Borg

Tallahassee

_________________________________________________________________
Rediscover Hotmail®: Now available on your iPhone or BlackBerry
http://windowslive.com/RediscoverHotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Rediscover_Mobile1\
_042009

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

Has anyone seen the STFC at St Marks recently? If so, can you tell me where?
thanks..
Pam Flynn
Tallahassee

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

New this week in the hooch:

male summer tanager
male great-crested flycatcher
red-breasted nuthatch
male indigo bunting - backyard
brown thrasher - backyard
male and female purple finches - at the feeder several times a day.
tufted titmouse trying really hard to feed at the feeder.

I'm new at this (as I'm sure you've all figured out by now) and I have been so
sure all the red birds I've been seeing were male cardinals - so I haven't been
looking at them with the binoculars.  Lately, I've been hearing these
'cardinals' sing a different song than usual so I then convinced myself it must
be some kind of cardinal mating song.  Then one landed right in front of me.
Lesson learned.

Terri
Chattahoochee

I was supposed to go to a sea turtle convention on Wed but they forgot to
pick me up so I went birding instead
Bald Pt Sp

barnswallow
tree swallow
brown headed cowbird couples all over the place
ring billed gull
laughing gull
2 solitary sandpipers
yellowlegs
2 juv bald eagles
b b plover
2 piping plovers
2 s p plovers
3 blue wing teal
royal tern
forsters tern
willet
clapper rail eating a crab

St George SP

royal tern
osprey
brown headed cowbirds
e c dove
m dove
tree swallow
c g dove
common yellowthroat male and femaie
hooded warbler male
prarrie warbler male
black and white warbler
red eyed vireo
ruby crowned kinglet
rock doves

My Yard
a goldfinches
chipping sparrows
house finches


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

Had a beautiful dark-morph SHORT-TAILED HAWK this morning fairly low over US-
19 just north of Old Town in Dixie County.

-Sean P. McCool
posting from Pinellas County, Florida, USA