sandee@loligo (Daan Sandee (SCRI)) (05/27/90)
I received an announcement of an electronic rare-bird-alert service on BITNET. I sent a message to the guy responsible reminding him of the existence of Usenet and rec.birds. He replied yes, he'd heard of it, but didn't have access. It always makes me sad when I can't make those people crawling along on the bottom of the Big Blue ocean raise their heads, see the light, and use Unix ... but that's a side issue. He suggested I re-post the BITNET stuff on Usenet, and I am willing to do so, but my method of posting to Usenet is rather undependable (I use somebody else's system, and in order to send this message I had to ask the guy AGAIN to reset my password or my directory or whatever it was that was screwed up this time). Also, I'm not all that sure my BITNET access is reliable, though my subscription to LISTSERV@ARIZVM1 was acknowledged within minutes. So, I would be glad if somebody else would take that job. If it works, and volume warrants it, we may set up a newsgroup rec.birds.hotlines. Follows the announcement of BIRD_RBA on BITNET : [ This addresses subscriptions from BITNET only. From Internet, send it to LISTSERV@ARIZVM1.BITNET, and if your mailer doesn't like it, send it to LISTSERV%ARIZVM1.BITNET@cunyvm.cuny.edu or some other gateway system]. Daan Sandee sandee@scri1.scri.fsu.edu Supercomputer Computations Research Institute Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4052 (904) 644-7045 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- BIRD_RBA -- National Birding Hotline Cooperative ================================================== We are pleased to announce BIRD_RBA, the National Birding Hotline Cooperative list on LISTSERV@ARIZVM1. The list provides a clearing- house for transcribed birding hotlines from around the country. Subscribers will receive these transcripts as they are made available to the list. Subscribers are further invited to submit transcripts from their area of the country if it is not already represented. A current list of hotlines available from BIRD_RBA is appended. Contributions to the list are always welcome and should be sent in MAIL format to BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1. Please note that this is not intended to be a general chat list. Contributions should either be transcripts of birding hotlines or, if a local hotline recording is not available to you, concise statements of species seen and the location of the sighting, along with any relevant information such as 'out of range,' 'out of normal time frame,' etc. You may subscribe to BIRD_RBA by sending an interactive SUBSCRIBE command or by including a SUBSCRIBE command as the ONLY line of a MAIL message to LISTSERV@ARIZVM1, as follows: Interactive example from CMS: TELL LISTSERV AT ARIZVM1 SUB BIRD_RBA <Your full name> MAIL example: SUB BIRD_RBA <Your full name> To cancel your subscription, issue the SIGNOFF command to LISTSERV@ARIZVM1: SIGNOFF BIRD_RBA Do NOT send SIGNOFF or other LISTSERV commands to BIRD_RBA. The following birding hotlines are currently being transcribed and shared via the list: ARIZONA: Phoenix Birding Hotline (602) 832-8745 Transcription by Chuck Williamson Tucson Birding Hotline (602) 798-1005 Transcription by Chuck Williamson CALIFORNIA: N. California (San Francisco) (415) 528-0288 Transcription by Joe Morlan Los Angeles (213) 874-1318 Transcription by Chuck Williamson San Diego (619) 435-6761 Transcription by Chuck Williamson COLORADO: Denver Audubon Hotline (303) 423-5582 Transcription by Chuck Williamson FLORIDA: Florida Keys Hotline (305) 294-3438 Transcription by Norm Saunders MARYLAND: The Voice of the Naturalist (301) 652-1088 Transcription by Norm Saunders The Harford Co. Birding Hotline (301) 638-0290 Transcription by Les Eastman MICHIGAN: Detroit Birding Hotline(616) 471-4919 Transcription by Jeff Price NEW JERSEY: The Cape May Bird Observatory (609) 884-2626 Transcription by Ed Maccubbin NEW MEXICO: Statewide Birding Hotline (505) 662-2101 Transcription by Pat Snider PENNSYLVANIA: The Philadelphia BirdLine (215) 567-2473 Transcription by Norm Saunders VIRGINIA: The Virginia BirdLine (804) 929-1736 Transcription by Norm Saunders If you have any questions, problems , or suggestions please send a note to us at one of the addresses listed below: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles B. Williamson (Chuck) Bitnet address : CHUCKW@EVAX2 Internet address : CHUCKW%EVAX2@Arizona.edu Snail mail : 4425 E. Pima Tucson, AZ 85712 Phones : 602-323-2955 (voice + answering machine) Bulletin board : 602-629-0502 - U of A Today BBS: Message Area 12 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Norman C. Saunders (Norm) Bitnet address : NYS@NIHCU Internet address : NYS@CU.NIH.GOV Snail mail : 1261 Cavendish Drive Colesville, MD 20905 Phones : 202-272-5248 (o--Washington, DC) : 301-989-9035 (h--Colesville, MD) Bulletin board : 301-989-9036 - The Osprey's Nest (Colesville, MD -- PC Pursuitable) -------------------------------------------------------------------
sandee@fsu.scri.fsu.edu (Daan Sandee) (05/27/90)
What follows here is the input of electronic RBA hotlines on the BITNET mailing list BIRD_RBA. I have removed some irrelevant postings and have restricted it to one report per region. It comes to 12 local hotlines (they appear to be updated weekly, but some almost daily) plus some other stuff of interest. The total volume between 5/21 and 5/26 was about 20 messages and 2000 lines. This is enough to warrant creation of a newsgroup. == WARNING == This posting is 1400 lines long. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 21 May 90 17:18:00 MST Reply-To: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> Sender: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> From: CWILLIAMSON@PIMACC.PIMA.EDU Subject: Texas Hotline The Texas Rare Bird Alert lists the following as of 17 May: At Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge a pair of YELLOW-GREEN VIREOS is reported nesting in the area behind the visitors center. At Big Bend National Park THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD, COMMON BLACK HAWK, and LUCY'S WARBLER have been reported at Cottonwood Campground. An adult GRAY HAWK has been seen at Rio Grande Village in the park. The Texas Rare Bird Alert (for statewide coverage) can be reached at 713-821-2846. Other regional tapes include Austin: 512-451-3308 Coastal Bend: 512-364-3634 Rio Grande Valley: 512-565-6773 San Antonio: 512-733-8306 Good Birding..... R. H. Payne GOV_RHP@SHSU ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 21 May 90 17:23:00 MST Reply-To: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> Sender: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> From: CWILLIAMSON@PIMACC.PIMA.EDU Subject: Virginia Hotline The Virginia BirdLine A Service of the Virginia Society of Ornithologists Transcript of Tape Prepared on New mail on node EVAX2 from TELCOM::IN%"LISTSERV@ARIZVM1.CCIT.ARIZONA.EDU" "Rev iset 7:00 am ************************************** Highlights include FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER at Chincoteague NWR, PURPLE GALLINULE near Kilmarnock, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER in Northern Virginia, UPLAND SANDPIPER near Lucketts, GARGANEY at Back Bay NWR, and BLACK RAILS near Chincoteague NWR. A FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER was seen at the Chincoteague NWR on Friday, May 18, between 5 and 7 pm along the wildlife drive, 200 yards south of the gate leading to the wash flats. A PURPLE GALLINULE was present on May 13 in the marsh along the south side of Rt. 3, 1-1/2 miles east of Kilmarnock, VA. Unfortunately I don't have any more details on this bird as the report was not made di- rectly to the Virginia BirdLine. Several OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS were seen this past week at Great Falls State park, where up to 3 birds were present May 12-16, mainly on snags at the locks below Matildaville. Another was present on snags at Hunt- ley Meadows CP near Fairfax on May 16, where an AMERICAN BITTERN and KING RAIL were also observed. UPLAND SANDPIPERS continue to be seen and heard on their breeding grounds north of the town of Lucketts in Loudoun County, VA. Most birds are being found along Rt. 658 just near the intersection with Rt. 15. The GARGANEY, previously reported from Back Bay NWR was still present on May 12. The bird was observed at its usual location off the East Dike Road, near the hcking tower. It appears that earlier reports of GAR- GANEY in a local collection were erroneous and the bird may indeed be a truly wild individual as its occurrence fits the pattern of stray re- ports on the East Coast of North America. For more information, call Brian Patteson at 804-933-4456. Finally, up to 3 BLACK RAILS are still being heard in the marshes near Saxus, VA, just southwest of Chincoteague, with several present on the evening of May 16 and at least 1 calling in broad daylight on May 16. To reach these birds, from Rt. 13 in Temperanceville, just south of Chincoteague, take Rt. 695 west. Continue through Sanford then turn left onto Rt. 788 just before reaching the causeway through the main marsh. Listen for the BLACK RAILS on the right hand side of Rt. 788, about 0.3 mile from the intersection with Rt. 695. The other birds were heard in the marsh along Rt. 695, east of the town of Saxus. Ken Bass still has places available on his overnight pelagic trip out of Rudee Inlet. This trip will depart at 11:00 pm on May 24 and will be out over the Canyon areas near dawn for a full day of birding, returning to dock about 6 pm on May 25. The cost is a very reasonable $95 per person. If you would like to make a reservation on this trip, call Ken Bass at 703-594-2714. ************************************** To report bird sightings, leave your information at the end of the Bird- Line tape (804-929-1736), or call Mike Boatwright at 804-929-1418 before 10:00 pm. This printed summary is provided as a service of The Osprey's Nest, a computerized bulletin board run for birders by birders in the Washing- ton, D.C. Metropolitan Area. The Osprey's Nest may be reached at (301) 989-9036, in Colesville, MD. Your communications parameters should be set for 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity. Good Birding! ===================================================================== Date: Mon, 21 May 90 17:31:00 MST Reply-To: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> Sender: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> From: CWILLIAMSON@PIMACC.PIMA.EDU Subject: New Mex RBA 48 This is Pinyon Jay with the New Mexico Bird Report Number 48 for May 17, 1990. Charles Black reported that a SWAINSON'S WARBLER was at Rattlesnake Springs, south of Carlsbad, Eddy County, this morning. Also he and his brother, Jim, found a pair of CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLERS and at least three OVENBIRDS and two ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS there. Larry Gorbet and Phil Johnson found a MAGNOLIA WARBLER there on May 16. Charles reported that LEAST TERNS have returned to Bitter Lake Refuge near Roswell, Chaves County. Migration is slow, but steady in the northern highlands. The forests are still mostly silent above 8000 feet in the Sangre de Cristo, Jemez, and San Juan Mountains. On May 12 a BONAPARTE'S GULL and about 50 CALIFORNIA GULLS were in a wet meadow near the Brazos Rivar at the Park- view Fish Hatchery, Los Ojos, Rio Arriba County. With them were eight WHITE-FACED IBIS. Two CANADA GEESE, a DOUBLE-CRESTED CORNORANT, and many ducks were at the north end of El Vado Lake. Double-crested Cornormants were near their nesting area at Abiquiu Lake, north of Abiquiu. On May 13 BLACK TERNS, EASTERN KINGBIRDS, one CALIFORNIA GULL, and BONAPARTE'S GULLS were at the Maxwell Refuge north of Springer, Colfax County, and Bonaparte's Gulls were at Las Vegas Refuge, San Miguel County. There was an Eastern Kingbird at Las Vegas Refuge near the Crane Lake Overlook. The BLUE JAY reported from Galisteo and West Coronado in Santa Fe was still present May 11. On May 8 and 9 an ORCHARD ORIOLE was in Tucumcari, Quay County, and RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS were at Clovis, in Curry County. RED-FACED WARBLERS seemed to be in good numbers in south- western New Mexico. One was still at Percha Dam, Sierra County, on May 15. They were in all the Forest Service campgrounds on the way up to the Gila Cliff Dwellings in Catron County on May 5. Also 50 ! were counted in Cherry Creek Canyon, north of Pinos Altos, Grant County, on May 5; and they were reported from Gallinas Canyon, east of Mimbres, Grant County, on May 3. The COMMON BLACK-HAWK was at the Glenwood Fish Hatchery, Catron County, on May 5. Also there was a female OLIVE WARBLER at Cherry Creek Canyon on May 5 and a SPOTTED OWL was heard in the area north of the canyon. The pair of INDIGO BUNTINGS were still in Roswell, in Chaves County, May 5, near the public golf course, corner of 4th and Nevada. A pair of INCA DOVES were at the Rose Gardens on Highland Street on May 5, and have been present for about a month. On April 28 a female THREE-TOED WOODPECKER was in the Zuni Mountains portion of the Cibola National Forest, McKinley County, on a burned area on Forest Road 178, 2.1 miles south of Forest Road 180. Mesilla Valley Audubon plans a trip to Cave Creek Canyon, southeastern Arizona, May 19. Call Tom Glenn, 526-6082, or Roxanne Gunter, 522-8365, for more details. Volunteers are needed for a Long-billed Curlew Count on Roll Diane McFarland or Carol Torres, at the Pecos Ranger Station, 757-6121. On Friday, June 1, there will be a Magdalena Bird Count at Water Canyon Campground, off US 60 west of Socorro. For additional information, contact Jim Black in Albuquerque at 884-6787 or 255-0025. Central Audubon in Albuquerque has Thursday morning field trips weekly. Call Tamie Bulow at 298-9116. They also have unscheduled weekend trips. Call Jean Ann Olds at 265-0653, evenings. If you have a computer with a modem, Arizona has the bulletin board for you. Call 1-602-629-0502 and go into message area 12 for bird news and rare bird alerts. Please leave any messages or comments after the beep. Leave your name and where you can be reached, in case there are any questions. To skip the taped message, if you just want to report a sighting, use the asterisk key. Good birding! ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 May 90 07:58:44 EDT Reply-To: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> Sender: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> From: "Norman C. Saunders" <NYS@NIHCU.BITNET> Subject: Northern California hotline This is your Northern California weekly rare bird summary for 8:55am, Tuesday, May 22, 1990, sponsored by Golden Gate Audubon Society. You may download the text of this report from the Winner's Circle Computer Bulletin Board at 845-4812. The name of the file is RBA0522.TXT. Highlights of a pelagic trip from Sausolito to the waters 90 miles off-shore included 3 Murphy's Petrels, one Cook's Petrel, 15 Horned Puffins, 2 Xantus Murrelets and 2 Leach's Storm- Petrels. In San Francisco, the Dusky-capped Flycatcher was still at Pine Lake Park through Sunday. Also in San Francisco, Red Crossbills are along El Camino Del Mar below the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park and in the Presidio behind Baker Beach and Red- necked Phalaropes are still at the south end of Lake Merced. In Alameda County, two White-faced Ibis were in the main marsh west of the visitors' center at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont on Thursday. In Marin County, a male Harlequin Duck was off the Pt. Reyes Lighthouse on Sunday. In San Mateo County, a Red Phalarope was at the north end of Pescadero Marsh last Tuesday. From Southern California comes word of a Louisiana Waterthrush at the Department of Water and Power in Mojave yesterday and a Mourning Warbler there on Sunday. At the Salton Sea, a Hudsonian Godwit was left of the kiosk at Red Hill yesterday and a Sharp-tailed Sparrow was at Galileo Hills Sunday and yesterday. For updates, please call 524-5592. Please keep us posted on any rare birds you have seen or know about, especially the continuing presence of rarities. At the sound of the tone, you may leave your name and number and the date and location of any rare birds you wish to report. Messages may be any length up to five minutes, so you have plenty of time to leave good directions. Thank you very much. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 May 90 15:26:40 EDT Reply-To: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> Sender: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> From: "Norman C. Saunders" <NYS@NIHCU.BITNET> Subject: Washington DC, area Hotline The Voice of the Naturalist a transcript of the tape prepared on Wednesday, May 23, at Noon ************************************ Next week the tape will not be made until sometime in the afternoon so you will have until Wednesday Noon to get your Memorial Day weekend reports in. Highlights of this week's tape are KING EIDER, FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK, RUFF, CURLEW SANDPIPER, COMMON BLACK-HEADED GULL, FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER, and SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER. The KING EIDER, a female, was seen at Ocean City Inlet on Saturday, the 19th. PURPLE SANDPIPERS were still present in good numbers on the rocks there. Three FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCKS were found at Bombay Hook NWR on Sunday at the south end of Shearness Pool on the mudflats dotted with bushes just beyond the junction of the road from Raymond Pool and before the drive swings left up the side of Shearness. They were not seen Monday. Ten LESSER GOLDEN-PLOVERS were reported in Shearness on Saturday but did not linger till Sunday. We have a late report of a WHITE PELICAN in Shearness Pool on Monday. On Port Mahon Road, east of Little Creek, DE, a CURLEW SANDPIPER in partial breeding plumage and reeve, or female RUFF, were present this weekend at the mouth of the tidal creek. Farther on, beyond a two-story white building and a blue boat with an obscenity painted on it a CURLEW SANDPIPER in nearly complete breeding plumage was seen over the weekend and a male RUFF with a splendid white ruff of feathers has been present for nearly two weeks. The RUFF is sometimes on the beach just beyond the house and sometimes on a short pier nearby. We have a Monday report of this bird but not of the other three. A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was seen Sunday afternoon near Bethany Beach. From Delaware Rt. 1, go west on Rt. 26 a few hundred yards and turn left on Kent Road. Follow this road 2-3 miles until it goes over a culverted marsh on newly-constructed overpass. Just beyond, a road with a sign for Camp Barnes goes left. The FLYCATCHER was seen along the first quarter-mile of this road. At Chincoteague NWR, a FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER was found late Friday afternoon along the last leg of the Wildlife Drive and was relocated there late Saturday afternoon. We have no confirmation of subsequent sightings. A COMMON BLACK-HEADED GULL was seen on the refuge on Sunday at 2 locations: the north beach parking lot and on the water at the head of Tom's Cove. A RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was seen Friday feeding with other sandpipers along the beach on the east side of Tom's Cove and a SOOTY SHEARWATER was seen off Assateague Beach Monday following a fishing boat with gulls. Up to 5 BLACK-NECKED STILTS were found along the causeway from the mainland to Chincoteague, near the west end, on the north side of the road opposite the pull-off on the south side. Another BLACK-NECKED STILT was found yesterday at Jug Bay Nature Area on the Patuxent River. One of the few places where PIPING PLOVERS may be accessible is Indian River Inlet, where a pair were seen on the beach just south of the inlet on Saturday. WHIP-POOR-WILLS were calling last week at Broadkill Beach in Delaware and along Millhill Road in Charles County, MD, on the 20th. From Huntley Meadows CP come reports of two very tame YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS and a nesting BROWN CREEPER in the woods at the beginning of the boardwalk, 2 KING RAILS on separate territories, 2 LEAST BITTERNS, 2 WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, all resident, and an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER heard but not seen on the 20th. LEAST BITTERNS and WILLOW FLYCATCHERS are also on territory at Hughes Hollow. An ALDER FLYCATCHER was seen briefly but heard singing over and over on the 19th near Fletcher's Boathouse at the west end of Reservoir Road in the District of Columbia, where a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH was also observed. On the evening of the 19th, an OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER and a YELLOW- BELLIED FLYCATCHER were in Upper Sligo Creek Park, north of University Boulevard, in Kensington, MD. A LEAST FLYCATCHER was seen and heard on the 20th in the Fort Reno area along Nebraska Avenue, and, for what it's worth, a RINGED TURTLE-DOVE was seen in Rockville Sunday morning off Seven Locks Road, 2 traffic lights north of Montrose Road, across from the sign that says "End of Road - 1000 Feet." ************************************ There will be a field trip on Saturday, May 26, to Nolans Ferry and Lilypons that requires reservations. Sign up with the leader, Ann Mitchell, at 301-432-2021. On Sunday, May 3, an all-day trip to Shenandoah NP will be led by Bill Murphy. You must make reservations with him at 474-1880. ************************************ The Voice of the Naturalist is a weekly service of the Audubon Natural- ist Society of the Central Atlantic States, and is summarized here with their permission. Call the tape directly at (301) 652-1088. To report bird sightings, call the ANS at 652-9188 or 652-5964 from 9-5, Monday through Friday. This printed summary is provided as a service of The Osprey's Nest, a computerized bulletin board run for birders by birders in the Washing- ton, D.C. Metropolitan Area. The Osprey's Nest may be reached at (301) 989-9036, in Colesville, MD. Your communications parameters should be set for 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity. Good Birding! ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 May 90 20:40:09 EDT Reply-To: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> Sender: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> From: "Norman C. Saunders" <NYS@NIHCU.BITNET> Subject: Cape May Birding Hotline, 5/17/90 The Cape May Birding Hotline -- a service of the Cape May Bird Observatory and the New Jersey Audubon Society Summary of the tape prepared May 17th Highlights of the week include BLACK-NECKED STILT, WILSON'S PLOVER, STILT SANDPIPER, HARLEQUIN DUCK, WARBLING VIREO, SOOTY SHEARWATER, BROWN PELICAN, COMMON LOON, PIED-BILLED GREBE, and many bits of advice to the participants in the World Series of Birding. On May 16th, 6 BLACK-NECKED STILTS were seen just north of Cape May on Ocean Drive, also known as Route 621, in the first pond on the right just after the entrance to the Canyon Club. Four were seen in the South Cape May Meadows on the same day. The South Cape May Meadows is owned by the Nature Conservancy, and it is the property on Sunset Boulevard between Cape May and Cape May Point. No BLACK-NECKED STILTS could be found on the 17th at either location. On May 12th a WILSON'S PLOVER was seen by boat on the sand bar island in Hereford Inlet, the inlet between Stone Harbor and North Wildwood. Ocean Drive also held a STILT SANDPIPER on the 16th and 17th, beyond the Canyon Club entrance and over the first small bridge in the marsh on the left side of Ocean Drive (Route 621), just across from the entrance to the Breezy Lee Marina. A STILT SANDPIPER was also seen May 16th at Moore's Beach. A female HARLEQUIN DUCK was discovered May 16th at 2nd Avenue in Cape May, and seen again on the 17th at the Concrete Ship. Second Avenue on the 16th still held 1 SURF and 2 BLACK SCOTER. On May 16th a male SURF SCOTER was in the Delaware Bay at Redwood Avenue in The Villas, just about 10 minutes north of Cape May. Higbee Beach held a WARBLING VIREO on May 14th and a MOURNING WARBLER on May 17th. SOOTY SHEARWATER was seen off Cape May Point on May 16th. BROWN PELICAN are back, but being seen only sporadically. They didn't show up until early May this year. Recent sightings include 2 seen on the 15th at various locations including 2nd Avenue Jetty, Higbee Beach and The Villas, possibly representing all the same 2 birds. COMMON LOONS are still migrating over Cape May Point in small numbers, plus 2 were in Sunset Lake in Wildwood Crest on May 16th, and another was seen at Hereford Inlet this week. PIED-BILLED GREBES have, indeed, bred in the Cape May Point State Park in Bunker Pond, the pond visible from the Hawk Watch platform. Adults with 5 young were discovered there on May 12th. On May 17th they were visible from the Hawk Watch platform in the back left corner of Bunker Pond with 2 young. I guess snapping turtles have taken a toll. There are good numbers of LEAST BITTERN in Cape May Point State Park. Every pond has a breeding pair, and a few can be found in the South Cape May Meadows, as well. An AMERICAN BITTERN was seen regularly in the South Cape May Meadows at least until May 13th. The South Cape May Meadows held BLUE-WINGED TEAL and AMERICAN WIGEON this week. A female RED-BREASTED MERGANSER was in Cape May Point State Park on May 16th in Lighthouse Pond West, the pond visible from Lighthouse Avenue and from the Red Trail. One was also seen at Hereford Inlet this week, and 1 was at Goshen Landing on the 14th. There is an AMERICAN COOT on Lily Lake in Cape May Point. PIPING PLOVER are again struggling to nest in the South Cape May Meadows. They are between the east road and 2nd Avenue Jetty. Several are breeding at Hereford Inlet, as well, and have been seen at Stone Harbor Point and on the sand bar island in the inlet. WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS were in the South Cape May Meadows on May 17th. PURPLE SANDPIPER can still be found in fair numbers at 2nd Avenue Jetty. RED KNOT arrived in good numbers along the Delaware Bay shoreline on May 9th, and can be found in the 100s now, along with 1000s of RUDDY TURNSTONES and SANDERLINGS at places like Reed's Beach and Moore's Beach. WHIMBREL can still be found at Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge and at Shell Bay Landing. Shell Bay Landing can be reached from the northbound lane of the Garden State Parkway at Mile Marker 8.4. Twenty were seen there on May 16th. Single BONAPARTE'S GULLS have been seen in the South Cape May Meadows on May 14th, 15th and 17th. Very small numbers of ROYAL TERNS have been at the South Cape May Meadows and in Hereford Inlet. Five GULL-BILLED TERNS have been at Goshen Landing since May 13th. Goshen Landing can be reached from Route 47 just north of Reed's Beach. BALD EAGLES are nesting successfully in Cape May County at East Creek Pond on Route 670, and can be seen soaring over the pond from the road. Do not go into the woods looking for the nest. Let Cape May County's first successful eagle's nest in 60 years have a chance. Single eagle sightings have also come in, in the past week, from Jake's Landing, Moore's Beach and Higbee Beach. BLACK VULTURE have been seen this week at Moore's Beach, a bit south of Moore's Beach and at Goshen Landing, all reached from Route 47. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER are again nesting at the Cape May County Park just north of Cape May Courthouse on Route 9. When you enter the County Park, follow the road all the way back to the zoo. Park here and look in the oak woods north of the zoo to your right, and behind the large green maintenance building. RED-HEADED WOODPECKERS are also nesting at Tuckerton. PILEATED WOODPECKER reports have come in this week from Route 618, the road west of Burley, and from Route 83, just west of Route 47 near Dennisville on May 13th. Belleplain State Forest is again good for RUFFED GROUSE, SUMMER TANAGER, PROTHONOTARY, HOODED, KENTUCKY and YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER, ACADIAN FLYCATCHER and LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH. Good roads to explore for these things are Pine Swamp Road, Sunset Road, New Bridge Road and Cedar Bridge Road. Jake's Landing Road again has a good breeding population of YELLOW-THROATED WARBLERS, and SHARP-TAILED and SEASIDE SPARROWS can be found in the salt marsh at the end of Jake's Landing Road. Jake's Landing Road is reached from Rt 47, 1.4 miles north of the Wawa store in Dennisville on Route 47. A LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH was at the Beanery on May 17th, possibly a breeder. Five CLIFF SWALLOWS were over Cape May Point on May 14th. RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS have been seen this past week at Higbee Beach and on Newbridge Road in Savage's Run in Belleplain State Forest. CMBO has 3 feeders hung. One in the front, 1 on the side and 1 in the back. Hopefully, we too will be attracting RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRDS, but they have not become regular yet. Other general birding notes helpful to World Series of Birding team members include- all herons and egrets are in at Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS are again nesting in the traditional site at the back side of the heronry at 115th Street. ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS are again nesting under the bunker at the Cape May Point State Park. All the southern warblers should be found at Bear Swamp along Route 555, north of Dividing Creek in Cumberland County, including PROTHONOTARY, YELLOW-THROATED, KENTUCKY and HOODED WARBLER, as well as ACADIAN FLYCATCHER. Turkey Point, also in Cumberland County, has rails and LEAST BITTERN. Look for BANK SWALLOWS around the sand pit near the town of Dividing Creek. CHUCK-WILLS-WIDOWS have been heard at Higbee Beach and other locations at the southern end of the county, and along the the Delaware Bay shore at places like Jake's Landing Road. WHIP-POOR-WILL have been heard in Belleplain State Forest. Both SEASIDE and SHARP-TAILED SPARROW are at Moore's Beach and Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge. One other locale for those marsh sparrows is along Ocean Drive between Cape May and Wildwood Crest on the right. KILLDEER, HORNED LARK and MEADOWLARK are all likely at the Cape May County airport, which is southwest of Rio Grande, and can be reached from Breakwater Road. The commuter flight parking lot is a good vantage point. The fields along New England Road this week have held MEADOWLARK, BOBOLINK and BOBWHITE QUAIL. ----------------------------------------------------------- The Cape May birding hotline is a service of the CMBO and may be reached by phone at (609) 884-2626. Updates are made on Thursday evenings or more often if warranted. To report sightings of rare or unusual birds, call (609) 884-2736. The CMBO is a research and education unit of the New Jersey Audubon So- ciety. Our aim is to perpetuate and preserve the ornithological signif- icance of Cape May. For more information regarding Cape May birding and the observatory, write to the CMBO at: Cape May Bird Observatory P.O. Box 3 Cape May Point, NJ 08212 This printed summary is provided as a service of The Osprey's Nest, a computerized bulletin board run for birders by birders in the Washing- ton, D.C. Metropolitan Area. The Osprey's Nest may be reached at (301) 989-9036, in Colesville, MD. Your communications parameters should be set for 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity. Good Birding! rm ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 23 May 90 23:12:00 MST Reply-To: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> Sender: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> From: CWILLIAMSON@PIMACC.PIMA.EDU Subject: Colo RBA 5-20-90 - RBA * Colorado * Statewide * May 20, 1990 * COLO9005.20 - Birds mentioned Bay-breasted Warbler Black-and-white Warbler Blackpoll Warbler Bronzed Cowbird Dusky-capped Flycatcher Golden-winged Warbler Gray Hawk Hepatic Tanager Magnolia Warbler Ovenbird Philadelphia Vireo Prothonotary Warbler Purple Martin Rose-breasted Grosbeak Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Summer Tanager Tennessee Warbler White-eyed Vireo Worm-eating Warbler Yellow-billed Cuckoo Yellow-throated Vireo - Transcript This is the Colorado Bird Report, sponsored by Denver Field Ornithologists, updated on May 20th. (303) 423-5582 A BRONZED COWBIRD continues to be seen in the Carter's yard on Green Mountain Drive in Lakewood. The cowbird comes to a birdbath in the yard several times a day in the afternoon. On the 20th it was seen on four short visits between 3:40 and 7:05 PM. Afternoons seem to be the best time to see this bird. The best place to look for the cowbird, which was first identified by the Carters is from the grassy rise or berm just east of the driveway leading from Green Mountain Drive to the parking lot of the LDS Church located at the corner of Green Mountain Drive and Alameda Parkway. The Carter's yard is the second one south of Green Mountain Drive. Look for the feeders. If not seen in the yard on the fence, look along the grassy berm. The bird has been seen as far away as the Green Mountain Recreation Center tennis court. A DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER was found by Bridges on May 20th at Two-buttes in northern Baca County. This flycatcher was seen 300 yards east of the concrete outhouse near the beginning of the cattail marsh. Scott Seltman points out that with a GRAY HAWK currently in Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas Panhandle and another GRAY HAWK seen in April in Kansas, combined with other southwestern rarities like the DUSKY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER and the BRONZED COWBIRD in Colorado today, we should keep on the lookout for almost anything from the southwest. A WORM-EATING WARBLER and a male PROTHONOTARY WARBLER were found in Wheat Ridge Greenbelt by Kellner and Stahoviach on May 20th. The Prothonotary Warbler was seen all day along the south side of Clear Creek, about half way between the Prospect Park Footbridge and the outlet to Bass Lake. The WORM-EATING WARBLER was seen very early across the footbridge at Prospect Park, south of the chain link fence, and was not refound later in the day. Also in the Greenbelt, a WHITE-EYED VIREO, first found by TenBrink was reported again on the 20th, at the Tree Bridge. From Bonney Reservoir on May 20th, Righter reports 15 warbler species including BLACKPOLL WARBLER, TENNESSEE WARBLER, MAGNOLIA WARBLER, OVENBIRD, and BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. This group also saw a PHILADELPHIA VIREO. These sightings were made along the lakes south shore at the Wheel Campground and at the pond on the south side, just west of the campground. A male BAY-BREASTED WARBLER was found on May 20th by CFO in the trees on the north side of Henry Reservoir at Ordway, and by Jones who saw another in Aurora. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS were reported in many places on May 20th, including Waterton Canyon, Lyons, and 8 miles west of Briggsdale. A male HEPATIC TANAGER and a male GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER were reported on May 20th by Gent and Andrews in the Olive Marsh in Pueblo, just east of Pueblo Boulevard on the south side of the Arkansas River. Unusual on Colorado's west slope, Dexter reported 10 PURPLE MARTINS and three YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOOS seen on May 19th, along the Uncompaghre River near Olathe. On May 19th Waddington reported the banding of a male PROTHONOTARY WARBLER in the west end of Bear Creek Lake Park in Lakewood. A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was seen on May 19th by Danials 800 yards west of a bridge on Burnt Mill Road two miles west of I-25 south of Pueblo. In Wheat Ridge Greenbelt on May 18th, Maguire reported a SUMMER TANAGER near the corral, and a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was seen near the tree bridge by Schottler. On May 17th, a male BAY-BREASTED WARBLER, found by Saunders, was seen in Wheat Ridge Greenbelt south of Clear Creek and east of the Prospect Park Footbridge. A GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER was seen buy Skominski on May 17th at the start of Blue Bell Trial in Chatique Park in Boulder. Also on the 17th, a YELLOW-THROATED VIREO was seen by Chew at the Northern Colorado Nature Center east of Fort Collins. For general information please call Irv Jackson at 233-2171 or Bob Spencer at 279-4682. The field trip for Saturday, May 26th, is to the highline canal and Daniel's Park. Call Lynn Willcokcson at 757-7000 for information. On Monday, May 28th, there is a field trip to Willow Springs Ranch. Call Rhonda Woodward at 697-9032 for details. To update information about birds currently on the Colorado Bird Report, or to report new sightings, please leave your name, phone number, and message after the tone. Thanks for calling. **************************************************************** * The COLORADO BIRD REPORT needs a person to CHAMPION the * * posting of the report the BITNET listserv BIRD_RBA. * * Currently the report is sent to Arizona via snail mail where * * it is laboriously typed to disk with one hand as the other * * feeds the new baby or washes diapers. If only a person local to * * David Martin could rise to this call, and call Dave, and * * make some sort of arrangement for a more expedient posting. * * By the way... Dave has a computer with a modem... -cw- * **************************************************************** - End transcript ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 May 90 01:13:00 MST Reply-To: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> Sender: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> From: CWILLIAMSON@PIMACC.PIMA.EDU Subject: San Diego Daily Update 5-24-90 This is the San Diego Field Ornithologist's Daily Rare Bird Hotline for Wednesday, May 23rd 1990 at 4 PM. Nothing new to report today. If you listened to the tape yesterday you can hangup now. At the south end of the Salton Sea a breeding HUDSONIAN GODWIT was seen Monday at Red Hill at the ticket taking booth before the trailer park. Instead of turning right into the trailer park turn left. The bird was seen along the shore along the 1st cabannya. On Point Loma a WILLOW FLYCATCHER was seen on Monday at Fort Roscrans National Cemetary on the east side of the Cemetary. An OVENBIRD was seen Sunday at Cabrillo National Monument on the ground near the Visitor Center's resturant. Generlly birds reported on private property will not be reported without the permission of the property owner. For additional sightings during the past week, call the San Diego Bird Alert at 435-6761. If you have any questions about local birds or birding call 464-7342 between 8 AM and 8 PM. To report a good bird sighting, wait for the beep, leave your name and telephone number, then tell us what you've seen, the date and time of observation, and the locations as precisely as possible. Thank-you for your interest. ***************************************************************** * San Diego Rare Bird Tapes needs a HELPING_HAND in that local * * area to assist Mr Y and Ms X in posting their reports to BITNET * listserv BIRD_RBA. This report currently is put in a bottle * * at the California border into the CAP (Central Az Project) * * and floated to Tucson. Then it is laboriously typed to disk * * with one hand as the other scrubs burnt bread pudding off pan * * bottoms. * *******************help!*********help!***********help!*****-cw-** ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 May 90 01:11:00 MST Reply-To: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> Sender: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> From: CWILLIAMSON@PIMACC.PIMA.EDU Subject: Phoenix Az RBA 5-24-90 - RBA * Arizona * Phoenix * May 24, 1990 * AZPH9005.24 - Birds mentioned Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Broad-billed Hummingbird Cattle Egret Cedar Waxwing Clapper Rail (Yuma Clapper Rail)* Common Black-Hawk Cordilleran Flycatcher Franklin's Gull Gray Flycatcher Gray Jay Gray Vireo Greater Pewee Hutton's Vireo Indigo Bunting Le Conte's Thrasher Lincoln's Sparrow Olive Warbler Olive-sided Flycatcher Ovenbird Pacific Coast Flycatcher * Pine Grosbeak Red-faced Warbler Solitary Vireo Three-toed Woodpecker Warbling Vireo Western Wood-Pewees - Transcript This is the Maricopa Audubon Society weekly report of bird sightings (602-832-8745) as of Thursday, May 24th 1990. At the Desert Botanical Gardens at the Phoenix Zoo near Papago Park an OVENBIRD was found in the morning on the 21st. However birders looking for it later in the day could not refind it. In the west valley, 8 miles west of Buckeye on Baseline Road, 2 LE CONTE'S THRASHERS were found. This is not the best time of year to find them, but they are there. At the El Mirage Road pond there were still 3 BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCKS seen during the week. In the Arlington Valley, in the west part of Maricopa County, at least 3 pair of the YUMA CLAPPER RAIL were found on the 3rd. 3 CATTLE EGRETS were also reported from a cattle pasture near the Gilespie Dam and several migrating WESTERN WOOD-PEWEES were noted during the day as well. North of Phoenix at the Slate Creek Divide area, a pair of GRAY VIREOS were seen building a nest, and a GRAY FLYCATCHER was also sighted there. CEDAR WAXWINGS were found near the town of Sunflower. Seems that CEDAR WAXWINGS move through the area in May even though none had been reported during March or April. A COMMON BLACK-HAWK was also noted south of Sunflower along a small stream. At Rio Verde, which is north of Fountain Hills along the Verde River, a female BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD was seen. They are not usually found that far west. A PACIFIC SLOPE FLYCATCHER was heard calling also at Rio Verde. On the Maricopa Audubon Field Trip to the (Sierra Onchas Mountains ???) on the 19th, several interesting birds were found. Along Parker Creek, a singing INDIGO BUNTING was found. Other birds in the area included OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, a late LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and HUTTON'S VIREO, SOLITARY VIREO, and WARBLING VIREOS. At Rose Creek, a PACIFIC SLOPE FLYCATCHER was heard along with GREATER PEWEE and an OLIVE WARBLER. Along Wilson Creek there was a RED-FACED WARBLER and 2 CORDILLERAN FLYCATCHERS. In the White Mountains, near the entrance to the Sunrise Ski Area, three birds were found that are hard to see in Arizona: a GRAY JAY; a THREE-TOED WOODPECKER, and a PINE GROSBEAK. The Pine GROSBEAK is a very hard bird to get in the state. Over at Becker Lake near Springerville a FRANKLIN'S GULL was found. Memorial Day Weekend can be a very good time to bird and it is a good time to find unusual birds - if you can find an uncrowded place to look. If you do, please leave your bird sightings on the tape after the beep, and if you need directions or have any questions, call Steve Ganley, at (602) 830-5538... and good birding. ***************************************************************** * The MARICOPA Bird Report needs an ENTHUSIASTIC VOLUNTEER * * in the Phoenix area to assist Steve Ganley in posting this * * report the BITNET listserv BIRD_RBA. This report currently is * * sent by an overly awkward system of semafore stations from * * Phoenix to Tucson. Then it is laboriously typed to disk * * with one hand as the other washes baby bottles and folds * * diapers. Steve currently has an Apple Computer with no modem. * ***********************************************************-cw-** - End transcript ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 May 90 11:22:15 EDT Reply-To: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> Sender: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> From: "Norman C. Saunders" <NYS@NIHCU.BITNET> Subject: NJ Fall Seabird Watch Summary of the Fall 1988 Seabird Watch 8th Street Jetty, Avalon, NJ Season Peak Peak Species Total Flight Date ======================================================================== Common Loon 2340 130 19 Oct Red-throated Loon 24401 3270 23 Nov Horned Grebe 111 12 5 Dec Northern Gannet 49877 8208 14 Nov Double-crested Cormorant 75872 11487 19 Oct Great Blue Heron 445 206 19 Oct Tundra Swan 435 337 18 Nov Brant 9751 2614 31 Oct Snow Goose 1654 400 4 Dec Canada Goose 3464 1303 7 Oct Green-winged Teal 2252 510 21 Oct Scaup sp. 5383 616 26 Oct Oldsquaw 1290 251 3 Nov Common Goldeneye 1149 266 18 Nov Bufflehead 1328 472 30 Oct Scoter sp. 129071 24560 21 Oct Red-breasted Merganser 2488 309 10 nov Hooded Merganser 71 16 12 Nov Jaeger sp. 58 9 20 & 28 Nov Bonaparte's Gull 4125 1634 11 Dec Black-legged Littiwake 158 119 5 Dec ======================================================================== Rarities seen: Western Grebe -- 1 on 22 Dec Red-necked Grebe -- 3 on 29 Oct, 1 & 30 Nov Harlequin Duck -- 2-4 on 17, 19, 24 Oct, 6 Nov Common Eider -- 2 on 3 Dec Razorbill -- 1 on 6 Dec Little Gull -- 5 on 14, 15, 27, 28 Nov, 10 Dec HOURS: September: 6 October: 120 November: 198 December: 100 Total: 424 SOURCE: "Watching Seabirds in Cape May County," by Paul Ker- linger, Peregrine Observer--Journal of the Cape May Bird Observatory, Winter 1989, Vol. 12, No. 2, New Jersey Audubon Society. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 May 90 11:24:28 EDT Reply-To: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> Sender: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> From: "Norman C. Saunders" <NYS@NIHCU.BITNET> Subject: Sandy Hook, NJ, Hawk Watch Sandy Hook Hawk Watch Spring 1989 Peak Peak Species March April May Total Flight Date ======================================================================== Turkey Vulture 49 143 29 221 14 17 Apr Swallow-tailed Kite 0 0 1 1 1 3 May Sharp-shinned Hawk 74 1650 765 2489 419 24 Apr Cooper's Hawk 28 144 42 214 30 25 Apr Red-tailed Hawk 37 60 15 112 10 17 Apr Red-shouldered Hawk 30 29 1 60 7 17 Mar Broad-winged Hawk 0 77 48 125 20 4 May Bald Eagle 0 0 3 3 2 4 May Northern Harrier 38 138 39 215 29 3 May Osprey 12 52 14 78 13 1 Apr Peregrine Falcon 0 0 2 2 1 3-4 May Merlin 1 127 57 185 33 18 Apr American Kestrel 477 725 34 1236 299 29 Mar Unidentified 4 27 0 31 ======================================================================== TOTALS: 750 3174 1051 4975 Hours 121.5 217 73.5 412 Days 14 27 11 52 ======================================================================== Totals include 1 Rough-legged Hawk and 1 Goshawk, both in April. SOURCE: "Sandy Hook Hawk Watch, Spring 1989," by Zack Klyver, Peregrine Observer--Journal of the Cape May Bird Obser- vatory, Winter 1989, Vol. 12, No. 2, New Jersey Audubon Society. ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 May 90 11:38:00 MST Reply-To: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> Sender: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> From: CWILLIAMSON@PIMACC.PIMA.EDU Subject: Tucson Az RBA 5-24-90 - RBA * Arizona * Tucson * May 24, 1990 * AZTU9005.24 - Birds mentioned Allen's Hummingbirdo American White Pelicans Bobolink California Gull Common Tern Elegant Trogons Five-striped Sparrows Mississippi Kites Montezuma Quail Northern Pygmy-Owl Red-necked Phalaropes Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Thick-billed Kingbird Tropical Kingbird Varied Bunting Yellow-billed Cuckoo - Transcript This is the Tucson Audubon Society's weekly bird report updated on Thursday, 24 May 1990. There were a few interesting findings this week in southern Arizona. One includes the discovery of 2 SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHERS on May 19. The two birds were seen about 5 miles of Portal along the road that comes out of New Mexico. The other rare find of the week was a female BOBOLINK seen at Willcox. The bird was originally found on the 18th near the small attractive pond with a perimeter of lush vegetation. TROPICAL KINGBIRDS have finally reappeared this summer. The birds have been seen at several locations including Kino Springs on the 18th, at Arivaca on the 18th, and at Dudleyville on the 20th. Also in the town of Dudleyville, which is about 60 miles north of Tucson, there were MISSISSIPPI KITES, a YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO, and a singing WILLOW FLYCATCHER. All of these birds were seen on the 20th. At the Willcox sewage ponds there was a CALIFORNIA GULL and a COMMON TERN seen on the 17th and RED-NECKED PHALAROPES on the 18th. FIVE-STRIPED SPARROWS have finally decided to advertise themselves with their distinctive singing. Five different birds were seen in Sycamore Canyon on the 19th, about 3 miles down into the often strenuous walk. No reports of Five-stripes have yet come out of California Gultch. Also at Sycamore on the 19th were ELEGANT TROGONS, MONTEZUMA QUAIL, a VARIED BUNTING, and a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL. On the 19th, a flock of 17 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS made a brief appearance at Ruthrauff sewage only to soon disappear to an unknown destination. An out-of-place THICK-BILLED KINGBIRD was reported from Sabino Canyon on the 21st and a possible adult male ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD was seen in Bear Canyon on the 20th. Now that I'm back from my vacation, would you please direct all your birding reports away from Barb Koenig and towards Jack Holloway at 722-3207. - End transcript ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 24 May 90 18:56:11 EDT Reply-To: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> Sender: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> From: Les Eastman <lreastma@CRDEC7.APGEA.ARMY.MIL> Subject: Wintips for May 23rd Wingtips brought to you by the Harford County Chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society A Summary of the Tape Prepared On Wednesday, May the 23st At Harford Glen, in Harford County, MD, on Tuesday, May the 22nd, a MOURNING WARBLER was observed singing and flitting around the banding station table that is stationed there. Caught and banded was a GRAY- CHEEKED THRUSH, about 10 species of WARBLERS, including CANADA, MAGNO- LIA, REDSTART, NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, BLACKPOLL, and a GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER, LEAST AND ACADIAN FLYCATCHER. WOOD DUCKS with young can also be observed at the Glen now. In Garrett County in Western Maryland, over the past weekend, May the 19th and 20th, excellent views of an ALDER FLYCATCHER at Finzel Swamp and also at Mt. Nebo WMA. A RAVEN was observed flying over at Swallow Falls, and a #10 look at a GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER at the 4-H Conference Center, and a RUFFED GROUSE walked across the road in front of a very lucky group at Cranesville Swamp, and they were also heard drumming at Finzel Swamp and on Dan's Rock. A very late WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW at Finzel Swamp and a very late RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET at the 4-H Conference Center, which according to the book tied the record late date for the state. NASHVILLE WARBLER was heard at Cranesville Swamp and the usual SOLITARY VIREO were nesting at Swallow Falls. Three FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCKS were observed at Bombay Hook NWR in De- laware on Sunday, May the 20th, at Shearness Pool. Two breeding plumage CURLEW SANDPIPERS and 1 breeding plumage, white phase RUFF, with white ruff and 1 REEVE were observed along Port Mahon Road on Sunday, May the 20th. These birds seem to move around alot due to the tides but the RUFF seems to spend most of its time by a white house that has a blue boat near it, which is about 2.5 miles or so down Port Mahon Road from Rt. 9. One of the CURLEW SANDPIPERS was right where the Port Mahon tidal gut opens up to the bay. The other was down close to where the RUFF was sighted by the white house. A PEREGRIN FAL- CON was in the area which was making these birds move around quite a bit, also. A PURPLE GALLINULE was reported in northern Delaware, from Rt. 9 where it crosses the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal in Chesapeake City. You go north of the canal on Rt. 9 to the first traffic light and turn left. The name of this road is unknown at this time. It was reported as being named Cass'(?) Point Road but was incorrect information. Go approxi- mately 1 mile, but not much more than that. You will come up on the south side of the road. There is a large dike on the left. You can see several paths going up along the dike, and from that dike, you can look out into an impoundment where the PURPLE GALLINULE was seen. It was looked for on Sunday, May 20th, but was not found. The actual sighting date is unknown to Wingtips, but this second hand information did come from an excellent source. A migrating ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and a MORNING WARBLER were observed at Cylburn Arboretum in Baltimore County on Saturday, May 19th and a LINCOLN'S SPARROW was observed there on Friday, May 18th. A MORNING WARBLER and a GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH were banded at Harford Glen, in Harford County, MD, on Saturday, May the 19th. A male SUMMER TANAGER was observed by several birders on Sunday, May the 20th, at Elk Neck State Park in Cecil County, MD. It was located at Turkey Point off to the right hand side of the road, just past the Lighthouse Trail, near the end. It was observed flying back and forth in the tops of the trees and was heard singing as if to be territorial. A PROTHONOTARY WARBLER was observed at Elk Neck State Park in Cecil County, MD, on Thursday, May 17th, along the Black Trail near the Rhodes(?) boat launch area. Also observed singing as on territorial ground. BLACKPOLL WARBLERS are being observed both in Harford County, in several locations, and in Cecil County this past week. Wingtips will be selling raffle tickets at the Harford Mall in Harford County, MD, located at the intersection of Bel Air Road and Rt. 24, on Saturday, May the 26th, between 9:30 and 6 PM. Donation is $1 per chance. First prize is a fall weekend Bed & Bath for two in Cape May, NJ, any weekend of your choice after Labor Day, just in time for the fall migration; second prize is an 11 inch carved swan decorative decoy; third prize - a $50 gift certificate for Western Auto; fourth prize is an oriole stained glass sun catcher made by the Touch of Glass in Havre de Grace. To reserve your tickets, contact June Vaughn at (301) 838- 4427. Please keep in mind that this is to fund the Wingtips Hotline. The phone bills and equipment are very expensive. Please show us your support. If anyone is able to donate just a few hours of their time to help sell the tickets at the mall, please contact June Vaughn at the previously announced number. The next scheduled Warbler Competition Walk will be tomorrow Saturday, May the 26th. John Wortman is the leader and they will be birding the Susquehanna State Park in Harford County, MD. Meet at the Rock Run Mill on Stafford Road at 7AM. Counting starts at 7:15 sharp and ends at 9:30. On Sunday, May the 27th, the leader is Dennis Kirkwood. They will be birding the upper Deer Creek area in Madonna. Meet on Madonna Road where it crosses Deer Creek at 7AM. Good luck to both of you. An article will be in the Chesapeake Bay Magazine in the June issue featuring the famous "Bird of the Century", the Ross' Gull at Back River Sewage Treatment Plant in Essex, Baltimore County, MD. And now we will hear from our friend The Voice of the Naturalist. [ The tape of the Voice of the Naturalist follows. ] Thank you very much. This tape is changed regularly every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Rare reports and updates on them are made in between as soon as possible. Reporting from MD, PA, DE, VA, NJ and the DC area. To report your bird sitings and trips, call (301) 838-4427. This is June Vaughn thanking you for calling and wishing you Happy Birding! ******************************************************************** Wingtips may be called directly at (301) 638-0290 ******************************************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 May 90 07:49:39 EDT Reply-To: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> Sender: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> From: "Norman C. Saunders" <NYS@NIHCU.BITNET> Subject: Sample Maine Hotline The Maine Bird Alert Sponsored by Maine Audubon in Falmouth & Quincy, Maine Transcript of the Tape Prepared On May 23 ********************************* With the rain and cold and the snow in some parts of the state this week, the bird activity has slowed down considerably. To date, 26 species of warblers have been tallied, with only the MOURNING WARBLER added this week. Shorebirds are on the increase and LEAST TERNS are back, as well as COMMON NIGHTHAWKS and WHIP-POOR-WILLS. The colorful birds: SCARLET TANAGERS, INDIGO BUNTINGS, and NORTHERN ORIOLES are being reported from all over, obciously a welcome sight on these gray days. The AMERICAN AVOCETS reported last week on the Spurwig Marsh were last seen on May 18. In the Portland area, at Evergreen Cemetery, 20 species of warblers are being reported, including WILSON'S, CANADA, BAY-BREASTED, CAPE MAY, and BLACKPOLL. Also there, PHILADELPHIA, SOLITARY, and RED-EYED VIREOS, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, EASTERN KINGBIRD, SCARLET TANAGERS, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, LEAST FLYCATCHER, and an OSPREY fishing in the duck pond. At Pattisick Pond a VIRGINIA RAIL was calling. At Cape Elizabeth, in Kettle Cove, there were 20 PURPLE SANDPIPERS, 6 OLDSQUAW, and 2 COMMON LOONS, and at Handeford Cove, 2 WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and a PINE SISKIN. In Scarborough at Pine Point ther were 2 LEAST TERNS, 20 COMMON TERNS, 83 BRANT, 3 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, 12 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS, 1 DUNLIN, 40+ LEAST SANDPIPERS, 15 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 30 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, 1 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON, 2 TRICOLORED HERONS, 75 BONAPARTE'S GULLS, and 6 LAUGHING GULLS. At the railroad tracks off Rt. 9 at Pine Point there was a WILSON'S PHALAROPE and 4 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS. At the end of Jasper Road off Rt. 9 there was a BLUE- WINGED WARBLER, 3 BAY-BREASTED WARBLERS, a VEERY, HERMIT THRUSH, and RED-EYED and SOLITARY VIREOS. At Ross Road there were PRAIRIE, BLACKPOLL, and BLACKBURNIAN WARBLERS, a WARBLING VIREO, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, and RED CROSSBILLS. At Scarborough Marsh there was a STILT SANDPIPER, 3 WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPERS, 20 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS, 1 LITTLE BLUE HERON, and more WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS. At Higgins Beach there were 5 DUNLINS. In Powmell there are BARN, CLIFF, TREE, and BANK SWALLOWS. Elsewhere around the sate, at Seapoint Beach in Kittery, there 25 WHITE-WINGED and 27 SURF SCOTERS, 1 DUNLIN, 3 RUDDY TURNSTONES, 3 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, 3 WILLET, and GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS. In York there was a first report of a COMMON NIGHTHAWK, plus two SOLITARY SANDPIPERS and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS. In Kennebunk there was a MOURNING WARBLER and 6 PINE SISKINS. At Seawall Beach, near Moore's Mountain, there were PIPING PLOVE, LEAST TERN, and a raft of 100+ BLACK SCOTERS. At Reeds State Park there was a female ORCHARD ORIOLE, numerous BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, a STILT SANDPIPER, and a PEREGRINE FALCON. In the Cushing area there were 2 flocks of 100+ OLDSQUAW, a GOSHAWK, WHITE- CROWNED SPARROW, and 13 species of warblers. In Lackland at the breakwater there were 12 PURPLE SANDPIPERS. Out on Monhegan 14 species of warblers are being seen. Also, RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD, BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER, a COPPER'S HAWK, and 2 PEREGRINE FALCONS. Up in Port Kent, 82 species of birds were tallied at a Birdathon on the 19th and yesterday 2 inches of snow fell. Among the birds reported: WHIP-POOR-WILL, BAY-BREASTED, CAPE MAY, and WILSON'S WARBLERS, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, VESPER SPARROW, PIED-BILLED GREBE, and an AMERICAN BITTERN. At Belgrade Lake, returning this week, were 10 BLACK TERNS and 6 PURPLE MARTINS. At the basin near Lake Auburn there were 2 YELLOW-THROATED VIREOS and in Wilton, a LINCOLN'S SPARROW. A SANDHILL CRANE has been reported on Little Swan Island in Merry- meeting Bay. Since the bird is not visible from shore and the island is accessible only by boat, we will hope that it moves to a more convenient location. This tape will next be updated on Tuesday, May 29. Happy Birding! ********************************* This transcript of the Maine Bird Alert has been provided as a sample. The hotline may be reached by phone at (207) 781-2332. We would hope that one of our subscribers closer to Maine than I am will be able to provide this material to us on a more regular basis! Good Birding! Norm Saunders ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 25 May 90 12:12:28 EDT Reply-To: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> Sender: National Birding Hotline Cooperative <BIRD_RBA@ARIZVM1> From: "Norman C. Saunders" <NYS@NIHCU.BITNET> Subject: Philadelphia BirdLine The Philadelphia Birdline A Service of the Academy of Natural Sciences A Summary of the Tape Prepared On Thursday, May 24 ***************************** A lot of bird news on this edition of the Philadelphia BirdLine for Thursday, May 24. Highlights will include the following birds in Delaware: a SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER, PAINTED BUNTING, both WHITE and BROWN PELICANS, 3 FULVOUS-WHISTLING DUCKS, a spectacular RUFF, a reeve, CURLEW SANDPIPER, and RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. The following in New Jersey: CAVE SWALLOW, MISSISSIPPI KITE, YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, and both WHITE-WINGED and RED CROSSBILLS. And the following birds in Pennsylvania: BLACK-NECKED STILTS at two places, in Philadelphia and Lancaster County, WHIMBREL in Lancaster County, a number of nice shorebird species at one Lancaster County puddle, including WILSON'S PHALAROPE and RUDDY TURNSTONE, as well as warblers of note--an apparent female Lawrence's Warbler in Lebanon County and migrants in the Philadelphia area. A lot of reports! Let's start first with the Delaware birds. The spectacular RUFF re- ferred to on the BirdLine previously as being by Port Mahon Road and the Delaware Bay continued this week as of today, May 24. The RUFF, a blackish bird with a beautiful white ruff, a bird with the maximum breeding plumage, has generally been seen on the wooden platform beyond the white building, displaying on the platform for the numerous RUDDY TURNSTONES with which it associates. Unfortunately, no reeve right there on the platform, but not far away, about 1/2 mile south along Port Mahon Road, by the cut, a reeve was present on May 22 and 23. Too bad the RUFF and reeve have not gotten together for a nice Delaware breeding record. While on the topic of RUFFS and reeves it may be of interest to you that back during the spring of 1972 in that part of Delaware, there was on one occasion 7 RUFFS and 7 reeves together at one time at the Little Creek impoundment, the RUFFS in breeding plumage were displaying. Of note last year, in 1989, two RUFFS in breeding plumage were seen at Little Creek on the 4th of July, after the breeding season. They were seen near the tower at Little Creek, one RUFF white, one RUFF black. Returning to the present in that part of central Delaware, on the im- poundment by Port Mahon Road, a CURLEW SANDPIPER in nice plumage has been present with sightings made May 14 through yesterday, May 23. It has been with DUNLIN and SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS. At Bombay Hook NWR, a female RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was in Raymond Pool the am of May 23. Three FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCKS were found at Bombay Hook NWR on Sunday, May 20, in the morning and they continued there at the refuge as of today, May 24. The initial sighting was at the first corner of Shearness Pool. The ducks have been seen there subsequently and also by the tower by Raymond Pool. A WHITE PELICAN was found at Bombay Hook NWR the morning of Monday, May 21. It was seen that day and the next day at either Raymond or Shearness Pools. Along the Delaware Seacoast, 8 BROWN PELICANS were seen at the Indian River Inlet on May 23, flying by. Also in southern Delaware, SCISSOR- TAILED FLYCATCHER was seen one day only, Sunday May 20, in the vicinity of the Assawoman WMA along the road to Camp Barnes, that is Road 361, 1/2-mile past the new bridge over the Rehobeth/Assawoman Canal. Also in southern Delaware this past week a female PAINTED BUNTING was seen north of Lewes in a hedgerow along Oyster Rock Road, across from the Lewes Airport. Referring again to the Assawoman WMA, today, May 24, one RED- BREASTED NUTHATCH was seen along the road to Strawberry Landing. Also today, May 24, 2 BLACK-BILLED CUCKOOS nearby, at Bethany Beach. Shifting gears from southern to northern Delaware, the White Clay Creek valley, north of Newark, is a nice place to bird. Seen there last Saturday, May 19, a PILEATED WOODPECKER. Also there: BARRED OWL, RED- SHOULDERED and BROAD-WINGED HAWKS nesting, a number of VIREOS--YELLOW- THROATED, RED-EYED, WHITE-EYED, and WARBLING--a number of WARBLERS, including YELLOW-THROATED, CERULEAN, PARULA, HOODED, KENTUCKY, BLUE- WINGED, PRAIRIE, LOUISIANA WATERTHRUSH, and CHAT, recently MOURNING WARBLER in migration. Also in the White Clay Creek Valley recently, ACADIAN and LEAST FLYCATCHERS, HUMMINGBIRDS on nests, and as I said, a nice place to bird. Not many late waterbirds in Delaware this spring, but a few this past week including 3 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS at Port Mahon on Sunday, May 20, a single late first-year TUNDRA SWAN at Bombay Hook NWR this week, NORTHERN SHOVELER at Bombay Hook NWR, and a lone BUFFLEHEAD as of May 22 at Port Mahon. Now, New Jersey sightings of note include the CAVE SWALLOW from the West Indies at Cape May both days last weekend, May 19-20, at the bunker pond at Cape May Point SP, between 4-6 MISSISSIPPI KITES in the Cape May area last weekend, May 19-20, seen over the state park, the South Cape May Meadows, and at Higbees Beach. Other birds in the Cape May area May 19- 20: YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD, BLACK TERN, UPLAND SANDPIPER, and MOURNING WARBLER. Call the Cape May tape for details, 609-884-2626. Call the North Jersey tape for info about something very interesting this past week in Northern New Jersey: both species of CROSSBILL, that is, WHITE-WINGED and RED, at different places in northern NJ. Get the locations by calling that number: 201-766-2661. Now the Pennsylvania news. There was birding excitement in Lancaster County this past weekend. On Saturday, May 19, there were 5 WHIMBREL, only the second Lancaster County record and the first away from the Conchahilla Flats of the Susquehanna River. The three previous records there were between 1950 and 1976. The only place in Pennsylvania where WHIMBREL tend to occur regularly has been Presque Isle in Erie County. The following day, Sunday May 20, 10 BLACK-NECKED STILTS were found at Muddy Run, at the fly-ash pond, for the first confirmed Lancaster County record and for the first modern record for this species in the county. There are references to it having been there in the mid-1800s. At the same spot at Muddy Run on Sunday May 20, a single WHIMBREL joined the STILTS. Neither the STILTS nor WHIMBREL were seen after Sunday May 20. At another location in Pennsylvania, BLACK-NECKED STILTS continue, in southeastern PA, in Philadelphia, 5 BLACK-NECKED STILTS on Sunday May 20, north of I-95, south of the Girard Point Bridge. Nesting is oc- curring there. Returning to Lancaster County this past weekend, more shorebird ex- citement: at a small farm puddle near Mount Joy, northwestern Lancaster County, birds present last weekend, May 19-20, will follow. The puddle itself will probably not be present this upcoming weekend unless there is rain. Two WILSON'S PHALAROPES were there. At one time last weekend only 5 individual shorebirds were at the small puddle, with 5 different species--1 KILLDEER, 1 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, 1 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, 1 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER, 1 WILSON'S PHALAROPE. A heavy turnover of shorebirds has occurred at the puddle. Also there on occasion recently, RUDDY TURNSTONE, DUNLIN, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, and LEAST SANDPIPER. Nearby in the area, on the fields, singing HORNED LARKS and VESPER SPARROWS. At the Conchahilla Flats on the Susquehanna River last weekend, May 19- 20, TRICOLORED HERON, RUDDY TURNSTONE, DUNLIN, and DOWITCHERS. A LINCOLN'S SPARROW was seen at Muddy Run, southern Lancaster County, on May 19. A MOURNING WARBLER was seen at Middle Creek, northern Lancaster County, on May 17. A MOORHEN was seen earlier this month at Middle Creek, first seen on May 6, it stayed until at least May 14. MOORHENS only occur every couple years in that part of Pennsylvania. An interesting bird seen in Lebanon County, PA, on May 17 was apparently a female Lawrence's Warbler. It's hard to find an illustration of a female Lawrence's Warbler but the bird, obviously a golden-wingedxblue- winged hybrid, seemed to be one. It had the pattern of a female GOLDEN- WINGED WARBLER but with yellow on the breast. Overall the bird had a greenish tinge with yellow wing-bars. It was seen by Lake Duffey on state gamelands 145 in Lebanon County at Rt. 117, between Colbrook and Mount Gretna. Follow the old railroad bed. Migrant warblers have been seen the past couple of days in the Philadelphia area. On May 23 at the Fort Washington SP in Montgomery County, 21 species of warblers, including KENTUCKY, WORM-EATING, and a number of late YELLOW-RUMPED. Also a number of THRUSHES, as many as 25 SWAINSON'S and 1 GRAY-CHEEKED. On May 22 in Carpenter's Woods, Northwest Philadelphia, 18 species of warblers including WILSON'S and also a number of thrushes, 30+ SWAIN- SON'S. Today, May 24, in the area of Morgantown, PA, still YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS. Also both SWAINSON'S and GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSHES. A number of BLACKPOLL WARBLERS have been throughout our region the past few days. Also noted recently, CANADA WARBLERS at various places. That's it for this time on the BirdLine. This is Armas Hill thanking you for calling! ***************************** The Philadelphia Bird Line may be called directly at (215) 567-2473. Send your sighting reports to Armas Hill, c/o the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th St. and the Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103 or call them in to (215) 299-1181 during the day. This printed summary is provided as a service of The Osprey's Nest, a computerized bulletin board run for birders by birders in the Washing- ton, D.C. Metropolitan Area. The Osprey's Nest may be reached at (301) 989-9036, in Colesville, MD. Your communications parameters should be set for 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity. Good Birding!