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Hubert Hervey

Yates tract, Red River National Wildlife Refuge, Red River, US-LA
Nov 5, 2011 6:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Protocol: Traveling
7.0 mile(s)
Comments: Rail drag over wet-land managed fields, plowed, green grass, fallow weed and grass fields, started flooding 10 days ago, delayed by water gate replacement project now completed.
Temp 36, lite frost on elevated surfaces, negligible winds, clear with low fog layer burning off after sun-up.
54 species

Gadwall 2
Mallard 6
Northern Shoveler 12 flying south along Red River
Green-winged Teal 20 migrating south along Red River
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Black Vulture 4 along RR 501 after leaving
Turkey Vulture 6 along RR 501 south after leaving
Northern Harrier 4
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Kestrel 2
American Coot 2
Sandhill Crane 3 flying SW, low level, about 7:10, before sunrise
Killdeer 60
Greater Yellowlegs 65
Wilson's Snipe 2
Rock Pigeon 6
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 6
Fish Crow 15
Tree Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 1
House Wren 1
Sedge Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 2 on 501
American Robin 42
Northern Mockingbird 5
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 40
Sprague's Pipit 1
Common Yellowthroat 2
Eastern Towhee 1
Savannah Sparrow 90
Le Conte's Sparrow 5
Fox Sparrow 1
Lincoln's Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 1
White-crowned Sparrow 3
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 62
Eastern Meadowlark 22
Western Meadowlark 4 respond by call and song to tape
Common Grackle 14
Brown-headed Cowbird 80
Yates tract, Red River National Wildlife Refuge, Nov 5, 2011

Rosemary Seidler

Good day for sparrows at Cane's Landing late yesterday.

Rosemary Seidler
Shreveport

Cane's Landing, Bossier, US-LA
Oct 15, 2011 3:45 PM - 6:15 PM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Good sparrow day.  No chickadees!
32 species (+1 other taxa)

Turkey Vulture 2
Cooper's Hawk 1
Killdeer 3
Rock Pigeon 12
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
Mourning Dove 9
Great Horned Owl 1 
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Eastern Phoebe 4
Blue Jay 6
crow sp. 4
Carolina Wren 2
House Wren 3
Sedge Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Gray Catbird 2
Northern Mockingbird 3
Brown Thrasher 4
European Starling 700 estimate. + or - 50
Common Yellowthroat 5
Clay-colored Sparrow 3
Lark Sparrow 6
Savannah Sparrow 30 
Lincoln's Sparrow 2
Swamp Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 5
Northern Cardinal 34 accurate count
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2 females
Indigo Bunting 16
Baltimore Oriole 1

Ingold, James

for Terry Davis

Hi all, 

39 indivs for a grand total!

While sitting at the red light and about to cross Airline Dr at Melrose headed for Walmart, I singly counted 26 Great-tailed Grackles on the wire next to Sonic.  I noticed a group on the ground after crossing and added 11 more.  The time was 5:24 p.m.  Approximately 75% of the gp were hy or female.  I noticed upon leaving Walmart that the gp had relocated 100 yards or so to the northeast and were foraging in a fairly tight-knit gp in a small grassy parcel on the northeast side of Sonic adjacent Walmart parking lot.  Later, while sitting at the red light at Viking and Airline (roughly .5 miles n of former location) at 6 p.m., I noticed a large gp of GTGR flying along Airline approx 1/4 mile from the south headed toward me.  They landed on the wire along Airline just s of Viking.  I pulled into Airline H. S. parking lot and counted 39 birds.  I was in a hurry, not wanting to fight the traffic headed home on Airline, but I'm reasonably sure it was the same gp I'd previously seen.  I'll have to say the 1/2 mile jump seemed a bit odd!

Short of this being something strange such as a real-time observation of a facultative move of a fairly large gp from drought-stricken areas to the south and west, I'd say the Bossier City population is doing quite well ! 

A week or more ago there was a male singing loudly at the Sonic location.........over an hour after dark.  I kinda look forward to hearing the squeaks, chirps, whistles and cheesy, elven drum-rolls blaring at every corner in Shreveport/Bossier 10 years or so from now. (-;

Good blackbirding,
Terry

Jeff Trahan

Jean and I went to Bickham Dickson Park this morning.  We saw Bill Wood there who was trying out his new camera.  The weather was great--about 68 degrees with clear skies.  The list below is all from the front of the park because Jean cannot yet walk very far on her now mending broken leg.  There were a total of 37 species including the resident Canada Geese.  The best birds were probably four Broad-winged Hawks flying SSW overhead.  There were very few migrating warblers seen.

Jeff Trahan

6 Canada Goose
1 Wood Duck
12 Double-crested Cormorant
2 Great Blue Heron
6 Great Egret
3 Snowy Egret
22 White Ibis
4 Black Vulture
2 Turkey Vulture
4 Broad-winged Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
1 American Kestrel
3 Killdeer
6 Mourning Dove
1 Belted Kingfisher
3 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
1 Northern Flicker
1 Pileated Woodpecker
1 Eastern Wood-Pewee
3 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
1 Loggerhead Shrike
10 Blue Jay
12 Northern Rough-winged Swallow
1 Barn Swallow
2 Carolina Chickadee
1 Carolina Wren
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
5 Eastern Bluebird
3 American Robin
1 Brown Thrasher
8 European Starling
1 Common Yellowthroat
1 Savannah Sparrow
2 Northern Cardinal
1 Indigo Bunting
4 Common Grackle

Hubert Hervey

Tuesday birds at Yates tract RRNWR, Fulvous ducks walking in grass in north central unit. 
3.0 mile(s)
Comments: With Pat for stake out Nelson's Sharp tailed Sparrow, BobOlink in same unit with Nelson's Sparrows
12 species

Fulvous Whistling-Duck 2
Great Egret 5
White Ibis 108
Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 4
Northern Harrier 1
Killdeer 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 8
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 2
Savannah Sparrow 3
Nelson's Sparrow 4 in tall grass, wetlland management area, perched up in loose group singly upon approach, flew off to north.
Bobolink 1

Terry Davis

Hi all, We had a pretty good day today!

Hi all, Although shorebird nos are falling off a little, we still had an excellent day!  Jeff got pics of 7 of 10 Bobolinks in flight, then several in a patch of Sesbania, + 1 of the YHBL.  I've only seen single Bobolink here in fall on two other occasions- once at Cane's Landing, once at Gilliam Raceway. 

Ronnie Maum got pics of one of the 4 AGPL as they passed over him shortly after we counted them.  Interestingly, these four had notably more black remaining below than any we've seen thus far!

Red River NWR--Bayou Pierre Unit Yates Tract, Red River, US-LA
Sep 17, 2011 7:55 AM - 12:35 PM
Protocol: Traveling
4.3 mile(s)
Comments: Start 0655, 4hrs 40 min, 4.3 miles, 65-80 deg F, calm winds to light variable, 50 % high thin cloud cover
68 species (+2 other taxa)

Blue-winged Teal 87
Northern Pintail 4 fem
Pied-billed Grebe 1 basic
Great Egret 12
Snowy Egret 16
Tricolored Heron 1
Cattle Egret 38
White Ibis 91 4 juv/2nd year
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 3
Northern Harrier 3 juv or f
Red-shouldered Hawk 1 juv.
Red-tailed Hawk 2 1 ad, 1 by call
American Golden-Plover 4 adults, certainly different than previous indivs.  Ronnie got photos of one of the gp of four that passed over us heading in his direction several hundred yards away.
Killdeer 65
Black-necked Stilt 11
Spotted Sandpiper 1 basic or juv.
Greater Yellowlegs 10 most seen well again appeared basic-plumaged
Lesser Yellowlegs 38 more juvy, of those seen well
Upland Sandpiper 1 by calls
Semipalmated Sandpiper 4 juvenile
Least Sandpiper 141 of those seen well, approx 70% basic or nearly so, 20 bright juvenile, 10% only somewhat into basic.
Pectoral Sandpiper 62 Of those seen well, most looked adult.  Interestingly, a higher percentage of the brighter juveniles were larger males
Stilt Sandpiper 7 6 juvy, one basic
Long-billed Dowitcher 2 juvy, Jeff got pics of one indiv.
Wilson's Snipe 1 We added Ronnie's photographed bird today to our list for the shorebird survey.  This makes the second time he's had one and we've missed it while there simultaneously- 0: He had 1 on Sep. 3rd, then 4 on Sep 11th- the latter which we weren't present during
Rock Pigeon 3
Eurasian Collared-Dove 3
Mourning Dove 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 7
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 2
Alder Flycatcher 2
Alder/Willow Flycatcher (Traill's) 2 1 possible Alder, 1 possible Willow Rosemary photo'd
Least Flycatcher 1 same spot
Empidonax sp. 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 11
American Crow 8
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3
Bank Swallow 16
Barn Swallow 14
Cliff Swallow 6
Carolina Chickadee 10
Tufted Titmouse 3
Carolina Wren 10
House Wren 1 fos, by calls
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 7
Eastern Bluebird 4
Northern Mockingbird 4
European Starling 45
Northern Waterthrush 1
Tennessee Warbler 1 fem
Common Yellowthroat 11 most fem, some males and song noted
Yellow Warbler 9 all seen well, fem.  Although a few were somewhat dark on the back, all appear to still be aestiva
Yellow-breasted Chat 3 2 ad, 1 by call
Savannah Sparrow 14 Interestingly, all were flushed from densely-vegetated area with 2-4' grass and weeds that we walked before leaving in search of rails.
Northern Cardinal 13
Blue Grosbeak 2 1 female, one not seen well
Indigo Bunting 26 Nos up again. most fem-type or winter males.  Flight song from at least two males
Painted Bunting 2 adm, first in nearly a month
Dickcissel 9 a few small gps of 1-3 migs low in vegetation, rest overhead singles by flight-calls.
Bobolink 13 Basic.  Another bonus/by-product of our short rail walk flushing up giving their distinct, short calls which remind me somewhat of calls of both Baltimore Oriole and House Finch.  Jeff got identifiable photos of 7 of 10 in flight + several others which dropped into a patch of Sesbania after circling a few times.
Red-winged Blackbird 2 1 male, 1 fem.
Yellow-headed Blackbird 1 hy bird which Jeff also obtained photos of.

Good birding,

Terry

Hubert Hervey

BSG members,

Pat and I had 6 yellow-headed blackbirds and 4 clay-colored sparrows at the sod farm on Sentell road Friday afternoon, 16 Sep.  The blackbirds were feeding on standing sunflower plants near the end of the main road thru the farm (between the two cattleguards).  I have often had yellow-headed blackbirds here at the farm, but they never came to sunflower seeds at the house.  The clay-colored sparrows were between the narrow road and the levee, on the fence and in the grass.  50 or more scissor-tailed flycatchers also put on a nice show in the same area.

Hubert

Jeff Trahan

It's been a couple of years since Jean and I have had a new yard bird.  This September, we got three.  On September 3, both a Northern Waterthrush and a Willow Flycatcher (identified by fitz-bew song/call) were seen.  Both yesterday and today we had a Mourning Warbler in the yard.  The Mourning Warbler makes yard bird number 126.

Jeff Trahan

Terry Davis

Hi y'all, Jeff has a good one visiting!  You can correspond directly with him.  His e-mail address is below.  Let's hope it lingers awhile!

Terry,

I have a full Adult male Calliope Hummingbird, coming to my feeder right here in Jonesboro.  So if you know anybody that wants to see give me a buzz.  I'm not on La-birds if you know somebody that is they can put it on.

Later Jeff

Phil Bradley

These are my observations at my place in Spring Ridge.  The only "storm refugee" was an Inca Dove.  I did see a black and white bird about the size of a Chipping Sparrow, but I only saw its back and got off one really out of focus photo of it, so I did not make an I.D. of it.  The Indigo Buntings were all first year ones and all males.

Phil Bradley

Spring Ridge Adams Road, Caddo, US-LA
Sep 4, 2011 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
24 species

Black Vulture 2
Turkey Vulture 5
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
Mourning Dove 4
Inca Dove 1
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 12
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 5
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 6
Northern Mockingbird 2
Chipping Sparrow 7
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 16
Blue Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 4
House Finch 6
House Sparrow 4

Lily Poole

A friend of mine called to say she has Rosette Spoonbills & Black-Necked Stilts on her pond.

If interested: PH # IS 752-0806

Thanks to my hubby Barney for posting this :)

"DIRECTIONS: 
GO SOUTH ON HIGHWAY 71. 
APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES SOUTH OF JIMMY DAVIS HIGHWAY YOU WILL SEE "MARY QUEEN OF PEACE CHURCH ON THE RIGHT. 
GO 1/4 MILE FURTHER AND THE CAPLIS SLIGO ROAD WILL BE ON THE LEFT. 
TURN THERE AND GO 3/4 MILES. CROSS THE BAYOU AND IMMEDIATELY TURN
RIGHT. 
THE DRIVEWAY IS ON THE LEVEE. HOUSE WILL BE VISIBLE ACROSS THE LAKE.
IF YOU GET LOST. DO NOT TURN ON THE SLIGO RD AT THE END OF THE 4 LANE."

Lily Poole
Shreveport, LA
lpoole(at)wkhs(dot)com

Hardy, Laurence
For: Dot Rambin

Hello,

We have had White Ibises for about a week and today there are Roseate Spoonbills.  You can probably see them from The Cove if you know where that little bar is.

Dot Rambin
631-1250

Jeff Trahan

Terry Davis and I did a bird count at the Yates tract of the Red River NWR this morning (Saturday). The day started out windy, but ended rainy. The best 
birds were Baird's Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Black Bellied Plover, American Golden Plover, and Upland Sandpipers. There were lots of Black-necked 
Stilts and Least Sandpipers. We saw a total of 65 species. The complete list is below.

Jeff Trahan

2 Northern Shoveler 
3 Northern Pintail 
8 Great Egret 
8 Snowy Egret 
8 Little Blue Heron 
107 Cattle Egret 
127 White Ibis 
7 Plegadis spp 
2 Black Vulture 
4 Turkey Vulture 
2 Red-tailed Hawk 
1 Black-bellied Plover 
1 American Golden-Plover 
6 Semipalmated Plover 
108 Killdeer 
152 Black-necked Stilt 
11 Greater Yellowlegs 
21 Lesser Yellowlegs 
2 Solitary Sandpiper 
2 Spotted Sandpiper 
3 Upland Sandpiper 
6 Semipalmated Sandpiper 
152 Least Sandpiper 
1 Baird's Sandpiper 
33 Pectoral Sandpiper 
18 Stilt Sandpiper 
2 Short-billed Dowitcher 
3 Least Tern 
1 Rock Pigeon 
3 Eurasian Collared-Dove 
6 Mourning Dove 
1 Downy Woodpecker 
2 Eastern Wood-Pewee 
4 Alder Flycatcher 
2 Least Flycatcher 
1 Great Crested Flycatcher 
4 Eastern Kingbird 
1 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 
1 White-eyed Vireo 
4 Blue Jay 
2 American Crow 
5 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 
10 Bank Swallow 
4 Cliff Swallow 
25 Barn Swallow 
4 Carolina Chickadee 
1 Tufted Titmouse 
4 Carolina Wren 
3 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 
1 American Robin 
5 Northern Mockingbird 
8 European Starling 
1 Yellow Warbler 
4 Northern Waterthrush 
3 Common Yellowthroat 
3 Yellow-breasted Chat 
2 Summer Tanager 
1 Eastern Towhee 
9 Northern Cardinal 
4 Blue Grosbeak 
11 Indigo Bunting 
4 Dickcissel 
5 Red-winged Blackbird 
1 Eastern Meadowlark 
25 Brown-headed Cowbird

 Nancy Menasco for Jeff Trahan

Sunday, 9:45 a.m.: Jeff Trahan asked me to post that there are Wood Storks at C. Bickham Dickson Park in Shreveport right now.  Go into the park and turn right before you get to the barn.  Go about 100 feet and the Wood Storks are in a dead tree on the left.

Nancy Menasco for Jeff Trahan

Terry Davis

Hi all, Jeff, Jean, Rosemary and I did the survey this morning.  Shorebirds were noticeably slower this survey although we had more Uplands and the Buff-breasted were the first here this time.  The Roseate Spoonbill was nice.  Alder Flycatchers, as noted below, are literally almost as thick as flies in suitable habitat along the Red River right now!  The best response is usually early, although oddly, that didn't seem to be their m.o. today.

61 species (+2 other taxa)

Blue-winged Teal 1 female/1st winter - fos here
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Snowy Egret 3
Little Blue Heron 16 60/40% ad/2y, a few 1y
Cattle Egret 98
White Ibis 40 7 juv/rest ad
Roseate Spoonbill 1 2y
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 6
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Semipalmated Plover 4 2 ad
Killdeer 25 most ad
Black-necked Stilt 22 "
Spotted Sandpiper 7 5 juv/ 2 ad
Solitary Sandpiper 15 4 by close observation appeared ad
Greater Yellowlegs 5 ad of those seen well
Lesser Yellowlegs 7 as GRYE
Upland Sandpiper 17
Least Sandpiper 60 very few imm/ rest ad
Pectoral Sandpiper 32 most seen well ad
peep sp. 2
Buff-breasted Sandpiper 2
Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitcher 2 1 ad, prob Long-billed, Jeff also had a possible short-billed
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
Mourning Dove 4
Inca Dove 3
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 7
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Eastern Wood-Pewee 1
Alder Flycatcher 18+ Lots of calling and singing from the larger gps, "pip" calls from gps of 1-2. Strangely, the earliest sizeable gp found on the rd on the way in responded only with "pip"-calls, buzzy "weeyer" (not as emphatic, slowly descending or sibilant as similar call of ACFL, with noticeably quick drop at end of call), rising then descending trill-calls and bickering calls but few songs. There were only 3 or 4 stops within suitable habitat where we didn't find them. There were 3 gps of 4 to almost certainly+. The last two gps of 4-+ found sometime between 10:15 and 10:30 responded with much "gree-bee-ya" songs and other calls but no doubt would have given "pip" calls only by this late if we hadn't played for them. I had halfway decent looks at two, among other briefly-seens during the day which appeared by narrow, whitish wingbars to be adult. Most were again furtive. The habitat was mix of green ash and drier along the rd going in. Most
gps were in riparian strips of black willow mix. I believe a thorough early to mid-morning survey of these riparian strips at Yates tract could produce 50 to possibly more indivs. They are thick in suitable habitat along the Red right now!
Willow Flycatcher 1 Indiv by the barn pond observed and giving wit-calls- also appeared to be worn adult
Great Crested Flycatcher 2
Eastern Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
Loggerhead Shrike 1
White-eyed Vireo 7
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 5
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 14
Barn Swallow 23
Cliff Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 10
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 4
Northern Mockingbird 6
European Starling 6
Common Yellowthroat 4 2 singing males, rest brief sightings or calls.
Yellow Warbler 1 flyby. One other possible
Yellow-breasted Chat 2 calling birds
Eastern Towhee 3 2 singing males and another calling bird in scrubby areas between the house and moist soil inpoundment. Until this survey, we had only been finding them along the northern edge in hackberry /green ash mix with tall grass.
Northern Cardinal 11
Blue Grosbeak 4 3 singing males, 1 by call
Indigo Bunting 15+ One semi-large gp of 8-10 birds including at least 3 adm near the farmhouse. Rest were scattered singing males or gps of 1-2 fem-type
Dickcissel 8 Most by call or fem-type, 2 adm seen
Red-winged Blackbird 4 fem-type
Common Grackle 5
Orchard Oriole 1 adm
House Finch 1 calls

Good birding,
Terry

Terry Davis

Hi all, Hubert and I had a rather productive day! Some misses/lows were quite puzzling as well......

Hubert and I birded the private property of Whitehouse Plantation at Elm Grove wed.  Hubert has found many amazing birds here over the many years he has been birding the location!!  He showed me a large area to the south of the usual route I'd been taking that proved excellent for passerines.  The location is also good for waterbirds during times of normal water levels.  It is comprised of numerous riparian, wooded stringers of vine-covered black willow, roughleaf dogwood and a large open field edging the oxbow and river to the south.  Alder Flycatcher had arrived en-masse., along with a few other notables such as the 3 Prairie Warblers, a probable hym American Redstart, and the large group of mostly hyTree Swallows, which were swirling, hawking insects over the large field.  The drought conditions were oppressing and the "big pond" is very low.  The small oxbow to the north of the pond was completely dry!

67 species (+1 other taxa)

Blue-winged Teal 2 female/1st winter. At the "big pond" fos
Double-crested Cormorant 1 1 juv, also 2 juv at Clark's Marina later, then 4 juv, 1 ad at Lock 5
Anhinga 3 fem-type
Great Blue Heron 8
Great Egret 35
Snowy Egret 10
Little Blue Heron 13 approx 60/40 2y/ad, couple of 1y
Tricolored Heron 5 2 ad, 3 hy
Cattle Egret 145
Green Heron 5 ad.
White Ibis 3 2 juv, 1 ad.
Turkey Vulture 5
Cooper's Hawk 1 ad., prob male.
Red-tailed Hawk 2 1 juv, 1 ad
Common Gallinule 2 by call on river.
Semipalmated Plover 4 2 ad, others too distant
Killdeer 96 fairly high no of hy observed, of those closely viewed
Black-necked Stilt 27 approx 80/20% ad/juv
Spotted Sandpiper 3 2 ad, 1 hy
Solitary Sandpiper 9 most seen well appeared ad
Greater Yellowlegs 5 ad
Lesser Yellowlegs 3 ad
Upland Sandpiper 5 probable ad.
Semipalmated Sandpiper 2 ad
Least Sandpiper 134 Observed first 10 imms I've seen this season. At least 60 were ad, rest distant.
Pectoral Sandpiper 3 fairly distant
peep sp. 20 very distant, probable least.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper 4 ad, foraging at close range over parched-dry pasture.
Wilson's Phalarope 1 50/50 juv/1st winter- Head, neck and body almost entirely basic, back darker brownish with distinct paler buff edges to feathers.
Least Tern 62 22 ad, 40 hy. An outstanding turnout for breeders along the Red River according to Hubert!
Forster's Tern 2 ad
Eurasian Collared-Dove 4
Mourning Dove 28
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1
Barred Owl 1 flushed from willow stringer
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2 fem-type
Belted Kingfisher 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Alder Flycatcher 14 Much calling and singing/ response to playback but furtive within willow stringers with brief views only as birds relocated. There were 4 birds at two separate locations and 1-3 at others.
Willow Flycatcher 1 The only closely-observed Empid of the day. Giving "wreet" wit calls, structure good and absolutely no discernable eyering- at riparian stringer in close proximity to two "pip"-ing Alder
Eastern Kingbird 23 gps of 1-4 birds
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 12 prs and 1 gp of 6 birds
Blue Jay 13
American Crow 4
Fish Crow 7
Purple Martin 18
Tree Swallow 26 nearly all hy
Barn Swallow 10 amazing miss today was Cliff. Not a single bird between here and the locks, either.
Carolina Chickadee 2
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 9
Northern Mockingbird 7
European Starling 35 hy
Common Yellowthroat 1 chip
American Redstart 1 briefly seen, prob hym
Yellow Warbler 6 four flybys, 2 adm
Prairie Warbler 3 1 by numerous chips, then gp of 2 hym/adf
Summer Tanager 1 calling
Northern Cardinal 16
Blue Grosbeak 1 by call. Suddenly absent.... The area should be crawling with them, especially the area to the south!.
Indigo Bunting 10 A few males, but mostly fem-type. A few flybys and most appeared on the move.
Dickcissel 2 calling flybys
Red-winged Blackbird 32 most females, a few males. Highest recent count!
Common Grackle 4
Brown-headed Cowbird 35
Orchard Oriole 3 by call
Baltimore Oriole 3 1m, 1f, 1c.

Good birding, y'all,
Terry

Phil Bradley

These are my observations from around my home today.  The Painted Bunting was a no show today, but I finally saw a Pine Warbler. Most of the birds were playing in the sprinkler and at the feeders.

 Phil Bradley

23 species

Turkey Vulture 5
Mississippi Kite 4
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
Mourning Dove 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 10
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 2
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 6
American Robin 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 2
Pine Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 3
Summer Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 14
Blue Grosbeak 1
House Finch 4

Hubert Hervey

BSG Members,

Aug 10th Terry Davis & I found 62 least terns at Blackie Snyder's White-house Lake.  The location is 2 miles south of Elm Grove, in Bossier Parish, and opposite MM 206.  This is the most least terns I have seen at one place on or near the Red River in several years.  They were composed of 22 adults and 40 juveniles of the year.  This ratio is high for our area.  The river level has been low, with no spikes in gauge readings since early June.  To me this means that the Red River population of endangered interior least terns has had a successful year.  These are birds that have fledged from colonies in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and north of Shreveport in Louisiana, along the Red River.  This location is a private ox-bow lake east of the river, and access is only with permission of the owner.

Hubert Hervey 

Phil Bradley

These are the observations I made around my house on Adams Rd. in Spring Ridge.  Most of the Eastern Bluebirds were first year ones.  The Painted Bunting has been a regular at my feeders for several weeks now; I don't know why I never see the female.  I haven't seen the female in two years.

Phil Bradley

Spring Ridge Adams Road, Caddo, US-LA
Aug 7, 2011 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Protocol: Stationary
26 species

Turkey Vulture 4
Mississippi Kite 4
Eurasian Collared-Dove 2
Mourning Dove 5
Chimney Swift 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 8
Eastern Phoebe 4
Eastern Kingbird 1
Blue Jay 6
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown-headed Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 2
Eastern Bluebird 10
American Robin 4
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 3
Chipping Sparrow 6
Summer Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 12
Blue Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting 6
Painted Bunting 1
House Finch 3
House Sparrow 2

Jeff Trahan

Terry Davis and I did a shorebird count at the Yates Tract of the Red River Refuge this morning.  Of course, we counted all of the other birds in addition to the shorebirds.  We were there for about 4 hours, counted 66 species, and saw many shorebirds.  The best shorebirds were Wilson's Phalarope (3), Willet (3), White-faced Ibis (1), Semi-palmated Plover (1), and Upland Sandpiper (1).  There were lots of Black-necked Stilts. 

The complete list is below.

1 Pied-billed Grebe 
1 Great Blue Heron 
6 Great Egret 
2 Snowy Egret 
16 Little Blue Heron 
159 Cattle Egret 
1 Green Heron 
88 White Ibis 
1 White-faced Ibis 
3 Black Vulture 
4 Turkey Vulture 
2 Red-tailed Hawk 
1 Semipalmated Plover 
10 Killdeer 
121 Black-necked Stilt 
12 Greater Yellowlegs 
50 Lesser Yellowlegs 
6 Solitary Sandpiper 
3 Willet 
6 Spotted Sandpiper 
1 Upland Sandpiper 
1 Western Sandpiper 
20 Least Sandpiper 
10 Pectoral Sandpiper 
6 Stilt Sandpiper 
4 Dowitcher species
3 Wilson's Phalarope 
2 Rock Pigeon 
5 Eurasian Collared-Dove 
4 Mourning Dove 
1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 
8 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 
3 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
3 Downy Woodpecker 
1 Northern Flicker 
4 Eastern Wood-Pewee 
1 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 
2 Least Flycatcher 
1 Eastern Kingbird 
1 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 
4 White-eyed Vireo 
1 Red-eyed Vireo 
9 Blue Jay 
3 American Crow 
1 Purple Martin 
25 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 
7 Barn Swallow 
3 Carolina Chickadee 
2 Tufted Titmouse 
7 Carolina Wren 
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 
9 Eastern Bluebird 
1 American Robin 
12 Northern Mockingbird 
10 European Starling 
4 Common Yellowthroat 
2 Yellow-breasted Chat 
14 Northern Cardinal 
7 Blue Grosbeak 
5 Indigo Bunting 
23 Dickcissel 
9 Red-winged Blackbird 
1 Common Grackle 
1 Orchard Oriole 
2 Baltimore Oriole 
4 House Sparrow 

Lily Poole

Yes, the female Dickcissel does appear to fit our mystery bird.

Thanks John

J

John Dillon

Lily,

Sounds like female Dickcissel.  At this time of year, their plumage is considerably worn, so they don't look at crisp as field guide images, but all the marks you mentioned fit well.  The habitat also makes sense.  Also, I've only seen females for the last few weeks.  Not sure where the males have gone, but it may be a pre-migration move.

John Dillon

Lily Poole

0745 went bird watching in the Dixie, LA area with Shirley & Pat L. Hot, cloudy to partly cloudy. 
U.S. Route 71, Ravendale Rd., Jct 538, left onto LA 3049 N, right onto George Rd., back to LA 3049, right onto Sentell Rd., just after Volentine Partnership/Soda Fount Plantation you come to the Lester Sloan lawn sod farm.

One of our species was uncommon to rare… White-winged Dove – 1

Large dove, small head, black streak on lower face, thin white line along the edge of the wing, square tail.

I took a couple of photos of the dove. 

Once again due to distance I had to take the photos by putting my camera up to my binoculars & shooting through the binoculars. 

I am attaching a photo with no enhancements, & a photo which was brightened so as to try & counteract the suns backlight.

For e-mail purposes I have reduced the file size of the photos, but if anyone would like I can send the original 860 KM files.

Great Egret -9 
Cattle Egret - 55
Black Vulture - 4
Mourning Dove - 11
White-winged Dove – 1, Large dove, small head, black streak on lower face, thin white line along the edge of the wing, square tail (George Rd)
Eastern Kingbird - 5
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - 9
Blue Jay - 1
American Crow - 3
Purple Martin - 40
Barn Swallow - 6 
Carolina Wren - 1
Eastern Bluebird - 4
Northern Mockingbird - 9
European Starling - 25
Lark Sparrow – 17 (tail had white corners, & there was a large dark spot in center of breast)
Northern Cardinal - 4
Indigo Bunting - 5
Red-winged Blackbird - 10
Eastern Meadowlark - 2
Brown-headed Cowbird - 50
Orchard Oriole - 6
House Finch – 12

We had an unknown species we actually saw in different locations…

The birds seen on Sentell Rd. were mixed in with Cowbirds & Red winged Blackbirds in a corn field with sunflowers bordering the field.

And the same species was seen at the Sod farm in an overgrown area with knee/waist high grains/weeds (also with cowbirds/blackbirds).

The bird’s back and top of head were brownish, breast was unstreaked pale yellow ending in white, their face had yellow above the eye (some of the birds had a yellow streak along the cheek area), bill was conical…

If you can identify the suspect/bird or have any additional information please contact…lol

J

Good Birding,
Lily

Lily Poole

FYI, 7/17/11 Paige Hudson, Jr., the photographer that took the photos of the Harlan’s or Krider’s Red-tailed Hawk, saw/photographed Roseate Spoonbills at the marshy area between I 49s Powhatan & Posey Road exits.

According to the, Chart of the Seasonal Occurrences of Birds in NW LA this would be an early date for July sightings of this uncommon species.

Paige’s wife also mentioned that they saw/photographed a Swallow-tailed Kite south of Natchitoches – this species is considered a vagrant.

If interested you can reach him @ 318-550-6866

Good Birding,
Lily

Clyde Massey

Hi BSGers and LABirders,

I had the day off today, so I went to RRNWR Headquarters Unit to do a little birding, mainly to see if the Bell's Vireos I saw several weeks ago were still around.  They weren't, but I did find 5 Eastern Towhees.  Also, this summer I've not been able to check on the progress of the Cooper's Hawks nesting in my yard since their nest has been obscured from view.  However, there are now 3 fledgelings in my back yard learning to fly, so they were successful this year. My list from today follows.

Red River National Wildlife Refuge, Headquarters Unit 6:00 to 9:00 am

Anhinga 12
Great Egret 14
Snowy Egret 2
Little Blue Heron 6
Great Blue Heron 2
Cattle Egret 1
Green Heron 7
Yellow-crowned Night Heron 2
White Ibis 26
Wood Duck 13
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Common Moorhen 9
Killdeer 2
Rock Dove 45
Mourning Dove 16
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-headed Woodpecker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Eastern Wood Pewee 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 3
White-eyed Vireo 5
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 5
Purple Martin 21
Barn Swallow 6
Rough-winged Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 8
Carolina Wren 3
American Robin 11
Northern Mockingbird 10
Brown Thrasher 6
Yellow-breasted Chat 4
Northern Parula Warbler 2
Cardinal 25
Indigo Bunting 16
Painted Bunting 4
Blue Grosbeak 2
Eastern Towhee 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 3
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Common Grackle 2
Orchard Oriole 1
House Sparrow 1

Good Birding!
Clyde

Velda Neilson

for  Rosemary Martin

Hello, birders!

Interesting tidbit from my neighbor!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rosemary Martin
Date: Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:34:45 
Subject: bird
To: Velda Neilson

Velda, today Terry was talking on the phone an looked out the front door and there was a Roadrunner on the front porch and he ran all around the yard before he went off down the road.  Terry got 2 pictures of him, but I can't download them to my computer.

Rosemary Martin

Velda Neilson

Hello, all!

Ya'll have been doing some great birding!  Thanks for the updates.

Once again God's world of nature has awed me!

Some of you may recall last year I reported a pair of Chimney Swifts building a nest with 4 eggs in a stack of 4' culverts into a shallow ground well that has never had a pump put in and remains open.  Well, the eggs never hatched.  I  figured they were too humid because we actually had rain an entire week after I found the nest.

I don't recall nor can I find any of my old emails that record the depths of the nest.  Seems last year's nest was 7' foot below the opening and 3' below the ground.  This year's nest is ?? 10' below opening and 7' below ground.

I found the nest and 4 eggs ?? 3 wks ago.  Forgot to record date.  On July 4th, the nest appeared all gray.  I could see the 2 adults hanging onto the side.  So I supposed the eggs had hatched!

After more looking in recent days I have never seen white eggs again - only gray.  Yesterday eve I heard lots of twittering and such from within the culvert.

Ah, today!  Looked down this morning and I thought there was a fuzzy house shoe stuck to the inside of the culvert!  Honest!  By now ya'll know I have a very vivid imagination!  I knew it was wasn't a snake.  Then I thought it was a squirrel.  Finally, my eyes adapted to the dim light.  I was seeing 4 Chimney Swifts lined across wing to wing!  They were so cute!  Pale gray and perfectly still!

I have yet to determine if the 4 swifts were 4 babies or Sam and Suzy and 2 babies!  Either way I am one blessed individual!  Such a joy are all the surprises God has for those who look at His world!

May God bless all and may God have mercy and bless America!
Velda

Phil Bradley

The following observations were make at my place in Spring Ridge.  There were a lot of fledglings in the count.  The Phoebe's are on their second hatch (I've only seen one in the nest with this second one, four in the first.)

Phil Bradley

29 species

Cattle Egret 8
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 7
Cooper's Hawk 4
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove 4
Mourning Dove 9
Chimney Swift 6
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 10
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 6
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 4
Purple Martin 22
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 6
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 1
Eastern Bluebird 5
American Robin 4
Northern Mockingbird 3
Chipping Sparrow 3
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 14
Painted Bunting 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 6
House Finch 4
House Sparrow 2

John Dillon 

I'm in Shreveport for the afternoon, and I just had a shrike fly across West 70th at I-49 and at least 30 Snowy Egrets in one of the concrete canals.  This is all in the Shreveport West quad (according to my GPS) which shows up gray (fewer than 5 hrs) on the newest quad map.  So, if some of you Shreveport birders are looking to cover a quad the last week of the Atlas (hint, hint), hit that spot.

 John Dillon

Lily Poole

In reviewing my bird list from yesterday’s trip I realized that 3 of our species were uncommon to rare… 

As on any field trip we had a BSG Checklist by Month http://www.birdstudygroup.org/SelectMoCheck.html but I really need to start carrying a copy of Jeff Trahan’s “Chart of the Seasonal Occurrences of Birds in Northwestern Louisiana”

All 3 species where located at the Lester Sloan lawn sod farm by the Volentine Partnership/Soda Fount Plantation.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck – 7 (red bill, black belly & tail, white in the wings, body & neck were reddish brown) we had a feeling the ducks were not common but since the ducks were too far for our cameras to photograph for field marks the attached photo was digiscoped from my Nikon 990 camera through my Zeiss binoculars.  These birds were located at the ‘stock pond’.

Upland Sandpiper - 2 (Small head w/ large, dark eyes, long, thin neck & long yellow legs.  The back and wings were a darker brownish gray and the belly was white.  Foraging in an uncut grassy segment by the lawn sod farm, this portion of the road was close to the cattle guard leading to the farms ‘stock pond’.  I’ve seen these species many years ago on a field trip led by Jim Ingold…those birds were found in a lawn sod farm that is south of Shreveport near Powhatan, LA

Possible Bachman's Sparrow – 1 (perched on fence by a grassy field near the ‘stock pond’, brown crown, streaked brown back, non-streaked breast, bird was singing)  We used my i-Bird Explorer South phone app http://www.ibirdexplorer.com to compare the songs of the 5 possible sparrow species found in NW LA in July.  Jason & I agreed that the song was that of a Bachman’s Sparrow.

On the other hand, Shirley had been to this same sod farm in May of this year & at that time she located 2 adult & 1 juvenile Grasshopper Sparrows.  Shirley’s birds were also located near the ‘stock pond’.  Shirley’s gist was that the sparrow we saw 7/8/11 was a Grasshopper’s.

Either species would be uncommon.

As a side note I did find this interesting article from the Cornell web site…http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/038/articles/introduction

“Historically most common in mature, open pine forests, for many years this species was called the Pine Woods Sparrow.  Most such mature forest has now been logged, however, so over much of its range this sparrow is now found in open habitats such as clearcuts and utility rights-of-way, where the grassy conditions that it prefers still exist.”

Might I add, that I hope when I’m 84 years of age I hope I’m half as sharp as Shirley is!

Good birding,
Lily

P.S. 7/9/11 Today Shirley & I went back to revisit the Sod Farm.  We stopped & spoke with Buster Netherton who informed us that they had 8 “Mexican Whistlers”, 2 Lesser White-fronted Geese (probably exotic.)  Mr. Netherton believes all these birds have been staying for the corn being put out for their other waterfowl & yes, they’d seen the sandpipers with the long necks.  Sparrows are not of much interest to hunters so Mr. Netherton hadn’t noticed the LBJ’s.

BTW, if you go be sure you do not open any of their cattle gates.  Shirley & I got to the ‘stock pond’ by taking the 1st ungated side road (the road had a cattle guard instead of a gate.)

Good birding,
Lily Poole

****************************************************

7/8/11, 0730 went bird watching in the Dixie, LA area with Shirley & Jason. 36 miles, 4 hours, 30 minutes, Hot, partly cloudy.

U.S. Route 71, Ravendale Rd., Jct 538, left onto LA 3049 N, right onto Sentell Rd.(trumpet vines), just after Volentine Partnership/Soda Fount Plantation you come to the Lester Sloan lawn sod farm (the land is also planted in cotton, sunflowers, & corn).  The sod farm has a large ‘stock pond’ for their cattle.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck – 7 (red bill, black belly & tail, white in the wings, body & neck were reddish brown)
Mallard - 10
Great Blue Heron - 1
Great Egret - 21
Little Blue Heron - 1
Cattle Egret - 55
Green Heron - 1
Blk-crowned Night Heron – 2 (Immature-stocky heron, brownish with streaks in the belly area. Bill mostly yellow w/a black tip.  In heavy shade on an island)
Black Vulture - 1
Turkey Vulture - 2
Mississippi Kite - 2
Killdeer - 8
Upland Sandpiper - 2 (Small head w/ large, dark eyes, long, thin neck & long yellow legs. The back and wings were a darker brownish gray and the belly was white.  Foraging at the lawn sod farm)
Rock Pigeon - 2
Eurasian Collared-Dove - 1
Mourning Dove - 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker - 3
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher - 7
Loggerhead Shrike - 1
Blue Jay - 2
American Crow - 2
Fish Crow - 1
Horned Lark – 1 (bold facial, & chin markings)
Purple Martin - 65
Barn Swallow - 24
Carolina Wren - 2
Eastern Bluebird - 3
Northern Mockingbird - 26
European Starling - 7
Bachman's Sparrow (poss.) 1 (perched on fence by grassy field, brown crown, streaked brown back, non-streaked breast, bird was singing)
Lark Sparrow – 2 (tail had white corners, & there was a large dark spot in center of breast)
Northern Cardinal - 2
Indigo Bunting - 5
Dickcissel - 19
Red-winged Blackbird - 3
Eastern Meadowlark - 5
Common Grackle - 13
Brown-headed Cowbird - 25
Orchard Oriole – 3 (1st year males)
House Finch - 1

Hubert Hervey 

Hi,

Pat and I visited the large purple martin colony located on Marshall Rd, 3 miles west of Longstreet on 4 July 2011.  38 poles loaded with multiple unit apartment and artificial gourd houses provide nesting sites for 451 pairs of martins.  The evening roost flight is over 1,000.  The owners are Robert Bozeman, and Steve Kroenke.  They also are responsible for establishing colonies of purple martins that you enjoy in several Shreveport and Bossier City locations.

Hubert

Jeff Trahan

Jean and I drove through Bickham Dickson Park his morning.  Since Jean broke her leg on June 4, we haven't been able to walk in the back of the park and for that matter, we can't walk in the front of the park either.  She won't be able to walk on her own for at least another three weeks.  So all the birds we saw were seen or heard from the car.  The list is quite ordinary.  What is missing however, are Baltimore Orioles and Eastern Bluebirds.  I think the orioles have probably finished nesting and and have quit singing.  I am sure they are still at the park because we have many of them coming to our hummingbird feeders to drink the sugar water and we live very near the park.  I have been filling the nectar feeders twice a day and it's not the hummingbirds draining the feeders.  It's mostly the orioles followed by House Finches.  Last week we had both a Bald Eagle and Anhingas neither of which we saw today.  We saw a total of 28 species. 
The complete list is below.

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport

7 Great Egret 
3 Snowy Egret 
11 Cattle Egret 
3 Green Heron 
2 White Ibis 
1 Black Vulture 
4 Turkey Vulture 
3 Mississippi Kite 
2 Killdeer 
1 Mourning Dove 
3 Red-headed Woodpecker 
3 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
2 Downy Woodpecker 
1 Northern Flicker 
1 Pileated Woodpecker 
8 Fish Crow 
25 Purple Martin 
20 Barn Swallow 
6 Carolina Chickadee 
4 Carolina Wren 
6 American Robin 
2 Northern Mockingbird 
10 European Starling 
3 Prothonotary Warbler 
8 Northern Cardinal 
4 Red-winged Blackbird 
11 Common Grackle 
6 Brown-headed Cowbird 

Paul Dickson

Hubert, BSG,

I have seen a pair at the original colonization site at the corner of Leonard Rd. and Hwy. 1 also.  I haven’t looked for the nest but I see one or both birds on the wire there frequently.

Paul

Hubert Hervey

BSG Members,

There is a pair of nesting Western Kingbirds at the Shreveport Lucas Wastewater treatment plant.  The female was on the nest, the male on nearby electric wires.  To see: Park outside the fence and near the vacant guardhouse.  Three tall light poles in close proximity to each other are located to the NE.  The nest is on the right-most pole, on a support bracket for the electric transformers and connectors.  The hen is easily seen on the nest from this vantage point.

Hubert Hervey

Phil Bradley

Hi All,

For those who like to see Great-tailed Grackles, you can watch them in the pecan trees in a grassy field east of Willis Knighton Bossier about 1/4 mile west of Airline.  I saw four of them at 7 P.M. on June 5th.

Phil Bradley

Clyde Massey

Hi BSGers,

This morning I went with my son and my dog to RRNWR Headquarters unit for a little outing.  Aside from the usual breeding birds, we did have one interesting find.  Had at least 3 singing Bell's Vireos in the Chickasaw Plum thicket on the west side of the road past the levee.  One of them responded to a playback from my iphone.  May be something to keep an eye on.

Good Birding,
Clyde

Bill Wood

To all,

Just saw a male and female Great-tailed Grackle in the parking lot in front of the Wild Bird Center on Youree Drive.

As always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

Jeff Trahan

Jean and I went to Bickham Dickson Park this morning (Sunday) with two of our grandchildren.  The park is closed to vehicles so we had to walk in.  The water has gone down somewhat from its high point so most of the roads in the front of the park are free of water.  If you are thinking of going into the back of the park, you should bring your boots.  We stayed in the front of the park.  There were quite a few shorebirds at the edge of the water near the boat launch.  We saw Western, Semipalmated, Pectoral, Spotted (12) and Least Sandpipers.  There were also two Black-necked Stilts near the boat launch which is unusual for the park.  In the willow trees along the water we saw 2 Yellow Warblers, 2 Black-throated Green Warblers, 4 Prothonatory Warblers and a Yellow-breasted Chat.  Birding was fairly good.  We saw a total of 52 species and our two grand-kids had a great time wading in the water with their boots.  They can even identify some of the birds.  The complete list is below.

2 Wood Duck 
32 Mallard 
8 Blue-winged Teal 
2 Anhinga 
6 Great Egret 
4 Snowy Egret 
9 Little Blue Heron 
4 Cattle Egret 
6 Green Heron 
4 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 
2 Black Vulture 
3 Turkey Vulture 
2 Mississippi Kite 
2 Red-tailed Hawk 
2 Killdeer 
2 Black-necked Stilt 
12 Spotted Sandpiper 
5 Semipalmated Sandpiper 
3 Western Sandpiper 
5 Least Sandpiper 
5 Pectoral Sandpiper 
5 Mourning Dove 
3 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 
5 Chimney Swift 
1 Belted Kingfisher 
2 Red-headed Woodpecker 
3 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
2 Downy Woodpecker 
1 Northern Flicker 
1 Pileated Woodpecker 
2 Great Crested Flycatcher 
1 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 
2 Blue Jay 
8 Fish Crow 
20 Purple Martin 
7 Cliff Swallow 
20 Barn Swallow 
4 Carolina Chickadee 
3 Tufted Titmouse 
3 Eastern Bluebird 
15 American Robin 
1 Northern Mockingbird 
2 European Starling 
10 Cedar Waxwing 
2 Yellow Warbler 
2 Black-throated Green Warbler 
4 Prothonotary Warbler 
1 Yellow-breasted Chat 
5 Northern Cardinal 
12 Common Grackle 
1 Brown-headed Cowbird 
8 Baltimore Oriole

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport

Terry Davis

Birdalert members,

Justin and Devin Bosler and I enjoyed an extremely productive day in Caddo and Bossier parishes while birding the NAMC.  We began at Stoner boat launch where we lagged a little later than we'd wanted before heading to Cane's Landing.  After that we stopped by the house to add WWDO on the way to Whitehouse Plantation in Elm Grove.  Leaving there we birded Clark's Marina, then did a quick run down Atkins/Clark and finally ending the day at Cooterville and Lock # 5.  We tallied 123 ssp although we never made it to the uplands.  We had some notable misses such as BLUE GROSBEAK and Mississippi Kite among others.  However, we more than made up for the deficit by finding:

1. Mallard- 2 male and female of probable wild origin at Clark's
2. BLUE-WINGED TEAL- 139!! 135 and 4 at Whitehouse and Clark's respectively- 80% males.
3. Northern Shoveler- 3 = 2m, 1f at Clark's
4. CANVASBACK- 2 f at Clark's
5. Ring-necked Duck- 3 = 2m, 1f- also 3 other Aythya spp at extremely bad light angle for viewing.
6. Hooded Merganser- 1f at Cooterville- approx 2 miles n of lock 5.
7. American White Pelican- 250- Clark's
8. NEOTROPIC CORMORANT- 1 sy at Cooterville. An adult Little Blue watched for 10 minutes trying to swallow a 3.5"-4" (snout to vent length approx) and fat american bullfrog it had captured was downright hilarious!
9. Double-crested "- 3 = 2 imm at Whitehouse, 1 ad Clark's
10. Common Moorhen- 4, Clark's.
11. Am. Coot- 1 Clark's
12. HUSONIAN GODWIT- 1 male. Whitehouse.
13. Wilson's Phalarope- 6- mostly/all males.
14. Black Tern- 3 ad
15. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO- 1 indiv observed at very close range in the E woods cherry laurel thicket. The red orbital ring appeared very broad in comparison to other indivs I've seen in the past.
16. Alder Flycatcher- 1 by multiple songs in the spoil piles just n of the dropoff at Cane's
17. Willow Flycatcher- 4. 2 males in the willows just se of the Cassin's (former WIFL breeding loc), then 1 m, 1 silent prob f. at the Cassin's locality.
18. Yellow-throated Vireo- 2 = getting late for migs, 1 at Stoner, 1 Cane's. Also 3 Philadelphia Vireo (Stoner, 2 cane's). Tried without success at several good-looking areas for BEVI.
19. Veery- 2 Stoner
20. Gray-cheeked Thrush- 1 by song at Stoner.
21. CEDAR WAXWING- 375 TO 400+ at Cane's !!
22. Mourning Warbler- 2 to 3 adm at Stoner.
23. Wilson's Warbler- 1 eastern-type prob adm at Stoner. 
24. Canada Warbler- 1 male by multiple song (fos) in cherry laurel thicket just e of central opening at Stoner. We also had an adult male Blackburnian, 8 or so mostly f Tewa, several Bay-breasted Wa. (50/50), decent movement of mostly male B-t Green (Stoner/Cane's) and a fem Black-and-White among a few others.
25. Scarlet Tanager- 1 f Stoner. I'd had a 2ym near LSU hospital a ccouple of days ago which was fos for me.

26. CASSIN'S SPARROW- 2 males. We first heard song near the dropoff which is 300+ yds s of the location, against a fairly brisk n wind. After arriving, we lingered at the locality observing th Cassin's for approx 25-30 minutes. During that time the male Cassin's sang 75 to + times and skylarked several times- but skylarking much less frequently than on previous occasions with exception of one aforementioned and hot afternoon. After we'd been listening for several minutes, we heard another male singing approx a little less than 100 yds to the east of the first bird, toward the bare dirt and rock spoil piles on the northeastern end of the ragweed thicket. This bird was heard singing 8 times, 3 of which were simultaneous or nearly so with the first bird- and is MOST DEFINITELY ANOTHER SINGING INDIV CASSIN'S SPARROW! I am also 95% certain I had a brief look at this bird relocating after waiting near where the song was originating. This bird is possibly a younger male- with certainty, showing less activity/ territoriality than the first. Hey Matt, our suspicions were definitely correct! Justin obtained photos of the prominent male during the observation.

27. Grasshopper Sparrow- 4 males, Cane's
28. Lincoln's Sparrow- 3 Cane's. Justin obtained photos of 1.

Had a great time birding with you guys! Here's hoping all other NAMC participants had a good day as well!

Terry 

Ingold, James

I had a flock of 43 at the end of the main road at the sod farm on Sentell Rd. today during the NAMC.  Also the female Yellow-headed Blackbird is still at the near pond at the cow shed.  A Black-bellied Whistling Duck was standing at the edge of the pond just west of the cow shed.

Jim Ingold

Velda Neilson

Hello, Birders!

Guys! Thanks for finding the Cassin's and Grasshopper Sparrows!  Awesome! Terry, I appreciate the advised discretion of using tapes.

Went to L&D 4 yesterday via Mansfield, Jordan Ferry, #4, Hanna, by the Dolet Hills Power Plant and back thru Mansfield to Lula.  Twas a great birdy day!

Highlight for myself was the female Least Bittern at #4.  Haven't seen one in at least 10 years!  Also, the gorgeous male Baltimore/Bullock's hybrid!  Um!!  Neighbor's was the male Pained Bunting!

Had lots of E. Kingbirds and singing Dickcissels.  Lone W. Pelican at the dam.  Good views of male and female Blue Grosbeaks.

Trip originated to see hopeful Bobolinks that we usually get there in the riverbottoms.  But must of been a day past their window as we saw none!  We didn't see nor hear a single tanager.  Haven't heard at home, either.

Had a total trip list of 51 species.  Got home and added 9 more for a day total of 60.  Fun and blessed!

Wed. of this week my bird pond was surprising!  At one time bathing were a male Indigo Bunting, Field Sparrow, female Cardinal and male Hooded Warbler!!!  What a picture!  Same day bird pond guested a male B & W Warber, Gray Catbird plus more.  The yard and feeders had usual plus a female Black-chinned Hummer, female Rose-breasted Grosbeak and a surprising single Pine Siskin in brand new feathers/breeding plummage!  Had a total of 26 species in yard that day without hunting more!  Plus the curious little Flying Squirrel hanging out the bluebird box they have occupied for at least 3 years now!  They love the hanging sunflower basket feeder!  And remember the catbirds love grapes and ripe bananas in the fruit basket!

Tonight I will walk in the Cancer Society's Relay for Life as a cancer survivor times two.  I praise the Lord for this privilege!

Enjoy all the birds the Lord has blessed us with!  He and His world are awesome!

Love and blessings to all,
Velda

Terry Davis

Hi all, I'm glad I drove in and spoke to with Rocky with H and H today.  I have not talked to him for at least a year or more.  Evidently the land where the Cassin's Sparrow is being seen does not belong to H and H now- so it would be best that no one bothers them or their operations.  The city property just to the n can be traversed walking from the gravel parking lot on the north side of Bass pro.  If one is facing the building, this parking lot lies on the right side.  The field is on the right side of the parking lot Cross the ditch to the mown part of the field parallel to the slope into the wooded strip along the river.  Walk along the dirt road approx .4 miles across the field along this edge and you'll get to some large concrete footings/pylons.  The Cassin's Sparrow should be easily/closely seen skylarking from there.  The property just past this where the sparrow displays is private.  I do not know who owns it.

Do not exit at I-20 onto Traffic St.  Traffic St is blocked between Barksdale Blvd and E Texas St (hwy 80) The locality is reached easiest by going north on Spring St off of I-20 near downtown Shreveport, then turning right (e) and crossing the Red River at the Texas St bridge.  Bass Pro parking lot is at the foot of the bridge on the n side as as soon as you cross the bridge into Bossier.  However, you cannot turn left going eastbound.  Go to the next light at Traffic St and make a left.  Turn left again on the 1st or 2nd street to the left.  You cannot get lost as you are within a few hundred yard of the parking lot.  I'm thinking there is a short street between there and the turn but possibly not.

Please do not use playback to entice the sparrow in.  I suspect this is what led to the disappearance of the last bird.  The recent bird becomes very agitated when playback is used.  I suspect this may have had something to do with the disappearance of the Viking Drive bird in 08.  Back during that time we were conservative about it.  However, the last time I saw that indiv was after a short bout of taping to draw the bird in for a photo.  During that last time it behaved differently, appeared to give up the fight and sat low in a rung of the cyclone fence chipping softly- looking submissive, disheveled and beaten.

Hubert and I began at 6:20 birding our way toward the Cassin's and found it easily around 7:30 a.m.  We used zero playback today.  We watched on and off for 30 minutes or so as it skylarked or sang every 40 seconds or so with a few breaks.  It also sang while perched in or atop the 3-4' giant ragweed.  This individual seems slightly redder than the previous bird, especially in the crown.  The faint streaking below seems less distinct.  It also has more of a random pattern to landings after song flights than the Viking bird- continuing on forward at the top of the arc before fluttering down slowly into the weeds and landing somewhat at random within a 75 to 100 yard area- again, mostly along the slope where the ragweed meets the willow saplings.  You will not be able to see the willow saplings from the viewing point.  The bird also occasionally flies toward the rd (which is just on the other side of the pylons) and lands there.  We were within 20-30 feet of it on several occasions and it did not appear to resent the intrusion.  The awesome li'l dude almost appeared to be showing off!  (-:

Overall avian biomass was staggering today.  It was the best warbler day I've ever had at Cane's Landing.  There were lots of E Wood-Pewee. 2 adult male Mourning Warblers were best birds along with 4 Ovenbird, 6 or so adult male Blackburnian Warblers + other suspecteds and PILES of adult male Common Yellowthroat.  We had a very high count of 17 Warbling Vireo.  We missed the Clay-coloreds but still tallied an amazing 17 Lincoln's Sparrows (singing and flushing everywhere), 7 Grasshopper, 9 Savannah and a single Swamp Sparrows.  Singing birds heard near and simultaneously with the Cassin's were 2 Willow Flycatcher, 2 Marsh Wren, 1 Sedge and 2-3 Lincoln's.  I will try to post our list by Sunday.  Aside from a few such as pewees and Blackburnian, a big part of the assemblage today seemed more 3rd to mid-last-week April than May 4th.

Charlie Lyon and I birded Stoner the day before and had a pretty good movement of Bank Swallow, excellent push of E Wood-Pewee, Northern Waterthrush, Warbling Vireo, Magnolia Warbler and American Redstart and a single and obliging Ovenbird.  Catharus thrushes were low as today with a single SWTH both days.  We have not had a good push of thrushes yet, although it has to've been nearly two weeks ago when two SWTH were singing simult in a yard in Highland.  More later,

(318) 934-2133

Terry 

Rosemary Seidler

Terry Davis just called to report that the Cassin's Sparrow is still present and singing at Cane's Landing in Bossier City.  Terry and Hubert Hervey also had singing Grasshopper Sparrows as well as Marsh and Sedge Wrens.

Rosemary Seidler for Terry Davis
Shreveport

Jeff Trahan

Terry Davis found a Cassin's Sparrow Sunday at Cane's Landing in Bossier City.  This is the second state record of this species.  Terry found the first state record May 10, 2008 on Viking Drive in Bossier City. I  have attached a photo that I took of this bird.

Jeff Trahan

Phil Bradley

Location: Spring Ridge Adams Road
Observation date: 5/1/11
Notes: The Goldfinch was a very weak female.  I had to pick her up and place her in some bushes on the ground to keep from hitting her with my lawn mower!  The Pine Siskins seem happy to be here at my feeders.

Number of species: 33

Cattle Egret 6
Black Vulture 5
Turkey Vulture 4
Cooper's Hawk 2
Mourning Dove 3
Chimney Swift 8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 3
Eastern Kingbird 2
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 4
Purple Martin 12
Barn Swallow 4
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 2
Eastern Bluebird 4
American Robin 5
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 6
Chipping Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 8
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 6
Blue Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 3
House Finch 6
Pine Siskin 5
American Goldfinch 1
House Sparrow 24

Jeff Trahan

Charlie Lyon and I spent the morning at Stoner Woods.  The migrants were not dripping from the trees as I have sometimes seen it, but there were plenty of birds there early in the morning.  We saw a total of 12 species of warbler including 14 Nashville Warblers and 26 Tennessee Warblers.  I have never before see that many Nashville Warblers in one day.  There were lots of Warbling Vireos, Baltimore Orioles and Orchard Orioles.  Also there is a pair of Northern Rough-winged Swallows tending a nest built into in the mud bank next to the river at the south end of the boat launch.  We also watched a Bald Eagle catch a fish from the river and then go to a tree and dine.  The complete list is below.

Jeff Trahan

11 Wood Duck 
2 Great Blue Heron 
16 Great Egret 
1 Snowy Egret 
1 Little Blue Heron 
3 Cattle Egret 
2 Green Heron 
2 Turkey Vulture 
1 Mississippi Kite 
1 Bald Eagle 
2 Killdeer 
1 Spotted Sandpiper 
2 Rock Pigeon 
3 Mourning Dove 
2 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 
1 Chimney Swift 
2 Belted Kingfisher 
7 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
1 Downy Woodpecker 
2 Northern Flicker 
3 Eastern Wood-Pewee 
3 Great Crested Flycatcher 
1 Eastern Kingbird 
2 White-eyed Vireo 
10 Warbling Vireo 
5 Philadelphia Vireo 
5 Red-eyed Vireo 
4 Blue Jay 
3 Fish Crow 
5 Purple Martin 
2 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 
14 Cliff Swallow 
4 Barn Swallow 
10 Carolina Chickadee 
6 Tufted Titmouse 
7 Carolina Wren 
1 Swainson's Thrush 
2 Wood Thrush 
12 American Robin 
14 Gray Catbird 
2 Northern Mockingbird 
6 European Starling 
30 Cedar Waxwing 
26 Tennessee Warbler 
14 Nashville Warbler 
1 Yellow Warbler 
1 Chestnut-sided Warbler 
5 Magnolia Warbler 
18 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
3 Black-throated Green Warbler 
1 Bay-breasted Warbler 
4 Black-and-white Warbler 
1 American Redstart 
3 Common Yellowthroat 
1 Hooded Warbler 
2 Summer Tanager 
18 Northern Cardinal 
4 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 
2 Indigo Bunting 
30 Common Grackle 
8 Brown-headed Cowbird 
9 Orchard Oriole 
36 Baltimore Oriole 
2 House Finch 

Since it rained last night, I thought it might be a good idea to go to Bickham Dickson Park to see migrants.  There were a few migrants and I saw a total of 45 species.  The entire list is at the end of this email.  I think the best of the migrants was a flock of 6 Caspian Terns.  I watched them fly to the park from the river, fly above the lake occasionally feeding by diving into the water.  They remained for about 15 minutes and then returned to the river.  I have attached a photo of one of them.  The warbler migrants were scarce, but I saw several in the willow trees in the back of the park. The best was a Nashville Warbler.

Jeff Trahan

14 Wood Duck 
2 Mallard 
35 Blue-winged Teal 
2 Great Blue Heron 
5 Great Egret 
6 Cattle Egret 
2 Green Heron 
2 Black Vulture 
1 Mississippi Kite 
1 Broad-winged Hawk 
2 Killdeer 
3 Spotted Sandpiper 
1 Least Sandpiper 
2 Pectoral Sandpiper 
6 Caspian Tern 
8 Mourning Dove 
7 Chimney Swift 
10 Red-headed Woodpecker 
8 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
2 Northern Flicker 
2 Pileated Woodpecker 
1 Great Crested Flycatcher 
1 Eastern Kingbird 
6 White-eyed Vireo 
5 Blue Jay 
1 Fish Crow 
10 Purple Martin 
7 Barn Swallow 
2 Carolina Chickadee 
8 Tufted Titmouse 
7 Carolina Wren 
1 Eastern Bluebird 
3 American Robin 
4 Northern Mockingbird 
8 European Starling 
2 Tennessee Warbler 
1 Nashville Warbler 
1 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
1 Black-and-white Warbler 
2 Common Yellowthroat 
12 Northern Cardinal 
9 Indigo Bunting 
2 Red-winged Blackbird 
5 Common Grackle 
5 Brown-headed Cowbird 
4 Baltimore Oriole 

Clyde Massey

Hi BSGers,

Heard a Hooded Warbler in the yard this morning as I was leaving for work.  Also the Cooper's Hawks are back working on a nest.  Appears like they may be using one of the old nests this year.

Good Birding,
Clyde
Shreveport, LA

Hubert Hervey

BSG Members,

Sunday 17 Apr 11, Terry Davis and I went up Old River Rd north of Shreveport.  We had 161 Swainson's Hawks in the 8 or 10 miles south of Mission Plantation.  Wherever dust was blowing from tractors plowing the hawks were there, following the plow, much as Cattle Egrets follow mowing machines.  They were catching flying insects, and searching for white grubs of various beetle sp.  Some were arriving, some kettlling, others leaving as the PM progressed.  Time was from 1 to after 2, skies clear, winds to near 20 mph at times.  The conditions to look for a massing of Swainson's apparently work like this.  Winds from the SW to W for a couple of days as front approaches, then changing to NW and N.  This grounds the birds.  They then stay until winds change to SE or S, perhaps continuing to feed for another day until they feel ready for the next jump in the migration toward nesting territories.  We had some Swainson's in dark, medium and mostly light phases, adult and younger.

We also had Bewicks Wren, Clay colored Sparrow, Yellow-headed Blackbird M, Grasshopper Sparrow, Upland Sandpipers, and Golden Plovers. About 70 sp in all.

Hubert

Dennis Forshee

John McBride reported 42 Swainson's Hawks at Sentell Road today.

We also had Orioles back at CB Dickson park this morning.

Dennis Forshee
Shreveport

Michael E. Matthews

Yesterday evening, about 6:30 PM, I saw a male Yellow-crowned Night-Heron and a juvenile of the same species eating crayfish out of a roadside ditch on the corner of Professional Drive South and East Bert Kouns.  The ditch is directly across the Raceway Gas Station.

Michael E. Matthews 
Natchitoches, LA
matthewsm(at)nsula(dot)edu

Jerry Bertrand 

for Deborah Slaughter

I took pictures with my digital camera until the battery died.  I had no idea that I had both eagles in the picture.  All I missed was the baby who is absolutely there based on the behavior of the Mom and Dad.  They swooped and squawked at me the entire time I was 150 feet from there tree.

What a great thing to happen on April 10th. 

Deborah Slaughter
Shreveport

Jeff Trahan

The woods were very quiet at Bickham Dickson Park this morning.  The woods are always rather quiet for me because I can't hear the high pitched songs of the birds very well.  Jean told me that it was quiet.  In April we go to the park hoping to find migrants, but today wasn't the day.  We only had one warbler species that was a migrant for the park--that was the Northern Parula and Jean heard it.  I never got to see it.  I played the owl tape several times, but it attracted not one species to the vicinity of the tape.  Even so, I always enjoy the walk in the park.  We saw a total of 39 species. The complete list is below.

Jeff Trahan

1 Wood Duck 
1 American Wigeon 
8 Blue-winged Teal 
2 Pied-billed Grebe 
1 Great Blue Heron 
2 Great Egret 
1 Snowy Egret 
5 Black Vulture 
3 Turkey Vulture 
12 American Coot 
1 Killdeer 
1 Spotted Sandpiper 
8 Mourning Dove 
2 Belted Kingfisher 
5 Red-headed Woodpecker 
3 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
1 Downy Woodpecker 
5 Northern Flicker 
2 Pileated Woodpecker 
6 White-eyed Vireo 
10 Blue Jay 
4 Fish Crow 
20 Purple Martin 
8 Barn Swallow 
4 Carolina Chickadee 
2 Tufted Titmouse 
4 Carolina Wren 
1 Eastern Bluebird 
3 Northern Mockingbird 
2 European Starling 
8 Cedar Waxwing 
1 Northern Parula 
7 Savannah Sparrow 
1 White-throated Sparrow 
12 Northern Cardinal 
1 Indigo Bunting 
7 Red-winged Blackbird 
4 Common Grackle 
1 Brown-headed Cowbird 

Dennis Forshee

Had 3 Scissor-tailed Flycatchers behind Penny's on East Kings yesterday. My loan hummer hit the road.

Dennis Forshee
Shreveport

Anita W. Goodson

Woke up to my 1st male blue bunting for this year.  Single male Blue Grosbeak still feeding.  Enjoying White-Throated Sparrows before they leave our area.

Anita Goodson

Anita's Art Glass
100 Blondie's Way
Heflin, La. 71039
Anita W. Goodson, owner
BlondiesBulldog(at)aol(dot)com

Bill Wood

A few new migrants this afternoon including FOS Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Chimney Swift.  Continue to see a Lincoln's Sparrow almost daily for the past 2 weeks.  Also saw FOS Cliff Swallows at I-49 and Southern Loop.

Mourning Dove 12
Chimney Swift 8
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 2
Purple Martin 2
Cliff Swallow 3
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 3
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 3
Northern Mockingbird 4
Common Yellowthroat 1
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Chipping Sparrow 4
Lincoln's Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 12
Northern Cardinal 22
Indigo Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 15
Common Grackle 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 20
House Finch 3
American Goldfinch 5
House Sparrow 2

As always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

Anita W. Goodson

Today I have seen a male Blue Grosbeak feeding @ my backyard feeder.  I live in the woods 4 miles from Heflin, La.

Anita Goodson

Anita's Art Glass
100 Blondie's Way
Heflin, La. 71039
Anita W. Goodson, owner
BlondiesBulldog(at)aol(dot)com

Phil Bradley

Hi All,

Just wanted to let y'all know that the Indigo Buntings have arrived in Spring Ridge.  Had a young male and two females at my feeders.  I also have lots of Ruby Throated Hummingbirds.  The male hummers are performing a really cool dance for the females.  They look like little pendulums swinging back and forth right in front of the females.

Phil Bradley
Spring Ridge, LA

Bill Wood

To all,

Saw a single Indigo Bunting this morning and a single Broad-winged Hawk this afternoon. 

As always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

Clyde Massey

BSGers,

Sunday morning I took my dog for a romp at RRNWR-HQ unit.  Not many migrants, but a few things around.  Very windy.  Highlights below.  Also had Parulas singing in my yard later that afternoon.

Great Blue Heron 1
Green Heron 1
Snowy Egret 3
Wood Duck 4
Gadwall 12
Northern Shoveler 2
Blue-winged Teal 4
Turkey Vulture 1
Solitary Sandpiper 1
Killdeer 2
Mourning Dove 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 6
Purple Martin 6
Swallow sp (far out over the lake)
Barn Swallow 4
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4 (singing)
Northern Mockingbird 4
Starling 8
Northern Cardinal 7
White-throated Sparrow 15
Lincoln's Sparrow 6
Red-winged Blackbird 5
American Goldfinch 2

Good Birding,
Clyde

Dennis Forshee

Spring has sprung!  Had Northern Rough-wing Swallows looking for a nest site out back.  Chimney Swifts out front this morning.  Lesser yellow legs behind Sam's Club this morning and a hawk with a kill, a frog, at the same location.
Fun!

Dennis Forshee/Wild Bird Center
Shreveport

Hubert Hervey

BSG Members,

I had 65 or 70 Upland Sandpipers, halfway down Robinson Rd this afternoon, Apr 1.  This is in SE Caddo Parish, south of Caspiana.  They were feeding in the emerging corn field south of Robinson Rd, and also flying over the plowed land just to the SE of the corn.  Always fun to see so many flying in formation and so vocal.

Hubert
Stonewall, LA

Terry Davis

Labirders,

A male N Parula has been singing in the live oaks on Audubon just s of Dixie Gardens Dr for the past 3 days- somewhat typical of the species with migrants lingering for a few days before moving on.  A Brown Creeper put in a brief showing there yesterday on 3-28.  2-3 male Black-and-White Warblers sang on and off in/near Vicky LeFevers yard today, 3-29. A single Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and a flyby calling Chipping Sparrow were the only other migrants in Vicky's yard.  I've been noting 3-5 adult Little Blue Heron overhead since Fri 3-25.  Vicky reported seeing a Cooper's Hawk recently in one of the large trees near her back yard.

Terry

Bill Wood

To all,

Spotted the great-tailed grackle after leaving the WBC on Youree Drive.  It was flying over the Crispy Cream donut shop.

Sent from my iPod,

As always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

Bill Wood

To all,

A morning walk out back produced two new yard birds, both sparrows. Had single 
Lincoln's and Swamp Sparrow foraging in a overgrown blackberry patch. Also saw 
White-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Wood Duck pair, and the return of American 
Goldfinches. 

Wood Duck
A morning walk out back produced two new yard birds, both sparrows. Had single 
Lincoln's and Swamp Sparrow. Also saw White-eyed Vireo, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Wood 
Duck pair, and the return of American Goldfinches. Complete list follows.

Great Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 2
Mourning Dove 12
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
White-eyed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 3
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 2
American Robin 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
Pine Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 6
Lincoln's Sparrow 1
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 10
Northern Cardinal 20
Red-winged Blackbird 26
Brown-headed Cowbird 7
House Finch 2
-----------------------
sent via birdcountr from my iPod,

As always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

Jim Ingold

Last summer at least 2 nests were found for Great-tailed Grackles in the city limits of Shreveport at the Sam's gas station.  Coming home from lunch today I saw one of the males.  He flew from the same area the nests were in last year across the 4 lanes of Youree Drive and south into a small live oak in front of the Longhorn Steak House.

I wonder how long it will take until we have a large regular population like in Dallas?

Jim Ingold

Bill Wood

To all,

Brief walk out back in the woods this evening.

Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Mourning Dove 7
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
White-eyed Vireo 2 FOS
Blue Jay 1
Carolina Chickadee 2
Carolina Wren 1
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
Chipping Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 9
Northern Cardinal 21
Red-winged Blackbird 12
Brown-headed Cowbird 20
House Finch 2
-----------------------
sent via birdcountr
Sent from my iPod,

As always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

Bill Wood

As always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

Location: Barron Road Yard, Keithville, LA
Observation date: 3/15/11
Number of species: 31

Wood Duck 2
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 6
Turkey Vulture 5
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 9
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 4
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 4
Brown Thrasher 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 1
Pine Warbler 2
Black-and-white Warbler 1
Chipping Sparrow 6
Field Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 12
Northern Cardinal 22
Red-winged Blackbird 45
Common Grackle 3
Brown-headed Cowbird 5
House Finch 4

Lily Poole 

A photography friend of mine has taken some photos of a ‘white’ hawk in the Ashley Ridge shopping center area (~ Bayou Pierre & LA 3132)

I’ve attached scanned copies of a ‘top’ & ‘bottom’ view of the hawk.
The photographers’ name is, Paige Hudson, Jr. & if interested you can reach him @ 318-550-6866
He had taken quite a few photos, some of which showed the hawk soaring w/a red-tailed hawk = similar size.

Good Birding,
Lily

Dennis Forshee

Joyce Grigsby reported purple martins yesterday, Feb 10 at the Haven subdivision, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA.

Dennis Forshee
WBC/Shreveport

Paul Dickson

Labird.

The BCBCBC was held on Jan. 2 and tallied 124 species.  The list portrays a cold winter in northwest Louisiana but one with little snow or ice in areas to the north.  Coastal wintering aquatic species were mostly missing as were snow driven great plains wintering species.  What was found were the typical winter residents with a record high count for of Eurasian Collard Dove, Winter Wren, Fox Sparrow and Great-tailed Grackle.  An immature Golden Eagle was seen the day before the count but could not be found on count day.  Other interesting finds were Caspian Tern, Palm Warbler, Vermillion Flycatcher.

Paul Dickson

Hubert Hervey

Observation date: 1/2/11
Notes: BCBCBC, 2 Jan 11, With Bill Hall in AM, Snyder and Moore farms, Elm Grove and Oil Field Rd to McDade LA.  Close attn. given to Dowitchers with many pics taken, some vg, and sending to compiler.  I now lean toward LB Dowitcher and reported them as such.  The BAEA was 3rd year, the Vermilion FC was adult male.  All above mentioned sp. at Snyders.  The Merlin put on good show late hunting over Horned Lark and Am Pipit ag. fields.
Weather 25 to 49 degrees, clear, light wind, 11 hours. 

Number of species: 74

Snow Goose 4
Canada Goose 5
Gadwall 109
American Wigeon 18
Mallard 7
Northern Shoveler 26
Green-winged Teal 218
Ring-necked Duck 2
Lesser Scaup 2
Pied-billed Grebe 6
American White Pelican 70
Double-crested Cormorant 530
Great Blue Heron 11
Great Egret 31
Black Vulture 1
Turkey Vulture 4
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 1
Red-tailed Hawk 12
American Kestrel 5
Merlin 1
American Coot 401
Killdeer 57
Spotted Sandpiper 3
Greater Yellowlegs 16
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Least Sandpiper 69
Long-billed Dowitcher 6
Wilson's Snipe 20
Ring-billed Gull 21
Caspian Tern 1
Forster's Tern 4
Rock Pigeon 8
Eurasian Collared-Dove 35
Mourning Dove 16
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 3
Eastern Phoebe 4
Vermilion Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 18
Fish Crow 11
Horned Lark 25
Carolina Chickadee 4
Carolina Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 11
Eastern Bluebird 12
Northern Mockingbird 18
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 13
American Pipit 33
Cedar Waxwing 12
Orange-crowned Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 25
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 32
Song Sparrow 6
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 12
White-crowned Sparrow 23
Northern Cardinal 36
Red-winged Blackbird 1250
Eastern Meadowlark 53
Western Meadowlark 1
Brewer's Blackbird 30
Common Grackle 70
Great-tailed Grackle 1
Brown-headed Cowbird 110
Pine Siskin 6
American Goldfinch 3
House Sparrow 6

Hubert Hervey

Observation date: 12/27/10
Notes: This was with Terry Davis on the Natchitoches Christmas Bird Count.  Areas: Johnson Chute Rd, Hy 1 N, Mibermel Plantation all sections, and Old River Rd N.  We had LALO at several location in Red River bottom land,esp at Johnson Chute.  Lots of Whts, esp at upland woods.  The grho were in 3 pairs and mid-day calling in territory claiming.  Merlin was actively chasing Redwing blackbirds which were making swooshing noise with wings in effort to distract predator.  The Como, trhe, whib, and adult female vermilion flycatcher were at the Mibermel irrigation water pond, east of Hy1.  The extreme dry conditions, (20in below av.) allowed us to bird areas never before accessible, and to drive to cover a larger area than usual.  Temp early AM 17 degrees, to 50 at 4 PM. 11 hours 10 minutes, no clouds, winds light, variable. 

Number of species: 96

Wood Duck 35
Gadwall 5
Mallard 7
Northern Shoveler 70
Green-winged Teal 8
Canvasback 15
Redhead 3
Ring-necked Duck 2
Lesser Scaup 5
Hooded Merganser 8
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Double-crested Cormorant 7
Anhinga 2
Great Blue Heron 14
Great Egret 11
Tricolored Heron 3
Cattle Egret 4
White Ibis 14
Black Vulture 8
Turkey Vulture 17
Northern Harrier 9
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Cooper's Hawk 2
Red-tailed Hawk 22
American Kestrel 3
Merlin 1
Killdeer 143
Greater Yellowlegs 7
Lesser Yellowlegs 1
Least Sandpiper 185
Wilson's Snipe 20
Eurasian Collared-Dove 6
Mourning Dove 28
Inca Dove 4
Eastern Screech-Owl 1
Great Horned Owl 6
Barred Owl 2
Belted Kingfisher 3
Red-headed Woodpecker 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 23
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 12
Downy Woodpecker 9
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 12
Eastern Phoebe 23
Vermilion Flycatcher 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue-headed Vireo 1
Blue Jay 28
American Crow 68
Fish Crow 13
Horned Lark 12
Carolina Chickadee 19
Tufted Titmouse 19
Brown-headed Nuthatch 3
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 20
House Wren 1
Winter Wren 3
Sedge Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 19
Eastern Bluebird 24
Hermit Thrush 11
American Robin 145
Northern Mockingbird 16
Brown Thrasher 10
European Starling 10
American Pipit 142
Cedar Waxwing 39
Orange-crowned Warbler 3
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 54
Pine Warbler 23
Eastern Towhee 9
Chipping Sparrow 62
Field Sparrow 2
Vesper Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 320
Le Conte's Sparrow 1
Fox Sparrow 4
Song Sparrow 51
Swamp Sparrow 23
White-throated Sparrow 253
White-crowned Sparrow 22
Dark-eyed Junco 65
Lapland Longspur 218
Northern Cardinal 67
Red-winged Blackbird 2390
Eastern Meadowlark 82
Western Meadowlark 32
Brewer's Blackbird 208
Common Grackle 228
Brown-headed Cowbird 75
Purple Finch 3
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 39
House Sparrow 2

Terry Davis

Here's the 2nd half of Saturday's trip.

Lapland Longspur and Horned Lark nos. picking up at the sod farm.  Sprague's Pipit proved toughest in years after 2 h.o. and one briefly seen while walking the grassy area near the cattle pens.  I had much higher nos of this sp on 11-28-10, mere days before.

Location: Dixie Quad
Observation date: 12/11/10
Notes: 5 observers (Rosemary Seidler, Melvin Webber, Jay Huner, Mahlon Ayme, Terry Davis)
3 hrs, 20 mins, 8.5 miles.

Birded 3049 from approx 1 mile s of Sentell rd, then Sentell rd. including Sloan's Sod farm and no other adjacent rds.

Number of species: 60

Ross's Goose 1
Gadwall 45
Mallard 20
Mallard (Domestic type) 28
Northern Shoveler 4
Ruddy Duck 1
Pied-billed Grebe 5
American White Pelican 2
Double-crested Cormorant 8
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Black Vulture 4
Turkey Vulture 20
Northern Harrier 2
Red-tailed Hawk 5
American Kestrel 10
Killdeer 60
Ring-billed Gull 1
Mourning Dove 6
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 10
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 4
Downy Woodpecker 7
Northern Flicker 9
Eastern Phoebe 8
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 6
American Crow 85
Horned Lark 95
Carolina Chickadee 11
Tufted Titmouse 4
Carolina Wren 8
House Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 11
Eastern Bluebird 34
Northern Mockingbird 7
European Starling 13
American Pipit 73
Sprague's Pipit 3
Cedar Waxwing 10
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 41
Pine Warbler 1
Vesper Sparrow 6
Savannah Sparrow 36
Le Conte's Sparrow 2
Fox Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 4
Swamp Sparrow 1
White-throated Sparrow 22
White-crowned Sparrow 5
Dark-eyed Junco 16
Lapland Longspur 85
Northern Cardinal 22
Red-winged Blackbird 2575
Eastern Meadowlark 67
Rusty Blackbird 10
Brewer's Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 3450
House Finch 9
American Goldfinch 65

We killed the list at 1:10 p.m. and continued n toward Gilliam stopping briefly 1for Lunch in Belcher.  Activity Levels were virtually non-existent by the time we left Sentell Rd.  We observed a nice imm dark morph RTHA near the intersection Hwy 2 and Gilliam Scott Slough.  We headed back s via hwy 71 and stopped briefly to check ducks at the catfish ponds, then from there to check both N and S Lakeshore on Cross Lake for additional spp.  Others for the day were Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser (52 at largest catfish pond, 4 at S'port Blanchard and I-220), Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Red-shouldered Hawk, Forsters Tern, Inca Dove, Brown Creeper, and Golden-crowned Kinglet.

Good birding,
Terry Davis

Terry Davis

 Hi everybody,

Here's the first half of our Sat. trip.

Outstanding La. birders Rosemary Seidler, Melvin Weber, Jay Huner, and Mahlon Ayme joined me for a fun day of surveying N highland and Dixie quads in central/w Caddo Parish yesterday.  We found some good ones but Bewick's Wren proved undetectable, yet after 20+,- areas checked/elicited.  This is no surprise given the known inconsistency of detection with this sp.  Very low nos of most sparrows, especially Savanna, noteworthy, also DCCO. Good nos of AMKE, also GREG commuters early a.m. 

Location: N Highlands Quad
Observation date: 12/11/10
Notes: Birded George rd loop from n end at 3049, then n on 3049 to approx 1 mile s. of Sentell rd from 0640-0950 a.m. 5 observers (Rosemary Seidler, Melvin Weber,Jay Huner, Mahlon Ayme, Terry Davis).
3 hrs, 10 mins, 7.1 miles. Clear/few clouds 55 degrees, light s/e wind beginning, 58 degrees, cloudy, ligh s ending.

6 HASP (4 ad., 2 hy) at n end of George rd. near confluence with 3049, 4 at 5735 3049 (2ad, 2hy)

Number of species: 61

Gadwall 4
Mallard 7
Canvasback 30
Pied-billed Grebe 5
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Anhinga 1
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 48
Red-tailed Hawk 5
American Kestrel 4
Killdeer 9
Wilson's Snipe 2
Ring-billed Gull 23
Rock Pigeon 36
Eurasian Collared-Dove 20
Mourning Dove 37
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 13
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 5
Eastern Phoebe 10
Loggerhead Shrike 4
Blue Jay 17
American Crow 26
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 10
House Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 12
Eastern Bluebird 26
Hermit Thrush 1
American Robin 40
Northern Mockingbird 26
Brown Thrasher 3
European Starling 14
American Pipit 68
Cedar Waxwing 100
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 42
Chipping Sparrow 2
Field Sparrow 4
Vesper Sparrow 3
Savannah Sparrow 13
Fox Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 8
Swamp Sparrow 2
White-throated Sparrow 51
Harris's Sparrow 10
White-crowned Sparrow 17
Dark-eyed Junco 1
Northern Cardinal 35
Red-winged Blackbird 3510
Eastern Meadowlark 87
Western Meadowlark 17
Rusty Blackbird 2
Common Grackle 12320
Brown-headed Cowbird 20
House Finch 1
American Goldfinch 87
House Sparrow 2

Good Birding
Terry Davis

Terry Davis

Hi all, 

I pulled a morning watch and woods walk yesterday morning at Stoner.  Some interesting sightings among others as follows:

1. Hooded Merganser- 2 = at 0705 sse m and f
2. Canvasback- 7 males = at 0708 n.
3. Peregrine Falcon- 1 = at 0722 sse fast, flying higher and on the tail of 2 single flybys of Ring-billed Gulls.  Loads of the latter earlier on as well.
4. Spotted Sandpiper- 1 in rocks near parking lot, then sse.  Not included in morning watch.  Two or so remain here nearly every year in winter.
5. Blue-headed Vireo- 3 = W2, C/S1
6. Winter Wren- 9= P2, N1, W1, C3, S2.  Ipod ran out of juice in southern portions of c. )-:
7. Fox Sparrow- 1= Hanging with WTSP in C.  These move through but don't stay frequently except a usual 2-3 wintering in thicket of W woods near N.
Loads of Yellow-rumped Warbler ~150+. NOCA nos. EXTREMELY LOW at 11.

Good birding, y'all.
Terry 

Hubert Hervey

BSG Members,

I have a banded Harris Sparrow here in Stonewall. Arrived Dec 6,at feeders about 8:30 AM and is banded.  Since we banded none here last year, this bird was returning for at least the 3rd year.  We did have a banded HaSp here last year but it was never caught. Jim!!

Hubert 

Terry Davis

Location: Earl G. Williamson Park
Observation date: 12/4/10
Notes: 2 observers, 2 hrs, 33 mins. 1.5 miles, Birded the park and lakefront
from 0752-1025 a.m. Warm, 50% cloudy, cool light/variable wind. Habitat 50% open lakefront/orchardlike, 30% riparian/brushy/thin wooded strips, 20% open field.
Excellent passerine assemblage at n and s ends of the park. Also good today for what can often be a dismal lake front. Got a phone call......... A NEW BIRDJAM AWAITS AT THE HACIENDA- 'sABOUT TIME!! (-:

Number of species: 63

Gadwall 4
Mallard 97............non-ferals
Green-winged Teal 18
Redhead 6...........mostly males. With MALL and GWTE.
Ring-necked Duck 16
Lesser Scaup 8
Bufflehead 40.............We had 1 fem. Thanks to Rosemary for checking later to add the 40.
Common Goldeneye 1..........adult male jst south of the pier hanging with a female BUFF.......and 2nd best bird of the day.
Ruddy Duck 55
Pied-billed Grebe 6
Horned Grebe 21.....................single flotilla of 19 and two separate indivs. I though for sure an EAGR would show but no dice.  'Twas a good grebe day as y'all will see after the next list, though. (-;
Double-crested Cormorant 2800.............This I'm pretty sure is the biggest gp I've seen in a few years.  Nos nowadays nowhere near like they were in the late 90's
Great Blue Heron 3
Great Egret 8
Cooper's Hawk 1. One here + the single added earlier by Rosemary for the east 169 portion.
Killdeer 3
Wilson's Snipe 1
Bonaparte's Gull 22........ We had 2 during our look. Rosemary found the late afternoon arrivals preparing to roost along with the raft of BUFF.
Ring-billed Gull 53
Forster's Tern 10
Mourning Dove 2
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-headed Woodpecker 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Northern Flicker 3
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 8
Loggerhead Shrike 1
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 2
Fish Crow 5
Carolina Chickadee 9
Tufted Titmouse 5
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 9
Winter Wren 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 12
Eastern Bluebird 9
Hermit Thrush 3
Northern Mockingbird 7
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 11
American Pipit 1
Cedar Waxwing 2
Orange-crowned Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler 18
Pine Warbler 12
Chipping Sparrow 15
Field Sparrow 1
Fox Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 6
Swamp Sparrow 5
White-throated Sparrow 75
Dark-eyed Junco 12
Northern Cardinal 17
Red-winged Blackbird 35
Eastern Meadowlark 23
Common Grackle 6
House Finch 7
American Goldfinch 30

An interesting Lep for earlier list- dam/169, among 5-6 or so other total spp observed flying this day, was a single Reakirt's blue on false garlic.

Terry Davis

Hi all, Shreveport birder Mark Wilson and I had an outstanding day birding portions near and on the west end of Caddo Lake. We worked this particular area with a split in times visited in order to be at the dam for owls just before dawn. From the 2nd half of this survey on, we had to work exceptionally hard to produce passerines. The light dry wind along with a notable drop in activity levels left it seeming like 1 p.m at 10:45 in the morning. Biggest misses here were Spotted Sandpiper, Common Yellowthroat, Marsh Wren- and although I hate to say it- Bewick's Wren. Two areas in the tiny quarter-mile portion of river-bottom where this sp should have been frequently produces two in any given winter at two separate cattle lots. Purple Finch might be considered as well since they are showing good elsewhere south Only "left-outs" of the three lists generated this day were part of the list below- BLVU-13, TUVU-36. BAEA should have been 2 (changed below from 3)- for the two 3y birds perched together momentarily in the oaks at Horace Downs Park- will change and add others after sending this.

Location: Caddo Lake--Dam
Observation date: 12/4/10
Notes: 2 observers, 9.7 miles (1 on foot) 5 hours, 35 mins. Birded with Shreveport birder Mark Wilson, who was able to get quite a few lifers today including great looks at several Brown Creepers- Thanks again for help and input, Mark. Birded portions of hwy 169 east of La 1 including Caddo Lake Dam rd and neighboring rds + 2 miles of La 1 to n and s of 169. Survey split from 0620-0745, then 10:45-3:40 p.m. with 45 minutes to get batteries/lunch. 75% clouds beginning, calm light variable wind, rather warm (t-shirt), 40% clouds ending, wind 5-8 variable. Habitat 70% forested/deciduous/pine riparian (approx 80% mesic, 20% xeric 50/50 flat,hilly) and orchard-like trailer neighborhood, 25% hypertrophic lakefront/baldcypress, 5% Red River valley open/fields,riparian (although mostly xeric), hackberry fencerows, cattle lot.

Number of species: 65

Wood Duck 4
Hooded Merganser 5
Pied-billed Grebe 8
Double-crested Cormorant 130
Great Blue Heron 16......great showing
Great Egret 62.........half a dozen or so "swanning" just above the tailrace
where millions of threadfin shad were concentrated. Others lined the dam wall almost touching.
Bald Eagle 2..........3y birds showing fairly good dark superciliary line and
dingy tails
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Killdeer 4
Wilson's Snipe 2
Ring-billed Gull 43
Eurasian Collared-Dove 1
Mourning Dove 2
Eastern Screech-Owl 2
Great Horned Owl 1
Belted Kingfisher 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 16
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
Downy Woodpecker 6
Hairy Woodpecker 3...........great showing, 1 at dam, 2 on 169
Northern Flicker 11
Pileated Woodpecker 3..........good nos for the day (5)
Eastern Phoebe 14
Blue Jay 8
American Crow 18
Fish Crow 22
Carolina Chickadee 23
Tufted Titmouse 13
White-breasted Nuthatch 2...................1 and 1= dam area, 169
Brown Creeper 7...........good nos for the day
Carolina Wren 13
House Wren 1
Winter Wren 7..........very low, seems to somewhat fit a window of
inexplicable low detection between first arrivals and mid December nos.
Golden-crowned Kinglet 11
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 20
Eastern Bluebird 19
Hermit Thrush 9
American Robin 2
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 9
Brown Thrasher 4
American Pipit 30
Cedar Waxwing 10
Orange-crowned Warbler 4
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 22
Pine Warbler 9
Eastern Towhee 2
Chipping Sparrow 11
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 2
Fox Sparrow 2.......low for the area
Song Sparrow 18
Swamp Sparrow 16
White-throated Sparrow 102
White-crowned Sparrow 16
Dark-eyed Junco 2
Northern Cardinal 35
Red-winged Blackbird 12
Common Grackle 66000...........I felt very conservative about this number
while recording them as they poured off the nearby roost
Pine Siskin 1........single flyby of the day.
American Goldfinch 20

Good birding, y'all,
Terry

Rosemary Seidler

Greetings,

A grad student, Emma DeLeon (edeleo5(at)lsu.edu), at LSU is studying Rusty Blackbird habitat requirements and flock composition all across Louisiana.  Here is a request she posted on LABIRD.  Maybe some of us can help her out.

Rosemary

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you happen across Rusty Blackbirds this winter I would be interested in the following information:

1. an exact location (GPS or Google Earth point, street address, or detailed description, basically anything that would get me to the same spot if I go to do follow up surveys)

2. how many birds (estimates are ok for large flocks)

3. male:female ratio

If you happen to have other observations, especially on habitat type, calling, or foraging behavior, that would be wonderful as well, but the first three are most important.  You can e-mail me at edeleo5@lsu.edu, or just include the extra info in your normal LABird or e-bird posts.

I really appreciated everyone's help last year and am looking forward to hearing from you this season as well. I see that a few sightings have already been reported and I can't wait to get back out in the field myself!

Thanks!
-Emma

p.s.  Its still early, but mark your calendars for the annual Rusty Blackbird Blitz this February!
For info on the blitz and more RUBL related fun see http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/migratorybirds/research/rusty_blackbird/

Emma DeLeon
Graduate Student
Louisiana State University
Renewable Natural Resources
edeleo5(at)lsu.edu

Jeff Trahan

I was at Bickham Dickson Park for a few minutes this morning (Monday).  There were a lot of birds around.  Too bad I could only stay a few minutes.  The two best were two Northern Rough-winged Swallows and one Yellow-crowned Night Heron.  This is a late date for both of these.

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport

Terry Davis

Hey y'all, I meant to post this here yesterday.  There wasn't much at Cane's landing exciting.  Hordes (20) of Ruby-crowned Kinglet, a few Golden-crowned, a Brown Creeper, 3 Winter Wren, 3 Eastern Towhees and lots of other sparrows were good.

Immediately afterward, I spent a quick 25 minutes running the two plus mile stretch of Viking Dr. running west of Benton rd (La hwy 3) and then running under and north of I-220 paralleling Benton rd in search of Harris's Sparrow and Bewicks Wren.  Not having an I-pod or E. Screech-Owl tape was a major handicap to begin with for BEWR and skunked on them.  However, approx a little over 1 mile north of I-220, which is also approx 150 yds or so north of the former Cassin's Sparrow locality on the opposite side of the road adjacent a pasture, I finally found a smallish probable adult female Harris's Sparrow associating with a group of White-crowned Sparrows, a few field and a fairly large group of House Finch, N Cardinal, a few Field, White-throated, Song and House Sparrows.  The individual HASP had quite a bit of black in the face and some in the bib but appeared smaller than a probable ad male White-crowned sitting immediately next to it.  Male HASP are often huge, appearing almost as large as a female Red-winged Blackbird- for somewhat of a size comparison.  Their size will definitely make an impression on first-time observers.  They are the largest sparrows in N. America besides various towhees.  The birds were in a very thick but somewhat narrow Campsis-covered fencerow with scattered hackberries and tallows that have been mostly cut off.  There is a good chance that you'll find Bewick's Wren and/or numerous (probably 2-3) Harris's if you'll entice them by playing each species' song on an I-pod.  In my opinion, using an I-pod in fall/winter season does not have near the negative effect that can be caused by using it during breeding season on a particular species territory.  They merely go silent after being barraged for a couple of days, only to pop back up after using it a week after that - this from experience.  So, go lightly on 'em if you use I-pods and hope you get to see them.

Cheers,
Terry

Jeff Trahan

Jean and I were at Bickham Dickson again today.  We saw a total of 49 species of birds that we identified.  There were also two species of swallow that we could not identify because they were very far away.  I got photos, but I'm not sure that will help.  There were quite a few ducks--we saw a total of seven species.  If you want to see ducks, you have to bring a scope.  They are located on the other side of the water from the boat launch and very far away.  It was nice to see the Canvasback.  We were able to get closer to the ducks by walking in the back of the park.  We saw the three species of warbler present in the winter here and a Blue-headed Vireo. 
The complete list is below.

70 Gadwall 
16 Mallard 
3 Northern Shoveler 
25 Canvasback 
2 Ring-necked Duck 
5 Lesser Scaup 
6 Ruddy Duck 
2 Pied-billed Grebe 
7 Double-crested Cormorant 
6 Great Blue Heron 
8 Great Egret 
4 Turkey Vulture 
2 Red-tailed Hawk 
85 American Coot 
3 Wilson's Snipe 
2 Ring-billed Gull 
22 Mourning Dove 
1 Eastern Screech-Owl 
1 Belted Kingfisher 
6 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
6 Downy Woodpecker 
5 Northern Flicker 
3 Eastern Phoebe 
1 Loggerhead Shrike 
1 Blue-headed Vireo 
1 Blue Jay 
10 Carolina Chickadee 
1 Winter Wren 
1 Golden-crowned Kinglet 
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 
12 Eastern Bluebird 
1 Hermit Thrush 
2 American Robin 
1 Northern Mockingbird 
8 American Pipit 
6 Cedar Waxwing 
1 Orange-crowned Warbler 
35 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
1 Pine Warbler 
1 Eastern Towhee 
25 Chipping Sparrow 
2 Field Sparrow 
15 White-throated Sparrow 
3 Dark-eyed Junco 
2 Northern Cardinal 
15 Red-winged Blackbird 
12 House Finch 
6 American Goldfinch 

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport

11/21/2010

Phil Bradley

Subject:  Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Hi all,

Had one Ruby-throated Hummingbird today, 11/21/2010, and an unusual flock of fish crows (45), flew over late in the afternoon.  Had FOS American goldfinch at my feeders.  A Cooper's Hawk really kept down my bird counts at the feeders!!!!!

Phil Bradley

Jeff Trahan

Jean and I spent about 45 minutes at the park today (Sunday).  We birded the front of the park and spent some time in the back beyond the gate at the barn.  We didn't have time to go all the way to the back as we often do.  Many of the winter birds are arriving.  We saw seven species of sparrow and all three winter warblers.  The birds have become very responsive to my iPod Eastern Screech Owl and the ducks seem to be arriving at the park (finally).  The complete list is below.  We had a total of 44 species.

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport

30 Mallard 
15 Northern Shoveler 
2 Ruddy Duck 
25 Double-crested Cormorant 
2 Great Blue Heron 
6 Great Egret 
4 Black Vulture 
1 Turkey Vulture 
1 Red-shouldered Hawk 
75 American Coot 
1 Killdeer 
3 Greater Yellowlegs 
5 Least Sandpiper 
1 Mourning Dove 
1 Eastern Screech-Owl 
1 Belted Kingfisher 
4 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 
1 Downy Woodpecker 
3 Northern Flicker 
2 Eastern Phoebe 
2 Blue Jay 
4 Fish Crow 
6 Carolina Chickadee 
3 Carolina Wren 
1 Winter Wren 
5 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
3 Eastern Bluebird 
1 American Robin 
1 Cedar Waxwing 
1 Orange-crowned Warbler 
45 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
1 Pine Warbler 
8 Chipping Sparrow 
2 Field Sparrow 
2 Savannah Sparrow 
2 Song Sparrow 
1 Swamp Sparrow 
8 White-throated Sparrow 
2 Dark-eyed Junco 
3 Northern Cardinal 
1 Common Grackle 
4 House Finch 
8 American Goldfinch 

John Dillon

Yesterday, the Shreveport Bird Study Group, the Friends of the Red River NWR, and the Red river National Wildlife Refuge held its 2nd Yellow Rail Drag at the Bayou Pierre Unit of the Red River National Wildlife Refuge in Red River Parish.  Morning temp was about 27 degrees, but we had over a dozen brave birders.  I also brought 2 members from my Minden High Nature Club.  Thanks to all who came, RRNWR workers, and Friends of the RRNWR. 

The fields were not ideal for rails this year due to diversion flooding for waterfowl but we quickly flushed a Short-eared Owl in the 2nd field we walked.  Had excellent numbers of Savannah, Swamp, Song, and LeConte's Sparrows and Northern Shoveler with respectable numbers of White Ibis, Killdeer, Wilson's Snipe, and American Pipit.  Our last year's conservative estimate of 200 Sedge Wren was somewhat filed down to 3 Sedge Wren this year (no doubt due to plowing of vegetation) and we also only had 3 Marsh Wren, having at least 50 last year.

The highlight bird was our one Yellow Rail that everyone got excellent looks at thanks to Terry Davis and new birder and Nature Club member, Tyler Downs.  They simply would not give up walking in the thick sludge of one potentially good looking field, whereas I tried discouraging them from going out again while I lay in the shade of my truck eating ice chips and attempting to dial 911 with my nose.  Where's a rice combine when you need one?!  Anyway, Terry and Tyler flushed a Virginia Rail and then a much anticipated Yellow Rail near the edge of the field in front of everyone.  And jokes aside, it's great that Tyler, 16 years old, was able to flush a Yellow Rail on his first birding trip.  How many of us can say that?

63 species on the day, up from 40 last year.

Gadwall 3
Mallard 25
Northern Shoveler 175
Green-winged Teal 30
American White Pelican 3
American Bittern 2
Great Blue Heron 5
Great Egret 2
White Ibis 80
Plegadis sp. 4
Black Vulture 13
Turkey Vulture 14
Bald Eagle 1 (3rd year bird)
Northern Harrier 4
Red-tailed Hawk 7
American Kestrel 1
Yellow Rail 1 
Virginia Rail 1
American Coot 19
Killdeer 80
Greater Yellowlegs 7
Least Sandpiper 8
Long-billed Dowitcher 63
Wilson's Snipe 117
Rock Pigeon 2
Mourning Dove 1
Barn Owl 1
Short-eared Owl 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Eastern Phoebe 5
Blue Jay 4
American Crow 10
Tree Swallow 1
Carolina Chickadee 1
Tufted Titmouse 2
Brown Creeper 1
Carolina Wren 1
Sedge Wren 3
Marsh Wren 3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 6
American Robin 3
Northern Mockingbird 2
European Starling 3
American Pipit 70
Yellow-rumped Warbler 5
Common Yellowthroat 3
Field Sparrow 1
Savannah Sparrow 470
LeConte's Sparrow 63
Song Sparrow 76
Swamp Sparrow 102
White-throated Sparrow 9
White-crowned Sparrow 11
Northern Cardinal 3
Red-winged Blackbird 425
Eastern Meadowlark 25
Common Grackle 2
Great-tailed Grackle 2
American Goldfinch 3

John Dillon
Athens, LA

Paul Dickson

BSG:

Friday was huge arrival day.  More winter birds will arrive this morning.  Sparrow numbers at this time of year are usually higher than at any point in the fall-winter season and that seemed to be the case yesterday.  They also are more visible when they first arrive because they feed more actively.  I had three species of Ammondramus in one spot: Nelson's, Grasshopper, and LeContes!  That is a first for me.  Also lots of Woodcock, waterfowl, Yellow-rumps, high altitude Robins, all signs of a major fall migration.  Today will be a very good birding day.

Paul

Phil Bradley

I saw my FOS Darkeyed Junco today.

Phil Bradley

Jeff Trahan

There were very few birds seen migrating through Bickham Dickson this morning.  Most sparrows have not shown themselves at the park, but some of the winter birds are arriving.  We had one White-throated Sparrow, several Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a few Double-crested Cormorants, and many Yellow-rumped Warblers.  The best bird was a beautiful, very green Painted Bunting female.  This was almost a late fall date for this species.  The latest date it has been seen here is October 20.  There were almost no birds on the water.  The complete list is below.

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport

5 Wood Duck 
4 Mallard 
2 Pied-billed Grebe 
37 Double-crested Cormorant 
2 Great Blue Heron 
3 Great Egret 
2 Red-shouldered Hawk 
4 Killdeer 
1 Greater Yellowlegs 
4 Common Ground-Dove 
1 Eastern Screech-Owl 
1 Chimney Swift 
1 Belted Kingfisher 
7 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
3 Downy Woodpecker 
8 Northern Flicker 
2 Pileated Woodpecker 
2 Eastern Phoebe 
2 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 
15 Blue Jay 
1 Fish Crow 
25 Tree Swallow 
50 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 
3 Carolina Chickadee 
2 Carolina Wren 
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
5 Eastern Bluebird 
1 American Robin 
7 Northern Mockingbird 
3 Brown Thrasher 
8 European Starling 
35 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
1 Eastern Towhee 
1 Field Sparrow 
1 White-throated Sparrow 
12 Northern Cardinal 
7 Indigo Bunting 
1 Painted Bunting 
5 Common Grackle 

Phil Bradley

On Saturday, Oct.16th, I had one white throated sparrow under one of my feeders.  This was a FOS sighting.  Today, Sunday, Oct.17th, there are three white throated sparrows.

Phil Bradley

Hubert Hervey

Totals from the Hawk Watch held at Stonewall farm, Sat. Oct 2, 2010.  Some birds were only seen on a side trip to Loftus' Pond about 1 1/2 miles to the south.

Location: De Soto County, LA, US
Observation date: 10/2/10
Notes: Hawk watch by BSG at Hervey's Farm, some shorebirds added at Loftus' Pond.

Number of species: 48

Blue-winged Teal 5
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 3
Cattle Egret 2
Wood Stork 1
Black Vulture 34
Turkey Vulture 25
Cooper's Hawk 2
Broad-winged Hawk 3
Red-tailed Hawk 3
American Kestrel 1
Killdeer 4
Least Sandpiper 19
Wilson's Snipe 1
Rock Pigeon 6
Mourning Dove 4
Chimney Swift 17
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 2
Loggerhead Shrike 2
Blue Jay 10
American Crow 86
Fish Crow 1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 20
Tree Swallow 5
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 12
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 8
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 5
Chipping Sparrow 1
Summer Tanager 1
Northern Cardinal 7
Indigo Bunting 1
Eastern Meadowlark 2
House Sparrow 12

Velda Neilson

Hello, Birders!

Surprise! Surprise!

Looked out my dining room window this morning while doing my Bible study.  Twenty foot out the back door sat a Green Heron on the concrete edge of my bird pond!

This little pond is a child's wading pool that we cut the sides partially off; then sat on rocks at an angle and lined with concrete in bottom and sides.  The water depth is 1/2" to 3".  Just got the new recirculating pump going yesterday afternoon.  Just in time, I'd say!  The birds really like this little pool.

What a fun blessing!

Velda

9/17/2010

Rosemary Seidler

Subject:  FW: Whooping Cranes in Louisiana

Thought you might be interested in this email to the Crescent Bird Club in New Orleans.  Joelle is also secretary of the LOS.

Rosemary Seidler

________________________________________
From: JOELLE FINLEY [joelle_finley(at)bellsouth(dot)net]

Sent: Friday, September 17, 2010 8:13 AM

Subject: Whooping Cranes in Louisiana

Dear CBC Members,

Last night I spoke on behalf of the members of the CBC and Orleans Audubon Society at a hearing held by the LA Wildlife and Fisheries and the US Fish and Wildlife Service on the reintroduction of Whooping Cranes in SW Louisiana in the White Lake area.  There was absolutely no opposition to this proposal at this hearing nor at the hearing the evening before in Gueydan.  The plan is to introduce 9-11 cranes in 2011 and an addition 15-30 birds annually for the next 15 years!  This is probably the most exciting news to ever hit the birding community in our state.  The birds will be designated as a nonessential, experimental population (NEP) which means that there will be no penalty for the accidental (the key word is accidental) shooting of a bird.  But the NEP designation is crucial to this proposal.

If you want to express your ideas on this proposal, you can submit written comments until October 18, 2010. Send your comments to:

Public Comments Processing, Attn:FWS-R4-ES-2010-0057 Division of Policy and Directives Management U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

4401 N. Fairfax Drive,   Suite 222

Arlington, VA  22203

Or you can submit comments online at www.regulations.gov<http://www.regulations.gov>

Search for Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2010-0057.  You can also get more information at

 http://www.fws,gov/northflorida/WhoopingCrane/whooping-crane-info.htm

Good birding,

Joelle

Velda Neilson

Hello, Birders!

Well, sad to say but Whitey hasn't been around for 2 days.  Last sighting was Sunday at 7:17 pm.  Ah, but he was muchly enjoyed for 6 days!

Had a gorgeous female Baltimore Oriole today!  And quite a few hummers.

Happy migration and God bless,

Velda

9/14/2010

Rosemary Seidler

Subject:  Roseate Spoonbill

I just heard tonight that Forrest & Arlene Carper saw spoonbills at Bickham Dickson park on Sunday. They were in the pond by the barn. I'm not sure if this is the pond that is out in the open(to the right of the barn as you drive in) or the one behind the trees (to the left of the barn as you drive in).

Might be worth checking out tomorrow. If anyone sees them please post.

Rosemary

9/11/2010

Velda Neilson

Subject:  Pics of white hummer!

Hello, Birders!

Here's a few pics of Whitey!  She was still here at 7:10 pm Sat.

Enjoy!
Velda

9/11/2010

Velda Neilson

Subject:  Whitey welcomes visitors!

Hello, Birders!

Rachal just inquired about pics to view Whitey.  All are welcome to come here to get a personal glimse/look at Whitey if you'd like.  I just saw her at 1:20.  She is usually around to at least 4 pm.  However, I've had to leave home last few afternoons and don't know how late she/he is around.

I'm available all day today, Sat.  Tomorrow we can work something out for morning.  I may be here all day.  If not, you are welcome to observe from the yard.

Please call me at 318/872-4821. I live 10 miles west of Mansfield off US 84, 

No, I haven't heard from Paul about banding her.  Paul busy to the top knot!

May we enjoy the blessings!
Velda

9/11/2010

Velda Neilson

Subject:  Whitey Jr. or Mrs. Whitey

Hello, Birders,

Got pics downloaded.  Some are fairly clear.  Believe we have a Mrs. Whitey or Whitey, Jr.  Bird chased off from 3 feeders.  Got 5 up.  Surely she can feed somewhere!

What fun!
Velda

9/11/2010

Velda Neilson

Subject:  The flying oreo's here!

Hello, birders!

Just saw the flying white-chocolate-covered-oreo fly by!  Whitey's still here!

He looks just like a white oreo with that bright white body and dull gray in wings and tail.

I don't know where he goes for breakfast but he's always here about brunch time and after.  What a blessed treat!

Paul thinks he'll be here till the next front which may be expected ?? Tuesday.  Hoping Paul can get out today to band him/her.  Paul has been trying for 5 years to band a mutant white hummer because so little info known about them. This may be his time!

Enjoying God's blessings,
Velda

9/10/2010

Velda Neilson

Subject:  "whitey" still here!

Good morning, all!

"Whitey" the mutant white hummer is still here.  Saw him at 10:15 and 11:20.

I don't have much time for watching this morning.  Have a male Ruby-throat dominating feeders so I put up a couple extras.

Yoohoo! 

God bless,
Velda

9/9/2010

Lily Poole

Subject:  RE: Spoonbills

An uncommon sighting but they are listed for Sept. in our Seasonal Occurrence J Nice

http://birdstudygroup.org/Seasonal%20Occurrences%20BSG%202008.pdf

Good birding,

Lily

9/9/2010

Joe

Subject:  Spoonbills

This is the first time i have tried to report a sighting.  My wife and I got to watch about 6 or 8 spoon bills feeding this evening on the road across the new lake Grand bayou.  They were on the west side of the road and just keep feeding when we stopped to watch.  Even after they alerted they only flew 40 yards before they just started to feed again.  Might be there tomorrow 

Joe and Maria

9/9/2010

Velda Neilson

Subject:  Albino

Hello, all!

Albino feeding strong today.  Seen 4 times in last 35 mins - from 3:00.
Am taking pics but poor, I'm sure.

Paul hopes to band it.  Know he'll take pics as well.

Thanks,
Velda

9/9/2010

Velda Neilson

Subject:  Albino hummer

Hello, all!

The albino hummer showed up today, Thursday, at noon - after I refilled the feeder!  And again at 1:30.  So unusual and pretty!  Feeding just out the dining area window.

Paul, sorry but I forget to look for a band!  Will try to on his/her next visit.

Thanks and God bless,
Velda

9/9/2010

Velda Neilson

Subject:  Albino here Wed.

Hello, all!

The albino hummer was here Wed. morning for several hours.  I did hear his/her twitter.  And yes, Paul, I believe it was only a Ruby-throat!

May God bless,
Velda

9/7/2010

Velda Neilson

Subject:  Albino hummer

Hello, birders!

This morning at 11:20 I had a mostly albino hummer. Beautiful bird! 

Looked more like a moth than a bird.  From back view was all white.  Front offered some dark color in face and breast.  Stayed about 1 minute feeding on red salvia.  I was gone most of remainder of day.  Didn't see it again.

Neighbor had a Hooded Warbler in her backyard.

God bless all!
Velda

9/7/2010 

Kathy Jo Doyle

Subject:  Baltimore Oriole

Thought you would like to see this little beauty, he dove in to try to get to the hummers feeders, they where everywhere, so he perched for a minute, and watched.  Just had enough time to aim and shoot this.  What a joy it was to see him.  Been up here on Caddo lake 22 years and this is only the second one I have been able to catch.
 Enjoy. 

Kathy Jo Doyle
Caddo Lake
Vivian LA

9/4/2010

Jeff Trahan

Subject:  Saturday in Bickham Dickson 

Jean and I spent a couple of hours in Bickham Dickson this morning.  We saw a total of 44 species.  This is much better than an earlier visit during the week when we saw only 16 species.  Apparently going after the passage of a front is a good thing even if it's not much of a front.  The best birds were a Black Tern (seen at the boat launch) and a Least Flycatcher.  Although we often see Inca Doves in our neighborhood, the two we saw in the park were a rarity there.  We have only seen them two previous times in the park.  The three Anhingas were flying high with a flock of Black Vultures.  The complete list is below.

3 Anhinga 
1 Great Blue Heron 
2 Great Egret 
1 Snowy Egret 
1 Little Blue Heron 
5 Cattle Egret 
1 Green Heron 
4 White Ibis 
10 Black Vulture 
3 Turkey Vulture 
2 Red-shouldered Hawk 
6 Killdeer 
3 Least Sandpiper 
1 Black Tern 
1 Rock Pigeon 
38 Mourning Dove 
2 Inca Dove 
1 Belted Kingfisher 
3 Red-headed Woodpecker 
3 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
4 Downy Woodpecker 
1 Northern Flicker 
1 Pileated Woodpecker 
3 Eastern Wood-Pewee 
1 Least Flycatcher 
2 Great Crested Flycatcher 
1 Eastern Kingbird 
1 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 
2 Red-eyed Vireo 
5 Blue Jay 
18 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 
10 Carolina Chickadee 
2 Tufted Titmouse 
4 Carolina Wren 
3 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 
60 American Robin 
3 Northern Mockingbird 
12 European Starling 
2 Northern Parula 
1 Yellow-throated Warbler 
2 Common Yellowthroat 
1 Summer Tanager 
2 Northern Cardinal 
5 Red-winged Blackbird 

8/29/2010

Velda Neilson

Subject:  Swift nest in well culvert

Hello, Birders!

Found the most interesting nest for a pair of Chimney Swifts I would never have dreamed of!  July 3rd I looked down a concrete culvert in our front yard toward the woods.  There was something black and gray and strangely shaped stuck to the side.  I thought it was a dead bat.  When I began calling John to come see this thing, the indifinitive object turned into a Chimney Swift fluttering it's wings!  After it flew to the other side of the culvert I saw her nest all nice and clean with 4 white eggs!

The nest is about 6 foot down an open non-working water well.  Four feet of this culvert-contained-well is above ground.  Thus, their nest was actually about 2 foot below the earth's surface.  Wonder if they knew that?  Seriously doubt it -- but I was amazed!

The swifts set on the nest for over 23 days that I know of. Somehow they lost one egg leaving 3.  Guess it fell into the well.  Then, on July 25th, they totally abandoned the nest.  Only once have I seen a swift enter or exit the culvert in flight.  It was during the incubation time.

Unfortunately, none of the eggs hatched.  If I recall correctly, those weeks were some of the unseasonally cooler days of July.  Plus the fact the air temp below the ground and above the water in the well may have been cooler.  For whatever reason - it made me sad the babies didn't hatch.

Surprisingly, the pair of swifts still roost in the culvert!  They always roost heads up and side-by-side about a foot below the nest and on the other side.  They are about 7 foot below the top of the exposed culvert and about 3 foot below the ground.  The eggs and nest are still in tact in the culvert.  Anyone want or need it for the museum?

Yes, I do have pictures but I don't know how to send them.  Sorry.

Just amazed at how innovative God's creatures can be!  Think I best be covering that culvert up before next summer so this sad event won't reoccur.  And I best be setting my sights on building a swift tower!

May God bless each of you. And may God bless America!
Velda

8/28/2010

Jeff Trahan

Subject:  Saturday at Bickham Dickson Park

Jean and I went to Bickham Dickson Park this morning.  We saw a total of 28 species.  One interesting thing was a flock of 14 Northern Mockingbirds.  I don't believe that I have previously seen a flock of mockingbirds.  I am guessing that these were migrating.  Other interesting birds were the Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Prothonotary Warblers and a Yellow-breasted Chat.  These were not here in the past three weeks.  The gnatcatchers and the Prothonotary Warblers were in small flocks also.  The Solitary Sandpiper was certainly a migrant. I expect that next week the mix of birds will be even more interesting.  The complete list is below.

7 Great Egret 
1 Snowy Egret 
5 Cattle Egret 
1 Green Heron 
1 Turkey Vulture 
1 Mississippi Kite 
1 Killdeer 
1 Solitary Sandpiper 
14 Mourning Dove 
1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 
2 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 
1 Belted Kingfisher 
4 Red-headed Woodpecker 
3 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
3 Downy Woodpecker 
1 Great Crested Flycatcher 
1 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 
4 Blue Jay 
6 Carolina Chickadee 
1 Carolina Wren 
5 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 
7 American Robin 
14 Northern Mockingbird 
12 European Starling 
4 Prothonotary Warbler 
1 Yellow-breasted Chat 
5 Northern Cardinal 
1 Common Grackle 

8/9/2010

Billy Moore

Subject:  Grackles

Could this be one?  I saw this on the fence behind Lowes on Youree Drive

Billy Moore

8/9/2010

Clyde Massey

Subject:  Grackles

Hi BSGers,

I don't know if anyone was aware of this or not, but a friend of mine reported Great-tailed Grackles in Benton in front of John Harvey Toyota just off Benton Road over the weekend.

Clyde 

8/8/2010

Jeff Trahan

Subject:  Bickham Dickson Park--Sunday

Jean and I spent an hour at Bickham Dickson Park this morning.  There were not many birds there.  We saw a total of 32 species, but they were hard to find.  Very little activity.  The most prevalent species was American Robin.  The entire list is below.

Jeff Trahan

2 Great Egret 
1 Little Blue Heron 
1 White Ibis 
1 Red-shouldered Hawk 
1 Rock Pigeon 
6 Mourning Dove 
6 Chimney Swift 
2 Belted Kingfisher 
1 Red-headed Woodpecker 
3 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
1 Downy Woodpecker 
1 Pileated Woodpecker 
2 Great Crested Flycatcher 
1 Eastern Kingbird 
5 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 
2 Blue Jay 
1 Fish Crow 
1 Barn Swallow 
2 Carolina Chickadee 
1 Tufted Titmouse 
5 Carolina Wren 
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 
1 Eastern Bluebird 
42 American Robin 
2 Northern Mockingbird 
7 European Starling 
1 Prothonotary Warbler 
1 Common Yellowthroat 
4 Northern Cardinal 
1 Indigo Bunting 
2 Common Grackle 
1 Brown-headed Cowbird 

7/30/2010

Clyde Massey

Subject:  Arkansas Cave Swallows

Dear BSGers,

The Cave Swallow seen by Charles Mills was at Millwood Lake.  He feels they are nesting in SW Arkansas, but hasn't found a nest yet.  He's been corresponding with Paul Conover who's had a lot of experience with them down south.  So, start checking bridges, overpasses, large culverts, etc.

Clyde Massey

7/30/2010

Clyde Massey

Subject:  Fw: Heads up

--Forwarded Message-----
>From: Charles Mills
>To: Massey Clyde 

Subject: Heads up

A couple of days ago, I had a brief and comparatively distant look at a juvenile buff-rumped swallow that I felt was most likely a Cave Swallow.

About 6:50 this morning, I relocated the bird at the same location and was able to get a nice series of images.  My review of them left me convinced that the bird was a juvenile Cave Swallow.

Any way, it's a species that you and the rest of the bird study group need to be on the lookout for now.

I have posted 5 images at: http://www.pbase.com/chazmi/cave_swallow

Charles Mills
Ogden AR 71853

7/25/2010

Hubert Hervey

Subject:  July Least Tern Survey on Red River

The results of the July Least Tern Survey on Red River, run from Garland City Ark to St. Maurice LA, and covering all tern colonies found during the June survey, and locating one new colony at Fausse Revetment.  Generally, the river rose 5 feet early in July, and flooded about 75% of nesting attempts.  The juveniles reported here were either early nesters or above flood waters.  Hubert Hervey and David Oliver USACE

19 July 2010- Fulton gauge level 3.5 ft. Launch at Hosston (LA2 Bridge) running upriver
MM 264.7 Hosston rev. abandoned & under water
MM 270 Float's rev. 10 Adult Least Tern (ALT) fishing and on logs & sandy west shore
MM 270 Scott's Slough 18 ALT acting broody, no nests, gravel and sand mix island
MM 271 Wardview abandoned
MM 273 Missionary rev. 31 ALT, 3 incubating, 14 juv (6>3 wk fledged, 8< 3 wks)
MM 275 Palmer's Lake 1 Bald Eagle, 26 ALT, 2 inc. on 4 eggs, 2 fledged JUv.
M 280.2 Canale rev. 4 ALT, 2 inc on 4 eggs

20 July 2010 Hubert Hervey and David Oliver Launch Hy 2 bridge run south. Fulton 3.5
MM 263 Bird rev. 16 ALT, 2 scrapes, N 32-52.871 X W 093-49.099.
MM 258 Cavett rev, E side, 19 ALT, 1 Juv < 3 wks, N 32-47.384 X W093-48.218
MM 253 Glycerine rev, under water. 4 ALT flyby
MM 244 Cat Isl. 12 ALT not nesting had been under water, 50 % clouds, 93 degrees f
MM 240 Cash Point barpit - abandoned due to flood waters earlier.
MM 238 Cattle Island. 12 ALT PM count, early AM count 18 ALT. eroding problem

21 July 2010, Hubert Hervey and David Oliver, Launch site Coushatta MM 178
MM 176.4 Volleyball Isl 10 ALT, 10 fl juv. N 31-59.715 X W 093-21.250, birds did not nest here due to vegetation, and this group of flight capable birds probably from Powhatan rev.
MM 163 Powhatan rev, no birds present, 70% cockleburs and nut sedge grass but had 22 ALT, 6 nests, 14 eggs on 8 June 2010
MM 150.7 Clarence rev. small isl, 8 ALT, 12 fl jv. 49% mixed veg. Pool 3, Piping Plover 1
MM 147.4 New nest site, Fausse rev. 12 ALT, 3 inc, 6 fledged juv. 35 X 90 yds Pool 3
M 145 Poisson rev, 2 ALT flyby

22 July 2010, Hubert Hervey and David Oliver in Arkansas, Garland to Doddridge
MM 315 Garland City rev. 3 ALT, first six sites all flooded in early July 
MM 305 Upper Keller Rev. 5 ALT, 1 fl juv.
MM 302 Lower Keller rev. 2 ALT
MM 300 Dillard rev. 3 ALT
MM 294 Oak rev. 2 ALT
MM 291 Dickson rev. 2 ALT
MM 289 Valley Gin rev, mid river, 21 ALT, 7 fl juv, 2 < 3wks juv. 
MM 286 Slay Bend rev. mid river. 31 ALT, 3 fl juv
MM 283.5 Black Lake rev. mid river, 24 ALt, 1 incubating, 3 juv under 3 weeks old
MM 282.5 Spring Bank. 18" elev. 3 PM, 16 ALT, 10 fl juv, 2 < 3 weeks.

The ratio of juv to adult is very low, but expected due to high water in early July.

Hubert Hervey 

7/24/2010

Hubert Hervey

Subject:  Least Tern Survey Results on Red River.

BSG Members and others concerned,

The July least tern survey showed that the 5 ft rise in river level in early July flooded around 75% of the nesting attempts in Ark, and LA.  Most colonies nest at a level of 2 to 3 ft above a 0 reading at Fulton.  The river reached slightly over 5 ft there due to heavy rains upriver.  We surveyed Arkansas from Index to Hwy 2 Bridge in LA on the week of June 21 and found it necessary to repeat the survey on the week of July 19, 4 weeks later to assess the flood damage to the colonies.  The flooding had a similar 75% flooding all the way to Pool 5 at Shreveport.  The most successful colonies in LA were in Pool 3, which generally covers the Natchitoches area.  We found 32 adult least terns and 28 fledged in that area.  Not too bad except that the overall numbers are so low.

In Arkansas we found 107 adult least terns and 27 fledged from Garland to Spring Bank Hy 160.  This amounts to a dismal 1/2 baby raised per pair.  At Palmers Island, southmost colony in Ark, 24 adults raised 2 fledglings.  This was one of the two best colonies in 2009, and was wiped out this year.

Upper Red River in LA results were similar to Arkansas, with only those colonies with the highest elevation above river waters having any success.  Cash Point was completely wiped out, 16 adults, plus 19 just upriver, and 12 down river, were all flooded. Pat Stinson had put up protective netting and signs, but that can only protect against people, not against Mother Nature and the need of water to flow down hill.  South of Hwy 2 Bridge we had 39 adult least terns that raised 1 juvenile (probably somewhere else).  North of Hwy 2 Bridge to Ark line we had 49 adults and 14 juveniles.  The jv's were all at Missionary Revetment colony, 5 > 3 weeks age, 8 < 3 weeks age.  This was the only successful colony in LA north of Shreveport.

Other news:

4 Bald Eagles in N. LA
1 Piping Plover at Powhatan Island
8 Western Kingbirds ( 2 families?) at Cash Point Water Tower area.
Lots of least Sandpipers, and Spotted Sandpipers on river.
Mississippi Kites starting to move south along river.
1 Black Tern in Pool 4
2 Greater Yellowlegs in Pool 5

I don't think most of the least terns will try to re-nest this late in the nesting season.  Some of the Arkansas activity indicated some birds in those colonies were going to try to nest again.  This summarizes 3 weeks of survey.  Another is scheduled for Aug 23 week.

Hubert Hervey

7/12/2010

Ellen Middleton

Subject:  Least tern

I saw a least tern while boating on Black Bayou this past Saturday.  Is this a common sight?

Ellen Middleton

7/3/2010

John Dillon

Subject:  Great-tailed Grackle

Looking at a Great-tailed Grackle on the wire in front of Olive Garden right now.  Whoever's atlassing this quad may want to get it soon.  It called, too. Definite Great-tailed.

John Dillon

6/14/2010 

Lily Poole

Subject:  FW: rescue 911...

Sorry, I didn’t realize that Laughing Gulls were considered Vagrants

http://birdstudygroup.org/Seasonal%20Occurrences%20BSG%202008.pdf

Or I would have included my description in the initial e-mail I sent.

Lily

6/13/2010

Lily Poole

Subject: RE: rescue 911...

I was wondering too – It seemed very late in the year for a Laughing Gull - Luckily we do have records for that gull for this month  http://www.birdstudygroup.org/JuneChecklist.pdf

BTW, it had an eye ring too but I don’t remember if it was complete, or incomplete.

lp

 6/13/2010

Jean Trahan

Subject: Re: rescue 911...

Lily, what was that silly bird doing 'way up here?  It's going some to think that he/she is up here to get away from the oil spill! 

Jean

6/13/2010

Lily Poole

Subject:  rescue 911...

Had an unusual occurrence this morning…after church service I had one of our members come up to me & ask if I knew anything about birds…long story short…on their way to work they saw a “gull” being harassed by a cat…they stopped & put the injured gull in a cardboard box…brought the gull to church & left him, with some water, in a sheltered porch.

So I walk up to the cardboard box & see…a Laughing Gull – wow!

The gull had drank all its water & seemed to be moving its wings & other body parts just fine…so I’m thinking that, Maybe the gull may have been ‘stunned’ by a car, etc.

The back part of St. Mary’s of the Pines has a large cleared area so I suggested we take the gull, in the box, to the clearing.

We put the box on its side…gave the gull some room…he stepped out…shook himself all over, & flew off!

Happy Ending.

Reminded me of Hummer Rescue 911  http://birdstudygroup.org/PhotoPage8.html

6/11/2010

Hubert Hervey

Subject:  Tern Survey

BSG Members,

After completing 4 days on the Red River I can report 88 least terns observed.  No terns were seen in Pool 4 or Pool 5 area.  Nesting terns were at Cash Point (above pool 5), and Powhatan Rev (in Pool 3).  No terns were seen in Pool 2 or Pool 1.  We surveyed all the way to L & D 1, for the first time in several years.  The plan is to survey from Texarkana to Cash Point from June 21 to June 24, which should determine how much damage will be done to nesting colonies in Ark and LA by the rising water that are sure to be on the way following the deluge of Wed and Thursday upriver.

Hubert

6/9/2010

Bill Wood

Subject:  Great-tailed Grackles at Sam's, including juvenile

To all,

Got off work today around 3:00 PM today and drove to Sam's on Youree Drive in Shreveport to see the Great-tailed Grackles that Dennis Forshee told me about.  Over a 30 minute period I observed one male, vocalizing, at least two females (both had yellow eyes) and one juvenile (solid dark eye).  I also observed the juvenile begging and being feed by the female.  Nesting has been suggested in our area (Caddo Parish) but unconfirmed.  Two nest were found by Dennis Forshee and he observed females on the nest but wasn't able to get a photo.  I'm not sure if this confirms nesting as the birds weren't seen feeding young on the nest but this is pretty close to that.

As Always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

6/8/2010 

Hubert Hervey

Subject:  Least Terns

BSG Members,

In the first complete survey of La least terns on Red River in two years, we have now found 85 adult birds. Three colonies are nesting, Cash Point, Powhatan, and another farther south than Powhatan with 22 adult least terns. As far as SBA Quads are concerned, they will show up in many quads. Yet, there are no terns even attempting to nest in Pool 4 or Pool 5. The nesting habitat is still found in Pool 3, mainly behind newly placed rock dikes. Without the new navigation channel maintenance work, (new dikes), there would be no tern down stream from Shreveport. We go from St. Maurice to Fort Buhlow tomorrow, don't expect many terns.

We did see two adult Bald Eagles, six Canada Geese, and one Osprey. 

Hubert 

6/5/2010

Bill Wood

Subject:  Great tailed grackle nesting at Sams

Dennis Forshee found two great tailed grackles nest along with several birds at the SAMs parking lot on Youree Drive this am.  Could be first record of nesting in our area.

As always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

5/31/2010

Paul Dickson

Subject:  FW: Today's Sighting - Common Poorwill - Harrison County

BSG: Anyone want to try to find this bird?  It apparently is close to the Louisiana line.  This would be a first state record if video recorded in Louisiana.

Paul

FW - From: Matt White 
To: Arbour, David 
Sent: Monday, May 31, 2010 6:31 PM
Subject: Fw: Today's Sighting - Common Poorwill - Harrison County

-----Original Message-----
From: "Linda Price" 

Sent 5/30/2010 6:12:30 PM
Subject: Today's Sighting - Common Poorwill - Harrison County

This morning Peggy Harding assisted me with the USGS Crossroads Bird Breeding Survey.  The Crossroad Count extends from Harrison County into Panola County along the Louisiana border.  At the beginning of the survey about 7 miles due east of Crossroads on FM 31 at about 6:00 am we both heard a Poorwill calling.  The bird sounded to be within a 100 foot distance from us ( or closer ).

Peggy was very surprised as the bird is not supposed to be there.  I made an eBird map of Poorwill occurance for Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana for May.  The map shows no sightings for Poor will in east Texas or Louisiana.

If anyone wants to try for this bird, I will add some detail.

First the route relative to Shreveport, Lake Caddo and planet Earth.

5/17/2010

Hubert Hervey

Subject:  Bald Eagle

BSG Members,

The location of my farm, northern upland DeSoto Parish means that I have very few Bald Eagle for this spot. I just had a white-tailed, brown-headed Bald Eagle pretty high up, glide by, headed from SW to ENE, in the general direction of Wallace Lake, or on toward upper reaches of Pool 5, or Lake Bistineau. I very nearly knocked it off as a Turkey Vulture, and needed binoculars to have a convincing look. At 2:05 PM, 17 May 2010.
Hubert 

5/17/2010

Paul Dickson

Subject:  RE: Nesting Purple Gallinule

Hubert: The missing data in most Purple Gallinule spring sightings is the nest itself or downy young, either form of positive proof of breeding. I recall Terry reporting a nest and I have found one at Pinola recently and one at Loggy Bayou long ago. I have found many May and June pairs seemingly settled in various places for decades, but often cannot seal the deal but finding the nest. What you saw is nearly proof, but somebody needs to wade out there and get the nest recorded. A photo would be great. I saw a pair at Yates tract of the RRNWR several years ago but again, did not find the nest. The nests are not that hidden but are over water so you have to wade around to find them. The young are more often out in the open in the early morning.

5/15/2010

Hubert Hervey

Subject: Nesting Purple Gallinule

BSG Members,

Saturday AM Bill Hall and I went down to the DeSoto Parish unit of the Bayou Pierre WMA, located at the end of Yearwood Rd, but across Bayou Pierre. We watched a Purple Gallinule dash across a short open area with nesting material. It made this same trip, with a bill full of water hyacinth flotsam and other nesting material. Always at a gallop while crossing the open area. This can be seen from the nearest section of the dam. I don't know of any other proved nesting of this sp. since about 1958 at nearby Clear Lake DeSoto. 

There is a small rookery there, with LIBH, SNEG, CAEG, ANHI, lots of Common Moorhens.

If you go be sure to sign in at the kiosk and credit birdwatching as your activity.

Hubert

5/9/2010

Bill Wood 

Subject:  Fwd: eBird Report - Keithville Barron Road

Nice hour of birding this afternoon. Nice little mix of warblers, Wilson's Warbler best bird.

Sent from my iPod,

As always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

Begin forwarded message:

Location: Keithville Barron Road
Observation date: 5/9/10
Number of species: 36

Wood Duck 2
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 1
Little Blue Heron 2
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Mississippi Kite 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Killdeer 1
Mourning Dove 12
Chimney Swift 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Blue Jay 3
American Crow 4
Carolina Chickadee 4
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 3
Eastern Bluebird 2
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
Brown Thrasher 1
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Magnolia Warbler 1
Black-throated Green Warbler 1
Black-and-white Warbler 1
American Redstart 1
Common Yellowthroat 1
Wilson's Warbler 1
Summer Tanager 2
Northern Cardinal 20
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting 4
Common Grackle 2
Brown-headed Cowbird 12
House Finch 2
House Sparrow 2

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

4/21/2010

Anne Rambin

Subject:  RBG

We saw our first Rose-breasted Grosbeack today April 21.  Amazingly enough, the first one we saw was April 19 in 09, April 20 in 07, April 22 in 08, and April 27 in 06.  But we haven't seen our Baltimore Orioles yet, they should have been here April 11-16.  We are in the 400 block of Albert Avenue.

4/21/2010

Velda Neilson

Subject:  Male Rose-breasted

Hello!

Yippee! In Lula I just had a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak! Beautiful!

Several male Indigoes and quite a few warblers around. Could heard Hooded Warblers out the front door this morning.

Went to Hodges Gardens yesterday. Still lots of blooming flowers there and quite a few birds. Heard my first Great-Crested Flycatcher for the season.

Enjoy God's birdy world!
Velda

4/19/2010

Velda Neilson

Subject:  Lots of migrants!

Hello, all!

Lots of migrants here at home as Bill says. Woods just a hopping and singing since April 3rd. First Indigo on April 1st.

We had a pair of Purple Finches on March 11th. Wondered if late date?

Neighbor reported a Rose-breasted Grosbeak and a Scissortail Flycatcher last Friday, April 16th. Didn't show here.

Yesterday Nelda and I followed a pair of Hooded Warblers and a Kentucky Warbler around the yard but nary a view. Heard the Wood Thrush and YT Vireo. Plus lots more! Still have WT Sparrows.

Today we added a male Summer Tanager and a pair of Orchard Orioles. (Saw a male Oriole in Chicago April 10th! Wow!) 

Keep those feeders and bird baths full!

May God bless the birds and the birders!
Velda

4/19/2010 

Bill Wood

Subject:  Fwd: eBird Report - C. Bickham Dickson Park , 4/19/10

 From my iPod,

As always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

Begin forwarded message:

Location: C. Bickham Dickson Park
Observation date: 4/19/10
Notes: Bbbt
Number of species: 25

Wood Duck 2
Blue-winged Teal 40
Great Egret 3
Turkey Vulture 3
Killdeer 8
Solitary Sandpiper 6
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Least Sandpiper 6
Pectoral Sandpiper 25
Mourning Dove 8
Chimney Swift 20
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 3
American Crow 2
Purple Martin 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 12
Barn Swallow 25
Eastern Bluebird 1
American Robin 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 30
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 8
Northern Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 50
Common Grackle 12

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

4/18/2010

Bill Wood

Subject: Mini Fallout occurring?

To all,

Just walked the property out back and saw several migrants including Black and White Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Northern Parula, Chimney Swifts and Tree Swallows.  Also lots of wet and ragged looking Yellow-rumped Warblers.  Most seen in one tree in a span of about ten minutes.  Swifts and swallows were fly-overs.  The same place was dead this morning.

Might be a good time to visit BDP.

As Always, Good Birding!

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

4/18/2010

Jeff Trahan

Subject: Bickham Dickson Park

As usual, Jean and I went to Bickham Dickson Park this Sunday morning.  It was 60 degrees and cloudy.  We were only able to bird the front of the park today because of time constraints.  The water is still high enough to make it appealing to shorebirds.  We saw Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Spotted Sandpiper.  There were also a few migrants in the trees including Warbling Vireo, Eastern Kingbird, and Yellow-throated Warbler.  Lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers are still here most of which are in breeding plumage and singing.  In two weeks, they will almost all be gone.  We saw a total of 45 species in one hour.  The entire list is below.

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport

8 Wood Duck 
3 Mallard 
35 Blue-winged Teal 
3 Great Blue Heron 
12 Great Egret 
2 Snowy Egret 
2 Cattle Egret 
4 Killdeer 
2 Greater Yellowlegs 
7 Lesser Yellowlegs 
9 Solitary Sandpiper 
1 Spotted Sandpiper 
8 Least Sandpiper 
6 Pectoral Sandpiper 
1 Wilson's Snipe 
3 Mourning Dove 
1 Eastern Screech-Owl 
2 Chimney Swift 
2 Belted Kingfisher 
5 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
3 Northern Flicker 
11 Eastern Kingbird 
5 White-eyed Vireo 
2 Warbling Vireo 
1 Red-eyed Vireo 
3 Blue Jay 
1 Fish Crow 
15 Purple Martin 
10 Cliff Swallow 
20 Barn Swallow 
4 Carolina Chickadee 
1 Tufted Titmouse 
1 Carolina Wren 
1 Eastern Bluebird 
4 Northern Mockingbird 
12 European Starling 
32 Cedar Waxwing 
25 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
1 Yellow-throated Warbler 
1 White-throated Sparrow 
6 Red-winged Blackbird 
15 Common Grackle 
1 Orchard Oriole 
1 American Goldfinch 
8 House Sparrow 

4/16/2010

Paul Dickson

Subject: Indigo Bunting arrival

BSG,

 I noted Indigo Buntings today both at Pinola (Red River Parish) and at home at my feeder.

Paul

4/13/2010

Bill Wood 

Subject: C Bickham Dickson Park shorebirds today

Had 30 plus pectoral sandpipers, lots of solitary, a few spotted @ Bickham Dickson this afternoon.  Also 50 plus blue-winged teal.

As always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

4/12/2010

John Dillon

Subject: [LABIRD-L] Western Grebe

For anyone who doesn't check LABIRD, this is the post I sent last night concerning the Western Grebe at Lake Claiborne State Park. If you go find the bird, please submit checklists to the BSG and eBird. Kudos to Jonathan Carpenter of Baton Rouge who found the bird on the 9th while he was camping at the park with some friends.

Thanks
John Dillon

Steve Pagans, Carolyn Phillips, Shirley Huss and I met up at Lake Claiborne State Park at 3:30 today. Found the bird, but it was very far away. Tried different vantage points with the same problem.

Finally, we found a couple who volunteered to take us out on their party barge.  Got right up on the bird.  Steve got incredible shots.  I got good shots with video.  Plumage looks as definitive as you can get for a Western Grebe.  Red eye clearly surrounded by all black with no light marks on the body.  Bill had definite dull, almost greenish tint.  Steve played the call, and the bird answered about four times.  Call was identical to tape.  Absolutely beautiful.

Anyone interested in seeing the bird from Lake Claiborn State Park should ask for a park map, park in front of cabin one or two, walk behind cabins to the water, and scan to the W-NW. Find the posts in the horizon and look in front.

John Dillon
Athens, LA

4/11/2010

Jeff Trahan

Subject: Bickham Dickson Park

Jean and I went to Bickham Dickson Park this morning.  It is open again.  We were expecting to see some migrating warblers, but saw none.  However, there were some shorebirds there around the loop near the boat launch.  The habitat seems perfect for shorebirds--lots of very shallow water both inside and outside of the loop.  Most of these shorebirds were located 150 to 200 yards from the road and some were difficult to distinguish using only binoculars.  We didn't have the spotting scope with us.  So some of the shorebirds are going unreported because we could not see them well enough to tell what they were.  We saw a total of 43 species.  The whole list is below.

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport

7 Wood Duck 
6 Mallard 
45 Blue-winged Teal 
1 Pied-billed Grebe 
3 Double-crested Cormorant 
4 Great Egret 
1 Snowy Egret 
1 Green Heron 
2 Black Vulture 
30 American Coot 
6 Killdeer 
1 Lesser Yellowlegs 
5 Solitary Sandpiper 
1 Spotted Sandpiper 
2 Least Sandpiper 
15 Pectoral Sandpiper 
1 Wilson's Snipe 
1 Mourning Dove 
1 Belted Kingfisher 
3 Red-headed Woodpecker 
10 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
2 Downy Woodpecker 
1 Northern Flicker 
3 White-eyed Vireo 
8 Blue Jay 
2 Fish Crow 
2 Purple Martin 
8 Cliff Swallow 
5 Barn Swallow 
2 Carolina Chickadee 
4 Carolina Wren 
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 
1 Eastern Bluebird 
1 Northern Mockingbird 
8 European Starling 
30 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
1 Eastern Towhee 
1 Savannah Sparrow 
1 White-throated Sparrow 
15 Northern Cardinal 
8 Red-winged Blackbird 
30 Common Grackle 
1 Brown-headed Cowbird 

4/7/2010

Louis Soule

Subject: Fulvous Whistling Ducks

At 8:30am this morning (4-8-10) I saw two Fulvous Whistling Ducks fly overhead around my yard.  They perched briefly in a tree next door.  They flew away in a southerly direction.

Louis Soule

4/5/2010

Hubert Hervey

Subject: Broadwing Hawks

BSG Members,

Monday noon, Stonewall LA, seems to be the first major push of Broadwings, today from 12 to 12:30 had 12 Broadwings, really high, streaming almost due east.  Mostly in singles but one group of 5. Binocs required.

Hubert 

4/5/2010

Jim Ingold

Subject: Osprey nest on Cross lake

A student of mine told me of a nest on cross lake a couple of weeks ago – he saw it again over the weekend.  It is on the west end of the lake.  He said he’ll take me out there to see it plus he has pictures of the birds.  He has seen 3 individuals.

Jim

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3/28/ 2010

Jeff Trahan

Subject: Sunday at Bickham Dickson 

Jean and I went to Bickham Dickson Park this morning. It was 50 degrees and overcast.  We saw a total of 38 species including 8 Chimney Swifts.  This is my first observation of them this spring.  There were very few sparrows.  We only saw one White-throated Sparrow, two Swamp Sparrows and one Field Sparrow.  I would guess that there is a lack of sparrows because the park was flooded so long.  The habitat where the Le Cont's Sparrows have been most often seen was destroyed by the high water.  The species of grass in which they were always found is gone.  The only shore birds there were Least Sandpipers.  The entire list is below.

Jeff Trahan

24 Wood Duck 
2 Gadwall 
5 Mallard 
28 Blue-winged Teal 
12 Pied-billed Grebe 
18 Double-crested Cormorant 
3 Great Blue Heron 
1 Great Egret 
3 Turkey Vulture 
4 Killdeer 
18 Least Sandpiper 
1 Wilson's Snipe 
5 Mourning Dove 
8 Chimney Swift 
3 Belted Kingfisher 
2 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
1 Northern Flicker 
2 Blue Jay 
15 Purple Martin 
1 Cliff Swallow 
20 Barn Swallow 
2 Carolina Chickadee 
3 Carolina Wren 
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
2 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 
3 Eastern Bluebird 
25 American Robin 
7 Northern Mockingbird 
35 European Starling 
18 Cedar Waxwing 
125 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
1 Field Sparrow 
2 Swamp Sparrow 
1 White-throated Sparrow 
10 Northern Cardinal 
120 Red-winged Blackbird 
210 Common Grackle 
5 Brown-headed Cowbird 

3/28/2010

Bill Wood

Subject: FOS R-T Hummingbirds, winter hold-overs

To all,

Saw my fos ruby-throated this mourning at a feeder around 8 am.

Saturday afternoon had a white-eyed vireo, orange-crowned warbler and ruby-crowned kinglet in a thicket out back.  Not sure if the white- eyed was a winter hold over as I did have one back in Feb. in the same general area.

Most goldfinches are gone but still have lots of chipping sparrows.

As always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

3/8/2010

Mac Hardy

Subject: Sandhill Cranes

Robert Lance (965-9144) has been seeing Sandhill Cranes (2-16 per flock) off of Crouch Road (Bossier Parish, east of Cypress dam) for the past two weeks.  They are heard and seen flying over at all times during the day and from all directions.  Two seemed to be gliding in toward Bodcau.  Anyone in the area keep on the look out.  Let’s get some more records of Sandhill Cranes in the database.

Dr. Laurence M. Hardy
Museum of Life Sciences
LSU in Shreveport
lhardy(at)lsus(dot)edu

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2/15/2010

Jeff Trahan

Sunday at the Red River NWR-HQ

Bickham Dickson is again flooded and closed.  The water completely covers the fishing pier and is up to the entrance of the park, so Jean and I could not even walk into the park.  We then went to the Headquarters Unit of the Red River Refuge.  We saw a total of 49 species there.  There was only one species of duck on the lake--Wood Duck.  The Common Goldeneyes were either not there or in a portion of the lake not visible from our location.  However, the Ash-throated Flycatcher is still present at the same location it was two weeks ago.  In addition we saw two Harris' Sparrows.  The complete list is below.

Jeff Trahan

3 Wood Duck 
2 American White Pelican 
15 Double-crested Cormorant 
1 Great Blue Heron 
1 Great Egret 
3 Turkey Vulture 
2 Cooper's Hawk 
1 Red-shouldered Hawk 
2 Red-tailed Hawk 
200 American Coot 
4 Killdeer 
10 Ring-billed Gull 
1 Forster's Tern 
1 Mourning Dove 
15 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
4 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 
2 Downy Woodpecker 
3 Northern Flicker 
2 Eastern Phoebe 
1 Ash-throated Flycatcher 
15 Blue Jay 
6 Carolina Chickadee 
3 Tufted Titmouse 
7 Carolina Wren 
1 House Wren 
3 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
6 Eastern Bluebird 
1 Hermit Thrush 
35 American Robin 
4 Northern Mockingbird 
1 Brown Thrasher 
2 European Starling 
30 Cedar Waxwing 
1 Orange-crowned Warbler 
60 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
4 Eastern Towhee 
2 Chipping Sparrow 
3 Field Sparrow 
15 Savannah Sparrow 
9 Song Sparrow 
1 Swamp Sparrow 
75 White-throated Sparrow 
2 Harris's Sparrow 
6 White-crowned Sparrow 
15 Northern Cardinal 
35 Red-winged Blackbird 
4 Common Grackle 
2 House Finch 
6 American Goldfinch 

2/10/2010

Jeff Trahan

Subject: Plesant Hill Quad

Terry Davis and I birded the Plesant Hill Quad today (Wednesday) for the Winter Bird Atlas.  We only had 64 species, but we had a very good day.  The best birds were 1 Spotted Towhee, 24 Gray Catbirds, 286 Rusty Blackbirds, and a White-eyed Vireo.  The entire list is below.

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport

6 Great Blue Heron 
4 Great Egret 
13 Black Vulture 
22 Turkey Vulture 
1 Cooper's Hawk 
15 Red-shouldered Hawk 
3 Red-tailed Hawk 
2 American Kestrel 
4 Killdeer 
3 American Woodcock 
1 Eurasian Collared-Dove 
33 Mourning Dove 
1 Red-headed Woodpecker 
48 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 
13 Downy Woodpecker 
5 Hairy Woodpecker 
4 Northern Flicker 
9 Pileated Woodpecker 
21 Eastern Phoebe 
1 Loggerhead Shrike 
1 White-eyed Vireo 
4 Blue-headed Vireo 
81 Blue Jay 
143 American Crow 
3 Fish Crow 
40 Carolina Chickadee 
46 Tufted Titmouse 
17 Brown-headed Nuthatch 
5 Brown Creeper 
66 Carolina Wren 
3 House Wren 
6 House Wren 
14 Golden-crowned Kinglet 
28 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
36 Eastern Bluebird 
60 Hermit Thrush 
1206 American Robin 
24 Gray Catbird 
27 Northern Mockingbird 
30 Brown Thrasher 
8 European Starling 
109 Cedar Waxwing 
3 Orange-crowned Warbler 
79 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
45 Pine Warbler 
1 Spotted Towhee 
38 Eastern Towhee 
147 Chipping Sparrow 
5 Field Sparrow 
3 Savannah Sparrow 
18 Song Sparrow 
1 Lincoln's Sparrow 
9 Swamp Sparrow 
202 White-throated Sparrow 
55 Dark-eyed Junco 
112 Northern Cardinal 
491 Red-winged Blackbird 
25 Eastern Meadowlark 
286 Rusty Blackbird 
75 Brown-headed Cowbird 
88 American Goldfinch 
2 House Sparrow 

2/2/2010

Paul Dickson

Subject: RE: 9 Common Goldeneye at Red River NWR HQ

John: You are right about Lake Claiborne. Lake Claiborne is #2 only behind Lake O’ the Pines as the best Goldeneye lake in this region or so I have heard through the years.  Seems to be certain lake characteristics that draw them.  Probably upland drainage, clear water and small mussel species.  I can’t recall ever hearing of more than 2 or 3 at one time anywhere except Lake Claiborne.  Odd ones show up in all kinds of places like the two immatures that I found on my catfish pond (really just a muddy pit) on Leonard Rd.  These are always immature birds, never adult males.  If these males on the refuge lake are adults, that is a really unusual.  Both of the previously mentioned lakes however, seem to have annual wintering populations that include adults.  These birds are finding suitable food sources and are returning each year.  Proving why, would make for a good study for a La. Tech graduate student.

Paul

2/2/2010

John Dillon

Subject: FW: 9 Common Goldeneye at Red River NWR HQ

Nancy, et al.

We had a total of 17 Common Goldeneye on the Claiborne Count in 2007.  Two of those I saw (with Nancy and Mary Ellen Lewis).  I did not personally see the other 15, and I believe they were reported by Sterling Lacey.

John Dillon

2/2/2010

Nancy Menasco 

Subject: 9 Common Goldeneye at Red River NWR HQ

Dear BSGers:

Charlie Lyon just called me.  He made a quick visit to the Red River NWR Headquarters this morning before work and found 9 Common Goldeneye (5 drakes, 4 female) on the lake.  He thinks this is probably a North Louisiana record.  He was scoping from the old boat launch area (the gravel area that’s now the duck banding site) on the southern side of the lake; at the time the ducks were almost directly across from him on the far northern side of the lake.  He said you would need a scope to see them.  You can access the northern side of the lake from the Refuge Lake Bluff Trail; if the ducks are still in the same location, it’s possible you might be able to get a better look from there.  See below for directions and trail map links.

Nancy Menasco
nmcpa(at)aol(dot)com

2/2/2010

Paul Dickson

Subject: RE: European Goldfinch

Velda:

You may be right about it being from a released and surviving population.  I hear that Chaffinches have also taken hold from such a release in Illinois.

Paul

2/1/2010

Velda Neilson

Subject: European Goldfinch at 6th house on RIGHT

Hello again!

The European Goldfinch is at the 6th house on the RIGHT on the south end of Dance Drive Loop.  The house is a light brown brick with a new-looking, narrow asphalt drive.

The bird frequents the 3 obvious feeders in the backyard.  And likes to perch in the leafless Ornamental Pear 35 feet or so to the left of the feeders.

Good night!  Don't let the bedbugs bite!
Velda

2/1/2010

Velda 

Neilson

Subject: European Goldfinch

Hello, Birders!

Went to look for European Goldfinch today (Monday) but I missed it.

Owners saw bird 3 times before 10:30.  I arrived at 11:30.  Just as I was about to leave at 1:00 bird showed.  I had a poor view of it as it flew high and directly over the window where we were perched.  I could not get even one identifying trait except it was larger than the Am. Goldfinch it flew with - both ID'd by the hostess.

Know it is likely an escapee but according to computer search a store owner in Chicago released all his caged birds in 2002.  Some were the Eur. Goldfinch.  There are actually nesting records in some of the northern states and sightings in more.  On one website they are collecting data on numbers and nesting.

So how do we not know this is one of their offspring?  Could we birders actually find this bird near Shreveport hoping he flew south due to the Arctic Blast the last few weeks?  And that we could put him in escrow for our future?

Just wondering!  I'd still love to see the bird!  And not in Galveston's Moody Gardens Arboretum!

May God bless,
Velda

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1/31/2010

Paul Dickson

Subject: RE: European Goldfinch in Spring Ridge

FYI: European Goldfinch is very common in captivity.  A breeder that I know of in NW Arkansas is a specialist in this species and breeds and sells over a hundred a year.  See http://www.singing-wings-aviary.com/ .  This is probably the source of the Himalayan Greenfinch that was found at a home on Lake Bistineau several years ago.  It too was with American Goldfinches at a feeder.

Paul Dickson

1/31/2010

Jeff Trahan

Subject: European Goldfinch in Spring Ridge

Elaine and Brian Wilson report a European Goldfinch at their feeders in Spring Ridge.  They saw it three times this morning and have a spotting scope set up in the house to view it.

If you would like to see it, directions to their house follow:

Spring Ridge is located a few miles southwest of Shreveport at the intersection of Colquitt Road (LA 525) and LA 169. They live at 8317 Dance Drive.  Dance Drive is a loop road off of LA 169 about a mile north of the intersection of Colquitt Road and LA 169.  Their house is on the south side of the loop and is the 6th house from LA 169.  The feeders are in the back yard.  There is a door on the east side of the house with a doorbell. It would be best to see the bird from inside of the house because the birds in the yard are very skittish.  If they are not home, you may go into the back yard to see the bird.  Their phone number is 925 2548.

Jeff Trahan

1/27/2010

Jeff Trahan

Subject: Ash-throated Flycatcher at RRNWR-HQ

Ronnie Maum spotted an unusual flycatcher over the weekend at the Headquarters Unit of the Red River Refuge.  He had photos from the back, but not the front, and he did not see it from the front.  It appeared to be a Myiarchus flycatcher.  To identify which one of these flycatchers it is, you have to see the undertail pattern.  I went there Tuesday and did not find it, but I did find it today and got photos of it from the front and back.  I think it's an Ash-throated Flycatcher. I have attached two photos of it to this email.

You cannot drive into the refuge.  You must park your car at the gate and walk in.  The flycatcher was located near the main road between the two gas wells.  Follow the main road past the Petrohawk well (this is the first well you come to).  The location is about 200 yards before the Sklar well which is at the end of the road.  As you travel toward the Sklar well, there are two yellow ribbons tied to weeds right at the right edge of the road.  These two ribbons are about fifty feet apart.  The flycatcher was on the left side of the road from these ribbons.  The distance to this location from the parking lot is about 1.3 miles.  This is approximately the same location where the Ash-throated Flycatcher was seen last year.

The Headquarters Unit of the Red River Refuge is located just east of the intersection of Sunflower Blvd and Sunflower St. south of the Jimmy Davis Bridge near the river.

Jeff Trahan

1/10/2010

Bill Wood

Subject: Barn Swallows at Bickham Dickson Park

To all,

Made a brief visit to Bickham Dickson Park and was surprised to find a pair of Barn Swallows resting on the first pier as your enter the park.  Jeff Trahan was able to get pics.  We watched them feed over open water and perch in a tree top next to the pier.  The Shreveport BSG database shows no January record for this species in Caddo Parish.

Lots of Yellow-rumps, double-crested cormorants and American White Pelicans.

As always, Good Birding! 

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA

1/8/2010

Velda Neilson

Subject Nuthatch and Waxwing spectacular!

 Hello, all,

Hope everyone is warm and well while out looking for frostbit birds!  And rarities with all this weather.

Neighbor and I birded a few minutes this afternoon from Toledo to home, after helping some folks with water problems.  We came upon a spectacular feeding/flying frenzy of waxwings!  Awesome!  They were flying out of the woods into any cedar, privet, or ? yaupon with berries.  They'd feed and fly on down the narrow, country "road tunnel" having trees on each side.  Honestly, there were several hundred of them no doubt!  Wonderful sight!

At Jolly Roger we were pishing up birds from inside the car.  All of a sudden I heard a BH Nuthatch and that beggar almost flew in the car after me!  Honestly, he was no further than 6 inches from my face when he scared me and himself!  He made an about-face and landed in a bush 9 feet away.  And buddy, did he scream!  He fussed and hollered for 3 or 4 mins - the whole time we sat there!  That was thrilling!  Also had some chickadees, a myrt, a Ruby-crown and a Mockingbird show up. 

Did not see any ducks or eagles.  Only 2 Pied-bills, 5 White Pelicans, some Cormarants and 2 Great Blues.  No Great Egrets.

Had a beautiful view of a Red Shouldered Hawk that literally blended with the rotting tree he was perched at the top of.  A Pileated in our front woods.  Maybe got 25 species.

Actually had a dozen goldfinches today at my sunflower feeders.  Weren't too interested in the thistle seed - or maybe feeders they were in.

Wrap those pipes and feed the birds!

And remember - the more you bird the more blessed with awesome sights you'll be!

Velda

1/2/2010

 Velda Neilson

Subject: No Gold

Happy New Year Birders!

Here in the Lula Community we have no goldfinches feeding.  We have been hearing them for weeks in the tree tops but none are coming to my feeders nor the neighbors except 5 or 6.  Not even the thistle feeders!  Are they enjoying all the natural foods?

Where are my goldfinches?  This is the first year this has happened here since 1986.

Have a blessed 2010,
Velda

1/1/2010

Jeff Trahan

Subject: Bickham Dickson Birds

Bickham Dickson Park is closed again due to high water.  Jean and I walked to the barn, but couldn't get around the circle by the boat launch.  This was the first time that we have been to the park that we did not see a Great Egret.  However, we did see a total of 40 species that included Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and four Orange-crowned Warblers.  The complete list is below.

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport, LA

2 Gadwall 
4 Mallard 
45 Ruddy Duck 
6 Pied-billed Grebe 
18 American White Pelican 
35 Double-crested Cormorant 
1 Anhinga 
1 Great Blue Heron 
2 Black Vulture 
1 Red-shouldered Hawk 
1 Red-tailed Hawk 
20 American Coot 
80 Ring-billed Gull 
6 Mourning Dove 
2 Belted Kingfisher 
5 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
1 Downy Woodpecker 
5 Northern Flicker 
3 Eastern Phoebe 
5 Blue Jay 
6 Carolina Chickadee 
2 Carolina Wren 
6 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 
3 Eastern Bluebird 
3 American Robin 
3 Northern Mockingbird 
8 European Starling 
1 American Pipit 
15 Cedar Waxwing 
4 Orange-crowned Warbler 
125 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
1 Pine Warbler 
1 Song Sparrow 
2 Swamp Sparrow 
4 White-throated Sparrow 
3 Northern Cardinal 
10 Red-winged Blackbird 
425 Common Grackle 
2 American Goldfinch

1/1/2010

Bill Wood

Subject: Purple Finches

To all,

Had a male and female Purple Finch at the feeders this a.m.  Also good numbers of American Goldfinches and Chipping Sparrows.

As always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA 

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12/28/2009

Clyde Massey

Subject: State Bird Quest 

LaBirders,

Sunday I went off chasing new state birds, something I haven't done in quite some time.

First, I started at Holly Beach looking for Burrowing Owl.  Checked every pile of rocks, rubble, trash, etc.  No owl to be found.  Strike one.

Second, I went to Cedar Drive in Cameron to look for Cinnamon Teal.  No landowners home so I could not get permission.  Went on to Pintail Drive in Cameron Prairie NWR.  Lots of ducks and geese, including teal, but no Cinnamon.  Strike two.

Got off I-10 at Rayne about 2:30 pm.  Drove down Hwy 90 several times.  Checked trees, bushes, etc.  Turned off Hwy 90 and checked Landry Rd.  Nothing.  About 3:30, I returned to Hwy 90 heading west toward Rayne.  The (Harris Hawk?  (webguy)) hawk was perched on the lowest wire about half a mile east of Leroy Breaux Rd.  I watched it for a couple of minutes, then it flew into the trees north of Hwy 90 and continued east following the RR tracks.  Home Run!  It ain't over til its over!

Had a great day and saw lots of birds.  Thanks to all who provided directions.

Clyde Massey
Shreveport, LA
cnmassey(at)earthlink(dot)net

12/20/2009

James Ingold

Subject: FW: Caddo Lake Bird Count Summary 

FYI

Forwarded e-mail from Dorothy Metzler [mailto:dmetzler(at)rlmgc(dot)net] 
Sent: Saturday, December 19, 2009 7:15 PM

We had a frosty morning (low in the 20's) followed by a sunny afternoon (high around 49) on December 5, 2009, for our sixteenth annual Caddo Lake Warm-up Winter Bird Count.  Twenty-three participants in 11 parties covered territories in Marion and Harrison Counties, Texas, and Caddo Parish, Louisiana.  We found a total of 103 species on this year's count (our average is 106), with one new species (Nashville Warbler – found by Jim Ingold on the LA side).

All-time high numbers were counted for: Turkey Vulture (434), Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (9), Brewer's Blackbird (200).

Notably absent were: Ruddy Duck, American Woodcock, Great Horned Owl, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-crowned Sparrow.

Eleven Bald Eagles were reported.  Two or three of them might have been counted twice, which would leave us with a total of eight or nine, which is still a lot more than we normally have on this count (generally just 1 or 2).  We have had as many as 15 but that was in 1995.

Peggy Harding & Linda Price (in Marion Co.) spotted 5 Bald Eagles all at the same time (2 ad, 3 im) plus 3 Herring Gulls and 4 Blue-headed Vireos (we had a total of 16 BH Vireos).

Mike Dillon & David Weaver reported 200 Brewer’s Blackbirds (in Harrison Co.).

Dillon & Weaver counted 35 Rusty Blackbirds (Harrison Co.) and Wanda Bosmans & Happy King counted 22 (Marion Co.) for a total of 57 Rusty Blackbirds.

Dorothy Metzler, Diane Jones, Nancy Ray & Tom Walker found 1 of our 2 Le Conte’s Sparrows (in Harrison Co.).

David Ringer & Jason Pike (in Harrison Co.) also found 1 Le Conte’s Sparrow, plus our only Inca Doves (2), 4 of our 7 Purple Finches, and nearly half (21) of our 45 Golden-crowned Kinglets.

Ray Berry & Gene Peiter (in Marion Co.) found our only Pine Siskins (3) as well as 3 Purple Finches.

Bob Metzler & Eddie Ray counted 600 Canvasbacks and one Osprey (on the Texas side of the lake – by boat).

Jim Ingold (in Caddo Parish, LA) got 15 Bufflehead and 2 Common Goldeneye and our only new species this year: (1) Nashville Warbler.

Rosemary Seidler (in Caddo Parish) reported our only Eurasian Collared Dove.

Jeff & Jean Trahan (Caddo Parish) spotted our only Snow Goose (1) and 12 of our 16 Hooded Mergansers.

Shirley Huss, Silviera Hunt & Michelle Lawrence (Caddo Parish) found 4 of our 11 Fish Crows (the lowest number we’ve had on this count since 1994). 

12/13/2009

John Dillon

Subject: Claiborne CBC scouting

Hello, Claiborne CBC folks!

Couldn't scout yesterday due to rain, but I went out this morning around the perimeter of the lake.  Birds everywhere!  Got a pair of Eared Grebe and a pair of Northern Pintail which would both be new species for this count.  Had several other goodies but failed to relocate the Say's Phoebe.  But the whole area I birded was as birdy as I've ever seen it!  See most of you tonight!

John Dillon
Athens, LA

12/6/2009

Jeff Trahan

Subject: Bickham Dickson Park Birds 

Bickham Dickson Park is open again so Jean and I were able to walk into back of the park again.  It was muddy and cold so we didn't stay as long as usual.  We saw a total of 34 species--nothing unusual.  The entire list is below.

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport, LA

4 Mallard
3 Northern Shoveler
6 Ruddy Duck
12 Pied-billed Grebe
8 American White Pelican
85 Double-crested Cormorant
2 Anhinga
2 Great Blue Heron
12 Great Egret
1 Snowy Egret
2 Turkey Vulture
150 American Coot
1 Killdeer
3 Rock Pigeon
1 Mourning Dove
1 Belted Kingfisher
4 Red-bellied Woodpecker
1 Downy Woodpecker
4 Northern Flicker
2 Pileated Woodpecker
1 Blue Jay
2 Carolina Chickadee
1 Tufted Titmouse
10 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
1 Eastern Bluebird
1 European Starling
1 American Pipit
9 Cedar Waxwing
55 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Pine Warbler
5 White-throated Sparrow
8 Northern Cardinal
60 Common Grackle

12/5/2009

John Dillon

Subject: Hill Farm Say's Phoebe

If anyone would like to see the Say's Phoebe we found at the Hill Farm today, here is the bird's location.  If you come in from the North side of the Hill Farm (just south of Homer in Claiborne Parish on HWY 9), turn on Hill Farm Road; if you come from the South side, do the same, or turn on Powell Road.  Take either road east until you get to an unmarked road with two empty chicken houses on it.  The phoebe is to the north of the chicken houses.  It's sallying from the fences in the pastures there and could be on any fence.  Say's Phoebes bob their tails, so don't automatically write off a tail bobbing bird as an Eastern Phoebe.  If you play the call, please don't over-play.  Steve Pagans got wonderful photos, and we all had excellent looks through the scope.  If anyone needs any other info, you can email me off-list unless it would be helpful to others, too.

John Dillon
Athens, LA

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11/24/2009

Jeff Trahan

Subject: Bickham Dickson Park

Bickham Dickson is still closed, but the roads are no longer covered with water.  This morning, Jean and I walked from the front gate to the boat launch, around the loop and to the barn.  It was cloudy and occasionally drizzly.  The best bird was two Franklin's Gulls mixed in with the Ring-billed Gulls near the boat launch.  We saw 32 species.  The complete list is below.

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport, LA

1 Wood Duck 
8 Gadwall 
7 Mallard 
3 Pied-billed Grebe 
18 American White Pelican 
30 Double-crested Cormorant 
1 Anhinga 
4 Great Blue Heron 
8 Great Egret 
157 American Coot 
25 Killdeer 
1 Spotted Sandpiper 
2 Franklin's Gull 
31 Ring-billed Gull 
2 Mourning Dove 
4 Belted Kingfisher 
5 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
1 Downy Woodpecker 
7 Northern Flicker 
1 Blue Jay 
1 Fish Crow 
2 Carolina Chickadee 
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
1 Eastern Bluebird 
3 American Robin 
2 American Pipit 
45 Yellow-throated Warbler 
1 White-throated Sparrow 
1 Northern Cardinal 
8 Red-winged Blackbird 
40 Common Grackle 
1 American Goldfinch 

11/6/2009

Velda Neilson

SUBJECT: One Hummer

Hello, all!

Had one hummer today.  Only one quick look at front but I suppose it is the female Ruby-throat.  Late date!

Have fun railing tomorrow!

God bless,
Velda

11/6/2009

Rachel Demascal

SUBJECT: Last Hummingbird at feeder

Charles Fritz in Blanchard reported to Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park that the last of the ruby-throated hummingbirds left his feeder yesterday, November 5, 2009.  He will call again if any more show up.

-Rachel Demascal

11/3/2009

Ellen Middleton

SUBJECT: Fall

I had 4 yellow-rump warblers, 1 ruby crowned kinglet in the live oak, and a ruby throat hummingbird feeding at the Mexican bush sage in my back yard this morning.  Guess this is my "fall" bird day.

Ellen Middleton
Broadmoor Terrace

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10/27/2009

Velda Neilson 

SUBJECT: hummers and eagles

Hello, All!

Saw a Bald Eagle riding the thermals with a TV in north Haughton on Oct 18th!  We were at a home nestled with a couple others in mostly the woods.  Yoohoo!  Altitude so low I could clearly see the white tail and head.  Circled around and then flew northwest toward the Red River and Cross Lake.  Lake Bistineau is ? SW of Haughton.

We still have 4 or 5 hummers here in the Lula Community (south Desoto Parish).  I have 2 myself.  They appear to be the same birds that have been here for 2 weeks.  I know many of you must still have hummers.

Yes, my feeders are still up with clean sugar water.  If I recall, Paul's opinion is to leave up the feeders as long as we see hummers.  This is the latest date I have hummers recorded at my house.  I believe one is an imm. male or female Ruby.  The other I believe is an imm. Black-chin because it's bill seems longer and definitely down-curved

We have birded upper Toledo Bend some lately and had very few species - in fact, 2 of our lowest records - 21 or 22.  Did have a Roseate, a Broad-wing Hawk, an imm. male Indigo Bunting and 3 kingfishers 2 weeks ago.  Last week's highlights were 55 White Pelicans, a dozen un-ID'd ducks, and 4 coots.

I haven't seen many migrants at home either.  Thought I heard a YB Sapsucker last week.  That's about it!  Where did they migrate through or did I just miss them?

Good day to all and may God bless,
Velda

10/15/2009

Jay Huner 

SUBJECT: Roseate Spoonbills and Other Waterbirds - Cotile Lake

Good Morning from Central Louisiana.  Cotile Lake is about 6 miles west of Boyce off I-49.  The lake is being drained to the 8' level to permit repair of a bridge on the SW arm.  There are two arms SW and SE accessible from LA 1200 and Hoyt Road off LA 1200.

Yesterday, the following birds were present foraging in the drying arms of the lake.  The area should be attractive to wading birds for the next 6-8 weeks, if not longer.

Jay Huner

- Wood Duck
- Double-crested Cormorant
- American White Pelican
- Anhinga
- Great Blue Heron
- Great Egret
- Snowy Egret
- Little Blue Heron
- Tricolored Heron
- Green Heron
- White Ibis
- Roseate Spoonbill
- Wood Stork
- Osprey
- Purple Gallinule
- Killdeer
- Herring Gull
- Belted Kingfisher

10/15/2009

Rachel Demascal

SUBJECT: Roseate Spoonbill

Alice Bond in Doyline has spotted and photographed a Roseate Spoonbill on Lake Bistineau over that last few days.  She has two photographs. The bird may still be there today.

-Rachel Demasca

10/12/2009

Bobbe Wommack

SUBJECT: Chat

 I had a beautiful yellow breasted chat in my yard today. 

Bobbe Wommack

9/4/2009

Mark Poole

SUBJECT: Greater Roadrunner

I'm not sure I've ever noticed a post about Greater Roadrunners. There is a small 'family' of roadrunners living near the Stonewall exit of I-49 in Desoto Parish.  I see individuals fairly frequently, and watched a group of three once.

Today I spotted an individual on the NW corner of the intersection as I exited the highway, and stopped to watch it feed near the fenceposts on the hill. Grasshoppers seemed to be the fare on the menu today.

There is a wide shoulder for pulling off the road and being out of the way of traffic.

Mark Poole

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8/31/2009

Clyde Massey

Subject:  Lock & Dam 4

Hi BSG,

I stopped by Lock & Dam 4 briefly on the way home from Alexandria today.  Other than the usual waders, there was one adult Purple Gallinule in the first pond on the north side of the road with several moorhens.  Lots of Eastern Kingbirds along the fencerows.  23 Caspian Terns on a small sandbar out near the end of one of the jetties.  On the way out two white-tailed does and a young fawn running close to the road.

Clyde Massey

8/31/2009

Jeff Trahan

Subject:  Bickham Dickson Park-Sunday

Jean and I went to Bickham Dickson Park Sunday morning.  Birds were much better than in the previous two weeks.  Two weeks ago we saw a total of 24 species; last week we saw 37 species; this week we got 51 species.  We actually had some migrants: Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers.  It is very nice seeing the warblers during migration. The entire list is below

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport

1 Wood Duck 
3 Mallard 
1 Anhinga 
6 Great Egret 
8 Snowy Egret 
5 Little Blue Heron 
2 Cattle Egret 
2 Green Heron 
9 White Ibis 
3 Black Vulture 
4 Turkey Vulture 
1 Mississippi Kite 
1 Cooper's Hawk 
1 Red-shouldered Hawk 
1 Red-tailed Hawk 
45 Mourning Dove 
1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 
3 Eastern Screech-Owl 
2 Chimney Swift 
1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 
1 Belted Kingfisher 
7 Red-headed Woodpecker 
4 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
2 Downy Woodpecker 
1 Northern Flicker 
1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 
1 Great Crested Flycatcher 
2 Eastern Kingbird 
5 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 
1 White-eyed Vireo 
8 Blue Jay 
1 Fish Crow 
6 Purple Martin 
10 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 
2 Barn Swallow 
6 Carolina Chickadee 
5 Carolina Wren 
7 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 
90 American Robin 
4 Northern Mockingbird 
65 European Starling 
1 Blue-winged Warbler 
5 Northern Parula 
3 Yellow Warbler 
1 Black-and-white Warbler 
2 Northern Waterthrush 
2 Summer Tanager 
6 Northern Cardinal 
1 Red-winged Blackbird 
3 Common Grackle 
3 Baltimore Oriole

8/30/2009

Paul Dickson

Subject:  Adult male Rufous off of Ellerbe

If you are interested in seeing an adult male Rufous Hummingbird, call me.  I banded it yesterday a few hours after its arrival at a home on Bent Tree Lane off of Ellerbe.  It was guarding a feeder and thus very easy to see but probably won't stay long

Paul

8/26/2009

Larry Raymond

Subject:  Yellow-headed Blackbird

Anne just called to tell me she saw a Yellow-headed Blackbird with a large flock of blackbirds along Caplis-Sligo Road in south Bossier.  Anyone out birding might want to scan large blackbird flocks.

Larry R. Raymond

8/22/2009

Dennis Forshee

Subject:  Yellow Warbler

Victoria Williams reports a Yellow Warbler in her backyard this afternoon in Southern Trace, Caddo Parish LA.  The front has 'em moving...

Dennis Forshee

8/21/2009 

Jeff Trahan

Subject:  Green-breasted Mango Photos

I took several photos of the Green-breasted Mango Thursday.  You can find them at:

http://www.jtrahan.com/mango/mango.htm

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport

8/20/2009

Charles Lyon

Subject:  GREEN-BREASTED MANGO

LA-birders,

I got a few semi decent photos of the immature GREEN-BREASTED MANGO at Kathy Johnson's Greenwood, LA home today 8-20-09...certainly from south of the border, and in Border Patrol lingo, it could be an OTM (other than Mexican).
John Arvin can expand on this theory.  To see the photos go to http://gallery.me.com/charleslyon

Charlie Lyon
Shreveport, LA

8/20/2009

Paul Dickson

Subject:  Directions to G B Mango

Birders:

Louisiana’s potential first state record of Green-breasted Mango was first seen at 12:06 PM by Kathy Johnson and her husband at their home near the Texas-Louisiana line west of Greenwood today.  It has already been seen by six birders and has been closely photographed by two photographers.  It is an immature.  These birds are very often “one day wonders” and the most recent two in Texas in fact were seen for hours and for two days respectively.  Dennis Forshee of Shreveport’s Wild Bird Center is going to bring it a couple of more feeders so the welcome mat is out for the bird and for birders.  Let’s hope it stays at least until tomorrow if not for the weekend.  The Johnson’s have made only two requests, one is that you call before coming and the second that no one wearing perfume or cologne enter the home due to their allergies.  If there are very many cars present, we should view the bird from the edge of the pond as you approach the home rather than crowding in on the hosts.  The bird is very active and chases the numerous Ruby-throated constantly.  It is easy to see from a respectful distance.

The home is in the country at the end of a long dirt road.  The following directions will help, even if you have a GPS.  The address is 7380 Brownstone Rd., Greenwood, LA but that address did not carry me far enough on my GPS which indicated that it believed it was at 8380 Brownstone when actually at the home.

Directions from Exit 3, I-20 at Greenwood, Louisiana.  There is a Flying J Truck stop at this exit. From the Flying J:
Proceed west on Hwy.80, 1.3 mi. to Elysian Fields Rd.  Turn left then immediately right on Walden Ferry Road. Go 1.5 mile to Brownstone Road on the left.  There will be a pile of old tires on the right.  Turn left on to Brownstone Road and go .5 mile to where this dirt road ends in a chain-link fence.  (At .3 mile on Brownstone you will see a nice engraved wooden sign that says “private road, no trespassing”.  It is OK to continue on the dirt road through this point.)  At the chain link fence and the mailbox for 7380 you must turn right and drive along the chain link fence on mowed grass.  You cannot see the home from here and you will think that you are driving in a pasture as the tire tracks for the road are barely visible in places.  Continue along the chain-link fence for .1 mi. to where it turns left.  You should park here if there is a crowd.  The road leads to the house which is visible from the fence corner.  If there is a crowd, view the bird from the edge of the pond.  If there is not a crowd, and you are not wearing perfume, and you have called, come to the house.

Call the Johnsons if you plan to come: 318-938-1145

Paul Dickson

8/20/2009

Paul Dickson

Subject: Green breasted mango!

7380 Brownstone rd. Greenwood LA call before coming. Kathy Johnson. 318-938-1145

Paul Dickson

(Note from webguy): This is a hummingbird.

8/16/2009

Jeff Trahan

Subject: Bickham Dickson Park Sunday

Jean and I went to Bickham Dickson Park this morning.  The temperature was in the 80's, but it was very humid causing us to sweat a lot.  We did our usual route which includes driving through the front of the park and walking in the back.  Whenever we stopped we were inundated with mosquitoes.  There were no shorebirds and very few other birds.  We must be in a time when many of the breeding birds have left and the winter birds have not arrived.  I was hoping to see some migrants, but there were none.  The total number of species we saw was 24.  This is probably the lowest number of species we have ever seen on a a trip to the park.  The complete list of birds is below.

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport

3 Wood Duck 
3 Anhinga 
3 Great Egret 
3 Snowy Egret 
1 Little Blue Heron 
2 Cattle Egret 
1 Green Heron 
3 White Ibis 
1 Turkey Vulture 
22 Mourning Dove 
7 Red-headed Woodpecker 
3 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
1 Pileated Woodpecker 
4 Blue Jay 
3 Fish Crow 
3 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 
2 Carolina Chickadee 
1 Carolina Wren 
55 American Robin 
2 Northern Mockingbird 
40 European Starling 
3 Northern Cardinal 
1 Indigo Bunting 
3 Common Grackle

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7/31/2009

Hubert Hervey

Subject:  Scott's Slough drains, and birds benefit

BSG members,

July 30 Pat Stinson, biologist Coldiron, and I took a chance on the iffy weather and boated from Spring Bank in Ark, to Cash Point north of Bossier City.  Several interesting observations come next:

1. At Palmer's Lake, in Ark, just N of the La state line, we saw between 60 and 80 least terns.  A total of over 100 were seen all day.  We encountered one 3 week old bird here with a broken wing.  It was trying to fly, but wound up flopping.  I should have collected it, as only bad can result.  A predator will catch it, and learn how tasty tern is, or the parents will overstay their migration departure, trying to tend to a bird that will not fly away with them.

2. Scott's Slough is located 5 miles N of the Hwy 2 bridge and is dammed up by the natural levee formed by the raised banks of the Red River. The recent heavy rains in that area caused the dam to rupture and the 25 or 30 acre lake to empty. The area was full of birds enjoying the bonanza, as the water was still flowing out rapidly.  Birds included many Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Little Blue Herons and Least Sandpipers.

Best Birds were: 4 Red Knots
6 Stilt Sandpipers
15 Black Terns
1 Willet
1 Roseatte Spoonbill
17 Wood Storks
1 Caspian Tern

This area was accessible by boat from the river.  This natural phenomenon was new and fascinating for me to experience.

3. We saw 3 grown beavers: one swimming across the rapidly flowing river, and two diving off the bank as we passed. 

4. The debris drift line was almost continual, in a line near the channel, and carrying an occasional large log.  A lot of this material will eventually make its way to L & D 5.

5. We saw 3 adult Bald Eagles, a pair at Glycerine Revetment, and one farther north. 

This trip should only be attempted by a boater experienced with conditions such as described, and having the proper boat to manage such conditions.  We avoided the morning rains, but the wind was a problem at times.

A comment on this seasons tern production follows:

June was lost as high water levels prevented nesting until about July 1st.  The number of fledglings I have seen is about 1/3 of what I would expect during a normal year.  I will hope to support this opinion with numbers in the September issue of the BSG Newsletter.

It was a very informative trip and well worth the effort.

Hubert Hervey 

7/23/2009

Hubert Hervey

Subject:  Ark. Least Tern Survey

BSG Members,

I went with Harvey Goleman on the Red River yesterday, 22 July 2009 from Garland to the LA state line, a distance of 40 miles.  Our totals were 136 adult least terns, 43 chicks from 1 - 14 days old, 27 fledglings, 39 nests and 70 eggs.  I'd say this is looking like a successful year for nesting least terns on Red River.

There were two very active colonies: Palmer Lake Rev. and Valley Gin Revetment at Mile Marker278 and 289.6 respectively. Palmer Lake is within a mile of the Louisiana state line and is one of the most successful colonies I have ever surveyed.  As it was between 3 and 4 PM with rather high temperatures, I felt it best to count from the boat and not to disturb the nesting birds as they were busy keeping eggs and chicks cool and/or protected.  A Bald Eagle flew over while we were there.  After circling the island twice I decided that Palmer Lake had 47 adult least terns, 22 chicks of several ages, 25 fledglings and 13 nests.  Valley Gin Revetment had less than half of this degree of action.

Both of these colony sites would be destroyed by further navigation channels that are proposed, not yet approved, by the USACE.

We saw two adult Bald Eagles, and 90 Canada Geese during the day.

Hubert Hervey

7/21/2009

Hubert Hervey

Subject:  Recent Least Tern Trips

BSG Members,

I was on the Red River on July 19 with Jeff Trahan and Terry Davis.  We made a days run from Cash Point to Clark's Landing.  We found 48 adult Least Terns, l fluffy chick and one fledgling, 7 nests with 14 eggs.  We found colonies at three new locations: at the I-220 bridge, a mile north of Clarks Landing (east of channel), and a mile south of Clarks Landing (east of channel).  All three of the new colony sites are nothing to be excited about, as they are minimally above river level so any rise will wash them out, very few birds involved (11 high), very few nests ( 2 high), and chances for success very low. 
Add this to the 150 on July 16,
93 adults on July 1 and 2,
18 babies on all survey,
And you see it is not a total failure to reproduce, even though it is only a one chance to succeed attempt at nesting. Say this since high water preventing nesting during all of June, except amazingly at Palmer's Lake where nesting took place about June 1st.

I hope to finish surveys tomorrow as I will have covered all the major nesting areas.

Hubert 

7/19/2009

Shirley Huss

Subject:  Doves

There is a mixed "colony" of ECdoves and mourning doves that roost on the wires and fences between St.Vincent's Ave. and 61st St. and Linwood.

Some of the birds look like they may be hybrids?........with field marks of both species.  Lily is correct they seem to "be everywhere."! 

Shirley 

7/17/2009

Hubert Hervey

Subject:  Least Tern Surveys

BSG Members,

July 16 Least Tern Survey results.  Jerry Bertrand and I went from Allen Ferry Launch on Little River downstream about 30 miles to Garland, Arkansas, through some of the better tern habitat on the Red River.  We counted 148 adult least terns, and 2 fuzzy babies.  We saw 35 birds incubating.  That is about 50% of the pairs that were still trying to nest.  The other 50% were just loafing beside the river, available to help defend the colony if predators appeared.  Some appeared to be gathering in pre-migration groups.

The nests we counted eggs in showed a bit over 2 eggs per nest average.

My impression is that this will be a year of near average results for terns on the Red River.  The rapid drop in river level during the last week of June was the saving factor that kept this from being another disaster like 2007.  The temp was 100 to 103 during the PM, so we did not stay on any island that would take over a few minutes to survey, mostly just drifting by a couple of times and studying what was happening at each location.  We counted 5 active locations, all of which have been used for nesting in previous years.

As far as I know the USACE has abrogated its least tern survey responsibility this year, and I and those who go with me are the only ones surveying the Red River between Texarkana and Alexandria.  Thus these records are even more important than usual.

Hubert Hervey 

7/ 16/2009

Lily Poole

Subject: Eurasian Collared-Dove

Saw a Eurasian Collard-Dove yesterday evening at our WKS Hospital employee parking lot…lol…Guess they’re everywhere, Everywhere!

Good Birding,
Lily

7/5/2009

Hubert Hervey

Subject:  Least Tern and Bird Alert

BSG Members

My USACE contacts tell me it is not likely that they will run any tern surveys on the Red River this year.  Thanks to our new administration, the Monroe office is broke.  But fear not, I have run two surveys since the Red River has reached levels at which the boat ramps are open and the terns can nest.  Those results, and some comments follow.  I have some surprising results from July 1 and July 2, 2009 surveys.  And I started having motor problems, too.

July 1:
Cash Point - MM 242.  Sand bar is 2 to 3 feet of new sand and in excellent condition.  We have a new friend in Pat Stinson, manager of Red River NWR who has put signage and protective netting, around the nesting area prior to July 4 holidays.  24 adult least terns incubating 11 nests with 33 eggs (an amazing 3 eggs in every nest).  Cattle Island   - MM 240.  This sand bar has been lowered by more than half, and is over half washed away.  6 adult least terns present, but not nesting.  Cat Island - MM 244.  The nesting area is mainly on the north end of the island with more trees on the high points.  13 adult least terns present, 3 nests with 9 eggs.  Some birds were at the south end also.

July 2 2009
Palmers Lake Island MM 278.  A great active colony that creates more questions than I have answers for.  34 adult least terns counted.  13 baby least terns about 4 days old, all out of the nest and running around seeking cover.  12 nests with 1 egg per nest for a total of 12 eggs.  How did these birds nest with a water level of 18 - 20 feet at Fulton during the time they would have been laying?  Why is there only one egg per nest at the remaining nests?  Was the water so murky that the birds could only catch enough fish to support the laying of one egg?
Scotts Slough MM 270.  15 adult least terns.  Temp was 102 so I only estimated that 2 birds were incubating on 2 nests.  Did not walk this island
 Missionary Island.  6 adult least terns not yet nesting.

Totals are 93 adults, 13 babies, 28 nests and 58 eggs for the two day survey.  I hope to get the Go-Devil running reliably enough to get back on the river this coming week.  Who works on Vanguard motors on Go-Devils?

We also saw one adult Bald Eagle just north of Carolina Bluffs and six White Pelicans just south of Glycerine Revetment.  A Sharp-shinned Hawk flew over us at MM 240 near Cash Point.  The pelicans and Sharpie were flagged by Summer Bird Atlas and eBird.

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6/22/2009

Clyde Massey

Subject:  Doves

Hi BSG,

Sunday morning I saw a White-winged Dove in the 100 Block of Patton Avenue in Broadmoor. A little closer and it'll be a new yard bird!

Clyde Massey

5/30/2009

Jeff Trahan

Subject:  Cane's Landing Again

In the previous post about Cane's Landing, I forgot to mention the Bell's Vireo That Terry Davis and I saw.  I got a photo of it which is below.

Also, Terry asked me to tell you about the Mourning Warbler and the Alder Flycatcher that he saw earlier this morning at Well's Island Road in Shreveport.

Jeff Trahan

5/30/2009

Jeff Trahan

Subject:  Birds at Cane's Landing

Terry Davis and I were at Cane's Landing this morning (Saturday).  He got there a half hour before I did and was already counting birds.  Together we saw (or heard) 8 Alder Flycatchers, 8 Willow Flycatchers, 5 Warbling Vireos, 6 Gray Catbirds and 3 Yellow Warblers.

With respect to butterflies, Rachel Damascal and I saw one Reakirt's Blue yesterday at Walter Jacob's Park.  Terry Davis also saw one yesterday at Cane's Landing.  Today Terry and I saw a Reakirt's Blue at Caner's Landing.  That makes three in two days.  This is highly unusual.  We don't usually see one a year, and if we do it is usually seen in the fall rather than the spring.

The entire list for birds and butterflies is below.

Jeff Trahan
Shreveport

BIRDS 
3 Wood Duck 
4 Great Blue Heron
 4 Great Egret 
3 Snowy Egret 
2 Little Blue Heron 
2 Cattle Egret 
1 Turkey  Vulture 
1 Mississippi Kite
1 Red-tailed Hawk 
10 Killdeer 
2 Spotted Sandpiper 
2 Least Tern 
3 Rock Pigeon 
2 Eurasian Collared-Dove 
4 Mourning Dove 
2 Chimney Swift 
1 Belted Kingfisher 
2 Downy Woodpecker 
1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 
1 Acadian Flycatcher 
8 Alder Flycatcher 
8 Willow Flycatcher 
1 Eastern Kingbird 
2 White-eyed Vireo 
1 Bell's Vireo 
5 Warbling Vireo 
1 Blue Jay 
1 Fish Crow 
1 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 
28 Cliff Swallow 
10 Barn Swallow 
4 Carolina Chickadee 
9 Carolina Wren 
2 American Robin 
6 Gray Catbird 
3 Northern Mockingbird 
105 European Starling 
3 Yellow Warbler 
1 Common Yellowthroat 
1 Yellow-breasted Chat 
15 Northern Cardinal 
5 Indigo Bunting 
1 Painted Bunting 
20 Red-winged Blackbird 
6 Common Grackle 
3 Brown-headed Cowbird 
4 Orchard Oriole 
12 Baltimore Oriole 
1 House Finch 
21 House Sparrow 

BUTTERFLIES 
38 Orange Sulphur 
4 Dainty Sulphur 
1 Red-banded Hairstreak 
1 Reakirt's Blue 
1 Eastern Tailed-Blue 
3 Variegated Fritillary 
1 Pearl Crescent 
12 Common Buckeye 
1 Viceroy 
5 Common Checkered-Skipper 
1 Fiery Skipper

5/16/2009

Rosemary Seidler

 Subject:  Nighthawks

A steady stream of Common Nighthawks - 87 - just flew over my house (Prospect St near Line Ave) heading northeast.

Rosemary Seidler
Shreveport

5/12/2009

Velda Neilson

Subject:  Birds before the storm

Hello, all!

Monday morning I walked down the drive and saw a pair of Orchard Orioles and heard lots of birds!  So I decided it must be a good birding day!  By 8:30 a neighbor and I were headed to L&D4 via Naborton, Evelyn, and Jordan Ferry.  We had lots of fun!  I have convinced her to get out of the car and start listening and looking for birds!

Sadly, the ponds on either side of the road just coming into L&D4 are almost covered with that green algae.  Ugh! The pool on right of bridge was highest we have ever seen it.

A huge surprise of the day - other than the weather - was 9 male Bobolinks!  Yoohoo!  They were in their usual field at L&D4 -- just before the west end of the bridge on the right.  We've seen them there for 3 years now. Really thought it was too late for them.  Oh, they were gorgeous!

There was a lone White Pelican floating on a log.  Wonder if he'll venture north or too sick or old to go?  Or lost from a previous storm?

We left L&D4 as the front moved through and got pounded on I-49 till the Evelyn exit.  There we got a quick glimpse of a huge-looking grackle.  Do we have any records of Great-tails here?  The light had been playing tricks on us all day and I couldn't get good discernment on it's size.

We exited north at Carmel and took a quick right on Evans Loop.  There we found the biggest surprise of the day - a Barred Owl 25 foot from us!  Maybe he had been hunting or bathing in the rain and fog that had just come through.  We found him on a bare limb just above a small creek under the road.  He just sat there wondering at us while we marveled at him!

We had a total of 62 species!  The storm made for great birding!  We had 30 Eastern Kingbirds all day.  We saw zero Scissor-tails. Pooh!  We heard several Hooded and Kentucky Warblers, a Common Yellowthroat, and several towhees.  We saw several Blue Grosbeaks.  There was a single Pied-billed Grebe at L&D4 and moorhens there and Evelyn.  Surprisingly we heard few RE Vireoes and Summer Tanagers and saw only 2 Little Blue Herons.  Even got one flyover Tricolored Heron!

Later in the day I saw a large hawk-type bird 1 1-2 miles north of my house over a pine thicket.  At first glance I thought it was an Osprey!  Wow!  Sadly, I couldn't confirm it - no nocs and too great a distance.  But it's color and profile sure said "Osprey"!  It would have been easy for it to have been blown off course in the storm.  Maybe they are extending their summer range!

Nelda in Kansas called and said they were getting all the migrants there now that we got within the last 2 weeks.  Their migration peaks the first 2 weeks of May.  She had 2 Lazuli Buntings at her feeder.  Now if that ever happens here --I truly will be ecstatic!

Yoohoo!  Good birding and God bless all!
Velda

5/11/2009

Bobbe Wommack

Subject:  Migrants

In my backyard today.

2 American redstarts
1 Black throated green
1 Chestnut sided
1 Magnolia
1 Canada
1 Tennessee

Still looking

Bobbe W.

5/8/2009

Nancy Menasco

Subject:  Bayou Birding Bon Temps Results

Dear All,

Below is Richard Gibbon's post to LABIRD with the results from the 1st Annual Bayou Birding Bon Temps.  As usual, our NW LA/BSG birders made a great showing.  Congratulations to Jeff Trahan, Rosemary Seidler, & Bill Wood.  In addition to topping the Northern Interior lists, Jeff & Rosemary were 2nd & 3rd in the state for the Big Louisiana Day, outdone only by the Coastal Big Day team of Erik Johnson & Hugo Gee.  Jeff & Rosemary were 1st and 2nd in the state for Big Location, Single Day.  Jeff, Bill & Rosemary were 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the most species at one location over the 10-day period.

Nancy Menasco

Subj: [LABIRD-L] 
Date: 5/8/2009 8:53:41 AM Central Daylight Time 
From: rgibbo3(at)YAHOO(dot)COM 

LABIRDers and Krewe Bayou,

The results are in and are posted at the Bayou Birding Bon Temps website:
http://www.lsu.edu/departments/labird/photos.html

There were quite a few checklists submitted to locations other than BBBT sites so hopefully there weren't too many people unclear on the event guidelines.  If you don't see your name on the results list and think you should, let me know and I'll do my best to figure out what happened.

The most enthusiastic participant was Erik Johnson.  He and Hugo Gee put together an impressive Big Day submitting checklists for 17 locations for one day!  We may have to revise the Big Day so it isn't so labor intensive.

We must have a very active bunch of birders.  I don't think there were any participants for the Big Sit.  If you did a big sit, let me know and I'll update the results.

To summarize, I think the event was a big success.  We had nearly one hundred checklists submitted for birding trail sites, WMA's, and NWR's from an estimated 50 participants.  We established the event and received feedback regarding which events you liked and received ideas for new approaches.  There were several checklists submitted to birding sites which had no data yet so that was really helpful.

We will convene a working group to refine and improve the event this fall.  If you have ideas or questions

OK, without further delay, here are the results.

RESULTS

Northern Interior

Big Louisiana Day
1. Jeff Trahan 72
2. Rosemary Seidler 71
3. Bill Wood 56

Big Location Day
1. Jeff Trahan 72
2. Rosemary Seidler 71
3. Bill Wood 56

10-day period
1. Jeff Trahan 112
2. Bill Wood 80
3. Rosemary Seidler 71

Most Locations
1. Rosemary Seidler 5

Southern Interior

Big Louisiana Day
1. Tommy Trecnhard 67
2. Van Remsen and Cesar Sanchez 61
3. Devin Bosler 59

Big Location, Single-day
1. Tommy Trecnhard 67
2. Van Remsen and Cesar Sanchez 61
3. Devin Bosler 59

Big Location, 10-day Period
1. Jeff Harris, Harriett Pooler, Carol Foil 70
2. Tommy Trenchard 67
3. Van Remsen and Cesar Sanchez 61

Most Locations
1. Erik Johnson 3

Coastal

Big Louisiana Day
1. Erik Johnson and Hugo Gee 116
2. Devin Bosler 58
3. Carol Foil and Judith O'Neale 56

Big Location, Single-day
1. Devin Bosler 58
2. Carol Foil and Glenn Oussett 48
3. Judith O'Neale 47

10-day period
1. Devin Bosler 58
2. Carol Foil and Glenn Oussett 48
3. Judith O'Neale 47

Most locations
1. Erik Johnson 14

Lagniappe Award
Jacob Saucier Cameron Prairie NWR

I want to thank everyone very much for their participation.  If you participated and would like a Bayou Birding Bon Temps t-shirt or hat, either send me an email or register at the Bayou Birding Bon Temps website and let me know.

All the best,

Richard E. Gibbons, Coordinator
Louisiana Bird Resource Center
LSU Museum of Natural Science
119 Foster Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803 

5/5/2009

Rosemary Seidler

Subject:  Yellow-headed Blackbirds

Linda Adrion called to report Yellow-headed Blackbirds, male and female in a field at the north end of Sentell Rd.

Rosemary Seidler for Linda

5/5/2009

Rosemary Seidler

Subject:  Bobolinks

Linda Adrion just called (11am) to say that there are still 2 fields of Bobolinks on George Rd. (north Caddo Parish).  Just open you window and you will hear them.  They are in the trees, in the fields, on the road.

Rosemary Seidler for Linda

5/4/2009

Charles Lyon

Subject:  NW LA birds

LA-birders/NW LA locals,

Just a quick post before the info is too old.

Terry Davis and I did a full days birding on Saturday 5-2-09 limiting ourselves to Caddo Parrish and a small section of Bossier Parish.  We managed to find 138 species with 20 mph south winds most of the day...not ideal conditions.

Highlights were:

Black-bellied Whistling Duck 1 flyover at Bickham Dickson Park
Greater White-fronted Goose 1 late
Green-winged Teal 1 late
Ring-necked Duck 1 late
Northern Bobwhite 2 almost extinct in Caddo Parrish
Bald Eagle 2 adults separate locations
Swainson's Hawk 1 light morph juvenile near Gilliam
Sora 5 at Bickham Dickson Park
Purple Gallinule 1 north side of Cross Lake
White-winged Dove 2 probable breeding pair in north Bossier City
Western Kingbird 3 breeders
Warbling Vireo 8 breeders
Horned Lark 12 breeding birds
Sedge Wren 2 two different sites
Swainson's Thrush 2 Stoner Woods were dull and there were few migrants
24 species of warblers including: Terry has numbers
Tennessee
Nashville
Northern Parula
Yellow
Chestnut-sided
Magnolia
Yellow-rumped
Black-throated Green
Yellow-throated
Pine
Prairie
Blackpoll
Black-and-white
American Redstart
Prothonotary
Swainson's Warbler we had five with two pairs and an additional singing male all near Mooringsport.  This may be the highest density area in all of LA for breeding Swainson's Warblers.  There are a number of others we didn't even try to locate.
Ovenbird
Northern Waterthrush
Louisiana Waterthrush
Kentucky
Common Yellowthroat
Hooded
Wilson's
Yellow-breasted Chat
Lark Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow 2 different locations
Clay-colored Sparrow 7 with a number of singing males all at the Cassin's Sparrow spot Terry had sever more today at a different location at George Road in Caddo Parish
Painted Bunting numerous exposed singing males.  Now is the time to see this species.
Bobolink
We managed the "Swainson's Trifecta" (hawk, thrush, and warbler) which is a bit difficult to do in LA.

I was able to get out for a couple of hours yesterday evening 5-3-09 and did a rapid fire shore bird survey of wet fields in south Caddo Parish mainly along Hwy 1.  Although numbers were not impressive, species diversity was.  I found 16 species in a couple of hours, as well as a few other notables.

The shorebird list is as follows:

American Golden Plover 2 one in full alternate
Semipalmated Plover 2
Killdeer 17
Black-necked Stilt 4
Greater Yellowlegs 14
Lesser Yellowlegs 53
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Upland Sandpiper 1
Semipalmated Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 32
White-rumped Sandpiper 5
Pectoral sandpiper 20
Buff-breasted Sandpiper 2
Short-billed Dowitcher 7 one flock
Long-billed Dowitcher 7 different flock at different location
Wilson's Phalarope 43 most prevalent species (at most sites sampled)

Terry had a Willet and American Avocet today north of Shreveport

Others by me yesterday;

Caspian Tern 66 pretty impressive group of migrants
Forster's Tern 3
Black Tern 1
All the swallow species expected here (no Cave)

That's all for now.

Charlie Lyon
Shreveport, LA

5/4/2009

Paul Dickson

Subject:  RE: Bobolinks

There are over 200 in the vetch field next to my place on Leonard Rd.  The owners don’t allow trespass but you should be able to see and hear them from their oil field gate which is at the bridge over Bayou Pierre.  They arrived on 4/29.

Paul 

 5/4/2009

James Ingold

Subject:   Bobolinks

Terry just called to say he had over 90 male Bobolinks on George Rd.

Jim

5/3/2009

Jeff Trahan

Subject:   Bickham Dickson

Jean and I went to Bickham Dickson Park this morning (Sunday) in the rain in hopes of seeing some shorebirds.  There haven't been many shorebirds in the park this spring as there has been in the past.  Our best bird was a Black Tern in full breeding plumage seen at the boat launch sitting on a metal post out in the water.  This is an early spring migration date for this species.  Also seen were a Pectoral Sandpiper, a Wilson's Snipe (these have mostly left this area by now), three Forster's Terns, many Barn and Cliff Swallows, and about 14 Least Sandpipers.  We still haven't had a fallout of shorebirds at the park.  Because it was still raining, we did all of the birding from the car and still got a total of 37 species.

Jeff Trahan

Back to Top

4/29/2009

Velda Neilson

Subject:   Birds! Yoo-hoo!

Hello, all!

Today was a great day of birding in Lula!

I had 2 Baltimore Oriole males, 1 female Baltimore and 2 male Rose-breasteds at the hanging feeders at the same time 8' out the back door!

I had a total of 5 Rose-breasteds today - 3 males and 2 females.

Along with the 3 Baltimores, I had one who is either a Balt./Bullock's Hybrid, an overly black headed female Balt., or a male Balt. who didn't quite fill out with black.  His back, head, and neck are black speckled.  He seems to have only one wing bar but it is not real wide.  I definitely had the hybrid here last year.  So my best guess it the hybrid.

Lots of Indigoes, Waxwings.  Had a Great Crested Flycatcher yesterday and Summer Tanager.  Had a female Scarlet Monday.  Finally found the Kentucky Warbler I have been hearing for a week.  Gorgeous!  Plus lots more fun things!

A neighbor and I finally took off at 11 am to bird Toledo Bend.  She got 2 lifers.  We saw a total of 38 species from the car.

The highlight of my birding was the Gray Catbird at my fruit basket yesterday 8' out the back door!  Oooooohh! That was a wonderful surprise!  I've kept plenty of fruit out and it has sure attracted the birds!

Bob and Betty, our new resident Barn Swallows on the front porch literally 6' from the front door, are hanging close to their nest.  Betty I suspect is setting her first brood.

What a beautiful world we live in!  God is good to me!

Velda 

4/29/2009

jftrahan

Subject:  Bickham Dickson Wednesday

Although there did not seem to be as many birds at Bickham Dickson today, Jean and I recorded two more than yesterday--a total of 72.  Again, there were 14 warbler species but not exactly the same ones as yesterday.  The entire list is below.

Jeff Trahan

7 Wood Duck 
2 Pied-billed Grebe 
12 American White Pelican 
1 Great Blue Heron 
7 Great Egret 
3 Snowy Egret 
5 Cattle Egret 
2 Green Heron 
2 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 
1 Black Vulture 
3 Turkey Vulture 
1 Mississippi Kite 
1 Bald Eagle 
3 American Coot 
1 Killdeer 
1 Solitary Sandpiper 
1 Least Sandpiper 
7 Mourning Dove 
1 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 
1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 
6 Red-headed Woodpecker 
12 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
2 Downy Woodpecker 
1 Pileated Woodpecker 
1 Eastern Wood-Pewee 
5 Eastern Kingbird 
4 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 
6 White-eyed Vireo 
1 Yellow-throated Vireo 
1 Warbling Vireo 
3 Red-eyed Vireo 
3 Blue Jay 
4 Fish Crow 
15 Purple Martin 
2 Barn Swallow 
6 Carolina Chickadee 
5 Tufted Titmouse 
3 Carolina Wren 
1 Eastern Bluebird 
10 Gray Catbird 
2 Northern Mockingbird 
4 European Starling 
60 Cedar Waxwing 
15 Tennessee Warbler 
3 Nashville Warbler 
1 Yellow Warbler 
3 Chestnut-sided Warbler 
1 Magnolia Warbler 
2 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
2 Blackburnian Warbler 
2 Bay-breasted Warbler 
1 Black-and-white Warbler 
6 Prothonotary Warbler 
1 Northern Waterthrush 
3 Kentucky Warbler 
2 Common Yellowthroat 
2 Yellow-breasted Chat 
4 Summer Tanager 
1 Chipping Sparrow 
15 Savannah Sparrow 
1 Le Conte's Sparrow 
1 Lincoln's Sparrow 
1 White-throated Sparrow 
12 Northern Cardinal 
7 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 
60 Indigo Bunting 
30 Red-winged Blackbird 
5 Common Grackle 
8 Brown-headed Cowbird 
1 Orchard Oriole 
3 Baltimore Oriole 
1 House Sparrow 

4/28/2009

Jeff Trahan

Subject:   Bickham Dickson

Those of you who predicted good birding this morning were right.  I went to Bickham Dickson and logged 70 species.  There were14 warbler species including Nashville, Chestnut-sided, Magnolia, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, Blackpoll.  There were many Indigo Buntings and Cedar Waxwings.  The entire list can be found below.

Jeff Trahan

12 Wood Duck 
3 Mallard 
2 Blue-winged Teal 
1 Pied-billed Grebe 
2 Great Blue Heron 
3 Great Egret 
1 Snowy Egret 
2 Cattle Egret 
3 Green Heron 
4 Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 
3 Turkey Vulture 
1 Red-shouldered Hawk 
1 American Coot 
3 Spotted Sandpiper 
8 Mourning Dove 
5 Chimney Swift 
11 Red-headed Woodpecker 
8 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
1 Downy Woodpecker 
4 Northern Flicker 
2 Eastern Wood-Pewee 
3 Great Crested Flycatcher 
6 Eastern Kingbird 
2 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 
4 White-eyed Vireo 
4 Warbling Vireo 
2 Red-eyed Vireo 
3 Blue Jay 
3 Fish Crow 
20 Purple Martin 
1 Cliff Swallow 
8 Barn Swallow 
2 Carolina Chickadee 
8 Tufted Titmouse 
6 Carolina Wren 
1 House Wren 
3 Eastern Bluebird 
1 Swainson's Thrush 
1 Wood Thrush 
1 American Robin 
7 Gray Catbird 
5 Northern Mockingbird 
5 European Starling 
70 Cedar Waxwing 
35 Tennessee Warbler 
3 Nashville Warbler 
4 Yellow Warbler 
1 Chestnut-sided Warbler 
1 Magnolia Warbler 
5 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
2 Black-throated Green Warbler 
2 Blackburnian Warbler 
1 Blackpoll Warbler 
1 Black-and-white Warbler 
8 Prothonotary Warbler 
5 Kentucky Warbler 
3 Common Yellowthroat 
2 Yellow-breasted Chat 
3 Summer Tanager 
3 Lark Sparrow 
4 Lincoln's Sparrow 
1 White-throated Sparrow 
12 Northern Cardinal 
15 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 
85 Indigo Bunting 
3 Painted Bunting 
9 Common Grackle 
6 Brown-headed Cowbird 
7 Baltimore Oriole 
2 House Sparrow

4/28/2009

Paul Dickson

Subject:  Nice fallout this AM

My backyard is usually not all that good for migrant warblers, just an average piece of a larger pine-hardwood forest as far as they are concerned.  This morning I had a really good show indicating a fall out yesterday due to the rain:

Warblers seen in 45 min.:

Tennessee
Chestnut-sided
Magnolia
Blackburnian
Cerulean
Black-throated Green
Blackpoll
American Redstart
Worm-eating
Kentucky
Canada

Should be even better in the River bottoms.

Paul

4/27/2009

Paul Dickson

Subject:  Migrants, fallout conditions today

BSG: Today’s storms should create some fall-out that may not be apparent until tomorrow morning.  Migrants overhead are already appearing on radar here with heavier indications coming in from the Gulf to mid-state now.  Those birds will be passing over us mid day and if they encounter storms, will have to drop down and take shelter.  It was already good birding, I had three male Scarlet Tanagers mixing with Baltimore Orioles and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in my Loquat and mulberry trees this morning.  It was magnificent!  The mid afternoon storms could create a spectacular fallout.  Keep watch if you can.

Paul

4/26/2009

Bill Wood 

Subject:  RE: Bickham Dickson Park, Blackpoll Warbler and more

To all,

Spent the mourning at Bickham Dickson Park (Shreveport) from 8 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.  Highlights of the day included a single Blackpoll Warbler.  It is a new park bird and parish bird for me.  Also had an amazing number of Cedar Waxwings numbering well over 100, maybe close 150, in a single feeding flock.  Other warbler include Yellow-breasted Chat, Kentucky, Chestnut-sided, Louisiana Waterthrush, Tennessee, and Yellow.  Complete list follows:

Location: Bickham Dickson park
Observation date: 4/26/09
Number of species: 56

Wood Duck 3
Mallard 3
Blue-winged Teal 2
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Anhinga 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 3
Cattle Egret 6
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Mourning Dove 10
Yellow-billed Cuckoo 2
Barred Owl 1
Chimney Swift 4
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 1
Red-headed Woodpecker 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Great Crested Flycatcher 1
Eastern Kingbird 2
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 2
White-eyed Vireo 3
Blue Jay 3
crow sp. 6
Purple Martin 4
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 3
Barn Swallow 3
Carolina Wren 5
Eastern Bluebird 2
American Robin 2
Gray Catbird 4
Northern Mockingbird 3
European Starling 6
American Pipit 1
Cedar Waxwing 125
Tennessee Warbler 4
Yellow Warbler 2
Chestnut-sided Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 5
Blackpoll Warbler 1
Prothonotary Warbler 1
Northern Waterthrush 1
Kentucky Warbler 2
Common Yellowthroat 2
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Lincoln's Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 7
Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1
Indigo Bunting 24
Red-winged Blackbird 5
Common Grackle 12
Brown-headed Cowbird 4
Orchard Oriole 1

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

As Always, Good Birding!

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

4/25/2009

Jay Huner

Subject:  RE: Go birding now - Down South

Turns out that Cotile Lake is a legitimate location for the Bon Temps event so, before the surf came up this morning, I made a run across the lake to the rookery in the SW arm with a rather dumb pass along the dam in heavy chop in a 14' flat boat.  But, had 4 Spotted Sandpipers at the dam and, while no similar action to yours in the Shreveport area, had a pair of Baltimore Orioles in the canopy over the feeder stream to the rookery area.  Back at home, had a waterthrush - leaning toward Louisiana - in my yard, well off the ground, a surprising location.  There seems to be a good number of Indigo Buntings around, too.

Also had Purple Gallinules show up in the rookery area earlier in the lake.  Don't know what all I'll pick up for the day and Bon Temps here is 53.  This is pretty good especially since I did not hit the Browns Creek Road area since it really is not within the Cotile Lake site as described on the birding trails.

Jay Huner

4/25/2009

Paul Dickson

Subject: RE: Go birding now!

yep!  I had a flock of Baltimore Orioles and one male Scarlet Tanager feeding in my abutilon this morning.  Several other signs of a busy migration day.

Paul Dickson

4/25/2009

Rosemary Seidler

Subject: Go birding now

Within the past 15 min I saw the following in my back yard.  Of course, the resident Mockingbird chased them off.

Tennessee Warbler
Baltimore Oriole
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Gray Catbird
Cedar Waxwing
Song Sparrow
Dickcissel - first for my yard

I live on Prospect St just off of Line Avenue. If the birds are here they are everywhere.

Rosemary Seidler
Shreveport

4/22/2009

Nancy Menasco

Subject:  Backyard Whip-poor-will

Jerry and I heard a Whip-poor-will calling in the oak trees behind our house in Broadmoor Terrace this evening.  I got my life Whip-poor-will at Stoner Woods a couple of years ago thanks to Terry Davis but that bird wasn't calling.  Jerry and I have thought about it and we can't remember ever hearing a Whip-poor-will call before except for a recording so this is a life call.

Other than a couple of Great Horned Owls last fall, this is our first new yard bird in 2 years.  It's about time.

Nancy Menasco
Shreveport

4/21/2009 

Velda Neilson

Subject:  Yoohoo!

Hello, all!

Lots of fun watching migrants in my yard! Such extreme weather has sure done good things here in Lula!

Last Tuesday night I opened the front door to see two Barn Swallows on the front porch!  Some of you will recall Jack and Jill who nested with us for seven years raising 67 young.  I found Jill dead in the front yard after her first brood the summer of '07.  Jack never found another mate.  I have named the newcomers Bob and Betty!  I do wonder if they are related to Jack and Jill as they have the same smathering of white feathers along the hips and sides.

Last week, I had a bunch of over-ripened red grapes in a wire basket hoping something may eat them.  Believe it or not the Indigo Buntings seemed to love them!  They ate them up!

I've been hearing quite a few migrants for a couple of weeks.  This morning I finally found the Northern Parula at the pasture-end of the driveway.  Pretty!  I haven't found the YB Chat yet.  I did get a glimpse of the Hooded Warbler at the bird 2pond last week.

Sunday I had a male Baltimore Oriole just seemingly collapsed in my wire basket with the leftover grape skins and stems.  He seemed to be saying, "I've found a food source, but I'm just too tired to eat."  Monday I saw him at a seed feeder that is orange and red.  So I put some new oranges in the wire basket.  He showed up there shortly.

Heard the Chuck -Will's-Widow one night last weekend!  Love it!  Thanks, Paul, for teaching me their call and the Whip-poorwill's.

Just out my window this morning there was a pair of Brown-headed Nuthatches busy at the entrance to their birdhouse.  They acted as if they were trying to lure out some babies but I never saw any come forth.  I know they are in there!  Just gotta make sure my dogs aren't around when they fledge because this birdhouse is in the middle of the yard!

My neighbor called this evening with an interesting description of a bird feeding on the ground under her feeder.  So I just had to go see for myself!  And sure enough - there was a Dickcissel feeding on the ground with 20 cowbirds!  She said he'd been there all day!

When I got home, I noticed two strange multi-colored balls 5 foot out the back door!  Male Painted Buntings!  We had left a long strip of wild flowers and grasses un-mowed - for the birds!  Hot dog!  It paid off very well!  They and several Indigoes were feeding!  We were all happy!

Hopefully the birds will hang around a bit longer.  I know they are traveling north with this good weather.  In the meantime, I am thankful and blessed for every bird the Lord sends my way!

May you all have a blessed and birdy day!
Velda

4/20/2009

Bill Wood

Subject:  Migrants today, 6 FOS birds

To all,

In a short 30 minute walk in the woods behind where I live saw FOS Mississippi Kite, Yellow-breasted Chat, Gray Catbird, Painted Bunting, Blue Grosbeak, and Orchard Oriole. Thirty-seven species in 30 minutes, complete list below.

Location: keithville yard
Observation date: 4/20/09
Number of species: 37

Wood Duck 2
Double-crested Cormorant 1
Black Vulture 3
Turkey Vulture 4
Mississippi Kite 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 12
Chimney Swift 2
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Blue Jay 1
American Crow 3
Purple Martin 2
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 1
Carolina Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 1
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
European Starling 12
Cedar Waxwing 11
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 4
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Chipping Sparrow 4
White-throated Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 5
Blue Grosbeak 2
Indigo Bunting 8
Painted Bunting 1
Red-winged Blackbird 7
Brown-headed Cowbird 12
Orchard Oriole 3
House Finch 2
Pine Siskin 3
American Goldfinch 14

As Always, Good Birding! 

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

4/20/2009

Nathan Senner, OKBIRDS

Subject: RFI: Hudsonian Godwits seen during migration

Oklahoma Birders:

Over the past two years, my colleagues and I from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, and the Chiloe Bird Observatory have banded nearly 600 Hudsonian Godwits and over 300 Whimbrels.  Most of these birds was banded on an island in southern Chile (Isla Chiloe), but another cohort was banded in Churchill, Manitoba.  Now that spring migration is in full swing, we're interested in any and all sightings of Hudsonian Godwits.  That means that if you see any Hudsonian Godwits, we want to hear about it.

We can accept information on godwit sightings in two ways.
  1) We have set up a special project through eBird (http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/help-solve-the-mystery-of-hudsonian-godwit-migration) from which we will receive detailed data.  So anytime you enter observations of Hudsonian Godwits into eBird, we'll learn about it.
  2) If you see a banded godwit or Whimbrel, you can email us directly (nrs57(at)cornell(dot)edu).

 If you're looking for more information about the specific band combinations that we have used, you can also read more at the eBird project site.

We are really excited to learn more about Hudsonian Godwit migration.  While they aren't uncommon during spring migration in the central U.S., they seem to slip under most people's radar and we thus have a lot to learn.  So we would really appreciate any effort that you can make to let us know about the godwits that you are seeing this spring.

Thank you,
Nathan Senner
Hudsonian Godwit Migration Project
Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
nrs57(at)cornell(dot)edu

4/19/2009

Bill Wood

Subject:  Nesting Eastern Phoebe, year six

To all,

For the sixth consecutive year a pair of Eastern Phoebes have built a nest on my brother's back patio in Keithville.  The first egg was laid on March 26, second on the 27 and the third on the 28.  This is the smallest brood yet as they normally lay five eggs.  All three eggs had hatched by April 14 and were being fed.

It would have been nice to band this pair to see if this is the original pair or some of its offspring.  Over the last five years 43 chicks have fledged with only three known fatalities.

As Always, Good Birding!

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

4/19/2009

Jeff Trahan

Subject:  Bickham Dickson

Jean and I went to Bickham Dickson Park this morning (Sunday) as usual.  There were some nice migrants.  We saw a total of 56 species including 11 species of warbler.  The entire list is below.

Jeff Trahan

4 Wood Duck 
9 Mallard 
20 Blue-winged Teal 
4 Pied-billed Grebe 
2 Great Blue Heron 
6 Great Egret 
4 Green Heron 
1 Black Vulture 
2 Turkey Vulture 
1 Red-tailed Hawk 
15 American Coot 
3 Greater Yellowlegs 
1 Spotted Sandpiper 
1 Least Sandpiper 
3 Mourning Dove 
5 Red-headed Woodpecker 
4 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
1 Northern Flicker 
1 Pileated Woodpecker 
6 White-eyed Vireo 
1 Warbling Vireo 
1 Red-eyed Vireo 
7 Blue Jay 
5 Fish Crow 
10 Purple Martin 
6 Barn Swallow 
3 Carolina Chickadee 
1 Tufted Titmouse 
4 Carolina Wren 
2 Eastern Bluebird 
1 American Robin 
7 Northern Mockingbird 
7 Cedar Waxwing 
1 Tennessee Warbler 
2 Nashville Warbler 
2 Northern Parula 
1 Yellow Warbler 
30 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
1 Black-throated Green Warbler 
1 American Redstart 
4 Prothonotary Warbler 
2 Northern Waterthrush 
4 Common Yellowthroat 
1 Yellow-breasted Chat 
3 Summer Tanager 
8 Savannah Sparrow 
7 White-throated Sparrow 
15 Northern Cardinal 
1 Blue Grosbeak 
15 Indigo Bunting 
150 Red-winged Blackbird 
11 Common Grackle 
1 Brown-headed Cowbird 
3 Baltimore Oriole 
5 American Goldfinch 
3 House Sparrow

4/18/2009

Bill Wood

Subject:  Migrants

To all,

Had a few migrants pass though this week.  Monday brought FOS Baltimore Oriole, Common Yellow-throated warbler and Chimney Swift.  I also had good numbers of American Goldfinches, 25+, Pine Siskins, 12+, and a few Indigo Buntings arrived.  Also had White-eyed Vireo, White-throated Sparrows, Field Sparrow and a single Lincoln's Sparrow.  Wednesday I spied a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in a sweet gum carry nesting material.  Don't know the nesting status here, is this unlikely?

American Goldfinch numbers have dropped and only have a few Pine Siskins.  However, the Indigo Bunting now number over 25 as of this afternoon.  I also have a pair of Blue Jays visit the feeders, the first I've had in the 2 plus years I have lived here.

BTW, the southern loop off I-49 going west toward Linwood Road is now complete and open.  It has a nice mud flat that has potential for some nice birding.  Nice wide shoulder to pull off the road.

As Always, Good Birding!

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

4/16/2009

George Dean

Subject:  Painted Bunting

What a beautiful bird!  He was on the ground with 11 indigo buntings, many sparrows and goldfinches.  This was a life bird.  I'm so thrilled to see a painted bunting in my backyard.

George Dean

4/14/2009

Jeff Trahan

Subject:  Migrants

Jean and I had several migrants in our yard in Broadmoor Terrace this morning (9:00 a.m.).

Wilson's Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Nashville Warbler

The Prairie Warble is a new yard bird.

Jeff Trahan

4/9/2009

Clyde Massey

Subject:  Migrants

Hello BSGers,

Tuesday I had to go out to Forcht Wade Correctional to see one of our patients.  I took a couple of extra minutes and walked briefly down a trail at Eddie Jones Park.  Heard the following birds: Parula, Black & White, Pine and Hooded Warblers.  Going in to Forcht Wade I saw Eastern Kingbird and heard Yellow-throated Vireo.

Hopefully I'll see some of you in Grand Isle.

Good Birding!
Clyde Massey

4/9/2009

Dennis Forshee

Subject:  Bobwhite

Had a surprise waiting for us after having dinner with friends last night.  We returned to the store to pick up my truck and there was a Bobwhite standing by the front door!  This was about 8:45 PM. Did not appear to be injured, just hanging out. I watched for a while as he worked his way down the parking lot.

Happy Easter!
Dennis Forshee

Wild Bird Center
Caddo Parish
Hwy 1 & East 70th St

4/8/2009

Hubert Hervey

Subject:  Hawk movement today

BSG Members,

Today is the first day I have had hawks in decent numbers since last fall.  The conditions were great for very high flying.

26 Broad-winged Hawks- largest kettle 7, mostly singles or twos, main flights 1 to 2:30 PM
Red-tailed Hawks- 7 mostly migrants
Red-shouldered Hawk- probably local
Sharp-shinned Hawk- migrant, later in the day and lower
Time spent 1 1/2 hours. Don't expect to see much without good binoculars.

Hubert

4/5/2009

Hubert Hervey

Subject:  Roseate Spoonbill at Red River, Pool 5

BSG Members,

Terry Davis and I spent Sunday AM out from Bishop's Point, Red River, Caddo Parish LA.  Best bird was an overhead fly-by Roseate Spoonbill rare here in the spring.  Of the other 82 species I will mention the ones I found most interesting: 1 Bufflehead, 1 Green Heron, 2 Bald Eagles, 1 Northern Harrier, 1 Virginia Rail, Black-necked Stilts, Solitary Sandpiper, lots of G and L Yellowlegs, Upland SP, LB Dowitcher, Franklin's Gull, FOS Chimney Swift, Warbling Vireo, Sedge Wren, Lark Sparrow, and 3 Orchard Orioles.  Surprisingly no White-eyed Vireos were heard.  I had to cut the time short after 11 as the waves were white-capping, and getting the boat on the trailer required skill, experience and help.  After the wind dies down the Lake Red River will be safer.  We had 82 Bishop Point birds, including an Upland Sandpiper (plover), and over 90 trip birds.

Cheers, 
Hubert

4/1/2009

Bill Wood

Subject: Return of the Incas; The Good, Bad & Ugly; Attack of the Killer Butterbutts!!!

To all,

Birding the last few days was a lot like revisiting some old classic movies.  After not seeing Inca Doves for six months a pair showed this afternoon to feed on the millet and safflower seed along with 20 plus Chipping Sparrows. (Return of the Incas) 

I walked the woods out back finding the Red-shouldered Hawk on the same nest it used the last two years.  And yes, I got my usual Red-shouldered Hawk welcome but I saw this one coming.  The small pond was chalk full of birds. Lots of Northern Cardinals, White-throated Sparrows, Carolina Chickadees worked the thicket along the ponds edge.  I also saw three Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, a single Lincoln's Sparrow and a singing White-eyed Vireo. Carolina Wrens and Northern Mockingbirds were singing up a storm as well.  A few lingering Cedar Waxwings worked the Sweet Gum trees and a pair of Field Sparrows popped up from the over grown pasture. (The Good)

Returning to the house I heard the Red-bellied Woodpecker calling up a storm on its nest tree only to see it in a face-to-face with an European Starling pair.  The Red-bellied had been working the nest cavity for a good three weeks only to be evicted by a pair of free loaders. (The Bad)

I've been spreading some "dove mix" in the front yard and it does attract doves, get them by the dozens.  Unfortunately it seems to also attract a lot of Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles and Brown-headed Cowbirds. (The Ugly)

Finally, Sunday I was watching the feeders out front when a Yellow-rumped Warblers caught my eye.  It looked a bit ragged and wet so I guessed that maybe it had been using the bird bath.  From its perch it made a couple of passes for the bird bath but didn't seem like it could make the landing.  It perched above the bird bath in a small cypress tree no more than five feet above the ground and not more than 25-30 feet from me.  I was sitting in my swing enjoying its antic when for some unexplained reason it made a beeline right for me.  I thought, "Oh crap, its gone mad!"  It was flying hard and fast straight for my face.  I had frozen in my tracks, actually my swing.  What to do?  At the last second it makes a slight flight adjustment and lands on the bubbling fountain that sits next to my swing.  It was only a foot away. However it wasn't impressed with my fountain and flew back to the Cypress Tree. (Attack of the Butterbutts!)

As I write this last paragraph a pair of Barred Owls are calling outside my window.

Life is good!

As Always, Good Birding! 

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

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3/31/2009

Cathy Basham

Subject:  Sightings

White Ibis, and Green Winged Teal at C Bickham Dickson yesterday afternoon

Cathy Basham
IT Manager
KTBS, Inc.
Office: 318.861.5845
Cell: 318.780.7040

3/25/2009

Velda Neilson

 Subject:  Birds!

Hello, All!

Yesterday, Tuesday, before the storm, a neighbor and I headed to Toledo Bend on a whim to get out of the house before the days of rain came.  It was a great day for birding!  We had many surprises!  Total of 49 species.

We had an Osprey fly directly over us and not too high near a bunch of busy Purple Martin boxes on the lake front. 
Saw 50 White Pelicans  a bunch of DC Cormarants, and some coots.
 One Pied-billed Grebe.
Cliff and N. Rough-wing Swallows
Pine Warbler
Yellow-rumps
A kingfisher
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.
Two adult Bald Eagles were on the water at the "scenic overlook" north of Zwolle.  I wondered if they weren't involved in some courtship display.
Had a great look at a male Kestral.
Got an unusual view of a low flying Pileated.
Heard our first Black and White Warbler, if I recall their song correctly. 
And had my first hummer yesterday evening.

We also saw lots of beautiful blooming dogwoods, azaleas, etc! The world was gorgeous!

Went to one place today on the lake and not much was happening except a few martins and DC Corms.  Several land birds.  Did hear FOSp WE Vireo.

Drove past a creek and found a gorgeous bunch of fully blooming Wild Pink Azaleas!  OH, MY!  Beautiful!
And a beautiful ? Admiral Butterfly with teal green on its back on the ?? smaller- bottom wings. UMMMMMMMMMM!
Had a tiger butterfly of sorts in my yard today - yellow and black striped.  Or a zebra?

Yesterday evening I noticed a Flying Squirrel with his head resting on the entry hole of one of my bluebird boxes!
Isn't life grand!  God's world is beautiful!  Hope you all enjoy a special part of everyday!

Sincerely,
Velda

3/24/2009

Ellen Middleton

 Subject:  Blue gray gnatcatcher

The front brought a blue gray gnatcatcher into my yard about 6 pm this evening.

Ellen Middleton
Broadmoor Terrace
Shreveport

3/23/2009

Velda Neilson

 Subject:  Hummers

Howdy!

Hope all of you are well and enjoying the oncoming spring!

My neighbor had her first hummer last Tuesday, 3/17, a male Ruby-throat.  She had two Friday, 3/20.  Yes, this is the same neighbor who had an imm. Rufous fall of '07, best I recall.

As for me, I have done very little in the yard for the last couple of years and I have zip hummers so far.  Had only 2 or 3 last year.  My earliest date for a hummer is 3/10/06.

I did have 24 waxwings this morning!

Take care and God bless,
Velda

3/22/2009

Jeff Trahan

Subject:  Bickham Dickson

Jean and I birded Bickham Dickson as we usually do on Sunday morning.  The number of species have declined significantly from a month ago.  We saw 46 species today whereas a month ago we were seeing about 60 species.  Sparrow numbers have declined significantly except for Le Conte's Sparrow which remains about the same.  The number of ducks have declined both in number and in species.  For the first time in months, we didn't see Canvasbacks, Ring-necked Ducks and Ruddy Ducks.  New arrivals include a Ruby-throated Hummingbird (the same day that Bill Wood saw his his first of the season), Northern Parula, and Pectoral Sandpiper.

The full list is below along with a list of butterflies.  For those of you who like butterflies, there were lots on butterflies in the back of the park.

Jeff Trahan

Birds:

35 Wood Duck 
2 Gadwall 
1 Mallard 
8 Blue-winged Teal 
3 Pied-billed Grebe 
6 Double-crested Cormorant 
2 Great Blue Heron 
11 Great Egret 
3 Snowy Egret 
11 White Ibis 
2 Black Vulture 
1 Turkey Vulture 
125 American Coot 
2 Killdeer 
1 Pectoral Sandpiper 
1 Mourning Dove 
1 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 
1 Belted Kingfisher 
5 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
2 Downy Woodpecker 
4 Northern Flicker 
1 Pileated Woodpecker 
1 Blue-headed Vireo 
8 Blue Jay 
6 Fish Crow 
10 Purple Martin 
1 Barn Swallow 
4 Carolina Chickadee 
1 Tufted Titmouse 
3 Carolina Wren 
12 American Robin 
3 Northern Mockingbird 
2 Brown Thrasher 
8 European Starling 
45 Cedar Waxwing 
1 Northern Parula 
3 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
8 Field Sparrow 
12 Savannah Sparrow 
7 Le Conte's Sparrow 
1 Song Sparrow 
2 Swamp Sparrow 
15 White-throated Sparrow 
25 Northern Cardinal 
45 Red-winged Blackbird 
15 Common Grackle

Butterflies:

2 Giant Swallowtail 
12 Orange Sulphur 
2 Cloudless Sulphur 
2 Gray Hairstreak 
55 Red-banded Hairstreak 
12 Eastern Tailed-Blue 
45 Phaon Crescent 
35 Pearl Crescent 
1 Red Admiral 
2 Common Buckeye 
14 Goatweed Leafwing 
3 Silver-spotted Skipper 
1 Funereal Duskywing 

3/22/2009

Bill Wood

 Subject: FOS Ruby-throat

To all,

Just sitting here reading the news on-line at 7:42 am when I saw my FOS Ruby-throated Hummingbird at the feeder outside my window.  Right on schedule!

As Always, Good Birding!

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

3/19/2009

Rosemary Seidler

Subject:  White-winged Dove

Linda Adrion and Pat Lonnecker saw a White-winged Dove at Lock and Dam # 5 this afternoon.  Turn to go to Bishop's Point and look on the fence on the right.

Rosemary

3/15/2009

Charles Lyon

Subject:  Cross Lake FRANKLIN'S GULLS 3-15-09

LA-birders,

I did a Cross Lake boat run this evening from 4:30 until 7:30 pm.  Usually this time of year I'm a land lubber chasing early migrants, but I've got some holes in my spring Cross Lake data, so I chose this option.  It was a bit brisk at 50 degrees, but there was only a minimal south wind, and the water was flat.  Here is the partial list with a few annotations.

Mallard 6
Blue-winged Teal 3 migrants
Canvasback 19 most have departed as expected
Lesser Scaup 180 many of these are migrants. Scaup are moving now.
Bufflehead 16 most have gone
Ruddy Duck 160 ditto
COMMON LOON 3 two in full alternate plumage.  This is a very uncommon spring migrant and is late spring date for our data base.  Probably just a matter of lack of detection.
Pied-billed Grebe 3
American White Pelican 21
Double-crested Cormorant 1700
Great Blue Heron 80 on the nests
Great Egret 150 on the nests as well
Cattle Egret 2 early colonizers on the Buzzard Island rookery
Black Vulture 18 kettle
American Coot 275
Killdeer 1

My first ever March five gull species day in NW LA:

Bonaparte's Gull 36
FRANKLIN'S GULL 3 all FULL Alternate plumage adults with complete black heads.  I had an immature on the Shreveport CBC in December and Terry Davis and the Boslers had probably the same bird in January this year.  Franklin's Gulls have an extended late fall migration, but most all have left the continent by early December.  The mid December and January records are unusual, but three breeding plumaged adult in NW LA in mid March seems quite odd.  Most of the population winters in the Pacific Ocean off of South American Peru, but small numbers winter in North American waters.  Perhaps that number is increasing, which may or may not relate to global climate change, and as a consequence these very early spring migrants showed up today.  This should be a first ever March record for north LA.
LAUGHING GULL 1 immature I don't think we have a March record for this species in north LA, but I had 29 on the Shreveport CBC which was an all time high count including my post hurricane counts.
Ring-billed Gull 1400 still quite a few but the winter population was over 5000.
HERRING GULL 21 A Cross Lake high count for me and there were 7 adults.  Some of these could be winter residents, but most probably are migrants.

Forster's Tern 1 virtually all have left
Belted Kingfisher 2
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Yellow-bellied sapsucker 1
Downey woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 3
Pileated Woodpecker 2
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Purple Martin 110 good numbers have returned Feeding very low over the water, as that is where their food supply is on a cold day like today.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 1 migrant
Barn swallow 5 migrants
Other passerines of not any great interest.

A different twist on early spring migration by boat on the lake.

Charlie Lyon
Shreveport, LA

3/2/2009

Amanda Lewis

Subject:  Red-breasted Mergansers at BD Park on Saturday

A new bird for the C. Bickham Dickson Park/ Red River Education and Research Park list, Red-breasted Merganser, was added on Saturday.  This past Saturday morning, Feb. 28th, at 10:30 am Jerome and I spotted 2 male Red-breasted Mergansers near the boat launch at the park.  I was at the park to meet a field trip from the National Association for Interpretation led by Larry Raymond.  Larry and a van of birders arrived shortly after the birds were first spotted and were able to see the birds as well.  The Red-breasted Mergansers could not be located on a second attempt at 11:45 am Saturday.

-Amanda Lewis

Amanda (Crnkovic) Lewis
Assistant to the Director
Red River Watershed Management Institute
Louisiana State University in Shreveport
One University Place
Shreveport, LA 71115

3/1/2009

Ellen Middleton

Subject:  Possible albino red tail hawk

Hopefully someone can help me with an ID question.  We were on Hwy 3132 headed east (towards Flournoy Lucas Rd) about 1pm today.  As were getting off at the Bert Kouns Exit, I noticed what at first appeared to be an all white hawk hovering above the open grassy area.  My first thought was of a black-shouldered kite because of the coloring and behavior.  At great risk to personal safety, my husband obliged me by returning and letting me get a closer look.  By that time the bird was perched in a small tree approximately 50 feet from the shoulder of the road.  It was turned away from me, so I could not get a great look at the head, but it was white all over with a few black spots all over the body.  The head had some dark on it, but not completely.  The eye was dark, but I could not tell about the bill color.  The tail seemed short for a red tail.  My guess is an albino or leukistic (sp?) red tail hawk.  If anyone see the bird or has some thoughts on ID I would appreciate it.

Ellen Middleton
Shreveport, LA

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2/16/2009

Cathy Basham

Subject: Adult Osprey

I saw an adult osprey on Lake Claiborne Sunday morning.

Cathy Basham
KTBS, Inc.

2/7/2009

Ellen Middleton

Subject:  Purple Martins

I was delighted today to see my FOS purple martins.  They were flying over the Randle T Moore Center @ approximately 10:30.  Always a sure sign of spring.

Ellen Middleton
Shreveport, LA

2/4/2009

Laurence Hardy

Subject:  Sandhill Cranes on side of LA hwy 1

Lindsay Coldiron reports Sandhill Cranes in a cornfield, on east side of LA hwy 1, 100 yards north of Natchitoches parish line seen on either Feb. 3 OR Feb. 4, 2009.

Dr. Laurence M. Hardy

Museum of Life Sciences
LSU in Shreveport
One University Place
Shreveport, LA 71115-2399
Office: 318-797-5338
Cell: 318-518-5709
Home: 318-687-6738
FAX: 318-797-5222
lhardy(at)lsus(dot)edu

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1/26/2009

James Ingold

Subject:  FW: [LABIRD-L] Red-throated Loon and Little Gull photos

-----Original Message-----

From: Bulletin Board for Dissemination of Information on Louisiana Birds (LABIRD-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU) On Behalf Of Devin Eby-Bosler

LABIRD,

Although not the best photos, these are fairly good considering the appalling weather conditions, the distance, and the less than obliging targets.  The loon was diving continuously, spending more time under the water than above.  The Little Gull was always on the move as well, making circuits of the lake with a small flock of Bonaparte's Gulls.  Digiscoped photos of LA's first photo-documented Red-throated Loon and north LA's first Little Gull can be viewed at the link below.

The wait is over, Louisiana can now add its second species of loon to the official state list (the last state in the U.S. to do so).

More details and quad lists later...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30743124@N07/ 

Enjoy,

Devin Bosler
LSU-Baton Rouge

1/25/2009

Bill Wood

Subject: eBird Report - Keithville Quad , 1/25/09 

To all.

Had a few surprises today while doing the Keithville Quad, Winter and Sedge Wren and Gray Catbird.  Also had nice numbers of Pine Warblers and a few Pine Siskins.

As Always, Good Birding!

Bill Wood
Keithville, LA
Caddo Parish
labirder08(atbellsouth(dot)net
http://www.pbase.com/labirder

Location: Keithville Quad
Observation date: 1/25/09
Number of species: 34

Wood Duck 2
Double-crested Cormorant 5
Turkey Vulture 5
Eurasian Collared-Dove 4
Mourning Dove 6
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Downy Woodpecker 3
Eastern Phoebe 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 1
Carolina Chickadee 7
Tufted Titmouse 1
Brown-headed Nuthatch 1
Carolina Wren 4
Winter Wren 1
Sedge Wren 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Eastern Bluebird 4
Gray Catbird 1
Northern Mockingbird 3
Brown Thrasher 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 2
Pine Warbler 7
Chipping Sparrow 45
Song Sparrow 3
White-throated Sparrow 15
Dark-eyed Junco 7
Northern Cardinal 23
Red-winged Blackbird 20
Common Grackle 1
House Finch 3
Pine Siskin 6
American Goldfinch 50

1/25/2009

Nancy Menasco

Subject:  Red-throated Loon & Little Gull in Jackson Parish Caney Creek Reservoir 

FYI

From: lyon5516(at)BELLSOUTH(foy)NET  (Charlie Lyon)
To: LABIRD-L@LISTSERV.LSU.EDU 
Sent from the Internet (Details) 

LA-birders,

Devin and Justin Bosler discovered an adult basic plumaged RED-THROATED LOON and an adult winter plumaged LITTLE GULL this morning on Caney Creek Reservoir in Jackson Parish.  They don't have computer access tonight and asked if I would make a post tonight.  Terry Davis and I made the trek to the lake this afternoon, which is truly in the middle of nowhere, and both birds were still present.  I suspect there is a good probability both birds will be present tomorrow, for those wishing to make the journey.  The Bosler's will be doing another winter atlas survey near Lake Providence, and will not able to get back there tomorrow.  Terry and I are back in Shreveport and won't be there either.

The best viewing area in regards to seeing both species is the spillway dam.  This is located at the east end of the lake which is just WEST of LA HWY 34.  When on HWY 34, look for the sign for Jimmie Davis State Park, and just south of this is a another sign and Spillway Dam Road. Turn onto Spillway Dam Road, and drive to the large parking lot at the spillway.  You can scope from the parking lot or walk along the levee which is to your left.  We also drove along the road toward Jimmie Davis SP and scoped from a vacant lot.  Both birds were distant so you need a scope.  The Little Gull did come in fairly close once, but it seems to have a large feeding area, and associates with a flock of about 20 Bonaparte's Gulls.  There were 40+ Common Loons on the lake in addition to the Red-throated Loon.

In regards to the status of Red-throated Loon in Louisiana, this may be the first record accepted, but the first sighting was that of an individual seen during the winter LOS meeting in Shreveport in 1991(?1992).  I was President of the LOS at that time and had Julie Zickefoose come in as our guest speaker.  She is a nationally known artist and birder.  She was on a barge on Cross Lake with me and about 8-10 other observers.  She noted a Red-throated Loon and called it to my attention.  This bird was seen at close range, and she immediately made a drawing which I submitted as part of the record.  There was no question on the id on either of our parts, but this was in the day prior to birders having cameras at their sides while birding.  We have a rule that no first state record can be accepted unless there is a specimen, photo, or video of the individual.  It can be accepted after the next accepted record which should be this one.  I can not speak for the records committee as I am no longer on the committee, but my hopes are they accept the Cross Lake record which is just as valid as this one.

Caney Creek Reservoir, which is about a 4000 acre lake and the drinking water supply of Jonesboro, is a relatively new man made lake in the heart of the piney woods.  It wasn't filled until the late 1980's, and prior to that
was prime deer hunting habitat.  It's one of those twists in which the interference of man has created an "unnatural" habitat in an area where no body of water that size should be, and no loon should be.  Prior to the development of this lake, a Common Loon and Bonaparte's Gull would have been unheard of in Jackson Parish, let alone a Red-throated Loon and Little Gull. The world of water is truly moving northward in more ways than we can imagine.

Charlie Lyon
Shreveport, LA

1/19/2009

Rosemary Seidler

Subject:  Common Goldeneyes near Hosston 

Richard Gibbons birded the Vivian North quad for the Winter Bids Atlas on Saturday.

He had five male Common Goldeneyes near the Hosston boat ramp.

Rosemary

1/16/2009

Velsa Neilson

Subject:  birding in 33 degrees!

Hello, all!

Certainly was good to see many of y'all at the meeting Tuesday!  Enjoyed the program, Jean and Jeff!

My yard was alive with birds at 8 am today.  There must have been over 200 Goldfinch feeding everywhere!  Plus another 80 of usual winter backyard birds.  Glory!

Went birding with neighbors today.  Left home at 9am at 19 degrees!  Warm in the car, thank the Lord!

We birded the Smithport Lake Dam Rd., Carmel area, Evans Loop, the Bayou Pierre WMA on Lake Rd near IP, and then to L&D 4.

Had 55 species.  Must have seen several 100s of chippies and White-throats in the woody areas!

WMA had several ducks but we didn't have scopes or permits!  So we left after recording Coots and Ring-necks. We found a Gray Catbird somewhere between there and the Lake Rd.

We saw 25 hawks!  Mostly Red-tails, 4 Kestrels, and 1 Harrier.  2 were Red-shouldered Hawks with one being literally out the car window!  About 20 foot away.  We enjoyed the view!

At L&D #4 we had a Loggerhead Shrike sitting atop a fence post that was below car window level.  It was a great view we don't see too often.  He was just happy to sit there and show off!

We had 2 Common Moorhen at the second pond on the left at L&D #4.  That surprised me.  I surely would 

have thought they would go south for the winter!  They still had some red in their bills.  There was also a large nutria hanging close by.

The Cardinal was the species seen at the most locations.  Thank goodness he's so good looking!

L&D #4 had 75 White Pelicans, 100 DC Cormorants, plus other expected species.  Had a great view of an Anhinga on the in-the-pond fence.  Sorry we didn't find an eagle or Osprey.

What we did find was a very light Krider's Red-tailed - I suppose.  I wished for it to be a Ferruginous but honestly could not verify either species.  So according to the rule of "the most likely species" it would be a Krider's.  The only view we had was straight forward.  He was large as a Red-tail.  The bird had a pure white breast, belly and under-tail.  I could see no stripes in the tail.  There was some very faint speckling on the front breast.  The head was mostly light tan with darker streaks.  There was a white line above the eye.  The tops of the wings were creamy and grayish-brown mottling.  When the bird did finally fly, he turned real quick and went behind the trees.  I never had a diagnostic view but he did have more white underneath than anything else and his tail on the top side was a pale rusty red at the bottom fading to white at the base.  Had it not been for a tightly strung barbed-wire fence and thank the Lord, a later noticed No Trespassing sign - I'd have gotten a much better view!  The hawk was on the right side of the road past the second rock dike.  The bird did call several times and it did sound familiar to my memory of a Red-tail.  And in all likelihood it was a Red-tail.  Ah, but we must keep looking and be suspicious or we shall miss the Dusky and Ash-throated Flycatchers!

One ever-so-cold Snowy Egret hid at the Evelyn barrow-pit.

It was a wonderful day!

May God bless you all!
Velda

1/14/2009

Jeff Trahan

Subject:  Ash-throated Flycatcher at the Red River Refuge???

I sent three photos that I took of the possible Ash-throated Flycatcher that was first seen and photographed by Ronnie Maum at the Red River Refuge.  These photos showed the underside of the tail.  I sent them to Steve Cardiff and his reply is below.

Jeff Trahan

Hey Jeff-

Jim Ingold had already sent one photo of the bird a while back.  Don’t know if that was one of your photos or someone else’s.  Anyway, it was a nice, full profile shot and Donna and I both believed that it looked good for Ash-throated.  However, we couldn’t see the tail tip pattern, so I told Jim that it was almost certainly an Ash-throated based on subjective characters (size, proportions, paleness of under-parts) but that there was nothing “diagnostic” to go on (tail, mouth lining, voice).  The new photos that you provided eliminate everything but Ash-throated and Nutting’s.  Some Nutting’s have the same tail pattern as Ash-throated.  So, technically, to be absolutely certain, you also need to see the mouth-lining color (flesh versus orange in Nutting’s) or hear the bird call (Ash-throated’s “prrrp” versus Nutting’s “peep”).  Having said all that, your bird is 99.99% for sure an Ash-throated based on the photos and probability.  Nutting’s would be somewhat darker gray on the breast and brighter yellow on the belly.

Very nice bird, and if Ash-throated was still a review list bird I would have no problem accepting this record.  If it’s OK with you, I’ll try to get one of your photos published in North American Birds when I send in this winter’s summary.

Best,

Steve

On 1/14/09 2:30 PM, "jftrahan@bellsouth.net" <jftrahan@bellsouth.net> wrote:

Steve,

A possible Ash-throated Flycatcher was reported at the Red River NWR in Bossier City recently.  I went to photograph it in order to possible identify it.  The bird was not extremely cooperative, but I did manage to get three images that might help in identification.  I would appreciate your help.  You seem to be the appropriate person to send this to.

I have attached three photos:
IMG_0254.jpg Undertail of bird flying away (not being cooperative)
IMG_0262.jpg Side view showing undertail, but not very well.
IMG_0262_1.jpg Blown up portion of undertail in IMG_0262.jpg

Thanks,
Jeff Trahan
Shreveport, LA

1/11/2009

Phil Bradley

Subject:  Spring Ridge bird counts

Hi all,

My five acres had a nice showing today, Jan.11th.

30 species

Turkey Vulture 3
Black Vulture 6
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Red-shoulder Hawk 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 2
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Common Grackle 16
American Crow 10-----they were attacking the Red-tailed Hawks
Blue Jay 6
Mourning Dove 25
Northern Cardinal 22
Cedar Waxwing 30
Brown Thrasher 1
Tufted Titmouse 6
Caroline Chickadee 9
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2
Carolina Wren 2
Yellow-rumped Warbler 6
Pine Warbler 2
Harris Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 1
Chipping Sparrow 20
White-throated Sparrow 12
Dark-eyed Junco 10
Pine Siskin 32
American Goldfinch 40

Phil Bradley
Spring Ridge, La
rmyeldarb(at)comcast(dot)net

1/11/2009

Bill Wood

Subject:  Keithville Quad

To all,

Not much to report as the big flocks of Siskins and Goldfinches were not found but 2 Purple Finches were a nice treat.

Location: Keithville Quad
Observation date: 1/11/09
Notes: sunny and cool, temps in the low 50s.  1.25 party hours
Number of species: 25

Turkey Vulture 2
Mourning Dove 5
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Blue Jay 2
American Crow 7
Carolina Chickadee 5
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Northern Mockingbird 2
Cedar Waxwing 75
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 25
Pine Warbler 3
Chipping Sparrow 9
White-throated Sparrow 22
Dark-eyed Junco 5
Northern Cardinal 21
Red-winged Blackbird 75
Common Grackle 25
Purple Finch 2
House Finch 5
Pine Siskin 14
American Goldfinch 100

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

As Always, Good Birding!

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

1/1/2009

Bill Wood

Subject:  First Bird/s of 2009

 To all,

Looked out at the feeders this morning to see my first birds of the year on the platform feeder.  Ten Pine Siskins, several American Goldfinches, and three Northern Cardinals.

As Always, Good Birding!

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

Back to Top

12/31/2008

Joyce Bennett

Subject:  Wounded Red-tailed Hawk

A wounded red tailed hawk on I 20 before exit 10 going east.  I could not stop and did not have anything to rescue him with.  He was on the shoulder of the road if some kind birder would check it out

jabird(at)bellsouth(dot)net 

12/30/2008

Hubert Hervey

Subject:  Harris' Sparrow flock 

BSG Members,

The first Harris Sparrow showed up on Christmas Day, 2008 at my feeders in Stonewall LA.  On the 27th a second showed up, on the 28th a third was present and this morning, the 30th of Dec, I had 4 Harris' Sparrows at the same time.  Usually they ignore each other to some extent, but by 10 AM they had decided they had enough to form a flock and were moving around together as a flock.  This is the first time in three years that Harris' Sparrows have returned to my location, where they were regulars each winter.  Pat spent Christmas Day in the hospital with double pneumonia, is home now and nearly recovered.  The sight of Harris' Sparrows always brightens up our day.

Happy New Year,
Hubert

12/28/2008

Bill Wood

Subject:  New Yard Bird, another fun bird encounter

To all,

Added another bird to the yard list as a White-throated Sparrow was seen feeding below the sunflower feeders.  Think it is the first time I've seen one around a feeder.

I had another one of those amazing bird encounters this evening.  I took a walk to the woods out back after suffering though another disappointing Saints loss.  Think I would be used to it by now!

Anyway, I took my Screech Owl tape in hopes of finding some winter sparrows.  I stood beneath a short pine and began to play my tape.  A few White-throated Sparrows popped up along with several Yellow-rumped Warblers.  A pair of Carolina Chickadees came in and begin to scold and the action really picked up.  In less than a minute I was being mobbed by 3 Pine Warbler, 2 Tufted Titmouse, 2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 4 Carolina Chickadee, 2 White-breasted Nuthatch, a dozen Northern Cardinal, and more Yellow-rumped Warbler than I could count.  Also had 2 Red-bellied Woodpecker and one Yellow-bellied Sapsucker come in along with a single Brown Thrasher.  There were also flocks of Cedar Waxwing near by.

The White-breasted Nuthatch and Pine Warbler perched on a limb just a couple of feet from my face.  The Carolina Chickadee and Ruby-crowned Kinglet ventured in close as well.  It was a pretty cool and exciting 2 minutes.

Complete list follows:

Location: Keithville yard
Observation date: 12/28/08
Number of species: 24

Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Mourning Dove 4
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 2
Blue Jay 2
Carolina Chickadee 3
Tufted Titmouse 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Carolina Wren 4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 2
Brown Thrasher 1
Cedar Waxwing 50
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 50
Pine Warbler 3
Chipping Sparrow 14
White-throated Sparrow 22
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 21
Northern Cardinal 15
Red-winged Blackbird 15
House Finch 2
American Goldfinch 75

As Always, Good Birding!

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

12/28/2008

Bill Wood

Subject:  Bickham Dickson Park Birds

To all,

Made a real quick drive though the park and noted the following.  No Bald Eagle encounter today.

Location: Bickham Dickson park
Observation date: 12/28/08
Number of species: 20

Wood Duck 6
Gadwall 45
Mallard 5
Northern Shoveler 3
Canvasback 55
Ruddy Duck 40
Pied-billed Grebe 21
American White Pelican 27
Double-crested Cormorant 75
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 6
American Coot 200
Ring-billed Gull 11
Rock Pigeon 12
Mourning Dove 3
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 200
Northern Cardinal 4
Common Grackle 12

As Always, Good Birding!

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

12/26/2008

Bill Wood

Subject:  Bickham Dickson Park, Bald Eagle encounter

To all,

This morning around 10:30 am I made a brief drive though at Bickham Dickson Park (Caddo Parish).  There were more ducks around including 75 plus Gadwall, 25 Canvasback, and 50 plus Ruddy Ducks.

The coolest encounter was watching an adult Bald Eagle harass a flock of coots.  I was sitting in my car near the boat launch and not more than 100 feet away watched for several minutes as it made several passes at the flock of coots.  Complete list follows:

Location: bickham dickson park
Observation date: 12/26/08
Number of species: 34

Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 75
Mallard (Domestic type) 2
Northern Shoveler 8
Canvasback 25
Ruddy Duck 50
Pied-billed Grebe 15
American White Pelican 6
Double-crested Cormorant 45
Anhinga 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 4
Turkey Vulture 3
Bald Eagle 1
American Kestrel 1
American Coot 150
Killdeer 9
Ring-billed Gull 30
Rock Pigeon 12
Mourning Dove 35
Red-bellied Woodpecker 2
Northern Flicker 3
Eastern Phoebe 2
Blue Jay 2
Eastern Bluebird 2
Northern Mockingbird 1
American Pipit 17
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle) 250
Pine Warbler 2
Savannah Sparrow 2
Song Sparrow 2
Northern Cardinal 4
Common Grackle 12
American Goldfinch 6

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

As Always, Good Birding!

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

12/26/2008

Phil Bradley

Subject:  Harris's Sparrow

Hi All,

I have had a Harris's Sparrow at my house in Spring Ridge for three days.  It is not banded, so it is not the same one Jim Ingold banded in 2002 at the Dickson deer farm.

I had hundreds of Goldfinches and several dozen Pine Siskins, also.

There are more non Slate colored Dark-eyed Juncos than Slate colored ones.

One of the male slate colored Juncos is sporting a white crown.  I hope it survives and someone up north reports it so I can tell where it came from.

Phil Bradley

12/17/2008

Velda Neilson

Subject:  Common Goldeneye

Hello, all!  And Merry Christmas!

At Jolly Roger Marina on north end of Toledo, had one Common Goldeneye!  So exciting!  Went on spur of moment and thankful we did!

Not as many ducks overall there as usual.  Didn't see a single coot.  Did see:

3 Mallards,
2 Gadwalls
12 L Scaup
1 C Goldeneye.

Saw about 24 species.  Sadly one Eur. Coll. Dove.

Our neighborhood must of had a bad run of West Nile early this fall.  My neighbor found 20 dead cardinals in her yard in one week in ? Sept or Aug.  I found 5 or 6 dead birds of different species myself.  None of us knew of anything we might have done to contribute to all these dying birds.

I had one late hummer in Oct. Only saw it twice - on back side of feeder, of course!

Take care all.  And may God grant you each a wonderful, blessed, and peaceful Christmas!

Velda

12/10/2008

Hubert Hervey

Subject:  Pine Siskins in flocks

BSG Members,

I have flocks of Pine Siskins, 20 to 25, in with large number of Am. Goldfinches this morning.  Seldom do I remember having this many Siskins at my feeders.  They are tearing up the thistle, and also readily use the seeds that Jim was nice enough to let us auction off last night at the Christmas Banquet.  Thanks to everyone who provided food, it was great, and also to all the participants who contributed auction items, and paid for the items offered for sale.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the evening.

Put out those thistles feeders today, and enjoy the feeding spectacular.

Hubert

Back to Top

11/29/2008

James Ingold

Subject:  FW: [LABIRD-L] Pine Siskin 

From: Bulletin Board for Dissemination of Information on Louisiana Birds on behalf of Paul Dickson
Sent: Sat 11/29/2008 3:33 PM

Labird: I have three Pine Siskins at my feeder this afternoon.

Paul Dickson
Shreveport

11/23/2008

Jeff Trahan

Subject:  Bickham Dickson 

Jean and I went to Bickham Dickson this morning (Sunday).  We saw a total of 59 species including American Avocet, Purple Finch, and Vesper Sparrow.  November 23, is a late fall date for American Avocet in northwestern Louisiana.  The entire list can be found below.

The avocet was seen at the edge of the water at the boat launch near the pavilion.  It stayed there all morning, so it may hang around awhile.

Jeff Trahan

2 American Goldfinch 
25 House Finch 
1 Purple Finch 
1 Common Grackle 
5 Red-winged Blackbird 
7 Northern Cardinal 
20 White-throated Sparrow 
3 Swamp Sparrow 
2 Fox Sparrow 
6 Le Conte's Sparrow 
15 Savannah Sparrow 
2 Vesper Sparrow 
7 Field Sparrow 
4 Chipping Sparrow 
4 Pine Warbler 
130 Yellow-rumped Warbler 
3 Orange-crowned Warbler 
2 European Starling 
3 Brown Thrasher 
10 Northern Mockingbird 
6 Eastern Bluebird 
1 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 
25 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
2 Carolina Wren 
7 Carolina Chickadee 
10 Fish Crow 
8 Blue Jay 
1 Blue-headed Vireo 
6 Eastern Phoebe 
1 Pileated Woodpecker 
6 Northern Flicker 
2 Downy Woodpecker 
4 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 
10 Red-bellied Woodpecker 
2 Belted Kingfisher 
2 Eastern Screech-Owl 
18 Mourning Dove 
28 Rock Pigeon 
9 Laughing Gull 
1 Wilson's Snipe 
5 Least Sandpiper 
1 Greater Yellowlegs 
1 American Avocet 
1 Killdeer 
150 American Coot 
2 Red-tailed Hawk 
2 Sharp-shinned Hawk 
2 Turkey Vulture 
8 Great Egret 
6 Great Blue Heron 
130 Double-crested Cormorant 
25 American White Pelican 
3 Pied-billed Grebe 
60 Ruddy Duck 
7 Ring-necked Duck 
9 Canvasback 
15 Northern Shoveler 
8 Mallard 
7 Gadwall

11/5/2008

James.Ingold

Subject:  Mostly white hawk at Ashely Ridge

 I was at Ashley Ridge a noontime to pay my mortgage and went to the pond that the Redheads had been using in previous winters.  Nothing on the pond so I was looking at turtle on the far shore threw my binocs and when I looked up to the east a white bird was flying towards me.  It turned and I saw some black feathers dispersed throughout its plumage.  I thought Little Blue Heron turning into adult plumage.  When I looked at it through the binocs it was a hawk – buteo.  Mostly white with random black feathers dispersed on its body.  The white was very white not dingy.  It then flew north over some trees towards Charlie’s neighborhood and out of sight.

Jim

11/3/2008

Charlie Lyon

Subject:  Cross Lake 11-03-08 possible California Gull

 LA-birders,

I made a brief one hour evening boat run on Cross Lake from 4:45 pm until 5:45 pm today 11-03-08 and a few changes were noted.  I spent much of my time chasing a possible 1st winter CALIFORNIA GULL vs "runt" Herring Gull.  I've been fooled before on this one.  I put a few photos up on my web site at http://gallery.me.com/charleslyon and I would appreciate if others would look and give me their thoughts.  I've got more photos but these are some of the better ones.

Gull and Tern changes were:
Franklin's Gull 12
Bonaparte's Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 110 big increase
Possible 1st winter CALIFORNIA GULL 1 ????
Herring Gull 1 
Forster's Tern 16 new arrivals

I was mainly gulling so not much else was noted.

Charlie Lyon
Shreveport, LA

11/2/2008

Charlie Lyon

Subject:  Cross Lake postings + 10-30-08 BLACK-HEADED GULL

LA-birders,

Terry Davis and I made a three hour afternoon boat run on Cross Lake today 11-01-08 from 3:30pm until 6:30pm, and we were not able to relocate the first winter COMMON BLACK-HEADED GULL I found on 10-30-08.  I have posted a photo and a magnified second photo of the gull with size comparisons of nearby Ring-billed and Franklin's Gulls, and a lone Forster's Tern.  You can view this at http://gallery.me.com/charleslyon.

I've made three boat runs on Cross Lake since my last posting, and I'll give brief summaries.

10-25-08 10am until 12:15 pm sunny with light northerly winds 55-60 degrees.  Minimal activity with the highlight being one NEOTROPIC CORMORANT, which looked like a different individual from the two I found on 10-21-08.  There was a low level end of the season raptor migration with the following:

Black Vulture 90.  Vultures are raptors too and they are late migrants.
Turkey Vulture 9
Osprey 2 locals
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Coot 750.  Quite low for this time of year
NO gulls or terns
Winter Wren 1
Marsh Wren 1 FOS
Red-winged Blackbird 75 migrants.  They migrate too, although most of us are not really looking for them.

10-30-08 5-6:30pm se winds 10mph sunny 70 degrees

The big bird showed, and a few other notable changes occurred.  Duck numbers increased a bit, but numbers are still under par for this time of the season.

Gadwall 50
Northern Shoveler 36
Lesser Scaup 54
Hooded Merganser 1 female FOS
Ruddy Duck 1400 expected increase.  This is the most numerous wintering duck on the lake, and numbers are still quite low.
Common Loon 2 FOS
American Coot 300.  Way down and many have actually departed
BLACK-HEADED GULL 1.  1st winter bird and please see the only semi decent photo I could get before it flew and was lost forever.  I've also been looking for this species forever on Cross Lake, so as far as I'm concerned, it's long overdue.
Franklin's Gull 15 FOS
Bonaparte's Gull 2 FOS and right on time
Ring-billed Gull 26
Forster's Tern 2 and only two.  There should be a lot more by now.

11-01-08 approx 3:30 pm until 6:30 pm with Terry Davis partly cloudy 68-72 degrees with light 0-5 mph winds SE.  Low numbers of most everything for this time of year, and no Black-headed Gull.

Gadwall 21
Mallard 7
Northern Shoveler 5
Canvasback 3 FOS
Lesser Scaup 8
Ruddy Duck 1033
Pied-billed Grebe 26
Horned Grebe 2 FOS
Osprey 3.  Good numbers for this time of year, and it's possible they may be setting up winter territories. Historically this is a migrant up here, but their winter range seems to be extending northward. (and actually their
breeding range has been extending inland as well)
Bald Eagle 1 adult 
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
American Coot 324.  The herbicide used against the salvinia may have worked on more than just the salvinia...speculation of course.
Franklin's Gulls 23
Bonaparte's Gull 1
Ring-billed Gull 39 minor increase
Herring Gull 2 FOS
NO Forster's Terns so where are they?

I'll probably get out tomorrow afternoon for a boat run, but I suspect the Black-headed Gull was one minute wonder.

Charlie Lyon 
Shreveport, LA

11/1/2008

Charlie Lyon

Subject:  COMMON BLACK-HEADED GULL Cross Lake

LA-birders,

I found a juvenile COMMON BLACK-HEADED GULL on Cross Lake yesterday evening but I only got brief views of it.  I managed to get off a photo which after I reviewed today I think is good enough to get it accepted.  I couldn't get on the lake today, but I'll be out there much of the weekend.  Locals can join me if they wish.  It will be a first state record if accepted.  I'll sent the photo to Van, Steve, and Donna.

Charlie Lyon
Shreveport, LA

Back to Top

10/22/2008

Charlie Lyon

Subject:  NEOTROPIC CORMORANTS Cross Lake 10-21-08

LA-birders,

I made a boat survey of Cross Lake this evening 10-21-08 and got in one hour and forty minutes from 5pm until 6:40pm, instead of my usual one hour.  It was another bluebird day with sunny skies and a pleasant 75 degrees.

List:

Gadwall 24
Mallard 6
Lesser Scaup 15
Ruddy Duck 6 I didn't make it to the east end
Pied-billed Grebe 6
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT 2 a new Cross Lake "high" count I got photos which I'll put on my site.  I had one at the Red River NWR Headquarters tract on 10-18-08, so keep your eyes open.  This species although uncommon is regular at Lake Tawakoni to our west in Texas, so perhaps it may become more regular here as well. I'm hoping for a CBC record in our future.
Double-crested Cormorant 350 still not many
Great Blue Heron 6
Great Egret 30
Bald Eagle 1 
American Coot 600 down from two days ago
Killdeer 4 
Least Sandpiper 4
Forster's Tern 6 still nothing happening in the world of gulls and terns
Mourning Dove 4
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied woodpecker 2
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1 FOS
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 7
Carolina Chickadee 1
Carolina Wren 5
Winter Wren 2 FOS one was singing which some will do immediately upon
arrival, and then they remain mute for the rest of the winter (other than
kip, kip). It's a beautiful song, and you may want to play it if you are not familiar with it.
Eastern Bluebird only 1
Starling 1
White-throated Sparrow 6
Cardinal 5
Red-winged Blackbird 4

Overall not much is happening right now, and we need another cold front to advance the season to the next level.

Charlie Lyon 
Shreveport, LA

10/20/2008

Charlie Lyon

Subject:  OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER 10-20-08 NW LA

LA-birders,

I've been scratching out about an hour a day to bird the last couple of days. n Sunday 10-19-08 I made a brief evening boat run on Cross Lake from about 5:30 to 6:30 pm with clear skies and temps in the high 60's.  It was pretty dull and literally a fair weather bluebird day.

Partial list:
Wood Duck 2
Mallard 2 (wild)
Blue-winged Teal 3
Lesser Scaup 4
Ruddy Duck 83 FOS thousands will arrive shortly
Pied-billed Grebe 16 more have departed than have come in
Double-crested Cormorant 350 still very few on the lake
Snowy Egret 2 
Osprey 1
Bald eagle 1
American Coot 1700 significant increase but not as near as many as expected something may be going on with the vegetation as well as the water...a lot of herbicide was sprayed this summer
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Forster's Tern 2 no other terns or larids
Eastern Bluebird 14 consistent with a significant bluebird movement
Pine Warbler 1
Like I said, pretty dull on the lake, but a beautiful sunset on the lake.

Today 10-20-08 I normally would have hit the lake again, but with yesterday's result and no significant change in the weather pattern, I decided to be a landlubber.  Charles Mills found a Chestnut-collared Longspur on Lake Millwood a couple of days ago, so I thought I would try Sentell Road about 8 miles north of Shreveport this evening after work.  I had a couple of Chestnut-collard Longsurs there last winter, so I thought why not try something different.  As is per usual, the destination site and longspurs were a bust, but I managed to find a few things of some significance.

List:
Wood Duck 2
Northern Harrier 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2 early in migration for them still
American Kestrel 6 numbers growing
Killdeer 20
Scuz dove 1  (Eurasian Collared-Dove, webguy)
Mourning Dove 2
Red-bellied woodpecker 2

OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER 1 On the top of a dead snag fly-catching near the Red river levee north of the sod farm.  This is a northern interior late date by almost a couple of weeks, and ties Lowery's late date for the state.  Van, what do you have for dates on this species in your book?  This one was the surprise of the day, and nothing similar to a longspur.

Eastern Phoebe 2
Loggerhead Shrike 5 good numbers
American Crow 1
House Wren 1

EASTERN BLUEBIRD 45 big numbers seem to be moving through

Northern Mockingbird 8
Yellow-rumped warbler 2

PALM WARBLER 1 western sp an uncommon low density migrant in NW LA Fall migration is protracted and can extend into December.  We actually have a fair number of CBC records of this species.

Lark Sparrow 5 lingering breeders
Savannah Sparrow 12
White-crowned Sparrow 4
Northern Cardinal 2
Red-winged Blackbird 600
Eastern Meadowlark 3
No pipits of either flavor, which was a bit surprising.

Another fair weather bluebird day...this is probably the prettiest time of year in NW LA.

Charlie Lyon
Shreveport, LA

10/19/2008

Ellen Middleton

Subject:  Sunday Oct 19

What a beautiful fall weekend.  Had my FOS golden crowned kinglet at Richard Fleming today, and several white-throated sparrows @ Elysian Fields yesterday.

Ellen Middleton

10/18/2008

Charlie Lyon 

Subject:  Red River NWR birds 10-18-08

LA-birders,

NEXRAD last night showed a continued massive movement of birds behind the cold front of 10-16-08 so I did a little "ground truthing" this am at the headquarters tract of the Red River National Wildlife Refuge in Bossier Parish.  This is also the date of their annual wildlife celebration festival and they had a great turn out.

I started before dawn arriving just before 7am and left just before noon.  It was a really pleasant morning with 7am temperatures at 50 degrees and a light north wind.  The early morning fog yielded to clear blue skies, which made for excellent raptor migrant viewing conditions.  I found a couple of new species for the refuge list and established one NW LA late date.  It was a wonderful day to be out in the neighborhood.  First of the season migrants (FOS) are noted, so as to give readers a better idea of what came in new today post Thursday's frontal passage.  I noted other new arrivals on yesterday's post.

List:

Wood Duck 30 
Gadwall 125 coming through in bigger numbers now
American Wigeon 5 FOS
Ring-necked Duck 1 FOS
Pied-billed Grebe 10
American White Pelican 225 big increase in numbers
Double-crested Cormorant 650 major movement today

NEOTROPIC CORMORANT 1 adult new to the refuge list and rare in NW LA anytime of the year, and especially so in the fall and winter

ANHINGA 18 really big numbers for so late in the year
Great Blue Heron 8
Snowy Egrets 10 still good numbers
Tricolored Heron 5 ditto
Cattle Egret 125 The herons and egrets are roosting in the oxbow behind the headquarters area, but you need to get there either before sunrise or just before sunset to witness the spectacle.
Black-crowned Night-Heron 2 uncommon this time of year and more so as winter approaches.

Mini raptor migration:
Black Vulture 15
Turkey Vulture 4
Bald Eagle 1 adult
Cooper's Hawk 3
Red-shouldered Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 7
American Kestrel 1

American Coot 16
Killdeer 3
Rock Pigeon 14
Mourning Dove 60
Belted kingfisher 3
Red-bellied Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 4
Northern Flicker 6 fairly recent arrivals
Eastern Phoebe 9 ditto
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 14 migrating flock

WARBLING VIREO 1 NW LA late date

Blue-headed Vireo 1 not on the refuge list for some reason fairly early as well

Blue Jay 14
American Crow 3
Carolina Chickadee 6
Tufted Titmouse 2
Carolina Wren 10

BEWICK'S WREN 1 new to the refuge list and rare and local fall terminal migrant fairly early as well

House Wren 8 FOS good numbers
Sedge Wren 1 FOS
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 growing numbers
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher 2
American Robin 18 first of the robin flocks not impressive numbers yet
Northern Mockingbird 5
Brown Thrasher 3
Starling 1000
Nashville Warbler 1
Yellow-rumped Warbler 11 FOS

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH 1 represents a NW LA fall late date

Common Yellowthroat 3
Savannah Sparrow 5
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 FOS
Swamp Sparrow 6
White-throated Sparrow 4 FOS
White-crowned Sparrow 4 FOS on the early side
Northern Cardinal 26
Indigo Bunting 9 about the last of the season
Red-winged Blackbird 175
Common Grackle 80
House Finch 6
Brown-headed Cowbird 2

Going home from the refuge, I had to negotiate my way through the concrete jungle of SE Shreveport.  What a contrast from the life on the refuge.  There seem the be a lot of folks of the human persuasion that just don't have a clue... Birding green places seem to be shrinking, and we need to protect the ones we have left.  Migration is in full swing, and it was a great day to be a part of it.

Charlie Lyon 
Shreveport, LA

10/17/2008

Charlie Lyon

Subject:  NW LA birds 10-16 and 10-17-2008

LA-birders,

Thursday's cold front (10-16-08) brought expected changes in the local avifauna, and I was able to make a few brief sorties to sample the changes.

Thursday 10-16-08 Cross Lake by boat 5:45pm to 6:45pm brief evening run in 64 degree overcast conditions

Partial list

Gadwall 50 first of the ducks finally broke through
Northern Shoveler 30 ditto
Green-winged Teal 2
Pied-billed Grebe 29 first big push
Double-crested Cormorant 250 no significant change with this front
Great Egret 125 all other egrets gone

PEREGRINE FALCON 1 adult the bird of the day and very rare on Cross Lake proper

American Coot 650 significant increase but not overwhelming
Ring-billed Gull 3 FOS
Forster's Tern 7 minimal increase

Friday 10-17-08 Natchitoches Fish Hatchery 12:45-1:30pm lunch break 72 degrees and sunny a mixture of old and new
Gadwall 7
Mallard 90 local breeding population appears to be exploding
Blue-winged Teal 5
Pied-billed Grebe 18 big numbers for this location and signifies a major movement
Double-crested Cormorant 4
Great Blue Heron 8
Great Egret 70
Snowy Egret 3
Little Blue Heron 2
Cattle Egret 1
White Ibis 42
Turkey Vulture 5
Red-tailed Hawk 1
American Coot 450 a major number for this site and consistent with a massive movement
Killdeer 6
Greater Yellowlegs 1
Spotted sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 30

DUNLIN 1 still an uncommon migrant in the northern interior of LA but showing up with increasing frequency

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 5 the last of the flocks
Fish Crow 5 
American Pipit 2 a bit on the early side and FOS
Savannah Sparrow 1 FOS
Common Grackle 6

Friday 10-17-08 Alligator Farm near Powhatan scenic way back to Shreveport 5pm to 5:30 pm Natchitoches Parish
Cattle Egret 325 200 took off and started heading south as I was there
Northern Harrier 1 female FOS
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Kestrel 4 FOS
Killdeer 50
Least Sandpiper 6
Wilson's Snipe 1 FOS
Scuz dove 8  (Eurasian Collared-Dove, webguy)
Mourning Dove 30
Red-bellied Woodpecker 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Eastern Phoebe 1
Loggerhead Shrike 1
American Crow 50
Carolina Chickadee 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 FOS
Savannah Sparrow 3 FOS
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Brown-headed Cowbird 40

Friday 10-17-08 Lock and Dam #4 Red River Parish 5:45 to 6:10pm last scenic
stop on the way back to Shreveport
American white Pelican 1
Double-crested Cormorant 12
Anhinga 1
Great Blue Heron 2
Great Egret 5
Snowy Egret 12 still holding on
Cattle Egret 1
Turkey Vulture 5
AMERICAN AVOCET 7 the flock came in from the north and set down on the river at 6pm an uncommon interior north LA migrant
Swamp Sparrow 4 FOS see Paul Dickson's post

More changes are coming, and the next frontal passage should outdo this one.  Finally fall is coming.

Charlie Lyon 
Shreveport, LA

10/16/2008

Ellen Middleton

Subject:  White Pelicans

On a drive through Bickham Dickson this afternoon I had a flock of 17 white pelicans.  Also, my FOS kestrel along Sligo Rd.

Ellen Middleton

10/16/08

Jim Ingold

Subject:  Red Slough Update - Yellow Rail!

From: okbirds [mailto:OKBIRDS@LISTS.OU.EDU] On Behalf Of David Arbour
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 8:24 PM

I was mowing down bulrushes with our tractor in unit 27A today in preparation for disking when I flushed up a Yellow Rail.  It flew out and landed in an area I had already mowed.  I grabbed my camera and approached it, but it flew before I spotted it and disappeared into heavy cover in an area too wet to mow.  Other birds flushed out while mowing today were:

American Bittern - 3
Virginia Rail - 7
Sora - 2
Sedge Wrens - lots!
Marsh Wrens - lots!
Wilson's Snipe - 3

Just a reminder, we are having a public Yellow Rail Rope drag on Oct. 26th. Meet at 9 a.m. at middle (Push Creek) parking lot on Mudline Road.

David Arbour
De Queen, AR

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

Personal Photo Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/sloughbirder

10/14/2008

Charlie Lyon 

Subject:  BROWN PELICANS

LA-birders,

I made an evening boat run on Cross Lake today 10-13-08 from 5:30 until 7pm, and relocated the two juvenile BROWN PELICANS that I presumed had already departed.  They also seem to have found each other and now are inseparable buddies.  I took a few photos of the pair and we now have Cross Lake's first Brown Pelican "flock".  Other than the pelicans, the lake was surprisingly devoid of bird life.  Coot and cormorant numbers are still quite low for this time of the fall, and there were only 3 Forster's Terns on the lake, with no other terns or gulls being present.  There were no ducks although I had my FOS Lesser Scaup on the lake 10-8-08.  Two Barn swallows seen today are getting late and my last Chimney Swifts were seen on 10-8-08.  It's pretty dull out there right now.

Charlie Lyon 
Shreveport, LA

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9/22/2008

Charlie Lyon 

Subject:  BROWN PELICANS

 LA-birders,

I made a short evening boat survey of Cross Lake today 90-22-08 but I had to leave by 6:30 and couldn't stay for sunset, which is usually the most productive time.  I managed to relocate not only the lingering juvenile BROWN PELICAN, but in addition, a newly arrived second juvenile BROWN PELICAN.  This is certainly not as spectacular as the frigatebird of two days ago, but equally interesting.  It seems hurricane strays are still making their way southward nine days post Hurricane Ike.  Birding otherwise was quite dull on the lake, which is predictable for fair sunny fall days with prevailing east winds

Partial list of other species:

American White Pelican 3 (another two pelican species day in the far north)
 BROWN PELICAN 2 juveniles photos of both
Anhinga 1 same female
Snowy Egret 21 
Cattle Egret 1 (a lonely number)
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1 adult
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Cooper's Hawk 1
American Coot 2 (The next cold front will bring big changes in coot numbers, as well a for many other species as well...there is a large bottleneck waiting to be unleashed)
Spotted Sandpiper 1
Black Tern 2 The ONLY terns/gulls on the lake.
Belted Kingfisher 6 A seasonal high count and I'm not sure where they all came from....local dispersal vs. true migrants?
Fish Crow 3 They have been absent until today
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 9 No other swallows, and these may be hold overs from two days ago.
Common Grackle 650 first large flocks starting to form

That's all for now.

Charlie Lyon 
Shreveport, LA

9-20-2008

Charlie Lyon

Subject:  MAG FRIGATEBIRD, BROWN PELICAN, LAUGHING GULLS

LA-birders,