I've noticed on three occasions in the past week, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds chasing Carolina Chickadees or Tufted Titmice around in trees. Seeing such similar behavior from separate birds in separate areas of the county made me wonder how frequently (and why) chickadees and titmice actually get chased by their diminutive, yet feisty, cousins. What's up with that?

Forgot to mention that James and I also had a Solitary Sandpiper on the farm pond across from Mark Freeman's Kite field on Astondale Rd. ( http://www.wingsoverga.com/OconeeCoBirding...tml#FarmingtonRdETC ). Glad to see 'fall' migration is already well underway.

Mark McShane found an Upland sandpiper at Bostwick Sod Farm ( http://www.wingsoverga.com/MorganCoBirding...tml#BostwickSodFarm ) this afternoon, and James Neves and I were easily able to relocate the bird shortly thereafter. The bird seems to be sticking to the northernmost field (best viewed from near the sprinkler along Hardeman Rd.). It was far out near a rise in the field when we arrived (good view at 60X through a scope, though), but it was apparently quite active while Mark was there, moving back and forth from the rise to within 100 ft of the sprinklers and Hardeman Rd. When we left it had disappeared behind the rise (not visible from any vantage point), so it may take a bit of patience to see if it's in that area of the field.

While out birding this morning in the Idylwood subdivision (Clarke county, IIRC), I was treated to a decidedly non-avian bonus species - a chorus of Eastern Narrowmouth Toads was bleating away, having no-doubt enjoyed the wet weather we had overnight. That's a new anuran species for me.

A quick, plant-related trip to the botanical garden this morning yielded a single immature WHITE IBIS foraging at very close range on the white trail just upstream of the privet eradication area. It eventually flew downstream in the direction of the powerline cut and orange trail. It's a new species for the year there according to ebird records.

This is a follow up on the Chipping Sparrows that have nested at my house this year. I mentioned in part of a post from June 6th that a pair of Chipping Sparrows had chosen a poor nesting site and ended up with a Brown-headed Cowbird fledgling. I still think the fledgling did not make it. I had since noted that the Chipping Sparrows had chosen a more concealed nesting site and that there was consistent nesting behavior. About a week ago I saw a juvenile "chippy" at my feeders, which is not far from the nest site. Yesterday evening I observed THREE juveniles with the parents at the feeders. It was especially interesting to have the comparison of juvenile plumage from youngest to oldest. I'm glad to see that the "chippies" were able to have such a successful second brood.

Katherine and I had a nice bare-eyed look at a Wood Thrush yesterday as it was flitting from tree to tree in our backyard and the neighbors. It was both singing and giving its "wicka-wicka" call.

Ed.

Jim Hanna and I birded the riparian orange and white trail plus the blue trail and powerline at the botanical this morning. The midsummer lull has definitely set in, but what was lacking in species quantity was made up for by quality looks at some good stuff. Most unexpected was a Worm-eating Warbler on the white trail near the greenhouse spur. Jim had 2 immature Kentucky Warblers before I arrived, and we later had close looks at another immature and adult on the orange trail (plus 3 other singing birds at different spots). While watching the Kentuckys on the orange trail, 2 male Louisana Waterthrushes flew in right next to us and proceeded to have a tail-bobbing face off complete with singing. We also had at least 2 full-grown baby Barred Owls still begging from an adult on the blue trail as it ascends from the river junction with the white trail.

I'm thinking about heading out to Dyar Pasture and Ward Rd this evening. If anybody wants to join me, shoot me an email: jamesneves[-at-]gmail[-dot-]com

There's a report on GABO-L of good birds at Dyar Pasture -- Wood Storks, White Ibis, and herons.

I've been regularly hearing Common Nighthawks and Wood Thrushes in the evening in 5 Points. Plenty of Chimney Swifts too for that matter.

Ed.

Wind, the Black-and-White Warbler was once called the Black-and-White Creeper since it acted more like a creeper or a nuthatch than a warbler.

River Oaks Neighborhood:
I hear TURKEY calling at the river on River Oak Way around 6:00pm at least twice a week for the last couple of weeks. Also, I have SCARLET
TANAGER and SUMMER TANAGER around my house.

Else: Last night I heard WHIP-POOR-WILL calling out on Colman Ferry Road just entering Green County.

Marianne


On 7/5/08, QT - James Neves <qtopic-29-6JbdZFsuhUc6@quicktopic.com> wrote: >
>



--
Marianne Happek
< replied-to message removed by QT >

Yesterday evening just before the storm, there were several Black-and-white Warblers and one Eastern Towhee here at the house. I realized that my "instincts" are first to identify a bird by its movement. The warblers confused me because they were acting like Nuthatches.

Mary Case
I usually hear nighthawks on campus near the Pharmacy building the first week of May. I did not hear them until later this year and infrequently. I think they have moved to another part of campus as they are building a new pharmacy building next to the old one. I don't think they like the construction.
On Jul 7, 2008, at 4:18 AM, QuickTopic daily digest wrote:

< replied-to message removed by QT >

A little earlier tonight I heard a Common Nighthawk in the vicinity of Franklin St. and Hill St. in Athens. I'm sure they've been around but this is the first one I've heard this year.