Re: [nfc-l] UK flight calling
Hi all, Thanks for the feedback from all of you that responded on the list and privately! Some of you were wondering when specifically I listened, well, last night between 2- 2:30am and then again 5-6am, however I think it was too breezy here and I did not hear anything at all. But the night before when there was some calling activity I listened some at about 3am and then heard mostly shorebirds plus some unknown spp. I then listened between about 5:30 and and 6:30 am, it was still dark out, have not civil twilight was 6:50. I heard most of the calling in this period. Some calls were either Song or Mistle Thrush not sure which, I am wondering now if they really move nocturnally much at all though. From my observations of both species the last several days, in habit they seem very similar to our American Robin, which will sometimes move pre-dawn, most of the time they move early am though and will vocalize heavily sometimes in the hour before sunrise. The vocalizations I heard were similar to song/mistle flight notes I heard while observing these spp. here the last several mornings. The Willow Warbler ID was purely a guess, but it sounded virtually identical to the call I heard in the field that day and was fairly close overhead. A single rising "tuwee", but as I found out today Chiffchaff have a similar call to this too which they do give in flight. I was also curious about this as I had heard sylvids did not call at all at night, and it could be that the call I heard was from some other species all together that I am not familiar with. Much to learn for sure, that is why I am so excited to be here and have the opportunity to listen a bit while I am here! I did not get any recordings yet as I failed to bring the right UK converter for my computer, but I got one today! I will be traveling to Scotland tomorrow for about 5 days before working my way over to the Swiss/Italian alps to do some recording in mountain passes there, should be interesting! I will let all of you know what I find/record. I would be interested to hear more from others with there observation over here too! On a side note, I noticed over here there seems not to be very good radar coverage. It could just be that I am not finding the right sites though, but I was looking for just simple reflectivity to gauge migration intensity vs what I was hearing. Is there doppler radar in Europe? Talk to you all soon, Mike Michael Lanzone Biotechnology and Biomonitoring Lab Supervisor Carnegie Museum of Natural History Powdermill Avian Research Center 1847 Route 381 Rector, PA 15677 724.593.5521 Office mlanz...@gmail.com On Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 4:47 PM, Magnus Robb wrote: > Hi Mike, > At this time of year in much of the UK, Song Thrushes should still be the > dominant thrush, but Blackbirds and Redwings will be starting to join > them. With a lot of luck you might hear a Ring Ouzel, but this is not a > common thrush. Oddly enough, Mistle Thrush and Fieldfare don't seem to call > much at night. Nobody I've asked has ever head more than the odd call at > dusk or dawn, even at times when many were moving through. Has anyone in > this group heard them at night? > > As for other passerines, relatively few European ones seem to use flight > calls at night, which partly explains the relative lack of interest in night > flight calls over here. Most of what you hear comes from the three species > of thrush I mentioned first. Among the passerines I've definitely heard > flying over at night are: Skylark, Woodlark, Tree Pipit, Snow Bunting and > Ortolan. A Willow Warbler at night sounds unlikely, as none of our warblers > call much in flight (except Cisticolas). Did you get a recording? > > I live in Portugal where there are huge numbers of Pied Flycatchers passing > through just now. I've been out several nights trying to find out whether > they have nocturnal flight calls, but so far without any conclusive results. > What I have learned however is that I am hearing a few passerine flight > calls that I can't yet identify. I have a good knowledge of the calls of > most western European species by day, so perhaps some are using different > calls at night that I've simply never heard. In short, lots to learn for us > Europeans too! > > Besides passerines, you are of course likely to hear lots of shorebirds, > and geese as the autumn progresses. Which species you hear will depend very > much on where you are. > > Feel free to send me some of your UFO recordings. I'm keen to puzzle > and learn about what else is flying over at night... > > cheers, > > Magnus Robb > > > On 27 Sep 2009, at 22:1501, Michael Lanzone wrote: > > Hi all, > > Last night I heard my first flight calling overseas. Currently I am in > Chester, England and had a decent number of migrants this morning. Not sure > what to expect for numbers here, but I was hearing 8-10 thrushes per minute > during the peak, typically less though. I am guessing Song/mistle Thrush, > also had what sounded
Re: [nfc-l] UK flight calling
Hi Mike, At this time of year in much of the UK, Song Thrushes should still be the dominant thrush, but Blackbirds and Redwings will be starting to join them. With a lot of luck you might hear a Ring Ouzel, but this is not a common thrush. Oddly enough, Mistle Thrush and Fieldfare don't seem to call much at night. Nobody I've asked has ever head more than the odd call at dusk or dawn, even at times when many were moving through. Has anyone in this group heard them at night? As for other passerines, relatively few European ones seem to use flight calls at night, which partly explains the relative lack of interest in night flight calls over here. Most of what you hear comes from the three species of thrush I mentioned first. Among the passerines I've definitely heard flying over at night are: Skylark, Woodlark, Tree Pipit, Snow Bunting and Ortolan. A Willow Warbler at night sounds unlikely, as none of our warblers call much in flight (except Cisticolas). Did you get a recording? I live in Portugal where there are huge numbers of Pied Flycatchers passing through just now. I've been out several nights trying to find out whether they have nocturnal flight calls, but so far without any conclusive results. What I have learned however is that I am hearing a few passerine flight calls that I can't yet identify. I have a good knowledge of the calls of most western European species by day, so perhaps some are using different calls at night that I've simply never heard. In short, lots to learn for us Europeans too! Besides passerines, you are of course likely to hear lots of shorebirds, and geese as the autumn progresses. Which species you hear will depend very much on where you are. Feel free to send me some of your UFO recordings. I'm keen to puzzle and learn about what else is flying over at night... cheers, Magnus Robb On 27 Sep 2009, at 22:1501, Michael Lanzone wrote: > Hi all, > > Last night I heard my first flight calling overseas. Currently I am > in Chester, England and had a decent number of migrants this > morning. Not sure what to expect for numbers here, but I was > hearing 8-10 thrushes per minute during the peak, typically less > though. I am guessing Song/mistle Thrush, also had what sounded > like Willow Warbler, many unknown. Will need to learn more night > flight calls here! Had a number of shorebirds pass over as well, > greenshank, lapwing, redshank, green sandpiper?, golden plover, > etc. Looking forwrd to the next several weeks in Europe! Any advice > from any of you as to what you are hearing this time of year? I > will be mostly in UK for the next week, then spending most the rest > of my time in France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy. I also hope to > spend some time in the alps listening to nocturnal migration, > possibly col de bretolet. Anyway, be interestd in what to expect > and some sample calls if any of you have them to share! I am doing > some recording so will hopefully have something good to share as well. > > Talk to you all soon, > Mike > > Michael Lanzone > Biotechnology and Biomonitoring Lab Supervisor > Carnegie Museum of Natural History > Powdermill Avian Research Center > 1847 Route 381 > Rector, PA 15677 > 724.593.5521 Office > mlanz...@gmail.com > > Sent from my iPhone -- NFC-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_WELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_RULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nfc-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NFCL.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NFC-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nfc-l] YT or OC warbler?
Ignoring analysis of what it sounds like, I would eliminate Yellow-throated Warbler as very unlikely since there's only a single small breeding population of this species in Michigan, well to the southwest of where this was recorded. It does sound like a Northern Cardinal chip to me too... Allen T. Chartier amazilia1(at)comcast.net Inkster, Michigan, USA - Original Message - From: "Chris Tessaglia-Hymes" To: Sent: Monday, September 28, 2009 4:10 PM Subject: Re: [nfc-l] YT or OC warbler? This call appears to be too short in duration (~22ms) for nearly all of the "short upsweep" warblers (sans Black-throated Blue) and seems to be lacking the "double-banded" feature of several of these types. This flight call also appears to start potentially as low as around 5.1 kHz, which is below the starting frequency of several of these warblers. Granted, there's bound to be all kinds of possible variation. In looking at the structure of this call note, it appears very similar to that of a Northern Cardinal. Is it possible that this was a slightly distant chip note from an evening-settling Northern Cardinal, or perhaps one disturbed from its roost? Maybe I'm way off here, but is this a possibility? Sincerely, Chris T-H caitlin wrote: Hi All, This call was recorded at Tawas Point, MI. just after sunset. Any suggested ID's? I'm thinking either Orange crowned warbler or yellow throated warbler. Thanks! Caitlin Caitlin Coberly Merlin Environmental caitlin_cobe...@merlinenv.com www.merlinenv.com -- NFC-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_WELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_RULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nfc-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NFCL.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NFC-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- Chris Tessaglia-Hymes Listowner, NFC-L Ithaca, New York c...@cornell.edu http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_WELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_RULES -- NFC-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_WELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_RULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nfc-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NFCL.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NFC-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- NFC-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_WELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_RULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nfc-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NFCL.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NFC-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nfc-l] YT or OC warbler?
This call appears to be too short in duration (~22ms) for nearly all of the "short upsweep" warblers (sans Black-throated Blue) and seems to be lacking the "double-banded" feature of several of these types. This flight call also appears to start potentially as low as around 5.1 kHz, which is below the starting frequency of several of these warblers. Granted, there's bound to be all kinds of possible variation. In looking at the structure of this call note, it appears very similar to that of a Northern Cardinal. Is it possible that this was a slightly distant chip note from an evening-settling Northern Cardinal, or perhaps one disturbed from its roost? Maybe I'm way off here, but is this a possibility? Sincerely, Chris T-H caitlin wrote: Hi All, This call was recorded at Tawas Point, MI. just after sunset. Any suggested ID's? I'm thinking either Orange crowned warbler or yellow throated warbler. Thanks! Caitlin Caitlin Coberly Merlin Environmental caitlin_cobe...@merlinenv.com www.merlinenv.com -- NFC-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_WELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_RULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nfc-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NFCL.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NFC-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- -- Chris Tessaglia-Hymes Listowner, NFC-L Ithaca, New York c...@cornell.edu http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_WELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_RULES -- NFC-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_WELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_RULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nfc-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NFCL.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NFC-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
[nfc-l] Bobolink flight in NE Florida
Yesterday morning, 9/27/09, Andrew Thornton and I listened to an impressive Bobolink flight here in NE Florida.? We arrived at the Guana Lake Dam north of St. Augustine at 6:20am and stopped estimating "night flight calls" at 6:50am.? During this time, we estimated that Bobolinks were calling at a rate of 3-5/second.? At no point during this time were they calling at a rate of less than 1/second and 8+ calls/second were maintained for a few short periods.? As dawn broke, the calls dropped off significantly, but we observed several high flying flocks of Bobolinks throughout the morning and could often hear more while in the woods.? Bobolinks have been the dominant night flight call in this area for about 3 weeks now.? What was just as interesting to me as the number of Bobolinks were the lack of other species calling in the flight.? During the same time period we only heard: 4 Swainson's Thrush 1 Veery 1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 1 Summer Tanager (presumed, I have little experience with this call) 2?presumed warbler?seeps We thought we might just be having a difficult time hearing other species over the Bobolinks and that may have been true with the warbler notes.? The thrush calls still stood out amongst the chorus. Has anyone else heard a?large predawn flight?with such a lack of diversity?? Most of my?listening has been inland in the mid-Atlantic and while I've had plenty of thrush-dominated mornings, I've never?had a single?species compose so much of the calls.? ? Thanks, Matt Hafner St. Augustine, FL -- NFC-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_WELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_RULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nfc-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NFCL.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NFC-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nfc-l] When does night end?
Dear all, thanks for all the input, references and answers. Yes, it is indeed quite clear in real life when night ends and it is good to see that the formal limits agree. In my parts of the country the first sign of the night getting to an end is a 1 hour chorus of pygmy owls, followed by (the proper) Robins and blackbirds. Around the start of blackbirds calls is where my local night appears to end. This is some 45 minutes before sunrise (twilight is somewhat longer at 60degN than say at 40degN). This definition is potentially problematic in late May when the last arctic migrants head for the tundra - there is almost no "proper night" at that time here. And slightly off the migration topic. This past June/July we intentionally birded in Lapland (70degN) with my son at "night time" because of lower levels of background noise for recording. Despite of the midnight Sun being above the horizon we were impressed how most of the birds were completely silent (slept) for the "darkest" 3-4 hours. Thanks for the discussion Harry Lehto Finland hle...@utu.fi -- NFC-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_WELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_RULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nfc-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NFCL.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NFC-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nfc-l] plover flight call ID
Dave -- rings like one of those calls I know I've heard but can't pin it to species. My first take is that this is not from a plover, certainly not from Black-bellied or Semipalmated. There is the possibility of a weird Golden perhaps but it is unlike any I've heard. It is reminiscent of Long-billed Curlew, but seems on the short side and like it came from a smaller bird, and of course you recorded it in Ohio so the odds are extremely low. Dropping down in size brings up the possibility of Whimbrel, but they don't give one-noted calls like this as far as I know -- still something resonant with Whimbrel for me. The other possibility to consider might be American Avocet. The call is a bit low and stretched out compared to typical calls this species gives when flushed to flight, but perhaps in night migration individual calls are softer and longer. Maybe folks on this listserv in western US would have a better sense for the possibility of Avocet. Final thought is the possibility of an extreme variant Sora. In any case, interesting call and I'd look forward to hearing comments from others. Bill E * From: "Dave Slager" To: Sent: Friday, September 25, 2009 11:55 PM Subject: [nfc-l] plover flight call ID and migration volume last night in Ohio Attached is a flight call, presumably from a plover, that I recorded on September 10 at 12:48am over Columbus, Ohio. My best guess is Black-bellied Plover but I can't rule completely out American Golden-plover or Semipalmated Plover. Would any of you care to weigh in on the ID? -- NFC-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_WELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_RULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nfc-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NFCL.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NFC-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
Re: [nfc-l] When does night end?
When I've listened to night migrants over Etna, NY, or for the purpose of counting calls from a entire night of recording, I generally consider night to end around civil twilight. More specifically, my audio cue is when the apparent night sounds cease and the Blue Jays and American Crows begin calling. There's usually a gap of a minute or so of separation between these groups in the morning (night and day). As for the start of a night migration...I'm usually late in setting up, so don't typically hear when the first birds start calling, relative to civil twilight. Sincerely, Chris T-H Harry Lehto wrote: Hi, in discussing night flight calls I am a bit confused about the concept of "night". Astronomically, I have no problem with the true night, and the various twilights. If the limit of "night" is taken at sunset/sunrise, then various day birds fall into the category of night flight calling birds even if they are not proper night migrants. Tits (chikadees), crows and finches start to vocalise before well sunrise, during the civil twilight, and gererally they do not crowd the sky in the deep hours of the night. There appears also to be an assymetry between dusk and dawn. During the same light conditions the duirnal birds at dusk tend to be much quiter than at dawn, so this is not that miuch of a problem in the evening. My question is when do you guys consider the night over? Regards Harry hle...@utu.fi Finland -- NFC-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_WELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_RULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nfc-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NFCL.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NFC-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ -- Chris Tessaglia-Hymes Listowner, NFC-L Ithaca, New York c...@cornell.edu http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_WELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_RULES -- NFC-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_WELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NFC_RULES Archives: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/nfc-l@cornell.edu/maillist.html 2) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NFCL.html 3) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NFC-L Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
