February Recent Sightings by Jim Eager

• 1/14/11—Nelson’s Sparrow—Mitchell Harris—Patillo Ck Rd—MINWR
• 1/14/11—Saltmarsh Sparrow—Mitchell Harris—Patillo Ck Rd—MINWR
• 1/16/11—Nashville Warbler—Jim Eager—private residence Melbourne
• 1/18/11—Merlin—Tom Dunkerton—Peacock’s Pocket—MINWR
• 1/19/11—Ash-throated Flycatcher—Mitchell Harris—Duda Sod Farm—Viera
• 1/21/11—White-throated Sparrow--Mitchell Harris—WSEG boat ramp—MINWR
• 1/25/11—Redhead—Jim Meyer—N side of Beach RD—Canaveral NS
• 1/25/11—Canvasback—Jim Meyer—N side of Beach Rd—Canaveral NS
• 1/28/11—Hairy Woodpecker—Mitchell Harris—Salt Lake WMA—Mims, off SR 46
• 2/11/11—Rusty Blackbird—Mitchell Harris—Salt Lake WMA/Dairy RD—Mims, off SR 46
• 2/13/11—Field Sparrow—Mitchell Harris—Pine Flatwoods TR—MINWR

Just an observation:  As a lot of us birders have observed a noticeable absence of duck species in the numbers we’re used to seeing, especially the Scaup out on the Banana and Indian Rivers.  2 years ago 500,000 scaup were counted by Phyllis Mansfield’s team during the Cocoa CBC.  Where have they gone??  For a little reprieve have people seen the number of Horned Grebes around this winter?  While co-leading 2 Bio-geography of the 1000 Islands field trips during the Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival I counted 2 large flocks of 200+ and 300+ Horned Grebes.  I personally haven’t seen that many in my life at one time.  As the comedian Gallagher says “one of those things that makes you go HMMMMM!!