I left Bear Island an hour before Craig and Pam arrived. I also saw a Wilson’s Phalarope this afternoon on Mary’s House Pond, from the “tour road”.
Irvin Pitts
Lexington, SC
-----Original Message-----
From: Craig <carolinabirds...>
To: carolinabirds <carolinabirds...>
Date: Tuesday, 6 May 2025 9:47 PM EDT
Subject: Shorebirds at Bear Island WMA, Colleton Co., SC
Pam Ford and I went to Bear Island in the afternoon today searching for the reported White-faced Ibis. We did not find the ibis, but we did find approximately 3000 shorebirds of at least 16 species, and we only covered a few impoundments. There were lots of wading birds as well, and five species of terns in Lower Tank Hill. The link to our eBird checklist is below. Most of the shorebirds were in Lower Tank Hill Pond and Mosquito Pond. A one Mute Swan was in Pinckney Break Pond near Lower Tank Hill. Most notable to Pam and I were White-rumped Sandpipers and over 20 Stilt Sandpipers in breeding plumage. There were a few lingering American Avocets and lots of Black-necked Stilts. It was difficult to identify all of the shorebirds due to access points and the sun angle, as well as them being scattered out at far distances. With more time, good light, and patience, we possibly could have found some other species. I would suggest walking the dikes. Biting insects were not bad, but the wind was blowing. There is a link below to the pdf file of the impoundments at Bear.
Date: 5/6/25 7:39 pm From: Wayne Hoffman (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Kite show at Winnabow is beginning
The last few years Mississippi Kites and Swallow-tailed Kites have gathered in May over an area of farm fields at the village of Winnabow, in Brunswick County, with Laughing Gulls, to feed on flying Japanese Beetles. In previous years I have seen numbers as high as 125 Mississippi Kites and 25+ Swallow-tailed Kites in the air together. The gulls hawk insects closer to the ground with the kites generally staying above them.
I checked it out at about 11:15 this morning, and found 25-30 Mississippi and 4 Swallow-tailed kites, along with 200+ Laughing Gulls. In previous years the peak activity tended to be in mid-May.
The location is off Hwy 17 on Governors Road, in the first mile or so. Lat.Long is around 34.15N, -78.08W.
Pam Ford and I went to Bear Island in the afternoon today searching for the reported White-faced Ibis. We did not find the ibis, but we did find approximately 3000 shorebirds of at least 16 species, and we only covered a few impoundments. There were lots of wading birds as well, and five species of terns in Lower Tank Hill. The link to our eBird checklist is below. Most of the shorebirds were in Lower Tank Hill Pond and Mosquito Pond. A one Mute Swan was in Pinckney Break Pond near Lower Tank Hill. Most notable to Pam and I were White-rumped Sandpipers and over 20 Stilt Sandpipers in breeding plumage. There were a few lingering American Avocets and lots of Black-necked Stilts. It was difficult to identify all of the shorebirds due to access points and the sun angle, as well as them being scattered out at far distances. With more time, good light, and patience, we possibly could have found some other species. I would suggest walking the dikes. Biting insects were not bad, but the wind was blowing. There is a link below to the pdf file of the impoundments at Bear.
Date: 5/6/25 4:42 pm From: James Hancock (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Pea Island
Beautiful day at Pea Island NWR today. North pond is drawn down, lots of shallow areas and sand bars—-so lots of shore birds.
Great looks at several pairs of black necked stilts, LOTS of Dunlin in spring plumage, Skimmers, terns (Least and Royal), egrets, and Black Ducks.
Also a Merlin there for the shorebird feast and an Imm Bald Eagle
Also of note a really nice male six lined race runner, over a foot long with tail 8” and bright turquoise along sides and under chin.
What a great place to be in nature!
Skip Hancock
Coinjock
Date: 5/5/25 5:36 pm From: <badgerboy...> Subject: Watauga County Spring Count this Sunday, May 11
Anyone planning to be in the northern mountains this weekend is welcome to participate in the Watauga County Spring Count. Just let me know and I'll set it up.
Date: 5/5/25 10:47 am From: scompton1251 <scompton1251...> Subject: RE: Merlin app vs. Mockingbird
Birders,Thanks for the comments on Merlin. As usual, I am a late adopter of new technology. I have also had a keen interest in Mockingbirds formany years. Added to that I am living in a new habitat with much to learn. Regards,Steve Compton In the hardwoods and pines of Dorchester, SC.Sent from my Galaxy
-------- Original message --------From: scompton1251 <scompton1251...> Date: 5/5/25 8:33 AM (GMT-05:00) To: Carolina Birds <carolinabirds...> Subject: Merlin app vs. Mockingbird Birders Just now on my deck my Merlin app identified about 7 species from sound, including a Swainson's Warbler. I am .7 miles from our swamp and have not heard one there yet this Spring. A Mockingbird is singing his catalogue of birdsong. Could Merlin have taken an imitation to be the real thing?Thanks,Steve ComptonOn new ground in Dorchester, SC.Sent from my Galaxy
Date: 5/5/25 10:13 am From: Betsy Kane (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Merlin has regressed...
I noticed what seemed like a big slowdown / failure to detect anything with
Merlin right after a periodic update to my iPhone operating system a few
months ago. I think that was back in December.
It seems to have improved more recently, but maybe I'm just used to it.
Other than that, I love Merlin.
Betsy
On Mon, May 5, 2025 at 12:27 PM Ann Brice <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> I have been frustrated with Merlin lately because it seems slower to
> identify common birds, leaves lots of songs unidentified and can't hear as
> well as I can -- and my hearing has diminished over the last couple of
> years.
>
> I don't know if there was an upgrade that has caused these problems or if
> it is related to the bird packs that I have loaded. I know that I was
> trying to identify a sparrow that I thought was a tree sparrow and my
> Merlin didn't have an entry for a tree sparrow. I loaded the North
> American bird pack and deleted whatever I had previously. I believe that
> is when I started having problems. I switched to the US: southeast. I
> think it has helped performance a bit but it's not identifying birds as
> well as last year. I had great confidence in Merlin in the past, but not
> any more.
>
> Was there just a NC bird pack in the past? Was there an upgrade to Merlin
> that caused these problems?
>
> Ann Brice
> Wilson, NC
>
>
>
>
Date: 5/5/25 9:27 am From: Ann Brice (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Merlin has regressed...
I have been frustrated with Merlin lately because it seems slower to identify common birds, leaves lots of songs unidentified and can't hear as well as I can -- and my hearing has diminished over the last couple of years.
I don't know if there was an upgrade that has caused these problems or if it is related to the bird packs that I have loaded. I know that I was trying to identify a sparrow that I thought was a tree sparrow and my Merlin didn't have an entry for a tree sparrow. I loaded the North American bird pack and deleted whatever I had previously. I believe that is when I started having problems. I switched to the US: southeast. I think it has helped performance a bit but it's not identifying birds as well as last year. I had great confidence in Merlin in the past, but not any more.
Was there just a NC bird pack in the past? Was there an upgrade to Merlin that caused these problems?
Date: 5/5/25 9:14 am From: Eddie Owens (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Merlin app vs. Mockingbird
I saw a Chipping Sparrow from a distance and decided to play a Worm-eating
Warbler song. It sprang from its perch, darted toward me, and nearly took
my head off. Even birds make ID mistakes.
On Mon, May 5, 2025, 9:52 AM Becky Bateman <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> Another frequent misidentification by Merlin is reporting a RS hawk when
> it is a bluejay.
>
> On Mon, May 5, 2025, 9:06 AM Brenda Kramar <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
>> I’ve definitely seen Merlin take an imitation to be te real thing. And
>> I’ve seen Merlin mix up very similar species.
>>
>> - When a Mockingbird is singing, I’ve seen Merlin light up with all the
>> birds that the Mockingbird is imitating. I’m careful with my own ear when
>> there are Mockingbirds or other mimics around.
>> - I’ve seen Merlin identify a Yellow-Breasted Chat. In an attempt to
>> verify that on one survey we used playback. This so-called Chat responded
>> to playback. Eventually, A Mockingbird flew out.
>> - I’ve watched a Red-Eyed Vireo singing and watched Merlin ID it
>> alternately as a Red-Eyed Vireo, A Blue-Headed Vireo, A Red-Eyed Vireo, A
>> Blue-Headed Vireo, etc. I was watching the bird sing and watching Merlin
>> light up as it did. Id is possible there was a real Blue-Headed vireo in
>> the background that my ear wasn’t picking up? I suppose so - but usually my
>> ear actualy hears more than Merlin does even if I don’t recognize or agree
>> with the call.
>> - I’ve seen Merlin miss on a Pine Warbler vs Chipping Sparrow trill.
>> - On another survey, Merlin identified a Kentucky Warbler. This would
>> have been a new sighting for the block so we really wanted to confirm that
>> this bird was in residence. It was the right habitat so it was certainly a
>> possibility. In this same area, we had had an Ovenbird and multiple
>> Carolina Wrens in the past. We watched, we waited. We changed positions for
>> better see into the area the song was coming from. We tried playing back a
>> Kentucky Warbler song with no response. We tried an Ovenbird with no
>> response. We did see multiple Carolina Wrens.We did not add Kentucky
>> Warbler to the list.
>>
>> I know that my ears are very fallible and the more I learn about
>> Birdsong, the more I realize I might get wrong. Some songs are just very,
>> very similar in real life. The way we generally use Merlin on a count is to
>> get it running. Bird without it. Then check the list 5-10 minutes in to see
>> if there is anything we missed. If so, we work our own ears to see if
>> anyone can pick out that song. Often, we can. The cacophony of spring song
>> means we just missed it. But regularly, even with our best efforts, we have
>> to leave the bird off. Even when it’s a bird that SHOULD be there.
>>
>> Merlin is great! I’m thankful for it. But I don’t add it it if I can’t
>> independently verify it.
>> Hope that helps someone. :-)
>> Brenda Kramar Rice
>>
>>
>>
>> On May 5, 2025, at 8:32 AM, scompton1251 <scompton1251...>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Birders
>>
>> Just now on my deck my Merlin app identified about 7 species from sound,
>> including a Swainson's Warbler. I am .7 miles from our swamp and have not
>> heard one there yet this Spring. A Mockingbird is singing his catalogue
>> of birdsong. Could Merlin have taken an imitation to be the real thing?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Steve Compton
>> On new ground in Dorchester, SC.
>>
>> Sent from my Galaxy
>>
>>
>>
Date: 5/5/25 6:55 am From: Alexander Nickley (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Please Remove from Listserv
Greetings!
Could you please remove me from the email list? Just too many bird conversations flooding my work inbox. (not that I wouldn’t rather be birding 😉 )
Thank you!!
Alex
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Becky Bateman <carolinabirds...>
Date: Monday, May 5, 2025 at 9:52 AM
To: Brenda Kramar <bkramar...>
Cc: scompton1251 <scompton1251...>, Carolina Birds <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Re: Merlin app vs. Mockingbird
Another frequent misidentification by Merlin is reporting a RS hawk when it is a bluejay.
On Mon, May 5, 2025, 9:06 AM Brenda Kramar <carolinabirds...><mailto:<carolinabirds...>> wrote:
I’ve definitely seen Merlin take an imitation to be te real thing. And I’ve seen Merlin mix up very similar species.
- When a Mockingbird is singing, I’ve seen Merlin light up with all the birds that the Mockingbird is imitating. I’m careful with my own ear when there are Mockingbirds or other mimics around.
- I’ve seen Merlin identify a Yellow-Breasted Chat. In an attempt to verify that on one survey we used playback. This so-called Chat responded to playback. Eventually, A Mockingbird flew out.
- I’ve watched a Red-Eyed Vireo singing and watched Merlin ID it alternately as a Red-Eyed Vireo, A Blue-Headed Vireo, A Red-Eyed Vireo, A Blue-Headed Vireo, etc. I was watching the bird sing and watching Merlin light up as it did. Id is possible there was a real Blue-Headed vireo in the background that my ear wasn’t picking up? I suppose so - but usually my ear actualy hears more than Merlin does even if I don’t recognize or agree with the call.
- I’ve seen Merlin miss on a Pine Warbler vs Chipping Sparrow trill.
- On another survey, Merlin identified a Kentucky Warbler. This would have been a new sighting for the block so we really wanted to confirm that this bird was in residence. It was the right habitat so it was certainly a possibility. In this same area, we had had an Ovenbird and multiple Carolina Wrens in the past. We watched, we waited. We changed positions for better see into the area the song was coming from. We tried playing back a Kentucky Warbler song with no response. We tried an Ovenbird with no response. We did see multiple Carolina Wrens.We did not add Kentucky Warbler to the list.
I know that my ears are very fallible and the more I learn about Birdsong, the more I realize I might get wrong. Some songs are just very, very similar in real life. The way we generally use Merlin on a count is to get it running. Bird without it. Then check the list 5-10 minutes in to see if there is anything we missed. If so, we work our own ears to see if anyone can pick out that song. Often, we can. The cacophony of spring song means we just missed it. But regularly, even with our best efforts, we have to leave the bird off. Even when it’s a bird that SHOULD be there.
Merlin is great! I’m thankful for it. But I don’t add it it if I can’t independently verify it.
Hope that helps someone. :-)
Brenda Kramar Rice
Just now on my deck my Merlin app identified about 7 species from sound, including a Swainson's Warbler. I am .7 miles from our swamp and have not heard one there yet this Spring. A Mockingbird is singing his catalogue
of birdsong. Could Merlin have taken an imitation to be the real thing?
Thanks,
Steve Compton
On new ground in Dorchester, SC.
Date: 5/5/25 6:53 am From: Becky Bateman (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Merlin app vs. Mockingbird
Another frequent misidentification by Merlin is reporting a RS hawk when it
is a bluejay.
On Mon, May 5, 2025, 9:06 AM Brenda Kramar <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> I’ve definitely seen Merlin take an imitation to be te real thing. And
> I’ve seen Merlin mix up very similar species.
>
> - When a Mockingbird is singing, I’ve seen Merlin light up with all the
> birds that the Mockingbird is imitating. I’m careful with my own ear when
> there are Mockingbirds or other mimics around.
> - I’ve seen Merlin identify a Yellow-Breasted Chat. In an attempt to
> verify that on one survey we used playback. This so-called Chat responded
> to playback. Eventually, A Mockingbird flew out.
> - I’ve watched a Red-Eyed Vireo singing and watched Merlin ID it
> alternately as a Red-Eyed Vireo, A Blue-Headed Vireo, A Red-Eyed Vireo, A
> Blue-Headed Vireo, etc. I was watching the bird sing and watching Merlin
> light up as it did. Id is possible there was a real Blue-Headed vireo in
> the background that my ear wasn’t picking up? I suppose so - but usually my
> ear actualy hears more than Merlin does even if I don’t recognize or agree
> with the call.
> - I’ve seen Merlin miss on a Pine Warbler vs Chipping Sparrow trill.
> - On another survey, Merlin identified a Kentucky Warbler. This would have
> been a new sighting for the block so we really wanted to confirm that this
> bird was in residence. It was the right habitat so it was certainly a
> possibility. In this same area, we had had an Ovenbird and multiple
> Carolina Wrens in the past. We watched, we waited. We changed positions for
> better see into the area the song was coming from. We tried playing back a
> Kentucky Warbler song with no response. We tried an Ovenbird with no
> response. We did see multiple Carolina Wrens.We did not add Kentucky
> Warbler to the list.
>
> I know that my ears are very fallible and the more I learn about Birdsong,
> the more I realize I might get wrong. Some songs are just very, very
> similar in real life. The way we generally use Merlin on a count is to get
> it running. Bird without it. Then check the list 5-10 minutes in to see if
> there is anything we missed. If so, we work our own ears to see if anyone
> can pick out that song. Often, we can. The cacophony of spring song means
> we just missed it. But regularly, even with our best efforts, we have to
> leave the bird off. Even when it’s a bird that SHOULD be there.
>
> Merlin is great! I’m thankful for it. But I don’t add it it if I can’t
> independently verify it.
> Hope that helps someone. :-)
> Brenda Kramar Rice
>
>
>
> On May 5, 2025, at 8:32 AM, scompton1251 <scompton1251...> wrote:
>
>
> Birders
>
> Just now on my deck my Merlin app identified about 7 species from sound,
> including a Swainson's Warbler. I am .7 miles from our swamp and have not
> heard one there yet this Spring. A Mockingbird is singing his catalogue
> of birdsong. Could Merlin have taken an imitation to be the real thing?
>
> Thanks,
> Steve Compton
> On new ground in Dorchester, SC.
>
> Sent from my Galaxy
>
>
>
Date: 5/5/25 6:42 am From: \Len (null)\ (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Merlin app vs. Mockingbird
Steve,
Merlin will definitely pick up on an imitation. I can get it to recognize my titmouse rendition.
Len Kopka
Simpsonville, SC
On May 5, 2025, at 8:33 AM, scompton1251 <scompton1251...> wrote:
Birders
Just now on my deck my Merlin app identified about 7 species from sound, including a Swainson's Warbler. I am .7 miles from our swamp and have not heard one there yet this Spring. A Mockingbird is singing his catalogue
of birdsong. Could Merlin have taken an imitation to be the real thing?
Thanks,
Steve Compton
On new ground in Dorchester, SC.
Date: 5/5/25 6:06 am From: Brenda Kramar (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Merlin app vs. Mockingbird
I’ve definitely seen Merlin take an imitation to be te real thing. And I’ve seen Merlin mix up very similar species.
- When a Mockingbird is singing, I’ve seen Merlin light up with all the birds that the Mockingbird is imitating. I’m careful with my own ear when there are Mockingbirds or other mimics around.
- I’ve seen Merlin identify a Yellow-Breasted Chat. In an attempt to verify that on one survey we used playback. This so-called Chat responded to playback. Eventually, A Mockingbird flew out.
- I’ve watched a Red-Eyed Vireo singing and watched Merlin ID it alternately as a Red-Eyed Vireo, A Blue-Headed Vireo, A Red-Eyed Vireo, A Blue-Headed Vireo, etc. I was watching the bird sing and watching Merlin light up as it did. Id is possible there was a real Blue-Headed vireo in the background that my ear wasn’t picking up? I suppose so - but usually my ear actualy hears more than Merlin does even if I don’t recognize or agree with the call.
- I’ve seen Merlin miss on a Pine Warbler vs Chipping Sparrow trill.
- On another survey, Merlin identified a Kentucky Warbler. This would have been a new sighting for the block so we really wanted to confirm that this bird was in residence. It was the right habitat so it was certainly a possibility. In this same area, we had had an Ovenbird and multiple Carolina Wrens in the past. We watched, we waited. We changed positions for better see into the area the song was coming from. We tried playing back a Kentucky Warbler song with no response. We tried an Ovenbird with no response. We did see multiple Carolina Wrens.We did not add Kentucky Warbler to the list.
I know that my ears are very fallible and the more I learn about Birdsong, the more I realize I might get wrong. Some songs are just very, very similar in real life. The way we generally use Merlin on a count is to get it running. Bird without it. Then check the list 5-10 minutes in to see if there is anything we missed. If so, we work our own ears to see if anyone can pick out that song. Often, we can. The cacophony of spring song means we just missed it. But regularly, even with our best efforts, we have to leave the bird off. Even when it’s a bird that SHOULD be there.
Merlin is great! I’m thankful for it. But I don’t add it it if I can’t independently verify it.
Hope that helps someone. :-)
Brenda Kramar Rice
> On May 5, 2025, at 8:32 AM, scompton1251 <scompton1251...> wrote:
>
>
> Birders
>
> Just now on my deck my Merlin app identified about 7 species from sound, including a Swainson's Warbler. I am .7 miles from our swamp and have not heard one there yet this Spring. A Mockingbird is singing his catalogue
> of birdsong. Could Merlin have taken an imitation to be the real thing?
>
> Thanks,
> Steve Compton
> On new ground in Dorchester, SC.
>
> Sent from my Galaxy
>
Date: 5/5/25 6:02 am From: Paul Glass (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re[2]: Merlin app vs. Mockingbird
Also, this may seem like semantics, but it's an important distinction,
Merlin does not make identifications. Merlin gives suggestions. It's
up to the user to make an identification.
Paul Glass
South Boston, VA
------ Original Message ------
From "Steve" <sshultz...>
To "scompton1251" <scompton1251...>
Cc "Carolina Birds" <carolinabirds...>
Date 5/5/2025 8:42:45 AM
Subject Re: Merlin app vs. Mockingbird
>Absolutely! I love Merlin, and often recommend it to folks getting
>interested in birding, but I always give the big caveat that it’s right
>90% of the time.
>
> I was doing an introduction to birding walk at work recently and was
>demonstrating Merlin. It was actually a really good example because it
>said there was a Gadwall (right there in the middle of the woods!)
>
>I do see sometimes that folks submit bird lists to eBird based on
>Merlin identifications, which I would always caution against, and not
>saying you’re doing this, just using this as a platform to note.
>
>For example, eBird shows that we have Worm-eating warblers breeding
>here in suburban Cary 😀 (summer records after migration)
>
>Merlin is picking up Chipping Sparrow and folks are submitting based on
>what Merlin says.
>
>Steve Shultz
>
>
>>On May 5, 2025, at 8:33 AM, scompton1251 <scompton1251...>
>>wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>Birders
>>
>>Just now on my deck my Merlin app identified about 7 species from
>>sound, including a Swainson's Warbler. I am .7 miles from our swamp
>>and have not heard one there yet this Spring. A Mockingbird is singing
>>his catalogue
>>of birdsong. Could Merlin have taken an imitation to be the real
>>thing?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Steve Compton
>>On new ground in Dorchester, SC.
>>
>>Sent from my Galaxy
>>
Date: 5/5/25 5:43 am From: Steve <sshultz...> Subject: Re: Merlin app vs. Mockingbird
Absolutely! I love Merlin, and often recommend it to folks getting interested in birding, but I always give the big caveat that it’s right 90% of the time.
I was doing an introduction to birding walk at work recently and was demonstrating Merlin. It was actually a really good example because it said there was a Gadwall (right there in the middle of the woods!)
I do see sometimes that folks submit bird lists to eBird based on Merlin identifications, which I would always caution against, and not saying you’re doing this, just using this as a platform to note.
For example, eBird shows that we have Worm-eating warblers breeding here in suburban Cary 😀 (summer records after migration)
Merlin is picking up Chipping Sparrow and folks are submitting based on what Merlin says.
Steve Shultz
> On May 5, 2025, at 8:33 AM, scompton1251 <scompton1251...> wrote:
>
>
>
> Birders
>
> Just now on my deck my Merlin app identified about 7 species from sound, including a Swainson's Warbler. I am .7 miles from our swamp and have not heard one there yet this Spring. A Mockingbird is singing his catalogue
> of birdsong. Could Merlin have taken an imitation to be the real thing?
>
> Thanks,
> Steve Compton
> On new ground in Dorchester, SC.
>
> Sent from my Galaxy
>
Date: 5/5/25 5:33 am From: scompton1251 <scompton1251...> Subject: Merlin app vs. Mockingbird
Birders Just now on my deck my Merlin app identified about 7 species from sound, including a Swainson's Warbler. I am .7 miles from our swamp and have not heard one there yet this Spring. A Mockingbird is singing his catalogue of birdsong. Could Merlin have taken an imitation to be the real thing?Thanks,Steve ComptonOn new ground in Dorchester, SC.Sent from my Galaxy
My friend Will Rowland observed and photographed a female Hooded Merganser with seven ducklings at Bass Lake Park in Wake Co. on 19 April, and Stephanie Horton observed a female with two ducklings at Betz Lake (RTP, Wake Co.) on 27 April. Looks like a big year for them breeding in the Piedmont.
Jeffrey C. Beane
Collections Manager for Herpetology
E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> On Behalf Of Kevin Kubach
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2025 6:59 PM
To: <rdnc13...>
Cc: <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Re: Breeding Hooded Merganser
Kevin Kubach
Greenville, SC
On Apr 23, 2025, at 6:58 PM, Kevin Kubach <kmkubach...><mailto:<kmkubach...>> wrote:
Thanks for sharing. In a similarly surprising observation, an astute birder saw a hen with eight young on 20 April in Kershaw Co., SC (essentially on the fall line between the Piedmont and coastal plain)!
Yesterday April 22, i found a female Hooded Merganser with 9 small young. They were at a farm pond surrounded by grass, in the community of Social Plains in extreme southern Franklin County. I never would have expected to find breeding evidence in a place like this!
On Tue, Apr 29, 2025 at 6:29 AM, Erinn Szarek<erinn.szarek...> wrote: Does anyone in the Triangle/knightdale area have a stack of magazines they'd be willing to part from? I have a "dream/goals/moodboard" party coming up this weekend and need more material!Erinn
Does anyone in the Triangle/knightdale area have a stack of magazines they'd be willing to part from? I have a "dream/goals/moodboard" party coming up this weekend and need more material!Erinn
Date: 4/28/25 7:20 pm From: Rich and Susan Boyd (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: The passing of Bruce Smithson of Wilmington
Bruce was a grand champion of birding. Susan and I travelled with him to
Alaska (twice), California, and Texas on memorable birding trips. Alway
kind and supportive, he was a joy to bird with. Good memories of a grand
person. RIP, Bruce. Rich and Susan Boyd, Beaufort, NC
On Mon, Apr 28, 2025 at 6:31 PM Sherry Lane <carolinabirds...> wrote:
> Dear Carolina Birders,
>
> It is with great sadness that I inform the Carolina birding community of
> the passing of Bruce Smithson. His wife, Patti, shared that he passed
> peacefully in his sleep today after a long illness.
>
> To me, Bruce was a legendary birder. He was not only my mentor but also a
> dear friend. He always took the time to bring beginner birders along,
> inspiring them to improve their skills. I learned so much from Bruce and
> cherish the countless wonderful memories we created while birding in
> Wilmington and throughout the Carolinas. We also traveled to Costa Rica,
> Colombia, and Kenya on birding trips. His passion for birding and for life
> in general was truly contagious, and he will be deeply missed by many.
>
> If you have any memories of Bruce Smithson, please share them with me, and
> I will pass them along to Patti. I know she would love to read them.
>
> One of my favorite memories is birding at Fort Fisher Spit with Bruce. He
> had an incredible ability to find rare shorebirds among the masses like no
> one else.
>
> Sherry Lane
> New Smyrna Beach, Florida
> LifeBirdTours.com
>
>
Date: 4/28/25 3:31 pm From: Sherry Lane (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: The passing of Bruce Smithson of Wilmington
Dear Carolina Birders,
It is with great sadness that I inform the Carolina birding community of the passing of Bruce Smithson. His wife, Patti, shared that he passed peacefully in his sleep today after a long illness.
To me, Bruce was a legendary birder. He was not only my mentor but also a dear friend. He always took the time to bring beginner birders along, inspiring them to improve their skills. I learned so much from Bruce and cherish the countless wonderful memories we created while birding in Wilmington and throughout the Carolinas. We also traveled to Costa Rica, Colombia, and Kenya on birding trips. His passion for birding and for life in general was truly contagious, and he will be deeply missed by many.
If you have any memories of Bruce Smithson, please share them with me, and I will pass them along to Patti. I know she would love to read them.
One of my favorite memories is birding at Fort Fisher Spit with Bruce. He had an incredible ability to find rare shorebirds among the masses like no one else.
Sherry Lane
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
LifeBirdTours.com
Date: 4/28/25 7:13 am From: Craig Watson (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Gray Kingbird Botany Bay Plantation WMA.
There is a Gray Kingbird here (32.5492954, -80.2364792) at Botany Bay WMA on Edisto Island, SC, first reported by Andy Harrison on April 26. The bird is actively foraging in grass under the utility lines between the fields.
Date: 4/25/25 8:27 pm From: Linda Sharp <nljsharp...> Subject: Long Billed Curlew at Bulls Island
I am with a group this weekend at Bulls Island with Coastal Expeditions. The Long-Billed Curlew was spotted just to the right of the observation deck at the North End of the island today Friday afternoon.
Sent from my iPhone
Date: 4/24/25 7:31 am From: Griggs, Jerry <GRIGGS...> Subject: Re: Breeding Hooded Merganser
Following up on yesterday's thread,
> On Apr 23, 2025, at 6:58 PM, Kevin Kubach <kmkubach...><mailto:<kmkubach...>> wrote:
>Thanks for sharing. In a similarly surprising observation, an astute birder saw a hen with eight young on 20 April in Kershaw Co., SC (essentially on the fall line between the Piedmont and coastal plain)!
In Columbia, Outlet Pointe Wastewater Plant is a pond beside the Saluda River by the I-20 crossing. This is also around the fall line. I have been seeing a female Hoodie with four (down to three?) young there, sometimes beside the far more numerous Wood Ducks (with young also). Associating with these birds is a male Mallard that has been around for months. A lone male Blue-winged Teal has been around as well. It seems like a commune for ducks?
Since I'm posting, it is pleasing to report that the first Rose-breasted Grosbeak of the season has arrived at the feeders, at our home near Mungo Park in the Irmo area. I take it to be a female. A bright male Blue Grosbeak is now coming, possibly the same bird that has often visited the past couple of years? And, a dazzling male Painted Bunting is now joining the female and immature that have been here for almost two weeks. Painted Buntings can be heard singing in the park, which is a good place to look for these birds (as well as butterflies).
Date: 4/23/25 1:56 pm From: \Hurlbert, Allen Hartley\ (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: surveyors needed for NC Mini Breeding Bird Survey
Hello all,
We are looking for volunteers interested in helping conduct roadside NC Mini Breeding Bird Survey<minibbs.us>s in Orange, Durham, and Chatham counties (NC) this year. The MiniBBS was started in 1999 by Emeritus Professor Haven Wiley, and provides an important long-term standardized monitoring dataset for evaluating changes in bird populations in these counties.
To participate, you need to be comfortable identifying our common breeding birds by sight and sound, and are ideally willing to take on this one-morning-per-year effort (typically 5:30 - 7:30 am sometime between May 15 and June 30) for at least a few years. Continuity in observers greatly increases the quality of the data, and we are lucky to have some of the same observers for 25+ years!
If you are interested in taking on a route this year, or riding along with a current observer with the intention of fully taking over in 2026 please email me! Riding along with someone before they retire from the MBBS is a great way to transition a route to a new observer and to learn some of the stop landmarks and the avian gems to keep an ear out for along the way.
We have open routes in both Orange and Durham county.
Yesterday April 22, i found a female Hooded Merganser with 9 small young. They were at a farm pond surrounded by grass, in the community of Social Plains in extreme southern Franklin County. I never would have expected to find breeding evidence in a place like this!
Date: 4/21/25 3:55 pm From: KEN LIPSHY (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Cliff swallow mud collection in a ditch and 50 birds at Eagle point nature preserve
This is probably not exciting to most but at high rock boat ramp there's a large colony of Cliff swallows at high rock boat access by the restaurant (40+ birds). I wondered where they picked their mud and found about them landing off and on in a very shallow ditch next to the lot. Right outside my car window
At first i though they were fighting over the best mud, but after awhile thought that they were helping each other.
Pics attached in the checklist
Saw 50 birds at Eagle point nature preserve Rowan County.
Date: 4/21/25 1:03 pm From: Steve Dowlan (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Spring Meeting Update
I was not able to get the special rate last week. I was told that no more rooms were available at that rate. I booked a room at a different motel.
Steve Dowlan
Follow:The Gulf of Mexicoto the Mississippi Riverto the Ohio Riverto the Tennessee Riverto South Fork Holston Riverto the Watauga Riverto Cove Creekto Brushy Fork to Linville Creekto the first unnamed tributary
On Monday, April 21, 2025 at 08:42:29 AM EDT, Marcia Mandel" (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> wrote:
Any updates on the schedule for the CBC spring meeting? I'm looking for info on when registration will be open at the hotel (not staying there so planning my trip to Asheville). Thanks.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: CBC notifier <notification...>
Date: Tue, Apr 8, 2025, 12:46 PM
Subject: Spring Meeting Update
To: Marcia Mandel <marciamandel1...>
All,
On behalf of the CBC Board and Spring Meeting planning committee, I want to update you a bit on the status of trip planning. We now have a better idea about access to various birding spots in the Asheville area. The list of trips and trip descriptions are being modified this week. We are deleting those for which we will not have access and adding a number that local birders have suggested as replacements. Revised trip information will be posted at the CBC website. It seems we will have plenty of choices for destinations. And we know that the birds will be there!
Helene recovery and the recent wildfires have definitely made this meeting more than a bit complicated to set up. We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding.
Early registration is still open. And I believe the hotel is still accepting reservations at our special rate. As always, you can find meeting details at the club website.
So, stay tuned-- we will let you know when the modified meeting trip details are complete. Otherwise, you can wait and be surprised when you check in at the Clarion the weekend of the 25th!
Date: 4/21/25 8:09 am From: Brian Bockhahn (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Spring bird counts in state parks
Hello all, annual requests for volunteers, always a few vacant areas.
Sunday April 27 Durham Monday April 28 Falls Lake Tuesday April 29 Kerr Lake Wed is Hanging Rock (jean chamberlain) Thursday May 1 Pilot Mountain Friday May 2 Mayo River Saturday May 3 Haw River (forsyth also picked this date, argh)
-- Brian Bockhahn, enjoying singing Painted Buntings at Carolina Beach state park <birdranger248...>
Date: 4/21/25 8:03 am From: \Polo, John\ (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Common Myna at Greenway Park in Graham, N.C.
Hi, Harry.
Yes, I marked not wild, but I wanted to be sure I wasn't missing something. It looks like the other iNat users who affirmed the bird's ID were unconcerned with, or unaware of, the wild attribute for the observation. Thanks for the confirmation.
Cheers,
John
Raleigh
________________________________
From: Harry LeGrand <hlegrandjr...>
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2025 9:37 AM
To: Polo, John <polo...>
Cc: <carolinabirds...> <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Re: Common Myna at Greenway Park in Graham, N.C.
It looks like you, if not someone else, has recently marked the "Organism is wild" with a red X, which is what we want to see.
I am not aware of any other NC records. Even if there were, including now this obvious one, it certainly isn't wild, and no way to know if it was a local escape (I presume they are kept as cage birds owing to their mimicking ability) or a remote chance of a stray from the Florida population. I don't know if the NC Bird Records Committee would want or need to vote on this, but that's always on the table.
The NC bird list does include Monk Parakeet on its Not Established List, as there were some breeding pairs or colonies in the past, though still very rare; these were presumed birds from the Florida population; it is native to Argentina and southern Brazil, mainly. The Common Myna is native to southern Asia.
Do Common Mynas occasionally show up in N.C. and I'm just not aware of this? I've only lived in the Raleigh area a few years, so that's possible.
This is the iNaturalist observation. I'm curious because iNat includes a "wild" designation and I'm not sure how this bird should fall into that category.
Date: 4/21/25 6:38 am From: Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Common Myna at Greenway Park in Graham, N.C.
Jihn,
It looks like you, if not someone else, has recently marked the "Organism
is wild" with a red X, which is what we want to see.
I am not aware of any other NC records. Even if there were, including now
this obvious one, it certainly isn't wild, and no way to know if it was a
local escape (I presume they are kept as cage birds owing to their
mimicking ability) or a remote chance of a stray from the Florida
population. I don't know if the NC Bird Records Committee would want or
need to vote on this, but that's always on the table.
The NC bird list does include Monk Parakeet on its Not Established List, as
there were some breeding pairs or colonies in the past, though still very
rare; these were presumed birds from the Florida population; it is native
to Argentina and southern Brazil, mainly. The Common Myna is native to
southern Asia.
Harry LeGrand
Raleigh
On Mon, Apr 21, 2025 at 7:25 AM "Polo, John" <carolinabirds...> wrote:
Date: 4/21/25 5:42 am From: Marcia Mandel (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Fwd: Spring Meeting Update
Any updates on the schedule for the CBC spring meeting? I'm looking for info on when registration will be open at the hotel (not staying there so planning my trip to Asheville). Thanks.
On behalf of the CBC Board and Spring Meeting planning committee, I want to update you a bit on the status of trip planning. We now have a better idea about access to various birding spots in the Asheville area. The list of trips and trip descriptions are being modified this week. We are deleting those for which we will not have access and adding a number that local birders have suggested as replacements. Revised trip information will be posted at the CBC website. It seems we will have plenty of choices for destinations. And we know that the birds will be there!
Helene recovery and the recent wildfires have definitely made this meeting more than a bit complicated to set up. We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding.
Early registration is still open. And I believe the hotel is still accepting reservations at our special rate. As always, you can find meeting details at the club website.
So, stay tuned-- we will let you know when the modified meeting trip details are complete. Otherwise, you can wait and be surprised when you check in at the Clarion the weekend of the 25th!
Do Common Mynas occasionally show up in N.C. and I'm just not aware of this? I've only lived in the Raleigh area a few years, so that's possible.
This is the iNaturalist observation. I'm curious because iNat includes a "wild" designation and I'm not sure how this bird should fall into that category.
I can open it on my PC.
Anita Huffman
Rugby, VA
Grayson County
On 4/20/25 14:33, Christopher Hill (via carolinabirds Mailing List) wrote:
> Oops!
>
> All I saw was a screen capture, and I took it at face value and didn't
> follow it up (google for a link). Sorry for the misinformation
>
> Chris Hill, Ph.D.
> Professor
> Biology Department
> Coastal Carolina University
> Office: Douglas 207H
> (843) 349-2567
> email: <chill...>
>
Date: 4/20/25 11:34 am From: Christopher Hill (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Problem opening ebird.org
Oops!
All I saw was a screen capture, and I took it at face value and didn't follow it up (google for a link). Sorry for the misinformation.
Chris Hill, Ph.D.
Professor
Biology Department
Coastal Carolina University
Office: Douglas 207H
(843) 349-2567
email: <chill...>
> On Apr 20, 2025, at 2:30 PM, Kent Fiala <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
> External sender <carolinabirds...> <mailto:<carolinabirds...>> > Make sure you trust this sender before taking any actions.
> It's unfortunate that this announcement from March 2024, 13 months ago, has resurfaced on Facebook.
>
> Kent Fiala
> On 4/20/2025 11:44 AM, Christopher Hill (via carolinabirds Mailing List) wrote:
>> It's a planned hiatus for server migration:
>>
>> "Several Cornell Lab of Ornithology services will be unavailalbe March 19 through 6am on March 21."
>>
>> Find the full announcement on line.
>>
>> Chris Hill, Ph.D.
>> Professor
>> Biology Department
>> Coastal Carolina University
>> Office: Douglas 207H
>> (843) 349-2567
>> email: <chill...> <mailto:<chill...> >>
>>> On Apr 20, 2025, at 11:35 AM, Elizabeth Faison <carolinabirds...> <mailto:<carolinabirds...> wrote:
>>>
>>> External sender <carolinabirds...> <mailto:<carolinabirds...> >>> Make sure you trust this sender before taking any actions.
>>> It won't open at all for me.
>>>
>>> Elizabeth Faison, Boone
>>> From: <carolinabirds-request...> <mailto:<carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> <mailto:<carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Marcia Mandel <carolinabirds...> <mailto:<carolinabirds...> >>> Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2025 11:15 AM
>>> To: Carolina Birds <carolinabirds...> <mailto:<carolinabirds...> >>> Subject: Problem opening ebird.org <http://ebird.org/> >>>
>>> I'm unable to open ebird on my PC (error message "bad gateway"), Android tablet ("service unavailable ") or Android phone ("bad gateway"), using Chrome or Ecosia. Anyone else having a problem? Can't find anything online about an issue today. Was able to submit a checklist in the eBird app. Any suggestions? Thanks.
>>> Marcia
Date: 4/20/25 11:31 am From: Kent Fiala (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Problem opening ebird.org
It's unfortunate that this announcement from March 2024, 13 months ago, has resurfaced on Facebook.
Kent Fiala
On 4/20/2025 11:44 AM, Christopher Hill (via carolinabirds Mailing List) wrote:
It's a planned hiatus for server migration: "Several Cornell Lab of Ornithology services will be unavailalbe March 19 through 6am on March 21." Find the full announcement on line.
Chris Hill, Ph.D. Professor Biology Department Coastal Carolina University Office: Douglas 207H (843) 349-2567 email: <chill...>
On Apr 20, 2025, at 11:35 AM, Elizabeth Faison <carolinabirds...> wrote: It won't open at all for me. Elizabeth Faison, Boone From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Marcia Mandel <carolinabirds...> Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2025 11:15 AM To: Carolina Birds <carolinabi External sender <carolinabirds...> Make sure you trust this sender before taking any actions. It won't open at all for me. Elizabeth Faison, Boone
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Marcia Mandel <carolinabirds...> Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2025 11:15 AM To: Carolina Birds <carolinabirds...> Subject: Problem opening ebird.org I'm unable to open ebird on my PC (error message "bad gateway"), Android tablet ("service unavailable ") or Android phone ("bad gateway"), using Chrome or Ecosia. Anyone else having a problem? Can't find anything online about an issue today. Was able to submit a checklist in the eBird app. Any suggestions? Thanks. Marcia
Date: 4/20/25 8:45 am From: Christopher Hill (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Problem opening ebird.org
It's a planned hiatus for server migration:
"Several Cornell Lab of Ornithology services will be unavailalbe March 19 through 6am on March 21."
Find the full announcement on line.
Chris Hill, Ph.D.
Professor
Biology Department
Coastal Carolina University
Office: Douglas 207H
(843) 349-2567
email: <chill...>
On Apr 20, 2025, at 11:35 AM, Elizabeth Faison <carolinabirds...> wrote:
It won't open at all for me. Elizabeth Faison, Boone From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Marcia Mandel <carolinabirds...> Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2025 11:15 AM To: Carolina Birds <carolinabi
External sender <carolinabirds...>
Make sure you trust this sender before taking any actions.
It won't open at all for me.
Elizabeth Faison, Boone
________________________________
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Marcia Mandel <carolinabirds...>
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2025 11:15 AM
To: Carolina Birds <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Problem opening ebird.org
I'm unable to open ebird on my PC (error message "bad gateway"), Android tablet ("service unavailable ") or Android phone ("bad gateway"), using Chrome or Ecosia. Anyone else having a problem? Can't find anything online about an issue today. Was able to submit a checklist in the eBird app. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Marcia
Date: 4/20/25 8:43 am From: Marcia Mandel (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Problem opening ebird.org
Apparently there's an outage on Cornell's end, although the info about it
is sketchy.
On Sun, Apr 20, 2025 at 11:35 AM Elizabeth Faison <eliza.faison...>
wrote:
> It won't open at all for me.
>
> Elizabeth Faison, Boone
> ------------------------------
> *From:* <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...>
> on behalf of Marcia Mandel <carolinabirds...>
> *Sent:* Sunday, April 20, 2025 11:15 AM
> *To:* Carolina Birds <carolinabirds...>
> *Subject:* Problem opening ebird.org
>
> I'm unable to open ebird on my PC (error message "bad gateway"), Android
> tablet ("service unavailable ") or Android phone ("bad gateway"), using
> Chrome or Ecosia. Anyone else having a problem? Can't find anything online
> about an issue today. Was able to submit a checklist in the eBird app. Any
> suggestions? Thanks.
> Marcia
>
Date: 4/20/25 8:36 am From: Elizabeth Faison (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Problem opening ebird.org
It won't open at all for me.
Elizabeth Faison, Boone
________________________________
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Marcia Mandel <carolinabirds...>
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2025 11:15 AM
To: Carolina Birds <carolinabirds...>
Subject: Problem opening ebird.org
I'm unable to open ebird on my PC (error message "bad gateway"), Android tablet ("service unavailable ") or Android phone ("bad gateway"), using Chrome or Ecosia. Anyone else having a problem? Can't find anything online about an issue today. Was able to submit a checklist in the eBird app. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Marcia
Date: 4/20/25 8:25 am From: Jan Heard (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Problem opening ebird.org
I cannot open mine since yesterday. I use Apple products.
Jan
On Sun, Apr 20, 2025 at 11:16 AM Marcia Mandel <carolinabirds...>
wrote:
> I'm unable to open ebird on my PC (error message "bad gateway"), Android
> tablet ("service unavailable ") or Android phone ("bad gateway"), using
> Chrome or Ecosia. Anyone else having a problem? Can't find anything online
> about an issue today. Was able to submit a checklist in the eBird app. Any
> suggestions? Thanks.
> Marcia
>
Date: 4/20/25 8:16 am From: Marcia Mandel (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Problem opening ebird.org
I'm unable to open ebird on my PC (error message "bad gateway"), Android tablet ("service unavailable ") or Android phone ("bad gateway"), using Chrome or Ecosia. Anyone else having a problem? Can't find anything online about an issue today. Was able to submit a checklist in the eBird app. Any suggestions? Thanks. Marcia
Date: 4/19/25 12:58 pm From: Marc Ribaudo (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Swanson's Warbler, Wake Vounty
A Swainson's Warbler was singing along the Neuse River Trail this morning, downstream from the Mial Plantation Rd parking lot. This is near the stretch of river a Swainson's has been found the last several years. I saw an additional 13 warbler species between the footbridge over the Neuse and the Johnston Co line.
Marc Ribaudo
I noticed a few weeks ago that Grimesland Ponds is open again. This is an eBird hotspot in eastern Pitt County in the bottomlands around the Tar River.
For several years it had been closed to public access.
I believe it was in NCDOT control for some time while closed to the public, but now at least a part of the site is publicly accessible as a NC Wildlife fishing access area.
Date: 4/16/25 11:30 am From: Nate Dias (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: First report/record of Fulvous Whistling-Duck in NC since 2001
There was a Fulvous Whistling-Duck seen and photographed and eBirded by
many birders in late April 2022 at Kingfisher Pond, Savannah NWR.
"These days I prefer to hunt with a camera. A good photograph demands more
skill from the hunter, better nerves and more patience than the rifle
shot." -- Bror Blixen
On Wed, Apr 16, 2025 at 10:35 AM Christopher Hill <carolinabirds...>
wrote:
> The most recent one I remember in South Carolina is one photographed and
> banded at the Tom Yawkey center in Georgetown County in 2015, in late
> August:
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.carolinabirdclub.org/chat/issues/2016/v80n1sc_brc_2015.pdf__;!!OToaGQ!vv7gmSwBpJXWfMWlgKbl-MXvtNMmwAyAchm8FpzZeaFeV3boxx8DTLn3a0mYWQ_Gtp4VBwKimBVsusBLcjS8QXoWuNTG$ .
> Not in eBird but in the Chat database since the SCBRC voted on it.
>
> There was an April 2022 bird seen by many at the Savannah River Site
> that's in ebird. That one doesn't seem to be in the 2022 SCBRC report,
> though.
>
>
> Chris Hill, Ph.D.
> Professor
> Biology Department
> Coastal Carolina University
> Office: Douglas 207H
> (843) 349-2567
> email: <chill...>
>
> On Apr 16, 2025, at 9:59 AM, Harry LeGrand <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
> Folks, On April 14 (2025), Doug Racine, who visits the North River
> Wetlands Preserve in Carteret County almost weekly, posted three
> photographs of a Fulvous Whistling-Duck taking flight from a pond there.
> He posted these on the Carolina Bird Club Phot
> *Warning: Unusual sender* <carolinabirds...>
> You don't usually receive emails from this address. Make sure you trust
> this sender before taking any actions.
> Folks,
>
> On April 14 (2025), Doug Racine, who visits the North River Wetlands
> Preserve in Carteret County almost weekly, posted three photographs of a
> Fulvous Whistling-Duck taking flight from a pond there. He posted these on
> the Carolina Bird Club Photo Gallery:
>
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.carolinabirdclub.org/gallery/Racine/fuwd.html__;!!OToaGQ!vv7gmSwBpJXWfMWlgKbl-MXvtNMmwAyAchm8FpzZeaFeV3boxx8DTLn3a0mYWQ_Gtp4VBwKimBVsusBLcjS8QcourPlY$ > <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.carolinabirdclub.org/gallery/Racine/fuwd.html__;!!OToaGQ!tOs2ckNpJ0KmZH-5FVbvNxfRudhiELFGfL4nI6aDSRbG4mAolWIVIQOVsvDHcQpdvEKUVKfqQ5CE5WgOaQJpwHE$> >
> There is no eBird report for this very important record, but there are
> comments in the NC Rare Bird Alert on the GroupMe app. Thankfully, photos
> on the CBC website are permanently documented. I now write the "Briefs for
> the Files" for *The Chat*, and I will include this record there for
> documentation as well. This will later go onto the *Birds of North
> Carolina* website, which says the last NC record based on The Chat
> database was on January 1, 2001.
>
> Note that this species was an almost annual fall and early winter visitor
> back in the 1960s and 1970s (see the NC website) along the coast, and
> ranged sparingly inland into the inner Coastal Plain and twice in the
> eastern Piedmont. I have been fortunate to be birding NC back then, and I
> have seen them maybe 5-6 times, including seeing the amazing flock of 11 at
> the (former) Greenview Farm south of Raleigh, back in 1975. In fact, the
> peak NC counts were 61 in 1989, and 55 in 1960, indicating that it at times
> could be found in some numbers. The range in the USA has been strongly
> declining, and it is now difficult to find in Florida, being found mainly
> now from coastal Louisiana into coastal Texas, and southward.
>
> I would really doubt this is an escaped bird, as it is seen taking flight
> and as there are no nearby aviaries. Plus, no other strange out-of-range
> waterfowl have been reported lately in the region. This species is not a
> review one for NC, but as there have been no reports in the state in 24
> years, it is up to the NC Bird Records Committee chair to decide if a
> review is warranted. I feel sure that most Carolina birders have never
> seen a Fulvous Whistling-Duck in NC or perhaps in SC as well, and thus the
> great interest in relocating these birds.
>
> Harry LeGrand
> Raleigh
>
>
>
>
Date: 4/16/25 10:13 am From: David McLean (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Long-billed Curlew on Bulls Island PLUS World Curlew Day, Mon 21 Apr 2025
Wed 16 Apr 2025
All,
Yesterday on our ongoing Bulls Island (Cape Romain NWR, Charleston Co, SC) waterfowl/shorebird survey we (including Craig Watson and Pam Ford) tallied the Long-billed Curlew (LBCU) that has been hanging out in Jack's Creek for several weeks now. The Coastal Expeditions crew of Nick Johnson and Annie Owen, along with a couple of their ferry passengers, clued us into the precise location of the LBCU. Specifically the bird was seen from the Observation Deck, Sheepshead Ridge Road, overlooking Jack's Creek. The tide was out/down thus exposing extensive mudflats in the tidal saltwater part of Jack's Creek. From the Observation Deck, the LBCU was as far back and around to the right just at the edge of the obscuring trees and well out into the middle of the mudflats.
Also of interest to many will be the annual occurrence of World Curlew Day next Monday 21 Apr 2025. See:
Date: 4/16/25 7:35 am From: Christopher Hill (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: First report/record of Fulvous Whistling-Duck in NC since 2001
The most recent one I remember in South Carolina is one photographed and banded at the Tom Yawkey center in Georgetown County in 2015, in late August: https://www.carolinabirdclub.org/chat/issues/2016/v80n1sc_brc_2015.pdf. Not in eBird but in the Chat database since the SCBRC voted on it.
There was an April 2022 bird seen by many at the Savannah River Site that's in ebird. That one doesn't seem to be in the 2022 SCBRC report, though.
Chris Hill, Ph.D.
Professor
Biology Department
Coastal Carolina University
Office: Douglas 207H
(843) 349-2567
email: <chill...>
> On Apr 16, 2025, at 9:59 AM, Harry LeGrand <carolinabirds...> wrote:
>
> Warning: Unusual sender <carolinabirds...>
> You don't usually receive emails from this address. Make sure you trust this sender before taking any actions.
> Folks,
>
> On April 14 (2025), Doug Racine, who visits the North River Wetlands Preserve in Carteret County almost weekly, posted three photographs of a Fulvous Whistling-Duck taking flight from a pond there. He posted these on the Carolina Bird Club Photo Gallery:
>
> https://www.carolinabirdclub.org/gallery/Racine/fuwd.html <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.carolinabirdclub.org/gallery/Racine/fuwd.html__;!!OToaGQ!tOs2ckNpJ0KmZH-5FVbvNxfRudhiELFGfL4nI6aDSRbG4mAolWIVIQOVsvDHcQpdvEKUVKfqQ5CE5WgOaQJpwHE$> >
> There is no eBird report for this very important record, but there are comments in the NC Rare Bird Alert on the GroupMe app. Thankfully, photos on the CBC website are permanently documented. I now write the "Briefs for the Files" for The Chat, and I will include this record there for documentation as well. This will later go onto the Birds of North Carolina website, which says the last NC record based on The Chat database was on January 1, 2001.
>
> Note that this species was an almost annual fall and early winter visitor back in the 1960s and 1970s (see the NC website) along the coast, and ranged sparingly inland into the inner Coastal Plain and twice in the eastern Piedmont. I have been fortunate to be birding NC back then, and I have seen them maybe 5-6 times, including seeing the amazing flock of 11 at the (former) Greenview Farm south of Raleigh, back in 1975. In fact, the peak NC counts were 61 in 1989, and 55 in 1960, indicating that it at times could be found in some numbers. The range in the USA has been strongly declining, and it is now difficult to find in Florida, being found mainly now from coastal Louisiana into coastal Texas, and southward.
>
> I would really doubt this is an escaped bird, as it is seen taking flight and as there are no nearby aviaries. Plus, no other strange out-of-range waterfowl have been reported lately in the region. This species is not a review one for NC, but as there have been no reports in the state in 24 years, it is up to the NC Bird Records Committee chair to decide if a review is warranted. I feel sure that most Carolina birders have never seen a Fulvous Whistling-Duck in NC or perhaps in SC as well, and thus the great interest in relocating these birds.
>
> Harry LeGrand
> Raleigh
Date: 4/16/25 7:00 am From: Harry LeGrand (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: First report/record of Fulvous Whistling-Duck in NC since 2001
Folks,
On April 14 (2025), Doug Racine, who visits the North River Wetlands Preserve in Carteret County almost weekly, posted three photographs of a Fulvous Whistling-Duck taking flight from a pond there. He posted these on the Carolina Bird Club Photo Gallery:
There is no eBird report for this very important record, but there are comments in the NC Rare Bird Alert on the GroupMe app. Thankfully, photos on the CBC website are permanently documented. I now write the "Briefs for the Files" for *The Chat*, and I will include this record there for documentation as well. This will later go onto the *Birds of North Carolina* website, which says the last NC record based on The Chat database was on January 1, 2001.
Note that this species was an almost annual fall and early winter visitor back in the 1960s and 1970s (see the NC website) along the coast, and ranged sparingly inland into the inner Coastal Plain and twice in the eastern Piedmont. I have been fortunate to be birding NC back then, and I have seen them maybe 5-6 times, including seeing the amazing flock of 11 at the (former) Greenview Farm south of Raleigh, back in 1975. In fact, the peak NC counts were 61 in 1989, and 55 in 1960, indicating that it at times could be found in some numbers. The range in the USA has been strongly declining, and it is now difficult to find in Florida, being found mainly now from coastal Louisiana into coastal Texas, and southward.
I would really doubt this is an escaped bird, as it is seen taking flight and as there are no nearby aviaries. Plus, no other strange out-of-range waterfowl have been reported lately in the region. This species is not a review one for NC, but as there have been no reports in the state in 24 years, it is up to the NC Bird Records Committee chair to decide if a review is warranted. I feel sure that most Carolina birders have never seen a Fulvous Whistling-Duck in NC or perhaps in SC as well, and thus the great interest in relocating these birds.
Ol’ Sam Peabody, Peabody Peabody. That’s how my dear friend Edith Tatum described their song to me.
I agree with Will. The White-throated sp was the bird, 25 years ago, that made it so I couldn’t put my binoculars down. I’ll never forget the thrill of seeing those yellow eyebrows – those were the words I used to describe what I saw.
That’s what got me hooked.
Isabel Reddy
Orange County, NC
From: <carolinabirds-request...> <carolinabirds-request...> on behalf of Parkin Hunter <carolinabirds...>
Date: Monday, April 14, 2025 at 6:18 AM
To: Will Cook <cwcook...>
Cc: <Carolinabirds...> <Carolinabirds...>
Subject: Re: White-throated Sparrow
Oh sweet Canada, Canada, Canada. . .
Sent from my iPad
On Apr 7, 2025, at 12:34 PM, Will Cook <cwcook...> wrote:
White-throated Sparrow is one of the most abundant birds in North and South Carolina from about October through early May, most numerous from November through March. Though often underappreciated by experienced birders, it's always exciting for beginning backyard birders to see one under or at their feeders!
Date: 4/14/25 2:53 pm From: David Campbell (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Spartanburg and Cherokee (SC) county spring migratory counts
The Spartanburg County count is planned for May 10 and the Cherokee County (SC) count for May 17. Lyle Campbell (<ldcampb2...>) is the compiler. If you enter sightings to ebird, we can get the data from there. You can also contact me for more information.
-- Dr. David Campbell Professor, Geology Department of Natural Sciences 110 S Main St, #7270 Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs NC 28017
Date: 4/14/25 11:47 am From: Nate Dias (via carolinabirds Mailing List) <carolinabirds...> Subject: Re: Bear Island WMA, Colleton Co., SC
Thanks for the heads-up on conditions and shorebirds at Bear Island WMA,
Craig.
It is very helpful when people like you and Felicia Sanders post updates
like that about SC DNR properties. It lets people know it is worth the
drive / fuel to go birding at that location.
"These days I prefer to hunt with a camera. A good photograph demands more
skill from the hunter, better nerves and more patience than the rifle
shot." -- Bror Blixen
On Thu, Apr 10, 2025 at 10:33 PM Craig Watson <carolinabirds...>
wrote:
> Pam Ford and I went to Bear Island WMA today in search of several Wilson’s
> Phalaropes that have been reported. We didn’t find that species, but we had
> approximately 2000 individual shorebirds of 11 species, and conditions are
> great for more shorebirds to be moving in. Most were found in Mary’s Pond,
> Tank Hill, and Ashepoo Pond by the Ashepoo River Bridge (where one of the
> phalaropes was photographed). We had 77 species, lots of action, should
> only be getting better. Happy Birding!
>
Pam Ford and I went to Bear Island WMA today in search of several Wilson’s
Phalaropes that have been reported. We didn’t find that species, but we had
approximately 2000 individual shorebirds of 11 species, and conditions are
great for more shorebirds to be moving in. Most were found in Mary’s Pond,
Tank Hill, and Ashepoo Pond by the Ashepoo River Bridge (where one of the
phalaropes was photographed). We had 77 species, lots of action, should
only be getting better. Happy Birding!
My daughter in Clemmons has 3 Barred Owls calling in her backyard now. They all sound like adults. Since it’s not mating, what would this be?
Judi Durr, NC
