*Indiana
*Statewide
*March 28, 1999
*INST9903.28
- Birds Mentioned [County in which they were seen]
SURF SCOTER (away from Lake Michigan) HENRY COUNTY
Snow Goose Henry
Tundra Swan Jackson/Jennings
Greater Scaup Henry, Benton
Lesser Scaup Henry
Ruddy Duck Henry
Bald Eagle
Merlin Benton
Greater Yellowlegs Henry
Pectoral Sandpiper Benton
Tree Swallow Henry
American Pipit Benton
Pine Warbler Dubois
Louisiana Waterthrush Dubois
- Transcript
hotline: Indiana Rare Bird Alert
date(s): March 28, 1999
number: (317)-259-0911
to report: (317)-259-0911 (Do not send reports by e-mail)
coverage: Indiana Statewide
compiled: March 28, 9:45 p.m. (EST)
transcriber: Phil Kelly (pkelly@iquest.net)
Thank you for calling the Indiana Audubon Society's Rare Bird Hotline.
This is a SPECIAL UPDATE for Sunday, March 28, at 8:45 p.m. (EST).
This is a RARE BIRD ALERT.
SURF SCOTERS have been seen at Summit Lake State Park. We know that
Surf Scoters can be seen at other places in the state, but it is unique for
that part of the state.
Henry County:
-------------
Three SURF SCOTERS were seen on Saturday, March 27, at Summit Lake State
Park.
One was an adult male. Apparently the location was "Sunset Shelter".
This is the only location information that we have at this time. Also there
was an immature male and an immature female seen.
Also seen that day were 5 Greater Yellowlegs at the upper ponds area (county
roads 750 North and 500 East). A Snow Goose was seen in the area of the
dam.
169 Ruddy Ducks were present, along with large numbers of other ducks.
Another report from a birder in the same area today did not mention the
Surf Scoters. We don't know if the birds were gone, or if the Sunday birder
just didn't see them.
Today, (Sunday, March 28), at that location there were 12 Greater Scaup,
20 Lesser Scaup, and many other ducks. Tree Swallows were also present.
The location is in Eastern Henry County: from the intersection of US 36 and
SR 3, go East, 5 miles to county road 500 E, then turn and go North to county
road 750 North--this is the upper ponds area of the State Park.
You can then go into the State Park and get views around different parts of
the
lake. The best ducks that are not on the upper ponds are being seen around
the dam area.
Benton County:
--------------
At Big Pine Creek Game Area, there was a male Greater Scaup seen over the
weekend, along with lots of other ducks present. There was also a Merlin,
50 American Pipits, and a Pectoral Sandpiper.
Jackson/Jennings Counties:
--------------------------
Lots of waterfowl are being reported from Muscatatuck National Wildlife
Refuge,
including Tundra Swans.
Dubois County:
--------------
At the Ferdinand State Forest, where Pine Warblers have been reported for
some time now, a Louisiana Waterthrush was seen early this morning
(Sunday, March 28).
---------------
At Cataract State Recreation Area, there was a report of a pair of
Bald Eagles nesting near the headwaters of Mill Creek (not previously
mentioned on our reports of Eagles from around the state).
They are being seen regularly.
--If you have any birds to report, please leave your name, telephone number, and pertinent details about your sighting. We encourage you to go out and look at the waterfowl, since excellent numbers of them are being reported.
[Transcriber's note: Reports are accepted only via telephone, at 317-259-0911]