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James Ingold

I had 2 female YEHB at the sod farm this morning.  If you go to the pond, they were in the cattle paddock that has a single cow in it.

Jim

Jay Huner

Good Morning,

Thought you might be interested in what's going on down this way just south of the SBSG "recording" area.

For whatever it is worth, I had Scissor-tailed Flycatchers yesterday and this morning between here and Alexandria and a pair of Painted Buntings nearby.  This morning I had a White-winged Dove fly across the road going to Alexandria and a female Blackpoll Warbler in Compton Park in Alexandria near a mulberry tree being attacked by a number of Gray Catbirds and American Robins and being "defended" by a very harried mocker.

Jay Huner

Location: Cotile Lake - Rapides Parish, LA

 Observation date: 5/4/08

 Notes: Cotile Lake, LA 1200 to LA 121, Browns Creek Road x Camp Ground Cemetery Road, and Hoyt Road Causeway.  Did not properly census rookery - probably 500+ Cattle Egrets and 50+ Little Blue Herons at site. Big misses Hooded Warbler (wrong time of day) and Inca Dove (probably on nest).  Northern Parulas silent - probably on nests.  Big deals - Breeding White-breasted Nuthatch and passing Black-billed Cuckoo.

Number of species: 57

Wood Duck 2
Anhinga 12
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 1
Cattle Egret 125
Green Heron 4
Turkey Vulture 1
Purple Gallinule 7
Killdeer 1
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Eurasian Collared-Dove 6
Mourning Dove 12
Black-billed Cuckoo 1
Chimney Swift 10
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 6
Red-headed Woodpecker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 5
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 3
Eastern Wood-Pewee 3
Great Crested Flycatcher 3
Eastern Kingbird 5
White-eyed Vireo 4
Blue Jay 15
American Crow 6
Fish Crow 3
Purple Martin 45
Tree Swallow 1
Cliff Swallow 1
Barn Swallow 20
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Brown-headed Nuthatch 3
Carolina Wren 5
Eastern Bluebird 15
Northern Mockingbird 20
Brown Thrasher 2
European Starling 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 4
Summer Tanager 5
Eastern Towhee 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Northern Cardinal 15
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 15
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
Orchard Oriole 6
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 2

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Bill Wood

To all,

Had four Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at the feeders this afternoon after seeing a single female yesterday.  A walk to the woods produced a pair of Carolina Wrens, two singing White-eyed Vireos and a small flock of Cedar Waxwings.  No attacks from the nesting Red-shouldered Hawks but could see two chicks on the nest.

As Always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA
labirder08(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Velda Neilson

Hello, all!

Just noticed 2 unusual birds in the backyard near the birdpond within a minute of each other.

First, a hybrid Baltimore-Bullock's Orioled.  Then a tailess YB Chat.  I mean, not one tail feather!

Still have 9 RB Grosbeaks today - 5 male, 4 females.  No sighting of the female Black-headed.

Lots of birds out there today!  Yoohoo!

And God bless,

Velda

Velda Neilson

Hello, all!

Well, leave it to a Kansasite in nw LA during spring migration to spot a female Black-headed Grosbeak!  Yoohoo!

Seriously, Nelda is from very sw KS and is very familiar with both Rose-breasteds and Black-headed Grosbeaks.  She has been visiting me for a week.  Last Sat. she spotted what she said was a female Black-headed.  I just sorta passed it off telling her we didn't have those here.  Finally Sunday I began to pay attention.  Surely enough from all I can tell, she is correct!

Nelda says up there the Rose-breasteds come, then the Black-headeds.  I'd had Rose-breasteds for 3 days already when this one appeared.  On Sunday a female of both species appeared at the same feeder and I could tell the difference . I've had 3 - 6 Rose-breasteds for 9 days now.  That's a record for me!

Lowery says though uncommon Black-headeds have been recorded from Mansfield, Natch., S'port and Monroe.

We saw the female Black-headed Sat., Sun., and last today, Thursday, at 1:30 pm.  Nelda left this morning.  Both shall be sorely missed.

While Nelda was here she recorded 33 species never leaving my yard or birding any farther than the windows or swings.

We are blessed!

Velda

James Ingold

I had 10 Bobolinks on Saturday on Huckabay Rd in north Caddo Parish.  Go north on 71 just past Gilliam, Huckabay Rd in on the left.  Just up ahead on the right is Thunder Road that goes to the raceway.

The birds were 0.35 miles down Huckabay from 71 along a fence on the left perpendicular to Huckabay Rd. 

Jim

Bill Wood

To all,

All five eggs from my brother's Eastern Phoebe nest hatched this past weekend. This will be the 9th (in five years) brood from this nest site for a total of 37 (first 8 broods) successfully fledged Eastern Phoebes.  In addition I found a Northern Cardinal nest in some hedges bordering his front porch that has 3 chicks in it.

A pair of Barn Swallows are building a nest in the over hang at the work.  Nest building started several days ago but it appears they spend most of their time chasing off other Barn Swallows.

Back at my place the Red-shouldered Hawk is still on the nest but I have been unable to see any fledglings yet.

All nest records have been entered into the LSU Nest Database.

As Always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood 
Keithville, LA 
labirder08(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Velda Neilson

Hello, all!

The weather and birds sure have been wonderful last week plus.  Thanks to all who send out bird info in the field and home. I enjoy them all!

Today in my yard I've had a couple male Baltimore Orioles feeding at the hummer feeder.  Several Indigoes and waxwings eating the mulberries.  Our tree is full of berries this year!  The catbird, Mourning Doves, and orioles all love the berries as well.  Had a chat feeding under the tree also.  Lots of cardinals.  Have lots of warblers but i can't find them.  Know there are Hooded around.  Saw a Common Yellowthroat in the woods and an Orchard Oriole.  Also had 3 Rose-breasteds this morning.  2 male and 1 female.  Hear the WE Vireoes and RE Vireoes.  Plus the Chuck-wills Widow.

I have few hummers this year but enjoying what there are.

Stepped out on the porch at 8 am to find 2 baby C Wrens who have just fledged!  They are still trying to find their wings.  Thank goodness my dog didn't find them!  These are the birds that took over the swallow nest on front porch.  Did see the swallow once more but never found a mate, I suppose.

Several pairs of martins singing beautifully!

All makes a wonderful world even more awesome!

May God keep blessing!
Velda

Hubert Hervey

BSG Members'

35 Swainson's Hawks counted 20 April 2008 in Caddo Parish.
Terry Davis and Hubert Hervey started at the sod farm on Sentell Road north of Shreveport and worked the river road and side roads trying for a big day on Swainson's Hawks.  By the time we got to Missionary Plantation we had counted 35 Swainson's Hawks.  I don't know the previous record but would speculate that this is one of the highest records for the state.  The hawks were in all modes, on the ground, foraging, gliding low over plowed fields, and soaring high.  The high flying birds were moving northward rapidly on the moderate south breeze.  Other birds seemed to be in no particular hurry to go anyplace.  The preferred habitat was freshly plowed fields, not yet planted.  They were seen in groups up to five at a time, but the larger groups held together only loosely.  With a little experience Swainson's separate easily from other area hawks, esp. Red-tailed Hawks, by their long winged shape, dark flight feathers, and long tail which it can twist while in flight, unlike the Red-tailed.  They were most active from 11 AM to 5 PM.

While concentrating on Swainson's Hawks we none-the-less started at daylight and ended after dark in a variety of habitats from Cross Lake to Wardview.  Our day total was 132 species, which is pretty decent for a two parish (Caddo and Bossier) big day.

Specific locations for Swainson's Hawk: Sod Farm on Sentell Rd. south of Belcher, Belcher River Rd, Dixon Rd, Cedar Bluff Rd, Hwy. 3049 at Hwy. 2, Hwy. 3049 at box # 16265 and Dominic # 2 Rd.

Also noteworthy at cattail ponds at Hwy. 3049 at Hwy. 2 were:

35 Sora, 
2 Virginia Rail, 
1 American Bittern, 
3 Least Bitterns
At the sod farm:
6 Grasshopper Sparrows
8 Spragues' Pipits
1 Am. White Pelican
Cross Lake at The Cove;
1 Osprey carrying a yellow bass (sand bass),good show
1 Golden- winged Warbler
Cross Lake below the dam off Blanchard Rd.
1 Bl. Cr. Night-heron in the very active rookery
Many Cliff Swallows starting a colony under I-220 Bridge
In Bossier Parish hill country south and east of Wardview
Swainson's Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Prairie Warbler

PS: The White-tailed Kite was not seen.

Hubert Hervey

Bill Wood

To all,

Last night at work I had a Chuck-wills-widow calling at dusk.  Also had another calling this evening at home.  About 6:30 p.m I looked outside to check the feeders and noticed a half dozen Indigo Buntings feeding below the feeders.  I had been seeing a dozen or so for the last few days.  Today, to my surprise and delight, within a couple of minutes I tallied 32 male Indigo Buntings.

As Always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA
labirder08(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Jerry Bertrand

Hey all,

John Dillon just called from Lake Claiborne saying that he thinks he has a Cassin's Vireo at Hwy 2 and Beaver Creek. If anyone wants to come and help him get a positive ID and/or a picture, his cell phone number is: 318-243-2284.

Jerry Bertrand

Ron and Susan Martin

Susan and I are watching a male rose-breasted grosbeak at our feeder at 7 pm.  Perhaps the same one seen by us on April 8?

Ron and Susan Martin

Sharon Felts

Birders:

I have a 2-3 yr old red mulberry if anyone is interested.  Also have several Kafir Lilies (Clivia miniata) for sale.  Not necessarily for the birds but beautiful (considered rare) plant.  Call me at 222-3467.

Sharon Felts

Bill Wood

To all,

The yard was filled with birds this morning including FOS Baltimore Oriole and Prothonotary Warbler.  Also had a dozen Indigo Buntings and even more American Goldfinches along with Northern Cardinals, Mourning Doves,  one Inca Dove (first in months), Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Carolina Chickadee, Red-winged Blackbirds, House Finch and Northern Mockingbird.

Wish I didn't have to go to work!

As Always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA
labirder08(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Paul Dickson

This morning I was greeted by a Rose-breasted Grosbeak at my feeders along with 20 Indigo Buntings and one second year male Painted Bunting.  Yesterday at Loggy Bayou I chased the song of a Connecticut Warbler without getting more than a quick look at it. I am confident that it was the song of a Connecticut which is the earliest record for the state by a week however I did not see the bird well.  Also got Ovenbird, lots of summer residents on territory. Looks like a very good day to look for migrants today.

Paul

Bill Wood 

To all,

Checked the feeders before leaving for work around 11 a.m. and spotted six Indigo Buntings feeding along with a dozen or so American Goldfinches.

As Always, Good Birding! 
Bill Wood 
Keithville, LA 
labirder08(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Hubert Hervey

BSG Members,

This morning FOS Male Painted Bunting at feeder just like he knew it was there and couldn't wait to chow down.  Also saw three Broad-wing Hawks gliding N to NE very high and very fast, between 11:30 and Noon.  Certainly many BRHA's are passing thru today with these great conditions.

Hubert

Bill Wood 

To all,

While walking the woods behind where I live I had a way too close encounter with a Red-shouldered Hawk that is nesting in a large pine.  After getting a harmless frontal assault last weekend, I have made it a point to not walk the open area and walk along the hedgerow with some protection provided by plenty of tree cover.  The walk down to the pond was uneventful and I had stopped to check out some butterflies.  Next thing I knew I felt the hair, which I have very little of, on the back of my neck stand on ends.  The Red-shouldered Hawk launched an assault from the rear and came within a foot of plucking my LSU camouflage hat off my head.  I felt the wind from its wings!  It landed in a tree close by and gave me a death stare.  I took the hint and headed back home. 

As Always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA
labirder08(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Jay Huner

I thought you "up north" folks might be interested in what's what in CENLA. The NSU Aquaculture Research Center is a really good birding place.  I nominated it for the 'inland birding trails' and, for no apparent reason, it 
was not even surveyed!

I did not bird much around home because I was away from 7 AM - 3:30 PM.  But, I made a run to the dam on Cotile Lake a bit before sunset and managed a Common Loon which has apparently been around for at least the past week plus a Double-crested Cormorant, a Killdeer and 6 Spotted Sandpipers.  I had 16 birds around Cotile Lake that I did not find at the NSU site for a day total of 68: Common Loon, Spotted Sandpiper, Mourning Dove, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Purple Martin, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Brown Thrasher, Chipping Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, and American Goldfinch.

I don't really know how large the Cliff Swallow colonies are on the Locks and Dams north of Colfax but suspect they are large.  I wonder if the Cave Swallows I saw today were "passing through" or joining their "look alike" 
cousins to nest in the same areas?  Maybe Paul Dickson, Jim Ingold, or Charlie Lyon have an opinion?

Jay Huner

Location: Natchitoches County, LA, US
Observation date: 4/15/08
Notes: Birding at Northwestern State University Aquaculture Center on west side of Red River at Lock and Dam No. 4.  Tremendous diversity of  swallows.  Estimate of 300 Cliff Swallows was probably low.  Cliff Swallows were flying to and from mud nests on the west side of the dam.  I saw at least 4 Cave Swallows but there may have been more in amongst all of the swallows present.  Red-tailed Hawk was a Krider's hawk.  Birded from about 8-11 AM.  Site is accessible to birders.  Even when the Center is closed, there is a Corps of Engineers park with excellent bathroom facilities. 

Director of the NSU unit is Dr. Julie Delabbio.

Number of species: 52

 Gadwall 1
Blue-winged Teal 90
Pied-billed Grebe 15
American White Pelican 5
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 6
Snowy Egret 20
Little Blue Heron 4
Tricolored Heron 1
Cattle Egret 10
Green Heron 1
White Ibis 20
Turkey Vulture 8
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Sora 9
Common Moorhen 6
American Coot 75
Killdeer 5
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Greater Yellowlegs 4
Lesser Yellowlegs 8
Semipalmated Sandpiper 3
Least Sandpiper 35
Wilson's Snipe 6
Rock Pigeon 8
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Eastern Kingbird 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
American Crow 10
Fish Crow 2
Tree Swallow 10
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 30
Bank Swallow 1
Cliff Swallow 300
Cave Swallow 4
Barn Swallow 35
Carolina Wren 1
Sedge Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 3
Northern Mockingbird 1
European Starling 8
Palm Warbler 1
Prothonotary Warbler 3
Savannah Sparrow 35
Swamp Sparrow 5
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 400
Eastern Meadowlark 30
Common Grackle 10

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

Hubert Hervey

BSG Members,

Pat and I had an Osprey this AM cruised over 9 ponds along Missile Base Rd NE of Stonewall LA.  It stopped and hovered at each pond, made low level passes over two of them, working from NE to SW and out of site after 20 minutes.  I took pics of an Eurasian Collared Dove nest at Pat Loftus' house on the south end of Missile Base Rd. It is 8 ft up in an eastern red cedar located in the NE corner of his yard.  You may see it easily but call 925-0702 for permission.  It is even flimsier than a Mourning Dove nest if that is possible.  It blew out in a storm a couple of weeks ago, has been rebuilt, and the hen is incubating on it today.  He also had 4 Eastern Bluebird eggs in a bluebird box in his front yard.  There were two Upland Sandpipers in a field down Powell Rd, between Loftus place and Hervey place.  Also 3 Broad-winged Hawks passed by between 9 and 10:30 this AM.

More on the Osprey, this is the first time I have observed an Osprey pond hopping, pretty neat behavior for a hungry Osprey during the spring when largemouth bass are spawning in shallow waters.

Today would be a good day to be in the field.

Hubert Hervey

Jim Ingold

On Sentell Road this morning I had 7 Swainson’s Hawks – 5 on the north end of the road just before the pecan orchard and 2 at the sod farm.  Also on the sod farm were lots of American Golden Plovers and a handful of Buff-breasted Sandpipers near the road as your turn right and leave the sod farm.

I also had 13 Upland Sandpipers in the back of the sod farm over the fence in the neighbors’ field.

And one Dickcissel just south of the sod farm – a singing male.

Jim

Ellen Middleton

A new bird for my yard list, seen about 11:00 - Indigo Bunting.

Ellen Middleton
Broadmoor Terrace
Shreveport

Bill Wood

To all,

I birded Eddie Jones Park on Friday for an hour or so walking down to the ponds and back.  A nice day but windy.  The birds were few!  Only species noted: Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, Eastern Bluebird, 2 singing White-eyed Vireos and a lingering Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

Butterflies far out numbered the birds.  Species seen included Zebra, Black, Eastern Tiger, and Giant Swallowtails, Cloudless Sulphur, Pearl Crescent, American Lady, Goatweed Leafwing, Common Wood-Nymph, Monarch, and Horace's Duskywing.

As Always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood 
Keithville, LA 
labirder08(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Jeff & Jean Trahan

Baltimore Orioles arrived in our yard yesterday (April 11) and have been present since then.  Today (April 12) we had a surprise--an immature male Orchard Oriole.  I thought this was a new bird for the yard list, but after checking the records, we saw one in the yard last year on April 13.  The yard list now stands at 120 species.  The orchard Oriole was nectaring on the flowers of the Red Buckeye.

Jeff and Jean Trahan

Had a new yard list bird this afternoon-a pair of blue-gray gnatcatchers.

Ellen Middleton 
Broadmoor Terrace
Shreveport

Rachel Demascal

Good afternoon fellow interpreters,

I have been working on planning a festival centering on Dragonflies and I need your help in promotion.  Can you please help me by getting this out to anyone you know that may have an interest in dragonflies, butterflies, insects, birding, the outdoors, wildlife, etc.?  Please ask those people to continue by passing along the info to anyone they may know.

Also, if you have any ideas on how I can continue to spread the word about this event, your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.  The event is about a month away and I would hate to do all of this planning and have no one show up.  You know what I am talking about!

Thanks so much for your help and have a wonderful day! 

Rachel 

**********************
Forwarded article below
**********************

Dragonflying Is the New Birding

“Dragonfly Days” May 15-18 Showcases New Pursuit

Media Contact: Katy Pine 512-389-4577, katy(dot)pine(at)tpwd(dot)state(dot)tx(dot)us or Tom Harvey 512-389-4453, tom(dot)harvey(at)tpwd(dot)state(dot)tx(dot)us

WESLACO, Texas – The birding industry has established universal appeal, but birds and butterflies are not the only winged migrants to attract a crowd.  Dragonflies and damselflies are gaining popularity among wildlife enthusiasts, and southern Texas is home to 93 species, making it one of the most biologically diverse regions in the United States.

The 9th annual Dragonfly Days weekend is a chance to see why dragonflying is becoming as popular as birding in some places.  The event takes place in Weslaco May 15-18 and is sponsored by the Estero Llano Grande State Park World Birding Center site near Weslaco and the Valley Nature Center.

For those who want to learn how to tell a skimmer from a glider, and understand how these colorful insects play an interesting and vital role in maintaining a healthy environment, Dragonfly Days will offer seminars, field trips, social events and a banquet with a silent auction.

“This is an opportunity for people to discover a new passion and rediscover the Lower Rio Grande Valley, where one third of the total Texas population of dragonflies can be found,” said Jennifer Owen-White, Estero Llano Grande State Park natural resource specialist.  White said most of the events will be held at the event’s host hotel, the Holiday Inn Express.

One keynote speaker, Tim Manolis, plans to discuss ways amateur dragonfly enthusiasts can begin to explore secrets waiting to be revealed about dragonflies worldwide.  Other experts will be guiding field trips to area wetlands with the greatest dragonfly diversity.

Organizers say visitors should make sure to bring binoculars, sturdy shoes and protection from the sun.

For local families and children, the Valley Nature Center is also hosting the Dragonfly Family Nature Day on Saturday May 10, from 10am to 2pm.

For more details about Dragonfly Days and the Dragonfly Family Nature Day, call (956) 969-2475 or e-mail info(at)valleynaturecenter(dot)org.  Pre-registration is required for all seminars, field trips and the banquet.  Register by April 30 to avoid a price increase.  More information can also be found on the Valley Nature Center’s Web page. 

On the Net:

http://www.valleynaturecenter.org/dragonflydays/2008/dragonfly2008.html

Jennifer Owen-White
Natural Resource Specialist
Estero Llano Grande State Park
World Birding Center
154A Lakeview Dr.
Weslaco, Texas 78596
956-565-3919 ext. 258
-- 
Mary Ramos
Administrative Assistant
Stephen F. Austin State University
419 E. College
P.O. Box 6109
Nacogdoches, Tx 75962-6109
936-468-1365
936-468-7322 (fax)
http://www2.sfasu.edu/msri/

Paul Dickson

BSG:
Radar shows good fallout of migrants today along the storm front.  Birding late this afternoon or tomorrow could be good

Paul

There is a Baltimore Oriole in the sycamore trees here on Reily Lane.  If he was here yesterday, he didn't say so, but today he is singing.  My first sighting of the season!

Rachel

Velda Neilson

Hello, all!

Well, seems I may have spoken too soon!  Just after sending the "no nesting swallows" email yesterday, I had one Barn Swallow on the porch!  I know it was likely one of our offspring because of the white markings on the hip.  The bird went over to the old mud nest and was doing some inspecting of the ledge near the old nest.  I wondered if he/she was not considering building a new nest next to the old?  It did look as they he was adding mud to the ledge but I can see no appreciable layers for a nest.  Time will tell!

Yesterday evening I noticed that the Carolina Wren was definitely on the nest!  From the time of day I will have to believe she is sitting on eggs.

Now I wonder if the two species could coexist so closely together.  I look forward to the possibilities of this outcome!

May God bless us all with good birding and good health!

Velda

Bill Wood

To all,

I had four Anhingas circling overhead on the northwest shores of Wallace Lake this morning.

As Always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA
labirder08(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Velda Neilson

Hello, all!

Well, much to my disappointment we have no Barn Swallows on our porch this year.  The Carolina Wrens have built a nest on top of Jack and Jill's mud nest and do seem to be nesting there.  I have not checked for eggs as the entry hole is so near the porch ceiling.  Neither have I seen Barn Swallows for 2 weeks now.  One hung around for a couple of weeks but never did a mate appear.

Such is the loss of the after-fire-nesting swallows and the anticipation of the babies growth and flight.  Truly, it brings a sadness to me.

Yet, as God proves o'er and o'er - life goes on.  Though it is not always in the direction of our choosing, life is always good!  So let's enjoy and be blessed!

Have a great spring migration! And may God bless,

Velda

Bill Wood

To all,

I have had several female and male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds for the last several days.

Latest on my brother's Phoebe nest on his back porch: 
March 31- one egg
April 1 - two eggs
April 3 - four eggs
April 4 - five eggs.

As always, good birding.

Bill Wood

Jerry Bertrand

Hey all,

The e-mail below was received by the bsgwebguy this afternoon.  Anyone heard of a Northern Cardinal with an all black head?  Is there anything else this bird could possibly be?

Jerry

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

Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 2:39 PM
To:
Subject: Cardinal

We have an unusual, for us at least, male Cardinal who has been coming to our feeder for two years.  He has a solid black head with no crest.  Do you have an explanation? 

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

And a follow-up e-mail a little while later:

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

Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 5:37 PM
To: Jerry
Subject: Re: cardinal

We don't see any feathers on his head at all just a leathery black head.  Could it be some kind of disease as we did have one other that appeared to be going bald also.? 

Thanks so much ,

Evans Family in Keithville

Hubert Hervey

BSG Members,

Terry Davis and Hubert Hervey birded NE Caddo Parish and NW Caddo Parish all day Thursday, April 3, 2004.  The top bird of the day was an adult White-tailed Kite in the Wardview area.  The kite was hunting via kiting over the fields toward the end of Pittman Rd, the first road that turns east off Hy 537 once one is back in the river bottoms approaching Wardview.  This is the NW corner of Bossier Parish.  This bird was missing a flight feather or two on left wing, in the area where the primaries and secondaries meet, yet was able to kite in the moderate southerly breezes without a lot of effort.  We suggest there is a possibility of nesting, as this habitat is very similar to that in the Loggy Bayou area where White-tailed Kites nested in the 70's?

We had a very responsive Swainson's Warbler in Caddo Parish south of Mooringsport on Hy 538, 150 yards south of Barnet Rd. in a swampy area adjacent to the Hy.  This is one of the earlier dates for this part of the state.  
We had an 11 sp.s raptor day with Harrier, Kestrel, Broad-wing Hawks and:  also seen well were 3 Bald Eagles together over 12 mile bayou, flying to the south at the bridge on Hy 169.  Two were adults, the third was possibly a fourth year bird.

Using rail tapes, Terry was able to locate 1 Virginia Rail, and 10 Sora at the Cattails on Hy 2 before reaching Parish Rd 23 at Swampy Bayou.

We had an adult Krider's Hawk, a possible juv. Kriders on Old River Rd, near Gilliam at address 9685.  The Juv was 1/2 mile or so south of the adult.

Lots of Hooded Warblers, several E. Towhee's, and vireo's (White-eyed, Red-eyed, Blue Headed 1, Yellow throated were singing)

One Golden Plover was lingering at the Sentell Rd sod farm, plus 7 Spragues Pipits, in the area that had been sprayed with herbicide south of the center road and looks too barren to hide any birds at all, over half way down.  
To top the evening off we observed many Monarch Butterflies flitting in to the trees along Stackhouse Road, located NE of Wardview, about 7 PM, and settling down for the night.  This section of road runs east - west and turn off north of the main intersection at the busy burg of Wardview.

We totalled 93 species for the day after losing the first 2 hours due to flat tire and tire replacement, mounting, alignment etc. problems.  Oh well, it was very foggy anyway and I needed two new tires.

Let me know if you go to Wardview, especially, since I am interested in learning if the White-tailed Kite stays, and finds a mate.

Hubert Hervey

Jeff Trahan

There were five Yellow-crowned Night-Herons in the live oaks at the intersection of River Road and Gaylyn in Broadmoor Terrace today.  This species has nested in the two trees on River Road on the southeast corner of the intersection for the past three years.  I counted three nests.  The nests remind me of Mourning Dove nests because there is not much there.  I can see the sky through them.

Jeff Trahan

Bill Wood

To all,

Noted three first of season (FOS) species today during the day long down pours here in Keithville.  A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird was seen around noon and has been seen several times since.  A Chimney Swift and a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher made brief pass-overs.  A walk down to the woods only managed to get me dived-bombed by the nesting Red-shouldered Hawk.

I still have quite a few American Goldfinches as well.

As always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood

Keithville, LA

Bill Wood

To all,

While grilling steaks for Easter Dinner at my brother's Keithville home we saw an Eastern Phoebe building a nest on his back porch. This makes the fifth consecutive year that a Eastern Phoebe's has built a nest in the same spot. No way to know if this is the same pair but I wouldn't be surprised if it was. 

At my place, also in Keithville, I was lucky enough to see one of the nesting Red-shouldered Hawks catch a frog at one of the small ponds. It took the frog to its nest but I was unable to tell if it was for self consumption or being feed to a chick.

I also had a pair of Eastern Phoebe's by the same pond and a single male Purple Finch at the feeder around noon. Do have a couple of American Goldfinches still hanging around.

Butterflies were on the move today seeing Horace's Duskywing, Silver-spotted Skipper, Falcate Orangetip, Giant Swallowtail, American Snout, Monarch, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Pearl Crescent.

As always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood

Keithville, LA

Caddo Parish

Paul Dickson

Bird group: I detected a micro-fall out in my backyard from the north winds yesterday.  A Hooded Warbler was early, this morning more timely was B&W warbler and Parula singing.

Paul

Jeff Trahan

I saw my first Yellow-crowned Night-Heron of the year yesterday (Wednesday, March 19).  It was sitting in a live oak where they usually nest in my Broadmoor Terrace neighborhood.

Jeff Trahan

Jim Ingold

From: Linda Adrion

To: Ingold, James

Hi Jim,

Mary Ellen called to say she had a hummerbird this morning. Too dark to ID the species.  FOS for her.  Since neither one of us knows how to post on bird alert or LABird we know you will do this for us, will you please.

Linda

Jim Ingold

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=4410845

Bill Wood

To all,

Looked outside this morning to see snow falling here in NW Louisiana.  An additional surprise were the nine Purple Finches on the feeders!  Tons of American Goldfinches as well and dozens of Northern cardinals.

Wednesday I walked the woods and found a Red-Shouldered Hawk sitting on the nest that raised at least one offspring last year.  Not much else other than a dozen or so White-throated Sparrows.

Good Birding,

Bill Wood

Jim Ingold

A couple of birders from NE Texas saw the Gray Flycatcher on Saturday so it is still around.  Unfortunately for Mac Hardy, Terry Davis, and me, the same was not true for the Fork-tailed yesterday; still had a great time birding on the West Ravenna Road.

Jim

Velda Neilson

Yoohoo!

First 2 Purple Martins showed up here this eve!  Now I just gotta get those starlings out of their box!

The Barn Swallow went about today tearing apart the wren's nest built on top of the swallow nest.  Still only one swallow this evening.

May God bless,

Velda

Jim Ingold

Terry Davis called to say he and Jeff Trahan has a singing Northern Parula at Eddied Jones Park in SW Caddo Parish.

Jim 

Velda Neilson

Hello, again!

The arrival of the Barn Swallow on our porch lost to the earliest arrival date by 2 days in 9 years of records.  Jill arrived in 2006 on the 27th of Feb.

Gracious!
Velda

Velda Neilson

Hello, all!

Just noticed a Barn Swallow under our front porch!  As some may recall, Jill died last summer preparing for her second brood.  Jack hung around till the Fall.  The present bird appears to have the hint of white hip patches that Jill had but not Jack.  Therefore, I do not think it is Jack but possibly one of their offspring from years past.

We have had Barn Swallows nesting here for 7 years - since the fire of 2000 took out so many acres creating so much open space.  We named them Jack and Jill.  Of course, the birds are not the original nesting pair but the names stay the same.  They have raised 60? babies here.  As was the case last year, Carolina Wrens have built a crazy looking, straw nest/house atop the 7 year-old mud nest.  It is quite tall now having a fresh layer of mud added before each new brood of swallows.  We'll have to see if the swallow finds a mate and who wins the nesting site.

Yoohoo! 

May God bless,
Velda

Paul Dickson

Labird: A skein of 80 Sandhill Cranes were flying up Red River this afternoon at about 1500 feet agl.  They paused noisily, to soar on a thermal gaining several hundred feet in the process, then resumed their northward course.  I am located north of the wintering area so a flock of this size is only seen here passing through in migration.

Paul Dickson
Red River Parish

Jim Ingold

Is anyone up for a trip to SE LA this weekend to see the Fork-tailed Flycatcher?  I can’t drive but I can help to pay for gas.

Jim

Hubert Hervey 

I have been looking at the maps generated by the Great Backyard Bird Count and find that the Gray Flycatcher in Benton area of Bossier Parish has not been reported.  If anyone in either of these organizations saw the flycatcher between Feb. 15 and Feb 18 would you please report it.  The only reports are four from south Ariz, and four from south Calif.  It is too important a finding to ignore.

Thanks for your time.

Hubert Hervey 

Ron Martin

While owling in Grand Cane quad Monday Feb 18 at about 6:15 pm, Susan and I flushed a nighthawk from the edge of Claude Dance Road.  Briefly seen for several seconds in the left portion of the auto beam, the bird was definitely a common or lesser nighthawk.  It was quite dark in color and had the white bands on the wings.  No call heard.  We called it a common nighthawk largely due to lack of any report of a lesser in the BSG database and an older report of a common on Feb 5.  We returned 30 minutes later and did not relocate it.  Tuesday evening, Jeff Trahan and I searched again unsuccessfully for the bird.

Location: from Grand Cane, approximately 1 mile east on LA 3015 and north on Claude Dance Road. Bird seen 0.5 -1 mile from turn onto Claude Dance Road.

Ron Martin

Velda Neilson

Hello, all!

Just had a request from a Baton Rouge birder to see the Gray Flycatcher.  Does anyone know if it is still here?'

She is coming to Shreveport this Thursday, the 21st and would like to see it.

Also, if she is interested in someone local helping locate the bird, is anyone interested? -- Course, I am!  I'm just not available that day.

Please let me know so I can forward her the info ASAP!

Thanks all. And may God bless

Velda

Jeff Trahan

Jean and I went to Bickham Dickson this afternoon.  We saw the Eared Grebe and the Horned Grebe at the boat launch.  They seem to be pretty regular.  In the back of the park we had a Spotted Towhee whose picture is attached.

Jeff Trahan

Spotted Towhee

Jim Ingold

Terry and I saw the bird at 5:15 Friday afternoon.  The rain from yesterday has made the field muddy so wear appropriate footwear.

Jim

Velda Neilson

Howdy!

Did anyone see the Gray Flycatcher today, Thursday?  My neighbor would like to count it as a lifer!

Thanks all,

Velda

Velda Neilson

Hello, all!

My neighbor came for a visit today and we began looking thru the book for an owl she saw last week 1/4 mile north of my house just off the road.  She looked at the Snowy Owl and said, That's got to be it".  I almost fainted.  We went over all the details and all the other owl pics.

Sharon, the neighbor who had the imm. Rufous last fall, did call and tell me a day or two later about this bird but we had a definite miscommunication . I did not understand the entire bird was white.  She really believes a Snowy is what she saw. 

Thursday, the 24th, is when she saw the bird.  Yes, I certainly know how unlikely a Snowy is here.  The weather was quite cold, windy, and rainy all last weekend.  But I don't know it would be deemed "bad enough" here or from the north.  Or if it would have stayed this long in this milder weather.  Yet, as Paul says, "Birds do have wings.  They can fly anywhere.  And they can't read the map!"

So, as unlikely as it is, keep your eyes open.  After all, who'da thought a Gray Flycatcher would be hanging around Bossier!

Gracious and God bless,

Velda

Velda Neilson

Hello, all!

Praise the Lord and hallelujah!  We found the Gray Flycatcher this morning about 11:20.  Got to the area just after the rain stopped about 10:30.  We were taking one last cruise by the open barn when there he sat!  All gray and greenish in the sun!  It was so exciting!  My first life bird in 2 yrs!

We spotted the bird about 30-50 ?? yds to the north from Dean Point Rd.  He was feeding on the east side of the open barn on the east side of the first fence row that runs north and south. clear as mud?  We found him after the sun came out. yoohoo!  We watched him for about 20 mins, leaving about noon.  We also met the land owner, Mrs. Wyche as we were cruising Wyche Road.  She stopped to chat so I showed her a picture of the bird and its range map.  She wondered why only one came.  Said she owned a couple hundred acres and a young ran his cattle on it including where "Gray" is.

We also met Mr. Patten from Covington who had come to see the bird.  (Not Dave Patton but he does know him.) said he had been to southern Mexico to get the bird and missed it there.  This was a life bird for him, too!

Here's a typical stupid, funny, Velda story! Mr. Patten was on the west side of the fence row when I spotted him from the east side.  As I drove by him to park my vehicle, I directed him to the bird.  Well, wouldn't you know I couldn't get my doors unlocked!  Honestly!  My vehicle unlocks the doors when you put it in park.  It just wouldn't unlock them.  I punched the button 2 or 3 times and still I was locked in.  So I re-cranked my vehicle twice putting it in gear the first time, then actually driving it forward the second time.  Neither time would my doors unlock.  I was truly trying to figure out which way would be the easiest to get out of the car - head or feet first?  LOL! then I took one last look at my friend's window and there was the red showing on the door lock latch!  I honestly had not even thought of them!  I have gotten so used to the electric door locks that I forgot about the manual methods!  Praise the Lord, I opened the door and got out!  Mr. Patten already had gotten his scope out and on the bird!  I got to see all the characteristics!  It was awesome!  We were so blessed!  And I was so blessed Mr. Patten had his scope.  I truly did appreciate his swiftness of locating the bird and sharing it!

I called terry Davis this afternoon about 2:30. he and Jeff Trahan were viewing the bird then and trying to get better pictures.  Oh, it was wonderful and a beautiful bird!  Yhanks to all of you who kept us posted of it's whereabouts!

May God bless,

Velda

ps!  To all you folks on "Two Faced Tours" south Texas trip - concerning Mr. Patten - I should have gotten a business card!

Jeff Trahan

Thanks to everyone who replied.  The consensus seems to be that they are Cedar Waxwings rather than swallows.

Jeff Trahan

Jeff Trahan

I was in Bickham Dickson Park this afternoon.  I saw what appeared to be about 30 swallows flying over the lake.  They were very high.  I took some pictures of them which I have placed below.  Do you think they could be Purple Martins?  They certainly were not Tree swallows.

Jeff Trahan

CBD swallows1

CBD swallows2

CBD swallows3

Jeff Trahan

Late yesterday afternoon (Sunday), there were both an Eared Grebe and a Horned Grebe at Bickham Dickson Park.  They seemed to be pals because they often swam together--side by side.  Both were seen from the boat launch.  Their pictures are below.

Jeff Trahan

Horned Grebe

Eared Grebe

Clyde Massey

Hi BSGers, 

Yesterday morning I went with Larry Raymond and Mac Hardy to see the Gray Flycatcher at Wyche Road and Deen Point Road.  When we arrived, Terry Davis was already there with some people from Baton Rouge. 

The bird was there, working along the fence row next to Deen Point Road.  We watched it from the open barn. The bird also worked along the row of trees just east of the barn and also out in the field just past the trees, flying from one low bush to another.  It was fairly easy to locate since the tail-wagging makes it easy to spot.  It moved around a lot though, but stayed in the same general area.

Before we left, another group from Baton Rouge showed up and they saw the bird also.

Clyde Massey

Jim Ingold for Hubert Hervey

Jim,

The Gray Flycatcher was seen by me as late as 2 PM when the rain started coming down harder.  Directions may differ slightly from those already printed:  The bird flew from the ground about 100 yds west of Wyche Rd into trees on the east side of Wyche Rd, near the small barn that is seriously leaning.  A pair of Mockingbirds gave it little peace whereever it went in the trees, to the small old barn or around the large tree that has an old reddish cattle trailer nearby.  All the best viewing was from Wyche Rd, not Dean Point Rd.  It looked much as Jeff Trahan's excellent pics, but the back looked darker (probably wet).  I would like a better study, under better viewing conditions, and hope to return in the morning.  Please post this for me to Bird Alert and LA Bird.

Thanks, Hubert Hervey

Jim Ingold

The bird was still being seen after 1:00 pm by Hubert Hervey.

This morning the bird was seen by Terry Davis and Marty Guidry and both Paul Dickson and Charlie Lyon got video of it.

Jim Ingold

Jim Ingold

On Airline drive 3.5 mi s of the town of Benton 

Off airline drive east, 2.5 mile on Dean Point Road and go 50 yards past Wyche Rd.  There is a shed without walls and with metal posts on the left side of Dean Point Road the bird is hanging around in the trees around the shed.

Jim Ingold

Jim Ingold

Jeff Trahan and Terry Davis have a Gray Flycatcher on Dean Point Road in Bossier Parish north of Bossier City (just out of my quad and in Jeff Trahan’s Benton quad).  They have lots of photos and detailed description.  It possibly may be a Dusky Flycatcher but it’s pumping its tail like a Gray.

Jim Ingold

1/11/2008

Nancy

Menasco

Lindsay Coldiron, Wildlife Biologist in Training for the Red River National Wildlife Refuge, just called me. She had 175 Sandhill Cranes fly over her and land in a field on LA 1 just north of Powhatan. The nearest mailbox says 216 Hwy 1. GPS coordinates are N. 31 degrees 54.528' W. 093 degrees 16.655'.

Nancy Menasco
nmcpa@aol.com
Shreveport, LA

12/17/2007

Jeff

Trahan

I spent a few minutes at Bickham Dickson Park this morning (at about 11:00 am) and saw a Bald Eagle, Redhead, Snowy Egret Louisiana Heron (the last two are rare in December), and an Eared Grebe. This is the first time that I have seen an Eared Grebe at the park. I have photo of the grebe below. It was very far away so the photo is fuzzy. All of these were seen from the loop near the boat launch. The grebe was seen from the boat launch.

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport

12/09/2007

Jeff

Trahan

Jean and I spent the morning at Bickham Dickson Park today. We saw a total of 58 species including Bald Eagle, Horned Grebe, Vesper Sparrow, Coopers Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Snowy Egrets (7), and Louisiana Herons (6). The Horned Grebe was seen on the lake from the boat launch. I had not seen a Horned Grebe in the park previously. Also, I think that it is very unusual to have Snowy Egrets and Louisiana Herons in Caddo Parish in December. It must be the warm weather. The full list is below.

Jeff Trahan

3 Wood Duck 
125 Gadwall 
2 American Wigeon 
25 Mallard 
200 Northern Shoveler 
2 Green-winged Teal 
2 Canvasback 
15 Ring-necked Duck 
15 Ruddy Duck 
12 Pied-billed Grebe 
1 Horned Grebe 
10 Double-crested Cormorant 
2 Great Blue Heron 
6 Great Egret 
7 Snowy Egret 
6 Tricolored Heron 
3 White Ibis 
7 Turkey Vulture 
1 Bald Eagle 
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 
1 Cooper's Hawk 
1 Red-shouldered Hawk 
1 American Kestrel 
1200 American Coot 
7 Killdeer 
22 Least Sandpiper 
3 Wilson's Snipe 
8 Ring-billed Gull 
18 Mourning Dove 
2 Belted Kingfisher 
8 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
2 Downy Woodpecker 
3 Northern Flicker 
2 Pileated Woodpecker 
2 Eastern Phoebe 
11 Blue Jay 
12 Carolina Chickadee 
3 Carolina Wren 
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 
6 Eastern Bluebird 
8 American Robin 
3 Northern Mockingbird 
45 European Starling 
60 American Pipit 
40 Cedar Waxwing 
55 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
4 Field Sparrow 
1 Vesper Sparrow 
10 Savannah Sparrow 
1 Fox Sparrow 
5 Song Sparrow 
2 Swamp Sparrow 
5 Northern Cardinal 
85 Red-winged Blackbird 
30 Common Grackle 
6 House Finch 
2 American Goldfinch 

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport

12/03/2007

Jim

Ingold

The first Saturday of December is the Caddo Lake Winter Bird Count. The BSG participants bird the Louisiana side. The count circle is 17 miles so we can get the complete lake included. It is not an official CBC because with the large number of official CBCs in NW LA and NE TX it is too hard to get a day when enough birders can do this count - plus the 17 mile diameter is too large.

This was the 14th count! Here are the Louisiana results.

Jim Ingold

Snow Goose - 40
Cackling Goose - 8
Wood Duck - 4
Mallard - 1
Canvasback - 1
Lesser Scaup - 1
Hooded Merganser - 20
Ruddy Duck - 1
American White Pelican - 2
Double-crested Cormorant - 1835
Great Blue Heron - 16
Great Egret - 16
Black Vulture - 54
Turkey Vulture - 73
Osprey - 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk - 7
Red-tailed Hawk - 11
American Kestrel - 1
American Coot - 77
Killdeer - 7
Wilson's Snipe - 1
Ring-billed Gull - 231
Rock Pigeon - 32
Mourning Dove - 8
Inca Dove - 5
Barred Owl -1
Belted Kingfisher - 3
Red-headed Woodpecker - 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 22
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker - 15
Downy Woodpecker - 8
Hairy Woodpecker - 1
Northern Flicker - 14
Pileated Woodpecker - 5
Eastern Phoebe - 19
Loggerhead Shrike - 4
Blue Jay - 74
American Crow - 148
Fish Crow - 8
Carolina Chickadee - 46
Tufted Titmouse - 22
Brown Creeper -1
Carolina Wren - 33
House Wren - 2
Marsh Wren -1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 54
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher -1
Eastern Bluebird - 56
Hermit Thrush - 8
American Robin - 179
Northern Mockingbird - 20
Brown Thrasher - 6
European Starling - 7
American Pipit - 60
Cedar Waxwing - 25
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 72
Pine Warbler - 12
Common Yellowthroat -2
Eastern Towhee - 8
Chipping Sparrow - 118
Field Sparrow - 5
Savannah Sparrow - 11
Le Conte's Sparrow - 1
Fox Sparrow - 7
Song Sparrow - 13
Lincoln's Sparrow - 1
Swamp Sparrow - 30
White-throated Sparrow - 153
Dark-eyed Junco - 50
Northern Cardinal - 62
Red-winged Blackbird - 97
Meadowlark sp. - 18
Common Grackle - 57
Brown-headed Cowbird - 2
House Finch - 2
American Goldfinch - 97
House Sparrow - 2

12/02/2007

Bill

Wood

To all,

Walked outside after a brief rain shower and noticed the sweet gum tree was alive with birds. A dozen or so Yellow-rumped Warbler were active and pair of American Goldfinches were also seen. Best bird of course was a Red-breasted Nuthatch coming to the seed and suet feeds. Also had Brown-headed Nuthatch. Other FOS birds included a small flock of Cedar Waxwings and a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. There is a cold front pushing our way, maybe it will bring more winter birds tomorrow.

As Always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

E-mail:labirder(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Blog: http://labirder(dot)blogspot(dot)com/
Photos: http://www(dot)pbase(dot)com/labirder/
Video: http://www(dot)putfile(dot)com/labirder

12/02/2007

Bill Wood

To all,

Made a return trip this morning to Bickham Dickson Park and there are still lots of waterfowl and coots to be seen. Coots, Pied-billed Grebes, Northern Shoveler, and Gadwalls are still there in good numbers with an increase in Ruddy and Ring-necked Duck numbers since last weekend. Also spotted was a first of season flock of 40 American White Pelicans along with 15 White Ibis and lingering Snowy Egret (12) and Tri-colored Heron (7). With only a single Yellow-rumped Warbler sighting a week ago it was surprising to see a 100 plus in one spot on such a warm and muggy day.

Complete list follows:

Location: bickham dickson park
Observation date: 12/2/07
Number of species: 26

Canada Goose 6 (not sure if they were park geese or wild flock fly over?)
Gadwall 75
Mallard 50
Northern Shoveler 100
Canvasback 15
Ring-necked Duck 12
Ruddy Duck 50
Pied-billed Grebe 25
American White Pelican 40
Double-crested Cormorant 6
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 11
Snowy Egret 15
Tricolored Heron 7
White Ibis 12
Turkey Vulture 6
American Coot 1000
Ring-billed Gull 8
Mourning Dove 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 100
Savannah Sparrow 2
Common Grackle 15

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

As Always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

E-mail:labirder(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Blog: http://labirder(dot)blogspot(dot)com/
Photos: http://www(dot)pbase(dot)com/labirder/
Video: http://www(dot)putfile(dot)com/labirder

11/29/2007

Charlie

 Lyon

11/29/2007

Charlie

 Lyon

11/27/2007

Jeff Trahan

I was able to get some pictures of the Couch's/Tropical Kingbird that Terry Davis and I saw at Cane's Landing in Bossier Parish. You can see them at

http://www.jtrahan.com/temp/birds.htm

Jeff Trahan

11/27/2007

Jim Ingold

Terry Davis just called to say a Tropical/Couch's Kingbird flew over his and Jeff Trahan’s head at Canes Landing in Bossier City.

Jim

11/27/2007

Jim Ingold

Terry Davis and Charlie Lyon re-found the Ash-throated Flycatcher this morning at Canes Landing in Bossier City and Charlie got video of it. I believe that this is the first record of this species for our part of the state.

Jim Ingold

11/26/2007

Jim Ingold

Terry just called to say he has an Ash-throated Flycatcher at Canes Landing; it’s tame and is calling.
.
Jim Ingold

11/25/2007

Bill

Wood

To all,

After reading several post about the ducks seen at Bickham Dickson Park (Caddo Parish) I braved the wet and cold today and drove to the park. I enjoyed an hour and a half of good birding from the confines of my car as there was a steady rain. There were of course a 1000+ coots and more Pied-bellied Grebes than I think I have ever seen there, maybe 150. Also seen in good numbers were Mallards (not the park variety), Northern Shovelers and Gadwalls. There were fair numbers of Canvasbacks, and a spattering of Ringed-necked Ducks and Green-winged Teal, and solitary Ruddy Duck and American Wigeon. Complete list follows.

Shorebirds included Least (for sure) and Western Sandpiper (I think), Killerdeer and Wilson's Snipes. Also had a flock of 50 or so American Pipits. Best bird of the day was a Tricolored Heron.

Was surprised not to see a single gull or cormorant.

Location: Bickham Dickson park
Observation date: 11/25/07
Notes: weather condition cold and wet, all birding done by car.
Number of species: 22

Wood Duck 4
Gadwall 75
American Wigeon 1
Mallard 50
Northern Shoveler 75
Green-winged Teal 10
Canvasback 25
Ring-necked Duck 3
American Wigeon 1
Ruddy Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 100
Great Blue Heron 4
Great Egret 3
Snowy Egret 1
Tricolored Heron 1
American Coot 1000
Killdeer 14
Western Sandpiper 12
Least Sandpiper 25
Wilson's Snipe 10
American Pipit 50
Yellow-rumped Warbler 14

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org)

As Always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

E-mail:labirder(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Blog: http://labirder(dot)blogspot(dot)com/
Photos: http://www(dot)pbase(dot)com/labirder/
Video: http://www(dot)putfile(dot)com/labirder

11/25/2007

Jay Huner

Here is a report from Sabine Parish. The "Beckman Park" reports are interesting. Lousy weather gets lots of different things to find "hidey" holes. Wonder if the "odd ball grebe" will turn out to be an Eared Grebe?

Jay Huner

We took mother in law to visit her half sister near Many. Weather was lousy. But, found some decent birds including 3 new parish birds so I'm 7 away from my target 100 for Sabine Parish. 

A lot is said about the horrid invasive tallow tree. I am a "lister" but do take time, some times, to watch birds. The flock of robins is the first that I've seen in the state away from a lowland area this winter. I figure they were working on invertebrates - probably a lot of worms - flushed out of the ground by the soaked soil. Well, the most ground loving of the woodpeckers were well represented in amongst the flock of robins. I've never seen that many "yellow-hammers" in one place at one time. Darned if I didn't see a flash of "red" as about 15 of them went into a copse of tallow trees. Anyway, I did see the flickers working on tallow seeds. I might have gotten a better view of the "flash of red" except that the darned bassett kept trying to jump on me! 


Location: Sabine County, LA, US 
Observation date: 11/25/07 
Notes: The flock of Northern Flickers was 20-30 birds. I used 21 for this report. The birds were in a soaking wet pasture feeding in amongst a good number of robins. When "jumped", a number settled in a copse of tallow trees and were apparently consuming tallow seeds! 

Really lousy day to bird. Location was about 5 miles NE of Many, LA. 
Number of species: 22 

Great Egret 3 
Turkey Vulture 1 
Red-shouldered Hawk 2 
Killdeer 3 
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4 
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 
Hairy Woodpecker 1 
Northern Flicker 21 
Pileated Woodpecker 1 
Blue Jay 3 
American Crow 45 
Carolina Chickadee 1 
Tufted Titmouse 2 
Eastern Bluebird 25 
American Robin 60 
Northern Mockingbird 1 
European Starling 1 
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5 
Pine Warbler 35 
Chipping Sparrow 3 
Dark-eyed Junco 2 
American Goldfinch 5 

This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) E-mail:labirder(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Blog: http://labirder(dot)blogspot(dot)com/
Photos: http://www(dot)pbase(dot)com/labirder/
Video: http://www(dot)putfile(dot)com/labirder

11/24/2007

Jim Ingold

Charlie Lyons asked me to post the following:

Using the car a blind on this rainy Saturday the birds at CBD were quite accommodating, esp. American Pipits and Wilson Snipe. Lots of ducks: 1 female redhead, Canvasbacks, ring-necked ducks, lots of N. Shovelers and Gadwall and many pied-billed grebe, snowy egrets, and 5 white ibis near the pond at the horse barn.
.
Jim Ingold

11/23/2007

Jeff Trahan

Terry Davis asked me to post his sighting of a Roseate Spoonbill seen at 7:00 a.m. this morning (Friday) at Stoner Woods traveling NNW.

Jeff Trahan

11/19/2007

Jim Ingold

From: okbirds [mailto:OKBIRDS@lists.ou.edu] On Behalf Of David Arbour
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2007 8:15 AM
To: OKBIRDS@lists.ou.edu
Subject: Snow Buntings in Arkansas!

Charles Mills found two Snow Buntings on the OK levee at Millwood Lake yesterday in southwest Arkansas. This site is only about 50 miles as the crow flies from Red Slough where we had a Snow Bunting a little over a week ago. This could be an invasion year for them. They like rocky areas near reservoirs such as levees, beaches, points and islands. Keep your eyes open, there should be more around.

David Arbour
De Queen, AR

11/11/2007

Jay Huner

I decided to make an effort to get a count on birds here at Cotile Lake NW of Alexandria this past Friday and made an effort to at least drive by most of the places I bird. I also enjoyed a morning afield the next day at my deer lease in SW Rapides Parish near Glenmora and visited friends at the "club house" around noon in NW Evangeline Parish. My main ebird list for the Cotile Lake area is presented below along with lists for Rapides Parish and Evangeline Parish on the 10th.

Although I had no Yellow-rumped Warblers on either day, I did manage a single bird walking around the neighborhood today. I "think" I've been hearing some House Finches but haven't seen one of the little critters for about a week. Sparrows including juncos are not very apparent nor are, for that matter, mockers, cardinals, and jays. Doves have been hard to come by. I last saw a Mourning Dove around the lake last Thursday and had the first Inca Dove in a week today. 

On Friday, a Brown Creeper was a first of fall bird. Had a passing flock of Lesser Scaup at dawn which, although not first for fall, were the first I've had at Cotile Lake. 

The deer are pretty much nocturnal after being hunted now since late September - bow season - followed by muzzleloader season followed by "gun" season. It was pleasant so I took a nap in hopes Mr. or Ms. Bambi might try to sneak up on me and was awakened by a passing flock of first of fall Snow Geese. Later, at the "club house", I pished up a flock of foraging song birds that included my first of fall Hermit Thrush. I also had my new Evangeline Parish List Red-breasted Nuthatch. 

Anyway, the weekend total from Friday through Sunday was 43 species.

Jay Huner

11/11/2007

Charlie Lyon

LA-birders,

I had a rare full day to do some local birding yesterday 11-10-07. I decided to to go north of Shreveport and check out the degraded ag lands in north Caddo Parish west of the Red River. I still fell we'll eventually turn up a Prairie Falcon or Lark Bunting in this area, but thus far nada. I did do pretty well however and managed to find a small flock of Chestnut-collared Longspurs, which is only my second record for this species in Louisiana.
I then took Terry Davis and the Boslers on the boat for a Cross Lake run.
Here is a brief summary of more interesting sightings from the various
locations:

Private farm north of 12-mile bayou 1st stop

Ring-necked Duck 160 numbers finally building Northern Flicker 15 big movement and one flock of 8 Eastern Phoebe 10 numbers building House Wren 5 same here Ruby-crowned Kinglet 14 first big wave of the season for me Eastern Bluebird 42 big movement here as well Hermit Thrush 2 starting to come in now in decent numbers American Robin 31 only small flocks so far for this time of the season Orange-crowned Warbler 1 FOS Yellow-rumped Warbler 30 numbers just starting to build

Sparrows:
Still small numbers overall with abundant food supplies available when birds eventually arrive
Field sparrow 1
Savannah sparrow 60
Fox sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 7
White-throated sparrow 30
White-crowned sparrow 8
Dark-eyed Junco 1

American Goldfinch 8 still small numbers/ no siskins

Sentell Road and sod farm 2nd stop best stop of the day Thanks to Jim Ingold for getting us access to this private farm.

Northern Flicker 3

Loggerhead Shrike 4 The only shrikes seen during the day were at this location. Although I don't survey north Caddo Parish that often, my impression is that numbers are down, not just in this area but throughout NW LA. Local birders should carefully monitor shrike numbers.

Horned Lark 6

American Pipit 107
Sprague's Pipit 2 The Red River Valley area of north Caddo Parish is one of the most reliable areas of the state to find this species.

Vesper Sparrow 4
Savannah Sparrow 35

CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR 3 I walked from the parked vehicle closing in on a mixed species flock of American Pipit and Horned Lark, and I first heard the diagnostic tillyup call note of a Chestnut-collared Longspur. A single bird flew up with an American Pipit nearby and circled away from me far to the right, but I froze and got lucky. It eventually arched around and flew over me slightly to my left side giving me an excellent flight view, showing its small notched tail and white with black triangle tail pattern. Other than that it was just a small dingy brown appearing longspur, but it continually gave its diagnostic flight call. It then made another high flying arch again coming far in front of me and was joined by two other birds that morphologically appeared the same, and all disappeared to the north where I lost them over some other fields.

Belcher, Gilliam, and north of LA 2 close to the Arkansas line 3rd stop

Raptor numbers are still minimal for this time of year in this area. In all areas I found a total of:

Northern Harrier 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk1
Red-tailed Hawk 7
American Kestrel 7

We'll see hoe the numbers build as the season progresses.

Northern Flicker 7

Eastern Phoebe 6

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER 1 adult male getting late

WHITE-EYED VIREO 1 1st winter bird very late

Brown Creeper 1 FOS

BEWICK'S WREN 1 FOS uncommon but small numbers expected up here

GRAY CATBIRD 1 late for up here

LARK SPARROW 1 breeds in this area and a few may over winter

Cross Lake by boat 4th stop

10 species of ducks with fairly low numbers overall

Canvasback 175 numbers slowly climbing
Redhead 40 stable flock size
Ring-necked Duck 12 minimal numbers for this time of year Lesser Scaup 15 really minimal numbers for this time of year Bufflehead 8 starting to come in FOS was a week ago Ruddy Duck 3000 good numbers have been in for acouple of weeks

Anhinga 1 female late for the lake proper SNOWY EGRET 20 big numbers for so late Cattle Egret 45 small numbers still holding on but dwindling at Buzzard Island American Coot 18,700 biggest numbers of the year so far

Franklin's Gull 22 most have been to the west of us thus far this year Ring-billed Gull 250 evening roost numbers slowly climbing

That's all for now.

Charlie Lyon
Shreveport, LA

11/8/2007

Jim Ingold

11/7/2007

Bill Wood

Made a walk down to the pond this a.m. and found a flock of 12 or so White-throated Sparrows and a single Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

As Always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

E-mail:labirder(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Blog: http://labirder(dot)blogspot(dot)com/
Photos: http://www(dot)pbase(dot)com/labirder/
Video: http://www(dot)putfile(dot)com/labirder

11/1/2007

Jim Ingold

Terry just called to say he thinks the Peregrine that spent the winter on Sam’s Town Casino last year is back. To see it go to Bass Pro and park in the gravel parking lot on the north/west side of the building. It was sitting on a ledger on the sw corner.

Jim

10/23/2007

Jay Huner

Yesterday, 22 October, I had Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped Warblers plus Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Chipping Sparrow. Today, I found a few yellow-rumps and a single Dark-eyed Junco. Eastern Phoebes showed up about 7-8 days ago but I had one by the lake this afternoon after not seeing any for a time. I saw a flock of ducks in the distance near dark and would "guess Gadwall" based on size and flight pattern but I'd never list them on ebird with that look. 

There are plenty of Pine Warblers around but how would one separate local birds from some incoming migrants?

Sort of expect to find some White-throated Sparrows tomorrow!

Also, had at least two, possibly three, Red-headed Woodpeckers yesterday after not encountering this species for several weeks.

Closest thing to a gull was a Caspian Tern the other day.

Regards,
Jay Huner

10/22/2007

Charlie Lyon

LA-birders,

I've had a bit more time to bird lately and have resumed my Cross Lake surveys by boat...still not much time to post however. On today's survey I found a juvenile SABINE'S GULL settling in at sunset with a flock of Franklin's Gulls. A juvenile Sabine's Gull was spotted on Lake Millwood in Arkansas earlier this am, and although highly speculative, it is interesting to consider if this is the same individual. I've noted a number of fairly recent records in Texas, and there was an earlier sighting at Lake Millwood as well. Sabine's Gull is probably a more regular fall transient in the inland Ark-La-Tex than what we have detected, but this is by far my latest fall record, with all previous inland LA records...at least by me...being in September. They do migrate into early November off the West Coast, so I guess the date isn't that late overall, but it does seem to be of some interest. Could the later migration of an arctic breeder tie into global warming??

On my survey of Cross Lake on 10-17-07, just a few days ago, I had a small migrant flock of 3 Yellow-throated Warblers. Our NW LA late date is 10-17 if one excludes the occasional straggler. These were true migrants noted on Bird Island which is part of my survey route, and none had been there in the preceding weeks. On the Alabama list serve I've noted a couple of reports of late Yellow-throated Warblers as well, and something may be going on...possibly another global warming correlation??

Ducks continue to trickle in with FOS Ruddy Duck 3

Waders are still holding with:

Snowy Egret 24 high numbers for this late Little Blue Heron 7 Cattle Egret 1100 Buzzard Island rookery/roost numbers far diminished this year White-faced Ibis last seen on 10-17-07

American Coot 8400 numbers slowly rising and should increase further with the next cold front

Long-billed Dowitcher 7 My first Cross Lake boat survey record. Although hydrilla is still abundant on the far west side of the lake, there is no suitable habitat for this species on the lake. This sighting is consistent with a prefrontal movement of this species. Strong flying "windbirds" will appear on the front end of the weather passage.

Franklin's Gull 41 numbers will build into the thousands by mid-late November, and Cross Lake is truly the fall Franklin's Gull capital of LA It can be an amazing spectacle.

Ring-billed Gull 22 the sunset lake roost is starting to evolve into what will become thousands of birds by December. These are the type of patterns you miss from land and you need to be in the middle of the lake to discover this.

SABINE'S GULL 1 juvenile It came in at sunset with a flock of Franklin's Gulls and should be present in the early am if locals are interested.
Rosemary Seidler posted directions earlir on the birdalert. All prior Cross Lake records are one day wonders, so this one probably won't stay long either.

Forster's Tern 21 numbers building and winter roosting flocks now are often over 500 individuals

Northern Flicker 5 numbers increasing as migrating northern birds move in for the winter

Eastern Phoebe 6 ditto

House Wren 1 FOS
Winter Wren 11 FOS

Hermit Thrush 1 FOS

Red-winged Blackbird 120 These are migrants consistent with a significant migration from the north...not something most of us are looking for, but of some interest.

Thatąs all for now

Charlie Lyon
Shreveport, LA

10/19/2007

Jay Huner

Good Morning,

Cotile Lake - NW Rapides Parish, LA

I have had at least one pair of White-breasted Nuthatches here since detecting them last June. There are two or three nesting pairs of Brown-headed Nuthatches here as permanent residents. I first found White-breasted Nuthatches here in mid-summer last year but they did not seem to stay around in the fall and winter. 

Anyway, this morning, I heard tooting that I associated with White-breasted Nuthatches and then took a walk around the neighborhood and found a group of 4-5 Brown-headed Nuthatches. When I got back to the house, I heard "odd" tooting and decided to get a visual contact on the bird. Well, there were at least three tooting birds within 75 yards of each other. The one that I got an up close view of was a Red-breasted Nuthatch - state year bird No. 273! 

Don't know if the Red-breasted Nuthatch(es?) will stay around but we'll see. It/they may have been around for the past week or more as when I hear tooting, I automatically default to White-breasted Nuthatch.

Jay Huner

10/7/2007

Jim Ingold

10/5/2007

Jim Ingold

Stop by this a.m. on my way to school about 9:00 a.m. They were on the right side as you drive in towards the loop. Lot’s of ibis, and egrets etc.

Jim

10/4/2007

Jim Ingold

Went to the park at 12:30 today saw no spoonbills but quite a few Northern Shoveler some of which were sitting out of the water on the boat launch road; lots of Blue-winged Teal too.

Jim

10/4/2007

Jim Ingold

One of our botanists was at the park this morning and had 6 spoonbills.

Jim

09/20/2007

Velda Neilson

hello, gang!

just left a neighbors house where there is definitely an imm or female rusty hummer. my best GUESS is a Rufous Hummer. lots of rust down sides coming towards the chest and definitely a lot of rust in tail. only got one good flash of it, but i believe it was edged in white. never could see the length of the back of the bird.

she has lots of hummers. uses 1/2 cup sugar to 1 cup of water. hope that's not dangerous for the hummers. but she insists and the birds love it!

paul, she is to try and watch to see how late the bird is there this evening. i told her you may want to come band it at 6:30 am or so and she agreed. i can't give out her number without permission so i'll contact you this evening if you are interested.

lots of birds in my yard this am at 7am! all invigorated by the cool temps!

thanks and may God bless,
velda

9/16/2007

Bill Wood

To all,

Made a late afternoon visit to Bickham Dickson Park (Shreveport) and drove the back road loop. There are lots of waders and peeps in and around the loop area. Lots of White Ibis, mostly immatures, Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets and Little Blue Herons along with a sighting of a single Roseate Spoonbill. As for shorebirds and peeps there were
4-5 mixed flocks of 20-30 birds flying about. I could ID at least 9 Pectoral Sandpipers, 6 yellowlegs but most of the others I not sure about.

By far the best bird for me was a Buff-breasted Sandpiper, at least I pretty sure that's what it is. Any comments on it and the UID peep (maybe a least) photos would be appreciated.

Links to the photos:

Buff-breasted Sandpiper
http://www.pbase.com/labirder/image/85696392

UID Peep
http://www.pbase.com/labirder/image/85696822

As Always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

E-mail:labirder(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Blog: http://labirder(dot)blogspot(dot)com/
Photos: http://www(dot)pbase(dot)com/labirder/
Video: http://www(dot)putfile(dot)com/labirder

9/15/2007

Dennis

Forshee

Had 8 spoonbills this AM in the loop. Still lots of peeps and one Merlin.

Dennis Forshee
Wild Bird Center
7034 Youree Dr
Shreveport, LA 71105
Phone 318-797-2473 

9/13/2007

Paul

Dickson

BSG: I missed the whole flock this morning! This afternoon I counted 16 Roseate Spoonbills at Cross Keys which is the largest flock that I have ever seen in N. La. All were immatures which is expected.
The location is the willow lined pond on the east side of Hwy.1 about 1/4 miles south of Yearwood Rd.

Paul

9/13/2007

Paul Dickson

I saw three Roseate Spoonbills today east of Hwy.1 at Cross Keys. They were in the willow lined slew to the left of the highway if you are driving south. This is across the highway from the sometimes flooded field where we often see wetland birds and before the larger cypress lined bayou at Cross Keys. 

Paul 

9/13/2007

Amanda Crnkovic

Hubert Hervey asked me to post this information:

Yesterday (September 12th) he saw 40 Woodstorks, 4 Roseatte Spoonbills, plus lots of the “usual birds” while on the Red River (at mile marker 269.8, Scott’s Slew). He also saw 1 adult Bald Eagle at mile marker 279 (Ark/LA stateline).

Amanda Crnkovic
Instructor, Department of Biological Sciences
Collections Manager, Museum of Life Sciences
Louisiana State University in Shreveport
One University Place

9/6/2007

James Ingold

The first BSG Meeting of the year will be next Tuesday. Refreshments start at 6:30 p.m. and the program starts at 7:00. The first speaker of the year will be Mac Hardy. The title of his talk is: “A View from Wallace’s Line.” He will talk about a trip he took this August to Borneo, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

The newsletter may not reach people before the meeting; so please pass the word on to all your friends in the BSG.

Jim Ingold

9/5/2007

James Ingold

From: okbirds [mailto:OKBIRDS@lists.ou.edu] On Behalf Of David Arbour
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 8:02 PM
To: OKBIRDS@lists.ou.edu
Subject: New Red Slough Website Now Online!

There is a new improved Red Slough Website online now. The address is the same as the old one. We have added several hundred new photos including upgrading many poor images that were on the old site. A new gallery has been added called "Tours & Field Trips" which has pictures of birders and college groups that have visited the slough. We also have the new map added that can be printed plus a "Google Map" of the area so you can zoom in and look for Jabirus or whatever. :-) Also we have added the brand new Red Slough Bird Checklist which hasn't been printed yet. It is in pdf format. Another new feature included are articles written on Red Slough and its wildlife. You will see the most changes in the Bird and Dragonfly galleries. If we failed to give credit for a photo or you notice any mistakes or errors please let us know. Enjoy!

David Arbour
De Queen, AR

Visit the New(!) Red Slough Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/ouachita/natural-resources/redslough/index.shtml

9/2/2007

Nancy Menasco

Dear All,
It's 9:55 a.m. Sunday. The Trahans just called from CBD to say there are Wood Storks, Piping Plovers, Black-necked Stilts, a big assortment of heronoid types, & shorebirds there. They are in the loop area. You will have to walk to the loop as although the park is now open and you can drive into the park, the 1st gate is still locked.

Nancy Menasco

8/25/2007

James Ingold

As reported by a botanist in my department.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Banks, Stephen 
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2007 1:47 PM
Subject: State of the Park 8.25.07

I went into the BD park today (Saturday 25 Sept) to photograph the effects of two months of flooding with my Nikon 50D .

Jim-White Ibis a whloe flock of turkey buzzards chowing down on the rotting fish

Flocks of egret. Also some white and tri color herons little green herons some yellow crowned night herons small blue herons. Also one brown/russet colored hawk-a real beauty!

in the park. 

Best Wishes,

Steve

8/21/2007

Dennis Forshee

Subject:  Feeder Watchers Wanted!

"PROJECT WILDBIRD is a landmark study of seed and feeder preferences of wild birds in the United States and Canada. From September 2005 through August 2008, PROJECT WILDBIRD will scientifically study the feeds and feeders preferred by birds in different eco-regions and seasons. Upon completion, PROJECT WILDBIRD will be the most comprehensive study on bird feeding ever performed. The study results will provide people who feed birds with scientifically-substantiated recommendations on the best feeds and feeders to attract birds." 

Visit www.projectwildbird.org for all the details. There are two levels of participation. The experimental approach provides participants with the feeders required and free seed for a year that they keep upon completion of the study! 

Participants are really needed west of the Mississippi. As far I know, there's no one in Louisiana signed up. Submissions can be entered online or mailed in. If you know someone not online that would make a good observer, pass along Project Wildbird contact info or have them contact any Wild Bird Center. Time is running out, if I understood correctly, this December is the deadline to join the study.

Dennis Forshee
Wild Bird Center
7034 Youree Dr
Shreveport, LA 71105

 8/8/2007

Paul Dickson

BSG: This morning Terry found what he believes to be either a Couch’s or a Tropical Kingbird at Cane’s Landing north of Bass Pro Shop in Bossier. He saw the bird for less than a minute in flight as it left a tree. It did not vocalize. He saw it to the left of the first road that enters the thicket on the south end of the river side thickets that we collectively refer to as “Cane’s”. To reach it, go to the parking lot at Bass Pro, drive off the lot onto the dirt tire tracks and drive toward the river across the open ground. You must stay south of a line of concrete barriers. Park just before you reach the thick undergrowth and scattered cottonwood-sycamore forest that lines the river. Terry saw the bird fly from a tree to the left of the road. When making an identification in this genus remember that Western Kingbird now breeds in our area and in the area of Cane’s though not at Cane’s as far as anyone has found. You need to see the tail pattern, bill size, extent and tone of the yellow and best of all, hear it or get it to respond to a recording. Any Kingbird certainly identified other than Eastern or Western should be reported to the Louisiana Bird Records Committee by way of a “long form” found on the LOS web site. 

Paul Dickson

7/30/2007

James Ingold

From: Birding discussion list for Texas
[mailto:TEXBIRDS@LISTSERV.UH.EDU] On Behalf Of Khara Strum
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2007 12:38 PM
To: TEXBIRDS@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Subject: [TEXBIRDS] Banded Buff-breasted Sandpipers

---> Texbird help file http://www.texbirds.org <---

Greetings Texas Birders-



As fall migration gets underway and you visit your favorite upland shorebird haunts, please keep your eyes peeled for any banded Buff-breasted Sandpipers. Buff-breasted Sandpipers were banded in Texas, Argentina and Uruguay last year through a project at Kansas State University. This species has also been banded recently in Nebraska by Joel Jorgensen, John McCarty and LaReesa Wolfenbarger at the University of Nebraska, Omaha and in Brazil by Juliana Almeida at University of Nevada, Reno. If you happen across a Buff-breasted Sandpiper with leg bands please record as much information about the colors and locations of the bands and the bird (i.e. habitat,
location) as possible and forward on the information. Bands may be on the upper and lower portions of the leg and it is important to note the location of each color band in relation to the other. 


Thank you in advance!

Khara Strum

Graduate Research Assistant 

Kansas State University