I'm in western Prince William County, and I'm seeing a normal level of RT
Hbird activity. No feeders, but they visit the garden regularly.
-----Original Message-----
From: Lee M.
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 2:58 PM
To: Meadows9
Cc: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Va-bird] hummingbirds...where are they?
I haven't been seeing hummingbirds at people's feeders this year, but I
have been seeing them on my regular bird walks. Not many, just one here,
one there...
On Wed, May 20, 2015 at 2:51 PM, Meadows9 <meadows9@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Where are the hummingbirds?*** You are subscribed to va-bird as bmannix@xxxxxxx. If you wish to unsubscribe, or modify your preferences please visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird ***
I have had discussions locally with several people. In 15+ years of
feeding I have never had this few. Lots of people at work have been asking
me where they are?
I would love to hear feedback from people in different parts of VA.
Lexi Meadows
Pittsylvania County
Sent from my iPhone
> On May 20, 2015, at 8:50 AM, va-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Hummingbirds? (Robyn A. Puffenbarger)
> 2. Re: Hummingbirds? (Bill)
> 3. Re: Mallard/Am. Black Duck ID help (Secret Egret)
> 4. Wood Thrush (morann@xxxxxxx)
> 5. Bluebird announcement (Walter Hadlock)
> 6. 5/19/15 - Virginia Beach - Pleasure House Point Natural Area
> (Rob Bielawski)
> 7. Bobwhite/Harrison road/Fauquier co. (Appleaday)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 19 May 2015 21:54:24 +0000
> From: "Robyn A. Puffenbarger" <rpuffenb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: "<va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>" <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Va-bird] Hummingbirds?
> Message-ID: <476A899D-A802-4350-A593-47234FC60DC1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Hello-
>
> I am staying with family in Glen Allen area which would be extreme west
end of suburban Richmond, just off Rt 33. My mom is very concerned since
usually by now she has about a dozen hummingbirds swirling around her
feeders doing serious 'top gun' moves. This year she has just 2 regular
hummingbirds. Are there any websites I can share with her or are others of
you noticing normal or abnormal numbers of hummingbirds? You can email me
off list too - rpuffenb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and I will share with her what I
found out from you. Thanks so much.
>
> Cheers - Robyn Puffenbarger
> Biology, Bridgewater College
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 19 May 2015 19:02:38 -0400
> From: "Bill" <BMcGovern@xxxxxxx>
> To: "Robyn A. Puffenbarger" <rpuffenb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
> <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Hummingbirds?
> Message-ID: <F6D64E0E01324A42A91C0656275C9D45@BillPC>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> We 2 regulars at our feeder last year--but none this year, so far.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robyn A. Puffenbarger" <rpuffenb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 5:54 PM
> Subject: [Va-bird] Hummingbirds?
>
>
>> Hello-
>>
>> I am staying with family in Glen Allen area which would be extreme west
>> end of suburban Richmond, just off Rt 33. My mom is very concerned
since
>> usually by now she has about a dozen hummingbirds swirling around her
>> feeders doing serious 'top gun' moves. This year she has just 2 >> regular
>> hummingbirds. Are there any websites I can share with her or are >> others
>> of you noticing normal or abnormal numbers of hummingbirds? You can
>> me off list too - rpuffenb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and I will share with her
what
>> I found out from you. Thanks so much.
>>
>> Cheers - Robyn Puffenbarger
>> Biology, Bridgewater College
>> *** You are subscribed to va-bird as bmcgovern@xxxxxxx. If you wish to
>> unsubscribe, or modify your preferences please visit
>> http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/va-bird ***
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 19 May 2015 20:32:52 -0400
> From: Secret Egret <mysecretegret@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: Alyssa Freeman <tsiporah.shani@xxxxxxxxx>
> Cc: "va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Va-bird] Mallard/Am. Black Duck ID help
> Message-ID: <34C554F3-DA16-4855-9808-D03148B60CB4@xxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On May 19, 2015, at 1:41 PM, Alyssa Freeman <tsiporah.shani@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
>>
>> I was in St. Petersburg, FL, a bit more than a month ago and saw a pair
of
>> ducks that look like American Blacks, though I know they're not
supposed to
>> be there. I've looked at a lot of photos and in field guides and I'm
still
>> undecided. The speculum is not visible on either bird, they seem a bit
>> dark, and the coloring doesn't seem quite right for Mallards. I have a
>> photo that I've posted to Flickr. I'd appreciate any ideas on this >> pair.
>> Thanks.
>>
>>
https://www.flickr.com/photos/131225548@N03/17839386136/in/dateposted-public/
>>
>> Alyssa Freeman
>> Richmond
>> *** You are subscribed to va-bird as mysecretegret@xxxxxxxxx. If you
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>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Tue, 19 May 2015 20:35:25 -0400
> From: morann@xxxxxxx
> To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [Va-bird] Wood Thrush
> Message-ID: <14d6ebf10a0-5497-46805@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> I've been hearing this annual visitor for 3 days and finally saw him
today. Thoreau admired his flute-like song.
>
>
> Ann Donaldson
> Barboursville
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Wed, 20 May 2015 07:27:58 -0400
> From: Walter Hadlock <jaybirdncarol@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: "va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx VABird" <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Va-bird] Bluebird announcement
> Message-ID: <D5DC358C-2F2F-40E3-9009-A12E2BDAB788@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Good morning VA Bird Listers,
>
> After many years of trying to entice Eastern Bluebirds to nest in our
backyard, we had a pair nest this spring. To counter the House Sparrows, we
put another nest box on the opposite side of the yard and one in the front
yard; we took down all but one feeder; and moved the suet to the opposite
side of the yard, and we hung a gourd from a tree in the front yard that
attracted the House Wren. That, and a very aggressive and protective male
bluebird, distracted any other birds from trying to take over the nest box.
>
> Yesterday afternoon, two young bluebirds fledged.
>
> The back yard was already quite busy with newly fledged House Sparrows;
adult Gray Catbirds flying around; Northern Cardinals feeding; Blue Jays at
the pond. The young bluebirds ended up in two different places, but by
early evening, the parents had them together.
>
> We are going to clean out the nest box and wait to see if the pair
attempt a second nesting.
>
> Good birding to you all,
> Jay and Carol Hadlock
> Herndon, VA (Fairfax County)
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Wed, 20 May 2015 07:54:39 -0400
> From: Rob Bielawski <robbielawski@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: VA-Bird List <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Va-bird] 5/19/15 - Virginia Beach - Pleasure House Point
> Natural Area
> Message-ID:
> <CAE1OWgCr=ri8Yw+xnkNnvo7GPDf6HzP-Z0X8_wbsPXNZLm30KA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Folks,
>
> *Highlights*
> Pleasure House Point Natural Area - 4:50 to 6:00 PM - 2 Blue Grosbeaks, > a
> striking male American Goldfinch, Green Heron, 5 Yellow-crowned
> Night-Herons, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, 5 Semipalmated
> Plovers, Spotted Sandpiper, 2 Black Skimmers, American Oystercatcher,
Least
> Tern and many Royal Terns. 5 Mallards were only waterfowl seen.
>
> *Warning:* There is a rather large wasp or hornet nest being built on > the
> ground at the western-most corner of the largest pond, right near the
> junction of the main shoreline trail & the older vehicle trail that runs
> north-south along the west side of the pond (the one with rainwater > pools
> in the old tire tracks). I didn't see it until I could hear them
swarming,
> it blends in very well with the surrounding soil. Just a heads up to
switch
> your eyes from the treetops to the ground when walking past this point.
>
> *Outing Photographs*
> *http://www.rbnature.com/galleries/we-20150524/
> <http://www.rbnature.com/galleries/we-20150524/>*
>
> *Full Species List(s)*
> *http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23538461
> <http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S23538461>*
>
> *Full Details*
>
> After skipping a nice evening on Monday since I was just flat wore out
from
> the previous few days of hiking, I got back out on Tuesday evening for > a
> quick walk up at Pleasure House Point. Arriving at 4:50 PM after heading
> home from work and grabbing my gear, I parked as I typically do on
> weeknights along Marlin Bay Drive, heading into the park and traveling
> eastward with the sunlight at my back. On the way in, an *Eastern > Towhee*
> was singing loudly atop a pine tree, actually offering some looks rather
> than calling from the thick underbrush that I usually encounter them in.
*Pine
> Warblers* could already be heard off in the distance as well, and a
> pair of *Northern
> Cardinals* was seen around the smaller of the two ponds that this entry
> trail splits between. Between the this pond and the deer carcass pond I
> encountered a brilliantly colored male *American Goldfinch* in its > summer
> colors, a bird quite common around here but one I don't think I've ever
> actually seen inside the park itself. After it flushed, another bird > came
> in and I thought it was a House Finch at first, but a look through the
> binoculars revealed it was a female *Blue Grosbeak*, one of two that I'd
> see on the day. As this one also eventually flew off, I heard a bird
> calling that sounded like a heron, and when I approached to investigate,
it
> flew off over the creek, clearly a *Green Heron* though. At this point > in
> the day, the tide was rather low, leaving lots of shoreline exposed, and
> the main cove of Pleasure House Creek that cuts into the park was almost
> completely devoid of water. I was very surprised when on my first pass
> around the cove I didn't pick out a single shorebird, perhahps they were
> just hiding too well.
>
>
> Around the cove though, *Red-winged Blackbirds* were singing from the
tops
> of every available tree, and a *Boat-tailed Grackle* was also joining in
> song. A single *Least Tern* was seen flying over the cove rather
> erratically, making a photo of this small speedster pretty much
impossible.
> The small interior creek that flows adjacent to the next bit of trail
also
> proved empty of shorebirds on its exposed sides, but a single
*Semipalmated
> Plover* came flying swiftly towards me, just a couple feet above the
water,
> zooming past out into the marsh. This was a first for me at the park,
> though again something others probably have seen plenty of times before.
> Heading up towards the main point where folks often crab & fish, an
*American
> Oystercatcher* was seen flying past, and shortly afterwards, a single
*Black
> Skimmer* did so as well, skimming the water's surface of Crab Creek > along
> the way. Walking around the sandy areas of the point heading towards the
> new pier it was obvious that the sandbars exposed were quite massive due
to
> the very low tides. Upon reaching the pier area, it was also obvious > that
> all the birds on the sandbars were out way too far for me to pick out
> anything rare. I could see plenty of *Laughing Gulls*, *Herring
> Gulls*, and *Royal
> Terns*, and did see one more Black Skimmer, but as far as anything
smaller,
> I couldn't pick it out from this distance.
>
>
> Heading back westward, with the light now in my eyes, I realized that
there
> was quite a storm building to the southwest. In fact, Town Center's
skyline
> (if one can call it that) was draped in doom-looking black clouds. I
> watched the thunderhead build on itself, swelling upward, but it never
> seemed to get any closer to where I was, so I kept on walking back
towards
> where I'd parked just in case. At the interior creek, this time a
*Spotted
> Sandpiper* was sighted, and about 20 feet away from it, a single*
> Semipalmated Sandpiper *(showing black legs), one *Least Sandpiper
*(showing
> yellow legs and slightly smaller), and one Semipalmated Plover were all
> walking around the high-and-dry oyster shells. I was surprised to find 4
> shorebirds, all of different species right in the same spot! Eventually,
> another plover came flying in, chasing off the first and the two
> disappeared into the marshes. Walking around the main cove yielded 3 > more
> Semipalmated Plovers, and a *Greater Yellowlegs* also landed out in the
> middle, where the water was just a few inches deep. Continuing west the
> birds were pretty quiet, though I heard & saw a few *Chimney Swifts
*overhead.
> I didn't see much until I reached the far western fringe of the park,
where
> a group of 3 *Mallards* and a few *Yellow-crowned Night-Herons* were
seen.
>> From here I walked back east, passing through the woods and down the
west
> side of the largest pond. As I hit the junction with the shoreline
trail, I
> heard buzzing all around me and realized there was a large wasp/hornet
> ground nest being built on the pond-side of the trail, blending in very
> well with the surrounding soil. I don't know much about insects in
general,
> but I have a couple nightmare stories from Bald-faced Hornet nests I
> stepped on in Minnesota as a kid, getting stung plenty of times in the
> process. So when I see things like this I tend to back off quickly, not
> knowing if these types of insects are even aggressive or not, just be
> mindful if you walk past this area. It's easy for birders to get caught
> with their eyes solely on the trees, and these ground nests and kind of
> like the Cottonmouths at Back Bay, something to remind you to keep
checking
> down as well. I spent a little time walking around the smaller of the > two
> ponds, seeing a few Pine Warblers, and noting *Great Egrets* & *Great
Blue
> Herons* out on the creek, but after this I headed back to the vehicle,
> since the sun had now been eaten up by the thunderhead and rain seemed
> imminent. Luckily, one final bird bid farewell to me, a male Blue
Grosbeak
> male that was sitting atop the nearest tree to my car.
>
>
> *In-Depth Weekly Accounts & Photographs:*
>
> *http://www.rbnature.com/blog-index/ ;<
http://www.rbnature.com/blog-index/>*
>
>
> Rob Bielawski
>
> Virginia Beach, VA
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Wed, 20 May 2015 08:39:27 -0400
> From: Appleaday <appleadayonsite@xxxxxxx>
> To: Bird sightings in Virginia <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Va-bird] Bobwhite/Harrison road/Fauquier co.
> Message-ID: <73C7B2D6-C1F5-47BE-B481-0E7F7E968A07@xxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Sherman Suter and I stopped on Harrison Road looking for Bobolinks. We
didn't see any there, but did hear two Bobwhites. First time ever hearing
them there for me.
>
> The drained pond close to Rt 17 held maybe 50 Least Sandpipers, 30-40
SemiP Plovers a Greater Yellowlegs and one Killdeer.
>
> Big grassy field just east of Rectortown did give us our Bobolinks.
>
> Rich Rieger
> Alexandria
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Subject: Digest Footer
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of va-bird Digest, Vol 97, Issue 30
> ***************************************
>
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