Please delete previous email with FW:Dan Altif as subject.

Someone hyjacked my contact list.



Dan Altif

I didnt see if this was mentioned before, but the 'taste test' might increase a hummingbird frequency, and in turn, human observation at a feeder.  Possibly, if solution tastes bad to hummers, they may stay away more.  Not until it tastes good again do they return regularly.  Just thinking this could be a possibility for them not being seen as much when solution has gone bad.



I am not up on smell ability of hummingbirds though, and I dont know if/how their sense of taste is correlated to their ability to smell.



Dave Kruel

Pottsville

Schuylkill County









On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:46:51 -0700, Anne Bekker  wrote:



>The original poster asks "Are they watching me?"  I've suspected that yes, they are!  I just cleaned and refilled our feeder and they were on it as soon as my back was turned.  This always seems to be the case, whether we're away for 2 days or 2 weeks (and the feeder comes inside when we're gone, as we don't want to risk leaving out spoiled sugar water).  I fill it and there they are.  (Incidentally, they seem to be ignoring the Monarda, which they've always liked and which popped 5 days ago, and continuing to favor the feeder.)



We have at least 4 different female-type plumaged hummies and 2 males (one of whom dive-bombs male cardinals), which is a lot for us for mid-June.  Is it possible that we're seeing fledglings already?  Everything else is so "late" this year...



On Hummingbirds and seeing red:  2 weeks ago we were hiking near Delaware Water Gap--I with a grey backpack with a bit of red trim and red zipper pulls.  At one point, pausing to search out a Cerulean Warbler, I heard the loud buzz of wings just behind my head (and froze).  It was a Hummingbird was working over every bit of red trim at my back--seen by my husband, never by me.



Anne Bekker

Philadelphia





________________________________

 From: Ian Gardner 

To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG 

Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 2:36 PM

Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity( n sniffer)

 



Yes, the sense of smell in birds does vary.  Vultures are renowned for

their olfactory sense.  In Pennsylvania, we have two vulture species.  And

interestingly only the Turkey Vulture has a useful sense of smell.  Black

Vultures on the other hand have much better sight than smell, even

following TVs around to scavenge from the scavengers.  Helps separate the

niches in the community I guess.



Turkey Vultures have also been used to find leaks in natural gas pipelines.

The chemical added to natural gas, ethyl mercaptan, to is also associated

with rotting flesh.  The vultures can be seen kettling around the leaks,

which helps the engineers fix the leaks.  I'm not sure if they added that

chemical for that reason, but it seems plausible to me.



       -Ian Gardner



On Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 2:06 PM, Gerald Kruth  wrote:



> One of the beauties of this list is it allows for the distribution of ideas

>  and observations.

>

> I appreciate all the posts on this (and many) topics.  When Herb said

> birds have a great sense of smell, I recalled reading somewhere vultures

> differ

> from most other birds because they have a great sense of smell.

>

> I don't know if he is correct or not, but the fact that he took the time to

>  venture thoughts and then gets other individuals involved to set the

> record  straight (or not), is the real value, I believe

>

> Thanks to all of you who contribute.

>

> jk

> Pgh

>

>

>

>

> In a message dated 6/17/2013 12:43:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> davilene@VERIZON.NET writes:

>

> Sorry,  Herb, but your statement about hummingbirds having a great sense of

> smell  is incorrect. They, like almost all other birds, have little or no

> sense of  smell. More than likely the hummer Kathy's referring to was in

> the

> area  all along and, for whatever reason, just decided to go to the feeder.

> Or  else it had visited the feeder before and she just didn't see it. At

> this time  of the year their primary food is arthropods, or small insects.

> But

> we are  fast coming upon the time when young are out of the nest or

> recently

> fledged  and hanging now they will become more visible. Also, now more

> natural flower  sources are available.

>

>

> Arlene Koch

> Easton,  PA

> Northampton  County

> davilene@verizon.net

>

>

> ________________________________

> From:  Herbert Flavell 

> To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

> Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 3:04 PM

> Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird  curiosity

>

>

> While I am not a Hummingbird,nature has provided  them with excellent

> eyesight and sense of smell. That's why they can find  flowers buried in

> high

> weeds. The fresher the Hummingbird food the stronger it  smells. Much like

> steak and eggs cooking on the stove. Then the longer it sits  on the table

> the

> less it smells. But a hummer unlike a human follows their  nose and zips to

> the new source of food. Then again maybe I'm like a Hummer I  zip to the

> food

> source. Then force of habit takes over. It then keeps  returning. Most

> birds and insects have excellent smellers. How do you think an  ant that’s

> 1/100

> inch long will find that same Hummingbird food hanging 8 ft  above them.

> Then the first there will lead hundreds of their friends to the  new food

> source. Here on my farm the Touch Me Not flowers grow lower than hay

>  grass yet

> find a TMN and you will find a Hummer.

> Herb Flavell, Gods Knob,  Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County

> www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm

>

> -----Original Message----- From:  Gerald Kruth

> Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:50 AM

> To:  PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

> Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird  curiosity

>

> Kathy's question is a good one.  If anyone has a  plausible  explanation,

> please reply to the List.  I'm sure there  are others besides  me

> interested as

> well.

>

> thank  you,

>

> Jerry Kruth

> Pittsburgh

>

>

> In a message dated 6/17/2013  8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> pabirder@PTD.NET writes:

>

> I  wonder  how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in  the

> feeder.  I  hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week  due to all the

> rain

> and hadn't  seen any hummers for a couple of weeks  before that.  Yesterday

> I

> filled  it and this morning there was a  Hummer on the feeder. This is not

> the first  time I have experienced  this.  Are they watching me?

> Kathy  Stagl

> Emmaus, PA

>

http://www.change.org/petition...

nadarko-in-loyalsock-state-forest



If  you want to save an Audubon IBA area in the Loyalsock State Forest. Now

is the  time before gas fracking/drilling at Rock Run and other areas

destroy the  breeding grounds of many precious birds. We need to speak out for

the birds and  against the fragmentation and industrialization of fracking/

gas  drilling on public lands



Check out the web site and the petition.

Thanks, Thyra Sperry

Loyalsock Coalition

One resource that I have found helpful is the North American Bluebird Society.  They have some useful fact sheets, including managing house sparrows. The link is http://www.nabluebirdsociety.o... I maintain a bluebird/tree swallow 'trail' on more than 100 acres, and found that the most important thing to do was to move the nestboxes away from buildings.  Usually, house sparrows will stick close to structures for their nesting. Male house sparrows can be destructive to bluebirds, pecking both young and adults to death.  They are not protected, so  may be killed, if that is the only recourse to protecting the bluebirds.



John Newman









________________________________

 From: Kelli S Fizzano 

To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG 

Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 9:05 PM

Subject: [PABIRDS] Bluebird Nesting Question

 



Thank you everyone for your responses.  I will need to consider the best approach even if it requires destroying the sparrows. I refuse to give up on the bluebirds. They are a delight to watch.



Kelli Fizzano

Skippack, PA

I took a hike along the railroad bed very early

this morning from Cold Springs to Yellow Springs,

about a 2 mile hike. Going over Second Mountain before

daylight a Whip-poor-will was singing at the top of

Cold Springs Rd. My main goal was to explore the

large beaver swamp at Yellow Springs in hopes of

finding an Alder Flycatcher somewhere in my home

county. Well, I didn't hear any, but the swamp was

awesome. An impenetrable place full eight-foot high

alders and blueberry bushes, with many clumps of

royal fern. The swamp is bordered by thick hemlocks.



Birds heard and seen along the way were the typical

breeders you might expect for the time and place. Hermit

Thrushes, Acadian Flycatchers, Ovenbirds, Hooded Warblers,

and a Louisiana Waterthrush. Also Black-and-white Warblers

and Redstarts. 



The Railroad bed was loaded with Red Efts. Also met

an eighty year-old couple who were riding their bikes

in four miles to their favorite trout spot. My feet were

sore, and I was pretty tired, so this made me feel like 

a wuss.





Tim Becker

Grantville

Lebanon County

oweu http://www.nicoschaefer.com/kc...









pki

Yesterday, a friend of mine caught a bird that had flown into his

carpenter's shop yesterday in the Newville area of Cumberland Co.  It turned

out to be a yellow-breasted chat. I have not seen one of them in years.

Beautiful bird.



Sandy Lockerman



Harrisburg, Dauphin Co.

http://forum.simtron.com/glst/...

Best regards, John Wasilowsky

Many years ago, I was told by a high school chemistry teacher that ethyl mercaptan was added to natural gas so that humans could detect leaking gas.  But yes,o bviously, TV's being able to detect it is an added benefit at times. 







Wayne Laubscher 

Lock Haven 

Clinton Co. 

wnlaubscher@comcast.net 

"Owl be back" 















----- Original Message -----





From: "Ian Gardner"  

To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG 

Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 2:36:11 PM 

Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity( n sniffer) 



Yes, the sense of smell in birds does vary.  Vultures are renowned for 

their olfactory sense.  In Pennsylvania, we have two vulture species.  And 

interestingly only the Turkey Vulture has a useful sense of smell.  Black 

Vultures on the other hand have much better sight than smell, even 

following TVs around to scavenge from the scavengers.  Helps separate the 

niches in the community I guess. 



Turkey Vultures have also been used to find leaks in natural gas pipelines. 

 The chemical added to natural gas, ethyl mercaptan, to is also associated 

with rotting flesh.  The vultures can be seen kettling around the leaks, 

which helps the engineers fix the leaks.  I'm not sure if they added that 

chemical for that reason, but it seems plausible to me. 



       -Ian Gardner 

This morning at 11:40 one of the two young falcons took her first flight.  She didn't fly for very long and didn't travel far, but she was out over the river and returned safely to the bridge.  



Both birds were very active today, making short flights inside the structure of the bridge.  The next couple days should be very interesting.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/7...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7...



Mike Epler

Middletown, PA

 		 	   		  

The last two nights we have seen a female Wood Duck with 8 babies on the creek behind our house in the Dogwood section of Levittown.



Linda Rowan

Hi Jim,



Your photos are wonderful!  I really enjoyed your blog article on flycatchers and noted that the yellow-bellied flycatcher is still on your list.  There are two very vocal yellow-bellied flycatchers at Hicks Run Wildlife Viewing Area in Elk State Forest, Elk County. http://www.visitpa.com/pa-bird...



Mike and I were there yesterday and today (June 15, 16).  We walked the short trail to the blind and saw and heard the birds on our right.  Watch the pines to your left, also, as there are brown creepers building a nest under a big piece of loose bark on a tree not far from the trail.   We watched the adults carrying nesting material both days and saw other brown creepers carrying food.



We did see some elk, but the highlight of both visits were the yellow-bellied flycatchers and the brown creepers.



Laura Jackson

Everett, PA



Begin forwarded message:



> From: Jim Flowers 

> Subject: [PABIRDS] "The Flycatchers" A Photographic Exploration In Progress"

> Date: June 17, 2013 2:20:50 PM EDT

> To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

> Reply-To: Jim Flowers 

> 

> Hi  Folks

> 

> I just completed a "Labor of Love" with my new Blog article called "The

> Flycatchers" A Photographic Exploration In Progress". I began on this long

> before the Shenk's Ferry Article and finally published it this morning. It

> contains information and images from both Texas and the Mid-Atlantic States

> so there is something for everyone. I sincerely hope you enjoy my efforts.

> 

> http://birdsandblooms.me/2013/...

> 

> Jim

> 

> 

> 

> -- 

> *Jim Flowers*

> Arts N Images 

> Birds and Blooms Blog 

> Wildlife South 

> NANPA, NAPP, National Geographic Society (Retired)

Thank you everyone for your responses.  I will need to consider the best approach even if it requires destroying the sparrows. I refuse to give up on the bluebirds. They are a delight to watch.



Kelli Fizzano

Skippack, PA

The original poster asks "Are they watching me?"  I've suspected that yes, they are!  I just cleaned and refilled our feeder and they were on it as soon as my back was turned.  This always seems to be the case, whether we're away for 2 days or 2 weeks (and the feeder comes inside when we're gone, as we don't want to risk leaving out spoiled sugar water).  I fill it and there they are.  (Incidentally, they seem to be ignoring the Monarda, which they've always liked and which popped 5 days ago, and continuing to favor the feeder.)



We have at least 4 different female-type plumaged hummies and 2 males (one of whom dive-bombs male cardinals), which is a lot for us for mid-June.  Is it possible that we're seeing fledglings already?  Everything else is so "late" this year...



On Hummingbirds and seeing red:  2 weeks ago we were hiking near Delaware Water Gap--I with a grey backpack with a bit of red trim and red zipper pulls.  At one point, pausing to search out a Cerulean Warbler, I heard the loud buzz of wings just behind my head (and froze).  It was a Hummingbird was working over every bit of red trim at my back--seen by my husband, never by me.



Anne Bekker

Philadelphia





________________________________

 From: Ian Gardner 

To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG 

Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 2:36 PM

Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity( n sniffer)

 



Yes, the sense of smell in birds does vary.  Vultures are renowned for

their olfactory sense.  In Pennsylvania, we have two vulture species.  And

interestingly only the Turkey Vulture has a useful sense of smell.  Black

Vultures on the other hand have much better sight than smell, even

following TVs around to scavenge from the scavengers.  Helps separate the

niches in the community I guess.



Turkey Vultures have also been used to find leaks in natural gas pipelines.

The chemical added to natural gas, ethyl mercaptan, to is also associated

with rotting flesh.  The vultures can be seen kettling around the leaks,

which helps the engineers fix the leaks.  I'm not sure if they added that

chemical for that reason, but it seems plausible to me.



       -Ian Gardner



On Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 2:06 PM, Gerald Kruth  wrote:



> One of the beauties of this list is it allows for the distribution of ideas

>  and observations.

>

> I appreciate all the posts on this (and many) topics.  When Herb said

> birds have a great sense of smell, I recalled reading somewhere vultures

> differ

> from most other birds because they have a great sense of smell.

>

> I don't know if he is correct or not, but the fact that he took the time to

>  venture thoughts and then gets other individuals involved to set the

> record  straight (or not), is the real value, I believe

>

> Thanks to all of you who contribute.

>

> jk

> Pgh

>

>

>

>

> In a message dated 6/17/2013 12:43:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> davilene@VERIZON.NET writes:

>

> Sorry,  Herb, but your statement about hummingbirds having a great sense of

> smell  is incorrect. They, like almost all other birds, have little or no

> sense of  smell. More than likely the hummer Kathy's referring to was in

> the

> area  all along and, for whatever reason, just decided to go to the feeder.

> Or  else it had visited the feeder before and she just didn't see it. At

> this time  of the year their primary food is arthropods, or small insects.

> But

> we are  fast coming upon the time when young are out of the nest or

> recently

> fledged  and hanging now they will become more visible. Also, now more

> natural flower  sources are available.

>

>

> Arlene Koch

> Easton,  PA

> Northampton  County

> davilene@verizon.net

>

>

> ________________________________

> From:  Herbert Flavell 

> To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

> Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 3:04 PM

> Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird  curiosity

>

>

> While I am not a Hummingbird,nature has provided  them with excellent

> eyesight and sense of smell. That's why they can find  flowers buried in

> high

> weeds. The fresher the Hummingbird food the stronger it  smells. Much like

> steak and eggs cooking on the stove. Then the longer it sits  on the table

> the

> less it smells. But a hummer unlike a human follows their  nose and zips to

> the new source of food. Then again maybe I'm like a Hummer I  zip to the

> food

> source. Then force of habit takes over. It then keeps  returning. Most

> birds and insects have excellent smellers. How do you think an  ant that’s

> 1/100

> inch long will find that same Hummingbird food hanging 8 ft  above them.

> Then the first there will lead hundreds of their friends to the  new food

> source. Here on my farm the Touch Me Not flowers grow lower than hay

>  grass yet

> find a TMN and you will find a Hummer.

> Herb Flavell, Gods Knob,  Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County

> www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm

>

> -----Original Message----- From:  Gerald Kruth

> Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:50 AM

> To:  PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

> Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird  curiosity

>

> Kathy's question is a good one.  If anyone has a  plausible  explanation,

> please reply to the List.  I'm sure there  are others besides  me

> interested as

> well.

>

> thank  you,

>

> Jerry Kruth

> Pittsburgh

>

>

> In a message dated 6/17/2013  8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> pabirder@PTD.NET writes:

>

> I  wonder  how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in  the

> feeder.  I  hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week  due to all the

> rain

> and hadn't  seen any hummers for a couple of weeks  before that.  Yesterday

> I

> filled  it and this morning there was a  Hummer on the feeder. This is not

> the first  time I have experienced  this.  Are they watching me?

> Kathy  Stagl

> Emmaus, PA

>

PA Birders,

	A rare two days in a row bird watching was a nice pleasant walk through the park.  Activity was a little slow to begin, but I ended the day with 49 species.  There was a juvenile Common Merganser resting with a group of Mallards that I observed actively diving later on I the walk.  The merg was woking a swift riffle zone with apparent ease.  The Yellow-breasted Chat was singing in the same tree that I found it in yesterday and I was able to see it without pishing.  It sang for some time in the same tree and then moved a little further back into the brush of the bottomland.  Besides the juvenile Merganser, I found a juvenile Red-belly Woodpecker in its nest hole.  I was surrounded by Northern Rough-winged Swallows near the end of my walk as they were fly catching.  They were very close and it was a pleasure to watch how effortlessly they maneuver.  I am going to see if I can pull off the nearly unheard of three days in a row.  The complete list follows.  

Happy Birding,

Ed Sinkler

Fountain Hill

Lehigh County



Walking Purchase Park, Salisbury, Lehigh, US-PA

Jun 17, 2013 7:30 AM - 10:55 AM

Protocol: Traveling

2.16 mile(s)

Comments:     68-77°F, 5-10-5% cloud cover.  River still running high, less silt.

49 species



Mallard  30

Common Merganser  1     Juvenile bird actively diving for food.

Double-crested Cormorant  2     Both birds sunning themselves in a tree on an island in the middle of the river.

Great Blue Heron  1

Turkey Vulture  3

Red-tailed Hawk  2

Killdeer  1

Spotted Sandpiper  1

Mourning Dove  17

Yellow-billed Cuckoo  2

Chimney Swift  9

Red-bellied Woodpecker  9

Downy Woodpecker  1

Hairy Woodpecker  1

Northern Flicker  4

Eastern Wood-Pewee  2

Eastern Kingbird  1

Warbling Vireo  5

Red-eyed Vireo  2

Blue Jay  5

American Crow  2

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  6

Tree Swallow  2

Bank Swallow  9

Barn Swallow  3

Black-capped Chickadee  1

White-breasted Nuthatch  2

House Wren  2

Carolina Wren  1

Wood Thrush  7

American Robin  37

Gray Catbird  55     Spread throughout the walk.

Northern Mockingbird  1

Cedar Waxwing  15

Common Yellowthroat  1

American Redstart  4

Yellow Warbler  28

Yellow-breasted Chat  1

Eastern Towhee  2

Song Sparrow  14

Northern Cardinal  13

Indigo Bunting  1

Red-winged Blackbird  10

Common Grackle  1

Brown-headed Cowbird  11

Orchard Oriole  4

Baltimore Oriole  9

House Finch  1

American Goldfinch  7

Thanks everyone for your input-certainly created a lively discussion.  I'm sure at some point science will figure out whether hummingbirds can detect odors and whether it impacts their behavior. For now I will enjoy them whenever they show up.

Kathy Stagl

While on a casual ride on the GAP late Sunday after the rain stopped, noted a surprising amount of activity on, over, and around the trail.



First highlight (in chronological order) - a bright male Baltimore Oriole was flying low alongside me, and then a bright Least Weasel, my second weasel species recorded in the county, traversed the wet trail in front of me, possibly tracking prey. Along the way, heard or saw numerous residents, including:



Yellow-throated Warbler

American Redstart

Hooded Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Indigo Bunting

Wood Thrush

White-eyed Vireo

Red-eyed Vireo

Yellow-throated Vireo

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Yellow-breasted Chat

Field Sparrow

Cedar Waxwings (my first good look at a flock this year, including one with reddish terminal feathers, presumably diet related)

House Wren

Carolina Wren

Pileated Woodpecker  - foraging on a snag next to the trail

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Scarlet Tanager



Second highlight - passing through a rich area that hosts four species of breeding flycatchers, and due to what had to be a combination of divine intervention, favorable stop over habitat and weather patterns, I encountered a fifth species - an adult Olive-sided Flycatcher uncharacteristically low on an open branch over the trail.  Directly in my path, the migrant was watching me regally like it was on territory before retreating to the tree tops.  Unlike the smaller Yellow-bellied I saw earlier in the season, none of the other flycatchers nearby were messing with it.  Based on my research, this may be a late date for Allegheny County, and was absolutely unexpected on my end.



The third highlight was a pair of Orchard Oriole and Louisiana Waterthrush families foraging along the trail at discrete locations.  Both families appeared to be cowbird free.  In fact, I only noted a single cowbird on my entire ride.  Maybe the weasels have expanded their diet beyond rodents.  The waterthrush family was foraging in the muddy puddles on the side of the trail and in the heavy machinery tracks and ruts on the trail - providing unbelievable views.



Sincerely,





Philip O'Brien

I stopped at River Rd.,McKees Rocks this afternoon on my way home from work

 

a A. Coot is still present here on the Ohio River at the marina

 

 

Mark Vass

Beaver Co.

1 male (subadult) and 1 female Purple Martin hanging around the house near park office past few days and I saw them both early this a.m.

17 Cedar Waxwings (all over the peninsula plus few other areas as well, but could have been a few from the beach road

2 Wood Thrush

4 Killdeer

2 Indigo Buntings

1 Orchard Oriole

2 Blue-gray Gnatcatchers

2 Yellow Warblers

plus Barn Swallows, Tree Swallows, E. Bluebirds, many REVs, etc.

1 Alder Flycather heard first then it flew up to a tree from brush near the beginning of Polka Hollow Road (few pictures) and def. sang right song/call

3 Ovenbirds

4 Wood Thrush

2 Acadian Flycatchers

1 Scarlet Tanager

1 E. Wood PeWee

3 Am. Crows chasing 1 Red-shoulder hawk above the trees

Marge Van Tassel

Armstrong County

Hello All, 



This afternoon, I saw something special while reading near my living room window which looks out over a valley in Jefferson Hills. A circling hawk far out over the valley caught my eye and when I got my bins, it was a Broad-winged Hawk. In the same binocular view though more distant still were a Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk and a Cooper's Hawk. Some Chimney Swifts were harassing the Red-tailed Hawk before it flew off. It was cool to see several different birds of prey in one field-of-view. I'm looking forward to going for the first time to Hawk Mountain this fall where I'm sure better views await. 



Cheers, 

Jim Hausman

Jefferson Hills

Allegheny Co.





Sent from my iPad

The Black Tern continues for the fourth evening at Kriner Road retention ponds.



Bill Oyler



Sent from my iPhone

And now ... the rest of the story ... (as Paul Harvey used to say!)



Thanks to all the help and great info from this list, I did the nest change

about 15 minutes ago. With my husband's help, we prepared a temporary home

(shoe box with nesting materials), fashioned a replacement nest of dried

grass, filled a bucket with 10% bleach and donned rubber gloves.



We first plugged the hole with duct tape. Then opened the box to remove the

babies. There were 2 living babies, 1 male and 1 female. They look to be

about 14 days old (based on nest box photos I found online). There was also

1 dead male baby. I don't think he has been dead more than 2-3 days, since

we observed 3 live ones last time we checked the box.



After scooping out the dead body and all the nesting materials, we decided

not to do the bleach wash. I didn't see an fly larvae and the body hadn't

decayed enough to leave and residue (ick!), and we felt that we didn't want

to risk the resulting drying time. The only mess appeared to be fecal matter

and I wiped away what I could. Then we put the new nest in and replaced the

2 remaining babies. The male flapped his wings a bit but didn't seem ready

to fly. The female just cowered, so I hope she is ok.



The Momma watched us the entire time from our neighbor's roof. After we

closed the box and made sure the babies were settled, we went inside to

observe. The flies seemed to all but disappear with the dead body. Momma

flew up to the nest within minutes looked inside, then went off to get a

juicy worm and deposited it into a gaping baby mouth! So I guess we have

success for now (fingers crossed).



By the way, another pair of bluebirds has been hanging around the nest for

about a week .I am pretty sure it is a different male because he is much

brighter than the Papa and neither of the new birds feed the babies. They do

courting dances together and seem to be waiting to move in when the little

ones are gone. Momma tolerates them and they don't seem to bother the

babies. I have seen the male perch at the nest box once and look in, but

flew right off. I wonder if he killed the baby? ... or if it just died

because Momma could supply enough food for 3 babies? I guess I will never

know.



Anyway, despite the awful smell and the flies up my nose (yuck), I feel like

I have at least given the little ones a chance now!



Jenny McClintock

Gettysburg





----- Original Message -----

From: 

To: "Jenny McClintock" ;



Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 4:34 PM

Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Bluebird box question





>I and I know others would be interested to know what you find Jenny. When

>cleaning my feeders I have found dead as well as live mice. Once while

>cleaning our Wood Duck nest my son scooped out a sleeping Possum. Another

>time we cleaned it to find 4 un-hatched eggs. Maybe the male Bluebird died

>in the box. I hope not.

> Herb Flavell, Gods Knob,Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County.

> www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: Jenny McClintock

> Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 4:16 PM

> To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

> Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Bluebird box question

>

> Thank you Jerry. I have been told by several people that I should remove

> the babies to a shoebox or other covered container, then do a nest change

> (remove current nest and other matter, then replace with dried grass/pine

> needles). Then put the babies back in the box (plug hole for a little

> while until they are calm).

>

> I was advised to use rubber gloves.

>

> Jenny

>  ----- Original Message -----

>  From: GKruth@aol.com

>  To: jennymcclintock@COMCAST.NET ; PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

>  Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 4:09 PM

>  Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Bluebird box question

>

>

>  Jenny,

>

>  I usually respond online to such queries, musing that others may also be

> curious or interested.

>

>  I will first disclaim to be any kind of expert, but have dealt w numerous

> nestbox issues over the past twenty-nine years, so here goes:

>

>  First -- do you really think there is something dead in the box?

> Approach carefully and check this out again.

>

>  If you wish to proceed, you might get yourself a pair of thin latex

> gloves to protect yourself.  A dust mask like you can purchase at Home

> Depot or Lowe's for not a lot of money (under $5, I'd imagine), will also

> protect you if you really think you need these things.  SAVE THESE ITEMS

> FOR LATER USE.

>

>  Then carefully open the box again.  The babies should tolerate your

> interference as they have little exposure to humans.  Carefully lift them,

> using a flat piece of cardboard about the width of the box bottom, so that

> you can slide this under their butts.  Then, with a spatula, or flat piece

> of wood, search around for any cadaver or excessive fecal matter, etc..

> If you find something, scoop it out w your tool along w any debris, and

> close the box, and you should be done.

>

>  This is what I would do.

>

>  If you get a flood of protests and alternatives from other readers, I

> welcome the input from anyone w specific training or real first-hand

> experience.  Otherwise, you can endlessly conjecture and accomplish zilch,

> so use your own common sense, and best wishes,

>

>  Jerry Kruth

>  Pittsburgh

>

>

>

>

>  In a message dated 6/17/2013 2:56:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> jennymcclintock@COMCAST.NET writes:

>    Hello all,

>

>    I need some advice regarding my backyard bluebird box. In short, there

> are flies buzzing the box and a smell of death. When I opened the box,

> there appear to be 3 living babies who look like they are days from

> fledging (getting feather color).  But I don't see a dead body, it may be

> under the living babies. I don't feel like I can disturb the nest without

> causing these babies to fledge too soon. I am just not equipped to handle

> this situation and do not know what to do. Also, I should note that the

> male parent has not been present for about a week, and the female has been

> caring for the babies by herself.

>

>    I would greatly appreciate some email help from an experienced bluebird

> nest monitor. If anyone can help, please respond to me directly and I will

> give further details.

>

>    Thanks so much!

>

>    Jenny McClintock

>    Gettysburg.

Dave,

I believe you read a little more into my post than I intended, or I wrote my post poorly.  Just so you know, I keep lists and I know what birds that I've seen, and what birds that I'd like to see, etc.  It is fun to know what it out there that we have yet to see, etc.  I have encouraged kids to keep lists of the birds they have seen.  Anyhow, the topic of keeping lists was not a point I was tyring to address.



Concerning my post.....I thought Kerry made a good point regarding summer birding, and I agree with that.....and I was also using that to tie into something else.  Regarding people who keep lists, I bet most birders do, and I know lots of birders that keep lists who do a ton more for conservation, education, etc than I do, or ever will do.  It is not birders keeping lists, but publishing of lists, is one thing I dont think is too important.   



But, that too wasnt what I really meant to say in my post.  I do believe again, that our current system (of all things combined) really will not work for alot of species for sufficient forestland/open space.  I'm sure too, that all birders and most Pennsylvanians, and most Americans are for saving land.  The item I dont see discussed much is.....will what we are doing be successful.  I know that I dont have a solution.  However, I think keeping the issue up there and discussed will improve the odds of better success.  And I honestly don't know what alot of others think.....I dont see alot of print about it.  I dont know if many birders do think things will be 'ok' or not ok for many of our species down the road.  I really do not see/hear much about it....in the specific terms of 'success' or 'how much open space will be left'.  Even though the atlas was a wonderful endeavor, just a few years later with Marcellus Shale drilling, I believe that many bird populations may be negatively affected in ways that we didnt see during the Atlas.  I do believe an emphasis on "what's left" (or what will be left in time) can be a good motivator....and I believe it doesnt get much discussion. because I dont see it in print too much, and I dont personally hear people talk about it much.   (I am not saying that there is no print at all on this).



Dave.....I know there is no way for you to know for certain, but with what you know now, do you feel confident about the future for our birds in PA ?   ...or what are your thoughts on this?



Dave Kruel

Pottsville

Schuylkill County







On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 03:24:32 -0400, Dave DeReamus  wrote:



>Dave,

>

>OK, after reading the same repetitive criticism post after post after post,

>I'm just gonna come out and say this as bluntly as possible.  I would assume

>that everyone on this list is all in favor of preserving land and studying

>our resident and breeding birds and applauds your strong interest and

>enthusiasm.  However, I'd really appreciate it if you would PLEASE make your

>posts without continuing to belittle those of us who occasionally go to see

>rare birds that happen to show up in our state.  By now, I'm sure it's all

>drummed into our heads that so-called 'listers' are bad, but I really don't

>think that helps your cause.

>

>By the way, I was out Sunday checking on a hummingbird nest that I found a

>few weeks ago.  Yes, it was JUST a Ruby-throated, but I was still excited to

>see it nonetheless.  And I wasn't looking for a rarity during those two

>Breeding Bird Atlases that I volunteered for either, but I still had a good

>time doing it, especially while keeping the 'lists' of what I found.

>

>Thanks in advance for your cooperation,

>Dave DeReamus

>Palmer Township, PA

>becard -at- rcn.com

>Blog: http://becard.blogspot.com/

>PicasaWeb Photo Albums: http://picasaweb.google.com/be...

>Eastern PA Birding: http://users.rcn.com/becard/ho...

>

>

>

>----- Original Message -----

>From: "Dave Kruel" 

>To: 

>Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2013 12:39 PM

>Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] SGL 110 Berks/Schuylkill County 6.14.2013

>

>

>Well put Kerry.  There is much great stuff going on right now to be found by

>birders with our nesting birds.   Summer nesting activity is fun to observe

>and provides much more important information as to  what is going on than

>lots of records on one ‘good’ bird.  Even vagrants might be “boring nesters�

>somewhere ….so if a vagrant’s habitat disappears, no more of that vagrant

>showing up in PA.

>

>Dave Kruel

>Pottsville

>Schuylkill Co.

I found that my sparrow/bluebird problem disappeared when my neighbor put up

Martin house. She didn't attract any Purple Martins ... but the house gave

the sparrows plenty of places to nest! So they left my bluebirds alone.



I realize that this is not a solution ... just an observation.



I wish I had a real solution for you! I would love to hear what others say.



Jenny





----- Original Message -----

From: "Kelli Daggett" 

To: 

Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 5:02 PM

Subject: [PABIRDS] Bluebird Nesting question





> Hello everyone,

>

> I have had the pleasure of the same Bluebird pair (or at least I think the

> same) successfully nest in bluebird boxes in my backyard for 3 seasons.

> This year would have been the 4th season.

>

> What's different about this season is the house sparrows moved in and took

> 2 of the 3 nest boxes. Day after day, I would clean the boxes out that the

> sparrows attempted to nest in-to no avail. I finally gave up-let them nest

> hoping the bluebirds would claim the third and same next box they have for

> the past three years monitoring it carefully.

>

> Last week I started seeing the house sparrow perched on top of the box the

> bluebirds made their nest in (the sparrow boxes nestlings fledged shortly

> before that). To my dismay and sadness, it appears the house sparrow took

> over the bluebird box as I have not seen the bluebirds in over a week and

> the next box has alot more nesting material place inside it. I have since

> cleaned them all out and plugged them up.

>

> How can I encourage the bluebirds to come back and nest without the threat

> of the house sparrows taking over their box again?

>

> I am open to all recommendations. Thank you in advance to all. I am a

> novice birder and want to learn as much as I can about preserving

> non-invasive bird species.

>

> Thanks everyone!

Hello everyone,



I have had the pleasure of the same Bluebird pair (or at least I think the

same) successfully nest in bluebird boxes in my backyard for 3 seasons.

This year would have been the 4th season.



What's different about this season is the house sparrows moved in and took

2 of the 3 nest boxes. Day after day, I would clean the boxes out that the

sparrows attempted to nest in-to no avail. I finally gave up-let them nest

hoping the bluebirds would claim the third and same next box they have for

the past three years monitoring it carefully.



Last week I started seeing the house sparrow perched on top of the box the

bluebirds made their nest in (the sparrow boxes nestlings fledged shortly

before that). To my dismay and sadness, it appears the house sparrow took

over the bluebird box as I have not seen the bluebirds in over a week and

the next box has alot more nesting material place inside it. I have since

cleaned them all out and plugged them up.



How can I encourage the bluebirds to come back and nest without the threat

of the house sparrows taking over their box again?



I am open to all recommendations. Thank you in advance to all. I am a

novice birder and want to learn as much as I can about preserving

non-invasive bird species.



Thanks everyone!

I and I know others would be interested to know what you find Jenny. When

cleaning my feeders I have found dead as well as live mice. Once while

cleaning our Wood Duck nest my son scooped out a sleeping Possum. Another

time we cleaned it to find 4 un-hatched eggs. Maybe the male Bluebird died

in the box. I hope not.

Herb Flavell, Gods Knob,Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County.

www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm



-----Original Message-----

From: Jenny McClintock

Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 4:16 PM

To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Bluebird box question



Thank you Jerry. I have been told by several people that I should remove the

babies to a shoebox or other covered container, then do a nest change

(remove current nest and other matter, then replace with dried grass/pine

needles). Then put the babies back in the box (plug hole for a little while

until they are calm).



I was advised to use rubber gloves.



Jenny

  ----- Original Message -----

  From: GKruth@aol.com

  To: jennymcclintock@COMCAST.NET ; PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

  Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 4:09 PM

  Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Bluebird box question





  Jenny,



  I usually respond online to such queries, musing that others may also be

curious or interested.



  I will first disclaim to be any kind of expert, but have dealt w numerous

nestbox issues over the past twenty-nine years, so here goes:



  First -- do you really think there is something dead in the box?  Approach

carefully and check this out again.



  If you wish to proceed, you might get yourself a pair of thin latex gloves

to protect yourself.  A dust mask like you can purchase at Home Depot or

Lowe's for not a lot of money (under $5, I'd imagine), will also protect you

if you really think you need these things.  SAVE THESE ITEMS FOR LATER USE.



  Then carefully open the box again.  The babies should tolerate your

interference as they have little exposure to humans.  Carefully lift them,

using a flat piece of cardboard about the width of the box bottom, so that

you can slide this under their butts.  Then, with a spatula, or flat piece

of wood, search around for any cadaver or excessive fecal matter, etc..  If

you find something, scoop it out w your tool along w any debris, and close

the box, and you should be done.



  This is what I would do.



  If you get a flood of protests and alternatives from other readers, I

welcome the input from anyone w specific training or real first-hand

experience.  Otherwise, you can endlessly conjecture and accomplish zilch,

so use your own common sense, and best wishes,



  Jerry Kruth

  Pittsburgh









  In a message dated 6/17/2013 2:56:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

jennymcclintock@COMCAST.NET writes:

    Hello all,



    I need some advice regarding my backyard bluebird box. In short, there

are flies buzzing the box and a smell of death. When I opened the box, there

appear to be 3 living babies who look like they are days from fledging

(getting feather color).  But I don't see a dead body, it may be under the

living babies. I don't feel like I can disturb the nest without causing

these babies to fledge too soon. I am just not equipped to handle this

situation and do not know what to do. Also, I should note that the male

parent has not been present for about a week, and the female has been caring

for the babies by herself.



    I would greatly appreciate some email help from an experienced bluebird

nest monitor. If anyone can help, please respond to me directly and I will

give further details.



    Thanks so much!



    Jenny McClintock

    Gettysburg.

Thank you Jerry. I have been told by several people that I should remove the babies to a shoebox or other covered container, then do a nest change (remove current nest and other matter, then replace with dried grass/pine needles). Then put the babies back in the box (plug hole for a little while until they are calm). 



I was advised to use rubber gloves.



Jenny

  ----- Original Message ----- 

  From: GKruth@aol.com 

  To: jennymcclintock@COMCAST.NET ; PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG 

  Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 4:09 PM

  Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Bluebird box question





  Jenny,



  I usually respond online to such queries, musing that others may also be curious or interested.



  I will first disclaim to be any kind of expert, but have dealt w numerous nestbox issues over the past twenty-nine years, so here goes:



  First -- do you really think there is something dead in the box?  Approach carefully and check this out again.



  If you wish to proceed, you might get yourself a pair of thin latex gloves to protect yourself.  A dust mask like you can purchase at Home Depot or Lowe's for not a lot of money (under $5, I'd imagine), will also protect you if you really think you need these things.  SAVE THESE ITEMS FOR LATER USE.



  Then carefully open the box again.  The babies should tolerate your interference as they have little exposure to humans.  Carefully lift them, using a flat piece of cardboard about the width of the box bottom, so that you can slide this under their butts.  Then, with a spatula, or flat piece of wood, search around for any cadaver or excessive fecal matter, etc..  If you find something, scoop it out w your tool along w any debris, and close the box, and you should be done.



  This is what I would do.



  If you get a flood of protests and alternatives from other readers, I welcome the input from anyone w specific training or real first-hand experience.  Otherwise, you can endlessly conjecture and accomplish zilch, so use your own common sense, and best wishes,



  Jerry Kruth

  Pittsburgh









  In a message dated 6/17/2013 2:56:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, jennymcclintock@COMCAST.NET writes:

    Hello all,



    I need some advice regarding my backyard bluebird box. In short, there are flies buzzing the box and a smell of death. When I opened the box, there appear to be 3 living babies who look like they are days from fledging (getting feather color).  But I don't see a dead body, it may be under the living babies. I don't feel like I can disturb the nest without causing these babies to fledge too soon. I am just not equipped to handle this situation and do not know what to do. Also, I should note that the male parent has not been present for about a week, and the female has been caring for the babies by herself.



    I would greatly appreciate some email help from an experienced bluebird nest monitor. If anyone can help, please respond to me directly and I will give further details.



    Thanks so much!



    Jenny McClintock

    Gettysburg.

Jenny,



I usually respond online to such queries, musing that others may also be

curious or interested.



I will first disclaim to be any kind of expert, but have dealt w numerous

nestbox issues over the past twenty-nine years, so here goes:



First -- do you really think there is something dead in the box?   Approach

carefully and check this out again.



If you wish to proceed, you might get yourself a pair of thin latex gloves

to protect yourself.  A dust mask like you can purchase at Home Depot or

Lowe's for not a lot of money (under $5, I'd imagine), will also protect you

if  you really think you need these things.  SAVE THESE ITEMS FOR LATER  USE.



Then carefully open the box again.  The babies should tolerate your

interference as they have little exposure to humans.  Carefully lift them,  using

a flat piece of cardboard about the width of the box bottom, so that  you

can slide this under their butts.  Then, with a spatula, or flat piece  of

wood, search around for any cadaver or excessive fecal matter, etc..  If  you

find something, scoop it out w your tool along w any debris, and close  the

box, and you should be done.



This is what I would do.



If you get a flood of protests and alternatives from other readers, I

welcome the input from anyone w specific training or real first-hand

experience.  Otherwise, you can endlessly conjecture and accomplish zilch,  so use

your own common sense, and best wishes,



Jerry Kruth

Pittsburgh











In a message dated 6/17/2013 2:56:49 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

jennymcclintock@COMCAST.NET writes:



Hello  all,



I need some advice regarding my backyard bluebird box. In short,  there are

flies buzzing the box and a smell of death. When I opened the box,  there

appear to be 3 living babies who look like they are days from fledging

(getting feather color).  But I don't see a dead body, it may be under  the

living babies. I don't feel like I can disturb the nest without causing  these

babies to fledge too soon. I am just not equipped to handle this  situation

and do not know what to do. Also, I should note that the male parent  has not

been present for about a week, and the female has been caring for the

babies by herself.



I would greatly appreciate some email help from an  experienced bluebird

nest monitor. If anyone can help, please respond to me  directly and I will

give further details.



Thanks so much!



Jenny  McClintock

Gettysburg.

Thanks to all who responded. I now know what I have to do ... I just hope I

am up to the task and can save these little blues!



Jenny



----- Original Message -----

From: "Jenny McClintock" 

To: 

Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 2:56 PM

Subject: [PABIRDS] Bluebird box question





Hello all,



I need some advice regarding my backyard bluebird box. In short, there are

flies buzzing the box and a smell of death. When I opened the box, there

appear to be 3 living babies who look like they are days from fledging

(getting feather color).  But I don't see a dead body, it may be under the

living babies. I don't feel like I can disturb the nest without causing

these babies to fledge too soon. I am just not equipped to handle this

situation and do not know what to do. Also, I should note that the male

parent has not been present for about a week, and the female has been caring

for the babies by herself.



I would greatly appreciate some email help from an experienced bluebird nest

monitor. If anyone can help, please respond to me directly and I will give

further details.



Thanks so much!



Jenny McClintock

Gettysburg.

Here is a trip yesterday to a really nice place in northern Columbia County.



Game Lands 226 - Millville, Columbia, US-PA

Jun 16, 2013 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Protocol: Traveling

3.0 mile(s)

Comments:    Spruce Run area and some food plots

57 species



Red-tailed Hawk  2

Mourning Dove  8

Red-bellied Woodpecker  1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  1

Downy Woodpecker  4

Hairy Woodpecker  2

Northern Flicker  6

Pileated Woodpecker  2

Eastern Wood-Pewee  7

Acadian Flycatcher  7

Great Crested Flycatcher  6

Yellow-throated Vireo  1

Blue-headed Vireo  7

Red-eyed Vireo  40

Blue Jay  7

American Crow  6

Fish Crow  2

Barn Swallow  2

Black-capped Chickadee  4

Tufted Titmouse  1

White-breasted Nuthatch  2

House Wren  1

Carolina Wren  2

Hermit Thrush  1

Wood Thrush  19

American Robin  15

Gray Catbird  15

Northern Mockingbird  1

Brown Thrasher  2

Ovenbird  19

Worm-eating Warbler  2

Louisiana Waterthrush  4   Feeding young along Spruce Run.

Black-and-white Warbler  4

Common Yellowthroat  16

Hooded Warbler  25

American Redstart  3

Magnolia Warbler  2

Blackburnian Warbler  2

Yellow Warbler  2

Chestnut-sided Warbler  5

Black-throated Blue Warbler  1  - Along Spruce Run road.

Black-throated Green Warbler  5

Eastern Towhee  22

Chipping Sparrow  2

Field Sparrow  8

Song Sparrow  13

Dark-eyed Junco  1

Scarlet Tanager  17

Northern Cardinal  17

Rose-breasted Grosbeak  8

Indigo Bunting  15

Red-winged Blackbird  6

Common Grackle  18    Many fledglings.

Brown-headed Cowbird  5

Orchard Oriole  1

Baltimore Oriole  4

House Sparrow  2



View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14438584



This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org/pa))



Doug

Douglas A. Gross

PA Game Commission Wildlife Biologist

Endangered and Non-game Bird Section Supervisor

106 Winters Road, Orangeville, PA 17859

570-458-4109; dogross@pa.gov

PA eBird: http://ebird.org/content/pa

Please note the change in e-mail address domain.

All:

Re: Yesterday's post.

I apologize for lack of a Subject line in yesterday's note about trip to Ricketts Glen SP, 6/15.



Ricketts Glen SP--Ganoga View / Beaver Dam Trails, Luzerne, US-PA

Jun 15, 2013 9:25 AM - 10:50 AM

Protocol: Traveling

4.0 mile(s)

I won't repeat the list, but here is link:

View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14438389



Great time to go out birding!   I invite others to visit Ricketts Glen and nearby locations and make more discoveries.



Doug Gross

Columbia county



Douglas A. Gross

PA Game Commission Wildlife Biologist

Endangered and Non-game Bird Section Supervisor

106 Winters Road, Orangeville, PA 17859

570-458-4109; dogross@pa.gov

PA eBird: http://ebird.org/content/pa

Please note the change in e-mail address domain.

Hello all,



I need some advice regarding my backyard bluebird box. In short, there are flies buzzing the box and a smell of death. When I opened the box, there appear to be 3 living babies who look like they are days from fledging (getting feather color).  But I don't see a dead body, it may be under the living babies. I don't feel like I can disturb the nest without causing these babies to fledge too soon. I am just not equipped to handle this situation and do not know what to do. Also, I should note that the male parent has not been present for about a week, and the female has been caring for the babies by herself.



I would greatly appreciate some email help from an experienced bluebird nest monitor. If anyone can help, please respond to me directly and I will give further details.



Thanks so much!



Jenny McClintock

Gettysburg.

Don't discount birds' ability to smell.  Studies have shown that gray catbirds use their sense of smell to guide them on migration.

http://www.wqed.org/birdblog/2...



 

Kate St. John, Pittsburgh  



Visit my bird and nature blog at www.wqed.org/birdblog/

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Yes, the sense of smell in birds does vary.  Vultures are renowned for

their olfactory sense.  In Pennsylvania, we have two vulture species.  And

interestingly only the Turkey Vulture has a useful sense of smell.  Black

Vultures on the other hand have much better sight than smell, even

following TVs around to scavenge from the scavengers.  Helps separate the

niches in the community I guess.



Turkey Vultures have also been used to find leaks in natural gas pipelines.

 The chemical added to natural gas, ethyl mercaptan, to is also associated

with rotting flesh.  The vultures can be seen kettling around the leaks,

which helps the engineers fix the leaks.  I'm not sure if they added that

chemical for that reason, but it seems plausible to me.



       -Ian Gardner



On Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 2:06 PM, Gerald Kruth  wrote:



> One of the beauties of this list is it allows for the distribution of ideas

>  and observations.

>

> I appreciate all the posts on this (and many) topics.  When Herb said

> birds have a great sense of smell, I recalled reading somewhere vultures

> differ

> from most other birds because they have a great sense of smell.

>

> I don't know if he is correct or not, but the fact that he took the time to

>  venture thoughts and then gets other individuals involved to set the

> record  straight (or not), is the real value, I believe

>

> Thanks to all of you who contribute.

>

> jk

> Pgh

>

>

>

>

> In a message dated 6/17/2013 12:43:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> davilene@VERIZON.NET writes:

>

> Sorry,  Herb, but your statement about hummingbirds having a great sense of

> smell  is incorrect. They, like almost all other birds, have little or no

> sense of  smell. More than likely the hummer Kathy's referring to was in

> the

> area  all along and, for whatever reason, just decided to go to the feeder.

> Or  else it had visited the feeder before and she just didn't see it. At

> this time  of the year their primary food is arthropods, or small insects.

> But

> we are  fast coming upon the time when young are out of the nest or

> recently

> fledged  and hanging now they will become more visible. Also, now more

> natural flower  sources are available.

>

>

> Arlene Koch

> Easton,  PA

> Northampton  County

> davilene@verizon.net

>

>

> ________________________________

> From:  Herbert Flavell 

> To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

> Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 3:04 PM

> Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird  curiosity

>

>

> While I am not a Hummingbird,nature has provided  them with excellent

> eyesight and sense of smell. That's why they can find  flowers buried in

> high

> weeds. The fresher the Hummingbird food the stronger it  smells. Much like

> steak and eggs cooking on the stove. Then the longer it sits  on the table

> the

> less it smells. But a hummer unlike a human follows their  nose and zips to

> the new source of food. Then again maybe I'm like a Hummer I  zip to the

> food

> source. Then force of habit takes over. It then keeps  returning. Most

> birds and insects have excellent smellers. How do you think an  ant that’s

> 1/100

> inch long will find that same Hummingbird food hanging 8 ft  above them.

> Then the first there will lead hundreds of their friends to the  new food

> source. Here on my farm the Touch Me Not flowers grow lower than hay

>  grass yet

> find a TMN and you will find a Hummer.

> Herb Flavell, Gods Knob,  Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County

> www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm

>

> -----Original Message----- From:  Gerald Kruth

> Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:50 AM

> To:  PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

> Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird  curiosity

>

> Kathy's question is a good one.  If anyone has a  plausible  explanation,

> please reply to the List.  I'm sure there  are others besides  me

> interested as

> well.

>

> thank  you,

>

> Jerry Kruth

> Pittsburgh

>

>

> In a message dated 6/17/2013  8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> pabirder@PTD.NET writes:

>

> I  wonder  how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in  the

> feeder.  I  hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week  due to all the

> rain

> and hadn't  seen any hummers for a couple of weeks  before that.  Yesterday

> I

> filled  it and this morning there was a  Hummer on the feeder. This is not

> the first  time I have experienced  this.  Are they watching me?

> Kathy  Stagl

> Emmaus, PA

>

Hi  Folks



I just completed a "Labor of Love" with my new Blog article called "The

Flycatchers" A Photographic Exploration In Progress". I began on this long

before the Shenk's Ferry Article and finally published it this morning. It

contains information and images from both Texas and the Mid-Atlantic States

so there is something for everyone. I sincerely hope you enjoy my efforts.



http://birdsandblooms.me/2013/...



Jim







--

*Jim Flowers*

Arts N Images 

Birds and Blooms Blog 

Wildlife South 

NANPA, NAPP, National Geographic Society (Retired)

One of the beauties of this list is it allows for the distribution of ideas 

 and observations.

 

I appreciate all the posts on this (and many) topics.  When Herb said  

birds have a great sense of smell, I recalled reading somewhere vultures differ  

from most other birds because they have a great sense of smell. 

 

I don't know if he is correct or not, but the fact that he took the time to 

 venture thoughts and then gets other individuals involved to set the 

record  straight (or not), is the real value, I believe

 

Thanks to all of you who contribute.

 

jk

Pgh

 

 

 

 

In a message dated 6/17/2013 12:43:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  

davilene@VERIZON.NET writes:



Sorry,  Herb, but your statement about hummingbirds having a great sense of 

smell  is incorrect. They, like almost all other birds, have little or no 

sense of  smell. More than likely the hummer Kathy's referring to was in the 

area  all along and, for whatever reason, just decided to go to the feeder. 

Or  else it had visited the feeder before and she just didn't see it. At 

this time  of the year their primary food is arthropods, or small insects. But 

we are  fast coming upon the time when young are out of the nest or recently 

fledged  and hanging now they will become more visible. Also, now more 

natural flower  sources are available.  





Arlene Koch

Easton,  PA

Northampton  County

davilene@verizon.net





________________________________

From:  Herbert Flavell 

To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG  

Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 3:04 PM

Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird  curiosity





While I am not a Hummingbird,nature has provided  them with excellent 

eyesight and sense of smell. That's why they can find  flowers buried in high 

weeds. The fresher the Hummingbird food the stronger it  smells. Much like 

steak and eggs cooking on the stove. Then the longer it sits  on the table the 

less it smells. But a hummer unlike a human follows their  nose and zips to 

the new source of food. Then again maybe I'm like a Hummer I  zip to the food 

source. Then force of habit takes over. It then keeps  returning. Most 

birds and insects have excellent smellers. How do you think an  ant that’s 1/100 

inch long will find that same Hummingbird food hanging 8 ft  above them. 

Then the first there will lead hundreds of their friends to the  new food 

source. Here on my farm the Touch Me Not flowers grow lower than hay  grass yet 

find a TMN and you will find a Hummer.

Herb Flavell, Gods Knob,  Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County  

www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm



-----Original Message----- From:  Gerald Kruth

Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:50 AM

To:  PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird  curiosity



Kathy's question is a good one.  If anyone has a  plausible  explanation,

please reply to the List.  I'm sure there  are others besides  me 

interested as

well.



thank  you,



Jerry Kruth

Pittsburgh





In a message dated 6/17/2013  8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

pabirder@PTD.NET writes:



I  wonder  how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in  the

feeder.  I  hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week  due to all the 

rain

and hadn't  seen any hummers for a couple of weeks  before that.  Yesterday 

I

filled  it and this morning there was a  Hummer on the feeder. This is not

the first  time I have experienced  this.  Are they watching me?

Kathy  Stagl

Emmaus, PA 

Everything that lives and breaths through their nose has a sense of smell.

Some say no for birds but just as many say yes.

http://www.birdsandblooms.com/...  I

mentioned the ant in my email. Without smell how would it know that that red

thing hanging 8 ft above his/ her head was food. I don’t think fish smell

because they breath through gills and catch food with excellent eyesight.

Makes me wonder how my snapping turtle knows that I'm there feeding my fish

and comes to feed on the cat food that sinks to the bottom while I take its

picture. Does it smell the food as it sinks or just hear the splash and

associate the splash with me feeding the fish. The world wants to know.

Herb Flavell, Gods Knob, Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County,

www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm



-----Original Message-----

From: rick

Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 12:52 PM

To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity



I don't have an answer but I have a cabin near Romney W.Va. and have similar

experiences. We can be gone for weeks and the feeders are empty when we

arrive. In a matter of hours after cleaning and filling the feeders birds

are there. There are no flowers around as the cabin is in the woods so I

really wonder if they don't have some sort of sense of smell.



Rick Dickson

Greencastle



-----Original Message-----

From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania

[mailto:PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of Gerald Kruth

Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:51 AM

To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity



Kathy's question is a good one.  If anyone has a plausible  explanation,

please reply to the List.  I'm sure there are others besides  me interested

as

well.



thank you,



Jerry Kruth

Pittsburgh





In a message dated 6/17/2013 8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

pabirder@PTD.NET writes:



I wonder  how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in the

feeder.  I  hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week due to all the

rain

and hadn't  seen any hummers for a couple of weeks before that.  Yesterday I



filled  it and this morning there was a Hummer on the feeder. This is not

the first  time I have experienced this.  Are they watching me?

Kathy  Stagl

Emmaus, PA

I've always understood that hummingbirds were attracted to the color red.

 Here is a blog post with a link to an article discussing how hummingbirds

are attracted to the type of nectar, not the flower color.  The color red

is apparently a way to camouflage the flowers from bees so the nectar

remains for hummingbirds, the target pollinators.





http://blog.arrowheadalpines.c...



I would assume the flower/feeder shape and bright color are signals for the

hummingbirds and they taste test the nectar/sugar water to determine

whether they should drink from it or not.  This leads one to believe that

hummingbirds have a great memory and can remember which flower/feeder has

good nectar or not.  I'm sure they infrequently visit those empty

feeders/flowers to remind themselves, which would explain why hummingbirds

aren't seen when feeders are empty.  I hope this helps the discussion.  It

taught me a few things.



            -Ian Gardner





On Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 12:52 PM, rick  wrote:



> I don't have an answer but I have a cabin near Romney W.Va. and have

> similar

> experiences. We can be gone for weeks and the feeders are empty when we

> arrive. In a matter of hours after cleaning and filling the feeders birds

> are there. There are no flowers around as the cabin is in the woods so I

> really wonder if they don't have some sort of sense of smell.

>

> Rick Dickson

> Greencastle

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania

> [mailto:PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of Gerald Kruth

> Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:51 AM

> To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

> Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity

>

> Kathy's question is a good one.  If anyone has a plausible  explanation,

> please reply to the List.  I'm sure there are others besides  me interested

> as

> well.

>

> thank you,

>

> Jerry Kruth

> Pittsburgh

>

>

> In a message dated 6/17/2013 8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> pabirder@PTD.NET writes:

>

> I wonder  how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in the

> feeder.  I  hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week due to all the

> rain

> and hadn't  seen any hummers for a couple of weeks before that.  Yesterday

> I

>

> filled  it and this morning there was a Hummer on the feeder. This is not

> the first  time I have experienced this.  Are they watching me?

> Kathy  Stagl

> Emmaus, PA

>

I don't have an answer but I have a cabin near Romney W.Va. and have similar

experiences. We can be gone for weeks and the feeders are empty when we

arrive. In a matter of hours after cleaning and filling the feeders birds

are there. There are no flowers around as the cabin is in the woods so I

really wonder if they don't have some sort of sense of smell.



Rick Dickson

Greencastle



-----Original Message-----

From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania

[mailto:PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of Gerald Kruth

Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:51 AM

To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity



Kathy's question is a good one.  If anyone has a plausible  explanation, 

please reply to the List.  I'm sure there are others besides  me interested

as 

well.

 

thank you,

 

Jerry Kruth

Pittsburgh

 

 

In a message dated 6/17/2013 8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  

pabirder@PTD.NET writes:



I wonder  how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in the 

feeder.  I  hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week due to all the

rain 

and hadn't  seen any hummers for a couple of weeks before that.  Yesterday I



filled  it and this morning there was a Hummer on the feeder. This is not 

the first  time I have experienced this.  Are they watching me?

Kathy  Stagl

Emmaus, PA

Sorry, Herb, but your statement about hummingbirds having a great sense of smell is incorrect. They, like almost all other birds, have little or no sense of smell. More than likely the hummer Kathy's referring to was in the area all along and, for whatever reason, just decided to go to the feeder. Or else it had visited the feeder before and she just didn't see it. At this time of the year their primary food is arthropods, or small insects. But we are fast coming upon the time when young are out of the nest or recently fledged and hanging now they will become more visible. Also, now more natural flower sources are available.  





Arlene Koch

Easton, PA

Northampton County

davilene@verizon.net

 



________________________________

 From: Herbert Flavell 

To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG 

Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 3:04 PM

Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity

  



While I am not a Hummingbird,nature has provided them with excellent eyesight and sense of smell. That's why they can find flowers buried in high weeds. The fresher the Hummingbird food the stronger it smells. Much like steak and eggs cooking on the stove. Then the longer it sits on the table the less it smells. But a hummer unlike a human follows their nose and zips to the new source of food. Then again maybe I'm like a Hummer I zip to the food source. Then force of habit takes over. It then keeps returning. Most birds and insects have excellent smellers. How do you think an ant that’s 1/100 inch long will find that same Hummingbird food hanging 8 ft above them. Then the first there will lead hundreds of their friends to the new food source. Here on my farm the Touch Me Not flowers grow lower than hay grass yet find a TMN and you will find a Hummer.

Herb Flavell, Gods Knob, Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm



-----Original Message----- From: Gerald Kruth

Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:50 AM

To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity



Kathy's question is a good one.  If anyone has a plausible  explanation,

please reply to the List.  I'm sure there are others besides  me interested as

well.



thank you,



Jerry Kruth

Pittsburgh





In a message dated 6/17/2013 8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

pabirder@PTD.NET writes:



I wonder  how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in the

feeder.  I  hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week due to all the rain

and hadn't  seen any hummers for a couple of weeks before that.  Yesterday I

filled  it and this morning there was a Hummer on the feeder. This is not

the first  time I have experienced this.  Are they watching me?

Kathy  Stagl

Emmaus, PA

While I am not a Hummingbird,nature has provided them with excellent

eyesight and sense of smell. That's why they can find flowers buried in high

weeds. The fresher the Hummingbird food the stronger it smells. Much like

steak and eggs cooking on the stove. Then the longer it sits on the table

the less it smells. But a hummer unlike a human follows their nose and zips

to the new source of food. Then again maybe I'm like a Hummer I zip to the

food source. Then force of habit takes over. It then keeps returning. Most

birds and insects have excellent smellers. How do you think an ant that’s

1/100 inch long will find that same Hummingbird food hanging 8 ft above

them. Then the first there will lead hundreds of their friends to the new

food source. Here on my farm the Touch Me Not flowers grow lower than hay

grass yet find a TMN and you will find a Hummer.

Herb Flavell, Gods Knob, Milk Can Corners, Susquehanna County

www.angelfire.com/pa/bonniedellfarm



-----Original Message-----

From: Gerald Kruth

Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:50 AM

To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] Hummingbird curiosity



Kathy's question is a good one.  If anyone has a plausible  explanation,

please reply to the List.  I'm sure there are others besides  me interested

as

well.



thank you,



Jerry Kruth

Pittsburgh





In a message dated 6/17/2013 8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

pabirder@PTD.NET writes:



I wonder  how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in the

feeder.  I  hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week due to all the

rain

and hadn't  seen any hummers for a couple of weeks before that.  Yesterday I

filled  it and this morning there was a Hummer on the feeder. This is not

the first  time I have experienced this.  Are they watching me?

Kathy  Stagl

Emmaus, PA

Kathy's question is a good one.  If anyone has a plausible  explanation,

please reply to the List.  I'm sure there are others besides  me interested as

well.



thank you,



Jerry Kruth

Pittsburgh





In a message dated 6/17/2013 8:50:15 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

pabirder@PTD.NET writes:



I wonder  how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in the

feeder.  I  hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week due to all the rain

and hadn't  seen any hummers for a couple of weeks before that.  Yesterday I

filled  it and this morning there was a Hummer on the feeder. This is not

the first  time I have experienced this.  Are they watching me?

Kathy  Stagl

Emmaus, PA

A few months ago I posted about a Red Tail Hawk nest that I observed being constructed atop a local electrical wire transmission tower. Due to its location, I have been unable to get any good looks at the chick or chicks that were on the nest. Occasionally, I would see a tiny head pop up, but never really anything interesting to see.



This past week changed that, and on Saturday evening, I was able to capture the juvenile standing on the nest and stretching his wings! And when I went past yesterday, Sunday, I got to see the juvenile soaring around the nest with an adult very close by. Sadly, I didnt have my camera to take pics of his first flight, however, I did get a few of him stretching his wings. The pics can be found by clicking on the link in my signature line.



Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the photos





Nick Guirate

Philly PA



Sent via Carrier Pigeon

Please Check Out My Photos



http://www.flickr.com/photos/t...

I wonder how Hummingbirds know when there is fresh sugar water in the feeder.  I hadn't cleaned and refilled my feeder last week due to all the rain and hadn't seen any hummers for a couple of weeks before that.  Yesterday I filled it and this morning there was a Hummer on the feeder. This is not the first time I have experienced this.  Are they watching me?

Kathy Stagl

Emmaus, PA

Hi Rudy and others,



At Hawk Mountain, Berks/Sch. Counties, we have also upswing in YB Cuckoos but there is an outbreak of

oak caterpillars that could be driving it more than cicadas.  We have both caterpillars and the cicadas in good numbers.  If you have not heard or seen the 17 yr cicadas Hawk Mt is one place you can experience it!



-----Original Message-----

From: Bird discussion list for Pennsylvania [mailto:PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG] On Behalf Of Rudolph Keller

Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2013 9:03 PM

To: PABIRDS AT LIST.AUDUBON.ORG

Subject: [PABIRDS] cicadas and cuckoos



This morning Dean Kendall and I did our Breeding Bird Survey route that

starts in Schuylkill Co. (Owl Creek Rd.) and ends in Carbon Co. near

Bowmanstown. From a perspective of 40 years on this route, the only thing

that stood out was a notable increase in the number of Yellow-billed Cuckoos

I detected.  I thought this might be due to the availability of periodical

cicadas, many of which we heard on many stops. Has anyone else noticed such

a correlation? I remember another even larger uptick in numbers of both

species of cuckoo on this route during a major gypsy moth defoliation

episode a few decades ago.

Rudy Keller

Boyertown, PA

Berks County

PA Birders,

	I was out Friday and Sunday at Walking Purchase Park and had two good walks.  Friday held a soaring immature Bald Eagle and 39 other species and Sunday held a singing Yellow-breasted Chat and Eastern Phoebes.  Friday's walk was quiet and I was wondering if I would see 40 species, but a run of raptors along the railroad line helped get me to 40.  The immature Bald Eagle was soaring from Allentown  towards Bethlehem along the little ridge.  It found a thermal and was joined by a Sharp-shinned Hawk.  It rode the thermal and then peeled off towards Bethlhem.

	Yesterday, Sunday, I had a little more activity anding with 46 species.  I found the Chat in the bottomland near the pumphouse.  It provided an identification challenge, as each part of the song lead me to different birds.  There have been Yellow-billed Cuckoos in the area this year, so I started there and then I heard a crow type call in the middle and the third part threw me completely.  I was then thinking Mockingbird, but knew that was not correct.  I was able to pish the bird into view and it did not disappoint as it went through the entire repertoire three or four times before turning it back on me and moving into the brush.  I was surprised to see not one, but two Eastern Phoebes in the park.  I usually only see them during migration and was quite surprised by see them.  I am heading out this morning to see what other wonders I can find.  The complete lists follow.

Happy Birding,

Ed SInkler

Fountain Hill

Lehigh County



Walking Purchase Park, Salisbury, Lehigh, US-PA

Jun 14, 2013 8:45 AM - 11:50 AM

Protocol: Traveling

2.16 mile(s)

Comments:     56-66°F, 100-60-95-40% cloud cover. River running high due to heavy rain.

40 species



Mallard  16

Turkey Vulture  2

Sharp-shinned Hawk  1

Cooper's Hawk  1

Bald Eagle  1     Flying from Allentown towards Bethlehem over the railroad tracks.

Red-tailed Hawk  3

Killdeer  1

Rock Pigeon  3

Mourning Dove  6

Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1

Chimney Swift  20

Red-bellied Woodpecker  4

Downy Woodpecker  2

Eastern Wood-Pewee  3

Eastern Kingbird  1

Yellow-throated Vireo  2     Adult feeding nestling.

Warbling Vireo  7

Red-eyed Vireo  1

Blue Jay  3

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  3

Tree Swallow  6

Bank Swallow  17

Barn Swallow  7

Black-capped Chickadee  1

White-breasted Nuthatch  2

Carolina Wren  5

Wood Thrush  6

American Robin  26

Gray Catbird  48

European Starling  2

Common Yellowthroat  4

American Redstart  9

Yellow Warbler  19

Song Sparrow  10

Northern Cardinal  10

Indigo Bunting  1

Red-winged Blackbird  7

Brown-headed Cowbird  19

Baltimore Oriole  4

American Goldfinch  5



Walking Purchase Park, Salisbury, Lehigh, US-PA

Jun 16, 2013 7:40 AM - 10:50 AM

Protocol: Traveling

2.16 mile(s)

Comments:     62-72°F, 100-60-95% Cloud cover.  River still running high, but lower than Friday by about six inches to a foot.

46 species



Mallard  13

Wild Turkey  1

Double-crested Cormorant  1

Great Blue Heron  1

Turkey Vulture  1

Red-tailed Hawk  3

Spotted Sandpiper  2

Rock Pigeon  2

Mourning Dove  13

Yellow-billed Cuckoo  1

Chimney Swift  2

Red-bellied Woodpecker  10     Female feeding nestling.

Downy Woodpecker  1

Northern Flicker  2

Eastern Wood-Pewee  3

Eastern Phoebe  2

Yellow-throated Vireo  1

Warbling Vireo  6

Red-eyed Vireo  3     Fledgling begging for food.

Blue Jay  5

Northern Rough-winged Swallow  2

Tree Swallow  1

Bank Swallow  4

Barn Swallow  11

Black-capped Chickadee  3

Tufted Titmouse  1

White-breasted Nuthatch  1

House Wren  2

Carolina Wren  1

Wood Thrush  7

American Robin  39

Gray Catbird  66     Very active and spread throughout the walk.

Northern Mockingbird  1

Cedar Waxwing  6

Common Yellowthroat  3

American Redstart  6

Yellow Warbler  28

Yellow-breasted Chat  1

Song Sparrow  16

Northern Cardinal  7

Indigo Bunting  1

Red-winged Blackbird  10

Common Grackle  3

Brown-headed Cowbird  9

Baltimore Oriole  3

American Goldfinch  3

Dave,



OK, after reading the same repetitive criticism post after post after post,

I'm just gonna come out and say this as bluntly as possible.  I would assume

that everyone on this list is all in favor of preserving land and studying

our resident and breeding birds and applauds your strong interest and

enthusiasm.  However, I'd really appreciate it if you would PLEASE make your

posts without continuing to belittle those of us who occasionally go to see

rare birds that happen to show up in our state.  By now, I'm sure it's all

drummed into our heads that so-called 'listers' are bad, but I really don't

think that helps your cause.



By the way, I was out Sunday checking on a hummingbird nest that I found a

few weeks ago.  Yes, it was JUST a Ruby-throated, but I was still excited to

see it nonetheless.  And I wasn't looking for a rarity during those two

Breeding Bird Atlases that I volunteered for either, but I still had a good

time doing it, especially while keeping the 'lists' of what I found.



Thanks in advance for your cooperation,

Dave DeReamus

Palmer Township, PA

becard -at- rcn.com

Blog: http://becard.blogspot.com/

PicasaWeb Photo Albums: http://picasaweb.google.com/be...

Eastern PA Birding: http://users.rcn.com/becard/ho...







----- Original Message -----

From: "Dave Kruel" 

To: 

Sent: Sunday, June 16, 2013 12:39 PM

Subject: Re: [PABIRDS] SGL 110 Berks/Schuylkill County 6.14.2013





Well put Kerry.  There is much great stuff going on right now to be found by

birders with our nesting birds.   Summer nesting activity is fun to observe

and provides much more important information as to  what is going on than

lots of records on one ‘good’ bird.  Even vagrants might be “boring nesters�

somewhere ….so if a vagrant’s habitat disappears, no more of that vagrant

showing up in PA.



Dave Kruel

Pottsville

Schuylkill Co.

Hi All,

A quick walk along a trail on Saturday morning:

 

Ricketts Glen SP--Ganoga View / Beaver Dam Trails, Luzerne, US-PA

Jun 15, 2013 9:25 AM - 10:50 AM

Protocol: Traveling

4.0 mile(s)

Comments:    Very wet trail after recent rains.

36 species



Mourning Dove  1

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  4

Downy Woodpecker  1

Hairy Woodpecker  1

Pileated Woodpecker  2

Alder Flycatcher  1

Blue-headed Vireo  5

Red-eyed Vireo  26    Very common bird in forest of Ricketts Glen State Park.

Blue Jay  5

American Crow  1

Common Raven  2

Black-capped Chickadee  2

Winter Wren  2

Veery  5

Hermit Thrush  4

American Robin  3

Gray Catbird  2

Ovenbird  16

Black-and-white Warbler  5

Nashville Warbler  1

Common Yellowthroat  10

Hooded Warbler  1

American Redstart  4

Magnolia Warbler  5

Blackburnian Warbler  8

Chestnut-sided Warbler  10

Black-throated Blue Warbler  12    Common breeding bird of higher elevation forests of Ricketts Glen SP especially with conifers

Black-throated Green Warbler  26

Eastern Towhee  16

Chipping Sparrow  1

White-throated Sparrow  2

Dark-eyed Junco  9

Scarlet Tanager  2

Brown-headed Cowbird  2

Purple Finch  1

American Goldfinch  2



View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14438389



This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org/pa))



Doug Gross

Columbia county

I have run across numerous ares with many, many cicadas in the Kittatinny Ridge (Berks/Schuylkill Co.) over the past few weeks. Surely, the next person will have a totally different experience than I have. I find cuckoo numbers to be at least modernately lower than during other years. I heard perhaps 6 or 8 cuckoos recently, and none were near any areas that were overwhelmed by cicadas. In other words, I found no coloration at all. One heavily "infested" area I walked under a tree where a crow was reluctant to leave which is quite unusual, but I certainly can't assume the crow was there because of the cicadas.



I visited a clear-cut yesterday which had low vegetation with trees and shrubs an average of 6 feet tall. I was in the thick of the cicadas and found the normal number of bird species there. I would think Tanagers would dine on them as well (and maybe they do), especially after seeing a tanager go after hummingbird.



Kerry Grim

Berks Co.