Arizona Hummingbird Haven - The Patons Home

Sally and I visited the Paton's home many years ago, and it was amazing, so when friend Sue Gruver sent us the linked article, we were delighted to see that even though the Patons are no longer with us, their hummingbird haven is being preserved for the hummingbirds, and for the many birders who so love hummingbirds. If you are headed to the Southwest, we highly recommend working in a stop by the Paton's Home. 
(Above photo is of a Green Violet Ear by Bill Fintel).

Snowy Owls in DE, and one north of IR Inlet

Sally and I got to see one of 2 or more near Indian River Inlet this past Monday, 12/2/13. Directions, thanks to Anthony Gonzon, are to park at the Savages Ditch parking lot on the west side of Rt 1 about 2 miles before the Indian River Inlet bridge. Then carefully cross Rt 1 to the surf fishing access road, and walk it to the beach. One owl has been just north of there, and we saw it very well this past Monday. A really neat bird that only gets this far south every 5 years or more.

For the Molly Murray's article in DE online.

Fall Class Check List and Pileated WP Pics

The following pics are from Bob Edelen, whose yard we visited in Harbeson, and who had the the magnificent Black Gum tree with lots of birds feeding on its berries. Later in the fall, he had this pair of Pileated Woodpeckers feeding on the last of the berries. Note the different amount of red on the head (less on the female). Click on pic to view full size.

Our cumulative total birds observed this fall was 105 species, plus we did hear a Pileated Woodpecker while in the Fintel's backyard. We could not find it, but Bill later saw it after the class was over.

To view our check list on Google Drive, click OLLI Fall 2013 Bird Check List.

Fall 2013 Birding Class Summary

This is just a short note to let you know I am working on our overall trip list and highlights. Our tentative class total number of species observed is 101. I will publish a complete list soon, so keep checking this blog. Thanks to all of you for your enthusiasm, good observations, and pleasant company. Best, Bill

6 am Update for Oct 9 OLLI Field Trip

Current conditions in Lewes: Winds NNE at 24 mph, gusting to 28. Air T 64 deg F.

Radar: Rain is to the south moving this direction, but probably not arriving until 3 pm.

Our field trip is still a GO.

Dress warmly, as wind chill will be in the lower 50's.

Bill

Strong NE winds tomorrow...could bring in some good birds

Yup, it is forecast to be a blustery day Wed, Oct 9, but our class is still a GO! Why? Because Bill loves this kind of weather, and expects some unusual birds, like Parasitic Jaeger, so he will be out at Cape Henlopen whether you are there or not.

Bill hopes you feel courageous enough to join him, but if you feel less adventuresome and want to stay in the comfort of your own home, please feel free to do so. Also no need to call if you think the weather is too much and want to drop out at the last minute.

RE the OLLI picnic, the pavilion is covered and pretty well protected from winds, so it should be fine, although your loose napkin will quickly blow away. If we get any more details on picnic plans, I will post them.

I will also do another update here before 6 am on Wednesday, Oct 9.

Bill

PS - for a Pavilion forecast from NOAA:
As of 3:38 pm today, NOAA forecast was:
Wednesday: NE wind around 27 kt, with gusts as high as 35 kt. A chance of rain, mainly after 3pm.

The OLLI Picnic .....and the Government Shutdown

No worries re the picnic next Wed. It is still a go, and our class is still a go, as we said this morning. I am posting this short note because NO OTHER classes are being held next Wed, so I just wanted to be sure that we confirmed our exception, because we are at the picnic location.

Re the US Government shutdown: From your comments, our class today really enjoyed ignoring the shutdown, which included Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. How were we able to ignore it? Because we could still bird Prime Hook using public roads. Just another example that us older folks are oftentimes still quite capable and resourceful!!!

And we saw many great birds today, like Wild turkeys, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Northern Harriers, many Greater Yellowlegs, plus LOTS of ducks in eclipse cryptic plumage, including N. Shovelar, N. Pintail, Black Duck, Green and Blue-winged Teal, Gadwall, and others.

OLLI Birding Class Oct 2, 2013

In spite of the Government shutdown, we will have class tomorrow, BUT we will meet outside the Prime Hook main entrance gate, and we will only bird the public roads that go through the Refuge.

Birds of the Ocean, aka Pelagic Birds

I love them. So unique, so well adapted to a harsh environment, and seemingly a bit more out of harms way from humans. Above pic is of a molting Wilson's Storm Petrel, walking on water, not far off the Delaware coast.

In our remaining classes, I will try to provide added information on how to observe and enjoy this very special group of birds.

Bill

Edelen's Nature Preserve

This was the 2nd location we visited on our last class, 9/18/13. Bob was thoughtful enough to send me some photos and an article he wrote about Black Gums. That was the tree we first stopped by and watched all the Robins feeding on the fruit. Bob's photos of Black Gums and Wood Ducks are below: (Click on images to enlarge, note index at bottom, click on blank area around photo to return here.)

Sep 18, 2013 - Visits to Fintel and Edelen Yards

Misters do work, although the exact timing is up to the birds. Above photos of Black and White Warbler and Parula Warbler were taken about 2 pm today (9/18) as the birds were using the Fintel's mister. About the same time a Pileated Woodpecker visited our yard.

Now as promised this morning, below is the Peanut Butter Suet recipe. Also, the Woobark Suet Sandwich woodpecker feeder you saw is available from Birds Choice, as is the suet for it in case you do not want to make your own.

Peanut Butter No Melt Bird Suet 

Sally Fintel and WildBird Magazine,  Dec. 1994

18 oz. crunchy peanut butter

2 cups (1 lb.) lard – no substitutions

4 cups quick oats

4 cups yellow corn meal

2 cups white flour

2/3 cup granulated sugar

Melt lard and peanut butter together over low heat. Remove from heat and thoroughly mix in remaining ingredients. Transfer to shallow Styrofoam veggie or meat containers. Cover & store in refridge or freeze. Slice and use to fill suet stick, as needed. Birds love this all year round.

Snowy Egret vs Piranha

You might think the Piranha would win. But just take a look.

Picture taken in the Pantanal of Brazil, August 2013. (click on image to enlarge)

Cape Henlopen Field Trips fall 2013

Hello OLLI Birding Class, and anyone else who is checking this blog.

In case you do not subscribe to DE-Birds, following is an announcement posted by Richard Julian, Manager of the Cape Henlopen Nature Center. If you want more birding opportunities near Lewes, this is a good one. Also see the Sussex Bird Club web site for more local programs and field trips.

Bill

From Richard:
Please join us at the Cape Henlopen State Park Nature Center each Tuesday morning at 8am for our weekly fall bird walks. Richard Julian Nature Center Manager

OLLI Fall 2013 Birding Class Schedule

We will spend as much time as possible birding in the field. On any day when the weather does not permit a field trip, the class will be cancelled. For the latest information on class status see this blog ( http://billfintel.blogspot.com/ ). It will be updated by 6 am on any field trip day with questionable weather. Also more detailed directions will be added as needed.

All classes will begin at 8:00 am at the meeting locations noted below. Be sure to bring binoculars. Also check the weather forecast and dress appropriately with a rain resistant windbreaker and footwear suitable for walking about one mile. Insect repellent, sunscreen, water and a snack are recommended. Classes will end by 11 am at the meeting location.

Sep 11 - Prime Hook NWR Headquarters. On this field trip we will focus primarily on shorebirds, terns, herons and other birds of the mud flats and marshes. We will bird the impoundments from Broadkill Beach to Fowler Beach.

Sep 18 – Fintel’s home at 31395 Point Circle, Mill Pond Acres, Lewes  (From Rt 1 just south of Red Mill Pond and across from the Surfing Crab, turn west onto Devon Rd. Take Devon until it T’s into Point Drive. Turn right and proceed about ¼ mile where Point Drive becomes point Circle. The Fintel’s home is on the right). We will spend some time searching for woodland migrants, and also reviewing water features, feeder designs, and types of seed used. After that, we may visit another yard, or some nearby wooded habitat. This is a peak time for woodland migrants. Over the years the Fintels have recorded over 140 species from their yard.

Sep 25 – Cape Henlopen Nature Center (park sticker required). On this field trip we will visit the hawk watch platform, and bird both the park woods and beaches.  Early raptors should be migrating south, and woodland migrants plus shorebirds should be present in good numbers.

Oct 2 – Prime Hook NWR Headquarters.  On this field trip we will bird all the different types of habitats at Prime Hook. This will include mature woods, secondary growth, fields, mud flats, marshes and DE Bay beaches.

Oct 9 – Cape Henlopen Nature Center (park sticker required). The beach at the Point will now be open to walking, so we will plan to bird that beach (low tide is 5:51 am) and then proceed to the hawk watch platform. This is a peak time for numbers of raptors, and hopefully we will get good looks at some special ones, like the Peregrine Falcon. We will also do some “sea watching” for early sea ducks, and perhaps a Jaeger.

Oct 16 – Indian River Inlet south ocean front parking lot (park sticker required). From our meeting location we will walk to the inlet and ocean beach for birding. Then we will do some marsh birding. Sea ducks, gannets, terns, marsh sparrows and rails are all possible.

The Pantanal, Brazil

Sally and I are just back from a great trip to the Pantanal in Brazil, where we saw such highlight birds as Hyacinth Macaw and Harpy Eagle. The Pantanal is the largest contiguous wetland in the World...... about 10 times the size of the Everglades. We only covered a small percentage of it, but had many awesome bird sightings...... as well as some great mammal sightings.

Sally and I are looking forward to our fall birding class. A class schedule with a list of sites we will visit will be out soon .....Bill

Pics below:
Hyacinth Macaw, Harpy Eagle, Scissortail Nightjar, and Jaguar.
(click on pic to get enlargement).

5/29/13 Mispillion FT, and 2013 Spring Check List

Spawning Horseshoe Crabs, Red Knot, Dunlin and Semipalmated Sandpipers 

Bill Fintel Photo, click on photo to enlarge

Well it took some perseverance, but in the end, I believe everyone had good looks at Red Knots through one of the spotting scopes. Most of the time they were distant on the other side of the Mispillion River in front of the DuPont Nature Center, but periodically some did rest on an exposed bar about 1/2 way across the river, and thus twice as close. My estimate was that we could see at least 100 Red Knots from the deck of the nature center.

Other good birds we observed well were Clapper Rails, Seaside Sparrows, and Black Skimmers. My species count for the day was 47. A non-avian highlight was a female Diamond-backed Terrapin digging a hole to lay her eggs in the sand parking lot at Yerkes Road. In our presence, she seemed to think twice about the advisability of doing that at this location, and moved on. We all agreed, that was probably a good move.

My cumulative list for our eight birding classes this spring was a very respectable 135 species. You can find our class check list on Google Docs, as a pdf, or as an Excel file.

Red Knots and Horseshoe Crabs today!!!

We had a great last field trip to Mispillion Inlet and the DuPont Nature Center. There everyone got good looks at Red Knots, and just south of the inlet along Slaughter Beach, we all viewed of an awesome number of Horseshoe Crabs spawning.

Now for more good news from DNREC, between the U of DE College of Earth Ocean and the Environment, and DuPont, a synthetic bait has been developed for eel and conch fisherman to use, instead of using female Horseshoe Crabs (the best bait ever...until now).

Following is that story...and soon on future My Tern blog posts will be more details of birds we have seen, as well as a spring class summary list.

From: DNREC Press Releases List <michael.globetti@state.de.us>
Date: May 29, 2013 3:45:53 PM EDT
To: DNREC Press Releases <dnrec_press_releases@lists.state.de.us>
Subject: New artificial bait could reduce the number of horseshoe crabs used to catch eel and whelk


NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL and THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Teresa Messmore, University of Delaware, 302-757-2245, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902. Photos available.                                                             

New artificial bait could reduce number of horseshoe crabs
used to catch eel and whelk
 
LEWES (May 29, 2013) – A new alternative bait product that will help reduce the number of horseshoe crabs harvested from the Delaware Bay was introduced today. A team of University of Delaware researchers led by Dr. Nancy Targett, DuPont scientists, fisheries biologists, watermen and conservation groups were joined by DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara to make the announcement this morning at UD’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes.
 
For years, commercial eel and whelk fishers have dealt with a dilemma: They know the best bait to attract eel and whelk, locally known as conch, is a female horseshoe crab. However, harvest limits are in place to protect the Delaware Bay’s horseshoe crab population and the threatened migratory shorebirds that depend on their eggs as a food source. Commercial fishers have long worked within these limits, dividing each bait crab into pieces to bait multiple eel or whelk pots.
 
“Horseshoe crabs are an ecologically and economically important species in the Delaware Estuary, which hosts the largest concentrations of horseshoe crabs in the world,” said Governor Jack Markell. “This alternative bait is the result of a great partnership among academic researchers, scientists, government, a private corporation and the commercial fisheries industry. By working together, they have found a solution that has great economic and environmental benefits, both now and for the future of bait development.”
 
“Conserving and restoring horseshoe crab populations is critical to supporting Delaware’s shorebird migration and implementing the vision of the Delaware Bayshore Initiative,” said DNREC Secretary O’Mara. “By using this new bait developed by leading scientists at the University of Delaware in partnership with DNREC, watermen will be able to reduce the number of horseshoe crabs used to catch whelk and eel, enjoy more convenient bait storage, help conserve the horseshoe crab population, and support migratory birds that depend on horseshoe crab eggs for food. I applaud my predecessor, Secretary John Hughes, and Dean Nancy Targett for their vision to launch this innovative effort, which will provide a win-win for both the economy and the environment for years to come.”

The new bait came after years of research, which was spurred in part by a surprising fact: Eel and whelk do not typically feed on adult horseshoe crabs in their natural environment, yet they find them hard to resist in baited pots.
 
That disconnect intrigued Targett, director of Delaware Sea Grant, dean of UD’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment and an ecologist who studies the chemical cues that influence animal behavior in the sea. She and her research team set out to identify the mysterious “scent” that lures in eels – and come up with a bait alternative to horseshoe crabs, which have experienced population declines in recent decades.
 
After years of research, Targett and her colleagues have developed a recipe for just such an artificial attractor that could help reduce the number of horseshoe crabs commercial fishermen use. 

“Our hope is that this new bait will meet the fishing community’s needs and at the same time protect the horseshoe crab,” Targett said. “Delaware Sea Grant’s motto is ‘Science Serving the Delaware Coast,’ and we are grateful that so many partners shared in that spirit to move this project forward.” 

Horseshoe crabs – which are actually more closely related to spiders than crabs – feed upon marine worms and small shellfish, and are fed upon by the federally threatened loggerhead sea turtle and a number of shark species. Their outer shells often support a whole community of marine life, from bacteria to blue mussels. Horseshoe crab eggs are a key part of the seasonal diet of at least seven commercially and recreationally important fish species and a host of crabs and other invertebrates.
 
Each May and June, horseshoe crabs lay large numbers of these small green eggs on Delaware Bay beaches. Migratory shorebirds, such as the endangered red knot, arrive around the same time to feast on surplus eggs before continuing their long journey from South America to their Arctic breeding grounds. In about two weeks, the birds double their weight for the final non-stop leg of the trip.
 
As horseshoe crab populations dropped considerably in the 1990s, so did the numbers of red knots. With the horseshoe crab decline largely attributed to their increased demand as bait in the commercial whelk pot fishery, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) established a fisheries management plan with strict harvest quotas. Since the plan was adopted, increases have been noted in segments of the horseshoe crab population. Currently, the ASMFC plan allows for harvesting a limited number of male horseshoe crabs and no harvest of female crabs in Delaware.
 
With whelk as a popular seafood staple in Asia and an ingredient used domestically in chowders and fritters, demand for horseshoe crabs as bait continues to be high, particularly for female crabs, making an equally effective alternative appealing both economically and environmentally.
 
To reach the goal of finding an alternative bait, Targett partnered with DuPont scientists to analyze the horseshoe crab’s chemical makeup. They identified 100 compounds in tissue samples and were able to rule out some as key components in the scent that appeals so strongly to eel and whelk.
 
“We were pleased to provide the expertise of DuPont scientists, as well as business advice to make this project successful,” said Gary Spitzer, DuPont senior vice president of operations and engineering. “This is a great example of the way corporations, universities and governments can collaborate to promote sustainable solutions.”
 
Concurrent with the chemical approach, Targett’s lab developed artificial bait made from alginates (compounds found in brown seaweeds and kelp), a small amount of coarsely ground horseshoe crab and food-grade chemicals including baking soda and citric acid. When mixed together, these ingredients form a quick-set gelatin that keeps for up to four days. 

Compared with using half of a female horseshoe crab, which is the Delaware limit, the mixture was just as productive in catching eel using only one-eighth of a female. By substituting an invasive species, the Asian shore crab, the researchers cut that amount down to as little as one-sixteenth of a horseshoe crab. They tested catching whelk with the bait and found similarly successful results.
 
In addition, despite speculation that female horseshoe crabs were better baits than males, the scientists found that artificial baits composed of males or females were equally effective. The Delaware limit is one whole male per trap or pot.
 
The bait research was funded by Delaware Sea Grant, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and DuPont Chemicals & Fluoroproducts. A faculty member at the Delaware Biotechnology Institute participated in the early stages of the research. DNREC provided logistical assistance in obtaining horseshoe crab specimens and connecting researchers with fishers.
 
LaMonica Fine Foods in Millville, N.J., has started producing the bait commercially. Field tests in Delaware Bay with local whelk fishermen have been successful so far.
 
“The hallmark of this bait is that everyone wins,” said Jim Roussos of LaMonica Fine Foods LLC. “This is a major step in conserving the natural resource of horseshoe crabs. The conch and eel fishermen are relieved of the pressures of buying, storing and processing horseshoe crabs. The University of Delaware has proven once again that it is a vital, important and valuable institution not only to its students but to the public at large. And commercial fisheries win when we can be conservators of public resources while maintaining our historical way of life.”

To learn more about the project and download the recipe for personal use, visit www.deseagrant.org.
 
For more information about pre-made bait, call Michael LaVecchia at LaMonica Fine Foods at 856-825-8111, ext. 102.
 
Vol. 43, No. 220
-30-

OLLI 5/22/13 FT to Gordon's Pond

Blue Grosbeak, photo by Chuck Fullmer, Georgetown, DE

Almost everyone drove to our meeting point at the Gordon's Pond parking lot, except for 3 hardy soles who biked there from Lewes via the Breakwater-Junction trail. We all had good looks  at the many shorebirds in the shallow water of Gordon's Pond. These included Least and Semipalmated Sandpiper, Dunlin, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs (mostly lesser), Semipalmated Plover, and Willet.

From a land bird perspective, we had excellent views of some very colorful birds, like Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, and Common Yellowthroat, plus a very unique year-round resident, the Brown-headed Nuthatch.

We concluded our field trip by checking out the Atlantic Ocean beach, where all saw distant Black-bellied Plover and American Oystercatcher. Our total species for this FT was 51.

Next week we will meet at Prime Hook to carpool to the DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion Inlet. There we should get good looks at spawning Horseshoe Crabs and shorebirds feeding on the eggs they lay. Shorebirds should include the endangered Red Knot.

PS - Chuck Fullmer, who took the above photo, is a good friend and member of the Sussex Bird Club. You can view his other bird photos at All Season Shooter.

OLLI 5/15/13 FT to Prime Hook WMA

Scarlet Tanager, photo by Terry Sohl

Turkeys were seen by many as we entered Prime Hook NWR going to our meeting point at the Refuge Headquarters. From there we carpooled to the Prime Hook State Wildlife Management Area (WMA) where we walked and birded the approx 1 mile long road through a mature forest.

No doubt the highlight for all, including the leaders, were awesome looks at a male Scarlet Tanager, with the special added treat of the female tanager nearby and seen by many. Another surprise highlight was a single Solitary Sandpiper feeding in a wet tire rut right where we parked our cars.

Additional very nice birds, seen by many were Black-throated Blue Warbler, American Redstart, Ovenbird, and Canada Warbler. We also enjoyed the flute like songs of at least 4 Wood Thrushes, and for this bird, its song tops its appearance by quite a bit.

After leaving the State Area, we birded along Deep Branch Road, where all had good looks at Great-Crested Flycatcher and Red-eyed Vireo. My species count for the morning was 50 species, which is good considering we did only woodland birding.

Next week we will bird Gordon's Pond, meeting at 8 am in the parking lot accessed through Rehoboth. For a MAP.

OLLI 5/8/13 FT to Milford Neck

Yellow-breasted Chat, Bill Fintel photo

No rain!!! and even some sunshine and 73 degrees. Our first stop was the "Dog Training Area" where we had good views of many "scrub birds" which included Yellow-breasted Chat, White-eyed Vireo, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting and Orchard Oriole.

We then birded the woods along Stratham Lane and Scotts Corner Road where most had very good looks at Black-and-white warbler, Ovenbird, and Red-eyed Vireo. Some of us also saw Northern Parula and a pair of Wood Ducks. One auditory treat was hearing at least two singing Wood Thrushes.

We then birded along Big Stone Beach Road to the end. Best birds were quite a few shorebirds, which included Short-billed Dowitcher and Stilt Sandpiper.

Our counts for today were 68 bird species and ZERO car species. Seeing no other cars in 3 hours of daylight birding along any roads in DE, or the northeast, is truly amazing. For Chris Bennett's maps and tips on birding Milford Neck click HERE and check the 4/27 report.

Next week we meet at Prime Hook Headquarters at 8 am to carpool to the State Wildlife Management Area. From our class schedule: "Walking is easy and tick-free along a gravel road through some very old forest. This is an excellent woods for migrants warblers, and for Yellow-throated Vireo, Pileated Woodpecker and Barred Owl."

Bill

Road Scholar FT to Gordon's Pond and Rehoboth Woods, 5/3/13, Plus Summary Checklist

Red-headed Woodpecker, Bill Fintel photo

The last morning we started at the Gordon’s Pond area of Cape Henlopen State Park. It was cold and blowing about 20 mph out of the East, so land birding was next to impossible. Also, for unknown reasons, shorebirds were scarce, and waterfowl were non-existent. Thus, we promptly returned to the bus and went into Rehoboth to a small wooded park there.

This proved to be a good move, as we encountered a very cooperative (and rare for this region) Red-headed Woodpecker, as well as a Blue-headed Vireo. Also seen by many who tried for it was a colorful Parula Warbler.

Our tally for 3 and ½ days of birding was 120 species. This is about average for visiting the locations we visited, and actually is good considering the unusually cool spring. The following link is to a pdf of our summary checklist for 4/30 to 5/4/13. (Use the + tab to enlarge if needed for readability.)

Road Scholar FT to Cape Henlopen and Prime Hook 5/2/13

--> -->

 Piping Plovers at Cape Henlopen, Bill Fintel photo

On day three we started at Cape Henlopen State Park at the point which separates the Delaware Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. Our goal was to view Piping Plovers at low tide and we were rewarded with very good views of at least two individuals. We also had good looks at American Oystercatcher and Brant, and back at the Nature Center feeder, we saw both Brown-headed and Red-breasted Nuthatch.

From there we went to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge where many enjoyed shopping in the Friends gift store for field guides and memorabilia. On the impoundments, the numbers of herons and egrets was very impressive, plus we also had very close looks at Dunlin, Osprey, and even a perched Black Vulture.

We went back to Cape Henlopen for lunch, and after lunch we were treated to gangbuster looks of a male Eastern Towhee right next to our bus. We concluded at Herring Point with terrific views of Prairie Warbler, and many people got close up views of a Field Sparrow.

Our tally for this day was 74 species. Weather again was cool and breezy, but mostly sunny.

Road Scholar FT to Mispillion and Bombay Hook 5/1/13

Dunlin and Black-necked Stilt, Bill Fintel photo

To begin the day we made a short stop at the Fintel’s backyard to hear about unique feeders and water features. There we also had good views of a calling Great Crested Flycatcher.

We then went to Evans Road at Slaughter Beach where we saw some reasonably close American Avocets. After that we stopped along the marsh just before the DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion, where we had amazingly good views of at least 5 Clapper Rails and a singing Seaside Sparrow.

Once at the Nature Center we saw many shorebirds, and after much searching found a single Red Knot which everyone viewed through a scope (there may have been 2 individuals). Other good birds observed there were a pair of American Oystercatchers and 3 Bald Eagles.

On the entrance road to Bombay Hook we had Horned Larks and an American Pipit in breeding (alternate) plumage. On the loop road around the impoundments we observed large numbers of shorebirds including Dunlin (above), Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plover, Least Sandpiper, Willet, Short-billed Dowitcher and great looks at Black-necked Stilts (above). We concluded our visit with excellent views of about 20 Black-crowned Night-Herons at Bear Swamp, and 2 White-crowned Sparrows at the Nature Center.

Our total species count for the day was 80 species. Weather was cool, breezy, and sunny.

Road Scholar Field Trip to Trap Pond 4/30/13

Trap Pond, DE State Parks photo

We began our 4-day Road Scholar program at Trap Pond State Park in southeastern Delaware. Temperatures were in the 50’s with light rain falling and a strong east wind. Even so, all enjoyed a pontoon boat excursion on the pond, captained by park ranger Will Koth. Highlights were excellent views of the extensive Bald Cypress stand, and good views of Prothonotary Warbler, Eastern Kingbird, and Osprey.

We had split into two groups, and each group also walked the Island Trail while the other group was on the pontoon boat. On the trail a Louisiana Waterthrush, which a lucky few also saw, serenaded both groups and one group had elbow-rubbing looks at both a male and female Prothonatary Warbler.

Will Koth was kind enough to let us have lunch in the Nature Center, even setting up chairs and tables. From Trap Pond we went to the coast and up to Indian River Inlet, where we braved the cold east winds, but no rain, to see many Northern Gannets, and some Red-throated and Common Loons, Forester’s and Common Terns, and a real treat of a Horned Grebe in breeding plumage.

If you want to view any of the above-mentioned birds, go to:

http://birds.audubon.org/birds/prothonotary-warbler and type the bird’s name into the search bar. It will give you a list to click-on your desired link. Try to find the link that goes to an Audubon page like the Prothonotary Warbler page, and note there are 5 or more different photos from VIREO to view of your selected bird.

Our first day tallied 55 species, many of which we did not see again. I will post a summary of day 2 to Bombay Hook and the DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion next.

OLLI Redden State Forrest Field Trip 4/24/13

Brrrr! Still cold in the morning, like 50 degrees with a stiff east wind, but we still saw many good birds. My tally was 34 species, with 8 species we have not encountered before, so now our cumulative species list for this spring is 89 species. Not Bad!

The obvious highlight today was the Red-headed Woodpeckers, seen at first far away, but finally close through the spotting scope (above photo by Bill Fintel). Other highlights were great looks at 2 resident warblers: Prairie Warbler (below, photo by Chuck Fullmer whom we saw this morning), Worm-eating Warbler, and some  of us had good looks at the Ovenbird.

Our next field trip is to Milford Neck in the peak of spring migration. We will meet at Prime Hook at 8 am to car pool, or if you live near Milford, we will also rendezvous at the Valero gas station just beyond where Rt 1 and Rt 113 merge, about 8:15 am.

Grackle-proof Cage Feeder

The above pic shows 2 White-throated Sparrows and a Pine Warbler inside the cage feeder, and a 3rd White-throat about to enter. Other small birds which use our feeder include chickadees, titmice, Carolina Wrens, nuthatches, goldfinches, siskins, and Downy Woodpeckers. The seed is Black Oil Sunflower, usually with some peanut halves, and the suet stick hanging in the center contains peanut butter suet. I have made and used this design feeder for the last 30 years. It allows small birds access to the food, and excludes large birds, such as grackles (hanging on back of cage in below pic).

There are some commercial feeders which use the same principal of a screen to exclude large birds, but in general, the commercial designs do not have a large enough feeding space to accommodate several small birds. In my latest design, the inside dimensions are 22x22x16 inches, LxWxH. The wire mesh is 1x2 inch hardware cloth, with every other opening enlarged to 1 and 1/2 inches wide using pliers.

Medium size desirable birds, such as Cardinals, can sometimes enter the feeder, but more often they get seed that becomes pushed to the edge (below pic). Red-bellied Woodpeckers will often hang on the feeder wire, and use their long tongues to tease a peanut half over to the edge where they pick it up with their bill.

The above pic also shows the top of commercial squirrel-racoon baffle on the pole below the feeder. Racoons gave me a challenge this past winter by climbing over a single baffle, but by placing a metal cylinder baffle on top of a metal cone baffle, I was able to stop them.

Think the Grackles are mad at me? This guy sure looks mad.

April 10 Field Trip at Prime Hook

It was challenging, but it was also very successful. When everyone in a 15 person group gets really good looks at a Yellow-throated Warbler, that is just great. It is a very beautiful, and very uncommon bird in our area.

I also enjoyed my first singing Purple Martins, plus almost overwhelming numbers of singing Field and Chipping Sparrows, great looks at Pine Warblers, male and female, lots of woodpeckers, mostly Downy and Red-bellied, but also a loud but unseen Pileated Woodpecker.

We had a total of 39 species again on this field trip, which brings our 3 field trip total to 81 species. Just wait, in the peak migration in May, we should get close to 100 species in just one field trip.

PS - Post below has directions to Redden State Forrest for April 24.

Directions to Redden State Forrest for April 24

I have attached a Google Maps link to guide you there (and you can zoom in or out on this link). If you are "map challenged",  just go to Georgetown, bear north to connect with Rt 113, go north on 113 for about 3+ miles and turn right on Redden Rd. Go less than 1 mile and turn right into Redden State Forrest (well marked). Proceed about 1/4 mile to the main office and parking.

We will all go back toward Lewes via some of the neat back roads, so you can experience them first hand. If you are map savvy, come over via the back roads as well. If you get lost, just keep heading west until you reach Rt 113, and then use the above directions (adjusting for how far north or south on 113 you are). Still lost? Call my cell: 302-236-5675.

Bill

PS - My apologies for having to leave Prime Hook quickly today. As we got back to the Headquarters,  I was reminded by Sally that she had a noon lunch engagement in Rehoboth, so we had to leave promptly. I will give you our backyard Screech Owl details at Redden. I could post it here, but in general, making owl locations too public is not advisable, as the information often gets the owls harassed by too close approaches, photographers, etc.

Spring Migration

What a great time of year to be outdoors. I went to Prime Hook this morning to check out birds that have recently arrived there. I was happy to locate 3 singing Yellow-throated Warblers, and we will certainly try to see at least one on tomorrow's OLLI field trip. Other recent arrivals, both very vocal, were Chipping Sparrows, and Brown Thrashers. Additionally, the numbers of singing Pine Warblers and Field Sparrows has dramatically increased.

What I did not locate was an early Ovenbird, or Blue-gray Gnatcatcher .....maybe by tomorrow with it being 82 degrees today....... and I know you know (if you have been paying attention in class), they migrate at night, and tonight has all the earmarks of being a good migration night. Want to get really into bird migration science and prediction? Visit woodcreeper.com

See you tomorrow.
Bill

Cape Henlopen Field Trip 4/3/13

It was clear, cool and sunny, and we had lots of good birds. Starting at the Nature Center, a lucky few got a view of one Pine Siskin before the Cowbirds ran it off. There were also quick looks at Brown-headed and Red-breasted Nuthatch, and some American Goldfinches almost in full breeding plumage.

 The real highlight for me was approximately 10 Piping Plover (above) very close on the bay side of the Point. Other birds observed there were American Oystercatcher, Brant and distant Black and Surf Scoters.

From the Hawk watch we had many Northern Gannets (above), and a very close Northern Harrier. At Herring Point we eventually had good looks at a Common Loon feeding in the surf, plus some distant looks at Red-throated Loons. We finished the morning back behind the Nature Center where most got excellent looks at a beautiful male Pine Warbler (below). Our total species count for the morning was 39.

 We will meet at 8 am next week, April 10, at Prime Hook NWR Headquarters.

OLLI Prime Hook Field Trip 3/27/13

One week into spring and it was still cold and blustery....but we saw many good birds. My count was 48 species, with some highlights being Eastern Bluebird, an early Eastern Phoebe, Red-breasted, Hooded and Common Mergansers, gorgeous Northern Shovelers and Northern Pintails (top photo), several Osprey, an adult Bald Eagle, and 3 species of shorebirds which included Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, and a small flock of Dunlin (bottom photo).

We will meet next week, 4/3 at the Cape Henlopen Nature Center at 8 am.

SW Florida Birding Locations

The best first resource for birding all of Florida is The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail (GFBWT). For sites near Marco Island, visit the following links from the GFBWT:

• I70. Eagle Lakes Community Park
• I71. Picayune Strand State Forest: Sabal Palm Hiking Trail
• I72. Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
• I73. Tigertail Beach Park
• I74. Collier-Seminole State Park
• J75. Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park
• J76. Everglades National Park: Gulf Coast Visitor Center
• J77. Big Cypress National Preserve
• K78. Everglades National Park: Shark Valley Visitor Center

 Our favorites of these sites are as follows:

#1 Shark Valley, K78 - Birds are so confiding. Purple Gallinule close. We did the 15 mile bike loop trail. It was long, but unique. However, best birds are within walking distance of the visitor center.

#2 Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, J75 - Best part of this state park is the Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk Trail. It is an isolated remnant of old growth Cypress that is truly magnificent. Easily viewed Bald Eagle nest site for Dec to Feb visits.

#3 Tigertail Beach Park, I73 - We had 5 species of Plover in one visit, Wilson's, Piping, Snowy, Semipalmated, and Black-bellied. Again, all birds so confiding. Visit early morning at low tide if possible, but late afternoon also works. Walk north from the access. If it gets mucky, you can find some minimal trails back through the mangroves to some tail grassy paths, and get back to sandy flats. No need for a scope, but bring your camera!

#4 Eagle Lakes Community Park, I70 - Most all herons very close, Wood Storks and Osprey close, easy walking on paved path. Best early and NOT on weekend.

South West Florida Birding

The Burrowing Owl pic in last blog post was taken on Marco Island, Florida. Marco is the northern most of the Ten Thousand Islands, which are part of the Everglades. To me, one of the most noteworthy things about birding in Florida, is how confiding most of the birds are. A few examples of this, from top to bottom: Barred Owl, Black Skimmer, Anhinga and Green Heron, all taken with a Nikon 70-300 mm lens, and cropped very little, if at all.

In the next post, I will summarize locations Sally and I have birded on one day trips from Marco Island.

Guess where I am