Roseate Spoonbill..........................4........moved next to
road............
Whimbrel(s)
Yellow-crowned Night Herons............sleeping near boat ramp.

Rails, raccoons, (w)rens galore, along with the usual suspects.

Good 2 plus days birding in local counties, some areas still flooded, but low
tides were super low and birdy (for June/July 1st).

Rodney, Lydia, Shiloh, Samantha and Aurora B.,
Tallahassee, Florida



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

Tallahassee Film Society yearly Bird Night is Saturday August 4, 5:00p and
7:30p.
This will be a partnership with St Francis and the proceeds will be shared.
Tickets are $10, $8 for TFS members and students.
There will be a short film featuring North Florida's 4 native owl species
called "Owls are the Tigers of the Sky". This film will be followed by an
amazing film called Kestrel's Eye.
For more information, please go to Tallahassee Film Society website
http://www.tallahasseefilms.com/showings.html
Sandy Beck will have live rescued owls for your viewing pleasure.


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

This year the June Challenge spanned 42 locations on three continents: I
received 137 individual totals from 40 American counties in six states
(Alaska, California, Delaware, New Hampshire, and New Mexico in addition to
Florida), plus one from Norfolk, England, and one from a traveling Florida
birder in Beijing, China. Links to the out-of-state lists are provided
below.

Within Florida, 126 individual totals were submitted from 32 counties (last
year's figures for comparison: 62 individual totals from 25 counties). A
handful of birders submitted totals from multiple counties. Others, working
in groups, amassed county-wide totals while neglecting individual totals.
Comparing results from two or more counties with differing amounts of
forest, coastline, fresh water, publicly-accessible land, and so forth
isn't particularly meaningful, but apparently we're going to do it anyway:

The top individual listers:
1. Danny Sauvageau, Pinellas, 140
2. Rocky Milburn, Hillsborough, 136
3. (tie) Ron Smith / Sue Tavaglione, both Pinellas, 134

The top county totals:
1. Miami-Dade 181 (166 ABA) click
here<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AoE7iNkfaDyUdDZGMDh3cHdSS01BdW\
NOa2hyT3FXM3c>to
view complete list
2. Hillsborough 158 (157 ABA)
3. Pinellas 154 (153 ABA)

Here's the complete list of county and individual results. Again, the
formula is "Total Species (ABA-countable Species / Non-countable Species)."
Almost everyone remembered to submit them in that form.

*FLORIDA*

ALACHUA  140 (140/0)
Rex Rowan  126
Adam Zions  122
Craig Parenteau  120
Bob Carroll  119
Lloyd Davis  119
Caleb Gordon  116
Judy Bryan  113
Maralee Joos  112
Howard Adams  111
Phoebe Gordon (age 11)  110
Barbara Mollison  110
Becky Enneis  109
Anne Kendall  107
John Killian  107
Barbara Shea  106
Ron Robinson  102
Phil Laipis  101
Anne Barkdoll  100
Mary Landsman  100
Katherine Edison  96
Benjamin Ewing  95
Samuel Ewing  95
Bob Simons  95
Linda Holt  94
Ignacio Rodriguez  94
Sidney Wade  94
Lily Gordon (age 14)  93
Dennis Miranda  90
Dean Ewing  89
Helen Warren  89
Caleb Ewing  86
Matthew Neilson  84
Steven Goodman (age 13)  81
Ted Goodman  81
Debbie Segal  80
John Hintermister  74
Geoff Parks  74
John Martin  66
Laura Bedinger  65
Nora Parks-Church (age 8)  63
Hannah Ewing (age 9)  59
Carol Willis  56
Bill Enneis  50
Erika Simons  33
Alex Lamoreaux  26

BAKER
Bob Richter 90 (89/1)

BREVARD  137 (135/2)
Gabriel Cenker  112 (112/0)
Jim Armstrong  93 (93/0)

CHARLOTTE
Susan Daughtrey  96 (96/0)
Tom Zinneman  83 (83/0)

COLLIER
Monica Higgins  83 (83/0)

DUVAL
Joan Becker  116 (115/1)
Richard Becker  116 (115/1)
Laura Johannsen  94 (94/0)

FRANKLIN
John Murphy  133 (133/0)
Rodney Cassidy  98 (95/3)

HERNANDO
Stephen Mann  96 (96/0)

HILLSBOROUGH  158 (157/1)
Rocky Milburn  136 (135/1)
Sandy Harris  112 (112/0)
Susan Pepper  112 (112/0)
Charles Fisher  98 (97/1)
Jason Guerard  68 (67/1)

INDIAN RIVER  76 (76/0)
Marion Conley  52

JEFFERSON
Ed Woodruff  39 (39/0)

LAKE
Leann Streeper  82 (82/0)
Alex Lamoreaux  9

LEE
Bob Hargrave  77 (76/1)

LEON
Elliot Schunke  112 (110/2)
Rodney Cassidy  105 (101/4)

LEVY
Alex Lamoreaux  37

LIBERTY
Ed Woodruff  6 (5/1)

MADISON
Ed Woodruff  12 (12/0)

MANATEE
Billie Knight  118 (115/3)
Jerry Knight  118 (115/3)
Robert Epstein  92 (92/0)
Deb Yodock  59 (58/1)

MARION  109 (104/5)
Alice Horst  104 (101/3)
Donna Schromm  98 (96/2)
Alex Lamoreaux  57

MARTIN
Nancy Price 91 (86/5)

MIAMI-DADE  181 (166/15)
Larry Manfredi  132 (126/6)
Philip Manfredi  132 (126/6)
Angel Abreu  129 (121/8)
Mariel Abreu  129 (121/8)
Trey Mitchell  120 (113/7)

ORANGE
Bob Sicolo  94 (92/2)
Alex Lamoreaux  17

OSCEOLA
Alex Lamoreaux  36

PALM BEACH  140 (134/6)
Brian Hope  126
Tom Smith  98
Chuck Weber  98
Al Pelligrinelli  82

PASCO  129 (128/1)
Ken Tracey  126 (126/0)
Dave Bowman  99 (97/2)
Jason Guerard  64 (63/1)

PINELLAS  154 (153/1)
Danny Sauvageau  140
Ron Smith  134
Sue Tavaglione  134
Eric Plage  130
Tom Mast  116
Mark Burns  115
Kathy Duncan  114
Melissa Vetricek  111
Robert Qually  109
Don Margeson  106
Gino Muehlick  106
Randy Harrod  105
Lori Smith  102
Roger Cornelius  92
Mary Rausch  82
Dale Goebel  74
Colin Gjervold  71
Jeff Hooks  67
Tom Funari  65
Amy Nulph  56

ST. JOHNS
Diane Reed  105 (104/1)

SARASOTA
Stu Wilson  96

SEMINOLE
Scott Simmons 80 (80/0)
Janet Leavens  77 (73/4)

SUMTER
Alex Lamoreaux  10

VOLUSIA
Amy Evenstad  75 (75/0)
Dinah Pulver  71 (71/0)

WAKULLA
Jean Simpson  120 (120/0)
Don Morrow  116 (116/0)
Rodney Cassidy 106 (104/2)
Elliot Schunke  81 (81/0)

*USA OUTSIDE FLORIDA - click on hyperlink to view list*

ALASKA (? CO.)
Adam Kent 
126<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1asIzBr8i8d0Hg6gtpzXKnOvf_xW5KtcdtyUNbmoc\
Lig/edit>

CALIFORNIA (SAN LUIS OBISPO CO.)
Brian Ahern 
143<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ifJhTqErvoL3yjluQZpF3SvlVPGLBMA0fGO4No6H\
dkI/edit>

CALIFORNIA (SAN DIEGO CO.)  235
Jay Keller  213<http://www.tropicalaudubon.org/tasboard/messages/75165.html>

DELAWARE (KENT CO.)
Chris Bennett  158
(158/0)<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AoE7iNkfaDyUdDloTjI5elJWZ3d\
ETC0wTkpod3ljQkE>

DELAWARE (NEW CASTLE CO.)
Derek Stoner  129
(129/0)<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AoE7iNkfaDyUdDloTjI5elJWZ3d\
ETC0wTkpod3ljQkE>
Jim White  111
(111/0)<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AoE7iNkfaDyUdDloTjI5elJWZ3d\
ETC0wTkpod3ljQkE>

DELAWARE (SUSSEX CO.)
Ron Gutberlet  153
(153/0)<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AoE7iNkfaDyUdDloTjI5elJWZ3d\
ETC0wTkpod3ljQkE>

NEW HAMPSHIRE (COOS CO.)
Sue Cooper / Kim Tarsey
45<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w-JXN-y9sGexdcWo2u2RUJtNsy5yDEs18K_Iw6Qz2\
Gg/edit>

NEW MEXICO (SANTA FE CO.)
Roger Clark 
120<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SdWMN-SIYipC59tSaTbBjIpTeWUwdwzM83F5flsG\
jjE/edit>

*OUTSIDE USA* *- click on hyperlink to view list*

NORFOLK, ENGLAND
Sue Cooper / Kim Tarsey
113<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1shKkJMewLbR9BYN6gDAGyuCG8lIrgEhWMXsQsRnI\
mEM/edit>

BEIJING, CHINA
Janet Leavens 
41<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GIGRrltZO-vhqbIIF7ag3_pQhHRS5T9XpDZaW74r2\
xk/edit>

My apologies if I forgot anyone.

Thanks for playing! See you next summer.

Rex Rowan
Gainesville


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

Yesterday after Shorebird Stewarding at St. George Island State Park, I parked
on the Apalachicola side causeway of the John Gorrie Memorial Bridge just before
8PM to further document a possible Purple Martin roost I have been following up
on since June 22.

I first noticed large numbers of Purple Martins swarming while crossing the
bridge at around 9PM Friday evening June 22.  I observed the same on Friday
evening June 29 and relocated the birds before sunrise on Saturday morning June
30.  I submitted my first report to the Purple Martin Association Roost Report
webpage the evening of June 29.

Yesterday evening a few minutes before 8, I saw the first few stragglers fly
into the vicinity.  At 8:30 I saw a group of 30+.  By 8:34 they were coming in
steady in groups of 10+.  In by the 100's at 8:38 and starting to swarm.  At
8:58 I saw ~1000 directly overhead swarming and about twice that many a few
minutes later.  At 9:01 they went silent.  It was virtually dark at that point. 
Twilight was cut short by clouds and the near full moon was hidden by clouds.  I
thought maybe they were not roosting there after all and had moved towards a
radar only unconfirmed location near the St. George airport.

Luckily I focused my binoculars in the near dark near the center of the bridge
and saw an enormous black blob hovering just below bridge deck elevation on the
north side of the bridge (only side of the bridge I could see from the
causeway).  I tried to take a couple of long exposure photographs but was not
using the tripod at that moment.  I got set up on the tripod and was able to get
a few decent long exposure photos of the birds lined up on the substructure as
far as I could see and I believe also on a cable or pipe above the substructure
roost.

The bridge is ~2.4 miles long between the Apalach and Eastpoint causeways.  Some
quick arithmetic indicates the possibility of 100,000 birds on one side of the
bridge.  Based on information on the Purple Martin Association Roost Report
website this is an ideal location for a big roost.  Those conditions include a
bridge over protected waters with islands.

There is a hazard possibility for both birds and motorists with a roost like
this as discussed on the aforementioned Roost webpage.  Two specific examples
are mentioned in the following excerpt:

"...roosts that occur on man-made structures sometimes have problems associated
with them. This is because they may be perceived as a nuisance to municipalities
and owners of private property, or they may be hazardous to the birds or humans.
In an example of the latter case, the once hazardous roost at Lake
Pontchartrain, Louisiana, U.S.A. achieved some notoriety before conservationists
and transportation authorities cooperated to install fencing that prevented
martins from colliding with vehicles. Similar but unresolved situations exist in
other parts of the country with the one at Umstead Bridge, Mann's Harbor, North
Carolina, U.S.A. being the prime example.

On the positive side, martin roosts can be quite spectacular with tens of
thousands of birds descending to roost at dusk. Visiting a roost is a unique
bird watching experience, and roosts can provide communities and conservation
groups a focal point for environmental education programs, birding festivals or
ecotourism promotions."

I did some searching and could not find a mention of this roost.  One of the
state park rangers knew of the roost but we did not have time to get to any
details.  Please let me know if you know anything about the history of this
roost.

I am presently trying to arrange for a local guide to take me out to the bridge
by boat tomorrow evening to try and get a better estimate on the number of birds
roosting out there.  If anyone has any recommendations or has a boat and would
be interested in helping out, then please email me.

Anyone with contacts with the Florida Department of Transportation might suggest
a speed limit reduction during the AM and PM roost hour for the duration of the
roost season.  At minimum some caution lights and signs could be posted.  The
first time I saw a mass of martins rise above the bridge deck in headlights as I
was driving to Apalach in the dark I was startled to say the least and I am
conditioned for this sort of thing.

Highlights of Shorebird Stewarding include many folks truly interested in the
nesting shorebirds and locating 8 Wilson's Plover south of East Slough Beach
Access on the beach.  Was able to get photos of all 8 in one frame.  Bad news is
Debbie's devastating effect on nesting shorebirds and sea turtle nests.

Leaving the causeway last night I enjoyed some nice over the water fireworks.

Wayne Schaffner
Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia

>> Marvin Smith and I had a great kite day in north Jefferson County FL Saturday
morning.  Prompted by the report of heavy Swallow-tailed Kite activity in
Brantley County GA, we headed down Hwy 221 south of Quitman GA.  We were not
disappointed.
>
>> The kite extravaganza was over a corn field along Hwy 221 just south of
CR-146 (which is about 2.4 miles south of the GA border in Florida) where we saw
21 STKI and 1 Mississippi Kite.  We also found about 20 STKI along Milky Way
Road (N30 37.046, W083 38.275).  12 of the STKI were resting for up to half an
hour in a dead tree in the middle of a cow pasture.  Some of these STKI were
surely some of the kites seen along Hwy 221 south of CR-146.
>
>
>> We also found 7 STKI over a field along Hwy 221 and Ramsey Road in south
Brooks County GA. We pulled off on Ramsey Road (N30 40.234, W083 38.212) and had
better views including a couple STKI briefly resting (possibly copulating??
Isn't this a bit late?) in a nearby tree.  Ramsey Road is about 1.2 miles north
of the Florida border.  We checked out Schmoe Road too but only saw an armadillo
and a doe with fawn crossing the road.  Heading about a mile north in Brooks
County along Hwy 221, we had another 8-10 STKI in the area of Blackwater Pond. 
The last STKI was seen over downtown Quitman being harassed by a smaller bird.
>
>> These areas in north Jefferson County and south Brooks County were very
reliable for STKI activity last August when we had a high count of 45 STKI over
the field along Hwy 221 south of CR-146.  Marvin and I have been checking these
fields periodically all this spring and early summer.  This is really the first
activity we've seen in the north Jefferson County area this year.  This really
is the best show in town!
>>
>> Karen Seward
>> Valdosta,Georgia
>>
>>

Karen, et al,

Wow, those are terrific numbers!

These birds are no doubt staging, or actually fall migrants. They are among our
earliest to depart and numbers further south can be astonishing!

It is very unlikely  there was any copulating going on as they breed way back in
the spring.

You are to be commended for braving the heat and birding at such a brutal and
often unproductive time.

Jim
Southern California

From: Karen Seward
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2012 9:37 AM
To: nflbirds@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [nflbirds] Swallow-tailed Kites, north Jefferson County



>> Marvin Smith and I had a great kite day in north Jefferson County FL Saturday
morning. Prompted by the report of heavy Swallow-tailed Kite activity in
Brantley County GA, we headed down Hwy 221 south of Quitman GA. We were not
disappointed.
>
>> The kite extravaganza was over a corn field along Hwy 221 just south of
CR-146 (which is about 2.4 miles south of the GA border in Florida) where we saw
21 STKI and 1 Mississippi Kite. We also found about 20 STKI along Milky Way Road
(N30 37.046, W083 38.275). 12 of the STKI were resting for up to half an hour in
a dead tree in the middle of a cow pasture. Some of these STKI were surely some
of the kites seen along Hwy 221 south of CR-146.
>
>
>> We also found 7 STKI over a field along Hwy 221 and Ramsey Road in south
Brooks County GA. We pulled off on Ramsey Road (N30 40.234, W083 38.212) and had
better views including a couple STKI briefly resting (possibly copulating??
Isn't this a bit late?) in a nearby tree. Ramsey Road is about 1.2 miles north
of the Florida border. We checked out Schmoe Road too but only saw an armadillo
and a doe with fawn crossing the road. Heading about a mile north in Brooks
County along Hwy 221, we had another 8-10 STKI in the area of Blackwater Pond.
The last STKI was seen over downtown Quitman being harassed by a smaller bird.
>
>> These areas in north Jefferson County and south Brooks County were very
reliable for STKI activity last August when we had a high count of 45 STKI over
the field along Hwy 221 south of CR-146. Marvin and I have been checking these
fields periodically all this spring and early summer. This is really the first
activity we've seen in the north Jefferson County area this year. This really is
the best show in town!
>>
>> Karen Seward
>> Valdosta,Georgia
>>
>>




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

I had a Louisiana Waterthrush bobbing around the edge of the birdbath today in
the yard. Previous summer sightings were
between June 21 and July 5.


On Friday while stopped for a red light, I watched a Swallow-tailed kite soaring
over the intersection of Capital Circle NE and Lonnbladh Rd.



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



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

The other day while fishing with friends, we watched two (just so no one thought
three, etc.) Bald Eagle repeated perching on nearby limbs and copulating.  It
reminded me of the time thirty years ago when they didn't mate in the south at
any time (or so the literature and experts that wrote it or repeated it said). 
Of course we all realized that the heat was getting to us and that we were
hallucinating.  I do predict that someday, a great ornithologist with dual
doctorates in the psychology and psychiatry will come to the conclusion that
some birds have personalities and are copulating for no apparent
reason............that mystery to be solved many years later by an even greater
scientist.  I don't expect this to happen in my lifetime, or that of my
children, so just pour cold water over your head and tell yourself and your
companions that you couldn't have seen that.

Rodney Cassidy
Tallahassee, Florida


-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Stevenson <galornsoc@...>
To: nflbirds <nflbirds@yahoogroups.com>; Karen Seward <sewardsinde@...>
Sent: Sun, Jul 8, 2012 10:50 am
Subject: Re: [nflbirds] Swallow-tailed Kites, north Jefferson County





Karen, et al,

Wow, those are terrific numbers!

These birds are no doubt staging, or actually fall migrants. They are among our
earliest to depart and numbers further south can be astonishing!

It is very unlikely  there was any copulating going on as they breed way back in
the spring.

You are to be commended for braving the heat and birding at such a brutal and
often unproductive time.

Jim
Southern California

From: Karen Seward
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2012 9:37 AM
To: nflbirds@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [nflbirds] Swallow-tailed Kites, north Jefferson County

>> Marvin Smith and I had a great kite day in north Jefferson County FL Saturday
morning. Prompted by the report of heavy Swallow-tailed Kite activity in
Brantley County GA, we headed down Hwy 221 south of Quitman GA. We were not
disappointed.
>
>> The kite extravaganza was over a corn field along Hwy 221 just south of
CR-146 (which is about 2.4 miles south of the GA border in Florida) where we saw
21 STKI and 1 Mississippi Kite. We also found about 20 STKI along Milky Way Road
(N30 37.046, W083 38.275). 12 of the STKI were resting for up to half an hour in
a dead tree in the middle of a cow pasture. Some of these STKI were surely some
of the kites seen along Hwy 221 south of CR-146.
>
>
>> We also found 7 STKI over a field along Hwy 221 and Ramsey Road in south
Brooks County GA. We pulled off on Ramsey Road (N30 40.234, W083 38.212) and had
better views including a couple STKI briefly resting (possibly copulating??
Isn't this a bit late?) in a nearby tree. Ramsey Road is about 1.2 miles north
of the Florida border. We checked out Schmoe Road too but only saw an armadillo
and a doe with fawn crossing the road. Heading about a mile north in Brooks
County along Hwy 221, we had another 8-10 STKI in the area of Blackwater Pond.
The last STKI was seen over downtown Quitman being harassed by a smaller bird.
>
>> These areas in north Jefferson County and south Brooks County were very
reliable for STKI activity last August when we had a high count of 45 STKI over
the field along Hwy 221 south of CR-146. Marvin and I have been checking these
fields periodically all this spring and early summer. This is really the first
activity we've seen in the north Jefferson County area this year. This really is
the best show in town!
>>
>> Karen Seward
>> Valdosta,Georgia
>>
>>

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









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

The following is copied from the Purple Martin Association Roost Report Webpage

Roost Location: Apalachicola, Florida, United States (Franklin County)
Coordinates:29.73010, -84.94017
This roost was not detected with NEXRAD Radar in 2004.

Purple Martin Roost Report
Observation Date: July 6, 2012

Estimate of Purple Martins Present: 108,000

Species Composition: 100% Purple Martin

Description of Roost's Location: John Gorrie Memorial Bridge between Eastpoint,
FL and Apalachicola, FL over East Bay and Apalachicola Bay. Best viewed to date
from land from Apalachicola causeway at Apalachicola end of bridge. From
downtown Apalachicola at the intersection of Market St. (US 98) and Chestnut
Street proceed east on US 98 for 1.8-miles to a dirt drive on the north side of
the highway near the east end of the Apalachicola causeway. Turn left on dirt
drive then turn immediate right and proceed 0.15 mile east to end of causeway
and park. Don't drive into the bay.

Access to roost for this third report (06JUL12) was by boat. I contracted with
Mark Stratton, a local entrepreneur, carpenter (including boats), oysterman and
photographer to take me to the roost. Mark also assisted in locating the limits
of the roost, determining if birds were also roosting on the south side of the
bridge, and determining a typical density of the birds on the two types of
bridge roost elements.

The overall length of the roost is approximately 1.13-miles or 5,966-feet. This
overall length is also the distance birds were roosting on the two cables
suspended within a foot of each other horizontally and at the same height in the
bridge substructure. The birds roosted virtually to the west end of the cables
where they turned 90-degrees downward and went underground in the causeway and
about 450-feet west of the east end of the west causeway. The east end of the
roost is virtually at the midpoint of the 2.4-mile bridge measured from tip of
causeway to tip of causeway.

The length the birds were roosting on the concrete bevel at the bottom of the
substructure is comprised of two elements. The first element is the length of a
continuous line of birds. The second element is a broken line of birds which we
agreed was, on average, 50% of the continuous line of birds. (Note: It was
apparent the birds preferred to be on the cables.) The length of the continuous
line of birds on the bevel is approximately 0.51-mile or 2,693-feet. The length
of the broken line of the birds is 3,273-feet and it ended virtually at the east
end of the lines of birds on the cables.

Our estimation in the field of birds per foot in continuous lines was up to 8.
After review of the photos, for the purpose of estimating the size of the roost
on 06JUL12, I am using 6 birds per foot on the cables. I am using 8 birds per
foot on the bevel because they were often 2 birds to 3-birds deep up the bevel.

Based on these measurements and density here is the calculation of the estimated
number of birds:
Birds on 2 cables: 5,966 X 6 X 2 = 71,592
Birds in continuous line on bevel: 2,963 X 8 = 23,704
Birds in 50% broken line on bevel: 3,273 X 8 X 0.5 = 13,092
Total estimated size of roost = 108,388

Distances are based on measurements in Google Earth based on handheld GPS unit
coordinates of ends of roost obtained from the boat.

Some notes on the photos: The birds began roosting heavily after sunset (8:43
PM). Most photos of the birds on roost are taken within 25-feet of the bridge.
When we were that close, the birds nearest would flush, circle and return to the
roost as we moved past. It was difficult to get density photos further away from
the bridge where birds did not flush do to darkness, pitching of the boat and
lack of aptitude on my part for photographing in those conditions. There is only
one representative photo of mine from a distance that did not flush the birds
significantly. I have not yet seen Mark's photos.

After we inspected for density we located and recorded lat and long at the west
ends of the roost. We then, at idle speed, moved east and continually monitoring
the density of the birds on the roost until we reached the end of the continuous
line on the bevel and then on to the end of the cable roosting birds which was
also the end of the broken line of birds on the bevel.

We put in at the landing at 8PM and we returned to the landing at a few minutes
after 10 PM. Two hours is what I told Mark we would need to get the job done. He
did a great job making that happen.

Public Access to Roost?: Yes

History of Roost:
Based on conversations with locals, at least 45-years. This is based on account
of a lifetime resident who is 55-years old now. He remembers as a boy when the
Martins used to "blacken the sky" at the bridge this time of year. Other local
testimony is from a state park ranger who has observed the dusk swarming
activity this time of year since the early 1980's. When I first met Mark, by
chance, at Welfing's Marine in Eastpoint, he shared that he had observed the
roost before sunrise in the past two weeks.

Description of Roost's Habitat:
Concrete bridge substructure and two cables suspended from substructure. Note:
Martins are only roosting on north side (East Bay side) of the bridge, as of the
date of this report. Note: There are no cables suspended on the south side
(Apalachicola Bay side) of the bridge. However, the second lowest element of the
substructure which is an ~8-inch 45-degree bevel directly above the base of the
substructure in the concrete where the birds roost on the north side is present
on the south side. The bay was rolling with large swells thought to be
originating from a storm to the southwest. Originally, I estimated 2-foot to
3-foot seas. This was the constant condition. We also had some swells to 4-feet,
in my estimation, as often spray came across the bow when we were holding
steady. Some of that had to do with the fact that Mark had to hold a
disadvantaged tack to the waves in order for us to see the birds more clearly.
Quite a piece of seamanship, in my opinion, in the dark amidst bridge pilings,
power transmission superstructure, crab pot bouys and oyster bed bouys.

Roost Begins Approximately: Late-June

Threats to/Problems with Roost: Site not protected from traffic. Potential
problem for birds and motorists. Again, I recommend, at least for this season,
encouraging a speed limit reduction during AM and PM roost hour thru the roost
season. That should be reasonable to Florida DOT to help ensure safety of
motorists. Fences will likely never happen. This morning (07JUL12), I drove the
entire 2.4-mile bridge at 10-mph and did not find any dead Martins or any other
dead birds. I don't know when this roost will peak and end. It is possible
hazards will increase if the bridge fills up.

Opportunities at Roost:
Bird watching: YES
Promoting Environmental Education: YES
Birding Festivals: Don't know.
Ecotourism: YES (Could help existing Bay charter sightseeing business)

Additional note:
It appears all of these birds are incoming from the west and they are roosting
on the west half of the bridge on the north side (East Bay side) of the bridge. 
It will be interesting to see if this pattern changes as the roost peaks.

from Purple Martin Association:
"Martin Roost or Martin Staging Area?
Before submitting a report please be sure that you are reporting a roost and not
a staging area. What are the differences?

A martin roost is a place where Purple Martins sleep at night. A martin roost
typically forms annually with martins using it nightly during late June, July,
August, and early September in North American or during November, December, and
January in South America. A martin roost may have from 1000 to 1,000,000
individuals, with numbers more typically in the 25,000 to 100,000 range. Most
martin roosts are large enough to show up on Doppler weather radar as the birds
leave in the morning.

A staging area is just a daytime resting/loafing area. So, if martins don't
spend the night at the location in question, it is not a roost; it's just a
staging area."

Wayne Schaffner
Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia

Birdsong Nature Center

Mirhi A Childs

Office Manager

229-377-4408

birdsong@...



Subject: Woodstork: 4 Hours of Beaks and Music!



On July 14th the Birdsong Board of Directors is pleased to present an evening of
music to benefit Birdsong in celebration of the first nesting of Wood Storks at
Birdsong Nature Center! This nesting has been a unique event that we hope many
of you have had a chance to observe. (Yes, we had fun coming up with the title.
The original Woodstock tag line was "3 days of peace and music".)

Adults $10, children $5 (under 12).

The following musicians and friends are offering their considerable talents on
Birdsong's behalf at no charge:
Warren Sutton and Friends
Moonshine Dirt Reunion
Didja' Vu - Other World Music
Please join them in supporting Birdsong and enjoy a summer evening outdoors
listening to some great music!

Dinner for purchase by the Wharf on Wheels (seafood plates $6-$16, burgers and
more, tea and sodas); refreshments by Kona Shaved Ice.
You are also welcome to bring your own picnic if you prefer!
Bring lawn chairs or blankets - as you know, we have somewhat limited seating.
Dress for the weather.

The Wood Storks may have already fledged by July 14th. If they are still with
us, we'll provide trailer rides to the Listening Place to see them. Either way,
we will have some great photos of our Storks on display, as well as video
footage taken by Joe Peresich.

Please feel free to print out and post this flyer wherever you deem appropriate
and email to your friends . We would certainly appreciate your help in
publicizing this event.

We look forward to seeing you on the 14th!

Call if you have any questions.



Sincerely,
Kathleen Brady
Executive Director
229-377-4408




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



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Today, @ 5 pm, I was turning left onto Piedmont Road, from Thomasville Road,
just south of I-10, and there was a swallowtail kite circling overhead. Only saw
one, but I was in my car, etc., and didn't have a chance to tarry and observe
further. Nancy Bivins - Tallahassee


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Saw one yesterday (7/11/12) in the afternoon flying over Buck Lake Road near the
lake. 

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

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Some notes of clarification regarding the location of the roost on the bridge
between Apalachicola and Eastpoint.

The roost is located on the bridge between the two causeways between
Apalachicola and Eastpoint.  I have been advised that this section, the long
section, between the causeways is NOT known by locals and possibly FLDOT as the
John Gorrie Memorial Bridge.  Apparently the curved overpass section of bridge
that dives into Apalach is the actual JGMB. Anyway, the photos in nflbirds
clearly show what bridge it is and hopefully my parenthetical reference to the
bridge "between the causeways between Apalach and Eastpoint" helped to prevent
possible confusion.  If you are locating on Google Earth you will read John
Gorrie Memorial Bridge.  Normally, I take a picture of the sign approaching the
bridge but failed to do so this time around.

Approximate coordinates of each end of the roost as located with Mark Stratton
on his boat are as follows:
West end: 29.728660°, -84.956280° (just west of east end of west causeway)
East end: 29.730769°, -84.937720° (near the middle of the bridge)

Have also been advised that my driving directions should be revised.  Instead of
beginning at the intersection of Market St. (US 98) and Chestnut it should read
intersection of  Market St (US 98) and Ave. E (one block NW of Ave D) which is
the blinking light intersection where US 98 makes a 90-degree turn west from
south to north approach...apparently one of two lights in town and the only
blinking one.  All other courses to the west causeway are accurate.  Ave. E
reads as Chestnut on Google Earth...one block NW of Ave. D on Google Earth.

Looking forward to some more Roost Reports.

Photos from July 4 and July 6:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44510955@N05/sets/72157630565419840/

Last Wednesday, two roseate spoonbills were seen at the southern end of Lake
Miccosukee, Jefferson County.  They could be seen off the wooden fishing
platform next to the bridge at Hwy 90.  The FWC is conducting a drawdown and
about 50 wood storks and hundreds of egrets, 4 black-bellied whistling
ducks, were also encountered on our inspection.  The lake is currently down
about 5 feet and it will be interesting what else shows up.  In 2001, after
a prescribed fire on the lake bottom, a white tailed (black shouldered) kite
was seen, probably January or February, if memory serves.  Burns are again
planned for this winter.   Regards, Michael Hill, Tallahassee



No one is in charge of your happiness but you!





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Coming out of Horseshoe Beach today, saw some white birds in a grassy farm
field.  Stopped and counted 60 snowy egrets, 4 white ibis and 2 cattle egrets.
Sharon Fronk
Old Town
Dixie county

We saw 5 limpkins, a black crowned night heron, 8 yellow crowned night herons, a
barred owl, 2 hawks, 2 ospreys, ibis, herons and egrets and kingfishers on the
river yesterday morning. This was the most limpkins I have ever seen on the
river.
 
Lydia & Dave Burns

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While you guys are looking at Michael's spoonbills and ducks (for county listers
etc.) you may notice that Purple Gallinule with young are present as well. 
There are Common Gallinule,  plus several warbler species etc.

We've ran across many "good" birds this July.  I'll list a few.
Gull-billed Terns.........14 in one flock
Common Loon feeding close to shore............14th July....Hagen Cove
Several flocks of 50-100 Snowy Egret along Hwy 27, over 1000 cattle egret......

Reddish Egrets w/young
A fallout of shorebirds at Hagen's cove just after a major
thunderstorm.........species diversity was much higher than I would have
expected (migration may be a week or two early).

Painted Bunting..........singing..........Gilchrist County......July 15th.
,
  Louisiana Waterthrush, Kentucky Warbler

3 Magnificent Frigate Birds in three weeks, inland...............two we're
flying over pine trees, a few minutes travel inland by storm driven winds.


The summer doldrums have lifted, somewhat.

Rodney Cassidy
Tallahassee, Florida





-----Original Message-----
From: Candy and Michael Hill <mchill7@...>
To: nflbirds <nflbirds@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Jul 15, 2012 10:47 am
Subject: [nflbirds] spoonbills and wood storks Lake Miccosukee





Last Wednesday, two roseate spoonbills were seen at the southern end of Lake
Miccosukee, Jefferson County.  They could be seen off the wooden fishing
platform next to the bridge at Hwy 90.  The FWC is conducting a drawdown and
about 50 wood storks and hundreds of egrets, 4 black-bellied whistling
ducks, were also encountered on our inspection.  The lake is currently down
about 5 feet and it will be interesting what else shows up.  In 2001, after
a prescribed fire on the lake bottom, a white tailed (black shouldered) kite
was seen, probably January or February, if memory serves.  Burns are again
planned for this winter.   Regards, Michael Hill, Tallahassee

No one is in charge of your happiness but you!

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Group:

I haven't seen much mention of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge lately.  I was
away from home when the big storm hit a couple of weeks ago.  Did the refuge
suffer?  How is the birding these days?  Thanks.

Marvin T Smith

Valdosta, GA


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*
*  *Cuban Tody by John Hannan*

*Birding Cuba with Audubon Odysseys *

Audubon Nature Odysseys is offering two trips to Cuba this October led by
Ben Jones of Audubon Texas (October 2
departure<http://eidertrk.audubon.org/trk/r.emt?h=holbrooktravel.com/dated%2Ddep\
arture/auduboncuba3&t=2uto&e=2jr&m>)
and Monica Iglecia of Audubon California (October 16
departure<http://holbrooktravel.com/dated-departure/auduboncuba4>).
They will be following the same itinerary, starting from Havana and
covering almost two-thirds of the island over 10 days.

Each departure is limited to only 15 participants, giving National Audubon
members ample opportunities for meaningful people-to-people exchanges with
Cubans, ornithologists, conservationists and students. And let’s not forget
about the birding! More than 150 species of birds were spotted on these
trips, including this gorgeous Cuban Tody photographed by John Hannan.

Debbie Sturdivant at Holbrook Travel can help with reservations:
866-748-6146 or Debbie@....

All of our Cuba trips have sold out within days, so do not hesitate!

Learn more about the two trips at:
Oct 2-14:
http://holbrooktravel.com/dated-departure/auduboncuba3<http://eidertrk.audubon.o\
rg/trk/r.emt?h=holbrooktravel.com/dated%2Ddeparture/auduboncuba3&t=2uto&e=2jr&m>
Oct 16-28:
http://holbrooktravel.com/dated-departure/auduboncuba4<http://eidertrk.audubon.o\
rg/trk/r.emt?h=holbrooktravel.com/dated%2Ddeparture/auduboncuba4&t=2uto&e=2jr&m>
------------------------------


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I had a male Hooded warbler in the yard today chasing another bird. I couldn't
see the 2nd bird so don't know if it was another
Hooded or a Chickadee. Also had 3 juvenile Red-bellied woodpeckers flying around
with their father. Pretty neat, as I usually
just see 1 or 2 young ones out at the same time.



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



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A female Redstart,NParulas and B&W Warblers are coming for water and chasing
bugs around the yard.  Along with Cardinals, Blue Jays, Titmice, Chickadees and
a mob of CWrens. They fledged 5 a few weeks ago. Saw two White-tailed Kites
along 200.
Alice
McAlpin
Suwannee County

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I've never seen this before while a hummer has been at the feeder, but this
weekend one female hummingbird enjoyed a feast of mosquitos while at our
front window feeder. She'd sip sugar water for awhile, then fly/hover
around the feeder snapping up tiny mosquitos.

  -Kathleen


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They're just so quick, you probably have not noticed it before.  I've found
that many people do not even realize that hummingbirds eat insects, which, of
course, they have to have, to survive.  At least you are getting some non-toxic
mosquito control~ :)



________________________________
  From: Kathleen Carr <kathleencarr@...>
To: NFLBIRDS <nflbirds@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 12:00 PM
Subject: [nflbirds] Hawking Hummingbird


 
I've never seen this before while a hummer has been at the feeder, but this
weekend one female hummingbird enjoyed a feast of mosquitos while at our
front window feeder. She'd sip sugar water for awhile, then fly/hover
around the feeder snapping up tiny mosquitos.

-Kathleen

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Linda Most, Marvin Smith and I chased Swallow-tailed Kites this morning along
Hwy 221 just south of the Georgia line. We found 7 at Boyd Farms North Field, 4
at Boyd Farms South Field, and 10 in the field just south of CR 146 (Ashville
Hwy).  We also found 19 STKI at Jeffco Dairy along Milky Way Road (just off
Lovett Road).  Some of these 19 may have duplicates of the 10 we saw just south
of CR-146 as the properties are in close proximity.  Other highlights at Jeffco
Dairy were 8 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, 3 Spotted Sandpipers, a Broad-winged
Hawk, 2 Common Ground-Doves, several White Ibises and Cattle Egrets.

Karen Seward
Valdosta, Georgia

Sent from my iPad

Corrections:  actually we had 3 Solitary Sandpipers (not Spotted).

Karen Seward
Valdosta, Georgia

So many birds, so little time!

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Karen Seward <sewardsinde@...>
> Date: July 28, 2012 2:42:32 PM EDT
> To: nflbirds@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Swallow-tailed Kites, north Jefferson County
>
> Linda Most, Marvin Smith and I chased Swallow-tailed Kites this morning along
Hwy 221 just south of the Georgia line. We found 7 at Boyd Farms North Field, 4
at Boyd Farms South Field, and 10 in the field just south of CR 146 (Ashville
Hwy).  We also found 19 STKI at Jeffco Dairy along Milky Way Road (just off
Lovett Road).  Some of these 19 may have duplicates of the 10 we saw just south
of CR-146 as the properties are in close proximity.  Other highlights at Jeffco
Dairy were 8 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks, 3 Spotted Sandpipers, a Broad-winged
Hawk, 2 Common Ground-Doves, several White Ibises and Cattle Egrets.
>
> Karen Seward
> Valdosta, Georgia
>
> Sent from my iPad


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[https://r3.res.outlook.com/owa/14.15.48.0/themes/base/pgrs-sm.gif]

[X][X]
Karen Seward
Good job! Karen Seward Valdosta, Georgia So many birds, so little time! Sent
from my iPhone
2:34 PM
[X][X]
[X]Karen Seward [sewardsinde@...]
[X][X][X]
Actions[X]
To:
M
[X]Marvin T. Smith
Sunday, July 29, 2012 2:34 PM
[X]             [X]     [X]
Good job!

Karen Seward
Valdosta, Georgia

So many birds, so little time!

Sent from my iPhone
[X][https://r3.res.outlook.com/owa/14.15.48.0/themes/base/pgrs-sm.gif]
[X][X]
Marvin T. Smith
Linda Most and I returned to Jefferson County, Fl in search of shorebirds and
Kites. We found 7-8 SWTK at the Boyd farm fields, but we continued on to the
Jeffco Dairy. Upon arrival, we found 13 Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and six
Solitary Sandpipers at the
2:22 PM
[X][X]
[X]Marvin T. Smith
[X][X][X]
Actions[X]

[X]
[X]             [X]     [X]
Linda Most and I returned to Jefferson County, Fl in search of shorebirds and
Kites. We found 7-8 SWTK at the Boyd farm fields, but we continued on to the
Jeffco Dairy. Upon arrival, we found 13 Black-bellied Whistling Ducks and six
Solitary Sandpipers at the small pond. We had the usual abundance of constant
SWTK. I think the highest number I counted at once today was 17. We also saw an
Anhinga flying high overhead. As usual, there were many White Ibis, Cattle
Egrets, Cowbirds, Vultures, doves, etc.
We next travelled down Hwy 146 toward Monticello. A couple of miles down the
road, we saw two Mississippi Kites and one SWTK over fields on the north side of
the highway. A little further on, Linda spotted a single Mississippi Kite. We
continued on to a small field pond on the right, where we saw numerous cattle
egrets, Snowy Egret, and two Solitary Sandpipers. We went on a total of 7.2
miles to the Jefferson County Recycling center pond on the left, where we found
a Solitary Sandpiper, one Spotted Sandpiper, four Killdeer, and two
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. On the return trip, I spotted a male Wood Duck in
the swamp at the bridge, and we quickly checked the large field at the junction
of Highway 221/146 where we added 7 SWTK. Strangely enough, we didn't see a
single SWTK in Georgia today, although we picked up 2 Mississippi Kites in
Quitman. At the cemetery at the beginning of Troupville Road, we found a
Northern Harrier. It was another good morning of birding. The shorebirds are
apparently on the move!
Marvin T. Smith
Valdosta, GA
________________________________


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This Saturday, August 4 - 2012 Bird Night at All Saints Cinema

TFS, in partnership with St. Francis Wildlife, will host its 2012 edition
of Bird Night at All Saints Cinema on Saturday, August 4.

Ms. Sandy Beck, Education Director for St. Francis Wildlife, will be at All
Saints Cinema with two special feathered creatures.  Preceding the film
"Owls Are the Tigers of the Sky," Sandy will present Twiggy, a male Barn
Owl.  Prior to our anniversary showing of "Kestrel"s Eye," Sandy will
introduce us to Rhett, a male American Kestrel.

TFS first showed "Kestrel's Eye" in 2002 and is bringing it back 10 years
later for those who missed it.  "Owls are the Tigers of the Sky" is a short
film about north Florida's four native owl species and the special
adaptations that make them spectacular nocturnal hunters.

Proceeds from this special double-billed film event will be shared with St
Francis Wildlife.

"Kestel's Eye" Overview:

"Kestrel's Eye" documents the life of a family of European Kestrels during
a breeding season. All aspects of the birds' lives are filmed from
pre-breeding and hunting, through copulation, to growth and fledging. A
camera was even placed inside the nest area so as to capture the private
moments of incubation, hatching, feeding, and growth. The film nicely
contrasts the Kestrels' existence with that of humans by filming from the
birds' perspective and using only ambient sound for the soundtrack. Thus,
the viewer witnesses human life as an observer rather than a participant.
The result is a film that is a wonderful nature documentary and a statement
of how far removed from nature humans can be.

Show Date:

Saturday, August 4

Show Times:  5:00 PM & 7:30 PM.  Both films will be shown at both start
times.

Admission:  $10 general admission and $8 for TFS members and students (one
ticket covers both films).  Unfortunately, TFS passes will be not be
accepted for this special event.


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Had a spotted sandpiper and a ruddy turnstone at Horseshoe Beach this morning. 
they were braving the wind and high tide hanging out on one of the old docks
along the turn around at the end of rd 351.

Sharon Fronk
Old Town
dixie county

Big Bend Birders, 

I am currently accepting reports of significant summer (1 June - 31 July)
sightings from the Big Bend (Gadsden, Liberty, Gulf, Franklin, Wakulla, Leon &
Jefferson counties) for possible publication in FLORIDA FIELD NATURALIST & NORTH
AMERICAN BIRDS.  Please use the following format, listing observations in
phylogenetic order:

Species
Number of individuals
Location
Date
Observer(s)

Additionally, please include field notes, detailed description or photographs
of any rare species, or species which present an identification challenge.

If you have any questions, please contact me at southmoonunder@...  

Thanks very much.

John Murphy
Alligator Pt, FL


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Despite recent knee surgery, I managed to hobble down to the refuge for some
late summer birding. It was slow desultory birding with nesting birds and a few
returning migrants. The rains from Debbie have filled the ponds.

The double bridges had hunting Red-shouldered Hawks at eye level, Red-bellied
Woodpecker and a family of Parulas.

I had a Yellow Warbler on the roadside near the East River Pool boat ramp.

Headquarters Pond had Common and Purple Gallinules and one Coot, but was pretty
quiet.

High tide had pushed birds into the salt flats at the lighthouse. I had the
following:

Laughing Gull
Black Skimmer
Royal Tern
Forester's Tern
Sandwich Tern
Willet
Red Knot (five in post-breeding plumage)
Marbled Godwit (light plumage with a reddish wash on the belly)

At one point, I had six Ospreys in the air.

Migration has definitely begun. My friend John Hintermister had Cerulean
Warbler, today, at Suwanee River State Park and eight shorebird species in
Columbia County, including Pectoral and Stilt Sandpipers.  It's time to brave
the heat and start birding.


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