Banded Great Blue Heron

 Spotted this Great Blue Heron (Ardea Herodias) on a recent visit to Stump Pass Beach State Park, and noticed a leg band.  Having seen many Great Blues, but never noticed one to be banded, I sent in a report to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory....hoping to learn more about this bird.  No luck, but a nice response from biologist Matt Rogosky.

Banded Bird Reporting

Marker Ref. ID: 82031 encountered 10/19/2016. NCBD (Marker)

cmreports@usgs.gov Dear STEVEN SCOTT, Thank you for reporting a sighting of a bird with auxiliary marker(s) (colored leg band, neck collar, wing tag, etc). Unfortunately, we are unable to return any information on the bird because we have been unsuccessful in finding out who originally banded the bird you have sighted. Therefore, we are unable to provide you with the banding history (age, sex, banding date, banding location, etc) of the bird(s). Although our office is responsible for issuing the authorizations for these types

To

wabisabifarm@yahoo.com

Nov 21 at 11:33 AM

Dear STEVEN SCOTT,


Thank you for reporting a sighting of a bird with auxiliary marker(s) (colored leg band, neck collar, wing tag, etc). Unfortunately, we are unable to return any information on the bird because we have been unsuccessful in finding out who originally banded the bird you have sighted. Therefore, we are unable to provide you with the banding history (age, sex, banding date, banding location, etc) of the bird(s).

Although our office is responsible for issuing the authorizations for these types of markers, it is very common that we cannot match the bird to a bander. There are several possible reasons for this:

1. You may have seen, recorded or reported the codes on the marker incorrectly. Transposing numbers, mistaking number for letters, etc. are common sources of error.
2. The Bird Banding Lab did not receive enough information from the sighting (eg. there was no code/color associa ted with the auxiliary marker from the sighting, species of the bird is unknown).
3. Authorization for the marker was not approved or was not issued by the Bird Banding Laboratory. A bander could be using the marker illegally.
4. Many authorizations for the kind/color of marker sighted for the species has been issued, making it impossible to match it to the original bander.
5. Markers may be faded or discolored from the originally issued marker at the time of sightings making it difficult or impossible to match the sighting to the original bander.
6. The bird may be an escapee from an aviary or another captive facility or was someone's pet.

We realize that it can be difficult at times to view bands/markers on birds and appreciate all efforts to report sightings. If the complete or correct codes should become available, you may resubmit your
sighting.

Your interest, cooperation and patience are appreciated. Again, we regret that we are unable to provide any information at this time.

In this e-mail is your original report submitted to the BBL.

Marker Reference ID: 82031
Type of Marker: Left leg band #1: Pink
Species of Bird: ARDEA HERODIAS
Date bird/band obtained: 10/19/2016
How bird/band was obtained: Sight record: identified by color band, marked plumage or marker other than standard, numbered metal band.
Status of band after obtaining bird: LEFT ON BIRD
Present condition of bird: ALIVE - UNKNOWN

Location where bird/band was obtained:
Country: United States
State/Province: Florida
County/Parish: Charlotte
Nearest Town/Place: Grove City
Distance and direction from the town: 1.4 mi. WSW
Description:

Contact Info:
1. STEVEN SCOTT
26073 ANCUDA DR
PUNTA GORDA, FL 33983 United States
Work Phone:
Home Phone: (941) 625 -0381
Fax:
Email: wabisabifarm@yahoo.com

Remarks: Great Blue Heron with pink leg band. Number 8 on band. Seen alive and in apparent good condition at the south end of Stump Pass Beach State Park on Manasota Key, Englewood, Florida. Photos available.... request at wabisabifarm@yahoo.com

Sincerely,
MATT ROGOSKY, Biologist
Bird Banding Laboratory
USGS PWRC
12100 Beech Forest Road
Laurel, Maryland 20708-4037
Email: cmreports@usgs.gov

I will continue to find out more about this bird's banding...will see if Cornell's Ornithology Lab can help.

All About Birds Great Blue Heron

Stump Pass Beach State Park is a good spot for shore birds...on a barrier island in Englewood, Florida.

Stump Pass Beach State Park

The shifting sands of barrier islands have made the beach walk "wet" during high tide.....but Stump Pass is one of my favorites!

Mailbox moths!

(Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) is quite a name for the little critters living on my mailbox!  Common name is Bagworm Moth.

University of Florida entomology link

There are over 1000 species in the family Psychidae.  The "bags" here contain the "worm," and are attached by very strong silken threads.

Bagworm Wiki link

The males become moths and live only a couple of days.  The females lay eggs in their bag and do not emerge as moths.

Usually infesting evergreen, the worms feed on over 50 families of plants and can cause significant damage.  I cannot find any plant damage nearby the mailbox....and postulate that they may indeed be eating junk mail!!!!

More about Bag Worms!

These bags are constructed of twigs....they all look similar and are very strong.  The sticks are held together by lots of silk.

Another Florida Bagworm blog!

Locomotion is achieved by spinning some silk and then dragging the bag along as it moves.  There are silk trails all over the mailbox!

Alyeska Mountainscaping

Just back from Anchorage, Alaska....short trip to attend Vets With a Mission's annual board of directors meeting.  Late September...between seasons....cold and rainy every day.  But, a great chance for some "mountainscape" photography and a couple of good hikes

Visit Anchorage Guide

The Hotel Alyeska was a great choice for our meeting....beautiful surroundings,  off season rates, great food, relaxing and well appointed rooms and common areas

Hotel Alyeska video....Nice!

Just a 45 minute drive from Anchorage, nestled in the Chugach Mountains and next to the Chugach National Forest.

You can hike to the top...or take the tram ride.  The sun popped out for a few minutes and we were treated to a rainbow.  Great view down to the little ski town of Girdwood.

Girdwood Alaska

Great ride on the tram....holds 60 passengers and takes 5 minutes.

Tram video

Ten degree difference from valley to mountaintops meant some snow....and good photos!

Alaska weather and climate

Recently renovated, the Alyeska has many inviting common areas.

The Hotel Alyeska video

The VWAM board of directors and advisors spent several days in the hotel boardroom.... reviewing the past year and charting our future.

Vets with a Mission

Glaciers in every direction....here is the Goat Glacier as seen from Girdwood. 

Glaciers near Anchorage

  Bill, Mike, Steve and Kent had a very nice hike around Moose Meadow.....which is one of the Nordic ski trails in winter.

Alyeska Trail Map.

Geology of Alaska

Mike and I had a great rainy day hike into the Chugach National Forest.

Chugach National Forest

Chugach National Forest

Signs and hotel staff continually warned us of bears!  Bears, bears...everywhere...on the slopes, in the parking lot, downtown Girdwood.  They were in a feeding frenzy in anticipation of a long and cold winter. 

Bears in Alaska

No...we didn't see this guy on the trail....he was stuffed, but still quite menacing in the hotel lobby.  We did keep a sharp eye on our hikes....but didn't see any.....guess they saw us first.

Bear Spray!

Great time to see Alaska's Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) in full color.

Alaska Trees

Quaking Aspen

Too soon was our stay at the Alyeska over....time for a drive back to Anchorage along the scenic Seward Highway along the Cook Inlet....a long fiord with a rare bore tides.

Seward Highway Roadtrip

Turnagain Arm link.

We stopped at Bird Point for some photos and met this gent....with an astronomical telescope pointed at the inland mountain slopes.  He showed us a black bear and several mountain goats!  Everyone we met in Alaska was friendly and hospitable.

Bird Point Park

The Cook Inlet is mostly mudflats and the home of globally rare bore tides.

Surfing the Tide video!

We all overnighted in Anchorage to catch flights home.  My flight was a "red eye," giving me time to explore a bit and walk around the 6 mile trail at the Lake Hood Seaplane Base.

WOW.....1000 float planes!  Never seen anything like it.  Made me aware of the remote character of Alaska....many, many places you cannot drive to!

Lake Hood Seaplane Base

Click on the link below to see a Lake Hood video.

Seaplanes in action on Lake Hood

Also, lots and lots of bush planes at the airport.  Alaska has one private plane for every 58 citizens.....highest ratio anywhere in the world.
Listen to the Lake Hood tower!

Lake Hood ATC

Some long distance scenes taken from downtown Anchorage....urban, but on the edge of "The Last Frontier."

Alaska The Last Frontier

The mountains and glaciers are fascinating.  I found a great book about both at the Alyeska gift shop...

A great read about the renowned mountaineer and photographer.

Link to wonderful video about Bradford Washburn...

Bradford Washburn video

Time to head back to the sun in Florida.  Here's a last look taken with my LG phone.   Everything else taken with my Coolpix S6300.

Hoping to get back for a longer visit....maybe a fly in wilderness camp for some guided hiking and a view of Denali.  Thanks to VWAM board member and Anchorage resident, Cal Dunham, for hosting our meeting.....see you next year in South Carolina!