march 2005 - champaign county audubon society ... · web viewmy yard as it moved from dusk to dark,...

March 2005

From jwhoyt at prairienet.org Tue Mar 1 16:22:52 2005From: jwhoyt at prairienet.org (James Hoyt)Date: Tue Mar 1 16:22:54 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Coopers Hawk outside my windowMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Birdnoters,

A Coopers Hawk just nailed a Mourning Dove outside my apartment at Country Fair Apartments!!

Cheers,

Jim :)

-- James Hoyt"The Prairie Ant"Champaign Co. AudubonCo-steward Parkland College Prairies.Monitor Urbana Park District Natural Areas.Champaign County Master GardenerAllerton Allies

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************"The human culture is considered to be a 'geologic force' and with good reason. But if we are at a stage where our actions are to decide the world's future, then surely we have reached a level where we can be held acountable for the world's future." Durward L. Allen "Our Wildlife Legacy"**************************************************************************************************************************************************************

From LewsaderBud at aol.com Tue Mar 1 16:31:21 2005From: LewsaderBud at aol.com ([email protected])Date: Tue Mar 1 16:31:32 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Bald EaglesMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

I just came back from West Newell Road, Danville. I saw both adult Bald Eagles. Hoping they will lay eggs near the middle of the month. -------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050301/6f87742c/attachment.htm

From jane_easterly at hotmail.com Tue Mar 1 17:16:41 2005From: jane_easterly at hotmail.com (Jane Easterly)Date: Tue Mar 1 17:35:14 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Coopers Hawk outside my windowIn-Reply-To: <[email protected]>Message-ID: <[email protected]>

I had a Cooper's Hawk outside my window today too! (First one I've seen out there since I moved here last summer.) However, mine went off empty-handed, so to speak. I live near Duncan and Springfield.

I was expecting my African Grey Parrot to be alarmed, as I've heard that parrots can be alarmed by hawks, but he was completely indifferent even though only about 10 feet (and one pane of glass) separated them.

>From: James Hoyt <[email protected]>>To: [email protected]>Subject: [Birdnotes] Coopers Hawk outside my window>Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2005 16:22:52 -0600 (CST)>>Birdnoters,>>A Coopers Hawk just nailed a Mourning Dove outside my apartment at Country>Fair Apartments!!>>Cheers,>>Jim :)>>-->James Hoyt>"The Prairie Ant">Champaign Co. Audubon>Co-steward Parkland College Prairies.>Monitor Urbana Park District Natural Areas.>Champaign County Master Gardener>Allerton Allies>>*******************************************************************************>*******************************************************************************>"The human culture is considered to be a 'geologic force' and with good>reason. But if we are at a stage where our actions are to decide the>world's future, then surely we have reached a level where we can be held>acountable for the world's future." Durward L. Allen "Our Wildlife Legacy">*******************************************************************************>*******************************************************************************

>>>_______________________________________________>Birdnotes mailing list>[email protected]>https://mail.prairienet.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnotes

From charleneanchor at msn.com Tue Mar 1 21:08:30 2005From: charleneanchor at msn.com (charlene anchor)Date: Tue Mar 1 21:06:03 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] another Cooper's HawkMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

We had one outside our window too. I wasn't home but my husband saw it. It took a dove as well. Went on top of the garage roof (about 50 ft away) and ate it. Took about a 1/2 hour. That was a couple of days ago. Then yesterday I saw an immature Cooper's in the yard circling a little bush. Kept running around the bush peeking in. Bird inside of it?? It was a large, beautiful immature, very bright looking. Finally it gave up and flew away.

Charlene Anchor-------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050301/64600b27/attachment.htmFrom jwhoyt at prairienet.org Wed Mar 2 01:46:34 2005From: jwhoyt at prairienet.org (James Hoyt)Date: Wed Mar 2 01:46:35 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Coopers Hawk outside my windowIn-Reply-To: <[email protected]>Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Jane and others,

After checking one of the feathers on the sidewalk I feel certain that the Coopers hawk probably killed a pigeon, not a Mourning dove.

It was a larger tail feather with a black tip.

At first the hawk was feeding on the ground then moved about 100 feet.

The Coopers hawk had a bit of difficulty in carrying its prey into the tree.

It was big for a coopers hawk (probably a female) but had the diagnostic red stipling on its breast.

My neighbor feeds a small flock of house sparrows and doves.

So this may have attracted the pigeon.

The area around Kaufman's lake seems to have several Coopers hawks.

Cheers,

Jim :)

PS. Coopers are very smart predators. They seem to understand windows and sometimes chase their prey in to one in order to stun it. Your Parrot probably is as intelligent as the Coopers if not more so. On Tue, 1 Mar 2005, Jane Easterly wrote:

> I had a Cooper's Hawk outside my window today too! (First one I've seen out > there since I moved here last summer.) However, mine went off empty-handed, > so to speak. I live near Duncan and Springfield.> > I was expecting my African Grey Parrot to be alarmed, as I've heard that > parrots can be alarmed by hawks, but he was completely indifferent even > though only about 10 feet (and one pane of glass) separated them.> > >From: James Hoyt <[email protected]>> >To: [email protected]> >Subject: [Birdnotes] Coopers Hawk outside my window> >Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2005 16:22:52 -0600 (CST)> >> >Birdnoters,> >> >A Coopers Hawk just nailed a Mourning Dove outside my apartment at Country> >Fair Apartments!!> >> >Cheers,> >> >Jim :)> >> >--> >James Hoyt> >"The Prairie Ant"> >Champaign Co. Audubon> >Co-steward Parkland College Prairies.> >Monitor Urbana Park District Natural Areas.> >Champaign County Master Gardener> >Allerton Allies> >> >*******************************************************************************> >*******************************************************************************> >"The human culture is considered to be a 'geologic force' and with good

> >reason. But if we are at a stage where our actions are to decide the> >world's future, then surely we have reached a level where we can be held> >acountable for the world's future." Durward L. Allen "Our Wildlife Legacy"> >*******************************************************************************> >*******************************************************************************> >> >> >_______________________________________________> >Birdnotes mailing list> >[email protected]> >https://mail.prairienet.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnotes> > > _______________________________________________> Birdnotes mailing list> [email protected]> https://mail.prairienet.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnotes>



From roper37 at hotmail.com Wed Mar 2 03:54:31 2005From: roper37 at hotmail.com (Sarah R)Date: Wed Mar 2 03:55:05 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] another Cooper's HawkMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

The other day I saw what appeared to be cooper's hawk roadkill on Rt. 130

just east of urbana (I think it was the intersection with High Cross Rd.). I was only able to make out reddish barring on white feathers. I'm hoping that it was not the sharp-shinned hawk that I saw a couple of weeks ago just a few miles south of this location, considering the apparent population sizes of these two species in the area.

As for the sex of the Meadowbrook goshawk, it did not seem to be any larger than a red-tailed to me, putting it at the smaller end of the range. I should mention though that I was not specifically thinking about it's sex at the time that I was viewing it. The CLO Guide to Birds of North America gives a range of 21-26 inches for the goshawk and 22 inches for red-tailed hawk.

Sarah RoperUrbana

From charleneanchor at msn.com Wed Mar 2 08:56:56 2005From: charleneanchor at msn.com (charlene anchor)Date: Wed Mar 2 08:54:05 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] another Cooper's HawkMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Sarah and others,

I suppose as more Cooper's take up residence in town that we'll see more Cooper's roadkill. For instance, last year as I was waiting for a light at the corner of Church and State in downtown Champaign, a Cooper's flew low across Church St. with a pigeon. ( It may have been flying low due to the weight of the pigeon which it dropped when it got to the edge of West Side Park. The hawk landed in a nearby tree. I watched to see if it would retrieve the pigeon and I also returned the next day but the pigeon was still there. Maybe the corner was too busy with people for it to return?) Another time I watched a Cooper's chase a pigeon right down the middle of Main St. in downtown Champaign. One evening I saw a Cooper's land on the top of the Virginia Theatre. There are plenty of pigeons around and the chaser or the chasee probably aren't watching trafficduring a pursuit.

Seems like determining the size (sex) of the Goshawk could be a challenge I checked a couple of sources and there can be an overlap between the two. Bailey in "Birds of Illinois" gives the following sizes: Goshawk male 21-23, female 23-25; Red-tail male 18-23, female 20-25. So the males and females of both species will be of similar sizes - a large red-tail would be F and a small would be M for both species. Maybe it would be easier to compare it to the size of a crow which would be 17-21? If it's nearer to crow-sized it would be a male, if it's definitely larger than a crow it would be female for both

species. That's easier said than done for me as I find sizing confusing and frequently I'm not thinking about the size. Any other suggestions?

Charlene Anchor----- Original Message -----From: Sarah RSent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 3:55 AMTo: [email protected]: RE: [Birdnotes] another Cooper's Hawk

The other day I saw what appeared to be cooper's hawk roadkill on Rt. 130 just east of urbana (I think it was the intersection with High Cross Rd.) I was only able to make out reddish barring on white feathers. I'm hoping that it was not the sharp-shinned hawk that I saw a couple of weeks ago just a few miles south of this location, considering the apparent population sizes of these two species in the area.

As for the sex of the Meadowbrook goshawk, it did not seem to be any larger than a red-tailed to me, putting it at the smaller end of the range. I should mention though that I was not specifically thinking about it's sex at the time that I was viewing it. The CLO Guide to Birds of North America gives a range of 21-26 inches for the goshawk and 22 inches for red-tailed hawk.

Sarah RoperUrbana

_______________________________________________Birdnotes mailing [email protected]://mail.prairienet.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnotes-------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050302/6b6077d6/attachment.htmFrom billw at mchsi.com Wed Mar 2 09:51:34 2005From: billw at mchsi.com (Bill White)Date: Wed Mar 2 09:51:44 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] four fat Robins/old corn cobs?/book recommendationMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

We saw four robins with huge bellies this morning under the feedersand round the sump pump puddle. Til today we'd just seen one at atime. There was a report of goldfinches in Naperville on IBET lastnight; spring is on its way!

We've started putting out ears of field corn stuck on a nail in a log

standing up on end. I drill a hole in the bottom of each ear to get itover the nail's head. The squirrels do most of the work picking thecob clean, but occasionally a Blue Jay will land on top of the ear(which would make a colorful photo) or a Red-Bellied Woodpecker willland on the side of the log and pick at the corn.

Is there some bird-friendly use for empty ears of corn? I've beentossing them in a pile since the first one I left out was ignored byeveryone.

By the way, here's the best book I've found on attracting and feedingbirds, only $10.00 used at amazon:

"Wild about Birds: The Dnr Bird Feeding Guide"http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0964745100/ref=pd_ys_pym_a_5/104-8766598-7219169?v=glance("Dnr" is the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)

A guy I work with at Wolfram Research is the nephew of CarrolHenderson, the author.

Thanks -

bw-- Bill White . [email protected] . http://members.wri.com/billwFrom avara at uiuc.edu Wed Mar 2 12:23:19 2005From: avara at uiuc.edu ([email protected])Date: Wed Mar 2 12:23:22 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] four fat Robins/old corn cobs?/book recommendationMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Just wondering, do Goldfinches not winter in Champaign? My permanent home is in southern Illinois near St. Louis and they typically stay the winter there.~Mike AvaraFrom jwhoyt at prairienet.org Wed Mar 2 13:15:26 2005From: jwhoyt at prairienet.org (James Hoyt)Date: Wed Mar 2 13:15:27 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] four fat Robins/old corn cobs?/book recommendationIn-Reply-To: <[email protected]>Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Mike,

I'm not sure about Champaign but you can see them in Urbana at the Anita Purvis Nature Center bird feeding station.

They have been there all winter and usually hang out (pun) on the thistle feeder.

The only thing that makes for difficulty of ID is the brownish-green plumage of of these birds in Winter time.

Cheers,

Jim

On Wed, 2 Mar 2005 [email protected] wrote:

> Just wondering, do Goldfinches not winter in Champaign? My > permanent home is in southern Illinois near St. Louis and > they typically stay the winter there.> ~Mike Avara



From jane_easterly at hotmail.com Thu Mar 3 06:48:34 2005From: jane_easterly at hotmail.com (Jane Easterly)Date: Thu Mar 3 06:49:03 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] I have lost my African Grey ParrotMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

My African Grey Parrot escaped my house late yesterday afternoon. He was in my yard as it moved from dusk to dark, but he would not come to me. He then flew off, I don't think very far, but I could never find him again.

I assume he did not survive the night. If you hear of anyone finding an African Grey Parrot (grey with a bright red tail), I'd really appreciate it if you'd let me know. I live at William and Brentwood (near Duncan and Springfield). I have never felt worse about anything in my entire life.

Thanks.

Jane Easterly

[email protected]

From jwhoyt at prairienet.org Thu Mar 3 22:49:49 2005From: jwhoyt at prairienet.org (James Hoyt)Date: Thu Mar 3 22:49:52 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Allerton Allies: Saturday, Mar 5 workday Setting up Bluebird BoxesIn-Reply-To: <[email protected]>Message-ID: <[email protected]>

birdnotees...

To any birders in the Monticello area.

If you would like to help or learn about bluebird boxes stop by the Red Barn, Environmental Learning Field Station, south of the River at Allerton Park.

Maybe we can turn Allerton Orange and Blue this summer!

Jim Hoyt :)

On Thu, 3 Mar 2005, Mason, Sandy wrote:

> Allies, It will be a glorious spring day on Sat. March 5 for the next> Allies workday. Ok it will at least be March. I will be at our Garden> Day event so I wont be with you but in spirit. You will be in the> capable hands of Caty Brumleve, Allerton intern. You will be putting up> the bluebird boxes we made last month. Nate and Jim Hoyt placed flags> for locations. Meet at the Red Barn at 8:30 am for treats then off to> work by 9:00 am. Have fun. Caty's email is [email protected] if you> need to reach her. Hey great news! 27 trumpeter swans were spotted last> week next to Int. 72 near White Heath on their way back north. Evidently> part of a reintroduction program in Wisconsin. > > Sandy> > > Sandra Mason> Unit educator, Horticulture/Environment> University of Illinois Extension - Champaign County> 801 North Country Fair Drive> Champaign, IL 61821-2492> PH: (217) 333-7672 FAX: (217) 333-7683> http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/champaign/homeowners/> <http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/champaign/homeowners/> > > >



From jane_easterly at hotmail.com Fri Mar 4 07:13:25 2005From: jane_easterly at hotmail.com (Jane Easterly)Date: Fri Mar 4 07:14:05 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] an update on my African Grey ParrotMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

I didn't expect my parrot to survive the night in 10 degree temperatures, but to my amazement I found him alive in a neighbor's tree in the morning.

I spent most of the morning trying to lure him to me/his cage/food. I'll spare you the rest of the details, but I finally got him in about 24 hours after he got out by climbing a 40-foot ladder propped against a tree, hanging on to the ladder with my right hand while reaching out to Ascar with my left, and luring him to me with a peanut. (Climbing back down while holding him was a lot of fun!)

I had called a lot of places trying to get help; Animal Control suggested I call Anything Wild, and they were great. If you ever hear of anyone in a similar fix, I highly recommend them.

I could tell that Ascar was hypothermic, and he lost a toenail and was bleeding (his feet were really bloody, which scared me a lot, but I think it was all from the same toenail.) I hope to take him to the vet today. Whew!

Thank you to everyone who emailed me about this with suggestions and

sympathy.

Jane

From jwhoyt at prairienet.org Sat Mar 5 00:03:10 2005From: jwhoyt at prairienet.org (James Hoyt)Date: Sat Mar 5 00:03:11 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Meadowbrook ParkMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Birdnoters,

There are now at least 5-6 robins along Mcullough Creek.

Also the Red Winged Blackbirds are begining to stake out territories.

One more reason that I believe that spring is closer...

Jim :)



From j.courson at mchsi.com Sat Mar 5 20:59:26 2005From: j.courson at mchsi.com (Jeffrey A. Courson)Date: Sat Mar 5 20:59:33 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] FW: Want a New Nuclear Reactor Upwind in Clinton?Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Jeffrey A. CoursonVoice/FAX: 217-586-5110

"Never become too busy...to watch a sunset...enjoy a rainbow...listen to thesounds of nature." > -----Original Message-----> From: Prairie Group Alerts and Notices [mailto:IL-PRAIRIE-> [email protected]] On Behalf Of George Gore> Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2005 2:08 PM> To: [email protected]> Subject: Want a New Nuclear Reactor Upwind in Clinton?> > Please help prepare for Earth Day this year by marking your calendars> for the April 19th public hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact> Statement (DEIS) for Exelon's proposed new nuclear reactor at Clinton.> The hearing is expected to be in the Clinton Public Library around 7pm.> Below are press releases about the draft proposals. Details including> the 600+ page DEIS are at the following link:> http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-licensing/esp/clinton.html> > Hope to see you in Clinton,> George Gore> > For Immediate Release:> March 4, 2005> > Contact: Sandra Lindberg, (309) 664-0403> Carolyn Treadway, (309) 454-1328> > Nuclear Agency Environmental Analysis Paints Rosy Picture> > Crucial Issues Like Waste, Security, Cost, and Alternatives Glossed> Over> > CLINTON, IL The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) analysis> of the environmental impact of a new reactor at Exelon's Clinton site> on Clinton Lake, released today, is overly optimistic about the extent> to which the reactors will not affect the lake and fishery, as well as> the costs and risks associated with nuclear power, No New Nukes said> today.> > "By choosing not to address the difficult issues associated with a new> reactor, like more nuclear waste and security risks, the NRC's report> is essentially meaningless," said Sandra Lindberg, founder of No New> Nukes. "Even many of the environmental issues that are examined, such> as the impact of higher lake temperature, need more study, and the> conclusions drawn are not fully supported."> > The NRC's analysis is a draft version of the required Environmental> Impact Statement (EIS) for Exelon's application for an Early Site> Permit (ESP) to site a new reactor next to the existing reactor in> DeWitt County. Under the ESP licensing process, consideration of> issues is limited to site-specific environmental concerns, while> broader

> questions of the need for power in the area, the potential impacts of a> terrorist attack, and concerns about growing on-site nuclear waste> stocks are not allowed.> > No New Nukes' concerns revolve partially around the plant's tremendous> appetite for water needed to regulate the reactor's temperature. The> proposed new reactor will likely utilize a closed-cycle cooling tower,> withdrawing millions of gallons of water from the lake, lowering its> average level, and increasing the lake temperature. "Disturbing water> temperatures and levels in the lake can have a dramatic impact on the> health of aquatic life, which could potentially affect fishing and> other recreation," Lindberg added.> > Security is a major source of concern as well. After September 11,> Clinton Lake and others around the state were closed to public access,> hurting the local economy. Adding another reactor could increase the> appeal of Clinton as a target. The 9/11 Commission Report noted that> the original plan for September 11 included crashing airplanes into> nuclear plants; commercial reactors are not required to maintain> defenses against air attacks. Further, Clinton, like all Exelon> plants, is guarded by the private security firm Wackenhut the same> company hired by the NRC to conduct mock assaults to test plant> security. In January, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan submitted> comments to the NRC along with six other state AGs supporting a> petition to increase nuclear plant security standards; the petition is> still under review.> > The impact a new plant will have on electricity prices is also excluded> from formal consideration at this stage. "The economics of nuclear> power just don't make sense," said Carolyn Treadway, a member of No New> Nukes. "The nuclear industry survives only because of continuing> massive subsidies, and meanwhile we have tremendous wind resources> right here in our backyard that can provide more jobs with less cost> and less environmental harm. Ratepayers and taxpayers will be the> ultimate> losers if this plant is built."> > Dr. Samuel Galewsky, No New Nukes member and a professor of molecular> biology at Millikin University, called on the NRC to fund an> independent epidemiological study on the health impacts of all citizens> living downwind from operating nuclear plants. A study released last> month by Dr. Ernest Sternglass, professor at the University of> Pittsburgh, prompted U.S. Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), a senior member of> the House Energy and Commerce Committee, to issue a similar call for> NRC to further investigate possible links between nuclear power and> increased infant mortality.> > Among other issues excluded from the draft EIS is the problem of> nuclear waste. "Illinois residents will see thousands of tons of waste> stored in their backyard indefinitely. The first step toward

> mitigating this problem is to stop making the waste," said Geoff Ower,> a student at Illinois State University and founder of the Nuclear> Reality Campaign, a student anti-nuclear network. "NRC's reassurances> of a solution are empty in the face of a compelling lack of evidence> that there is any remedy in sight for managing the waste."> > ###> > No New Nukes is a grassroots group based in central Illinois. N3 is> dedicated to promoting clean, renewable energy over nuclear power. For> more information, visit http://clinton.nonewnukes.org.> > > ----------------------------------------------> > > PUBLIC CITIZEN * NUCLEAR INFORMATION AND RESOURCE SERVICE * BLUE RIDGE> ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE LEAGUE * ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY CENTER> > For Immediate Release> March 4, 2005> > Contact: Michele Boyd, PC (202) 454-5134> Shannon Fisk, ELPC (312) 795-3731> Michael Mariotte, NIRS (202) 328-0002> > Nuclear Agency Ignores True Impact of New Reactors> > New Environmental Analysis Doesnt Consider the Need for Power in> Illinois, Reasonable Alternatives, Nuclear Waste, or Security> > CLINTON, IL The draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) released> today for a permit to site at least one new nuclear reactor at> Exelons Clinton site in Illinois is incomplete and does not> consider many important issues, according to several environmental and> public interest groups involved in a legal challenge to the permit> application.> > The NRC made their preliminary recommendation to approve a new> reactor despite unresolved questions about the impacts on Clinton Lake> and storing nuclear waste,µ said Wenonah Hauter, director of Public> Citizens Energy Program. Moreover, critical issues related to> safety, security, and consumer protection are not even allowed to be> addressed.µ> > Exelon has applied for an Early Site Permit (ESP), which would allow> the company to bankµ the site for 20 years, during which time it> can choose a reactor type and apply for a combined construction and> operating license. The draft EIS based on Exelons application was> released by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which has made a> preliminary recommendation that the permit be issued.> > Specifically, the need for power and alternative sources of power are> not fairly considered in the draft EIS. Under the National> Environmental Policy Act, an EIS is required to demonstrate the need> for a specific project and must contain an analysis of alternative

> methods of meeting a projects goals. The draft EIS for Clinton is> deficient because its examination of energy need and potential> alternatives is strictly limited in scope and vision, assuming a> progressive rise in electricity demand and failing to seriously> consider novel approaches to meeting energy needs involving a> combination of efficiency, conservation, and renewables.> > Technically, this should not be considered an EIS because it fails> to demonstrate that Illinois needs more power. How can anyone make a> sound judgment when such vital and necessary information has not been> collected or scrutinized?µ said Janet Zeller, Executive Director of> BREDL. Exelon is planning to build this reactor simply to line its> corporate pockets, without giving consideration to whether the> service being provided is even necessary. Its not being> done to lower electricity bills in Illinois or improve service.µ> > During oral arguments on the admission of the groups contentions> last June, an attorney for Exelon admitted that We arent required> to meet the needs of anybodyAll we need to do is generate power and> sell itWe dont even need to show need for power in the State of> Illinoisµ Exelon is a member of the PJM interconnection, a regional> transmission organization (RTO). PJM coordinates the movement of> electricity in many Midwestern and Mid-Atlantic states, facilitating> Exelons ability to sell electricity generated in Illinois to> customers in the East where electricity rates are higher.> > Illinois has tremendous renewable energy resources which, along with> energy efficiency, are cheaper, safer, and more environmentally> friendly alternatives to nuclear power that we can harness today,µ said> Shannon Fisk, staff attorney for the Environmental Law & Policy Center.> > Unfortunately for Illinois residents and the environment, the draft> Environmental Impact Statement fails to recognize this.µ> > The draft EIS also does not examine the effect of increased production> of nuclear waste absent a comprehensive national plan for dealing with> itdespite an Illinois state law that prohibits construction of new> nuclear reactors without a proven strategy for its safe, permanent> disposaland it does not consider the environmental impacts of> reprocessing spent fuel, despite continued federal funding for research> and development for this technology. Nor does it consider the relative> security of the site. Clinton Lake has been closed to public access in> the past due to nation-wide security alerts.> > NRC has deliberately turned a blind eye to ignore the most troubling> environmental problems with a new generation of reactors,µ said Paul> Gunter, director of the Reactor Watchdog Project at the Nuclear> Information and Resource Service. The fact that there is no> scientifically accepted plan for the new nuclear waste that would be> generated reveals NRC and Exelons dangerous tunnel vision.µ> > Public Citizen, BREDL, NIRS, and ELPC are involved in an intervention

> against the possible plant expansion. Despite the narrow scope of> issues that can be discussed during the siting review, the groups have> successfully raised one argument, or contention,µ in their legal> intervention. An NRC administrative judicial panel in August admitted> to a hearing in the fall of 2005 a contention on the failure of Exelon> to consider the ability of a combination of renewable energy> technologies to meet its goal of adding additional generating capacity.> > Four other contentions related to public safety, security and> environmental protection were thrown out because NRC deemed them> outside the scope of its streamlined review.> > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -> To get off the IL-PRAIRIE-ALERTS list, send any message to:> [email protected]

From dafekt1ve at yahoo.com Sat Mar 5 21:42:12 2005From: dafekt1ve at yahoo.com (Bryan Guarente)Date: Sat Mar 5 21:42:13 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Meadowbrook park Saturday Evening...Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Hi all,Took a long walk around Meadowbrook this evening in hopes of scaring upsome woodcock before dark. No like in that department, but there wereat least five different birds displaying and calling. At one time, Isaw three in flight chasing each other. The different areas the callswere coming from made me think there were five, but there could easilybe plenty more. The calls started at 5:58pm, according to my clock, inthe southwest corner of the park NE of the bridge. I saw at leastthree complete displays by maybe the same individual. It is justawesome out there when they are doing this crazy little flight.

Other things around before dark:4 sparrow species Song (many) Swamp (4+) American Tree (1) Fox (1)Dark Morph Red-tailed Hawk (showed no breast band features, maybe adifferent bird?)Ring-necked PheasantsNorthern CardinalsCommon GracklesRed-winged BlackbirdsRed-bellied WoodpeckerDowny WoodpeckerEuropean StarlingEastern Meadowlarks (2 flyby)Great Horned Owl (calling from forestry division)White-tailed Deer (8)

Bryan GuarenteAtmospheric Sciences Graduate AssistantChampaign, IL

__________________________________ Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web http://birthday.yahoo.com/netrospective/From bprice at pdnt.com Sat Mar 5 22:30:18 2005From: bprice at pdnt.com (Brock)Date: Sat Mar 5 22:29:31 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] (no subject)Message-ID: <001d01c52205$34708f60$6341fa3f@user>

West Newell Road:Bald Eagle ( adult )Greater White-fronted Geese 11G.B. Herons ( the rookery was full )Wood DuckPlus all the regulars

Lake Vermilion:Horned Grebes ( 4 )Bald Eagle ( 3rd year )

Just north of 3300N / 2500 E., near Middle Fork there is a flooded field onthe east side - could be very good next few days - had over 100 Mallardstoday ( couldn't believe there was nothing else)

From bprice at pdnt.com Sun Mar 6 21:03:13 2005From: bprice at pdnt.com (Brock)Date: Sun Mar 6 21:02:27 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] (no subject)Message-ID: <003101c522c2$35f25180$2841fa3f@user>

Drove to Arcola Marsh today ( probably wasn't worth it ).

Northern Shovelers ( 19 )Wood Duck ( 3 )MallardsCanadians

Fairmount: a little better:

Ross's Goose ( 1 ) - best and longest looks I've hadGreater White-fronted Geese ( at least 24 )Northern Pintails ( 19 + )Green-winged Teal ( 3 )Hooded Mergansers ( 5 )Mallards, CanadiansN. Harriers (2 )Rough-legged Hawk ( dark morph)Ring-billed GullsRed-tailed HawkAm. KestrelKilldeers

all the other common stuff

From lldodd2 at uiuc.edu Sun Mar 6 21:19:51 2005From: lldodd2 at uiuc.edu (Leah L. Dodd)Date: Sun Mar 6 21:21:34 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Favorite fields for shorebirds?Message-ID: <001201c522c4$87259a10$171d7e82@LeahDodd>

Hello there.

The April issue of Birder's World features a spread on the American Golden-Plover, with a dandy little map indicating that Champaign county is one of the areas where they are likely to stop over as they head north. Does anyone have any favorite farm ponds or flooded fields for viewing short birds around here? This is our first spring in Illinois, and we're eager to see what comes this way.

Good birding,Leah & Dan-------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050306/888d0ad9/attachment.htmFrom jwhoyt at prairienet.org Mon Mar 7 01:25:56 2005From: jwhoyt at prairienet.org (James Hoyt)Date: Mon Mar 7 01:25:57 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Favorite fields for shorebirds?In-Reply-To: <001201c522c4$87259a10$171d7e82@LeahDodd>Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Birdnotees,

We always had pretty good luck any place around or east of Flatville.

In other words South east or north east of Rantoul.

Just look for an old Lutheran Church Spire east of Thomasboro from Rt. 45 and turn north.

Good viewing.

Jim :)-- James Hoyt"The Prairie Ant"Champaign Co. AudubonCo-steward Parkland College Prairies.Monitor Urbana Park District Natural Areas.Champaign County Master GardenerAllerton Allies

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

*******************************************************************************"The human culture is considered to be a 'geologic force' and with good reason. But if we are at a stage where our actions are to decide the world's future, then surely we have reached a level where we can be held acountable for the world's future." Durward L. Allen "Our Wildlife Legacy"**************************************************************************************************************************************************************

From roper37 at hotmail.com Tue Mar 8 02:08:56 2005From: roper37 at hotmail.com (Sarah R)Date: Tue Mar 8 02:09:01 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] terns?Message-ID: <[email protected]>

At about 2:45 pm near the intersection of Prospect and Springfield, I saw two birds soaring high in the sky, playing in the strong wind. They looked very much like terns, as they had long narrow wings with a very prominent elbow. Unfortunately I was in a work vehicle and also in heavy traffic so I was unable to stop and get a better look. I was wondering if it is early to be seeing these birds? Any comments?

p.s. As for the Goshawk vs. Red-tail, I just thought that everyone would be able to picture an "average" red-tail for comparison. I know that there is a range in their size (Golden Guide has them as small as 18 inches!) but it just seemed easier comparing a hawk-like bird to another hawk-like bird rather than to something like a crow. I guess I learned my lesson there. Has anyone else who has seen this bird thought that it was on the smallish side?

Sarah RoperUrbana

From lambeth at ad.uiuc.edu Tue Mar 8 07:00:23 2005From: lambeth at ad.uiuc.edu (Gregory S Lambeth)Date: Tue Mar 8 07:00:25 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Favorite fields for shorebirds?Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Leah and Dan:

Welcome to East-Central Illinois. Champaign County is a great place for Golden Plovers. During April and early May, it's possible to see several hundred Plovers in a single flock and up to several thousand in a single day. The largest flocks are typically in the Southern part of Champaign County. These birds will congregate in wet or dry fields. They can be difficult to see unless you stop and scan fields or see them flying. Many times, I've spotted a few birds, stopped to scan, and discovered the field is actually covered with Golden Plovers. The location of flooded fields changes from year to year and there are very few predictable locations. Almost all farmland in this part of the state has drainage tile running underneath it. Most fields have relatively good drainage meaning they will remain dry on the surface even when there has been heavy rain. Some fields will flood after heavy rains due to elevation and a few fields will flood when the drainage tile becomes obstructed. In a particuarly wet spring, there will be alot of flooded fields. Most years, it's usually necessary to drive a lot of miles to find wet fields. In general, the lowest elevation in this part of the state is in Southern Champaign County and Douglas County. These are often good places to look for flooded fields.

Another consideration is the timing of rains. If farmers have already plowed the fields and spread insecticides, there won't be any shorebirds even if the fields are flooded. If early April is relatively dry followed by a wet period later in the month, the majority of fields may have already been prepared for planting. In other words, a good spring for farmers means a not so good season for shorebirds. Most years, it's possible to find at least 6-8 species of shorebirds in a few hours of searching and during a good year it's possible to find about 15 species. A few years ago, a field just south of Church Street (2-3 miles South of Windsor) flooded and there were Avocets and a Red Knot there along with a half dozen other species.

There are also some wetlands with reliable shorebird areas within 2 hours of Champaign. These include Fishhook (Lake Shelbyville) and Lake Chatauqua (along the Illinois River Valley). During a dry season, Arcola Marsh may have mudflats with shorebirds. I've had Hudsonian Godwits and Red-necked Phalaropes there before.

As we approach spring shorebirding, I suggest that birders use the listserve to post the exact locations of flooded fields. Bring your DeLorme's with you when you go out looking for shorebirds!

One last thought. I'd encourage everyone to look through flocks of Golden Plovers carefully. A number of years ago, Bob Chapel had a Mountain Plover in a flock of Golden Plovers near Rantoul. And, there are historical records of Long-billed Curlew (1960s) near Villa Grove if I remember correctly. It's always possible that something unusual could be mixed in with these large flocks.

By the way, someone posted Greater Yellowlegs on IBET yesterday from Southern Illinois. They're on their way!

Greg Lambeth

-----Original Message-----From: [email protected] on behalf of Leah L DoddSent: Sun 3/6/2005 9:19 PMTo: [email protected]: [Birdnotes] Favorite fields for shorebirds? Hello there.

The April issue of Birder's World features a spread on the American Golden-Plover, with a dandy little map indicating that Champaign county is one of the areas where they are likely to stop over as they head north. Does anyone have any favorite farm ponds or flooded fields for viewing short birds around here? This is our first spring in Illinois, and we're eager to see what comes this way.

Good birding,Leah & DanFrom dafekt1ve at yahoo.com Tue Mar 8 07:13:52 2005From: dafekt1ve at yahoo.com (Bryan Guarente)Date: Tue Mar 8 07:13:54 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] terns?In-Reply-To: 6667Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Sarah and others who may be interested,To me, no scientific basis whatsoever, this is really early to beseeing terns. I do not have records for last migration, since I wasn'there, but my early records for other places in the midwest are lateapril.

My thoughts, which may be way off but email descriptions can be hard,are toward Killdeer. Way up in the sky, killdeer can definitely looklike terns, they are all charadriformes (gulls, sandpipers, plovers,terns, jaegers). Killdeer are the same size as the terns that I wouldexpect to show up first (common and forster's). Killdeer do show thatprominent "elbow" like terns would. The only problem I can think of inregards to Killdeer is that the ratio of wing width to body width ispretty far off. Terns (common and forster's) have thinner bodies thanthey do bodies, while Killdeer have approximately equal wing width tobody width ratios. Again, I will say that there is nothing scientificin this email, just my experience. If Killdeer seems way off for whatyou think you saw, then feel free to dispute or just disregard thisemail.

Since you were driving, I am assuming you didn't hear the birds, whichwould have been an obvious tip off.

If others think that this is way off, let's get some discussion going. Tell everyone what you think of this or other ID's.


__________________________________ Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web http://birthday.yahoo.com/netrospective/From rmolzen at one-eleven.net Tue Mar 8 20:56:23 2005From: rmolzen at one-eleven.net (Roger Molzen)Date: Tue Mar 8 20:49:19 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Arcola MarshMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Have a couple of questions. Where is Arcola Marsh located and is it onpublic or private land? Joyce Molzen

From lambeth at ad.uiuc.edu Wed Mar 9 09:42:28 2005From: lambeth at ad.uiuc.edu (Gregory S Lambeth)Date: Wed Mar 9 09:42:30 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Arcola MarshMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Roger:

Arcola Marsh is exactly 2 miles South of Arcola on Route 45 (Southeast corner). It's on the Douglas county line. The marsh itself is actually a man-made raised structure -- it's roughly a half mile long and a quarter mile wide. The land was previously used by a Chicago company to dump some kind of industrial by-product. I've heard from reliable sources that the marsh actually caught fire many years ago and was smoldering underground for awhile. In other words, this isn't exactly a "pristine" natural area. It's more of a super-fund site. The land has had a "for sale" sign posted on it for at least the past 15 years. I am assuming that the land is private, but it's not posted and nobody has ever been asked to leave the property. Nobody seems to want the property, probably because of the environmental liability.

The marsh is a rather unique area. There's really nothing else like it in East-Central Illinois in my opinion. For starters, the wetland is raised above the surrounding farmland which gives the birds some protection. Second, there are no boats on the water -- a fairly big problem at Lake Shelbyville and Lake Clinton where waterfall are often disturbed by watercraft. Third, the marsh has a large section of cattails and, in dry years, mudflats. Over the past decade, the marsh has produced some really nice birds, including King Rail, Common Moorhen, Hudsonian Godwit, scoters, Red-necked Phalarope and Least Bittern. I believe the Moorhens may have bred there. It's an important migratory stopover for waterfowl and, if it were a natural area, it would make a good National Wildlife Refuge.

I will be leading a field trip to Arcola Marsh on Saturday, March 19th. Anybody interested in participating should meet at the Anita Purves Center at 6:30am. If you don't have a car, there should be transportation to the marsh available. Be advised, because the marsh is raised above the surrounding farmland it's always (and I really do mean always) windy there. Bring warm clothing even if it feels warm outside. Last year's field trip was a great success. We had 4 species of Geese

(Canada, White-fronted, Snow/Blue and Ross') and something like 15 species of ducks. We won't likely repeat the goose performance, but ducks are almost a guarantee and the physical layout of the marsh makes it possible to obtain good views through scopes.

Greg Lambeth

-----Original Message-----From: [email protected][mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Roger MolzenSent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 8:56 PMTo: [email protected]: [Birdnotes] Arcola Marsh

Have a couple of questions. Where is Arcola Marsh located and is it onpublic or private land? Joyce Molzen

_______________________________________________Birdnotes mailing [email protected]://mail.prairienet.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnotesFrom roper37 at hotmail.com Wed Mar 9 13:59:47 2005From: roper37 at hotmail.com (Sarah R)Date: Wed Mar 9 13:59:51 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] terns?In-Reply-To: <[email protected]>Message-ID: <[email protected]>

These birds were not killdeer, I can be sure of this. The one thing that really struck me about these birds was the shape of their wings. As I said in my first post, the wings appeared very long and slender. They seemed to have the same width at the base of the body as they did at the elbow (and even beyond the elbow). Are there any other obvious birds with wings that seem so uniform in their width that are more likely to be in the area? Is this description even understandable? These birds were quite a bit larger than killdeer. I also wonder if killdeer have ever been known to soar about in this manner?

Sarah RoperUrbana

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

Sarah and others who may be interested,To me, no scientific basis whatsoever, this is really early to beseeing terns. I do not have records for last migration, since I wasn't

here, but my early records for other places in the midwest are lateapril.

My thoughts, which may be way off but email descriptions can be hard,are toward Killdeer. Way up in the sky, killdeer can definitely looklike terns, they are all charadriformes (gulls, sandpipers, plovers,terns, jaegers). Killdeer are the same size as the terns that I wouldexpect to show up first (common and forster's). Killdeer do show thatprominent "elbow" like terns would. The only problem I can think of inregards to Killdeer is that the ratio of wing width to body width ispretty far off. Terns (common and forster's) have thinner bodies thanthey do bodies, while Killdeer have approximately equal wing width tobody width ratios. Again, I will say that there is nothing scientificin this email, just my experience. If Killdeer seems way off for whatyou think you saw, then feel free to dispute or just disregard thisemail.

Since you were driving, I am assuming you didn't hear the birds, whichwould have been an obvious tip off.

If others think that this is way off, let's get some discussion going.Tell everyone what you think of this or other ID's.

From jwhoyt at prairienet.org Thu Mar 10 01:36:29 2005From: jwhoyt at prairienet.org (James Hoyt)Date: Thu Mar 10 01:36:31 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] terns?In-Reply-To: <[email protected]>Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Birdnoters,

Wedsday at about 4:20PM I saw what was probably a Ring Billed Gull sailing above North Prospect Avenue.

Maybe we will see Sarah's Tern again.

Jim :)

PS. As one of my CBC friends stated "one good tern deserves another".

On Wed, 9 Mar 2005, Sarah R wrote:

> These birds were not killdeer, I can be sure of this. The one thing that > really struck me about these birds was the shape of their wings. As I said > in my first post, the wings appeared very long and slender. They seemed to > have the same width at the base of the body as they did at the elbow (and > even beyond the elbow). Are there any other obvious birds with wings that

> seem so uniform in their width that are more likely to be in the area? Is > this description even understandable? These birds were quite a bit larger > than killdeer. I also wonder if killdeer have ever been known to soar about > in this manner?> > Sarah Roper> Urbana> > ****************************************************************> > Sarah and others who may be interested,> To me, no scientific basis whatsoever, this is really early to be> seeing terns. I do not have records for last migration, since I wasn't> here, but my early records for other places in the midwest are late> april.> > My thoughts, which may be way off but email descriptions can be hard,> are toward Killdeer. Way up in the sky, killdeer can definitely look> like terns, they are all charadriformes (gulls, sandpipers, plovers,> terns, jaegers). Killdeer are the same size as the terns that I would> expect to show up first (common and forster's). Killdeer do show that> prominent "elbow" like terns would. The only problem I can think of in> regards to Killdeer is that the ratio of wing width to body width is> pretty far off. Terns (common and forster's) have thinner bodies than> they do bodies, while Killdeer have approximately equal wing width to> body width ratios. Again, I will say that there is nothing scientific> in this email, just my experience. If Killdeer seems way off for what> you think you saw, then feel free to dispute or just disregard this> email.> > Since you were driving, I am assuming you didn't hear the birds, which> would have been an obvious tip off.> > If others think that this is way off, let's get some discussion going.> Tell everyone what you think of this or other ID's.> > > _______________________________________________> Birdnotes mailing list> [email protected]> https://mail.prairienet.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnotes>



From dafekt1ve at yahoo.com Thu Mar 10 22:11:58 2005From: dafekt1ve at yahoo.com (Bryan Guarente)Date: Thu Mar 10 22:12:01 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Mystery BirdMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Hey birdnoters,I got these photos from another birdnoter, and thought that some of youmight want to test your skills on this bird. If you plan on respondingto the mystery quiz, please email the original photographer andreporter that are listed on the bottom of the webpage. Although I aminterested in the responses that are given, all emails should bedirected toward the photographer and reporter not to myself. Also,please do not post your answers to the list, because it is better tohave an unbiased opinion when answering quizzes like these.

http://www.atmos.uiuc.edu/~bguaren2/mystery_bird/


__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ From j.courson at mchsi.com Fri Mar 11 23:06:19 2005From: j.courson at mchsi.com (Jeffrey A. Courson)Date: Sat Mar 12 09:06:37 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] FW: [EnviroBulletin] Illinois EnviroBulletin March 11,

2005Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Skipped content of type multipart/alternative-------------- next part --------------_________________________________________________________________You received this message as a subscriber on the list: [email protected] be removed from the list, send any message to:

[email protected] smithsje at egix.net Sat Mar 12 21:42:01 2005From: smithsje at egix.net (Jim & Eleanor Smith)Date: Sat Mar 12 21:44:36 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Birds from tractor seat.Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Hello, Bird,

Most birders believe that our corn and soybean stubble fields are bird deserts. Here are my observations of the past two days while chisel plowing corn stubble. Ring-billed gulls; one to 18 max. all following and feeding on turned up grubs and earth worms.Assorted blackbirds of four species; starling, grackles, red-wings and cowbirds, numbers from a few hundred to several thousand.Robins; 10 to 15killdeer; 10 to 15horned larks; 5 to ten.Rough-legged hawk; one light phase. present yesterday and today. red-tail; onekestrel; onelongspurs; 10 to 20. Canada geese; 2 to 4Except for geese, the others all fed on freshly tilled soil; hawks caught mice that were turned up. Best regards.

Jim & Eleanor [email protected]

From dafekt1ve at yahoo.com Sun Mar 13 11:24:58 2005From: dafekt1ve at yahoo.com (Bryan Guarente)Date: Sun Mar 13 11:25:00 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Busey Woods and Perkins PondsMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Despite the cold, a few people made it out to the Busey Woods walk. The walk through the woods was mostly uneventful with the onlyhighlights being 9 WOOD DUCKS circling the area and LOTS of NORTHERNCARDINALS.

After that walk, Rob Kanter, Bill Wasson, and I went to the PerkinsRoad Wetlands just south of the Urbana Dog Park. It was slow goings atfirst, but then the birds started to pick up. Some brush piles in thearea produced amazing numbers of song sparrows, I would guess up to 30birds. In this flock, we had 3 FOX SPARROWS of varying shades of gray,and 1 SWAMP SPARROW. Not long after that Rob pointed out a NorthernCardinal that was leucistic (partially albino). That was a really neatlooking bird. It's body was all white except for the crown, and thewings and tail were a lighter shade of red than a normal cardinal. This was my highlight bird of the day actually.

As we started to leave the area, we stalked a flock of juncos foranything interesting, but produced nothing out of the flock aside from

the juncos. While stalking, we heard a TUFTED TITMOUSE calling in thedistance. After finishing with the juncos, we were getting ready toleave out the gate when we flushed an AMERICAN WOODCOCK. Secondslater, it was another woodcock, so we started paying a little moreattention. After a little bit of flushing, we produced a total of 9AMERICAN WOODCOCK. During the flushing process, I saw a mixed flock of"Black" birds which had a female RUSTY BLACKBIRD in it.

Overall, not a bad morning after it started to warm up. Good birdingto you.

Bryan GuarenteAtmospheric Sciences Graduate StudentChampaign, IL

__________________________________________________Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From rdigges at excite.com Sun Mar 13 19:32:46 2005From: rdigges at excite.com (Roger)Date: Sun Mar 13 19:32:52 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] While out and aboutMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

My wife and I spotted a Merlin perched on the railing above the Windsor road viaduct just east of Neil about 5:00 p.m. today. Later on a female Eastern Bluebird flew past me in the southeast corner of Meadowbrook Park. Nice to see good birds even when you don't have time to look.

Roger DiggesUrbana

_______________________________________________Join Excite! - http://www.excite.comThe most personalized portal on the Web!From bprice at pdnt.com Sun Mar 13 22:14:42 2005From: bprice at pdnt.com (Brock)Date: Sun Mar 13 22:16:08 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] (no subject)Message-ID: <002c01c5284c$59f3c2a0$b741fa3f@user>

Took a quick drive around Mattoon Lake today when visiting my parents:

Ruddy Ducks - 24Lesser Scaup - 31Ring-necked Duck - 2Horned Grebe -1I'm not counting these for the year, but probably had 5 Red-breastedMergansers - they were just a little to far away to be positive.Hooded Mergansers - 3American CootsMallards

Canadian GeeseRing-billed GullsTurkey Vultures

From vaiden at isgs.uiuc.edu Mon Mar 14 08:16:19 2005From: vaiden at isgs.uiuc.edu (Vaiden, Robert)Date: Mon Mar 14 08:16:21 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Weaver Park and Rock Cut S.P.Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Scaups, Goldeneyes, and a Bald Eagle at Pierce Lake/Rock Cut S.P.Friday.

12 Kestrals and 6 Red Tails along I39 on the way back Saturday...

Red Tail, Kestral, and 2 Mallard Ducks at Weaver Park...

BobFrom charleneanchor at msn.com Mon Mar 14 21:50:58 2005From: charleneanchor at msn.com (charlene anchor)Date: Mon Mar 14 21:47:54 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Mystery BirdMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Will we ever find out the consensus on the "mystery bird?"

Charlene Anchor

----- Original Message -----From: Bryan GuarenteSent: Thursday, March 10, 2005 10:12 PMTo: BirdnotesSubject: [Birdnotes] Mystery Bird

Hey birdnoters,I got these photos from another birdnoter, and thought that some of youmight want to test your skills on this bird. If you plan on respondingto the mystery quiz, please email the original photographer andreporter that are listed on the bottom of the webpage. Although I aminterested in the responses that are given, all emails should bedirected toward the photographer and reporter not to myself. Also,please do not post your answers to the list, because it is better tohave an unbiased opinion when answering quizzes like these.

http://www.atmos.uiuc.edu/~bguaren2/mystery_bird/


__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!?

Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ _______________________________________________Birdnotes mailing [email protected]://mail.prairienet.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnotes-------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050314/558deb74/attachment.htmFrom dafekt1ve at yahoo.com Mon Mar 14 23:24:52 2005From: dafekt1ve at yahoo.com (Bryan Guarente)Date: Mon Mar 14 23:24:55 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Mystery BirdIn-Reply-To: 6667Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Since Charlene brought it up,I have no idea what the consensus on the bird was. I received noanswers on my end as the directions stated. For those interested, Ithink we should just open this bird up to discussion on the list. Itis a good learning experience for everyone.

For those that haven't seen the photos:www.atmos.uiuc.edu/~bguaren2/mystery_bird/index.htmlI would like it if someone else started out with a discussion, and thenwe can go from there. I know this isn't necessarily be how it works,but I would like it if those people who consider themselves beginnnersto novices start out by throwing their thoughts to the wolves... I meanlist, yeah list (just kidding). This is a list to discuss birds solet's do it. Let's see what we can learn from each other.

I don't know who is going to feel frisky enough to start this one off,but I'll give it a few days to simmer, then I may chime in. For thoseexpert or advanced birders on the list, please hold off your commentsuntil some others have commented on the bird.

Just so everyone knows, I have talked to a few people and not many ofyou have this bird right, so throw out what you think the options arefor this bird, and then it can go from there.

If the discussion doesn't work out, then I will chime in earlier, orone of the advanced birders can chime in as well to fix some things.

Good luck, and lets get this discussion going.


__________________________________________________Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From dafekt1ve at yahoo.com Mon Mar 14 23:27:59 2005From: dafekt1ve at yahoo.com (Bryan Guarente)

Date: Mon Mar 14 23:28:01 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Mystery BirdMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Birdnoters,I also forgot to mention that all posts about this bird from now onshould go to the list for discussion purposes. Try to extend yourknowledge to the whole community, not just to the original poster.


__________________________________________________Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com From spendelo at uiuc.edu Mon Mar 14 23:50:54 2005From: spendelo at uiuc.edu (Jacob Spendelow)Date: Mon Mar 14 23:48:51 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Mystery BirdIn-Reply-To: <[email protected]>References: <[email protected]>Message-ID: <[email protected]>

It looks like an American Goldfinch to me. Compare with the photos at the Patuxent site:http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i5290id.htmlGood birding!Jacob SpendelowChampaign

At 11:24 PM 3/14/2005, Bryan Guarente wrote:>Since Charlene brought it up,>I have no idea what the consensus on the bird was. I received no>answers on my end as the directions stated. For those interested, I>think we should just open this bird up to discussion on the list. It>is a good learning experience for everyone.>>For those that haven't seen the photos:>www.atmos.uiuc.edu/~bguaren2/mystery_bird/index.html>I would like it if someone else started out with a discussion, and then>we can go from there. I know this isn't necessarily be how it works,>but I would like it if those people who consider themselves beginnners>to novices start out by throwing their thoughts to the wolves... I mean>list, yeah list (just kidding). This is a list to discuss birds so>let's do it. Let's see what we can learn from each other.>>I don't know who is going to feel frisky enough to start this one off,>but I'll give it a few days to simmer, then I may chime in. For those>expert or advanced birders on the list, please hold off your comments>until some others have commented on the bird.>>Just so everyone knows, I have talked to a few people and not many of

>you have this bird right, so throw out what you think the options are>for this bird, and then it can go from there.>>If the discussion doesn't work out, then I will chime in earlier, or>one of the advanced birders can chime in as well to fix some things.>>Good luck, and lets get this discussion going.>>Bryan Guarente>Atmospheric Sciences Graduate Assistant>Champaign, IL>>__________________________________________________>Do You Yahoo!?>Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around>http://mail.yahoo.com>_______________________________________________>Birdnotes mailing list>[email protected]>https://mail.prairienet.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnotes

From jwhoyt at prairienet.org Tue Mar 15 01:28:14 2005From: jwhoyt at prairienet.org (James Hoyt)Date: Tue Mar 15 01:28:16 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] IBET No sightings - Info about feeder food (fwd)Message-ID: <[email protected]>

I guess I better put some cat food out for the birds.

Jim



---------- Forwarded message ----------

Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2005 17:26:17 -0600From: Randi Doeker - Chicago <[email protected]>To: [email protected]: IBET No sightings - Info about feeder food

I saw this (from an expert) on a list serv and thought people with feedersmight find it useful. (I would have never guessed to use cat food.)

If you have any Mynah Bird Mix (crushed bugs),or raisins, or apple/orange slices, this is a greattime to add them to your feeders for the robins. They'll also eat cat food, which is higher in proteinthan dog food, and more like the worms they usuallyeat. The incidence of death among early arrivals ishigher, because the ground is still frozen, and theyhave no food.

Randi Doeker

Chicago

Cook Co.

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

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From mshaw2 at uiuc.edu Tue Mar 15 09:13:43 2005From: mshaw2 at uiuc.edu (Merrily Shaw)Date: Tue Mar 15 09:13:46 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Mystery BirdIn-Reply-To: <[email protected]>References: <[email protected]>

<[email protected]>Message-ID: <[email protected]>

I was thinking it looks more like a Lesser Goldfinch.Merrily Shaw

At 11:50 PM 3/14/2005 -0600, Jacob Spendelow wrote:>It looks like an American Goldfinch to me. Compare with the photos at the >Patuxent site:>http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i5290id.html>Good birding!>Jacob Spendelow>Champaign>>>At 11:24 PM 3/14/2005, Bryan Guarente wrote:>>Since Charlene brought it up,>>I have no idea what the consensus on the bird was. I received no>>answers on my end as the directions stated. For those interested, I>>think we should just open this bird up to discussion on the list. It>>is a good learning experience for everyone.>>>>For those that haven't seen the photos:>>www.atmos.uiuc.edu/~bguaren2/mystery_bird/index.html>>I would like it if someone else started out with a discussion, and then>>we can go from there. I know this isn't necessarily be how it works,>>but I would like it if those people who consider themselves beginnners>>to novices start out by throwing their thoughts to the wolves... I mean>>list, yeah list (just kidding). This is a list to discuss birds so>>let's do it. Let's see what we can learn from each other.>>>>I don't know who is going to feel frisky enough to start this one off,>>but I'll give it a few days to simmer, then I may chime in. For those>>expert or advanced birders on the list, please hold off your comments>>until some others have commented on the bird.>>>>Just so everyone knows, I have talked to a few people and not many of>>you have this bird right, so throw out what you think the options are>>for this bird, and then it can go from there.>>>>If the discussion doesn't work out, then I will chime in earlier, or>>one of the advanced birders can chime in as well to fix some things.>>>>Good luck, and lets get this discussion going.>>>>Bryan Guarente

>>Atmospheric Sciences Graduate Assistant>>Champaign, IL>>>>__________________________________________________>>Do You Yahoo!?>>Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around>>http://mail.yahoo.com>>_______________________________________________>>Birdnotes mailing list>>[email protected]>>https://mail.prairienet.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnotes>>_______________________________________________>Birdnotes mailing list>[email protected]>https://mail.prairienet.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnotes

Merrily ShawAssistant to the Director

Russian, East European, and Eurasian CenterUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign104 International Studies Building910 South Fifth StreetChampaign, IL 61820

Telephone: (217) 244-4721 or (217) 333-1244Fax: (217) 333-1582e-mail: [email protected]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~We make a living by what we get; but we make a life by what we give. ---- Winston Churchill~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From h-parker at express.cites.uiuc.edu Tue Mar 15 09:28:23 2005From: h-parker at express.cites.uiuc.edu (Helen Parker)Date: Tue Mar 15 09:28:27 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Spring has sprung at MeadowbrookMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

I walked my dog at Meadowbrook this morning, no binocs. There was a minimum of 50 robins on the grass behind Prairie Play. Redwings were singing from every high spot, song sparrows sang from prairie plant remains, goldfinches called from overhead, and a couple of chickadees dee-dee-ed. The bird that most surprised me was a young sapsucker, hammering on, of all things, a telephone pole! I don't think he'll get much sap that way.

--Helen Parker

From smithsje at egix.net Tue Mar 15 20:57:37 2005From: smithsje at egix.net (Jim & Eleanor Smith)Date: Tue Mar 15 21:00:20 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] from the tractor seatMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Hello, Bird,This evening, while chisel plowing, a SHORT-EARED OWL, was found between 5:30 and 6 pm. It would only fly far enough to keep from being plowed under. The field was in Champaign county one mile eastand 1 1/2 mile south of Homer on the west side of the county line road. It is unlikely to remain in the field over night.

Best regards.


From charleneanchor at msn.com Tue Mar 15 21:33:44 2005From: charleneanchor at msn.com (charlene anchor)Date: Tue Mar 15 21:30:39 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Mystery BirdMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Since the discussion is moving slowly and since I'm not an expert I guess I can offer my opinion.

The first time I checked out the "mystery bird" it was a different picture from the second time I checked it out. The first time was a frontal view only, not showing much. These second views are better although the head is still in shadow and is probably preventing the color from showing fully.

My suggestion is that it's a female, winter plumage, American Goldfinch. I thought it was a goldfinch at first but thought that was too easy! When Merrily Shaw suggested a Lesser I looked that description up. I wanted to read the written description to rule out the possibility of a female Lesser Goldfinch which could look similar to a female American. The description said Lesser Goldfinch females are greenish-yellow overall, yellowest on throat and undertail coverts. The bird in the picture is not greenish-yellow but more buffy-brownish with white undertail coverts. I think its a female American as a male would have more yellow on the throat than the bird in the picture. But the picture is taken in such a way that you don't get a clear view of the throat. So I'm just guessing. It also has a goldfinch bill.

Bryan, you said everyone was wrong so far. Chime in soon!

Charlene----- Original Message -----From: Bryan GuarenteSent: Monday, March 14, 2005 11:28 PMTo: BirdnotesSubject: [Birdnotes] Mystery Bird

Birdnoters,I also forgot to mention that all posts about this bird from now onshould go to the list for discussion purposes. Try to extend yourknowledge to the whole community, not just to the original poster.


__________________________________________________Do You Yahoo!?Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________Birdnotes mailing [email protected]://mail.prairienet.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnotes-------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050315/b401009c/attachment.htmFrom ernscott at thinkingdogs.com Wed Mar 16 00:02:12 2005From: ernscott at thinkingdogs.com (Ernesto Scott)Date: Wed Mar 16 00:02:15 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Mystery Bird ContinuedMessage-ID: <BE5D2804.ABB8%[email protected]>

Greetings,

I am the one who photographed the "Mystery Bird." I have received somevaried responses so I am curious how this evolves. FYI, it has beenmentioned that the greenish hood is actually a shadow, I can say without adoubt...it was not a shadow.

Here are links to two additional views of the Mystery Bird

http://www.thinkingdogs.com/Birds/IMG_3624a.jpg


Some have mentioned that it might be a female Goldfinch in winter plumage.Last week, I came across what I consider to be a female Goldfinch in winterplumage and that link is:


I apologize for the size of the files...I have not had time to condensethem. A broadband connection would be best to view.

Looking forward to any discussion.

es

"novice" birder!

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_ Ernesto Scott Chair, Photography Program Associate Professor School of Art + Design University of Illinois

From spendelo at uiuc.edu Wed Mar 16 01:23:20 2005From: spendelo at uiuc.edu (Jacob Spendelow)Date: Wed Mar 16 01:23:00 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Mystery Bird ContinuedIn-Reply-To: <BE5D2804.ABB8%[email protected]>References: <BE5D2804.ABB8%[email protected]>Message-ID: <[email protected]>

It looks to me like the "greenish" areas are just in shadow, as Charlene said. Comparing image 3624a with 3625a, the "greenish" area appears on different parts of the head. In 3624a the left malar area (below and to the right of the bill) is light-colored, while the right malar is dark. In contrast, in 3625a the right malar is now light-colored, so I think the darker green shade was just due to shadowing, and I still agree with Charlene that it is an American Goldfinch.Jacob SpendelowChampaign

P.S. While we're discussing photographs, check out some pictures that I just uploaded. Sonja Kassal took these on our trip to Minnesota back in January: https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/spendelo/www/

>FYI, it has been mentioned that the greenish hood is actually a shadow,

From lambeth at ad.uiuc.edu Wed Mar 16 09:17:48 2005From: lambeth at ad.uiuc.edu (Gregory S Lambeth)Date: Wed Mar 16 09:18:54 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] TowheeMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

I had a Rufous-sided Towhee in my yard today (Urbana).

Greg LambethFrom charleneanchor at msn.com Wed Mar 16 10:10:31 2005From: charleneanchor at msn.com (charlene anchor)Date: Wed Mar 16 10:07:25 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] woodcock walkMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

The time listed in Audubon's "Meadowlark Messenger" for the woodcock walk on Mar. 23, Wed. at Meadowbrook, has been changed from 6:30 PM to

6:00 PM. So the new time will be Mar. 23, Wed. at 6:00 PM at the Race St. Parking lot. Sorry for any confusion.

Charlene Anchor-------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050316/29696a69/attachment.htmFrom smithsje at egix.net Wed Mar 16 21:10:56 2005From: smithsje at egix.net (Jim & Eleanor Smith)Date: Wed Mar 16 21:13:42 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] (no subject)Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Hello, Bird,The SHORT-EARED OWL was still present this am. See yesterday's note.

Best regards.


From bprice at pdnt.com Thu Mar 17 20:11:41 2005From: bprice at pdnt.com (Brock)Date: Thu Mar 17 20:11:33 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] DucksMessage-ID: <004801c52b5f$d458bd00$1d41fa3f@user>

Finally a few more ducks:

Highlights:

Fairmount:American WidgeonRing-necked Ducks ( 50+)Ross's Goose ( still there with same group of Canadians )Lesser ScaupBuffleheadCommon Snipe

Lake Mingo ( Kennekuk Park ):Red-breasted Mergansers ( at least 8 )Common Goldeneye ( 2 males and 1 female )American Widgeon Lesser ScaupRing-necked DuckMallards

Kennekuk marshes:American CootsRusty Blackbirds ( at least 4 )Tree SwallowsBrown Creeper

Fox SparrowSong Sparrows Eastern Bluebirds

Lake Vermilion:Horned Grebes ( 2 )

From al.guarente at verizon.net Thu Mar 17 21:00:05 2005From: al.guarente at verizon.net (Al Guarente)Date: Thu Mar 17 21:00:07 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Mystery BirdIn-Reply-To: <[email protected]>Message-ID: <000001c52b66$97fc2570$71f7fea9@backtonature>

Bryan Here is my two cents worth. It's hard to judge the size of the birdby these pictures but the bird appears to have chunky proportions. Thetail is rather long for the group of goldfinches. These two things alonesuggest American Goldfinch to me. Lesser Goldfinch also has yellowundertail coverts and this bird obviously doesn't have them. The LesserGoldfinch has white bases to the inner primaries whereas this bird haswhite on the inner primary tips, typical of the American Goldfinch. Onmost Lesser Goldfinches there is only one wingbar but this bird has two,once again pointing to American Goldfinch. Finally the bill shape istypical of Am Goldfinch. The Lesser Goldfinch's bill has a more squashedappearance, like that of a Hoary Redpoll vs a longer bill of the CommonRedpoll (and Am Goldfinch). That's just my guess.

Al GuarenteMedia, Delaware Co, [email protected]

From dafekt1ve at yahoo.com Thu Mar 17 23:17:41 2005From: dafekt1ve at yahoo.com (Bryan Guarente)Date: Thu Mar 17 23:18:11 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Mystery BirdIn-Reply-To: 6667Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Dad and birdnoters,Okay, I see your point about all the points except for two of them. Iunderstand the undertail color and the wing bars (which made me ruleout Lesser), but I don't understand the bill shape or the inner primarybases. I see what the bill shape looks like in a field guide, but Icannot seem to find a photo on the net of a bird with a stouter beak. Is this a problem with the field guide or is every picture I see on thenet from a bad angle? The page I mainly focused on has either poorphotos or beak shapes like these, but the trend is toward a more pinesiskin shaped beak... which I find interesting since the field guidesshow a stubbier more "pyrruhloxia type" beak. Here is the page I tooka look:

http://www.geocities.com/tgrey41/Pages/LesserGoldfinchp.html

All of these birds look to be properly IDed based on undertail and hoodarguments.

As for the inner primaries, I don't see what you are talking about inthe bases versus the tips. I understand the difference topographicallyon a bird, but I don't see them in the photos.

This is just more info to fuel the flames as we test our skills. Keepthe info coming, this has been fun and educational for hopefully all ofyou.


P.S.Original photos posted tohttp://www.atmos.uiuc.edu/~bgauren2/mystery_bird/index.html

__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Sports - Sign up for Fantasy Baseball. http://baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/From al.guarente at verizon.net Fri Mar 18 20:50:02 2005From: al.guarente at verizon.net (Al Guarente)Date: Fri Mar 18 20:49:57 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Mystery BirdIn-Reply-To: <[email protected]>Message-ID: <000001c52c2e$5a03e690$71f7fea9@backtonature>

Bryan For now I'll back off on the bill shape. Sibley says the bill isstouter and I vaguely remember this but my memory doesn't always serveme well. However, the wing pattern is a definite give away. If you lookat the Lesser Goldfinch wing pattern in flight you will notice thatthere is a white patch at the base of the primaries. Upon folding thewing the pattern appears on the wing as an ellipse on the LesserGoldfinch. The American Goldfinch has white on the inner shafts of eachprimary and on the folded wing looks just like the mystery picture.


-----Original Message-----From: Bryan Guarente [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, March 18, 2005 12:18 AMTo: Al Guarente; 'Birdnotes'Subject: RE: [Birdnotes] Mystery Bird

Dad and birdnoters,Okay, I see your point about all the points except for two of them. Iunderstand the undertail color and the wing bars (which made me rule

out Lesser), but I don't understand the bill shape or the inner primarybases. I see what the bill shape looks like in a field guide, but Icannot seem to find a photo on the net of a bird with a stouter beak. Is this a problem with the field guide or is every picture I see on thenet from a bad angle? The page I mainly focused on has either poorphotos or beak shapes like these, but the trend is toward a more pinesiskin shaped beak... which I find interesting since the field guidesshow a stubbier more "pyrruhloxia type" beak. Here is the page I tooka look:







__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Sports - Sign up for Fantasy Baseball. http://baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/

From bprice at pdnt.com Sun Mar 20 00:10:12 2005From: bprice at pdnt.com (Brock)Date: Sun Mar 20 00:12:45 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] (no subject)Message-ID: <001001c52d13$7b224840$5441fa3f@user>

Before work highlights.

Homer Lake GadwallWood Ducks - 30+Am. WidgeonNorthern ShovelerRing-necked DucksLesser ScaupGreen-winged TealTree Swallow

Fairmount:Red-breasted MerganserRuddy DuckBuffleheadRing-necked Ducks Lesser ScaupNorthern ShovelerGreen-winged TealHooded Merganser

Kennekuk:Hairy WoodpeckerSwamp SparrowFox Sparrow Song Sparrow ( large quanities)Pie-billed GrebeWhite-breasted NuthatchCarolina WrenAmerican Woodcock

Horned Grebes still at Lake Vermilion

From charleneanchor at msn.com Sun Mar 20 12:58:13 2005From: charleneanchor at msn.com (charlene anchor)Date: Sun Mar 20 12:55:08 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Mystery BirdMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Bryan, Al and others,

I don't see the ellipse in the wings in the photos of these birds which Al refers to. I think it may be the angle at which the photos were taken. But also I've never seen a Lesser Goldfinch to mentally compare it to the American. BUT, I do see the white undertail coverts which I think, from what I understand, would be a definite field mark pointing towards the American. What I would like to know is....is that correct? Could the mystery bird be identified as an American Goldfinch on that basis alone? Also, I would think the fact of its geographical location would indicate that as well. A Lesser may be seen in the Quad Cities - but rarely. Is that correct? I am interested in whether this is a female or male goldfinch. Can anyone determine that for sure?

Thanks.Charlene Anchor

----- Original Message -----From: Al GuarenteSent: Friday, March 18, 2005 8:50 PMTo: 'Bryan Guarente'; 'Birdnotes'Subject: RE: [Birdnotes] Mystery Bird

Bryan For now I'll back off on the bill shape. Sibley says the bill isstouter and I vaguely remember this but my memory doesn't always serveme well. However, the wing pattern is a definite give away. If you lookat the Lesser Goldfinch wing pattern in flight you will notice thatthere is a white patch at the base of the primaries. Upon folding the

wing the pattern appears on the wing as an ellipse on the LesserGoldfinch. The American Goldfinch has white on the inner shafts of eachprimary and on the folded wing looks just like the mystery picture.


-----Original Message-----From: Bryan Guarente [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, March 18, 2005 12:18 AMTo: Al Guarente; 'Birdnotes'Subject: RE: [Birdnotes] Mystery Bird

Dad and birdnoters,Okay, I see your point about all the points except for two of them. Iunderstand the undertail color and the wing bars (which made me ruleout Lesser), but I don't understand the bill shape or the inner primarybases. I see what the bill shape looks like in a field guide, but Icannot seem to find a photo on the net of a bird with a stouter beak. Is this a problem with the field guide or is every picture I see on thenet from a bad angle? The page I mainly focused on has either poorphotos or beak shapes like these, but the trend is toward a more pinesiskin shaped beak... which I find interesting since the field guidesshow a stubbier more "pyrruhloxia type" beak. Here is the page I tooka look:







__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Sports - Sign up for Fantasy Baseball. http://baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/

_______________________________________________

Birdnotes mailing [email protected]://mail.prairienet.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnotes-------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050320/42d62463/attachment.htmFrom lambeth at ad.uiuc.edu Mon Mar 21 09:47:56 2005From: lambeth at ad.uiuc.edu (Gregory S Lambeth)Date: Mon Mar 21 09:47:58 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Arcola Marsh Field Trip (3/19)Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Six brave souls battled ferocious winds to view ducks at Arcola Marsh on Saturday. The headline could have read something like that! The winds were the tough on birders, but we still managed to find 15 species of duck at Arcola Marsh on Saturday morning and the skies even cleared for a few brief minutes. The following is the duck list: Ring-necked, Ruddy, Lesser Scaup, Redhead, Mallard, Gadwall, Pintail, American Widgeon, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal and Shoveller. We seemed to have hit the peak of Shoveller migration -- there were 225 of them.

Also at Arcola Marsh, we had 2 Tree Swallows, Pied-billed Grebe, Woodcock, Fox Sparrow and Common Snipe.

Beth Chato and I ventured on to Lake Shelbyville after the field trip and added a number of species to the list. The only additional duck specie was Black Duck, though. The highlights of the day were more than 300 White Pelicans, Rusty Blackbird and 2 Brewer's Blackbirds. The lake is extremely low at this point and there are large mudflats exposed, but the rains forecast for latter this week will likely raise the water levels and eliminate many of these flats before shorebirds arrive in the next few weeks. Beth and I ended the day with 68 species.

Greg LambethFrom bprice at pdnt.com Mon Mar 21 23:12:40 2005From: bprice at pdnt.com (Brock)Date: Mon Mar 21 23:12:10 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] (no subject)Message-ID: <000701c52e9d$c61a9060$3841fa3f@user>

Couple of new ones for the year at Homer Lake this morning:

Field SparrowWinter Wren

From vaiden at isgs.uiuc.edu Tue Mar 22 08:53:22 2005From: vaiden at isgs.uiuc.edu (Vaiden, Robert)Date: Tue Mar 22 08:54:54 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] first yard birdsMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

First time yard birds for 2005...

Sapsucker on Saturday...Towhee on Sunday (Mom and I got a really good look at a friendlyTowhee!)

Hepatica bloomed on Monday...Bloodroot, Bluebells, Waterleaf, Columbine,Pasque Flower, and others have all broken ground...

Got all the peas planted... :)

Bob :)From h-parker at express.cites.uiuc.edu Tue Mar 22 09:04:55 2005From: h-parker at express.cites.uiuc.edu (Helen Parker)Date: Tue Mar 22 09:04:37 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Chautaqua tripMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

There will be a CCAS field trip to Chatauqua Nat. Wildlife Refuge this Saturday. Meet at 7 a.m. at the Nature Center parking lot for carpooling purposes. Bring lunch & beverages. We will be primarily looking for waterfowl, but as always, we'll look at whatever is around. If time, weather, and interests allow, we may also go over to the Emiquon area.

My son, Phil, who has recently gotten involved in nature photography, is considering coming along. He asks that anybody who has a spotting scope with an adaptor for a 35 mm camera please bring it along (even if you don't plan to photograph much) so that he can see how well it works. Thanks.

--Helen Parker, trip leader

From roper37 at hotmail.com Tue Mar 22 11:54:34 2005From: roper37 at hotmail.com (Sarah R)Date: Tue Mar 22 11:54:36 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] crystal lake/homer lakeMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

On saturday there was a red-headed woodpecker as well as a red-bellied woodpecker on the north side of the creek at Crystal Lake park. On monday there were 5 ring-necked ducks at Homer lake, but on tuesday there was not a single duck to be seen.

SarahUrbana

From LewsaderBud at aol.com Tue Mar 22 13:50:30 2005From: LewsaderBud at aol.com ([email protected])Date: Tue Mar 22 13:50:38 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Trumpeter SwansMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Yesterday, I went to a Beaver pond,over by Perrysville, Indiana. There were nine Trumpeter Swans on it. Of the nine 7 had neck bands on them-------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050322/e0c78569/attachment.htmFrom dafekt1ve at yahoo.com Tue Mar 22 19:17:28 2005From: dafekt1ve at yahoo.com (Bryan Guarente)Date: Tue Mar 22 19:17:30 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Thursday birding...Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Birdnoters,This thursday could be a good day for migration, so I wanted to get outand look for Smith's Longspurs since they are coming. The winds lookfavorable for movements off the mexican plateau and most birds fromTexas, so I expect there to be a good influx of birds. I am reallywondering if anyone knows of corn fields with Foxtails so I could limitmy search a little better. I would prefer to stay in Champaign County,but I am willing to leave the county if need be. It might be worthposting where these fields are to the list since I am sure other folkswould like to get some smith's longspurs on their passage through thearea. If you would prefer to not post areas to the list, feel free torespond to me personally.

As for other birds that should be coming up with the strong SSW winds1km up, I think we might be getting our first real push of warblers bythrusday. It will just be a few, but I think it should happen onthursday. During the Busey bird walk I jested (slightly) that thursdaywould bring in the first warblers of the season. It looks like theweather models are in agreement that there will be a good day formovements on thursday. Friday looks thought to be a wash out weatherwise, so if you can get out on thursday, I would suggest it. Saturdaymay be worth a look or two as well. Temps on thursday though look thebest up into the mid 50's as the warm front drapes across our area.

Keep your eyes peeled this week... I think the birds will be coming upmore rapidly from now on.

If you have any prefered fields, again I would love to hear about them.


__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ From jwhoyt at prairienet.org Wed Mar 23 01:24:03 2005From: jwhoyt at prairienet.org (James Hoyt)Date: Wed Mar 23 01:24:05 2005

Subject: [Birdnotes] Thursday birding...In-Reply-To: <[email protected]>Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Bryan's post reminds me of one of my questions about food patches such as those maintained for game bird hunting.

I wonder if migrating songbirds use them in the spring.

Herbicides are usually kept to a minimum so that they usually have quite a bit of foxtail and other 'weeds' in them.

Of course the governor's new budget cutbacks may have cut into these programs also.

You might also try the sunflower fields over by the Middlefork River.

Jim :)

On Tue, 22 Mar 2005, Bryan Guarente wrote:

> Birdnoters,> This thursday could be a good day for migration, so I wanted to get out> and look for Smith's Longspurs since they are coming. The winds look> favorable for movements off the mexican plateau and most birds from> Texas, so I expect there to be a good influx of birds. I am really> wondering if anyone knows of corn fields with Foxtails so I could limit> my search a little better. I would prefer to stay in Champaign County,> but I am willing to leave the county if need be. It might be worth> posting where these fields are to the list since I am sure other folks> would like to get some smith's longspurs on their passage through the> area. If you would prefer to not post areas to the list, feel free to> respond to me personally. > > As for other birds that should be coming up with the strong SSW winds> 1km up, I think we might be getting our first real push of warblers by> thrusday. It will just be a few, but I think it should happen on> thursday. During the Busey bird walk I jested (slightly) that thursday> would bring in the first warblers of the season. It looks like the> weather models are in agreement that there will be a good day for> movements on thursday. Friday looks thought to be a wash out weather> wise, so if you can get out on thursday, I would suggest it. Saturday> may be worth a look or two as well. Temps on thursday though look the> best up into the mid 50's as the warm front drapes across our area.> > Keep your eyes peeled this week... I think the birds will be coming up> more rapidly from now on. >

> If you have any prefered fields, again I would love to hear about them.> > Bryan Guarente> Atmospheric Sciences Graduate Assistant> Champaign, IL> > > > __________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!> http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ > _______________________________________________> Birdnotes mailing list> [email protected]> https://mail.prairienet.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnotes>



From smithsje at egix.net Wed Mar 23 20:50:48 2005From: smithsje at egix.net (Jim & Eleanor Smith)Date: Wed Mar 23 20:53:56 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] (no subject)Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Hello, Bird,Ducks this pm at Fairmount Quarry: lots of mallards, buffelheads, ruddy, ring-necks, gadwalls, widgeon, hooded mergs, and lessor scaup. Several too distant to ID. One snipe.

One red-tail incubating on our farm.

Both bluebirds and tree swallows investigating our nest boxes.

Best regards.


From bprice at pdnt.com Wed Mar 23 21:24:42 2005From: bprice at pdnt.com (Brock)Date: Wed Mar 23 21:25:34 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] (no subject)Message-ID: <001501c53021$060d0de0$8be0ddce@user>

Took a drive with my non-birding older son today to Mill Creek and LincolnTrail Lake to check for possible good fishing lakes for us. Still was ableto get a couple of good things.

Paris, IL.Eurasian Collared Dove ( my 1st )

Marshall, IL.Red-shouldered HawkMockingbird

Common Snipe - 3 at various locations on country roads.

3/22/05Arcola Marsh - all the same ducks as Sat. field trip except Pintails.Shelbyville - the 300 Pelicans were still there. ( Whitley Creek area.hadthe large concentration.)

From charleneanchor at msn.com Thu Mar 24 11:09:42 2005From: charleneanchor at msn.com (charlene anchor)Date: Thu Mar 24 11:06:32 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Woodcock walkMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Last evening the woodcocks didn't seem to mind the foggy overcast sky and the chilly air. On the woodcock walk at Meadowbrook we had multiple good views of them. We were also lucky to see a territorial chase, as one chasing another, circled by low passing through some trees. If you ever see that again listen for the sort of rapid buzzy sound which usually accompanies this chase. It is different from their other sounds.

>From talking to others it appears they are spread throughout Meadowbrook and you may want to look around some more while they are still here. I've seen them in the grass south of Prairie Play where, if lucky, they will land at your feet. But the noise of Windsor Road traffic is distracting For those out in Mahomet, I've seen them at the Conservation Area east of the parking lot on the west side (north of the high school). I would think they would be widespread in that area as

well. I've been wanting to check out the Stidham Pond area but haven't made it yet.

Last night, at Meadowbrook, we observed them from the south sidewalk, east of the Race St. bridge. Happy woodcock hunting!

Charlene Anchor-------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050324/2fba7a31/attachment.htmFrom denstrom at inhs.uiuc.edu Thu Mar 24 15:34:14 2005From: denstrom at inhs.uiuc.edu (David Enstrom)Date: Thu Mar 24 15:36:39 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Re: Birdnotes Digest, Vol 14, Issue 24In-Reply-To: <[email protected]>References: <[email protected]>Message-ID: <p05100301be68e29b9440@[128.174.173.115]>

Today, I saw 18 Sandhill Cranes over the nature center at Busey Woods.-- From LewsaderBud at aol.com Thu Mar 24 17:13:41 2005From: LewsaderBud at aol.com ([email protected])Date: Thu Mar 24 17:13:46 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Trumpeter swansMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Today, went back over to Perrysville, Indiana. The 9 Trumpeter Swans are still there. I also saw several Wood Ducks, and 2 pair of Buffleheads. Bud Lewsader-------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050324/49bb8c7e/attachment.htmFrom REGEHR5 at aol.com Thu Mar 24 17:39:35 2005From: REGEHR5 at aol.com ([email protected])Date: Thu Mar 24 17:39:44 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Fox sparrowsMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

This AM I was at Meadowbrook for a brief outing in the sun.I heard two fox sparrows singing and eventually spotted themforaging around near fallen branches near the stream (west ofthe playground bridge). I saw two other fox sparrows, heardseveral song sparrows. A pheasant called and red-wingedblackbirds were active, sounding off near the stream. Elaine Regehr-------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050324/019fed29/attachment.htmFrom jwhoyt at prairienet.org Fri Mar 25 02:24:45 2005From: jwhoyt at prairienet.org (James Hoyt)

Date: Fri Mar 25 02:24:52 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Re: Birdnotes Digest, Vol 14, Issue 24In-Reply-To: <p05100301be68e29b9440@[128.174.173.115]>Message-ID: <[email protected]>

David,

In case I miss my guess that makes one more species for Busey Woods!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing!!

Cheers,

Jim

On Thu, 24 Mar 2005, David Enstrom wrote:

> Today, I saw 18 Sandhill Cranes over the nature center at Busey Woods.>



From bprice at pdnt.com Fri Mar 25 10:48:45 2005From: bprice at pdnt.com (Brock)Date: Fri Mar 25 10:48:09 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] (no subject)Message-ID: <001d01c5315a$834ce700$24e0ddce@user>

Hard to see with rain but there are some good ducks at Homer Lake andFairmount today.

Homer:

Horned Grebes - 7Red-breasted Merg.- 2Ring-necked DucksLesser Scaup

Fairmount:Ring-necked DucksLesser ScaupRuddy DuckBuffleheadRedheadHooded Merg. - 16+

From jwhoyt at prairienet.org Fri Mar 25 19:36:52 2005From: jwhoyt at prairienet.org (James Hoyt)Date: Fri Mar 25 19:36:54 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Green Winged Teal west of Allerton Park.In-Reply-To: <[email protected]>Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Birdnoters,

2 dozen GW Teal east and a large falcon like bird (with a white chest) west of the new "Hog Shute" bridge.

Don't know if this is a Perrigren but was bigger than any coopers that I have seen.

Too far away to see well with my binoculars.

1 Kestrel1 Bluebird (on a new house) man do they ever find them fast!1 Turkey Vulcher

Cheers,

Jim


**************************************************************************************************************************************************************"The human culture is considered to be a 'geologic force' and with good reason. But if we are at a stage where our actions are to decide the world's future, then surely we have reached a level where we can be held

acountable for the world's future." Durward L. Allen "Our Wildlife Legacy"**************************************************************************************************************************************************************

From jwhoyt at prairienet.org Sat Mar 26 01:20:32 2005From: jwhoyt at prairienet.org (James Hoyt)Date: Sat Mar 26 01:20:34 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Allerton Allies WorkdayMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

We will be having a workday at 9:00AM on Saturday, April 2nd at Allerton Park.

Meet at the Visitor Center for a fun morning.

As of this writing we will be working with Allerton Park's new Natural Areas Technician; Nathan Beccue.

We are a light hearted group so bring your field guides and binoculars if you want.

Also bring gloves and water proof boots.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Contact 244-1035 or 762-2721 for more info.

We also usually stop at the "Brown Bag" restaurant afterwards for lunch and socializing.

Jim :)-- James Hoyt"The Prairie Ant"Champaign Co. AudubonCo-steward Parkland College Prairies.Monitor Urbana Park District Natural Areas.Champaign County Master GardenerAllerton Allies

**************************************************************************************************************************************************************"The human culture is considered to be a 'geologic force' and with good reason. But if we are at a stage where our actions are to decide the world's future, then surely we have reached a level where we can be held acountable for the world's future." Durward L. Allen "Our Wildlife Legacy"*******************************************************************************

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

From jjokela59 at hotmail.com Sat Mar 26 13:34:49 2005From: jjokela59 at hotmail.com (Janet Jokela)Date: Sat Mar 26 13:34:51 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Common Loon in ChampaignMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Greetings:

About noon today there was a Common Loon at the pond in the northeast corner of Windsor Road and Duncan in Champaign (the name of the pond may be Robeson Lake?). Prairie Meadow Drive encircles the lake, which is also surrounded by private homes. The loon was easily visible from a home in the Edgewater Place cul-de-sac, but there is no easy viewing spot in that area from the road. There is an empty open lot for sale which abuts the lake on Prairie Meadow Drive, south of Edgewater Place, which may afford some looks with a telescope.

In addition to the loon, which was diving and in its breeding plumage, two pairs of American Wigeon and a scaup species were present (possibly Greater...no binoculars), as well as some Mallards and Canada Geese.

Good birding,Janet

From dafekt1ve at yahoo.com Sat Mar 26 16:01:12 2005From: dafekt1ve at yahoo.com (Bryan Guarente)Date: Sat Mar 26 16:01:14 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Common Loon Robeson Meadows (West Champaign)Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Birdnoters,Janet's Common Loon (since Janet obviously owns the bird, haha) was still present at 3:30pm today at Robeson Meadows. It was casually swimming around the lake and didn't dive the whole time I was there. It was swimming SO casually that I was able to get 103 photos of the bird before I decided that I had had enough. This is a great look at a fantastically beautiful bird and I suggest that you go chase this bird down if you have a chance. Directions: Go to the intersection of Duncan Rd and Windsor Rd. Just to the northeast of this intersection is a business park. Park near the northeast side of this business park (near the mettler center). From here, walk northeast to the cement path. This cement path goes around two different lakes, but it all depends on which way you take this path.

Make sure to take the path to the north NOT to the east. The path to the north will take you around a larger lake that is noted as private. I have never had a problem with the residents of this area, but remember to be courteous. If you wait around long enough at this lake the bird is sure to show up if it hasn't left the area. There is a nice bench on the west side of the lake that you can loaf on to see this bird. If you have a scope, take it with you to really study this bird. You DO NOT need a scope to see this bird well, but it is just that much better if you do have a scope to study this bird. Other birds there while I was there were: 5 Buffleheads, 1 Lesser Scaup (head shape was evident), American Wigeon, mallards, Canada Geese, 1 Cackling Goose (best IDed by forehead slant, bill size and bird size). Go check it out and I will post some photos soon to my website and update the list with the link. Bryan GuarenteAtmospheric Sciences Graduate AssistantChampaign, IL

---------------------------------Do you Yahoo!? Make Yahoo! your home page -------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050326/0b0a3f3b/attachment.htmFrom smithsje at egix.net Sat Mar 26 17:11:06 2005From: smithsje at egix.net (Jim & Eleanor Smith)Date: Sat Mar 26 17:14:15 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] golden plovers and pectoral sandpipersMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Hello, Bird,This evening, 5 pm, there were about 50 golden plovers and three pectoral sandpipers in a farm field wet area. This is two mile east of Ogden on Route 150 to 100 east road, then about 1 mile south on 100. On the west side of the road is a one acre wet pond where these birds are. There are a few killdeerhere, too. All golden plovers were in winter plumage. If anyone needs to be guided to the location, let me know.

Best regards.


From h-parker at express.cites.uiuc.edu Sat Mar 26 20:58:07 2005From: h-parker at express.cites.uiuc.edu (Helen Parker)Date: Sat Mar 26 20:57:09 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] ducks, geese, and swansMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

also gulls, cormorants, pelicans, and eagles. That about sums up the CCAS field trip to Chautauqua today. Actually, there were lots of ducks--almost all the ones one might expect with the exception of hooded merganser (had the other 2) and deep divers such as goldeneye, redhead, & canvasback. ( I didn't count to see the exact number of duck species.) The geese were disappointing--nothing but Canadas. The swans were an apparent family group of 2 adults & a first-year Tundra. Gulls, of course, were mostly ring-bills, a few Bonapartes, & a herring or 2. Bunches of cormorants. At first there were 2 pelicans, then suddenly we saw more, and when we were leaving, there was a flock of 40 or so wheeling around in the air. There was a pair of adult eagles, one of which was sitting on the nest at the end of the cross-dike, presumably incubating, while the other "stood guard"; we also saw 3 young birds flying.

There were, of course, some "land birds" seen/heard: red-bellied & pileated woodpecker, chickadee, nuthatch, titmouse, Carolina wren, song sparrow. Large flocks of blackbirds, mostly redwings & grackles. The one disappointment was the absence of Eurasian tree sparrows, which I had expected to see along the cross-dike, but there were no seeds left on the grasses, so they presumably were someplace else where there was food.

I believe Beth counted total number of species seen as 57.--Helen Parker

P.S.: we stopped at Funks Grove on the way home & bought maple sirup--this seems to be a very good year.

From jweckst at uiuc.edu Sun Mar 27 12:25:06 2005From: jweckst at uiuc.edu ([email protected])Date: Sun Mar 27 12:25:09 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Champaign Eurasian collared DoveMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Hi Birdnoters,

I checked out the lakes in Robeson Meadows this morning... the loon seems to be gone and not much other waterfowl... one Lesser Scaup and one Am. Coot.

I also did a little foray into the farm country SW of Champaign and found little interesting. The most intersting bird was a Eurasian collared Dove which I found on my way back home on the north side of Windsor Rd between 600E and 700E.

Good Birding,

Jason Weckstein__________________________Jason D. Weckstein, Ph.D.Illinois Natural History Survey-CBD607 E. Peabody DriveChampaign, Illinois 61920-6970

Phone:(217) 244-2104Fax:(217) 333-4949E-mail: [email protected] billw at mchsi.com Sun Mar 27 15:45:56 2005From: billw at mchsi.com (Bill White)Date: Sun Mar 27 15:45:59 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Red-winged Blackbird in BementMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

I was surprised to see a strange-looking bird at our sump pump puddleyesterday morning. It was a sturdy black bird about the size of aCommon Grackle or a tad smaller, but with a slightly shorter tail, anervous disposition, and a *yellow* stripe on each wing. It finallyhopped into the water and started splashing, which revealed redstripes under its wings.

In my single year of bird-watching I've often spotted Red-wingedBlackbirds near country drainage ditches and bridges but never in townbefore. This one often crouched down and looked up at the sky or thecedar trees above the puddle - much more so than other visitors - andonce it stopped and scratched itself with one of its feet like a dog.

It returned once that I saw, to land under a box feeder and eat seedsscattered by the sloppy Blue Jays. They seem to deliberately rakeseeds out of the feeder's platform and onto the ground.

Cheers -

bw-- Bill White . [email protected] . http://members.wri.com/billw"The Eucharist is above all the sacrament of love, understood as giftof self." - Pope John Paul II, Corpus Christi 2001From bprice at pdnt.com Sun Mar 27 18:25:03 2005From: bprice at pdnt.com (Brock)Date: Sun Mar 27 18:24:27 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] (no subject)Message-ID: <000701c5332c$967bcac0$52e0ddce@user>

Thanks to Jim - We went out early today to the field So. of Hwy. 150 to seethe Plovers. They were still there but in even greater numbers, probablyover 100. We also got the Pectoral Sandpipers. Went on to Fairmount, itwas loaded with ducks and mergansers.

Fairmount:

Hooded Mergansers - 20+BuffleheadsLesser ScaupRing-necked DucksRuddy DuckRedheadGreen-winged TealBluewinged TealAmerican WidgeonNorthern Shoveler*Stilt Sandpiper

Mattoon Lake:Common LoonAmerican CootsBuffleheadHorned GrebesRing-necked DucksRedheadLesser Scaup

From jwhoyt at prairienet.org Mon Mar 28 01:38:28 2005From: jwhoyt at prairienet.org (James Hoyt)Date: Mon Mar 28 01:38:30 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Red-winged Blackbird in BementIn-Reply-To: <[email protected]>Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Bill,

Welcome to the joys of bird study.

You can find Redwinged Blackbirds just about any place where cattails or other aquatic vegetation grows.

Parkland College Pond has a nesting pair or two and the Champaign County Humane Society also has some nesting pairs in the summer.

Of course Meadowbrook park has a lot of them.

As long as we are on the subject of nesting birds I wonder if anyone has ever placed cooked and crumbled egg shells in a feeder for a calcium supplement during nesting season.

Egg shells don't compost very well but this might be a good way to do two things at once.

Edwin Way Teale tells of doing this in his "A Naturalist Buys an Old Farm".

Jim :)

On Sun, 27 Mar 2005, Bill White wrote:

> I was surprised to see a strange-looking bird at our sump pump puddle> yesterday morning. It was a sturdy black bird about the size of a> Common Grackle or a tad smaller, but with a slightly shorter tail, a> nervous disposition, and a *yellow* stripe on each wing. It finally> hopped into the water and started splashing, which revealed red> stripes under its wings.> > In my single year of bird-watching I've often spotted Red-winged> Blackbirds near country drainage ditches and bridges but never in town> before. This one often crouched down and looked up at the sky or the> cedar trees above the puddle - much more so than other visitors - and> once it stopped and scratched itself with one of its feet like a dog.> > It returned once that I saw, to land under a box feeder and eat seeds> scattered by the sloppy Blue Jays. They seem to deliberately rake> seeds out of the feeder's platform and onto the ground.> > Cheers -> > bw>



From vaiden at isgs.uiuc.edu Mon Mar 28 08:32:10 2005From: vaiden at isgs.uiuc.edu (Vaiden, Robert)Date: Mon Mar 28 08:32:13 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] SpringMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Brief walk through Busey Woods Saturday morning...Brown Creepers,

Nuthatches, and a pair of small Flycatchers (how early do they showup?).

Meadowbrook Sunday evening...only 1 Woodcock (too many people wanderingaround? ...noisy teenagers, dogwalkers, etc.)

Pond east of Philo Road, north of Windsor...6 Blue Wing Teal, someMallards and a pair of Geese.

Flowers: Hepatica in full bloom, Bloodroot, Trillium, Toothwort,Bluebell, Spring Beauty, Jacobs Ladder, Celandine Poppy all above groundand growing rapidly.

BobFrom h-parker at express.cites.uiuc.edu Mon Mar 28 09:36:25 2005From: h-parker at express.cites.uiuc.edu (Helen Parker)Date: Mon Mar 28 09:36:11 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] eggshellsMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Putting out cooked & crumpled eggshells for the birds as a calcium source is strongly recommended by a number of the information sources I have seen. I tried it once and the birds in by back yard ignored them, at least initially, although they eventually disappeared.

--Helen Parker

From charleneanchor at msn.com Mon Mar 28 20:08:10 2005From: charleneanchor at msn.com (charlene anchor)Date: Mon Mar 28 20:04:58 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] feeding eggshellsMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Putting out cooked and crushed eggshells is especially beneficial to female birds during breeding season. But it is important that the eggshells are cooked to avoid salmonella. At least that is what is recommended.

Charlene Anchor-------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050328/017cf8cf/attachment.htmFrom charleneanchor at msn.com Tue Mar 29 00:02:39 2005From: charleneanchor at msn.com (charlene anchor)Date: Mon Mar 28 23:59:25 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] woodcocksMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

My husband and I checked out Stidham Pond tonight for woodcocks. Only heard one peenting and didn't see any flights. The geese at the pond were so noisy it was hard to hear anything when they were in an uproar. Three geese have nests on the island so far. Geese kept flying in during dusk and whenever a new pair landed everything broke loose. I

guess the geese on the island wanted to be sure it was known that that was their place. Other geese in the water didn't want the newcomers too close either. Everything would settle down, a new pair would land, and it would start all over. It was really funny!

Saw my first Tree Swallow and Belted Kingfisher of the season as well.

Bob also mentioned seeing only one Woodcock at Meadowbrook on Sunday eve...maybe with the nice weather they are moving elsewhere?

Charlene Anchor-------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050329/691bde95/attachment.htmFrom rdigges at excite.com Tue Mar 29 09:07:57 2005From: rdigges at excite.com (Roger)Date: Tue Mar 29 09:08:02 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] woodcocksMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

I flushed four woodcocks Monday morning walking on the (very wet) path along the north side of the creek, so at least some are around. Displaying elsewhere?

Roger Digges

--- On Tue 03/29, charlene anchor < [email protected] > wrote:From: charlene anchor [mailto: [email protected]]To: [email protected]: Tue, 29 Mar 2005 00:02:39 -0600Subject: [Birdnotes] woodcocks

<HTML><BODY STYLE="font:10pt verdana; border:none;"><DIV>My husband and I checked out Stidham Pond tonight for woodcocks. Only heard one peenting and didn't see any flights. The geese at the pond were so noisy it was hard to hear anything when they were in an uproar. Three geese have nests on the island so far. Geese kept flying in during dusk and whenever a new pair landed everything broke loose. I guess the geese on the island wanted to be sure it was known that that was their place. Other geese in the water didn't want the newcomers too close either. Everything would settle down, a new pair would land, and it would start all over. It was really funny!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Saw my first Tree Swallow and Belted Kingfisher of the season as well.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Bob also mentioned seeing only one Woodcock at Meadowbrook on Sunday eve....maybe with the nice weather they are moving elsewhere?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Charlene Anchor<BR><BR></DIV></BODY></HTML><p>_______________________________________________<br>Birdnotes mailing list<br>[email protected]<br>https://mail.prairienet.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnotes<br>

_______________________________________________Join Excite! - http://www.excite.comThe most personalized portal on the Web!From spendelo at uiuc.edu Tue Mar 29 19:56:23 2005From: spendelo at uiuc.edu (Jacob Spendelow)Date: Tue Mar 29 19:56:14 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Champaign-Urbana birdsMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

I had time for only about an hour of birding this afternoon, but a quick trip along Windsor turned up several notable birds.

I heard at least two singing WESTERN MEADOWLARKS by the pond at the SE corner of Windsor and 1st. I also saw about a dozen SHOVELERS, as well as two MALLARDS and two SCAUP.

The pond at the Dairy Cattle Research Unit in the south farms had some nice-looking shorebird habitat, but only one KILLDEER was present.

I also stopped by the Illini Forestry Plantation. I wasn't able to find the Long-eared Owls - perhaps they have left the area. However, there was a noisy flock of PINE SISKINS, two BROWN CREEPERS, a flock of GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, and several singing CHICKADEES. They were singing the Black-capped song, and giving calls that sounded like Black-capped. The plumage also looked like Black-capped, but I didn't get a good enough look to be sure. I have a few (bad) pictures, in case anyone wants to offer their opinion.

Good birding!Jacob SpendelowChampaign

From ccas at prairienet.org Tue Mar 29 22:02:57 2005From: ccas at prairienet.org ([email protected])Date: Wed Mar 30 07:33:09 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] April WebsiteMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Greetings from the webmaster!

Information for April is now up on the website. Check it out!www.champaigncountyaudubon.org

Happy surfing!PamFrom charleneanchor at msn.com Thu Mar 31 07:52:11 2005From: charleneanchor at msn.com (charlene anchor)Date: Thu Mar 31 07:48:57 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Champaign-Urbana birdsMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

The only chickadees I've ever seen or heard at the Forestry, and rarely in Meadowbrook, have looked and sounded like the Black-capped...as far as I could tell. Has anyone ever seen the Carolina in these places?

Charlene Anchor

----- Original Message -----From: Jacob SpendelowSent: Tuesday, March 29, 2005 7:56 PMTo: [email protected]: [Birdnotes] Champaign-Urbana birds

I had time for only about an hour of birding this afternoon, but a quick trip along Windsor turned up several notable birds.

I heard at least two singing WESTERN MEADOWLARKS by the pond at the SE corner of Windsor and 1st. I also saw about a dozen SHOVELERS, as well as two MALLARDS and two SCAUP.

The pond at the Dairy Cattle Research Unit in the south farms had some nice-looking shorebird habitat, but only one KILLDEER was present.

I also stopped by the Illini Forestry Plantation. I wasn't able to find the Long-eared Owls - perhaps they have left the area. However, there was a noisy flock of PINE SISKINS, two BROWN CREEPERS, a flock of GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, and several singing CHICKADEES. They were singing the Black-capped song, and giving calls that sounded like Black-capped. The plumage also looked like Black-capped, but I didn't get a good enough look to be sure. I have a few (bad) pictures, in case anyone wants to offer their opinion.

Good birding!Jacob SpendelowChampaign

_______________________________________________Birdnotes mailing [email protected]://mail.prairienet.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnotes-------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050331/3037321b/attachment.htmFrom charleneanchor at msn.com Thu Mar 31 07:55:44 2005From: charleneanchor at msn.com (charlene anchor)Date: Thu Mar 31 07:52:29 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] backyard sparrowMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Saw my first Chipping Sparrow of the season under my thistle feeder in my backyard this morning......a little crowded by about 15 juncos who keep pushing and shoving at each other!

Charlene Anchor-------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050331/beecf0bc/attachment.htmFrom dafekt1ve at yahoo.com Thu Mar 31 08:28:03 2005From: dafekt1ve at yahoo.com (Bryan Guarente)Date: Thu Mar 31 08:28:07 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Great Egret West ChampaignMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Birdnoters,I went out storm chasing right before dusk last night... not manystorms to chase that were of any particular note, but still worthgetting out. Anyway, while getting on the ramp to go from I-57 S toI-74 W, I saw a heron like bird flying strongly into the wind near thesurface. I thought at first, "Oh well that is an interesting thing fora Great Blue Heron to be doing." Then it rocked a little in the windand went from a grayish color to a pure white. That is when it dawnedon me that this bird was a Great Egret (I didn't realize that thingscould dawn on you at dusk, sorry stupid joke). Interesting for this tobe the first report I have seen anywhere in the state... not even onIBET in Southern Illinois have a seen a report yet. Good to know theyare on their way.


__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new resources site!http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ From billw at mchsi.com Thu Mar 31 11:24:33 2005From: billw at mchsi.com (Bill White)Date: Thu Mar 31 11:24:37 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] backyard sparrowIn-Reply-To: <[email protected]> (charlene anchor's

message of "Thu, 31 Mar 2005 07:55:44 -0600")References: <[email protected]>Message-ID: <[email protected]>

On Thu Mar 31 2005 at 07:55, "charlene anchor" <[email protected]> said:

> Saw my first Chipping Sparrow of the season under my thistle feeder> in my backyard this morning......a little crowded by about 15 juncos> who keep pushing and shoving at each other!

Are there some easy ways to distinguish between Chipping Sparrows andHouse Sparrows?

Thanks!

Bill WhiteBement in Piatt County, IL-- Bill White . [email protected] . http://members.wri.com/billwFrom vaiden at isgs.uiuc.edu Thu Mar 31 14:09:33 2005From: vaiden at isgs.uiuc.edu (Vaiden, Robert)Date: Thu Mar 31 14:09:36 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Busey WoodsMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Busey Woods at noon today...Vulture flying just above the trees, MaleKingfisher over the pond, and a thrush of some kind. Also, Downys, RedBellieds, Robins, Juncos, etc...

First Spring Beauties blooming...Bluebells, Trout Lily, Trillium andWaterleaf growing, Toothwort up and budding.

Bob :)From REGEHR5 at aol.com Thu Mar 31 16:46:28 2005From: REGEHR5 at aol.com ([email protected])Date: Thu Mar 31 16:46:38 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Blue-winged tealMessage-ID: <[email protected]>

Hi Birders...There were 10 Blue-winged teal and one mallard at thesmall flood pond at the corner of Amber Lane and Philo Road inUrbana (Amber is the first street heading east after turning northfrom Windsor Road). I saw them this AM. Elaine Regehr-------------- next part --------------An HTML attachment was scrubbed...URL: https://mail.prairienet.org/pipermail/birdnotes/attachments/20050331/5d358e3f/attachment.htmFrom j.courson at mchsi.com Thu Mar 31 21:53:29 2005From: j.courson at mchsi.com (Jeffrey A. Courson)Date: Thu Mar 31 21:53:31 2005Subject: [Birdnotes] Purple Martins have arrived!Message-ID: <[email protected]>

Today I saw my first Martin for the year! An adult male perched on one ofthe houses about 5:30 this evening.

More updates to come!

Jeff

Jeffrey A. Courson

Voice/FAX: 217-586-5110

"Never become too busy...to watch a sunset...enjoy a rainbow...listen to thesounds of nature."

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march 2005 - champaign county audubon society ... · web viewmy yard as it moved from dusk to dark,...

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