FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] RPT: Miscellaneous reports/observations

["Palmer-Ball, Brainard (EPPC OOS KNPC)" <Brainard.Palmer-Ball@xxxxxx>]

Sue Massey's imm. male Rufous Hummingbird continues outside of
Brownsboro, Oldham County. Her bird is the only one still on site after
three weeks of off-and-on cold weather.
 
I've been doing some surveys for Indiana bats with other state agency
personnel the past couple of weeks. Last week we visited two caves in
Breckinridge County that are not much more than deep rock shelters at
either end of an ancient collapse of a cave passage. Both ends don't
have much true 'dark' zone where the bats occur. We entered the first
end to count bats and could find only a handful of Eastern pipistrelles
where there are normally dozens of Little brown bats and "pips". As we
were entering the other side, a Barred Owl flew up and out of the
entrance. Upon getting down into the dark zone of this passage, we found
whitewash on some of the boulders and found 6-8 pellets. Superficial
examination of the pellets revealed *many* bat bones in them! This side
of the collapse is much colder than the other, so the hibernating bats
are way back in cracks in the rock, but we found only a small percentage
of what we normally see there. We were left with no other conclusion but
that the Barred Owl has been feasting on bats for some extended period
through the winter (and perhaps preceding fall) season!
 
Yesterday while hiking between caves in Rockcastle County, we had nice
looks at a Ruffed Grouse that kicked up.
 
There have been several posts about increased numbers of birds at
feeders lately. As the meager supply of winter food continues to
diminish, it is likely that the birds that *have* stayed here through
the winter will have a harder and harder time finding natural food. We
should expect more and more activity at this critical part of the late
winter ... so don't stop feeding now!
 
bpb, Frankfort