Purple Martins were seen Feb. 2 – not the earliest ever but a welcome sight indeed – over Singing River Hospital in Jackson County.
Two Long-billed Curlews (and nearly 20 Marbled Godwits) have been seen sporadically on the beach at and east of Moses Pier in Gulfport. Searchers may face difficulty gaining access to parking bays along the beach. So, temper all your frustrations with patience.
An amazing report of two Swallow-tailed Kites in the last week of January awaits further verification, because this would be the earliest arrival date by a month or so. A male Vermilion Flycatcher has been seen on various dates throughout the winter in one of that species’ favorite haunts – the ponds at Windy Hills in Lizana.
Bald Eagles at Jackson Ridge are nesting in the same vicinity as they have for years; the old nest tree came down during Katrina, and the new nest tree is close enough to underscore another example of site fidelity.
Eagle nesting is also under way on the grounds of the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge adjacent to the Seaman Road Lagoons. Thanks to Lew Proudfoot, Claire English, Dale Greenwell, Kay Vanderly, Ned Boyajian and Scott Hereford for keeping me in the loop. (Note: I do not check my messages at Eskimmer with regularity, so go directly to my personal e-dress, listed below.)
Want-list items: Board fencing is still on the want list, so if yours is destined for the trash pile please contact Sandyreed@cableone.net or mlasalle@audubon.org to arrange for board pickup. Hundreds of birdhouses have been made through this recycling program, sponsored by Mississippi Coast Audubon and Audubon Mississippi.
While Katrina may have been the catalyst, these Birdhouse Clinics will go on for years to come. For more information, go to www.mscoastaudubon.org and follow the links. (You will also find a great idea for a bird feeder made from the same size boards and a two-pound coffee can).
MCAS field trip: Saturday, February 18; meet 7:30 a.m. at Kmart parking lot, corner of Mississippi 603 and U.S. 90 in Waveland. Bring drink and snacks, as such items are not widely available in Hancock County. This is a trip to a wonderful but privately owned property birders know as Jackson Ridge, and is highly recommended.
Do check the Web site at mscoastaudubon.org for late-breaking details. Scheduled leaders are Ned Boyajian and Jerry Bird ( bird dj@bellsouth.net).
Our own Arbor Day: Circle March 4! We have upwards of 20,000 trees, including red oak, red maple, bald cypress, and even some Live oaks for distribution at various points along the Coast and southeastern Louisiana. PODs will be announced in this column and elsewhere in advance of that date.
This is a cooperative effort between the National Arbor Day Foundation, National Audubon Society, Audubon Mississippi and Mississippi Coast Audubon Society and we are so proud it is exceeding all expectations.
Oopses, misses, and outright afterthoughts: Birder Mike Kayes relates that prior to Katrina he had good returns on a small investment in a plastic Purple Martin condo. I had previously stated this wasn’t such a great idea. Also, if you are putting up a Wood Duck house, be advised wood shavings or chips, to a depth of four inches, should be added (and changed each year).
Biloxi Sun Herald
Despite a housing shortage, Eastern Bluebirds may still be picky. Check the near surroundings for habitat suitability, try to use more than one box (bluebirds like company) placed about 300 feet apart. Do it now. Get more info at www.nabluebirdsociety.org.
Forward, March: Here’s to spring’s earliest migrants. When late February merges into March, Cattle Egret, Green Heron, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Swallow-tailed Kite, American Golden Plover, Upland Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, White-eyed Vireo, Barn Swallow, Northern Parula, Black-and-white Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, and Louisiana Waterthrush are on the agenda.
