[CT Birds] Grackles

Tue Dec 4 15:17:00 EST 2007

Regarding Grackles , I just had a mixed flock of  Grackles & Starlings along
with 2 Cowbirds this afternoon at my feeders.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <ctbirds-request at lists.ctbirding.org>
To: <ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 3:05 PM
Subject: CTBirds Digest, Vol 283, Issue 3

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> Today's Topics:
>
>    1. Re: western fly (julian hough)
>    2. Re: Western Fly vocalizations and sexing (julian hough)
>    3. Re: no tails ? (recoverywing at cox.net)
>    4.  grackles around? (recoverywing at cox.net)
>    5. Re: grackles around? (COMINS, Patrick)
>    6. Re: grackles around? (Tammy Eustis)
>    7. Re: western fly (Roy Harvey)
>    8. W. Flycatcher 1PM Yes (Jim Dugan)
>    9. about Evening grosbeaks (Carrier Graphics)
>   10. Tail-less birds (BAPTIST, Thomas)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 10:00:27 -0800 (PST)
> From: julian hough <jrhough1 at snet.net>
> Subject: Re: [CT Birds] western fly
> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
> Message-ID: <624746.36130.qm at web82608.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
>   Roy's links to the North Carolina bird, especially the call playback
seems to mirror the experience Nick had with the Derby bird.
>
>   The call described today by Brian ("seet") is how the NC guys decsribed
the calls of the NC individual.
>
>   I don't have an audio card at work so couldn't listen to the calls, but
it would be interesting if the guys that heard the Derby bird calling could
listen to those calls and give some comparisons.
>
>   Call right now, coupled with the playback bnehavior is probably the best
clue to id. this to species. If, as everythign suggests that both call,
measurements and plumage overlaps, it seems strange to entertain the idea of
two separate species if they cannot be reliably separated in the field
outside of their breedding range.
>
>   Congrats to those that noted the call and made the effort to playback
calls since if we can gather evidence it would be nice to nail it down a
little further.
>
>   Julian
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Tue, 04 Dec 2007 09:01:21 -0500
> From: Bob Richard
> Subject: [CT Birds] Guilford, Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
> Message-ID: <47555DB1.1030609 at snet.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> 12/4 - Guilford, Backyard--Yellow-bellied Sapsucker at suet feeder
> around 7:45 AM
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 07:57:40 -0800 (PST)
> From: Roy Harvey
> Subject: [CT Birds] Western Flycatcher Tuesday YES
> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
> Message-ID: <762459.61497.qm at web83210.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> >From Randy Domina:
> 12/04 - Derby, Osbornedale State Park -- The WESTERN FLYCATCHER
> continues, found around 10:13-10:30, feeding down low in the same
> area.
>
> Roy Harvey
> Beacon Falls, CT
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 08:09:01 -0800 (PST)
> From: Roy Harvey
> Subject: [CT Birds] East Haven Common Redpolls
> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
> Message-ID: <300966.51341.qm at web83201.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> >From Dori Sosensky:
> 12/04 - East Haven, Proto Drive -- 11:00, about 80 COMMON REDPOLLS at
> the usual feeding spot.
>
> Roy Harvey
> Beacon Falls, CT
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 10
> Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 08:20:14 -0800 (PST)
> From: Phil Asprelli
> Subject: [CT Birds] Bald Eagles
> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
> Message-ID: <95541.92181.qm at web83008.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> >From Phil Asprelli
> Tues. 12/4 - Hamden, State St.
> Pair of adult Bald Eagles in trees across from Graybar Electric Co. One
mile north of DMV.
> Easily viewed from Graybar parking lot.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 11
> Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 08:36:21 -0800 (PST)
> From: Roy Harvey
> Subject: [CT Birds] Western Flycatchers in the East - web search
> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
> Message-ID: <693502.29243.qm at web83203.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> Below is what I have been able to find on the web about records of
> Western / Pacific Slope / Cordilleran Flycatcher from eastern states.
>
> Roy Harvey
> Beacon Falls, CT
>
>
> New Jersey has one record from 1981. This was before Western
> Flycatcher was split into Pacific Slope Flycatcher and Cordilleran
> Flycatcher in 1989, so it is not specific as to species. The NJ
> citation:
>
> PACIFIC-SLOPE/CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHER Empidonax
> difficilis/occidentalis (1, 0)
> 1 Brigantine NWR, ATL 16 Nov 81 D Sibley, R Maurer AR96
>
>
> Massachusetts has a recent November record that was not nailed down
> between Yellow-bellied and Western. I found the description below at
> http://massbird.org/MARC/MARCreport11.htm.
>
> "Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris), #05-53, November
> 4, 2005, Brewster (Barnstable). An Empidonax flycatcher with a very
> green back and yellow belly was captured by a bander on November 4.
> The date was very suspect for Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, but the p10
> to p5 measurements were inconsistent with the most likely candidate,
> one of the ?Western? Flycatcher complex (Pacific-coast Flycatcher, E.
> difficilis and Cordilleran Flycatcher, E. occidentalis). Based on
> measurement, it was submitted to the MARC as Yellow-bellied, but
> experts agreed there were too many anomalies to make a definitive
> decision. (First ballot: Vote: 4-5)"
>
>
> Pennsylvania apparently has at least two records for Pacific Slope
> Flycatcher. Their web site is pretty thin, but in a pdf I find an
> index by species:
>
> Pacific-slope;
>
> Second State Record of Pacific Slope Flycatcher, Lancaster County;
> Eric Witmer; 54; 156
>
> Birding the Mundane and Finding the Rare... First Record of a
> Pacific-slope Flycatcher East of the Mississippi; Joe Meloney &
> Harold Morrin; 44; 135
>
> Pacific Slope Flycatcher, Lancaster County; Franklin Haas; 44; 142
>
>
> Virginia has it on the state list as the complex but I was unable to
> find out anything more:
> Pacific-slope/Cordilleran Flycatcher E. difficilis/occidentalis
>
>
> North Carolina is very interesting. Their record is from January
> 2000. They DID get recordings, but still did not make any definite
> choice between Pacific Slope and Cordilleran, though the evidence
> favored Pacific Slope. There is a good bit of information on a
> couple of web sites, including the recordings and some not very good
> photos.
>
> http://www.carolinabirdclub.org/chat/issues/2003/v67n1nc_brc_2002.pdf
> http://www.carolinanature.com/birds/psfl.html
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
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> End of CTBirds Digest, Vol 283, Issue 1
> ***************************************
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 10:02:05 -0800 (PST)
> From: julian hough <jrhough1 at snet.net>
> Subject: Re: [CT Birds] Western Fly vocalizations and sexing
> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
> Message-ID: <516065.79425.qm at web82602.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> Here is Chris Benesh's personal reply to me regarding Western fly calls:
>
>   Hi Julian,
>
> The high "seet" note means that it was either one of the Western
> forms, but both species give the call.  If by chance, the call was
> recorded, it could be useful since I think that the call it ever so
> slightly lower pitched in Cordilleran.  There is a guy named Arch
> McCallum who has done some great stuff with Empids.  Here is his
> Western Flycatcher site:
> http://www.appliedbioacoustics.com/research/wefl/
>
> Check out the female position note comparison, which is what you're
> hearing with a high "seet" call:
> http://www.appliedbioacoustics.com/research/wefl/frameindex.html
>
> Chris
>
>
>
> ctbirds-request at lists.ctbirding.org wrote:
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 13:29:03 -0500
> From: <recoverywing at cox.net>
> Subject: Re: [CT Birds] no tails ?
> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org, beverly perkins
> <1fsh2fsh at optonline.net>
> Message-ID: <20071204132903.DNLW3.3349.root at eastrmwml03.mgt.cox.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> I'd guess cat!
>
> Jayne Amico/Southington
>
>
> ---- beverly perkins <1fsh2fsh at optonline.net> wrote:
> > While doing my feeder watch I've been noticing several birds without
tails.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 13:39:28 -0500
> From: <recoverywing at cox.net>
> Subject: [CT Birds]  grackles around?
> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
> Message-ID: <20071204133928.QVZRE.3468.root at eastrmwml03.mgt.cox.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> I have a grackle that I would love to let go. Does anyone know of any
still around? They have left my area as far as I know, haven't seen any in a
few weeks now.
>
> Jayne Amico/Southington
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 14:10:44 -0500
> From: "COMINS, Patrick" <PCOMINS at audubon.org>
> Subject: Re: [CT Birds] grackles around?
> To: "'recoverywing at cox.net'" <recoverywing at cox.net>,
> "ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org" <ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org>
> Message-ID:
> <ED5AF7FCB680574685E9B83870618715016EAB3C93 at cardinal.int.audubon.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Laurel Marsh in Manchester is usually a good bet for this time of year.
Sometimes 10,000's to 100,000's linger into late December, but it varies
from year to year.  Maybe someone over that way can check things out around
sun up or sun down and let you know.  I'll be up there on the 15th for the
CBC, but I suspect you are looking for a shorter timeline.
>
> Patrick Comins, Meriden
>
> PS Had a PINE SISKIN at the feeder at the Bent of the River yesterday.  No
luck with the Training School shrike on a quick lunchtime visit.  Tons of
chickadees at the feeders today...all fighting for room at the feeder, and
December chipmunks out and about.
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:26:46 +0000
> From: "Tammy Eustis" <teustis at killingworthlibrary.org>
> Subject: Re: [CT Birds] grackles around?
> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
> Message-ID: <W963413907150181196796406 at webmail4>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> I did see one grackle at our feeders over the weekend.
> Your question prompted me to look back at my results from past years of
Project Feederwatch. Most years, we have 2-3 grackles on average at the
feeders, here and there throughout the winter (most in Nov/Dec and appearing
again - in large flocks - in March). But we had a couple of "bumpercrop"
years: 2000-2001, where we had 30 individuals on average at the feeder,
showing up in 17 of the 20 weeks that I counted. That was the biggest year
for grackles. Second largest count was in 2005-2006, with 60 individuals on
average showing up in 10 out of 16 weeks. 2006-2007 was a "normal" year,
with the occasional individual.
> So maybe there's a 5-year cycle with grackle populations; which would make
this an "off year". But rest assured that there are some around here and
there, so your hardy individual would not be alone. It will most likely find
a feeder and settle in, until the teeming hordes come back through in the
spring.
> - Tammy Eustis, Chester, CT
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: recoverywing at cox.net [mailto:recoverywing at cox.net]
> Sent: Tuesday, December 4, 2007 01:39 PM
> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
> Subject: [CT Birds] grackles around?
>
> I have a grackle that I would love to let go. Does anyone know of any
still around? They have left my area as far as I know, haven't seen any in a
few weeks now.
>
> Jayne Amico/Southington
>
> _______________________________________________
> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
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>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 11:26:38 -0800 (PST)
> From: Roy Harvey <rmharvey at snet.net>
> Subject: Re: [CT Birds] western fly
> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
> Message-ID: <428215.85546.qm at web83207.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> > If, as everythign suggests
> > that both call, measurements and plumage overlaps, it seems strange
> > to entertain the idea of two separate species if they cannot be
> > reliably separated in the field outside of their breeding range.
>
> And think of the poor birders who live where the ranges meet!  I
> found a comment in a book excerpt from "Rare Encounters with Ordinary
> Birds" by Lyanda Lynn Haupt
>
http://books.google.com/books?id=HTyvC3WbFLUC&pg=PA98&lpg=PA98&dq=%22pacific+slope%22+cordilleran+flycatcher+split&source=web&ots=5sVnkMios0&sig=dTcot5x-lNjRiKJgO37KeTBixBM#PPA99,M1
>
> "To further confuse things, ardent students of the flycatcher here in
> Washington have observed single individuals singing both of the songs
> that supposedly differentiate the two species.  They are at a loss to
> establish reliable geographical boundaries that might separate the
> species.  These gifted amatuer ornithologists are among the most
> vocal opponents of the controversial split."
>
> Roy Harvey
> Beacon Falls, CT
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 14:30:33 -0500
> From: Jim Dugan <jdugan11 at charter.net>
> Subject: [CT Birds] W. Flycatcher 1PM Yes
> To: CT Birds <ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org>
> Message-ID: <944CAC95-0D2B-470F-A06A-1B8911E61395 at charter.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
>
>   From Jim Dugan
> 12/04 - Derby, Osbornedale State Park -- WESTERN FLYCATCHER 1PM only
> brief appearance between noon &1:30 where trail leaves field at stone
> wall.
>
> Jim Dugan
> New Milford, CT
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 15:01:08 -0500
> From: Carrier Graphics <carriergraphics at sbcglobal.net>
> Subject: [CT Birds] about Evening grosbeaks
> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
> Message-ID: <A76951EA-A2A3-11DC-87D6-0003937FD946 at sbcglobal.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
>
> Of interest -
>
> My friend Joyce Grohoski's daughter up in Marlborough, southern NH -
> just 50 miles north of CT, has had over 80, yes 80 EVENING GROSBEAKS at
> her feeder for weeks now ! Think we might be in for a big push of them
> down here soon? My guess will be in January, next month...
>
> Paul Carrier
>
> also: had 30+ COMMON REDPOLLS in Torrington at Middle school near the
> cemetery. several looked very white, but all flew off before i could get
> to the nocks!  I also have a single Redpoll at the feeder with 6 Siskins
> for 2 weeks now regularly.
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 10
> Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 15:07:15 -0500
> From: "BAPTIST, Thomas" <TBAPTIST at audubon.org>
> Subject: [CT Birds] Tail-less birds
> To: "'ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org'" <ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org>
> Message-ID:
> <69DABA3177B73144996A79E932FE6A770729625AF0 at flamingo.int.audubon.org>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Beverly Perkins offers an interesting note that mirrors observations I've
made in my own back yard over the last three weeks.  I've have seen a
tail-less song sparrow, black-capped chickadee, mourning dove (2), and house
sparrow.  Each tail-less bird, however, no longer visits the feeder.  As in
Beverly's case, a sharp-shinned hawk is a regular visitor to my yard as well
as a neighbor's cat.  I haven't yet observed the hawk taking a bird, but the
cat has killed two mourning doves.
>
> Tom Baptist
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ctbirds-bounces at lists.ctbirding.org
[mailto:ctbirds-bounces at lists.ctbirding.org] On Behalf Of
ctbirds-request at lists.ctbirding.org
> Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 12:01 PM
> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
> Subject: CTBirds Digest, Vol 283, Issue 2
>
> Send CTBirds mailing list submissions to
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>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
>    1. no tails ? (beverly perkins)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:54:44 -0500
> From: beverly perkins <1fsh2fsh at optonline.net>
> Subject: [CT Birds] no tails ?
> To: ctbirds at lists.ctbirding.org
> Message-ID: <000a01c83696$5f51cd90$d0807645 at Perkins>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> While doing my feeder watch I've been noticing several birds without
tails. 2 White Throated Sparrows, 1 House Finch and a Junco. I have noticed
a Sharpie making the rounds at neighborhood feeders but minus the tails the
birds seem to be healthy. Is this the work of the Hawk ?
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
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> End of CTBirds Digest, Vol 283, Issue 2
> ***************************************
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA)
for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut.
> For subscription information visit
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> End of CTBirds Digest, Vol 283, Issue 3
> ***************************************